The second phase included Standard Proctor Test [19] . Laboratory compaction curves were obtained for the following lignin concentrations: 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 9%, and 14%. These results provided optimum moisture contents and maximum dry densities.

The second phase included Standard Proctor Test.


Interest in using biomass conversion to produce biofuels, such as ethanol, has been a rising trend in the industry. A major source of biomass, for cellulosic ethanol in particular, is corn stover, the residue of corn harvesting. It was estimated that approximately 75 million dry tons of corn stover were produced annually [1] . This amount would go to waste if there were no other practical industrial use for it. It is estimated that 11.4% of this amount contains lignin. Thus, corn stover could provide 8.5 million tons of lignin per year [1] . Lignin is an essential component of all plant life that bonds the cellulose fibers together in plant cell walls, whereby the latter provide the tensile strength. Lignin is also the second most abundant biological material on Earth, exceeded only by cellulose and hemicellulose and comprising 15-25% of the dry weight of woody plants [2] .

It was estimated that approximately 75 million dry tons of corn stover were produced annually.

Thus, corn stover could provide 8.5 million tons of lignin per year.

Lignin is also the second most abundant biological material on Earth, exceeded only by cellulose and hemicellulose and comprising 15-25% of the dry weight of woody plants.


From the comparison between the near fields simulated ( Figure 2 ) and experimental results, it is worth noting that we found higher experimental m values corresponding with field distributions that appear more uniform and less localized. In particular, FDTD simulations show clearly, as in regions far from the NPs where the near-field distribution is due mainly to the photonic coupling and to the multi-scattering process, that the field intensity for the three kinds of ThMo considered is higher in the case of NPs with square shape compared to those of the circular and triangular shapes. This achievement perfectly matches the trend of the experimentally measured sensitivity shown in Table 1 . This agreement can be explained by referring to the unique optical interaction properties of aperiodic nanopattern. Due to the increased structural disorder, the aperiodic arrays are strongly coupled in both the plasmonic near-field regime (short-range coupling), which mainly determines the presence of hot-spot area between two near pillars, and the photonic diffractive one (long-range coupling), which essentially affects the field distribution in nanopattern regions far from the particles [63] . In particular, the efficient photonic coupling in aperiodic arrays, associated with their high number of inplane multi-scattering processes, enables both enhanced field states that are spatially distributed over larger areas and higher photon dwelling times compared to periodic patterns where scattered photons easily escape from the surface. In fact, these characteristics improve the lightanalyte interaction, enhancing the sensitivity of the system and making these types of patterns promising to develop advanced sensing devices. Therefore, we can assert that the higher m of square NPs array should arise from the better long-range coupling and higher number of light scattering process enabled from this geometry compared to the ones possible for ThMo arrays made of circular or triangular NPs.

Due to the increased structural disorder, the aperiodic arrays are strongly coupled in both the plasmonic near-field regime (short-range coupling), which mainly determines the presence of hot-spot area between two near pillars, and the photonic diffractive one (long-range coupling), which essentially affects the field distribution in nanopattern regions far from the particles.


The performance of the LSPR nanosensors for environmental analysis has been tested by the use of water solutions of a dithiocarbamate fungicide Thiram (C 6 H 12 N 2 S 4 ). Thiram is a pesticide used on a variety of crops including fruit and vegetables, and it is toxic for human and, in particular, for most fish and aquatic organisms [51] . Phase-sensing approach is becoming an alternative to the traditional intensity sensing, thanks to the high sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio that it allows [52] . In order to increase the figure-of-merit (FOM) of the sensor, we employed a phase-sensitive setup in the transmission based on common-path phase quadrature interferometry to evaluate the phase difference between the spectra measured along the axes of asymmetric NPs [52] [53] [54] . An LOD of 270 pM (62 pg/ml) was attained for Thiram using a ThMo pattern with triangular NPs, and our achievements have demonstrated how this new approach can dramatically boost FOM of refractive index sensing. We also performed SERS analysis to verify the physical adsorption of the Thiram molecules on the substrate as a function of different concentrations.

Thiram is a pesticide used on a variety of crops including fruit and vegetables, and it is toxic for human and, in particular, for most fish and aquatic organisms.

Phase-sensing approach is becoming an alternative to the traditional intensity sensing, thanks to the high sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio that it allows.

In order to increase the figure-of-merit (FOM) of the sensor, we employed a phase-sensitive setup in the transmission based on common-path phase quadrature interferometry to evaluate the phase difference between the spectra measured along the axes of asymmetric NPs.


Such results show how the nanopatterns considered are well suited as LSPR sensor for detection application of analytes through the use of a low-cost experimental setup. As the results of the characterization in terms of sensitivity m and linearity were promising, we used this approach to investigate an analyte of environmental interest. Nevertheless, the values of FOM found for all nanopatterns analyzed, ranging from 0.66 to 1.24 (Table 1) , are not high enough to achieve an optimized very low LOD [65] .

Nevertheless, the values of FOM found for all nanopatterns analyzed, ranging from 0.66 to 1.24 (Table 1) , are not high enough to achieve an optimized very low LOD.


In this work, we realized and compared engineered LSPR sensors based on a 2D Thue-Morse (ThMo) sequence with different geometries. Optical properties of the ThMo aperiodic pattern have been widely investigated, and their peculiarities (self-similar hierarchy of pseudoband-gap regions, omnidirectional reflectivity, and light emission enhancement) make such geometries an attractive candidate for the realization of high-performance multi-mode plasmonic nanosensors [45] [46] [47] [48] [49] [50] . We fabricated them by the use of the electron beam lithography (EBL) process. EBL technique allows to realize highly reproducible nanopatterns by controlling with high precision size, shape and inter-particle distance, allowing the tuning of the plasmonic resonance in the visible and near-infrared range. The bulk refractive index sensitivity (m) of the devices has been evaluated, and a maximum value of 275 nm/RIU has been obtained for ThMo with square nanopillars (NPs).

Optical properties of the ThMo aperiodic pattern have been widely investigated, and their peculiarities (self-similar hierarchy of pseudoband-gap regions, omnidirectional reflectivity, and light emission enhancement) make such geometries an attractive candidate for the realization of high-performance multi-mode plasmonic nanosensors.


In the past decades, several methods have been investigated to align CNTs or CNFs. Some researchers focus on aligning CNTs directly during the synthesis process by CVD to create a CNTs array or forest [14, 15] . CNTs fibers can be spun directly from the CVD synthesis zone [16] . The aligned CNTs films or sheets obtained using this spinning method have significant impurities, however, as CNTs with different diameters and chiralities (as well as the catalysts) are mixed together [17] . Another method involves dispersing CNTs in a solvent and using magnetic field, gas flow, electrical field, shear flow in liquid polymer matrix, or mechanical force techniques to prepare aligned CNTs sheets [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] . Most of these solvent-based methods are low-cost (except for the magnetic field method), yet the need for improved surface uniformity and preparation speed, among other concerns, provides ample motivation to develop and refine new methods to prepare aligned CNTs or CNFs films.

Some researchers focus on aligning CNTs directly during the synthesis process by CVD to create a CNTs array or forest.

CNTs fibers can be spun directly from the CVD synthesis zone.

The aligned CNTs films or sheets obtained using this spinning method have significant impurities, however, as CNTs with different diameters and chiralities (as well as the catalysts) are mixed together.

Another method involves dispersing CNTs in a solvent and using magnetic field, gas flow, electrical field, shear flow in liquid polymer matrix, or mechanical force techniques to prepare aligned CNTs sheets.


In actual applications, however, CNTs and CNFs composites have failed to display their full potential and the measured properties have fallen far below the theoretical predictions. Obstacles, such as uneven dispersion and lack of alignment, are central to this failure [11, 12] . They can cause low loading and poor interfacial bonding between the matrix and these one-dimensional reinforcements. The properties of CNTs and CNFs are significantly better along the long axis direction in comparison to those displayed in the radial direction. Utilization of their enhanced properties depends on the directional axes of these one-dimensional materials. Aligning CNTs or CNFs along the long axis direction is critical to optimizing their remarkable properties [13] .

Obstacles, such as uneven dispersion and lack of alignment, are central to this failure.

Aligning CNTs or CNFs along the long axis direction is critical to optimizing their remarkable properties.


Several studies have demonstrated the relationship of low CD4+ T lymphocyte counts and high HIV loads with increased HPV infection rates and development of anogenital warts [10, 26, 27] . These data were not found in the present study. Other factors that can render patients more susceptible to the development of anogenital warts and that worsen their immunological state include the lack of adherence to the therapeutic regimen and the development of resistance of HIV to available drug classes, events that are accompanied by a decrease in CD4+ T lymphocyte count, an increase in viral load and worsening of the patient's clinical status [28, 29] . In addition to the immunological and clinical consequences of persistently high viremia, therapeutic failure also limits future treatment options [29] .

Several studies have demonstrated the relationship of low CD4+ T lymphocyte counts and high HIV loads with increased HPV infection rates and development of anogenital warts.

Other factors that can render patients more susceptible to the development of anogenital warts and that worsen their immunological state include the lack of adherence to the therapeutic regimen and the development of resistance of HIV to available drug classes, events that are accompanied by a decrease in CD4+ T lymphocyte count, an increase in viral load and worsening of the patient's clinical status.

In addition to the immunological and clinical consequences of persistently high viremia, therapeutic failure also limits future treatment options.


Social media and in particular Twitter has proven to be a faster channel of communication when compared to traditional news media, as we have witnessed during events such as the Middle East revolutions and the 2011 Japan earthquake; acting as social sensors of real-time events (Sakaki et al., 2010) . Therefore the identification of topics discussed in these channels could aid in different scenarios including violence detection and emergency response. In particular the task of classifying tweets as violence-related poses different challenges including: high topical diversity; irregular and ill-formed words; event-dependent vocabulary characterising violence-related content; and an evolving jargon emerging from violent events.

