Nowadays DGGE is one of the most useful bacterial monitoring methods in the complex bacterial biocenoses [6] . The research revealed the diffi culties in bacterial diversity monitoring using only AOB specifi c primers CTO in non-nested PCR approach. The longer PCR products (465 bp) amplifi ed with CTO primers directly from the total bacterial DNA obtained from activated sludge samples were used in PCR-DGGE method but as it is shown in Figure 2 only the dominant bacteria are visualized. The DNA bands from the fi ngerprint obtained from such a large PCR product should be easier to be excised from the gel and sequenced for the bacteria identifi cation. A direct procedure seems to be more reasonable from the point of the AOB diversity monitoring. Nevertheless, this approach gives only a limited picture of the community and even though combined with further genotype identifi cation by sequencing, it did not lead to the total AOB diversity monitoring. This situation occurred probably due to the lower DGGE detection threshold for the amount of these PCR products.

Nowadays DGGE is one of the most useful bacterial monitoring methods in the complex bacterial biocenoses.


To exclude the effects of stage differences on the morphometric variables, mean values per pond were calculated based on specimens in stages 35±38 only. No such specimens were present in the samples of ponds I and K; the analyses therefore were carried out with a reduced data set of 11±12 ponds. Numbers of upper keratodont rows were similar to the overall sample. In the four large ponds the percentage of specimens with three upper keratodont rows was 66±80% (ponds A, B and D) and 50% (pond C). In pond L, 92% of the tadpoles had three rows while the percentages were 0±35% in the remaining small ponds. SVL (as most other morphological measurements) was correlated with water volume (r s = 0.60, P < 0.05). Mean number of keratodonts of all three rows studied increased with water volume, but the respective correlation was only signi®cant for K1 (r s = 0.74, P < 0.01). A signi®cant correlation was also found for the total number of keratodonts, when all three rows were added together (r s = 0.65, P < 0.05; Fig. 2) . No obvious differences in keratodont shape or size were noted in the SEM analyses. Similar (but inverse) correlations and signi®cance levels were found between morphology and water temperature but not with tadpole density. No signi®cant correlation of any environmental variable was noted with number of papillae. To exclude the size factor from the morphometric measurements TL, TH and BW, we log-transformed these variables, and subsequently removed log(SVL) as a covariate through regression analysis. Values were adjusted to the overall mean SVL (12.99 mm); thus, all specimens were compared as if they had this average SVL (Blouin, 1992) . Size-adjusted tail height was correlated with water volume (r s = 0.648, P < 0.05) and inversely with tadpole density (r s = 70.651, P < 0.05). Size-adjusted body width was positively correlated with volume (r s = 0.680, P < 0.05) and negatively with tadpole density (r s = 70.647, P < 0.05) and temperature (r s = 70.618, P < 0.05). Size-adjusted tail length of specimens with apparently non-damaged tails was not correlated with volume, temperature and density, but was negatively correlated with predator density (r s = 70.831, P < 0.005; Fig. 3 ). The percentage of damaged tails among complete samples of all ponds was positively correlated with predator density (r s = 0.727; P < 0.01) but not with any other environmental factor.

Values were adjusted to the overall mean SVL (12.99 mm); thus, all specimens were compared as if they had this average SVL.


Benchmark performance is important for justifying proposed architectural features to be included in next generation processors. Many current microprocessor features (branch prediction, large caches, 32-bit and 64-bit data paths) have resulted from emphasis on integer benchmarks such as SPECint92 and SPECint95 [9] . The lack of a standard, realistic multimedia workload has forced multimedia performance studies to focus either on existing digital signal processing kernels or on MPEG video playback [16, 18, 35] . Only recently have multimedia application benchmarks begun to emerge [13, 20] .

Many current microprocessor features (branch prediction, large caches, 32-bit and 64-bit data paths) have resulted from emphasis on integer benchmarks such as SPECint92 and SPECint95.

The lack of a standard, realistic multimedia workload has forced multimedia performance studies to focus either on existing digital signal processing kernels or on MPEG video playback.

Only recently have multimedia application benchmarks begun to emerge.


All participating households were in southern Finland and the occupant was on disability pension or basic unemployment allowance. They belonged to the lowest income deciles in society, since their income was between 400 and 1200 euros per month, whereas the average income level in Finland was 3040 euros in 2010 [38] . According to previous research, those living at a minimum income are often, relatively speaking, poor and they lack the necessities or consumption habits that are presently regarded as socially acceptable [39, 40] .

They belonged to the lowest income deciles in society, since their income was between 400 and 1200 euros per month, whereas the average income level in Finland was 3040 euros in 2010.

According to previous research, those living at a minimum income are often, relatively speaking, poor and they lack the necessities or consumption habits that are presently regarded as socially acceptable.


Concern over ecologically unsustainable levels of private consumption has become prevalent during the past few decades in Western countries. Household consumption expenditure has increased in the EU-15 by almost one-third per person between 1990 and 2002. Households are also becoming smaller, so people tend to use more living space, energy and water and generate more waste per person [1] . This development increases the extent to which private households consume natural resources and is a driving force behind the current overuse of natural resources.

Households are also becoming smaller, so people tend to use more living space, energy and water and generate more waste per person.


Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the primary disease affecting the cardiac muscle and is characterized by heterogeneous genetic, morphological, functional, and clinical features. Left ventricular hypertrophy is the most characteristic feature of HCM [1] [2] . Severe right ventricular hypertrophy (SRVH) is a relatively rare subtype of HCM in which myocardial hypertrophy primarily affects the right ventricle, which is generally ignored in HCM in clinical practice. Consequently, the anatomic, genetic, clinical, and prognostic characteristics of patients with SRVH and the clinical relevance of these characteristics have not been described well in the literature. Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) is also a relatively rare variant of HCM and has become a well-established phenotype as a result of its investigation in previous studies; however, ApHCM still follows a variable clinical course [3] [4] [5] [6] . Wholegenome sequencing (WGS) can be used to study the genetic basis of HCM. The aims of this study were to investigate the clinical, genetic and prognostic characteristics of HCM patients with SRVH and to compare these data with those of patients with ApHCM. Their names and personal information were kept confidential. The data for each patient were not recorded in the HCM database unless the corresponding patient agreed to participate in the study. This consent procedure was approved by all ethics committees involved in the study.

Left ventricular hypertrophy is the most characteristic feature of HCM.

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) is also a relatively rare variant of HCM and has become a well-established phenotype as a result of its investigation in previous studies; however, ApHCM still follows a variable clinical course.


The massive growth of industrial activities, population and urban planning has lead to an increase in waste generation. There is an international consensus about the importance of an adequate waste management and treatment for human health protection and environmental impacts prevention that has been reflected in the legislation for the protection of the environment (Eriksson et al. 2005) . For this reason there has been an evolution of municipal solid waste (MSW) management from a non-selective treatment and direct disposal of MSW in controlled or uncontrolled landfills to the use of treatment technologies including the valorization of the organic fraction (OFMSW) and other materials recycling. Nowadays the OFMSW treatment involves technologies such as composting or anaerobic digestion that result in the degradation and stabilization of organic matter and mass and volume reduction (Haug 1993; Richard 1992) . However, composting is at the moment the most widely used technology for the stabilization of organic wastes due to the complexity and economic investment that anaerobic digestion requires.

There is an international consensus about the importance of an adequate waste management and treatment for human health protection and environmental impacts prevention that has been reflected in the legislation for the protection of the environment.

Nowadays the OFMSW treatment involves technologies such as composting or anaerobic digestion that result in the degradation and stabilization of organic matter and mass and volume reduction.


The dampening may be due to the migration of the American population to the Sunbelt over the last three decades (Barnett, 1988c) . In this region of the country the weather is warmer in the winter, allowing for greater participation in outdoor activity and less television viewing. Also, the summers in the Sunbelt are hotter, forcing people indoors where they watch more television. Future research is planned to investigate these factors.

The dampening may be due to the migration of the American population to the Sunbelt over the last three decades.


Metabolic disorders such as obesity, overweight, hyperlipidemia; are increasing globally at alarming rates and became a main public health concern with immeasurable social and economic costs. In fact there is a clear correlation between obesity and chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, hypertension, diabetes, cardiac arrest and some types of cancer. Plus it's clear that the obese people are more likely to use the health care institutes more than others especially in developing countries [31] [32] [33] .

Plus it's clear that the obese people are more likely to use the health care institutes more than others especially in developing countries.


In the folk medicine, aerial parts of U. urens are utilized in the Palestinian folk medicine as a diuretic, depurative, antidiabetic, antirheumatic and as an analgesic for muscle pain. In addition, it is used for the treatment of constipation, cough, prostatic inflammations, memory weakness, infertility and cancer [12] . Besides, it is included in many folkloric nutritious dishes and food preparations [14] . It is reported that U. urens extract had shown anti-bacterial, potential chemoprotective ability and possessed significant antinociceptive activities [15, 16] . The leaves of U. urens contain alkaloids, saponins, phytate, and chlorogenic acid also rich in minerals as iron, manganese, zinc, copper, calcium, potassium, nitrogen, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium [14] .

In addition, it is used for the treatment of constipation, cough, prostatic inflammations, memory weakness, infertility and cancer.

Besides, it is included in many folkloric nutritious dishes and food preparations.

It is reported that U. urens extract had shown anti-bacterial, potential chemoprotective ability and possessed significant antinociceptive activities.

The leaves of U. urens contain alkaloids, saponins, phytate, and chlorogenic acid also rich in minerals as iron, manganese, zinc, copper, calcium, potassium, nitrogen, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium.


