Characterisation of bioactive molecules is usually possible because of the versatile types of spectroscopic techniques and thus GC-MS has been demonstrated to be one of the valuable analytical tools for the analysis of mainly non-polar components and volatile natural products, e.g., mono-and sesquiterpenes [10] . The plants investigated in this paper include Aloe camperi, Meriandra dianthera and a Polyherb (prepared from the seeds of Lepidium sativum, Brassica nigra and Nigella sativa). The plants are widely used in the folk medicine for different purposes and are believed to have anti-diabetic activities. Moreover, the antidiabetic activity of the plants, with the same extraction procedures, using in vivo model were previously reported. Thus, the crude methanol extracts of the plants were able to reduced blood glucose in Alloxan-induced diabetic rats [11] . The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of the crude methanol extracts and fractions of the plants using α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzyme inhibition activities. The in vitro anti-diabetic profile of Aloe camperi and Meriandra dianthera are presented for the first time. Moreover, the diverse compounds in the most bioactive non-polar fractions were identified and tentatively characterised using GC-MS analysis.

Characterisation of bioactive molecules is usually possible because of the versatile types of spectroscopic techniques and thus GC-MS has been demonstrated to be one of the valuable analytical tools for the analysis of mainly non-polar components and volatile natural products, e.g., mono-and sesquiterpenes.

Thus, the crude methanol extracts of the plants were able to reduced blood glucose in Alloxan-induced diabetic rats.


GC-MS has been employed in the analysis of FAMEs and it is particularly advantageous for FAME determination in complex biological samples, where spectrometric confirmation of analytes is advisable. The high chromatographic resolution of GC permits separation of structurally similar fatty acids and provides greater sensitivity that would be very difficult to separate by HPLC [30] . In this study, GC-MS has proved to be a better separation and characterisation of Figure 6 . Electron ionization mass spectra of certain FAMEs present in the fractions.

The high chromatographic resolution of GC permits separation of structurally similar fatty acids and provides greater sensitivity that would be very difficult to separate by HPLC.


The enzyme inhibitory activities have been adopted as reliable techniques of evaluating the anti-diabetic potential of different medicinal plants and thus inhi- bition of the action of the digesting enzymes prolong overall carbohydrate digestion time by delaying its breakdown, causing a decrease in the rate of glucose absorption and consequently blunting the post prandial rise in plasma glucose [28] . From the results, it is evident that the crude methanol extracts of the three plant preparations displayed potential inhibitory properties against the α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes activities which are comparable to the commercial drug (Acarbose). Acarbose is a known α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitor, currently used in anti-diabetic therapy for reducing postprandial increase in Figure 5 . GC-MS total ion chromatograms of the non-polar fractions of the Polyherb.

The enzyme inhibitory activities have been adopted as reliable techniques of evaluating the anti-diabetic potential of different medicinal plants and thus inhi- bition of the action of the digesting enzymes prolong overall carbohydrate digestion time by delaying its breakdown, causing a decrease in the rate of glucose absorption and consequently blunting the post prandial rise in plasma glucose.


Recently we have given accelerated solutions of the D dimensional EinsteinMaxwell field equations with a null fluid [10] . The energy flux due to acceleration in these solutions are all finite and have the same sign for all D ≥ 4. It is highly interesting to study the same problem in nonlinear electrodynamics.

Recently we have given accelerated solutions of the D dimensional EinsteinMaxwell field equations with a null fluid.


Although positive, improvements in sexuality outcomes over time for both groups may not solely be accounted for by reductions in pain, as pain and sexual function, including frequency of sex, are usually not highly correlated in this population , and sometimes not at all (Masheb et al., 2009) . Women with vulvovaginal pain engage in sex for many different reasons independent of pain intensity, including to meet their partner's sexual needs, maintain the image of an adequate sexual partner, and out of a sense of obligation (Ayling & Ussher, 2008; Brauer, Lakeman, van Lunsen, & Laan, 2014; Elmerstig, Wijma, & Swahnberg, 2013) . It is also possible that taking part in a treatment study encouraged women and their partners to be more hopeful, less avoidant, and to engage in more intercourse attempts.

Although positive, improvements in sexuality outcomes over time for both groups may not solely be accounted for by reductions in pain, as pain and sexual function, including frequency of sex, are usually not highly correlated in this population , and sometimes not at all.

Women with vulvovaginal pain engage in sex for many different reasons independent of pain intensity, including to meet their partner's sexual needs, maintain the image of an adequate sexual partner, and out of a sense of obligation.


The Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) offers a potential alternative to speed up the hardware realization [10, 11] . From the perspective of computer-aided design, FPGA comes with the merits of lower cost, higher density, and shorter design cycle [12] . It comprises a wide variety of building blocks. Each block consists of programmable look-up table and storage registers, where interconnections among these blocks are programmed through the hardware description language [13] . This programmability and simplicity of FPGA made it favorable for prototyping digital system. FPGA allows the users to easily and inexpensively realize their own logic networks in hardware. FPGA also allows modifying the algorithm easily and the design time frame for the hardware becomes shorter by using FPGA [14] .

The Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) offers a potential alternative to speed up the hardware realization.

From the perspective of computer-aided design, FPGA comes with the merits of lower cost, higher density, and shorter design cycle.

Each block consists of programmable look-up table and storage registers, where interconnections among these blocks are programmed through the hardware description language.

FPGA also allows modifying the algorithm easily and the design time frame for the hardware becomes shorter by using FPGA.


There was no significant linear correlation found in the minisatellites among the following: 1) the motif size and genetic diversity parameters such as N A (R 2 = 0.001), He (R 2 = 0.013), and PIC (R 2 = 0.011); 2) the number of motif repeats and N A (R 2 = 0.027), He (R 2 = 0.029), and PIC (R 2 = 0.028); 3) the GC content [%] and N A (R 2 = 0.041), He (R 2 = 0.004), and PIC (R 2 = 0.000). The minisatellites presenting a larger difference in motif size (e.g., 6 bases; CPMini-22, CPMini-49, CPMini31, and CPMini-36) showed a variation in the number of alleles (2 to 3), He (0.0 to 0.49), and PIC (0.04 to 0.37), slightly below the values observed for the minisatellites with more than 30 bases , for which the range of genetic diversity parameters was as follows: the number of alleles (2 to 4), He (0.16 to 0.53), and PIC (0.15 to 0.47). There was no association among the number of motif repeats and the number of alleles, He, and PIC (R 2 = 0.0273, 0.0292, and 0.0279, respectively). Other studies have also demonstrated a low correlation between different motifs, their numbers and the lengths of microsatellite loci in Ipomoea trifida and molecular polymorphism (Hu et al. 2004) .

Other studies have also demonstrated a low correlation between different motifs, their numbers and the lengths of microsatellite loci in Ipomoea trifida and molecular polymorphism.


The Earth is surrounded by the collisionless space plasma and the intrinsic magnetic field of the Earth (magnetosphere). The plasma is regarded as the 'fourth state' of the matter in which a certain portion of the particles are ionized to ions with positive charge and electrons with negative charge. The space plasma is a highly nonlinear and multi-scale medium where charged particles and electromagnetic fields are strongly coupled with each other without collision among plasma particles. The electromagnetic environment around a solar system body is formed by the interaction between a space plasma flow from the sun (the solar wind) and the magnetosphere of the body. The structure and dynamics of the electromagnetic environment are quite different depending on the strength of the intrinsic magnetic field and the condition of the surface of the bodies. The intrinsic magnetic field generally acts as an obstacle to the solar wind (e.g., for the case of Mercury, Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn). When the intrinsic magnetic field is weak, ionized gases from the upper atmosphere of a body act as a conducting obstacle (e.g., for the case of Venus and Mars). When a body has neither intrinsic magnetic field nor atmosphere, on the other hand, the solar wind plasma directly impacts the body. The interaction between the solar wind and an unmagnetized body is one of the fundamental issues in space plasma physics (Halekas et al. 2012) . The Earth's satellite Moon is one of the examples of a dielectric/insulating body without intrinsic magnetic field and atmosphere.

The interaction between the solar wind and an unmagnetized body is one of the fundamental issues in space plasma physics.


Recently, a global Vlasov simulation of a small dielectric body with a small magnetosphere has been carried out (Umeda and Ito 2014) . In this previous study, the spatial grid size was set to be Δx = Δy ≫ λ De due to the limitation of computational resources (hereafter, this previous simulation run is referred to as the 'low-resolution run'). In the low-resolution run, the Debye shielding, which is an important physical process on the minimum spatial scale, was not included. In this paper, we present a preliminary result from a 'high-resolution run' with Δx = Δy~λ De which has been obtained by using the K computer. The purpose of this paper is to make a direct comparison between the previous low-resolution run and the present high-resolution run for discussing the effect of electronscale kinetics to MHD-scale fluid dynamics.

Recently, a global Vlasov simulation of a small dielectric body with a small magnetosphere has been carried out.


Ball-on-disc test is one of the commonly used methods for characterizing the tribological properties of the materials at contact. To authors' knowledge, the friction coefficients obtained from ball-on-disc tests have not yet been implemented in the FE simulation of aluminium extrusion, due to a lack of the methodology for translating the data from ball-on-disc tests to the extrusion process. As a comparison, the friction coefficients obtained from scratch tests with the plowing friction distinguished from the shear friction have recently been introduced into the FE simulation of the machining process [14] . Being different from scratch tests, during ball-on-disc tests, the ball slides over the same wear track repeatedly and, as a result, the contact differs greatly from one lap to another, due to the removal (wear) of the mating materials, especially during the tests at elevated temperatures. As a result of changing contact from one lap to another, the results obtained from ball-on-disc tests could not be utilized directly to specify the frictional boundary conditions for the FE simulations of aluminium extrusion. A fundamental understanding of the evolution of the contact interface between the ball and disc is of critical importance for correct interpretation of the results and then their translation to the contact at the billet/ die bearing interface during aluminium extrusion.

