Nowadays, the majority of buildings have been designed with heating installations but they do not have refrigeration equipments. Refrigeration needs are covered by air conditioning machines usually fed with electricity, and these equipments are becoming very common in houses. Due to the operation of these air conditioning machines, in summer, electricity consumption reaches high values, overcoming the electricity generation limits, causing technical problems and increasing electricity prices [1] .

Due to the operation of these air conditioning machines, in summer, electricity consumption reaches high values, overcoming the electricity generation limits, causing technical problems and increasing electricity prices.


The significant increase in serum glucose level in diabetic control rats compared to normal control rats is as a result of damage of the pancreatic beta cells by the effect of alloxan. Alloxan monohydrate is one of the chemical used to induce diabetes mellitus. It induces diabetes by damaging insulin secreting cells of the pancrease leading to hyperglycaemia (Szudelski, 2001) . In alloxan induced diabetes, there is selective necrosis of the β-cells of islet of langerhans in the pancreas so that insulin production is totally or partially inhibited, depending on the concentration of the alloxan (Etuk, 2010) .

It induces diabetes by damaging insulin secreting cells of the pancrease leading to hyperglycaemia.

In alloxan induced diabetes, there is selective necrosis of the β-cells of islet of langerhans in the pancreas so that insulin production is totally or partially inhibited, depending on the concentration of the alloxan.


Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) is a deciduous tree and belongs to the plant family called Bombacacee. Baobab contains a number of substances usually employed for the treatment of numerous diseases in the African traditional medicine and for that reason it is also named "the small pharmacy" (Obizoba and Anyika, 1994) . Baobab is used in folk medicine as an antipyretic or febrifuge to overcome fevers. Both leaves and fruit pulp are used for this purpose. Fruit pulp and powdered seeds are used in cases of dysentery and to promote perspiration (i.e., a diaphoretic) (Sibibe et al., 2002) . Baobab fruit pulp has traditionally been used as an immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, febrifuge and astringent in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery (Al-Qarawi et al., 2003) . The fruit pulp has been evaluated as a substitute for improved western drugs (Al-Qarawi et al., 2003) . The aqueous extract of baobab fruit pulp exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity and, as a consequence, consumption of the pulp may play an important part in human resistance to liver damage in areas where baobab is consumed (Al-Qarawi et al., 2003) .

Baobab contains a number of substances usually employed for the treatment of numerous diseases in the African traditional medicine and for that reason it is also named "the small pharmacy".

Fruit pulp and powdered seeds are used in cases of dysentery and to promote perspiration (i.e., a diaphoretic).

Baobab fruit pulp has traditionally been used as an immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, febrifuge and astringent in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery.

The fruit pulp has been evaluated as a substitute for improved western drugs.

The aqueous extract of baobab fruit pulp exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity and, as a consequence, consumption of the pulp may play an important part in human resistance to liver damage in areas where baobab is consumed.


Although the precise mechanism of alloxaninduced diabetes remains unclear, there is increasing evidence that it involves the degeneration of islet bcells by accumulation of cytotoxic free radicals. The action of reactive oxygen species causes rapid destruction of beta cells (Szudelski, 2001) . One of the targets of the reactive oxygen species is DNA of pancreatic islets. Its fragmentation takes place in beta cells exposed to alloxan (Takasu et al., 1991) . Following its administration, alloxan is concentrated in the islets and in the liver, where it is reduced to dialuric acid. This acid is unstable in aqueous solutions and undergoes oxidation back to alloxan, accompanied by generation of O 2 -, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals by Fenton reaction. The liver contains high Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities, which can scavenge these free radicals. On the contrary, the islet cells have low concentrations of these enzymes and are vulnerable to the cytotoxic effects of the free radicals. It is reported that increase in islet cell SOD activity can prevent or decrease alloxan toxicity (Halliwell and Gutteridge, 1989) . A significantly lower (p<0.001) mean serum level of glucose was observed in the diabetic rats during the fourth week when compared to the first two weeks of oral treatment. However, it can be inferred that the methanolic fruit pulp extract of Adansonia digitata produces its most potent antidiabetic effect at the highest dose (300 mg/kg) and after four weeks of treatment. Chlorpropamide has shown to be effective therapy for diabetes. There was significant different (p<0.001) in the level of blood glucose in the group treated with Chlorpropamide (diabenase) 84 mg/kg when compared with the diabetic control rats these can be attributed to its ability in lowering blood glucose or retarding the necrosis caused by alloxan. It also acts by stimulating insulin release from beta cells, these shows that diabetic produced from this instance was moderate rather than severe. This implies the presence of some functional secreting beta cells in the islet of langerhans (Gyang and Day, 1989) . Chlorpropamide on the other hand was found to exert a significantly higher (p<0.001) antidiabetic activity when compared to the most effective dose of the extract (300 mg/kg). Therefore the finding of this study indicated that the methanolic extract of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp exert its antidiabetic effect by lowering blood glucose in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

The action of reactive oxygen species causes rapid destruction of beta cells.

Its fragmentation takes place in beta cells exposed to alloxan.

It is reported that increase in islet cell SOD activity can prevent or decrease alloxan toxicity.

This implies the presence of some functional secreting beta cells in the islet of langerhans.


Sandy beaches of open coasts form one of the globe's largest interface regions between the sea and the land (Bascom 1980) . Their long and highly permeable border with the oceans is crossed by marine matter that drifts ashore with waves, currents and tides, often forming distinct accumulationsstrandlines -near the dunes (Barreiro et al. 2011) . These strandlines form important structural and functional component of beach ecosystems, including the provision of habitat, food and nutrients (Dugan et al. 2003; Dugan et al. 2011; MacMillan and Quijon 2012) .

Sandy beaches of open coasts form one of the globe's largest interface regions between the sea and the land.

Their long and highly permeable border with the oceans is crossed by marine matter that drifts ashore with waves, currents and tides, often forming distinct accumulationsstrandlines -near the dunes.

These strandlines form important structural and functional component of beach ecosystems, including the provision of habitat, food and nutrients.


The highest mean value of total hydrocarbon (THC) obtained at the point of discharge (8.81mg/l) indicates pollution traceable to oil and gas, and the lower mean value at the upstream (2.83mg/l) and that of the downstream (2.85mg/l) may be due to seasonal effects as well as surface runoffs and flooding (Fatoki et al., 2001) . The results show significant difference between the point of discharge and upstream (P<0.05) and that of the downstream (P<0.05). However, result obtained reveal that effluent treatment plant is efficient at least with regards to total hydrocarbon content (THC) treatment.

The highest mean value of total hydrocarbon (THC) obtained at the point of discharge (8.81mg/l) indicates pollution traceable to oil and gas, and the lower mean value at the upstream (2.83mg/l) and that of the downstream (2.85mg/l) may be due to seasonal effects as well as surface runoffs and flooding.


Nigeria has a vast crude oil and gas deposits and attempts to explore it have left the country with unique vulnerabilities (Nduka and Orisakwe, 2009) . Rapid urbanization and industrialization of Warri and its environment between 1968 and 1990 created pollution potential that are as high as some sources of pollution. The rivers, estuaries, creeks and air have been contaminated for decades (Egborge 1995) .

Nigeria has a vast crude oil and gas deposits and attempts to explore it have left the country with unique vulnerabilities.

The rivers, estuaries, creeks and air have been contaminated for decades.


In many cases, a registration algorithm is divided into a number of components. As mentioned above, it has been reported that some major differences in DIR algorithms cause differences in DIR accuracy [12] . However, the extent to which these components of DIR contribute to the accuracy is still unclear. One of the purposes of this study was to clarify this issue using a clinically meaningful metric.

As mentioned above, it has been reported that some major differences in DIR algorithms cause differences in DIR accuracy.


The "evolutionary stepping-stone hypothesis" is supported in mytilids [16] [17] . In order to adapt to the deep sea, organisms must acquire tolerance to high pressure and low temperature. Symbiosis with chemosynthetic bacteria is one of the best strategies to acquire energy under deep-sea conditions of poor nutrient availability due to lack of photosynthesis. Moreover, organisms must acquire the dispersal ability to reach and utilize patchily distributed deep-sea vents and seeps. Ancestors inhabiting organic falls such as whale bones and sunken wood may have facilitated subsequent colonization of deep-sea vents and seeps.

The "evolutionary stepping-stone hypothesis" is supported in mytilids.


Its sign gives the answer. And this orientation test is known to possibly give an incorrect answer due to round-off errors [8] . This is of course more complex than a discriminant as there may be initial errors on a, b, and c, but this means that the error of the discriminant computation must be under control.

Its sign gives the answer.

And this orientation test is known to possibly give an incorrect answer due to round-off errors.


Population, study design, and phenotypes The FHS was started in 1948 as a community-based cohort study of cardiovascular disease. In 1971, 5,124 subjects were enrolled in the FHS Offspring Cohort. These individuals were children and spouses of the children of the Original Cohort. The FHS Offspring Cohort were followed prospectively, and examined during four clinical visits [4] . The FHS Offspring Study protocol was reviewed by the Boston University Medical Center Institutional Review Board and all participants gave informed consent [5] . Our study included all offspring participants whose phenotype and genotype data were available through the Genetic Analyses Workshop 16, Problem 2. We excluded twins (n = 10), individuals on hypertension treatment or unknown treatment at Visit 1 (n = 64), and those individuals with missing SBP measurements at Visit 1 (n = 106). The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

The FHS Offspring Cohort were followed prospectively, and examined during four clinical visits.

