The Hb A I values noted in this study in the diabe- tic group were consistently greater than the highest values recorded in the nondiabetic subjects. In contrast the diabetic serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride and plasma glucose concentrations overlapped the normal range of values considerably although the mean values were significantly elevated in the diabetic group. These findings are consistent with the generally accepted mechanism of formation of glycosylated haemoglobin in that it is an integral related to the average glucose level to which the haemoglobin is exposed. Consequently, this should provide a better discriminant of diabetic from the nondiabetic than a rapidly fluctuating variable such as the fasting blood sugar. Similarly, the observation that the coefficient of variation of Hb A I for diabetic subjects was only about 50% greater than that for nondiabetics is in keeping with the notion that Hb A~ is a relatively stable parameter. Somewhat surprisingly, the mean serum growth hormone concentrations did not differ significantly between the diabetic and the nondiabetic groups. Serum growth hormone concentrations have been previously reported to be elevated in juvenile diabetic subjects in basal and ambulant conditions and also in response to provocative stimuli [23, 24, 25] . In the present study, however, it is noteworthy that the growth hormone samples were all drawn under fasting conditions and this restricted sampling may account for the discrepant findings. It has been previously reported that significant differences in diurnal growth hormone concentrations may not be apparent from fasting values alone [26] .

Serum growth hormone concentrations have been previously reported to be elevated in juvenile diabetic subjects in basal and ambulant conditions and also in response to provocative stimuli.

It has been previously reported that significant differences in diurnal growth hormone concentrations may not be apparent from fasting values alone.


Evaluation of the aging process of nanostructured materials by spectroscopic analysis is of great value to understand the chemical changes caused during aging, which influence the chemical and mechanical behavior of these materials [3] - [11] . Some studies of hybrid systems composed by polystyrene (PS) and montmorillonite have been carried out. In one of them, the authors prepared nanomaterials using PS/Cloisite15A by melt processing and monitored the up to 216 hours by FTIR spectroscopy. They concluded that the clay acts as a catalyst and promotes the degradation of this nanomaterial [12] .

Evaluation of the aging process of nanostructured materials by spectroscopic analysis is of great value to understand the chemical changes caused during aging, which influence the chemical and mechanical behavior of these materials.

They concluded that the clay acts as a catalyst and promotes the degradation of this nanomaterial.


Spin-spin (T 2 H) relaxation time measurements are generally used to identify the heterogeneity of polymer materials containing domains with size of about ~25 to >50 nm, thus, providing information on domain size of polymer systems. This analysis can also permit the identification of the molecular motions, which modulate the intermolecular interactions resulting in changes of the proton relaxation times. In the solid state an increment in the spin-spin relaxation time means that the molecular mobility is reduced, as demonstrated in Figure 1 The main objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of clay addition on the degradation process of High Impact Polystyrene/organoclay systems, prepared by solution casting, submitted to aging, through the proton spin-spin relaxation time parameter. The High Impact Polystyrene is a polymer based in polystyrene (PS) with addiction of synthetic rubber, polybutadiene (PB) to improve the impact property and photodegraded process could be promoted a preferred oxidation of PB phase, reduction of molar mass, decrease in mechanical properties such as maximum elongation, tensile strength [22] . The proton spin-spin relaxation time was chosen because as far as we know it has not been used to evaluate nanomaterials, especially in studies around aging processing and thermoplastic polymers. There are several works related to elastomers that evaluate changes of these materials by spin-spin relaxation time, probably due to the sensibility and also because of the materials high molecular mobility [23] [24] .

The High Impact Polystyrene is a polymer based in polystyrene (PS) with addiction of synthetic rubber, polybutadiene (PB) to improve the impact property and photodegraded process could be promoted a preferred oxidation of PB phase, reduction of molar mass, decrease in mechanical properties such as maximum elongation, tensile strength.

There are several works related to elastomers that evaluate changes of these materials by spin-spin relaxation time, probably due to the sensibility and also because of the materials high molecular mobility.


To attain sustainable economic development, a country must have an efficient banking system [27] . The banking industry essentially contributes to the economic development of any country by providing significant sources of financial intermediation [26] . Banks also organize financial resources and manage them to increase economic activities. Through efficiency evaluation, the internal structure of banks is explored, identifying the main causes of inefficiency [28] . The performance of banks has been an issue of major interest for various stakeholders, such as regulators, customers, investors, and the general public.

To attain sustainable economic development, a country must have an efficient banking system.

The banking industry essentially contributes to the economic development of any country by providing significant sources of financial intermediation.

Through efficiency evaluation, the internal structure of banks is explored, identifying the main causes of inefficiency.


The concept of sustainable development aims to meet present needs without disturbing the chances of future generations to fulfill their own needs. This concept is also accepted by business organizations, including the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Traditionally, the basic principle for business was profit-oriented. Rapid advancement in technology and supply-chain networks have gradually extended business channels, which are transformed into a wider community known as stakeholders in modern society. The social behavior of managers relays to stakeholders' social responsibility, while socially responsible stakeholders encourage managers to try to achieve long-term sustainability by neglecting short-term cost efficiency [1] . Similarly, consumer and investor behavior reflects a firm's policies.

The social behavior of managers relays to stakeholders' social responsibility, while socially responsible stakeholders encourage managers to try to achieve long-term sustainability by neglecting short-term cost efficiency.


Environmental and social responsibilities are highly dependent on stakeholder preferences to produce financial gains. The existing literature on firm performance and the relationship with social environmental responsibility is unconvincing [9] . Prior studies are divided into three groups based on the relationship between corporate sustainability and its financial benefit in relation to a firm's environmental performance. The first group found a positive relationship [10] [11] [12] [13] . The second group found a negative relationship [14] [15] [16] . This group considered the agency problem; according to the agency problem, a firm's socio-environmental responsibility is expected to be a cost that may affect its profitability. The third group argued that there might not be a significant relationship [17] [18] [19] [20] . Their findings show that firms do not consider socio-environmental performance, and have to reduce the prices of their products and services to increase their sales. The term CS is a multidimensional concept, and has increased with awareness. The question remains on how to measure performance is still undefined. However, for the performance evaluation of banks, data envelopment analysis (DEA) is considered to be an appropriate tool because it does not require any explicit relationships between multiple inputs and outputs [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] . The integrated performance of the bank is based on its sustainable strategies, encompassing economics in both environmental and social dimensions. A comprehensive study of sustainable banking approaches eight categorized types in three dimensions, namely technological, social, and organizational [26] .

The existing literature on firm performance and the relationship with social environmental responsibility is unconvincing.

The first group found a positive relationship.

The second group found a negative relationship.

The third group argued that there might not be a significant relationship.

However, for the performance evaluation of banks, data envelopment analysis (DEA) is considered to be an appropriate tool because it does not require any explicit relationships between multiple inputs and outputs.

A comprehensive study of sustainable banking approaches eight categorized types in three dimensions, namely technological, social, and organizational.


Metastatic tracheal tumors are extremely rare; they usually arise from direct invasion by neighboring primary lesions such as carcinomas of the bronchus, larynx, thyroid, or mid-esophagus [4] . Similarly, tracheal metastasis from a very distant site has also been poorly documented and the upper trachea is the most frequently involved site [5] . To the best of our knowledge, there is no report on intrathoracic endotracheal metastasis with nasopharyngeal origin.

Metastatic tracheal tumors are extremely rare; they usually arise from direct invasion by neighboring primary lesions such as carcinomas of the bronchus, larynx, thyroid, or mid-esophagus.

Similarly, tracheal metastasis from a very distant site has also been poorly documented and the upper trachea is the most frequently involved site.


This growing group of overweight individuals generally have hard odds to …ght against in the labor market because they are seen as signi…cantly less desirable employees who, compared with others, are less competent, less productive, not hardworking, disorganized, indecisive, inactive, and less successful (Kleges, Klem & Hanson (1990) ). All in all, a picture that hardly describes the type of person one would choose as an employee, and one might speculate that this would lead to di¤erential treatment in the labor market. A number of authors have noted that a stigma is attached to being overweight 2 There are numerous ways in which the existence of discrimination could potentially have an economic impact on individuals. For many people, the major potential source of income is their own or a family member's labor, so that discrimination restricting access to the labor market for certain groups can have serious consequences. Discrimination could potentially operate in the pre-labor market or, having entered the labor market, in becoming employed, in obtaining a particular type of job, or in the wage one is paid for a speci…c type of work.

This growing group of overweight individuals generally have hard odds to …ght against in the labor market because they are seen as signi…cantly less desirable employees who, compared with others, are less competent, less productive, not hardworking, disorganized, indecisive, inactive, and less successful).


The modified method can then be applied to nuclear reactor calculations. Many reactor parameters of interest (such as the neutron multiplication factor, decay heat, reaction rates, etc.) are dependent on neutron cross-sections. These cross-sections are often described by only their first 2 Science and Technology of Nuclear Installations two statistical moments and are assumed to be normally distributed [8] . The uncertainties associated with the crosssections are propagated to the final result of the calculated reactor parameters, and the uncertainty in a calculated reactor parameter can be apportioned to the different sources of uncertainty in the neutron cross-sections.

These cross-sections are often described by only their first 2 Science and Technology of Nuclear Installations two statistical moments and are assumed to be normally distributed.