Social media and in particular Twitter has proven to be a faster channel of communication when compared to traditional news media, as we have witnessed during events such as the Middle East revolutions and the 2011 Japan earthquake; acting as social sensors of real-time events.


SLE is a prototype autoimmune disease involving multiple organs, with the kidney being most common. This disease is known as LN. A large number of immune complex depositions in the kidney are the main reason for the onset of LN. A "full-house" phenomenon visualized under an immunofluorescence microscope and electron-dense deposits in the glomeruli are its main pathological features. According to the International Society of Nephrology and Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) consensus, LN is classified into types I to VI. The nephrotic syndrome is commonly associated with diffuse, proliferative LN (ISN/RPS class IV) and membranous LN (ISN/RPS class V) [2] . Our patient had a long history of SLE; however, her renal biopsy findings and clinical course were typical of MCD. The coexistence of AKI, MCD and SLE, as we saw in our patient, is extremely rare. Treatments for LN and MCD are different. Patients with ISN/RPS class III or IV LN should receive long-term aggressive therapy, including high doses of daily oral corticosteroids, intravenous pulses of corticosteroids, intravenous pulses of cyclophosphamide therapy, mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporine A, among other medications [3] . However, treatments for MCD mainly involve oral corticosteroids for 6 months to 1 year, possibly in addition to other immunosuppressive therapies. The clinical diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of LN should be assessed with the support of a histological analysis, unless a renal biopsy is performed, in which case administration of a cytotoxic agent is unavoidable.

This disease is known as LN.

The nephrotic syndrome is commonly associated with diffuse, proliferative LN (ISN/RPS class IV) and membranous LN (ISN/RPS class V).

Patients with ISN/RPS class III or IV LN should receive long-term aggressive therapy, including high doses of daily oral corticosteroids, intravenous pulses of corticosteroids, intravenous pulses of cyclophosphamide therapy, mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporine A, among other medications.


The rate of deforestation is high in many developing countries possibly than in any others type of tropical forests [12] . Almost 53,216 ha of the Cameroon's mangrove forests have been lost over the last 13 years [13] [14] . Disturbances in mangroves have been attributed to a combination of factors such as the ever-increasing human pressure on coastal lands, sea-level rise, absence of adequate legislation regarding mangrove protection, and pollution in the peri-urban settings of the city of Douala [15] [16] . Mangrove wood products remain an important source of building materials and fuelwood for local communities [17] . They are also used as a potential source for pasture, medicine and tannins [18] . However, few data are available on the distribution of mangrove macro-benthos in Africa [19] - [23] .

The rate of deforestation is high in many developing countries possibly than in any others type of tropical forests.

Almost 53,216 ha of the Cameroon's mangrove forests have been lost over the last 13 years.

Disturbances in mangroves have been attributed to a combination of factors such as the ever-increasing human pressure on coastal lands, sea-level rise, absence of adequate legislation regarding mangrove protection, and pollution in the peri-urban settings of the city of Douala.

Mangrove wood products remain an important source of building materials and fuelwood for local communities.

They are also used as a potential source for pasture, medicine and tannins.

However, few data are available on the distribution of mangrove macro-benthos in Africa.


Worldwide, the macrobenthos are relatively poorly known compared to other aspects of these productive ecosystems, such as floristics and trophic ecology [5] - [7] . Brachyuran crabs are dominant in most mangrove habitats, high in species number, abundance and biomass compared with many other animals, thus adequate for modelling settlement in these systems [8] . They are dominated by various burrowing decapods, such as sesarmid crabs and fiddler crabs [1] . Their assemblage structure seems to be influenced by local environmental conditions. Scale-dependent patterns of distribution may be particularly important in coastal areas, since they are characterized by variability in abiotic conditions [9] [10] . The distribution of macrobenthos fauna are determined by a number of factors such as physical nature of substratum, depth, nutritive content, degree of stability and oxygen content of the water body [11] .

Worldwide, the macrobenthos are relatively poorly known compared to other aspects of these productive ecosystems, such as floristics and trophic ecology.

Brachyuran crabs are dominant in most mangrove habitats, high in species number, abundance and biomass compared with many other animals, thus adequate for modelling settlement in these systems.

They are dominated by various burrowing decapods, such as sesarmid crabs and fiddler crabs.

Scale-dependent patterns of distribution may be particularly important in coastal areas, since they are characterized by variability in abiotic conditions.

The distribution of macrobenthos fauna are determined by a number of factors such as physical nature of substratum, depth, nutritive content, degree of stability and oxygen content of the water body.


Mangrove ecosystem is characterized as a forest growing in seawater at the interface between land and sea, particularly in sheltered areas with large tidal excursions. The structuring feature of mangrove forests is tree species adapted to growth in anoxic intertidal sediment saturated with seawater [1] . The diversity of these features depends on the size of the swamp which, in its turn, depends on the proximity of rivers and the tidal range. A further complication introduced by the proximity of rivers is variable salinity which may also be caused by heavy rain and poor drainage [2] . The plant species are distributed in zones or belts which are generally parallel from the coast to the external part of mangrove [3] . The vegetation structure is linked to the differences in the different species tolerance of the water's physicochemical factors (salinity, conductivity and pH) throughout their gradients [4] .

The structuring feature of mangrove forests is tree species adapted to growth in anoxic intertidal sediment saturated with seawater.

A further complication introduced by the proximity of rivers is variable salinity which may also be caused by heavy rain and poor drainage.

The plant species are distributed in zones or belts which are generally parallel from the coast to the external part of mangrove.

The vegetation structure is linked to the differences in the different species tolerance of the water's physicochemical factors (salinity, conductivity and pH) throughout their gradients.


Tissue factor pathway inhibitor-ɑ (TFPI) is the main inhibitor of the extrinsic coagulation pathway and therefore an important modulator of coagulation initiation. TFPI consists of an acidic N-terminal region, three successive Kunitz domains and a basic C-terminal region [1] [2] [3] . The first and second Kunitz domains of TFPI are involved in the binding of TF/FVII(a) and FXa, respectively [1, 4] . For the rapid and efficient inhibition of FXa, the C-terminal region and all three Kunitz domains of TFPI are required [5, 6] . Moreover, the third Kunitz domain is responsible for the interaction of TFPI with protein S, which acts as a cofactor of TFPI by enhancing the inhibition of FXa ten-fold [3, 7, 8] .

TFPI consists of an acidic N-terminal region, three successive Kunitz domains and a basic C-terminal region.

The first and second Kunitz domains of TFPI are involved in the binding of TF/FVII(a) and FXa, respectively.

For the rapid and efficient inhibition of FXa, the C-terminal region and all three Kunitz domains of TFPI are required.

Moreover, the third Kunitz domain is responsible for the interaction of TFPI with protein S, which acts as a cofactor of TFPI by enhancing the inhibition of FXa ten-fold.


Fire smoke toxicity has assumed a greater importance in high risk applications. The major factor in the assessment of fire hazard is an estimation of yields of toxic products from fires [3] . In a fire, thermal decomposition of solid material generates buoyant gaseous fuel vapours, which can burn above the solid material. Chemical processes are responsible for the generation of flammable volatiles, while physical changes result in melting and charring [4] .

The major factor in the assessment of fire hazard is an estimation of yields of toxic products from fires.

Chemical processes are responsible for the generation of flammable volatiles, while physical changes result in melting and charring.


Pregnancy characteristics and perinatal outcomes according to the main cause of severe morbidity showed that pregnancies complicated by respiratory disease present an increased rate of preterm delivery and worse perinatal outcomes. This finding had already been demonstrated [10, 36] . Studies have shown that vaccination during the first trimester of pregnancy can improve those outcomes and decrease stillbirth rates without increasing the risk of malformations, which is a common concern among health practitioners and pregnant women [37] .

This finding had already been demonstrated.

Studies have shown that vaccination during the first trimester of pregnancy can improve those outcomes and decrease stillbirth rates without increasing the risk of malformations, which is a common concern among health practitioners and pregnant women.


Improvement in maternal health aiming a reduction in maternal mortality is a priority worldwide, in an attempt to accomplish the established millennium development goals set for 2015 [1] [2] [3] . However, the expected reduction in maternal mortality is still far from ideal and varies widely across regions [4, 5] . Most recently, to better comprehend the burden of disease on female health and complement mortality inquiries, an alternative approach has been to study maternal morbidity. Maternal morbidity can have an impact on both low-income and highincome settings.

Improvement in maternal health aiming a reduction in maternal mortality is a priority worldwide, in an attempt to accomplish the established millennium development goals set for 2015.

However, the expected reduction in maternal mortality is still far from ideal and varies widely across regions.


In the development of the alternatives in the IPWA, it was the planning officers' perspective that determined the approach of the process of scheme development. Besides the choice for a limited, closed arena, this approach was illustrated by the technocratic way the ultimate choice between the three alternatives was made. Although it has been known for a long time that this approach is counterproductive on most occasions, governments in many countries show a low acceptance of this part of renewable energy innovation's requirements. The model of 'rational' top-down planning of wind power is still propagated by developers, authorities and policy makers, and it is also applied in current schemes of large near-shore wind power (Havgul, 2008) . In the Wadden Sea case, this emphasis eventually resulted in a total failure. It can be expected that the idea that wind farms at sea are a way to escape the troubles of building wind farms onshore, combined with the technocratic top-down approach for planning, will result in many more of such failures in the coming decade.

The model of 'rational' top-down planning of wind power is still propagated by developers, authorities and policy makers, and it is also applied in current schemes of large near-shore wind power.