From Fig. 4 , it can be seen that the fitted linear curve has yielded the equation S ¼ S 0 À b/ for which the values of S o and b for w/c 0.5, 0.4 and 0.3 are: S ¼ 5; 899 À 9; 574 ð/Þ with an R 2 value of 0.989, S ¼ 6; 069À 10; 316 / ð Þ, with an R 2 value of 0.985, and S ¼ 6; 812 À 14; 192 ð/Þ, with an R 2 of 0.987. It is also noticed that the value of empirical parameters for maximum strength, S 0 , was relatively similar irrespective of w/c ratios and reflected an intrinsic property of the hydration products. However, the maximum strength constant tended to increase as water-cement ratios increased. The values were in the range of 5,899-6,812 psi with an average approximation of 6,355 psi. It is mentioned that value in the literature was about 5,800 psi (Backe et al. 2001) . The difference might be the various cement samples used and also sample curing conditions. The value of the empirical constant b was in the range between 9,574 and 14,192, which increases as w/c ratios decreases, as expected. The porosity-strength relationship from these results is taken as a basis for predicting the compressive strength from the measured normalized conductivity (r n ) using the porosity-electrical conductivity relations. As a result, once having been measured, the normalized conductivity on the Class G cement using the well-known Archie's law can be related to the porosity.

It is mentioned that value in the literature was about 5,800 psi.


In cementing operation, certain minimum strength of about 500 psi is required before restarting the drilling operations (Backe et al. 2001) . This waiting strength is called as waiton-cement (WOC), which is dependent on the hydration time. It is directly related to the drilling cost per hour with a longer waiting time which will pose extra cost, and shorter waiting time may contribute to cement failure due to imperfect setting time of cement.

In cementing operation, certain minimum strength of about 500 psi is required before restarting the drilling operations.


PD mechanism in a silicone gel has been studied through experiment under AC sinusoidal and impulse voltages in a point plane geometry [6] . Under impulse applied voltage, PD behaviour shows that the first discharges recorded in a silicon gel were due to the initiation and propagation of streamers. However, under AC applied voltage, a stable PD regime rapidly establishes, where a streamer creates a void with a long lifetime and PDs occur in the void during the subsequent voltage cycle. This resulted in permanent degradations of the gel due to the repetition of PDs. These findings clearly indicate that PD mechanism is strongly influenced by the applied voltage conditions.

PD mechanism in a silicone gel has been studied through experiment under AC sinusoidal and impulse voltages in a point plane geometry.


One of the factors which influences PD activity within insulation system of high voltage equipment is the applied voltage waveform. PD activity within a spherical void in a dielectric material under AC sinusoidal applied voltage has been studied through measurement and simulation [2] [3] [4] [5] . The results found that at higher frequency and amplitude of the applied voltage, the number of PDs per cycle and the total PD charge per cycle increase. PD patterns were found to follow the waveform of the sinusoidal voltage. There were two distinguished patterns formed, a 'rabbit-ear' and 'tortoise like' patterns. These patterns were due to the difference in the difficulty of electron detrapping from the void surface with different polarity of charges accumulated on it. Simulation of PD was performed and compared to the measurement results. From comparison, critical parameters influencing PD activity under AC sinusoidal applied voltage have been successfully identified.

PD activity within a spherical void in a dielectric material under AC sinusoidal applied voltage has been studied through measurement and simulation.


In high voltage equipment, the build-up of charge and its by-products can be symptomatic of problems associated with aging and insulation breakdown. If such problems are not repaired, the strength and frequency of partial discharge (PD) increase, which eventually leads to the catastrophic failure of the high voltage equipment [1] . This may cause external equipment damage, resulting in a high repair cost due to an unscheduled outage. Therefore, a reliable online PD detection is important and is a must for power companies to improve the safety and decrease the potential of plant shut down. This is one of the reasons why PD detection is used in power systems to monitor the condition of high voltage equipment.

If such problems are not repaired, the strength and frequency of partial discharge (PD) increase, which eventually leads to the catastrophic failure of the high voltage equipment.


In optical transmission systems a great part of the research is focused on increasing the system reach and robustness [1] . All-optical signal regeneration is auspicious techniques to achieve this extension, which can be performing with fiber nonlinearity. Optical nonlinear material is specially used for ultra-high speed performance. Power launched inside the optical fiber interacts with fiber material and due to refractive index several transmission impairments for example linear, nonlinear, scattering and etc. are produced [2] . These interactions depend on the noise evolution of signals transmitted inside the fiber [3] [4] . Practically nonlinear phase noise is much more dominant than amplitude noise. During system design nonlinear phase noise is dealt separately [5, 6] . Regeneration signals are based on (electronic or all-optical signal) processing both are significantly in use depends upon application. Electronic-based regeneration requires conversion of data by mean of optical-to-electrical-]optical [7, 8] . All optical regeneration do not require any conversion O-E-O [8] . An ideal regenerator would suppress noise in both the signal's amplitude and phase [9, 10] . However, use of the complex optical-field gives rise to a new dominant limitation to system performance, namely nonlinear phase noise [13] [14] .

In optical transmission systems a great part of the research is focused on increasing the system reach and robustness.

Power launched inside the optical fiber interacts with fiber material and due to refractive index several transmission impairments for example linear, nonlinear, scattering and etc. are produced.

These interactions depend on the noise evolution of signals transmitted inside the fiber.

During system design nonlinear phase noise is dealt separately.

Electronic-based regeneration requires conversion of data by mean of optical-to-electrical-]optical.

All optical regeneration do not require any conversion O-E-O.

An ideal regenerator would suppress noise in both the signal's amplitude and phase.

However, use of the complex optical-field gives rise to a new dominant limitation to system performance, namely nonlinear phase noise.


Three years after Dutch guidelines were published Slovenian government released a draft version of Slovenian technical specifications on turbo roundabouts [20] . At that moment Slovenia had two roundabouts of this kind. In order to adjust its geometric design to local conditions, Slovenian engineers have been monitoring and determining potential problems during the roundabout construction, examining capacity and traffic safety after its implementation, and supplementing drafted specifications with new findings [21] .

Three years after Dutch guidelines were published Slovenian government released a draft version of Slovenian technical specifications on turbo roundabouts.

In order to adjust its geometric design to local conditions, Slovenian engineers have been monitoring and determining potential problems during the roundabout construction, examining capacity and traffic safety after its implementation, and supplementing drafted specifications with new findings.


Vehicle platoon is well studied in the field of formation control, which is an effective approach to enhance the traffic safety and efficiency [1] . The main objective of vehicle platoon is to avoid traffic jams and improve the traffic security. Usually, a vehicle platoon contains a group of vehicles, which are moving in a lane with certain velocities. From this definition, we can clearly find that the key point of vehicle platoon control is to adjust the velocities and positions of the vehicles, such that they can reach the desired platoon.

Vehicle platoon is well studied in the field of formation control, which is an effective approach to enhance the traffic safety and efficiency.


In this situation, firms need to syndicate forwardthinking strategies into their operations to sustain in future competitive environment under vibrant and complex business circumstances [4] . Moreover, firms need to holistically employ dynamic and multifocused strategies into their business operations and decision-making process. For that reason, firms are more eager to think about competitive priorities that are significantly critical to perform a role of connection among business strategies and manufacturing objectives [1, 4] . However, innovation and services have also been included in the manufacturing strategy range in modern studies [5] [6] [7] .

In this situation, firms need to syndicate forwardthinking strategies into their operations to sustain in future competitive environment under vibrant and complex business circumstances.

For that reason, firms are more eager to think about competitive priorities that are significantly critical to perform a role of connection among business strategies and manufacturing objectives.

However, innovation and services have also been included in the manufacturing strategy range in modern studies.


Knowledge and technology management processes and workflows, organizational system, and information system are the organizational competencies that bring significant value to get a sustainable competitive advantage [59] . Similarly, this study has found most of the critical attributes in knowledge and technology management competency that need to be improved in all business units of the case company. For practice, these approaches have substantial perceptions empirically into the operational competitiveness where competitive priorities should be aligned and configured with allocated resources [67] . In free market situation, every company wants to keep its market share. In this situation, prospectors and defenders groups move towards the analyzer group to get more flexibility and competi-tive advantage. The necessity to prioritize flexibility in their manufacturing strategy still requires further improvement. In conclusion, we argue that resource allocation and manufacturing strategies have become the most important capabilities in business environment where companies focus to get a sustainable competitive advantage.

Knowledge and technology management processes and workflows, organizational system, and information system are the organizational competencies that bring significant value to get a sustainable competitive advantage.

For practice, these approaches have substantial perceptions empirically into the operational competitiveness where competitive priorities should be aligned and configured with allocated resources.


With the passage of time software intensive systems are becoming larger and more complex which ultimately leads to the need to reuse previously developed components in order to raise productivity, reduce cost, and improve quality. Due to these economic considerations, there is a tendency towards components based software development, and studies show that recently such systems development is exceeding 40% of the total developed software systems [1] . In component based software development, software development is characterized by piecing together some prefabricated components into a working software system. These prefabricated components must be well-defined, easy to comprehend, simple to accept, suitably general, and easy to replace.

Due to these economic considerations, there is a tendency towards components based software development, and studies show that recently such systems development is exceeding 40% of the total developed software systems.


