Previous researches showed that students who have access to the graphing calculator significantly score higher in problem solving compare to their counterparts who did not use the graphing calculator (Allison, 2000; Bitter & Hatfield, 1991; Carter, 1995; Hatem, 2010; Rich, 1991; Tan et al., 2011) . These findings are compatible with the results obtained in this study. An independent sample t-test was conducted in order to determine whether significance differences exist between those using the traditional approach and those using graphing calculator. Results obtained show that the experimental group which had access to graphing calculator during the lesson and test scored significantly higher than the control group. This indicates that the use of graphing calculator had a positive impact on students' ability to solve problems. This was supported by other researchers who reviewed that students are better problem solvers when graphing calculator was used in class and during assessment (Pilipczuk, 2006; Schrupp, 2007) . However, the discrepancy in scores could be due to either the teaching approach used or the individual difference in problem solving skill. From visual inspection, students who used graphing calculator were exposed to different strategies in solving problems.

Previous researches showed that students who have access to the graphing calculator significantly score higher in problem solving compare to their counterparts who did not use the graphing calculator.

This was supported by other researchers who reviewed that students are better problem solvers when graphing calculator was used in class and during assessment.


Where social workers did not engage with children or challenge parents, this was not because of a 'rule of optimism' and seeking to put the best interpretation on events. It was rooted in a mixture of fear and other intense emotions and sensory experiences and organisational constraints. Far from being optimistic, in the cases profiled here, there was pessimism about the parents, whose stories were viewed with scepticism. In child death inquiries and much child protection literature, unsafe practice is said to occur due to reasons that are exceptional, rather than it being part of the fabric of the work (Cooper, 2005) . The paper has shown that the processes and events that lead to children becoming invisible and unheld in child protection work turn out to be everyday ones. It is vital that workers' emotional and visceral experiences are now understood for the crucial part they play in why they do not relate effectively to children and parents.

In child death inquiries and much child protection literature, unsafe practice is said to occur due to reasons that are exceptional, rather than it being part of the fabric of the work.


In previous work, a 50-couple thermoelectric device printed on a flexible polyimide substrate was capable of producing 10.5µW at 171.6mV for a 20K temperature difference at matched load resistance [5] . Printed zinc-manganese dixoide microbatteries with gel polymer electrolytes achieved an average of 1 mAh/cm 2 and 1.2 mWh/cm 2 for discharge rates between C/2 -C/7 [8] . Although we have individually demonstrated the performance of printed thermal energy harvesting and energy storage devices, practical applications require integrated DC-to-DC conversion. While low currents output (µA~mA) from TEGs are sufficient for slowly charging microbatteries, a voltage output higher than the battery open circuit voltage is always necessary (1.5~5V depending on the battery types). This presents difficulties for small-scale thermoelectric generators at low temperature differences since device output voltages typically fall within the mV range. Thus, we explore the use of a commercially available voltage step-up DC-to-DC converter (Linear Tech LTC3108) to charge a printed microbattery using ultralow power and energy harvested from a printed thermoelectric device. Fig. 1  and 2 show a schematic and image of the components in an integrated circuit.

In previous work, a 50-couple thermoelectric device printed on a flexible polyimide substrate was capable of producing 10.5µW at 171.6mV for a 20K temperature difference at matched load resistance.

Printed zinc-manganese dixoide microbatteries with gel polymer electrolytes achieved an average of 1 mAh/cm 2 and 1.2 mWh/cm 2 for discharge rates between C/2 -C/7.


Ethiopian Ministry of Education commented that most of the country curricula and teaching methods embedded in them are suffered from the old and traditional approaches (MoE, 2002) . As a result of this, curriculum revisions were made and different programs were designed to provide quality training with continuous and dedicated implementation of active learning at different levels. Among these, the introduction of Teacher Education System Overhaul program that emphasizes on participatory and active learning methods in pre-service and in-service programs of teacher education was the major one (MoE, 2003) . The above statement emphasized that the use of active learning in general and CL in particular are means to sustain quality learning in teacher education programs.

Ethiopian Ministry of Education commented that most of the country curricula and teaching methods embedded in them are suffered from the old and traditional approaches.

Among these, the introduction of Teacher Education System Overhaul program that emphasizes on participatory and active learning methods in pre-service and in-service programs of teacher education was the major one.


In a few works, research on SLAM combining both vision and LiDAR sensor were investigated. For instance, IR scanner, vision sensors and encoders were simultaneously integrated, based on a particle filter framework for mobile robot localization, with the assumption of previously known map information. Besides, research on detecting moving cars and pedestrians, and research on indoor path planning of UAV were developed, by combining computer vision processing results with LiDAR measurements [16] [17] [18] . Nevertheless, these efforts put most emphasis on detecting and localizing possible obstacles via heterogeneous sensor fusion, and thus suffered from generating extensive status information of the host vehicles. Consequently, a literature survey reveals that no published result presents direct integration of vision sensor and LiDAR within an INS mechanization scheme, for a complete navigation solution for unstructured outdoor environments.

Besides, research on detecting moving cars and pedestrians, and research on indoor path planning of UAV were developed, by combining computer vision processing results with LiDAR measurements.


Apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) is the major protein of high density lipoproteins (HDL). The main function of HDL is to transport cholesterol from peripheral tissue to the liver for reuse or excretion a process called reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) [1] . In this process apo A-I is a potent activator of the enzyme lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), which is a key enzyme in the cholesterol metabolism [2] . HDL levels in plasma are found to be inversely correlated by the occurrence of arterosclerosis [3] .

The main function of HDL is to transport cholesterol from peripheral tissue to the liver for reuse or excretion a process called reverse cholesterol transport (RCT).

In this process apo A-I is a potent activator of the enzyme lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), which is a key enzyme in the cholesterol metabolism.

HDL levels in plasma are found to be inversely correlated by the occurrence of arterosclerosis.


We have earlier reported studies on chemical and thermal induced unfolding of apo A-I and apo A-I M [12, 13] . The thermal induced unfolding showed intermediate states of both proteins. For apo A-I M the intermediate state is well separated from the main transition, while for apo A-I the intermediate state is partly overlapping with the main transition [13] . Apo A-I M is susceptible to low concentrations of GuHCl. The earlier data suggest that the changes in ellipticity involve changes in the state of oligomerization, as well as formation of intermediate states before unfolding [12] .

We have earlier reported studies on chemical and thermal induced unfolding of apo A-I and apo A-I M.

For apo A-I M the intermediate state is well separated from the main transition, while for apo A-I the intermediate state is partly overlapping with the main transition.

The earlier data suggest that the changes in ellipticity involve changes in the state of oligomerization, as well as formation of intermediate states before unfolding.


The use of isothermal calorimetry to characterise and quantify the unfolding behaviour of proteins in the presence of denaturants has not gained much attention and use. Pfeil and Privalov used isothermal calorimetry for the study of GuHCl induced unfolding of lysozyme in 1976 [14] . More recently urea and GuHCl induced unfolding of lysozyme, cytochrome c and ribonuclease A was studied by isothermal calorimetry by Makhatadze and Privalov [15] . In these studies the denaturation of the proteins and the preferential binding of denaturants to the proteins were thermodynamically evaluated. In the earliest study it was demonstrated that the states of thermal induced unfolded and GuHCl induced unfolded lysozyme is thermodynamically indistinguishable [14] .

Pfeil and Privalov used isothermal calorimetry for the study of GuHCl induced unfolding of lysozyme in 1976.

More recently urea and GuHCl induced unfolding of lysozyme, cytochrome c and ribonuclease A was studied by isothermal calorimetry by Makhatadze and Privalov.

In the earliest study it was demonstrated that the states of thermal induced unfolded and GuHCl induced unfolded lysozyme is thermodynamically indistinguishable.


Iron-induced diabetes is possible to be mediated by three key mechanisms: insulin deficiency, insulin resistance, and/or hepatic dysfunction representing a link between the presence of hepatic iron and development of insulin resistance [3] . One study shows that pre-diabetic HH is associated with lower insulin levels but enhances insulin sensitivity [4] . The typical phenotype of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects with dietary or transfusional iron overload, however, is of insulin resistance [5] . Nevertheless, one study has implied that insulin secretory defects may appear earlier than insulin resistance [6] . The existence of insulin sensitivity in HH but insulin resistance in transfusional and dietary iron overload can be explained by the different tissues in which the overloaded iron is stored in the conditions of low hepcidin (in HH) compared to high hepcidin (in transfusional and dietary iron overload) [7] . These differences are thought to be mediated by adiponectin, the insulin-sensitizing adipokine secreted by adipocytes. Loss of adipocyte iron export channel, ferroportin, as a result of high hepcidin levels (in transfusional and dietary iron overload), results in adipocyte iron loading, decreased adiponectin, and insulin resistance [8] . Conversely, decreased hepcidin encountered in HH leads to increased ferroportin expression, decreased adipocyte iron, increased adiponectin and improved insulin sensitivity [9] [10] .

Iron-induced diabetes is possible to be mediated by three key mechanisms: insulin deficiency, insulin resistance, and/or hepatic dysfunction representing a link between the presence of hepatic iron and development of insulin resistance.

One study shows that pre-diabetic HH is associated with lower insulin levels but enhances insulin sensitivity.

The typical phenotype of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects with dietary or transfusional iron overload, however, is of insulin resistance.

Nevertheless, one study has implied that insulin secretory defects may appear earlier than insulin resistance.

The existence of insulin sensitivity in HH but insulin resistance in transfusional and dietary iron overload can be explained by the different tissues in which the overloaded iron is stored in the conditions of low hepcidin (in HH) compared to high hepcidin (in transfusional and dietary iron overload).

