In the original test, to calculate the overall safety rating of a cookstove, each of the qualitative bands would be converted to a numerical score, This would then be summed to provide a value that matched an overall banding for best, good, fair, and poor (Johnson, 2005) . However, since the protocol was created, the process for generating an overall score has been adjusted. Each test is now weighted based on the hazards that could result in greater harm (Johnson and Bryden, 2015) . For instance, the test for "flames or burning fuels exiting the fuel chamber" has been given the highest weighting of each of the tests, as an injury caused by excess flames may result in severe burns and property loss. The addition of a weighting system to determine the overall safety of a stove ensures that greater significance is placed on the tests that assess for the more life threatening hazards (Johnson and Bryden, 2015) .

In the original test, to calculate the overall safety rating of a cookstove, each of the qualitative bands would be converted to a numerical score, This would then be summed to provide a value that matched an overall banding for best, good, fair, and poor.

Each test is now weighted based on the hazards that could result in greater harm.

The addition of a weighting system to determine the overall safety of a stove ensures that greater significance is placed on the tests that assess for the more life threatening hazards.


Reading strategies are part of language learning strategies. Reading strategies are "deliberate, goaldirected attempts to control and modify the reader's efforts to decode text, understand words and construct meanings of text" [3] . Although a few studies have been done within the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context, even less has been studied in a mixed English Language setting such as Malaysia [4] . Some students in Malaysian secondary schools especially those in suburban areas such as Kapit, Sarawak are unaware of or do not have effective strategies to comprehend English reading materials. This is because in Malaysia, the teaching of English language focuses more on grammar than other aspects such as reading, listening, writing and speaking [5] . The students need scaffolding and guidance from their teachers or friends to help them understand the reading materials. They seem to lack vocabulary, and this impedes their reading compehension.

Reading strategies are "deliberate, goaldirected attempts to control and modify the reader's efforts to decode text, understand words and construct meanings of text".

Although a few studies have been done within the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context, even less has been studied in a mixed English Language setting such as Malaysia.

This is because in Malaysia, the teaching of English language focuses more on grammar than other aspects such as reading, listening, writing and speaking.


English is regarded as an international language used both globally and locally [1] . English, which functions as the second language in Malaysia, has been widely utilised as a means of interaction in various fields particularly in education [2] . The ability to read in English is deemed an important skill to be acquired for academic, business and other purposes. In Malaysia, English is a compulsary subject in Malaysian schools.

English is regarded as an international language used both globally and locally.

English, which functions as the second language in Malaysia, has been widely utilised as a means of interaction in various fields particularly in education.


Besides, extensive reading plays an essential role in reading strategy use and the improvement of students' reading comprehension. The findings of the interviews imply students' initiatives to read English reading materials which are not solely for academic purposes but also reading for general knowledge. The students not only read academic materials but also magazines, comics and newspapers. Thus, language teachers can establish a class library programme by which students can easily gain access to a variety of interesting English reading materials [4] .

Thus, language teachers can establish a class library programme by which students can easily gain access to a variety of interesting English reading materials.


Throughout this study, there have been various reported reading strategies employed by the students in reading comprehension. It is important that language teachers should be made aware that reading strategies are important for students' language learning, and thus students should be exposed to various types of reading strategies that can be practically used in reading. This is also prevalent in the literature which asserted that it is more effective for students to reach their learning goals if they have a higher frequency of employing a variety of strategies in their reading process [18] , [19] .

This is also prevalent in the literature which asserted that it is more effective for students to reach their learning goals if they have a higher frequency of employing a variety of strategies in their reading process.


As reading strategies are part of the research field of language learning strategies, the findings of the present study echoed Mohamed Amin Embi's emphasis on autonomous language learning, extensive reading, and the incorporation of English media in language learning [4] . It is important that teachers should be aware of the need to delegate more responsibility to the students in their reading strategy use and think of feasible ways to help students become autonomous learners. In the present study, most of the reported reading If teachers can make students responsible for their own learning, then they can entrust the students with the responsibility of practising various reading strategies outside the classroom. The approaches to promoting autonomy may draw attention to the utilisation of technology or other resources, the learners themselves or decision-making in the learning context [20] .

As reading strategies are part of the research field of language learning strategies, the findings of the present study echoed Mohamed Amin Embi's emphasis on autonomous language learning, extensive reading, and the incorporation of English media in language learning.

The approaches to promoting autonomy may draw attention to the utilisation of technology or other resources, the learners themselves or decision-making in the learning context.


In this present study, it is worth noting that students with mixed abilities use different reading strategies to understand a reading text. The integration of reading strategy instruction in the language curriculum is important to promote reading proficiency among second language learners of differing abilities [9] . Thus, teachers need to be more flexible in their pedagogical selection and incorporate various reading strategies in the language classroom so that students will be able to identify and draw upon particular strategies relevant to their reading purposes and task requirements.

The integration of reading strategy instruction in the language curriculum is important to promote reading proficiency among second language learners of differing abilities.


Equally important, the role of English media such as the Internet need to be emphasised in English reading lessons as it is a useful source of input to the learning of English language. The present study reports the use of the Internet aids students' reading comprehension as they able to find unknown words and phrases easily. The findings of the interviews is strengthened by Mohamed Amin Embi's assertion that language teachers need to think of ways to utilise the English media in language learning [4] . One possible way is to establish a computer lab where Internet-based reading lessons can be conducted efficiently. Hsieh and Dwyer's study asserted that web-based or online learning environments can be established with the integration of reading strategy use to cater to students' distinct learning styles for processing information [21] .

The findings of the interviews is strengthened by Mohamed Amin Embi's assertion that language teachers need to think of ways to utilise the English media in language learning.

Hsieh and Dwyer's study asserted that web-based or online learning environments can be established with the integration of reading strategy use to cater to students' distinct learning styles for processing information.


It is possible that dairy cows calved in the period from December to February would reach a higher average production during lactation, particularly due to an effect of a higher persistency of the lactation curve. The most favorable persistency of the lactation curve is in dairy cows calving in January and February, i.e. during a subsequent prolongation of daylight. The least favorable periods of calving as regards milk production are from June to August. Daily light has also been found to impact dry cows (Dahl et al., 2000) . Short-day light hours during the dry period probably make cows more responsive to the positive influence of longer daylight once they calve.

Daily light has also been found to impact dry cows.


Effects of the sire were expressed for ADG from birth to weaning, contents of fat, protein, and TS. The genetic and environmental influences of sire on milk production are known and have been well documented (Hayes et al., 2003) . The sire lineage influences a large part of the population so its genetic qualities are effective as a stabilization factor.

The genetic and environmental influences of sire on milk production are known and have been well documented.


It was apparent from the feedback that the effectiveness of one to one or group mentoring was reliant on the commitment of either the students or mentors, or both, rather than the dynamic of the partnership. Some mentors have asked for extra students in 2005, while others have requested one to one. In addition, some students felt that they would have preferred a group, while others found the logistics of groups quite difficult. A choice will therefore continue to be offered. However, where possible, students will be in groups of two rather than three to assist in planning meetings. Revised student application forms will place a greater emphasis on student commitment and this will be used in the selection process in 2005 (Everist, 2004) . The University's commitment to the CMC program was underscored by the Vice-Chancellor's launch of the 2005 program.

Revised student application forms will place a greater emphasis on student commitment and this will be used in the selection process in 2005.


Hens fed supplementation with 1000 mg of digestible arginine (Table 6 ) showed higher nitrogen balance in g, in percentage, and per egg mass when 900 mg of digestible lysine were used (P<0.05). The same was not seen for the other supplementation levels of arginine/kg of the diet. Increase of arginine in the diet with 700 mg of digestible nitrogen intake (P<0.05), for supplementation levels of digestible arginine in a diet with 700 mg of digestible lysine/kg. There was a peak at the level of 871 mg of digestible arginine. Positive linear effect (P<0.05) was observed for hens fed 900 mg of digestible lysine/kg of diet. The same was not observed for nitrogen excretion. Adding arginine when using 900 mg of digestible lysine resulted in an increase of nitrogen intake, but with no changes in nitrogen excretion. This result may be related to a greater biosynthesis of the nitric oxide, which is an arginine precursor (Bacila, 2003) .

This result may be related to a greater biosynthesis of the nitric oxide, which is an arginine precursor.


There is evidence of considerable antagonism between arginine and lysine (Austic & Scott, 1975) . One reason for this antagonism is the urinary losses of arginine, caused by the lysine competition for urinary tubular reabsorption (Macari et al., 2002) . Because of this, it is important to find the correct adjustment of amino acid ratios for the development of ideal protein formulas, and the achievement of the best production efficiency (Gadelha et al., 2003; Silva et al., 2005) .

There is evidence of considerable antagonism between arginine and lysine.

One reason for this antagonism is the urinary losses of arginine, caused by the lysine competition for urinary tubular reabsorption.

Because of this, it is important to find the correct adjustment of amino acid ratios for the development of ideal protein formulas, and the achievement of the best production efficiency.