A growing challenge of the 21 century is the rise in the population of older adults. In the US alone, 12.9% of its population (i.e., 39.6 million) were aged 65 and above in 2009; this is estimated to rise to 72 million by 2030, amounting to 19% of its population. Similarly, 26% of Japan's population is predicted to be above 65 in 2015 [5] . The United Nation (UN) projected that Europe will have a high percentage of older adults with over 30% elderly people in 2060 [6] .

Similarly, 26% of Japan's population is predicted to be above 65 in 2015.

The United Nation (UN) projected that Europe will have a high percentage of older adults with over 30% elderly people in 2060.


The benefits of physical activity cannot be over-emphasised, especially for older adults. Health issues such as diabetes, dementia, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, etc. are improved with physical exercise. Moreover, as people become older, their body tissue take longer to repair and exercise is a key factor in counteracting this [1] . According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, premature deaths attributed to lack of physical activity have risen to 3.2 million annually worldwide [2] . Meanwhile, the older adult population is rapidly increasing, and according to a survey the population will triple by 2050 [3] . Therefore, to improve the quality of life for older adults, regular physical activity should be part of their daily routines. Some additional benefits of physical activity include improving the body immune system, good blood circulation, removal of skin toxins etc. Research shows that many older adults fail to meet the level of exercise that their body needs. In America, over 60% of people above 50 years of age fail to meet the expected level. In England, only 18% of people between 65 and 74 meet the required level. For people above 75 years, only 7-8% of them are able to meet their required exercise level [2] .

Moreover, as people become older, their body tissue take longer to repair and exercise is a key factor in counteracting this.

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, premature deaths attributed to lack of physical activity have risen to 3.2 million annually worldwide.

Meanwhile, the older adult population is rapidly increasing, and according to a survey the population will triple by 2050.

For people above 75 years, only 7-8% of them are able to meet their required exercise level.


It took Abra ovata 6 to 7 years to be successfully acclimatized following its artificial introduction into the Caspian Sea. In those years it occupied new places of dwelling in already existing sea conditions of Caspian Sea [15] . During its third year on the newly flooded area of Sulaksky Bay (where sea conditions did not exist before flooding), A. ovata already demonstrated a threefold superiority in biomass over the first settler, Nereis, and after 5 to 6 years, it gained absolute dominance amongst all the later invaders [16] - [20] .

In those years it occupied new places of dwelling in already existing sea conditions of Caspian Sea.

During its third year on the newly flooded area of Sulaksky Bay (where sea conditions did not exist before flooding), A. ovata already demonstrated a threefold superiority in biomass over the first settler, Nereis, and after 5 to 6 years, it gained absolute dominance amongst all the later invaders.


At this point, it is worth mentioning that there now exists a host of fast parallel Poisson solvers based on various principles including the use of FFT and fast multipole method [5, 6, 16, 18] . The fast solver of this paper is based on Theorem 2.1, which is derived through exact analyses and properties of convolution integrals involving Green's function. Thus, this solver is very accurate because of these exact analyses which is demonstrated on a host of problems. Moreover, this solver is easy to implement and has a very low constant hidden behind the order estimate of the complexity of the algorithm. This gives this solver an advantage over many other solvers with similar complexity, which usually have a high value of this hidden constant. Furthermore, this solver can be very optimal for solving certain classes of problems involving circular domains or overlapped circular domains. This solver can also be used in arbitrary domains via spectral domain embedding technique. This work is currently in progress.

At this point, it is worth mentioning that there now exists a host of fast parallel Poisson solvers based on various principles including the use of FFT and fast multipole method.

This work is currently in progress.


A survey among Americans in 2017 on recycling indicated more than half of participants had curbside pick-up of recyclable materials [9] . According to the Pew Research Center FACTANK report on perceptions and realities of recycling, 28% of Americans stated their local community's social norms strongly encourage recycling and re-use, while 22% stated they do not. Fifty percent reported their communities were in neither side regarding recycling [10] . Nation-wide, there are approximately 9800 curbside recycling programs somewhat up from 9700 curbside programs in 2001 and 8660 in 2006 [10] . However, the US EPA states that household waste remains a constant concern because trends I. [11] . Hence, only changes in individual attitudes, beliefs, norms towards the environment, and the consequential shift in personal behavior, will have the lasting and significant impact on the environment that is badly needed [12] .

A survey among Americans in 2017 on recycling indicated more than half of participants had curbside pick-up of recyclable materials.

Fifty percent reported their communities were in neither side regarding recycling.

Nation-wide, there are approximately 9800 curbside recycling programs somewhat up from 9700 curbside programs in 2001 and 8660 in 2006.

However, the US EPA states that household waste remains a constant concern because trends I..

Hence, only changes in individual attitudes, beliefs, norms towards the environment, and the consequential shift in personal behavior, will have the lasting and significant impact on the environment that is badly needed.


Intensive recirculating systems are operated at very low water exchange rates (2% to 10% per day). The inorganic ammonia-nitrogen buildup in these intensive production systems has been traditionally controlled by using large fixed-cell bioreactors that rely on the nitrification of ammonia-nitrogen to nitrate-nitrogen by Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria (AOB) and Nitrite Oxidizing Bacteria (NOB), autotrophic bacteria. The growth of heterotrophic bacteria and the accumulation of organic carbon are minimized through the rapid removal of solids from the system and by using some level of water exchange (Timmons et al., 2002) .

The growth of heterotrophic bacteria and the accumulation of organic carbon are minimized through the rapid removal of solids from the system and by using some level of water exchange.


Apoptosis is initiated by extracellular or intracellular signals which lead to the activation of a cascade of events leading to the degradation of the cell and is characterised by morphological changes such as membrane blebbing, cytoplasmic condensation and apoptotic body formation. Biochemical changes within the cell are also evident including caspase activation, DNA fragmentation and phosphatidylserine translocation (Elmore, 2007) . Two major pathways of apoptosis have been described. Death-receptor mediated apoptosis, also known as the extrinsic pathway, is mediated by one of several death receptors binding to an appropriate ligand on the cell surface (Kasibhatla and Tseng, 2003) . This leads to the activation of cysteine-dependent aspartate-directed proteases (caspases) in the cytosol of the cell (Vermeulen et al., 2005) .

Biochemical changes within the cell are also evident including caspase activation, DNA fragmentation and phosphatidylserine translocation.

Death-receptor mediated apoptosis, also known as the extrinsic pathway, is mediated by one of several death receptors binding to an appropriate ligand on the cell surface.

This leads to the activation of cysteine-dependent aspartate-directed proteases (caspases) in the cytosol of the cell.


Plants have played an important role in the discovery of anti-cancer agents. Over 60% of anti-cancer agents have been derived from natural sources (Cragg and Newman, 2005) . Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume is an annual, branched herb/shrub reaching a length of approximately 1 m or more. C. prostrata is widely distributed and can be found in tropical Africa and America and in Asia as well as in Australia. It has many medicinal uses. The leaves are typically used for treatment against rheumatic fever, dysentery, wounds and eye trouble. The sap is traditionally used as an eardrop to treat otitis and is also applied to skin sores and burns (Burkill, 1995) . It has been reported that an ethanolic extract of C. prostrata exhibits cytotoxic effects against cervical and breast cancer cells (Sowemimo et al., 2009) .

Over 60% of anti-cancer agents have been derived from natural sources.

It has many medicinal uses.

The sap is traditionally used as an eardrop to treat otitis and is also applied to skin sores and burns.

It has been reported that an ethanolic extract of C. prostrata exhibits cytotoxic effects against cervical and breast cancer cells.


The 91% prevalence rate for mental disorder amongst those assessed in this study compares favourably with the 85% and 90% rates reported most recently for police liaison schemes in England (James, 2000; Riordan, Wix, & Kenny-Herbert, 2000) . Importantly, almost half of the MDOs were identified from the routine screening of CRFs as opposed to a recommendation from the FMO (or the police or other criminal justice personnel). It is also worth noting that the FMOs ''missed'' a significant proportion of potentially more severe cases as indicated by our BPRS data. This supports evidence suggesting that the detection rate in a criminal justice setting may be low due to the potentially concealing effects of alcohol/drug abuse and the frequent clinical presentation of depression in this population (Rice & Harris, 1997) . It is also possible that the methods of identification employed by police officers are insufficiently thorough. This may be addressed, in part, by the Mental Health Awareness Training currently being implemented in a number of local police stations. Either way, our findings suggest that a significant proportion of MDOs may pass, perhaps continuously, through the CJS without receiving proper health and social care. However, schemes such as that described here can be effective in terms of identifying mental illness more accurately than CJS personnel.

The 91% prevalence rate for mental disorder amongst those assessed in this study compares favourably with the 85% and 90% rates reported most recently for police liaison schemes in England.

This supports evidence suggesting that the detection rate in a criminal justice setting may be low due to the potentially concealing effects of alcohol/drug abuse and the frequent clinical presentation of depression in this population.


The service response to MDOs and especially those with a dual diagnosis requires close attention. Ideally, it should involve assertive outreach and sustained support with the aim of engaging and (re)connecting MDOs to existing and specialist services. Arguably, this may require the implementation of outreach teams that operate more aggressively than normal. The development of social relationships and networks is also important in facilitating the re-integration of mentally ill offenders into society and the prevention of re-offending. Further research is needed to identify how mental health services may be successfully delivered to this group, particularly in view of the perceived threat to public safety from people with mental illness (e.g., the Ashworth inquiry (Fallon, Bluglass, & Edwards, 1999) ). Similarly, the high incidence of self harm merits special attention in the context both of the increased suicide risk in this group and their management within the CJS.