As a comparison, the friction coefficients obtained from scratch tests with the plowing friction distinguished from the shear friction have recently been introduced into the FE simulation of the machining process.


Aluminium extrusion is a cost-efficient method for the mass production of rods, tubes and complexly shaped profiles [1] [2] [3] . The process involves highly complicated thermomechanical interactions within the workpiece and tribological reactions at the workpiece/tooling interfaces [4, 5] . In recent years, finite-element (FE) simulations have been increasingly used in scientific research and industrial practice to analyze the process and to aid in process optimization. Some of the simulation results are experimentally verifiable, which allows the fine-tuning of the input data and the redefinition of the boundary conditions for FE simulation. However, many other parameters, such as local temperatures, strains and stresses, are not experimentally measureable, such that there is a certain level of uncertainty about the input data, boundary conditions and thus the FE simulation results. In any case, correct definition of the deformation behaviour of the workpiece material, often expressed in the form of a constitutive equation, and appropriate specification of the frictional boundary conditions are of critical importance to the trustworthiness of the FE simulation results. A wealth of information on the deformability of aluminium alloys is available in the open literature. However, the nature of the friction during the aluminium extrusion process is far less well understood and, as a result, the rationale behind specifying certain friction boundary conditions at the billet/container interface and at the billet/die interface is often not clear.

Aluminium extrusion is a cost-efficient method for the mass production of rods, tubes and complexly shaped profiles.

The process involves highly complicated thermomechanical interactions within the workpiece and tribological reactions at the workpiece/tooling interfaces.


In order for emotional energy to be exchanged, the following ritual conditions must be concurrent: physical co-presence, mutual focus of attention, common emotional mood, and a boundary to outsiders [21] [22] [23] 26] . When the conditions of successful interaction rituals are present, and high levels of emotional energy occur, Collins theorizes that individuals seek to preserve the memory of this emotional energy through the use of symbols. The emotional charge carried by symbols, however, has a natural half-life and will tend dissipate over time unless they are "revitalized" through subsequent interaction rituals [22, 24] . Levels of emotional energy are directly related to feelings of group solidarity such that greater amounts of emotional energy result in higher levels of solidarity among the participants, as well as a greater desire to repeat similar interactions.

In order for emotional energy to be exchanged, the following ritual conditions must be concurrent: physical co-presence, mutual focus of attention, common emotional mood, and a boundary to outsiders 26].

The emotional charge carried by symbols, however, has a natural half-life and will tend dissipate over time unless they are "revitalized" through subsequent interaction rituals.


Concerning the execution of tasks belonging to different jobs on the same server, there are two operational modes. In the non-blocking mode, the servers are workconserving in the sense that tasks immediately start their executions once the previous tasks finish theirs. In the blocking mode, the mapped tasks of a job simultaneously start their executions, i.e., servers can be idle when their corresponding queues are not empty. The non-blocking execution mode prevails in MapReduce due to its conceivable efficiency, whereas the blocking execution mode is employed when the jobtracker (the node coordinating and scheduling jobs) waits for all machines to be ready to synchronize the configuration files before mapping a new job; in Hadoop, this can be enforced through the coordination service zookeeper [37] .

The non-blocking execution mode prevails in MapReduce due to its conceivable efficiency, whereas the blocking execution mode is employed when the jobtracker (the node coordinating and scheduling jobs) waits for all machines to be ready to synchronize the configuration files before mapping a new job; in Hadoop, this can be enforced through the coordination service zookeeper.


In MD, only water vapor is allowed to pass through a barrier, usually a hydrophobic porous membrane and is condensed in the permeate side as pure water. The driving force is the partial vapor pressure difference resulting from the thermal gradient between the hot feed and cool permeate streams [7, 8] . Theoretically, it can reject 100% of the salts and non-volatile components at the feed.

The driving force is the partial vapor pressure difference resulting from the thermal gradient between the hot feed and cool permeate streams.


Graphene has attracted considerable attention in recent years for water treatment and purification processes as it improves the membrane properties and adds functionalities such as anti-fouling properties [21, 22] . The possibility of cheaper synthesis of large area of graphene as recently reported makes it more interesting for modern use [23] . Graphene shows great potential as filler material and is ought to be explored. To the best of our knowledge, this research is the first attempt to fabricate phase inversion composite membranes containing graphene as additives for treatment of RO brine from CSG produced water by AGMD process. The addition of a small amount of graphene in the membrane was expected to improve the membrane hydrophobicity, liquid entry pressure (LEP), porosity, and consequently better flux and salt rejection.

Graphene has attracted considerable attention in recent years for water treatment and purification processes as it improves the membrane properties and adds functionalities such as anti-fouling properties.

The possibility of cheaper synthesis of large area of graphene as recently reported makes it more interesting for modern use.


Coal seam gas (CSG), also known as coal seam methane or coal bed methane, is a natural gas located in the coal seams underground (300 ~ 1,000 m). CSG exploration has recently emerged as a major industry in Australia [1] . The CSG industry is developing quickly responding to the rapid growth of the export business. However, CSG extraction also involves the co-production of a large volume of water, termed as produced water, which is basically saline groundwater. In Australia, CSG produced water is mainly composed of sodium, bicarbonate and chloride [1, 2] . Due to potential impacts of directly discharging CSG produced water on local ecological systems, there is a strong need to develop sustainable treatment process for its environmental safety [1, [3] [4] [5] . CSG produced water requires advanced technologies for treatment such as RO because the salt removal from CSG produced water is a crucial point [4, 6] . Treating CSG produced water with RO leads to the production of more concentrated CSG produced water called brine [1] . The management of this CSG RO brine is a significant concern for the sustainable production of CSG [3] . As policies on the storage and disposal of CSG produced water become more stringent, it is imperative to further reduce the volume of CSG RO brine or to recover some minerals from it as saleable products. One emerging technology that could be utilized to further concentrate the RO brine near saturation is membrane distillation (MD).

CSG exploration has recently emerged as a major industry in Australia.

In Australia, CSG produced water is mainly composed of sodium, bicarbonate and chloride.

Due to potential impacts of directly discharging CSG produced water on local ecological systems, there is a strong need to develop sustainable treatment process for its environmental safety.

CSG produced water requires advanced technologies for treatment such as RO because the salt removal from CSG produced water is a crucial point.

Treating CSG produced water with RO leads to the production of more concentrated CSG produced water called brine.

The management of this CSG RO brine is a significant concern for the sustainable production of CSG.


It is important to consider the extent to which calibrated observations during measurement periods are, or are not, extrapolated outside of the range of sensor responses that occurred during calibration periods. The extent of extrapolation during transient co-locations can be assessed by comparing the axis scales on the scatter plots in Figures 1 and 2 . For O 3 and BC, the ranges of measured concentrations by both reference and portable monitors are of similar magnitude during calibration and measurement periods (as one would hope for); with the range of measurements made during the calibration periods encompassing the range of measurements during the transient co-location periods. Approximately 66% and 42% of the calibration ranges were represented by transient co-location ranges for O 3 and BC. For PM 2.5 , the range of the majority of measurements during the transient co-location periods is about 22% of the range of PM 2.5 measurements during the calibration periods. Thus, there is no extrapolation outside of the range of calibration measurements. Nevertheless, this discrepancy is a reminder that the relatively large range of PM 2.5 measurements during calibration periods probably results from higher concentrations that were observed during periods of long-range transport of particles [46] . These relatively large changes in PM 2.5 concentrations originating from distant sources may, or may not (e.g., through different optical properties of aged accumulation mode particles vs. recently emitted/re-suspended particles), accurately represent the relatively small temporal changes in PM 2.5 in our transient co-locations, and the increments between background and roadside locations that we attempt to quantify in subsequent mobile measurements. However, without detailed chemical, size, and/or optical measurements of the PM 2.5 , is not possible to know the extent to which calibration may be impacted, but this is the case with any measurements that are made using these types of portable PM instruments. The interpretation of ranges during calibration, transient co-location, and mobile measurement for NO 2 measured by Aeroqual sensors is complicated through the requirement for a multivariate calibration approach to allow for apparent dual sensitivity of the Aeroqual NO 2 sensors to both NO 2 and O 3 . The presence of negative adjusted Aeroqual NO 2 concentrations during transient co-locations ( Figure 2b ) may indicate that calibrated Aeroqual estimates were affected by extrapolation beyond the measured ranges during calibration. The presence of negative values is discussed further below.

Nevertheless, this discrepancy is a reminder that the relatively large range of PM 2.5 measurements during calibration periods probably results from higher concentrations that were observed during periods of long-range transport of particles.


