Leptographium profanum can be distinguished from other Leptographium species from hardwoods and most species from conifers based on its very long conidiophores (up to a 1000 mm). Leptographium hughesii is the only other species not associated with conifers that has exceptionally long conidiophores (Jacobs et al. 1998) . Leptographium profanum can, however, easily be distinguished from L. hughesii based on the absence of rhizoids in the former and the presence of these structures in the latter species.

Leptographium hughesii is the only other species not associated with conifers that has exceptionally long conidiophores.


Species in Leptographium are generally characterized by dark mononematous conidiophores with complex conidiogenous apparatuses. Small, single-celled hyaline conidia are produced through percurrent proliferation of the conidiogenous cells. Conidia are produced in sticky slime drops at the apices of the conidiophores (Jacobs and Wingfield 2001) .

Conidia are produced in sticky slime drops at the apices of the conidiophores.


Physical and Chemical Characteristics. Growth stage of all 3 species increased with length of growing season, as did tiller length and weight ( Table 2 ). The largest increases were noted late in the growing season, when plants were undergoing most of the stem elongation and development of reproductive structures. Sand bluestem and little bluestem tillers both grew at steady rates during the growing season, as compared to prairie sandreed plants which developed rapidly during the early growing season and levelled off as the dormant season approached (Table 2) . Increases in growth stage of sand bluestem and prairie sandreed during the growing season were similar to results of another study conducted on similar sites, during the same years (Hendrickson 1992) . Prairie sandreed and little bluestem tillers tended to be more erect than sand bluestem later in the growing season.

Physical and Chemical Characteristics.

Increases in growth stage of sand bluestem and prairie sandreed during the growing season were similar to results of another study conducted on similar sites, during the same years.


Environmental variables an impact on tiller development. Radiation, temperature, photoperiod, water availability, and mineral nutrition all impact tillering, either singly or in combination (Murphy and Briske 1992) . The effects of precipitation on tiller development in this study were important. Precipitation received in 1991 generally exceeded the long-term average, while 1990 approximated the long-term average (Table 3) . Most of the annual precipitation was received during the growing season (April-September), with lesser amounts received during the remainder of the year. Timing and amount of rainfaR would impact level of growth tillers attained during the growing seasons. Soil moisture was adequate for the initiation of growth in the spring, and amounts received during the different parts of the growing season (April-June and July-September) would have allowed plants to attain average levels of development. Maximum tiller growth and development also occurred during maximum inputs (July and August) of solar radiation (Tieszen 1970) .

Radiation, temperature, photoperiod, water availability, and mineral nutrition all impact tillering, either singly or in combination.

Maximum tiller growth and development also occurred during maximum inputs (July and August) of solar radiation.


As a result of increasing exploitation of Buccinum undatum in the west Cotentin area, fishing yields decreased severely from the year 2000, leading the relevance of fishing restrictions to be reconsidered. Subsequently, in addition to the minimal landing size of 45 mm, several more restrictive measures were established. For example, the numbers of fishing days and fishing licenses were limited and whelks were sorted on board in order to return the animals under the MLS to the fishing area. Whelk fishing has also been closed in January since 2009. However, it has become obvious that the management of whelk fishing needs to consider not only size distribution data but also local physiological parameters. The latter criteria include the size and age at which whelks become sexually mature. For Buccinum, these data may fluctuate greatly according to location, especially as sexual maturation is directly related to environmental parameters like temperature (Shelmerdine et al. 2007) . In this study, we demonstrated that local characteristics of whelk biology such as growth and reproduction are highly relevant and useful for fisheries management. In order to provide a more accurate assessment of biological parameters, we sampled animals every two months over a whole year. Our investigations were performed on whelk samples over 45 mm length obtained by fishing with pots. However, this sampling method only provides information about the harvested animals, which might not be perfectly representative of the entire whelk population. For this reason, the size distribution parameters should be considered with caution because the mode of fishing (and sampling) is based on food palatability and animal motility. Despite these limitations, our study of whelk reproduction should still be representative because small whelks under 45 mm were demonstrated not to develop mature gonads, and large animals over 61 mm represented only 6 to 7% of the total population caught in 2008.

For Buccinum, these data may fluctuate greatly according to location, especially as sexual maturation is directly related to environmental parameters like temperature.


Controlling surface wettability has attracted increased research attention due to the wide range of applications ranging from domestic innovations such as self-cleaning glass to hightechnology fields like microfluidic control, corrosion resistance, water-oil separation and drag reduction [1] [2] [3] [4] . New applications are continuously being discovered, for instance, the use of low wetting surfaces for the realization of microdroplet lasers [5, 6] . Recently, the developments in designing and preparing novel surfaces with special wettability have opened opportunities to employ these surfaces for liquid transportation and smart sensing devices [7, 8] .

Controlling surface wettability has attracted increased research attention due to the wide range of applications ranging from domestic innovations such as self-cleaning glass to hightechnology fields like microfluidic control, corrosion resistance, water-oil separation and drag reduction.

New applications are continuously being discovered, for instance, the use of low wetting surfaces for the realization of microdroplet lasers.

Recently, the developments in designing and preparing novel surfaces with special wettability have opened opportunities to employ these surfaces for liquid transportation and smart sensing devices.


Copper and brass are widely used for electronic components and industrial devices due to their high electrical and thermal conductivity. However, they are easily affected by environmental conditions, such as high humidity leading to corrosion. Recently, it has been shown these problems can be prevented on these materials by creating a superhydrophobic surface [24] .

Recently, it has been shown these problems can be prevented on these materials by creating a superhydrophobic surface.


Many of the findings of this study are familiar to those working in English -and indeed international -WP research, practice and policy, and reinforce some of the arguments from the wider literature that surrounds access to HE. For example, second-generation students experience more family support and there are expectations to attend university at a younger age (The Sutton Trust, 2008) . Indeed, the starkest difference in the results relates to who influenced students as to whether or not to attend university. While it is not surprising that there seems to be very little difference in the extent to which teachers influenced students to attend university, the difference of note, here, is the familial influence. We see 73% of second-generation students being influenced by family to attend HE, yet this drops to 40% of first-generation students. Similarly, a higher proportion of second-generation students were reported that their friends attending university influenced their decision to apply.

For example, second-generation students experience more family support and there are expectations to attend university at a younger age.


A sense of belonging, in particular belonging to an academic community, has been described as crucial to the successful retention of students (Thomas, 2012) . There was very little difference in the extent to which the first-and second-generation students rated their feelings of inclusion and belonging in their academic programme, their class group and the university as a whole. Indeed, first-generation students rated these questions more positively than second-generation students. This is a remarkably positive finding for the institution concerned as the literature attests to how students from WP backgrounds typically have a lower sense of belonging.

A sense of belonging, in particular belonging to an academic community, has been described as crucial to the successful retention of students.


Mobility has been identified as one of the key fields in which a sustainability transition must happen rapidly in order to limit climate change and resource depletion. This urgency is rarely questioned. What such a sustainable mobility system will look like, however, is highly contested. For many years, most people would have thought of highly efficient cars. Today, this vision is increasingly questioned. Car-sharing initiatives prove that mobility does not necessarily require individual ownership of vehicles [11] . Public transport systems, together with cycling and walking, are increasingly freed from the image of being for underprivileged groups only [5] . Visions of sustainable mobility can thus be grouped into two categories: Those which maintain a central place for individual ownership of vehicles and those which do not.

This urgency is rarely questioned.

Car-sharing initiatives prove that mobility does not necessarily require individual ownership of vehicles.

Public transport systems, together with cycling and walking, are increasingly freed from the image of being for underprivileged groups only.


Wetlands are defined as areas that are inundated by surface water or groundwater, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, the depth of which at low tide does not exceed 6 meters. Contributing to environmental and ecological stability, wetlands act as biofilters through a combination of physical, chemical and biological factors. Due to the proven water purification capability of wetlands, engineers and scientists have been encouraged to construct artificial wetland systems to emulate the features of natural wetlands [1] .

Due to the proven water purification capability of wetlands, engineers and scientists have been encouraged to construct artificial wetland systems to emulate the features of natural wetlands.


This study analyzed the stability of a constructed wetland (CW) and the impact of overloading of aquatic organisms. According to the results of the water quality analysis, the lower pH and DO of the wetland water might have been caused by the increase of metabolites and overloading of aquatic organisms under the impact. On the other hand, the EC value of the wetland water might have increased due to the dissolution of salts. The salts probably have originated from the water On the other hand, Table 1 shows the R, H and S indexes calculated from the digitized DGGE patterns shown in Figure 4 . R was equal to the number of bacterial bands. The concentration of S and the general index of H were calculated on the basis of the number and relative intensities of bands on a gel lane. The results showed that R and H were slightly increased under the impact. However, the result of S showed that the microbial communities did not appear to be the dominant strains during the whole experiment. These results indicate that overloading of aquatic organisms only slightly increased the richness of wetland bacteria, whereas higher H in the CW can stabilize the whole microbial community and prevent pathogens or other bacteria from becoming the dominant strains. They also showed that the microbial community changes of a wetland are a crucial item when analyzing wetland stability and sustainability [16, 17] .

They also showed that the microbial community changes of a wetland are a crucial item when analyzing wetland stability and sustainability.


Constructed wetlands (CWs) are engineered systems which use natural functions of vegetation, soil and organisms to treat different water streams. In the past decade, CWs have been already widely utilized in the removal of many biological, chemical and physical pollutants [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . As in the definition of wetlands, CWs also serve as the habitat for various organisms, such as plants, microbial community, specific richness (R), structural biodiversity (H) and dominance (S) were all measured to analyze the microbial changes under the impact. The results of this study will provide the useful information for wetland sustainability.