The FHS Offspring Study protocol was reviewed by the Boston University Medical Center Institutional Review Board and all participants gave informed consent.


The problem with the monetarist view that money growth is endogenous in a state of fiscal dominance is that it cannot explain the runaway inflation associated with the large and growing deficit that has been observed in most hyperinflations, including the Yugoslav one. The monetarist model predicts stable inflation that will settle at the point where a maximum inflation tax is appropriated. If, however, the fiscal deficit is unsustainable, i.e., it is larger than the maximum inflation tax, the public will perceive this and a currency collapse, instead of lasting hyperinflation, should take place almost immediately (Roberts, 1993) . Alternatively, a government can finance an unsustainable and increasing deficit by printing money only when seigniorage is larger than the inflation tax. However, this can occur only if real money holdings are increasing and consequently inflation is decreasing, i.e., in a state of deflation instead of hyperinflation (Buiter, 1987) . Thus, when an unsustainable fiscal deficit is monetized, the monetarist model predicts either almost immediate currency collapse or deflation, while we actually observe lasting hyperinflation.

If, however, the fiscal deficit is unsustainable, i.e., it is larger than the maximum inflation tax, the public will perceive this and a currency collapse, instead of lasting hyperinflation, should take place almost immediately.

However, this can occur only if real money holdings are increasing and consequently inflation is decreasing, i.e., in a state of deflation instead of hyperinflation.


These facts seem consistent with a monetary view of the Yugoslav hyperinflation, which emphasizes the main role of fiscal shock in triggering an excessive increase in the money supply to monetize the deficit. Nonetheless, currency depreciation also played an important role in the dynamics of the Yugoslav hyperinflation. Therefore, one could also test for a competing balance of payments explanation that stresses the role of the external sector, e.g., exchange rate or terms of trade shocks, in propagating high inflation (Dornbusch et al., 1990) .

Therefore, one could also test for a competing balance of payments explanation that stresses the role of the external sector, e.g., exchange rate or terms of trade shocks, in propagating high inflation.


The superior true degradability of A. nilotica is consistent with the nylon bag results, which is not reflected in the GP MAX (Table 5 ). The fact that PEG increased the true degradability of A. sieberiana is consistent with the general effect of tannins to depress digestibility (Degen et al., 1995; Ngwa et al., 2003) . The fact that PEG depressed the true degradability of A. nilotica is difficult to explain. Ironically, the increased fermentative activity following PEG treatment, as reflected in GP MAX , did not result in an increased microbial yield.

The fact that PEG increased the true degradability of A. sieberiana is consistent with the general effect of tannins to depress digestibility.


The solution techniques for the majority of the proposed works to analyse crack problems using BEM are based on iterative schemes that corrects the forces between the crack faces that satisfy the criterion adopted (see for instance Saleh and Aliabadi [6] ). These processes are simple and the relevant matrices are also kept constant during the process. This kind of technique requires a large number of iterations to achieve the equilibrium for a single load increment. Moreover, for the cases of more complex pattern of cracks, for instance with a solid containing many micro-crack, this process can be either inaccurate or instable.

The solution techniques for the majority of the proposed works to analyse crack problems using BEM are based on iterative schemes that corrects the forces between the crack faces that satisfy the criterion adopted (see for instance Saleh and Aliabadi).


The boundary element method (BEM) has already been recognized as an accurate and efficient numerical technique to deal appropriately with many problems in engineering. In particular, the method is recommended to analyse crack problems. For this kind of problems the dimensionality reduction of BEM is clear, as only boundary discretization is required. Internal points are needed only to approximate the crack line, but without requiring remeshing. Among the crack models the Hillerborg cohesive model is an idealization that represents well the dissipation process occurring in a small region ahead the crack tip [1] . The dissipation zone is approximated by a crack line since the process begins. This model is particularly recommended for the analysis of quasi-brittle materials.

Among the crack models the Hillerborg cohesive model is an idealization that represents well the dissipation process occurring in a small region ahead the crack tip.


Two macaw birds that were in the same enclosure presented clinical manifestation of dyspnea, sneezing, and progressive weight loss. Thus, after the diagnosis of syngamosis in the specimen examined, a prophylactic treatment was performed using anthelmintic medicines based on ivermectin and fenbendazole. Ivermectin controls parasites through mechanisms of inhibition of neuronal activity; fenbendazole (benzimidazole group) molecules bind to tubulin molecules in the parasite, which is a structural protein responsible for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis [1] . The efficacy of these compounds against S. trachea and tolerability in birds were described in Phasianus colchicus, and Pavo cristatus, showing high safety [11, 25] .

Ivermectin controls parasites through mechanisms of inhibition of neuronal activity; fenbendazole (benzimidazole group) molecules bind to tubulin molecules in the parasite, which is a structural protein responsible for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis.

The efficacy of these compounds against S. trachea and tolerability in birds were described in Phasianus colchicus, and Pavo cristatus, showing high safety.


Climatic and soil conditions can favor the maintenance of S. trachea eggs and larvae and the permanence of the verminosis in the environment [7] . This indicates the need of sanitary measures consistent with each breeding and management system for the maintenance of the health and well-being of captive birds. A large part of the substrate in the enclosure was composed of earth, making the chemical control of the environment difficult. Therefore, environmental disinfection practices such as sanitary periods between animal lots, and the use of lime and flamethrower is important.

Climatic and soil conditions can favor the maintenance of S. trachea eggs and larvae and the permanence of the verminosis in the environment.


Over the last decades, the most important obstacle for the implementation of ambitious climate policies has been the associated mitigation costs. As a prominent example, the long drawn negotiations of the Kyoto Protocol eventually allowed business-as-usual emissions and imposed negligible compliance costs of regulation (Böhringer and Vogt, 2003) . Thus, a viable and environmentally effective strategy for future climate policy has to be economically attractive at the same time. Against this background, the World Bank has proposed Forest Carbon Finance as an "ungrasped opportunity" of reducing global carbon emissions at low costs (Chomitz et al., 2007) . As the marginal costs for reducing carbon by reducing tropical deforestation are expected to be far lower than emissions abatement options in industrialized countries, these countries could finance farmers in tropical regions for forest conservation rather than pursuing costly emissions abatement efforts at home. Given the low economic returns of agricultural land use in tropical rainforest regions, such incentive payments for avoiding deforestation could at the same time benefit the developing world. Moreover, they may pave the way for developing countries to actively take part in emissions reduction efforts within an international climate policy regime (Dutschke and Wolf, 2007) .

As a prominent example, the long drawn negotiations of the Kyoto Protocol eventually allowed business-as-usual emissions and imposed negligible compliance costs of regulation.

Against this background, the World Bank has proposed Forest Carbon Finance as an "ungrasped opportunity" of reducing global carbon emissions at low costs.

Moreover, they may pave the way for developing countries to actively take part in emissions reduction efforts within an international climate policy regime.


The theory of Dirac structures finds an echo in Drinfel'd's theory of Lie bialgebras and Poisson homogeneous spaces [6] [8] . A Lie bialgebra (g, g * ) can be thought of as a pair of Lie algebra structures on a vector space g and its dual having a common extension (which turns out to be unique) to a Lie algebra structure on g ⊕ g * for which the symmetric form ( , ) + is ad-invariant. The Lie algebra g ⊕ g * is called the double of the Lie bialgebra (g, g * ).

The theory of Dirac structures finds an echo in Drinfel'd's theory of Lie bialgebras and Poisson homogeneous spaces.


Various physics-based tools have been developed for building modeling, simulation, and control design. Their strengths and weaknesses vary depending on the application. The most mature ones include Modelica, TRANSYS, ESPr, eQuest, and EnergyPlus [10] .

The most mature ones include Modelica, TRANSYS, ESPr, eQuest, and EnergyPlus.


Irradiation of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and left ventricle poses a particular risk to developing coronary artery and ischemic heart disease [32] . The proton plans delivered a significantly lower dose to the LAD and left ventricle in comparison to both the IMRT and 3D-CRT plans. The ability to select particular beam angles in the proton plans is of marked benefit. Again, there was very little difference in dose delivered to the LAD and left ventricle when the IMRT and 3D-CRT plans were compared. The laterality of heart irradiation may also impact the risk of cardiac disease. Many studies showed a higher incidence of cardiac disease after left-sided heart irradiation when compared to irradiation of the right side of the heart [33, 34] . Breast cancer data have shown ipsilateral involved-field coronary artery stenosis rates to be higher on the treated side than the contralateral uninvolved side [35] . This phenomenon suggests that certain regions of the heart pose a higher risk for heart disease than others when irradiated. There is little published data discussing the radiation dose tolerance of the coronary arteries and ventricular tissue. Historically, the heart and its subunits have been contoured and treated as a "parallel organ," meaning a small volume of heart receiving a high radiation dose was considered acceptable. However, any radiation damage to even a small portion of a coronary artery could result in perfusion defects with severe consequences. Some studies suggest treating the certain portions of the heart as a "series organ" instead [36] . In this case, proton plans may offer a higher degree of freedom in beam arrangement, resulting in superior selective sparing of certain heart structures.

Irradiation of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and left ventricle poses a particular risk to developing coronary artery and ischemic heart disease.

Many studies showed a higher incidence of cardiac disease after left-sided heart irradiation when compared to irradiation of the right side of the heart.

Breast cancer data have shown ipsilateral involved-field coronary artery stenosis rates to be higher on the treated side than the contralateral uninvolved side.

Some studies suggest treating the certain portions of the heart as a "series organ" instead.


