Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), a member of the cucurbitaceae family, is one of the most important economic vegetables in the world and is classified as salt-sensitive (Stepien and Klobus 2006) . It is grown in many countries throughout the world, with China being the main producer at 54.3 million tons (http://faostat.fao.org/). Cucumber is consumed as a fresh vegetable, pickled or cooked, and is also utilized in a variety of cosmetics preparations and applications.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), a member of the cucurbitaceae family, is one of the most important economic vegetables in the world and is classified as salt-sensitive.


Optical modulation is an essential operation in photonics, which has been widely used in all kinds of optical sensing and optical communication systems [1] . With the rapid development of information technologies, in order to achieve fiber to the home, hand-held devices and other large-scale distributed projects and meet the demand of environment monitoring and biosensing, optical devices (such as modulator, attenuator, filters and laser) with high efficiency, low cost and high-performance optical interconnects are needed [3] - [6] . Now most of the optical modulators are realized generally based on electro-optic effects, thermo-optic effects, or elastic-optic effects and driven with electrical signal, are too big or too complex for optical system integration [7] , [8] . The nonlinear coefficients of conventional communication optical fiber material are relatively small, so high-power pump lasers are required to realize effective phase modulation. For example, phase modulation based on Kerr effect requires power level of watt and fiber length of thousands of meters to realize π phase modulation (ϕ max = χP 0 L ef f , the working wavelength is 1550 nm, χ = 2 W −1 /Km [9] ). To meet the requirements of high-speed all-optical integrated systems, special waveguide structures should be designed to enhance the optical confinement and the interaction between light and waveguide materials.

Optical modulation is an essential operation in photonics, which has been widely used in all kinds of optical sensing and optical communication systems.

With the rapid development of information technologies, in order to achieve fiber to the home, hand-held devices and other large-scale distributed projects and meet the demand of environment monitoring and biosensing, optical devices (such as modulator, attenuator, filters and laser) with high efficiency, low cost and high-performance optical interconnects are needed.

Now most of the optical modulators are realized generally based on electro-optic effects, thermo-optic effects, or elastic-optic effects and driven with electrical signal, are too big or too complex for optical system integration.

For example, phase modulation based on Kerr effect requires power level of watt and fiber length of thousands of meters to realize π phase modulation (ϕ max = χP 0 L ef f , the working wavelength is 1550 nm, χ = 2 W −1 /Km).


In the case of the Gaussian ensembles where V (x) = x 2 /2 and β = 1, 2, or 4 the eigenvalues of the matrices form a finite determinantal or Pfaffian point process. The Dyson flow for β = 2 can also be described as a determinantal point process with the extended Hermite kernel K(x, y), now with points in space-time. These descriptions give exact formulas for correlation functions and may be used to prove local limits. Forrester and Nagao give local point process limits at multiple times via determinantal methods for the β = 2 case [6] . Under the appropriate substitutions the extended Hermite kernel converges to the extended sine kernel. Similar results hold at the edge of the spectrum.

Forrester and Nagao give local point process limits at multiple times via determinantal methods for the β = 2 case.


There is significant existing work on Dyson's model. Rogers and Shi showed convergence to the Wigner law in the N → ∞ limit for the original quadratic potential [14] . Israelsson showed the fluctuations converged to a Gaussian process with later work by Bender giving the covariance structure [9, 2] . Other work on the fluctuations of the trace moments was done by Perez-Abreu and Tudor [12] . Later work by Unterberger extended this to the general V, β case [16] . This work done in the asymptotic setting rests heavily on convergence of the Stieltjes transform but gives little information on local interactions.

Rogers and Shi showed convergence to the Wigner law in the N → ∞ limit for the original quadratic potential.

Israelsson showed the fluctuations converged to a Gaussian process with later work by Bender giving the covariance structure.

Other work on the fluctuations of the trace moments was done by Perez-Abreu and Tudor.

Later work by Unterberger extended this to the general V, β case.


Overall, the literature supports that school bullying is still a prevalent social issue in the United States, and that peer support can be used as a protective resource to mitigate negative outcomes brought on by bullying behaviors (Kaltiala & Fröjd, 2011) . Little research has explicitly examined the relationship between peer support and depressive symptoms among bullied students. According to the buffering model, peer support may minimize the stress caused by victimization and depression by attenuating the stress appraisal response (Cohen & Wills, 1985) . The perception that peers will provide helpful resources may redefine the potential harm brought on by a bullied experience. This bolsters one's perceived ability to cope with bullied experience and therefore prevents this experience being appraised as highly stressful. As such, we hypothesized that peer support could mediate the relationship between the bullied victim and depression symptoms. Well-documented depression symptoms among bullied victims could potentially be mediated by how much peer support they have at school. In conclusion, this will help researchers better understand the mechanism of how peer support is related to the bullied victims, and also provide empirical support for the buffering effects played by peer support on the psychological wellbeing.

Overall, the literature supports that school bullying is still a prevalent social issue in the United States, and that peer support can be used as a protective resource to mitigate negative outcomes brought on by bullying behaviors.

According to the buffering model, peer support may minimize the stress caused by victimization and depression by attenuating the stress appraisal response.


This model also has a meaningful implication for prevention programs aimed at deterring school bullying. The findings of the current study underscored the importance of peer support in reducing the negative effects of bullying and other forms of school violence. Peers might possess social resources, including social support and social capital, which can be mobilized to support bullied victims (Perren & Hornung, 2005) . Schools might also benefit from instituting bullying intervention program that train bystanders with necessary skills to diminish school bullying behaviors. Such a program should help build up a social network which can dynamically prevent the bullying events and reward any classroom change to defend and support the bullied victims. Targeting the bystanders does not mean to leave bullies excluded. In fact, both community and individual interventions are also needed to effectively inhibit bullying behavior.

Peers might possess social resources, including social support and social capital, which can be mobilized to support bullied victims.


Despite the potential problems just mentioned, the present study explores the possibility of using the visual and auditory digit-span task for comparing verbal WM span between speakers of different language backgrounds. Participants were 114 non-native speakers of Dutch (native speakers of a large variety of languages) and 121 native speakers of Dutch. The study reported here is part of a research project aiming at explaining individual differences between and within native and non-native speakers of Dutch in performing a listening comprehension task in Dutch. The explanation of individual differences in listening comprehension is sought in participant characteristics such as age, level of education, non-verbal intelligence and WM capacity, and in performance on a range of verbal tasks (one of which was a Dutch vocabulary-size task) (Andringa, Olsthoorn, van Beuningen, Schoonen, & Hulstijn, 2012) . Thus, one important question in the project was which type of WM task we should best use to predict individual differences in listening comprehension. To our knowledge, the present study is the first one investigating differences between visual and auditory digit-span performance in non-native speakers in comparison to native speakers, examining the possible mediating effect of language proficiency (alternatively called language competence or language familiarity). In addition, the study allowed us to replicate an effect of between-language differences in the average length of digit names on visual digit span.

The explanation of individual differences in listening comprehension is sought in participant characteristics such as age, level of education, non-verbal intelligence and WM capacity, and in performance on a range of verbal tasks (one of which was a Dutch vocabulary-size task).


In this section, we evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of our Co-ClusterD framework in the context of two alternate minimization based co-clustering algorithms ITCC and FNMTF on several real world data sets. We compare CoClusterD to a state-of-the-art Hadoop based co-clustering framework DisCo [19] . Since DisCo does not support AMCC algorithms with sequential updates, we implement only concurrent updates in DisCo. However, in Co-ClusterD, both concurrent and sequential updates are implemented. The experiments are performed on both smallscale and large-scale clusters.

We compare CoClusterD to a state-of-the-art Hadoop based co-clustering framework DisCo.


Some aspects of TB infection control in TB centers as evaluated in this study appeared inadequate in Henan province of China. The prevalence of LTBI and TB disease among HCW was higher than observed in the national TB prevalence survey in 2000 [3] . The LTBI prevalence of 56% among medical staff was higher than the LTBI prevalence of 47% (using a cut-off point of 6 mm) in the general population group of 15 years or older from the survey in 2000. So even with a higher TST cut-off point, the estimated prevalence of LTBI amongst HCW was still higher than the prevalence in the general population group of 15 years or older in a survey conducted five years earlier. We observed a TB disease prevalence of 5.3/1000 among HCW compared to 3.0/1000 in the 15-59 year old age group in the prevalence survey. The age-and sex-stratified prevalence in the 2000 survey were applied to calculate the expected number of cases in 2005 in HCW. The calculation indicated 12 expected active TB cases but instead our study found 20 cases, which was much higher than estimated (RR = 1.67, 95%CI = 1.02-2.57). Studies elsewhere showed varying LTBI rates amongst HCW [7, 8, 20, 21, 23] . Our results from Henan province showed high LTBI rates amongst HCW similar to other studies in low and middle income countries and compared well with an average LTBI prevalence of 54% among HCW [8] . The prevalence of LTBI among HCW in high-income countries was generally lower [24, 25] .

The prevalence of LTBI and TB disease among HCW was higher than observed in the national TB prevalence survey in 2000.

Studies elsewhere showed varying LTBI rates amongst HCW.

Our results from Henan province showed high LTBI rates amongst HCW similar to other studies in low and middle income countries and compared well with an average LTBI prevalence of 54% among HCW.

The prevalence of LTBI among HCW in high-income countries was generally lower.