In the past decade, CWs have been already widely utilized in the removal of many biological, chemical and physical pollutants.


The role of MMPs in physiology has been implicated in both normal and pathological structural processes, such as embryogenesis, cell migration, tissue repair, and tumor necrosis [6, 7] . The increased expression of MMPs in nasal polyps, COPD, and asthma and the correlation with pathological changes of the airways, together with their action in wound repair have been the basis to suggest the possible role of these compounds in microvascular permeability, cell transmigration, and ECM airway remodeling [8] . Although this evidence exists, the in vivo function of these MMPs in airway diseases remains partially unclear.

The role of MMPs in physiology has been implicated in both normal and pathological structural processes, such as embryogenesis, cell migration, tissue repair, and tumor necrosis.

The increased expression of MMPs in nasal polyps, COPD, and asthma and the correlation with pathological changes of the airways, together with their action in wound repair have been the basis to suggest the possible role of these compounds in microvascular permeability, cell transmigration, and ECM airway remodeling.


In 1996, the FAO and WHO published a set of recommendations on the development of FBDG that remains a point of reference for policy makers on the field [11] . In Europe, additionally, this work was taken further by the EURODIET project, which proposed an updated framework for the development of FBDG in the European Union [17] . Their main recommendations can be summarized in five points: (1) FBDG must start from recognized public health problems; (2) FBDG are prepared for a particular socio-economic context and must reflect the particularities of the territory with regard to food availability and consumption patterns; (3) FBDG should be updated systematically, ideally every 5 years, to adapt to the evolution of consumption patterns and food availability; (4) FBDG must reflect patterns of consumption, rather than numerical goals in terms of nutrients; and (5) they must be relatively consistent with prevailing patterns of consumption (otherwise they will hardly be accepted). A sixth point was added by Roth and Knai in a report issued in 2003 by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, concerning the need for government endorsement of FBDG to further articulate health policies coherent with dietary recommendations [13] . At that moment, only 25 of the 48 countries participating in the study reported having national, government-endorsed food-based dietary guidelines.

In 1996, the FAO and WHO published a set of recommendations on the development of FBDG that remains a point of reference for policy makers on the field.

In Europe, additionally, this work was taken further by the EURODIET project, which proposed an updated framework for the development of FBDG in the European Union.

A sixth point was added by Roth and Knai in a report issued in 2003 by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, concerning the need for government endorsement of FBDG to further articulate health policies coherent with dietary recommendations.


The discriminability of deep networks in classification tasks can be improved through the use of hard negative mining, a technique whereby false positives, or hard samples (samples which are statistically similar but have different classes) are used as negative examples during the learning phase [3] . In order for hard negative mining to be applied successfully, it is required that the training dataset is sufficiently large. This requirement is such that sufficient hard negative examples can be obtained when a classifier is performing with a high accuracy and low FPR. The lack of large scale SAR image datasets is thus a contributing factor to why hard negative mining has seen little application in deep learning for SAR imagery.

The discriminability of deep networks in classification tasks can be improved through the use of hard negative mining, a technique whereby false positives, or hard samples (samples which are statistically similar but have different classes) are used as negative examples during the learning phase.


The aim of this paper is to examine the application of two machine learning methods (ANN and BRT) in modelling roadside particulate matter. This goal is achieved through (a) investigating the use of principal component analysis, Lasso and elastic-net regressions for determining suitable predictor variables for the ANN models; and (b) developing ANN and BRT models for predicting roadside particle concentrations including PM 10 , PM 2.5 and particle number counts (PNC) and comparing their performance. The prediction performance of the models is evaluated using model evaluation functions provided through an open source software for air quality data analysis [17] . In the rest of this paper, Section 2 briefly describes the data, the feature selection techniques and the modelling methods used in the study. The findings of the study are discussed in Section 3, and Section 4 presents the conclusions.

The prediction performance of the models is evaluated using model evaluation functions provided through an open source software for air quality data analysis.


This endotherm disappeared in the thermograms obtained for cryoprotected empty liposomes. The addition of small solutes, such as disaccharides, to replace the original water molecules can increase the distance between membranes due to osmotic and volumetric effects, and the inter-and intramembrane stress will decrease (Koster et al., 2000) . These effects are expressed by a correspondent decrease (or even disappearance) in the T m when disaccharides, for example, are added to liposomal formulations. In the case of the systems analyzed here, the addition of both disaccharides promoted the total disappearance of the gel-liquid crystalline transition in lyophilized liposomes.

The addition of small solutes, such as disaccharides, to replace the original water molecules can increase the distance between membranes due to osmotic and volumetric effects, and the inter-and intramembrane stress will decrease.


Peaks between 990 and 840 cm -1 were also detected in the IR spectra of cryoprotected CHloaded liposomes, which were all absent in the spectra of non-cryoprotected empty liposomes produced with non-purified lecithin. The cited peaks (indicated in the spectra in Figure 5 ) are probably due to the presence of amorphous sugar in excess, which is responsible for the formation of the glassy matrix seen in the micrographs (Figure 2) . Finally, the X-ray diffraction data confirmed that the lyophilization products of both cryoprotected liposomes (with trehalose and sucrose) were completely amorphous structures, as shown by the diffractograms in Figure 6 . This is a clear indication that they are much more suitable for a successful rehydration step, as amorphous structures are known to be easier to rehydrate than crystalline arrangements (Kikuchi et al., 1991; Alves and Santana, 2004) .

This is a clear indication that they are much more suitable for a successful rehydration step, as amorphous structures are known to be easier to rehydrate than crystalline arrangements.


Microencapsulation is an alternative to overcome some of these drawbacks and to improve the resistance of the peptides to gastrointestinal conditions, as well as to increase their absorption in the intestine. One of the approaches frequently employed in the pharmaceutical field to attain the cited aims is LBDD (lipid-based drug delivery), i.e., the encapsulation of bioactive compounds in lipidbased structures (for instance, emulsions, lipid particles, or liposomes) (Jeong et al., 2007; Jannin et al., 2008; Trevaskis et al., 2008) . This approach can be used to microencapsulate bioactives for food applications. One example of a suitable lipid-based system of microencapsulation for food applications is the liposome.

One of the approaches frequently employed in the pharmaceutical field to attain the cited aims is LBDD (lipid-based drug delivery), i.e., the encapsulation of bioactive compounds in lipidbased structures (for instance, emulsions, lipid particles, or liposomes).


The two main disadvantages of liposomal encapsulation for food applications are the scaling up of production processes and the cost of phospholipids (Taylor et al., 2005; Mozafari et al., 2008) . Most of the traditional methods used to produce liposomes require the use of organic solvents, and there are often reports of the high loss of material and the difficulty of scaling up high-pressure devices. The cost of raw materials (mainly phospholipids) is limiting even for high aggregated value ingredients or bioactive compounds. However, most of the studies of liposomes in food applications employ the same raw materials as in the pharmaceutical field, such as high-cost synthetic phospholipids or purified natural phospholipids (which are cheaper but still costly for large-scale production; for purified natural phospholipids, an average price is 980 euro/kg; non-purified soy lecithin costs approximately 20% of this value). In addition, despite being a promising microencapsulation system, liposomes have the disadvantage of instability (mainly multilamellar or multivesicular structures) and require the utilization of stabilization strategies, such as lyophilization or the addition of thickening agents in the aqueous phase. Lyophilization is the main approach used to extend the shelf life of liposomes, especially for those containing thermosensitive bioactive compounds (Chen et al., 2010) .

The two main disadvantages of liposomal encapsulation for food applications are the scaling up of production processes and the cost of phospholipids.

Lyophilization is the main approach used to extend the shelf life of liposomes, especially for those containing thermosensitive bioactive compounds.


Several protein hydrolysates are classified as bioactive and can be added to food formulations to provide functionality in the form of physiological benefits or to reduce the risk of certain diseases. Another important use for bioactive peptides is their addition to special formulations to support specific clinical needs of patients who are diagnosed with diseases, including phenylketonuria, acute and chronic liver disease, Crohn´s disease, pancreatitis and ulcerative colitis (Clemente, 2000) . A wide range of beneficial effects have been described, including antimicrobial properties, blood-pressurelowering effects, cholesterol-lowering ability, antithrombotic and antioxidant activities, enhancement of mineral absorption, cyto-or immunomodulatory effects, and opioid activities (Hartmann and Meisel, 2007) . However, there are some issues with these protein derivatives, including unpleasant sensory properties (accentuated bitterness and strong odor), difficult dispersal in aqueous formulations due to their hydrophobicity, and allergenicity. These drawbacks often limit the incorporation of bioactive peptides in food products. In addition, protein hydrolysates may be hygroscopic and reactive (Fávaro-Trindade et al., 2010) . The hydrophobicity and the sensory characteristics are related to the exposed hydrophobic groups in the peptides that appear during the protein hydrolysation process Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering (Yeom et al., 1994) . Several studies have demonstrated that the bioavailability of peptides and proteins after oral administration can be low, due to their instability in the gastrointestinal tract and low permeability through the intestinal membrane (Lee and Yamamoto, 1990) .

Another important use for bioactive peptides is their addition to special formulations to support specific clinical needs of patients who are diagnosed with diseases, including phenylketonuria, acute and chronic liver disease, Crohn´s disease, pancreatitis and ulcerative colitis.

A wide range of beneficial effects have been described, including antimicrobial properties, blood-pressurelowering effects, cholesterol-lowering ability, antithrombotic and antioxidant activities, enhancement of mineral absorption, cyto-or immunomodulatory effects, and opioid activities.

In addition, protein hydrolysates may be hygroscopic and reactive.