The biological treatment was performed by supplying appropriate amount of ozone dose 0.177 mg/L to TNT synthetic solution of 20 mg/L concentration for each tested sample. Time of continuous ozonation was studied at (1, 2, 2.5 and 3 h). COD and TOC analysis were subjected to evaluate the residual organic compounds contents (Fig. 4) . The direct ozonated samples 1 h were then aerated for 10 min to remove residual ozone and were incubated with 1 % (v/v) of humic acid or 1 % (v/v) of river water as an inoculum, each singly and at ambient temperature for 24 h. 20 min ozonation were followed to each inoculated sample to remove biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) (Guest and Smith, 2002; Rauch and Drewes, 2005) . COD achieved 72.5 % and 94.6 % removal when using one hour direct ozonation followed by one day humic acid or river water inoculation respectively. To perform multistage ozone-biological treatment, TNT and red-water tested samples were subjected to 3 h direct ozonation and followed by 72 h river water biological inoculation. Samples were subjected to 20 min ozonation after each 24 h, to mineralize the BDOC produced through treatment performed.

The direct ozonated samples 1 h were then aerated for 10 min to remove residual ozone and were incubated with 1 % (v/v) of humic acid or 1 % (v/v) of river water as an inoculum, each singly and at ambient temperature for 24 h. 20 min ozonation were followed to each inoculated sample to remove biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC).


Definition 3 (C-semiring [2] ). C-semirings are commutative and absorptive semirings. Therefore, c-semirings are tropical semirings where J is an absorbing element for`.

Definition 3 (C-semiring).


Diploid wheat species have a smaller grain than tetraploid wheat [7, 32] . This is confirmed in our preliminary study where diploid einkorn was characterized by the smallest kernel area. Tetraploid species have a larger surface area. The relationship between the ploidy level and size, however, is not maintained in all hexaploid wheats. For example, kernels of ancient spelt are large, while those of the commercial varieties Torka and Zebra are smaller [7] . While size can be dramatically variable due to growing conditions and position of the kernel in the wheat spike the kernel shape may be quite stable.

Diploid wheat species have a smaller grain than tetraploid wheat.

For example, kernels of ancient spelt are large, while those of the commercial varieties Torka and Zebra are smaller.


Ischemic stroke and depression are frequently related. A high proportion of stroke patients develop mood disorders, being depression the most common neuropsychiatric condition (around 33% of post-stroke patients) [33] . It has been described that severity of depression depends on the hemisphere affected in humans although the studies are controversial [34, 35] . Regarding animal models, there is a lack of studies in the literature linking depression-like behavior with the hemisphere infarcted. Therefore, we explored depressive-like behavior after pMCAO or pACAO models in the two brain hemispheres of CD1 mice. Interestingly, our results show an increase in immobility time in both models when the occlusion was performed in left arteries but not when right hemisphere was affected. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of hemisphere-dependent differences in depressant-like behaviour after experimental ischemia in mice. These data outline the importance of the experimental design when it comes to study functional deficits and provide an excellent tool to study stroke-induced depression at the preclinical level, addressing an unmet need in stroke studies.

A high proportion of stroke patients develop mood disorders, being depression the most common neuropsychiatric condition (around 33% of post-stroke patients).

It has been described that severity of depression depends on the hemisphere affected in humans although the studies are controversial.


The results of first sentence estimation are shown in Table 4 . The accuracy of the proposed method is higher than that of Ranking, which represents the sentence ranking technique without the first sentence selection, by 19.3 percentage points. Although the proposed method showed the best accuracy, we observed that f first (s 0 ) tended to be −1 rather than 1. This is mainly because the two classes were unbalanced. The number of negative examples in the training data was 6.2 times larger than that of positive ones. We need to address the unbalanced data problem for further improvement (Chawla et al., 2004) .

We need to address the unbalanced data problem for further improvement.


Arranging sentences by order of publication dates of source documents is known as the chronological ordering (Barzilay et al., 2002) . It is effective for news article summarization because descriptions of a certain event tend to follow the order of publication. It is, however, not suitable for opinion generation because such generation requires statements and evidence rather than the simple summarization of an event.

Arranging sentences by order of publication dates of source documents is known as the chronological ordering.


Ker d j−1 for any j). Hence, the regular Short Five Lemma coincides with the "classical" Short Five Lemma. Let us conclude this introduction by mentioning one final property of semi-abelian categories. Recall that a monomorphism is called normal if it is the kernel of some arrow. In a semi-abelian category, normal monomorphisms are preserved under regular images: if k : K −→ A is a normal monomorphism and f : A −→ B a regular epimorphism, then the image Im(f • k) of f • k is a normal monomorphism as well [24] .

Ker d j−1 for any j).

In a semi-abelian category, normal monomorphisms are preserved under regular images: if k : K −→ A is a normal monomorphism and f : A −→ B a regular epimorphism, then the image Im(f • k) of f • k is a normal monomorphism as well.


Before discussing cultural and developmental differences, it is important to emphasize the commonalities in views of leadership worldwide; people from many countries rate the six CLT dimensions with a similar valence in defining outstanding leaders (House et al., 2004) . In our sample of students from the United States and South Africa, Charismatic/Value-Based, Team-Oriented, Participative, and Humane-Oriented leadership were seen as traits contributing to outstanding leadership, while Autonomous and Self-Protective leadership were viewed as detracting from outstanding leadership. However, despite the global appeal of these traits, notable differences were still found between South African and American students as well as between high school and college students. Scores from the six CLT traits in South Africa implied a less firm distinction between helpful and harmful leadership traits; three of the Top 4 dimensions were rated significantly lower (less beneficial) and the Bottom 2 dimensions were rated significantly higher (less harmful) in South Africa than in the United States.

Before discussing cultural and developmental differences, it is important to emphasize the commonalities in views of leadership worldwide; people from many countries rate the six CLT dimensions with a similar valence in defining outstanding leaders.


In fact, solving the classical equation of motion in the type IIB matrix model is quite different from ordinary classical dynamics, in which one solves a differential equation with some initial conditions. This is because the notion of time does not exist from the outset in this model, and it should emerge dynamically from the matrix degrees of freedom. Here we propose a method based on the gradient decent method, which enables us to generate infinitely many classical solutions starting from random matrix configurations. In particular, we assume a "quasi" direct-product structure for the (3+1) dimensions and the extra six dimensions, which is the most general structure compatible with the (3+1)-dimensional Lorentz symmetry [24] . Our ultimate goal is to determine the solution that describes our real world by identifying a specific solution that appears from the dominant configurations obtained by numerical simulations. We consider that some if not all of the qualitative features of such a solution should be captured by the solutions generated by our method.

In particular, we assume a "quasi" direct-product structure for the (3+1) dimensions and the extra six dimensions, which is the most general structure compatible with the (3+1)-dimensional Lorentz symmetry.


Relying on hidden Markov models, the Bayesian inference framework quantifies the correctness with which an adversary can estimate the location of users over time. The error of the adversary in this estimation is exactly our privacy metric [8] . We evaluate MobiCrowd on a real locationtrace data set and we show that it provides a high level of privacy for users with different mobility patterns, against an adversary with varying background knowledge.

The error of the adversary in this estimation is exactly our privacy metric.


The location traces that we use belong to 509 randomly chosen mobile users (vehicles) from the epfl/mobility data set at CRAWDAD [39] . We set the time unit of the simulation to 5 minutes and we consider the users' locations at integer multiples of the time unit, thus synchronizing all the traces. We group time units into three equal-size time periods: morning, afternoon, evening. We divide the Bay Area into 10 Â 25 equal-size regions. Two users in a region are considered to be neighbors of each other if they are within 100 m of each other (using Wi-Fi). We run our simulation for 100 times on the traces and compute the average of the results.

The location traces that we use belong to 509 randomly chosen mobile users (vehicles) from the epfl/mobility data set at CRAWDAD.


Even worse, the habits, personal and private preferences, religious beliefs, and political affiliations, for example, can be inferred from a user's whereabouts. This could make her the target of blackmail or harassment. Finally, real-time location disclosure leaves a person vulnerable to absence disclosure attacks: learning that someone is away from home could enable someone to break into her house or blackmail her [1] . An stalker can also exploit the location information.

Finally, real-time location disclosure leaves a person vulnerable to absence disclosure attacks: learning that someone is away from home could enable someone to break into her house or blackmail her.


Centralized approaches introduce a third party in the system, which protects users' privacy by operating between the user and the LBS. Such an intermediary proxy server could anonymize (and obfuscate) queries by removing any information that identifies the user or her device. Alternatively, it could blend a user's query with those of other users, so that the LBS server always sees a group of queries [2] . However, such approaches only shift the problem: the threat of an untrustworthy LBS server is addressed by the introduction of a new third-party server. Why would the new server be any more trustworthy? Additionally, new proxy servers become as attractive for attackers as centralized LBSs.

Alternatively, it could blend a user's query with those of other users, so that the LBS server always sees a group of queries.


Techniques proposed to protect location privacy in LBSs can be classified based on how they distort the users' queries before the queries reach the LBS server. The queries can be anonymized (by removing users' identities), pseudonymized (by replacing users' real names with temporal identifiers called pseudonyms), or obfuscated (by generalizing or perturbing the spatiotemporal information associated to the queries). Queries can also be camouflaged by adding some dummy queries, or be completely eliminated and hidden from the LBS [10] . Combinations of these methods have been employed in the existing (centralized or distributed) mechanisms. We now discuss these approaches in more detail.

Queries can also be camouflaged by adding some dummy queries, or be completely eliminated and hidden from the LBS.


