This study examined how the presence or absence of gender cues in the usernames of online support providers and the person centeredness of their messages affected projections and evaluations about those helpers in a CMES context. Although many contemporary online support sites provide the opportunity for users to post photos, and the names users choose to represent themselves can be gendered, the case also exists that online support users often appreciate the anonymity that these systems offer (Walther & Boyd, 2002) . When message posters do not identify their gender, readers make gender inferences, and these inferences guide their interpretation of the likeability and effectiveness of the messages. Drawing on the normative motivation account in emotional support research and the dual-process theory of supportive communication outcomes, differences were expected regarding how men and women would rate male, female, and gender-ambiguous helpers posting LPC and HPC messages in response to a low-severity distress online post. This study predicted that the ratings by female observers would replicate those reflected in research on FtF communication, which found that women like HPC helpers more than LPC helpers and rate HPC helpers as more effective than LPC helpers, regardless of the gender of the helper . These predictions were supported. This study adds to research on the dual-process theory of supportive communication outcomes and the normative motivation account by examining the claim in a mediated context, and by extending the finding to include gender-ambiguous sources.

Although many contemporary online support sites provide the opportunity for users to post photos, and the names users choose to represent themselves can be gendered, the case also exists that online support users often appreciate the anonymity that these systems offer.

These predictions were supported.


In CMC, interface characteristics may also influence primacy. The web design or client program determines what a CMC user sees first-typically a username and subject-suggesting that username may be initially most salient in deciding whether to select, or how to interpret, others' support messages. Indeed, the information in a message header has a significant influence on what messages users select in other CMC contexts (Winter & Krämer, 2012) . These conjectures address what cues may have temporal primacy, but future research is needed to determine the order or weighting among names, content, and style in forming impressions of support providers online. This study's findings also support the SIP theory of CMC (Walther, 1992) . The majority of the participants in this study projected a female gender onto a HPC gender-ambiguous helper and projected a male gender onto a LPC gender-ambiguous helper. These projections were apparently triggered by the person-centered qualities communicated in the support messages, which are associated with which gender is more likely to use a HPC or LPC message in emotional support scenarios. This finding supports SIP theory's position that receivers use the cues available to them in CMC to form impressions of message senders. Online support users' gender may be unclear due to the lack of nonverbal cues in CMC, but users make inferences and projections about message senders in order to construct impressions of others, which guide their responses to others' messages.

Indeed, the information in a message header has a significant influence on what messages users select in other CMC contexts.

This study's findings also support the SIP theory of CMC.


In addition to spacetime-dependent brane solutions in higher-dimensional supergravities, there are several analyses of lower-dimensional effective theories after compactifying the internal space [9, 10, 11, 12] . The same considerations also apply to the string theories which are of much interest as an approach to behavior of the early universe. However, it has been pointed out that the four-dimensional effective theories for warped compactification of ten-dimensional type IIB supergravity may not provide solutions in the original higher-dimensional theories [9, 13] . This caution can be generalized in various p-brane solutions [14] .

In addition to spacetime-dependent brane solutions in higher-dimensional supergravities, there are several analyses of lower-dimensional effective theories after compactifying the internal space.

However, it has been pointed out that the four-dimensional effective theories for warped compactification of ten-dimensional type IIB supergravity may not provide solutions in the original higher-dimensional theories.

This caution can be generalized in various p-brane solutions.


Biochar colloids extraction was performed by dispersing 3 g of ground and sieved (< 1 mm) biochar in 30 mL ultrapure water in a 50 mL polypropylene centrifuge tube. The suspension was placed in an ice bath and sonicated using a probe sonicator (Sonic Dismembrator Model 100, Fisher Scientific) at 20 W for 5 min (Oleszczuk et al. 2016) . The sonicated suspensions were centrifuged at 3000g for 10 min, followed by filtration of the supernatant using a 450 nm nylon syringe filter.

The suspension was placed in an ice bath and sonicated using a probe sonicator (Sonic Dismembrator Model 100, Fisher Scientific) at 20 W for 5 min.


Usually, buildings have a poor energy performance [103] . Accordingly, it is important to improve this energy performance by reasonable and affordable techniques. One of these techniques is through using porous materials for different targets in building energy systems. There are a large number of articles about building energy efficiency. Many researchers have used porous materials to improve the efficiency of energy in buildings. Further, some of the natural media involved in building energy technologies are porous. However, currently, there is no review article specifically focused on the porous media pertinent to the building energy technologies. The objective of this work is to review the applications of porous materials in building energy systems. These systems are roof cooling, ground-source heat pumps and heat exchangers, insulation and thermal storage systems.

Usually, buildings have a poor energy performance.


Each year, approximately twenty million people around the world suffer from chronic wounds caused by diabetes (e.g. 7.0 million diabetic ulcers), circulatory problems and many other conditions such as surgical site infections that generate huge demands on the health care systems [1] . Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) provides an efficient method which may reduce the length of treatment, speed up the clearance of infections and wound closure and reduce in-hospital days [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . Therefore NPWT is a cost effective and versatile method for many applications as compared to conventional and advanced wound dressings [7] [8] [9] . NPWT applies a controlled level of negative pressure on wounds leading to accelerated debridement and promotion of healing in many different types of wounds [2] [3] [4] [10] [11] [12] . The effects of NPWT include the fast removal of interstitial fluid through the negative pressure, decrease in local edema, increased blood flow and therefore decrease tissue bacterial loads. However, NPWT does not replace classic methods of wound care such as debridement and infection treatment. Moreover, the mechanical deformation of cells in and around the wound is thought to result in increased matrix synthesis, which ultimately leads to an improved wound healing [2, 13, 14] .

Each year, approximately twenty million people around the world suffer from chronic wounds caused by diabetes (e.g. 7.0 million diabetic ulcers), circulatory problems and many other conditions such as surgical site infections that generate huge demands on the health care systems.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) provides an efficient method which may reduce the length of treatment, speed up the clearance of infections and wound closure and reduce in-hospital days.

Therefore NPWT is a cost effective and versatile method for many applications as compared to conventional and advanced wound dressings.

NPWT applies a controlled level of negative pressure on wounds leading to accelerated debridement and promotion of healing in many different types of wounds.

Moreover, the mechanical deformation of cells in and around the wound is thought to result in increased matrix synthesis, which ultimately leads to an improved wound healing.


Telecouplings illustrated in this study are quite common around the world. For example, almost all rural areas import technologies, such as fertilizers produced elsewhere. On the other hand, they sell agricultural products to outside markets (Jacoby 2000) . Many rural areas are destinations of tourists who live in cities (Lane 1994) . Information about various places is disseminated worldwide through publications, mass media, the Internet, and other communication channels. Financial support from external sources for conservation (e.g., payments for ecosystem services) is increasingly common worldwide (Chen et al. 2009a) . Pandas are endemic to China and panda loans are relatively limited at the global scale. But many countries or places offer other wildlife species such as tigers, zebras, alligators, lions, and wolves to numerous zoos (Braverman 2010) . In many ways, other wildlife species in zoos play roles (e.g., education) similar to the role pandas play.

On the other hand, they sell agricultural products to outside markets.

Many rural areas are destinations of tourists who live in cities.

Financial support from external sources for conservation (e.g., payments for ecosystem services) is increasingly common worldwide.

But many countries or places offer other wildlife species such as tigers, zebras, alligators, lions, and wolves to numerous zoos.


Antithrombin (AT), in the past also referred as antithrombin III, is a potent inhibitor of the coagulation cascade [1] . Although the name, antithrombin, implies that it works only on thrombin, it actually serves to inhibit virtually all of the coagulation enzymes to at least some extent. The primary enzymes it inhibits are factor Xa, factor IXa and thrombin (factor IIa). AT have also inhibitory actions on the factor XIIa, factor XIa, complex of factor VIIa and tissue factor. AT ability to limit coagulation through the multiple interactions makes it one of the primary natural anticoagulant proteins [1, 2] .

Antithrombin (AT), in the past also referred as antithrombin III, is a potent inhibitor of the coagulation cascade.

AT ability to limit coagulation through the multiple interactions makes it one of the primary natural anticoagulant proteins.


Although there have been major developments in the techniques for growing wine in the past few decades, there has been no major developments in the marketing of it [16] , [41] . The wine industry seems to be struggling to fi nd a way to become more market oriented and remains production-oriented. The wine market has long traditions; therefore it cannot be described as an innovative sector and it is agriculturally-based [9] . The problem lies in the mass-marketing strategy adopted by wine producers because wine is more part of a lifestyle than just an everyday product [34] .

Although there have been major developments in the techniques for growing wine in the past few decades, there has been no major developments in the marketing of it.

The wine market has long traditions; therefore it cannot be described as an innovative sector and it is agriculturally-based.

The problem lies in the mass-marketing strategy adopted by wine producers because wine is more part of a lifestyle than just an everyday product.