Loss of adipocyte iron export channel, ferroportin, as a result of high hepcidin levels (in transfusional and dietary iron overload), results in adipocyte iron loading, decreased adiponectin, and insulin resistance.

Conversely, decreased hepcidin encountered in HH leads to increased ferroportin expression, decreased adipocyte iron, increased adiponectin and improved insulin sensitivity.


This study tried to find answer of the research question concerning perception of fund managers regarding ESG issues and contributes to existing body of literature by examining managerial perceptions regarding different aspects of ESG indicators. A survey of French and UK markets has been done for collection of the data about investment beliefs. UK and France are considered to be the best markets for our research question as both are two major SRI markets of Europe and having different corporate governance systems and SRI approach. Both countries differ in board accountability and objectivity, corporate governance transparency, role of stakeholders and board responsibility (Weil & Manges, 2014) . Government policies to encourage corporate social responsibility are also different among different countries of Europe (Knudsen, Moon, & Slager, 2015) . SRI practices are also different in two countries as in France it is based on "best in class" approach as contrary to the "exclusion" approach used in UK (Crifo & Mottis, 2016) . To compare these two biggest markets of ESG and SRI is the contribution of this paper. This is an untouched area with pioneering views on managers' preference towards ESG and as per authors' knowledge no other study compared the investment beliefs of the managers.

Both countries differ in board accountability and objectivity, corporate governance transparency, role of stakeholders and board responsibility.

Government policies to encourage corporate social responsibility are also different among different countries of Europe.

SRI practices are also different in two countries as in France it is based on "best in class" approach as contrary to the "exclusion" approach used in UK.


Based on the findings in Table 4 , motivation was found to have a significant relationship with delinquent behaviour. Motivation is an emotional tendency that guides or facilitates towards goals achievement. Under the motivation domain, are three motivational subdomains such as achievement drive, commitment, initiative and optimism. Students who have self-motivation would strive to excel in their undertakings and have high self-esteem. Delinquent students lack the motivation to learn and have limited ability to focus and maintain a positive sense of self-worth while being confronted by daily school challenges (Lopes, 2003) . They do not have the determination to achieve a goal and to excel in their work.

Delinquent students lack the motivation to learn and have limited ability to focus and maintain a positive sense of self-worth while being confronted by daily school challenges.


The increasing global demand for fossil fuels, their tendency to be scarcer, and the need to control the greenhouse gas emissions when using them are requiring new strategies for energy production. An alternative to conventional refineries for clean and renewable energy production is the biorefinery. Biorefineries can recover nutrients and other products of interest from energetic crops, organic wastes and other waste fluxes [1] . This concept goes beyond the philosophy of petrochemical refineries, including sustainable management practices and closed cycle processes whenever possible. Wastes, whether domestic, industrial, agricultural or from livestock are a great opportunity to recover water, energy, chemical products and nutrients, and have a big potential for application in biorefineries [2] . Not only meeting environmental protection objectives, but also recovering energy and resources from wastes should be addressed in a circular economy [3] .

Biorefineries can recover nutrients and other products of interest from energetic crops, organic wastes and other waste fluxes.

Wastes, whether domestic, industrial, agricultural or from livestock are a great opportunity to recover water, energy, chemical products and nutrients, and have a big potential for application in biorefineries.

Not only meeting environmental protection objectives, but also recovering energy and resources from wastes should be addressed in a circular economy.


The BET equation for the Type I isotherm differs from Type II in that only one layer of sorbate is assumed to be present. Historically, two systems have been found that give rise to Type I isotherms. One is chemisorption in which there are a finite number of sites with which a finite number of sorbate molecules may react. This situation is assumed not to be the case between nitrogen and montmorillonite. The second case is sorption on solids containing pores with dimensions which approach the dimensions of the sorbate molecules (Gregg and Sing, 1967) . In such pores, multilayer formation is physically impossible. It is suggested that the interlamellar space of montmorillonites should fit this latter category.

The second case is sorption on solids containing pores with dimensions which approach the dimensions of the sorbate molecules.


Nevertheless, there are several encouraging areas of investigation in cancer research. One field of particular interest is the identification of the tumor microenvironment as an essential part of tumor survival [2] [3] [4] . In better understanding the biology of the tumors and the microenvironment in which they flourish, researchers hope to identify novel molecular targets for the therapeutical inhibition of tumor growth. The neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor has recently been discovered to play an integral role in the maintenance of a favourable tumor microenvironment. Its pharmaceutical blockage robustly inhibits tumor growth of various tumors, making it an attractive anticancer target [5] .

One field of particular interest is the identification of the tumor microenvironment as an essential part of tumor survival.

Its pharmaceutical blockage robustly inhibits tumor growth of various tumors, making it an attractive anticancer target.


The move from Cloud to Fog in 5G brings out several key challenges, including the need for supporting the on-demand orchestration and runtime adaptation of resilient and trustworthy Fog Services. This is essential for the success of the future Internet of Everything (IoE), which is a clear evolution of the IoT [7] . This paper evaluates Fog Computing as a support for 5G Network in terms of latency, throughput, and energy efficiency. It is organized as follows. Section 2 provides an overview of 5G services and applications. Section 3 compares 4G and 5G requirements. Section 4 considers Fog Computing environment for 5G network. Section 5 performs evaluation of fog computing mechanisms in 5G network in terms of latency, throughput, and energy efficiency. Finally, Section 6 concludes the paper and provides future work research directions.

This is essential for the success of the future Internet of Everything (IoE), which is a clear evolution of the IoT.

It is organized as follows.


Work reported here includes use of a full-factorial 2 4 design of experiments to establish the statistical significance of four test variables on the behavior of AA5083-H131 during SSRT tests as characterized by four quantities: (1) yield stress (YS), (2) ultimate tensile stress (UTS), (3) fracture stress (FS), and (4) percent relative elongation (%). Variables included testing in humid air (50% RH) following pre-exposure to DW during alloy sensitization at 80°C and/or total immersion in DW at RT immediately prior to plastic straining. Two distinct types of EIC were generated during SSRT, as recently observed in sensitized AA5083-H131 strained in humid air (50% RH) after pre-exposure to 0.6 m NaCl (Holroyd et al., 2017) .

Two distinct types of EIC were generated during SSRT, as recently observed in sensitized AA5083-H131 strained in humid air (50% RH) after pre-exposure to 0.6 m NaCl.


Results from our initial slow strain rate testing (SSRT) of sensitized AA5083-H131, immediately following its sensitization in distilled water (DW) at 80°C and/or preexposure to DW at room temperature (RT) for up to 1000 h, generated minimal EIC during straining in dry or humid air at a nominal strain rate of 5 × 10 −5 /s. However, some EIC consistently occurred during straining in DW. This observation prompted the use of lower nominal strain rates to determine if EIC and pre-exposure embrittlement would now occur in AA5083-H131 in humid air, as was observed in 7xxx series aluminum alloys (Hardie et al., 1979; Holroyd & Hardie, 1981) .

This observation prompted the use of lower nominal strain rates to determine if EIC and pre-exposure embrittlement would now occur in AA5083-H131 in humid air, as was observed in 7xxx series aluminum alloys.


Let Λ be an n-dimensional (Euclidean) lattice in R n . The dual lattice Λ * of Λ is the lattice {x ∈ R n | (x, y) ∈ Z for all y ∈ Λ}, where (x, y) is the standard inner product. A lattice Λ with Λ = Λ * is called unimodular. The norm of a vector x is defined as (x, x). A unimodular lattice with even norms is said to be even, and that containing a vector of odd norm is said to be odd. An n-dimensional even unimodular lattice exists if and only if n ≡ 0 (mod 8), while an odd unimodular lattice exists for every dimension. For example, the unique even unimodular lattice without roots in 24 dimensions is the Leech lattice Λ 24 and the unique odd unimodular lattice without roots in 24 dimensions is the odd Leech lattice O 24 [4] . The minimum norm min(Λ) of Λ is the smallest norm among all nonzero vectors of Λ.

For example, the unique even unimodular lattice without roots in 24 dimensions is the Leech lattice Λ 24 and the unique odd unimodular lattice without roots in 24 dimensions is the odd Leech lattice O 24.


Chapman, Gulliver, and Harada showed that there exists a 2k-frame in the Leech lattice for every k ≥ 2 [3, 5] . This gives rise to a natural question, is there a k-frame in the odd Leech lattice? Harada and Kharaghani showed that there is a k-frame in the odd Leech lattice for k ≤ 97 [6] . The aim of the present paper is to settle this problem: Theorem 1. There exists an orthogonal frame of norm k in the odd Leech lattice for every k ≥ 3.

Chapman, Gulliver, and Harada showed that there exists a 2k-frame in the Leech lattice for every k ≥ 2.

Harada and Kharaghani showed that there is a k-frame in the odd Leech lattice for k ≤ 97.


The present work stems from the initial desire of understanding what happens to (1.5) when the seminorm N ∆ s,p (f ) is replaced by N A s,p (f ), where A is the infinitesimal generator of a wide class of non-symmetric semigroups with drift introduced by Hörmander in his celebrated hypoellipticity paper [15] . In the course of our study we have encountered a new, unexpected phenomenon: the value of the corresponding limit in (1.5) depends on the trace of the drift in A . But in order to state our results precisely, we need to introduce the relevant framework.

The present work stems from the initial desire of understanding what happens to (1.5) when the seminorm N ∆ s,p (f ) is replaced by N A s,p (f ), where A is the infinitesimal generator of a wide class of non-symmetric semigroups with drift introduced by Hörmander in his celebrated hypoellipticity paper.