Ramp-up has a notable importance for companies, because time-to-volume directly affects the financial success of a product [1] . In particular, time-tovolume has a significant effect on the net present value and revenues of a project. If the time-tovolume is delayed with respect to the forecast, revenues will be postponed: hence a shorter ramp-up reduces the payback period and improves financial indicators, such as return on investment and return on assets, compared with a longer one [2] . In addition, market share and revenue can be lost if delivery to customer is delayed as a result of ineffective rampup. This is even more apparent in competitive markets [3] .

Ramp-up has a notable importance for companies, because time-to-volume directly affects the financial success of a product.

If the time-tovolume is delayed with respect to the forecast, revenues will be postponed: hence a shorter ramp-up reduces the payback period and improves financial indicators, such as return on investment and return on assets, compared with a longer one.

This is even more apparent in competitive markets.


With a focus on staff perceptions, we sought to examine the implementation of the programme in terms of its fidelity, or the extent to which the programme was delivered as planned; the student exposure and reach of the programme; and context, in terms of aspects of the environment that may have influenced the programme [24] . Mixed methods were used to collect and analyse data, integrate findings and draw inferences [25] . Given the complex and diverse character of the programme initiatives, we collected multiple types of data to capture programme related changes from a number of different perspectives [26] .

With a focus on staff perceptions, we sought to examine the implementation of the programme in terms of its fidelity, or the extent to which the programme was delivered as planned; the student exposure and reach of the programme; and context, in terms of aspects of the environment that may have influenced the programme.

Mixed methods were used to collect and analyse data, integrate findings and draw inferences.

Given the complex and diverse character of the programme initiatives, we collected multiple types of data to capture programme related changes from a number of different perspectives.


In contrast, our study included molecular genotyping of strains obtained from a second set of samples, which allowed likely reinfections, double infections, and potential laboratory contaminations to be excluded. Only 3 instances of the acquisition of drug resistance among initially pansusceptible or monoresistant strains were found in this study (1.2% of this group). In 1 of these cases, isoniazid, rifampicin, and streptomycin resistance developed during the ambulatory, continuation phase of treatment, when drug taking is not as well supervised as it is during the hospitalized, intensive phase. The development of streptomycin resistance may well be a result of the practice of continuing streptomycin treatment privately during DOTS on the basis of the common view that injections are better than tablets [24] . Poor adherence can lead to drug resistance in initially drug-susceptible strains because of intermittent periods of not taking drugs or because of selectively taking some drugs [8] . The relatively low level of acquisition of drug resistance among pansusceptible or monoresistant strains is reassuring and suggests that poor adherence is not a significant factor in the creation of drug resistance in the DOTS program.

The development of streptomycin resistance may well be a result of the practice of continuing streptomycin treatment privately during DOTS on the basis of the common view that injections are better than tablets.

Poor adherence can lead to drug resistance in initially drug-susceptible strains because of intermittent periods of not taking drugs or because of selectively taking some drugs.


Among the food industries, the dairy industry is considered to be the most polluting one, because of its large water consumption and wastewater generation, which are the main source of pollution of this type of industry (Vourch et al., 2008) . The effluents are produced in the process of washing and cleaning, loading and discharge and spillage and leakage (Machado et al., 2002) . The process of washing and cleaning consists of rinsing milk cans, tanks and pipes for the purpose of removing milk residues and other impurities and of washing floors, and can generate 50 to 95% of the total effluent volume (Daufin, 2001) .

Among the food industries, the dairy industry is considered to be the most polluting one, because of its large water consumption and wastewater generation, which are the main source of pollution of this type of industry.

The effluents are produced in the process of washing and cleaning, loading and discharge and spillage and leakage.

The process of washing and cleaning consists of rinsing milk cans, tanks and pipes for the purpose of removing milk residues and other impurities and of washing floors, and can generate 50 to 95% of the total effluent volume.


Tax progressivity is usually measured by comparing the ratios of taxes paid and household income (in a broad sense) in different income groups (Scholz, 1996) . When statutory marginal tax rates are very high, tax payers in the upper income groups seek to reduce their tax liabilities by investing in the assets which are the subjects of tax reliefs. Wealthy tax payers also can benefit from high marginal tax rates by reducing borrowing costs so that the post-tax borrowing costs would be lower than the pre-tax return on investment. If changes of investment portfolio composition as a response to tax changes are widespread, the actual progressivity of taxation can be much lower that the progressivity of statutory tax rates (Scholz, 1996) .

Tax progressivity is usually measured by comparing the ratios of taxes paid and household income (in a broad sense) in different income groups.

If changes of investment portfolio composition as a response to tax changes are widespread, the actual progressivity of taxation can be much lower that the progressivity of statutory tax rates.


It is important to note that progressivity is primarily associated with vertical equality; however, the horizontal dimension of equality (equal persons are treated equally) should not be forgotten in the evaluation of tax progressivity in relation with tax fairness. In terms of income taxation, according to the requirement of horizontal equality, persons with the same income should pay the same amount of taxes. Using a wide definition of income, tax liability should not depend on the income source. However, the tax system's abilities to reach different sources of income are unequal, what causes inability to fully tax capital income and not only leads to horizontal inequality among individuals with the same total income (with different capital income shares), but also reduces the progressivity of income taxation in the upper scale of income distribution where the importance of capital income is the greatest. Failure to ensure horizontal equality in this case has also a negative impact on the implementation of vertical equality (Musgrave, 1996) .

Failure to ensure horizontal equality in this case has also a negative impact on the implementation of vertical equality.


Today the bench scale performance based cone calorimeter is widely used to compare and to rank materials in a quantitative way with respect to fire risks (heat release, time to ignition, etc.) and fire hazard (CO production, smoke production) [1] . It is an especially suitable tool in the field of developing fire retarded polymeric materials. Mostly it is used to screen different materials or demonstrate fire retardancy effects so that the number of cone calorimeter tests performed for each material is quite small and that they yield largely qualitative conclusions.

Today the bench scale performance based cone calorimeter is widely used to compare and to rank materials in a quantitative way with respect to fire risks (heat release, time to ignition, etc.) and fire hazard (CO production, smoke production).


The endovascular cooling system applied was a dual infusion lumen 8.5F 20-cm catheter (Cool Line Catheter, Zoll Medical, California, USA). This catheter is furnished with an additional lumen, which ends in two balloons (sized 55 mm in length and 5 9 5 mm in diameter). The balloons are perfused with a sterile Ringer's lactate solution via a closed-loop tubing system. The tubing system is connected to a temperaturemanagement device (Coolgard System, Zoll Medical, California, USA), consisting of a temperature-adjustable water bath (0.5-42°C) depending on the patient's own temperature [10] . Conventional CVL with 4-or 5-lumen (Arrow International Inc., Teleflex, Durham, NC, USA) were applied in all patients.

The tubing system is connected to a temperaturemanagement device (Coolgard System, Zoll Medical, California, USA), consisting of a temperature-adjustable water bath (0.5-42°C) depending on the patient's own temperature.


Lattice QCD allows to compute physical quantities like the hadronic spectrum, weak decay constants and other weak matrix elements without recourse to perturbation theory [1] . Basic building blocks for the construction of such observables are the quark propagators, i.e. the Green's functions of the fermionic operator. In practice, the latter are determined via an iterative inversion method on an ensemble of gauge background fields, generated in a Monte Carlo process. Thus, the evaluation of quark propagators represents a major task within this branch of elementary particle theory.

Lattice QCD allows to compute physical quantities like the hadronic spectrum, weak decay constants and other weak matrix elements without recourse to perturbation theory.


In this paper, based on a 2-DOF of milling process model, the effects of the bearing clearance to the cutting process is analyzed by comparing the stability lobe diagrams and the corresponding response spectra for the milling models with and without bearing clearance. The theoretical stability lobe for the milling model without bearing is also calculated using the method proposed by Opitz [23] . The frequency components that arise due to bearing clearance are clearly identified. This provides useful information to determine if the bearing clearance and chatter are present.

The theoretical stability lobe for the milling model without bearing is also calculated using the method proposed by Opitz.


Specific spectroscopic properties of lanthanides ions allow their applications as active materials in a construction of radiation sensors. Additionally, well known advantages of rare earth (RE) ions are their ease of introducing into the glassy matrix and forming into optical fibers or bulk elements. Fiber-optic sensors have many advantages over conventional optical sensors [1] . The former are small in size, light, electrically safe and resistant to electromagnetic interference. Resistance to electromagnetic interference OPEN ACCESS is especially important during measurements near the UV lamp due to intense electromagnetic fields encountered in its vicinity [2] . Semiconductor UV detectors are expensive and require advanced supply circuits. In luminescent fiber optic sensors the phenomenon of the energy conversion by excited RE ions enables to apply silicon detectors in sensing applications. Nowadays, some UV sensing constructions based on the optical fiber coated with polymer layers doped with phosphors are well described [3] [4] [5] . However, the efficiency of detection is significantly reduced due to strong density of energy from UV radiation regime, which leads to the degradation of polymers bonds. Another approach to the construction of the UV sensor is the use of side-emitting optical fibers, which can absorb radiation by side surface and then propagates it inside the fiber. Moreover, fiber-optic sensors offer the possibility of distributed and localized measurements along the whole sensor length, providing in this way radiation measurements over an interval and in a point [5] .

Fiber-optic sensors have many advantages over conventional optical sensors.

Resistance to electromagnetic interference OPEN ACCESS is especially important during measurements near the UV lamp due to intense electromagnetic fields encountered in its vicinity.