Flapping wing aero vehicle has become a popular research topic in recent years because it has better aerodynamic performance than the fixed-wing and rotary-wing aero vehicle under low Reynolds number flight regime [1] [2] [3] . Understanding the effect of flexibility on the aerodynamic characteristics of the wing is one of the most important considerations for successfully designing this type of vehicle. Therefore, many studies have been carried out to investigate this problem, and considerable understandings have been achieved [4] [5] [6] [7] .

Flapping wing aero vehicle has become a popular research topic in recent years because it has better aerodynamic performance than the fixed-wing and rotary-wing aero vehicle under low Reynolds number flight regime.

Therefore, many studies have been carried out to investigate this problem, and considerable understandings have been achieved.


Antioxidants via improving the antioxidant defense system offer a promising approach to protect neuronal cells by removing free radicals, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) or their precursors, maintaining redox homeostasis, and decreasing oxidative damage [6] . The antioxidant defense system can be enhanced exogenously by ascorbic acid, lipoic acids, polyphenols, and carotenoids, or endogenously by catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Beneficial effects of antioxidants in reducing oxidative stress in neuronal damage have been shown in many cell culture models [7] - [10] . In vivo, higher levels of antioxidants are required to result in protective effects on the central nervous system (CNS), which is extremely sensitive to redox changes and oxidative homeostasis due to the high level of oxidative metabolism [11] . Several studies have indicated that increased oxidative damage and reduced antioxidant activities may be responsible for the onset and progression of PD [12] - [14] . Therefore, the activation of antioxidant enzymes is one of the strategies to counteract the detrimental effects of ROS and restore the normal cellular redox balance [15] .

Antioxidants via improving the antioxidant defense system offer a promising approach to protect neuronal cells by removing free radicals, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) or their precursors, maintaining redox homeostasis, and decreasing oxidative damage.

Beneficial effects of antioxidants in reducing oxidative stress in neuronal damage have been shown in many cell culture models.

In vivo, higher levels of antioxidants are required to result in protective effects on the central nervous system (CNS), which is extremely sensitive to redox changes and oxidative homeostasis due to the high level of oxidative metabolism.

Several studies have indicated that increased oxidative damage and reduced antioxidant activities may be responsible for the onset and progression of PD.

Therefore, the activation of antioxidant enzymes is one of the strategies to counteract the detrimental effects of ROS and restore the normal cellular redox balance.


The spectral energy distribution of VHE emission from LS I +61 • 303 close to its apastron in phases φ = 0.5 → 0.8 has been stable over the years at ∼ 2.6. A similar spectral trend is seen for the phase range φ = 0.2 → 0.5. In the phase range φ = 0.8 → 0.2 hint of a softer index Γ −2.86 may be present but cannot be confirmed due to statistical uncertainty. Upper limits are calculated for the highest energy bins in the spectral energy distribution due to limited photon statistics and a cutoff above ∼ 3 TeV cannot be excluded. An evolving spectral behavior in different parts of the orbit could be a possibility for LS I +61 • 303 similar to LS 5039, where a cutoff at 6 TeV near its inferior conjunction passage is seen [16] .

An evolving spectral behavior in different parts of the orbit could be a possibility for LS I +61 • 303 similar to LS 5039, where a cutoff at 6 TeV near its inferior conjunction passage is seen.


The nature of the CO of LS I +61 • 303 has been an active topic of debate since neither the microquasar model not the pulsar wind binary model are able to fully explain all existing observations. The baseline TeV emission and VHE outbursts near apastron could be explained by the neutron star flip flop model [10] . This model assumes that LS I +61 • 303 hosts a young neutron star which flip flops between its ejector and propeller phases as the CO revolves around the Be star. Near periastron, the intense ram pressure of the decreted matter from the Be shrinks the Alvén radius of the neutron star. In this propeller state the neutron stars's magnetosphere extends beyond the co-rotation radius of the surrounding matter. The centrifugal force prevents the surrounding co-rotating matter from accreting onto the magnetic poles. The accumulated plasmon mass spirals around like a vortex with concomittant high voltages and shocks between the layers creating the quiescent TeV emmission that is observed [15] . As the neutron star travels further from the dense stellar surroundings it transitions to from propeller phase to ejector phase, expelling the plasmon and producing TeV outbursts. The ejector-propeller flip-flop model fits the well with the flux variability in the various parts of the orbit as seen in Figure 1 , a lower flux during propeller state of the neutron star (i.e. φ = 0.8 → 0.5) and flaring TeV flux near apastron passage where the neutron star in its ejector expeling the accumulated matter from the previous state (i.e. φ = 0.5 → 0.8).

The baseline TeV emission and VHE outbursts near apastron could be explained by the neutron star flip flop model.

The accumulated plasmon mass spirals around like a vortex with concomittant high voltages and shocks between the layers creating the quiescent TeV emmission that is observed.


The HE susceptibility is directly associated with the microstructure, stress state, and hydrogen concentration at the crack tip [23] [24] [25] . It has been reported that Ni contents play a vital role in the HE susceptibility of ASSs [26] [27] [28] . The strain-induced martensite in the metastable ASSs provides a short path for the diffusion of hydrogen to the fatigue crack tip, leading to an increased hydrogen concentration in the plastic zone [29] [30] [31] [32] . Brittle fracture of strain-induced martensite ahead of the crack tip accounts for accelerated fatigue crack growth rates (FCGRs) of the ASSs in hydrogen as compared with those in air [33, 34] .

The HE susceptibility is directly associated with the microstructure, stress state, and hydrogen concentration at the crack tip.

It has been reported that Ni contents play a vital role in the HE susceptibility of ASSs.

The strain-induced martensite in the metastable ASSs provides a short path for the diffusion of hydrogen to the fatigue crack tip, leading to an increased hydrogen concentration in the plastic zone.

Brittle fracture of strain-induced martensite ahead of the crack tip accounts for accelerated fatigue crack growth rates (FCGRs) of the ASSs in hydrogen as compared with those in air.


Let us emphasize that extra difficulties appear in the description of the η and η ′ mesons. Indeed, even considering only ground states one has to take into account the singlet-octet mixing caused by the gluon anomaly (U A (1)-problem). This problem is usually solved by adding the 't Hooft interaction [3, 4, 6] .

This problem is usually solved by adding the 't Hooft interaction.


Consensus was sought via a series of Delphi questionnaires, which were initially devised by the two chairs and approved by the group. The group were asked to score agreement with statements using a seven-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree) [20] . Agreement was determined if 75% of the group scored within 2 points; 75% agreement with a score of 6 or 7 meant that the recommendation was accepted; 75% agreement with scores of 1 or 2 meant the recommendation was rejected. Where consensus was not reached, a further Delphi round was performed. In total three Delphi rounds were required. The group were asked to grade the level of evidence using the GRADE system [21] .

The group were asked to score agreement with statements using a seven-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree).

The group were asked to grade the level of evidence using the GRADE system.


An example of line sources is shown in Figure 1 . The pyrotechnic device shown is a high-load-carrying separation system that must act without contamination of the payload and is called an expanding tube in this study. The device is one of the greatest shock producers in aerospace separation systems. The detailed components of the expanding tube are also represented in Figure 1 , consisting of an MDF (mild detonating fuse), support, and a flattened steel tube. The MDF is a small diameter extruded tube containing a single strand of explosive cord. It is manufactured by filling a tube with explosive material and extruding the tube using a conventional, multiple-die, cold extrusion process [6] [7] [8] [9] . Structure separation is accomplished when the MDF is ignited. When an MDF is initiated, the detonation is propagated along minor-axis direction and fractures pin joints. Consequently, the expanded tube can separate structures according to its design, without contamination [8] . Since the performance of expanding tubes is mainly related to the explosive load, investigation of the proper explosive load against expanding tube failure and structural damage is important to its design. Even if the expanding tube design has to be verified in ballistic tests, adding a numerical simulation step between the expanding tube sample fabrication and its ballistic test can be a more effective approach for proper explosive load determination. The numerical model can explain the full physics of the phenomena by solving the governing equations that describe the behavior of the system under consideration.

It is manufactured by filling a tube with explosive material and extruding the tube using a conventional, multiple-die, cold extrusion process.

Consequently, the expanded tube can separate structures according to its design, without contamination.


Multi-component domino reactions (MDRs), as the effective approach to improve synthetic efficiency, have been successfully applied to the synthesis of various heterocycles. These reactions can involve high levels of diversity giving rise to complex structures by simultaneous formation of three or more bonds from simple substrates [1] [2] [3] . Such transformations can avoid tedious steps of protection and deprotection of functional groups and isolation of intermediates, thereby dramatically reducing production of waste. Recently, various MDRs have efficiently been used for the construction of heterocyclic compounds with biological activities [4] [5] [6] .

These reactions can involve high levels of diversity giving rise to complex structures by simultaneous formation of three or more bonds from simple substrates.

Recently, various MDRs have efficiently been used for the construction of heterocyclic compounds with biological activities.


The dual polarized antennas are used in cellular base stations, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems for WiMAX applications and in radar systems [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . Use of polarization diversity in MIMO system provides improved multiplexing gains, especially in Rayleigh fading channels and in the presence of high transmit fading signal correlation [2] . Dual polarized antennas for MIMO systems also provide improved channel capacity as compared to single polarized antennas [3] . The dual polarized antennas are used in radars to get information in horizontal and vertical planes simultaneously [4, 5] .

The dual polarized antennas are used in cellular base stations, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems for WiMAX applications and in radar systems.

Use of polarization diversity in MIMO system provides improved multiplexing gains, especially in Rayleigh fading channels and in the presence of high transmit fading signal correlation.

