The dimensionality reduction (DR) and dictionary learning (DL) are mostly studied as two independent problems in FR. Usually, DR is performed first to the training samples and the dimensionality reduced data are used for DL. However, the pre-learned DR projection may not preserve the best features for DL. Intuitively, the DR and DL processes should be jointly conducted for a more effective FR. To this end, we propose a joint discriminative DR and DL (JDDRDL) scheme to exploit more effectively and robustly the discriminative information of training samples. The goal is that the face image features from different classes can be effectively separated by a dictionary in a subspace, which are to be determined. In the proposed JDDRDL, an energy functional is defined and an iterative optimization algorithm is given to alternatively optimize the dictionary and projection matrix. From some initialization, in each iteration, for a fixed projection P, the desired dictionary D can be updated; then with the updated dictionary D, the projection matrix P can be refined. After several iterations, the learned P and D together can lead to a more effective FR system. One important advantage of the proposed JDDRDL scheme is that it is more robust to the small sample size problem than state-of-art linear representation based face classification methods [3, 6, 14, 16] .

One important advantage of the proposed JDDRDL scheme is that it is more robust to the small sample size problem than state-of-art linear representation based face classification methods.


Clays (SAz-1, SWy-1, SHCa, SWa-1, and STx-1) were obtained from the Source Clays Repository of the Clay Minerals Society. The composition of the clays is given in Table 1 . The clays were purified and freeze dried as previously described (Lee and Fitch 1990) . Na + exchanged clays were prepared by dissolving 30 g of as received clay in 100 ml of 2 M NaC1 and stirring for 48 hours. The supernatant was decanted and replaced with fresh 2 M NaC1 three times. The Na-exchanged clay was washed and decanted 10 times checking each time for the presence of C1-with AgNO3. After exchange the clays were freeze dried.

The clays were purified and freeze dried as previously described.


Depletion of fossil fuel, negative effects of CO 2 emission, and high price of crude oil are major concerns which influence the motivation and adoption of the renewable energies like wind, solar, geothermal, and so on. Among all renewable energy sources, wind energy, as an abundant source of energy, has the highest annual growing rate of about 30% [1] . The aforementioned problems during the recent year have forced many scientists across the globe to pay more attention to clean energy sources like wind which is environmentally friendly and renewable [2] . It is worthwhile to mention that the economic growth and environmental pressure should be decoupled, as evidenced by international agreements on environmental policy such as the Kyoto Protocol for reducing greenhouse gas emissions [3] .

Among all renewable energy sources, wind energy, as an abundant source of energy, has the highest annual growing rate of about 30%.

The aforementioned problems during the recent year have forced many scientists across the globe to pay more attention to clean energy sources like wind which is environmentally friendly and renewable.

It is worthwhile to mention that the economic growth and environmental pressure should be decoupled, as evidenced by international agreements on environmental policy such as the Kyoto Protocol for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.


Retrieving similar image from an image database is a challenging task. Text based image retrieval systems (TBIR) were used from the 1970's. Searching images based on the content of the image is called Content Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) which uses different features of the image to search similar images from an image database. The CBIR appeared in the 1990's and it is suitable for both large and small size databases [1] [2] [3] . CBIR adopts feature extraction and similarity measurement for image retrieval process. Image content features such as colour, texture and shape, which are analyzed and extracted automatically by computer achieves the effective retrieval.

The CBIR appeared in the 1990's and it is suitable for both large and small size databases.


In the case of the latter momentum transfer process, ions are capable of oscillating at almost the same amplitudes as the neutrals, propagating in phase with the neutrals. Thus, the latter process should produce a high cross-correlation coecient with no time lag between U I == and U== FPI and between U II == and U== FPI . For period A, the upper boundaries of the emission layer in Fig. 3a moved above the altitude of 275 km most of the time. The lack of neutral wind velocity at altitudes higher than 275 km results in underestimation of amplitude of U I == because, in general, the neutral wind amplitude increases with height in the F-region (Witasse et al., 1998) . This is because the integrated amplitudes of U I == were smaller than the amplitude of U== FPI , as shown in Table 2 . The neutral wind velocity at lower altitude tend to contribute to the phase of U== FPI more signi®cantly than those at higher altitude because of a forward phase propagation with decreasing altitude. For period A, U I == was thought to re¯ect all the neutral wind motions that aected the phase relation of U== FPI , because the lower boundaries of the emission layer were always higher than the bottom of the height range covered by EISCAT radar data. This is because, for period A, the cross-correlation coecient was relatively high, and the time lag was relatively small, as shown in Table 3 .

The lack of neutral wind velocity at altitudes higher than 275 km results in underestimation of amplitude of U I == because, in general, the neutral wind amplitude increases with height in the F-region.


Genetic association studies can provide more accurate information on the interindividual variability, thereby contributing to establishment of more accurate exposure limits in the workplace. These efforts, in a larger perspective, provide opportunities to effectively target engineering controls, personal protective equipment, and intervention strategies to protect the health of high-risk workers. With the advances in high-throughput technologies and computational methodologies, this information could be used in designing better predictive models to incorporate genetic variability into risk evaluation and improving the regulation and redefinition of acceptable exposure levels in the workplace. Success of such approaches depends on how molecular epidemiology studies overcome some of the current challenges. Despite the rapid growth of published associations, some of the genetic associations lack consistency across different studies. The inconsistency in results might be explained by the differences in study populations, phenotype characterization, exposure assessment, characterization of other environmental exposure (e.g., air pollution, smoking), intermediate phenotypes (e.g., airway hyperresponsiveness), statistical inconsistencies and other potentially modifiable risk factors such as lifestyle. For example, allele/carrier frequencies of the HLA-DPB1Glu69 ranged between 0.21/0.38 to 0.33/0.59 across different ethnic populations [70] . This emphasizes the importance of replication studies in independent populations with a different genetic background. Although the genetics of allergic respiratory diseases including DA and CBD have yet to be fully characterized, summarized discoveries hold promise for the identification of susceptibility profiles and characterization of gene-environment interactions. It is to be hoped that future genetic association studies with large, well-characterized populations through national and international collaborations will increase the understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases and help identify novel therapeutic targets and preventative/educational strategies for better identification and management of occupational diseases.

For example, allele/carrier frequencies of the HLA-DPB1Glu69 ranged between 0.21/0.38 to 0.33/0.59 across different ethnic populations.


The second approach, namely column-based, enables users to specify simple mappings between spreadsheet columns and target attributes (atomic elements) via drag-and-drop operations [11, 4] . This approach requires direct correspondences between spreadsheet column contents and the values of target attributes. For example, after dragging attribute Y of scatter plot (Figure 1(c) ) onto source column Infection Rate (Figure 1(a) ), the values of the column are copied to values of the attribute. Such straightforward correspondences, however, are unlikely when the target application and the spreadsheet have been developed independently. For instance, while the infection rate is expressed per million in the source, the target scatter plot expects a rate of per one hundred thousand. To correct this issue, the source spreadsheet must be modified, e.g., the values of column Infection Rate must be changed.

The second approach, namely column-based, enables users to specify simple mappings between spreadsheet columns and target attributes (atomic elements) via drag-and-drop operations.


Previous studies in the literature have often been unable to simulate the grasping procedure of soft organs with high accuracy and feasible computational cost. The nite element model can provide a realistic presentation of soft tissue deformations, but, the nite element procedure is normally slow with high computational cost. Therefore, the nite element method cannot be considered for real time simulations [3] .

Therefore, the nite element method cannot be considered for real time simulations.


This study aimed at investigating the effect of three modes of scaffolding, namely teacher, class, and peer scaffolding on the writing development of learners. The learners in the experimental group who benefited from scaffolding techniques did not outperform the control group who did their task individually. Confirming this on the quantitative plane, the qualitative analysis revealed that the increase in the average score of teacher scaffolding session was due to the teacher's being in line with the procedures of scaffolding and his familiarity with the realization of the scaffolding concept. Learners need to be taught on how to scaffold (Nassaji and Tian, 2010) . The process of scaffolding and productive dialogue is not a mere chance and guaranteed process, especially in societies where individuals are not familiar enough to have group work and interactional relationship. In addition, learners have to be encouraged to set a safe environment within their dialogue to accept the flow of negotiation on their immediate task. Building a wall around themselves, learners in this study did not let themselves and other's enter the zone of proximal development; therefore, they need to realize that the dialogue is a mutual respective negotiation of ideas, that no one is right all the time, and that interaction is to bear into the construction of knowledge, not merely confirming one's own idea. Also, researchers have to be careful about the implication of scaffolding where learners rely on their teachers in the construction of knowledge and their own development. Consequently, group work and peer interaction will not necessarily lead to development.

Learners need to be taught on how to scaffold.


Thin strips were cut from the ventricles of medium sized, male frogs (Rana pipiens) and connected for continuous measurement of tension to either an Endevco 8107-2 semiconductor transducer or a Statham G 10 B 4 0.15 strain gauge transducer. The muscles were bathed in Ringer solution (117 mM NaCl, 1.0 mM CaC12, 2.4 mM K 2 HPO 4 , 0.6 mM KH 2 PO 4 , pH 7.0) and stimulated at 9 per min until a steady contraction tension was achieved. This period of stimulation was never more than a few minutes so the hearts never reached the hypodynamic state (Clark, 1913) . At this point the bathing medium was changed, and a solution containing 3 mM EDTA (disruption solution) replaced it. After 15 min the muscle was passed through a series of 2-5 ml aliquots of solutions containing calcium buffered with EGTA (contracture solutions). The muscle remained in each solution until a steady tension was reached. At the end of each experiment the total calcium content of each solution was measured with a Perkin-Elmer 290 atomic absorption spectrometer to eliminate possible errors due to calcium contamination from reagents or chambers.