The major findings of this study are: 1. WML predicted frontal cortical volume, particularly the medial orbitofrontal cortical volume among all groups after controlling TIV, age, gender, years of education, and the presence of lacune; 2. WML predicted depressive symptom severity directly and this relationship was not mediated by regional frontal cortical volume; 3. The relationship between WML and cognitive function was indirect and mediated by regional frontal cortex. These findings confirm the previous result from this collaborative project reporting that WML are related to depression and gray matter volume is related to cognition [11] . Our study has important implications for understanding the potential mechanisms underlying these dissociations. Each of these findings will be discussed below.

These findings confirm the previous result from this collaborative project reporting that WML are related to depression and gray matter volume is related to cognition.


Helmets, which include military helmets, motorcycle helmets, sport helmets, emergency service helmets and more, can protect the wearers from head injuries. Significant research work has been done on numerical simulations of mainly motorcycle helmets [25] , [14] , [22] , [18. There is an important difference between the impacts to motorcycle helmets and ballistic helmets: the former one is usually relative low velocity and high masses while the later is high velocity and low masses. A ballistic helmet is able to stop handgun bullets and rifle bullets in some cases. However, the shell of the helmet is still deformed and this deformation can cause a contact between the inside of the helmet and the head. This contact may cause head tissue injury and is known as "Rear Effect" [7] , [16. Fig. 1 shows the deformations on the exterior and interior surface of a steel helmet.

Significant research work has been done on numerical simulations of mainly motorcycle helmets,,, [18.

This contact may cause head tissue injury and is known as "Rear Effect", [16.


With the increasing depletion of fossil energy and the growing pressure on the environment improvement, the world is facing the strategic adjustment of energy structure, to seek a feasible way of transition from traditional energy to renewable energy. However, wind energy, solar energy and other renewable energy power generation is intermittent and random, thus the integration of large-scale renewable energy power will pose new challenges to the safe and stable operation of power grid. In addition, as the maldistribution of energy resources and load centers, the transmission of largescale long-distance power and interconnection of regional AC grid is needed in order to achieve a wide-area assumption of renewable energy and an optimal allocation of energy resources. DC grid technology is one of the most effective methods to solve the above problems [1] . Moreover, VSC-HVDC technology is a preferred technical choice for constructing DC grid due to the advantage of bidirectional power flow, no commutation failure, and active/ reactive power fast decoupled control [2] .

DC grid technology is one of the most effective methods to solve the above problems.

Moreover, VSC-HVDC technology is a preferred technical choice for constructing DC grid due to the advantage of bidirectional power flow, no commutation failure, and active/ reactive power fast decoupled control.


Even though VSC based DC grid has several advantages, there are several technical challenges that need to be addressed. In particular the protection of a DC grid in the event of a DC fault including the fault location and its isolation [3] [4] [5] . The protection system has to be designed in such a way that it can act fast, e.g. within few milliseconds, as the rate of rise of DC fault current is very high due to the low impedance of the DC grid. An effective protection method needs to detect the fault and its location and isolate the faulty line in a selective manner allowing fast restoration of normal system operation following a DC fault [6] [7] .

In particular the protection of a DC grid in the event of a DC fault including the fault location and its isolation.

An effective protection method needs to detect the fault and its location and isolate the faulty line in a selective manner allowing fast restoration of normal system operation following a DC fault.


We also found a peroxidase isoform induced by G. deserticola on day 0, but it disappeared 1 week later. The role of peroxidases in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis remains unclear (Lambais et al., 2003) . However, it is known that they catalyse the oxidative polymerization of phenylpropanols to produce lignin and the cross-linking of cell wall proteins, contributing to enhanced cell wall reinforcement during fungal penetration, and might also be involved in scavenging H 2 O 2 (Mittler, 2002) . Transient induction in peroxidase activities followed by suppression has also been observed in roots from mycorrhizal leek and maize (Spanu and Bonfante-Fasolo, 1988; Fries et al., 1996) . The fact that high phosphorus (P) levels can attenuate the suppression of specific peroxidase activities in mycorrhizal roots suggests that P nutrition is crucial for the control of peroxidase expression (Lambais et al., 2003) . In our study, pepper plants were grown under moderate P nutrition.

The role of peroxidases in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis remains unclear.

However, it is known that they catalyse the oxidative polymerization of phenylpropanols to produce lignin and the cross-linking of cell wall proteins, contributing to enhanced cell wall reinforcement during fungal penetration, and might also be involved in scavenging H 2 O 2.

Transient induction in peroxidase activities followed by suppression has also been observed in roots from mycorrhizal leek and maize.

The fact that high phosphorus (P) levels can attenuate the suppression of specific peroxidase activities in mycorrhizal roots suggests that P nutrition is crucial for the control of peroxidase expression.


Password managers aim to provide a way out of this dire scenario. A secure password manager could automatically generate and fill-in passwords on websites, freeing users from the cognitive burden of remembering them. Additionally, since password managers automatically fill in passwords based on the current location of the page, they also provide some protection against phishing attacks. Add cloud-based synchronization across de-vices, and password managers promise tremendous security and usability benefits at minimal deployability costs [10] .

Add cloud-based synchronization across de-vices, and password managers promise tremendous security and usability benefits at minimal deployability costs.


We have also investigated the effect of the substrate on which BP flakes are exfoliated on the degradation. Figure 2 shows the topography and near-field amplitude of two BP flakes (thickness 8 and 30 nm) exfoliated on Si and SiO 2 substrates and both covered by 1.6 nm BN. These images show that both the 8 and 30 nm thick flakes exfoliated on Si wafer show larger degraded area in a similar duration to those exfoliated on SiO 2 . When the height of the tallest degradation 'bubble' on thicker flakes of these two samples are compared, it shows that the bubble height of the flake on SiO 2 is ∼50% smaller than that of the flake on the Si substrate. Both the area coverage and the volume of the degraded bubbles suggest that BP exfoliated on SiO 2 substrate degrades at a slower rate. These results further suggest that it is important to select not only coating material but also the substrate on which to exfoliate/grow BP to reduce degradation [10] . We also note the near-field contrast of BP on Si substrate is larger than that on SiO 2 due to the larger permittivity of Si (ε Si >ε BP > ε SiO2 ).

These results further suggest that it is important to select not only coating material but also the substrate on which to exfoliate/grow BP to reduce degradation.


In figure 3 we show in blue circles the degradation area percentage as function of time extracted from the experiments for each of the six flakes described in figure 1 and discussion thereof. The red lines in figure 2 show the fitting result of percent degradation of each flake, based on our theoretical model [22] . Of all the samples studied, both 8 and 30 nm thick BP flakes exfoliated on Si wafer and coated only with BN layer are the samples with highest rate of degradation. As shown in figures 2(a) and (d), for these samples the model that considers inclusion of influence of the neighboring elements on the degradation (case i) agrees well with the experimental data. However, for the flakes with slower degradation, fitting significantly failed to represent the experimental results when neighbor influence is considered in calculations. Surprisingly, when the neighbor influence is excluded in calculations the model fitted the experimental data in a very good agreement as shown in figures 2(b), (c) and (e) resulting in an almostlinear relationship between degradation area percentage and time. This behavior suggests that the neighbor influence on degradation of a given site is significantly suppressed in the SiO 2 /BP/BN and SiO 2 /BP/BN/Al 2 O 3 samples. Moreover, according to the topography and near-field amplitude images shown in figure 1(f) , and degradation % versus time in figure 2(f) , the 30 nm flake on SiO 2 coated with BN and Al 2 O 3 shows significantly protected from degradation. We also note thickness dependent degradation of BP has been explained recently by the decrease in bandgap with increasing layer thickness that leads to decrease in oxygen acceptance rate [17] .

The red lines in figure 2 show the fitting result of percent degradation of each flake, based on our theoretical model.

We also note thickness dependent degradation of BP has been explained recently by the decrease in bandgap with increasing layer thickness that leads to decrease in oxygen acceptance rate.


Actual data as well as serious forecasts on the decreasing avail ability of fossil resources and the increasing pollution in the future, state on the necessity of more sustainable policies in the different fields of energy, agriculture, industry and services [1] . Biomass, if managed in a sustainable way, represents a renewable energy resource. Woody biomass was used since mankind domesticated fire for various applications such as heating and cooking. Nowa days, these applications remain the major ones for energy recovery from biomass by combustion, especially in the poor countries.

Actual data as well as serious forecasts on the decreasing avail ability of fossil resources and the increasing pollution in the future, state on the necessity of more sustainable policies in the different fields of energy, agriculture, industry and services.


Pyrolysis is another thermochemical way to convert biomass into liquid bio oil, gas and solid char. The biomass pyrolysis reac tion is performed in the absence of oxygen and in a typical temper ature range of 450 600°C. The proportions of gas, solid and liquids highly depend on the pyrolysis process operating conditions [2] . The choice of the technology is conditioned by the nature of the most desired pyrolysis product at the reactor downstream. For instance, fast pyrolysis performed at temperatures of 400 600°C and at high heating rates, allows maximizing the bio oil yield. Bio oil has nearly the same calorific value as the initial wood; it is more easily transportable and has a higher energy density (energy per cubic meter) than the raw biomass. Nevertheless, it presents some drawbacks related to its acidic nature, high oxygen and water contents causing problems for storage and combustion [3] .

The proportions of gas, solid and liquids highly depend on the pyrolysis process operating conditions.

Nevertheless, it presents some drawbacks related to its acidic nature, high oxygen and water contents causing problems for storage and combustion.