For the past few years silicon and silicon solar cells have been a focus point of worldwide researchers [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . A compromise between cost reduction and efficiency improvement must be reached by using all semiconductor technology opportunities. This aim gives to the PV industry a better significance and competitiveness [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] .

For the past few years silicon and silicon solar cells have been a focus point of worldwide researchers.

This aim gives to the PV industry a better significance and competitiveness.


For a long time, the PV industry have used a quartz diffusion tube furnace during the emitter formation process by the POCl 3 source in solar cells manufacturing. This is because one of the most important properties of quartz is its extremely low coefficient of expansion: 5.5 × 10 −7 mm/ • C (20-320 • C). This makes the material particularly useful for critical applications which require minimum sensitivity to thermal changes. Also, we expect the process to be cleaner in a POCl 3 furnace because of the use of quartz boats [15] .

Also, we expect the process to be cleaner in a POCl 3 furnace because of the use of quartz boats.


On the other hand, solar cell efficiency is drastically affected by Auger recombination in the emitter region. Experimentally, a high dopant concentration makes a layer named the 'dead layer' at the surface where the recombination velocities are very high. In this zone, there is an excess of non-electrically active phosphorous, which largely contributes to high emitter saturation current density and results in poor quantum efficiency in the short wavelength region [8] .

In this zone, there is an excess of non-electrically active phosphorous, which largely contributes to high emitter saturation current density and results in poor quantum efficiency in the short wavelength region.


Energy storage in the elastic deformation of carbon nanotube (CNT) springs offers the potential for high energy density because of the high effective Young's modulus and high yield strain of CNTs [1] . To store macroscopically significant amounts of energy in springs made of CNTs, large, ordered CNT assemblies are needed. Energy is stored in a spring by applying a load to a CNT assembly, thereby storing mechanical energy in the strained carbon bonds. Stored energy is recovered by removing the applied load and could be harvested by using the spring to drive an external mechanical system or by converting the energy to the electrical domain via a generator.

Energy storage in the elastic deformation of carbon nanotube (CNT) springs offers the potential for high energy density because of the high effective Young's modulus and high yield strain of CNTs.


Commonly, oxygen can be accessed at the surface area of the substrate particle but certain cases demanded a mixing program to reach the gas mostly if there was bed height interference in the system. But bear in mind that the mixing frequency, especially with a short time gap, is capable to destroy the fungal mycelia. Even though mixing can significantly improve heat removal (mostly via reactor wall), it is not used in all solid substrate reactors because not all fungi and solid substrate can tolerate the shear and collision forces that resulted from mixing (Hamidi-Esfahani et al., 2004) . Only suitable mixing frequency can be applied for aeration purpose. Other than heat removal, aeration is also important to provide oxygen for cell growth, wash out the carbon dioxide and moisture transfer between solids and gas phase (Raimbault, 1998) .

Even though mixing can significantly improve heat removal (mostly via reactor wall), it is not used in all solid substrate reactors because not all fungi and solid substrate can tolerate the shear and collision forces that resulted from mixing.

Other than heat removal, aeration is also important to provide oxygen for cell growth, wash out the carbon dioxide and moisture transfer between solids and gas phase.


The adverse effect of high moisture level on mannanase production might be attributed to the reduction of substrate porosity which directly leads to oxygen transfer limitation and increased chances for bacterial contamination (Perez-Guerra et al., 2003) . Furthermore, low heat and mass transmission through the culture and the decrease of air exchange, can result in the decrease of microbial growth and product formation (Venkateswarlu et al., 2000) . The multiplicity of optimum moisture content could be due to the fact that optimum moisture greatly depends on the water-binding characteristics of the substrate, temperature and selected microorganism. Hence, varying conditions provide different optimum moisture for microorganisms.

The adverse effect of high moisture level on mannanase production might be attributed to the reduction of substrate porosity which directly leads to oxygen transfer limitation and increased chances for bacterial contamination.

Furthermore, low heat and mass transmission through the culture and the decrease of air exchange, can result in the decrease of microbial growth and product formation.


Malaysia is an industrial based country and every year tonnes of agricultural wastes are accumulated, and these lignocellulosic rich materials are potentially to be used as substrate in solid substrate fermentation (SSF) for the production of enzymes and other microbial secondary metabolites. The SSF involves the growth and metabolism of microorganisms on moist solid in the absence or near absence of free flowing water. These fermentation systems which are closer to their natural habitats may prove more efficient in producing certain enzymes and metabolites. In fact SSF offers distinct advantages over submerged fermentation including simplicity of media, no complex machinery or equipments, no specific control systems, greater compactness of the fermentation vessel due to lower water volume, greater and superior product yields, low energy demand, economy of space, easier for scaling-up processes, smaller volume of solvent needed for product recovery and easier control of contamination due to low moisture level in SSF system (Jecu, 2000) .

In fact SSF offers distinct advantages over submerged fermentation including simplicity of media, no complex machinery or equipments, no specific control systems, greater compactness of the fermentation vessel due to lower water volume, greater and superior product yields, low energy demand, economy of space, easier for scaling-up processes, smaller volume of solvent needed for product recovery and easier control of contamination due to low moisture level in SSF system.


More programming is needed to expand access to contraceptive information and care, provided by trained providers adhering to rights-based approaches to service provision. Policies are needed, including those supporting integrated services. Other interventions, such as transforming gender norms, reducing violence against women, promoting legal rights and increasing employment opportunities, also need to be implemented in order to support safer sexual behaviour [14] .

Other interventions, such as transforming gender norms, reducing violence against women, promoting legal rights and increasing employment opportunities, also need to be implemented in order to support safer sexual behaviour.


The results obtained from testing with the conospherical tip show a quite different dependence of the identified parameters on the maximum load. For very small penetration depths, for which the tip shape is spherical (see section Tip-shape Calibration), the single-and double-indentation techniques give the same values for the model parameters. Furthermore, these values agree very well with the results from double indentation using the Berkovich tip. However, with increasing penetration depth, the model parameters obtained from single indentation using the cono-spherical tip increase continuously. This increase is explained by the larger amount of plastic deformation as the penetration depth increases. The model parameters obtained from double indentation, on the other hand, show a different behaviour with the highest value for both parameters at a minimum penetration depth of about 300 nm. Although the initial creep compliance seems to reach a constant value for increasing penetration depth, the creep exponent increases continuously. This variation of the identified parameters is assigned to the tip shape, changing from spherical to conical and to spherical again (see Figure 3) . As the employed calibration procedure for the tip shape is based on two parameters (C 0 and C 1 ), the complicated tip shape is well approximated only for small penetration depths (within the first spherical region). In fact, In order to assess the identified model parameters, the creep-compliance function [Equation (11)] is plotted for all three polymers using the parameters given in Table 2 (see Figure 8 ) and compared with the creep-compliance function obtained from bending-beam-rheometer tests using Equation (17) . In contrast to the results obtained from single indentation, the creep-compliance function corresponding to model parameters identified via double indentation shows a good agreement with the macroscopic test results for all three materials considered. Especially in case of PC, showing the highest amount of plastic deformation, the parameters identified via single indentation lead to a creep-compliance function significantly overestimating the macroscopic properties. The creep-compliance function corresponding to the model parameters identified via double indentation, on the other hand, agrees well with the compliance function obtained from the bending beam-rheometer test.

In fact, In order to assess the identified model parameters, the creep-compliance function [Equation (11)] is plotted for all three polymers using the parameters given in Table 2 (see Figure 8 ) and compared with the creep-compliance function obtained from bending-beam-rheometer tests using Equation.


The main strategy to prove Theorem 1.1 follows the idea of Carleson and Chang [3] . If a maximizing sequence is concentrating for loss of compactness, then we can evaluate its limit for R(g, u). If there is some function exceeding the limit, then the maximum is attained. If all the functions under the condition have less R(g, u) than the limit, then the maximum is not attained.

The main strategy to prove Theorem 1.1 follows the idea of Carleson and Chang.


We provide mechanisms that allow each end user to autonomously specify the authentication and authorization requirements for each information item. We leverage previous work on fine-grained authorization for distributed environments by using the Akenti authorization system [14] . We modify Akenti in order to distribute the enforcement mechanism to each peer and develop a group-based authorization model that hides many of the complexities of the Akenti system to the users.

We leverage previous work on fine-grained authorization for distributed environments by using the Akenti authorization system.


The current study demonstrates that PD-1 on T cells and PD-L1 on monocytes are upregulated dramatically in a cohort of septic shock patients exhibiting accelerated lymphocyte apoptosis as compared with healthy controls. To our best knowledge, this is the largest number of patients specifically focused on to study PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in patients with sepsis. The patients with septic shock in the study exhibited accelerated apoptosis of all major lymphocyte subpopulations. The degree of apoptosis as indicated by annexin-V binding and caspase-3 activation was comparable with findings from previous reports [30] [31] [32] . The septic cohort of this study thus exhibited a degree of typical apoptosis of septic shock. PD-1 and its two known agonistic ligands, PD-L1 (B7-H1) and PD-L2 (B7-DC), are regulated by Effect of anti-PD-L1 antibody treatment. Anti-programmed death ligand-1 (anti-PD-L1) antibody treatment improved the ability of monocytes from septic shock patients to produce proinflammatory cytokines and decreased production of anti-inflammatory cytokines in vitro.