This period of stimulation was never more than a few minutes so the hearts never reached the hypodynamic state.


There appear to be at least two functionally different types of interactions of calcium with the membrane, a cooperative one that is important in the general permeability of the membrane and involves calcium bound in the range of 10-5 M or less, and a more specific one concerned with the conductance changes of the action potential (Frankenhaeuser and Hodgkin, 1957) . The reason for describing the first as cooperative comes from the experiment shown in Fig. 8 . Although no restoration of the low permeability of the membrane to Ca++ normally occurred at pCa of 6.4, if the recovery process had been first initiated at a pCa of 5.0 it continued at a pCa of 6.4. Apparently, after some of the calcium had been restored to the membrane, further accumulation did not require as high a concentration of Ca++. Such a mechanism would enhance membrane stability, as the initial removal of calcium would require a very low Ca++ concentration.

There appear to be at least two functionally different types of interactions of calcium with the membrane, a cooperative one that is important in the general permeability of the membrane and involves calcium bound in the range of 10-5 M or less, and a more specific one concerned with the conductance changes of the action potential.


The membrane permeability to other ions was also markedly enhanced by the disruption solution. The almost complete disappearance of a resting potential demonstrates that the selective barrier to the flow of small univalent ions had disappeared, and the impairment of relaxation in certain instances by Mg-free solutions indicates that the sarcoplasmic Mg++ had approached equilibration with bath Mg++ (Weber, 1969) . Although tracer studies will be necessary to determine whether ATP crossed the membrane, it is clear that at least part of the rabbit ventricle was not adequately supplied by ATP from the bathing solution because of a diffusion barrier and/or hydrolysis in the superficial region of the tissue. The abrupt increase in the rate of relaxation of contracted rabbit heart produced by oxygenation suggested that the tissue was ATP deficient and that the mitochondria were functionally intact with adequate endogenous substrate for ATP synthesis. ATP is a larger molecule than CaEGTA and from simple considerations of both size and charge, one would expect ATP to be less permeant than CaEGTA.

The almost complete disappearance of a resting potential demonstrates that the selective barrier to the flow of small univalent ions had disappeared, and the impairment of relaxation in certain instances by Mg-free solutions indicates that the sarcoplasmic Mg++ had approached equilibration with bath Mg++.


Speed concerns are related to the decoding algorithms as well as to the dimension of many parameters (vocabulary size, models, length of the feature vector, etc) [5] . Dynamic programming (DP) methods are the search strategies used more often in small and medium vocabulary applications. Although, calculating the probabilities in this manner is computationally expensive, particularly with large models or long observation sequences. Other search techniques such as A*, beam search, and multi-pass have not been used widely in handwriting recognition. Because they are faster, generally they are less accurate, providing sub-optimal solutions [5] . Most of the techniques that have been used are based on pruning mechanisms that attempt to reduce the number of word hypotheses prior to the recognition [5] .

Speed concerns are related to the decoding algorithms as well as to the dimension of many parameters (vocabulary size, models, length of the feature vector, etc).

Because they are faster, generally they are less accurate, providing sub-optimal solutions.

Most of the techniques that have been used are based on pruning mechanisms that attempt to reduce the number of word hypotheses prior to the recognition.


Therefore, research was started to test the assumptions of the Karasek model for teachers in secondary education. In testing the model, criticism based on reviews of the model was taken into account. First, results give rise to questions about the validity of the model (De Jonge 1992) . The way the main variables have to be defined and operationalized remains unclear, whereas empirical evidence confirming interaction effects is scarce. Moreover, the amount of explained variance of main effects is rather low in all studies. Although different arguments are given for these disappointing results, it is often stated that the model is too simple and that it lacks a very important variable, in explaining stress and work-based learning, that has to be added to the model: social support (Greenglass et al. 1997; Guglielmi and Tatrow, 1998; Schaubroeck and Fink 1998; Grif th et al. 1999) . So, only main effects were investigated whereas the task characteristic 'social support' was added as a third independent variable.

First, results give rise to questions about the validity of the model.

Although different arguments are given for these disappointing results, it is often stated that the model is too simple and that it lacks a very important variable, in explaining stress and work-based learning, that has to be added to the model: social support.


The Job Demand-Control model of Karasek is originally a model of work stress (Karasek and Theorell 1990) . The model proposes that work stress results from the joint effects of the demands of a work situation (job demands) and the discretion permitted to the worker in how to meet these demands (job control). Control refers to the opportunity to act autonomously and independently within the job and to exercise in uence over decisions regarding working conditions and organizational issues. The major prediction of the model is that stress will occur when job demands are high and control is low, whereas the second prediction is that learning and growth will occur in situations where both job demands and control are high. Actually, the model is based on the interaction between two social-psychological variables. On the one hand, the assumption is that control is needed to fulfil high job demands; on the other hand, it is assumed that high job demands are a prerequisite for work-based learning. However, to prevent work stress arising from high job demands, control is considered a crucial factor. From the model, two different hypotheses can be deduced: the strain hypothesis and the learning hypothesis. The rst hypothesis is that work stress will occur when job demands are high whereas control is low. The second hypothesis is that learning and growth will occur in situations where both job demands and control are high.

The Job Demand-Control model of Karasek is originally a model of work stress.


An adequate pharmacist workforce was considered important to operate the sessional service. Rural workforce recruitment and retention issues were a recurrent theme in the literature review [7, 10, 33] . This study demonstrated employment opportunities that may, in part, address rural pharmacist workforce shortages through increased workload and opportunities for career satisfaction, the lack of which have been reported to discourage skilled workforce in rural areas [10, 33] . In addition, sessional models may provide opportunities to address oversupply of pharmacists in non-rural areas, currently the case in Australia [33, 34] . This employment model creates job opportunities for pharmacists with the potential of facilitating expansion of workforce into rural areas and address workforce maldistribution.

Rural workforce recruitment and retention issues were a recurrent theme in the literature review.

This study demonstrated employment opportunities that may, in part, address rural pharmacist workforce shortages through increased workload and opportunities for career satisfaction, the lack of which have been reported to discourage skilled workforce in rural areas.

In addition, sessional models may provide opportunities to address oversupply of pharmacists in non-rural areas, currently the case in Australia.


Many core problems in asynchronous multiprocessing systems can be captured as concurrent data structures-abstract data structures that are concurrently accessed by asynchronous processes. A prominent example is provided by list-based data structures: A double-ended queue (deque) supports operations that insert and remove nodes at the two ends of the queue; it provides a producer-consumer job queue [3] . A priority queue can be implemented as a doubly-linked list with removals only at the ends, while nodes can be inserted anywhere at the queue; it can be used to queue process identifiers for scheduling purposes. Finally, a generic doubly-linked list (hereafter, called simply a linked list) allows insertions and removals of nodes anywhere in the list.

A prominent example is provided by list-based data structures: A double-ended queue (deque) supports operations that insert and remove nodes at the two ends of the queue; it provides a producer-consumer job queue.


In five dimensions, instantons are particles charged under the the U (1) global symmetry associated with the topological conserved current J = 1 8π 2 Tr * (F ∧ F ); this global symmetry is denoted by U (1) I in the rest of the paper. In the UV superconformal field theory, the instanton particles are created by local operators known as instanton operators, that insert a topological defect at a spacetime point and impose certain singular boundary conditions on the fields [29] [30] [31] . These operators play an important role in enhancing the global symmetry of the theory. For 5d N = 1 field theories at infinite coupling, it was argued that instanton operators with charge I = ±1, form a multiplet under the supersymmetry and flavour symmetry [31] . In 5d N = 2 Yang-Mills theory with simply laced gauge group, it is believed that the instanton operators constitute the Kaluza-Klein tower that enhances the Poincaré symmetry and provides the UV completion by uplifting this five dimensional theory to the 6d N = (2, 0) CFT [29, 32, 33] .

In the UV superconformal field theory, the instanton particles are created by local operators known as instanton operators, that insert a topological defect at a spacetime point and impose certain singular boundary conditions on the fields.

For 5d N = 1 field theories at infinite coupling, it was argued that instanton operators with charge I = ±1, form a multiplet under the supersymmetry and flavour symmetry.

In 5d N = 2 Yang-Mills theory with simply laced gauge group, it is believed that the instanton operators constitute the Kaluza-Klein tower that enhances the Poincaré symmetry and provides the UV completion by uplifting this five dimensional theory to the 6d N = (2, 0) CFT.


In recent years, Krylov subspace techniques have proven to be valuable tools to simulate the response of multiconductor transmission lines [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . By expanding the currents and voltages around a certain expansion point in frequency, or by expanding the transfer function between a given input and a desired output, accurate current, voltage, or transfer function approximations can obtained on an entire frequency band of interest after only a single run of the underlying Krylov subspace method. The drawback is, however, that for finite expansion points a shifted version of a so-called system matrix needs to be factorized. Computing such a factorization is computationally expensive and we like to avoid it whenever possible. In general this can be achieved by taking the expansion point to infinity. For high frequencies or early times such an approach works fine, but if low frequencies or late times are of interest then a large number of iterations may be required to arrive at a satisfactory approximation.

In recent years, Krylov subspace techniques have proven to be valuable tools to simulate the response of multiconductor transmission lines.