Nowadays, some UV sensing constructions based on the optical fiber coated with polymer layers doped with phosphors are well described.

Moreover, fiber-optic sensors offer the possibility of distributed and localized measurements along the whole sensor length, providing in this way radiation measurements over an interval and in a point.


In 2007, the International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) quoted civil aviation to be "one of the fastest growing means of transport" [1] & [2] . Civil aviation, amidst this growth, is obligated to reduce its environmental impact through every possible means. Present fleet of aircraft are 70% more fuel efficient than 40 years ago. Since then, the environmental and economic significance of emission-conscious air-traffic management (ATM) strategies and route optimisation have been realised. Global implementation of modernised ATMs could economise time, emissions and costs.

In 2007, the International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) quoted civil aviation to be "one of the fastest growing means of transport".


Nevertheless, equity and fairness in the distribution of both burdens and benefits are vital in order to obtain an effective risk management strategy as well as for reaching a sustainable development process. This also requires the involvement of stakeholders during the decision making process on all levels. Water resource planners and managers today must consider the interests and goals of several stakeholders. Taking diverse stakeholder interests into account are often an important aspect for the achievement and success of risk management policy strategies [12, 13] .

Taking diverse stakeholder interests into account are often an important aspect for the achievement and success of risk management policy strategies.


Although the actual monetary value of property damage from an event such as a flood may be higher in an industrialized country, the relative monetary loss is on average much greater in less developed countries. Poverty itself is a contributor to increased vulnerability [7] . Furthermore, inadequate housing and high population densities on sensitive land contribute to higher losses from natural disasters. This is further complicated by developing regions often experiencing difficulties in raising funds for the recovery processes and that development projects are disrupted. It has therefore been recognized that societies must move from focusing on post-disaster recovery approaches towards the use of more prevention and preparation mechanisms as well as adopting a more interdisciplinary approach [8] . Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Mozambique are countries where disasters often strike. For instance, more than 15 major floods occurred in the 20th century in Bangladesh. Three of the floods had catastrophic consequences. A more recent flood in 2004 was also severe and more than a third of the country was inundated, rural infrastructure and large areas of agricultural land were destroyed and many people became homeless [9, 10] . Moreover, two million people became homeless in Mozambique after severe floods in 2000 an 2001 [11] .

Poverty itself is a contributor to increased vulnerability.

It has therefore been recognized that societies must move from focusing on post-disaster recovery approaches towards the use of more prevention and preparation mechanisms as well as adopting a more interdisciplinary approach.

A more recent flood in 2004 was also severe and more than a third of the country was inundated, rural infrastructure and large areas of agricultural land were destroyed and many people became homeless.

Moreover, two million people became homeless in Mozambique after severe floods in 2000 an 2001.


Experiments were performed on single giant axons isolated from Loligo pealei at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA . Axons were cleaned of most adhering tissue, and the axoplasm was squeezed out with a tiny rubber roller and replaced with an artificial internal solution introduced via a micrometer syringe. Axons were then mounted in a Plexiglas chamber, continuously perfused both internally and externally, and voltageclamped with conventional axial wire techniques. Details of the electronics and procedures of voltage-clamping have been published (Oxford et al ., 1978 ; Oxford, 1981) .

Details of the electronics and procedures of voltage-clamping have been published.


Advances in computer and multimedia technologies allow the construction of images (or data digitization) and large repositories for image storage with little cost. This has led to the size of image collections increasing rapidly. In accounting information, there are many types of transaction documents and images which are digitally archived as gray-scale accounting document images or 'image accounting' (Mckie, 1998) . For example, invoices, purchase orders, checks, photographs, charts, diagrams, etc. As a result, knowledge management of the organizational intellectual accounting assets is a very important research problem. In particular, accounting information systems (AIS) need to automatically manage these digital accounting documents for effective storage and retrieval. That is, image database management is one key component in future AIS. In this paper, we focus on classifying digital accounting documents.

In accounting information, there are many types of transaction documents and images which are digitally archived as gray-scale accounting document images or 'image accounting'.


The present study sought the views of all NHS Highland midwives working at all grades and roles (n=280) as they were expected to have expert knowledge of the midwifery issues (both local and general) that might be addressed through research. As well are requiring participants to understand the topic being investigated, it has been noted that the findings from a Delphi study are strengthened when panellists who would be directly affected by the outcomes are included (Mamaril et al., 2009) . The focus on practising midwives was felt to be important, as practitioner-derived questions have been found to be concrete, practical and to provide an important service focus (Booth, 2008) . It was hoped that their involvement might encourage midwives to 'take ownership' of the research findings.

As well are requiring participants to understand the topic being investigated, it has been noted that the findings from a Delphi study are strengthened when panellists who would be directly affected by the outcomes are included.

The focus on practising midwives was felt to be important, as practitioner-derived questions have been found to be concrete, practical and to provide an important service focus.


Early use of 3D printing focused on its raid manufacture process, which is suitable for pilot production in lab or factory. Now, 3D printing is one of the most flexible technique enables direct manufacturing complex shape with high resolution, as well as processing highly customized medical products combined with image reconstitution technique. The advancement of 3D printing technologies has provided researchers and doctor's abundant tools to promote the functional scaffolds, which meet the strict criterion of tissue engineering. In addition, broadening choices in materials that can be processed by 3D printing offers researchers "recipe" to tune the biology performance of scaffolds. The ideal role of 3D printing in tissue engineering is to provide the suitable microenvironment for cells to induce cell proliferation and differentiation toward the functional tissue. There are two main modes of 3D printing using for tissue engineering currently. One is creating 3D cell-laden scaffolds that the cells are contained within the bioink. Another is fabricating molds or scaffolds, which can be cultured with cells in-vitro after fabrication [11, 12] .

Another is fabricating molds or scaffolds, which can be cultured with cells in-vitro after fabrication.


Reform in materials processing methods arose from the pressing needs for high-performance and multi-functional materials for broad applications in energy storage, transportation, lightweight structures, and biomedical engineering, among which 3D printing are in the highest interest by the community of material science research [5] [6] [7] [8] . In conventional processing methods, waste is cutting off from the raw material by milling, planning or grinding, and thus desired structure is obtained by these subtractive methods [9] . On the contrary, 3D printing is known as an additive manufacturing method, building the required structure layer by layer, or even pixel by pixel. The terminology "3D printing" firstly emerged was used to refer the work done at MIT in 1993, modifying a standard inkjet printer to a custom processing equipment [10] . Over last thirty years, a variety of innovative 3D printing technologies have been developed, which can be categorized into three groups including powder-based 3D printing, ink-based 3D printing, and polymerization-based printing. In all these cases, the printed structure is firstly modeled using a computer-aided design software packages, such as UG, CATIA, ProE, or other customized software. Then a ST-format file contained all the model information is exported to the 3D printing system to control the moving track of printing device and constructing the structure layer by layer.

Reform in materials processing methods arose from the pressing needs for high-performance and multi-functional materials for broad applications in energy storage, transportation, lightweight structures, and biomedical engineering, among which 3D printing are in the highest interest by the community of material science research.

In conventional processing methods, waste is cutting off from the raw material by milling, planning or grinding, and thus desired structure is obtained by these subtractive methods.

The terminology "3D printing" firstly emerged was used to refer the work done at MIT in 1993, modifying a standard inkjet printer to a custom processing equipment.


Another analysis of the environmental and economic impact of landfill gases (LFG) electricity generation in Korea using the LEAP model showed that LFG electricity generation would be an effective solution for CO 2 displacement over the medium term with additional energy profits and will reduce the global warming potential by a maximum of 75% when compared to spontaneous emissions of CH 4 [6] . Another study in Korea evaluated the environmental and economic aspects of chemical CO 2 absorption in power plants using this model; That study demonstrated that by applying various policies, the rate of CO 2 emissions will decrease by approximately 15% by 2014 [7] . Another study was also conducted to show the potential reduction in CO 2 emissions from oil refineries in Korea. Production analysis using the energy planning model showed that a 48% reduction in CO 2 emissions is feasible [8] . In this study, the energy demand of the Iranian cement industry is analysed with an energy planning LEAP model. The effects of various policies on the baseline scenario and GHG mitigation scenario are also analysed and surveyed in the cement industry.

Another analysis of the environmental and economic impact of landfill gases (LFG) electricity generation in Korea using the LEAP model showed that LFG electricity generation would be an effective solution for CO 2 displacement over the medium term with additional energy profits and will reduce the global warming potential by a maximum of 75% when compared to spontaneous emissions of CH 4.

Another study in Korea evaluated the environmental and economic aspects of chemical CO 2 absorption in power plants using this model; That study demonstrated that by applying various policies, the rate of CO 2 emissions will decrease by approximately 15% by 2014.

Production analysis using the energy planning model showed that a 48% reduction in CO 2 emissions is feasible.


Three-dimensional CTA represents an increasingly important clinical tool that is used to diagnose portal hypertension and hepatic vascular disorders. These disorders include the presence of a single or multiple extrahepatic portosystemic shunt, intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, portal vein thrombosis, intravascular tumor extension, and well-developed vascular tumors such as a hepatocellular carcinoma, liver or pancreatic neoplasia. Three-dimensional CTA is also used to evaluate suspected liver disease, and is used for surgical planning [1, 3, 9, 11] .

Three-dimensional CTA is also used to evaluate suspected liver disease, and is used for surgical planning.