The degree of apoptosis as indicated by annexin-V binding and caspase-3 activation was comparable with findings from previous reports.


However, interest in developing index-based agricultural insurance products is growing (Clarke et al. 2012; WorldFish 2013) . Index-based insurance relies on an independently observable index, which is correlated with losses incurred as a result of a specific calamity. This eliminates the problems of information asymmetry and the need for loss assessment and monitoring. For example, rainfall index insurance pays out when the rainfall is below a threshold level at a rainfall measuring station in the vicinity of the farmer in question and not based on the loss incurred by the farmer. The assumption is that the farm's output is correlated with the amount of rainfall it receives, which in turn is correlated with the amount of rainfall at the weather station. But because this correlation is not perfect, it introduces basis risk. Basis risk is the risk that a farmer may incur a large loss but receive no claim payment from the insurance contract due to an imperfect correlation between the loss and the index.

However, interest in developing index-based agricultural insurance products is growing.


The critical question, then, is what motivates smallholder farmers to sell their milk and/or purchase other services from the cooperative? In the development literature a great deal of attention has been given to micro-credit and micro-enterprise associations that are embedded in village-level institutions that support cooperation and mutual trust [5] . From an organizational design point of view, these small-scale organizations contain the collective action advantages of small groups, where interpersonal relations provide self-monitoring devices to keep them pointed toward goals that will benefit the whole group [6] (pp. . This organizational form, then, contains high levels of bonding social capital than insures trust and social support networks [7] .

In the development literature a great deal of attention has been given to micro-credit and micro-enterprise associations that are embedded in village-level institutions that support cooperation and mutual trust.

From an organizational design point of view, these small-scale organizations contain the collective action advantages of small groups, where interpersonal relations provide self-monitoring devices to keep them pointed toward goals that will benefit the whole group(pp..

This organizational form, then, contains high levels of bonding social capital than insures trust and social support networks.


In developing these business plans, models, and objectives, cooperative leaders must incorporate the unique feature that sets them apart from private or investor-owned firms; namely, that they are patron-driven rather than investor-driven [4] . In the case of smallholder dairy cooperatives, this means members selling their milk to the cooperative and/or purchasing services that the cooperative offers, or other terms as defined in the bylaws. In the competitive environment in the newly-liberalized economies this can be challenging since smallholder farmers now have other options with respect to where they sell their milk and/or where they purchase inputs and services for their farms.

In developing these business plans, models, and objectives, cooperative leaders must incorporate the unique feature that sets them apart from private or investor-owned firms; namely, that they are patron-driven rather than investor-driven.


The liberalization of post-colonial economies in parts of the developing world presents unique opportunities and challenges to smallholder cooperatives. This involves not only movement away from a centralized/command economy toward market oriented exchanges but also other major institutional changes affecting cooperative law policies and practices. In many instances, these countries were left with boilerplate cooperative laws suitable for a colony, with a great deal of central control and authority, and for many citizens this resulted in a distorted perception of what was the purpose of a cooperative. The transition to a market economy has resulted in increases in the standard of living of some portion of the population and this, in turn, has increased demand for what these farmers' produce. At the same time, however, liberalization has meant that smallholder cooperatives now have to compete with multi-national agricultural firms, as well as medium to large local farms, while national governments are much more likely to make the cooperatives responsible for their debts. Consequently, in order to survive smallholder cooperatives must develop effective business plans and practice if they are to remain sustainable in the new environment [1] [2] [3] .

Consequently, in order to survive smallholder cooperatives must develop effective business plans and practice if they are to remain sustainable in the new environment.


There is a need for an equation to estimate the commercial part of Norway spruce stems growing on farmland. Merchantable volume equations for predicting commercial volumes have been developed [17] [18] [19] . There are two types of equations for prediction of commercial stem volume: one based on top diameter, the other on the bole length. Estimations can then use either a merchantable volume equation or a taper equation.

Merchantable volume equations for predicting commercial volumes have been developed.


The method is based on a series of works by Shen. He and his coworkers studied the relation between the nodal points and the density function of the string equation y +λρy = 0 under the Dirichlet boundary condition [9] [10] [11] . Let λ n be the nth eigenvalue and 0 < x −1/2 as well as its first two derivatives using eigenvalues and nodal points as spectral data. The method of proof is very original. One can easily observe that the eigenvalues in the algorithms can be removed. Thus, these algorithms may only rely on the nodal data and the integral average 1 0 √ ρ. Moreover, the approximations can be easily adapted to apply to non-Dirichlet problems. However, no convergence rate was given, and only two first derivatives were reconstructed. Although it was claimed that the algorithms can be extended to work for higher derivatives, it would be too tedious after one or two more derivatives.

He and his coworkers studied the relation between the nodal points and the density function of the string equation y +λρy = 0 under the Dirichlet boundary condition.

The method of proof is very original.


In U.S., one-quarter to one-third of black men will be incarcerated at some time in their lives (Bonczar and Beck, 1997; Hattery and Smith, 2008) . According to a report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) in 2006, the national incarceration rate for African Americans was 2,290 per 100,000 compared to 412 for Whites and 742 for Hispanics (Harrison and Beck, 2006) . In 2009, the incarceration rate among black males (4,749 inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents) was 6.7 times that of white males and 2.6 times that of Hispanic males (Figure 1) .

In U.S., one-quarter to one-third of black men will be incarcerated at some time in their lives.

According to a report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) in 2006, the national incarceration rate for African Americans was 2,290 per 100,000 compared to 412 for Whites and 742 for Hispanics.


RoF has attracted considerable attention for its potential application in future broadband wireless access networks because of its advantages of extremely low propagation loss, unlimited fiber bandwidth, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and high spatial division multiplexing on account of large atmospheric attenuation [8] [9] [10] [11] . In an RoF system, the cost-effective and high quality generation of high frequency mm-wave signals is a key technology that requires further development toward high-frequency bands, especially for frequencies above 40 GHz [12] [13] [14] . Compared with the conventional electrical method, the optical method is preferable [15] [16] [17] . By beating the two high-order optical sidebands with good coherence in a square-law photodetector (PD), a laser with an optical external phase or intensity modulator is a promising and attractive technology for the generation of high-frequency mm-wave signals, the frequency of which can be several-folds that of the radio frequency (RF) local oscillator [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] . In this technology, a high optical sideband suppression ratio (OSSR) is extremely desirable for the generation of high-quality mm-wave signals.

RoF has attracted considerable attention for its potential application in future broadband wireless access networks because of its advantages of extremely low propagation loss, unlimited fiber bandwidth, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and high spatial division multiplexing on account of large atmospheric attenuation.

In an RoF system, the cost-effective and high quality generation of high frequency mm-wave signals is a key technology that requires further development toward high-frequency bands, especially for frequencies above 40 GHz.

Compared with the conventional electrical method, the optical method is preferable.

By beating the two high-order optical sidebands with good coherence in a square-law photodetector (PD), a laser with an optical external phase or intensity modulator is a promising and attractive technology for the generation of high-frequency mm-wave signals, the frequency of which can be several-folds that of the radio frequency (RF) local oscillator.


Several different approaches have been recently proposed to generate frequency quadrupling mm-wave signal. By employing two cascaded Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZMs), Zhao conducted both a theoretical investigation and an experimental verification for the generation of frequency quadrupling mm-wave signal [34] . However, the undesired optical sidebands were not well suppressed. Thus, only a lower OSSR of 25 dB can be obtained, which degrades the RF spurious suppression ratio (RFSSR) between the desired frequency quadrupling mm-wave signal and other undesired RF components. Based on an integrated Mach-Zehnder modulator, which consists of three subMZMs, namely, MZM-a, MZM-b, and MZM-c, Lin demonstrated a novel frequency quadrupling technique for generating optical mmwaves [12] . In this technique, two sub-MZMs (MZM-a and MZMb) are biased at the maximum transmission point with 90 • phase shift between the driving signals. MZM-c is biased at the minimum transmission point. However, in order to achieve high OSSR, a modulation index of π is needed for driving the integrated MZM. This suggests that a high RF power is required, i.e., not cost effective. Liu also proposed a scheme to generate frequency quadrupling mm-wave signal based on a 1 × 4 Multimode interference (MMI) coupler with four optical phase-modulator arms [35] . However, the relative optical phase introduced by the MMI coupler is difficult to control [36] .

By employing two cascaded Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZMs), Zhao conducted both a theoretical investigation and an experimental verification for the generation of frequency quadrupling mm-wave signal.

Based on an integrated Mach-Zehnder modulator, which consists of three subMZMs, namely, MZM-a, MZM-b, and MZM-c, Lin demonstrated a novel frequency quadrupling technique for generating optical mmwaves.