Cancer survivors are at increased risk of osteoporosis and subsequent fractures related to the type of cancer and its treatment. While decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis is a well known complication of certain cancer treatments such as endocrine therapies and chemotherapy, its association with radiotherapy has not been reported and relation between osteoporosis and radiation has not been investigated sufficiently [4, 5] . Decrease in BMD and osteoporosis seen after radiotherapy is often an indirect effect of irradiation and results either from pelvic irradiation induced ovarian or testicular failure or metabolic syndromes which develop after cranial irradiation of hypopyhseal pituitary stalk in survivors of childhood tumors [6] [7] [8] [9] . Osteoporosis is a common complication of additional treatments during radiotherapy such as endocrine manipulations in breast and prostate cancer. These additional treatments during or after radiotherapy increase the risk of decline in BMD and increase radiation associated fracture risk [3, 10, 11] .

While decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis is a well known complication of certain cancer treatments such as endocrine therapies and chemotherapy, its association with radiotherapy has not been reported and relation between osteoporosis and radiation has not been investigated sufficiently.

Decrease in BMD and osteoporosis seen after radiotherapy is often an indirect effect of irradiation and results either from pelvic irradiation induced ovarian or testicular failure or metabolic syndromes which develop after cranial irradiation of hypopyhseal pituitary stalk in survivors of childhood tumors.

These additional treatments during or after radiotherapy increase the risk of decline in BMD and increase radiation associated fracture risk.


In addition to improvements of electronics for neural applications, microfluidic integration gained interest over the last years. In fact, precise and spatiotemporal controlled delivery by microprobes is considered to be one of the most promising directions for delivering pharmacological compounds directly into specific brain regions. From its beginning, silicon technology pioneered the integration of fluidic microchannels into a probe (Chen et al., 1997) . Anisotropic silicon etching, boron etch stop, and thermal oxidation/low-pressure chemical vapor deposition sealing were key steps in putting together microelectrodes and fluidic channels for a first time. Changes in the response properties of isolated neurons during drug delivery confirmed the validity of this approach. Since then, efforts have been devised toward precisely control and monitor fluid movements (Lin and Pisano, 1999; McAllister et al., 2000; Rathnasingham et al., 2004; Neeves et al., 2006; Papageorgiou et al., 2006; Foley et al., 2009; Rohatgi et al., 2009; Pongrácz et al., 2013; Lee et al., 2015) . Recently, multi-shank fluidic silicon probes have been developed for neuroscientific applications (Seidl et al., 2010; Frey et al., 2011; John et al., 2011; Spieth et al., 2011) . Fluidic channels have been successfully integrated into the silicon 3D configuration via isotropic etching and parylene resealing process.

From its beginning, silicon technology pioneered the integration of fluidic microchannels into a probe.

Since then, efforts have been devised toward precisely control and monitor fluid movements.

Recently, multi-shank fluidic silicon probes have been developed for neuroscientific applications.


The aim of treatment is to eradicate the infection, to restore and preserve the structure and function of the spine, and to alleviate pain [4] . The prognosis is generally good in SD [31] . Ninety-four (87.8%) patients had recovered fully, thirteen (12.1%) had recovered with neurologic abnormalities, and none of the patients died.

The aim of treatment is to eradicate the infection, to restore and preserve the structure and function of the spine, and to alleviate pain.

The prognosis is generally good in SD.


Gastric cancer (GC) is a deadly disease that, despite its molecular heterogeneity, has been largely treated through uniform approaches. As new profiling approaches and molecular characterization efforts enable better subclassification of GC, one hope is that these subclasses may help guide optimal selection of therapy, both cytotoxic and biologic therapies. Among biologic agents, there is great enthusiasm regarding use of novel immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer therapy, most notably those targeting the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) pathway. Together with its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2, PD-1 participates in regulating the balance between T cell activation and tolerance in response to antigenic stimulation [1] . Indeed, early clinical studies in GC using therapeutic antibodies targeting PD-1 have demonstrated promising results, with response rates of 22-27% of PD-L1-expressing GCs and 12% of PD-L1 negative GCs [2, 3] . However, as only a portion of patients respond to PD-1 inhibition, key questions remain regarding both possible biomarkers that could guide the use of PD-1 inhibitors as well as the potential that distinct biologic classes of GC may differ in sensitivity to these checkpoint inhibitors.

Together with its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2, PD-1 participates in regulating the balance between T cell activation and tolerance in response to antigenic stimulation.

Indeed, early clinical studies in GC using therapeutic antibodies targeting PD-1 have demonstrated promising results, with response rates of 22-27% of PD-L1-expressing GCs and 12% of PD-L1 negative GCs.


Three types of carrying capacity can be defined and applied in defining policies at the local scale: quantitative, qualitative and operational carrying capacity. These three analyses are aligned with a concept of a plurality of -sustainabilities‖, as a univocal solution for planning sustainability actions is not feasible. According to the slogan -think global act local‖, each country, region and municipality has to define a pathway to sustainability according to: local socio-economic conditions, local environmental quality and quantity of resources, culture and stakeholders' behavior in production and consumption of goods and services [14] . Moreover, this site-dependent pathway to sustainability should take into account both local boundaries, as well as planetary ones [15] . Table 1 illustrates the sustainability assessment methodologies that can be used to evaluate the three levels of carrying capacity. In the present study, tools for quantitative and qualitative carrying capacity are discussed, since operational carrying capacity for PPPs needs to be evaluated in the implementation stage, in relation to the specific technical projects designed for the actions foreseen in the plans.

According to the slogan -think global act local‖, each country, region and municipality has to define a pathway to sustainability according to: local socio-economic conditions, local environmental quality and quantity of resources, culture and stakeholders' behavior in production and consumption of goods and services.

Moreover, this site-dependent pathway to sustainability should take into account both local boundaries, as well as planetary ones.


Another important aspect to be considered in the evaluation of PPPs is that, in order to be really sustainable, the planning should take into account the limits of local resources (i.e., being resource efficiency oriented, [11] ). Therefore, the concept of limit is the basis upon which all the indicators considered should be developed. In addition, the most recent trends in SEA requires the integration of environmental limits as a reference for the evaluation and the inclusion of climate change as one of the most relevant issues for environmental sustainability [3] .

Another important aspect to be considered in the evaluation of PPPs is that, in order to be really sustainable, the planning should take into account the limits of local resources (i.e., being resource efficiency oriented,).

In addition, the most recent trends in SEA requires the integration of environmental limits as a reference for the evaluation and the inclusion of climate change as one of the most relevant issues for environmental sustainability.


The experience gained during the last two decades of SEA practice in the EU raised some concerns about the real effectiveness of SEA implementation procedures to comprehensively assess the environmental sustainability of interventions [2, 3] . One of the main debated issues is the necessity to enlarge the perspective of the assessment in order to enhance discriminating power between alternatives and to support decision making. This requires also to resolve possible conflicts between environmental protection and social and economic development objectives in a proficient way [1] .

The experience gained during the last two decades of SEA practice in the EU raised some concerns about the real effectiveness of SEA implementation procedures to comprehensively assess the environmental sustainability of interventions.

This requires also to resolve possible conflicts between environmental protection and social and economic development objectives in a proficient way.


Strategic Environmental Assessment is a process aimed at supporting decision making in the planning process and at helping policy makers in comparing alternatives for local intervention based on potential environmental impacts. In the European Union (EU), Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has been introduced by Directive 2001/42/EC, recognizing that spatial planning processes need to be supported by the evaluation of medium-and long-term effects of policies, plans or programs. Moreover, 25 countries in the world have formally set up the SEA system in the form of legislation and developed the SEA framework to some extent [1] .

Moreover, 25 countries in the world have formally set up the SEA system in the form of legislation and developed the SEA framework to some extent.


Additionally, wireless communications may be challenging depending on application and distance between nodes. One example presents a temperature monitoring system for shellfish catches. The system employs 433 MHz radios with maximum distance of 10 m between transmitter and receiver nodes. However, communication is interrupted when nodes do not have direct line of sight (Crowley et al., 2005) . Another example presents a WSN for measuring temperature, humidity, leaf wetness, rain, solar radiation, wind speed and direction. The system uses 868 MHz radios with link lenghts up to 7.64 km (Mariño, Fontan, Dominguez, & Otero, 2010) . Both of these systems employ proprietary communication protocols.

However, communication is interrupted when nodes do not have direct line of sight.

The system uses 868 MHz radios with link lenghts up to 7.64 km.


Model management is an important, but often neglected activity in requirements analysis and design. Large models are often constructed and accessed by manipulating partial views. Keeping track of the relationships between these views, and managing consistency as they evolve are major challenges [13] . Individual views may represent information from different sources, or information relevant to different development concerns. Developers analyze these views in various ways, and use the results of the analyses to improve them. Hence, individual views may evolve over time. Multiple versions of some views may be created to explore alternatives, or to respond to changing requirements. Hence, most of the time, the current set of views are likely to be incomplete and inconsistent.

Keeping track of the relationships between these views, and managing consistency as they evolve are major challenges.


The GIC bonding to the tooth structure is based on two principles. The first one is the principle of hybridization [7, 8] . The GIC polyacrylic acid promotes the exposure of collagens fibers and the ionomeric components of GIC diffuse through this collagen matrix, thus establishing micromechanical retention. The second principle (and the most important) is based on an ionic interaction between the carboxyl groups of the polyacrylic acid and the calcium ions of the hydroxyapatite that remains bonded to the tooth collagen fibers.

The first one is the principle of hybridization.