The problems can be taken on two levels. There are the concerns of economists over such things as the use of statistical techniques, cross validation, incentive compatible mechanisms, strategic behaviour, information provision, survey design and treatment of different bid categories (Spash, 2008a) . Then there are the concerns of political scientists, applied philosophers and heterodox economists, amongst others, over the role and meaning of the mainstream economic approach. Thus, Holland (1997: 484) notes the difference between internal critiques, where refinements and scientific advance are assumed an adequate response, and principled arguments, which point toward the need for alternative approaches. He identifies six principled arguments in the literature which question the applicability of environmental cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and stated preferences in particular: (i) a variety of ethical commitments exist which cannot be made commensurable; (ii) methodological individualism inadequately addresses the collective values which constitute environmental goods and bads; (iii) the market approach to value elicitation is incapable of recognising certain values and precludes their expression; (iv) social context is inadequately addressed because the method is too abstract; (v) the process of economic valuation suppresses articulation and active thinking by assuming values are pre-formed; (vi) environmental values falling within the domain of political action are inappropriately addressed as preferences.

There are the concerns of economists over such things as the use of statistical techniques, cross validation, incentive compatible mechanisms, strategic behaviour, information provision, survey design and treatment of different bid categories.


Leishmania species vary in sensitivity to available drugs [20] . Current choice of treatment is mainly based on the region where the infection was acquired and on the local experience with treatment. Molecular species identification makes species-directed treatment possible [17] .

Leishmania species vary in sensitivity to available drugs.

Molecular species identification makes species-directed treatment possible.


One possible explanation for the different results between the university and nurse samples with regard to work and family lives comes down to the nature of their jobs (Kossek, Baltes, & Matthews, 2011) . For example, university staff has more flexible work arrangements and, as they rely on information technology to get a lot of their work done, they can do this remotely. This simultaneously gives them more freedom with work schedules, but also encourages the blurring of work and family boundaries. Meanwhile, as most nurses are required to work in physical proximity to their patients, and in shifts which strictly delineate worktimes, family demands must wait.

One possible explanation for the different results between the university and nurse samples with regard to work and family lives comes down to the nature of their jobs.


Quorum sensing (QS) is a phenomenon of microbial communication and regulation of gene expression. From the 1960's it is known that unicellular microorganisms do not live isolated in their environment, but there is a communication between single cells that allows the population to coordinate their behavior [1] . This sophisticated cell to cell signaling is mediated by small diffusible molecules produced by the microbial population, which accumulate throughout the microbial growth and act as "autoinducers" [2] . Each individual cell senses the concentration of QS molecules (QSM) present in the medium. When the signal molecule reaches a threshold concentration, a number of cell density related processes are initiated [3] . Hence, microbes monitor their population density through QS mechanisms that regulate gene expression of the population in a coordinated manner.

From the 1960's it is known that unicellular microorganisms do not live isolated in their environment, but there is a communication between single cells that allows the population to coordinate their behavior.

This sophisticated cell to cell signaling is mediated by small diffusible molecules produced by the microbial population, which accumulate throughout the microbial growth and act as "autoinducers".

When the signal molecule reaches a threshold concentration, a number of cell density related processes are initiated.


Interventions, such as self support groups, could prove useful in providing social support for PD sufferers in this locality. Involvement of health professionals in such endeavours may be crucial in order to ensure that sufferers find answers to some of their questions on possible causes of the illness. In developed countries, the support of self help groups is seen as an important intervention for people with chronic illnesses [14] . In some countries, there have been a series of innovative interventions for people with chronic illnesses such as the Expert Patients Programme (EPP) [33] . However, there is debate on whether these interventions should be lay (sufferers) or expert (health professionals) led, to achieve maximum benefit [33] . Nonetheless, it is generally acknowledged that self management programmes are beneficial to chronic illnesses sufferers [14, 22, 33] .

In developed countries, the support of self help groups is seen as an important intervention for people with chronic illnesses.

In some countries, there have been a series of innovative interventions for people with chronic illnesses such as the Expert Patients Programme (EPP).

However, there is debate on whether these interventions should be lay (sufferers) or expert (health professionals) led, to achieve maximum benefit.

Nonetheless, it is generally acknowledged that self management programmes are beneficial to chronic illnesses sufferers.


Use of the weighted Sobolev space with the norm-topology instead of the weak topology has two motivations. First, because strengthening a topology makes it easier for functions to be continuous, by considering the norm-topology, which is indeed stronger than the weak topology, we do not rely on the convexity of Carathéodory integrands in proving the continuity of integral functionals, so the continuity argument becomes relatively simplified. This is due to the significant result of Carathéodory functions and Nemytskii operators provided by Krasnosel'skii [11] .

This is due to the significant result of Carathéodory functions and Nemytskii operators provided by Krasnosel'skii.


Second, we show that a recursive integrand is represented by a normal integrand under the conditions guaranteeing the existence of optimal trajectories. Therefore, the consideration of a recursive integral functional for the existence problem reduces to the consideration of a standard integral functional. We also demonstrate that if the recursive integrand satisfies convexity conditions, then the normal integrand is a convex function. These results are achieved by the application of the representation theorem in L p -spaces obtained by Buttazzo and Dal Maso [4] .

These results are achieved by the application of the representation theorem in L p -spaces obtained by Buttazzo and Dal Maso.


Let Ω be a bounded open subset of the real line and f be a Carathéodory function on Ω × R n × R n satisfying the growth condition. It is well known that the integral functional I on the Sobolev space W 1,p (Ω; R n ) defined by I (x) = Ω f (t, x(t),ẋ(t)) dt is weakly lower semicontinuous if and only if f (t, x, ·) is a convex function on R n for any (t, x) ∈ Ω × R n (see Dacorogna [8, Theorems 3.1 and 3.4] ). The equivalence between the weak lower semicontinuity of integral functionals and the convexity of Carathéodory integrands has a long history and the variants of this result, dating back to Tonelli, have been extensively studied by various authors (see the references cited in Chapters 3 and 4 of Dacorogna [8] ).

The equivalence between the weak lower semicontinuity of integral functionals and the convexity of Carathéodory integrands has a long history and the variants of this result, dating back to Tonelli, have been extensively studied by various authors (see the references cited in Chapters 3 and 4 of Dacorogna).


The reflection component of the learning model is where information is recalled, dismantled, and re-organised in an attempt to gain further understanding. When considering the facilitation of learning how to solve complex and ill-defined problems, educational methods focusing on the delivery of programmed knowledge alone are clearly insufficient. Programmed knowledge or access to this knowledge is a required pre-or co-requisite, however questioning and reflection are also integral to achieving this higher level learning. Action learning is a group based educational strategy that facilitates individual learning through engagement with group members in the solution of current, real and complex problems. The process of action learning occurs in a group called a set. Widespread current practise is to use sets of between four and seven participants (Beaty, 2003) . Sets may be led by a set adviser or -6-Journal of Technology and Science Education -https://doi.org/10.3926/jotse.224 facilitator or they may be self-facilitating. Set meetings are conducted regularly throughout the duration of the problem or project of interest to set members. This problem or project may be individual, group or organisation dictated; however it must be a real problem with which the set member is currently engaged. Also, the problem must be sufficiently complex so that it cannot be readily solved through direct application of programmed knowledge. Throughout the duration of the problem or project, set members follow the action learning cycle.

Widespread current practise is to use sets of between four and seven participants.


Students adopting this approach will tend to use surface or deep learning when it is in their best interest or when guided toward a particular approach by the teacher. The group tended to favour the surface approach as their general approach to study throughout their degree. The action learning environment encouraged these students to develop a deeper approach. Such a shift toward a deeper student learning approach has previously been demonstrated in a study of the impact of action learning environments on behavioural science students' approach to learning (Wilson & Fowler, 2005) . These changes in approach to learning were clearly evident in the present case study. Students generally felt that at the conclusion of the thesis (see Table 1 ) they were approaching their learning at a deeper level than would have been achieved without set meetings and the action learning framework.

Such a shift toward a deeper student learning approach has previously been demonstrated in a study of the impact of action learning environments on behavioural science students' approach to learning.


Since this paper deals with action learning in a research thesis situation, the widespread use of the terms action learning and action research should be addressed. Action learning and action research are based on the same learning cycle. The distinction appears to manifest in the purpose and outcomes. The intent of action learning is to improve learner understanding, the action researcher however aims to understand and implement change simultaneously (Dick, 1997) . In the specific context of the undergraduate research thesis, the set is implemented in a manner more closely resembling action learning than action research. Set members bring research projects to the set, but the intended outcome and the focus of the process is improved individual understanding of the problem and associated knowledge. Modern implementation of the action learning and research methods overlap significantly and it is argued that a distinction between the two is not worth preserving (Dick, 1997; Krogh, 2001) .

The intent of action learning is to improve learner understanding, the action researcher however aims to understand and implement change simultaneously.

Modern implementation of the action learning and research methods overlap significantly and it is argued that a distinction between the two is not worth preserving.


Ferrites are a wide range of minerals and synthetic materials, which have been used in different fields of interests for a long time. The most significant and popular usage of ferrites are in optics, electronics, mechanics and other technical fields [1] . Ferrites are also of great importance in medicine, for biomedical purposes and in chemical catalysis. More information appears about hyperthermia in scientific articles. With this method, ferrite nanoparticles are introduced into a living organism, in controlled conditions nanoparticles are transported to the cancer zones in the organism, and in a magnetic field with thermal treatment the cancer cells are eliminated [2] .

The most significant and popular usage of ferrites are in optics, electronics, mechanics and other technical fields.

With this method, ferrite nanoparticles are introduced into a living organism, in controlled conditions nanoparticles are transported to the cancer zones in the organism, and in a magnetic field with thermal treatment the cancer cells are eliminated.