Over 90 % of HNSCC express VEGF and other angiogenic cytokines, which serve as attractive treatment targets [15, 16] . The anti VEGF antibody, bevacizumab, has demonstrated a survival benefit across several malignancies and has also demonstrated early promising results in head and neck cancer, producing responses in both the primary and metastatic setting [5, [17] [18] [19] . Ang1 and Ang2 were also overexpressed within tumor deposits in a study of 40 patients undergoing surgical resection of recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and high expression of these angiogenic cytokines was correlated with nodal involvement and more advanced disease [20] . Similarly, a separate study examining 100 OSCC tumor specimens found higher PLGF expression was associated with lymph node spread and more advanced clinical stage [21] .

Over 90 % of HNSCC express VEGF and other angiogenic cytokines, which serve as attractive treatment targets.

The anti VEGF antibody, bevacizumab, has demonstrated a survival benefit across several malignancies and has also demonstrated early promising results in head and neck cancer, producing responses in both the primary and metastatic setting.

Ang1 and Ang2 were also overexpressed within tumor deposits in a study of 40 patients undergoing surgical resection of recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and high expression of these angiogenic cytokines was correlated with nodal involvement and more advanced disease.

Similarly, a separate study examining 100 OSCC tumor specimens found higher PLGF expression was associated with lymph node spread and more advanced clinical stage.


One approach to structuring the interaction between agents recently proposed is the notion of Electronic Institutions [3] . There, speech acts are considered as actions and special institutional agents control what can be uttered. The construction of such an institution and required institutional agents begins with the definition of the goals the institution is meant to achieve. In this paper, we focus on agent institutions defined as software environments composed of autonomous agents that interact according to predefined conventions on language and protocol, guaranteeing that certain norms of behaviour are enforced. An electronic institution is in a sense a natural extension of the social concept of institutions as regulatory systems which shape human interactions.

One approach to structuring the interaction between agents recently proposed is the notion of Electronic Institutions.


The ultimate goal of the FCM model is to provide the security administrator with a condensed view of the system in terms of the resources that are affected in alert situations and also their involvement in such situations by reporting their incidents strengths and incidence alert levels. Therefore, our model also reports overall situation of the hosts that are under alert and not just in terms of the alerts themselves. Fig. 7 is a snapshot of the alert situation discovered for the compromised host mill (172.016.115.020) in the coordinated multi-staged attacks as captured in all four datasets. Here the x-axis shows the incident strengths of the incidents that were activated for this host and y-axis shows the underlying dataset the analysis is based upon. One can observe from fig. 7 how the existence of the intruder's action (that causes the incidence) and the existing risks (that give rise to possibility of incidence) jointly affect the strength of the incidence itself. For example, the SystemEnvironment Corruption (SEC) incidence for mill has a high strength of 0.94 for scenario one (dataset 1 & 2) and a moderate strength (0.673) for scenario two (dataset 3 & 4) . This is because for scenario two, the attacker used more sophisticated probing technique (DNS_HInfo), which was not reported by the network sensors and therefore, no preceding EEvents were generated for the host mill that had the potential to place mill under risk of SEC. Consequently, as mill was under no initial risk of SEC, the incidence SEC activated with lesser strength. Fig. 7 also shows the total incidence Table 2 . Incidence Assessment for Compromised Hosts alert levels for mill for each of the datasets. It is highest in dataset 1 (because of activation of almost all incidents in correlation chain) and lowest in dataset 4 (because of absence of most detrimental incidents, such as SystemDistress). Table 2 . denotes a list of the compromised hosts for all the datasets along with their incidence alert levels. The shaded rows show four hosts that we report as compromised but were not listed as compromised according to the DARPA documentation [7] . The attacker tried to compromise these hosts by exploiting the system vulnerabilities but the attempts were unsuccessful. Since the sensor cannot report on the success of these alerts, we justifiably correlate them. However absence of any further activity for these hosts result in low incidence alert level (25.4%) for them. With effective threshold schemes, it is possible to avoid these false positives (e.g., acceptable IAL level with threshold 33%).

The shaded rows show four hosts that we report as compromised but were not listed as compromised according to the DARPA documentation.


In this work, we have generalized finite BMS 4 transformations to include general holomorphic and antiholomorphic transformations as well as time-dependent complex rescalings. A further interesting generalization would be to abandon the reality conditions and consider the transformations discussed in this work in the context of H-space [44] [45] [46] . The approach we have followed here is systematic and straightforward but explicit computations are rather tedious and can presumably be simplified in a more suitable setup. Extracting physical consequences from these transformation laws should be much more rewarding. We conclude with some comments on why this should be the case.

A further interesting generalization would be to abandon the reality conditions and consider the transformations discussed in this work in the context of H-space.


In battery powered portable devices, multiple output voltage rails are required to power the internal hardware such as memory, USB, Bluetooth, and system core. Because of the lower output noise and fast transient response, low dropout regulator (LDOs) have been widely applied in portable devices to generate multiple output voltages. For an example specific LDOs such as ADP170/171, ADP1706, ADP121 and APD130 have been suggested by Analog Devices for low noise and low electromagnetic interference (EMI) requirements of battery powered products [1] . On the other hand, Linear Technology's LT3694 monolithic buck regulator with dual LDO can be applied for multiple voltage rail requirement in digital loads [2] .

For an example specific LDOs such as ADP170/171, ADP1706, ADP121 and APD130 have been suggested by Analog Devices for low noise and low electromagnetic interference (EMI) requirements of battery powered products.

On the other hand, Linear Technology's LT3694 monolithic buck regulator with dual LDO can be applied for multiple voltage rail requirement in digital loads.


As a power transfer medium of hydraulic systems, nothing in nature is more human compatible and environmentally compatible than tap water: it is nontoxic, non-flammable, clean, easily disposable and readily available. In recent years, economic and environmental forces have helped water to regain its prominence as a hydraulic fluid [1] [2] . Nevertheless, disadvantages and challenges of tap-water hydraulic systems remain: leakage resulting from water's low viscosity, erosion because of water's higher vapor pressure, and corrosion because of water's chemical reaction, in addition to bacterial growth and limited operating temperatures. In particular, lower viscosity and a lower viscosity-pressure index engender inferior lubrication.

In recent years, economic and environmental forces have helped water to regain its prominence as a hydraulic fluid.


Management of claims is one of the biggest challenges in current changing international construction industry (Kululanga et al. 2001) . Existing studies have identified wide-range causes of claims, which are related to industrial, financial, social, political, organizational behavior, contractual, environmental, and project-related factors (Cheung, Pang 2013; Fawzy, El-adaway 2012; Love et al. 2011; Abd El-Razek et al. 2008; Sambasivan, Soon 2007; Yates, Epstein 2006; Harmon 2003; Odeh, Battaineh 2002) . However, little research has systematically addressed and quantified the relationships among these factors and their association with claims in EPC project delivery approach, which is increasing favored in international markets. Thus, there is a clear need to study how these factors interactively influence contractors' claims in international EPC projects.

Management of claims is one of the biggest challenges in current changing international construction industry.

Existing studies have identified wide-range causes of claims, which are related to industrial, financial, social, political, organizational behavior, contractual, environmental, and project-related factors.


The findings of this study also support that clarity of project scope/requirements is a key influencing factor in EPC projects (Xia et al. 2013) . As shown in Figure 2 , the statistically significant correlation between project definition in contract and claim (standard coefficient = 0.37) indicates that unclear scope of works and unclear technical specifications play important roles in affecting claim. This can also be explained by case studies. For example, cost overrun (113%) in project C was largely attributed to the unclear definition of project scope and technical specification (see Table 6 ). Thus, it is necessary to clearly define project scope/technical specification in EPC contracts. Besides, as many uncertainties will still be left to deal with in processes of EPC project delivery, building links among participants for efficiently clarifying project issues is indispensable to minimize claims and disputes.

The findings of this study also support that clarity of project scope/requirements is a key influencing factor in EPC projects.


Accurately recognizing worker activities is an important task in work sampling studies for measuring labour productivity. Manual methods of recognizing and recording activity are both laborious and tedious. Currently, vision based methods have been investigated for automated detection of worker status in productivity studies [1] . But the accuracy of recognition is severely affected by moving backgrounds and varying light conditions of the construction environment. Moreover, image processing techniques are computationally intensive and manually dependant and, this limits the wide application of video in construction [2] .

Currently, vision based methods have been investigated for automated detection of worker status in productivity studies.

Moreover, image processing techniques are computationally intensive and manually dependant and, this limits the wide application of video in construction.


Due to its good vibrational characteristics, wood has been used as an important resonance material for musical instruments over the millennia (Damodaran et al. 2015) . The unique spectrum of physical properties of wood have made wood the best material for musical instruments up to now (Fletcher and Rossing 1998; Wegst 2006) . As a result of the excessive consumption of wood, however, the cost of instruments has increased rapidly. In the search for alternative materials to make traditional musical instruments, some wood-based composites have recently been developed for the top plate of violins (Damodaran et al. 2015) . However, the performance of new materials is relatively hard to predict; thus, a model for predicting acoustic quality of an instrument based on the soundboard vibrational performance of raw materials has been needed.

Due to its good vibrational characteristics, wood has been used as an important resonance material for musical instruments over the millennia.

The unique spectrum of physical properties of wood have made wood the best material for musical instruments up to now.

In the search for alternative materials to make traditional musical instruments, some wood-based composites have recently been developed for the top plate of violins.


Macromodels of passive distributed structures are building blocks of complex systems, which are usually simulated by means of circuit simulators. Owing to their mathematical representation, the inclusion of a macromodel into such circuit simulators is conceptually straightforward. Moreover, macromodeling enables the use of recursive convolutions, this way reducing the computational cost of the simulations [11] .