Textile industries are one of the most common and essential sectors in the world. On the other hand, high volume of water consumption and varying wastewater characteristics due to many products, such as dyes, biocides, carriers, detergents, etc. used in the process are the factors that have caused a continuous effort to find appropriate technologies to treat textile industry wastewater (Eremektar et al., 2007) . Wastewater generated by the dye production industry and many other industries which uses dyes and pigments are high in both color and organic content. About 10,000 different commercial dyes and pigments exist, and over 7 · 10 5 tons are produced annually world-wide. It has been estimated that about 10-15% of these dyes are released as effluents during the dyeing processes (Gomez et al., 2007) .

On the other hand, high volume of water consumption and varying wastewater characteristics due to many products, such as dyes, biocides, carriers, detergents, etc. used in the process are the factors that have caused a continuous effort to find appropriate technologies to treat textile industry wastewater.

It has been estimated that about 10-15% of these dyes are released as effluents during the dyeing processes.


In the present paper we investigate L 0 -valued states and Markov operators on C * -algebras over L 0 . In particular in section 2 and 3 we give representations for L 0 -valued state and Markov operators on C * algebras over L 0 , respectively, as a measurable bundle of states and Markov operators. In section 4, we apply the obtained representations to study certain ergodic properties of C * -dynamical systems over L 0 . Note that there are many variants of ergodic theorems for C * -dynamical systems (see for example, [5] , [15] - [19] , [21] ).

Note that there are many variants of ergodic theorems for C * -dynamical systems (see for example,,-,).


One way to distribute the signal effectively inside buildings and thus minimize multipath effects is to use distribution antenna systems [6, 7] . However there are some places such as long corridors, tunnels, airport piers, areas inside sports stadiums or underground stations in which a smooth coverage cannot easily be achieved using such systems, making radiating cable systems a good technological alternative [5, 8, 9] . A radiating cable or leaky feeder is a coaxial cable where the outer conductor has been slotted allowing radiation to occur along the cable length for uniform coverage. In the field of wireless communications, a radiating cable can be used as a passive distribution system improving coverage in any underground or closed environment [10, 11] . When used in combination with a dedicated indoor cell, such as picocell or microcell, capacity is not sacrificed and coverage can be smoothly distributed within the premises.

One way to distribute the signal effectively inside buildings and thus minimize multipath effects is to use distribution antenna systems.

However there are some places such as long corridors, tunnels, airport piers, areas inside sports stadiums or underground stations in which a smooth coverage cannot easily be achieved using such systems, making radiating cable systems a good technological alternative.

In the field of wireless communications, a radiating cable can be used as a passive distribution system improving coverage in any underground or closed environment.


The energy management of intelligent buildings is significant, since it contributes to the continuous management and thus saving energy and cost ultimately maintaining comfort. Active systems are generally being controlled, that is heating, cooling and ventilation (HVAC) systems, through building energy management system (BEMS) [5, 6] . Generally, ambient temperature in buildings indicates thermal comfort, whereas auxiliary heating and cooling system is applied to maintain the temperature in comfortable region.

Active systems are generally being controlled, that is heating, cooling and ventilation (HVAC) systems, through building energy management system (BEMS).


The multi-dimensional conflicting aspect of building is to save energy and the achievement of indoor comfort conditions. Ensuring comfort conditions in building is important due to 90% of the world's population spend most of the time in buildings [4, 5] . These have a direct impact on dwellers productivity, health and efficiency and pose indirect impact on energy efficiency of buildings. Therefore, to make use of limited energy resources and to fulfill the occupants' comfort demands, an intelligent control system is intended.

Ensuring comfort conditions in building is important due to 90% of the world's population spend most of the time in buildings.


Once a movie is produced, it is distributed to theaters for its exhibition. The size of the audience, however, is uncertain and the optimal number of copies to be distributed depends on the expected demand for the film. The distributor of a film chooses a release pattern -the number and location of theaters in which the film is going to be shown-and a date at which to release films for exhibition, looking for high demand periods and seeking to avoid competition from films that are close substitutes. The size of the initial release determines the number of prints needed for distribution to each of the theaters. A wide release on many screens draws a large, simultaneous sample of consumers in many theaters and cities, but the film faces the risk of being played-off rapidly and be dropped from theaters. A tailored release strategy samples consumers sequentially, starting at a few theaters and using the information from that sample to adjust bookings if the film builds an audience (De Vany and Walls (1996) ).

A tailored release strategy samples consumers sequentially, starting at a few theaters and using the information from that sample to adjust bookings if the film builds an audience).


Of the various types of myiasis, only the secondary (accidental, facultative) myiasis is potentially nosocomial. And in this paper we report a facultative myiasis caused by W. nuba. Flesh flies prefer sunlight rather than shaded conditions but hospital condition must be attracting for these flies (Smith 1986) .

Flesh flies prefer sunlight rather than shaded conditions but hospital condition must be attracting for these flies.


Recently, tracking of human gestures has been extensively studied to promote human-like input interfaces to machines. In particular, virtual reality (VR) applications and immersive games critically require natural human-computer interfaces (HCIs), which reduce the gap between virtual-world and real-world interactions. For instance, in learning or gaming applications where navigation in virtual environments is needed, the effectiveness of the user experience depends not only on the rendering quality but also on the interaction with the system. A successful HCI system must guarantee real-time feedback to the user and be neither intrusive nor cumbersome [2] . Furthermore, to allow deployment on commercial-off-the-shelf computer systems, it must be designed with commodity components.

A successful HCI system must guarantee real-time feedback to the user and be neither intrusive nor cumbersome.


The protocol for the human study was approved by the Research Council of St Petersburg School of Pediatric Medicine and by the Institutional Review Board of Medstar Research Institute, Washington, DC. Consecutive patients with preeclampsia (gestational age 37-39 weeks) admitted to Kolpino Obstetric Hospital and Snegirev Obstetric Hospital (St Petersburg, Russia) were enrolled in the study. Preeclampsia was diagnosed according to the criteria established by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology [18] . This definition includes at least two of the following criteria: 1) a diastolic blood pressure of at least 90 mmHg, a systolic blood pressure of at least 140 mmHg, an increase in the diastolic blood pressure of at least 15 mmHg, or an increase in systolic blood pressure of 30 mmHg on at least two occasions 6 h or more apart, 2) proteinuria defined by at least 300 mg protein in a 24-h urine collection or a protein concentration of 1 g or more per liter in two random urine specimens collected 6 h or more apart) and 3) edema defined as a generalized accumulation of fluid of greater than 1+ pitting edema after 12 h of bed rest or a weight gain of 5 pounds or more in 1 week in the setting of pregnancy after the 20th week of gestation. Gestationally age-matched subjects with uncomplicated pregnancies served as controls. None of the subjects studied had ever taken digitalis drugs or had a chronic disease known to be associated with increased levels of CTS (hypertension, renal and hepatic diseases, endocrine dysfunction).

Preeclampsia was diagnosed according to the criteria established by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.


Competition does not necessarily occur among sympatric species that use the same food resources. This can be avoided by partitioning the different food resources (HODGSON et al., 1997) . In particular, significant differences in habitat selection seem to be an efficient mechanism that can guarantee the coexistence among species that use the same food source (WERNER et al., 1981; SCOTT and ANGERMEIER, 1998) . The interaction between E. lucius and M. salmoides does not seem to be in this category since the two species have the same habitat preference. This is confirmed by the recent expansion of largemouth bass into the same lake zones where pike were formerly more abundant.

This can be avoided by partitioning the different food resources.

In particular, significant differences in habitat selection seem to be an efficient mechanism that can guarantee the coexistence among species that use the same food source.


Further studies identified the increasing expression of NT-1/DCC in osteoarthritic cartilage and increasing co-immunoprecipitation between DCC and VEGF. Meanwhile, the DCC siRNA decreased the increasing VEGF expression in OA. These data indicated DCC was involved in the positive regulation of osteoarthritic angiogenesis by VEGF directly in OA. The mechanisms of DCC in the regulation of VEGF are still unclear. Previous studies found that DCC, on NT-1 binding, activates the extracelluar signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) [34, 35] . And DCC was also shown to activate the ERK-1/2-eNOS pathway [36] . It was reported earlier that NO mediates VEGF-induced angiogenesis [37] . MAPK/ERK signaling pathway also plays an important role in the regulation of VEGF [38, 39] . We infer that the DCC could upregulate VEGF via MAPK/ERK or eNOS/NO signaling pathway. However, more data from further studies are necessary to support the hypothesis.

Previous studies found that DCC, on NT-1 binding, activates the extracelluar signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK).

And DCC was also shown to activate the ERK-1/2-eNOS pathway.

It was reported earlier that NO mediates VEGF-induced angiogenesis.

MAPK/ERK signaling pathway also plays an important role in the regulation of VEGF.


Sense of place had a significant positive effect on both collective and personal benefits, and had a significant negative effect on personal cost, which corresponded with the results from previous literature [7, 61] . In addition, sense of place had a direct, positive effect on residents' support of tourism development, which was consistent with others' studies [17, 34] . Furthermore, sense of place also indirectly affected support for tourism development mediated by perceived impacts indirectly. This implied that residents who are more devoted to their community and have a high sense of place tended to think that tourism would bring more benefits and that they support tourism development more. A significant positive relationship was found between residents' perceptions of tourism development potential and their perceived collective benefits. Conversely, there was a negative significant relationship between tourism development potential and both negative collective and personal impacts. This indicated that residents' perceptions of local sustainable tourism development potential could influence their perception of benefits or costs, especially from a communal standpoint. The tourism development potential also had a significant direct positive effect on tourism development support, which means that the tourism development potential could directly affect residents' attitudes toward tourism development. Additionally, except for the direct effects, the tourism development potential and sense of place also had indirect effects on tourism development support via the moderating variables of perceived tourism impacts. This result suggested that in order to increase residents' support for sustainable tourism development, raising their sense of place and perceptions of tourism development potential were crucial.