Liu also proposed a scheme to generate frequency quadrupling mm-wave signal based on a 1 × 4 Multimode interference (MMI) coupler with four optical phase-modulator arms.

However, the relative optical phase introduced by the MMI coupler is difficult to control.


For this reason, CSR business returns depend on the stakeholders' perception about the company responsible conduct (Becker-Olsen, Cudmore, & Hill, 2006; Greening & Turban, 2000; Peterson, 2004) . Therefore, companies have to effectively communicate their CSR initiatives, by enhancing stakeholders' awareness toward the company social commitment (Du et al., 2010) . A transparent CSR communication improves credibility of a company CSR commitment and reduces its reputational risks (Forehand & Grier, 2003) . Indeed, CRS is a strategic way to differentiate a company from competitors attracting customers, employee and investors (Vogel, 2005) .

For this reason, CSR business returns depend on the stakeholders' perception about the company responsible conduct.

Therefore, companies have to effectively communicate their CSR initiatives, by enhancing stakeholders' awareness toward the company social commitment.

A transparent CSR communication improves credibility of a company CSR commitment and reduces its reputational risks.

Indeed, CRS is a strategic way to differentiate a company from competitors attracting customers, employee and investors.


It is recommended to continue to explore the many interactions among both personal and courserelated factors, and the gender identity of students. To ensure the success of all students, it is important to continue to study how the pieces fit together and interrelate (Yukselturk & Bulut, 2007) . The role of gender identity in distance learning, as well as other factors, should continue to be explored, to guarantee all students have the same opportunities for online success.

To ensure the success of all students, it is important to continue to study how the pieces fit together and interrelate.


Simple main effects testing demonstrated that female students scored significantly higher than male students in the lower overall GPA range. Based on descriptors of the female identity and researched characteristics representative of female groups, female students are more likely to 12 seek collaboration and interaction with fellow students, than male students for whom interactions are competition based (Arbaugh, 2000; Ashong & Commander, 2012) . Similarly, female students are more likely to seek assistance from fellow students, especially after positive initial responses, than male students (Blum, 1999) . This type of connected and supportive learning may assist female students in the lower overall GPA group, as opposed to their male counterparts.

Based on descriptors of the female identity and researched characteristics representative of female groups, female students are more likely to 12 seek collaboration and interaction with fellow students, than male students for whom interactions are competition based.

Similarly, female students are more likely to seek assistance from fellow students, especially after positive initial responses, than male students.


Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Oxides of Sulphur (SOx) [2] . Reducing the emission of such pollutants, in particular NOx, during combustion is a challenging task, and has been the goal of much research in the last few decades [3] . This is due to the harmful effects of the pollutants on the environment and the consequent strict legislation enacted by governments around the globe [4, 5] . These regulations are generally based on the air quality guidelines published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) [6] .

Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Oxides of Sulphur (SOx).

Reducing the emission of such pollutants, in particular NOx, during combustion is a challenging task, and has been the goal of much research in the last few decades.

This is due to the harmful effects of the pollutants on the environment and the consequent strict legislation enacted by governments around the globe.

These regulations are generally based on the air quality guidelines published by the World Health Organisation (WHO).


Coal remains an important energy source for power generation, and it is likely to be around for many years to come. However, coal combustion generates pollutants, such as NOx. Optimising to reduce the emission of NOx, especially through the manipulation of input parameters during combustion, is known to be detrimental to the coal burning efficiency [9] . Therefore, this may be considered as a multi-objective optimisation problem with two conflicting objectives: reducing NOx emission and increasing efficiency, which is equivalent to minimising unburned coal content in the fly ash.

Optimising to reduce the emission of NOx, especially through the manipulation of input parameters during combustion, is known to be detrimental to the coal burning efficiency.


In mismatch distributions, our previous study failed to support by goodness-of-fit tests the match between the observed and model values for the Okinawa Trough population of B. platifrons, in which we used the combined samples from three different localities because of the lack of samples in a single locality [28] . Thereafter, we collected and accumulated samples and constructed mismatch distributions using more than 20 samples of B. platifrons each for two vent localities in the Okinawa Trough and one seep locality in the Sagami Bay. Consequently, we succeeded to support no significant difference between the observed and model values in the three localities for B. platifrons as well as the two localities for B. japonicus. The unimodal patterns in the mismatch distributions indicated population expansion in the two species.

In mismatch distributions, our previous study failed to support by goodness-of-fit tests the match between the observed and model values for the Okinawa Trough population of B. platifrons, in which we used the combined samples from three different localities because of the lack of samples in a single locality.


In Okinawa Trough and to be also nearly 0 (0.00463) between the seep and vent populations ( Table 2) . The values of Nm were estimated to be infinity between the two vent populations in the Okinawa Trough and between the Off Hatsushima seep and Hatoma Knoll vent populations, and to be very high (32. 3) between the Off Hatsushima seep and North Iheya Ridge vent populations ( Table 2 ). An Nm value of more than 1 is indicated to be sufficient to maintain genetic continuity among populations [37] . In B. japonicus, the values of F st and Nm were estimated to be nearly 0 (0.00027) and infinity, respectively, between the seep and vent populations ( Table 2) . These results showed no significant genetic differentiation and high gene flow between the seep and vent populations, indicating that the two species has high dispersal ability and the environmental type (vent or seep) is not the primary factor responsible for habitat segregation.

An Nm value of more than 1 is indicated to be sufficient to maintain genetic continuity among populations.


Only three species, B. japonicus, B. platifrons, and B. aduloides, in the Japanese waters can inhabit both vents and seeps, while the other Bathymodiolus species live in either, indicating it difficult for deep-sea mussels to make different environments (vents and seeps) their habitats [11] . Therefore, we hypothesized that even though the vent and seep populations are settled by modern taxonomy in a single species, they must be genetically highly differentiated populations or possibly different species by adapting to their respective environments and accumulating genetic differences. However, the intermingled phylogenetic relationships (Figure 2) , many shared hap-lotypes (Figures 3 and 4) , and F st of nearly 0 ( Table 2) definitely indicated almost no genetic differentiation between the vent and seep populations both in B. japonicus and B. platifrons. The very large Nm clearly showed extensive gene flow between the vent and seep populations in the two species ( Table 2) . These results refuted our hypothesis. The two species have high adaptability to environments.

Only three species, B. japonicus, B. platifrons, and B. aduloides, in the Japanese waters can inhabit both vents and seeps, while the other Bathymodiolus species live in either, indicating it difficult for deep-sea mussels to make different environments (vents and seeps) their habitats.

These results refuted our hypothesis.


Distribution represents another important factor in determining the role of personal influence and media advertising in consumer adoption of motion pictures (Jones and Ritz 1991; Sawhney and Eliashberg 1996) . Movies can be either promoted heavily and distributed widely (the so-called "blitz" release pattern), or they can be distributed selectively at first, with the distribution being widened gradually as demand builds due to word-of-mouth (the "platformed" pattern). The blitz release strategy relies on advertising to create demand, while the platformed strategy relies on the premise that positive word-of-mouth will be generated and enhance demand for the movie. Both strategies require the intensity of distribution to be incorporated and managed over the movie's life cycle. Unlike durable products and consumer packaged goods, where distribution only affects product availability, in the motion pictures industry, distribution intensity influences the future demand for movies through its effect on word-of-mouth diffusion. In developing our model, we account for the dynamics of distribution intensity, and the effect of distribution intensity on the word-of-mouth diffusion process.

Distribution represents another important factor in determining the role of personal influence and media advertising in consumer adoption of motion pictures.


As the first line of defense against invading pathogens, innate immunity involves phagocytes (e.g., macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils) that actively engulf foreign bodies and dead cells. Through cytokine secretion, macrophages play an especially important role in transmitting infectious-pathogen information for initiating and developing the acquired immune system. Moreover, macrophages exert a strong influence on tumor immunity [1] . Such tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) may be involved in angiogenesis, tumor progression/metastasis, and suppression of antitumor immune response [2] .

Moreover, macrophages exert a strong influence on tumor immunity.

Such tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) may be involved in angiogenesis, tumor progression/metastasis, and suppression of antitumor immune response.


The growth rate of B. pfeifferi was affected by the presence of I. exustus. The reduction in groth rate could be associated to the fact that I .exustus on observation appeared to utilize more food than B. pfeifferi. But the marked reduction in growth rate of B. pfeifferi II and III could not only have been as a result of I. exustus being a better competitor for food as the rate of growth between B. pfeifferi II and III was almost the same. It could also be that I. exustus removes some essential ions needed for B. pfeifferi's growth, thus the drastic increase in the growth rates of I. exustus II and III. Helisoma duryi has been reported to influence the growth of Bulinus truncatus and B. alexandrina in this way (Abdallah and Nasr, 1973) . It may also be that I. exustus secretes growth limiting/inhibiting factors which suppress specific growth factors of B. pfeifferi, the way Helisoma species influenced the rate of growth of Biomphalaria camerunensis (Thomas, 1973; Frandsen and Madsen, 1979; Madsen, 1983) . On the contrary, it could be that B. pfeifferi stimulated I. exustus to release chemicals which affect its rate of growth as Biomphalaria species affected Thiara granifera and T. tuberculata (Gomez et al., 1990) .