As an important foundation for the national economy industries, emergency communication is directly related to the smooth communication when the accident occurs, affecting the timely delivery of important information and the favoring progress of the emergency communication guarantee. However, the classification of emergency communication level is significant prerequisite for emergency communication guarantee [1] . However, the quantitative research on classification of emergency communication level is poor in China; the division of response levels in emergency communication support plan is based on the degree of influence on communication infrastructure caused by accident. So, the division of response levels in emergency communication support plan is not fit for the accident with different types and classes and need to build a set of new emergency communication classification criteria based on nature and extent of accident.

However, the classification of emergency communication level is significant prerequisite for emergency communication guarantee.


In evaluation research, retrospective measurement is obviously easier and more economical than serial measurement. Despite the apparent advantages of retrospective measurement of change in HRFS, there is a suspicion that global or transition questions are biased due to recall problems or present-state effects at follow-up. It is assumed that prospective or serial change assessed by repeated measurement is superior and that the use of retrospective assessment of change in HFRS with global or transition questions is definitely not advisable [1] .

It is assumed that prospective or serial change assessed by repeated measurement is superior and that the use of retrospective assessment of change in HFRS with global or transition questions is definitely not advisable.


In many applications, it is of interest to test a large number of hypotheses simultaneously. For instance, in the context of a study in which tens of thousands of gene expression levels are measured in two groups of patients, one goal is to identify a subset of genes for which we can reject the null hypothesis of no mean difference between the groups [3] . A more ambitious goal is to estimate the effect sizes for the non-null features [11] . Investigators often perform follow-up studies on the features with the largest estimated effect sizes. Accurate effect size estimates are needed in order to ensure that follow-up studies are sufficiently powered, and to ensure that follow-up studies are performed only on hypotheses for which the effect size is large enough to be of practical interest.

For instance, in the context of a study in which tens of thousands of gene expression levels are measured in two groups of patients, one goal is to identify a subset of genes for which we can reject the null hypothesis of no mean difference between the groups.

A more ambitious goal is to estimate the effect sizes for the non-null features.


For training data, we used newspaper text from the TwNC (Twente Newspaper) corpus (Ordelman et al., 2007) . We used Volkskrant 2001, NRC 2000, Algemeen Dagblad 1999. In addition, we used Volkskrant 1997 newspaper data extracted from the Volkskrant 1997 CDROM.

For training data, we used newspaper text from the TwNC (Twente Newspaper) corpus.


In 2012 an analysis was performed using 4 different types of construction in two different locations. TRNSYS was used in order to model and simulate the buildings with different thermal loads. The results show that these systems are more cost effective when there is a greater solar availability and are applied in buildings with higher energy demands [5] .

The results show that these systems are more cost effective when there is a greater solar availability and are applied in buildings with higher energy demands.


The primary goal of this work is to devise an efficient and flexible methodology focused on addressing uncertainty in vehicle dynamics simulation; we will use icy road conditions as our inherently stochastic enviroment for testing and evaluation of our methodology. To this end, Gaussian processes are proposed to produce continuous high-fidelity models of icy terrain from a discrete set of known friction values (attained from satellite imagery, ground sensors, or information estimated by other vehicles [8, 9] ). A vehicle model is simulated on the constructed terrain to a) quantify the effect of ice patches on a vehicle's trajectory (compared to the deterministic case) and b) to quantify the escalated risk of spin-out and over-steer. The proposed methodology is demonstrated in conjunction with two simulation environments. The first one draws on the MATLAB package, which is used to implement a simplified bicycle model, and the second one is the MSC.ADAMS/Car commercial software package, widely used in industry for vehicle dynamics simulation [10] .

To this end, Gaussian processes are proposed to produce continuous high-fidelity models of icy terrain from a discrete set of known friction values (attained from satellite imagery, ground sensors, or information estimated by other vehicles).

The first one draws on the MATLAB package, which is used to implement a simplified bicycle model, and the second one is the MSC.ADAMS/Car commercial software package, widely used in industry for vehicle dynamics simulation.


Inflammation in brain disorders is characterized by activation of glial cells (mainly microglia and astrocytes) further expressing key inflammatory mediators as well as neurotoxic free radicals. Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system which show increased inflammatory activity (i.e. neuroinflammation) by infections, cerebral ischemia, traumatic brain injury, or neuronal/parenchyma damage [1] . Activation of microglia and subsequent release of pro-inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, progressively increase during normal aging and are also commonly present in neurodegenerative diseases [2] .

Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system which show increased inflammatory activity (i.e. neuroinflammation) by infections, cerebral ischemia, traumatic brain injury, or neuronal/parenchyma damage.

Activation of microglia and subsequent release of pro-inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, progressively increase during normal aging and are also commonly present in neurodegenerative diseases.


Activation of microglia and the subsequent release of inflammatory cytokines and toxic free radicals are the hallmarks of neuroinflammation observed in several neurodegenerative diseases [1, 2] . Microglial activation in response to LPS is well documented and it generates numerous proand anti-inflammatory mediators [11, 12] . Recent studies have shown that anti-oxidant and antiinflammatory agents may suppress microglial activation and thus protect neuronal cell death [13, 14] . H. cordata, a traditional plant is used as folk medicine for treating several diseases including allergic inflammation and anaphylaxis [4] [5] [6] . However, not much is known about the antineuroinflammatory activities of H. cordata extract in activated BV-2 microglial cells in vitro . The results of this study show that HC-EA extract suppressed the inflammatory mediators such as NO, iNOS and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells and exhibited strong anti-oxidant effects.

Activation of microglia and the subsequent release of inflammatory cytokines and toxic free radicals are the hallmarks of neuroinflammation observed in several neurodegenerative diseases.

Microglial activation in response to LPS is well documented and it generates numerous proand anti-inflammatory mediators.

Recent studies have shown that anti-oxidant and antiinflammatory agents may suppress microglial activation and thus protect neuronal cell death.

H. cordata, a traditional plant is used as folk medicine for treating several diseases including allergic inflammation and anaphylaxis.


The Internet is a new, fast-developing media in China, and the population of users under 35 years of age has dramatically increased during the last several years (1.9 million in 1999 to 65 million in 2004 nationwide) [30] . This may be the cause of greater amounts of and earlier exposure to pornographic websites in lower-grade students. Our study also revealed that about half of our respondents in both genders had used the Internet to meet a girl/boy friend. Previous reports have shown that the use of the Internet for partner seeking and exposure to pornographic media are associated with risky sexual behaviors that lead to STD/HIV infection [28, [31] [32] [33] . Careful monitoring will be needed in China regarding the possible future impact of the Internet and pornographic media on the sexual attitudes and behaviors of young people.

The Internet is a new, fast-developing media in China, and the population of users under 35 years of age has dramatically increased during the last several years (1.9 million in 1999 to 65 million in 2004 nationwide).

Previous reports have shown that the use of the Internet for partner seeking and exposure to pornographic media are associated with risky sexual behaviors that lead to STD/HIV infection.


The formation of these sticky deposits is a function of the proportion of lactose that is present in a crystalline rather than an amorphous phase, which in turn depends upon the glass transition temperature of the powder, relative to the dryer operating temperature. In turn, this glass transition temperature is related to the level of lactic acid present in the feed [5] . For example, the temperature of sticking increases from ~70°C to ~95°C, when the mass ratio of lactic acid to lactose decreases from ~0.2 g LA/g LT in acid whey to ~0.04 g LA/g LT in sweet whey powder [5] .

In turn, this glass transition temperature is related to the level of lactic acid present in the feed.

For example, the temperature of sticking increases from ~70°C to ~95°C, when the mass ratio of lactic acid to lactose decreases from ~0.2 g LA/g LT in acid whey to ~0.04 g LA/g LT in sweet whey powder.


The sBNs were obtained by prudent use of BNs in conjunction with CoNs. The main contribution of this paper is to show evidence to support the claim that sBNs can help make inferences about colonization order. In some niche environments, research has shown that microbes colonize the niche in specific orders, with early colonizers often recruiting late colonizers or creating conditions that make it more attractive for specific late colonizers [46] . We have observed that with high accuracy, the edges of sBNs are consistent with known colonization orders. In particular, we show that the sBNs can capture colonization order when augmented with the correlation coefficient. The findings were validated by analyzing oral, infant gut, and vaginal microbiome data sets, where prior published information on colonization order was available. The colonization order was also retained in our experiments with the semisynthetic data sets as well.

In some niche environments, research has shown that microbes colonize the niche in specific orders, with early colonizers often recruiting late colonizers or creating conditions that make it more attractive for specific late colonizers.


The sBNs generated from the data sets mentioned above were visualized with Cytoscape. In all the sBNs generated (Figs. 2-5 and Supplementary Figs. 6-11 ), nodes correspond to bacterial taxa, node sizes are proportional to the average abundance of the taxa, thickness of the edges are proportional to the absolute value of Pearson correlation coefficient (i.e., measure of cooccurrence), and opacity of an edge is proportional to its bootstrap values. Edges are colored green and red for positive and negative correlations, respectively. The purple and red node colors correspond to the bacterial taxa that are described as early and late colonizers (in published literature), respectively [47] [48] [49] . The black nodes indicate colonizers whose order has not been described previously. We note (data not shown) that while there are many strongly connected clusters in CoNs, these nodes remain connected in sBNs (as expected), but relatively sparsely because of the stringent conditional probability tests.

The purple and red node colors correspond to the bacterial taxa that are described as early and late colonizers (in published literature), respectively.