Further research is needed to identify how mental health services may be successfully delivered to this group, particularly in view of the perceived threat to public safety from people with mental illness (e.g., the Ashworth inquiry).


The latest trends in vibration control of large structures consider distributed actuation systems, which mitigate the vibrational response of the overall structure by means of the coordinated actuation of a large number of medium-size semiactive or passive devices [1] [2] [3] . In this context, decentralized and semidecentralized control strategies are especially relevant, and fully decentralized velocity-feedback controllers constitute a case of particular interest [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] . In addition to the typical advantages of decentralization, fully decentralized velocity-feedback controllers have the singular feature of admitting a passive implementation by means of linear dampers. By taking advantages of this property, advanced active feedback control strategies can be used to design complex passive-damping systems for vibration control of large structures. The passive-damping systems so obtained combine the simplicity and robustness of passive control systems with the effectiveness of active feedback control systems [10] [11] [12] . However, from a practical point of view, this approach leads to serious difficulties, mainly associated with the high computational cost of designing decentralized static output-feedback controllers [13] [14] [15] [16] .

The latest trends in vibration control of large structures consider distributed actuation systems, which mitigate the vibrational response of the overall structure by means of the coordinated actuation of a large number of medium-size semiactive or passive devices.

In this context, decentralized and semidecentralized control strategies are especially relevant, and fully decentralized velocity-feedback controllers constitute a case of particular interest.

The passive-damping systems so obtained combine the simplicity and robustness of passive control systems with the effectiveness of active feedback control systems.

However, from a practical point of view, this approach leads to serious difficulties, mainly associated with the high computational cost of designing decentralized static output-feedback controllers.


The attention towards social, economic, and environmental issues, for the creation of sustainable development patterns increases the value of a company in terms of image and credibility with customers and business partners. Sustainability is therefore an important factor for competitiveness and OPEN ACCESS integration within the local community, and for all the stakeholders. Corporations have become indispensable members of our society who need to be "incorporated" socially as well as legally. Recent institutional changes have made social and environmental sustainability an important source of institutional legitimacy of corporations [1] .

Recent institutional changes have made social and environmental sustainability an important source of institutional legitimacy of corporations.


Hepatic cells contain high concentrations of hepatic enzymes in the cytoplasm, and AST particularly exists in the mitochondria. Due to the damage caused to hepatic cells, the leakage of cytosol increases the levels of these hepatospecific enzymes in the serum. The elevated serum enzyme levels such as AST and ALT are indicative of cellular leakage and functional integrity of cell membrane in the liver [31] . The measurement of serum AST and ALT levels serves as a mean for the indirect assessment of the condition of the liver. In the present study, the capability of bees' honey in controlling metanil-yellow-induced hepatotoxicity was observed in that bees honey treated animals had decreased levels of hepatic enzyme in the serum when compared with the metanil yellow groups.

The elevated serum enzyme levels such as AST and ALT are indicative of cellular leakage and functional integrity of cell membrane in the liver.


Such a multiplication is called n-ary partially associative. These operads were first studied by Gnedbaye [3] . This paper, which resumes my talk given in the meeting of Tartu, concerns more precisely the non-Koszulity of these operads when n is odd equal to 3. It is a part of a larger work co-authored by Martin Markl [8] .

These operads were first studied by Gnedbaye.

It is a part of a larger work co-authored by Martin Markl.


There has been much work conducted on analysing the threats that an autonomous vehicle will face [7, 11, [21] [22] [23] . The issue with existing work on threat analysis is that they did not consider a comprehensive ranges of components (i.e., CAV, devices, Edge, Cloud) that form the potential CAV operational contexts. This means that threats which use a combination of attacks against different components in specific orders can be missed. Reference architectures have been developed to aid in the design of products and services for autonomous vehicles but have seldom been used to provide a wider view of composite threats. Those reference architectures that do exist, can suffer from being too broad, or are insufficiently detailed, for attack surface analysis. When too broad, they require specifying less pertinent details as part of the model, which detracts from performing the attack surface analysis. When insufficiently detailed, there are threats that cannot be analysed using the reference architecture. The remainder of this section will present related work on reference architectures used to model autonomous vehicle systems.

There has been much work conducted on analysing the threats that an autonomous vehicle will face.


In Iran, meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime) is the first-line treatment for CL and visceral leishmaniasis (VL), either systemically alone or intra-lesionally along with cryotherapy [10, 11] . Patients with CL lesions not responding to pentavalent antimonials treatment have been reported [7] . These patients certainly need effective alternative treatment modalities. Although the disease is a treatable non-healing forms of CL which frequently occur [10] . The treatment of CL is also related to several factors such as geographic modification (environmental factors), type and clinical status of disease, and parasite species [2] . The objective of this study was to investigate the role of environmental, clinical, and demographic characteristic risk factors in creating unresponsive forms when compared with responsive group among patients with ACL in a major focus in southeastern Iran. To our knowledge, the present work is the first study on associated risk-related factors among unresponsive and responsive patients at a national and international level.

In Iran, meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime) is the first-line treatment for CL and visceral leishmaniasis (VL), either systemically alone or intra-lesionally along with cryotherapy.

Patients with CL lesions not responding to pentavalent antimonials treatment have been reported.

Although the disease is a treatable non-healing forms of CL which frequently occur.

The treatment of CL is also related to several factors such as geographic modification (environmental factors), type and clinical status of disease, and parasite species.


Major climatic processes of global importance are linked to El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events and the Indian monsoon [1] . The strongest interannual variations in global surface temperature depend on the intensity of ENSO events. Over two thirds of the earth's population live in monsoon related regions (with a key role played by the Indian monsoon) [2] . An investigation into the interaction between ENSO and Indian monsoon activity is both of regional and global interest. A relationship between these processes has been reliably detected with differ ent methods [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] .

Major climatic processes of global importance are linked to El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events and the Indian monsoon.

Over two thirds of the earth's population live in monsoon related regions (with a key role played by the Indian monsoon).

A relationship between these processes has been reliably detected with differ ent methods.


The literature review looked at the use of AR in education followed by an overview of some previous studies which used AR applications [8, 11, 23] . Various advantages and challenges of the use of AR in education were also discussed. Motivation in the context of learning and the intrinsic motivation theory, which was used to explain learning motivation, were then discussed [25] . This led to the main research question (RQ) (RQ 1): What are the differences in student learning motivation before and after using the AR mobile application? The ARCS model was used to answer RQ 1. The ARCS model and each ARCS factor was used to understand the impact of AR technology on student motivation towards learning [4, 8, 11, 13] . The Instructional Materials Motivation Survey (IMMS) was used to develop the instruments for this research [17] .

The literature review looked at the use of AR in education followed by an overview of some previous studies which used AR applications.

Motivation in the context of learning and the intrinsic motivation theory, which was used to explain learning motivation, were then discussed.

The ARCS model was used to answer RQ 1.

The ARCS model and each ARCS factor was used to understand the impact of AR technology on student motivation towards learning.

The Instructional Materials Motivation Survey (IMMS) was used to develop the instruments for this research.


Electric fields are employed in many engineering fields for improving aerodynamic behavior, heat and mass transfer as well as chemical reactions (e.g., in pyrolysis and gasification processes). In particular, plasmas are promising for material production (e.g., sintering, coating, nano-materials synthesis) and applications in environmental cleanup (e.g., water treatment, waste treatment, surface cleaning and disinfection). Application of electric fields in energy and process engineering can make an important contribution to the reduction of CO 2 -emissions and global warming. They may reduce consumption of energy carriers, by increasing efficiency and they are useful in reduction of pollutant emissions and environmental contaminants [1] . In the field of metrology, plasmas can especially be used for example for trace element analysis in plasma mass spectrometry (PMS) or laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIPS) for analysis of chemical composition of solids, liquids, or even gases. Although most applications are based on "plasma" (which is characterized by high power density), "weak" electric fields (characterized by low power density at which no additional ionization occurs) utilization in energy and process engineering are also discussed in this review.

They may reduce consumption of energy carriers, by increasing efficiency and they are useful in reduction of pollutant emissions and environmental contaminants.


Previous studies on China usually use total credit/GDP to measure the depth of financial intermediation. This ratio tends to overestimate the financial depth in China, and possibly discount the financial deepening-growth nexus, primarily due to both policy-directed lending and a large scale of non-performing loans in China's banking sector. In a financially depressed economy like China, the deepening process of financial intermediation is normally defined as a process of banking liberalization from state control, reductions in or elimination of directed credits, and marketization of financial parameters (Shaw 1973; McKinnon 1973; King and Levine 1993) . Without taking out directed credits and funds allocated to state-owned enterprises, the ratio of total credit to GDP is not an appropriate indicator of the depth of financial intermediation in China. As China gradually liberalizes her financial sector and implements relevant institutional changes, the rising depth of financial intermediation is most likely to be a result of commercialization of state banks and should be closely related to the change in the relative share of bank financing between stateowned enterprises and a variety of newly emerged enterprises. Lack of data, however, prevents us from calculating the relative shares of bank lending to state or non-state sectors. Consequently, we propose an indirect measure by determining how much the total outstanding bank loan was granted to state and non-state sectors. The measure is then constructed as the ratio of credit for the non-state sector to GDP. Adding this indicator of financial deepening as an independent variable to the productivity growth model allows us to explore the relationship between financial depth and productivity growth in China. Our modeling results confirm a positive and significant impact of financial development on productivity, conditioning on a number of control variables. Such finding has important implication for and supports the necessity of both in-depth liberalization of the state banking sector and rapid privatization of locally owned state enterprises in China.