Helisoma duryi has been reported to influence the growth of Bulinus truncatus and B. alexandrina in this way.

It may also be that I. exustus secretes growth limiting/inhibiting factors which suppress specific growth factors of B. pfeifferi, the way Helisoma species influenced the rate of growth of Biomphalaria camerunensis.

On the contrary, it could be that B. pfeifferi stimulated I. exustus to release chemicals which affect its rate of growth as Biomphalaria species affected Thiara granifera and T. tuberculata.


PPV was traditionally classified into five types according to the associated pigmented lesion. Each type was further divided if only cutaneous signs were present (subtype a) or if there were also associated extracutaneous signs (subtype b). The most commonly described was type IIb (about 45%), followed by type IIa (30%). Half of the patients have systemic involvement [1, 4] .

Half of the patients have systemic involvement.


Cyanobacteria are colonising microorganisms that are found throughout the world, in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. These organisms are remarkably well adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions. They are photosynthesizers and some of them are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Their cells are generally surrounded by a polysaccharide sheath or capsule able to hold water and to confer to cyanobacteria a great tolerance to desiccation (Whitton 1987) . Their pigment equipment allows them to withstand high levels of ultraviolet irradiation (Campbell 1979; Whitton 1992) . In arid environments they form the major component of microbiotic soil crusts, i.e., microbial communities including algae, lichens and bacteria that form centimetre-thick crusts at the surface of soil .

Their cells are generally surrounded by a polysaccharide sheath or capsule able to hold water and to confer to cyanobacteria a great tolerance to desiccation.

Their pigment equipment allows them to withstand high levels of ultraviolet irradiation.


Boundary conditions for the lattice Boltzmann equation are most commonly applied using the bounce-back method. Despite its simplicity, bounce-back introduces a spurious slip velocity of order O(∆x 2 ) [16, 24] . To minimise this error without excessive mesh resolution, one must adjust the relaxation time of the third order moment according to the 'magic parameter' [16] . If this relationship between the relaxation times for the second and third order moments is satisfied, the lattice Boltzmann method can accurately simulate flow phenomena, including natural convection [44] . However, the need to eliminate the numerical slip associated with bounce-back places a restriction on the collision operator. In particular, the value of the magic parameter Λ = 3/16 is not necessarily optimal in terms of numerical stability [13] . Furthermore, hydrodynamic boundary conditions more complicated than noslip are not easily satisfied by bounce-back and its variants.

Despite its simplicity, bounce-back introduces a spurious slip velocity of order O(∆x 2 ).

To minimise this error without excessive mesh resolution, one must adjust the relaxation time of the third order moment according to the 'magic parameter'.

If this relationship between the relaxation times for the second and third order moments is satisfied, the lattice Boltzmann method can accurately simulate flow phenomena, including natural convection.

In particular, the value of the magic parameter Λ = 3/16 is not necessarily optimal in terms of numerical stability.


Traditional algorithms involve a direct discretisation of the highly non-linear partial differential equations of continuum fluid mechanics, namely the Navier-Stokes equations with a Boussinesq approximation for the buoyancy. An alternative to the more familiar methods of CFD is the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE), which is based on a velocity-space truncation of the Boltzmann equation of classical kinetic theory [21] . By seeking solutions which vary slowly over hydrodynamic timescales much longer than the collision time, τ ν , the (lattice) Boltzmann equation can be shown to approximate the Navier-Stokes equations [5, 39, 20] . This seemingly indirect method offers several computational advantages. The non-linear convection term in the macroscopic equations is replaced by linear, constant coefficient advection in the discrete velocity Boltzmann equation. Furthermore, all nonlinearities are confined to an algebraic source term which can be updated locally, grid-point by grid-point. The locality of the algorithm allows for a natural parallelisation on modern computer architectures [6, 45, 1] .

An alternative to the more familiar methods of CFD is the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE), which is based on a velocity-space truncation of the Boltzmann equation of classical kinetic theory.

By seeking solutions which vary slowly over hydrodynamic timescales much longer than the collision time, τ ν , the (lattice) Boltzmann equation can be shown to approximate the Navier-Stokes equations.

The locality of the algorithm allows for a natural parallelisation on modern computer architectures.


In the past, learning simply meant face-to-face lectures, reading books or printed handouts. It was considered impossible without classrooms, books and chalkboards. Today, technology has played a major role in the field of education especially with the emergence of the World-Wide Web. The Internet has become an increasingly important feature of the learning environment for students. According to the Internet World Stats, http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm, the estimated number of Internet users around the world was approximately more than 2000 million by June 2012. The appearance of Web 2.0 technologies has also helped to promote and maintain the education standards. These tools allow multiple users to participate collaboratively rather than working alone. They offer many functions that appeal to educators who are looking to extend learning beyond the classroom (Haygood, Garner, & Johnson, 2012) . One of the most useful of these functions is Edmodo. It is a private micro-blogging service available at www.edmodo.com which provides a free and secure learning platform. It looks similar to Facebook, but is much more private and safe for a learning environment because it allows only teachers to create and manage accounts, and only their students, who receive a group code and register in the group, can access and join the group (Majid, 2011) . This service is accessible through any mobile device with Internet capabilities including free appsproviding a simple way for teachers and students in a virtual class to connect and collaborate. Via Edmodo, teachers can send out quizzes and assignments, give feedback, receive completed assignments, assign grades, store and share content in the form of both files and links, maintain a class calendar, conduct polls, as well as send notes and text (SMS) alerts to individual students or to the entire class. It also offers parent accounts in which they can view their children's homework assignments and due dates and receive updates on class and school events. At the time of writing this paper, it is estimated that more than twenty-nine million teachers and students around the world are using Edmodo on daily basis (http://www.edmodo.com/about). Edmodo was also recognized by the American Association of School Librarians in 2011 as one of the top 25 websites that foster the qualities of innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration in the category entitled 'Social Networking and Communication' (Kongchan, 2012) .

They offer many functions that appeal to educators who are looking to extend learning beyond the classroom.

It looks similar to Facebook, but is much more private and safe for a learning environment because it allows only teachers to create and manage accounts, and only their students, who receive a group code and register in the group, can access and join the group.

Edmodo was also recognized by the American Association of School Librarians in 2011 as one of the top 25 websites that foster the qualities of innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration in the category entitled 'Social Networking and Communication'.


For all experiments, we have simplified the choice of network topology, traffic characteristics, and transport protocols. They represent abstractions of the access and core of any telecommunications network, and are not meant to be complete or accurate representations of a real EEN. These baseline experiments could serve as a reference when designing more realistic simulations. Although not as realistic, our topologies provide more control over the ratio of cross-traffic compared to the commonly used benchmark specification developed by the research group at Dartmouth College [15] .

Although not as realistic, our topologies provide more control over the ratio of cross-traffic compared to the commonly used benchmark specification developed by the research group at Dartmouth College.


Recently printed antennas have been commonly used in sensing and various communications and radar systems applications due to their low cost, low profile, and simple integration with transceiver systems. For example, microstrip arrays are highly desired for the broadcast satellite services (BSS) in the frequency band at 13.5 GHz [1] . Moreover, the unlicensed frequency bands in the 30 GHz and 60 GHz ranges are used for increased data rate of more than 1 Gb/s in WLAN (wireless local area network IEEE 802.11n) and WPAN (wireless personal area network) short range communication systems [2] .

For example, microstrip arrays are highly desired for the broadcast satellite services (BSS) in the frequency band at 13.5 GHz.

Moreover, the unlicensed frequency bands in the 30 GHz and 60 GHz ranges are used for increased data rate of more than 1 Gb/s in WLAN (wireless local area network IEEE 802.11n) and WPAN (wireless personal area network) short range communication systems.


Some examples of printed antenna implementations illustrate specific and interesting particular solutions and show that they can be integrated with solid-state devices [3] [4] [5] . Of specific interest in this paper are those designs that are based on new shapes of Yagi-antenna implementation. Yagi-type antennas have several advantages over many other commonly used ones in portable communication systems [5] [6] [7] . First, the presence of the substrate provides mechanical support for the antenna and planar transmission line compatibility. Second, the parasitic director element on the top plane simultaneously directs the antenna propagation towards the endfire direction and acts as an impedance-matching parasitic element as well [8] .

Some examples of printed antenna implementations illustrate specific and interesting particular solutions and show that they can be integrated with solid-state devices.

Yagi-type antennas have several advantages over many other commonly used ones in portable communication systems.

Second, the parasitic director element on the top plane simultaneously directs the antenna propagation towards the endfire direction and acts as an impedance-matching parasitic element as well.