Nowadays, a revolution of the world energy system is taking place to a low carbon, green, and sustainable one [1] . It introduces new network topologies, the new components, and new design and operation strategies [2] . The wind turbines (WTs), photovoltaic (PV), biomass, tidal power, and hydro are the most important sources in renewable energy resources (RESs) to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and provide clean energy for sustainable development [3] . Due to the fast development of such RESs, the large-scale RESs have been widely integrated into power distribution systems [4] . However, the volatile and intermittent nature of WT and PV sources may cause serious problems regarding stability and reliability [5] . As the next generation of power grids, the smart power grids require an intelligent strategy to integrate a large number of RESs into a utility grid as a microgrid for reducing system uncertainties and improving performance [6] .

Nowadays, a revolution of the world energy system is taking place to a low carbon, green, and sustainable one.

It introduces new network topologies, the new components, and new design and operation strategies.

The wind turbines (WTs), photovoltaic (PV), biomass, tidal power, and hydro are the most important sources in renewable energy resources (RESs) to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and provide clean energy for sustainable development.

Due to the fast development of such RESs, the large-scale RESs have been widely integrated into power distribution systems.

However, the volatile and intermittent nature of WT and PV sources may cause serious problems regarding stability and reliability.

As the next generation of power grids, the smart power grids require an intelligent strategy to integrate a large number of RESs into a utility grid as a microgrid for reducing system uncertainties and improving performance.


It is already recognized for magnesium alloys to result a strong crystallographic anisotropy and texture, because of the limited number of active slip systems and then operations of twinning systems in hexagonal close packed lattice structure [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . It is well known that the main deformation systems for hcp-structured magnesium alloys at room temperature are both {0001} <11-20> basal slip and {10-12} twinning. Also, extruded magnesium alloy has a strong fiber texture with {0001} basal plane aligned parallel to the extrusion direction. To evaluate fatigue properties of the wrought magnesium alloys, problem encountered is the strong anisotropy of mechanical properties, which is caused by both the crystallographic nature and the mechanical processing. It is important that both cyclic slip deformation and twinning are taken into account to discuss the mechanism of crack initiation and propagation in high cycle fatigue. But, knowledge of the influence of twinning on fatigue behavior is still lacking.

It is already recognized for magnesium alloys to result a strong crystallographic anisotropy and texture, because of the limited number of active slip systems and then operations of twinning systems in hexagonal close packed lattice structure.


Hoare introduced the axiom {P [e/x]} x := e {P } for reasoning about simple assignments in his seminal paper [6] . A semantical variant would be {P [σ{x := e}/σ]} x := e {P }, where σ{x := e} denotes the state that results from σ by assigning σ(e) to x. Here, the occurrence of σ shows the employed representation of the state, and state updates like σ{x := e} reveal the encoding of the semantics. In the original approach, assertions have the same abstraction level as the programming language and hide all these details.

Hoare introduced the axiom {P [e/x]} x := e {P } for reasoning about simple assignments in his seminal paper.


Estimates based on DSM-IV criteria show a lifetime prevalence of ODD of 11.3 % [3] . Onset of symptoms is typically in the preschool years with an average age of onset of 4 years of age and rarely after early adolescence [1••, 3] . It is more prevalent in males than in females (1:1.4) prior to adolescence. Early onset of ODD results in slow recovery, although up to 70 % of childhood cases do resolve by adulthood. ODD is associated with later development of secondary psychiatric disorders including mood disorders, impulse control disorders, and drug abuse. Lifetime comorbidity of other mental disorders in those with ODD has been estimated at 92.4 % [3] . Oppositional behaviors at 4-7 years also predict conduct problems at 8-13 years [4] . ODD is the most common psychiatric comorbidity in children with ADHD, seen in up to 60 % of these children [5] .

Estimates based on DSM-IV criteria show a lifetime prevalence of ODD of 11.3 %.

Lifetime comorbidity of other mental disorders in those with ODD has been estimated at 92.4 %.

Oppositional behaviors at 4-7 years also predict conduct problems at 8-13 years.

ODD is the most common psychiatric comorbidity in children with ADHD, seen in up to 60 % of these children.


Treatment of ODD should be focused on non-pharmacologic approaches as psychopharmacology is relatively ineffective for the core symptoms of ODD. Pharmacologic management should be viewed as adjunctive for the treatment of comorbid ADHD [7] . Research on pharmacological treatment of ODD has often combined CD and ODD into a single group, confounding results. Study populations typically have included mostly male children. Improvement related to medication effects is only seen during the treatment period and does not persist once medications are stopped, and all medications come with the risk of side effects.

Pharmacologic management should be viewed as adjunctive for the treatment of comorbid ADHD.


ODD is a leading cause of referral for youth mental health services. While prior clinical approaches conceptualized ODD as the prodrome of CD, ODD has been determined to be its own entity and has independent associations with future mental health issues [6] . Those with defiant, argumentative, and vindictive symptoms are most at risk for developing CD. Those with angryirritable mood symptoms are most likely to go on to develop anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder [1••] .

While prior clinical approaches conceptualized ODD as the prodrome of CD, ODD has been determined to be its own entity and has independent associations with future mental health issues.


In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), ODD had been grouped with the disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs) that included Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and CD [2] . Changes from the DSM-IV criteria in the new DSM-5 include removal of the exclusion criteria for CD and guidance on frequency of symptoms to reflect developmental expectations. Description of the core behaviors is unchanged. All research presented in this article is based on the DSM-IV criteria.

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), ODD had been grouped with the disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs) that included Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and CD.


Psychosocial dysfunction has been implicated in the development of ODD. It is associated with harsh, inconsistent, or neglectful parenting practices, and is also seen more frequently in children who have had their child care disrupted by a succession of different caregivers [1••, 5] . There is also evidence that neurobiological factors increase the risk of developing a DBD. Markers associated with ODD include lower heart rate and skin conductance reactivity, reduced basal ganglia reactivity, and abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala [6] .

Markers associated with ODD include lower heart rate and skin conductance reactivity, reduced basal ganglia reactivity, and abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala.


Follow up guidelines following resection of GIST are yet to be defined for low risk, intermediate risk and high risk GIST. According to National Comprehensive Cancer Network practice guidelines all completely resected GIST are followed in clinic with CT scan every 3-6 month for the first 5 years and then annually. Less surveillance is acceptable for low risk patients [14] .

Less surveillance is acceptable for low risk patients.


Sampling of resuspended urban particulate matter has usually been performed by simply sweeping and sieving deposited road dust (Wei et al., 2009; Han et al., 2007; Manno et al., 2006; Ho et al., 2003) . In a few studies the collected bulk samples were resuspended in the laboratory and the size-distribution of the particles was determined (Zhao et al., 2006; Chow et al., 2004) . These procedures and sample treatments were affected by the loss of fine particles owing to the difficulties of collecting all deposited material and to the electrostatic adhesion of particles to brush hairs and sieve meshes. A recent study has shown that aerosol particles can be quantitatively resuspended from road dust using a specific sampling device (Amato et al., 2009) . The objective of this study is to develop and test a mobile sampler that simulates the effect of strong winds and heavy traffic and on-line collects the resuspended PM 10 particles. Furthermore the potential of various analytical methods are evaluated in the use of the samples for source profiling of resuspended road dust in source apportionment of urban PM 10 .

Sampling of resuspended urban particulate matter has usually been performed by simply sweeping and sieving deposited road dust.

In a few studies the collected bulk samples were resuspended in the laboratory and the size-distribution of the particles was determined.

A recent study has shown that aerosol particles can be quantitatively resuspended from road dust using a specific sampling device.


Detailed source profile studies on this fraction of aerosol that can be used for receptor modeling is known (Ho et al., 2003; Vega et al., 2001; Amato et al., 2010) . The mass size distribution of primary particles of fugitive dust is poorly characterized. Scanning electron microscopic examination of PM 10 particles in Shanghai showed that most of particles were originally released from construction sites, cement plants, vehicle exhaust, coal boilers and steel mills (Li et al., 2003) . Such studies typically used the source type "paved road dust" as a collective term for all types of urban dust particles, including freshly emitted or resuspended particles, without regard to their ultimate origin (Schauer et al., 1996) .

Detailed source profile studies on this fraction of aerosol that can be used for receptor modeling is known.

Scanning electron microscopic examination of PM 10 particles in Shanghai showed that most of particles were originally released from construction sites, cement plants, vehicle exhaust, coal boilers and steel mills.

Such studies typically used the source type "paved road dust" as a collective term for all types of urban dust particles, including freshly emitted or resuspended particles, without regard to their ultimate origin.


Air pollution in cities is a very complex issue, showing strong seasonality and dependence on meteorological factors, sometimes culminating in severe and dangerous smog episodes which require intervention by local authorities. The urban particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 mm (PM 10 ) is now identified as one of the most dangerous air pollutants on human health because its size range overlaps with the range of respirable particles. Prolonged exposure to respirable urban PM 10 has been associated with adverse health effects and linked to an increased risk of respiratory illnesses (Pope, 1996) .

Prolonged exposure to respirable urban PM 10 has been associated with adverse health effects and linked to an increased risk of respiratory illnesses.


Resuspension of road dust is now an established source of urban particulate matter. Fugitive dust from paved and unpaved roads and bare grounds as well as construction and demolition works was shown to be important contributors to both PM 10 and PM 2.5 in urban aerosol (Chow & Watson, 2002) . A source apportionment study based on elemental composition of particles using Al as a tracer for crustal matter estimated a total contribution of 10% (m/m) in PM 10 and 6% in PM 2.5 in Hong Kong (Ho et al., 2003) . On the other hand, in Mexico City fugitive dust was estimated to account for as much as 54% (m/m) of PM 10 (Vega et al., 2001) . Its contribution strongly depends on local conditions, including meteorology, road surface, traffic, etc.