Moreover, macromodeling enables the use of recursive convolutions, this way reducing the computational cost of the simulations.


Adsorption and desorption characteristic of biosorption process consists of biomass of marine algae Sargassum baccularia, cadmium ions and desorbing agents hydrochloric acid (HCl) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA) were investigated using a batch reactor system [6] . It was found out that both desorbing agents are capable of stripping the cadmium. HCl at pH 2 could adsorb more than 80% of cadmium. Almost complete recovery of cadmium was achieved by using 3.2 mM EDTA solution. However, HCl was found to reduce cadmium uptake capacity by 56% while the reduction of EDTA was nearly 40% over the five adsorption-desorption cycles. The loss of biomass using HCl is 30% as the EDTA caused a biomass loss of 16%. The results showed that EDTA is a better desorbing agent than HCl.

Adsorption and desorption characteristic of biosorption process consists of biomass of marine algae Sargassum baccularia, cadmium ions and desorbing agents hydrochloric acid (HCl) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA) were investigated using a batch reactor system.


During each step description, to exemplify the proposed methodology, one employs records of frequency sweep excitation of the longitudinal and lateral axes, in level flight, obtained in flight test of an AS355-F2 helicopter, belonging by then to the Instituto de Pesquisas e Ensaios em Voo (IPEV). The tested aircraft is a light helicopter, single rotor with conventional tail rotor, designed and manufactured by AEROSPATIALE. It is equipped with two Allison 250 C-20F engines, with the total capacity for six people, including the crew. The aircraft has an irreversible flight control system, which is fully hydraulicassisted, pitch and roll axes trim feel and trim actuator. The aircraft is equipped with a flight control system, SFIN 85 T31, composed by a stability augmentation system (SAS) and a flight director. A more detailed description is presented in its flight manual (Helibras 2005) .

A more detailed description is presented in its flight manual.


It has been contended that better understanding of how human beings acquire, organize, and process domain knowledge eases the difficulties in acquiring knowledge from domain experts in the development of knowledgebased systems (McCracken and Cate, 1986; Ford et al., 1991; Zhu, 1999; Özesmi and Özesmi, 2004) . Especially for soil classification, it has long been suggested that it would be possible and desirable to connect the design of knowledge-based classification systems with cognitive theories (McCracken and Cate, 1986) . This paper presents an approach to obtaining and representing knowledge on soil-landscape relationships based on cognitive theories on human categorization, specifically, the prototype category theory (Rosch, 1973 (Rosch, , 1978 Smith and Medin, 1981; Lakoff, 1987; Minda and Smith, 2001) . We represent and acquire the knowledge of soil-landscape model from soil scientists in terms of prototypes and membership gradations from prototypes. Variations of soil properties can then be modeled through prototype-based reasoning. The next section of this paper gives a brief introduction to prototype theory and how it differs from "classical" category theory which underpins traditional approaches to soil mapping. A novel prototype-based fuzzy soil mapping method is then presented. The advantages of this new method are illustrated and evaluated through a case study.

It has been contended that better understanding of how human beings acquire, organize, and process domain knowledge eases the difficulties in acquiring knowledge from domain experts in the development of knowledgebased systems.

Especially for soil classification, it has long been suggested that it would be possible and desirable to connect the design of knowledge-based classification systems with cognitive theories.

This paper presents an approach to obtaining and representing knowledge on soil-landscape relationships based on cognitive theories on human categorization, specifically, the prototype category theory.


The use of Helper Threads to reduce the latency of highcost instructions has been thoroughly studied [7] , [24] , [34] . This research borrows some high-level concepts from that body of work to create the p-slices for thread live-ins. However, the need of Mitosis to precompute a set of values accurately (as opposed to a single load address or branch result), as well as an increased cost of misspeculation, requires significantly more careful creation of slices, and the inclusion of a more accurate control flow in the slice (previous work on helper threads typically followed only a single control flow path in a slice) makes it quite different from other models.

The use of Helper Threads to reduce the latency of highcost instructions has been thoroughly studied.


Finally, Zilles and Sohi present a different scheme to exploit speculative TLP by means of distilled programs [35] . A distilled program executes a small subset of the instructions of a given program to compute the input values of all speculative threads. In that execution model, the distilled program runs as a master thread. When all the input values for a speculative thread are computed, it is spawned on an idle context, whereas the master starts computing new input values for the next thread. The Mitosis execution model differs from that previous work in the fact that the computation of the thread live-in values are done by the speculative threads themselves, which allows the processor to spawn threads out of the program order and to often compute the live-ins for many speculative threads in parallel.

Finally, Zilles and Sohi present a different scheme to exploit speculative TLP by means of distilled programs.


Several countries around the world are enforcing more stringent regulations regarding the disposal of landfill leachate [5] . Jordan is a Middle-Eastern country that relies exclusively on landfilling. Currently, there are 21 operating landfills in Jordan generating large amounts of leachate, unfortunately, with insufficient enforcement of leachate disposal regulations, although the country is very scarce in water supply. One reason is the lack of comprehensive information on leachate characteristics and their threat on the water resources in this arid area. Therefore, understanding and monitoring the composition and quantity of landfill leachates are essential in selecting a satisfactory treatment method for pollutants removal and protecting possible groundwater from contamination [6] . In general, the goal of leachate treatment is to reduce the concentration of pollutants or to stabilize them in order to comply with regulations and standards of discharge into the environment. Alternatively, leachates can be upgraded to levels treatable by conventional municipal wastewater treatment facilities.

Several countries around the world are enforcing more stringent regulations regarding the disposal of landfill leachate.

Therefore, understanding and monitoring the composition and quantity of landfill leachates are essential in selecting a satisfactory treatment method for pollutants removal and protecting possible groundwater from contamination.


Sensitivity of the neural network to CO pollution was obtained in four European countries: Belgium (30.89), Finland (10.85), Portugal (47.57) and UK (163.69). During coal combustion, as a result of oxidation, CO 2 and CO gases are emitted. They lead to harmful environmental effects in the form of global warming and GHG emissions and are also correlated directly and indirectly with many health problems, including , cardiovascular diseases and asthma (Munawer 2018) . At a cellular level, the CO combines with blood haemoglobin reducing its efficiency and lowering its capacity to transform O 2 (Badman and Jaffé 1996) .

They lead to harmful environmental effects in the form of global warming and GHG emissions and are also correlated directly and indirectly with many health problems, including , cardiovascular diseases and asthma.

At a cellular level, the CO combines with blood haemoglobin reducing its efficiency and lowering its capacity to transform O 2.


Emissions of many air pollutants in Europe have decreased significantly over the last decades, which has contributed to the improvement of air quality (European Economic Area EEA). Much progress has been made in tackling air pollutants such as SO 2 , CO, lead (Pb), and benzene (C 6 H 6 ). On the other hand, road transport, industry, power plants, households and agricultural activities continue to emit significant amounts of air pollutants (Guerreiro et al. 2014) . Consequently, concentrations of air pollutants are still too high and problems with air quality persist. A significant part of the European population lives in areas where air-quality standards are constantly exceeded (Fig. 1) .

On the other hand, road transport, industry, power plants, households and agricultural activities continue to emit significant amounts of air pollutants.


The basic measure of network sensitivity is the error quotient obtained on launching the network for a set of variables without one variable and the error obtained with a full set of variables. The bigger the error after rejecting the variable in relation to the original error, the more sensitive the network is to the lack of that variable. If the error quotient is smaller than 1, then deleting the variable does not affect network sensitivity; it even improves it. The global SA for the inputs indicates that each of the variables obtained the values above 1, or rounded 1, which suggests a significant impact of each of them on the output variable. Table 4 presents the summary of the value of global SA for all countries under study and for studied pollutants. For the summarily analysed 20 countries, PM2.5 is the pollutant which, based on MLP neural network, showed the most significant impact on LE. The dominant emissions in Europe are mainly released by several countries: Germany, France, Poland, Italy, UK and Spain (Fig. 2a) . SA of the MLP 7-11-1 network showed the highest sensitivity to changes in PM emissions in relation to LE in the case of large European economies-Germany, Spain, Italy, and Poland (where PM pollutants are located on the second and third positions). The sensitivity of the designed neural network to PM pollution (both PM2.5 and PM10) in these countries is as follows: Germany PM2.5 (3082.86), Spain PM2.5 (18.31), Italy PM10 (463.74) and PM2.5 (273.82), Poland PM10 (1.95) and PM2.5 (1.48). During coal combustion millions of tons of coal fly ash (CFA) and coal dust were emitted annually to contribute to the formation of PM, and, therefore, underlying risks to LE (Chen et al. 2004; Miller et al. 2007; Munawer 2018) .

During coal combustion millions of tons of coal fly ash (CFA) and coal dust were emitted annually to contribute to the formation of PM, and, therefore, underlying risks to LE.


The impressive scalability of the Internet infrastructure is in large part due to a design philosophy that advocates a simple architecture for the core of the network, with most of the intelligence and state management implemented in the end systems [10] . The service model provided by the network substrate is therefore primarily a "best-effort" one, which implies that packets may be lost, reordered or duplicated, and end-to-end delays may be variable. Congestion and accompanying packet loss are common in heterogeneous networks like the Internet because of overload, when demand for router resources, such as bandwidth and buffer space, exceeds what is available. Thus, end systems in the Internet should incorporate mechanisms for detecting and reacting to network congestion, probing for spare capacity when the network is uncongested, as well as managing their available bandwidth effectively.

The impressive scalability of the Internet infrastructure is in large part due to a design philosophy that advocates a simple architecture for the core of the network, with most of the intelligence and state management implemented in the end systems.