Better bonding of both restorative materials in sound dentin when compared to caries-affected dentin was also observed, corroborating with previous studies that have shown similar trend when evaluating GIC [26] . One possible explanation is related to the higher amount of exposed collagen and the lower hydroxyapatite crystals in cariesaffected dentin, which are important factors for bonding of the restorative material [27] . In addition, the higher porosity observed in caries-affected dentin could result in improper infiltration of the restorative material, leading to lower levels of bond strength between dentin and restorative materials [28] .

Better bonding of both restorative materials in sound dentin when compared to caries-affected dentin was also observed, corroborating with previous studies that have shown similar trend when evaluating GIC.

One possible explanation is related to the higher amount of exposed collagen and the lower hydroxyapatite crystals in cariesaffected dentin, which are important factors for bonding of the restorative material.

In addition, the higher porosity observed in caries-affected dentin could result in improper infiltration of the restorative material, leading to lower levels of bond strength between dentin and restorative materials.


A previous study found that CAR has higher microleakage when compared to GIC, showing the presence of internal and surface cracks [24] . The authors speculate that dehydration possibly occurs after using the light unit to activate the material, a factor that may result in deterioration of the surface and also of the interface between dentin and material [24] . This material deterioration induced by light can be a possible explanation for worse bonding performance of this material to dentin compared to GIC observed in the present study.

A previous study found that CAR has higher microleakage when compared to GIC, showing the presence of internal and surface cracks.

The authors speculate that dehydration possibly occurs after using the light unit to activate the material, a factor that may result in deterioration of the surface and also of the interface between dentin and material.


The rough set was introduced by Pawlak in 1982 [1] . The lattice to characterize rough set is an important task [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . Actually, we can use a lattice model to represent different information flow policies and play an important role in Boolean algebra. Obviously, the coverage problem and the reductions problem are two problems of the cores in information system of lattice relation, which boosts the development of lattice theory. We give several special lattices of rough algebras that we discuss in this article; for instance, we prove that a lattice is necessary and sufficient condition of the rough semi-modular lattice.

The rough set was introduced by Pawlak in 1982.

The lattice to characterize rough set is an important task.


However, most current RUTFs contain powdered milk, which is not commonly available in most developing countries, making the RUTFs expensive to produce and difficult to access by poor, malnourished populations (Manary 2006; Dibari et al. 2012) . These products also contain a high percentage of peanut paste which has a thick consistency, making them difficult for some individuals to swallow (Manary 2006) . Research has shown that thickened nutritious beverages are better alternatives for patients who have difficulty in eating and swallowing since the products hydrate the oral cavity and reduce the speed of liquid flow through the digestive tract (Germain et al. 2006) .

However, most current RUTFs contain powdered milk, which is not commonly available in most developing countries, making the RUTFs expensive to produce and difficult to access by poor, malnourished populations.

These products also contain a high percentage of peanut paste which has a thick consistency, making them difficult for some individuals to swallow.

Research has shown that thickened nutritious beverages are better alternatives for patients who have difficulty in eating and swallowing since the products hydrate the oral cavity and reduce the speed of liquid flow through the digestive tract.


Ber or Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) is generally consumed fresh and is an important fruit of arid regions of India. Jujubes play an important role in human nutrition as sources of sugar, vitamins, protein and minerals (Yi, Wu, Zhang, Li, & Luo, 2012) . Short shelf-life and post-harvest rotting are the most important problems in ber fruits. There has been limited post-harvest research on ber fruit in the past two to three decades, and the information is scattered in diverse local and regional sources, especially in India (Pareek & Yahia, 2013) . Drying is practised to enhance the storage life, to minimize losses during storage and to reduce transportation costs of agricultural products (Leon, Kumar, & Bhattacharya, 2002) . In India, 70% people depend on agricultural practices and of this most farmers are subsistence farmers, and affording hi-tech facilities and equipment is a major problem. Direct sun drying method has been practised since ancient time, and it is still being widely used in developing countries. Although this method of drying is cheap, yet it is associated with the problems like contamination as well as uneven drying.

Jujubes play an important role in human nutrition as sources of sugar, vitamins, protein and minerals.

There has been limited post-harvest research on ber fruit in the past two to three decades, and the information is scattered in diverse local and regional sources, especially in India.

Drying is practised to enhance the storage life, to minimize losses during storage and to reduce transportation costs of agricultural products.


The accurate and appropriate instrumentation techniques for measurement of the void properties is needed to describe the hydrodynamic flow behavior of the turbulent fluidized bed. Intrusive and non-intrusive methods have been applied for acquiring the void or bubble properties in the gas-solid fluidized beds. The non-intrusive methods such as laser sheet, tomography, and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques measure the whole image of the particles flow in a wide range [11] . However, they are mostly used for small diameter column due to the limitation of signal penetration [5] . The hydrodynamic flow behavior of a fluidized bed can be measured by intrusive techniques, such as the optical fiber and capacitance probes, with the advantage of easily acquiring the instantaneous void velocity and describing local flow structure, even in large diameter column [12] . The optical fiber technique could directly provide local void properties with signal processing by cross-correlation such as peak-to-peak analysis [13] .

The non-intrusive methods such as laser sheet, tomography, and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques measure the whole image of the particles flow in a wide range.

However, they are mostly used for small diameter column due to the limitation of signal penetration.

The hydrodynamic flow behavior of a fluidized bed can be measured by intrusive techniques, such as the optical fiber and capacitance probes, with the advantage of easily acquiring the instantaneous void velocity and describing local flow structure, even in large diameter column.

The optical fiber technique could directly provide local void properties with signal processing by cross-correlation such as peak-to-peak analysis.


In recent times, an innovative concept has been developed, called the ex-situ concept, to significantly increase the CAI properties of thermosetting matrix graphite composites by specifically toughening the interlaminar regions between each graphite ply [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] . It is noteworthy that the ex-situ concept needs to be distinguished from the technologies described earlier: thermoplastic toughened thermosetting resin with the characteristic phase separated and the inverted morphological structure spatially located specifically in the thin interlaminar regions, which further penetrates slightly into the neighboring graphite, plies to mechanically strengthen the bonding between the resinrich interlayer and the graphite ply, where the graphite plies themselves are still fully impregnated with the thermosetting matrix for the inherently high specific strength and modulus. The ex-situ concept has been successfully demonstrated for impact damage resistance improvements on epoxy matrix composites both for unidirectional graphite (UD) and cross-ply laminates [11] [12] [13] [14] . The industrial manufacturing procedure and curing conditions of the prepregged laminates remain as usual.

In recent times, an innovative concept has been developed, called the ex-situ concept, to significantly increase the CAI properties of thermosetting matrix graphite composites by specifically toughening the interlaminar regions between each graphite ply.

The ex-situ concept has been successfully demonstrated for impact damage resistance improvements on epoxy matrix composites both for unidirectional graphite (UD) and cross-ply laminates.


Other desirable criteria require that matching mechanisms incentivize the integration of different MPs (communities) into an extended MP (the society). I refer to these as pro-integration criteria. Matching mechanisms that satisfy pro-integration criteria would be particularly useful in practice because they would promote the operation of a large centralized clearinghouse instead of several small ones. For example, they would encourage hospitals to voluntarily enrol all patient-donor pairs in multi-hospital kidney exchange programs, instead of conducting kidney exchanges locally (Ashlagi and Roth, 2014; Toulis and Parkes, 2015) . They would also encourage charter and district-run schools to collaborate in the assignment of students to educational institutions (Manjunath and Turhan, 2016; Dogan and Yenmez, 2017; Ekmekci and Yenmez, 2018) . Furthermore, they could ease the merger of school districts, which is an ongoing process in the US, given that 80% of racial and ethnic segregation in its public schools occur between, but not within, school districts (Clotfelter, 2004; Hafalir and Yenmez, 2017) .

For example, they would encourage hospitals to voluntarily enrol all patient-donor pairs in multi-hospital kidney exchange programs, instead of conducting kidney exchanges locally.

They would also encourage charter and district-run schools to collaborate in the assignment of students to educational institutions.

Furthermore, they could ease the merger of school districts, which is an ongoing process in the US, given that 80% of racial and ethnic segregation in its public schools occur between, but not within, school districts.


Two extensions of this paper are: 1. Many-to-one Matching. The results presented in Section 3 extend to the many-to-one case when agents have responsive preferences. In this case, every many-to-one problem has an equivalent formulation where, instead of assigning students to colleges, students are assigned to college seats (Roth and Sotomayor, 1992) . Proposition 2, which establishes that no more than half of the agents are hurt after integration occurs, is now interpreted as half of colleges' seats and students. In a many-to-one framework, integration can hurt more than half of the students and colleges, even when preferences are responsive.

Two extensions of this paper are: 1.

Many-to-one Matching.

In this case, every many-to-one problem has an equivalent formulation where, instead of assigning students to colleges, students are assigned to college seats.


Due to the complexity and the poor fuel quality of biooils, further treatment is required if renewable fuel and/or platform chemicals are intended to be produced. There are two principle ways: gasification of pyrolysis products to generate synthesis gas and subsequent production of synthetic fuels as e.g. targeted in KIT's bioliq® process [9] . Alternatively, hydrotreatment has intensively been investigated as a promising method of bio-oil upgrading to directly produce drop-in fuels or fractions to be applied in crude oil refineries [10] . Using catalysts at elevated temperatures (150-450 °C) and hydrogen pressure (35-200 bar) , the bio-oil can be upgraded by hydrodeoxygenation and hydrocracking to a product with lower viscosity, lower oxygen content as well as higher calorific value [11] [12] [13] .