The hydrophobicity and the sensory characteristics are related to the exposed hydrophobic groups in the peptides that appear during the protein hydrolysation process Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering.

Several studies have demonstrated that the bioavailability of peptides and proteins after oral administration can be low, due to their instability in the gastrointestinal tract and low permeability through the intestinal membrane.


Economic growth and a drastic increase in the number of motor vehicles are causing environmental pollution and an energy shortage. Global warming is also resulting from the intense increase in greenhouse gases (GHG) produced by the burning of fossil fuels. Excessive vehicle exhaust from fossil fuels leads to frequent haze all over the world [1] [2] [3] . Thus, environmental pollution and energy shortages are two main factors restricting the development of the diesel engine industry. Developing green energy is a trend to solve those problems. Biodiesel has been a hot topic because of its environment-friendly characteristics and renewability [4, 5] . Biofuels such as alcohols and biodiesel have been proposed as alternatives to fossil fuels for internal combustion engines. Research on biodiesel stability was voted a top priority at the Annual Biodiesel Technical Workshop held in Chicago in January 2005. In particular, biodiesels derived from vegetable oils have received wide attention as a replacement for diesel fuel because they emit fewer GHG and other pollutant emissions [6] [7] [8] .

Excessive vehicle exhaust from fossil fuels leads to frequent haze all over the world.

Biodiesel has been a hot topic because of its environment-friendly characteristics and renewability.

In particular, biodiesels derived from vegetable oils have received wide attention as a replacement for diesel fuel because they emit fewer GHG and other pollutant emissions.


Among the comparison groups we examined, univariate analyses indicated that the clinical features of IA most closely resembled those associated with the subset of patients with CAP who had pneumococcal bacteremia. For example, 80% of patients with IA and 53% of patients with pneumococcal bacteremia were hyponatremic. Hyponatremia has been associated with bacterial pulmonary processes; this abnormality has been most notably associated with legionnaires disease but also has been reported in patients with pneumococcal pneumonia [23, 24] . Hypoalbuminemia, hyponatremia, and hemoconcentration are consistent with movement of fluids from intravascular to extravascular fluid compartments, which occurs in systemic infection and sepsis [25] . Hyponatremia was recently reported in an infant with bioterrorism-associated cutaneous anthrax [26] .

Hyponatremia has been associated with bacterial pulmonary processes; this abnormality has been most notably associated with legionnaires disease but also has been reported in patients with pneumococcal pneumonia.

Hypoalbuminemia, hyponatremia, and hemoconcentration are consistent with movement of fluids from intravascular to extravascular fluid compartments, which occurs in systemic infection and sepsis.

Hyponatremia was recently reported in an infant with bioterrorism-associated cutaneous anthrax.


Patients with IA were identified through clinician reports and active and passive surveillance by state and local public health authorities. The diagnosis of IA was confirmed by laboratory testing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; Atlanta, GA) [15] . Data regarding signs, symptoms, and laboratory testing values (i.e., hematology and serum chemistry) measured at the time of initial health care visit were reviewed and extracted from patient medical records by the authors. Characteristics of patients who had IA were compared with those of patients who had ILI or CAP.

The diagnosis of IA was confirmed by laboratory testing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; Atlanta, GA).


The formation of "yellow boy" removes dissolved oxygen from water [19] . The "yellow boy" is produced in the AMD receiving streams because there is no pyrite to be attacked by the ferric ion. The corresponding stepwise reactions are as follows: Figure 1 is a typical picture of "yellow boy" produced in one of the tributaries to Mlondozi River which is very close to the mine.

The formation of "yellow boy" removes dissolved oxygen from water.


This rapid increase in production and applications of graphene implies its potential release into the environment, especially into the aquatic compartment, which usually concentrates all kinds of contaminants [15] . For example, graphene release could occur from the use of commercial products containing the material, from its degradation during use and from the waste disposal of such products. The possible ecosystem risks induced by graphene were described by Hu and Zhu [15] . What is the environmental impact that can be expected after graphene introduction into the aquatic environment? The material would first interact with abiotic compounds such as natural organic matter and other molecules naturally present in waters (inorganic and organic macromolecules, colloidal particles, etc) but also with living organisms. Being important components of the ecosystem, the responses of aquatic organisms to graphene are particularly critical for ecosafety [15] . However, the existing knowledge of the potential toxicity of GFMs towards aquatic organisms is still poor. A recent review presents what is known on the toxicity of GFMs towards the aquatic environment [16] . Most of these works deal with the toxicity of GO and rGO on different aquatic organisms (bacteria, crustaceans, nematodes and fishes). Only a few studies report toxicity evaluation of single-and MLG. The general conclusion is that the impact of graphene against aquatic organisms may not be as high as carbon nanomaterials such as fullerenes and carbon nanotubes [16] .

This rapid increase in production and applications of graphene implies its potential release into the environment, especially into the aquatic compartment, which usually concentrates all kinds of contaminants.

The possible ecosystem risks induced by graphene were described by Hu and Zhu.

Being important components of the ecosystem, the responses of aquatic organisms to graphene are particularly critical for ecosafety.

A recent review presents what is known on the toxicity of GFMs towards the aquatic environment.

The general conclusion is that the impact of graphene against aquatic organisms may not be as high as carbon nanomaterials such as fullerenes and carbon nanotubes.


These observations give a further demonstration that several parameters influence graphene toxicity. Despite we were not able to precisely evaluate the relative contribution of each parameter on MLG cytotoxicity, we can hypothesize that the relatively high number of layers and lateral size of MLGs combined with a certain degree of aggregation have a synergistic effect in determining the absence of toxicity in our cellular models. This is likely to be due to a poor material uptake and to the reduced hydrophobic surface area (related to the layer number of MLGs) which reduce surface adsorption phenomena considered responsible of promoting inflammatory responses [40] .

This is likely to be due to a poor material uptake and to the reduced hydrophobic surface area (related to the layer number of MLGs) which reduce surface adsorption phenomena considered responsible of promoting inflammatory responses.


Cell viability was the first parameter that we analyzed. Both cellular models were exposed to increasing concentrations of MLG1 or MLG2 for 24 h. It is important to point out that the dispersion of both MLG samples in cell culture medium was not optimal. Optical microscopy images of the treated cells were taken after about 16 h. It was soon clear how the degree of MLG aggregation was very high (figure 1). On the other hand, it was also possible to observe that MLG black spots often colocalized with the cells suggesting an interaction with the cell membranes. However, the general cellular morphology seemed comparable to control cells. At the end of the incubation, the cell viability was determined by flow cytometry upon AnnV/PI staining. Data show that HeLa cells tolerated very well both MLG samples as no reduction of cell viability was observed ( figure 2(A) ). On the contrary, they were dramatically affected by control DMSO. A similar situation was monitored in the case of RAW 264.7 cells. In fact, MLG1 and MLG2 induced only a slight, but not significant, decrease of cell viability (of about 5%) in the macrophage cell line ( figure 2(B) ). No differences between the two MLG samples were evidenced. Investigating the immunosafety of a new material is also of fundamental importance in the context of biomedical applications. In fact, the immune cells of the body may be activated by the external molecules and elicit a harmful inflammatory response [34] . To assess this second important parameter, RAW 264.7 macrophages were incubated with increasing concentrations of MLG1 or MLG2, as previously described, and the expression of the macrophage activation marker CD86 was analyzed by flow cytometry. The culture supernatants were also collected to evaluate the levels of two proinflammatory cytokines, (IL6 and TNF α) by ELISA. The results show that the levels of CD86 and cytokines were comparable to control cells, indicating that our MLG samples did not induce any proinflammatory response in RAW 264.7 macrophages ( figure 3) . On the contrary cell activation and cytokine levels increased when the cells were treated with LPS/IFNγ thus validating the test.

In fact, the immune cells of the body may be activated by the external molecules and elicit a harmful inflammatory response.


On the other hand, the possibility to isolate graphene flakes by repeated mechanical exfoliation of graphite, provides a material with a high degree of purity, making it suitable also for biomedical applications [17] . In addition, its high surface area allows for the conjugation with bioactive molecules such as DNA, proteins, peptides or small drug molecules [17] . Single-and FLG, demonstrated their potential in drug/ gene delivery, biosensing and imaging, antibacterial activity and tissue engineering [18] [19] [20] [21] . It is evident how such applications are strictly dependent on graphene biocompatibility. In fact, its use for therapeutic purposes necessitates the demonstration of the absence of graphene-induced tissue damage or proinflammatory response. A large variety of studies can be found in literature reporting the toxicity findings on graphene in vitro and in vivo [22] . Despite this, the described results are sometimes in contrast. In fact, the biological response varies depending on graphene number of layers, lateral size, rigidity, hydrophobicity, dose administered and purity of the material. The use of diverse cellular models may also be responsible for paradoxical findings [22] . For this reason GFMs' toxicological profile is little understood and more studies concerning specific graphene types are required to avoid unexpected harmful effects on human health.

On the other hand, the possibility to isolate graphene flakes by repeated mechanical exfoliation of graphite, provides a material with a high degree of purity, making it suitable also for biomedical applications.

In addition, its high surface area allows for the conjugation with bioactive molecules such as DNA, proteins, peptides or small drug molecules.

Single-and FLG, demonstrated their potential in drug/ gene delivery, biosensing and imaging, antibacterial activity and tissue engineering.

A large variety of studies can be found in literature reporting the toxicity findings on graphene in vitro and in vivo.

The use of diverse cellular models may also be responsible for paradoxical findings.