The generally poorer agreement between calibrated MicroPEM monitor estimates and TEOM-FDMS measurements (when compared with other monitors that are evaluated here) in the independent evaluation during mobile usage, irrespective of correction, may be attributable to the greater uncertainty in measurements of the low ambient concentrations of PM 2.5 when compared with e.g., O 3 . The ambient PM 2.5 concentrations encountered throughout this study were generally low, even in central Glasgow, and both the reference analyser and the MicroPEM monitors have acknowledged the limitations in measuring PM 2.5 concentrations of just a few µg m −3 [42, 43] . Furthermore, the smaller concentration range often recorded for ambient PM 2.5 than for NO 2 and O 3 limits the extent of variation that can be explained by calibration and evaluation statistics. Since the calibration of the MicroPEM MP618 monitor was derived at the Edinburgh St. Leonard's reference site (ED3), but was evaluated at the Glasgow Townhead referenced site (GLKP), this may also highlight a limitation of extrapolation from fixed-site calibrations. Finally, it is noted again that the MicroPEM monitor does not directly measure PM 2.5 mass but uses an internal factor based on assumptions about the size distribution and optical properties of the sampled particles to convert scattered light into a PM 2.5 value. This introduces unquantifiable uncertainty into the MicroPEM measurements if the size and optical properties of the actual particle mix differ from that on which the internal factor is based.

The ambient PM 2.5 concentrations encountered throughout this study were generally low, even in central Glasgow, and both the reference analyser and the MicroPEM monitors have acknowledged the limitations in measuring PM 2.5 concentrations of just a few µg m −3.


Various methods have been used to investigate the microscopic residual oil distribution, such as the photoetching model, the micro displacement model built with true sandstone, and the X-CT scanning technique, etc. Nuclear magnetic resonance has recently been developed and has become a popular and effective tool of providing realistic assessment of the amount of fluid that can flow in the porous media [13] [14] [15] . A distribution of decay times, called transverse relaxation times (T 2 ), can be used to describe the distance between crude oil and core pore surface. Details of the NMR principles can be found in the following papers.

Nuclear magnetic resonance has recently been developed and has become a popular and effective tool of providing realistic assessment of the amount of fluid that can flow in the porous media.


Sulfur-containing compounds are gaining wide attention due to their potential application in the pharmaceutical industry as carbohydrate-based therapeutics or diagnostic agents. Thioglycosides, in which the glycosidic oxygen has been replaced by sulfur, are valuable stable glycoside analogues. The S-analogues of natural glucosides are resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis and have been proven to be useful glycosidase inhibitors with potential as therapeutics [1] . For example, thioglycosides showed promising application in the control of hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes by inhibiting the sodium-D-glucose transporter (SGLT) expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells [2] .

The S-analogues of natural glucosides are resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis and have been proven to be useful glycosidase inhibitors with potential as therapeutics.

For example, thioglycosides showed promising application in the control of hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes by inhibiting the sodium-D-glucose transporter (SGLT) expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.


According to the literature, S-glycosides are relatively stable and the lipid moiety is hardly affected by hydrolases (13) . Although the natural biosynthetic process in the production of glycolipids involves O-glycosides, it was surmised that employing the α-LacSC12 with a nondegradable thioglycosidic linkage to the aglycone would enhance the yield. However, the production of glycolipids using saccharide primers and cells showed otherwise. The amount of GM3-type glycolipid produced using dodecyl thiolactoside was essentially the same or slightly lower when compared with dodecyl lactoside having an O-glycosidic linkage.

According to the literature, S-glycosides are relatively stable and the lipid moiety is hardly affected by hydrolases.


Glycosylation was cellular specific. B16 cells gave GM3-type ganglioside, the predominantly expressed glycolipid in the cell surface. MDCK cells also gave mainly GM3-type glycolipid. On the other hand, African green monkey kidney (Vero) cells gave Gb3-and Gb4-type glycolipids aside from GM3-type ganglioside. The results also agree with a related work reported in the literature [18] . Based on these, we could infer that the thiolactosides entered the glycosphingolipid biosynthetic pathway and functioned as acceptors to afford products with saccharide structures similar to those produced by cells. By this strategy, various kinds of glycolipids could be conveniently prepared from various types of cells.

Glycosylation was cellular specific.

The results also agree with a related work reported in the literature.


Mean-shift essentially is a feature-based analysis of data points, which requires a nonparametric estimator of the gradient of the density gradient in feature space. Advantages of feature-space methods are the global representation of the original data and the excellent tolerance to noise [6] . When a density function in feature space has peaks and valleys, it is desirable to divide data points into clusters according to the valleys of the point densities, because such boundaries in feature space are mapped hack to much more natural segmentation boundaries.

Advantages of feature-space methods are the global representation of the original data and the excellent tolerance to noise.


Evaluation should include assessment of pituitary function with morning (8 am) cortisol (if possible), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cosyntropin stimulation testing. Testing of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroidal axis includes measurement of free T4, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), with a free T3 in some situations. Testing of the gonadal axis is indicated in the presence of hypogonadal symptoms or amenorrhea with measures of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, testosterone (in men), and estradiol in women. The described sequence of pituitary dysfunction is impaired secretion of ACTH, then TSH, followed by loss of FSH, LH, and growth hormone (GH). Prolactin can be low or high. Diabetes insipidus rarely develops and, when present, raises suspicion for infiltration of the pituitary stalk by tumor [3, 6] .

Prolactin can be low or high.

Diabetes insipidus rarely develops and, when present, raises suspicion for infiltration of the pituitary stalk by tumor.


Chironomidae are broadly distributed worldwide and frequently are the most abundant insects in many freshwater ecosystems. Certain species show ecological adaptations, in ecosystems at different trophic levels, to extreme environmental situations related to high temperature, pH, organic matter content in the sediment, and low dissolved oxygen in the water-sediment interface (Armitage et al., 1994) . Chir bat onomidae larvae play an important ecological role in the bioturbation process at the sediment water interface. In eutrophic environments, they do so in nitrogen remobilization for the primary producers (Fukuhara and Sakamoto, 1988) . In aquatic ecosystems, these organisms participate in two webs: (a) by the detritus chain, ingesting organic fragments and associated microorganisms, (b) by the food-web, by eating smaller organisms and being consumed by other insects, alevins, aquatic birds, and benthophagous fishes (Branco et al., 1997) . Therefore, in lake environments, they are important components needing further study.

Certain species show ecological adaptations, in ecosystems at different trophic levels, to extreme environmental situations related to high temperature, pH, organic matter content in the sediment, and low dissolved oxygen in the water-sediment interface.

In eutrophic environments, they do so in nitrogen remobilization for the primary producers.

In aquatic ecosystems, these organisms participate in two webs: (a) by the detritus chain, ingesting organic fragments and associated microorganisms, (b) by the food-web, by eating smaller organisms and being consumed by other insects, alevins, aquatic birds, and benthophagous fishes.


Turkey is one of the most important country in the Palearctic Region with important bird areas (IBA) and wetlandand Turkey has 97 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) covering a total of 29,978 km 2 or 4% of the total land area (Magnin and Yarar, 1997) . Among them Lake Uluabat (also known as Apolyont) has tectonic origins, and is a large turbid, shallow and eutrophic freshwater lake on the South side of the Sea of Marmara (Magnin and Yarar, 1997) . In 1998, Lake Uluabat and its surrounding area were included in the Ramsar List that was established in response to Article 2.1 of the Convention on Wetlands held in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.

Turkey is one of the most important country in the Palearctic Region with important bird areas (IBA) and wetlandand Turkey has 97 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) covering a total of 29,978 km 2 or 4% of the total land area.

Among them Lake Uluabat (also known as Apolyont) has tectonic origins, and is a large turbid, shallow and eutrophic freshwater lake on the South side of the Sea of Marmara.


In the case of socially assistive robots, elderly people in particular have serious concerns that robots will replace personal contact and personal assistance, leading to a loss of companionship and increasing isolation, though there is also some evidence of these robots providing the focus for increased positive social interaction with other people. These concerns are very real and need to be taken seriously. Regardless of future technological developments, it seems unlikely that interaction with a robot will ever have the same quality as interaction with a person (or animal). The nature of the interaction with an animal and other toy robots may also be problematical and based on the deception that the robot is real [5] . Another area which gives rise to serious concerns is the proliferation of sensors, the monitoring of the occupant and the collection of personal data in smart home applications. This raises a range of privacy management issues, as well as the rights of elderly people to make choices and take risks.

The nature of the interaction with an animal and other toy robots may also be problematical and based on the deception that the robot is real.


The use of flow data, such as traffic flow, to analyze urban agglomeration networks has become popular in urban geography and regional economic research. Some scholars believe that the traffic network constructed by traffic flow is closely related to the spatial structure of urban agglomerations and a good traffic connection is closely related to the spatial integration of urban agglomerations at the national, regional and even global level [29] . However, due to the difficulty in obtaining actual operational data of the transportation network, there are more studies of the mainland and fewer studies of coastal urban agglomerations. There are relatively few studies on urban agglomeration networks based on the perspective of traffic flow and most of them focus on road, rail, and air traffic flow [26, 27] . Research on urban agglomeration association based on marine traffic flow big data is still in its infancy. Given this opportunity for contributions, this paper has the potential to expand the study of geospatial associations in urban agglomerations.

Some scholars believe that the traffic network constructed by traffic flow is closely related to the spatial structure of urban agglomerations and a good traffic connection is closely related to the spatial integration of urban agglomerations at the national, regional and even global level.

There are relatively few studies on urban agglomeration networks based on the perspective of traffic flow and most of them focus on road, rail, and air traffic flow.