There are two principle ways: gasification of pyrolysis products to generate synthesis gas and subsequent production of synthetic fuels as e.g. targeted in KIT's bioliq® process.

Alternatively, hydrotreatment has intensively been investigated as a promising method of bio-oil upgrading to directly produce drop-in fuels or fractions to be applied in crude oil refineries.

Using catalysts at elevated temperatures (150-450 °C) and hydrogen pressure (35-200 bar) , the bio-oil can be upgraded by hydrodeoxygenation and hydrocracking to a product with lower viscosity, lower oxygen content as well as higher calorific value.


The method that the agent uses to "invent" its notion of space involves defining φ functions from matching sensory signals. As is the case for temporal coincidence, this can be understood as a strategy of associating causes that lead to the same consequences (Markram et al., 2011) . This is a productive learning strategy in general and is easily implementable in neural hardware.

As is the case for temporal coincidence, this can be understood as a strategy of associating causes that lead to the same consequences.


We are aiming at developing a fourth-order compact difference scheme and multigrid method for solving the 2D elliptic equation (1) . The reminder of this paper is organized as follows. In Section 2, a fourth-order compact difference scheme for the 2D elliptic equation (1) is proposed by including compact approximations to the leading truncation error terms of the central difference scheme. In Section 3, a multigrid method is presented. Section 4 displays the numerical results to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the present method. Finally, a brief conclusion is given in Section 5.

We are aiming at developing a fourth-order compact difference scheme and multigrid method for solving the 2D elliptic equation.


Building envelope refers to an enclosure of a built environment, which comprises of walls, doors, windows, roof, skylights, and other openings for light and ventilation. Building envelope as the totality of (building) elements made up of components which separate the indoor environment of the building from the outdoor environment (Oral et al.,2004) . The envelope protects the building's interior and occupants from the weather conditions and other external elements. Design features of an envelope strongly affect the visual and thermal comfort of the occupants, as well as energy consumption in the buildings. Emergence of a building envelope design depends upon the 'Skin' (material used), built form, building pattern and building scale or its proportions. A building envelope is usually designed with respect to various determinants such as: environmental, technological, sociocultural, functional and aesthetic.

Building envelope as the totality of (building) elements made up of components which separate the indoor environment of the building from the outdoor environment.


Generally two main dynamic models of adsorptive heat transformers (e. g. heat pumps, chillers) can be distinguished. The models can be classified as heat and mass transfer models and lumped parameters models [9] . The first group considers variation of the adsorbent temperature, pressure, and adsorbate concentration, both in time and space, whereas the lumped parameters models take into account a simplified representation of the adsorption process, neglecting any space gradients [9] . Three main equations, for: energy balance, mass balance, and adsorption equilibrium are taken into account in a common lumped parameters model [9] . Since the heat and mass transfer models require complex and time-consuming numerical methods for solving sets of PDE, the first models are not wide spread and the most popular are lumped parameters models [9] .

The models can be classified as heat and mass transfer models and lumped parameters models.

The first group considers variation of the adsorbent temperature, pressure, and adsorbate concentration, both in time and space, whereas the lumped parameters models take into account a simplified representation of the adsorption process, neglecting any space gradients.

Three main equations, for: energy balance, mass balance, and adsorption equilibrium are taken into account in a common lumped parameters model.

Since the heat and mass transfer models require complex and time-consuming numerical methods for solving sets of PDE, the first models are not wide spread and the most popular are lumped parameters models.


In RFID systems, several authentication protocols have been developed [4, 5, 6, 7] . Difference between these techniques lies in the realized properties of security and the complexity of implementation. Most of these protocols answer the first question only "Who am I? ". On the contrary systems with smartcards there are several authentication protocols based on the biometric technology, we mention here [8, 9, 10] . This paper, we propose an authentication protocol based on the combination between a RFID system and a biometric system. We verify secrecy, authentication of the tag and authentication of the reader by AVISPA&SPAN tools [1, 2] . The conceived protocol protects the privacy of the user. To estimate these performances, we will compare it with the other RFID protocols and the biometric protocols of smart cards. This paper is organized as follows: section II presents related work. Section III presents the system and hypotheses. Section IV presents the proposed protocol. The section V presents a check of the protocol automatically. An analysis of privacy side is then presented. Section VI presents a comparison of performances with existing works. We end by a general conclusion.

In RFID systems, several authentication protocols have been developed.

On the contrary systems with smartcards there are several authentication protocols based on the biometric technology, we mention here.

We verify secrecy, authentication of the tag and authentication of the reader by AVISPA&SPAN tools.

We end by a general conclusion.


Nowadays, the design of bioprocesses in stirred tank fermentors with a standard geometry is no longer a big problem. In contrast, shaking flasks in which the major part of biotechnological development takes place are only insufficiently described. One of the important parameters in fermentation of aerobic microbes in shaking bioreactors and stirred tank fermentors is the average or specific power consumption (per unit volume) (P/V) Ø . We have developed a new method, which enables accurate determination of the specific power consumption in a shaking flask down to a nominal size of 100 ml (Büchs et al., 2000a) . From these measurements it is noticeable that in shaking flasks relatively high levels of the specific power consumption are achieved, which are at least of the same order of magnitude as the usual values for stirred tank fermentors.

We have developed a new method, which enables accurate determination of the specific power consumption in a shaking flask down to a nominal size of 100 ml.


Mulching is a process of covering the soil before or after planting by natural or synthetic materials which continue throughout the crop growth period. Plant residues of rice straw, canola, lupine, sunflower, sugarcane, banana stem, waste of some vegetables like turnip, garlic, sawdust, and others can be used as natural mulching materials, whereas synthetic mulch such as plastic, geotextile materials, or magazine paper. Application of mulch increased the beets and cabbage yields by 135 and 124%, respectively (Lekasi et al. 2001) .

Application of mulch increased the beets and cabbage yields by 135 and 124%, respectively.


The determination of the surface tension usually involves the measurement of the contact angles that several standard liquids make with that surface. The surface energy of the solid surface is then related to the surface tensions of the liquids and the contact angles. This method invokes an estimation of the critical surface tension of the surface of the solids studied, by extrapolation from the Zisman plot (Zisman, 1964) .

This method invokes an estimation of the critical surface tension of the surface of the solids studied, by extrapolation from the Zisman plot.


We report a patient with biopsy-proven SS who presented with an acute rash, acute transverse myelopathy and coincident cranial neuropathy. It is likely that the psoriasiform dermatitis represents a skin manifestation of SS. Hence, fulminant skin manifestations in SS may herald severe organ involvement and therefore require particular attention. Cutaneous manifestations of SS described to far are dry skin, immunological inflammatory conditions such as vasculitis and hypergammaglobulinaemic purpura. In rare cases, SS is associated with neutrophilic, granulomatous disorders. The pathogenetic relationship between neurological and dermatological manifestations remains elusive and needs further investigation. In particular, the role of circulating Th17 cells, which are known to play a major role in both Sjoegren's syndrome and psoriasis needs to be clarified [11] [12] [13] . Following this, anti-interleukin-17 (anti-IL17) treatment could be an option for therapy. Of note recent findings demonstrate a T cell epitope mimicry between Sjögren's syndrome Antigen A (SSA)/Ro60 and skin bacteria [14] . Due to the lack of randomised-controlled studies, the optimal treatment of SS cases with central nervous system (CNS) involvement remains unclear. In our case, high dose corticosteroids, plasmapheresis and long-term immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide followed by rituximab was obviously effective in stopping the suspected autoimmune inflammation but could not reverse the neurological damage. Therefore, in any case of unclear myelopathy, the coincidence of skin manifestations and cranial neuropathies should serve as a red-flag for an autoimmune disorder and should result in further screening for autoimmune disorders including SS.

In particular, the role of circulating Th17 cells, which are known to play a major role in both Sjoegren's syndrome and psoriasis needs to be clarified.

Of note recent findings demonstrate a T cell epitope mimicry between Sjögren's syndrome Antigen A (SSA)/Ro60 and skin bacteria.


From the fact that the source of the radio emission exists only over a finite time in a finite region of space, however, one can argue that the zero-frequency component of the emission (which corresponds to an infinite time-scale), can contain no power [4] . Therefore, the models with unipolar pulses, which have frequency spectra leveling off at a constant value at frequency zero, had to be suffering from some problem. The resolution of this problem has been found only recently.

From the fact that the source of the radio emission exists only over a finite time in a finite region of space, however, one can argue that the zero-frequency component of the emission (which corresponds to an infinite time-scale), can contain no power.


Consequently, when prediction model is needed, ANN allows fast results and therefore offers many advantages especially in the case of computationally intensive predictions and real-time applications where FEM based models are very slow and not adapted [11] . ANN models have been used with success to model many welding process including LW [11] [12] . But the application of ANN for laser process is relatively limited. Producing an accurate ANN model requires very large data to ensure an efficient ANN learning and validation processes [13] . Generation the needed data using experiment are rather long and expensive. So when experimentally validated, a 3D FEM based simulation models can be used to generate acceptable and cost effective ANN learning data.

Consequently, when prediction model is needed, ANN allows fast results and therefore offers many advantages especially in the case of computationally intensive predictions and real-time applications where FEM based models are very slow and not adapted.

ANN models have been used with success to model many welding process including LW.

Producing an accurate ANN model requires very large data to ensure an efficient ANN learning and validation processes.