Despite being the basic structural element of other carbon allotropes, including carbon nanotubes and fullerenes, graphene history is quite recent. In fact, the research group, guided by Geim and Novoselov, reported for the first time a method for the isolation of single-layer graphene from graphite only in 2004 [3] . From its discovery, graphene has been the object of great industrial interest. Such success is due to its exceptional physico-chemical properties such as electronic, optical, thermal and mechanical which differ from the same material in bulk. Such properties can be tuned by choosing a particular type of graphene [4] . By taking advantage of its special characteristics, graphene-based nanotechnology represents nowadays an area of scientific research and industrial applications in full expansion [5, 6] . In fact, graphene was firstly exploited in material sciences and recently it showed to be a good candidate for the development of graphene-based electronics, photonics, composite materials, energy generation, energy storage and sensors [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] . Among all graphene forms, FLGs are easily produced in high yeld [10] [11] [12] [13] . Low-cost procedures have also been described for the fabrication of large area films of FLG for electronics and opto-electronic applications [14] .

In fact, the research group, guided by Geim and Novoselov, reported for the first time a method for the isolation of single-layer graphene from graphite only in 2004.

Such properties can be tuned by choosing a particular type of graphene.

By taking advantage of its special characteristics, graphene-based nanotechnology represents nowadays an area of scientific research and industrial applications in full expansion.

In fact, graphene was firstly exploited in material sciences and recently it showed to be a good candidate for the development of graphene-based electronics, photonics, composite materials, energy generation, energy storage and sensors.

Among all graphene forms, FLGs are easily produced in high yeld.

Low-cost procedures have also been described for the fabrication of large area films of FLG for electronics and opto-electronic applications.


Graphene is one-atom-thick planar sheet of sp 2 -bonded carbon atoms that are densely packed in a honeycomb crystal lattice [1] . Graphene can display different forms which are conventionally combined under the so-called graphene family materials (GFMs). GFMs comprise few-layer graphene (FLG), multilayer graphene (MLG), graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), graphene nanosheets, ultrafine graphite, graphene ribbons and graphene dots. FLG is constituted by 2-5 graphene layers, while GO and rGO are normally composed of a single layer [2] .

Graphene is one-atom-thick planar sheet of sp 2 -bonded carbon atoms that are densely packed in a honeycomb crystal lattice.

FLG is constituted by 2-5 graphene layers, while GO and rGO are normally composed of a single layer.


Toxicity on cellular models Inspecting nanomaterial acute toxicity on in vitro cellular models is an important first step for an appropriate assessment of their biocompatibility. For this purpose, tumor-derived epithelial cells (HeLa) were selected as valid human model to test the possible cytotoxicity of two MLG samples. It is important to point out that this cellular type represents a nonphagocytic model. The tests were performed also on a macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). The latter was chosen as an important immune cell model, in order to compare the effects of MLG on the two cell lines and to further investigate the possible proinflammatory response triggered by MLGs. As a matter of fact, macrophages are one of the major actors during the primary immune response against infectious organisms and external materials, being able to phagocyte such entities and trigger secondary immune reactions [33] . The importance of MLG purification on cytotoxicity was also taken into account. For this purpose, two different MLG samples were tested: MLG1, corresponding to the starting MLG batch and MLG2, consisting in MLG1 thermally treated to eliminate residual toluene molecules potentially adsorbed and entrapped between the graphene layers.

As a matter of fact, macrophages are one of the major actors during the primary immune response against infectious organisms and external materials, being able to phagocyte such entities and trigger secondary immune reactions.


During biopotential signal acquisition, device movements, wire jitter, or subject involuntary twitching are inevitable, thus affecting the quality of the recorded signals. The standard and commonly applied method for eliminating interferences resulting from electrode lead jitter is to apply high-pass filtering to the recorded signals [42] . This is the case because the frequencies of the signals are usually very low, and the high-pass filter will cut off the frequencies of interest containing useful information in the desired signal. With regards to thechallenges posed by extraneous interferences in biopotential signal recording, the existing hardware-based methods have limited effect while the traditional software filtering techniques inevitably render the target signal distorted after reducing the interferences. If such interferences can be prevented from mixing up with the desired signal before the raw signal gets into the acquisition device, a quality raw signal could be obtained, thus making the subsequent signal processing and analysis tasks accurate and easier.

The standard and commonly applied method for eliminating interferences resulting from electrode lead jitter is to apply high-pass filtering to the recorded signals.


Pumps come in several types such as centrifugal, turbo, propeller, and positive displacement. Irrigation pumping plants are usually of the centrifugal type [1] . A centrifugal pump plays an important role in industries. However, faults of pump can cause a high rate of energy loss associated with performance degradation, even the breakdown of a whole system, and then lead to substantial economic losses. Therefore, condition diagnosis of the pump system at an early stage is very important.

Irrigation pumping plants are usually of the centrifugal type.


Chaos is a well-known phenomenon in physics, engineering, and many other scientific disciplines. Recently, simple chaotic flows and circuits have aroused much interest because of their potential applications [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . Meanwhile, the amplitude control of a chaotic signal is important in applications of chaos. Furthermore, it turns out that the amplitude control technique described here not only yields the expected amplification without any extra circuitry but also provides a new security encoding key.

Recently, simple chaotic flows and circuits have aroused much interest because of their potential applications.


There is a wide range of literature about the results, opportunities, and difficulties that in-the-wild studies present [2, 3, 4, 5] . However, a repeated theme within this literature is the problems that researchers encounter in negotiating, developing, and deploying technology in this way. What unites papers of this sort is that they demonstrate not only that in-the-wild methodologies are useful for discovering the affordances of new technologies, but that there is valuable learning to be gleaned about the possible social effects of those technologies from the process of implementing them. That is, the contexts in which these studies take place not only impact upon the design of the technology, but the very difficulties entailed by those contexts constitute valuable learning about how that technology might be used and what behaviours it might facilitate. This paper contributes to this discussion with specific reference to 'Tales of the Park', an in-the-wild study focused on privacy and security issues related to Internet of Things (IoT) technologies conducted by researchers at UCL in partnership with Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. In common with the aforementioned studies, the negotiations between the research team and the Park led to changes and compromises in the original research design, from which the research team learned a great deal. Drawing on our own experiences as researchers and on in-depth interviews conducted with key partners at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, this paper describes some of these compromises. We argue that these compromises themselves point to the epistemological boundaries of what can be discovered through in-the-wild methods; moreover, we suggest, that these boundaries align with the limits of the social acceptability of IoT technology itself, and indicate the sort of anxieties and ethical concerns that surround its future development.

There is a wide range of literature about the results, opportunities, and difficulties that in-the-wild studies present.


Whether for good or ill, as theorists such as Benjamin Bratton have argued, the future ubiquity of these technologies has implications which are so wide-ranging that they represent a fundamental change in the nature of power in the contemporary era. The wholesale collection and analysis of data enabled by ubiquitous networked technology is a new method by which various state and non-state entities can understand the world and act in it [16] . More than this, however, the promiscuous nature of data -its capacity to move across and through networks with little regard to local, national, or international geographic bounds -changes the nature of political power itself, and even the concept of the nation state as codified in international law [17] .

The wholesale collection and analysis of data enabled by ubiquitous networked technology is a new method by which various state and non-state entities can understand the world and act in it.

More than this, however, the promiscuous nature of data -its capacity to move across and through networks with little regard to local, national, or international geographic bounds -changes the nature of political power itself, and even the concept of the nation state as codified in international law.


These results show an inconsistency in the temporary acute effects of one-off forest walking on decreasing blood pressure, suggesting that the acute beneficial effects of forest walking in terms of decreasing blood pressure are weak or absent. Although some studies have reported that blood pressure decreased significantly by walking in forested areas compared with non-forested areas, the difference in the mean values of blood pressure reported was less than 3-16.5 mmHg [8, 10] . This difference may be within the normal range of daily fluctuations in blood pressure. As a consequence, the non-temporary effects may not be shown.

Although some studies have reported that blood pressure decreased significantly by walking in forested areas compared with non-forested areas, the difference in the mean values of blood pressure reported was less than 3-16.5 mmHg.


The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the results of studies, which have investigated the associations or the effects of the HND on markers of LGI in observational and intervention studies, respectively. There are several different biomarkers that are used for assessing LGI in dietary studies. In these studies, the markers have been CRP, hsCRP, IL-6, IL-1 Ra, leptin, high-molecular weight adiponectin, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, TNF RII, and Chatepsin S. Furthermore, inflammation on the level of expression of genes that are linked to inflammation in adipose tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is an interesting approach to examine the impact of diet on LGI in the target tissues [20, 21] .

In these studies, the markers have been CRP, hsCRP, IL-6, IL-1 Ra, leptin, high-molecular weight adiponectin, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, TNF RII, and Chatepsin S. Furthermore, inflammation on the level of expression of genes that are linked to inflammation in adipose tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is an interesting approach to examine the impact of diet on LGI in the target tissues.


We hypothesized that in Columbian ground squirrels coincident immergence into a common burrow system by a male and a pre-estrous female was a premating male mating tactic that improved reproductive success. Our study provided support for the 3 predictions appropriate for this hypothesis. First, we expected that nocturnal burrow system co-occupation with a female should provide a male with mating opportunities. On numerous occasions males sired offspring with females that were sleeping partners regardless of whether they copulated the next day. However, not all NUCs produced offspring for the male. One explanation is that some females do not come into estrus until later the following morning. Another explanation is that a male and female might not have copulated, despite immerging into the same burrow entrance before nightfall, owing to the extensive tunnel network underground (Nesterova and Hansen 2009) . A female potentially can avoid a male underground if she chooses not to mate with him. Finally, some copulations might not produce offspring because of sperm selection (Newcomer et al. 1999; Simmons and Emlen 2006; Zeh and Zeh 2006) . For instance, Columbian ground squirrel males that were a female's first mate (nocturnal and diurnal) did not sire offspring in 15.5% of consortships (Raveh et al. 2010) .