Electroactive polymers (EAP) exhibit changes in size and shape when stimulated by electric fields [1] [2] [3] [4] . The application of these materials as actuators is based on their ability to induce large actuation strains in the form of stretching, contracting, or bending. EAP can be deformed repetitively by applying external voltage, and they can quickly recover their original shape upon reversing the polarity of the applied voltage. The shape change is smooth and gentle, similar to that observed in muscle. Due to this behavior, EAPs are often referred to as artificial muscles in the field of robotics. Despite the great variety of strains induced by shape change, no rotary motion performed by electroactive polymers has been discovered as of yet.

Electroactive polymers (EAP) exhibit changes in size and shape when stimulated by electric fields.


Electrorotation is the circular movement of an electrically polarized, micron sized, particle or material. AC electric field induced rotation has been reported for linear chains of cells [6] . It has became a very powerful diagnostic technique for measurement of certain dielectric properties of cells.

AC electric field induced rotation has been reported for linear chains of cells.


Today, mild steel is the most frequently used cathode for the large-scale production of NaClO 3 , even though some plants are using titanium. Mild steel has been used since 1890, succeeding the previous graphite electrodes [2] [3] [4] . The material is cheap and has a fairly low overpotential for hydrogen evolution but suffers from low selectivity [5, 6] . A high faradaic yield is achieved by adding chromium (VI) to the electrolyte, which forms a Cr(III) film that provides high selectivity at the cathode [7] . A large drawback of the steel cathode is that it corrodes severely during the shutdown of the process, at which time the cathodic protection is lost. The corrosion process renders the need for a high concentration of chromate in the electrolyte and also a decreased current efficiency after the stop and during the build-up of the Cr(III) film [8] .

Mild steel has been used since 1890, succeeding the previous graphite electrodes.

The material is cheap and has a fairly low overpotential for hydrogen evolution but suffers from low selectivity.

A high faradaic yield is achieved by adding chromium (VI) to the electrolyte, which forms a Cr(III) film that provides high selectivity at the cathode.

The corrosion process renders the need for a high concentration of chromate in the electrolyte and also a decreased current efficiency after the stop and during the build-up of the Cr(III) film.


The demand for sustainable wood-based materials is expected to continue to increase. At present, synthetic resin adhesives derived from fossil resources are required when manufacturing wood-based materials. Considering the concerns about the future global environment and the potential shortage of fossil resources, it is desirable to reduce the consumption of synthetic resin adhesives. Recently, studies on natural adhesives using bio-resources have been performed with protein, tannin and lignin used as the main adhesive materials [1] . However, when synthesizing these natural adhesives, chemical agents derived from fossil resources that cause health disorders and environmental problems are commonly necessary. In the further development of natural adhesives, the use of chemical agents should be restrained as much as possible.

Recently, studies on natural adhesives using bio-resources have been performed with protein, tannin and lignin used as the main adhesive materials.


In the second step we assessed which landscape features were associated with the species and thus should be included as bottom-up factors in the model testing the top-down hypothesis. The analysis of spatial distributions of the species (NMDS) had a stress value of 0.14, which implies that the 2D-representation renders an appropriate interpretation of dissimilarities recorded in the landscape (Clarke and Warwick 2001) . For simplicity, only the landscape features best represented within the set of transects were retained in the figures (Fig. 5) . The main horizontal axis represented an altitudinal gradient, negatively related to primary productivity (rel-NDVI ortho ). The vertical axis characterised the variation in aspect of the mountains, from northness-eastness to southness-westness. Throughout all rodent phases, ptarmigan and red fox abundances were strongly associated with south-westness and primary productivity (Fig. 5) . Arctic fox abundance was associated with altitude in all rodent phases, although the intensity varied, while the association with aspect switched from south-westness in post-peak and low winters to north-eastness in pre-peak winters (Fig. 5) . The wolverine abundance index was consistently associated to south-westness, but with varying intensity, being strong only in pre-peak winters (Fig. 5b ) and potentially with a weak influence of primary productivity in post-peak winters (Fig. 5c) .

The analysis of spatial distributions of the species (NMDS) had a stress value of 0.14, which implies that the 2D-representation renders an appropriate interpretation of dissimilarities recorded in the landscape.


Certain regions appear to be hotspots for marine species introductions as a relatively large proportion of new arrivals is recorded from the same geographic locations. Although the possible role of survey effort should not be ruled out as an explaining factor, regions that combine intercontinental shipping, recreational shipping, and shellfish trade and culture are prone to receive a high proportion of alien species introductions. This is especially the case if such regions include estuarine areas, because those regions can accommodate marine, brackishwater, and freshwater species. The southwestern part of The Netherlands, along the Southern Bight of the North Sea between the international ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam, is such a region because it includes a centre for shellfish trade and culture and various marinas for recreational shipping. The region receives marine alien species via intercontinental shipping and from neighboring countries via recreational shipping and shellfish transports (Wolff 2005) . As it is prohibited in The Netherlands to release shellfish from other continents into the environment, the main vector for primary introductions would appear to be intercontinental shipping. Any of the vectors mentioned can be involved in secondary introductions.

The region receives marine alien species via intercontinental shipping and from neighboring countries via recreational shipping and shellfish transports.


In this work we show an approach based on compiler analysis, and specifically exact data dependency analysis to maximize the computation/communication overlap for a given input code. Indeed, increasing the time window on which computation and communication can be performed in parallel (or overlapped) is one of the well known rules of thumb used to optimize MPI codes. As opposed to the previous compiler-based approaches, we utilize finer-grain exact analyses using the polyhedral model [1] . Unlike the traditional dependence graph, which contains data dependency information between the program statements, the dependence polyhedron lists dependencies on the basis of statement instances [16] . An instance of a statement is a particular dynamic execution of that statement. For example, the body of a loop has as many instances as there are iterations. By using this more detailed analysis our approach increases the overlap window between generating the data or buffer availability and the final consumption of the data.

As opposed to the previous compiler-based approaches, we utilize finer-grain exact analyses using the polyhedral model.

Unlike the traditional dependence graph, which contains data dependency information between the program statements, the dependence polyhedron lists dependencies on the basis of statement instances.


In most adults with a normal immune system, T. gondii does not cause serious diseases, and clinical symptoms are usually not apparent. Blindness and mental deficiency can be caused in congenitally infected children and the disease can be severe in immunocompromised individuals [5] . Moreover, reactivation and replication of T. gondii in immunocompromised individuals can cause neurological or psychiatric symptoms [6] . Studies performed in various countries showed increased seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in psychiatric patients, and increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that psychosis may be related to T. gondii infection [7] .

Blindness and mental deficiency can be caused in congenitally infected children and the disease can be severe in immunocompromised individuals.

Moreover, reactivation and replication of T. gondii in immunocompromised individuals can cause neurological or psychiatric symptoms.

Studies performed in various countries showed increased seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in psychiatric patients, and increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that psychosis may be related to T. gondii infection.


The correlation between intelligence and reading has been variously estimated to lie between 0.05 to 0.80 [20, [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] . It is likely that the diversity in correlations may be attributed to the measures of intelligence and reading adopted by individual researchers. Measures of reading comprehension tend to be more strongly correlated with intelligence than are measures for orthographic decoding [13, 39, 41] . Measures of verbal intelligence (e.g., verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ), Vocabulary or Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test -Third Edition (PPVT-III)) have also been shown to be more closely associated with reading ability than nonverbal intelligence [13, 19, 40, 41] . This is not surprising given that VIQ is derived from tests based on vocabulary, syntactic knowledge, linguistic coding ability, and short-term verbal memory [13, 19, 25] .

The correlation between intelligence and reading has been variously estimated to lie between 0.05 to 0.80.

Measures of reading comprehension tend to be more strongly correlated with intelligence than are measures for orthographic decoding.

Measures of verbal intelligence (e.g., verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ), Vocabulary or Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test -Third Edition (PPVT-III)) have also been shown to be more closely associated with reading ability than nonverbal intelligence.

This is not surprising given that VIQ is derived from tests based on vocabulary, syntactic knowledge, linguistic coding ability, and short-term verbal memory.


Descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) for the intelligence and reading measures for the total sample as well as for the five age levels is displayed in Table 1 . A series of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVAs) determined the comparability of the age groups on each of the measures. There were no significant differences between any of the age groups on any of the measures and all means were within the 'average' range (standard score range 90-109 [68] ). Noteworthy is that the strength of the correlations between the CPM and the PPVT-III with the reading measures appeared to fluctuate with the age of the child. For the 7-year olds, there were no relationships between the intelligence and reading measures, whereas for the 8 year olds there was a sudden increase in the strength of the associations, to the point where significant moderate to strong correlations were observed. The strength of the correlations declined slightly with age, particularly those correlations between the CPM and reading. At 11 years of age, the correlations between the intelligence and reading measures once again strengthen.

There were no significant differences between any of the age groups on any of the measures and all means were within the 'average' range (standard score range 90-109).


In summary, the correlation between reading and intelligence is fundamental to discrepancy and regression based models of DD. If the correlation between reading and intelligence does fluctuate with development as expected, then the psychometric properties of these models must vary depending on the age of the child [20, 27, 31, 48] . These models may also fluctuate depending of the measures of intelligence and reading administered. If such factors are not considered, then the validity of the diagnosis of DD is undermined.

If the correlation between reading and intelligence does fluctuate with development as expected, then the psychometric properties of these models must vary depending on the age of the child.