In the same year, a food image recognition system that uses the multiple kernel learning method was introduced, which tested different feature extractors, and their combination, on a self-acquired dataset [6] . This proved to be a step in the right direction, as the authors achieved an accuracy of 26% to 38% for the individual features they used and an accuracy of 61.34% when these features were combined; the features include color, texture and SIFT information. Upon conducting a real-world test on 166 food images taken with mobile phones, the authors reported a lower classification accuracy of 37.35%, which was due to factors like occlusion, noise and additional items being present in the real-world images. The fact that the combination of features performed better than the individual features further hinted at the need for a more in-depth representation of the food images. Next year, the pairwise local features method, which applies the specifics of food images to their recognition, was presented [7] . This method analyzes the ingredient relations in the food image, such as the relations between bread and meat in a sandwich, by computing pairwise statistics between the local features. The authors performed an evaluation of their algorithm on the PFID dataset and achieved an accuracy of 19% to 28%, depending on which measure they employed in the pairwise local features method. However, they also noted that the dataset had narrowly-defined food classes, and after joining them into 7 classes, they reported an accuracy of 69% to 78%. This further confirmed the limitations of food image recognition approaches of that time: if a food image recognition algorithm achieved a high classification accuracy, it was only because the food classes were very general (e.g., "chicken").

In the same year, a food image recognition system that uses the multiple kernel learning method was introduced, which tested different feature extractors, and their combination, on a self-acquired dataset.

Next year, the pairwise local features method, which applies the specifics of food images to their recognition, was presented.


Along with written communication, ability to manage others and effective team leadership, public speaking has been reported by former students as essential to further career development (Zekeri, 2004) . Scholars agree that we are entering into a era where text based literacy is no longer the only measure of intelligence, nor is it the only channel of valuable communications and knowledge acquisition for today's media-centered youths (Kenny, 2011; Petit, 2007; Stephens, 1998) . The increasing familiarity of students with many forms of information technology devices in everyday life and their improved computer literacy should facilitate greater use of these technologies in cultivating students' speech skills more effectively. With the advent of the Internet, audiovisual materials tap the resources beyond classroom. Obvious advantages of the use of advanced technology include ease of accessing vast pools of data, images, sound and text. These cultural and technological changes have deep implications in learning practices and instructional practices in public speaking. Indeed, audiovisual stimulations in various forms have been successfully incorporated to speech training (Friend, Adams, & Curry, 2011; Procopio, 2011; Shih, 2010) . Specifically this research takes advantage of stimulation from video technology in course design to diagnose students' difficulty patterns in order to improve communication skills in English public speaking.

Along with written communication, ability to manage others and effective team leadership, public speaking has been reported by former students as essential to further career development.

Scholars agree that we are entering into a era where text based literacy is no longer the only measure of intelligence, nor is it the only channel of valuable communications and knowledge acquisition for today's media-centered youths.

Indeed, audiovisual stimulations in various forms have been successfully incorporated to speech training.


It is an object of the present paper to overcome the main disadvantages of current state-of-the-art polarization rotation devices and to provide an optical scheme for rotating the polarization plane of linearly polarized light that is relatively simple, compact, inexpensive and easily tunable to different rotation angles. Moreover, the device can be used in either broadband or narrowband regime. Here we report an experimental demonstration of such a device, which comprises a sequence of ordinary half-wave plates revolved at specific angles with respect to their fast-polarization axes. For the broadband regime, the design is assembled according to the recent theoretical work of Rangelov and Kyoseva [6] .

For the broadband regime, the design is assembled according to the recent theoretical work of Rangelov and Kyoseva.


To make sense of the calculation of instanton effects in a 5d theory, which is neither renormalizable nor asymptotically free, we use deconstruction as an ultraviolet definition of the theory [10, 11] . For the "moose" theory in a 5d phase, we use standard 4d instanton calculus, renormalization, and regularization of the instanton amplitude. We believe that our conclusion regarding the growth of the small instanton contribution is independent of the ultraviolet completion of the theory. The advantage of deconstruction is that it allows us to exhibit this growth in a controlled, weak coupling approximation (at finite N), while avoiding formal manipulations with the infinite KK tower.

To make sense of the calculation of instanton effects in a 5d theory, which is neither renormalizable nor asymptotically free, we use deconstruction as an ultraviolet definition of the theory.


High body mass index (BMI) results in an increased production of hormones (estrogens, insulin, leptin), and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which have, in turn, been associated with breast cancer risk [14, 15] . In fact, estrogenic stimulation promotes breast cancer pathogenesis and tumorgenesis, while insulin and leptin exhibit proliferative, mitogenic, and anti-apoptotic activities in mammary cells, thus promoting tumor growth [16] . High circulating estrogen levels are associated with increased risk of breast cancer recurrence [17, 18] .

High body mass index (BMI) results in an increased production of hormones (estrogens, insulin, leptin), and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which have, in turn, been associated with breast cancer risk.

In fact, estrogenic stimulation promotes breast cancer pathogenesis and tumorgenesis, while insulin and leptin exhibit proliferative, mitogenic, and anti-apoptotic activities in mammary cells, thus promoting tumor growth.

High circulating estrogen levels are associated with increased risk of breast cancer recurrence.


Case-control studies that have evaluated cumulative exposure to HPV16 by measuring serum anti-HPV16 L1 antibodies have been inconsistent with regard to the interaction between smoking and HPV16 serology in predicting risk for HNSCC [7] [8] [9] . Studies examining the role of HPV infection in HNSCC have found that viral presence (a marker of ongoing infection) is inversely associated with heavy alcohol and tobacco exposure [2, 6, 15] . Thus, exposure to alcohol and tobacco may play a complex role in HPV pathogenesis, potentially altering the overall immune response, including the antibody response and/or influencing tumor progression in infected individuals in a different fashion from those who have no HPV exposure or infection.

Case-control studies that have evaluated cumulative exposure to HPV16 by measuring serum anti-HPV16 L1 antibodies have been inconsistent with regard to the interaction between smoking and HPV16 serology in predicting risk for HNSCC.

Studies examining the role of HPV infection in HNSCC have found that viral presence (a marker of ongoing infection) is inversely associated with heavy alcohol and tobacco exposure.


Whyte's motivation in defining translation-like actions is that it serves as a geometric analogue of subgroup containment. Specifically, we have the following proposition whose proof is trivial. Proposition 1.2 (Whyte, [14] ). Let G be a finitely generated group and let H ≤ G. Then the natural right action of H on G is a translation-like action.

Proposition 1.2 (Whyte,).


Due to high electrical conductivity, chemically modified graphene composites have been studied for potential electronic device applications such as photovoltaic solar cells and field effect transistors [18] . Similarly, graphene composites incorporating conductive polymers have also been studied for energy storage [19] . Besides being used in devices, polymer based graphene nanocomposites are also envisioned for a wide range of chemical and biochemical sensing applications [20] . Physical and chemical properties of the graphenebased polymer nanocomposite depend on the distribution of graphene layers in the polymer matrix and the interfacial bonding between the graphene layers and polymer matrix. However, pristine graphene does not form homogeneous composites, since it is not compatible with organic polymers. On the other hand, graphene oxide (GO) sheets which are heavily oxygenated graphene are compatible with organic polymers [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] . Therefore, GO is widely used as nanofiller for polymer nanocomposites. Unlike graphene, GO is electrically insulating and therefore cannot be used for synthesizing conducting nanocomposites.

Due to high electrical conductivity, chemically modified graphene composites have been studied for potential electronic device applications such as photovoltaic solar cells and field effect transistors.

Similarly, graphene composites incorporating conductive polymers have also been studied for energy storage.

Besides being used in devices, polymer based graphene nanocomposites are also envisioned for a wide range of chemical and biochemical sensing applications.

On the other hand, graphene oxide (GO) sheets which are heavily oxygenated graphene are compatible with organic polymers.


GO/CH nanocomposite films containing chitosan were recently prepared via solution mixing (i.e., sonochemical method) for use in electrochemical biosensors [34] . Presence of GO revealed improved thermal stability, increased glass transition temperature, and storage modulus of the GO/CH nanocomposite film. Cyclic voltammetric experiment showed that the GO/CH modified electrode exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity than neat CH. The GO/CH composite suspension yields a suspension with a zeta potential of ∼51 mV due to strong ionic interactions between positively charged CH and negatively charged GO. It is important to note that this suspension with zeta potential higher than 30 mV is considered to be stable [35] . Homogeneous GO/CH suspensions are prepared by adding GO to the solution of chitosan [36] . The GO/CH composite film is formed by electrodeposition on the surface of the cathode [37] .

GO/CH nanocomposite films containing chitosan were recently prepared via solution mixing (i.e., sonochemical method) for use in electrochemical biosensors.

It is important to note that this suspension with zeta potential higher than 30 mV is considered to be stable.

Homogeneous GO/CH suspensions are prepared by adding GO to the solution of chitosan.

The GO/CH composite film is formed by electrodeposition on the surface of the cathode.


Although there are techniques compensating for respiratory motion during RT and delivering RT during one specific moment of the respiratory cycle, the optimal moment for delivering RT remains unknown and controversial. Irradiation during deep inspiratory breath hold (DIBH) is considered by some to have dosimetric advantages in terms of lung sparing through the inspiratory expansion of the healthy lung tissue [12, 13] . However, DIBH may not be feasible in patients with compromised pulmonary function. On the other hand, end-expiration is considered to be more reliable by others because it is longer and more reproducible than end-inspiration [14] .