In a financially depressed economy like China, the deepening process of financial intermediation is normally defined as a process of banking liberalization from state control, reductions in or elimination of directed credits, and marketization of financial parameters.


To our knowledge, to date, no study has established a quantitative relationship among soil zinc, human serum zinc status and linear growth of children from nationally representative data. We hypothesize that a lower soil zinc level is associated with lower grain zinc levels and lower zinc levels in the diet, resulting in higher prevalence of linear growth failure among preschool children, mediated by lower serum zinc status ( Figure 1 ). This would support emerging efforts to improve human zinc status by improving soil zinc status [16] . Improved soil zinc could also increase crop productivity and production, which in turn could improve children's growth through higher incomes, lower food insecurity, reduced inflammation through improvements in the health environment and increased resources for child feeding and caregiving ( Figure 1 ). Using data from two nationally representative cross-sectional surveys on soils and children's nutritional status, this is the first study that assesses the geographical distribution of poor zinc soils, poor serum zinc status and poor linear growth and their relationship among Ethiopian preschool children.

This would support emerging efforts to improve human zinc status by improving soil zinc status.


Some previous solutions mitigate sybil attacks through the use of computational puzzles or CAPTCHAs [10] . These approaches can limit the rate at which sybil identities are introduced into the systems, but they cannot identify the existing sybil identities. They can be used in conjunction with the scheme proposed in this paper.

Some previous solutions mitigate sybil attacks through the use of computational puzzles or CAPTCHAs.


Wood is a prominent sustainable source of biomass, because of its huge stocks and the fact that it does not directly compete with food production. Materials derived from wood can be used as feedstock to produce valuable chemicals. In particular, cellulose in the wood can be used to generate biofuels and other bio-based products. The softwood forest in Japan has not been well-managed. The amount of softwood plantation in Japan was 3.0 billion m 3 in 2012. However, the self-sufficiency rate of industrial wood is only 31.2% in 2014, and the utilization of wood resources is insufficient [1] . Therefore, it is necessary to develop novel methods to separate and collect wood-derived materials. In this study, we focus on a softwood that is endemic to Japan (Cryptomeria japonica). Unfortunately, biotransformation of lignocellulosic biomass is not easy by either microbial or enzymatic routes, thereby limiting its economic conversion into value-added products. The cellulose in wood has a crystalline structure and is covered with lignin and hemicellulose. Therefore, pretreatment is very crucial for the efficient transformation of lignocellulosic biomass.

However, the self-sufficiency rate of industrial wood is only 31.2% in 2014, and the utilization of wood resources is insufficient.


Several researchers reported the dissolution of lignocellulosic materials in ionic liquids (ILs) followed by cellulose hydrolysis with acid or enzymes [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . The ILs are liquids at a relatively low temperature (< 100 °C) consisting of a cation and an anion. They are chemically and thermally stable, non-flammable, non-volatile, and have low vapor pressures.

Several researchers reported the dissolution of lignocellulosic materials in ionic liquids (ILs) followed by cellulose hydrolysis with acid or enzymes.


Transverse momentum spectrums of final-state products are very important in high-energy collisions. Many models have been introduced to describe the transverse momentum spectrums of different final-state products [4] . From the spectrums, one can extract temperature parameter of interacting system. It is expected that temperature parameters extracted from different particle spectrums are different due to different emission stages and regions in collisions. Although we can compare nuclear temperature with classical temperature, they have different physical meanings.

Many models have been introduced to describe the transverse momentum spectrums of different final-state products.


Temperature parameter in high-energy collisions is very important. Generally speaking, temperatures of interacting system at initial, intermediate, and final states are different [5] . Since these temperatures cannot be measured directly, it may, therefore, be interesting to find out an indirect method for obtaining the temperature of the interesting system. Traditionally, temperature can be extracted from measurements of spectrum slopes or double isotopic ratios at lower energies [5, 6] . In some cases, we cannot obtain absolute values of concerned temperature parameters, but relative values corresponding to different particle spectrums.

Generally speaking, temperatures of interacting system at initial, intermediate, and final states are different.

Traditionally, temperature can be extracted from measurements of spectrum slopes or double isotopic ratios at lower energies.


The design of effective distribution routes can usually be modeled as a combinatorial optimization problem (COP). In the scientific literature, it has been frequently assumed that these problems were deterministic in nature. However, this assumption is often an unrealistic one that may lead to suboptimal solutions when uncertainty is present. Among other sources of uncertainty, weather conditions might have a significant impact on travel times which, in turn, might affect the total distribution cost. In stochastic COPs, uncertainty is identified with random variables following a probability distribution (Juan et al. 2011a) . Stochastic COPs may be solved by designing a solution usable for any specific scenario (aprioristic or robust optimization) or by taking decisions each time uncertain information is revealed (on-line or reactive optimization). When there is complete uncertainty, the last strategy is mostly preferred (Jaillet and Wagner 2008) .

In stochastic COPs, uncertainty is identified with random variables following a probability distribution.

When there is complete uncertainty, the last strategy is mostly preferred.


Economic wellbeing often declines for people at older ages. Withdrawal from the labor force and deteriorating health contribute to a greater risk of poverty. The risk of elderly poverty varies greatly across countries, particularly by the generosity of public transfers (Zaidi, Grech and Fuchs 2006) . Public transfers consist of two major components: public pension, to which individuals contribute during their working age, and welfare programs, which tend to have eligibility restrictions such as means-testing or age.

The risk of elderly poverty varies greatly across countries, particularly by the generosity of public transfers.


One can distinguish between two types of the stability bounds. If M H > M stability min , the electroweak vacuum is absolutely stable, whereas if M meta min < M H < M stability min , then it is metastable with the life-time exceeding that of the Universe. Numerically, M meta min 111 GeV [10] . The existence of the Higgs boson with the mass smaller than M meta min would provide an undisputed argument in favor of existence of new physics between the Fermi and Planck scale. However, already since LEP we know that this is not the case.

Numerically, M meta min 111 GeV.


Another topic-labelling approach using an external data source is [12] . This approach differs from our work and the aforementioned ones by relying on a tree-structured external data source, the Open Directory Project 2 . The authors model each node of the hierarchy as a list of words and compare the topics to label with the nodes in the hierarchy based on various similarity measures. Using a novel algorithm, they select and reuse the label of the most similar node. However, this approach is particularly suited for use-cases providing a given hierarchy that has to match the clusters of the corpus. For less constrained scenarios, as we illustrate in Section 3.2, we see strict usage of tree-shaped knowledge bases as problematic.

Another topic-labelling approach using an external data source is.


Outsourcing contracts are normally for a long term, up to five years or even more [19] . Therefore, it is important to choose a right negotiation strategy aiming to a win-win, or risk-sharing, situation and to avoid typical "cost plus" contracts, especially from the customer's standpoint. In contract negotiations, there should be clarity of the lowest acceptable conditions and of how to get away from the present contract if the contract is no longer acceptable for one of the parties. Maintenance contracts are categorized into different types, depending on the nature of the relationship, knowledge and type of service [10] . In case a customer has a deep understanding and knowledge about maintenance, then 1) a work package-type model is likely to work. With a sourcing contract based on a work package, the customer is responsible for planning, controlling and monitoring. The supplier acts as a mere provider of maintenance. When the contract stipulates the desired performance (not merely what should be done and when); 2) a performance-based contract is applied. The main emphasis is on defining the revenue stream between the customer and the supplier, and the contact is typically a long-term one; finally, in 3) a facilitator contract, the customer is only using or utilizing physical assets which are owned, maintained and even operated by the supplier. In this case, the contracts are also typically long-term.

Outsourcing contracts are normally for a long term, up to five years or even more.

Maintenance contracts are categorized into different types, depending on the nature of the relationship, knowledge and type of service.


A contradiction in the existing O & M business model was found. Suppliers (S1-S5) are aiming to utilize economics of scale by building, e.g. remotely-managed processes and functions, while customers (C1-C2) want to ensure undisturbed operations and highlight the supplier presence on the site. The most workable solution seems to be an agreement to interface the supplier's IT systems to customer operations management systems and ensure that the supplier has access to on-line information for analysis. Well-functioning IT is a mandatory part of a wider business model and its transformation [29] . However, some customers (C1-C2) did not want to allow the suppliers to use the data gathered from the customers' processes. Those customers wanted to keep their operations data in their own databases to be able to change the supplier in the contract renewal phase. Changes are much easier to execute, if the ownership of the data is on the customer's side. This is a complex and contradictory issue because process data is naturally one of the key factors in process-based industry.

Well-functioning IT is a mandatory part of a wider business model and its transformation.


Both human and technology factors need to be well addressed, and all the interviewed companies pointed this out [4] . One of the critical success factors is how well global HR systems are able to recruit locally for O & M site positions and how suitable the people recruited are. Use of expatriates is not a very popular way of resourcing. Instead, companies want to find local people educated as their site's key personnel as soon as possible. Also, we found out that the companies with the longest experience in O & M business had invested on training programs or packages for their own and their customers' personnel.