Glasses doped with rare earth element are materials with high potential to be applied in many fields including optical fibers, amplifiers, laser wave guides, and magneto-optical devices [1] . The properties of oxide glasses strongly rely on the composition and local structure of the glass structure [2] . Lately, in pursuance of synthesizing fiber optics with better linear and nonlinear optical properties, tellurite based glass doped with rare earth element has been extensively studied. Tellurite glasses become the best candidate to be used to synthesize photonics devices because of its low melting temperature, good thermal stability, low phonon energy, and high linear and nonlinear refractive index [3] [4] [5] .

Glasses doped with rare earth element are materials with high potential to be applied in many fields including optical fibers, amplifiers, laser wave guides, and magneto-optical devices.

The properties of oxide glasses strongly rely on the composition and local structure of the glass structure.

Tellurite glasses become the best candidate to be used to synthesize photonics devices because of its low melting temperature, good thermal stability, low phonon energy, and high linear and nonlinear refractive index.


The study of the optical properties of a glass is an essential prerequisite in order to attain high quality optical systems. The application of zinc borotellurite glass doped with La 2 O 3 NPs in optoelectronic and photonic field can only be ascertained by fully understanding the behavior of La 2 O 3 NPs ions in a glassy matrix through a planned research. ) were weighed using a digital weighing machine with an accuracy of ±0.0001 g and were placed in an alumina crucible. After stirring the chemical mixture using a glass rod for 30 minutes, the crucible was transferred to an electrical furnace for preheating process at 400 ∘ C for a period of 1 hour in order to remove excess water molecule in the chemical mixture [17] .

After stirring the chemical mixture using a glass rod for 30 minutes, the crucible was transferred to an electrical furnace for preheating process at 400 ∘ C for a period of 1 hour in order to remove excess water molecule in the chemical mixture.


The indication for cytoreductive surgery in combination with HITHOC was restricted for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma and advanced thymoma with pleural spread for a long time. During the last years a few authors showed that this multimodal approach could be a feasible treatment option for patients with pleural dissemination of pseudomyxoma peritonei, peritoneal mesothelioma or epithelian ovarian cancer, as well [9, 14, 15] . Hence the indications for this treatment are probably growing, and not only at specialized medical centers [16] . Due to the complex pathophysiological changes accompanying P/D or EPP and HITHOC, careful scheduling and implementation of the anaesthesia is of utmost importance for patient safety.

During the last years a few authors showed that this multimodal approach could be a feasible treatment option for patients with pleural dissemination of pseudomyxoma peritonei, peritoneal mesothelioma or epithelian ovarian cancer, as well.

Hence the indications for this treatment are probably growing, and not only at specialized medical centers.


Over the study period, mean alcohol use decreased over time in a curvilinear fashion. When depression and PTSD were included in the longitudinal model separately, greater average levels of the psychological distress and heightened episodes of distress were associated with more alcohol use. When depression and PTSD were included together in the longitudinal model, the mean levels of PTSD, but not depression (between person effects), were significantly associated with greater alcohol use. Mean differences in PTSD between individuals, and likely the high correlation of PTSD with depression, seemed to drive the overall levels of alcohol use. The within person variables, examining episodes of heightened depression and PTSD, showed a slight, but significant interaction effect on alcohol use. This finding suggests that women are engaging in episodes of increased alcohol use at times when they are also experiencing more co-occurring depression and PTSD than usual. The reported levels of alcohol use were high, but not unexpected given research showing that venue attendance is normative for social engagement and that women who frequent venues often exhibit problematic drinking [22] . Our findings demonstrated that alcohol use decreased at a rate that slowed over time. These decreases, though statistically significant, approximated a one unit reduction in the alcohol use score over the course of the study. Thus, despite this reduction over time, most women reported drinking throughout the study at hazardous levels. Although these data cannot identify why alcohol use declined in the curvilinear (quadratic) fashion, potential explanations include regression to the mean in a sample of predominantly hazardous drinkers, testing effects from the multiple assessments (on psychological distress symptoms, alcohol use or both), and maturation of the women over time.

The reported levels of alcohol use were high, but not unexpected given research showing that venue attendance is normative for social engagement and that women who frequent venues often exhibit problematic drinking.


The transferability of 207 Gossypium arboreum-derived expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) primer pairs was examined among 25 different diploid accessions representing 7 genomes and 23 Gossypium species (Guo et al 2006) . They found that 124 of the 207 (60%) primer pairs produced amplification products in all 25 accessions. The cross-species amplification of these ESTSSRs in 22 diploid species was 96.5%.

The transferability of 207 Gossypium arboreum-derived expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) primer pairs was examined among 25 different diploid accessions representing 7 genomes and 23 Gossypium species.


Sustainability is a common concern in the context of financial incentive interventions, with some fears that such rewards may create a beneficial effect that does not persist due to dependence on a financial resource that may only be temporary [23, 25, 27] . While these concerns were echoed by some investigators and staff interviewed, for patients, the discontinuation of the financial incentives at the end of the study was disappointing but generally accepted. In some cases, the planned discontinuation could have been communicated more effectively. While there was largely no indication that the end of this intervention would have detrimental effects on medication adherence behaviors, it should be noted that, at the time of this publication, it is not known whether or not patients who received financial incentives were able to maintain viral suppression after the end of the intervention.

Sustainability is a common concern in the context of financial incentive interventions, with some fears that such rewards may create a beneficial effect that does not persist due to dependence on a financial resource that may only be temporary.


Recent work in the authors' group examined the dielectric response of epoxy/CNT nanocomposites during cure and has shown that, when the addition of nanoparticles induces a conductive response, impedance generally increases as cross-linking advances [23] . As in the case of neat thermosets, this behaviour can be attributed to mobility limitations imposed on the charge carriers by the progress of cure [18] . However, in cases where an epoxy matrix has been reinforced with SWNT, the frequency corresponding to the conductive mechanism of the system increases with the progress of cure [24] . This type of behaviour, which has also been observed in thermoplastics lled with nanotubes when melts are allowed to recover from a shear deformation, has been attributed to re-aggregation of carbon nanotubes [10, 13] . The work reported here focuses on the phenomenon of network formation via re-aggregation in unsaturated polyester/carbon nanotube composites and its inuence on the impedance response of the curing material.

Recent work in the authors' group examined the dielectric response of epoxy/CNT nanocomposites during cure and has shown that, when the addition of nanoparticles induces a conductive response, impedance generally increases as cross-linking advances.

As in the case of neat thermosets, this behaviour can be attributed to mobility limitations imposed on the charge carriers by the progress of cure.

However, in cases where an epoxy matrix has been reinforced with SWNT, the frequency corresponding to the conductive mechanism of the system increases with the progress of cure.

This type of behaviour, which has also been observed in thermoplastics lled with nanotubes when melts are allowed to recover from a shear deformation, has been attributed to re-aggregation of carbon nanotubes.


Recently, with the progression of modern instrumentations, the minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) procedure was adopted in clinical to treat the lumbar degenerative diseases. This minimally invasive approach can be performed using several techniques including a mini-open, endoscopic, or percutaneous. For example, the Sextant system (Medtronic, USA) uses a minimally invasive tubular retractor system where the pedicle screws are percutaneously inserted. The minimally invasive surgery causes lesser soft tissue dissection and allows for early recovery and rehabilitation of the patient. It could lead to less surgical time, blood loss and postoperative pain [1] . Many researches and systematic reviews have indicated that MIS-TLIF is a secure and efficient surgical method and achieve excellent clinical results [2] [3] [4] .

It could lead to less surgical time, blood loss and postoperative pain.

Many researches and systematic reviews have indicated that MIS-TLIF is a secure and efficient surgical method and achieve excellent clinical results.


Rapid fluctuations in power generated by renewable energy sources are known to cause problems to power system operation because they result in power unbalance and power quality issues [46] . Fine-scale variability of power from a tidal-stream turbine was observed for a site in Orkney (Fig. 3) . This variability is shown to have a bias, because there is a reduction in the net power in two tidal cycles when the averaging period is increased (Fig. 5c) . However, fine-scale power variability had only a small effect on resource estimates (Fig. 5) , with less than 1% error in the energy harvested by the tidal turbine for frequencies typical of resource modelling studies. Hence, a standardised device power curve can be applied to coarse hydrodynamic resource model data for accurate resource assessment without the need to include fine-scale resource variability (i.e. turbulence) or device characteristics (beyond swept area, cut-in and rated speed and power). Furthermore, fine-scale power variability (see Fig. 3 ) can be statistically characterized, and downscaled, for electricity supply design strategies (Fig. 13) . Therefore, this study provides the first discussion of the power and electricity being produced by tidal-stream turbines.

Rapid fluctuations in power generated by renewable energy sources are known to cause problems to power system operation because they result in power unbalance and power quality issues.


Zooplankton plays an important role in aquatic food webs and it is crucial to know how man-made and natural toxicants, such as cyanobacterial toxins, affect their population dynamics and life history. Due to increasing agricultural intensive land use with pesticide spray drift or drain flow, the zooplankton is confronted with pesticides in the water. These may be episodic events exposing zooplankton to short-term pulse concentrations of pesticides (Liess et al., 1999) . However, zooplankton is continuously exposed to natural toxins (microcystins) produced by cyanobacteria that are often dominating during summer in over-fertilized lakes (Sondergaard & Jeppesen, 2007) . Analysis of joint effects of pesticides and cyanotoxins on species and communities is critical for a full understanding of the risks to the environment and humans.

These may be episodic events exposing zooplankton to short-term pulse concentrations of pesticides.

However, zooplankton is continuously exposed to natural toxins (microcystins) produced by cyanobacteria that are often dominating during summer in over-fertilized lakes.