A key difference between the two cases, however, lies in the behaviour of the heat capacity. In Schwarzschild-anti-de Sitter this is positive when the radius of the cavity satisfies the constraint r + < r B < f (r + ), where f (r + ) → ∞ as r + → b/ √ 3 from below, with f (r + ) = ∞ for r + > b/ √ 3. This means that in the limit of the cavity becoming infinite, and with an appropriate rescaling of the temperature on the boundary wall, there will still exist two well-defined black hole solutions to the Euclidean Einstein equations: one locally thermodynamically stable and the other unstable. In fact, if suitably stated, all of the physical characteristics of the solutions are retained in this limit, and the situation recovered is formally identical to that which is analysed by Hawking and Page [9] .

In fact, if suitably stated, all of the physical characteristics of the solutions are retained in this limit, and the situation recovered is formally identical to that which is analysed by Hawking and Page.


It is well known that if the free energy of a system has an imaginary component, then that system is meta-stable and may decay via some mechanism in a first-order phase transition. This effect is well illustrated in, for example, the treatment of hot flat space in four dimensions given by Gross, Perry, and Yaffe [1] . In their analysis, the authors demonstrate that flat space at zero temperature is stable both classically and quantum-mechanically since the flat space metric η, which is a true minimum of the action, is the unique classical solution about which any saddle-point expansion may be made. In the case of flat space at some non-zero temperature T however, this is no longer true, since there exist other classical solutions with period β = 1/T , such as the Euclidean section of the Schwarzschild solution, which is not a true minimum of the action.

This effect is well illustrated in, for example, the treatment of hot flat space in four dimensions given by Gross, Perry, and Yaffe.


The paper proceeds as follows: the next section is devoted to a review of the thermodynamic properties of both asymptotically flat and asymptotically anti-de Sitter black holes confined within a finite ideal isothermal cavity. For simplicity the analysis is quite graphical, and attention is restricted to the case of three spatial dimensions only. Section three briefly discusses the theory behind one-loop contributions to the partition function in the path-integral approach to quantum gravity, and defines the physical gauge independent operator G acting on transverse and trace-free metric perturbations. The eigenvalue equation for this operator acting on spherically symmetric modes reduces to a second order O.D.E. in the radial coordinate. In section four this equation is obtained in a general form suitable for asymptotically flat and asymptotically anti-de Sitter solutions in any dimension n ≥ 4. Section five discusses the numerical solution of this equation for Schwarzschild-anti-de Sitter in n = 4 dimensions and demonstrates the stated correspondence with the heat capacity. This is then extended to higher dimensions in section six. The final section discusses the relevance of these observations to more recent work involving anti-de Sitter spaces, and in particular to the positive energy conjecture for periodically identified anti-de Sitter suggested by Horowitz and Myers [10] . The non-existence of a negative mode for the thermodynamically stable Schwarzschild-anti-de Sitter black hole provides strong evidence in favour of this proposal.

The final section discusses the relevance of these observations to more recent work involving anti-de Sitter spaces, and in particular to the positive energy conjecture for periodically identified anti-de Sitter suggested by Horowitz and Myers.


Mothers of infants enrolled in WIC receive nutrition education and obesity prevention care at similar time points in two distinct settings: public health and clinical healthcare. Both WIC nutritionists and pediatricians collect anthropometric and behavioral measures to evaluate nutritional status and growth and provide education during routine visits. WIC is required by law to complete assessments of height, weight, BMI percentile, hemoglobin, and dietary intake [8] . In comparison, pediatricians are recommended to deliver anticipatory guidance based on their physical (i.e., height, weight) and behavioral (i.e., dietary) assessments to promote healthy growth and prevent obesity [9, 10] .

WIC is required by law to complete assessments of height, weight, BMI percentile, hemoglobin, and dietary intake.

In comparison, pediatricians are recommended to deliver anticipatory guidance based on their physical (i.e., height, weight) and behavioral (i.e., dietary) assessments to promote healthy growth and prevent obesity.


Generally it is believed that the accessibility of tourism destinations has significant impacts on the tourism development, as the improvement of transport infrastructure can significantly reduce the trip cost. An integrated model was proposed in 2001 for quantifying the accessibility benefits in developing countries, in which accessibility-enhancing strategies are formulated by a set of constraints, and an optimal package of different investment strategies can be planned [1] . Actually the transport infrastructure is recognized as a basic component of successful creation of new attractions as well as for healthy growth of existing ones. It can be viewed as a potential determinant of the attractiveness of those destinations [2, 3] . Recent empirical studies show that destinations with wellbuilt transport infrastructure attract more tourists [4] [5] [6] . So the transport infrastructure is a key factor in determining the market share where multiple tourism destinations with similar attractiveness share the same tourist market. Besides, the market share of tourism destinations is closely related to the choice behavior of tourists. However the studies mentioned above generally acknowledge the necessity for efficient transport and present useful approaches to study the relationship between the transportation and the tourism, but the role of transport infrastructure and its relationship with the tourist choice behavior have not been investigated thoroughly.

An integrated model was proposed in 2001 for quantifying the accessibility benefits in developing countries, in which accessibility-enhancing strategies are formulated by a set of constraints, and an optimal package of different investment strategies can be planned.

It can be viewed as a potential determinant of the attractiveness of those destinations.

Recent empirical studies show that destinations with wellbuilt transport infrastructure attract more tourists.


The paper is organised as follows. In Sections 2 and 3 we describe a general framework within which these questions can be investigated. In Section 4 we specialise these theorems to the conjugacy action of S n , and in Section 5 we consider symmetric and exterior powers of an arbitrary linear character of a cyclic subgroup of S n (the Foulkes characters [4] ). In Section 6 we consider the alternating group, and more generally a finite group G with a subgroup H of index 2.

The paper is organised as follows.

In Section 4 we specialise these theorems to the conjugacy action of S n , and in Section 5 we consider symmetric and exterior powers of an arbitrary linear character of a cyclic subgroup of S n (the Foulkes characters).


As a first thought bufferless switches are expected to lead to simpler switch designs since they allow the movement of flits even to unproductive directions. However, this goal has not been succeeded yet. One critical parameter that limits the applicability of bufferless switches and restricts their scalability, is the delay complexity of the corresponding switch allocator that decides which flits will leave from their requested output and which ones will be misrouted to the rest outputs. The delay of commonly used switch allocators in the case of bufferless switches is significantly larger than that of buffered switches. In this way, bufferless switches cannot a high clock frequency and the goal for a true single-cycle operation is limited only to slow clock frequencies [7] , [8] .

In this way, bufferless switches cannot a high clock frequency and the goal for a true single-cycle operation is limited only to slow clock frequencies.


Such bufferless switches target mainly low-latency operation at low network loads. Several researchers have shown that this region of operation matches well the network traffic imposed by several applications [1] , [6] . On the other hand, bufferless switches offer limited maximum throughput when compared to high-end buffered switches [7] . The cause for this effect is that the deflection of flits to unproductive outputs spreads the congestion throughout the network. Nevertheless, the savings in buffer and clocking power may alleviate this negative effect under certain circumstances. Also, the power saved from buffers can be re-spent to the network by making the links and the crossbars wider thus gaining back some of the lost bandwidth.

Several researchers have shown that this region of operation matches well the network traffic imposed by several applications.

On the other hand, bufferless switches offer limited maximum throughput when compared to high-end buffered switches.


Modelling is becoming increasingly important in improving our understanding of ecological systems and our capacity to manage them sustainably into the future (Breckling et al. 2011) . Ecological models can provide information on the present state of ecological systems, as well as knowledge of which factors are most important in influencing current patterns and recent trends (Wiegand et al. 2003) . Ecological models can also be applied to project future ecological states under both acute and chronic perturbations, including habitat loss, anthropogenic harvesting and climate change (Evans 2012) . Additionally, strategic application of ecological models provides the capacity to evaluate possible consequences of policy or management interventions and to identify those most likely to achieve goals for maintaining the diversity, structure and function of ecological systems into the future (CBD 2010) .

Modelling is becoming increasingly important in improving our understanding of ecological systems and our capacity to manage them sustainably into the future.

Ecological models can provide information on the present state of ecological systems, as well as knowledge of which factors are most important in influencing current patterns and recent trends.

Ecological models can also be applied to project future ecological states under both acute and chronic perturbations, including habitat loss, anthropogenic harvesting and climate change.

Additionally, strategic application of ecological models provides the capacity to evaluate possible consequences of policy or management interventions and to identify those most likely to achieve goals for maintaining the diversity, structure and function of ecological systems into the future.


A local operator in the SYM theory is dual to a closed string state in AdS 5 ×S 5 . The string theory in AdS also has an open string sector which is associated with Wilson loops [9, 10, 11] . By probing Wilson loops with operators that have parametrically large R charge it is possible to reach the semiclassical regime in the open-string sector too [12] . Whether the semiclassical description in the open string sector captures perturbative regime in the field theory or still requires the 't Hooft coupling to be large is not entirely clear. We will address this question by comparing string-theory calculations with lowest-order Feynman diagrams.