After discovering the attack on PKINIT, we worked in close collaboration with the IETF Kerberos Working Group, in particular with the authors of the PKINIT specification documents, to correct the problem. Our contribution in this regard has been a formal analysis of a general countermeasure to this attack, as well as the particular instance proposed by the Working Group that has been adopted in the PKINIT specification [13] . Our attack led to an August 2005 Microsoft security patch and bulletin [3] .

Our contribution in this regard has been a formal analysis of a general countermeasure to this attack, as well as the particular instance proposed by the Working Group that has been adopted in the PKINIT specification.

Our attack led to an August 2005 Microsoft security patch and bulletin.


Finite difference methods are known as the first technique for solving partial differential equations. Even though these methods are very effective for solving various kinds of partial differential equations, conditional stability of explicit finite difference procedures and the need to use large amount of CPU time in implicit finite difference schemes limit the applicability of these methods [15] . Furthermore, these methods provide the solution of the problem on mesh points only and accuracy of the techniques is reduced in non-smooth and non-regular domains.

Even though these methods are very effective for solving various kinds of partial differential equations, conditional stability of explicit finite difference procedures and the need to use large amount of CPU time in implicit finite difference schemes limit the applicability of these methods.


In general, MCDM methods are separated into Multi-Objective Decision Making (MODM) and Multi-Attribute Decision Making (MADM). The main distinction between the two groups of methods is based on the determination of alternatives. In MODM, also known as multi objective programming or a vector optimization/minimization/maximization problem, the alternatives are not predetermined but instead a set of objective functions is optimized subject to a set of constraints. In MADM, where alternatives are predetermined, a little number of alternatives are to be evaluated against a set of attributes. The best alternative is commonly selected by making comparisons between alternatives with respect to each attribute (Pohekar and Ramachandran, 2004) .

The best alternative is commonly selected by making comparisons between alternatives with respect to each attribute.


Yet, MCDM methods with different aspects have been compared mostly on the basis of resolve methods, resolve algorithm, and weighted methods. In this article, however, we compare MCDM methods on the basis of result and using aggregate methods. Any of MCDM methods that have results similar to the ones of aggregate methods is better for comparison and analyzing in critical problems (Momeni, 2007) . To put it in anther words, in this article, we ranked production lines of Chadormalu factory on the basis of industry indicators with TOPSIS, ELECTRE I and VIKOR methods. We compared results of MCDM methods with results of aggregate methods and specify the best of MCDM method for comparison in our case study.

Any of MCDM methods that have results similar to the ones of aggregate methods is better for comparison and analyzing in critical problems.


In conclusion, we have demonstrated for the first time a unique and novel pattern of gene expression in isolated CR tumors compared to CN tumors obtained from the ascites of ovarian cancer patients. This preliminary study on a small sample size has utilised a systematic approach of studying only the tumor cells isolated from the ascites of CR and CN patients. We demonstrate an underlying lineage-specific relationship between high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas and ascites-derived tumor cells by the expression of lineage-specific essential gene PAX8. Unlike most other carcinomas, which dedifferentiate during progression and recurrence, recurrent ovarian tumors in the ascites microenvironment exist as epithelial cells in the form of spheroids [6, 10] . In that setting, up regulation of genes associated with cell-cell adhesion, embryonic stem cells, CSCs and genes antagonistic for migration and invasion (TGFBR3) defines the true characteristics of CR tumors in the ascites microenvironment. Concomitant down regulation of genes involved with host immune surveillance provides an immunosuppressive environment that limits the host immune system to fight the tumor. This preliminary study, builds the framework of future studies, which will focus on particular genes and pathways of interest that may have therapeutic potential in reducing ascites-associated recurrences in ovarian cancer patients.

Unlike most other carcinomas, which dedifferentiate during progression and recurrence, recurrent ovarian tumors in the ascites microenvironment exist as epithelial cells in the form of spheroids.


Mechanisms underlying the development of resistance to platinum-based agents have been well characterized in other cancers and include DNA repair mechanisms, altered cellular transport of the drugs, increased antioxidant production, and reduction of apoptosis [14] [15] [16] . Elevated gene expression affecting cellular transport, DNA repair, apoptosis, cell-extracellular matrix and cell-cell adhesion has been observed in ovarian cancer patient's samples resistant to platinum-based therapy [17] [18] [19] . Taxanes were originally used as an alternative to platinum based agents in order to overcome platinum resistance in patients [20] . The development of taxane resistance has also been well studied and characterized [21, 22] . Typical mechanisms of paclitaxel resistance involve alteration in drug transport, altered expression of microtubule proteins, expression of taxane metabolizing proteins and altered cell signaling resulting in reduced apoptosis [22] [23] [24] [25] . The roles of some of these factors in cancer patients in response to taxane treatment (e.g. altered expression of class III b-tubulin, reduced apoptosis conferred by survivin expression and metabolism of taxanes by cytochrome P450 reductase) have also been implicated in clinical samples [23] [24] [25] .

Mechanisms underlying the development of resistance to platinum-based agents have been well characterized in other cancers and include DNA repair mechanisms, altered cellular transport of the drugs, increased antioxidant production, and reduction of apoptosis.

Elevated gene expression affecting cellular transport, DNA repair, apoptosis, cell-extracellular matrix and cell-cell adhesion has been observed in ovarian cancer patient's samples resistant to platinum-based therapy.

Taxanes were originally used as an alternative to platinum based agents in order to overcome platinum resistance in patients.

The development of taxane resistance has also been well studied and characterized.

Typical mechanisms of paclitaxel resistance involve alteration in drug transport, altered expression of microtubule proteins, expression of taxane metabolizing proteins and altered cell signaling resulting in reduced apoptosis.

The roles of some of these factors in cancer patients in response to taxane treatment (e.g. altered expression of class III b-tubulin, reduced apoptosis conferred by survivin expression and metabolism of taxanes by cytochrome P450 reductase) have also been implicated in clinical samples.


To date most of the research conducted to understand the chemoresistance mechanisms have used cancer cell lines and few data are available on the relevance of these studies on the potential mechanisms of chemoresistance in clinical samples [30, 31] . In recent studies, gene expression profiles of chemonaive (primary tumors obtained during debulking surgery) and post chemotherapy tumors have been analyzed to determine the molecular signature/s associated with chemoresistance [17, 32] . These studies, although important, used tumor sections, which are likely to present a complex molecular profile of not only chemoresistant tumor cells but also associated stroma and infiltrated cells. As a consequence, these mixed genetic profiles may not truly represent the associated pathways regulating chemoresistance in tumor cells; hence, such results may misrepresent the targets proposed for future therapeutic interventions. Isolated tumor cells that survive chemotherapy treatments in patients are likely to experience changes in gene expression allowing them to withstand the selective pressure of the drugs. These phenotypically changed tumor cells are likely to exhibit a molecular signature associated with chemoresistance when compared to the gene expression profile of isolated tumor cells before chemotherapy treatment.

To date most of the research conducted to understand the chemoresistance mechanisms have used cancer cell lines and few data are available on the relevance of these studies on the potential mechanisms of chemoresistance in clinical samples.

In recent studies, gene expression profiles of chemonaive (primary tumors obtained during debulking surgery) and post chemotherapy tumors have been analyzed to determine the molecular signature/s associated with chemoresistance.


Metastasis in ovarian cancer is unique as it is usually localized within the peritoneal cavity and derives directly from the ovaries and/or the fallopian tubes to the adjacent organs (extraovarian pelvic organs, colon, bladder and liver) and/or by the attachment of exfoliated cancer cells which survive as cellular aggregates and are carried by the peritoneal tumor fluid (ascites) to surrounding organs in the peritoneal cavity [5] [6] [7] [8] . The presence of ascites is associated with a poor prognosis [4, 9] . Microscopic inspection of ascites display a complex heterogeneous picture of cellular environment constituting single cells, floating multicellular aggregates of non-adherent cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, myeloid cells, activated mesothelial cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs) [10] [11] [12] . Extensive seeding of these floating cells on the uterus, sigmoid colon and omentum is frequently encountered in advanced-stage and recurrent patients and ultimately leads to disruption of major organs and eventually death [7] . During the course of recurrence, cells within the small microscopic residual cellular aggregates release soluble pro-angiogenic mediators, which diffuse out from the tumor population and bind to endothelial cells of mature blood vessels leading to angiogenesis, which sets the tumor expansion and recurrence in motion [13] . Hence, the presence of floating cellular aggregates, commonly known as spheroids, in the ascites of ovarian cancer patients is strongly associated with recurrence, and there is an urgent need to study these spheroids in the ascites in order to establish the mechanisms of recurrence.

Metastasis in ovarian cancer is unique as it is usually localized within the peritoneal cavity and derives directly from the ovaries and/or the fallopian tubes to the adjacent organs (extraovarian pelvic organs, colon, bladder and liver) and/or by the attachment of exfoliated cancer cells which survive as cellular aggregates and are carried by the peritoneal tumor fluid (ascites) to surrounding organs in the peritoneal cavity.

The presence of ascites is associated with a poor prognosis.

Microscopic inspection of ascites display a complex heterogeneous picture of cellular environment constituting single cells, floating multicellular aggregates of non-adherent cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, myeloid cells, activated mesothelial cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs).

Extensive seeding of these floating cells on the uterus, sigmoid colon and omentum is frequently encountered in advanced-stage and recurrent patients and ultimately leads to disruption of major organs and eventually death.