Fugitive dust from paved and unpaved roads and bare grounds as well as construction and demolition works was shown to be important contributors to both PM 10 and PM 2.5 in urban aerosol.

A source apportionment study based on elemental composition of particles using Al as a tracer for crustal matter estimated a total contribution of 10% (m/m) in PM 10 and 6% in PM 2.5 in Hong Kong.

On the other hand, in Mexico City fugitive dust was estimated to account for as much as 54% (m/m) of PM 10.


This possibility raises interesting concerns about carbon allocation and social justice -concerns that are likely to be exacerbated by a consideration of wider social and demographic differences between people. For example, Nussbaum discusses the economics of 'tragic choices', where many must choose between leisure time and a decent standard of living, choosing to work longer hours to support their family while knowing that family relations will suffer (Nussbaum 2011) . She considers the case of a single parent who may effectively have no choice over significant aspects of the use of her time.

For example, Nussbaum discusses the economics of 'tragic choices', where many must choose between leisure time and a decent standard of living, choosing to work longer hours to support their family while knowing that family relations will suffer.


For instance, the analysis indicates that travel infrastructure is key to lowering the carbon implications of both household work and leisure activities. Evidence from the past suggests that we have constant time budgets for travel: the amount of time we spend travelling has traditionally not changed whereas the distance we travel has vastly increased (Binswanger 2001; Hofstetter et al. 2006) . With constrained income this may change, but may also lead to impoverished lives unless there are appropriate changes to planning and infrastructure provision.

Evidence from the past suggests that we have constant time budgets for travel: the amount of time we spend travelling has traditionally not changed whereas the distance we travel has vastly increased.


Elsewhere Robert Goodin has reflected on our ability to control the use of our time, or the 'capacity to spend time' as one wishes (Goodin 2010) . He frames this discussion as a question of temporal justice. Goodin argues that there are increasing inequalities in particular over '…discretionary control over one's time'. Based on a review of six nations 10 , he argues that the type of person with the greatest capability to exercise control over discretionary time is 'almost invariably' the person in a dual -earner household with no kids (so-called DINKs). By contrast the person with the least discretionary time is often the 'lone mother'.

Elsewhere Robert Goodin has reflected on our ability to control the use of our time, or the 'capacity to spend time' as one wishes.


From the point of view of time use, the amount of time that households work is, of course, directly related to their amount of non-work time, and this has knock-on effects (although not so straightforward) for wages, prices and spending, and the output of industry (Becker 1965) . A reduction in working time may generally be expected to reduce incomes and increase non-work time. Traditional economics might say that the mix of goods and services that households choose to spend their resulting income on can be estimated using income elasticities. But this would ignore the issue of time use, as income elasticities for different goods and services are biased when the dimension of time use is omitted (Becker 1965) .

From the point of view of time use, the amount of time that households work is, of course, directly related to their amount of non-work time, and this has knock-on effects (although not so straightforward) for wages, prices and spending, and the output of industry.

But this would ignore the issue of time use, as income elasticities for different goods and services are biased when the dimension of time use is omitted.


One important external financing decision involves selecting short-or long-term borrowing. When investing in working capital, making good financing decisions are crucial because short-term and long-term borrowing have advantages and disadvantages that significantly affect profit and risk. For instance, long-term financing may be a safe strategy as it is free from refinancing uncertainties and interest rate fluctuations. Refinancing uncertainty means the lender, on unsatisfactory firm performance, may refuse to renew the loan on the maturity date. However, short-term financing takes advantage of low interest rates and favorable credit conditions when compared to long-term debt [23] . Short-term financing reduces possible agency problems between creditors, shareholders, and managers of the firm [24] . All these factors support that both short-and long-term debts should be used to finance working capital. Against this background, their best combination should be determined for maximal profit.

However, short-term financing takes advantage of low interest rates and favorable credit conditions when compared to long-term debt.

Short-term financing reduces possible agency problems between creditors, shareholders, and managers of the firm.


The literature discusses how investment in working capital influences profit [15] [16] [17] [18] . However, the financing of these investments is equally essential for profit maximization. Therefore, studies not only describe the importance of investment but explain how investments should be financed. Financing decisions play an essential role in firm performance. For instance, leverage explains the financing details of a firm and is frequently used in the literature for evaluation of firm performance [15, [19] [20] [21] [22] . A firm can have multiple sources financing working capital. These sources may be internal, including retained earnings and debt collection, or external, via short-and long-term borrowing [15] .

The literature discusses how investment in working capital influences profit.

For instance, leverage explains the financing details of a firm and is frequently used in the literature for evaluation of firm performance.

These sources may be internal, including retained earnings and debt collection, or external, via short-and long-term borrowing.


A few words about the proof and the organization of the paper. We will use a probabilistic approach to Riesz transforms, which has its roots at the works of Varopoulos and Gundy. To be more precise, we will first establish an appropriate martingale version of the inequality (1.3): this is done in Section 2. Then, in Section 3, we deduce (1.3), (1.4) and (1.5), using the stochastic representation of Riesz transforms [10] . In Section 4, we use a similar approach to deduce (1.6) and (1.7). The final part of the paper is devoted to the optimality of the constants appearing in Theorems 1.1 and 1.2.

Then, in Section 3, we deduce (1.3), (1.4) and (1.5), using the stochastic representation of Riesz transforms.


Constipation is a common disorder among children; as many as 25% of visits to pediatric gastroenterologists are for the treatment of this condition. Chronic constipation in children often doesn't have any organic cause and called functional. From 2006, ROME III Diagnostic Criteria have been defined to unify the functional constipation definitions [1] [2] [3] .

From 2006, ROME III Diagnostic Criteria have been defined to unify the functional constipation definitions.


This method of measuring educational assortative mating is a departure from most previous research. Sociological literature tends to focus on the incidence of homogamy-marriage between two people having the same number of years of education-and heterogamy-marriage in which the partners' educational attainment differs (Schwartz and Mare, 2005) . However, these measures may be changed over time by differential trends in sex-specific education distributions.

Sociological literature tends to focus on the incidence of homogamy-marriage between two people having the same number of years of education-and heterogamy-marriage in which the partners' educational attainment differs.


When estimating the carbon footprint of built concrete, the effects of concrete recycling and carbonation during the life of the second generation can make considerable offsets when estimating CO2-e. Most life cycle assessments of built concrete focus on emissions developed primarily during the manufacturing of raw materials and primary construction phases; whereas this study has shown that inclusion of recycled concrete within the second-generation construction can reduce CO2-e considerably. Crushed concrete has considerably greater exposed surface area, relative to volume, than a built concrete structure, and therefore is exposed and reacts more comprehensively with CO2. This key factor leads to significantly higher amounts of carbonation when RCA is incorporated into the construction of the second-generation structure. If carbonation is ignored, the emission estimates can be overestimated by as much as 45 per cent, depending on the strength of the concrete that was utilized for construction of the first-generation infrastructure as well as the type of construction application when incorporating RCA into a second-generation structure. A further consideration is the case where RCA is utilized as an aggregate as a component of concrete utilized in new construction. In addition to carbonation of the cement binder within the concrete, uncarbonated cement within the RCA can also be expected to react with CO2 and therefore increase the overall uptake of CO2 over the life cycle. Nevertheless, the key source of CO2 emissions relates to manufacture of Portland cement. Whilst partly substituting OPC with fly ash or slag was outside this particular study, significant reductions in emissions can be achieved (Flower and Sanjayan, 2007) . While reducing the amount of solid landfill, recycled concrete provides significant capture of airborne CO2. The effects of carbon capture by recycled concrete aggregate, when incorporated into a second-generation built infrastructure, is significant, and should be included in life cycle estimates of CO2-e for concrete structures.

Whilst partly substituting OPC with fly ash or slag was outside this particular study, significant reductions in emissions can be achieved.


ABS sorghum (ABS 188) possesses transgenes for high accumulation of beta-carotene (up to 5 μg/g from wild type 0.5 μg/g) in the endosperm and reduction of phytic acid for improved bioavailability of iron and zinc. These traits have not been previously associated with improved vegetative or reproductive success in sorghum. However, the interaction of these alleles in wild backgrounds and possible epistatic effect of the transgenes would act to reduce or enhance the fitness related traits in important sorghum weeds [13] .

However, the interaction of these alleles in wild backgrounds and possible epistatic effect of the transgenes would act to reduce or enhance the fitness related traits in important sorghum weeds.


Studies within Poaceae have shown that F 1 hybrids between round-up-ready corn with teosinte showed significantly higher vegetative vigor than that of teosinte [20] . The F 1 hybrids obtained did not exhibit a direct or negative impact of the transgene on reproductive fitness in the absence of selective pressure from glyphosate [20] . F 1 hybrids between crop sorghum and shattercane exhibited higher vegetative vigor and higher biomass production as compared to the parents [21] . However, the hybrid between shattercane × S. bicolor did not show any difference in ecological reproductive fitness with its parents [21] .

Studies within Poaceae have shown that F 1 hybrids between round-up-ready corn with teosinte showed significantly higher vegetative vigor than that of teosinte.

The F 1 hybrids obtained did not exhibit a direct or negative impact of the transgene on reproductive fitness in the absence of selective pressure from glyphosate.

F 1 hybrids between crop sorghum and shattercane exhibited higher vegetative vigor and higher biomass production as compared to the parents.