The string theory in AdS also has an open string sector which is associated with Wilson loops.

By probing Wilson loops with operators that have parametrically large R charge it is possible to reach the semiclassical regime in the open-string sector too.


We hypothesise that naturalisation may act as a signal which exhibits a worker's commitment to the host country and could therefore lead to a higher probability of training participation (Bevelander and Pendakur 2012) . Due to the signal of commitment, the length of employment is expected to be greater for naturalised than for non-naturalised immigrants. Consequently, employers might be more willing to invest in the human capital of naturalised workers. Alternatively, naturalised immigrants might participate more often in OJT because they differ in behaviour and characteristics from non-naturalised immigrants.

We hypothesise that naturalisation may act as a signal which exhibits a worker's commitment to the host country and could therefore lead to a higher probability of training participation.


The above problem is actually generalizable to various route planning scenarios, and they illustrate some common structures and requirements. First, there is a POI map where POIs are connected by edges with traveling cost between POIs, and each POI has a location and is associated with a vector of features (e.g., museum) with numeric or binary ratings. The POI map can be created from Google Map, and features and ratings of POIs can be created from user rating and text tips available on location-based services such as Foursquare, or extracted from check-ins and user provided reviews [7] . Second, the user seeks to find top-k routes {P 1 , · · · , P k }, from a specified source x to a specified destination within a travel cost budget b, that have highest values of a certain gain function Gain(P i V ) for the set of POIs P i V on the routes P i . The user specifies her preference of routes through a weight vector w with w h being the weight of a feature h, and a route diversity requirement, which specifies a trade-off between quantity (the number of POIs with a preferred feature) and variety (the coverage of preferred features) for the POIs on a route. The gain function has the form Gain(P V ) = h w h Φ h (P V ), where Φ h for each feature h aggregates the feature's scores of the POIs P V .

The POI map can be created from Google Map, and features and ratings of POIs can be created from user rating and text tips available on location-based services such as Foursquare, or extracted from check-ins and user provided reviews.


The use of polymeric materials has reduced the consumption of finite natural resources in many industrial applications [2] . The cellulose industry plays an important role in these sustainability matters, and is a sector of the productive chain that can be benefited by the use of polymeric materials. The use of thermoplastics in some commodities can reduce the necessary volume of cellulose in its composition, and even replace some established products-as paper, for instance, which already has a synthetic substitute for some printing applications.

The use of polymeric materials has reduced the consumption of finite natural resources in many industrial applications.


Nowadays one of the major concerns of society is to preserve natural resources, because the awareness of its finitude. The search for sustainable solutions is visible in all sectors of economy [1] . Even raw materials from renewable font must have its levels of use reduced, since they make use of finite natural resources (fertilizers, water).

The search for sustainable solutions is visible in all sectors of economy.


Diclazuril is administered orally, and it is excreted by feces [7] . Diclazuril and toltrazuril act effectively against a large spectrum of coccidia. The first one is usually added to feed (about 1 ppm) for prevention purposes, whereas the other is added to water for disease care. Clazuril shows the same chemical-physical properties and acting way of diclazuril [8] .

Diclazuril is administered orally, and it is excreted by feces.

Clazuril shows the same chemical-physical properties and acting way of diclazuril.


Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by the development and multiplication of coccidia in the intestine cells. It is caused by the development and multiplication of coccidian protozoa belonging to the Eimeria (the most predominant) or Cryptosporidium species. This infection is not lethal in healthy animals, but it can cause weight loss, low growth, and intestinal lesions, and every year, it leads to severe losses in meat and egg production [1] .

This infection is not lethal in healthy animals, but it can cause weight loss, low growth, and intestinal lesions, and every year, it leads to severe losses in meat and egg production.


Coccidiostats are drugs that are administered against the coccidiosis both for prophylactic chemotherapy and for health care [2] . To this aim, two different kinds of drugs are employed: ionophores and synthetic drugs. They are administrated in feed and/or in zootechnical supplements and some of them are included in the European Union register of Feed Additives [3] . In this paper, we investigated the simultaneous detection and quantification of clazuril, diclazuril, robenidine, nicarbazine and toltrazuril (including its main metabolites) in eggs ( Figure 1 ). Toltrazuril after administration to chicken by drinking water, is absorbed, metabolized and excreted as toltrazuril sulfone (main metabolite) and toltrazuril sulfoxide. Toxicology, metabolism and its characteristics are reported in the Summary Report on toltrazuril of the European agency for the evaluation of medicinal products [4, 5] . Its use is regulated by Commission Regulation N 37/2010 [6] .

Coccidiostats are drugs that are administered against the coccidiosis both for prophylactic chemotherapy and for health care.

They are administrated in feed and/or in zootechnical supplements and some of them are included in the European Union register of Feed Additives.

Toxicology, metabolism and its characteristics are reported in the Summary Report on toltrazuril of the European agency for the evaluation of medicinal products.

Its use is regulated by Commission Regulation N 37/2010.


The near-field enhancement in proximity of plasmonic antennas results in enhanced light-matter interaction, which can be exploited in photodetection, a unique application shows that it makes possible to read out nanoscale bar-codes [1] . There are several examples of plasmonically improved photodetectors in the scientific literature. This is due to that a polarized light incident on a diffraction grating can be coupled into surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs); moreover, they can be completely absorbed in specific configurations [2] . A concentric grating-coupler made possible to achieve 20-fold enhancement in Si-based photodetectors along with the improvement of the electrical properties [3] . The lateral and in depth light confinement achievable via slits was also utilized in case of Si detectors [4] . The combination of a slit and a surrounding grating promoted to achieve 250-fold enhancement in the absorption of the embedded semiconducting material [5] . Various types of plasmonic waveguide based detectors have been also developed [6] - [8] . Although, the polarization selectivity is a significant property of plasmonic patterns, there are only a few examples in the literature, which describe efforts to improve and utilize these capabilities. C-shaped apertures integrated onto Ge detectors were capable of enhancing detection efficiency significantly and ensuring polarization sensitivity throughout a wide wavelength region [9] . A nanoscaled photodetector was created by embedding Ge into the arms of a sleeve dipole antenna, and a polarization contrast of ∼ 20 was achieved [10] . The spectral and polarization selectivity of complex patterns was used to design plasmonic photon sorters [11] .

The near-field enhancement in proximity of plasmonic antennas results in enhanced light-matter interaction, which can be exploited in photodetection, a unique application shows that it makes possible to read out nanoscale bar-codes.

This is due to that a polarized light incident on a diffraction grating can be coupled into surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs); moreover, they can be completely absorbed in specific configurations.

A concentric grating-coupler made possible to achieve 20-fold enhancement in Si-based photodetectors along with the improvement of the electrical properties.

The lateral and in depth light confinement achievable via slits was also utilized in case of Si detectors.

The combination of a slit and a surrounding grating promoted to achieve 250-fold enhancement in the absorption of the embedded semiconducting material.

Various types of plasmonic waveguide based detectors have been also developed.

C-shaped apertures integrated onto Ge detectors were capable of enhancing detection efficiency significantly and ensuring polarization sensitivity throughout a wide wavelength region.

A nanoscaled photodetector was created by embedding Ge into the arms of a sleeve dipole antenna, and a polarization contrast of ∼ 20 was achieved.

The spectral and polarization selectivity of complex patterns was used to design plasmonic photon sorters.


Among photodetectors, devices possessing single-photon sensitivity are particularly important in quantum information processing (QIP). One of the most widely used photodetectors is the superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) [12] - [14] . The most important part of conventional SNSPDs is a superconducting wire made of, e.g., niobium-nitride (NbN) in a meandered pattern on silica or sapphire substrate. These wires are usually 4 nm thick with a 2 nm oxide cover-layer on the top of them. Due to the absorption of an infrared (1550 nm) single-photon the superconducting state breaks in the nanowire, which results in a detectable change of the voltage signal in the readout electronics. The width of the wire has to be smaller than 90-110 nm to ensure optimal detection probability. This explains, why a long meandered NbN pattern is needed to obtain large absorption across the active area of the detector. However, the length of the NbN wires limits the recovery time of an SNSPD and, hence, the speed of the detector. As a consequence, different nanostructures integrated into the active area of the detector, which can enhance the absorption of the NbN wires, are in great demand. Such a structure could maintain high absorptance and faster detection simultaneously, even in the case of a relatively small NbN filling-factor. Further important properties of SNSPDs can be tailored by integrated structures as well, namely it was shown that the external dark count rate can be reduced by a multilayer bandpass filter [15] .

One of the most widely used photodetectors is the superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD).

Further important properties of SNSPDs can be tailored by integrated structures as well, namely it was shown that the external dark count rate can be reduced by a multilayer bandpass filter.