Irradiation during deep inspiratory breath hold (DIBH) is considered by some to have dosimetric advantages in terms of lung sparing through the inspiratory expansion of the healthy lung tissue.

On the other hand, end-expiration is considered to be more reliable by others because it is longer and more reproducible than end-inspiration.


The lack of human connection in internet-based courses is a major factor leading to low retention rates [15, 21, 22, 24] . The sense of isolation was minimized in our training program due to various factors. As participants were nominated by the national health authorities in selected areas of their countries, workers from the same region participating in the training program formed small clusters of participants that could work together face-to-face and motivate each other. In-country tutors maintained the human connection with their assigned participants by being in constant contact with them by phone, e-mail, or internet and some even organized small face-to-face study groups for their participants. Additionally, partnering with local government and health ministry representatives provided an extra mechanism to reach out to participants when tutors were unable to obtain a response from the participants. The addition of tutors in the program to support the participants was an essential factor to the success of the program. A recurrent theme that emerged from focus group conversations and open ended feedback questions was the importance of the tutors in facilitating the course. The tutors served as mentors and advocates, ensuring completion of assignments according to schedule, identifying barriers to completion due to knowledge gaps, lack of connectivity, or limited computer literacy, and bridging the communication between participants and course coordinators. They also initiated discussions with their participants to relate the course material to their practices and clinics, and assisted them in developing feasible intervention action projects to complete the program.

The lack of human connection in internet-based courses is a major factor leading to low retention rates.


Throughout the process of developing and implementing this training program, our multi-partner team learned several important lessons. Although technology was a useful tool to reach the most underserved areas, it was also a bigger barrier than expected [15, 26] . While reliable internet connectivity was an obstacle, content on the CD-ROMS allowed participants to continue their coursework with limited access to the internet. Additionally, our program specifically targeted HCWs in the trenches of care in resource-limited settings, who are often excluded from multinational training initiatives. Because of the emphasis in reaching HCW working in underserved areas, computer literacy was intentionally not taken into consideration in participant selection. In such a scenario, the tutors became of paramount importance, teaching highly motivated participants how to enter the online classroom and perform the basic functions of uploading and downloading files, email, and discussion forums. As such, an unanticipated benefit of the program was the reported improvements in computer literacy gained by the participants as a result of the program (Table 2) .

Although technology was a useful tool to reach the most underserved areas, it was also a bigger barrier than expected.


Innovation is often a source of value creation and competitiveness (Schumpeter, 1934) . In today's electronics industry, innovation is carried out by various value chain participants, including lead firms, contract manufacturers (CMs) and component suppliers. These diverse companies often cross national borders and form global production networks (or value chains). These firms are independent organizations, working closely to leverage local knowledge into commercial success. Value created from innovation in the global electronics industry is distributed not only to the lead firm, but also to partners in the firm's supply chain . While most core technological innovations are done by component suppliers upstream in the industry, lead firms innovate by identifying new product markets and designing products that incorporate new technologies to serve those markets.

Innovation is often a source of value creation and competitiveness.


The diurnal walking transect surveys, as part of the ecological monitoring program of STINASU, recorded 33 species of mammals during 689 encounters (Fitzgerald 2003) . This method focused on larger mammals (>1 kg) and included two species of opossum, four pilosans, two armadillos, eight monkeys, eight carnivores, five ungulates, and four rodents (Appendix 1; Table 2 ). No small mammals, such as bats or small rodents, were observed. Remote camera photo-trapping documented 19 mammal species, which were represented by three armadillos, six carnivores, two opossum, four ungulates, and four rodents (Appendix 1). The cameras did not record any bats, small rodents, or rabbits. All of the species recorded by the tran- sect surveys and photo-trapping also were documented by at least one of the other methods, but they were important in that they confirmed the presence of six large species of mammals noted by the interviewees (Table 1) .

The diurnal walking transect surveys, as part of the ecological monitoring program of STINASU, recorded 33 species of mammals during 689 encounters.


The first study of combustion of an inorganic gellant fuel was conducted by Nachmoni and Natan [6, 7] . Then, Arnold and Anderson studied the combustion process of inorganic silica gallant, JP-8-based gelled fuels droplets [8, 9] . The experiments showed that the gelling agent had a considerable influence on the typical d 2 -law; a higher amount of gellant agent led to a reduced burning rate, and the droplet size as well as the droplet temperature during combustion depended strongly on the consistency of the gels.

The first study of combustion of an inorganic gellant fuel was conducted by Nachmoni and Natan.

Then, Arnold and Anderson studied the combustion process of inorganic silica gallant, JP-8-based gelled fuels droplets.


A model that can simulate the dynamics of an UC with high precision is vital for energy management design in electric vehicles equipped with UCs or HESSs. The modeling of UCs has a rich history. This research can be generally grouped into three categories: electrochemical models, artificial neural networks (ANNs), and equivalent circuit models. Electrochemical models are developed from first principles and depict the real physical-chemical reactions within an ultracapacitor utilizing partial differential equations [14, 15] . They are suitable for providing insights into the distributed physical-electrochemical reactions and for related ultracapacitor design/synthesis purposes. However, the large number of model parameters and the inaccessibility of these parameters in terms of the measurability deter their usage for real-time management and power control design. ANN-based models can accurately describe the transient behavior of energy storage units such as batteries and UCs, as long as the model has been well trained beforehand [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] . However, the training process may be time-consuming and require a considerable quantity of training data. Furthermore, the model should be retrained if the real characteristics of the UC drift significantly with aging. Therefore, the above mentioned causes make ANN-based models unsuitable for online energy management implementation.

The modeling of UCs has a rich history.

Electrochemical models are developed from first principles and depict the real physical-chemical reactions within an ultracapacitor utilizing partial differential equations.

ANN-based models can accurately describe the transient behavior of energy storage units such as batteries and UCs, as long as the model has been well trained beforehand.


Ultracapacitors, also known as supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors, have high power density, low internal resistance, high efficiency, and exceedingly long cycle life, while possessing the merits of wide operating temperature range and fast charging [9, 10] . However, their drawbacks, such as low energy density and relative high price, limit the possibility of deploying UCs as the single energy storage for electric vehicles. At present, rechargeable batteries, especially Li-ion batteries, are commonly used for energy storage in electric vehicles since they have a much higher energy density in comparison to UCs. Nevertheless, their cycle-life expectancy is still far less than can be expected in the ideal case, and they are highly sensitive to the charging/discharging current rate and the operating temperature. Therefore, one promising alternative is to combine UCs and batteries to constitute a hybrid energy storage system (HESS) with synergistically improved performance [4, [11] [12] [13] .

Ultracapacitors, also known as supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors, have high power density, low internal resistance, high efficiency, and exceedingly long cycle life, while possessing the merits of wide operating temperature range and fast charging.

Therefore, one promising alternative is to combine UCs and batteries to constitute a hybrid energy storage system (HESS) with synergistically improved performance.


The Al 2 O 3 coatings are typically sprayed with plasma torch, which is capable of melting generally any material with sufficient difference between the material's melting and vaporization (or decomposition) temperature [11] . The particle size distribution of oxide ceramic powders used in conventional plasma spraying is often +45-22 μm. Plasma formation related arc fluctuation and different particle sizes combined with radial powder feeding result in wide range of particle trajectories and thermal histories. This scattering causes defects in the coating structure, e.g., partially molten particles, unmolten particles, and related porosity. One approach to improve the Al 2 O 3 coatings has been the use of high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) spray process, which is based on combustion of oxygen and fuel gas or liquid. The melting temperature of Al 2 O 3 is 2040 °C, which makes it possible to be sprayed also by combustion based spray processes, e.g., flame spraying and HVOF spraying [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] . Maximum flame temperatures between 2828 and 3160 °C can be achieved depending on the used fuel gas [17] . Very dense coatings can be produced by HVOF spray processes compared to plasma-sprayed coatings due to the higher particle velocity. In general, smaller particle size is necessary for sufficient melting of the particles in the HVOF process compared to plasma spraying. The melting and deposition efficiency of HVOF-sprayed ceramics have been regarded as low, but this has been overcome by the use of ethylene as the fuel gas [17] . The requirement for spraying Al 2 O 3 , and other ceramics, with HVOF processes, is the sufficient particle flight time and heating from the powder injection to the point where the gas jet temperature drops below the particle temperature. This has been achieved by using HVOF torches with the powder injection located in the combustion chamber [2] .

The Al 2 O 3 coatings are typically sprayed with plasma torch, which is capable of melting generally any material with sufficient difference between the material's melting and vaporization (or decomposition) temperature.

The melting temperature of Al 2 O 3 is 2040 °C, which makes it possible to be sprayed also by combustion based spray processes, e.g., flame spraying and HVOF spraying.

Maximum flame temperatures between 2828 and 3160 °C can be achieved depending on the used fuel gas.

The melting and deposition efficiency of HVOF-sprayed ceramics have been regarded as low, but this has been overcome by the use of ethylene as the fuel gas.

This has been achieved by using HVOF torches with the powder injection located in the combustion chamber.


The complications seem to be associated with the duration of the ablation. The pancreas is very thermosensitive biological tissue and the thermal ablation of normal pancreas leads to an inflammatory response with edema and fibrotic and sometimes cystic transformation [4] . A major risk of massive necrosis seems to be related to multiple ablations that are in close proximity during the same treatment [5, 9] .