Sense of place had a significant positive effect on both collective and personal benefits, and had a significant negative effect on personal cost, which corresponded with the results from previous literature.

In addition, sense of place had a direct, positive effect on residents' support of tourism development, which was consistent with others' studies.


There are two different types of uncertainties: aleatory and epistemic uncertainties [1] . Aleatory uncertainty is classified as objective and irreducible uncertainty, whereas epistemic uncertainty is a subjective and reducible uncertainty that stems from lack of knowledge on data. In general, a large amount of data is employed to construct aleatory uncertainty, such that an uncertainty is accurately quantified with a distribution type and its parameters. Often, it is very difficult to collect sufficient data for uncertainty quantification due to the restrictions of resources (budgets, facilities, human, time, etc.). Thus, it is desirable that different design methodology is utilized for different types of uncertainty.

There are two different types of uncertainties: aleatory and epistemic uncertainties.


In 1951, three catalytic cracking reactors in oil refineries of the United States failed over a short period of time. The root cause of these accidents was initially attributed to graphitization, and so the oil refining industry had to further study and improve its knowledge about the problem. The collective effort resulted in a reduction in the risk of This progress was made by improving the quality of steels prone to graphitization, especially by limiting the content of aluminum, with a reduction in maximum operating temperature. Temperature reduction was obtained in two ways: one was the improving of weldability of steels having Cr levels above 1%, thus replacing steels susceptible to graphitization in equipment exposed to temperature above which graphitization occurs. The other was the development of refractory compatible with the application on the inner surfaces of pressure vessels and piping. The substantial reduction in cases of graphitization caused a decreasing interest in this failure mechanism in the 1970s and 1980s with regard to high-temperature structural applications. From the 1990s, there has been a renaissance of interest in graphitization, which is attributed not only to increased failure probability but also to the severity of the consequences should they occur, and the public aversion against risks to physical safety and the environment. The API Recommended Practice RP-571 presents the modern view of graphitization in technological aspect [3] .

The API Recommended Practice RP-571 presents the modern view of graphitization in technological aspect.


IA form ion pairs with corresponding cations (M + ) -close ones with lithium ion and loose ones with sodium or potassium ions [21] . Unfortunately, the impact of cations is very much less pronounced in IL media than in common organic solvents (Table 1) , although the same trends are preserved. Lithium counter ions provide the highest fraction of Calkyl product by comparison with other cations. This effect is greatest when alkylation is performed with 1-iodobutane (Tables 1, 2), which suggests a significant role for the leaving group in the reactions in IL media.

IA form ion pairs with corresponding cations (M + ) -close ones with lithium ion and loose ones with sodium or potassium ions.


In all cases, the evolution of the concentration was intriguingly similar to the one observed experimentally in chaotic mixing, presenting a maximum in the salt-attracting configuration as the colloid concentration is first amplified before being attenuated. Using arguments based on compressibility, it was possible to obtain a prediction of the maximum concentration when dealing with initially round patches. This prediction involves the existence of a flow, but does not involve the flow parameters, and compares very well with numerical and analytical results. Finally, we stress that while established in the case of linear flows, it also gives the correct order of magnitude (less than 3% error) in the case of diffusiophoresis with chaotic advection in our numerical paper (Volk et al. (2014) ). This points out that diffusiophoretic effects are not changed when increasing stirring. This observation also holds for the mixing time as we found that the ratio T mix (D dp = 0)/T mix (D dp = 0) does not depend on the shear rate.

Finally, we stress that while established in the case of linear flows, it also gives the correct order of magnitude (less than 3% error) in the case of diffusiophoresis with chaotic advection in our numerical paper).


Let L(t, Often it is convenient to write x (1) = x ′ , x (2) = x ′′ , and sometimes we revert to the standard notation used in mechanics: x ′ =ẋ, x ′′ =ẍ. Such problems arise, for instance, in connection with the theory of beams and rods [18] . Further, many problems in the calculus of variations with higher-order derivatives describe important optimal control problems with linear dynamics [17] .

Such problems arise, for instance, in connection with the theory of beams and rods.

Further, many problems in the calculus of variations with higher-order derivatives describe important optimal control problems with linear dynamics.


We give here what we claim to be a new regularity condition which is of a different nature than those appearing for the first-order problems. For the sake of simplicity, we restrict ourselves to second-order problems (m = 2). The results of the paper can be naturally extended to derivatives of higher order than two, but the proofs become rather technical. While existence follows by imposing coercivity to the Lagrangian L (hypothesis (H3)), we prove (cf. Theorem 4.1) that for the autonomous second-order problems of the calculus of variations, regularity follows by imposing a superlinearity condition to the partial derivatives ∂L ∂ẍ i of the Lagrangian. We observe that our condition is intrinsic to the higher-order problems: for autonomous problems of the calculus of variations with m = 1 (1.3) is trivially satisfied and no superlinearity on the partial derivatives of L is needed, while such conditions are required in the higher-order case as a consequence of Sarychev's results [15] .

We observe that our condition is intrinsic to the higher-order problems: for autonomous problems of the calculus of variations with m = 1 (1.3) is trivially satisfied and no superlinearity on the partial derivatives of L is needed, while such conditions are required in the higher-order case as a consequence of Sarychev's results.


This delay should be one of the cleanest signatures that Cherenkov telescopes are able to study in order to spot Quantum Gravity effects. Nevertheless, as it has already been pointed out in the literature, it might be mimic by effects related to the source physics (internal production delays for higher energy gammas) or propagation (time delay due to cascading in intergalactic magnetic fields [5] ). It is true that, in case the delay is observed, these effects might complicate its actual interpretation but, otherwise, the nonobservation of such delays should allow to place constraints in the effective Quantum Gravity scale.

Nevertheless, as it has already been pointed out in the literature, it might be mimic by effects related to the source physics (internal production delays for higher energy gammas) or propagation (time delay due to cascading in intergalactic magnetic fields).


There were also some cases of Cryptococcus, Dengue virus, and Rickettsia species identified by qPCR TAC. Although Cryptococcus can be readily identified by the antigen test, cryptococcosis remains associated with high mortality rates [39] . Because 4 of 5 cases with low CrAg assay titers (<1:80) had a second causative pathogen identified in blood culture, it is unlikely that cryptococcosis was the etiology of sepsis in these cases. Dengue and Rickettsia are not easily recognized or considered as pathogens in critically ill patients in this region. However, spotted fever and typhus group rickettsiosis have been identified in febrile patients in Tanzania and Rickettsia species are commonly found in dog fleas in Uganda [12, 40] . Rickettsial infections are treatable with doxycycline, and a better understanding of which patients are likely to present with a rickettsial infection could help guide empiric therapy.

Although Cryptococcus can be readily identified by the antigen test, cryptococcosis remains associated with high mortality rates.

However, spotted fever and typhus group rickettsiosis have been identified in febrile patients in Tanzania and Rickettsia species are commonly found in dog fleas in Uganda.


Treatment outcomes for each trial, such as local control rate, overall survival rate, acute toxicities and late toxicities, have already been reported [9] [10] [11] [12] . The patient characteristics are summarized in Table 1 Table 2 shows the first site of failure after C-ion RT according to histology and PLN status or tumor size. Of the 91 cases, 27 developed locoregional recurrence and 40 had distant failure. In the case of SqCC, 9 of 36 (25.0%) cases had locoregional recurrence, 13 of 36 (36.1%) had distant failure, and 9 of 36 (25.0%) had PALN failure. In the case of AC, 18 of 55 (32.7%) developed locoregional recurrence, 27 of 55 (49.1%) had distant failure, and 10 of 55 (18.2%) had PALN failure.

Treatment outcomes for each trial, such as local control rate, overall survival rate, acute toxicities and late toxicities, have already been reported.


If young people believe that they have a low awareness of research in general, then it is also likely to be difficult to increase their involvement as a public contributor. In this study some young people reported never being approached about research participation nor research involvement. This concurs with the findings of a previous UK audit of paediatric and adolescent rheumatology services which reported that at least 60% of centres did not involve young people in research other than as research participants [14] . An interesting finding was that some young people who had actually been involved in shaping research did not always perceive this as involvement. One explanation for this may be the lack of feedback they received following their involvement, or it may reflect lack of clarity of their role during the participation and involvement processes.

This concurs with the findings of a previous UK audit of paediatric and adolescent rheumatology services which reported that at least 60% of centres did not involve young people in research other than as research participants.


The magnitude of the friction force generated by the wedge actuator is associated with factors such as the wedge angle, friction coefficient, actuation force, and the clutch slipping speed [8] . Theoretically, the self-reinforcement ratio can be positive or negative and can be larger or less than 1, depending on the value of those factors. In order to gain satisfactory performance, the wedge geometry and friction interface characteristics need modest design, and the actuator force needs to be controlled carefully considering the clutch slipping speed. For the driveline dynamics, the most important thing is to be stable, for unstability leads toserious safty problems for vehicles. Unfortunately, the wedge brake system can be unstable if improper parameters are applied [9] . Stability analysis is necessary for the wedge-based clutch actuation system since it affects the longitude dynamic of the vehicle driveline and unstable situation may also occur in automatic transmission with wedge clutches. However, no literature reports the research yet.

The magnitude of the friction force generated by the wedge actuator is associated with factors such as the wedge angle, friction coefficient, actuation force, and the clutch slipping speed.

Unfortunately, the wedge brake system can be unstable if improper parameters are applied.


The circumstances of the three companies in 2016 was as follows. Pacific, at the beginning of 2016, struggled to raise money by selling assets. During the previous years, the company's debt had soared after a series of acquisitions. The firm's liquidity situation deteriorated rapidly. Standard & Poor's and Moody's downgraded Pacific's long-term credit rating to D and C respectively, which meant it had defaulted on its obligations (Feld, 2016) (Moody's, 2016) .