Another explanation is that a male and female might not have copulated, despite immerging into the same burrow entrance before nightfall, owing to the extensive tunnel network underground.

Finally, some copulations might not produce offspring because of sperm selection.

For instance, Columbian ground squirrel males that were a female's first mate (nocturnal and diurnal) did not sire offspring in 15.5% of consortships.


Radiation of longer ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths of 320-400 nm, designated as UVA, plays an essential role in formation of Vitamin D by the skin. However, it can have a harmful impact causing sunburn on human skin and cataracts in our eyes. Radiation of shorter wavelengths of 290-320 nm, designated as UVB, causes damage at the molecular level to the fundamental building block of any organism -deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Ultraviolet B radiation, harmful to living organisms, represents a small portion of the spectrum, from 290 to 320 nanometer wavelengths and represents about 1% of total radiation, reaching the Earth's surface (Palancar and Toselli 2004) .

Ultraviolet B radiation, harmful to living organisms, represents a small portion of the spectrum, from 290 to 320 nanometer wavelengths and represents about 1% of total radiation, reaching the Earth's surface.


Several facts are known about the radiation: 1) more than 90% of UV radiation can penetrate trough bright clouds; 2) clear snow reflects about 80% of UV radiation, which can cause sunburn; 3) 60% of UV radiation can usually be received in time period from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.; 4) in shadow the intensity of UV radiation decreases to 50% and more; 5) sand reflects for about 25% of UV radiation; 6) indoor workers receive less of UV radiation than outdoor workers; 7) 50 cm below the surface of water the intensity of UV radiation decreases to 40%; 8) when the altitude increases, every 300 m increase intensity of UV radiation by about 4% (every 1000 m increases the intensity of UV radiation approximately by 10-12%) (Davies 1993) . In cloudless conditions the irradiance on a tilted plane, in comparison to that on a horizontal flat surface, is increased in the position towards the sun, but reduced in other orientations. The increase is strongest for low sun in combination with clear atmosphere and high ground albedo, which is typical for snow covered mountain conditions (Koepke and Mech 2005) .

Several facts are known about the radiation: 1) more than 90% of UV radiation can penetrate trough bright clouds; 2) clear snow reflects about 80% of UV radiation, which can cause sunburn; 3) 60% of UV radiation can usually be received in time period from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.; 4) in shadow the intensity of UV radiation decreases to 50% and more; 5) sand reflects for about 25% of UV radiation; 6) indoor workers receive less of UV radiation than outdoor workers; 7) 50 cm below the surface of water the intensity of UV radiation decreases to 40%; 8) when the altitude increases, every 300 m increase intensity of UV radiation by about 4% (every 1000 m increases the intensity of UV radiation approximately by 10-12%).

The increase is strongest for low sun in combination with clear atmosphere and high ground albedo, which is typical for snow covered mountain conditions.


Of all the sunlight that passes through the atmosphere annually, only 51 per cent has a direct effect on our planet (Fig. 1 ). This energy is used to heat the Earth surface and lower atmosphere, melt and evaporate water, and run photosynthesis in plants. Of the other 49%, 4% is reflected back to the space by the Earth's surface, 26% is scattered or reflected by clouds and atmospheric particles, and 19% is absorbed by atmospheric gases, particles, and clouds (Pidwirny 2004) .

Of the other 49%, 4% is reflected back to the space by the Earth's surface, 26% is scattered or reflected by clouds and atmospheric particles, and 19% is absorbed by atmospheric gases, particles, and clouds.


Email address: ssamsonau@gradcenter.cuny.edu (Sergey V. Samsonau) or 2nd year of physics curriculum of a typical US physics program [8, 9, 10] . A question of how to include simulations into a curriculum and how efficient such inclusion is remains to be open [11, 12, 13, 14] . To understand the issue deeper, we would like to highlight the distinct ways computational physics education is approached.

Email address: ssamsonau@gradcenter.cuny.edu (Sergey V. Samsonau) or 2nd year of physics curriculum of a typical US physics program.

A question of how to include simulations into a curriculum and how efficient such inclusion is remains to be open.


We re-tested 18 SNPs in 10 genes that were previously reported to show an association with rotator cuff injury, but we were unable to validate any associations. Evidence from many other genetic association studies suggests that candidate gene associations need to be independently replicated, otherwise their credibility is low [41] [42] [43] [44] . Our study included 8,357 cases of rotator cuff injury compared to between 175 and 331 cases of rotator cuff injury in previous studies [12, 13] . Compared to previous studies, our study had a larger number of cases, indicating that we had good statistical power to replicate the previously reported associations [45] . For example, for a SNP with a minor allele frequency of 5% and a genotype relative risk of 1.2 for 8,357 cases, power calculations indicate that our study had a 99% chance of replication. However, if we restrict the re-testing to just 904 cases of full rotator cuff rupture, our study had only a 15% chance of replicating such a SNP.

Evidence from many other genetic association studies suggests that candidate gene associations need to be independently replicated, otherwise their credibility is low.

Our study included 8,357 cases of rotator cuff injury compared to between 175 and 331 cases of rotator cuff injury in previous studies.

Compared to previous studies, our study had a larger number of cases, indicating that we had good statistical power to replicate the previously reported associations.


Four typical phases of composting were observed during composting of five piles (1.5 x 1.0 x 0.80 m3) containing mainly rice straw, soybean residue and enriched with rock phosphate: short initial mesophilic phase followed by, thermophilic, cooling and maturation phases. Physicochemical changes confirmed the succession of microbial populations depending on the temperature of each phase in all treatments. Intense microbial activities led to organic matter mineralization and simultaneously narrow C/N ratios [9] . This work aims to investigate the microbial succession and dominance in four compost heaps during composting phases.

Intense microbial activities led to organic matter mineralization and simultaneously narrow C/N ratios.


Obesity accelerates the accumulation of excessive fat, which can cause chronic diseases in both humans and laboratory animals such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, digestive disease, respiratory disease, and various cancers [1] . To treat and control obesity, besides diet therapy and exercise, many different approaches such as drugs for weight loss or loss of appetite and food supplements are suggested to date. However, most antiobesity drugs have been withdrawn from the market based on U.S. FDA warnings of serious adverse reactions [2] . There is growing interest in herbal remedies due to the side effects associated with current antiobesity agents, because the plant kingdom is a wide field to search for natural effective antiobesity agents with less significant side effects. In line with this, we used oriental medicinal herbs that had been expected to have a lipid lowering effect based on the previous reports [3] .

Obesity accelerates the accumulation of excessive fat, which can cause chronic diseases in both humans and laboratory animals such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, digestive disease, respiratory disease, and various cancers.

However, most antiobesity drugs have been withdrawn from the market based on U.S. FDA warnings of serious adverse reactions.

In line with this, we used oriental medicinal herbs that had been expected to have a lipid lowering effect based on the previous reports.


It is well known that lipid peroxidation of plasma and intracellular membranes leads to distortion of the overall cell metabolism, and has a cytotoxic effect. MDA can react with proteins and nucleic acids, and so impair certain physiological mechanisms in the human body. PD may serve as an excellent example to discuss the significance of oxidative processes as a central, but not an initiating event for the development of clinical disease. The concept that OS occurs in PD derives primarily from the realization of dopamine metabolism, by chemical or enzymatic means that can generate free radicals and other ROS via autoxidation and dopamine oxidation. Biochemical evidence of oxidative injury can be suggested through the detection of products of oxidation of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, such as MDA, PCC and quantity of 8-OHdG [15] [16] .

Biochemical evidence of oxidative injury can be suggested through the detection of products of oxidation of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, such as MDA, PCC and quantity of 8-OHdG.


The group G = G ad acts by conjugation on the space Hom(π, G). The quotient space M(π, g) = Hom(π, G)/G ad is called the representation space (or moduli space or representation variety, character variety ) of π in G. Representation varieties for fundamental groups of surfaces in compact Lie groups have been studied in the context of gauge theories and hyperbolic geometry when G is the complex or real projective special linear group. These spaces also admit natural symplectic structures as discovered by W. Goldman [18] .

These spaces also admit natural symplectic structures as discovered by W. Goldman.


The spaces Hom(Z n , G) also admit the structure of simplicial spaces. Their geometric realization, denoted by B(2, G) was introduced by A. Adem, F. Cohen and E. Torres-Giese [3] . One curious connection arises by turning the natural map B(2, G) → BG into a fibration with homotopy fibre denoted E(2, G). Basic properties of the monodromy representation of G on the first homology group of the fibre are curious. For example, if G is a finite group of odd order, then the classical Feit-Thompson theorem is equivalent to the map H 1 (E(2, G)) G → H 1 (B(2, G)), where H 1 (E(2, G)) G denotes the module of coinvariants under the monodromy action, failing to be surjective. Properties of the monodromy representation may be interesting, but are currently not well understood [3, 30] . This setting suggests that the spaces B(2, G) contain compelling information. Thus a categorical interpretation is given here in section 9.

Their geometric realization, denoted by B(2, G) was introduced by A. Adem, F. Cohen and E. Torres-Giese.

Properties of the monodromy representation may be interesting, but are currently not well understood.