Dual polarized antennas for MIMO systems also provide improved channel capacity as compared to single polarized antennas.

The dual polarized antennas are used in radars to get information in horizontal and vertical planes simultaneously.


Recently an assessment of hazardous substances in aqueous environments, which is known as bio-monitoring and micro-biotesting, was studied [1] . In such techniques, a rapid estimation method of microbe's metabolic activity and inactivation process by an inhibitor is required. However, most of the techniques were somewhat time-consuming or tedious and were required expensive apparatus or reagents, because they are based on enzymatic or bioassay methods.

Recently an assessment of hazardous substances in aqueous environments, which is known as bio-monitoring and micro-biotesting, was studied.


The introduction of non-programmable renewable energy generators dramatically changes the management of the power flows into the micro-grids. To ensure the grid stability, the variability of the renewable sources requires an increase of the spinning reserve of the whole power plant [5] . When the spinning reserve will be covered by the DGs, the benefits due to the installation of the RES will reduce. For this purpose, it is recommended to include other types of regulating generators, like storage systems provided by inverters with droop control, so that they can act as rotating generators and perform spinning reserve [6] . Regulating generators performing primary and secondary regulation guarantees the power balance of the micro-grid, sharing the load power among the generating unit and restoring voltage and frequency levels after primary regulation intervention. The additional tertiary regulation can be introduced to controls the power flows pursuing power quality and economic benefits; usually a daily scheduling defines active generators' generation curve in terms of hourly average values.

To ensure the grid stability, the variability of the renewable sources requires an increase of the spinning reserve of the whole power plant.

For this purpose, it is recommended to include other types of regulating generators, like storage systems provided by inverters with droop control, so that they can act as rotating generators and perform spinning reserve.


In the formalism of gauged supergravity, Scherk-Schwarz corresponds to a special flat gauging inducing a non-trivial mass term for the gravitino as well as a tree-level scalar potential of the noscale type [10] . Namely, as soon as one minimises the scalar potential with respect to the charged fields, the potential vanishes and the scalars neutral with respect to the gauging remain massless at tree level. These no-scale moduli precisely enter into the gravitino mass term, expanded around the minimum, and one obtains a family of vacua with the scale of supersymmetry breaking m 3/2 remaining undetermined at tree level. This no-scale structure is, of course, consistent with the fact that the moduli entering the one-loop partition function of the string correspond to consistent marginal deformations of the worldsheet CFT.

In the formalism of gauged supergravity, Scherk-Schwarz corresponds to a special flat gauging inducing a non-trivial mass term for the gravitino as well as a tree-level scalar potential of the noscale type.


Regardless of the inherent difficulties arising when dealing with non-supersymmetric string theory, considerable progress has been made recently in studying various one-loop amplitudes. One such example, is the construction of super no-scale models [22, 33, 41, 44, 45] . These are non-supersymmetric heterotic strings with Bose-Fermi degeneracy at the massless level, yielding at most exponentially small values for the vacuum amplitude, which appears to be a necessary ingredient in scenarios with a low scale for supersymmetry breaking. Aside from ensuring small values for the vacuum energy in the limit of large volume in the Scherk-Schwarz radius, such models have the additional virtue of softening the back-reaction problem.

One such example, is the construction of super no-scale models.


Whenever supersymmetry is spontaneously broken in perturbative string theory, one is eventually called to face at least two fundamental issues. The first one relates to the possibility of encountering tachyonic modes in the physical string spectrum, signalling a tree level instability of the theory. These are level-matched modes with non-trivial winding which may become tachyonic in regions of moduli space sufficiently close to the string scale. This problem is essentially linked to the exponentially growing degeneracy of states of string theory and, for example, manifests itself as the Hagedorn instability in a thermal setup [1] . The second one is related to the presence of a one-loop tadpole back-reacting on the classical vacuum [2, 3] .

This problem is essentially linked to the exponentially growing degeneracy of states of string theory and, for example, manifests itself as the Hagedorn instability in a thermal setup.

The second one is related to the presence of a one-loop tadpole back-reacting on the classical vacuum.


From the few past researches as mentioned above, it is without doubt that more and more business world players are relying on BI to gain insightful knowledge in order to outperform competitors. As organization sustainability has become one of the major and long term agendas for most of the corporation, BI could be leveraged as one of the secret weapons to attain such goal (Petrini and Pozzebon, 2009) . Although compared to organizations in developed countries the deployment rate of BI is low, some large Malaysian companies from different sectors have begun to deploy BI to increase firm's competitiveness (Ong et al., 2011) .

As organization sustainability has become one of the major and long term agendas for most of the corporation, BI could be leveraged as one of the secret weapons to attain such goal.

Although compared to organizations in developed countries the deployment rate of BI is low, some large Malaysian companies from different sectors have begun to deploy BI to increase firm's competitiveness.


Studies on the separation performance, particularly the possible effect on the membrane area, as well as the power consumption of the ideal and non-ideal cascade designs have been discussed in the literature [9] [10] [11] . The process simulation of ideal and non-ideal membrane cascade designs is also well covered in the literature [7, [12] [13] [14] . However, the attainability and the minimum energy consumption of multi-stage cascade membrane systems have not been studied.

Studies on the separation performance, particularly the possible effect on the membrane area, as well as the power consumption of the ideal and non-ideal cascade designs have been discussed in the literature.

The process simulation of ideal and non-ideal membrane cascade designs is also well covered in the literature.


This set of substances was chosen because they are representative of nitro-based explosives that currently are among the greatest threats to security [21] . Three major classes of nitro (NO 2 )-containing explosives can be identified: those based on aliphatic nitrate ester (R-O-NO 2 ), nitro-aromatic (Ar-NO 2 ), and cycloaliphatic nitramine (>N-NO 2 ) groups. Among them, EGDN and PETN are representative of the first class (nitrate ester), TNT is representative of the second class (nitro-aromatic) and RDX is representative of the third (nitramine).

This set of substances was chosen because they are representative of nitro-based explosives that currently are among the greatest threats to security.


Automatic face age progression has attracted huge interest from the computer vision community in recent years. There are numerous efforts to model the longitudinal aging process presented in computer vision literature [8, 14, 21, 28, 12] . In most conventional methods, linear models, e.g. Active Appearance Models (AAMs) and 3D Morphable Model, are usually adopted to interpret the geometry and appearance of the faces before the aging rules are learned. However, the face aging variations are not only large but also non-linear. It apparently violates the assumption of linear models. Therefore, these age-progression methods meet a lot of difficulties and limitations to interpret these non-linear aging variations.

There are numerous efforts to model the longitudinal aging process presented in computer vision literature.


The access time of a register file is significantly affected by its size, as well as its number of ports [3] . Since the current trend of increasing the issue width and the instruction window size has direct consequences on the number of ports and registers respectively, it is very likely that the register file access time will become one of the longest delays of forthcoming microprocessors. In this case, it will determine the clock cycle and thus, it will have a severe impact on the processor performance, unless it is pipelined.

The access time of a register file is significantly affected by its size, as well as its number of ports.


Households selected based on the primary source of income varied in terms of saving propensity. Analysis of the data given in Table 1 shows that in the years 2003 and 2013 the greatest saving propensity was found for households of self-employed individuals. In 2003 one third of households, which primary source of income was provided by self-employment, declared that they had savings (31.9%), while in 2013 it was as many as every second household (57.3%). The lowest saving propensity was observed in households, for which the primary source of income was the disability living allowance, since in 2013 only every fi fth household of claimants of disability living allowance declared having any savings (20.2%). This situation resulted from the very poor fi nancial standing of this socio-economic group. On average they spent over 50% of their budget to provide necessaries (i.e. food and accommodation) (GUS, 2013) .

On average they spent over 50% of their budget to provide necessaries (i.e. food and accommodation).


The basic form of savings by Polish households was to invest money in bank deposits in Polish zlotys and to accumulate cash. In 2013 almost 67% all households put their savings in bank deposits in the Polish currency, while over 44.0% accumulated cash (Table 4) . Thus it may be stated that despite the dynamic development of the fi nancial market in Poland and increased fi nancial awareness Poles adopt traditional attitudes to forms of savings accumulation and are distrustful of alternative methods to invest disposable fi nancial resources (Anioła and Gołaś, 2012) . It needs to be stressed that the percentage of households investing disposable funds in deposits in Polish zlotys in 2013 decreased considerably in relation to the fi gure for 2003, by almost 13 percentage points. However, this form of saving continued to be indicated by a greater number of households. In turn, savings were put in deposits in foreign currency in 2013 in slightly less than 4.0% households having savings, i.e. by over 7.0 percentage points less than in 2003. It may be assumed that this was caused by the rather unattractive interest on those deposits, as well as high variability of the exchange rate risk.

Thus it may be stated that despite the dynamic development of the fi nancial market in Poland and increased fi nancial awareness Poles adopt traditional attitudes to forms of savings accumulation and are distrustful of alternative methods to invest disposable fi nancial resources.


Furthermore, the ideas tested in older papers in the literature on ageism were done in an era in which organizations exhibited a culture of early exit of older workers. At the start of the 21 st century this trend towards early retirement has been reversed in quite a number of countries and employers are now encountering employees who retire at a significant later date than before (Blundell, French, & Tetlow, 2016) . Now an aging workforce is a reality to be dealt with by employers, the perceptions and attitudes that employers have of older workers may be more in line with reality and hence perhaps also more likely to change.

At the start of the 21 st century this trend towards early retirement has been reversed in quite a number of countries and employers are now encountering employees who retire at a significant later date than before.