Standard & Poor's and Moody's downgraded Pacific's long-term credit rating to D and C respectively, which meant it had defaulted on its obligations.


In total, our knowledge on the relationship between lncRNAs and SIRT1 is still fragmentary, but certainly worth further exploration. Generally, downstream factors of SIRT1 have been mostly sought in the field of deacetylatable proteins and rarely among noncoding RNAs. While countless publications have described the targeting of Sirt1 mRNA by microRNAs, a microRNA as a mediator of SIRT1 signaling has only exceptionally been identified, e.g., in the case of miR-182 [60] . It would not be a surprise if many more downstream miRNAs and lncRNAs would exist too. In the future, investigators may not only seek for regulators of SIRT1 expression but also consider a reverse relationship. At least indirectly, SIRT1 should be assumed to modulate numerous lncRNAs and other noncoding RNAs by its effects on the circadian system, which generates numerous rhythms of lncRNAs [25] [26] [27] [28] . As far as melatonin acts via SIRT1 or directly resets and modulates circadian rhythms (cf. Figure 1) , additional actions on cycling lncRNAs should be expected. In any case, circadian oscillators represent orchestrating machineries that control a considerable fraction of genes whose expression has, almost inevitably, to be subject to modulation by the various types of lncRNAs.

While countless publications have described the targeting of Sirt1 mRNA by microRNAs, a microRNA as a mediator of SIRT1 signaling has only exceptionally been identified, e.g., in the case of miR-182.

At least indirectly, SIRT1 should be assumed to modulate numerous lncRNAs and other noncoding RNAs by its effects on the circadian system, which generates numerous rhythms of lncRNAs.


In the scientific community, glass or quartz fiber filters are generally preferred for PM mass determination with the beta attenuation method, while Teflon filters are preferred for gravimetric determinations because of thier higher insensitivity to relative humidity during the weigthing procedure (Brown et al., 2006) . When sampling is aimed to chemical characterization, instead, the choice of the filter material depends on the type of analyses to be carried out on the collected dust: no single filter medium is appropriate for all chemical analyses and sampling on multiple substrates can be necessary when a complete chemical characterization is desired. In general, Teflon membranes show better performances when ions and elements have to be determined, because of their lower blank levels (Chow and Watson, 1998) . Instead, the determination of elemental and organic carbon (EC/OC), which has to be carried out at high temperatures, can only be performed on quartz fiber filters. Additional criteria range from practical issues, such as cost or availability, to physical and chemical features, such as mechanical stability, flow resistance, loading capacity, static charge effects, chemical stability, blank levels.

In the scientific community, glass or quartz fiber filters are generally preferred for PM mass determination with the beta attenuation method, while Teflon filters are preferred for gravimetric determinations because of thier higher insensitivity to relative humidity during the weigthing procedure.

In general, Teflon membranes show better performances when ions and elements have to be determined, because of their lower blank levels.


Finally, the idea of using GANs for transfer learning and domain adaptation was explored for supervised image classification and robotics applications by several authors (Bousmalis et al., 2016; Hoffman et al., 2017; Liu & Tuzel, 2016; Bousmalis et al., 2017) . In these methods, there is supervised source domain data (x s i , y s i ) and unlabeled target domain data, and the GAN variant G is trained to map source samples x s i to target-like samples G(x s i ) . Then, a classifier is trained on the generated data (G(x s i ), y s i ). Our RL-based setup is different: first, our coverage of target-domain data is very limited (we can only observe states which are reachable by the un-adapted or untrained agent). Second, we do not have access to supervised gold labels on the source domain, but only to a learned policy network. Third, interactions with the game environment provide very indirect rewards, so using this reward signal to influence the GAN training will be very inefficient. We thus opt for a different strategy: rather than mapping the source to the target domain and training on the projected signal, which is unrealistic an costly in the RL setup, we instead take a pre-trained source model and train an unaligned GAN to map from the target domain back to the source domain, in order to re-use the source model's knowledge and apply it to the target domain data. We believe this form of usage of GAN for transfer learning is novel.

Finally, the idea of using GANs for transfer learning and domain adaptation was explored for supervised image classification and robotics applications by several authors.


The AdS black hole solution in four-dimensional spacetime is an accurate black hole solution of the Einstein equation with negative cosmological constant in asymptotic AdS space time [1] . This solution has the same thermodynamic characteristics as the black hole solution in asymptotically flat space-time, i.e., the black hole entropy is equal to a quarter of the event horizon area, while the corresponding thermodynamics quantity satisfies the law of thermodynamics of black hole. It is well known that, if taken as a thermodynamic system, the asymptotically flat black hole does not meet the requirements of thermodynamic stability due to its negative heat capacity. However, compared with the asymptotically flat space-time black hole, the AdS black hole can be in thermodynamic equilibrium and stable state, because the heat capacity of the system is positive when the system parameters take certain values.

The AdS black hole solution in four-dimensional spacetime is an accurate black hole solution of the Einstein equation with negative cosmological constant in asymptotic AdS space time.


It is well known that black hole is an ideal system to understand the nature and behavior of quantum gravity. On one hand, black hole provides an ideal model to study all kinds of interesting behaviors of classical gravitation (under the sense of general relativity); on the other hand, it can be regarded as a macroscopic quantum system with unique thermodynamic properties (the entropy, temperature and holographic properties of gravitation are quantum), which provides an important window to probe the quantum gravity. More importantly, a better understanding of the black hole singularity, cosmological singularity, and cosmological inflation needs a basic theory of space-time gravitation. Up to now there is still no mature theory to precisely describe the quantum characteristics of the asymptotic flat black holes and non-asymptotically flat space-time black holes. However, string theory firstly provided the microcosmic explanations for the entropy of some AdS black holes, which predicted the existence of Mtheory and some duality relations (especially AdS / CFT correspondence) and realized the holographic properties of gravitational systems [35] .

However, string theory firstly provided the microcosmic explanations for the entropy of some AdS black holes, which predicted the existence of Mtheory and some duality relations (especially AdS / CFT correspondence) and realized the holographic properties of gravitational systems.


Micro/nanopositioning is a crucial technique for micro/ nanomanipulation and assembly systems such as scanning probe microscopes [1] . As a typical smart material-based actuator, piezoelectric actuator exhibits the merits of subnanometer positioning resolution and rapid response speed. Hence, piezoelectric actuators have been extensively adopted in the aforementioned applications. For instance, piezoelectric bimorph actuators are usually employed to construct a microgripper dedicated to micro/nanoassembly tasks [2, 3] . The major challenge of using piezoelectric actuator for micro/nanopositioning lies in how to overcome the piezoelectric non-linearities in terms of hysteresis and creep effects.

Micro/nanopositioning is a crucial technique for micro/ nanomanipulation and assembly systems such as scanning probe microscopes.

For instance, piezoelectric bimorph actuators are usually employed to construct a microgripper dedicated to micro/nanoassembly tasks.


Only moderate depolarisation values between 2% and 3% have been found for the 2014 season. Again, these values are lower than for the 2013 season (Tomasi et al., 2015) . In that paper a systematic higher depolarisation in the haze season of 2013 has been reported. Hence, the question to what extent normally backscatter and depolarisation values are correlated remains open. For the 2014 season only the distinction between "spherical aerosol", "depolarising aerosol" and "activated aerosol" could be made, but no dependence of depolarisation on backscatter has been found.

Again, these values are lower than for the 2013 season.


T sonde ðz; t 0 Þ :¼ T true ðz; t 0 Þ; DTðzÞ :¼ T true ðz; t 0 Þ À T HR ðz; t 0 Þ (4) Where T HR is the temperature profile from the HATPRO radiometer and z denotes to the height. For times t i later than the balloon launch time t 0 we construct the true temperature profile estimations T true ðz; t i Þ ¼ T HR ðz; t i Þ À DTðzÞ (5) In other words we assumed that the deviation between the HATPRO radiometer and the sonde (representing the true temperature profile) should be constant between times t 0 and t i . To these temperature profiles T true ðz; t i Þ a constant error of ±3 K was added. Finally from the mixing ratio in the lidar and the above introduced temperature profiles the relative humidities in Fig. 36 for times UT 11:48 and 12:34 were calculated. The 3 K insecurity in the temperature transfers into about 20% insecurity in the relative humidity (dotted lines in Fig. 36 ), but it seems as if the relative humidity would slowly decrease with time. Hence, if precise temperature profiles were available (back-) scatter enhancement factors could be derived from Raman lidar data (Zieger et al., 2011) . Overall the decreasing values of backscatter and relative humidity over time support the hypothesis that a slow drying of droplets has been observed.

Hence, if precise temperature profiles were available (back-) scatter enhancement factors could be derived from Raman lidar data.


Comparison of Gag-protease sequences derived from pre-PI and failure timepoints was performed for each patient and amino acid changes present at failure in comparison with the pre-PI timepoint noted (Table 1) . In patients 1 and 3, only two amino acid changes were present at failure, but in the remaining patients numerous mutations were present (Table 1) . However, no pattern of mutations was present across patients. Patient 5 developed major resistance mutations I54V and I84V in protease at failure, along with 31 other mutations including A431V and P453L in Gag that have been previously associated with PI exposure and resistance [16] .

Patient 5 developed major resistance mutations I54V and I84V in protease at failure, along with 31 other mutations including A431V and P453L in Gag that have been previously associated with PI exposure and resistance.