A wide range of stimuli challenges a fish around the clock, whether in captivity or in the wild. These stimuli may be life threatening, a novel event deserving exploration or a source of discomfort. They may be real or not, immediate or anticipated, and even adjusted according to the individual perception of the animal. In any case, these challenging stimuli (stressors) demand a response, which is the essence of coping and adapting to a given environment. Generally termed stress responses, they are essential for the organisms' survival. Animals unable to turn their response system on may find themselves in trouble. However, those unable to turn them off may also suffer damages of various extents (Sapolsky, 1992) .

However, those unable to turn them off may also suffer damages of various extents.


A greater need for the development and rationalisation of logistic processes was observed after Poland's accession to the EU. Polish agriculture was covered by CAP instruments. Moreover, foreign markets were opened to Polish products, characterised by high competitiveness and compliance to the requirements of the Common Market, e.g. they meet the HACCP requirements (Ziętara, 2014) . Polish food products had to meet EU quality requirements, production organisation had to be rationalised and processing had to be consolidated, which is frequently connected with improved logistics. Logistic activities are particularly important for the competitiveness of the agri-food industry in Poland, which share in the value of exports increased from 9% before 2004 to 13% in 2013 (Szczepaniak, 2014) .

Moreover, foreign markets were opened to Polish products, characterised by high competitiveness and compliance to the requirements of the Common Market, e.g. they meet the HACCP requirements.

Logistic activities are particularly important for the competitiveness of the agri-food industry in Poland, which share in the value of exports increased from 9% before 2004 to 13% in 2013.


Integration processes are a factor determining success of dairy producers. They comprise joint activities of farmers in the provision of means for agricultural production, sales of agricultural products or joint use of machinery. Polish farmers became interested in the establishment of agricultural producer groups after 2004 searching for methods to improve effi ciency of their market operations and cost reduction (Chlebicka, 2011) . Team operations are a challenge for farmers, as this requires greater openness, joint actions and adaptation of production to the requirements of the common market (Knecht and Środoń, 2013) . Integration activities also concern broadly understood logistic processes in agriculture and include transport of agricultural products to points of sales and provision of agriculture with means of production.

Polish farmers became interested in the establishment of agricultural producer groups after 2004 searching for methods to improve effi ciency of their market operations and cost reduction.

Team operations are a challenge for farmers, as this requires greater openness, joint actions and adaptation of production to the requirements of the common market.


Production of cow's milk in Poland varies depending on the region. The average annual milk yield from 1 cow in 2013 was greatest in the Wielkopolskie (6055 l), Opolskie (5836 l), Kujawsko-pomorskie (5455 l) as well as the Podlaskie (5143 l) and Mazowieckie voivodeships (5123 l). It also needs to be stressed that the annual milk yield from 1 cow in Poland in 2009 was 4776 l and it was lower than e.g. in the USA (9331 l), Sweden (8396 l), Spain (7547 l) and Great Britain (7101 l) (GUS, 2014) .

It also needs to be stressed that the annual milk yield from 1 cow in Poland in 2009 was 4776 l and it was lower than e.g. in the USA (9331 l), Sweden (8396 l), Spain (7547 l) and Great Britain (7101 l).


In this study, we focus on the risk of diabetic microvascular complications and macrovascular risk factors after the onset of type 1 diabetes in preschool age and at least 10 years of diabetes duration. This patient group needs special focus since the incidence of type 1 diabetes in this age group has been predicted to further increase in many European regions [14] . Due to the early onset of type 1 diabetes, the increased risk of micro-and macrovascular diseases may occur early in life imposing a potentially large number of life years lost and years lived with disability. Additionally, the challenges of puberty may hamper self-management of type 1 diabetes, which may affect patterns of risk factors for complications. Therefore, this analysis aimed to (i) estimate the risk of microvascular complications (diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy) and macrovascular risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidemia) among persons with early-onset type 1 diabetes, (ii) determine temporal trends of these risks, and (iii) quantify the association between the risk and health care-related factors, socioeconomic status (SES), glycemic control, and lifestyle-related factors.

This patient group needs special focus since the incidence of type 1 diabetes in this age group has been predicted to further increase in many European regions.


MND is a term used to describe a number of heterogeneous progressive neurological conditions affecting motor neurons [7] . The most common type of MND is ALS, resulting in multiple impairments and disability relating to muscle weakness, stiffness, overactive reflexes, and in some cases emotional lability [8] . Cognitive impairments occur in 20-50% of people with MND/ALS. As the disease progresses relentlessly, MND/ALS affects the muscles used for speaking, swallowing, and breathing [9] . The cause of MND/ALS is not yet known, and there is as yet no known cure, and a median survival rate of 2-4 years [10] . MND/ALS primarily affects people aged between 43-52 years (familial cases) or aged between 58-63 years (spontaneous cases). An estimated 58% of adults with MND/ALS are aged under 65 years of age [e.g., 11]. The loss of motor control over the 3764 Proceedings of the 50th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences | 2017 URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10125/41613 ISBN: 978-0-9981331-0-2 CC-BY-NC-ND movements for speech reduces intelligibility and, in acquiring a severe communication disability, many people with MND/ALS will need or use assistive technologies such as computer software and augmentative and alternative communication systems (e.g., communication boards, speech generating devices, mobile devices with speech output apps) to communicate [12, 13] .

MND is a term used to describe a number of heterogeneous progressive neurological conditions affecting motor neurons.

The most common type of MND is ALS, resulting in multiple impairments and disability relating to muscle weakness, stiffness, overactive reflexes, and in some cases emotional lability.

As the disease progresses relentlessly, MND/ALS affects the muscles used for speaking, swallowing, and breathing.

The cause of MND/ALS is not yet known, and there is as yet no known cure, and a median survival rate of 2-4 years.

The loss of motor control over the 3764 Proceedings of the 50th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences | 2017 URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10125/41613 ISBN: 978-0-9981331-0-2 CC-BY-NC-ND movements for speech reduces intelligibility and, in acquiring a severe communication disability, many people with MND/ALS will need or use assistive technologies such as computer software and augmentative and alternative communication systems (e.g., communication boards, speech generating devices, mobile devices with speech output apps) to communicate.


This paper is based on the design of the following different optimal control strategies: (a) FLC based on Steepest Descent (SD) and Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithms (b) adaptive Proportional Integral (PI) control (c) SMC, and (d) HC or adaptive SMC for compensation of parameter uncertainties, load disturbances, electrical faults perturbations, and speed variation of IFOC IM. The Adaptive PI control scheme incorporates the promising features of conventional PI and Fuzzy Logic. The Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) is used to update proportional k p and integral k i gains in accordance with sudden load disturbances, parameter uncertainties, and speed variations. The proposed control design provides better and faster dynamic response with a zero Steady State Error (SSE) [22] .

The proposed control design provides better and faster dynamic response with a zero Steady State Error (SSE).


Induction Machines (IM) have a wide use in industries for different processes due to their high performance. Since their discovery, the IM has been considered the predominant actuator in constant speed maneuvers. The advantageous characteristics of IM are: (a) low cost, (b) high efficiency, (c) small inertia, (d) inherent self-starting, (e) absence of collector brooms systems, (f) less maintenance, and (g) simpler design [1] . Conversely, the IM is insufficient to provide flexible speed operation due to its non-linear, complex, and multivariable mathematical model [2] . The aforementioned limitations can be resolved by designing smart and sophisticated Vector Control (VC) and scalar control strategies [3] .

The advantageous characteristics of IM are: (a) low cost, (b) high efficiency, (c) small inertia, (d) inherent self-starting, (e) absence of collector brooms systems, (f) less maintenance, and (g) simpler design.

Conversely, the IM is insufficient to provide flexible speed operation due to its non-linear, complex, and multivariable mathematical model.

The aforementioned limitations can be resolved by designing smart and sophisticated Vector Control (VC) and scalar control strategies.


Remarkable dynamic response is mandatory for the load disturbances and parameter uncertainties of electric drives to respond to speed and torque control loops. In scalar control, constant torque and flux response is achieved by simple a V/f or Volts/Hertz constant rule with the sluggish dynamic response. In the greater part of advanced, industrial electrical-drive control-applications, the standardized technique to control squirrel cage induction motors is based on the VC principle to accomplish the best dynamic performance [3, 4] . In VC or Field-Oriented Control (FOC), like a separately excited DC motor, the flux and torque are individually controlled [5] . The addition of VC to IM lead to IM popularity by allowing variable speed operation and motion control drives [6] . The speed, torque, and position of the IM are conventionally controlled by a fixed gain Proportional Integral Differential (PID) control strategy that is load, speed, and parameter variation disturbance-sensitive. Adaptive control law is one of the solutions to solve these problems [7] .

In the greater part of advanced, industrial electrical-drive control-applications, the standardized technique to control squirrel cage induction motors is based on the VC principle to accomplish the best dynamic performance.

In VC or Field-Oriented Control (FOC), like a separately excited DC motor, the flux and torque are individually controlled.

The addition of VC to IM lead to IM popularity by allowing variable speed operation and motion control drives.

Adaptive control law is one of the solutions to solve these problems.


The model equations have been analysed and the behaviour close to the wellbore has been compared to more accurate finite element simulations [1] . The analysis revealed that the model had suitable medium term properties but that the short-term behaviour could be poor due to the chosen simplifications. Based on these results, an improved approximation was formulated.

The model equations have been analysed and the behaviour close to the wellbore has been compared to more accurate finite element simulations.


Going from hypersurfaces to more general tropical varieties is a major step. Historically, the first explicit computations dealt with the tropicalization of the Grassmannians [46] . The classical Grassmannians are the moduli spaces of linear subspaces in a complex vector space. Their tropical analogues parametrize those tropical linear spaces, which arise as tropicalizations. We explore the combinatorics of one tropical linear space. Employing the polymake interface to Singular, we verify that it is realizable. Tropical linear spaces are interesting in their own right for their connection with matroid theory [34, 47] . We briefly compare several polyhedral structures on the Bergman fan of a matroid.