Reducing age discrimination in the workplace is at the forefront of policy debates in most countries dealing with an aging workforce (Axelrad & James, 2016) . Age stereotypes with respect to older workers play an important role in sustaining these practices. Over the past decades a large number of initiatives has been launched to combat age stereotypes, in particular among employers. Empirical evidence of notable changes in these stereotypes is largely absent in the international scientific literature. This paper is among the first that show that negative age stereotypes about older workers' productivity are declining. At the same time, the estimation results show that there is a high level of stability over a three-year period.

Reducing age discrimination in the workplace is at the forefront of policy debates in most countries dealing with an aging workforce.


The current procedure for generating the database of aerosol formation days is based on the visualization method, proposed by Dal . Although the visualization method and the event classes, it introduced have been received very well by the atmospheric community, at the same time, it is acknowledged that the utilization of the method requires significant manual labor. Furthermore, as the classification in the end is determined by human judgement, inconsistencies may arise between different datasets due to unavoidable human subjectivity. Thus, robust automated procedures for data analysis are called for (Kulmala et al., 2012) .

Thus, robust automated procedures for data analysis are called for.


The Earth's atmosphere, while providing shelter and comfort for its inhabitants, also hosts a multitude of interesting and interconnected physical processes. Among these the phenomenon of atmospheric new-particle formation (NPF) has attracted growing scientific attention during the last few decades (Nieminen et al., 2014) . By providing an initial surface for a significant fraction of cloud condensation nuclei, the tiny secondary atmospheric aerosol particles are crucial players in cloud and climate processes (Bianchi et al., 2016) . Thus, atmospheric scientists are interested in understanding how various processes modify the properties of aerosol particles and especially how, why and when these particles form.

Among these the phenomenon of atmospheric new-particle formation (NPF) has attracted growing scientific attention during the last few decades.

By providing an initial surface for a significant fraction of cloud condensation nuclei, the tiny secondary atmospheric aerosol particles are crucial players in cloud and climate processes.


The second most common issue that arises in DNN training is over-fitting, i.e. if the number of model parameters is too large, the model tends to overfit the training data and its ability to generalise on the test dataset is restricted. Hence, we propose to use a Bayesian neural network (BNN) classifier which is known method not only with good generalisation capability but also relatively less computationally expensive then the DNN (Szegedy et al., 2015) . This method utilizes the representative features extracted from time series data to automatize the classification process of atmospheric aerosol particle formation days.

Hence, we propose to use a Bayesian neural network (BNN) classifier which is known method not only with good generalisation capability but also relatively less computationally expensive then the DNN.


According to impact on the socio-economic factor of Vietnam, drought is ranked as the third disaster and is not paid much attention in risk reduction [1] . However, in Khanhhoa province Vietnam, drought phenomenon is the most severe hazard threatening the region development. For example, the exceptionally strong El Nino in 2015 -2016 is believed affecting an absence of rainfall in Khanhhoa province in a long period, causing 10 000 ha stopping to produce crops [2] . Therefore, an effective method for drought mitigation in the region should be carried out.

According to impact on the socio-economic factor of Vietnam, drought is ranked as the third disaster and is not paid much attention in risk reduction.

For example, the exceptionally strong El Nino in 2015 -2016 is believed affecting an absence of rainfall in Khanhhoa province in a long period, causing 10 000 ha stopping to produce crops.


Infection as a result of bacteria attachment and biofilm formation on biomedical devices and implants is a major problem for the health system world wide [1] . One potential approach for reducing the use of antibiotics is the introduction of antimicrobial surface coatings. Various antimicrobial materials have been investigated to develop antibiofouling surface coatings that have the ability to prevent the attaching of proteins, bacteria, or marine organisms [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] . However, many of the developed anti-biofouling coatings have failed in medical applications due to bacteria mutation and their ability to develop antibacterial resistance or because the employed anti-biofouling components are highly toxic and, therefore, not employable in medicine [10] [11] [12] .

Infection as a result of bacteria attachment and biofilm formation on biomedical devices and implants is a major problem for the health system world wide.

Various antimicrobial materials have been investigated to develop antibiofouling surface coatings that have the ability to prevent the attaching of proteins, bacteria, or marine organisms.

However, many of the developed anti-biofouling coatings have failed in medical applications due to bacteria mutation and their ability to develop antibacterial resistance or because the employed anti-biofouling components are highly toxic and, therefore, not employable in medicine.


Recently, supervised deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) have attracted lots of interests. Compared to conventional supervised machine learning methods, these deep learning based methods are not dependent on hand-crafted features, but automatically learn a hierarchy of increasingly complex features directly from data [21] . Currently, using BRATS datasets and their benchmarking system, deep learning based methods have been ranked on top of the contest [21] [22] [23] . This can be attributed to the fact that deep CNN is constructed by stacking several convolutional layers, which involve convolving a signal or an image with kernels to form a hierarchy of features that are more robust and adaptive for the discriminative models. Despite recent advances in these deep learning based methods, there are still several challenges: (1) essentially tumor segmentation is an abnormal detection problem, it is more challenging than other pattern recognition based tasks; (2) while most methods provided satisfied segmentation for HGG cases, in general the performance of the LGG segmentation is still poor; (3) compared to complete tumor segmentation, the delineation of core tumor regions and enhanced infiltrative regions is still underperformed; (4) a more computing-efficient and memory-efficient development is still in demand be-cause existing CNN based methods require considerable amount of computing resources.

Compared to conventional supervised machine learning methods, these deep learning based methods are not dependent on hand-crafted features, but automatically learn a hierarchy of increasingly complex features directly from data.

Currently, using BRATS datasets and their benchmarking system, deep learning based methods have been ranked on top of the contest.


The issues of CLIR have been discussed for several decades. Its task addresses a situation in which a user tries to search a set of documents written in one language using a query in a different language (Kishida, 2005) . It is of great significance, allowing people access information resources written in non-native languages and aligning documents for statistical machine translation (SMT) systems, of which quality is heavily dependent upon the amount of parallel sentences used in constructing the system.

Its task addresses a situation in which a user tries to search a set of documents written in one language using a query in a different language.


The adsorption isotherms were adjusted mathematically to the Langmuir and Freundlich models and the characteristic parameters of these isotherms and the values of R 2 , which represents goodness-of-fit of experimental data to the models, are listed in Table 3 . The value of n in the Freundlich model which is in the range 1-10 indicates favorable adsorption [42] . The best fit to the experimental data is provided by the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacities in the monolayer obtained from the Langmuir isotherm increase from 18.2 (M 2 ) to 24.4 mg g -1 (acidic-M 2 ). The Freundlich isotherm provides a fair fit to the data. The value of the constant, K f , has been also calculated being between 3.40 and 5.44 (mg 1-1/n L 1/n g -1 ); however, in this case the coefficient of regression is lower than in the case of Langmuir isotherm. After lead adsorption, the three montmorillonite clays were dried at 105°C overnight and their composition was measured by X-ray fluorescence (see data in Table 1 ). It can be observed that the amount of lead adsorbed follows the same tendency to that obtained in the adsorption studies: acidic-M 2 [ M 1 [ M 2 . However, in the acidic-M 2 sample, which does not contain initially sodium because it has been replaced by protons, a substitution of potassium is also produced. Then, it can be concluded that lead ions are replacing the proton sites.

The value of n in the Freundlich model which is in the range 1-10 indicates favorable adsorption.


Unfortunately, Pfair scheduling poses many practical problems. First, migration is unrestricted. Even if tasks do not need to execute on specific processors, unrestricted migration can result in significant overhead (Moir and Ramamurthy, 1999) . Second, task suspensions can result in wasted processor time in the form of partially used quanta.

First, migration is unrestricted.

Even if tasks do not need to execute on specific processors, unrestricted migration can result in significant overhead.


The analysis is based on institutional theory. Here, one central argument is that the design and structure of organizations are not purely based on rational efficiency considerations, but also on organizations' need for legitimacy (Meyer and Rowan, 1977; Dimaggio and Powell, 1983) . Organizations are influenced by socially created and accepted conventions in their surroundings, constituting their institutional environment. Organizational ideas refer to specific forms of conventions or 'recipes' which are considered proper and legitimate ways of organizing an enterprise and which also presumably can improve aspects of its activities, e.g. quality, efficiency, and safety.

Here, one central argument is that the design and structure of organizations are not purely based on rational efficiency considerations, but also on organizations' need for legitimacy.


Biological signal transduction networks describe fundamental cell functions and responses to environmental stress [1] . Although it is possible to test for individual, localized interactions between gene pairs, this approach (called genetic epistatic analysis) is expensive and time-consuming. Highthroughput measurement techniques such as microarrays have successfully been used to identify the components of different signal transduction pathways [2] . However, microarray data only reflects order information at a very coarse, unreliable level. Developing computational techniques for inferring pathway orders is a largely unexplored research area [3] .

Biological signal transduction networks describe fundamental cell functions and responses to environmental stress.

Highthroughput measurement techniques such as microarrays have successfully been used to identify the components of different signal transduction pathways.

Developing computational techniques for inferring pathway orders is a largely unexplored research area.


It is worth noting that the approach described here differs considerably from that of learning the structure of a directed graphical model or Bayesian network [9, 10] . The aim of graphical modelling is to find a graph corresponding to a factorization of a high-dimensional distribution which predicts the observations well. These probabilistic models do not directly reflect physical structures, and applying such an approach to co-occurrences would ignore physical constraints inherent to the observations: co-occurring vertices must lie along a path in the network.

It is worth noting that the approach described here differs considerably from that of learning the structure of a directed graphical model or Bayesian network.


Another exciting potential application arises in neuroimaging [5, 6] . Functional magnetic resonance imaging provides images of brain activity with high spatial resolution but has relatively poor temporal resolution. Treating distinct brain regions as nodes in a functional brain network that co-activate when a subject performs different tasks may lead to a similar network inference problem.