The pancreas is very thermosensitive biological tissue and the thermal ablation of normal pancreas leads to an inflammatory response with edema and fibrotic and sometimes cystic transformation.

A major risk of massive necrosis seems to be related to multiple ablations that are in close proximity during the same treatment.


Satellite tagging studies provide critical data, which often cannot be obtained in any other manner, on the movements, habitat use, and life history of many free-ranging wildlife species [4, 21] . These data are particularly important to the conservation and management of species such as polar bears that are experiencing rapid environmental change. Diagnosing tag performance and retention is necessary to improve the transmitter technology and attachment systems [3] . In the present study, the performance of ear-mounted PTTs designed for polar bears was poorer than the theoretical life time of batteries and the assumed total number of transmission specified by the manufacturer. Factors accounting for this performance may be grouped into three categories: (1) loss of the PTT from the bear, (2) antenna failure, and (3) battery life. We evaluated the functional longevity of ear-mounted PTT tags, defined as the number of days that tags provided location data while attached to bears. The mean functional longevity of 56.8 and 48.6 days for the SPOT-227 and the SPOT-305A PTTs, respectively, was too low for ecological studies that require data on the movement of individual animals across seasons or years. A drop in temperature before the tag stopped transmitting was observed in 24% of PTTs. This suggests that some PTTs were dropped from the bears and continued to transmit from the ground or sea ice. Differences in PTT functional longevity between age groups might indicate that PTTs on subadult bears, which have smaller ears, had a tendency to fail earlier than those deployed on larger bears. This suggests that larger tag-to-ear size ratios might be associated with reduced PTT attachment times, which emphasizes the importance of developing smaller tags. However, shorter functional longevity in subadults than in adults could also be related to differences in behavior.

Satellite tagging studies provide critical data, which often cannot be obtained in any other manner, on the movements, habitat use, and life history of many free-ranging wildlife species.

Diagnosing tag performance and retention is necessary to improve the transmitter technology and attachment systems.


Several studies have suggested that the risk of adverse events increases with longer waiting times [25, 35] . However, other studies have contradicted this finding and reported that rates of death were particularly high within the first weeks on the wait list for patients awaiting CABG. Morgan and co-authors reported that death rates were highest in the first 2 weeks and occurred randomly thereafter [18] . We found that there was no correlation between the average waiting times and death rates per study. However, the cumulative risk of an adverse event for a certain patient does increase with longer waiting times.

Several studies have suggested that the risk of adverse events increases with longer waiting times.

Morgan and co-authors reported that death rates were highest in the first 2 weeks and occurred randomly thereafter.


Physiologically feasible models exist for obtaining squares of linear combinations of inputs and have been used to construct physiologically plausible versions of the Reichardt and Motion Energy models using only rectification and summation (Emerson et al., 1992) . If one removes the delay stage from these models measures like the Allan Variance can be obtained (see below). Moreover, these models get rid of unwanted products (as occurs in the case of (a+ b+c +d) 4 above), and so there may be less need for gain control to prevent saturation. So, for 2 pixels a, b two squares are computed (Fig. 17) and differenced: (a + b) 2 − (a− b) 2 = 4ab, thus eliminating the self quadratic terms in a 2 and b 2 . Cascading this type of operation, and introducing two other pixels c and d, we obtain: (ab+ cd) 2 − (ab− cd) 2 = 4abcd, a pure four point correlation without other products to cause saturation problems for any neuron. If ab and cd are replaced with averages of similar products form nearby locations, a i b i and c i d i , and a to d are differences from mean pixels outputs (contrasts) then we essentially have the models used here that are based on quadratic interactions between local variances. The present models, being cascades of two quadratic stages of processing, also resemble some models for non-Fourier motion detection (Zanker, 1996) .

Physiologically feasible models exist for obtaining squares of linear combinations of inputs and have been used to construct physiologically plausible versions of the Reichardt and Motion Energy models using only rectification and summation.

The present models, being cascades of two quadratic stages of processing, also resemble some models for non-Fourier motion detection.


In parallel to the development of nitride materials and devices, tremendous progress has been made in organic optoelectronic materials such as conjugated light-emitting polymers (LEPs). These low-cost organic materials can be easily processed from solution and can be molecularly engineered to emit at different wavelengths [10] . Therefore, conjugated LEPs are a suitable class of materials for AlInGaN LED luminescence down conversion [11] . The benefits of combining organic conjugated materials with nitride LED excitation have been identified recently. It is anticipated that hybrid (organic/nitride) micro-structured LED devices will take full advantage of the optical and electronic properties of both organic and nitride materials and offer a promising route to development of a range of low-cost and highly efficient microlight sources.

These low-cost organic materials can be easily processed from solution and can be molecularly engineered to emit at different wavelengths.

Therefore, conjugated LEPs are a suitable class of materials for AlInGaN LED luminescence down conversion.


In this paper, we investigate the mechanisms by which geometrically optimized bumps, placed on the rear end of the cabin roof of a generic truck, reduce aerodynamic drag. These devices are expected to deflect the flow behind the cabin back slightly downward, eventually displacing the flow attachment over the tailgate which may lead to improvement in the pressure coefficient over the cabin back and the outside surface of the tailgate similar to that of the cabin flap [6] . Unfortunately, these devices may generate additional drag which could otherwise raise the overall drag coefficient of the vehicle. Accordingly, careful design, location, and multiplicity must be adequately selected for maximum improvement in drag reduction.

These devices are expected to deflect the flow behind the cabin back slightly downward, eventually displacing the flow attachment over the tailgate which may lead to improvement in the pressure coefficient over the cabin back and the outside surface of the tailgate similar to that of the cabin flap.


Organisms have self defense mechanisms to protect themselves from the free radicals attack such as preventive antioxidant system that reduces the rate of free radical formation, and another is system to produce chain-breaking antioxidants that scavenge and stabilize free radicals. If free radical production rate exceeds the normal capacity of the antioxidant defense mechanisms, substantial tissue injury results (Rahman and Moon, 2007) . Continuous exposure to chemicals and contaminants may lead to an increase in the amount of free radicals (HO •, O   2 •-, NO•) in the body beyond its capacity to control them and may lead to irreversible oxidative damage which includes biological damage, DNA damage, diabetes, respiratory tract disorders, carcinogenesis and cellular degeneration related to aging (Anderson et al., 2000; Tseng et al., 1997) . In recent years the interest in natural antioxidants, especially of plant origin, has greatly increased as the possibility of toxicity of synthetic antioxidants (Jayaprakash and Rao, 2000) .

If free radical production rate exceeds the normal capacity of the antioxidant defense mechanisms, substantial tissue injury results.

Continuous exposure to chemicals and contaminants may lead to an increase in the amount of free radicals (HO •, O   2 •-, NO•) in the body beyond its capacity to control them and may lead to irreversible oxidative damage which includes biological damage, DNA damage, diabetes, respiratory tract disorders, carcinogenesis and cellular degeneration related to aging.

In recent years the interest in natural antioxidants, especially of plant origin, has greatly increased as the possibility of toxicity of synthetic antioxidants.


With the overwhelming popularity of Web2.0, electronic word-of-mouth transforms into a new, mostly free-of-charge opinion data wherein users present opinions and experiences to a wide public. This revolution has converted passive information users into actors as they create the content of the web themselves. As a result, consumers' interconnections through blogs, online forums, newsgroups, and consumers' reviews become a global phenomenon that facilitates the dissemination of both positive and negative word-of-mouth [1] . Existing literature shows that positive word-of-mouth helps to improve consumers' satisfaction, trust, and loyalty [2] . However, negative word-of-mouth reduces consumers' loyalty and patronage [3] . Electronic word-of-mouth resulted in a generation of sophisticated and knowledgeable shoppers [4] . Therefore, consumers and enterprises acquire online reviews to adapt purchase intentions and business models and reorganize and prepare future plans [5] .

As a result, consumers' interconnections through blogs, online forums, newsgroups, and consumers' reviews become a global phenomenon that facilitates the dissemination of both positive and negative word-of-mouth.

Existing literature shows that positive word-of-mouth helps to improve consumers' satisfaction, trust, and loyalty.

However, negative word-of-mouth reduces consumers' loyalty and patronage.

Electronic word-of-mouth resulted in a generation of sophisticated and knowledgeable shoppers.

Therefore, consumers and enterprises acquire online reviews to adapt purchase intentions and business models and reorganize and prepare future plans.


A synchronized mechanism that enables a system to maintain a desired dynamical behavior (the goal or target) even when intrinsically chaotic has many applications ranging from biology to engineering [1] [2] [3] [4] . Thus, it is of considerable interest and potential utility to devise control techniques capable of achieving the desired type of behavior in nonlinear and chaotic systems. Many approaches have been presented for the synchronization of chaotic systems [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] . There are a chaotic master system and either an identical or a different slave system. Our goal is the synchronization of the chaotic master and the chaotic slave by coupling or by other methods.

A synchronized mechanism that enables a system to maintain a desired dynamical behavior (the goal or target) even when intrinsically chaotic has many applications ranging from biology to engineering.

Many approaches have been presented for the synchronization of chaotic systems.


Few years ago, we have determined the central thickness of contact lenses set in air by a low coherence interferometry setup. More recently, by the same method we have demonstrated the possibility to detect buried interfaces due to surgery in rabbit cornea [9] . This detection ability is strongly linked to the interfaces reflectivity and then to the surrounding medium of the sample. The present work aims to measure the relative interfaces reflectivity of a contact lens immersed in different surrounding media in order to determine the limit of detection of our system. Indeed, the sensitivity of the set-up is a key to improve the performances of our measurements.