According to eq. (1), the normalized values depend on the set of alternatives being evaluated. If an alternative's performance data is changed, or an alternative is removed from the set, or an alternative is added to the set, then this may change the normalized values of all other alternatives. Thus, the MCSA method is potentially subject to a dependence bias, leading to potential rank reversals. Let us note that the optional normalization step in Life-Cycle Assessment does not introduce this bias since it is based on external references and not on the contingent alternatives, although it is subject to other types of problems [13] . The MCSA method, however, is subject to an even more debatable type of bias: the score can change depending on the way the criteria are ordered, meaning that relabeling the criteria may lead to rank reversals. These biases are illustrated in the following section.

Let us note that the optional normalization step in Life-Cycle Assessment does not introduce this bias since it is based on external references and not on the contingent alternatives, although it is subject to other types of problems.


The adsorption process usually associated with activated carbon happened when molecule of gases or liquids (adsorbent) attached to the surface of activated carbon (adsorbate). In theory, there are three step associated with adsorption process start with macro transport which refer to movement of particle with size of more than 50nm followed by micro transport for particles size of less than 2nm and finally sorption process. Sorption involved a physical attachment of organic material onto adsorbate surface. Example of industrial application utilizing adsorption process were water purification by using synthetic resin and activated charcoal as adsorbate [10] .

Example of industrial application utilizing adsorption process were water purification by using synthetic resin and activated charcoal as adsorbate.


The worldwide increasing energy demand gives rise to a constant increase in the anthropogenic emissions of CO 2 . According to the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change, unequivocal evidences indicate that the climate-change is a reality which is attributable to human activities [1] . The forecasts regarding the world population growth and the increase in the energy demand for the coming decades envisage that all the fossil fuels (specially coal) will have to remain a major source of energy in the medium term [1] . Hence, further increases in CO 2 emissions are expected for the foreseeable future.

According to the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change, unequivocal evidences indicate that the climate-change is a reality which is attributable to human activities.

The forecasts regarding the world population growth and the increase in the energy demand for the coming decades envisage that all the fossil fuels (specially coal) will have to remain a major source of energy in the medium term.


To begin making inroads, it seems necessary to test the behaviour of quantum systems, particularly those with entanglement, while these systems possess high speeds and are separated by large distances. On Earth, tests of quantum entanglement have been performed at distances up to 144 km [3] . While this is a significant achievement, it falls short of the large scale relevant for relativistic considerations. Additionally, these tests were performed with stationary detectors. While it is difficult to perform tests with moving detectors, it is conceivable to measure entanglement with beamsplitters moving at up to 1000 m/s (∼10 −6 c) [5] . However, this also falls short -one would need to perform entanglement tests in which the detectors are in relative motion at speeds nearer lightspeed (c) where relativistic effects become significant. It is interesting to note that active laboratory measurements of gravity at small scales using atomic interferometers have also been proposed [1] .

On Earth, tests of quantum entanglement have been performed at distances up to 144 km.

While it is difficult to perform tests with moving detectors, it is conceivable to measure entanglement with beamsplitters moving at up to 1000 m/s (∼10 −6 c).

It is interesting to note that active laboratory measurements of gravity at small scales using atomic interferometers have also been proposed.


We hope to encourage physicists to take one or more of these experiment concepts and work towards establishing the details of how it may work in practice, and more carefully examine the magnitude of observable effects that may be observed. Similar questions have already been posed for the Space-QUEST project, which aims to place an entangled photon source on the International Space Station [13, 14] . Our analysis goes beyond that work and studies various possible science experiments on a broader scope.

Similar questions have already been posed for the Space-QUEST project, which aims to place an entangled photon source on the International Space Station.


A theoretical signature of the third type of ultraviolet cutoff is the deformation of the uncertainty principle so that it yields a finite lower bound on position uncertainties [123] . Experimental signatures have been worked out and much discussed in the context of the predictions of inflationary cosmology for the cosmic microwave background [124] . In particular, this quantum gravity cutoff would impact both the CMB temperature spectrum as well as its polarization spectrum. The scale of the predicted quantum gravity effects is optimistically at the level of σ = (Planck scale) / (Hubble scale during inflation) ≈ 10 −6 , though some studies suggest that the effect may only be as large as σ 2 . Detection of such an effect, however, falls under the category of observational astronomy, and thus is not within the purview of active tests which we consider in this paper.

A theoretical signature of the third type of ultraviolet cutoff is the deformation of the uncertainty principle so that it yields a finite lower bound on position uncertainties.

Experimental signatures have been worked out and much discussed in the context of the predictions of inflationary cosmology for the cosmic microwave background.


The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) has necessitated new types of communication alternatives that consist of a massive number of smart devices and sensors. Unlike conventional communication technologies, sensors transmit a small amount of data with a very long period through the air. In addition, since most of these sensors are battery-driven, long-range communication with low power is a prerequisite [1] . To meet these new requirements, Low-Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) wireless communication technologies, such as Long Range (LoRa), LTE-M, and SigFox, have been recently introduced. Of the three, LTE-M uses a cellular network, implying high costs, and SigFox only supports very low data rates. LoRa, which is known to allow for communication over a distance of up to several kilometers in urban environments with low power consumption in an unlicensed band, is attracting much attention [2] .

In addition, since most of these sensors are battery-driven, long-range communication with low power is a prerequisite.

LoRa, which is known to allow for communication over a distance of up to several kilometers in urban environments with low power consumption in an unlicensed band, is attracting much attention.


The high polymorphism level detected by ISSR markers was expected due to the use of the external Indian varieties and also considering the segmental allopolyploid nature of sugarcane, generally attributed to the interspecific hybridization crosses used during breeding programs that generated the actual breeding accessions. The nature of ISSR, targeting regions especially rich in microsatellites may also justify the higher level of polymorphism, since those regions are known to accumulate a larger number of mutations due to DNA polymerase slippage during replication and unequal crossing-over [29] . Despite of that, researchers who have compared RAPD and ISSR methods have found that ISSR markers exhibit higher level of reproducibility, when compared to RAPD [30] [31] [32] .

The nature of ISSR, targeting regions especially rich in microsatellites may also justify the higher level of polymorphism, since those regions are known to accumulate a larger number of mutations due to DNA polymerase slippage during replication and unequal crossing-over.

Despite of that, researchers who have compared RAPD and ISSR methods have found that ISSR markers exhibit higher level of reproducibility, when compared to RAPD.


As sequence analysis reveals, ABC transporter NBDs are highly conserved, as exemplified by some selected NBDs (Fig. 1) . The color codes used in the alignment will be retained throughout this review. Basically, there are three characteristic motifs found in all ABC-ATPases. The Walker A motif (blue) consists of the sequence GXXGXGKS/T where X represents any amino acid (Walker et al. 1982) . Together with the Walker B motif (red) (ΦΦΦΦD, where Φ is any hydrophobic residue), this motif forms the nucleotide binding fold of the P-loop ATPase family (Vetter and Wittinghofer 1999) . However, unique to ABC-proteins is the C-loop (grey) (LSGGQ), also called the signature motif (Schmitt and Tampé 2002) .

The Walker A motif (blue) consists of the sequence GXXGXGKS/T where X represents any amino acid.

Together with the Walker B motif (red) (ΦΦΦΦD, where Φ is any hydrophobic residue), this motif forms the nucleotide binding fold of the P-loop ATPase family.

However, unique to ABC-proteins is the C-loop (grey) (LSGGQ), also called the signature motif.


In addition to these sequences, some characteristic motifs in NBDs contain only one highly conserved residue, the Qloop (green) and the Pro-loop (orange) are named according to their near invariable glutamine and proline, respectively . These latter are flanked by a stretch of sequence, that consists of α-helices , forming the helical domain (Ames and Lecar 1992) . Notably, a few residues after the Walker B, many NBDs carry a SALD motif (black) (D-loop), also quite diagnostic but largely ignored so far. The exact location of these motifs in the three-dimensional structure and what is their function has had to wait for the high resolution structure of nucleotide binding domains that will be described below.

These latter are flanked by a stretch of sequence, that consists of α-helices , forming the helical domain.


Minimally invasive surgery is the standard of care in the surgical management of many gynecologic conditions and is a modality commonly offered during treatment planning [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . There are several readily available sources of information, such as brochures, pamphlets, and online resources, which can provide patients with basic information about minimally invasive options. However, despite these resources and the frequent use of minimally invasive techniques, there are few data that demonstrate patients' understanding of the advantages, disadvantages, and appropriate indications for their use [6] . Furthermore, the process of providing information in a comprehensible manner presents a major barrier for most clinicians. While several factors may be expected to influence a patient's degree of understanding (e.g., education and previous experience with a particular surgical approach), no study to date has looked at patients' perceptions and the factors that influence their understanding of various surgical approaches.

Minimally invasive surgery is the standard of care in the surgical management of many gynecologic conditions and is a modality commonly offered during treatment planning.

However, despite these resources and the frequent use of minimally invasive techniques, there are few data that demonstrate patients' understanding of the advantages, disadvantages, and appropriate indications for their use.


Recently, a method has been proposed to estimate the audio-visual drift in a semi-automatic way [1] . This approach has been shown to perform successfully for some selected drift conditions. However, it has a limitation that it works only for video clips containing talking heads and the mouth region needs to be located prior to the drift estimation.

Recently, a method has been proposed to estimate the audio-visual drift in a semi-automatic way.