Both human and technology factors need to be well addressed, and all the interviewed companies pointed this out.


In the practical production, effective control of pests is a very important issue of the world, which catches attention of scholars for pest management method [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . Integrated pest management (IPM), also known as integrated pest control (IPC), is an effective approach that integrates biological, chemical tactics, and physical methods for pests control [8] [9] [10] [11] . Due to population dynamics and its related environment, IPM utilize effective methods and techniques comprehensively to reduce the level of economic harm caused by pests. The aim of IPM is to control the density of the insects under the economic threshold by integrated usage of less harmful pesticides and biological control methods for maximizing the protection of the ecosystem.

In the practical production, effective control of pests is a very important issue of the world, which catches attention of scholars for pest management method.

Integrated pest management (IPM), also known as integrated pest control (IPC), is an effective approach that integrates biological, chemical tactics, and physical methods for pests control.


Our contribution to the literature is threefold. First, our study contributes to the literature on local taxation and firm location decisions; we show that the within-municipality tax differential caused by the ZFU policy substantially affects firm location decisions. This result contrasts with previous studies finding at most weak effects of between-municipalities tax differential on firm location decisions (Rathelot and Sillard, 2008; Duranton, Gobillon, and Overman, 2011) . Second, we add to the literature on the evaluation of urban enterprise zones, and go deeper in the analysis of their effect on the economic activity of targeted zones. Indeed, by working on location decisions at the establishment level, we provide evidence that the positive average impact of the ZFU policy we measure varies significantly according to firm-level, industry and zone characteristics. Moreover, we are also able to assess how the untreated part of these municipalities is affected. We show that the policy generates intramunicipal business diversion, and is thus a zero-sum game at the level of the municipality. Our results also indicate that the ZFU policy has a positive impact on local employment, especially on "low-wage" jobs, which are more directly targeted by the policy. We believe that these results have important implications for policy-makers willing to improve the design and the efficiency of such schemes. Finally, many issues arise with the quantitative evaluation of enterprise zone programs, and methods to address them have been recently refined (Gibbons, Nathan, and Overman, 2014) . We develop an estimation strategy that follows closely establishment location behavior, and allows to control finely for endogeneity issues. By focusing on the differential between the treated and the untreated parts of the municipalities hosting a ZFU, we reduce issues of municipality-level omitted variables and simultaneity to a larger extent than the evaluations of enterprise zone programs based on control groups that are outside the municipality of the targeted zones.

This result contrasts with previous studies finding at most weak effects of between-municipalities tax differential on firm location decisions.

Finally, many issues arise with the quantitative evaluation of enterprise zone programs, and methods to address them have been recently refined.


Assessing the causal impact of enterprise zone programs is challenging (Neumark and Kolko, 2010) . A first major issue is linked to the selection of targeted zones. Given that ZFU areas were chosen among the most deprived neighborhoods, a simple comparison of the ZFU and non-ZFU areas would certainly lead to an under-estimation of the impact of the policy. A second major issue is that there might be unobservable confounding factors, other than the policy itself, which also affect the outcomes of interest over the period under study. In order to tackle these issues, we combine different methods, and carry out several robustness tests.

Assessing the causal impact of enterprise zone programs is challenging.


To illustrate our results, we work out in detail in Section 12 a simple but instructive example. We take for G the group of type D n associated with a non-degenerate quadratic form on C 2n . The variety of isotropic lines is a smooth quadric in P 2n−1 (C), which can be identified to P\G for a maximal parabolic subgroup P. We describe the corresponding subcategory Sub Q, which is of finite type with 3n − 4 indecomposable modules, and the cluster algebras A = C[N P ] and A = C[P\G] which have finite cluster type (A 1 ) n−2 in the Fomin-Zelevinsky classification [10] .

The variety of isotropic lines is a smooth quadric in P 2n−1 (C), which can be identified to P\G for a maximal parabolic subgroup P. We describe the corresponding subcategory Sub Q, which is of finite type with 3n − 4 indecomposable modules, and the cluster algebras A = C[N P ] and A = C[P\G] which have finite cluster type (A 1 ) n−2 in the Fomin-Zelevinsky classification.


However, as we have seen, these simple ideas break down when there are heterogeneous variances, including those found in commonly performed trials with binary responses or survival responses. The good news is that there are new randomization techniques that can be incorporated in the design stage that can lead to more efficient and more ethically attractive clinical trials. These randomization techniques are based on the optimal design of experiments and also tend to place more patients on the better treatment (Zhang et al., 2007) . While more work needs to be done on the properties of these procedures, we agree with Senn's comments that efficiency is much more important than cosmetic balance.

These randomization techniques are based on the optimal design of experiments and also tend to place more patients on the better treatment.


Available soil data often fails to provide answers needed to manage our environmental resources. A lot of soil information and many maps are not being used for research because they are not available in digital formats [3, 4] . Widely used soil models essentially yield empirical results due to lack of good basic soil data [5] . This challenges our scientific pretensions. Updating soil inventories is one of the main fields where new technologies should facilitate data sampling and acquisition. New high quality soil data is needed to complement existing databases and to provide spatial detail required by the users.

A lot of soil information and many maps are not being used for research because they are not available in digital formats.

Widely used soil models essentially yield empirical results due to lack of good basic soil data.


The Geographic Information System (GIS) is an effective and worthwhile tool in the estimation of the spatial distribution of environmental variables [6, 7] . Spatial prediction and surface modeling of soil properties has become a common topic in soil science research [8, 9] . The spatial distribution patterns of soil properties vary greatly depending on soil types, topography, climate, vegetation and anthropogenic activities. Surface modeling is a useful tool for soil property interpolation in precision agriculture and soil management. However, the effectiveness of the application relies on the accuracy of spatial interpolation which is used to describe the spatial variability of soil properties. The accuracy of the map reflects both the suitability of the spatial intensity of the sample collection strategy as well as the method used to predict the soil test values of all ensampled locations. It is necessary to study the interpolation methods with high accuracy and improve interpolation quality for soil properties.

The Geographic Information System (GIS) is an effective and worthwhile tool in the estimation of the spatial distribution of environmental variables.

Spatial prediction and surface modeling of soil properties has become a common topic in soil science research.


In two dimensions, the existence and stability of symmetric and asymmetric N spots were established in a series of papers [56] , [57] , [58] . Problem (1.1) can be considered as a typical Turing bifurcation of the first kind, i.e., homogeneous uniform steady states exist in the system. If these states have instabilities which are spatially varying but no instabilities which are spatially uniform one says that a Turing instability occurs. This behavior is commonly used to explain the onset of spatial patterns.

In two dimensions, the existence and stability of symmetric and asymmetric N spots were established in a series of papers.


Precursors have also been shown to cause the Brusselator to form striped patterns in two dimensions [20] . We refer to Chapter 4 of the PhD thesis by Holloway [13] . Since we are considering a onedimensional system we do not investigate this effect here.

Precursors have also been shown to cause the Brusselator to form striped patterns in two dimensions.

We refer to Chapter 4 of the PhD thesis by Holloway.


Turing systems have mostly been considered with kinetic parameters and diffusion coefficients constant in space. But even Turing himself stated that "most of an organism, most of the time, is developing from one pattern to another, rather than from homogeneity into a pattern" [43] . This fundamental idea can be incorporated into reaction-diffusion models by precursors representing pre-existing spatial structure within a biological system, e.g. a living organism.

But even Turing himself stated that "most of an organism, most of the time, is developing from one pattern to another, rather than from homogeneity into a pattern".


With help of a simple interferometric arrangement we were able to measure the spatial extent of the nonlocality of the molecular reorientational nonlinearity inside a planar-nematic liquid-crystal cell. Applied to the case of a narrow soliton beam, namely a nematicon, the self-induced waveguide was measured to extend up to at least ten times the soliton width. Moreover, both the width and the shape of the induced waveguide are in good agreement with a numerical simulation of soliton propagation in our NLC planar cell. Besides, the obtained high nonlocality confirms that the parameters -optical power and beam waist -used in the experiment provides the observation with the accessible soliton regime [6, 7] . Beyond this preliminary result, experiments must be driven concerning, e.g., the evolution of the nonlocality with respect to soliton parameters.

Besides, the obtained high nonlocality confirms that the parameters -optical power and beam waist -used in the experiment provides the observation with the accessible soliton regime.


Diet is an important determinant of health [1] . Dietary intakes are associated with the risk of chronic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer [2] . Dietary risk factors, including low consumption of fruit and vegetables, together with physical inactivity, account for about 10% of the total global burden of disease [1] . Dietary exposures are important across the lifecourse and present dietary habits may determine the development of chronic diseases in later life [3] . It is estimated that a long term increase in intake of fruit and vegetables of one portion per day (80 g/day) might be associated with a 10% relative reduction in risk of ischaemic heart disease and 6% reduction in stroke, with between 1% and 6% reduction in risk of certain cancers [4] . National recommendations advocate increasing the consumption of a variety of fruit and vegetables each day in order to reduce risks of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers [5] .

Diet is an important determinant of health.

Dietary intakes are associated with the risk of chronic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Dietary risk factors, including low consumption of fruit and vegetables, together with physical inactivity, account for about 10% of the total global burden of disease.