However, the hybrid between shattercane × S. bicolor did not show any difference in ecological reproductive fitness with its parents.


Sleep deficiency is a significant problem for higher education students and has serious negative consequences to their physical and emotional wellbeing and academic performance [42] . Students identified that they most often sought information from friends and families and so any campus strategies to improve student sleep should include a component to improve family and friends' sleep knowledge as well. For the most part, students already practice several sleep strategies that, employing a strengths-based approach, can be modified and adapted to reflect an evidence-based physiologically sound approach to better sleep. The next steps are to use these survey findings to inform development and testing of a campus-wide student sleep awareness and intervention strategy addressing the specific priority areas identified in this survey.

Sleep deficiency is a significant problem for higher education students and has serious negative consequences to their physical and emotional wellbeing and academic performance.


Iran as a developing country in the Middle East with about 80 million population has four main governmental social insurance companies. The coverage of insured people by these organizations is totally about 90%. These organizations have similar structure in a way that the mechanism of revenue collection in the term of premium, pooling and purchase are integrated in an organization and resource allocation and purchasing healthcare services are occurred passively through budgeting [9] . In another words, these insurers procure and purchase healthcare interventions for their insurant from both governmental providers affiliated with Ministry of Health and Medical Education and private providers with different tariffs [10] . Despite high insurance coverage in the country, insurance organizations do not have an essential role in the aggregation and management of health service resources. As there is no specific policy in the selection of interventions in resource provision of health service, providers who influence determining policies and resources, play prominent roles in choosing interventions. Continuing this situation, may lead to decrease in resources and lower quality services proceured by insurers and this faulty process will lead to the role of insurance causing a decline in the fair participation in providing financial resources for health services [8] .

These organizations have similar structure in a way that the mechanism of revenue collection in the term of premium, pooling and purchase are integrated in an organization and resource allocation and purchasing healthcare services are occurred passively through budgeting.

In another words, these insurers procure and purchase healthcare interventions for their insurant from both governmental providers affiliated with Ministry of Health and Medical Education and private providers with different tariffs.

Continuing this situation, may lead to decrease in resources and lower quality services proceured by insurers and this faulty process will lead to the role of insurance causing a decline in the fair participation in providing financial resources for health services.


The cumulative effect of long-term accommodation by a whole community which settles in a host country can, after one generation or more, result in variation and change in social practices as well as in heritage language (Kerswill, 1994) . The Turkish community in the Netherlands currently has three generations. Previous research on Turkish-Dutch language contact has documented the linguistic repertoire of this community but, so far, none of it has addressed the linguistic and social changes underfoot specifically in the third generation currently growing up.

The cumulative effect of long-term accommodation by a whole community which settles in a host country can, after one generation or more, result in variation and change in social practices as well as in heritage language.


Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) remain the principal cause of death in both developed & developing countries despite several advancements in medical interventions. Among CVD, myocardial infarction accounts for majority of deaths and disabilities [1] . Myocardial Infarction (MI) is the acute condition of necrosis of the myocardium that occurs as a result of imbalance between coronary blood supply & myocardial demand [2] . Oxidative stress produced by free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS), as evidenced by a marked increase in production of lipid peroxidative products and a transient inhibition of the endogenous antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione has been shown to underlie myocardial damage during myocardial infarction [3] . ISO, a synthetic catecholamine and ␤ adrenergic agonist is documented to produce MI in large dose due to generation of highly cytotoxic free radicals through its auto-oxidation [4] . These free radicals stimulate lipid peroxidation & cause irreversible damage to the myocardial membrane.

Among CVD, myocardial infarction accounts for majority of deaths and disabilities.

Myocardial Infarction (MI) is the acute condition of necrosis of the myocardium that occurs as a result of imbalance between coronary blood supply & myocardial demand.

Oxidative stress produced by free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS), as evidenced by a marked increase in production of lipid peroxidative products and a transient inhibition of the endogenous antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione has been shown to underlie myocardial damage during myocardial infarction.

ISO, a synthetic catecholamine and ␤ adrenergic agonist is documented to produce MI in large dose due to generation of highly cytotoxic free radicals through its auto-oxidation.


Isoproterenol, a synthetic ß adrenergic agonist by its positive inotropic and chronotropic actions increases the myocardial oxygen demand that leads to ischemic necrosis of myocardium in rats. A number of patho-physiologic mechanisms have been postulated to explain the ISO-induced myocardial damage, viz., altered permeability, increased turnover of norepinephrine and generation of cytotoxic free radicals on auto-oxidation of catecholamine. Free radical mediated lipid peroxidation and consequent changes in membrane permeability are the major causative factors for cardiotoxicity induced by ISO [18] . Oxidative stress increases cAMP levels by exhausting ATP, depresses sarcolemmal Ca +2 transport resulting in intracellular calcium overload, leading to ventricular dysfunction and contractile failure in rat heart [19, 20] .

Free radical mediated lipid peroxidation and consequent changes in membrane permeability are the major causative factors for cardiotoxicity induced by ISO.

Oxidative stress increases cAMP levels by exhausting ATP, depresses sarcolemmal Ca +2 transport resulting in intracellular calcium overload, leading to ventricular dysfunction and contractile failure in rat heart.


The diagnostic marker enzymes AST, LDH & CK-MB serve as sensitive probes to assess the degree of myocardial necrosis. Free radicals generated by ISO are known to initiate LPO of membrane bound PUFA, leading to damage of the structural and functional integrity of the myocardium. The myocardium once metabolically impaired, releases its lysosomal marker enzymes into the blood. Hence, the activities of AST, LDH and CK-MB were found to be decreased in the heart homogenates of ISO treated animals and significantly elevated in their sera when compared with normal animals [23] .

Hence, the activities of AST, LDH and CK-MB were found to be decreased in the heart homogenates of ISO treated animals and significantly elevated in their sera when compared with normal animals.


The patella is the largest sesamoid bone of the skeleton and is formed and located in between the quadriceps femoris and patellar tendons [1] . Its principal role is to facilitate and optimize the extensor function of the quadriceps muscle. Furthermore, it protects the ventral cartilage surfaces of the knee joint [1] . The patella initially ossifies at between 3 and 5 years, commencing as multiple foci that rapidly coalesce [2] . As the patellar ossification center enlarges, the expanding margins may be irregular and associated with accessory ossification centers [2] . These are most commonly located superolaterally and may lead to the development of a multipartite patella, with bipartite patella being the most common variation [2] . The multipartite patella has cartilaginous continuity despite the appearance of osseous discontinuity [2] . Another anomaly of the patella, thought to be closely related to the multipartite patella, is the so-called dorsal patellar defect. Characteristically, the dorsal patellar defect consists of a lytic and round lesion with well-defined margins located subchondrally in the superolateral quadrant of the patella [3] . The majority of dorsal patellar defects are discovered incidentally, asymptomatic, and of no clinical significance [3] . At magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthrography, the overlying articular cartilage is described to appear intact [4, 5] . However, this is not always the case [6] [7] [8] [9] . Meanwhile, to the best of our knowledge, the occurrence of bone marrow edema surrounding the dorsal patellar defect has not yet been described. We report a case of a teenager who presented with pain in both knees and had bilateral dorsal patellar defects with overlying cartilage involvement and surrounding bone marrow edema at MRI. After 8 months of conservative management, he was almost symptom-free and repeated MRI showed markedly decreased bone marrow edema and progressive Bfilling^of the dorsal defects of the patella.

The patella is the largest sesamoid bone of the skeleton and is formed and located in between the quadriceps femoris and patellar tendons.

Furthermore, it protects the ventral cartilage surfaces of the knee joint.

The patella initially ossifies at between 3 and 5 years, commencing as multiple foci that rapidly coalesce.

As the patellar ossification center enlarges, the expanding margins may be irregular and associated with accessory ossification centers.

These are most commonly located superolaterally and may lead to the development of a multipartite patella, with bipartite patella being the most common variation.

The multipartite patella has cartilaginous continuity despite the appearance of osseous discontinuity.

Characteristically, the dorsal patellar defect consists of a lytic and round lesion with well-defined margins located subchondrally in the superolateral quadrant of the patella.

The majority of dorsal patellar defects are discovered incidentally, asymptomatic, and of no clinical significance.

At magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthrography, the overlying articular cartilage is described to appear intact.

However, this is not always the case.


The delivery of these molecules was once considered impossible, because of the difficulty associated with the diffusion of large molecules through the materials of conventional drug delivery systems. These organic substances are normally very large in size and mesoporous silica is a potential candidate to encapsulate such molecules by utilizing ordered mesopores [5, 6] . Nevertheless, there is one major problem for the mesoporous systems as far as drug release is concerned, that is, the limited control of the drug release whose major mechanism is diffusion [7] . The need to create new materials with optimized, predetermined characteristics has spurred an increasing interest in hybrid materials, especially in organic and inorganic nanocomposites.

These organic substances are normally very large in size and mesoporous silica is a potential candidate to encapsulate such molecules by utilizing ordered mesopores.

Nevertheless, there is one major problem for the mesoporous systems as far as drug release is concerned, that is, the limited control of the drug release whose major mechanism is diffusion.


Linear, ladder-type silsesquioxanes (LPSQs) can be regarded as an intermediate between polyhedral silsesquioxanes (POSS) and single-chain linear siloxanes. They are of increasing interest due to their excellent physiochemical properties, high thermal stability and good mechanical performance. Their hybrid structure (inorganic double chain backbone and organic side groups) results in a low dielectric constant. They are not only thermally-and chemically resistant but also well soluble in organic solvents and show good film-forming properties, so they are attractive as functional materials [1] .