We followed the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines [11] . The study investigator (M.P.C.) and the Cambridge University Medical Library staff retrieved potential studies based on a literature search of English and non-English language articles using the following databases searched up to Published observational epidemiological studies of adult participants in community or occupational settings were included if they had a measure of work-related stress on a validated scale or a measure of work hours or overtime assessed prior to, or at the same time as, assessment of Type 2 diabetes status. Studies were excluded if job role was assessed rather than a measure of work-related psychosocial stress, focussed on burnout or shift work or the outcome measure was metabolic syndrome or HbA1c rather than Type 2 diabetes status.

We followed the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines.


In this paper, the weathering behaviour of Euville and Savonnières limestones is investigated with the focus on the crystallization of gypsum and water uptake. Euville and Savonnières are two French limestones frequently used in Belgium for the construction of new buildings and as restoration material. A subvolume of both limestones was analysed in order to try to quantify the pore clogging and pore coalescence due to gypsum formation. A large number of studies have been devoted to gypsum crystallization [17, [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] . At rain exposed places, the soluble gypsum dissolves in water and no formation of a thick gypsum crust occurs, resulting in a gradual erosion of the surface. In more sheltered places, thick, framboidal gypsum crusts can be formed. As gypsum forms, it acts as a natural passive filter for polluting air particles such as ashes, dust, and soot. As a consequence, building materials will discolour and acquire a more dark to sometimes black layer or patina [29] .

A large number of studies have been devoted to gypsum crystallization.

As a consequence, building materials will discolour and acquire a more dark to sometimes black layer or patina.


In this work, the water content was quantified using neutrons. The visualization of water with neutrons was already performed by various authors [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55] . Some of them also used the QNI method for quantification of the moisture content [56, 57] . By using neutrons as visualization and quantification methods, water content could be quantified in function of the height inside the sample and in function of time. As observed in Fig. 11 , the calculated water content in the stones is lower than the gravimetrical measurements on the same sample after the neutron experiment. This can be due to a systematic under estimation of detector background in QNI or the fact that that there was a time difference of about 15 min between the acquisition of the last neutron image and the gravimetrical measurements, as it takes some time before the radiation level in the beamline has decreased enough to enter the bunker. In this way, the samples were left longer in contact with the water before gravimetrical measurements. A second contribution to the difference could be that the surface of the sample was 4-6 mm below the water surface. So, no quantification of the water content in this zone was obtained. However, the results with neutron radiography suggest that the water uptake in both weathered limestones is lower than the reference sample and the maximum water content was not reached inside the weathered stones during the duration of the test. This indicates that when a stone is weathered by the formation of a gypsum crust, it takes longer to fill the entire pore structure below the crust. In the case of the Euville stone, although the porosity increases after the weathering test, the gypsum crust and crystallization in the existing pore structure slow down the water uptake. The same process could be observed in the Savonnières stone. Although neutron radiography images are 2D and thus a sum of the water content along the thickness of the sample, it provides relevant information for water uptake processes in fresh and weathered building stones. On the otherhand,if onewants toseethe waterflow pathsin 3D,fluid flow simulations are mandatory. In this study simulations were only performed on the Euville stone because the percolating porosity inside the scanned Savonnières core was too low. The advantage of those simulations is that flow paths can be visualized and as can be seen in Fig. 13 , fluids are able to migrate through the gypsum crust and occupy the porous spaces below.

The visualization of water with neutrons was already performed by various authors.

Some of them also used the QNI method for quantification of the moisture content.


Because of the high microporosity and thus reactive surface of the ooid parts (who are partially dissolved), weathering acts first on those elements, and thus almost no conversion of the cement was found inside the Savonnières stone. The processes can somehow be compared with the crystallizations inside the highly-porous foraminifera of the Lede stone, acting as primary crystallization spots [19] . In the case of the Euville stone, a thick external gypsum crust was identified with a porous dissolution zone underneath. The crinoid fragments were gradually attacked by the acid environment with a consequent conversion into gypsum as a result. Also, the syntaxial cement around the crinoid fragments was transformed into gypsum. The thick gypsum crust significantly prevented the stone from secondary weathering. For both the weathering of the syntaxial cement as well as for the crinoid fragments, the direction of the weathering follows the cleavage planes in the calcite monocrystals [28] . Quantification of the changes in radial intersections demonstrate that the external crust almost completely shields the surface, thus preventing gasses and water to interact with the stone. Due to the syntaxial overgrowth of the crinoid fragments, the observed weathering processes appeared to be similar to the processes described on the Carrara marble [28, 48] .

The processes can somehow be compared with the crystallizations inside the highly-porous foraminifera of the Lede stone, acting as primary crystallization spots.

For both the weathering of the syntaxial cement as well as for the crinoid fragments, the direction of the weathering follows the cleavage planes in the calcite monocrystals.

Due to the syntaxial overgrowth of the crinoid fragments, the observed weathering processes appeared to be similar to the processes described on the Carrara marble.


Notwithstanding its complexity, the understanding of alteration, decay or weathering processes of natural stones due to an aggressive environment has made considerable progress in recent years thanks to a multidisciplinary research approach with indirect, direct and predictive measurements. Incorporation of geological knowledge in the field of archaeological research as well as studies of conservation and restoration of natural stones has proven to be beneficial for characterizing building stone materials [2] [3] [4] . Geological knowledge also plays a key role in allowing unambiguous choices to be made in restoration problems for degrading natural building materials [5] .

Incorporation of geological knowledge in the field of archaeological research as well as studies of conservation and restoration of natural stones has proven to be beneficial for characterizing building stone materials.

Geological knowledge also plays a key role in allowing unambiguous choices to be made in restoration problems for degrading natural building materials.


A data block-based recursive PLS method combines the moving-window and forgetting factor [5] . In this method a model is updated only when new data are accumulated to a fixed length. Although this method can reduce the model updating rate, the data saturation problem is still remaining and it is difficult to set the forgetting factor. In addition, the length of the data blocks can only be set by experience because there is no established rule to follow.

A data block-based recursive PLS method combines the moving-window and forgetting factor.


In industry, some process variables are closely related to the product quality. However, in many cases, it is difficult to measure those variables online for technical or economic reasons. Therefore it is difficult to monitor and control the processes in real time, the product quality cannot be ensured. To address this issue, soft sensors have been developed in recent years and used to estimate the process variables. With a soft sensor, an inferential model can be constructed between some variables that can be measured online (also called auxiliary variables) and other variables that cannot be measured online (also called objective variables). Then an objective variable can be estimated using the model. If the objective variables can be estimated accurately by the use of soft sensors, optimal control of those industrial processes can be implemented [1] [2] [3] .

If the objective variables can be estimated accurately by the use of soft sensors, optimal control of those industrial processes can be implemented.


It was expected that aquatic macrophytes would play a more important role in the retention of diazinon in this test system since they were effective in a previous study using the organophosphate insecticide, methyl parathion (Moore et al. 2006) . In that study, a 5.5 × 50 m vegetated wetland dominated by the aquatic macrophyte, Juncus effusus, was shown to successfully reduce methyl parathion concentrations to 0.1% of the inflow concentration within a 20 m reach. Furthermore, methyl parathion was not detected in the outflow. In the current study, overall retention of diazinon by aquatic macrophytes was not as evident. There are several possibilities as to why this difference in plant sorption was evident. Perhaps Polygonum amphibium(dominant macrophyte in wetland cell 2), was simply not as effective in sorbing diazinon as was the case with methyl parathion and J. effususin the above study. Alternatively, surface sorption sites may have been saturated with diazinon throughout the study. Evidence for this is indicated by calculated mass data where after the 3 h sampling period, the diazinon mass in plants remained relatively consistent throughout the study (7.00 g±0.861) until the 13 d sampling period. Also, reported K oc values for methyl parathion are 3-5 times greater than those in diazinon, which may account for increased methyl parathion plant sorption. Further plant-pesticide specific studies are needed to address this concern.

It was expected that aquatic macrophytes would play a more important role in the retention of diazinon in this test system since they were effective in a previous study using the organophosphate insecticide, methyl parathion.


Effects of technical grade diazinon in aquatic microcosms have been reported (Giddings et al. 1996) . Zooplankton and macroinvertebrate taxa were affected at time-weighted average diazinon concentrations of 9.2 μg/l and greater. At concentrations of 22 μg/l and higher, total fish biomass was reduced, while survival effects were noted at concentrations of 54 μg/l and above. Other studies have reported effects of diazinon on laboratory-reared organisms. When comparing the relative sensitivity of Ceriodaphnia dubia, Daphnia magna, Hyalella azteca, Chironomus tentans, and Pimephales promelas, it was reported that C. dubiawas the most sensitive of those species, with a no-observed effects concentration (NOEC) of 0.6 μg/l and a lowest-observed effects concentration (LOEC) of 0.8 μg/l. These results translated into a exposure response slope of 300% mortality/μg/l. In contrast, P. promelas (fathead minnow) was the least sensitive species with an exposure response slope of 0.005% mortality/μg/l (Burkepile et al. 2000) . Daphnia magna followed C. dubiain sensitivity in the same study, but its exposure response slope was less pronounced (26% mortality/μg/l) than C. dubia. Other studies of D. magnareported depression of growth at concentrations above 0.05 ng/l, which were sub-lethal (Sanchez et al. 1998) . Recently, the presence of other pesticides in solution with diazinon have been documented to increase diazinon's independent toxicity. In the presence of atrazine concentrations between 40-200 μg/l, diazinon toxicity to C. tentans increased (Belden and Lydy 2000) . When the pyrethroid esfenvalerate was present with diazinon, greater than additive toxicity was observed in P. promelas (Denton et al. 2003) .