The child's developmental stage may also influence the strength of the correlation between reading and intelligence [40] . At 5-7 years of age most children have a limited sight word vocabulary and minimal awareness of orthographic and phonologic principles [45] . For very young learner readers, reading is effortful with decoding placing greater demands on attention and other cognitive resources, than text comprehension [25, 40, 45, 46] . With cognitive maturation and the associated learning of orthographic and phonologic principles, reading becomes automatic and fluent, and more attentional resources are available to be allocated to understanding the semantic meaning of the text [46, 47] . This process occurs from 7 years of age and with reading experience and further development of language skills, growth in meta-cognitive abilities (i.e., comprehension and intellectual functioning) can be expected [43, 46] . Therefore the correlation between reading and intelligence (particularly verbal intelligence) is strongest when the child is a proficient reader, rather than in the early stages of reading development [36] [37] [38] 40] . The importance of choice of research measures for different age groups is also highlighted.

The child's developmental stage may also influence the strength of the correlation between reading and intelligence.

At 5-7 years of age most children have a limited sight word vocabulary and minimal awareness of orthographic and phonologic principles.

For very young learner readers, reading is effortful with decoding placing greater demands on attention and other cognitive resources, than text comprehension.

With cognitive maturation and the associated learning of orthographic and phonologic principles, reading becomes automatic and fluent, and more attentional resources are available to be allocated to understanding the semantic meaning of the text.

This process occurs from 7 years of age and with reading experience and further development of language skills, growth in meta-cognitive abilities (i.e., comprehension and intellectual functioning) can be expected.

Therefore the correlation between reading and intelligence (particularly verbal intelligence) is strongest when the child is a proficient reader, rather than in the early stages of reading development.


Developmental dyslexia (DD) is often diagnosed when reading achievement is not commensurate with benchmarks such as intellectual functioning, chronological age, or educational instruction [1] . Definitions of DD based on a discrepancy between intellectual functioning and some measure of reading achievement have been particularly popular, despite wide criticisms regarding usage [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] . Such models have been criticized on the basis of poor validity, being more susceptible to effects of regression to the mean, lack of discriminative and predictive power, and unreliability [3, 4, 7, [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] . Regression-based models have been developed to overcome some of these problems (i.e., regression to the mean). The focus of the majority of these models is centered on the relationship between intelligence and reading achievement and this lingers as a contentious issue.

Developmental dyslexia (DD) is often diagnosed when reading achievement is not commensurate with benchmarks such as intellectual functioning, chronological age, or educational instruction.

Definitions of DD based on a discrepancy between intellectual functioning and some measure of reading achievement have been particularly popular, despite wide criticisms regarding usage.

Such models have been criticized on the basis of poor validity, being more susceptible to effects of regression to the mean, lack of discriminative and predictive power, and unreliability.


In BCTV, the C compiler produces assembly for the simulated CPU (the Ψ → x Ψ step in Section 2.3). Meanwhile, this assembly program has no influence on the constraints themselves [19] . Beyond this, recall that each step of the unrolled CPU execution contains the logic needed to execute any possible assembly instruction ( §2.3, Fig. 2) ; since any step might be a load or store, every step in the execution must be wired into the permutation network. Therefore, while the BCTV compiler could apply the optimizations in Section 3.2, the result would only be to reduce program text length |x Ψ | (and potentially t). There is no sense in which the compiler could eliminate expensive operations: each program step induces the same cost.

Meanwhile, this assembly program has no influence on the constraints themselves.


This paper introduces a robotic software tool, designed based on a low-cost commercial robot arm and supports simulator and online real mode controller. The architecture of the developed tool is flexible which allows developers to add new modules to software depending on the required problems. The main concern of this work is to introduce an intelligent application provided by IRSS. The software architecture allows a commercial low-cost robot arm to play a well-known board game. Board games are the games played on the board with certain pieces, which are moved across the board. It is a common knowledge that simple board games are considered to be the perfect entertainment for families because these games are known to provide fun to people of all ages. Some wellknown board games (for example, chess, checkers, Tic-TacToe) possess intense strategic value. Computer-based board game systems have been developed in the last 30 years [1] . In this study, a flexible and low-cost robotic system is introduced for playing tic-tac-toe against human opponents. Surveying the literature reveals that several systems and techniques have been improved so far for manipulators to play Tic-Tac-Toe. Manoel and Soares implemented a Java-based system which coordinates a set of LEGO robot to play the game of Tic-TacToe [2] . Furthermore, Sungur and Halici proposed a system playing Tic-Tac-Toe game against a human opponent [3] . In addition, AI especially Neural Networks have been employed by researchers to play Tic-Tac-Toe. Sungur and Halici proposed a system working on optimizing neural networks for playing Tic-Tac-Toe. They primarily worked on Hopfield network, Boltzmann machine, and Gaussian machines. The performances of the models were compared through simulation. Siegel on the other hand adapted reinforcement learning as the learning method for the game [4] .

Computer-based board game systems have been developed in the last 30 years.

Manoel and Soares implemented a Java-based system which coordinates a set of LEGO robot to play the game of Tic-TacToe.

Furthermore, Sungur and Halici proposed a system playing Tic-Tac-Toe game against a human opponent.

Siegel on the other hand adapted reinforcement learning as the learning method for the game.


Lead aVR often yields information from the right upper side of the heart that is not as readily available from other leads [21] . When repolarization of injured myocardial cells is delayed compared to normal cells, the direction of the T-wave vector changes towards the injured myocardial region [22] . Thus, positive T-waves in lead aVR might represent the presence of ischemically injured myocardium in the apical, inferior, and lower lateral regions of the heart. These areas of the heart are supplied with blood from left anterior descending (LAD), right coronary, or left circumflex coronary artery. Therefore, disease of these arteries or lesions located more proximally in left main coronary artery (LMCA) would be expected to positively invert a normally negative TaVR [21, 23] .

Lead aVR often yields information from the right upper side of the heart that is not as readily available from other leads.

When repolarization of injured myocardial cells is delayed compared to normal cells, the direction of the T-wave vector changes towards the injured myocardial region.

Therefore, disease of these arteries or lesions located more proximally in left main coronary artery (LMCA) would be expected to positively invert a normally negative TaVR.


Bandstructure calculations were performed using the nextnano software [51] . We modified the Tight Binding routine to generalise to both a 2 · 2 strain tensor but also for the presence of internal displacement. We used the general Tight Binding implementation that includes 3rd nearest neighbours, together with the parameters credited to R. Scholtz (currently at the Technical University of Dresden).

Bandstructure calculations were performed using the nextnano software.


Distributed Generation (DG) is one of the advanced technologies that can be utilized to enhance grid resilience. DG refers to electric power generation and storage performed by a collection of distributed energy resources (DER). DG decentralizes the electric power distribution by supplying power to the loads closer to where it is located. The potential of DGs is realized via a system approach that views DGs and associated loads as a microgrid (Lasseter et al. 2002) . A microgrid is often defined as a small-scale power system on medium-or low-voltage distribution feeder that includes loads and DG units, together with an appropriate management and control scheme supported by a communication infrastructure (Resende et al. 2011) . When faults occur in the main grid, microgrids can be detached from the main grid and act in island mode to serve critical loads by utilizing local DGs or work in the grid-connected mode to provide ancillary services for the bulk system restoration (Wang et al. 2016a) . Remotely controlled switches (RCS), another advanced technology, can be used to increase the grid flexibility by controlling the grid topology through a communication network and facilitate microgrid formations in emergencies. Other than the aforementioned operational enhancement measures, a grid can also be hardened physically by installing underground cables and/or upgrading the overhead lines with stronger materials, which reduces the physical impact of catastrophic events (Panteli et al. 2017) .

The potential of DGs is realized via a system approach that views DGs and associated loads as a microgrid.

A microgrid is often defined as a small-scale power system on medium-or low-voltage distribution feeder that includes loads and DG units, together with an appropriate management and control scheme supported by a communication infrastructure.

When faults occur in the main grid, microgrids can be detached from the main grid and act in island mode to serve critical loads by utilizing local DGs or work in the grid-connected mode to provide ancillary services for the bulk system restoration.

Other than the aforementioned operational enhancement measures, a grid can also be hardened physically by installing underground cables and/or upgrading the overhead lines with stronger materials, which reduces the physical impact of catastrophic events.


Iron carboxymaltose was well tolerated by patients with postpartum IDA at 1-3 single doses. The overall adverse event profile was similar between groups, and there were no treatment-related serious adverse events. The significantly higher frequency of gastrointestinal disorders in the ferrous sulfate group supports the findings of other studies, that oral iron medications are known to cause gastrointestinal side effects [15, 16] . Even in this study, where compliance to oral therapy was encouraged and monitored (unlike the "real-life" situation), and was very high (N 90%), iron stores were not replenished. This is of particular concern in patients with more severe IDA, as they are at higher risk of recurrent IDA once menstruation restarts, and the iron deficit could be carried forward into subsequent pregnancies. Iron carboxymaltose also has several advantages over other parenteral iron preparations. It does not contain dextran and does not react with dextran antibodies, and thus there is no risk of anaphylactic reactions of the type seen with iron dextran [17] . In addition, iron carboxymaltose has positive characteristics compared to iron sucrose (Venofer, Vifor International, St Gallen, Switzerland), which include a lower pH, lower osmolarity, and higher single dose administration [18] . Due to its safety profile, it can be given over a short-term period in in-patient or out-patient facilities.

The significantly higher frequency of gastrointestinal disorders in the ferrous sulfate group supports the findings of other studies, that oral iron medications are known to cause gastrointestinal side effects.