More recently, by the same method we have demonstrated the possibility to detect buried interfaces due to surgery in rabbit cornea.


Since semiconductor technology advances continually, electrostatic discharge (ESD) issue has been a serious reliability problem for semiconductor components and systems. An NMOSFET has been the most popular ESD protection candidate long time ago. However, the ESD capability of the NMOS device encountered more challenges long time ago [1] [2] [3] . A gate-grounded NMOS (GGNMOS) can no longer fulfill the ESD protection mission easily. NMOS protection devices usually require their large width size to sustain ESD stress. This results in multifinger layout style commonly seen in practical IC I/O area. But it has a serious issue which is vulnerable to the ESD protection requirement. The conduction current is nonuniformly distributed along the width direction of the multifingers usually. Gate-coupling technique using the property that increases the gate bias can reduce the first trigger point of the NMOS device and enable uniform ESD current distribution [4] [5] [6] . However, it still has gate overdriven effect if the gate voltage coupled is much larger than its threshold voltage, and this leads to ESD degradation after all [7] [8] [9] . Substrate triggering and substrate-gate cotriggering techniques have also been developed to improve the gate driven weakness [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] . A simplest way to relieve the nonuniform current problem is to add substrate pickup diffusion inserted or butting into the source regions of the NMOS devices as in Figures 1(a) and 1(b). Unfortunately, substrate pickups butting or inserted in the source region still damage ESD reliability seriously beyond deep submicrometer technology. Such layout style has been strictly prohibited in practical ESD design applications by the technology design rules until now. This ESD degradation is mainly owing to the bypass and shortening of the effective substrate resistance by the butting/inserted action.

However, the ESD capability of the NMOS device encountered more challenges long time ago.

Gate-coupling technique using the property that increases the gate bias can reduce the first trigger point of the NMOS device and enable uniform ESD current distribution.

However, it still has gate overdriven effect if the gate voltage coupled is much larger than its threshold voltage, and this leads to ESD degradation after all.

Substrate triggering and substrate-gate cotriggering techniques have also been developed to improve the gate driven weakness.


Antimicrobials are critical in the treatment of bacterial infections. A drastic decrease in the mortality and morbidity resulting from the use of antimicrobials during 1980s led to complacence among the medical fraternity [6] . The result was misuse and inappropriate use of antimicrobials, with emphasis on curative medicines at the cost of disease preventable measures, leading to the emergence of bacterial resistance [7] .

A drastic decrease in the mortality and morbidity resulting from the use of antimicrobials during 1980s led to complacence among the medical fraternity.

The result was misuse and inappropriate use of antimicrobials, with emphasis on curative medicines at the cost of disease preventable measures, leading to the emergence of bacterial resistance.


Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) has been cultivated for about 5000 years and its vegetative propagation has favoured widespread diffusion of many cultivars around the world, generating numerous synonymies and homonymies. This sort of propagation, together with the sole use of a few cultivars allowed by the different Designations of Origin (D.O.) has led to a substantial decrease in grapevine diversity. In addition, the phylloxera attack suffered in the 19th century along with diseases like downy and powdery mildew have also contributed to this genetic erosion . In Spain, the pulling-up of around 349,000 ha in recent years, due to a restructuration process, and vineyard replanting are causing the disappearance of old vineyards, where the greatest amount of cultivar variability is present. Furthermore, very many autochthonous cultivars are in danger of extinction, despite playing an important role in the diversification of wines (Cabello, 2004) . With the aim of preserving grapevine phytogenetic resources, numerous studies on the surveying, localization, characterization and maintaining of cultivars in germplasm banks are being carried out worldwide (Aradhya et al., 2003; Halász et al., 2005; Heuertz et al., 2008; Leão et al., 2009; Maletic et al., 1999) . A pool of genes of agronomical and enological potential will thus be available for grapevine genetic improvement programs (Bautista et al., 2008) .

Furthermore, very many autochthonous cultivars are in danger of extinction, despite playing an important role in the diversification of wines.

With the aim of preserving grapevine phytogenetic resources, numerous studies on the surveying, localization, characterization and maintaining of cultivars in germplasm banks are being carried out worldwide.

A pool of genes of agronomical and enological potential will thus be available for grapevine genetic improvement programs.


It is more pronounced in the light attenuation signal compared to the signals derived from variance. This finding is an indication of a superficial origin of the triangular-shaped signal component, having in mind that the depth sensitivity profile for variance peaks at a larger depth compared to the integral [3, 4] . None of the physiological signals shown in Fig. 2 HbO, as expected. An interesting behavior can be observed for heart rate. The correlation is high only for the word-CPT task, the superficial light attenuation signal and HbO. The HbR signal from the variance is uncorrelated. The respiration signal shows low correlation for the superficial light attenuation signal and none for the variance signal. The RBC signal shows no correlation at all. Altogether the results indicate a complex interplay of systemic physiological signals with the hemoglobin concentration changes. The highest and most stable effects seem to come from the mean blood pressure and galvanic skin response confirming sympathetic and parasympathetic influences. The heart rate shows a selective and task-dependent behavior.

This finding is an indication of a superficial origin of the triangular-shaped signal component, having in mind that the depth sensitivity profile for variance peaks at a larger depth compared to the integral.


In this paper we focus on the listener's behaviour and in particular on the signals that an interlocutor can emit while listening. In human-human communications interlocutors provide responses to show their participation in the interaction, to push it forward and make the speaker go on [2, 32, 44] . Similarly, in user-ECA interactions, agents must not freeze while the user is speaking since the absence of the appropriate behaviour would deteriorate the quality of the interaction. We answer the challenge of improving agent's animations by introducing a new listener model that computes the behaviour of an agent while listening to the user. Its novelty lies in the integration of several modalities (acoustic, hand and face movements) with an on-line computation of behaviour to be generated in accordance with the agent's personality traits.

In human-human communications interlocutors provide responses to show their participation in the interaction, to push it forward and make the speaker go on.


One of the major challenges in the control of any wind turbine lies in the wide range of wind speeds that occurs as the weather changes. Large wind farms choose their location carefully to reduce this influence, also aggregating complex turbine control and/or power interface systems that match the turbine operating condition according to the available wind speed to maximise the extraction of energy. Unfortunately, this is not adequate for low power turbines, because the installation site is usually determined by factors other than the wind profile, the generators are usually of permanent magnet synchronous type with fixed electrical characteristics, and cost and reliability are always a major constraint for low power renewable systems [1] .

Unfortunately, this is not adequate for low power turbines, because the installation site is usually determined by factors other than the wind profile, the generators are usually of permanent magnet synchronous type with fixed electrical characteristics, and cost and reliability are always a major constraint for low power renewable systems.


Citizens are paying taxes to governments and they expect to benefit from cost effective and efficient service with the highest quality, competitive with private organizations. The procedure of implementing eGovernment (eGov) provides an excellent opportunity for political commitment to develop good governance and transform public administration, revolutionizing the traditional concepts of a brick and mortar government service system. A reformation of public administration which resulted from the application of information and communication technology (ICT) in the core design of public administration can achieve the most impact by fulfilling the requirements of major stakeholders. This paper provides a related design that conceptualizes the service quality requirements of citizens, as the primary government stakeholders, to develop an efficient and effective public administration system that is initiated by the adoption and application of ICT to implement eGov. Several researchers have conducted empirical studies to conceptualize service quality of E-commerce as mentioned in Appendix A (Table 1) ; however hardly any researchers have attempted to explore citizen perceptions of service quality for eGov (Connolly et al., 2010) . The fundamental reason for this research gap appears to be due to the non-commercial nature of government service portals. It is widely perceived that public administration reformation through eGov is enthusiastically engaged in satisfying citizens and not customers (Mares et al., 2010; Shareef et al., 2012) . But the concept of "reinventing government" has dramatically changed. Now the radicalization of turbulent doctrines of public administration reformation through eGov has resulted in a concensus that the consumer nature of citizens in eGov must ensure top quality service (Moe, 1994; Mosser, 2009; Pierre, 2009) . Understanding the needfor overarching requirements in formulation of service quality to fill significant gaps in the literature has motivated this paper in conceptualizing service quality perception of citizens for eGov. The objective of the paper is to show how to facilitate public administration review and reformation so as to provide higher quality government services for citizens through eGov.

Several researchers have conducted empirical studies to conceptualize service quality of E-commerce as mentioned in Appendix A (Table 1) ; however hardly any researchers have attempted to explore citizen perceptions of service quality for eGov.

It is widely perceived that public administration reformation through eGov is enthusiastically engaged in satisfying citizens and not customers.

Now the radicalization of turbulent doctrines of public administration reformation through eGov has resulted in a concensus that the consumer nature of citizens in eGov must ensure top quality service.


Any change in climate will have implications for climate-sensitive systems such as agriculture, forestry, and other natural resources [37] . With respect to agriculture, change and variability in climatic factors (e.g., solar radiation, temperature, and precipitation) could undoubtedly exert a significant impact on crop phenology and yield [2, 38] . Important direct effects will be changes in temperature, precipitation, growing season duration, and timing of extreme or critical threshold events relative to crop development [4] . Furthermore, an increased atmospheric CO 2 concentration could have beneficial effects on the growth and productivity of staple food crops [39] . In this study, we assessed the response of wheat to future climate change with respect to solar radiation, temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric CO 2 concentration.