Effects of technical grade diazinon in aquatic microcosms have been reported.

In contrast, P. promelas (fathead minnow) was the least sensitive species with an exposure response slope of 0.005% mortality/μg/l.

Other studies of D. magnareported depression of growth at concentrations above 0.05 ng/l, which were sub-lethal.

In the presence of atrazine concentrations between 40-200 μg/l, diazinon toxicity to C. tentans increased.

When the pyrethroid esfenvalerate was present with diazinon, greater than additive toxicity was observed in P. promelas.


In the present work, the effectiveness of the NSM technique in the flexural strengthening of RC columns was appraised by means of two series of tests, with different steel reinforcement ratios, subjected to cyclic loading and constant axial compressive Unloading strain from C/T concrete envelope curve load. These tests were numerically simulated with the materially nonlinear algorithms of the FEMIX computer code [13] . In the context of this work, additional cyclic constitutive material models were developed and implemented in the code. The RC columns are discretized with 3D Timoshenko beam elements and each cross section is treated as a set of quadrilateral sub domains (fibrous model, [12] ).

These tests were numerically simulated with the materially nonlinear algorithms of the FEMIX computer code.

The RC columns are discretized with 3D Timoshenko beam elements and each cross section is treated as a set of quadrilateral sub domains (fibrous model,).


We have described, through the use of numerical branch following of both steady and drifting states, the transformation of the bifurcation diagram from that prevailing in the symmetric case, β = 1, to its form for maximally non-symmetric boundary conditions, β = 0. We have found that as β is reduced below unity the even-parity convecton branch splits into two branches, one with upflow at the midpoint x = 0 and the other with downflow at x = 0. In addition, we found that the odd-parity branch reconnected with the left-right asymmetric rung states present at β = 1 in two different ways, generating branches of drifting convectons we refer to as S and Z branches according to their appearance in the bifurcation diagrams. This structure persists all the way down to β = 0 and follows the behaviour identified earlier in the cubic-quintic Swift-Hohenberg equation with broken u → −u symmetry (Houghton & Knobloch 2011) .

This structure persists all the way down to β = 0 and follows the behaviour identified earlier in the cubic-quintic Swift-Hohenberg equation with broken u → −u symmetry.


ITER plasma break-down has also been evaluated using the Townsend criterion in the ITER physics basis in 1999 [1] . However, the Townsend criterion suggests the condition for the initiation of electron avalanche. It is not sufficient to explain all non-sustained break-down shots where I p does not increase. In order for I p to increase, deuterium and impurities must be sufficiently ionized in the burn-through phase so that the ohmic heating power exceeds the total electron power losses resulting mainly from collisional radiation and ionization.

ITER plasma break-down has also been evaluated using the Townsend criterion in the ITER physics basis in 1999.


In this article, a new burn-through model is explained in detail, and quantative validation of the model against carbon-wall JET data has been attempted for the first time. Good agreement of plasma current and the total radiation power is shown between the simulation results and JET data. Due to the errors of the measured data in the early burn-through phase, it is difficult to compare the simulated electron temperature and density. However, the simulation result and the measured densities approach the similar value with time, showing reasonable evolution. The measured photon emission rate of C 2+ are compared with the synthetic data calculated with the simulated plasma parameters. The peak of the synthetic data is consistent with the observed peak in the measured data. The similarity of the simulational results and JET data implies that the new burnthrough model contains the essential physics in the burn-through phase. Based on this, we suggest that the model can be used to investigate the burn-through criterion in various tokamaks. In the case of beryllium wall, physical sputtering is dominant due to the low threshold energy of beryllium sputtering [7] . This will result in different plasma burn-through compared to carbon-wall tokamaks. In order for a predictive simulation of ITER start-up, modification of the PSI model for a beryllium wall is required. Validation of the modified model against ITER-Like wall JET data would enable the predictive simulation to be more reliable.

In the case of beryllium wall, physical sputtering is dominant due to the low threshold energy of beryllium sputtering.


In present tokamaks, the required loop voltage in the burn-through phase, the burnthrough criterion, is usually higher than that for plasma break-down [1] . Therefore, when designing a new device or determining operation parameters, the burn-through criterion must be evaluated as well as the Townsend criterion. There were over 100 non-sustained break-down shots in JET experiments in 2009. By understanding the key physics aspects in the burn-through phase, these start-up failures can be reduced.

In present tokamaks, the required loop voltage in the burn-through phase, the burnthrough criterion, is usually higher than that for plasma break-down.


Furthermore, in ITER, the allowable toroidal electric field for start-up is limited up to 0.3[V /m] due to the engineering issues resulting from the use of superconducting poloidal coils and a continuous vacuum vessel [3] . Since tokamak start-up using such a low E field requires a narrow range of prefill gas pressure, low magnetic error fields, and low impurity content, ECH-assisted start-up has been proposed for reliable start-up in ITER [3] . In order to estimate the required ECH power, a complete understanding of plasma burn-through is necessary.

Furthermore, in ITER, the allowable toroidal electric field for start-up is limited up to 0.3[V /m] due to the engineering issues resulting from the use of superconducting poloidal coils and a continuous vacuum vessel.

Since tokamak start-up using such a low E field requires a narrow range of prefill gas pressure, low magnetic error fields, and low impurity content, ECH-assisted start-up has been proposed for reliable start-up in ITER.


Traffic signals have been widely deployed to resolve conflicts among various traffic streams and improve safety of drivers and pedestrians at busy urban intersections. But signalized intersections are also major network bottlenecks, inducing stop-and-go traffic patterns, travel delays, and vehicle emissions. Many efforts have been devoted to mitigating the congestion effects of isolated and coordinated intersections by optimally designing phase sequences, cycle lengths, green splits, offsets, and other parameters of traffic signals (Papageorgiou et al., 2005) .

Many efforts have been devoted to mitigating the congestion effects of isolated and coordinated intersections by optimally designing phase sequences, cycle lengths, green splits, offsets, and other parameters of traffic signals.


Biochar is conventionally produced through high temperature carbonization via electrical, external heating. This process is usually time and energy consuming. Microwave pyrolysis is preferred for it is a time, cost and energy saving means for biochar production [10] - [12] . In this study, the main objective was to produce biochar from agricultural wastes namely palm kernel shell (PK), wood chips (WC) and sago waste (SW) via microwave pyrolysis. The physicochemical characteristics of the resulting biochar was examined to evaluate its potential applications.

Microwave pyrolysis is preferred for it is a time, cost and energy saving means for biochar production.


Analysis of the precipitates using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirms the presence of struvite and calcium phosphate compounds in the solid phase final products of precipitation tests. Figure 3 compares the FTIR spectra of final precipitates at different pH levels and different components' molar ratios. It can be clearly seen that all the spectra follow the same pattern, with the main difference between them being the intensity of the peaks. Peaks associated with PO 4 3− and H 2 O groups, at 1000-1100, and 2200-3800 cm −1 , respectively, can be identified in all the spectra obtained, and can be attributed to the presence of struvite and calcium phosphate compounds in the final solid phases [46] . However, FTIR spectra within the range of 1200 to 1900 cm −1 indicate no direct evidence of the presence of struvite since visible peaks could be typical of carbonate groups (around 1440 and 1650 cm −1 ) and also of ACP water molecules (at around 1600-1650 cm −1 ). This suggests that, in all the laboratory experiments, precipitates obtained were in fact a mix of struvite, ACP and calcite. Comparing the intensity of FTIR peaks, it could be concluded that as pH increases there will be more phosphate groups in the final precipitates, and thus higher phosphorus removal from the system. However, as expected, final precipitates could also be highly affected by the presence of calcium as a competitive ion in the solution, thus allowing formation of high amounts of calcium phosphate compounds (mainly ACP) at the highest values of pH.

Peaks associated with PO 4 3− and H 2 O groups, at 1000-1100, and 2200-3800 cm −1 , respectively, can be identified in all the spectra obtained, and can be attributed to the presence of struvite and calcium phosphate compounds in the final solid phases.


Time to event data arises in a number of applied fields, such as medicine, biology, public health, epidemiology, engineering, economics, demography, actuarial science and many other scientific areas in which time to the occurrence of some event is of interest for some population of individuals. The most typical characteristic of time to event data is incompleteness where it arises either by censoring or by truncation. Censoring, a very common feature of time to event data broadly indicates the situation that some events are known to have occurred only within certain intervals but the exact time of occurrence is unknown (Klein & Moeschberger, 2003) . Among different censoring situations, left censoring provides information indicating only that the event of interest has occurred prior 197 to entry into the study (Klein & Moeschberger, 2003) . In other words, left censored data are commonly encountered as values below a detection limit and hence are often termed as non-detects. A detection limit is a threshold below which measured values are not considered significantly different from a blank value, at a specified level of probability (Helsel, 2005a) .

Censoring, a very common feature of time to event data broadly indicates the situation that some events are known to have occurred only within certain intervals but the exact time of occurrence is unknown.

Among different censoring situations, left censoring provides information indicating only that the event of interest has occurred prior 197 to entry into the study.

A detection limit is a threshold below which measured values are not considered significantly different from a blank value, at a specified level of probability.


Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are offered over the internet and are open to anyone in the world at no cost. There are several major MOOC providers such as edX, Udacity, and Coursera (Pappano, 2012) . One of the main goals of MOOC providers is to provide free educational opportunities to people around the world.

There are several major MOOC providers such as edX, Udacity, and Coursera.