It does not contain dextran and does not react with dextran antibodies, and thus there is no risk of anaphylactic reactions of the type seen with iron dextran.

In addition, iron carboxymaltose has positive characteristics compared to iron sucrose (Venofer, Vifor International, St Gallen, Switzerland), which include a lower pH, lower osmolarity, and higher single dose administration.


The paper is organized as follows. In section 2 we define the height function and fix some notation. In sections 3 and 4 we prove some auxiliary lemmas. In section 5 we prove Proposition 5.5, a lower bound for the product of heights inspired by Theorem 1.6 of Amoroso and David's paper [1] . In section 6 we prove Theorems 1.2 and 1.4. In section 7 we then prove Theorems 1.1 and 1.5 and the three corollaries.

The paper is organized as follows.

In section 5 we prove Proposition 5.5, a lower bound for the product of heights inspired by Theorem 1.6 of Amoroso and David's paper.


The Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) equation is an attractive method for computing the meanfield potential of biomolecules [4] . By modeling the solvent environment as a continuum dielectric and salt ion distribution, the electrostatic potential and electrostatic free energy of a biomolecule may be estimated under the given conditions. In most implementations, the solvent provides dielectric screening of the biomolecule potential, represented as a uniform dielectric constant, while the salt is modeled based on the potential values within the continuum solvent by a nonlinear term in the PB equation. A linearized PB treatment of salt effects is accurate for proteins with modest net charges in monovalent salt solutions, while the more sophisticated treatment of salt with the nonlinear form of the PB equation is often used in treating multivalent salt solutions and in modeling highly charged polyelectrolytes such as nucleic acids [5] . Many methods of solving the Poisson-Boltzmann equation such as presented here in DelPhi utilize the finite difference method to efficiently solve the electrostatic potential on a discretized grid [6] .

The Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) equation is an attractive method for computing the meanfield potential of biomolecules.

A linearized PB treatment of salt effects is accurate for proteins with modest net charges in monovalent salt solutions, while the more sophisticated treatment of salt with the nonlinear form of the PB equation is often used in treating multivalent salt solutions and in modeling highly charged polyelectrolytes such as nucleic acids.

Many methods of solving the Poisson-Boltzmann equation such as presented here in DelPhi utilize the finite difference method to efficiently solve the electrostatic potential on a discretized grid.


Electrostatic interactions play an essential role in the dynamics of biological systems. These forces are the predominant long-range interactions influencing the dynamics within and between biomolecules, thus the accurate treatment of electrostatics is necessary for detailed models of these systems. The electrostatic interactions associated with ionic and polar chemical groups found in proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and other biomolecular systems are essential to both their structure and function [1] .

The electrostatic interactions associated with ionic and polar chemical groups found in proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and other biomolecular systems are essential to both their structure and function.


Commercially important tropical tasar silkworm Antheraea mylitta Drury is reared outdoor on Terminalia tomentosa (Asan) and T. arjuna (Arjun). Wild tasar silkworm populations are also found in forests in tropical India on Shorea robusta (Sal), Asan and some other secondary plants. All these primary and secondary food plants are attacked by large number of insect pests. Leaf gall Trioza fletcheri minor (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is the most important gall forming insect on the leaves of primary tasar food plant (Singh and Thangavelu, 1994) . A major part of the life cycle of gall insect is closely associated with the formation of gall guild in which the insect almost completes its development by deriving its nutrition from the gall tissues.

Leaf gall Trioza fletcheri minor (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is the most important gall forming insect on the leaves of primary tasar food plant.


As for the Canadian pattern, we have pointed out the role of trade unions as one key part of the institutional context. There is also some evidence that MNCs understand the differences between the U.S. and Canadian contexts and that they tailor their HR approaches accordingly (Bélanger and Trudeau 2007) . Such evidence warrants further investigation. We have also found some evidence of the adoption of HRM practices being the greatest in MNCs from well-defined business systems, those that are either clearly LMEs or CMEs. It may be that it is consistency of context, and not its nature, that encourages firms to adopt the practices.

There is also some evidence that MNCs understand the differences between the U.S. and Canadian contexts and that they tailor their HR approaches accordingly.


Surfaces in R 3 that minimize geometric energies are of great interest to architects because of their stability over other surfaces. These surfaces are used in the design and construction process of certain discrete meshed surfaces such as surfaces covered by special quadrilateral meshes with planar faces and conical meshes [1] [2] [3] . Of the many minimal surfaces, the Laguerre minimal surfaces are widely used.

These surfaces are used in the design and construction process of certain discrete meshed surfaces such as surfaces covered by special quadrilateral meshes with planar faces and conical meshes.


In this population from north Jordan the overall incidence rate for BCC ranged from 1.5 to 3 per 100,000. In Saudi Arabia, a recent study has indicated incidence rates between 3.4 and 4.4 per 100,000 population [19] . Another study from Iran showed incidence rates for BCC between 10.05 and 15.57 per 100,000 population [20] . Additional studies from Jordan and neighboring countries with similar dark skin color are also in accordance with low incidence rates for BCC reported in this study [21] [22] [23] [24] . It is worth noting that, in Caucasian skin populations, the incidence rates for BCC are much higher. For example, in Australia the incidence rate exceeds 1,000 per 100,000 population whereas in the United States the incidence rate is around 450 per 100.000 and in Europe the rate is around 100 per 100,000 [16] .

In Saudi Arabia, a recent study has indicated incidence rates between 3.4 and 4.4 per 100,000 population.

Another study from Iran showed incidence rates for BCC between 10.05 and 15.57 per 100,000 population.

Additional studies from Jordan and neighboring countries with similar dark skin color are also in accordance with low incidence rates for BCC reported in this study.

For example, in Australia the incidence rate exceeds 1,000 per 100,000 population whereas in the United States the incidence rate is around 450 per 100.000 and in Europe the rate is around 100 per 100,000.


While under normal circumstances capital flows have beneficial effects for emerging market economies, in some occasions, waves of strong portfolio inflows preceded episodes of financial instability, such as, for example, the Mexican crisis in 1994 and the Asian crisis in 1997 (Eichengreen and Mody, 1998) . The potential negative financial stability consequences of strong and volatile portfolio flows call for appropriate policy actions to safeguard financial and macroeconomic stability in recipient economies. The analysis of the drivers of capital flows and in particular disentangling between push and pull factors is a crucial step in designing these policies.

While under normal circumstances capital flows have beneficial effects for emerging market economies, in some occasions, waves of strong portfolio inflows preceded episodes of financial instability, such as, for example, the Mexican crisis in 1994 and the Asian crisis in 1997.


With the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) looming, UK academics can be in no doubt about the importance of publishing in quality journals. This indicator of their research performance will determine the allocation of much public funding and much private favour. The fortunes of individual departments and whole universities are at stake. US academics have long lived with the link between publication and employability, but institutional dependence on journal publication is a British contribution to academic progress. Like other Thatcherite innovations, it has inspired adoption elsewhere, and even American universities have been moved to squeeze further value from the incidence of publication in quality journals [1] .

Like other Thatcherite innovations, it has inspired adoption elsewhere, and even American universities have been moved to squeeze further value from the incidence of publication in quality journals.


Fossil fuel based conventional power plants produce a large amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To mitigate climate change disorder in electricity generation, deployment of mitigation technologies for reduction of GHG emissions is essential [1] - [4] . Climate change mitigation techniques such as use of renewable energy resources in power generation including change in fuel mix, energy efficient appliances, demand side management strategies, and smart appliances can be applied to reduce emissions from electricity infrastructure [1] [2] . Mitigation strategies are required to be developed for introducing such a transition in the well-established power sector. Assessment and quantification of the emission reduction ability for an electricity system with varying penetration of renewable power generation are required to achieve the national and international emission targets [5] .

To mitigate climate change disorder in electricity generation, deployment of mitigation technologies for reduction of GHG emissions is essential.

Climate change mitigation techniques such as use of renewable energy resources in power generation including change in fuel mix, energy efficient appliances, demand side management strategies, and smart appliances can be applied to reduce emissions from electricity infrastructure.

Assessment and quantification of the emission reduction ability for an electricity system with varying penetration of renewable power generation are required to achieve the national and international emission targets.


Solar radiation penetrated the Earth's upper atmosphere leads to heating, dissociation and ionization by absorbing via particles in the medium, and thus the ionosphere is primarily formed via the ionization effect of solar extra ultraviolet (EUV). The features of the ionosphere change importantly during solar activity events and they may have critical conclusions on the geospace environment (e.g. geomagnetic storms, ionospheric and thermospheric storms). Enormous variations in the neutral density and temperature, ion and electron densities and temperatures, neutral winds, and electric fields in the ionosphere are initiated by the variability of the solar activity [1] [2] [3] .

Enormous variations in the neutral density and temperature, ion and electron densities and temperatures, neutral winds, and electric fields in the ionosphere are initiated by the variability of the solar activity.