Any change in climate will have implications for climate-sensitive systems such as agriculture, forestry, and other natural resources.

With respect to agriculture, change and variability in climatic factors (e.g., solar radiation, temperature, and precipitation) could undoubtedly exert a significant impact on crop phenology and yield.

Important direct effects will be changes in temperature, precipitation, growing season duration, and timing of extreme or critical threshold events relative to crop development.

Furthermore, an increased atmospheric CO 2 concentration could have beneficial effects on the growth and productivity of staple food crops.


Samples of these images are shown in Fig. 5a . The first five images are used for training the algorithm and the rest are used to evaluate the algorithm. Our cancellable biometric images are shown in Fig. 5b . It is notable that the cancellable templates do not carry any visual information such as shape of a face or anything else. In fact, they resemble a matrix of random sequences rather than images. This protects the templates from being reversed transformed on some previously known visual features of the individual face, either manually or automatically, which might be possible with morphed images [1, 8] . This enables the images to be treated as a cipher text and as 24917 , which is extremely small. This negligible probability indicates the success of a probabilistic polynomial time algorithm to invert the transformed images, which means very high non-reversibility.

This protects the templates from being reversed transformed on some previously known visual features of the individual face, either manually or automatically, which might be possible with morphed images.


Flow measurement is very important in various areas, such as chemical engineering, marine environment, automotive industry, and process control. A large number of conventional approaches have been explored for detecting the flow field, including electromagnetic measurement, vortex shedding measurement and heat transfer [1] - [3] . Most state-of-the-arts miniaturized flow sensors are based on micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) technology [4] , [5] . These sensors exhibit excellent characteristics such as small size, low power consumption, high sensitivity, fast response, and cost effectiveness. However, these MEMS devices have certain limitations when used in harsh environments such as high electromagnetic interference, high pressure, high vibrations, and radioactive exposure.

A large number of conventional approaches have been explored for detecting the flow field, including electromagnetic measurement, vortex shedding measurement and heat transfer.

Most state-of-the-arts miniaturized flow sensors are based on micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) technology.


Although the analysis presented in this paper is sometimes quite technical, we finally end up with very natural and simple conditions on the decay of the Fourier transform. These conditions allows for a plethora of compactly supported admissible functions. In particular, cardinal Bsplines fit into this context. It would even be possible to use B-spline wavelets that possess vanishing moments and therefore can give rise to efficient compression strategies, a very important step towards efficient numerical schemes [5, 6, 33] .

It would even be possible to use B-spline wavelets that possess vanishing moments and therefore can give rise to efficient compression strategies, a very important step towards efficient numerical schemes.


Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) is a very old tree widely used in traditional medicine, with its leaf extracts considered one of the most widely sold natural products (Kato-Noguchi et al. 2013) . Ginkgo leaf extracts have been extensively studied in humans and animal models. In medicinal applications, ginkgo leaf infusions are used for treatment of asthma, bronchitis, memory, cognitive speed, edema, inflammation, and free-radical toxicity associated with traumatic brain injury (Smith et al. 1996; Diamond et al. 2000) . EGb 761 is a standardized extract of G. biloba leaves, that contains approximately 24 % flavone glycosides (primarily quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin) and 6 % terpene lactones (2.8-3.4 % ginkgolides A, B and C, and 2.6-3.2 % bilobalide), and these have been used experimentally as natural therapeutic agents in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (Smith et al. 1996; Diamond et al. 2000; Annaházi et al. 2010) . In fact, this plant is widely used the by pharmaceutical industry, which incorporates the leaf extracts in supplements and medicines (Pereira et al. 2013) .

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) is a very old tree widely used in traditional medicine, with its leaf extracts considered one of the most widely sold natural products.

In medicinal applications, ginkgo leaf infusions are used for treatment of asthma, bronchitis, memory, cognitive speed, edema, inflammation, and free-radical toxicity associated with traumatic brain injury.

EGb 761 is a standardized extract of G. biloba leaves, that contains approximately 24 % flavone glycosides (primarily quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin) and 6 % terpene lactones (2.8-3.4 % ginkgolides A, B and C, and 2.6-3.2 % bilobalide), and these have been used experimentally as natural therapeutic agents in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

In fact, this plant is widely used the by pharmaceutical industry, which incorporates the leaf extracts in supplements and medicines.


Negative externalities can be problematic, as they may result in both inefficient allocation and misuse of important resources (land and soil, in this case) [21] . Moreover, if such negative externalities are not corrected for, they can become even more severe in the long run, eventually resulting in tremendous costs to fix them. In order to address this sort of market failure, one key approach is to use government interventions to "internalize" the externalities in question [22] . In other words, governments can try to motivate producers and consumers to take the externalities into account when deciding what is in their own interest. This can be done by means of either price-based instruments (e.g., taxes, charges, subsidies) or quantity-based instruments (e.g., restrictions on input or output) [23] .

Negative externalities can be problematic, as they may result in both inefficient allocation and misuse of important resources (land and soil, in this case).

In order to address this sort of market failure, one key approach is to use government interventions to "internalize" the externalities in question.

This can be done by means of either price-based instruments (e.g., taxes, charges, subsidies) or quantity-based instruments (e.g., restrictions on input or output).


It was proposed to include SIC in the ecosystem services framework because it is a major component of the global carbon cycle and is important for many ecosystem services [12] . Soil inorganic carbon is especially important in provisioning services (products, which can be obtained from the ecosystem such as raw materials, food, fuel and fiber), because it is a natural "raw" liming material [13, 14] . Calcium associated with SIC is also beneficial to human health and research shows that calcium intake varies by country [15] . Because insufficient calcium intake is a global problem, it is important to assess, monitor and value SIC for sustainable development [15] .

It was proposed to include SIC in the ecosystem services framework because it is a major component of the global carbon cycle and is important for many ecosystem services.

Soil inorganic carbon is especially important in provisioning services (products, which can be obtained from the ecosystem such as raw materials, food, fuel and fiber), because it is a natural "raw" liming material.

Calcium associated with SIC is also beneficial to human health and research shows that calcium intake varies by country.

Because insufficient calcium intake is a global problem, it is important to assess, monitor and value SIC for sustainable development.


Recent research proposed inclusion of SIC into the ecosystem services framework for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals [12] . It was reported that the soil orders having the highest total midpoint value of SIC storage for the U.S. (based on the average replacement cost of $10.42 per ton of CaCO 3 ) were: (1) Mollisols ($2.22T), (2) Aridisols ($1.23T), (3) Alfisols ($523B) and (4) Entisols ($489B). For SIC on an area basis, they ranked the soil orders as: (1) [12] . These soil orders range from slightly-weathered to moderately-weathered soils in the Midwest and western regions of the country. There are several reasons for SIC accumulations in these soils including geographic locations with semi-arid and arid climates and calcium-rich parent materials [12] . In contrast, the soil orders having the lowest total midpoint value of SIC storage for the U.S. were Spodosols, Ultisols and Oxisols [12] . These soils are located primarily in the eastern half of the continental U.S. and humid tropical islands. These geographic locations tend to have humid climates which result in highly-leached soils with low SIC accumulations [12] .

Recent research proposed inclusion of SIC into the ecosystem services framework for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

For SIC on an area basis, they ranked the soil orders as: (1).

There are several reasons for SIC accumulations in these soils including geographic locations with semi-arid and arid climates and calcium-rich parent materials.

In contrast, the soil orders having the lowest total midpoint value of SIC storage for the U.S. were Spodosols, Ultisols and Oxisols.

These geographic locations tend to have humid climates which result in highly-leached soils with low SIC accumulations.


According to the current list of soil properties, only soil organic carbon (SOC) has been recognized within the ecosystem services framework, despite the fact that total soil carbon (TC) consists of the sum of SOC and SIC as well as recognition of the dynamics between SOC and SIC reservoirs in terrestrial systems [8, 9] . Research has shown that both SOC and SIC are dynamic and rapidly change as a result of land use conversion [8] . Agricultural practices (e.g., irrigation, fertilization, liming etc.) can alter SIC in the soils [10] . Irrigation tends to increase SIC in the soil subsurface horizons [10] . Soil acidification rates in agricultural soils vary by soil type, land use and can be partially offset by application of agricultural lime (aglime) [10] . In the United States nearly 30 Tg (Teragram = 1012 g = 106 metric tonne) of aglime is consumed on an annual basis [11] .

According to the current list of soil properties, only soil organic carbon (SOC) has been recognized within the ecosystem services framework, despite the fact that total soil carbon (TC) consists of the sum of SOC and SIC as well as recognition of the dynamics between SOC and SIC reservoirs in terrestrial systems.

Research has shown that both SOC and SIC are dynamic and rapidly change as a result of land use conversion.

Agricultural practices (e.g., irrigation, fertilization, liming etc.) can alter SIC in the soils.

Irrigation tends to increase SIC in the soil subsurface horizons.

Soil acidification rates in agricultural soils vary by soil type, land use and can be partially offset by application of agricultural lime (aglime).

In the United States nearly 30 Tg (Teragram = 1012 g = 106 metric tonne) of aglime is consumed on an annual basis.