Students in online university courses have higher attrition rates compared to face-to-face courses (Carr, 2000; Xu, 2014; Xu, 2011) . Because there is no cost to enroll in a MOOC and registration is a simple process, completion rates for MOOCs are low compared to traditional online and face-toface courses. Many MOOC students do not plan to complete all components of the course when they enroll. There is no penalty for discontinuing a MOOC, particularly since the courses are not for credit towards a degree. However, a minority of students complete all of the required components of MOOCs and score well on the course assessments. One advantage of MOOCs over traditional university courses is that MOOCs enable students to choose how they want to participate in the course by allowing them to take as many components of the course as they choose.

Students in online university courses have higher attrition rates compared to face-to-face courses.


Our study was focused primarily on student responses to the pre-course survey. Since most survey items had around 15,000 responses, we captured data from about 45% of our student population. We divided the students into five groups based on the number of exams completed and course achievement level. Because of this division, we were able to gather data that is unprecedented in the MOOC literature. Several studies have compared students who successfully completed a MOOC to those who accessed varying amounts of the course material (Ho, 2014; Kizilcec, 2013) . However, we gained additional information by examining the characteristics of students who completed all of the exams but did not pass the course and those who were able to pass with distinction.

Several studies have compared students who successfully completed a MOOC to those who accessed varying amounts of the course material.


One MOOC provider, Coursera, has partnered with more than 100 colleges and universities from all over the world to offer more than 600 courses in varying topics (Coursera, 2014) . More than 5 million students have taken Coursera courses. Currently, students do not earn credit from the institution offering the course. However, students successfully completing the course receive a Statement of Accomplishment. In some Coursera courses, students can pay a fee to receive a Verified Certificate through the Signature Track. The identity of students on the Signature track is verified using their webcam and the pattern of their typing (Coursera, 2014) .

One MOOC provider, Coursera, has partnered with more than 100 colleges and universities from all over the world to offer more than 600 courses in varying topics.

The identity of students on the Signature track is verified using their webcam and the pattern of their typing.


Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) causes various organ complications. Renal dysfunction is one of the important complications and multiple factors may synergistically be involved in this complication. Among them, drugs utilized as conditioning regimen and some kind of antibiotics for treatment of sepsis can injure the kidney. Hepatic veno-occlusive disease caused by radiation and chemotherapy induces acute kidney injury after weight gain with edema. Engraftment syndrome reduces circulating blood volume by hyperfiltration influenced by a large quantity of cytokines and renal function is affected. Occasionally, de novo membranous nephropathy can cause renal dysfunction [1] .

Occasionally, de novo membranous nephropathy can cause renal dysfunction.


A finite element model for the unit cell was constructed using ANSYS. Each rib was modeled using one BEAM 189 element. This beam element has three nodes with six degrees of freedom at each node (three translations and three rotations); has cubic displacement interpolations; and allows for modeling bending behavior and torsion in three dimensions. Because each rib is loaded only by forces and moments at its ends, only one BEAM 189 is needed to obtain exact (or nearly exact) response [21] . Each cube was modeled using 24 SHELL 181 elements. This shell element has four nodes with six degrees of freedom at each node (three translations and three rotations). Its material properties were taken to be eight orders of magnitude greater than E of the ribs, so that e↵ectively the cubes are rigid. As such, each cube is a hollow object where its six surfaces are discretized using four shell elements each. The merit of this treatment is that all nodes throughout the finite element model have the same degrees of freedom, especially rotations, which makes it straightforward to connect the ribs to the cubes. Note that it is tempting to use solid finite elements to model the cubes, but these elements have only translational degrees of freedom and hence it would be di cult to attach the ribs to the cubes since the sets of degrees of freedom for these elements are fundamentally di↵erent. Furthermore, by using four shell elements for each surface of a cube, there is a node present in the center of each cube's face, which is convenient for purposes of applying loads and supports.

Because each rib is loaded only by forces and moments at its ends, only one BEAM 189 is needed to obtain exact (or nearly exact) response.


Of course, this finding needs both corroboration as well as further examination. It is unclear whether thin and average body sizes of advertising models are equally effective for different types of consumer products. For instance, women models advertising food products may provide a particularly interesting case (Dittmar & Blayney, 1996) . Still, the present study goes some way toward refuting the claims of the advertising industry that only thinness sells. Instead, by using attractive average-size models, advertising could avoid increasing body-focused anxiety in a large proportion of women while still successfully selling products.

For instance, women models advertising food products may provide a particularly interesting case.


Control charts are used in process monitoring to determine and eliminate the sources of process variation. They have been widely studied in the statistical quality and process control literature (Woodall et al. 2004) . Recent advances in profile monitoring have led to applications in manufacturing, calibration, logistics, service, marketing, finance, and accounting (Kang and Albin 2000; Mestek et al. 1994; Mitra 1998; Montgomery 2005; Wheeler 2000) .

They have been widely studied in the statistical quality and process control literature.

Recent advances in profile monitoring have led to applications in manufacturing, calibration, logistics, service, marketing, finance, and accounting.


In this work, we have developed a simple, rapid, and scalable method to convert the surface of (001)-oriented gallium arsenide (GaAs) wafers into macroporous Ga 2 O 3. These films were then fabricated into highly sensitive Ga 2 O 3 photodetectors. The cost of GaAs wafers is roughly 10% that of GaN wafers. Additionally, it takes less than 1 hour to convert GaAs into Ga 2 O 3 using the approach outlined here, compared to hours for GaN. Given that the cost of GaN wafers is greater than 10 times that of GaAs, preparation of Ga 2 O 3 from GaAs is even more cost-effective than using thin film growth processes on GaN substrates. Using GaAs wafers as a source of Ga 2 O 3 is currently the least expensive and, hence, most economically viable method for mass manufacturing of solar blind photodetectors. In addition to being inexpensive, rapidly converting GaAs wafers into Ga 2 O 3 under high temperature results in a surface that is nanotextured. The fabricated devices therefore have higher sensitivity due to the increased sensing surface available for trapping incoming radiation [29] . Because the films are grown from the substrate, they are well-bonded, which gives the additional benefit of device robustness. The macro-porous surfaces of the grown film were continuous and provided large areas on which to deposit low-resistivity electrical contacts. Unlike with other approaches, the steps to grow these films are simple and inexpensive, suggesting that they can be further optimized to provide a viable solution to the aforementioned problems with current solar blind detectors.

The fabricated devices therefore have higher sensitivity due to the increased sensing surface available for trapping incoming radiation.


Solar blind photodetectors would be more commercially attractive if inexpensive methodologies of preparing Ga 2 O 3 are adopted. Emergent techniques of preparing monocrystalline Ga 2 O 3 films on top of GaN substrates using the floatation zone growth method hold great promise [27] . Alternatively, GaN thin films can be oxidized into Ga 2 O 3 at elevated temperatures prior to device fabrication [28] .

Emergent techniques of preparing monocrystalline Ga 2 O 3 films on top of GaN substrates using the floatation zone growth method hold great promise.

Alternatively, GaN thin films can be oxidized into Ga 2 O 3 at elevated temperatures prior to device fabrication.


Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) is the oldest living tree, with a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine [1] . The extract of dried green leaves which was extracted with an acetone/water mixture has been standardized to contain 6% terpene trilactones (ginkgolides and bilobalide) and 24% flavonoids [2] . Those flavonoids are almost flavonol-Oglycosides, a combination of aglycones kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin, with glucose or rhamnose or both linking to different positions of the flavonol moiety [3] . Moreover, brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae) is a major rice pest in many countries of Asia. And its infestation is initiated every year by a windborne from the tropics and subtropics. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is a substrate-specific enzyme that degrades the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the nerve synapse [4] . As reported, linarin was isolated from Buddleja davidii, with a detection limit of 10 ng in the bioautographic TLC assay, which is at the same level as the known active compound galantamine [5] .

Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) is the oldest living tree, with a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine.

The extract of dried green leaves which was extracted with an acetone/water mixture has been standardized to contain 6% terpene trilactones (ginkgolides and bilobalide) and 24% flavonoids.

Those flavonoids are almost flavonol-Oglycosides, a combination of aglycones kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin, with glucose or rhamnose or both linking to different positions of the flavonol moiety.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is a substrate-specific enzyme that degrades the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the nerve synapse.

As reported, linarin was isolated from Buddleja davidii, with a detection limit of 10 ng in the bioautographic TLC assay, which is at the same level as the known active compound galantamine.


The purpose of this study was to identify a communication strategy and tactics that executives can use that would be effective with global teams. The organization in this study successfully engineered an executive-level communication plan involving employees at all levels of the company. The tactics, purpose, audience, frequency, and measurement of the plan were all clearly outlined. Communicators have a tremendous opportunity to help managers and leaders unlock engagement and see performance soar (Sparrow, 2012) .

Communicators have a tremendous opportunity to help managers and leaders unlock engagement and see performance soar.


In support of our hypothesis, a recent trial provided initial evidence that a supervised exercise programme commencing two months after TKR resulted in improved function and reduced pain compared to a home exercise programme [35] . The clinical benefits were evident both at the end of the treatment period and six months after TKR. Apart from timing, another noticeable difference between this rehabilitation programme and those evaluated in other clinical trials was that the training intensity was closely monitored and each exercise had varying difficulty and complexity to allow progression. However, the rehabilitation programme was delivered on an individual basis so was resource-intensive.

In support of our hypothesis, a recent trial provided initial evidence that a supervised exercise programme commencing two months after TKR resulted in improved function and reduced pain compared to a home exercise programme.