During the course of recurrence, cells within the small microscopic residual cellular aggregates release soluble pro-angiogenic mediators, which diffuse out from the tumor population and bind to endothelial cells of mature blood vessels leading to angiogenesis, which sets the tumor expansion and recurrence in motion.


PD is known as one of chronic neurological disorders associated with oxidative damage to dopamine-producing neurons in human midbrain [17] . The neuronal death of this area is connected with various motor dysfunction, such as stiffness or slowness [19] . Although the precise etiology of neuronal injury remains unknown, accumulating evidence suggests that impairment in the ability of mitochondria to regulate the levels of lipid peroxides made by oxidative stress and inflammatory processes may be critical [6, 14] . Glutathione (GSH) is an endogenous antioxidant that protects against various oxidative stressors by regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in PD patients [17] . GSH concentration is decreased in the nigral regions of PD patients [12, 20] . The antioxidant and neuroprotective characteristics of GSH have been amply demonstrated in various models of oxidative injury, including models in which GSH is depleted by the addition of Lbuthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO) [10, 20] .

PD is known as one of chronic neurological disorders associated with oxidative damage to dopamine-producing neurons in human midbrain.

The neuronal death of this area is connected with various motor dysfunction, such as stiffness or slowness.

Although the precise etiology of neuronal injury remains unknown, accumulating evidence suggests that impairment in the ability of mitochondria to regulate the levels of lipid peroxides made by oxidative stress and inflammatory processes may be critical.

Glutathione (GSH) is an endogenous antioxidant that protects against various oxidative stressors by regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in PD patients.

GSH concentration is decreased in the nigral regions of PD patients.

The antioxidant and neuroprotective characteristics of GSH have been amply demonstrated in various models of oxidative injury, including models in which GSH is depleted by the addition of Lbuthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO).


One of the basic ways to generalize the classical notion of space-time is non-commutative geometry [1] . An especially attractive feature of non-commutative generalizations of quantum field theory is the natural appearance of a minimal resolution length scale. Noncommutativity may thus act as a UV regulator. However, most known implementations of space-time non-commutativity have the substantial drawback that they explicitly violate Lorentz invariance. For many reasons, it would therefore be of special interest to find examples of covariant non-commutative space-times, that preserve all global symmetries of the underlying classical space-time [2] [3] [4] .

One of the basic ways to generalize the classical notion of space-time is non-commutative geometry.

For many reasons, it would therefore be of special interest to find examples of covariant non-commutative space-times, that preserve all global symmetries of the underlying classical space-time.


Yield loss assessment due to RYMD on three rice varieties indicated the high yield reduction of the disease whatever the variety. Average per plant yield was estimated at 79.33% with an extrapolated overall yield loss of 22.3% based on disease incidence in the fields. Such moderate level of yield loss was less than losses ranging from 58% -82% reported during severe epidemics [12] [13] . This was consistent with relatively low disease incidence observed in the fields and indicated that the surveys were done in low epidemic years.

Such moderate level of yield loss was less than losses ranging from 58% -82% reported during severe epidemics.


Farmers' involvement in the process of disease control can be of great importance in the success of management practices as exemplified by the wide application of farmers' field schools [22] . The development of integrated pest management (IPM) technologies for rice farmers in Asia has been relatively successful [23] . This success was attributed to extensive creation of farm-level awareness of pest and diseases and management strategies. By contrast, only a few similar studies have been conducted in Africa and this has probably limited the success of IPM implementation for sustainable rice production. In this paper we assessed farmers' awareness, perception and management practices of rice yellow mottle disease and the impact of RYMV on their preferred varieties.

Farmers' involvement in the process of disease control can be of great importance in the success of management practices as exemplified by the wide application of farmers' field schools.

The development of integrated pest management (IPM) technologies for rice farmers in Asia has been relatively successful.


Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a high-value crop cultivated in many parts of the world (DeWitt and Bosland, 1993) . In the Mediterranean basin, pepper crops are grown in greenhouses and often irrigated in salt-affected soil with low quality water (i.e. brackish or reclaimed water) due to increasing demand (Chartzoulakis and Klapaki, 2000) . Saline water combined with excessive fertilization only causes further problems. The use of poor quality water and over-fertilization can cause damage to the crop and soil -which in turn causes a reduction in the marketable yield if poorly managed.

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a high-value crop cultivated in many parts of the world.

In the Mediterranean basin, pepper crops are grown in greenhouses and often irrigated in salt-affected soil with low quality water (i.e. brackish or reclaimed water) due to increasing demand.


Other research has also been conducted on academic performance as an indicator of the learning that students present in terms of skills and abilities, as a result of the participation of an educational situation in the field of education (Chávez & Rojo, 2007) . One of the difficulties encountered is the academic performance that may be the possible origins of demotivation are related to the effective, social, academic, studies conducted in Colombia show that academic performance has tried to be explained by the intelligence of students (Contreras, 2008) . The objective of this work is to find that is the fundamental cause of demotivation in university students to complete their studies.

Other research has also been conducted on academic performance as an indicator of the learning that students present in terms of skills and abilities, as a result of the participation of an educational situation in the field of education.

One of the difficulties encountered is the academic performance that may be the possible origins of demotivation are related to the effective, social, academic, studies conducted in Colombia show that academic performance has tried to be explained by the intelligence of students.


Traditionally, systematic, qualitative case studies have played an integral part in the research traditions of such "process-oriented" therapies as psychodynamic, humanistic, and family systems therapy. On the other hand, throughout its history cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has emphasized in its research the "efficacy" model, which involves experimental, quantitative, group studies. This model is considered the "gold standard" for determining "empirically based" or "evidenced-based" treatments" ("ESTs") (Nathan & Gorman, 2002) . To demonstrate the generality of the benefits of the pragmatic case study model, it is thus important to show that systematic therapy case studies combining quantitative and qualitative data can make an important contribution to CBT-based and efficacy-based knowledge (Fishman, 1999a (Fishman, , 2000b Edwards, Dattilio, & Bromley, in press ). In line with this, the discussion below represents the application of pragmatic case study thinking to enhancing CBT efficacy research.

This model is considered the "gold standard" for determining "empirically based" or "evidenced-based" treatments" ("ESTs").


Our study demonstrates that naturally renewing population of Norway spruce from the Białowiez · a Primeval Forest is genetically heterogeneous. The heterogeneity is likely related to age structure and reproductive events but also selection processes. The age structure of population has serious implications for sampling procedures of the studied material depending on the hypothesis tested and overall aims of the research study. As genetic structure is naturally dynamic, there is a need to study its fluctuations over time to better understand the mechanisms of successful survival and adaptation to environmental changes of forest tree populations (NAMKOONG, 1991; NIJENSOHN et al., 2005) . Phenological observation in the investigated population and nucleotide polymorphisms analyses of other types of genetic markers including genomic regions potentially under selection are needed to enhance our knowledge on the factors that contribute to genetic and demographic structure of this unique natural forest stand.

As genetic structure is naturally dynamic, there is a need to study its fluctuations over time to better understand the mechanisms of successful survival and adaptation to environmental changes of forest tree populations.


Our study has several limitations. First, our study was the cross-sectional study; therefore, it is difficult to infer causality between visceral fat accumulation and the serum uric acid levels. Second, this study was a single center study; thus, it is uncertain whether our results are generalizable to other ethnic groups with type 2 DM. Third, we did not examined urinary uric acid levels in our study. Therefore, we could not analyze the association between uric acid metabolism or the type of hyperuricemia and the regional distribution of abdominal adipose tissue. Fourth, smoking habit or adipokines such as leptin may influence the distribution of regional abdominal adiposity and insulin resistance [30, 31] . Unfortunately, the clinical information in our study did not include the smoking history or adipokines. It would be interesting to analyze the associations between smoking habit or adipokines levels and abdominal adiposity and serum uric acid levels.

Our study has several limitations.

Fourth, smoking habit or adipokines such as leptin may influence the distribution of regional abdominal adiposity and insulin resistance.


The main purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the impact of integrated practices picked from lean, green, and social management systems on the 3BL performance of fashion auto-parts suppliers. This study contributes to both theoretical and practical literature. In the first instance, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to integrate popular practices of lean, green, and social management systems to establish a triadic practices framework. It contributes to the comprehensiveness of sustainability literature by covering a broader range of practices. Secondly, this study enriches and extends the fields of fashion and sustainability literature, especially in the context of the automotive industry and China. As the world's largest manufacturing base, China in particular has both domestic and international coercive, normative, and mimetic pressures to achieve its diverse objectives of sustainability [21] .

As the world's largest manufacturing base, China in particular has both domestic and international coercive, normative, and mimetic pressures to achieve its diverse objectives of sustainability.


In the usual context of 1-dimensional knotted objects in 3-space, the first results were given by Milnor himself, who showed that his µ-invariants classify links with at most 3 components up to link-homotopy. The case of 4-component links was only completed thirty years later by J. Levine , using a refinement of Milnor invariants [13] . A decisive step was then taken by N. Habegger and X. S. Lin, who showed that Milnor invariants are actually well-defined invariants for string links, i.e. pure tangles without closed components, and that they classify string links up to link-homotopy for any number of components [7] .

The case of 4-component links was only completed thirty years later by J. Levine , using a refinement of Milnor invariants.

A decisive step was then taken by N. Habegger and X. S. Lin, who showed that Milnor invariants are actually well-defined invariants for string links, i.e. pure tangles without closed components, and that they classify string links up to link-homotopy for any number of components.