Dietary exposures are important across the lifecourse and present dietary habits may determine the development of chronic diseases in later life.

It is estimated that a long term increase in intake of fruit and vegetables of one portion per day (80 g/day) might be associated with a 10% relative reduction in risk of ischaemic heart disease and 6% reduction in stroke, with between 1% and 6% reduction in risk of certain cancers.

National recommendations advocate increasing the consumption of a variety of fruit and vegetables each day in order to reduce risks of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.


The noted trends are the most clearly apparent in the context of the railway transportation market development in Russia and form a competitive environment in this sphere. By 2011, the whole wagons fleet was transferred to the private operating companies. With the increasing total number of railcars owned by the operating companies, there has been no increase in traffic. However, there has been the increase of freight turnover. The main cause is the uncoordinated efforts of operating companies to manage the rolling stock fleet and utilization of the irrational railcars. As a result, the proportion of empty runs and turnaround time of railcars are increased, reducing the reserve capacity and processing ability of railway stations and spans. The lack of transport capacity allows operating companies to acquire new railcars which exacerbate the situation. Current situation leads to the quality (timeliness) reduction of rail freight transportation ( Figure 1 ) [2, 3] .

Current situation leads to the quality (timeliness) reduction of rail freight transportation ( Figure 1 ).


A summary of water characterization results for all four sites can be found in Table 2 Since all of these plants easily achieve 100% Mn removal, there was no indication that a greater or lesser amount of biomass affects removal ability. This is consistent with the findings of other studies performed examining other kinds of biofiltration (Urfer et al. 1997) . This can be seen in wells 2, 3, 8 and 9 in Figure 3 .

This is consistent with the findings of other studies performed examining other kinds of biofiltration.


Some similar biochemical pathways are used during platelet activation and platelet apoptosis [28] . In activated platelets, P-selectin is translocated from the a-granule and exposed on the platelet surface [29] . A previous in vitro study reported that exposure of DV2 increased expression of P-selectin, which is a marker of platelet activation and fibrinogen-binding properties in platelets [30] . In our preliminary study performed in 2008, we assessed the extent of the expression of P-selectin in 19 patients with secondary DV infections and 15 controls. The frequency of P-selectin expression on platelets was increased significantly in patients during the acute phase compared with controls, increased further during the early convalescence phase, and decreased slightly during the convalescence phase (data not shown). Therefore, the kinetics of the expression of P-selectin were distinct from those of platelet apoptosis observed in the present study, which is in agreement with a previous report of an in vitro study [31] .

Some similar biochemical pathways are used during platelet activation and platelet apoptosis.

In activated platelets, P-selectin is translocated from the a-granule and exposed on the platelet surface.

A previous in vitro study reported that exposure of DV2 increased expression of P-selectin, which is a marker of platelet activation and fibrinogen-binding properties in platelets.

Therefore, the kinetics of the expression of P-selectin were distinct from those of platelet apoptosis observed in the present study, which is in agreement with a previous report of an in vitro study.


High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is one of the best methods used to identify and quantify surfactin and has been described in various reports in the literature. Most of the previous methods used employ gradient elution, which causes base line shifting and is time consuming, with a total sampling time of more than 30 min (Fonseca et al. 2007; Isa et al. 2007; Lin et al. 1998; Wei & Chi 2002) . A delay in total sampling time will result in the use of increasing amounts of the mobile phase, which is not necessarily cost effective.

Most of the previous methods used employ gradient elution, which causes base line shifting and is time consuming, with a total sampling time of more than 30 min.


Simplified balanced models for the interaction of equatorial synoptic-scale, O(1000-1500 km), wave patterns with the planetary-scale circulations O(10 000 km) on intraseasonal time scales O(30 days) have been introduced recently (Majda and Klein 2003) . These are the Intraseasonal Planetary Equatorial Synoptic Dynamics (IPESD) models. The IPESD models have been utilized to give insight into the detailed multiscale structure of the MJO in a fashion consistent with the observational record including the important issues of the relative role of planetary-scale heating compared with upscale eddy flux convergence of momentum and temperature in determining the structure of the MJO (Majda and Biello 2004; Majda 2005, 2006a,b) . The original IPESD models allowed for only a single intraseasonal time scale and the spatial interaction from the equatorial synoptic to the planetary scales. Here the IPESD models are systematically generalized to allow for multiple time scales involving fluctuating behavior on the equatorial synoptic time scale O(8 h) in addition to variations on the intraseasonal time scale as well as interaction across the multiple spatial scales. The simplicity of this reduced asymptotic multitime IPESD model as well as its structural similarity with the multiple spatiotemporal MESD models for the interaction of mesoscale and equatorial synoptic scale waves are crucial for the perspective on statistical self-similarity of tropical convection developed below. In the original IPESD models, the phase speed of the MJO needs to be specified; the same remarks apply to the MESD and multiscale IPESD models in the present paper. The nonlinear interactive effects of active moist processes need to be included in these models in order to actually predict such phase speeds (Khouider and Majda 2006) .

Simplified balanced models for the interaction of equatorial synoptic-scale, O(1000-1500 km), wave patterns with the planetary-scale circulations O(10 000 km) on intraseasonal time scales O(30 days) have been introduced recently.

The nonlinear interactive effects of active moist processes need to be included in these models in order to actually predict such phase speeds.


As for the concrete-syntax style of the embedded scheduling DSL, a textual concrete syntax and a graphical frontend syntax were adopted [15] . Under this approach, the basic configuration data are stored as text, and the representation of such data for the user is done by means of a GUI. The textual syntax representations of market and message-builder definitions are interpreted and rendered, especially for the scheduler role. The choice of using a textual concrete syntax for DSL development has a number of benefits. With this syntax, market and message-builder configurations can be specified in a compact manner and existing editors for Ruby can be reused [19] . Furthermore, a textual concrete syntax in support of a graphical frontend helps separate different working tasks for individual domain users. For the repetitive and routine task of generating schedule messages, the visual frontend allows for acquiring a quick overview of standing and transaction data. The non-routine task of modifying or creating market and message-builder definitions can be achieved in a compact textual form. A drawback of a mixed textual and graphical syntax is the need for scheduler awareness of subtle interdependencies between the two syntactic representations of domain concepts.

As for the concrete-syntax style of the embedded scheduling DSL, a textual concrete syntax and a graphical frontend syntax were adopted.

With this syntax, market and message-builder configurations can be specified in a compact manner and existing editors for Ruby can be reused.


Our findings not only provide an important contribution to the literature on local-level outsourcing decisions, but gain additional relevance from recent findings linking government outsourcing decisions to the subsequent shedding of public services (Lamothe and Lamothe, 2015) . Although these authors fail to find a direct effect of indicators of fiscal stress on the decision to stop service provision, our results suggest there may well be an important indirect effect. That is, to the extent that fiscal stress induce increased outsourcing, it may increase the likelihood that the service is shed completely in the future (Lamothe and Lamothe, 2015) . To improve our understanding of the processes driving who chooses which form of service provision (and why), the potential existence of such gradual, dynamic developments in the institutional framework of public authorities' service provision presents an important avenue for future research.

Our findings not only provide an important contribution to the literature on local-level outsourcing decisions, but gain additional relevance from recent findings linking government outsourcing decisions to the subsequent shedding of public services.

That is, to the extent that fiscal stress induce increased outsourcing, it may increase the likelihood that the service is shed completely in the future.


Freshwater ecosystems are characterized by two types of environments, lotic and lentic, which differ primarily in relation to their flux and water residence time. In a lentic environment, water residence time can be up to 10 years. Generally shallow tropical environment characteristics do not contribute to physical and chemical stratification (Esteves 1998) .

Generally shallow tropical environment characteristics do not contribute to physical and chemical stratification.


A recent longitudinal study of ectoparasite loads on House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) indicates that the relationship between molt and ectoparasite abundance can be complicated [39] . The results of this study show that the abundance of two species of feather mites (Strelkoviacarus sp. and Dermoglyphus sp.) increased, rather than decreased, during the molting season. The louse Menecanthus alaudae also increased during the molting season on male House Finches. The authors argued that the energetic cost of molt reduced the amount of energy birds could expend on activities such as preening, leading to an increase in ectoparasites. The authors also compared the ectoparasite loads of birds in various degrees of molt. Molting males had more feather mites than non-molting males, whereas the number of mites on molting vs. non-molting females did not differ significantly. In addition, the study showed that molting males had more lice than molting females. The authors suggest that these patterns are driven by the additional energetic costs associated with the possession of showy plumage in males.

A recent longitudinal study of ectoparasite loads on House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) indicates that the relationship between molt and ectoparasite abundance can be complicated.


Ants are neither the smallest, nor the largest of taxa, but all animal body designs have size limits, determined by mechanical or thermodynamic functional design constraints (Blackburn and Gaston 1994) . Our finding that the extremes of body size were most affected suggests that the constraints that limit the absolute maximum and minimum size of an animal type are exacerbated under stress and that homogenization of body size in response to stress or disturbance might also be expected in other taxa. Frequency, intensity, severity, scale and source are all likely to be important in determining the outcome of disturbances and, while our dataset was insufficient to investigate the role of these factors, we highlight their significance for future studies.

Ants are neither the smallest, nor the largest of taxa, but all animal body designs have size limits, determined by mechanical or thermodynamic functional design constraints.