They are not only thermally-and chemically resistant but also well soluble in organic solvents and show good film-forming properties, so they are attractive as functional materials.


Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is a potentially curative treatment option for different hematologic disorders and is increasingly included into therapy protocols for solid tumors due to the potential immunologic effect of donor T-cells on minimal residual disease [1] . Steroid-refractory acute and chronic graft versus host disease (GvHD), however, remain a therapeutic challenge and are associated with high mortality rates and poor quality of life in surviving patients [2, 3] . A novel promising approach for the treatment of steroidrefractory GvHD is the application of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) [4, 5] .

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is a potentially curative treatment option for different hematologic disorders and is increasingly included into therapy protocols for solid tumors due to the potential immunologic effect of donor T-cells on minimal residual disease.

Steroid-refractory acute and chronic graft versus host disease (GvHD), however, remain a therapeutic challenge and are associated with high mortality rates and poor quality of life in surviving patients.

A novel promising approach for the treatment of steroidrefractory GvHD is the application of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs).


Since 2012, China's coal industry has experienced four years of recession, causing most coal enterprises to suffer remarkable losses [4, 23] . Currently affected by long-term low coal prices and forecasts that the current recession may continue for longer than anticipated, a number of coal enterprises have developed new profit increasing points through industry transition by developing coal-associated industries and avoiding the risk of homogenization within their operation model. In general, new industries usually evolve out of the existing business [24] . Through research and investigation during the process of developing coal enterprise diversification, downstream industries such as electric power, building materials, and the coal chemical industry have been developed with the coal industry at the center, and are promoted by industrially-related superiority (primarily cost competitiveness). These coal enterprises must determine how-under fixed capital and human resource input-they can define the boundaries of respective industries, or the optimal size of each industry, by considering enterprise capital and human resources and the industrial synergy effect to maximize enterprise profit. At present, no studies have been made regarding the definition of the optimal size of various industries in the development of coal enterprises.

Since 2012, China's coal industry has experienced four years of recession, causing most coal enterprises to suffer remarkable losses.

In general, new industries usually evolve out of the existing business.


In the first, biomass is combusted for a certain amount of time under given operational parameters and the resulting bed ash is inspected for agglomerates. This can happen visually, by sieving, or by SEM analyses. The findings are described and the overall behavior is categorized in discrete levels of severity (Olofsson et al., 2002; Lin and Wey, 2004) . Naturally, such classifications are subjective to some degree, which impacts reproducibility and applicability of the results. This criticism is answered by the two latter procedures, as they measure a continuous physical property. In defluidization time experiments fuel is fed (at a constant set of process parameters) until the fluidized bed collapses because of agglomeration. This can easily be detected by observation of the pressure drop across the bed, or abrupt changes of the bed-temperature distribution. The time from the start of fuel feeding until the bed collapse is finally reported as "defluidization time" (Van der Drift and Olsen, 1999; Scala et al., 2000; Lin et al., 2003; Lin and Wey, 2004; Scala and Chirone, 2008; Chaivatamaset et al., 2011; Yu et al., 2011) . Variations of the bed temperature or other process parameters give results that plant operators can use as an indication of safe operating conditions for a given fuel. One obstacle to its direct application in large scale furnaces, however, is the lack of continuous bed renewal usually performed in commercial boilers. A constant increase of ash content in the bed does not depict real operating conditions, where a balance of (fuel) ash addition and bed ash removal determines a constant ash concentration.

The findings are described and the overall behavior is categorized in discrete levels of severity.

The time from the start of fuel feeding until the bed collapse is finally reported as "defluidization time".


In this paper we deal with pointwise estimates of grad u(x) in terms of u(x) for positive harmonic functions u. We show that such estimates may indeed be derived by stochastic analysis methods involving certain basic submartingales. In particular, we give a stochastic proof of the following gradient estimate due to Cheng and Yau [3] . In addition, our approach provides an explicit value for the constant c(n) appearing in (1.2); see (4.11) and (4.12).

In particular, we give a stochastic proof of the following gradient estimate due to Cheng and Yau.


In this paper, we propose a distributed PageRank computation (DPC) algorithm. The general idea is divide-andconquer. We treat each web site as a node to make use of the underlying block structure of the Web [12] . Each node computes a PageRank vector for its local pages by links within sites and then updates its local PageRank through low volume communication with a given coordinator.

The general idea is divide-andconquer.

We treat each web site as a node to make use of the underlying block structure of the Web.


Extensive research has been done in the recent years to study different methods to mitigate mutual coupling between two closely spaced antennas, thus improving their MIMO performance [9, 10] . Earlier research mainly focuses on the relatively low frequency bands, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) 700 MHz and GSM 900 MHz bands [11] [12] [13] . The main challenges were due to 1) the non-available electrical separation of 0.25λ between two antennas and 2) mobile terminal chassis radiation due to the dominant characteristic mode of the terminal chassis [10, 14] . These two challenges are not crucial at frequencies above 3000 MHz, since the required antenna separation can be achieved easily and contribution of terminal chassis is not significant. However, determining the type of radiating elements and choosing the antenna locations on the terminal chassis are important design aspects to be considered. When the frequency increases, fabrication of an antenna becomes more challenging. Hence, it is essential to improve the current understanding on the design of MA on mobile terminal especially for the 3400-3600 MHz LTE band [15] .

Extensive research has been done in the recent years to study different methods to mitigate mutual coupling between two closely spaced antennas, thus improving their MIMO performance.

Earlier research mainly focuses on the relatively low frequency bands, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) 700 MHz and GSM 900 MHz bands.

The main challenges were due to 1) the non-available electrical separation of 0.25λ between two antennas and 2) mobile terminal chassis radiation due to the dominant characteristic mode of the terminal chassis.

Hence, it is essential to improve the current understanding on the design of MA on mobile terminal especially for the 3400-3600 MHz LTE band.


In any systematic review, we must explicitly address its inherent validity threats [19] . Although we were very conservative in our selection (when in doubt, we kept the paper for further review), it is always possible that some papers may have been missed, either because we failed to understand the abstract, or because the abstract was incomplete and did not cover the validation of the proposals with enough detail. Another common threat in systematic reviews concerns the misclassification of papers. This can happen when the reviewers mis-understand some important information about the paper and classify it in the wrong category (e.g., a qualitative study is counted as a quantitative one). We mitigated this threat by creating objective criteria to classify the surveyed papers, thus minimizing subjectiveness in the data collection.

In any systematic review, we must explicitly address its inherent validity threats.


Both groups also performed equally well on the first posttest, even though students in Group A had experienced only dramatization and students in Group B experienced two methods of teaching (lecture and dramatization). This is also an interesting finding, and lends support to the use of dramatization as a potentially powerful teaching method. In our course, dramatization places emphasis not only on learning the factual aspects of the cardiac cycle but also on application of that knowledge. At this stage of our students" medical education, it may be more important to learn how to apply the information than to learn too many specific details without context (Miller et al., 2013) . If true, educators need to understand that the content focus should be switched from merely delivering facts to providing opportunity for students to critically reflect on how to apply their knowledge.

At this stage of our students" medical education, it may be more important to learn how to apply the information than to learn too many specific details without context.


An analysis of temperature effect should provide directions for optimizations in ATRP, and also set a temperature limit for a particular system. This limit should be a value that keep track of the formed polymer structure. As far as is known, modelling works available in literature did not address effects of temperature directly on the molecular weight and dispersities [12, 13] . As a result, the polymerization control limit was also not explored properly [14] . Based on these observations, there is the need to demonstrate the effect of this variable on the polymer properties and the polymerization rate so that the readers may apply to other systems.

As far as is known, modelling works available in literature did not address effects of temperature directly on the molecular weight and dispersities.

As a result, the polymerization control limit was also not explored properly.


The design of heat exchangers involves establishing the right flow pattern of the interacting fluids. Parallel and counter flows are the two common flow patterns in shell tube heat exchanger. The counter flow is the predominantly preferred flow direction in liquid to liquid heat exchangers since it results in a higher temperature difference [9] .

The counter flow is the predominantly preferred flow direction in liquid to liquid heat exchangers since it results in a higher temperature difference.


The most commonly used heat exchangers in ORC are the shell tube evaporator and condenser. Their widespread application can be attributed to ease of manufacture from a variety of materials. Moreover, there is no limit on the operating temperature and pressure [4] [5] . The heat exchangers are built in accordance with three mechanical standards that specify design, fabrication, and materials of unfired shell and tube heat exchangers. The two most common heat exchanger design problems are those of sizing and rating of the heat exchanger [6] .

Moreover, there is no limit on the operating temperature and pressure.

The two most common heat exchanger design problems are those of sizing and rating of the heat exchanger.


Energy consumption increases with growth in population. The increase in energy demand and high cost of fossil fuels is the main challenge for the developing countries. Furthermore, the increase of environmental concerns and energy crisis has resulted in need for a sustainable approach to the utilization of the earth's energy resources. Geothermal energy is the energy derived from the natural heat of the earth. The heat from the earth's own molten core is conducted to the adjacent rocks and transferred to underground water reservoirs by convection. The steam (hot water) heated by the geothermal heat can be tapped using different technologies. Geothermal energy is among the most reliable forms of renewable energy. Most of the other clean energy sources are weather dependent [1] .

Most of the other clean energy sources are weather dependent.