Another exciting potential application arises in neuroimaging.


A similar problem has been studied in telecommunication networks [4] . In this context, each path corresponds to a transmission between an origin and destination. The origin and destination are observed, in addition to the activated switches/routers carrying the transmission through the network.

A similar problem has been studied in telecommunication networks.


Others have previously reported that cadmium exposure can inhibit HIF-1α transcriptional activity in other organ systems and cell types. Cadmium exposure caused known HIF-1α target genes to not be induced during hypoxia, disrupted HIF-1α DNA binding in Hep3B cells, and decreased luciferase expression in a HIF-1α activity reporter system similar to the one used here (Chun et al. 2000) . Others have reported that cadmium exposure in rat lung fibroblasts lead to a decrease in HIF-1α binding to promoter region of the lysyl oxidase gene, a known HIF-1α target (Gao et al. 2013) . Taken in aggregate, these results suggest that exposure to cadmium at doses relevant to human exposures can inhibit normal HIF-1α function during human mammary gland differentiation, leading to an inhibition of branching morphogenesis and mammary gland development, particularly during windows of susceptibility such as pregnancy.

Cadmium exposure caused known HIF-1α target genes to not be induced during hypoxia, disrupted HIF-1α DNA binding in Hep3B cells, and decreased luciferase expression in a HIF-1α activity reporter system similar to the one used here.

Others have reported that cadmium exposure in rat lung fibroblasts lead to a decrease in HIF-1α binding to promoter region of the lysyl oxidase gene, a known HIF-1α target.


Third, in dynamic and changing environments, the generation of competitive advantages from the use of strategic resources and available dynamic capabilities must be the epicenter of the organization's strategic orientation (Newbert, 2008) . These advantages of costs, differentiation or efficiency of human resources will be essential for the sales to continue growing, the customers to become loyal and the organization's profitability to increase, and will positively influence the business results. These reasons explain the confirmation of H6. In this sense, the present research shows the essential role competitive advantages play as a mediator variable in the relation between strategic resources, dynamic capabilities and business results, and is one of the major contributions of the study.

Third, in dynamic and changing environments, the generation of competitive advantages from the use of strategic resources and available dynamic capabilities must be the epicenter of the organization's strategic orientation.


These reasons also explain that the use of strategic resources in dynamic environments must not center itself on the business results, but on the generation of dynamic capabilities and the achievement of competitive advantages. This result confirms H3 and shows the indirect effect -although positive-of strategic resources on business results. In this sense, to adopt a strategic perspective oriented exclusively toward the result reflects a myopic view of the organization, centered on the short term. This view can be erroneous in the medium and long term if a recognition of the market does not exist through the generating of value for the customers (Teece, 2007) .

This view can be erroneous in the medium and long term if a recognition of the market does not exist through the generating of value for the customers.


The measurement model has been designed as a composite factor model following a reflective approach (Henseler, 2014) . This design implies that the composite factor model does not impose any restrictions on the covariances between indicators of the same construct, and composites are formed as linear combinations of their respective indicators. In addition, the orientation of the model used is toward prediction. The basis of its assessment must be reliability and validity (Roldán & Sánchez-Franco, 2012) . In this vein, the loadings of both indicators and dimensions exceed the 0.70 threshold (table  1) . Consequently, the indicators and dimensions are reliable. The constructs and dimensions present high internal consistency, as their composite reliability indices exceed 0.7. In addition, an achievement of the convergent validity for all latent variables exists because the average variance extracted (AVE) ratios surpass the 0.5 benchmark (Table 1) . Table 2 shows the discriminant validity. According to the Fornell-Larcker criterion, the square root of the AVE of each latent construct is greater than its correlations with any other latent variable (Fornell & Larcker, 1981) . Furthermore, we used the heterotraitmonotrait (HTMT) ratio of correlations (Henseler, Ringle, & Sarstedt, 2015) . In this respect, all the values are under 0.85, ensuring that the main constructs measure different aspects.

The measurement model has been designed as a composite factor model following a reflective approach.

The basis of its assessment must be reliability and validity.

According to the Fornell-Larcker criterion, the square root of the AVE of each latent construct is greater than its correlations with any other latent variable.

Furthermore, we used the heterotraitmonotrait (HTMT) ratio of correlations.


Resurgence of BPH occurred during 2007-2008 because of resistance of the insect pest to fipronil and overuse of insecticides. Fipronil is the first member of the phenylpyrazole insecticides class (Li et al., 2007) . Since 1997, fipronil has been generally used to control the rice planthopper in China and it was found that fipronil is efficient for controlling N. lugens. In 2002, resistance to fipronil was first found in a field population from Zhejiang province of China, and subsequently, the resistance level had increased to nearly 20-fold by 2007 (Cheng et al., 2008) . Therefore, it is very important to evaluate the risk of resistance developing in BPH and to perform a resistance management program.

Fipronil is the first member of the phenylpyrazole insecticides class.

In 2002, resistance to fipronil was first found in a field population from Zhejiang province of China, and subsequently, the resistance level had increased to nearly 20-fold by 2007.


Principal component analysis and its variants are widely used in the area of statistical process monitoring for industrial processes (Qin, 2012) . Generally speaking, when an industrial process operates under normal situation, the measured variables approximately follow a multivariate stationary stochastic process. If the sampling interval is long and the samples seem to be time independent, static PCA model performs well in describing cross correlations among measurements. Otherwise, if the auto-correlation between variables are evident, dynamic models are preferred to model the process. Different from static PCA models, dynamic models capture not only cross correlations between variables but also serial correlations among measurement series.

Principal component analysis and its variants are widely used in the area of statistical process monitoring for industrial processes.


Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess whether sand could be used as a feasible floor material for farmed foxes under normal farming conditions, without compromising the welfare of these animals. Possible welfare-related effects were assessed by measuring the claw growth, adrenal cortex function, growth and fur characteristics in the juvenile blue foxes with access either to only a mesh floor or to both a mesh and sand floors. The results will be discussed in the light of the foxes' behaviour during the present study [14] .

The results will be discussed in the light of the foxes' behaviour during the present study.


The fundamental microlocal property of the geodesic ray transform is that, for simple manifolds, I in the space of solenoidal tensors, by saying I * m is surjective we mean that the range of I * m equals the latter. Surjectivity of I * m for tensors of order 0 and 1 has been the key for the recent success in the solution of several long standing questions in 2D [21, 20, 15, 14, 17, 5] . However, very little is known about surjectivity for m ≥ 2 and this largely motivates the present paper.

Surjectivity of I * m for tensors of order 0 and 1 has been the key for the recent success in the solution of several long standing questions in 2D.


Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and metastasis. Thus, clinicians and researchers must measure tumor MVD, which serves as an indicator of tumor angiogenesis [21] . VEGF plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis and is also the most important promoter of angiogenesis [22] . Hypoxia is the initial inducer of malignant transformation and tumor metastasis, and HIF-1α plays an important role in regulating tumor angiogenesis [23] . Therefore, in this study, we observed the changes in the levels of several indices of hypoxia and angiogenesis during the course of anti-tumor therapy. We found that treatment with radiotherapy induced significant increases in CD31, VEGF, HIF-1α and MVD expression compared with treatment with saline. However, treatment with endostatin and combination therapy groups induced significant decreases in CD31, VEGF, HIF-1α and MVD expression compared with treatment with saline. VEGF expression levels in the radiotherapy group were significantly increased compared with those in the control group. However, VEGF expression levels were significantly decreased in the endostatin and combination therapy groups compared with the control group. Therefore, we concluded that endostatin can inhibit radiotherapy -induced tumor angiogenesis.

Thus, clinicians and researchers must measure tumor MVD, which serves as an indicator of tumor angiogenesis.

VEGF plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis and is also the most important promoter of angiogenesis.

Hypoxia is the initial inducer of malignant transformation and tumor metastasis, and HIF-1α plays an important role in regulating tumor angiogenesis.


Although we have considered both the known and unknown covariance matrix cases in this paper, one assumption that we have made is that the correlation coefficient between the two components of the response vector is constant over time. This is called the proportionality case by Hall and Yakir [9] . Another natural extension would be to generalise the ideas in Sections 2 and 3 to the non-proportional case where the correlation coefficient is a function of time.

This is called the proportionality case by Hall and Yakir.


The association between levodopa and the induction of dyskinesias was recognized soon after the introduction of levodopa [13, 14] . In the past, levodopa therapy was associated with the development of motor complications in about 80% of patients within 5 years of treatment [15, 16] . In patients with young onset PD, the incidence of LID was higher and ensued more rapidly [14, 17] . Currently, with the introduction and widespread use of dopaminergic agonists, the overall treatment exposure to levodopa is decreasing, especially in the first years of treatment; nevertheless, progression of the nigrostriatal deficit will facilitate the onset of LID at a later point in time. Thus, LID continues to be a common and important cause of disability in PD and one of the main reasons for recommending surgical treatment.

The association between levodopa and the induction of dyskinesias was recognized soon after the introduction of levodopa.

In the past, levodopa therapy was associated with the development of motor complications in about 80% of patients within 5 years of treatment.

In patients with young onset PD, the incidence of LID was higher and ensued more rapidly.


Kamphaeng Saen beef breed, one type of beef cattle breed in Thailand, has been developed from a cross breed of Thai native cattle, Brahman and Charolais. Kamphaeng Saen beef cattle is suitable for tropical environment in Thailand and has good quality of meat. Nevertheless, the genetic improvement and breeding of cattle take a long period, therefore embryo transfer and superovulation technology have been applied in the breeding program to reduce the time of improving the genetics. These advanced techniques are more beneficial than natural breeding (Barati et al., 2006) . However, the high cost of superovulation technology has limited its effectiveness in improving the genetics of the beef industry in Thailand.