We have presented two experiments, which are planned to be conducted at the SINBAD facility using electrons produced by the ARES linac. The current schedule foresees first tests using single bunches in mid 2019. As a second stage we aim to show phase-synchronous acceleration of microbunch trains using the setup presented in Sec. 4. This setup can potentially enable more efficient and stable acceleration, as well as higher accelerated charges compared to previous experiments. In addition to that the concept of a DLA-based TDS will be further explored [10] .

In addition to that the concept of a DLA-based TDS will be further explored.


The third experiment, which is planned to be conducted at ARES, aims to test the feasibility of using DLA structures as transverse deflectors (DLA TDS). To this end either single bunches or trains of microbunches are injected in a suitably designed and driven structure. A detailed study of this topic can be found in these proceedings [10] . Hence it is left out here for brevity.

A detailed study of this topic can be found in these proceedings.

Hence it is left out here for brevity.


The field of counseling psychology emerged in the 50's under strong influence of orientational practice which appeared in the United States along with other European countries. In Brazil, counseling psychology practice was one of the main areas to be incorporated to the Psychological teaching when the profession was regulated in 1962. Slowly it became acknowledged as a practice of the psychologist [1] [2] . Also known as a therapeutic counseling, it can be defined as an interpersonal relation, which from a dialogue as well as the genuine advisor presence aid the subject who looks for help by information supplying, the setting of a closing relation and careful listening at painful, doubtful and conflicting moments³.

Slowly it became acknowledged as a practice of the psychologist.


Traditional technology-portfolios are mainly based on subjective evaluations of technological positions. However, it has been observed that these evaluations can differ substantially depending on the interviewed experts (Möhrle, Voigt 1993) . In addition, this type of portfolio does not take dynamic changes of positions in the portfolio matrix into account. Traditional portfolios only allow for static comparisons at certain points of time. It will be shown in this article that technology-portfolios based on patent data -patent-portfolios -offer an interesting way to overcome both shortcomings of traditional technology-portfolios. They are based on objective measures and further allow to incorporate dynamic changes of portfolio positions into the Strategie R&D decision process.

However, it has been observed that these evaluations can differ substantially depending on the interviewed experts.


The development of methods devoted to the generation of broadband ultrashort pulses in the near-and mid-IR frequency ranges has recently seen considerable growth. One of the strongest motivations has been the prospect of increasing the cutoff frequency of x-ray pulses generated via highharmonic generation [1] [2] [3] . Nonlinear wave-mixing methods, such as optical parametric amplification (OPA), difference frequency generation, and four-wave mixing, have proven very versatile for the generation of broadband laser radiation tunable over a wide frequency range from the visible to terahertz waves [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] . By selecting an appropriate nonlinear material, pump wavelength, and geometry for a particular nonlinear process, one can control the bandwidth of the parametric process and generate extremely broadband pulses over a wide spectral range [11] . The central wavelength, as well as the bandwidth of the generated pulses, in general, do not depend on the absorption or emission properties of a given nonlinear optical material, but are rather defined by the dispersion properties and the geometry of the beams with respect to the nonlinear crystal's axis (axes).

One of the strongest motivations has been the prospect of increasing the cutoff frequency of x-ray pulses generated via highharmonic generation.

Nonlinear wave-mixing methods, such as optical parametric amplification (OPA), difference frequency generation, and four-wave mixing, have proven very versatile for the generation of broadband laser radiation tunable over a wide frequency range from the visible to terahertz waves.

By selecting an appropriate nonlinear material, pump wavelength, and geometry for a particular nonlinear process, one can control the bandwidth of the parametric process and generate extremely broadband pulses over a wide spectral range.


In recent years, antenna scattering has drawn more and more attention since it is the main contribution to the total radar cross section (RCS) of low-observable platforms. Antenna is a special scatter because of the difficulty in balancing the characteristics of low RCS and good radiation performance simultaneously [1] . For ultra-wide band (UWB) antennas, it's a big challenge to realize RCS reduction owing to the frequency under consideration is so wide [2] . Furthermore, when the UWB antennas are terminated with different kinds of load, the RCS values is neither the greater nor the smaller one over the whole UWB frequency band, which is different from that of the narrowband antennas [3] . So, this brings a challenge for RCS reduction of the UWB antennas.

Antenna is a special scatter because of the difficulty in balancing the characteristics of low RCS and good radiation performance simultaneously.

For ultra-wide band (UWB) antennas, it's a big challenge to realize RCS reduction owing to the frequency under consideration is so wide.

Furthermore, when the UWB antennas are terminated with different kinds of load, the RCS values is neither the greater nor the smaller one over the whole UWB frequency band, which is different from that of the narrowband antennas.


If there are two sets and , where | | ≥ | |, in most current studies, many private subset operations can be classified into two different cases. First, two parties proved that ⊆ , leaking the elements of set [21] [22] [23] . Second, two parties proved that ⊆ without keeping the privacy of the elements of set [24] [25] [26] [27] .

First, two parties proved that ⊆ , leaking the elements of set.

Second, two parties proved that ⊆ without keeping the privacy of the elements of set.


The response of the beetles was quantified by attaching them to a custom fabricated gimbal with an acrylic frame and silicone flexures (Fig. 4) . The gimbal was designed such that it offers least resistance for rotation about its axis, while constraining the spatial movement. The torsional stiffness of the silicone flexures was experimentally measured to be 68.7 mN-mm/rad. The microthermal stimulators were mounted in close vicinity of the two antennae (Fig. 5) . The stimulators were bonded using epoxy in order to prevent it from being dislodged by the beetle. A DC power supply (HP E3630A) and an AC function generator (HP 33520A) was used to actuate the resistive stimulators and piezothermal stimulators respectively. Preliminary results confirmed an aversion of beetle to the thermal stimulation. The microthermal stimulator UM_HTR1 repeatedly demonstrated flight initiation and directional control of the GJB when a voltage of 1.75 V was applied, resulting in an estimated temperature of 43°C at the beetle-heater interface (Fig.  6-7 ) [11] . The beetle turned away from the side being heated by approximately 15° (0.26 rad), which resulted in a torque of 18 mNmm.

The microthermal stimulator UM_HTR1 repeatedly demonstrated flight initiation and directional control of the GJB when a voltage of 1.75 V was applied, resulting in an estimated temperature of 43°C at the beetle-heater interface (Fig.  6-7 ).


This paper presents an effort at microthermal stimulation, which exploits the natural propensity of insects to escape fire, to initiate the flight and control the direction of beetles. The Green June beetle (GJB) of the genus 'Cotinis' and species 'Nitida' has active flight behavior and appreciable load capacity, which favors it as a biological carrier for multiple sensing applications ( Fig. 1 ) [11] . It has been observed that the head of the beetle is most sensitive to thermal stimulation, particularly in the vicinity of the antennae [12] . This work explores the feasibility of both resistive and piezothermal stimulators and analyzes their relative performance. The present technique, while being less intrusive, is potentially widely applicable due to its independence from any specific neurological or physiological structures of the concerned insect. The following sections present the analytical model for thermal stimulation followed by device structure, fabrication technique, experimental results and finally the relevant discussion and conclusion.

The Green June beetle (GJB) of the genus 'Cotinis' and species 'Nitida' has active flight behavior and appreciable load capacity, which favors it as a biological carrier for multiple sensing applications ( Fig. 1 ).

It has been observed that the head of the beetle is most sensitive to thermal stimulation, particularly in the vicinity of the antennae.


Another problem closely related to the problem we consider in this paper is testing in context, also known as embedded testing [14] . In this setting, the system under test comprises a componentc which is embedded in a contextū. Componentc is isolated from the environment and all its interactions proceed throughū (which is assumed to be correctly implemented). The implementationī and specifications of the system composed ofū andc, are assumed to be available. The problem of testing in context then entails generating a test suite that allows for detecting incorrect implementationsī of componentc.

Another problem closely related to the problem we consider in this paper is testing in context, also known as embedded testing.


Thus this study aims to fill this research gap for exhaust air heat pump systems that are common in the market in Scandinavia and with which PV systems are increasingly being coupled. To be as close to application as possible, a realistic case is chosen with a typical Scandinavian building and exhaust air pump system. Additionally the algorithms that have been developed are designed to be easily integrated into modern heat pump controllers that already have internet connectivity. These algorithms aim to maximize PV self-consumption and minimize final energy (FE) and include detailed control of the backup electric heater as well as speed control of the heat pump's compressor. PV micro producers in Sweden have the option to choose among different tariff schemes, and two are evaluated in this study: monthly fixed price that is seasonally dependent on the expected demand and the resources for electricity production; and a dynamic electricity tariff derived from the Nord Pool spot market price [28] . This work evaluates the performance of the proposed operational control strategies energetically as well as financially for these conditions.

PV micro producers in Sweden have the option to choose among different tariff schemes, and two are evaluated in this study: monthly fixed price that is seasonally dependent on the expected demand and the resources for electricity production; and a dynamic electricity tariff derived from the Nord Pool spot market price.


In the absence of a reliable reference to assess measurement error in areal topography data, it is still possible to compare surface measurements in terms of agreement and disagreement. This approach has been recently attempted for injection moulded replicates of nickel transfer standards, although comparison focused solely on the observation of texture parameters [16] . Texture parameters are important, and represent the only method currently used by the design and manufacturing communities to describe topographies. Efforts are, therefore, justified in providing measures of agreement and disagreement in terms of texture parameters. However, only comparative analysis of reconstructed topographies allows for acquisition of an understanding as to why calculated parameters differ.

This approach has been recently attempted for injection moulded replicates of nickel transfer standards, although comparison focused solely on the observation of texture parameters.