The article introduced an emerging research area that is important not only for the educators but also for the youth. This study recommends the addition of publishing-oriented DV production to the classroom curriculum in primary and secondary schools, since it affords many benefits related to the culture of openness and to students' emotions, identity, motivation, and literacy (Buckingham et al., 2011) . The study also stresses the need to construct the pedagogy for education in online publicity to help us invite the students, parents, and teachers to negotiate and improve media ground rules with practical and ethical guidelines.

This study recommends the addition of publishing-oriented DV production to the classroom curriculum in primary and secondary schools, since it affords many benefits related to the culture of openness and to students' emotions, identity, motivation, and literacy.


The study detects several forms of inequality in media education, such as the division of children into those with and without sChOOLtv permission, which excludes some from DV production. Furthermore, not all parents are familiar with social media; thus, many homes are still unable to educate children in online publicity. This situation is alarming, since children need guidance to grow independent in the media, with its commercial nature and other invisible minuses (Buckingham, 2006) . Parents with more critical attitudes should also understand that online practices at school are preferred to one's own when publishing videos that might violate privacy or copyright laws.

This situation is alarming, since children need guidance to grow independent in the media, with its commercial nature and other invisible minuses.


Despite new developments in the detection of Legionella in environmental sources, it remains problematic. Legionellae were initially isolated by the inoculation of guinea pigs, but with the development of suitable media, these expensive and time-consuming techniques were replaced by culturing. Additional methods like radioimmunoassays (RIAs), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), agglutination tests and nucleic acid probes have since been developed and tested in attempts to simplify Legionella identification. More recently, a number of polymerase chain reaction-based (PCR) assays have been documented (Mahbubani et al., 1990; Bej et al., 1991; Lye et al., 1997) . Although some of these methods were proven to be very successful, culturing remains the method of choice for detection of Legionella species from the environment. To improve the recovery of Legionella by culturing, the use of certain treatment steps to minimise contamination by non-legionellae, have been introduced (Bopp et al., 1981; Groothuis and Veenendal, 1983) . However, despite these developments, no one method has thus far proven to be ideal for all samples in all given circumstances and environments.

More recently, a number of polymerase chain reaction-based (PCR) assays have been documented.

To improve the recovery of Legionella by culturing, the use of certain treatment steps to minimise contamination by non-legionellae, have been introduced.


The data summarised in Table 1 represent a comparison of the results obtained from sterile and non-sterile seeded samples, cultured on each of the four media (αBCYE, GVPC, BMPA and MWY) in the absence of pretreatment, after acid treatment and after heat treatment. In the absence of sample pretreatment, the recovery of confirmed L. pneumophila from the sterile samples was high on the non-selective BCYE plates (85.9, 98.7 and 89.7% for tap water, cooling water and make-up water respectively). The use of selective media resulted in a considerable decrease in organism recovery, depending on the culture medium used (Table 1) . Acid treatment resulted in a further loss of organisms from the sterile samples, especially after culture on selective media. The number of organisms recovered after heat treatment was negligible in all the sterile samples that were evaluated, regardless of the culture medium used. These results were not surprising, given the fact that laboratoryadapted type strains of Legionella are known to be more sensitive to adverse conditions such as sample pretreatment than environmental strains (Roberts et al., 1987) . In view of the sensitivity of the laboratory-adapted strains of Legionella used to seed the samples in this investigation, these results might not necessarily be directly applicable to environmental samples. However, this aspect needs to be investigated further. The recovery rate of confirmed legionellae from the non-sterile seeded samples was considerably lower than that of the sterile samples (Table 1 ). In the absence of sample pretreatment, culture on BCYE yielded confirmed L. pneumophila in only 8.1% of tap water samples, 23.1% of the makeup and 38.5% of the cooling water samples. Pretreatment resulted in a further loss of approximately 50% of organisms in all the samples, regardless of the pretreatment method or culture medium used. The confirmation of single colonies was complicated to some extent by the presence of non-legionellae on all the culture media, even after sample pretreatment with acid or heat.

These results were not surprising, given the fact that laboratoryadapted type strains of Legionella are known to be more sensitive to adverse conditions such as sample pretreatment than environmental strains.


In nature, populations evolve influenced by external effects which are roughly, but not exactly periodic, or under environmental forcing which exhibits different, noncommensurate periods. This sort of time dependence can arise from the interplay of short-term weather cycles and seasonal climate variations, or from the superposition of daily and annually periodic phenomena, and so on. Growth processes, for example, depend on the length of days and nights which varies during the year. Models with such time dependence are characterized more appropriately by quasi-periodic or almost periodic equations or even by certain nonautonomous equations rather than by periodic ones. Additionally, populations are affected by a wide variety of irregularly occurring phenomena which lead to stochastic or random equations. Both types of equations, time nonperiodic deterministic (e.g., almost periodic or recurrent) equations and time stochastic ones are therefore worth studying. These equations have found much attention in competitive systems (see [1, 9, 11, 12, 41] , etc.).

These equations have found much attention in competitive systems (see, etc.).


Histologically, most MMIHS patients have normal ganglion cells in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses; however, there have been case reports of decreased ganglia in some patients and hyperganglionosis and giant ganglia in others [25] . In addition, MMIHS had been reported to be associated with the deficiency of ICCs networks [27] . Therefore, in this study, the 3D imaging system was further applied to investigate the enteric nervous system of the intestinal tissues from MMIHS patient that received intestinal transplantation. From the 3D imaging, ICCs form a dense network around the myenteric plexus and within the muscle layers in the donor intestinal tissues; in contrast, only few single ICCs are detected in the recipient intestinal tissues. These data were consistent with the histopathology of MMIHS patients in the literature [34] . However, this 3D imaging system provided detailed, global representations of the anatomical and pathological changes of the enteric nervous system in the MMIHS patient, whereas the 2D histology provides a limited perspective of the enteric nervous system due to the dispersed nature of nerve fibers. Thus, the integration of the 3D imaging method could compensate the inherent defect of the 2D histological analysis about the study of the enteric nervous system in patients with motility disorders.

Histologically, most MMIHS patients have normal ganglion cells in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses; however, there have been case reports of decreased ganglia in some patients and hyperganglionosis and giant ganglia in others.

In addition, MMIHS had been reported to be associated with the deficiency of ICCs networks.

These data were consistent with the histopathology of MMIHS patients in the literature.


Compared with traditional wireless self-organized network (MANET), wireless mesh network (WMN) owns higher reliability, larger data throughput, and lower disturbance, as well as stronger scalability due to its unique mesh structure. As a result, WMN is able to provide highspeed wireless access service for mobile users in a wide area. WMN is now attracting more and more attentions in both academia and industry [1] . WMN is a kind of wireless multi-hop radio network, whose promotion and deployment depend heavily on security issues relative to cable network and WLAN [2] . To keep malicious nodes from accessing and provide reliable service to WMN users, two-way authentication between mesh client (MC) and access network is necessary and becomes the foundation of the whole WMN security [3] . However, users' privacy information is always carried in the authentication signaling. So to protect user's privacy is important during mutual authentication in the research of WMN access security [2] .

WMN is now attracting more and more attentions in both academia and industry.

WMN is a kind of wireless multi-hop radio network, whose promotion and deployment depend heavily on security issues relative to cable network and WLAN.

To keep malicious nodes from accessing and provide reliable service to WMN users, two-way authentication between mesh client (MC) and access network is necessary and becomes the foundation of the whole WMN security.

So to protect user's privacy is important during mutual authentication in the research of WMN access security.


Following the relatively warm and quiescent early Miocene, the middle Miocene experienced a temperature shift even more dramatic than that of the early Oligocene. This rapid cooling shift led to the return of permanent ice sheets to the Antarctic, initiation of modern ocean circulation patterns, and the beginning of a cooling and drying trend that has led to the current glacial episodes (Prothero 1998; Woodburne 2004) . Western North America experienced increased aridity, decreased temperatures, spread of grasslands, fragmentation of vegetation previously adapted to Mediterranean climate, and major dispersal pulses of mammals (Woodburne 2004) . In addition, the western landscape was altered tremendously: initiation of extensive block-faulting created the Basin and Range province; intensified plate movement shifted the Pacific coastline; the Gulf of California was opened (with transfer of the Cape Region to the Pacific Plate); and the Baja California Peninsula drifted northward relative to the mainland.

This rapid cooling shift led to the return of permanent ice sheets to the Antarctic, initiation of modern ocean circulation patterns, and the beginning of a cooling and drying trend that has led to the current glacial episodes.

Western North America experienced increased aridity, decreased temperatures, spread of grasslands, fragmentation of vegetation previously adapted to Mediterranean climate, and major dispersal pulses of mammals.


Inadequate osteoporosis evaluation and treatment following fragility fracture has been documented in countries other than Canada [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] . A large retrospective cohort study in the United States found that only 2.8% of women who had experienced a distal radius fracture underwent densitometry and 22.9% of the women were prescribed osteoporosis treatment [7] . Between 1997 and 2000 in an American retrospective cohort study, only 13% of those who had experienced hip fractures received supplemental calcium, and 6% actually received an antiresorptive medication [8] .

Inadequate osteoporosis evaluation and treatment following fragility fracture has been documented in countries other than Canada.

A large retrospective cohort study in the United States found that only 2.8% of women who had experienced a distal radius fracture underwent densitometry and 22.9% of the women were prescribed osteoporosis treatment.

Between 1997 and 2000 in an American retrospective cohort study, only 13% of those who had experienced hip fractures received supplemental calcium, and 6% actually received an antiresorptive medication.