These advanced techniques are more beneficial than natural breeding.


One of the issues of natural fibres is the scattered information and the differences in mechanical properties reported. Also, the lack of standards for both producers and users of these materials regarding methods to collect, treat, process and post-process natural fibres adds to the complexity of selection. These issues are in fact, critical deterrents for generalized use of natural fibres in different applications. To address this gap, in this paper, a review of different mechanical properties of natural fibres and their applications is presented. The performance of the natural fibre composites depends directly on the fibres counting, length, shape, arrangement and also the interfacial adhesion with the matrix [4] .

The performance of the natural fibre composites depends directly on the fibres counting, length, shape, arrangement and also the interfacial adhesion with the matrix.


In particular, composite materials are being developed and redesigned aiming to improve and to adapt traditional products and introduce new products in a sustainable and responsible way [1] . This paper examines and discusses the last published trends in the context of fibres-reinforced bio-composite materials while providing an insight about natural fibres for bio-composites, with the focus on properties and their applications. Natural fibres are mainly either plant or animal sourced. The first is essentially comprised of cellulose, whilst the latter is protein-based. However, in the composites industry, natural fibres are often referred to as vegetable fibres.

In particular, composite materials are being developed and redesigned aiming to improve and to adapt traditional products and introduce new products in a sustainable and responsible way.


We experimentally study the flow of Brownian particles using confocal microscopy to directly image the particle concentrations and motions. The migration can be clearly seen in figure 1, which shows a sequence of images from a suspension with bulk solid volume fraction φ bulk = 0.22 with flow rate increasing from left to right. There have been prior experimental examinations of migration in non-colloidal suspension flow, and several of these have made use of laser-Doppler velocimetry (Koh et al. 1994; Lyon & Leal 1998) . The details of our experiments based on the rather different technique of confocal microscopy are presented in § 2. The model is presented in § 3. The modelling predictions under an assumption of fully developed flow, along with a comparison with the experiments, conclude the work. The comparison indicates that the model is successful in capturing both the φ and Pe dependence of the migration phenomenon, although the assumption of full development appears to be invalid for these experiments.

There have been prior experimental examinations of migration in non-colloidal suspension flow, and several of these have made use of laser-Doppler velocimetry.

The model is presented in § 3.


The feasibility of BCD of lignin using a pilot scale flow reactor system was successfully demonstrated. Parameter studies were performed to evaluate the influence of the process parameters temperature, residence time, lignin and sodium hydroxide concentration on the isolated yields and the molecular composition of the recovered product fractions BCD-oil and BCD-oligomers. Yields of up to 13.3 wt% and 14.5 wt% for BCD-oils from Organosolv lignin and Kraft lignin were obtained. These results confirm the trends from published lab scale depolymerization studies utilizing a comparable reactor set-up [10] .

These results confirm the trends from published lab scale depolymerization studies utilizing a comparable reactor set-up.


In section 4, we will derive field-theoretic extensions to the higher-dimensional Cardy formulas that include angular momentum on a torus and on a sphere. We will show that the resulting formulas reproduce the entropy of compactified boosted black branes and large/hot AdS-Kerr black holes, respectively. We will also present a new derivation of the Cardy formula at finite angular momentum for two-dimensional CFTs and connect it to the Hartman-Keller-Stoica conjecture for the universality of the free energy in the range E L E R > (c/24) 2 [8] .

We will also present a new derivation of the Cardy formula at finite angular momentum for two-dimensional CFTs and connect it to the Hartman-Keller-Stoica conjecture for the universality of the free energy in the range E L E R > (c/24) 2.


In radio communication, repeaters are commonly used in order to extend the coverage performance of the network. Repeater-assisted networks are different from relay-assisted networks. In relay-assisted networks, intermediate stations relay the information to the destination in order to provide different replicas of the same information, which are then combined using a combining circuit [13] . The main difference between repeating and relaying is that the relay stations do not listen and transmit at the same time but use additional scheduling algorithms such as TDMA, FDMA, CDMA, etc. On the other hand, repeaters do not need any additional scheduling algorithm and can be employed in any existing network without any prior work. One of the disadvantages of the repeaters is that they introduce interference to the network caused by the delay added to the signal at the repeater circuit.

In relay-assisted networks, intermediate stations relay the information to the destination in order to provide different replicas of the same information, which are then combined using a combining circuit.


More than half of the world population now lives in cities, and 2.5 billion more people are expected to move into cities by 2050 [2] . Although constituting only a small percentage of global land cover, urban areas significantly alter climate, biogeochemistry, and hydrology at local, regional, and global scales. Thus, in order to support sustainable urban development, accurate information on urban land cover is needed.

More than half of the world population now lives in cities, and 2.5 billion more people are expected to move into cities by 2050.


To optimize cutting survival, rooted cuttings of C. cornuta and V. acerifolium should be left in rooting containers for a period of cold dormancy before transplanting. Growers who overwinter their C. cornuta and V. acerifolium in the container in which they were rooted can expect close to 100% survival (Table 3) . Fall transplanting will result in 50% attrition, reducing the potential for these species to be viable commercial nursery crops. Similar findings have been reported for several woody plant genera, including Acer, Hamamelis, Hydrangea, Fothergilla, Stewartia, and Viburnum (Dirr and Heuser, 1987) .

Similar findings have been reported for several woody plant genera, including Acer, Hamamelis, Hydrangea, Fothergilla, Stewartia, and Viburnum.


Patients with IDDM with microalbuminuria have a 20 times greater risk of developing a clinical nephropathy compared to those with a normal albumin excretion [4] . Microalbuminuria is considered a risk factor for diabetic nephropathy and progressive renal failure in diabetes [5] [6] [7] [8] . Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies conducted on type 2 diabetes have allowed the identification of risk factors associated with the development of microalbuminuria and the progression of microalbuminuria to diabetic nephropathy. These include: low body mass index, early onset of diabetes, hyperglycaemia, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, cigarette smoking, and a family history of hypertension [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] . Although microalbuminuria is considered by many authors to be the early stage of an irreversible process, recent research has not confirmed this view, showing that microalbuminuria often returns to its normal value [15, 16] . The histopathological features characteristic of diabetic kidney disease occur in the glomerulus. The main changes are: increase in the thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, increase of volume of the mesangium, the presence of hyaline deposits and global glomerular sclerosis [17] . The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is closely related to the surface of the basal membrane of the glomerular capillaries (filtration surface) which is in turn determined by the number of clusters present at the time of diagnosis, the entity of the expansion of the mesangium, the expansion capacity and the number of sclerotic glomeruli. Urinary albumin excretion is related to the size of the pores of filtration. The vascular endothelium plays a central role in the regulation of vascular tone. Endothelin (ET) is a potent vasoconstrictor produced by endothelium that contributes to basal vascular tone. Vasoconstriction in response to altered endogenous ET may lead to hyperperfusion and subsequent microvascular damage. Hyperperfusion is one of the keys to the onset and progression of microvascular complications in diabetes. Such a haemodynamic condition can be determined by the excessive release of vasodilator substances, as for example during ketonic decompensation, or for a reduced action of vasoconstrictive substances. This interpretation may be the pathophysiological basis of what has been observed in diabetes. In patients with diabetes there is a deficit of action of ET that, unlike in the normal patient, does not induce vasoconstriction. In fact, individuals with diabetes have levels of ET that would appear to be determined mainly by triglycerides and insulin.

Patients with IDDM with microalbuminuria have a 20 times greater risk of developing a clinical nephropathy compared to those with a normal albumin excretion.

Microalbuminuria is considered a risk factor for diabetic nephropathy and progressive renal failure in diabetes.

These include: low body mass index, early onset of diabetes, hyperglycaemia, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, cigarette smoking, and a family history of hypertension.

Although microalbuminuria is considered by many authors to be the early stage of an irreversible process, recent research has not confirmed this view, showing that microalbuminuria often returns to its normal value.

The main changes are: increase in the thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, increase of volume of the mesangium, the presence of hyaline deposits and global glomerular sclerosis.


The cytoplasm consists of all the material inside of a living cell, with the exception of the nucleus [20] . With a bulk modulus of 4 TPa, the incompressible cytoplasm facilitates the cell's ability to elongate, but not to shrink [21] . This means that cells deform when subjected to compressive forces. Some cells, particularly plant cells, have an additional rigid, cellulose-based, outer wall for structural support. Located within the cytoplasm are a range of sub-cellular structures known as organelles. While not found in all cells, the nucleus, if present, contains the genetic material which directs cellular function.

The cytoplasm consists of all the material inside of a living cell, with the exception of the nucleus.

With a bulk modulus of 4 TPa, the incompressible cytoplasm facilitates the cell's ability to elongate, but not to shrink.


The vast majority of scientific publications on the response of biological cells to ultrasound involve bubbles. Reviews on bioeffects typically do not include the situations without ultrasound contrast agents or inertial cavities [16] [17] [18] [19] . This article reviews those effects of ultrasound on living cells that do not include inertial cavitation, cellular effects due to the introduction of bubbles, and non-destructive structural evaluation through ultrasonic biomicroscopy. The external surface of all cells is a semi-permeable lipid-based membrane. This so-called plasma membrane is the cell's elastic surface that separates the cell's gel-like fluid, known as cytoplasm, from its external surroundings. Cell membranes are gelatinous structures which play a role in cellular processes such as growth, movement, division and secretion. The number of double bonds in the organic compounds of the plasma membrane affects the fluidity of the membrane, with more double bonds correlating to increased fluidity [20] .

Reviews on bioeffects typically do not include the situations without ultrasound contrast agents or inertial cavities.