Operational problems are known to occur in the activated sludge treatment of potato wastewater, primarily connected with sludge settling in secondary clarifiers. The high carbohydrate waste may be prone to filamentous bacterial growth if the aeration basin environmental conditions are not maintained in the proper ranges (Pailthorp et al., 1975; Sezgin et al., 1978; Wanner, 1994) . Considering that biological degradation is the most widely used method to reduce organic loading of wastewater, knowledge of microbial kinetics becomes essential for biological treatment design and to establish the operating conditions that produce sludges with adequate settling characteristics.

The high carbohydrate waste may be prone to filamentous bacterial growth if the aeration basin environmental conditions are not maintained in the proper ranges.


Among aerobic biological wastewater treatments, activated sludge systems play an important role. Waste is discharged into large aeration basins in which atmospheric oxygen is diffused by releasing compressed air into the waste or by mechanical surface aerators. Both substrate consumption kinetics and floc-forming capacity of the sludge determine process efficiency. The operation mode of the aeration unit affects the physical properties of the flocs and may limit the clarification capacity of the secondary settling tank. The wastewater of a potato-processing plant includes constituents of the potato that are readily water soluble and appear as dissolved solids, such as solubilised starch, proteins, amino acids, organic acids, and sugars. The organic portion of the waste stream can only be removed by biological treatments (Pailthorp et al., 1975) .

The organic portion of the waste stream can only be removed by biological treatments.


Since the early 20th century, the earths average surface temperature has increased by approximately 0.8 C, with about two thirds of the increase occurring after 1980. Most climate scientists agree that the global warming over the past century is mainly caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG) associated with human activities [1] . The increase in global temperature will cause rises of sea levels and changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation, as well as probable expansions of subtropical deserts [2] .

Most climate scientists agree that the global warming over the past century is mainly caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG) associated with human activities.

The increase in global temperature will cause rises of sea levels and changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation, as well as probable expansions of subtropical deserts.


To cooperatively prevent dangerous anthropogenic climate change, most countries are now parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) initiated in 1992 which is known today as the Kyoto protocol. One of the main mechanisms of GHG reduction dictated by the protocol is the trading of human-related emission allowances, primarily the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in organized and competitive markets [3] . Today, several national and regional emission markets have been established in which a variety of specialized financial instruments are traded [4] . Financial markets are of great importance for economics and econophysics research. A key topic of the market studies is the statistical regularities of price dynamics, which could be measured by the price change (return) and its magnitude (volatility) [5] . For example, the long-range autocorrelation of volatility, short-range autocorrelation of return, time-dependent stochastic process, leptokurtic and power-law tail distributions, many stylized facts have been found in temporal field of price time series.

One of the main mechanisms of GHG reduction dictated by the protocol is the trading of human-related emission allowances, primarily the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in organized and competitive markets.

Today, several national and regional emission markets have been established in which a variety of specialized financial instruments are traded.

A key topic of the market studies is the statistical regularities of price dynamics, which could be measured by the price change (return) and its magnitude (volatility).


An innovation is a product, service, or process that is new or perceived as new by its developers (Van de Ven, 1986) . Some processes (e.g. new product development) are essential to develop innovations within companies. This paper discusses the use of modeling techniques to support innovation processes. We argue that techniques for process modeling and analysis, which we refer to collectively as business modeling techniques (BMTs), can be used to support and improve innovation processes. Such techniques are commonly used in many fields, e.g. for information system development. In these fields, the importance of such techniques is broadly recognized and benefits of their use have been shown empirically in the literature (Maylor, 2001; Wheelwright and Clark, 1992) . However, BMTs have often been considered inappropriate for processes such as new product development (NPD) that are highly unstructured and characterized by difficult-to-forecast activities linked by reciprocal rather then sequential dependencies. Nevertheless, interest in modeling techniques to support innovation is rapidly increasing, though as yet, few modeling EJIM 8,1 techniques have been proposed to support innovation processes (Presley et al. 2000) . We suggest that there may be BMTs that are appropriate to support such processes (e.g., design rationale techniques or cognitive mapping). By providing models of the innovation process, BMTs can support the identification of problems and the assessment of alternative modes to perform the process. Moreover, by their adoption organizations can learn how they innovate and improve the process.

An innovation is a product, service, or process that is new or perceived as new by its developers.

In these fields, the importance of such techniques is broadly recognized and benefits of their use have been shown empirically in the literature.

Nevertheless, interest in modeling techniques to support innovation is rapidly increasing, though as yet, few modeling EJIM 8,1 techniques have been proposed to support innovation processes.


Denosumab has been shown to be associated with a significant reduction in the risk of vertebral, hip, and nonvertebral fractures compared to placebos in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis [16] . All the included studies in this review found no statistical significance between the groups. However, the limitation of this study was that none of the included studies were powered to compare fracture rates between the groups. Previous studies in postmenopausal women have reported a greater incidence in serious adverse events of infection for denosumab compared with placebo [6, 17] . This current study did not observe any statistical significance between the groups.

Denosumab has been shown to be associated with a significant reduction in the risk of vertebral, hip, and nonvertebral fractures compared to placebos in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Previous studies in postmenopausal women have reported a greater incidence in serious adverse events of infection for denosumab compared with placebo.


Given the nature of our data, we can only speculate about factors that may underlie our findings. Contrary to the reasoning advanced in the present analysis, it is possible that prestige of doctoral origin is associated with other more fundamental variables indicative of scholarly ability. The most prestigious graduate departments of management, in fact, may produce the most qualified job candidates. If this were so, the relationship between prestige of doctoral origin and prestige of initial academic appointments would be consistent with the assignment of rewards based on merit (Bedeian & Feild, 1980) . Our results and the reasoning underlying our hypotheses, however, are well founded in the academic literature on prestige as it relates to social stratification processes and are consistent with findings in many other disciplines.

If this were so, the relationship between prestige of doctoral origin and prestige of initial academic appointments would be consistent with the assignment of rewards based on merit.


Although most attention is paid to retrograde (proximal) extension , antegrade (distal) spread of tumor has also been described [1] . Tumor reaching the gasserian ganglion via the foramen rotundum can then follow the mandiublar division (V 3) back out of the skull via the foramen ova Ie as in case 1 . Also in case 1 the primary tumor was separate from the infraorbital canal , which was nonetheless enlarged. Tumor was thought to have reached the maxillary nerve in the PPF and then to have extended along the nerve in a peripheral direction. The orbital apex lesion may well represent antegrade neural extension from the gasserian ganglion along the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal (V1). This would explain why the orbital lesion was not continuous with the PPF involvement.

Although most attention is paid to retrograde (proximal) extension , antegrade (distal) spread of tumor has also been described.


The disadvantage is however a good feature to observe the plasma clouds that through out from the Sun, the so-called Corona Material Ejection (CME). Once these plasma clouds left the solar ionosphere, their density decreases and various EM waves are emitted due to the thermal movement of the electrons and the collision between them [2, 3] . These EM waves, of much lower frequency, can be observable because the plasma cloud is already out of the solar ionosphere.

Once these plasma clouds left the solar ionosphere, their density decreases and various EM waves are emitted due to the thermal movement of the electrons and the collision between them.


The study of solar CME and its propagation in the interplanetary space is a very hot topic in the past ten years [4, 5] . The main reason is because the CME is the main source that affects our planet Earth space weather. At the exception of the background solar wind, the Earth space environment is generally quite stable and provides safe environment for human technology facilities such as man made satellite, international space stations, etc. While the interplanetary condition changes, i.e. the background solar wind varies, the geospace environment is disturbed by magnetosphere storms, ionosphere storm and earth magnetism storms [6∼8] . During the storms, the free particles in space gather and move together to form a space current. At certain space region, the flux of charged particles increases dramatically [9] . Once a satellite runs into this region, the onboard electronics may be charged and discharged. In many cases, the electronics may fail to function normally or even can be destroyed completely. These events are called the space weather events to imitate the disaster weather event on the surface of the earth.

The study of solar CME and its propagation in the interplanetary space is a very hot topic in the past ten years.

At certain space region, the flux of charged particles increases dramatically.


Electromagnetic waves are basic nature of solar radiation [1] . However, most of the energy is paled in the range of visible light band and above. This is due to the highly ionized solar atmosphere that low frequency waves are totally blocked by the ionosphere of the Sun. The result is that if we are able to take an image of the Sun at 30MHz for example, the Sun will turn out to be black.

Electromagnetic waves are basic nature of solar radiation.


Quantization of the benefits available to a given area (study area) from its neighbors (assisting areas) enables the study area to perform such operations planning activities as unit commitment, scheduling of equipment maintenance, and deciding the amount of spinning reserve to be maintained. Techniques for 0 assessing interconnection benefits and utilizing this information for reliability and operations planning applications are well established [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . Perhaps the most common form of quantization of interconnection benefits is the capacity assistance distribution, which is the probability distribution of the capacity of assistance available to the study area. The derivation of this distribution is easily understood for the two-area case, where the generation reserve distribution of the assisting area is filtered through the capacity distribution of the interconnecting tie-line to yield the assistance distribution [1, 2, 6] . The extension of this method to the radially connected multi-area case is obvious [2, 6] . However, this method did not apply to looped configurations, and the need remained for a method of constructing capacity assistance distributions for arbitrarily configured multiarea networks. The work reported in this paper fulfills this need.

Techniques for 0 assessing interconnection benefits and utilizing this information for reliability and operations planning applications are well established.

The derivation of this distribution is easily understood for the two-area case, where the generation reserve distribution of the assisting area is filtered through the capacity distribution of the interconnecting tie-line to yield the assistance distribution.

The extension of this method to the radially connected multi-area case is obvious.