For some time, the treatment of choice for neurosyphilis has been prolonged high-dose intravenous penicillin and has been related to a good prognosis for visual and hearing impairment [13] . The successful use of ceftriaxone has also been described [9] . Oral and intravenous corticosteroids are commonly given as adjuvants for posterior uveitis, scleritis and optic neuritis. Penicillin plus corticosteroid-based regimens have also proved effective at improving hearing, tinnitus and vertigo. The factors associated with a good response include fluctuating symptoms, especially hearing, hearing loss with a duration of less than 5 years and an age under 60 years [14] .

For some time, the treatment of choice for neurosyphilis has been prolonged high-dose intravenous penicillin and has been related to a good prognosis for visual and hearing impairment.

The successful use of ceftriaxone has also been described.

The factors associated with a good response include fluctuating symptoms, especially hearing, hearing loss with a duration of less than 5 years and an age under 60 years.


Super-peer networks -also called hybrid P2P -constitute a scalable extension of the classic client-server architecture. In this paper, we focus on a hybrid P2P system, with many simple peers and few enhanced peers (in terms of processing power, storage capacity or network connectivity) that play the role of super-peers [9, 22] . Content producers and providers (mentioned as peers) that want to share their data connect to a superpeer, as in the case of the file-sharing applications. By connecting to a super-peer some descriptive features (represented as points in a high dimensional space) of the peer data are transferred to the super-peer, in order to make the peer's data searchable.

In this paper, we focus on a hybrid P2P system, with many simple peers and few enhanced peers (in terms of processing power, storage capacity or network connectivity) that play the role of super-peers.


To address the design and implementation of multi-mode ASM systems, we apply in this paper our recently developed dataflow modeling technique called Hierarchical Core Functional Dataflow (HCFDF) [16] . In particular, we present a novel application of HCFDF to efficiently model and manage multi-mode application scenarios. In this modeling approach, dynamic adaptation is represented through hierarchical inclusion of a special kind of actor (dataflowbased software component) called a decision actor. Such hierarchical use of decision actors is employed to switch among application subsystems based on data-driven demands involving performance-energy tradeoffs.

To address the design and implementation of multi-mode ASM systems, we apply in this paper our recently developed dataflow modeling technique called Hierarchical Core Functional Dataflow (HCFDF).


The research result showing that a permissive parenting pattern is correlated with children's aggressive behavior is in line with the statement that the permissive parenting pattern gives some freedom to the children, no rules are introduced and agreed by the children, no control is made by the parents, and no value is implanted. An authoritarian parenting pattern is also correlated with children's aggressive behavior. It is because the children feeling depressed at home will feel free from any stress when they are out of their home environment so that they become aggressive to other children, whom they feel will threaten them like their parents. And the other children should be fought before they are supposed to be harmful to them. The research result shows that there is a significant correlation between students' intimidation behavior and the parent's behavior, especially the behavior dealing with enforcement of disciplinary behavior and education (Papanikolaou et al., 2011) . A democratic parenting pattern is negatively correlated with children's aggressive behavior since the parent involve their children in applying the rules and punishment, and the children are introduced with good and bad values, and some controls to their behavior are made. A democratic environment makes the children have an opportunity to express their ideas in a good way. No frustration happens to them since frustration may trigger aggressive behavior (Anantasari, 2006) .

The research result shows that there is a significant correlation between students' intimidation behavior and the parent's behavior, especially the behavior dealing with enforcement of disciplinary behavior and education.

No frustration happens to them since frustration may trigger aggressive behavior.


The life in the childhood period, especially during the early age, really influences and colors the future life. The early age means the age from which a child was born to eight years old (Essa, 2003) . Children in this early age period have a progressive development either physically, psychologically or behaviorally.

The early age means the age from which a child was born to eight years old.


Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube is exceptionally rare, with only 3 cases previously reported in two papers [6, 8] . Here we report a moderately differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma arising in the tubal fimbria in a 70-year-old woman. The tumor had spread to the ipsilateral ovary and other pelvic organs at the time of presentation.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube is exceptionally rare, with only 3 cases previously reported in two papers.


In general, there are two main approaches for model-to-text (M2T) transformation, visitor-based approaches and template-based approaches [3] . Templatebased tools such as XPand use a text-based declarative language as a means for selection of model nodes and iterative expansion. We decided to use Xpand to transform the UML class diagrams to code. For the generation of behavioural code with sequence diagrams we used a visitor-based approach implemented in Java. Sequence diagrams are written in the UML in-order, so a visitor-based approach is more desirable than a template-based approach as the visitor can step through the full trace in-order and generate code on the fly. As XPand supports Java extensions, the two approaches could be integrated, producing both compilable structural and behavioural code from the class diagrams and sequence diagrams respectively. The code generation capabilities could be extended by implementing support for standard UML behavioural diagrams.

In general, there are two main approaches for model-to-text (M2T) transformation, visitor-based approaches and template-based approaches.


The most widely used dielectric liquid in power transformers is mineral oil. This is because it has better insulating properties and a higher thermal conductivity than gaseous insulation systems [1] . In addition, it is auto-regenerated in the case of short-discharges, which means that it is not significantly deteriorated by partial discharge (PD) activity, unlike solid insulation.

This is because it has better insulating properties and a higher thermal conductivity than gaseous insulation systems.


Other key research aimed at improving the dielectric properties of oil focuses on the dielectric solids submerged in the oil. Experimental tests have demonstrated that submerged dielectric solids can facilitate or block the streamer diffusion. The present document studies the influence of dielectric solids perpendicular to the direction of the streamer. This is because of the fact that this configuration blocks the diffusion of the streamer, whereas the position parallel to the streamer facilitates its progress [7] .

This is because of the fact that this configuration blocks the diffusion of the streamer, whereas the position parallel to the streamer facilitates its progress.


During the previous years, the properties of insulating oils have been investigated to improve their dielectric and thermal behavior [1, 5] . Lately, most research has been focused on identifying the advantages and disadvantages of adding nanoparticles into transformer oil [6] . The oil and nanoparticle assembly is commonly referred to as a nanofluid.

During the previous years, the properties of insulating oils have been investigated to improve their dielectric and thermal behavior.

Lately, most research has been focused on identifying the advantages and disadvantages of adding nanoparticles into transformer oil.


Transformer oil is occasionally submitted to abnormally high levels of electric field. If these levels are maintained for a long enough time, it can produce ionization of the oil molecules, which can lead to a streamer, which is a precursor of the electric arc that provokes the total dielectric breakdown of a dielectric. Generally, the mean velocity of positive streamer propagation is about 10 times larger than that for the negative needle in oil liquid insulation for power transformers [2] . For this reason, positive applied voltages can lead to positive streamers with a greater risk for the insulating fluids than negative streamers, as a result of the dielectric breakdown that occurs at lower voltage values and with shorter breakdown times than negative streamers [3, 4] .

Generally, the mean velocity of positive streamer propagation is about 10 times larger than that for the negative needle in oil liquid insulation for power transformers.

For this reason, positive applied voltages can lead to positive streamers with a greater risk for the insulating fluids than negative streamers, as a result of the dielectric breakdown that occurs at lower voltage values and with shorter breakdown times than negative streamers.


A Radar designer visualises the array antenna as a component with measurable input/output and a set of specifications. The array designer gets details of the array along with the physical and electrical limitations imposed by the radar, and within those constraints seeks to optimise the design. Radar has to discriminate between the targets and the clutter by using variety of discriminating and filtering techniques, requiring ultra low sidelobe level (SLL) Active Phased Array Antenna systems [1] . Hence, a radar antenna array protected by a low performance radome will be rendered useless, as radome deteriorates the radiation pattern drastically [1, 2] .

Radar has to discriminate between the targets and the clutter by using variety of discriminating and filtering techniques, requiring ultra low sidelobe level (SLL) Active Phased Array Antenna systems.

Hence, a radar antenna array protected by a low performance radome will be rendered useless, as radome deteriorates the radiation pattern drastically.


Active Phased Array Antennas consist of stationary antenna elements, having variable excitation control at each element for pattern shaping and to electronically scan a beam to given angles in space. A variety of errors, both random and spatially correlated, introduced across the array result in the degradation of radiation pattern [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . The present paper discusses the effect of one of such prominent errors, i.e., quantised phase or amplitude errors caused by discrete phase shifters and discretised amplitude taper across the array.

A variety of errors, both random and spatially correlated, introduced across the array result in the degradation of radiation pattern.


The binaural tones are the result of neuronal firing overlapping at an appropriate level of the auditory path, coming from the right and left ear. The binaural tones show how neuronal firing in the auditory nerve maintains the phase information of the received signal (Kasprzak, 2011; Ozimek et al., 2008) . The route of the auditory nerve to the brain allows the exchange of information coming from both sides, before the sound reaches the cortex, ensuring conscious listening. This exchange occurs at least in two areas of the auditory nerve: in the upper olive grove body, small mass of gray matter located in the ventral pontine reticular system (in charge of contralateral integration of auditory system), and transfers it to other area, the inferior colliculus (Schwarz, Taylor, 2005) . The two signals arriving from different ears are connected in the brain, resulting in a third signal called the binaural tone (Kasprzak, 2011; Padmanabhan et al., 2005) .

The binaural tones show how neuronal firing in the auditory nerve maintains the phase information of the received signal.