The literature review in successful GSCM focuses on the major aspects such topics as supplier selection, green design, green purchasing and product quality that affect to GSCM implementation. Enterprises concern directly with suppliers and customers in making plan for solutions to reduce the environmental issues caused by products and production processes and for establishing objectives to improve environment [34] . Therefore, the main purpose of this study focuses to evaluate the major aspects GSCM performance criteria.

Enterprises concern directly with suppliers and customers in making plan for solutions to reduce the environmental issues caused by products and production processes and for establishing objectives to improve environment.


The manufacturing firm has increasingly faced the environmental protection issues that force firm to the environment in their market competition. This requires with green technical capabilities in electronic industry. Environmental management has been discussed in government and industrial supply chain. All of business activities related to green supply chain management (GSCM) have played as an important role to environmental management factors applied for the purpose of business manufacturer [16] . Scholars and practitioners explore the close relationship between supplier's product quality and environmental performance influenced the customers in global market. They also consider how to manage operational firm more efficiently in the market competition [31] . Environmental impacts occur at all stages of a product's life cycle. Hence, GSCM has emerged an important strategy for helping firms to achieve profit and market share by lowering their environmental risks and impacts while raising their efficiency [41] .

All of business activities related to green supply chain management (GSCM) have played as an important role to environmental management factors applied for the purpose of business manufacturer.

They also consider how to manage operational firm more efficiently in the market competition.

Hence, GSCM has emerged an important strategy for helping firms to achieve profit and market share by lowering their environmental risks and impacts while raising their efficiency.


In the viticulture sector, increased farm size may be the result of two mechanisms: first, the promotion of economic concentration, when the total volume of production is unchangeable, through the elimination of small-scale producers. Such a phenomenon has been observed in many other agricultural segments (Kroll, 1987) . While this mechanism worked well in viticulture, some researchers considered it insufficient. The suppression of vine planting rights will have no impact on this speed of change, at least in those zones where farm holdings are highly specialized in viticulture, because the mechanism depends on the life-cycle of farms and of the individual choices between sale of the land and grubbing-up of vines.

Such a phenomenon has been observed in many other agricultural segments.


Transthyretin (TTR) is a plasma protein composed of 127-residue subunits mainly composed of -sheet structures [1] . It is present in both human plasma and cerebrospinal �uid (CSF) with concentrations of (0.1-0.4 mg/mL) in human plasma and (0.017 mg/mL) in CSF [2] . X-ray crystal structure studies have shown that human TTR have a molecular weight of 55 kDa in a tetramer form with four identical subunits [3] .

Transthyretin (TTR) is a plasma protein composed of 127-residue subunits mainly composed of -sheet structures.

It is present in both human plasma and cerebrospinal �uid (CSF) with concentrations of (0.1-0.4 mg/mL) in human plasma and (0.017 mg/mL) in CSF.

X-ray crystal structure studies have shown that human TTR have a molecular weight of 55 kDa in a tetramer form with four identical subunits.


Cross-modal generalization. An equivalence class should function as a network that occasions the transfer of new responses among class members or the generalization of equivalence-based responding to other stimuli (Barnes, Browne, Smeets, & Roche, 1995; Fields, Reeve , Adams, Brown , & Verhave , 1997; Sidman , 1994) . The cross-modal general ization tests provided one such assessment in the current experiment. Two subjects were exposed to the visual equivalence probes and showed immediate and complete cross-modal generalization from tactual-to-visual stimuli; that is, the visual stimulus that corresponded to a particular tactual stimulus (C) immediately occasioned the selection of the visual stimulus that corresponded to the particular tactual stimulus (A). Th is occurred in the absence of training even though the subjects had never before seen the visual A and C stimuli. These class-consistent test performances could have occurred only if each set of tactual stimuli functioned as a separate equivalence class, and subjects also had a previously established generalized repertoire of responding in like manner to visual stimuli that corresponded to tactual stimuli.

Cross-modal generalization.

An equivalence class should function as a network that occasions the transfer of new responses among class members or the generalization of equivalence-based responding to other stimuli.


Interobserver agreement. Videotapes were made of the experimental sessions conducted with Subjects SBdb, SMdb, KMhs, BGhs, and BBhs. The tapes were evaluated independently by two observers to assess the accuracy with which the experimenter recorded stimulus presentations, subject responses, and reinforcer presentations. Data were scored for one block of trials for each training and testing condition. Agreements occurred when both observers recorded identical comparison selections. Interobserver agreement was measured by dividing the number of agreements by the sum of the agreements and disagreements and multiplying that fraction by 100 (Kazdin, 1982) . The interobserver agreement across subjects and relations ranged from 99-100%.

Interobserver agreement.

Interobserver agreement was measured by dividing the number of agreements by the sum of the agreements and disagreements and multiplying that fraction by 100.


These results have some potentially important implications for the establishment of communicational skills by individuals with sensory impairments. Communicating with an individual who is deaf and blind requires the use of tactual symbols that represent objects and events. Two common systems that are used for such communication are Braille and tactual sign language. For Braille symbols and tactual signs to be effective modes of communication, they must become interchangeable with each other and with the objects represented by them: They must become equivalent. When traditional methods of instruction are used, however, some people who are deaf and blind have difficulty in forming such object-symbol and symbol-symbol relations (Godfrey & Costello, 1995; Goodall & Everson, 1995) . The results of the current experiment suggest that equivalence class procedures might be a reliable method of establishing the interchangeability of Braille symbols, tactual signs, and the objects they represent. This, in turn, should facilitate the establishment of communication skills of individuals with sensory deficits such as deafness and blindness (Barnes et aL , 1990; Godfrey & Costello, 1995; Goodall & Everson, 1995; Hollis et aL , 1986; Osborne & Gatch, 1989) .

When traditional methods of instruction are used, however, some people who are deaf and blind have difficulty in forming such object-symbol and symbol-symbol relations.

This, in turn, should facilitate the establishment of communication skills of individuals with sensory deficits such as deafness and blindness.


Communication by individuals who are deaf and blind. There are a few demonstrations of equivalence class formation by individuals with one sensory impai rment (deafness) (Barnes, McCullagh, & Keenan, 1990; Hollis, Fulton, & Larson, 1986; Osborne & Gatch, 1989) . The results of the current experiment show the formation of equivalence classes by individuals with two severe sensory impairments: deafness and blindness. These results suggest that extent of sensory impairment is not an impediment to the formation of equivalence classes in other sensory modalities.

There are a few demonstrations of equivalence class formation by individuals with one sensory impai rment (deafness).


Parapatry is a biogeographical pattern in which two species have separate, but contiguous distributions without physical barriers between them, and they only co-occur -if at all -in a narrow contact zone. This is a common distribution pattern in closely related species and in species with a weak phylogenetic relationship, but with a high level of ecological similarity (Bull, 1991) . As parapatry is considered as an opposite state to coexistence, most explanations of parapatric distributions assume negative interactions as the cause of interspecific exclusion along geographical gradients; as a result, the species with the highest persistence potential displaces the other (Bull & Possingham, 1995 and references therein) .

This is a common distribution pattern in closely related species and in species with a weak phylogenetic relationship, but with a high level of ecological similarity.


The need for drug delivery in uncooperative patients favors the use of intramuscular preparations. Intramuscular treatment options include BDZ, FGA, and SGA. Each of these medications offers a unique pharmacological profile that must be considered when treating agitated patients, who may be unwilling or unable to adequately communicate their medical status and concomitant medications (Zimbroff, 2008) .

Each of these medications offers a unique pharmacological profile that must be considered when treating agitated patients, who may be unwilling or unable to adequately communicate their medical status and concomitant medications.


Contrary to recently emerged microfabricated tools, dielectrophoresis (DEP) is an old and well-established phenomenon, which is applied to biology in the 1950s [4] . As a method, DEP has the capability of quantifying intrinsic properties of cells in a label-free manner [5] . Therefore, DEPisolated or DEP-characterized cells are both genetically and phenotypically preserved and reliably eligible to be used for downstream assays [6] . Precise, low-volume liquid handling features of microfluidics have been incorporated with sensitive and specific DEP manipulation techniques; as a consequence, DEP methods have again become one of the powerful methods for biological and clinical applications [7, 8] .

Contrary to recently emerged microfabricated tools, dielectrophoresis (DEP) is an old and well-established phenomenon, which is applied to biology in the 1950s.

As a method, DEP has the capability of quantifying intrinsic properties of cells in a label-free manner.

Therefore, DEPisolated or DEP-characterized cells are both genetically and phenotypically preserved and reliably eligible to be used for downstream assays.

Precise, low-volume liquid handling features of microfluidics have been incorporated with sensitive and specific DEP manipulation techniques; as a consequence, DEP methods have again become one of the powerful methods for biological and clinical applications.


Fluorescent-activated cell sorters (FACS) or magneticactivated cell sorters (MACS) are very much used highthroughput techniques today [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] . Both FACS and MACS use antibodies against a particular protein that might cause some phenotypic changes for the cells with metastable phenotypes such as drug-tolerant cells, persisters [6] . Moreover, other microfluidic-based cell sorting technologies still require optimization for cell recovery, throughput, and user-friendliness to move from bench side to diagnostics.

Fluorescent-activated cell sorters (FACS) or magneticactivated cell sorters (MACS) are very much used highthroughput techniques today.

Both FACS and MACS use antibodies against a particular protein that might cause some phenotypic changes for the cells with metastable phenotypes such as drug-tolerant cells, persisters.