Recently, new methods for determination of oxidative stability of vegetable oils at frying temperatures were proposed (Gertz and Kochhar, 2001) . Despite the large number of methods for determination of oxidative stability of edible oils, papers dealing with its determination at frying temperatures (commonly between 140 ºC and 180 ºC) are scarce. The reactions and mechanisms taking place in the degradation of vegetable oils are very dependant on the heating temperature. For instance, for temperatures up to 120 ºC, the main reactions are hydrolysis and oxidation induced by moisture and atmospheric oxygen, where for temperatures above 120 ºC polymerization reactions also become important (Gertz et al., 2000) . Another advantage of the determination of oxidative stability at frying temperatures would be a high analysis through put. As a rate of a reaction increases as the temperature increase, the induction time and, then, the analysis time decrease.

Recently, new methods for determination of oxidative stability of vegetable oils at frying temperatures were proposed.

For instance, for temperatures up to 120 ºC, the main reactions are hydrolysis and oxidation induced by moisture and atmospheric oxygen, where for temperatures above 120 ºC polymerization reactions also become important.


Despite the widespread acknowledgement that mRNAs are differentially localized within the cell, there has been a paucity of studies examining whether "common" RNA extraction methods are equivalent in their abilities to extract differentially localized RNA species, and whether the method of RNA isolation affects our ability to detect differentially expressed transcripts. Sultan and colleagues compared two RNA isolation methods (Qiagen RNeasy kit and guanidium-phenol (TRIzol) extraction) and two library selection schemes (poly-A enrichment and rRNA depletion) on downstream transcript abundance estimates, and found that rRNA depletion was particularly sensitive to the RNA extraction method [2] . However, their comparisons were done using only two biological replicates, and they only examined transcript abundance across technical replicates and not whether the method of extraction affects the ability to detect differential expression in the types of sample comparisons that biologists frequently care about (e.g. wild-type versus mutant or treatment versus control).

Sultan and colleagues compared two RNA isolation methods (Qiagen RNeasy kit and guanidium-phenol (TRIzol) extraction) and two library selection schemes (poly-A enrichment and rRNA depletion) on downstream transcript abundance estimates, and found that rRNA depletion was particularly sensitive to the RNA extraction method.


In this study, we examined the effects of RNA isolation method as a possible source of batch effects in RNA-seq design. It is well known that the RNA distribution within cells is not uniform. Newly synthesized pre-mRNAs are processed in the nucleus before being exported. Once exported, mRNAs are frequently trafficked to specific subcellular sites as a mechanism for spatially controlling protein synthesis. Indeed, perhaps the most widespread example of mRNA localization is that used for spatial control of protein synthesis, where mRNAs encoding secreted and membrane proteins are translated at the ER membrane allowing for proper protein localization and folding [6] .

Indeed, perhaps the most widespread example of mRNA localization is that used for spatial control of protein synthesis, where mRNAs encoding secreted and membrane proteins are translated at the ER membrane allowing for proper protein localization and folding.


Novel optical materials are continuously created and the interest in regard to their optical properties is mandatory. The context of thin films is especially important [1] [2] [3] . Ideally, the theoretical formalisms regarding the determination of the complex refractive index, = − ( > 0 for absorbing materials), should be developed with a minimal number of approximations. It is then required to compute the intensity of the reflected and/or the transmitted light out of the sample as exactly as possible. Accordingly and in order to get accurate empirical knowledge about ( ), numerous spectrophotometric methods have been developed [4] . Here, we restrict our formalism to the case of a thin film of arbitrary absorptance, deposited on a thick absorbing substrate, which is however sufficiently transparent to allow the intensity of the transmitted light to be measured with sufficient accuracy. In the present study, we apply this new approach to the case of ultraviolet irradiated zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ) thin films.

The context of thin films is especially important.

Accordingly and in order to get accurate empirical knowledge about ( ), numerous spectrophotometric methods have been developed.


Where exactly does the problem reside? By many accounts problems reside at the course level, as institutions typically have policies in place and there can be a disconnect between institutional policy and course-level enforcement. The United States Government Accountability Office (GOA) conducted an undercover investigation (enrolling fictitious students) in 15 for-profit online program providers to determine what, if any, policy areas were being violated, including academic dishonesty (Hillman, 2011) . While eight of the 15 institutions complied with established polices, six did not deal with academic dishonesty according to established policies. In two colleges, instructors repeatedly told the student they were cheating but did not take action. In four other colleges, one or more instructors did not penalize or acknowledge substandard work, including plagiarism. The persistence if not growth of academic dishonesty has become big business, working at odds with efforts of institutions to defray and control incidences. Most common are services that will complete assignments for students for a fee. While these services are available to any student, there is no data to suggest that online students use them more frequently than do campus-bound students. This paper examines the nature of online academic dishonesty and strategies to lessen incidences based on proven practices. It does not address general best practices of assessment, many of which are applicable to both face-to-face and online environments, particularly those regarding objective assessments. The author takes the position that if instructors and designers construct courses strategically, they can promote a culture of ethical behavior while making cheating and plagiarism unattractive, difficult to achieve, and apparent to the student. The following questions are answered to best inform instructors, instructional designers, and curriculum developers throughout the process of design as well as through implementation of an online course.

Where exactly does the problem reside?

The United States Government Accountability Office (GOA) conducted an undercover investigation (enrolling fictitious students) in 15 for-profit online program providers to determine what, if any, policy areas were being violated, including academic dishonesty.


Strategies for identity authentication are increasing as technological developments necessitate knowing who is making the clicks in online interactions. The challenge can be illustrated in the trend of open courses provided by organizations offering courses to non-institutional learners at no cost or institutional credit. Coresera -who at the time this article was providing free courses offered through 17 institutions of higher education -must deal with both plagiarism and online identify of students taking the massively open online courses (MOOCs) (Young, 2012) .

Coresera -who at the time this article was providing free courses offered through 17 institutions of higher education -must deal with both plagiarism and online identify of students taking the massively open online courses (MOOCs).


Accurate wind simulations are generally considered to be critical for fire behavior prediction (Butler et al. 2006) . In canopies, wind flows are dominated by turbulent mixing, with intermittent strong downward gusts developing as in a plane mixing layer flow (Finnigan 2000) . The presence of clearings of several times the height of the canopy and of fuel treatments that result in increased distances between crowns and low cover fraction, affect significantly the wind flow (Raupach et al. 1987; Lee 2000) .

Accurate wind simulations are generally considered to be critical for fire behavior prediction.

In canopies, wind flows are dominated by turbulent mixing, with intermittent strong downward gusts developing as in a plane mixing layer flow.

The presence of clearings of several times the height of the canopy and of fuel treatments that result in increased distances between crowns and low cover fraction, affect significantly the wind flow.


A prominent similarity between rabbit and human lesions is the presence of foam cells [2] . During regression, cholesterol diet removal was accompanied by the disappearance of macrophage foam cells. This was one of the first noticeable indications of plaque regression [43] . One of the mechanisms of macrophage clearance in the early period after cholesterol withdrawal is by apoptosis and phagocytosis by new macrophages [43] . However, defective phagocytic clearance (efferocytosis) of the apoptotic macrophages leads to formation of necrotic cores [44] . However, in this study, there was absence of necrotic core in all the groups. It is also worthwhile to note that HDL levels were normal in late regression groups which rules out the possibility of HDL induced reverse cholesterol transport contributing to plaque regression. Hence, it seems that macrophage clearance might be either by 1) An effective phagocytic clearance and/or 2) regained motility of macrophages within atherosclerotic lesion and migration to regional lymph nodes on improvement of local environment [9] . Recent plaque regression studies in animals, however, have not conclusively addressed these mechanisms. Hence, additional studies with tissue examination at several time points after the cholesterol withdrawal would help in understanding macrophage clearing mechanisms.

A prominent similarity between rabbit and human lesions is the presence of foam cells.

This was one of the first noticeable indications of plaque regression.

One of the mechanisms of macrophage clearance in the early period after cholesterol withdrawal is by apoptosis and phagocytosis by new macrophages.

However, defective phagocytic clearance (efferocytosis) of the apoptotic macrophages leads to formation of necrotic cores.

Hence, it seems that macrophage clearance might be either by 1) An effective phagocytic clearance and/or 2) regained motility of macrophages within atherosclerotic lesion and migration to regional lymph nodes on improvement of local environment.


The obtained results clearly indicate that the PO 4 concentrate solution has an advantage with respect to OCP formation from DCPD. On the other hand, the Ca concentrate solution has an advantage with respect to the formation of a mixture of HAp and DCPA from DCPD. The stoichiometric Ca/PO 4 rates of DCPD and OCP are 1.00 and 1.33, respectively [10, 11] . Therefore, based on the stoichiometric law, it seems consistent to add Ca for OCP fabrication from DCPD. However, the obtained results clearly indicate that supplying PO 4 is the key for converting from DCPD to OCP, even though the Ca/PO 4 of the reaction system was significantly different from the stoichiometric chemical composition.

The stoichiometric Ca/PO 4 rates of DCPD and OCP are 1.00 and 1.33, respectively.


Many studies have been conducted on OCP formation and the dynamics of OCP in solution. OCP is not directly formed from the ions in the aqueous solution, but rather via several precursor phases, such as amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP; at least six forms) through solid-solid phase conversion instead of a dissolution-precipitation reaction [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] . Therefore, it is suggested that the property of the precursor, in this case the physicality of ACP, strongly affects the formation of OCP.

OCP is not directly formed from the ions in the aqueous solution, but rather via several precursor phases, such as amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP; at least six forms) through solid-solid phase conversion instead of a dissolution-precipitation reaction.