This exchange occurs at least in two areas of the auditory nerve: in the upper olive grove body, small mass of gray matter located in the ventral pontine reticular system (in charge of contralateral integration of auditory system), and transfers it to other area, the inferior colliculus.

The two signals arriving from different ears are connected in the brain, resulting in a third signal called the binaural tone.


By using a labyrinth seal instead of a piston ring, the reciprocating compressor has many advantages, such as oil-free gas compression and transport, nonlubricated maintenance, and no friction loss. A labyrinth piston compressor can provide environmentally friendly products as high purity gases and can be widely used in various industries [1] . However, the wider application of labyrinth piston compressors has been limited because they show a worse sealing performance compared to traditional compressors, which have piston rings.

A labyrinth piston compressor can provide environmentally friendly products as high purity gases and can be widely used in various industries.


Study of structure-function relationships of US132 CGTase mutants The first step toward investigating the contributions that the major differences between US132 CGTase and Novamyl might bring in terms of product specificity consisted in inserting the five-residue loop (PAGFS) into US132 CGTase. The resulting mutant, named Mu14, was overproduced using the same culture conditions optimized for the production of the wild-type enzyme (Jemli et al. 2008) . Although SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed the expression of the recombinant enzyme (data not shown), enzyme essays showed that Mu14 was neither able to hydrolyze starch nor to form CDs (Table 2) . Since the catalytic residues (Asp229, Glu257 and Asp328) were not mutated, we suggest that the introduced loop probably hamper the substrate binding and do not influence the catalysis itself. Furthermore, based on structural modeling, the mutant revealed a loop conformation which was different from that of Novamyl (Fig. 4) . This loop could partially obstruct the binding of the substrate at the active site of US132 CGTase and might have interfered with the optimum orientation of the substrate for catalysis, which could explain the loss of enzyme activities. On the other hand, the presence of the loop in Novamyl was noted to prevent CD formation but not starch hydrolysis (Beier et al. 2000) . Since the loop abolished both cyclization and hydrolytic activities of the US132 CGTase mutant, the low hydrolytic activity of the wild-type US132 enzyme (1 U/mg) was inferred to constitute a minor side activity most likely related to the formation of CDs. It was, therefore, possible to suppose that the insertion of the loop without changing the essential residues for cyclization did not enhance hydrolysis.

The resulting mutant, named Mu14, was overproduced using the same culture conditions optimized for the production of the wild-type enzyme.

On the other hand, the presence of the loop in Novamyl was noted to prevent CD formation but not starch hydrolysis.


The  OH may enter in mutual reactions with organic matter and/or Fenton catalyst through either of three routes: 1) hydroxyl addition, 2) hydrogen abstraction or 3) electron transfer [39] . Hydroxyl addition happens with organic chemicals possessing aromatic systems or carbon-carbon multiple bonds (Equation (4)). Hydrogen abstraction takes place with unsaturated organic chemicals (Equation (5)) while electron transfer happens if  OH interacts with inorganic ions (Equation (6)) [1] .

The  OH may enter in mutual reactions with organic matter and/or Fenton catalyst through either of three routes: 1) hydroxyl addition, 2) hydrogen abstraction or 3) electron transfer.

Hydrogen abstraction takes place with unsaturated organic chemicals (Equation (5)) while electron transfer happens if  OH interacts with inorganic ions (Equation (6)).


The influence of process variables like temperature pressure, residence time, and catalyst on supercritical water gasification of model compounds has been investigated. At high temperatures the best hydrogen yield for the supercritical water gasification of sawdust and different starches was reached [6] . The same important effect of the temperature has been reported in other publications [7] [8] [9] [10] . The pressure has no great effect on the glucose gasification efficiency and the fraction of the gas product [8] . A decrease of pressure leads to an increase of hydrogen formation [5] . Carbon conversion does not vary at a longer residence time. The efficiency was observed to be decreased by a shorter residence time [7, 8] . In batch experiments, the reaction time had a strong influence on the gas yield [11, 12] .

At high temperatures the best hydrogen yield for the supercritical water gasification of sawdust and different starches was reached.

The same important effect of the temperature has been reported in other publications.

The pressure has no great effect on the glucose gasification efficiency and the fraction of the gas product.

A decrease of pressure leads to an increase of hydrogen formation.

The efficiency was observed to be decreased by a shorter residence time.

In batch experiments, the reaction time had a strong influence on the gas yield.


To reduce the contribution of carbon dioxide in the global greenhouse effect, the actual consumption of fossil fuels has to be decreased. To this aim, regenerative energy sources like biomass have been investigated extensively. Compared to other biomass energy conversion technologies, supercritical water gasification (SWG) is the most efficient one for biomass with a high moisture content (O40%) [1] . In spite of the high pressure and the high temperature needed for the biomass conversion with supercritical water the process is technical feasible, because tubular or slim vessel type reactors can be used.

Compared to other biomass energy conversion technologies, supercritical water gasification (SWG) is the most efficient one for biomass with a high moisture content (O40%).


As feedstock of the supercritical water gasification process, two kinds of feedstock are though: organic waste, like sewage sludge, and energetic plants like corn. Clover grass can be gathered all the year, and represents a waste. Corn is one of the most cultivated plants all around the world. It is adapted to almost any climate and its cultivation does not require any extreme conditions. Corn has a high energy content and high organic matter yield (per hectare) [17] . Corn silage is chemically stable, it does not degrade and maintains its properties over long periods of time. Corn silage is available during all the year, for this reason shortages in the continuous production of hydrogen from biomass is prevented. Because of all these advantages, corn silage is a feedstock suitable for an industrial supercritical water gasification process.

Corn has a high energy content and high organic matter yield (per hectare).


Finally, additional research is needed in several areas. Because our study only assesses the first three bystander stages, the impact of social norms on students advancing through Stage 4 (having skills to intervene) and Stage 5 (actual intervention) still needs to be investigated. Our results suggest that the role of social norms in the bystander process is complex and varies across stages, not always in the hypothesized direction. Movement from Stage 4 to 5 may not be predicted by the accuracy or inaccuracy of perceived social norms. At this time, it remains unclear whether willingness to intervene (Stage 3) translates readily into actual intervention (Stage 5), so it is possible that the identification of predictive factors may be equally complicated for the latter stages, comparable to what we observed in the progression from Stages 1 through 3. Evaluation research around social norms campaigns that are paired with bystander intervention strategies, such as we propose above, is needed to determine whether such efforts effectively increase rates of intervention within a given community. We also recognize that programs need to consider that additional resources will likely be needed to launch a social norms campaign relative to a social marketing campaign, resources that are often in short supply. However, where feasible, evidence supports the use of social norms campaigns to bring about desired behavioral change (Berkowitz, 2010) . In conclusion, we assert that data-driven social norms projects represent effective tools for practitioners attempting to pair social norms theory with programming to promote prosocial bystanders across various forms of IPV.

However, where feasible, evidence supports the use of social norms campaigns to bring about desired behavioral change.


Since all samples had the same 10% mass fraction of QAM, the samples with longer CL monomers (higher molecular weight) would have a lower molar fraction per sample. However, samples with longer CL exhibited a higher charge density (Fig.  3A) . Hence, samples with longer CL (fewer positively charged molecules) actually had higher surface charge densities. This may be because, with increasing CL, the monomer became more hydrophobic. With a short CL, the adhesive would be more hydrophilic, slightly compromising its conversion degree (Cadenaro et al., 2008) . This leaves more monomers unpolymerized, to leach out during the rinsing/immersion process and during incubation for charge density determination. A hydrophilic resin would have more water sorption/solubility, which contributes to leach-out. Hence, although samples with shorter CL had more positively charged molecules, some of these molecules were lost and did not contribute to charge density. Therefore, increasing CL appeared to have double benefits: (1) longer chains inserting into bacterial membranes to disrupt bacteria; and (2) higher surface charge density for bonding agent, even with the same QAM mass fraction. Hence, while CL was directly altered in this study, variations in CL could lead to changes in other physical properties, such as hydrophilicity and surface charge density, thereby altering the antibacterial effects of adhesives, which requires further investigation.

With a short CL, the adhesive would be more hydrophilic, slightly compromising its conversion degree.


This is the first study to demonstrate a strong correlation of myoglobin with LGE on CMR in patients with acute myocarditis and to suggest a robust cutoff value for myoglobin to Fig. 2 Receiver operating curve analysis to obtain optimal cutoffs for myoglobin (panel a) and high sensitivity troponin T (panel b) to identify patients with acute myocarditis and LGE on CMR predict LGE on CMR. The data are biologically plausible, as circulating cardiac markers such as myoglobin are frequently released during acute injury of cardiomyocytes [28, 29] . While myoglobin and CK had been used to diagnose acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the past, cardiac troponin is now the standard of care during the last decade due its higher specificity [30, 31] . As in ACS, troponin is currently considered to be the most sensitive biomarker to detect myocarditis in those with non-obstructive coronary artery disease [32] . However, normal troponin levels do not exclude myocarditis [1, 6] .

The data are biologically plausible, as circulating cardiac markers such as myoglobin are frequently released during acute injury of cardiomyocytes.

While myoglobin and CK had been used to diagnose acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the past, cardiac troponin is now the standard of care during the last decade due its higher specificity.

As in ACS, troponin is currently considered to be the most sensitive biomarker to detect myocarditis in those with non-obstructive coronary artery disease.

However, normal troponin levels do not exclude myocarditis.