Let us begin by defining the following terms, which will be used throughout. All manifolds are taken to be smooth, unless otherwise specified. An immersed embedding, ı : L → M , of an n-manifold L into an (n + 2)-manifold M will be called a n-link in M. We will refer to this as simply a link when the dimension and ambient space are implied by context. When M = S n+2 , it may also be termed a classical link. A link for which L has only one connected component will be called a n-knot (in M ). Note that in some sources, the term n-knot is applied only to embeddings of the form S n → M n+2 ; we use the term in the more general sense. Two links are considered equivalent if they are related by a smooth isotopy of their images. This is equivalent to requiring that their images be related by an ambient isotopy of M , [36] . Note that this definition of links is also called the smooth category of links. If the requirement of immersion is replaced by requiring the embedding to be piecewise-linear and locally flat, the resulting theory is called the piecewise-linear or PL category; if we instead require the embeddings to be merely continuous and locally flat, we obtain the topological category or TOP. We will always work with the smooth category unless otherwise specified.

This is equivalent to requiring that their images be related by an ambient isotopy of M.


The study of block replacement policies is, in essence, a study of relating past access patterns with future access behavior. Based on the recognition of access patterns through acquisition and analysis of past behavior or history, replacement policies resolve to identify the block that will be used furthest down in the future so that that block may be replaced when needed [13] , [14] . The LRU policy does this by attaining the recency of block references while the LFU policy considers the frequency of block references. One problem of the LRU policy is that, since it uses only the time of the most recent reference to each block, it cannot discriminate well between frequently and infrequently referenced blocks. On the other hand, the problem with the LFU policy is that it cannot distinguish between references that occurred far back in the past and the more recent ones in recording the frequency and, thus, cannot adapt well to changing workloads.

Based on the recognition of access patterns through acquisition and analysis of past behavior or history, replacement policies resolve to identify the block that will be used furthest down in the future so that that block may be replaced when needed.


Over past 20 years, human beings have experienced a huge paradigm shift from traditional industrial society to digital society. Mobile devices have been at the center of this change, bringing totally different life style. If the spread of cellular phones was the first big bang, the spread of smart phones among the public can be the second big bang. Smart phones, the state -of-the-art mobile phones, have been developed to the extent that the internet can be available like computer [8] .

Smart phones, the state -of-the-art mobile phones, have been developed to the extent that the internet can be available like computer.


The majority of goats in Tanzania belong to the Small East African (SEA) breed, which comprises a number of populations, including Ujiji, Sukuma, Maasai, Gogo, Pare, Sonjo, and Newala goats (Msanga et al., 2001) . These animals are widely distributed and well adapted to various agro-ecological zones of the country with varying climatic and topographical conditions. In terms of importance, indigenous goats rank second to indigenous cattle, and are kept by most rural people to provide income, meat for home consumption, and investment. In recent years, the demand for goat meat in urban areas has increased, notably at supermarkets and hotels (Rutashobya, 2003) . Similarly, the demand for live animals has increased owing to more export opportunities to the Persian Gulf countries, Madagascar and Comoros (Chenyambuga et al., 2012) .

The majority of goats in Tanzania belong to the Small East African (SEA) breed, which comprises a number of populations, including Ujiji, Sukuma, Maasai, Gogo, Pare, Sonjo, and Newala goats.

In recent years, the demand for goat meat in urban areas has increased, notably at supermarkets and hotels.

Similarly, the demand for live animals has increased owing to more export opportunities to the Persian Gulf countries, Madagascar and Comoros.


In general, the few studies that have investigated the issue of whether the metabolic syndrome adds additional prediction for incident diabetes once its components are accounted for have concluded that this is not the case. However, only the WHO definition in men added additional prediction in a study conducted in Mauritius, and only the EGIR definition in men added additional prediction in the AusDiab [10, 11] . In the EPIC-Potsdam study, the metabolic syndrome was also not a significant predictor of incident diabetes once its components were taken into account.

However, only the WHO definition in men added additional prediction in a study conducted in Mauritius, and only the EGIR definition in men added additional prediction in the AusDiab.


In this study we considered the effect of similar muscles operating at different lengths. But in human movement the opposite often occurs as well: muscles with different properties (i.e., different optimal lengths) being used under similar conditions. Different quadriceps heads of runners and cyclists are known to have different optimal lengths (Herzog, Guimaraes, Anton, & Carter-Erdman, 1991; Savelberg & Meijer, 2003) . Combining this knowledge with the results of the present study, it can be hypothesized that differently trained subjects (e.g., runners vs. cyclist) perform a similar motor task (running or cycling) differently.

Different quadriceps heads of runners and cyclists are known to have different optimal lengths.


The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for the acceptance of a global strategic framework for integrated vector management (IVM) [21] . This entails increased emphasis on using all appropriate methods of vector control and inclusion of stakeholders to achieve acceptable levels of disease suppression. Keeping within the spirit of the IVM strategy, we have assembled an interdisciplinary research group, the INTERVECTOR consortium, at the University of Miami in Florida, USA. The term INTERVECTOR is derived from two main themes: "INTER" refers to interdisciplinary, international, and inter-agency, while "VECTOR" refers to insects that transmit pathogens. This group consists of ministry of health officers and a multi-disciplinary group of researchers from: Kenya, Egypt, Israel, Costa Rica, Trinidad and the USA.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for the acceptance of a global strategic framework for integrated vector management (IVM).


Given the cross-sectional design of the study there is also the potential for common source bias to affect the results. It is worth noting that the substantive effects of common-source bias are less serious that sometimes thought (Lance et al. 2010) . The study design also took a series of recommended strategy steps to minimize the potential for this problem (Podsakoff et al. 2003) . First, we avoided the self-report problem that contributes to common source bias by having respondents assess the key independent variable (transformational leadership) of other individuals, rather than themselves. Second, we used previously tested measures with high construct and discriminant validity. Finally, we also took pains to emphasize to respondents the confidential nature of the survey, minimizing the social desirability response that occurs when respondents may be unsure on this point. Alternative research designs might limit some of these difficulties. For example, an experimental approach can control for the nature of rules a respondent faces and test more directly factors that might alter the subjective experience of rules, 23 such as the professional background of respondents. But such a design has external validity problems, since it cannot replicate the actual experience of dealing with such rules on a regular basis. Another improvement to our research design would be to track longitudinal changes in transformational leadership over time, and link such changes this to the actions and beliefs of followers.

It is worth noting that the substantive effects of common-source bias are less serious that sometimes thought.

The study design also took a series of recommended strategy steps to minimize the potential for this problem.


For each plant, the number of parasitized larvae found on that plant was tallied. The number of parasitized larvae was divided by the total number of larvae on that plant to determine the percentage of larvae parasitized on each plant. Because the data in Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 were not normally distributed, nonparametric tests were used. These tests allowed us to use the untransformed data. The percentage of larvae parasitized per plant was compared between treatments in Experiment 1 by Wilcoxon's signed-rank test. Experiment 2 was analyzed as a randomized complete block using Friedman's two-way ANOVA (Factor 1, treatment; Factor 2, block) followed by a multiple comparison test (Neter et al. 1996) .

Experiment 2 was analyzed as a randomized complete block using Friedman's two-way ANOVA (Factor 1, treatment; Factor 2, block) followed by a multiple comparison test.


A study showed that 36 nonpathogenic bacteria did not grow over 16% salt and 31 pathogenic organisms did not grow at 10 % salt solution. Among the yeast genus, Rhodotorula were found most resistant to salt. Clostridium botulinum, an anaerobic bacterium, was inhibited under certain conditions in 10 percent salt concentration (Weiser, 1967) .

Clostridium botulinum, an anaerobic bacterium, was inhibited under certain conditions in 10 percent salt concentration.


The Thai Ministry of Education issued a Ministerial Regulation in 2007 on the provision of assistive technology, media, services, and other related support for students with disabilities, which regulated the meaning of assistive technology and the rights of students with disabilities to obtain it [2] . Assistive technology is a generic term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices, and comprises virtually everything that might be used to compensate for the lack of certain abilities. It ranges from low-tech devices such as crutches or special grips for a pen, and more advanced items such as hearing aids and glasses, to high-tech devices such as computers with specialized software for helping dyslexics to read. Depending on the nature of its use and application, assistive technology devices can be used by students with disabilities on their own or with assistance, in and outside the learning setup. Touch control devices, alternative keyboards and mouse, speech-to-text word recognition tools, word prediction programs, word processors, grammar checkers, scanners, compact disc recording drives, and spell checkers are some examples of assistive technology [3] . However, while assistive technology is an assistive device, educational services are also a type of assistive technology. In the same way, educational services assist students with disabilities throughout Thailand, according to their Information 2016, 7, 54 2 of 10 individual needs for increasing and enhancing their potential by, for example, the provision of a sign language interpreting service for deaf students and reading services for those who are blind or with a learning disability. These technologies are not only designed for persons with disabilities, but also adaptable or modifiable from mainstream methods. Therefore, they have the objectives of increasing, enhancing, maintaining, and developing the ability and potential of students with disabilities so that they are able to access information and activities in the same way as students without disabilities.

The Thai Ministry of Education issued a Ministerial Regulation in 2007 on the provision of assistive technology, media, services, and other related support for students with disabilities, which regulated the meaning of assistive technology and the rights of students with disabilities to obtain it.

Touch control devices, alternative keyboards and mouse, speech-to-text word recognition tools, word prediction programs, word processors, grammar checkers, scanners, compact disc recording drives, and spell checkers are some examples of assistive technology.