The provision of diabetes care in Africa, the world's poorest continent, is a major challenge. Inadequate resources and shortage of insulin are a constant barrier to effective care delivery [1] . In addition, patient characteristics sometimes challenge standard classifications of diabetes [2] . An example is 'malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus', a form of diabetes that is characterised by varying degrees of insulin dependence and is often reported in young men from localised geographical areas, sometimes accompanied by pancreatic calcification [3] . More recently, an 'atypical type 2' syndrome has been described in Africa, where initial insulin-dependence may later remit [4] . A viral aetiology for this type of diabetes has been suggested [5] .

Inadequate resources and shortage of insulin are a constant barrier to effective care delivery.

In addition, patient characteristics sometimes challenge standard classifications of diabetes.

An example is 'malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus', a form of diabetes that is characterised by varying degrees of insulin dependence and is often reported in young men from localised geographical areas, sometimes accompanied by pancreatic calcification.

More recently, an 'atypical type 2' syndrome has been described in Africa, where initial insulin-dependence may later remit.

A viral aetiology for this type of diabetes has been suggested.


Protein kinases are critical components of cellular signal transduction cascades [1] . Over 500 protein kinases in the human genome have been reported till date and they are considered as the second largest group of drug targets [2] - [3] . Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1), a 63 kDa serine/threonine kinase, is a major player in the PI3-kinase signaling pathway that regulates gene expression, cell cycle, growth and proliferation [4] - [11] .

Protein kinases are critical components of cellular signal transduction cascades.

Over 500 protein kinases in the human genome have been reported till date and they are considered as the second largest group of drug targets.

Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1), a 63 kDa serine/threonine kinase, is a major player in the PI3-kinase signaling pathway that regulates gene expression, cell cycle, growth and proliferation.


Hypergeometric functions play an important role in physics and in mathematics [3] both. Many special functions and polynomials (such as q-Askey-Wilson polynomials, q-Jacobi polynomials, q-Gegenbauer polynomials , q-Racah polynomials , q-Hahn polynomials , expressions for Clebsch-Gordan and Racah coefficients) are just certain hypergeometric functions evaluated in special values of parameters. In physics hypergeometric functions and their q-deformed counterparts sometimes play the role of wave functions and correlation functions for quantum integrable systems.

Hypergeometric functions play an important role in physics and in mathematics both.


The raindrop detection process requires the classification at pixel level. Therefore, it is computationally very expensive using high-resolution images. This paper suggests a real-time system architecture for object detection and classification since there is no clear definition of realtime raindrop detection in the literature [9, 32] . Cellular neural networks are powerful platforms for parallel computing and support vector machines are robust classifiers for object recognition. Our proposed CNN modification permits the combination between both approaches for a robust real-time object recognition. Our methodology is to illustrate a comprehensive modification of the support vectors that are given after SVM training using radial basis function kernel (RBF) to transform them into CNN control templates. Thus, we accelerate the SVM performance by significantly decreasing the classification time at pixel level.

This paper suggests a real-time system architecture for object detection and classification since there is no clear definition of realtime raindrop detection in the literature.


Finally, we used our DNS data to examine the preferential sampling of the flow by the particles at different scales. The preferential sampling of the flow is part of the preferential sweeping mechanism, and our analysis suggests that the preferential sampling of the flow should occur at different scales depending on St and F r. To examine this we computed the statistics of the difference between the second invariants of the coarse-grained (at scale F ) strain-rate and rotation-rate tensors evaluated at the positions of the inertial particles x p (t). The results showed that the strongest preferential sampling at any scale F is associated with increasingly larger St as F is increased. Moreover, for a given St, there is an optimum range of scales where the preferential sampling is strongest. As F r is decreased, the preferential sampling is suppressed, which is again due to the fact that settling reduces the correlation timescale of the flow seen by the particles, reducing the ability of local flow structures to modify the spatial distribution of the particles. When St = O(1) and F r 1, the particles sample the fluid velocity gradient field uniformly, yet they exhibit enhanced settling speeds due to the turbulence. This observation, which appears to contradict the traditional preferential sweeping mechanism, is explained by our theory as being due to the fact that for St = O(1) and F r 1, the scales at which the preferential sweeping mechanism operate do not lie in the dissipation range, but at larger scales. The DNS results confirm this since they show that while particles with St = O(1) and F r 1 do not preferentially sample the fluid velocity gradient field, they do preferentially sample the fluid velocity gradient field coarse-grained at scale F outside the dissipation range. This work used the Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE), which is supported by National Science Foundation grant number ACI-1548562 (Towns et al. 2014) . Specifically, the Comet cluster was used under allocation CTS170009.

This work used the Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE), which is supported by National Science Foundation grant number ACI-1548562.


This cross-sectional study may be the first to explore the health impact of parental migration on the children they leave behind in rural China. Around one out of five children in the schools studied were identified as LBC and for nearly half of them both parents had migrated to work away from home. Our findings suggest that adolescent LBC are more likely to have a less healthy diet and lower rates of physical activity, to be more likely to be engaged in excessive computer-related activities, use substances such as smoking tobacco and to be overweight. In addition, the health impact of parental migration varies by gender. Girls are more likely to use substances and have emotional problems and express sadness, whilst left behind boys are more vulnerable to being overweight and addicted to the internet. One potential explanation could be the absence of parents but this needs further exploration since the impact of parental migration may be mitigated by having support from extended family members [14] [15] [16] . Another contributing factor could be the additional income from remittances from absent parents which contributes to greater affluence and higher standards of living [14] [15] [16] .

One potential explanation could be the absence of parents but this needs further exploration since the impact of parental migration may be mitigated by having support from extended family members.

Another contributing factor could be the additional income from remittances from absent parents which contributes to greater affluence and higher standards of living.


We give two independent derivations of formula (1.5) and (1.10). The first method consists in the direct examination of perturbation theory. The second one uses powerful results of spectral theory and renormalized wave operators [6] . Although the second method is simpler we present both of them since the first one can be used also in the case of decay when the results of the standard scattering theory are not applicable.

The second one uses powerful results of spectral theory and renormalized wave operators.


The work described here aimed to compare the relative efficacy of the tine weeder, spoon weeder and inter-row hoe in four organically grown crops (borage, linseed, peas and beans) under New Zealand conditions. These three mechanical methods are considered to be representative of what might be commonly used in 'broadacre' organic production. It was anticipated that the three methods would vary in their efficacy due to their contrasting modes of action. The tine weeder scratches over the soil surface whereas the spoon weeder has a surface shattering action (spokes enter the soil vertically and exit at an angle), but both control intra-and inter-row weeds (Bowman 1997) . The inter-row hoe cuts off plant roots just below the soil surface and controls only inter-row weeds (Pullen & Cowell 1997) . This work also allows a comparison between the effect of mechanical weeding in crops of different growth habit. Less competitive crops (beans and linseed) are likely to benefit more from weeding than competitive crops (peas and borage).

The tine weeder scratches over the soil surface whereas the spoon weeder has a surface shattering action (spokes enter the soil vertically and exit at an angle), but both control intra-and inter-row weeds.

The inter-row hoe cuts off plant roots just below the soil surface and controls only inter-row weeds.


ESD technique was chosen to prepare micro-sized drug particles due to its simplicity, low cost, success with poor aqueous solubility drugs and the production of micro-sized particles of relatively high drug loading [18, 19] . This technique was used to prepare aspirin, riboflavin and roxithromycin microspheres [14, 20] . As with some of the other techniques, ESD is efficient in enhancing water solubility of lipophilic drugs [21] . Disadvantages of ESD technique are the leakage of water-soluble drug into the saturated-aqueous external phase during emulsification, reducing encapsulation efficiency and the high water volumes to be eliminated from the suspension.

ESD technique was chosen to prepare micro-sized drug particles due to its simplicity, low cost, success with poor aqueous solubility drugs and the production of micro-sized particles of relatively high drug loading.

This technique was used to prepare aspirin, riboflavin and roxithromycin microspheres.

As with some of the other techniques, ESD is efficient in enhancing water solubility of lipophilic drugs.


Recent advances in particle engineering technology significantly enhance delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs [7] . According to the Noyes-Whitney equation; the dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drugs could be increased by reducing the particle size to the microscale thus increasing the interfacial surface area [8, 9] . Micro-sized particle systems could be applied to all drug compounds belonging to biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) classes II and IV to increase their solubility and so its bioavailability [10] . Therefore, micro-particle technology could play a major role in the successful development and marketability of a poorly water soluble drug.

Recent advances in particle engineering technology significantly enhance delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs.

According to the Noyes-Whitney equation; the dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drugs could be increased by reducing the particle size to the microscale thus increasing the interfacial surface area.

Micro-sized particle systems could be applied to all drug compounds belonging to biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) classes II and IV to increase their solubility and so its bioavailability.


Preparation of Zaleplon microparticles: Zaleplon powder was dissolved in acetone, and the solution was filtered through a 0.45 μm filter membrane to remove any solid impurities. Ten ml of zaleplon solution (20 mg/ml) was poured at once into 100 ml distilled water containing SLS under magnetic stirring (1000 rpm). The system turned opalescent instantly after pouring the solution into water and was stirred for different time intervals. The mixture was then kept for about 6-10 minutes till the translucent emulsion droplets turned into opaque particles. The solidified particles were obtained by filtration and washed with distilled water then the resultant filter paste was dried in an oven at 60°C for 12 hours [16] . The composition of the prepared systems is shown in table 1.

The solidified particles were obtained by filtration and washed with distilled water then the resultant filter paste was dried in an oven at 60°C for 12 hours.