Historically, the first explicit computations dealt with the tropicalization of the Grassmannians.

Tropical linear spaces are interesting in their own right for their connection with matroid theory.


Many avenues lead to tropical geometry as we know it today. One motivation comes from studying algebraic varieties (over some field with a non-Archimedean valuation) via their piecewise-linear images (under the valuation map). This is useful since many interesting properties are preserved, and they often become algorithmically accessible via tools from polyhedral geometry [37] .

This is useful since many interesting properties are preserved, and they often become algorithmically accessible via tools from polyhedral geometry.


Our paper is organized as follows. We start out with the basics of tropical arithmetic and tropical matrix operations. This topic connects tropical geometry to combinatorial optimization [44] . The most basic geometric objects in our investigation are tropical hypersurfaces. These are the vanishing loci of tropical polynomials. Since the latter are equivalent to finite point sets in Z d , equipped with real-valued lifting functions, their study is closely related to regular subdivisions [11] . An interesting new vein in tropical geometry are applications to economics. As an example, we look at arrangements of tropical hypersurfaces as they occur in the product-mix auctions of Baldwin and Klemperer [35, 4] . For a regular subdivision Σ of a point configuration P , the secondary cone comprises all lifting functions, which induce Σ. That cone forms a stratum in the moduli space of tropical hypersurfaces with support set P . We exhibit an example computation concerning moduli of tropical plane curves of genus three [8] .

Our paper is organized as follows.

This topic connects tropical geometry to combinatorial optimization.

Since the latter are equivalent to finite point sets in Z d , equipped with real-valued lifting functions, their study is closely related to regular subdivisions.

As an example, we look at arrangements of tropical hypersurfaces as they occur in the product-mix auctions of Baldwin and Klemperer.

We exhibit an example computation concerning moduli of tropical plane curves of genus three.


The evaluation the reducing ability of palm dates syrups were carried out on the basis of the oxidizability of their chemical constituents, such as phenolic and polyphenolic compounds, which could reduce Fe 3+ to Fe 2+ ions. The total reducing ability of each palm dates syrup at different concentrations was compared to Vit. C (a positive control), and the results were expressed as Vit. C equivalent (lM) (Fig. 1) . These data showed that the reducing power ability of all palm dates syrups appeared in a dose dependent fashion where the Rotab syrup has shown to have the highest values. The present findings were in agreement with another study carried out by other researchers (Bilgari et al., 2008) .

C equivalent (lM) (Fig. 1) .

The present findings were in agreement with another study carried out by other researchers.


Biological systems protect themselves against the damaging effects of activated species by several means. These include free radical scavengers and chain reaction terminators; enzymes, such as SOD and CAT system (Proctor and McGinness, 1986) . If human disease is believed to be due to the imbalance between oxidative stress and antioxidative defense, it is possible to limit oxidative tissue damage and hence prevent disease progression by antioxidant defense supplements (Bhattacharya et al., 1999) . In other words, if the balance sways in the direction of pro-oxidants, oxidative stress can arise, which under normal circumstances is controlled by a broad range of antioxidant enzymes, proteins and antioxidants provided by the diet.

These include free radical scavengers and chain reaction terminators; enzymes, such as SOD and CAT system.

If human disease is believed to be due to the imbalance between oxidative stress and antioxidative defense, it is possible to limit oxidative tissue damage and hence prevent disease progression by antioxidant defense supplements.


This study showed that all syrups had significantly lower Å OH radical scavenging activity than the positive control, but at the highest concentrations Rotab syrup showed significantly higher Å OH radical scavenging activity than the Iraqi and Saudi syrups. The Å OH is an extremely reactive free radical formed in biological systems, which may lead to serious damage, such as damaging the biomolecules of living cells. The Å OH has the capacity to break DNA strands, which contributes to carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, and cytotoxicity. In addition, this radical species is thought to be one of the quick initiators of lipid peroxidation process, abstracting hydrogen atoms from unsaturated fatty acids (Bloknina et al., 2003) .

In addition, this radical species is thought to be one of the quick initiators of lipid peroxidation process, abstracting hydrogen atoms from unsaturated fatty acids.


The new findings showed that all syrups had significantly lower ability than Vit. C to scavenge nitric oxide from the reaction media. However, at higher levels the Rotab syrup had significantly greater ability than the Iraqi and Saudi syrups, which have almost similar Å NO scavenging activity. The mechanism of the antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds is widely known to act as free radical scavengers, leading to the formation of phenoxyl radicals. However, there are two possible mechanisms for the production of phenoxyls from the reaction of Å NO (nitric oxide, NO, is also called nitric oxide radical, Å NO, because nitric oxide has an unpaired electron on the nitrogen atom) with a phenol moiety. The first mechanism, involves H-atom abstraction to produce HNO and phenoxyl radicals. The second mechanism, is also possible in which phenols reduce Å NO by single electron transfer to produce the phenol radical cation, with subsequent loss of a proton to form phenoxyl radical. Reaction of Å NO with phenolic groups may prevent accumulation of Å NO in the reaction system (Janzen et al., 1993) . Furthermore, the scavenging activity may also help to arrest the chain of reactions initiated by excess generation of NO that are detrimental to human health (Moncada and Higgs, 2006) . In the present study, the syrups might be involved in competition with oxygen to react with nitric oxide and thus inhibit generation of the mentioned anions (NO À 2 and ONO À 2 ). As a result, the present data suggest that the syrups might be potent and novel therapeutic agents for scavenging of NO and the regulation of pathological conditions caused by excessive generation of NO and its oxidation products, nitrite ðNO À 2 Þ and peroxynitrite (ONOO À ).

Reaction of Å NO with phenolic groups may prevent accumulation of Å NO in the reaction system.

Furthermore, the scavenging activity may also help to arrest the chain of reactions initiated by excess generation of NO that are detrimental to human health.


FCSRE contains a large amount of polyphenols, particularly chlorogenic acid. Chlorogenic acid is an ester of caffeic acid with quinic acid, which is found naturally in various plants such as coffee beans, tea leaves and blueberries. It has been reported that chlorogenic acid effectively inhibited the iron-induced lipid peroxidation of bovine liver microsomes in a concentration-dependent manner (Kono et al., 1998) . In the Fenton-type reaction, chlorogenic acid inhibited the production of the hydroxy radical by iron-EDTA or iron-ADP, while iron plus chlorogenic acid did not generate the hydroxy radical. The ferric complex with chlorogenic acid was in the ferric high-spin state near rhombicity, and had no radical scavenging activity. The results indicate that chlorogenic acid prevented the formation of the hydroxy radical by forming a chelate with iron whose complex cannot catalyze the Fenton-type reaction. It should also be pointed out that, unlike most antioxidants, the one-electron oxidation product of chlorogenic acid formed by the reaction with free radicals is rapidly broken down to further products, which cannot genereate any free radicals.

It has been reported that chlorogenic acid effectively inhibited the iron-induced lipid peroxidation of bovine liver microsomes in a concentration-dependent manner.


Although we did not determine which ingredient(s) is(are) really involved in its efficacy, antioxidative compounds have been shown to be produced by fermentation. A fermented soybean product, tempeh has been known to be very stable to rancidity development, and the antioxidative 6,7,4¢-trihydroxyisoflavone was isolated and identified. Two potent antioxidative isoflavones, 8-hydroxydaidzein and 8-hydroxygenistein, were isolated from soybeans fermented with Aspergillus saitoi (Esaki et al., 1998) . These isoflavones, which have an o-dihydroxy structure between the 7-and 8-position, exhibited significantly stronger antioxidative activity than daidzein and genistein in both oil and lipid/aqueous systems; they are also the principal antioxidants in potent antioxidative soybeans fermented with A. saitoi. Dried tempeh is known to be significantly stable to lipid oxidation compared with unfermented soybeans. An antioxidant, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (HAA), isolated from the methanol extract of tempeh was effective in preventing autoxidation of soybean oil and soybean powder (Esaki et al., 1996) . HAA was not found in unfermented soybeans, but was produced during the incubation with Rhizopus oligosporus. It will be necessary to identify the substance(s) involved in the antiatherogenic effects of FCSRE, particularly those produced by fermentation.

Two potent antioxidative isoflavones, 8-hydroxydaidzein and 8-hydroxygenistein, were isolated from soybeans fermented with Aspergillus saitoi.

An antioxidant, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (HAA), isolated from the methanol extract of tempeh was effective in preventing autoxidation of soybean oil and soybean powder.


Diet-induced atherosclerosis has been shown to be reduced in animals fed soy protein-based diets compared with those fed animal protein-based diets (Damasceno et al., 2000) . There is also substantial evidence supporting the existence of lipoprotein-independent pathways by which soy inhibits atherosclerosis. Soy isoflavones may directly inhibit atherosclerosis through estrogen receptor-mediated effects on tyrosine kinase activity, macrophage cytokine expression, the migration or proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells, endothelium-dependent arterial dilation, arterial elasticity and platelet aggregation or activation (Anthony, 2000) . Soy isoflavones also have potent antioxidant activity and may therefore inhibit atherosclerosis progression by reducing LDL oxidation (Yamakoshi et al., 2000) . Aortic cholesterol content is reduced by intact and alcohol-washed (isoflavone-deficient) soy protein isolate in atherosclerosis-susceptible (LDL receptorϪ/ϪϩapoB transgenic and apoEϪ/Ϫ) mice (Adams et al., 2002) . The effect is enhanced in mice fed intact soy protein relative to those fed alcohol-washed soy protein, and was enhanced in LDL receptorϪ/ϪϩapoB transgenic mice relative to apoEϪ/Ϫmice. Inhibitory effects of soy protein on atherosclerosis were independent of plasma lipoproteins in both types of mice. These results suggest that isoflavones are mainly involved in the anti-atherosclerotic effect of soy protein isolate, but additional factor(s) may also be involved. However, in the present study, only a small amount of soybean is contained in the materials for FCSRE, and the significance of these substances are unclear.