Assistive technology has become important and is developed specifically to assist students with disabilities in overcoming barriers. Access to information for learning by using assistive technology can help students with disabilities to maximize their potential and ability for achieving individualized objectives. In educational settings, these technologies help such students to access and share information, complete schoolwork independently, provide an environment for socializing, and enable access to information and activities in the same way as regular students. However, they do not fully benefit from them, despite regulations on assistive technology being developed continuously for them. Nevertheless, these students could help themselves to live with high technology by taking more time in learning, training, and practicing access to and use of these mechanisms. It would be more beneficial for students with disabilities if they used assistive technology until they have fully developed their skills [7] . Furthermore, a previous study found that not only the modernization of technological and educational services, but also problematic trends in their development are related to new service delivery mechanisms that change public policy and coordination among consumers, policy-makers, manufacturers, researchers, and service providers [8] .

It would be more beneficial for students with disabilities if they used assistive technology until they have fully developed their skills.

Furthermore, a previous study found that not only the modernization of technological and educational services, but also problematic trends in their development are related to new service delivery mechanisms that change public policy and coordination among consumers, policy-makers, manufacturers, researchers, and service providers.


Over the past decade, the cost of medical education has increased substantially [1] [2] [3] . Many institutions have more than doubled their tuition fees since 1998 [1] . Between 1999 and 2010, the median educational debt and the median 4-year cost of medical school attendance grew at nearly twice the rate of inflation [4] . Since 2000, increases in medical school tuition have outpaced increases in the consumer price index, physician compensation, and overall financial aid [1] . A recent Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) analysis describing changes in indebtedness trends reports 2010 and 2011 mean medical student educational debt at $157,000 and $161,300 respectively [5] . While congressional efforts to address growing national undergraduate student debt have been enacted, there have been relatively few recent policy efforts addressing the growing debt burden among medical students [6] .

Over the past decade, the cost of medical education has increased substantially.

Many institutions have more than doubled their tuition fees since 1998.

Between 1999 and 2010, the median educational debt and the median 4-year cost of medical school attendance grew at nearly twice the rate of inflation.

Since 2000, increases in medical school tuition have outpaced increases in the consumer price index, physician compensation, and overall financial aid.

A recent Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) analysis describing changes in indebtedness trends reports 2010 and 2011 mean medical student educational debt at $157,000 and $161,300 respectively.

While congressional efforts to address growing national undergraduate student debt have been enacted, there have been relatively few recent policy efforts addressing the growing debt burden among medical students.


An urban environment has many factors that distinguish it from forested and pasture regions, such as the high heat capacity of building materials, anthropogenic heat sources, the reduction of atmosphere evapotranspiration, and the retention of long-wave radiation due to the increase in atmospheric pollution [71, 72] . The combined factors contribute to the urban heat island effect, defined as an increase in surface temperature in urban environments compared the temperature in rural zones. This relatively warmer air over the urban region rises higher, leading to greater vertical development and higher NBL heights and volume compared to pasture and forest regions [73, 74] . The increased surface temperature and altered evapotranspiration likewise complicate the use of traditional meteorological tracers (i.e., potential temperature and specific humidity) to estimate NBL height in urban regions.

An urban environment has many factors that distinguish it from forested and pasture regions, such as the high heat capacity of building materials, anthropogenic heat sources, the reduction of atmosphere evapotranspiration, and the retention of long-wave radiation due to the increase in atmospheric pollution.

This relatively warmer air over the urban region rises higher, leading to greater vertical development and higher NBL heights and volume compared to pasture and forest regions.


The study described herein focuses on the NBL of urban Manaus, an environment little explored in previous studies in the Amazon. This environment deserves attention due to the heat island configuration that may imply NBL height differences compared to previous studies on forest and pasture regions (Table S1 , Supplementary Materials). In addition, the results of this study highlight that ozone can be used as a tracer to probe the dynamics of the NBL. This approach adds valuable information on the NBL height that supplements traditional measurements from potential temperature and specific humidity when the weather conditions and other factors are not favorable to their use. The primary dataset of this study consists of vertical profiles of ozone concentration, potential temperature, and specific humidity, allowing a comparative assessment among these metrics. A copter-type unmanned aerial vehicle was used in conjunction with a sensing system to collect the vertical profiles. The knowledge generated in this study can contribute to the improvement of atmospheric chemistry and air quality models, especially for tropical urban environments where ozone concentrations can affect the health and well-being of the population [50, 51] .

The knowledge generated in this study can contribute to the improvement of atmospheric chemistry and air quality models, especially for tropical urban environments where ozone concentrations can affect the health and well-being of the population.


Over the tropical forest in central Amazonia, ozone satisfies the necessary criteria [38] . Ozone is produced in the daytime troposphere from photochemical reactions among natural and anthropogenic precursors that include industrial, vehicle, and biosphere emissions [38, 39] . At nighttime, production ceases, and the residual daytime concentration remains in what is effectively a well-mixed infinite reservoir overlying the relatively thin NBL [6, 40, 41] . At the surface, there is a strong ozone sink through both stomatal and non-stomatal processes [21, 42, 43] . Stomatal uptake occurs via dry deposition when ozone meets specific locations of the plants along the path from outside the leaf to the reaction site inside the apoplast [44] . The uptake rate of the stomatal pathway varies among plant species, genotype, plant phenology, leaf age, position in the canopy, and nutrient availability [45] [46] [47] [48] [49] . Non-stomatal processes involve ozone deposition to soil, stems, and cuticles, along with chemical losses such as reactions with nitric oxide (NO) in the atmosphere in polluted environments [48] . The strong ozone sink at the surface owing to reactive dry deposition or chemical losses leads to the expectation of a step function in ozone concentration across the top of the NBL for nighttime atmosphere [8, 9, [33] [34] [35] . Such a profile is suggested as a method in this study to infer the NBL height.

Over the tropical forest in central Amazonia, ozone satisfies the necessary criteria.

Ozone is produced in the daytime troposphere from photochemical reactions among natural and anthropogenic precursors that include industrial, vehicle, and biosphere emissions.

At nighttime, production ceases, and the residual daytime concentration remains in what is effectively a well-mixed infinite reservoir overlying the relatively thin NBL.

At the surface, there is a strong ozone sink through both stomatal and non-stomatal processes.

Stomatal uptake occurs via dry deposition when ozone meets specific locations of the plants along the path from outside the leaf to the reaction site inside the apoplast.

The uptake rate of the stomatal pathway varies among plant species, genotype, plant phenology, leaf age, position in the canopy, and nutrient availability.

Non-stomatal processes involve ozone deposition to soil, stems, and cuticles, along with chemical losses such as reactions with nitric oxide (NO) in the atmosphere in polluted environments.

The strong ozone sink at the surface owing to reactive dry deposition or chemical losses leads to the expectation of a step function in ozone concentration across the top of the NBL for nighttime atmosphere.


Opponents to upfront WBRT propose an "on demand" SRS strategy, in order to avoid potential neurotoxicity, with an MRI survey every three months. However, it is also known that brain recurrence negatively impacts neurocognitive function [35, 53] . Furthermore, in some cases, after multiple SRS sessions, WBRT will be no longer possible due to the cumulative radiation toxicity risk. Finally, brain recurrence is not always accessible to SRS, and if so, WBRT will be mandatory, with less efficiency, due to the BM size; therefore, neurological deterioration could occur earlier than radio-induced toxicity.

However, it is also known that brain recurrence negatively impacts neurocognitive function.


The nature of speech act can have an impact on the students' choice or lack of choice of pragmatic strategies. Some speech acts are more complex and difficult for students. For example, the production of the speech acts of apology and request is easier for learners than giving advice (Nguyen 2011) . In addition, the multifunctionality of some speech acts can contribute to their inappropriate or wrong choice of speech acts by ESL students. For example, in some cases, students used the wrong speech act. Although they were asked to give advice, they produced the speech act of suggestion instead. The fact is that there is no clear and direct relationship between a semantic formula and a specific function because, for example, sometimes giving advice appears as a suggestion or recommendation or vice-versa. Therefore, in order to understand a speaker's intention, one should pay attention to the context. As a matter of fact, the multifunctionality of speech act is considered as a necessary construct of pragmatic competence (Rose, 1999; Thomas, 1995) .

For example, the production of the speech acts of apology and request is easier for learners than giving advice.

As a matter of fact, the multifunctionality of speech act is considered as a necessary construct of pragmatic competence.


The main shortcoming of horizontal replication is that the shared database becomes a bottleneck (limiting scalability) and a single point of failure (lack of availability for the database tier). An alternative is to combine two replicated tiers (i.e., application server and database). However, this approach may lead to inconsistencies and attaining a consistent integration in a scalable way is still an open problem [3] . In FT-CORBA, replication was either primary-backup or active replication so, they did not address scalability [4, 5] .

However, this approach may lead to inconsistencies and attaining a consistent integration in a scalable way is still an open problem.

In FT-CORBA, replication was either primary-backup or active replication so, they did not address scalability.


Despite the availability of a large number of patented devices and machines to produce milk foams by steam injection, there are relatively few studies focusing on the effect of process conditions on the properties of foams generated (Deeth and Smith, 1983; Goh et al., 2009; Huppertz, 2010; Kamath et al., 2008; Levy, 2003; Silva et al., 2008) . Moreover, the preparation of barista-style milk foams in coffee shops use homogenized pasteurized semi-skimmed milk, which does not permit the control of foam properties formed by merely controlling the biochemical characteristics of the milk. The only way to produce foams with diverse properties, with a given type of milk, is to employ different machine and steam sparger designs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the main process parameters (steam pressure and nozzle design) and the principal properties of foams formed.

Despite the availability of a large number of patented devices and machines to produce milk foams by steam injection, there are relatively few studies focusing on the effect of process conditions on the properties of foams generated.