The number of double bonds in the organic compounds of the plasma membrane affects the fluidity of the membrane, with more double bonds correlating to increased fluidity.


Damaged cells contribute towards life-threatening diseases, making it advantageous to remove these cells from human and animal bodies [22] . Damaged cells are naturally separated from healthy cells and then destroyed by the body's internal mechanisms, e.g., apoptosis. Techniques have been developed to separate cells; these techniques are mostly based on adherence, density, and antibody binding [22] . The most common in-vitro density-based method is centrifugation, which is an expensive and tedious method. There is a need for a cost-effective, efficient method to remove damaged cells, not only in vitro, but also in vivo-from the human body.

Damaged cells contribute towards life-threatening diseases, making it advantageous to remove these cells from human and animal bodies.

Techniques have been developed to separate cells; these techniques are mostly based on adherence, density, and antibody binding.


A practice known as modular assembly has recently become a trend in the automobile industry and has attracted attention from both potential practitioners and academics (Bernstein and DeCroix 2004) . In the modular approach, manufacturers obtain pre-assembled modules from a reduced base of suppliers, as opposed to the traditional approach in which individual components are procured and assembled by the manufacturer. For example, at the truck and bus plant located in Resende, Brazil, Volkswagen splits a vehicle into several modules and outsources the production and installation of these modules to suppliers (Green 1998) . In the modular assembly model used by Nissan for its Mississippi-based truck factory, a handful of outside suppliers deliver assembled vehicle sections for the final assembly line (Chappell 2001) . Such a practice has been observed in other manufacturing sectors too. As Boeing prepares to build its proposed fuel-efficient 787 Dreamliner jet, it wants to make the plane so modular that the last stage of assembly can be achieved as quickly as possible (Michaels and Lunsford 2005) . In the semiconductor industry, a modular approach is often used when multi-chip models or hybrid is assembled into the final product (McClintick 2003) .

A practice known as modular assembly has recently become a trend in the automobile industry and has attracted attention from both potential practitioners and academics.

For example, at the truck and bus plant located in Resende, Brazil, Volkswagen splits a vehicle into several modules and outsources the production and installation of these modules to suppliers.

In the modular assembly model used by Nissan for its Mississippi-based truck factory, a handful of outside suppliers deliver assembled vehicle sections for the final assembly line.

As Boeing prepares to build its proposed fuel-efficient 787 Dreamliner jet, it wants to make the plane so modular that the last stage of assembly can be achieved as quickly as possible.

In the semiconductor industry, a modular approach is often used when multi-chip models or hybrid is assembled into the final product.


S. mansoni has a wide range of distribution occurring in several parts of Ethiopia [43] . In this study five cases of S. mansoni infections were identified, all from tobacco farm. The workers were engaged in cultivating tobacco leaf using irrigation water. Activities and situations like irrigation, swimming and fishing are critical in schistosomiasis epidemiology. One of schistosomepositive individuals was not born in the study area but had grown up and had been living there for a long period of time. However, the individual had travelled to Kemissie (to the north of the study area) which is a well-known schistosomiasis endemic focus in Ethiopia [43] . This might suggest that the individual had acquired the infection during her recent travel to the endemic area since the presence of local transmission remained uninvestigated. Another schistosme-infected individual was indigenous and travelled only to Goba where from no cases of schistosome infections have so far been reported. The three remaining infected individuals had no travel history outside Shewa Robit confirming the presence of local transmission of S. mansoni.

S. mansoni has a wide range of distribution occurring in several parts of Ethiopia.

However, the individual had travelled to Kemissie (to the north of the study area) which is a well-known schistosomiasis endemic focus in Ethiopia.


Unidentified small (<10 µm) flagellates increased towards the end of the experiment. Ciliates were the only potential predators on diatoms recorded in the mesocosms, but the proportions of these were low all through the study, ranging from 0.3% of the total abundance at the onset of the experiment to a maximum of 1.7%. This phenomenon, i.e. a shift from an autotrophic-to a heterotrophic-dominated community, is commonly observed in enclosures with small volume relative to its large surfaces. This is related to a variety of 'wall-effects' that can change the species composition (Chen & Kemp 2004) . Another commonly observed artefact in mesocosms is the proliferation of benthic diatoms, mainly pennates, which are not regular members of the phytoplankton community (M. R. McQuoid & A. Godhe unpubl.) . In that experiment, Nitzschia sp. and Navicula sp. were common but in similar proportions irrespective of mesocosm types. Limiting the mesocosm experimental time can minimize these type of artefacts. In our experimental system, we could see a shift from an autotrophicdominated to a heterotrophic community, and therefore the experiment was terminated.

This is related to a variety of 'wall-effects' that can change the species composition.


Though the results of Theorem 1.4 and our current bounds for |f 1 (x, K)| are apparently worse than those that can be obtained from careful analysis of the effective prime ideal theorem, one would hope that they might be put to better use in certain special cases, such as for quadratic fields. This has some overlap with the older problem of Bertrand's postulate for primes in arithmetic progressions, and may be an avenue for further research. A thorough treatment for this topic can be found by Moree [7] .

A thorough treatment for this topic can be found by Moree.


Outside of historical interest, however, one of the main benefits of Bertrand's postulate is that it gives information about the distribution of primes when x is small. Furthermore, it accomplishes this without requiring information about the zeros of the Riemann zeta function. Indeed, Bertrand's postulate benefits from having many short and often elegant, elementary proofs [1, 9, 6] .

Indeed, Bertrand's postulate benefits from having many short and often elegant, elementary proofs.


Biodiesel is mainly produced by transesterification of oils and fats with a monohydric alcohol in the presence of homogeneous basic catalysts, like sodium and potassium hydroxide, carbonates and alcoxides [8] . However, the use of acid catalysts requires the neutralization and separation of the final reaction mixture, leading to environmental problems related to the use of high amounts of solvent and energy [9] . Therefore, this reaction system can result in soap production, especially when oils and fats with free fatty acids and moisture contents higher than 0.5 wt% and 2% (v/v), respectively, are used as reactants [10] .

Biodiesel is mainly produced by transesterification of oils and fats with a monohydric alcohol in the presence of homogeneous basic catalysts, like sodium and potassium hydroxide, carbonates and alcoxides.

However, the use of acid catalysts requires the neutralization and separation of the final reaction mixture, leading to environmental problems related to the use of high amounts of solvent and energy.

Therefore, this reaction system can result in soap production, especially when oils and fats with free fatty acids and moisture contents higher than 0.5 wt% and 2% (v/v), respectively, are used as reactants.


A previous study by our research group evaluated five different groups of heterogeneous catalysts for transesterification of Jatropha curcas oil [31] . A total of twentyeight materials belonging to the class of resins, clays, alumina, zeolites and niobium pentoxide were screened for biodiesel production. The most promising catalysts were observed to be Amberlyst 15 and KSF, both solid heterogeneous acid catalysts. In that study, the experimental design technique was employed to establish the reaction parameters for high biodiesel conversion.

A previous study by our research group evaluated five different groups of heterogeneous catalysts for transesterification of Jatropha curcas oil.


Polyolefin is one of the most widely used polymers and more susceptible to the oxidation. It well known that oxidation reactions increase at elevated temperatures during the processing of the polymer. All polymers will degrade when exposed to certain environmental conditions such as high temperatures, mechanical shear, and high-energy radiation (e.g., UV exposure). The presence of oxygen will often accelerate this degradation. The first step in the degradation process is usually the loss of hydrogen atom from the polymer chain due to this energy input. This polymer "free radical", [ to propagate the reaction to other polymer molecules. For certain polymers, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer, a polymer chain containing free radical is likely to split into two smaller chains [1] [2] [3] . One way to interrupt this process is to incorporate an antioxidant into the acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer. There are different types of antioxidants that interrupt the degradation cycle: primary antioxidants, secondary antioxidants, multifunctional antioxidants, hydroxylamines, carbon-centered radical scavengers, and grafted antioxidants. Higher molecular weight compounds, such as grafted antioxidant, are less volatile and more effective at higher temperatures and at longer exposure times. The estimation of stabilizers efficiency is necessary for the correct choice of the most active stabilizers for practical use [4] [5] [6] [7] . Therefore we synthesized Natural rubber-graft-o-Aminophenol and tested as grafted antioxidants.

For certain polymers, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer, a polymer chain containing free radical is likely to split into two smaller chains.

The estimation of stabilizers efficiency is necessary for the correct choice of the most active stabilizers for practical use.


During spawning in August, differences in DOM concentrations between our upstream and downstream sites suggest that spawning salmon contributed to an increase of more than 5 mg C L 21 as DOC and 1 mg N L 21 as DON in streamwater at the Lower Peterson site. As with inorganic nutrients, concentrations of salmon-derived DOM recorded in this study were likely magnified by the low summer discharge in 2004. Reports of the influence of spawning salmon on DON concentrations are rare. However, our finding that DOC concentrations were significantly higher in the spawning reach of Peterson Creek compared with the upstream reach differs from previous studies that have shown no significant increase in DOC associated with spawning salmon (Sugai and Burrell 1984; Chaloner et al. 2004; Mitchell and Lamberti 2005) . A study on spawning Chinook salmon in a Lake Ontario stream did find that concentrations of DOC were significantly correlated with salmon carcass density (Sarica et al. 2004) . Our results similarly suggest that spawning salmon can contribute substantially to DOM loads in small coastal streams.

However, our finding that DOC concentrations were significantly higher in the spawning reach of Peterson Creek compared with the upstream reach differs from previous studies that have shown no significant increase in DOC associated with spawning salmon.

A study on spawning Chinook salmon in a Lake Ontario stream did find that concentrations of DOC were significantly correlated with salmon carcass density.