Headache is a very common condition that affects at least 80% of the population, defined as a pain with a predominantly neurocranial location whose topographical extension does not correspond to the territory of distribution of single nerve trunks. It has a great range of etiological factors: primary headache is an idiopathic form and etiological factors are not detectable (migraine, tension type headache, cluster headache), secondary forms can have systemic or local causes [1] . Therefore, the headache is a disease that must be well investigated and requires a multi-specialist collaboration.

It has a great range of etiological factors: primary headache is an idiopathic form and etiological factors are not detectable (migraine, tension type headache, cluster headache), secondary forms can have systemic or local causes.


When examining the delivery sites offering CDSME Program workshops, educational institutions, workplaces, and tribal centers were able to enroll more participants, deliver more workshops, and reach more counties in the most rural of settings (i.e., non-metro non-adjacent, relative to non-metro adjacent). Despite less enrollment, delivery, and reach, relative to non-metro adjacent areas, other delivery site types had comparable dissemination efforts in the most rural settings (e.g., senior centers/AAA, county health departments, faith-based organizations). This signifies the strong role of these organizations/entities in more rural areas, and their established community trust, and their function as places for congregation [48, 54] . Based on the success of these delivery sites, future efforts are needed to engage such entities in rural communities, in order to adopt CDSME Programs and routinely offer them to local residents. To facilitate growth in rural areas, technical assistance will be needed (e.g., topics related to delivery structure enhancement, training and retaining lay leaders, participant recruitment, transportation). Previous experience by the study team highlights the utility of partnerships (e.g., sharing resources and knowledge), marketing (e.g., tailored material), and regular communication among stakeholders (e.g., among Area Agencies on Aging and program evaluators) [48] . While this study examined the implementation of programs within a larger national dissemination effort, it did not specifically assess rural reach, by stratifying each individual program by the delivery site types hosting workshops. While organizational adoption and delivery characteristics differences are assumed between CDSME Programs, such an examination is beyond the scope of this study. Future studies should examine the nuances of each CDSME Program dissemination, especially by the most predominant programs and delivery sites.

This signifies the strong role of these organizations/entities in more rural areas, and their established community trust, and their function as places for congregation.

Previous experience by the study team highlights the utility of partnerships (e.g., sharing resources and knowledge), marketing (e.g., tailored material), and regular communication among stakeholders (e.g., among Area Agencies on Aging and program evaluators).


The strain field calculation method with the optimal choice of the cut-off radius in Scheme 3 is applied to characterize the deformation of two different configurations of double-layer cellular cladding under a linear decaying blast load. Two Voronoi honeycomb blocks of different plateau stress levels with respect to different relative densities are used as cores in the double-layer cellular claddings. The 2D fields and the 1D distributions of local engineering strain are calculated for the two configurations of cladding. These results interpret the shock wave propagation mechanisms in the two configurations of cladding. A single shock front propagates in C1-2, which is due to inertia. Double shock fronts propagate in C2-1: one is also due to inertia and the other is mainly caused by the strength difference between the two cellular cores. These mechanistic insights provide further understanding in the design of a double-layer cellular cladding, e.g. the optimal design of the thicknesses of cellular cores (Liao et al., 2013b) .

These mechanistic insights provide further understanding in the design of a double-layer cellular cladding, e.g. the optimal design of the thicknesses of cellular cores.


Our work highlights the importance of the local weak limit in the study of random simplicial complexes. The d-tree is also the local weak limit of the bipartite incidence graph between vertices and hyperedges in random (d + 1)-uniform hypergraphs in which every hyperedge is chosen independently with probability c/ n d [16, 17] . Collapsibility and acycility can be defined on hypergraphs, and these notions have been studied extensively in the contexts of random k-Xorsat and cucko-hashing [24, 17, 12, 25] . Surprisingly, the critical c's for these hypergraph properties coincide with c col d and c * d . It is less surprising in view of the key role that the d-tree plays in some of these proofs. This observation illustrates the close connection between random simplicial complexes and random uniform hypergraphs at some ranges of parameters.

The d-tree is also the local weak limit of the bipartite incidence graph between vertices and hyperedges in random (d + 1)-uniform hypergraphs in which every hyperedge is chosen independently with probability c/ n d.

Collapsibility and acycility can be defined on hypergraphs, and these notions have been studied extensively in the contexts of random k-Xorsat and cucko-hashing.


In this paper, we focus on AI as research method and the findings of the study presented here as an example is reported on in another article (Bergmark & Kostenius, 2017) . The concept of AI revolves around two aspects: appreciation and inquiry (Cooperrider & Whitney, 2005) . Appreciate means to value; to recognise the best in others and the world in which we live; to confirm strengths, successes, and opportunities; and to discover aspects that give life and health. Inquiry entails discovery and explorations, posing questions and being open to view new possibilities (Cooperrider & Whitney, 2005) .

In this paper, we focus on AI as research method and the findings of the study presented here as an example is reported on in another article.

The concept of AI revolves around two aspects: appreciation and inquiry.

Inquiry entails discovery and explorations, posing questions and being open to view new possibilities.


Here, we provide such a study by focusing on the common buzzard (Buteo buteo), a medium-sized diurnal raptor widely distributed throughout the Palearctic. In the Italian Alps, its populations are stable, although few quantitative data are available and nothing is known of its habitat requirements. Nests are uniformly dispersed and located on cliffs or trees . The diet is dominated by snakes, mainly occurring in open, arid habitats and by various woodland species of small mammals and birds (Scandolara & Sergio, 2001) .

The diet is dominated by snakes, mainly occurring in open, arid habitats and by various woodland species of small mammals and birds.


However, available land for increasing greenspaces is usually very limited for a heavily-urbanized city [13] . The mitigation of UHI cause more attention to be paid to the optimization of greenspace spatial patterns, and also, much research has been conducted to examine the amount, composition (the abundance and variety of green land types) and configuration (spatial arrangement) of greenspace based on the land patches and landscape metrics from the landscape ecology method [14] [15] [16] . However, little research has explored the effects of theoretical spatial patterns of greenspace on land surface temperature. Moreover, the ambient environment of the greenspace, such as greenspace type, surface characteristics and greenspace areas, may bias the estimation of the cooling effect of the greenspace pattern [17] [18] [19] . An effective design mechanism to mitigate the UHI relies on understanding the information about the comprehensive effect of the ambient environment and spatial patterns of greenspace on land surface temperature.

However, available land for increasing greenspaces is usually very limited for a heavily-urbanized city.

The mitigation of UHI cause more attention to be paid to the optimization of greenspace spatial patterns, and also, much research has been conducted to examine the amount, composition (the abundance and variety of green land types) and configuration (spatial arrangement) of greenspace based on the land patches and landscape metrics from the landscape ecology method.

Moreover, the ambient environment of the greenspace, such as greenspace type, surface characteristics and greenspace areas, may bias the estimation of the cooling effect of the greenspace pattern.


However, how the 3D model of surface features in ENVI-met affects the simulation accuracy has not been considered in the model. Much research has mainly adopted the 2D or simplified 3D model, which were acquired by GIS data and a land cover map. This means that an accurate 3D model of urban space should be expected to improve the accuracy of the CFD model. LiDAR (light detection and ranging) as an active and 3D remote sensing technology can obtain the plain metric and vertical positions and provide a unique and promising solution to extract urban 3D information [35, 36] .

LiDAR (light detection and ranging) as an active and 3D remote sensing technology can obtain the plain metric and vertical positions and provide a unique and promising solution to extract urban 3D information.


Furthermore, an association between these measures and pruritus is no longer observed in the 2012-2015 data, a finding supported by other recent studies [11, 20, 24] . There is no published interventional study showing that lowering serum phosphorus improves pruritus. Emphasizing restriction of phosphate intake in patients with pruritus may lead to inadequate nutrition and inappropriately burden patients with responsibility for their own symptoms; see Supplementary video 1.

Furthermore, an association between these measures and pruritus is no longer observed in the 2012-2015 data, a finding supported by other recent studies.


The antioxidants improve the oxidative stability by removing free radicals formed during the oxidation initiation stage. Fatty peroxyradicals are thereby stabilized and the chain reaction is stopped [21] . Anti-oxidants also retard polymerization but do not inhibit it completely [2] .

Fatty peroxyradicals are thereby stabilized and the chain reaction is stopped.

Anti-oxidants also retard polymerization but do not inhibit it completely.


As seen in the photographs shown in Figure 2 , the color of the MCE membrane is changed from white (Figure 2(a) ) to transparent (Figure 2(b) ). After treated with acetone vapor, the transmittance of the MCE membrane is over 90%, which is high enough as a matrix of TCF. When infiltrated with acetone vapor, the MCE membrane became viscous, so its pores were melted [11] . As is shown in Figures 3(a) and  3(b) , there is no pore in the SEM image of AgNW-MCE films, and the morphology is similar to that of AgNW-PET films (Figure 3(c) ). It is clear from Figure 3(d) that the MCE membrane is porous before treated with acetone vapor. The SEM image in Figure 3(a) shows networks of nanowires with big holes that are above percolation. The percolation problem, which could be detrimental to some electrode applications, can be overcome effectively by incorporating other materials into AgNW networks, such as CNTs, PEDOT, and graphenes.

When infiltrated with acetone vapor, the MCE membrane became viscous, so its pores were melted.


We used NDACC-FTIR and PARIS-IR time series from five sites to characterize the recent changes in the abundance of C 2 H 6 over North America, and we determined significant annual growth rates of 3-5% yr −1 over 2009-2014, depending on the latitude. These results corroborate the increase observed in the European remote atmosphere and attributed to the development of oil and NG extraction in North America (Franco et al 2015) . Using customized simulations of CAM-chem, we evaluated the magnitude of the anthropogenic C 2 H 6 emissions required to simulate the observed abundance of C 2 H 6 prior to 2009 and its subsequent rise. First the simulations indicate that a doubling of the global HTAP2 anthropogenic emissions is necessary to match the C 2 H 6 measurements prior to 2009. Furthermore, an additional increase of the North American anthropogenic C 2 H 6 emissions-dominated by up to 80% by emissions from the oil and gas sector-from 1.6 Tg yr −1 in 2008 to 2.8 Tg yr −1 in 2014, i.e. by 75%, is needed to capture the recent C 2 H 6 atmospheric rise. In an upcoming analysis, it is our aim to refine the source attribution and identification of the geographical origin of the missing emissions with the help of C 2 H 6 -tagged simulations and more than twenty NDACC-FTIR time series from various locations around the globe.