Diet-induced atherosclerosis has been shown to be reduced in animals fed soy protein-based diets compared with those fed animal protein-based diets.

Soy isoflavones may directly inhibit atherosclerosis through estrogen receptor-mediated effects on tyrosine kinase activity, macrophage cytokine expression, the migration or proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells, endothelium-dependent arterial dilation, arterial elasticity and platelet aggregation or activation.

Soy isoflavones also have potent antioxidant activity and may therefore inhibit atherosclerosis progression by reducing LDL oxidation.

Aortic cholesterol content is reduced by intact and alcohol-washed (isoflavone-deficient) soy protein isolate in atherosclerosis-susceptible (LDL receptorϪ/ϪϩapoB transgenic and apoEϪ/Ϫ) mice.


The impact of H/W prefetching. Current H/W prefetchers are designed for contiguous memory allocation schemes, wherein L2 prefetchers such as L2 Hardware Prefetcher and L2 Adjacent Cache Line Prefetcher prefetch only the next cache lines into the L2 cache [74] . Therefore, using sliceaware memory management might not be always beneficial for some applications which have a contiguous memory access pattern. However, there are many applications which have non-contiguous access patterns (e.g., NFV service chains and key-value stores) or some that do not benefit from it [32] . Introducing programmable H/W prefetchers in general purpose processors could make slice-aware memory management even more efficient.

The impact of H/W prefetching.

Current H/W prefetchers are designed for contiguous memory allocation schemes, wherein L2 prefetchers such as L2 Hardware Prefetcher and L2 Adjacent Cache Line Prefetcher prefetch only the next cache lines into the L2 cache.

However, there are many applications which have non-contiguous access patterns (e.g., NFV service chains and key-value stores) or some that do not benefit from it.


Previous work showed that steady-state plasma concentration of propofol during sedation was in the order of 22-44 µM [53] . It can intensively (97%-98%) bind plasma proteins [54] . In most cases, only the unbound fraction is able to interact with Na + channels. Therefore, a higher concentration was used in pain therapy [55] . Propofol is mainly eliminated by hepatic conjugation to inactive metabolites, which are secreted from the kidney [56] . On the other hand, the persons have a reduced clearance for propofol and may have increased levels of plasma propofol [57] . Additionally, the terminal half-life of propofol ranges from one to three days [58] .

Previous work showed that steady-state plasma concentration of propofol during sedation was in the order of 22-44 µM.

It can intensively (97%-98%) bind plasma proteins.

Therefore, a higher concentration was used in pain therapy.

Propofol is mainly eliminated by hepatic conjugation to inactive metabolites, which are secreted from the kidney.

On the other hand, the persons have a reduced clearance for propofol and may have increased levels of plasma propofol.

Additionally, the terminal half-life of propofol ranges from one to three days.


In both FNSD and ND, within several domains, relatives' illness perceptions tended to be more negative than patients'. This observation could reflect that relatives have a natural tendency to be 'caring'. Thus clinicians who pick up on 'overcaring' relatives may be doing so primarily because of their own negative cognitive bias and "suspicion" of patients with FNSD rather than because of any significant differences to the relatives of patients with neurological disease. Alternatively, the more negative illness perceptions of relatives could also reflect caregivers' frustration or their anxiety about the patients' disorder. Potentially, negative beliefs could impact adversely on attempts at rehabilitation. However, given that caregivers in both groups (FNSD and ND) had more negative illness perceptions than patients this observation cannot readily explain any observations specific to the FNSD patient group. This study did not find any statistically significant differences between the illness perceptions of relatives of male patients and the perceptions of relatives of female patients. An earlier study found that carers of women were three times less likely to reject a PNES diagnosis than carers of men [40] .

An earlier study found that carers of women were three times less likely to reject a PNES diagnosis than carers of men.


The key new estimate is the sup |u| bound, established in Lemma 2.2. In Section 3, we describe why the result of Theorem 1.1, and the nonexistence of solutions for some f in the case n = 1, are natural in the context of Monge-Ampère functionals. Namely, we write down a functional associated to the second boundary value problem (1.6) and show that when n 2 it satisfies a "properness" condition, which is somewhat analogous to the stability conditions of Donaldson [9] . When n = 1, solutions to (1.6) hold if and only if we have properness.

Namely, we write down a functional associated to the second boundary value problem (1.6) and show that when n 2 it satisfies a "properness" condition, which is somewhat analogous to the stability conditions of Donaldson.


In recent years, it has been proved that passively mode-locked fiber lasers operating in the large normal dispersion regime can directly generate high-energy pulses with high chirp, which can be promising for candidates competing with their solid-state counterparts [1] - [6] . These types of fiber lasers produce typical pulses with large normal chirp and steep spectral edges, which are also called dissipative solitons (DSs). It has been shown that spectral filtering plays a crucial role in DS formation in fiber lasers with large normal dispersion [1] , [5] . This is because DSs rely on a balance of group velocity dispersion (GVD), self-phase modulation, saturable absorption, and spectral filtering. They allow for an increase in output pulse energies by 1 order of magnitude in comparison with dispersion-managed solitons.

In recent years, it has been proved that passively mode-locked fiber lasers operating in the large normal dispersion regime can directly generate high-energy pulses with high chirp, which can be promising for candidates competing with their solid-state counterparts.

It has been shown that spectral filtering plays a crucial role in DS formation in fiber lasers with large normal dispersion.


For many years human-computer interaction researchers focused their attention on the synthesis of audio-visual emotional expressions. Despite the great progress made in human-computer interaction, most of the existing interfaces are unidirectional and unfriendly in the sense that they do not allow the computer to understand the emotional state of the user [1] [2] [3] . During the recent years, many researchers have faced the problem of designing interfaces that are able to express and also to perceive emotions. This has introduced a specific research field, known as Speech Emotion Recognition, which is aimed to extract the emotional state of a speaker from his or her speech.

Despite the great progress made in human-computer interaction, most of the existing interfaces are unidirectional and unfriendly in the sense that they do not allow the computer to understand the emotional state of the user.


We can add policy instruments to the above preconditions. Policy instruments are used by local governments to influence the behaviour of local target groups. This is important because urban energy and environmental policy depend heavily on external incentives in the form of regulations, conditions for public participation in public support programmes, monitoring systems, and planning and performance indicators (Nijkamp and Perrels, 1994) . Evidence from the Netherlands shows that the organisational size of local authorities positively correlates with the number of policy instruments and the available administrative capacity in both local climate policy and local environmental policy (Coenen and Hoppe, 2010) .

This is important because urban energy and environmental policy depend heavily on external incentives in the form of regulations, conditions for public participation in public support programmes, monitoring systems, and planning and performance indicators.

Evidence from the Netherlands shows that the organisational size of local authorities positively correlates with the number of policy instruments and the available administrative capacity in both local climate policy and local environmental policy.


Measurement of efficiency and productivity in the banking sector has always been the areas of interest for economic research. To measure performance of banking sector, two kinds of measurements are widely used namely financial ratios measures and efficiency measures. In the case of financial ratios, these are computed to highlight a particular aspect of a bank activity. Since banking industry uses multiple inputs to produce multiple outputs, a precise inference may not always be possible. In order to overcome this limitation alternative techniques are employed to compute total factor productivity of a banking unit which covers all aspects of banking operations in a single measure. Efficiency in the banking system leads to more innovations, improved profitability as well as greater safety and soundness when improvement in productivity is channelled towards strengthening capital buffers that absorb risk [1] . Therefore, the banking industry needed to improve its efficiency level so that it could further contribute to the country's economic expansion.

Efficiency in the banking system leads to more innovations, improved profitability as well as greater safety and soundness when improvement in productivity is channelled towards strengthening capital buffers that absorb risk.


The generation of abbreviations in Chinese differs from that for English. The reason is that Chinese itself lacks many commonly considered features in English abbreviation generation methods (Pakhomov, 2002; Yu et al., 2006; HaCohen-Kerner et al., 2008; Ao and Takagi, 2005) . Detailed differences between English abbreviation generation and Chinese abbreviation features are listed in TABLE 1. Due to these differences, specific attention should be paid to Chinese abbreviation generation.

The reason is that Chinese itself lacks many commonly considered features in English abbreviation generation methods.


There is research on heuristic rules for generating abbreviations (Barrett and Grems, 1960; Bourne and Ford, 1961; Taghva and Gilbreth, 1999; Park and Byrd, 2001; Wren et al., 2002; HEARST, 2002) . Most of them achieved high performance. However, hand-crafted rules are time consuming to create, and it is not easy to transfer the knowledge of rules from one language to another.

There is research on heuristic rules for generating abbreviations.

Most of them achieved high performance.


Forecasting the sales of products that have yet to be launched is an important problem for companies. In particular, forecasts of the future values of sales time series (e.g. sales in each of the first n years of a product's life) will guide decisions relating to future production capacity, marketing budgets, human resource planning and research and development. These forecasts can also be used to estimate the discounted future returns on the investment that will be needed to develop and market the new product. Surprisingly, given its importance, new product sales forecasting has received relatively little attention in the literature (Kahn, 2006) .

Surprisingly, given its importance, new product sales forecasting has received relatively little attention in the literature.