These results corroborate the increase observed in the European remote atmosphere and attributed to the development of oil and NG extraction in North America.


Ethane plays a number of roles in atmospheric chemistry. As the most abundant non-methane volatile organic compound, its oxidation in the presence of nitrogen oxides (NO x ) can enhance tropospheric ozone (O 3 ) production, especially in polluted air masses, and it is a significant source of peroxyacetyl nitrate, the main tropospheric reservoir species for NO x (Fischer et al 2014) . Ethane directly impacts the oxidizing capacity of the troposphere by serving as an important sink for OH. It also shares important and concurrent anthropogenic emission sources with methane (CH 4 ), a major greenhouse gas released to the atmosphere by numerous natural processes and human-related activities. A complete understanding of the atmospheric distribution of C 2 H 6 and any trends in the abundance of this species can be used to better constrain the sources of CH 4 , in particular from oil and gas activities.

As the most abundant non-methane volatile organic compound, its oxidation in the presence of nitrogen oxides (NO x ) can enhance tropospheric ozone (O 3 ) production, especially in polluted air masses, and it is a significant source of peroxyacetyl nitrate, the main tropospheric reservoir species for NO x.


The utilization of local resources such as dahlia tuber as a source of prebiotic inulin combined with Lactobacillus sp. is expected to be a synbiotic and have an impact on the increase in nutrients utilization and productivity of crossbred kampong chicken. As a comparisson, feeding phytobiotic contained a combination of probiotic and prebiotic substances has been reported to function as natural growth promoter (NGPs) (Panda et al., 2009) . Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of inulin derived from dahlia tuber combined with Lactobacillus sp. on antioxidant activity and meat production quality based on calcium and meat protein mass, and to determine the beneficially appropriate combining levels of both substances in crossbred kampong chicken.

As a comparisson, feeding phytobiotic contained a combination of probiotic and prebiotic substances has been reported to function as natural growth promoter (NGPs).


A fuzzy logic controller (FLC) is widely accepted as an efficient controller, which is capable of controlling system without knowledge of its underlying dynamics and without using extensive mathematical analysis. Applications of FLCs in the literature witness that FLC is very efficient for nonlinear and uncertain systems [17] . However, the design of FLC is difficult because it involves several parameters without a distinct method for tuning. The design parameters for FLC are input/output scaling factors, membership function parameters and the rule base. Several heuristic methods have been proposed for the design and tuning of FLCs usually involving trial and error methods. The use of metaheuristic optimization techniques is an efficient method for tuning FLC, which proved efficient for different applications in literature [18, 19] .

Applications of FLCs in the literature witness that FLC is very efficient for nonlinear and uncertain systems.

The use of metaheuristic optimization techniques is an efficient method for tuning FLC, which proved efficient for different applications in literature.


In order to describe and analyse the burden of morbidity in a population, the morbidity and comorbidity status of each patient need to be measured, as well as the mix of groups of patients in a defined area. Case-mix analyses might thus show groups of patients defined by their mor-bidity status. A case-mix measure classifies cases into clinical groups that are similar in terms of certain characteristics. The cases can be patients, contacts, episodes or visits. The characteristics may be diagnosis, procedure, severity, need for resources, and capacity to benefit. Different case-mix systems are constructed to handle different tasks -planning, prevention, describing the content, resource allocation, and cost reimbursement. No single system is applicable to every function [1] [2] [3] .

No single system is applicable to every function.


Software system handover or transition is mainly defined as a controlled and coordinated activity during which a software system is handed over from the team performing software development to the team performing post-development maintenance and support [8] . Some studies, however, have revealed that software handover may also take place in other contexts, that is, between other phases and parties [2] [5] . One such context may be the handover of system responsibilities from the vendor to the system acquirer.

Software system handover or transition is mainly defined as a controlled and coordinated activity during which a software system is handed over from the team performing software development to the team performing post-development maintenance and support.

Some studies, however, have revealed that software handover may also take place in other contexts, that is, between other phases and parties.


Northeast Thailand covers more than one-third of the country of 16.9 million ha with 9.25 million ha of agricultural land or 44% of the arable land. There are about 2.8 million ha of saline soil or 17% of the total area in northeast Thailand. The soils are classified as severe, moderate and slightly saline occupying areas of 240,000, 590,000 and 2,020,000 ha, respectively (Yavaniyama et al., 2005) . The surface salinity originates from the rock salt beads of the Mahasarakam Formation of the Mesozoic Khorat Group. For wet lands, flood plains and lowlands, the saline soils are generally saturated and consist of soft clay deposits. The salinity fluctuates with time due to climate and geological variations. The soft saline clays are highly compressible and have low shear strength. One of the extensively used soil improvement techniques is the in-situ cement stabilization via shallow and deep mixing. This technique is economically viable because cement is readily available at reasonable cost in Thailand. Moreover, adequate strength can be achieved in a short time.

The soils are classified as severe, moderate and slightly saline occupying areas of 240,000, 590,000 and 2,020,000 ha, respectively.


In order to understand the geometry of tunnel number n manifolds, we study the geometry of compression bodies with genus 1 negative boundary, and genus (n + 1) positive boundary. We denote these compression bodies as (1; n+1)-compression bodies. Notice that any tunnel number n manifold with a single torus boundary component is obtained by attaching a genus (n + 1) handlebody to a (1; n + 1)-compression body along their common genus (n + 1) boundaries. A system of unknotting tunnels in the resulting manifold will consist of a system of arcs in the (1; n + 1)-compression body, which we call core tunnels. In the case of the (1; 2)-compression body, Lackenby and Purcell investigated the natural extension of Adams' question to geometrically finite hyperbolic structures on such compression bodies [15] . They conjectured that in the (1; 2)-compression body, core tunnels are always isotopic to geodesics.

In the case of the (1; 2)-compression body, Lackenby and Purcell investigated the natural extension of Adams' question to geometrically finite hyperbolic structures on such compression bodies.


A previous study showed that the type of beverage (type of color environments) had a significant effect on the staining of the composites; however, there was no significant difference between micro-hybrid and nanohybrid composites in terms of their staining rate [21] . In addition, the post-staining discoloration of the composites significantly increased [9] . This is in consonance with the findings of this study. It was demonstrated that a number of nanocomposites appear to be significantly brighter in color after bleaching, while some do not show significant discoloration. The present study also showed that the nanohybrid composite used was significantly lighter than the prebleaching phase (after staining) [9] .

A previous study showed that the type of beverage (type of color environments) had a significant effect on the staining of the composites; however, there was no significant difference between micro-hybrid and nanohybrid composites in terms of their staining rate.

In addition, the post-staining discoloration of the composites significantly increased.

The present study also showed that the nanohybrid composite used was significantly lighter than the prebleaching phase (after staining).


Color measurement is a phenomenon that differs among different individuals at different times. Various factors such as exposure, translucency and opacity conditions as well as light diffusion and the human eye can affect color evaluation [16, 17] . To determine the subjective errors in this study, the color determination and evaluation was performed using the spectrophotometer apparatus, which is currently the most accurate tool for discoloration measurement [18] . It is a more objective method than the eye method (in 93.3% of cases), with an accuracy rate higher than current techniques (33% higher) [19] .

Various factors such as exposure, translucency and opacity conditions as well as light diffusion and the human eye can affect color evaluation.

To determine the subjective errors in this study, the color determination and evaluation was performed using the spectrophotometer apparatus, which is currently the most accurate tool for discoloration measurement.

It is a more objective method than the eye method (in 93.3% of cases), with an accuracy rate higher than current techniques (33% higher).


In fact, the simplest reaction can occur at the composite contact surface environment, beyond which the material penetrates the composite; and the composite thereafter undergoes discoloration. There is a direct relationship between the amount of composite polymerization and cross-linking rate; and the efficacy rate of solutions in them. In addition, the chemical composition of matrix and filler as well as silane play a major role in the degradation of composites in different environments [20] .

In addition, the chemical composition of matrix and filler as well as silane play a major role in the degradation of composites in different environments.


Operation of a nuclear power plant (NPP) is connected with the generation of large amounts of radionuclides in the nuclear fuel. Some fraction of them is released to the main circulation circuit (MCC) as a result of fuel cladding defects. In case of large defect of one fuel rod, the activity of fission products (FP) in MCC can rise by up to two orders of magnitude [1] . This is unacceptable from the point of view of radiation protection of the plant personnel and public. Some FP are especially long-lived, such as 129 I, 135 Cs, etc. Relatively large amounts of 129 I shall be collected in ion exchange resins which later on shall be cemented and disposed off in near-surface disposal facilities. Moreover, knowledge of 129 I content is essential for the assessment of radiological impact of the long-term disposal facility on the general public and the environment. If no fuel defects exist, FP are accumulated in the gap between fuel pellets and the zirconium alloy cladding. Knowledge of the content of FP in the fuel gap is important to the safety assessment of nuclear fuel handling and its storage and disposal. Estimation of FP behaviour is of high practical importance to the nuclear power plant operation, decommissioning, and radioactive waste management.

In case of large defect of one fuel rod, the activity of fission products (FP) in MCC can rise by up to two orders of magnitude.