X. cortezi females clearly preferred males with more bars, although preference for symmetry was stronger than preference for bar number within the range of these variables tested. Females could use bar number to assess male size. It is also possible that an increase in bar number could simply increase male detectability, owing to an increase in pigmented area. It has been suggested that females should enforce reliability in a multiple signalling system by being more responsive to more reliable signals (MÖller et al. 1998) . If both bar number and bar symmetry provide information about male quality, the femaleenforced reliability hypothesis would predict that bar symmetry is a more reliable indicator of male quality than bar number in X. cortezi.

It has been suggested that females should enforce reliability in a multiple signalling system by being more responsive to more reliable signals.


In a previous study, Xiphophorus cortezi females preferred males with symmetrical bar numbers when overall bar number was held constant (Morris & Casey 1998) . The current study examined the possibility that the preference for symmetrical males previously detected was actually due to a preference for the largest minimum number of bars on one side. Preference for symmetry was examined while holding the minimum number of bars constant, giving symmetrical males fewer bars overall than the asymmetrical males. Female responses were compared in three tests with the same pairs of males. In the ¢rst two tests, pairs of males di¡ered in bar symmetry and the minimum number of bars was held constant. In the third test, males di¡ered in bar number and bar symmetry was held constant. By examining the responses of the same females across all three tests, it was possible to determine if there was a relation between variation in the strength of female preference for bar number and variation in the strength of female preference for symmetry when confounded by bar number.

In a previous study, Xiphophorus cortezi females preferred males with symmetrical bar numbers when overall bar number was held constant.


Preference by X. cortezi females for males with symmetrical bar numbers is consistent with`good genes' models of sexual selection which predict that females choose mates based on traits that re£ect male genetic quality (MÖller & Pomiankowski 1993) . However, a relation between bar symmetry and male genetic quality needs to be quanti¢ed before further consideration is given to the possibility that`good genes' models can explain the evolution of this strong female preference. In X. cortezi, bar symmetry may provide information about the probability that an individual is a hybrid as vertical bars are more variable in the hybrids of several di¡erent species of Xiphophorus, including o¡spring from X. cortezi and X. montezumae crosses (Atz 1962) .

Preference by X. cortezi females for males with symmetrical bar numbers is consistent with`good genes' models of sexual selection which predict that females choose mates based on traits that re£ect male genetic quality.

In X. cortezi, bar symmetry may provide information about the probability that an individual is a hybrid as vertical bars are more variable in the hybrids of several di¡erent species of Xiphophorus, including o¡spring from X. cortezi and X. montezumae crosses.


We begin with the definition of Bessel-Riesz operators. For 0 < γ and 0 < α < n, we define γ . Here, I α,γ is called Bessel-Riesz operator and K α,γ is called Bessel-Riesz kernel. The name of the kernel resembles the product of Bessel kernel and Riesz kernel [13] . While the Riesz kernel captures the local behaviour, the Bessel kernel take cares the global behaviour of the function. The Bessel-Riesz kernel is used in studying the behaviour of the solution of a Schrödinger type equation [8] .

For 0 < γ and 0 < α < n, we define γ .

The name of the kernel resembles the product of Bessel kernel and Riesz kernel.

The Bessel-Riesz kernel is used in studying the behaviour of the solution of a Schrödinger type equation.


The homeostasis of blood glucose is maintained as a result of the action of various vital organs. Blood glucose influx is mediated by glucose transporter (GLUT). When the hyperglycemia broke out, plasma glucose entered the cytoplasm of hepatocytes through GLUT2 [13] . In contrast, the glucose uptake in adipose tissue and muscle is mostly mediated by GLUT4 and plays an important role in glucose utilization by insulin stimulation [14] . Hepatic glucose uptake and glucose production are the key parameters in glucose homeostasis. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a serine/threonine kinase, has a critical function in this process, because it can suppress gluconeogenesis in the liver and promote glucose uptake in peripheral tissues [15] . Previous studies have found that the activation of AMPK signal pathways increased the insulin-and contraction-stimulated GLUT4 translocation in muscles [16] .

When the hyperglycemia broke out, plasma glucose entered the cytoplasm of hepatocytes through GLUT2.

In contrast, the glucose uptake in adipose tissue and muscle is mostly mediated by GLUT4 and plays an important role in glucose utilization by insulin stimulation.

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a serine/threonine kinase, has a critical function in this process, because it can suppress gluconeogenesis in the liver and promote glucose uptake in peripheral tissues.

Previous studies have found that the activation of AMPK signal pathways increased the insulin-and contraction-stimulated GLUT4 translocation in muscles.


The Neural-network-based detector, although using a different mechanism by which to effect detection, appears to be as good as the Markov-based detector. The only caveat with this detector lies in the reliability of detection. It is common knowledge that the performance of a multi-layer, feed-forward network relies on a balance of parameter values, e.g., the learning constant, the number of hidden nodes, and the momentum constant [21] . Some combinations of these values may result in weakened anomaly signals. In these cases, the setting of another parameter -the detection threshold -becomes critical for detecting particular events.

It is common knowledge that the performance of a multi-layer, feed-forward network relies on a balance of parameter values, e.g., the learning constant, the number of hidden nodes, and the momentum constant.


The importance of extant research notwithstanding, we set out to investigate the unexplored domain of sustaining and growing established gated communities. Given that the growth trend in gated communities "is not a passing fashion" (McKenzie, 2005b, p. 187) and that gated communities will increasingly populate the residential landscape, we ask: what must established gated communities consider to remain a viable economic and social entity? Because they are a type of organizational form designated as a CID, a gated community's mission is to defend the common interests of its residents (Bellet, 2008) . Therefore, as in most established organizational contexts, gated communities must continue to fulfill the needs of their constituents; at the same time, they must also consider the vagaries of the world that lies outside of the enclave.

Because they are a type of organizational form designated as a CID, a gated community's mission is to defend the common interests of its residents.


In this paper, we prove (rigorously) that non-axisymmetric Burgers vortices exist for all values of the Reynolds number, provided the asymmetry parameter is sufficiently small. In particular, taking the limit R → ∞, we recover exactly the asymptotic results of Moffatt, Kida and Ohkitani [11] . We also show that these vortices are stable with respect to spatially localized two-dimensional perturbations. Existence for larger values of the asymmetry parameter and stability with respect to three-dimensional perturbations are difficult questions, which have been solved so far for small Reynolds numbers only [8] .

In particular, taking the limit R → ∞, we recover exactly the asymptotic results of Moffatt, Kida and Ohkitani.

Existence for larger values of the asymmetry parameter and stability with respect to three-dimensional perturbations are difficult questions, which have been solved so far for small Reynolds numbers only.


Therefore, this study focuses on the radial geometry of an antenna array, i.e., the design of a concentric ring array is focused on reduction of the hardware of MEO satellite system. Specially, in this paper, the behavior of the radiation pattern is investigated by means of optimization of the spacing among rings and the levels of amplitude excitations. The spacing among rings is selected as an optimization variable to obtain an unequal distribution of the radius of the rings. Therefore, the main contribution of this research is a global optimization using an evolutionary algorithm for synthesis of a concentric ring array in MEO satellite systems with fewer excitations devices to accomplish a desirable shape pattern with side lobe level reduction. It is important to state that there are several works in the literature for synthesizing concentric rings arrays. However, they are oriented to different objectives of study [13, 14] . These works do not consider any satellite application for the synthesis of the antenna arrays. In this case, these works consider different approaches to synthesize concentric ring arrays for a pencil beam radiation and/or flat radiation, not an isoflux radiation and to reduce SLL, without any consideration of the reduction of amplitude levels because it is important to satisfy the requirement in MEO satellites. This synthesis is performed by using the well-known Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) [15] . This particular optimization of the concentric ring antenna arrays for the requirements in MEO satellite systems has not been considered yet in the literature.

However, they are oriented to different objectives of study.

This synthesis is performed by using the well-known Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO).


Nowadays, a variety of applications of the well-known antenna arrays for different communication systems exist because of their great radiating capabilities. The considerations for their radiating synthesis commonly are to reduce certain issues presented in the antenna systems. Essential issues could be found in the case of satellite applications. For instance, the electromagnetic fields transmitted from the onboard antenna to the earth are attenuated on the coverage area far from the nadir direction and/or near the horizon due to path loss variation as well as atmospheric conditions [1] . This factor is unwanted in the transmission for weather forecast, radio, television or global positioning services. These circumstances may be mitigated by the antenna system with an isoflux radiation [2] . Usually, large antennas as reflectors or horns are utilized for this purpose [3, 4] . Nevertheless, these antennas are not favorable in terms of the volume occupation for the complete antenna system. Furthermore, the heat dissipations as well as power consumptions are other important factors that must be addressed in the design of a antenna system for satellite applications. The implementation of non-uniform antenna arrays with an annular aperture could be a natural solution because of their capabilities for shape radiation in a compact size.

For instance, the electromagnetic fields transmitted from the onboard antenna to the earth are attenuated on the coverage area far from the nadir direction and/or near the horizon due to path loss variation as well as atmospheric conditions.

These circumstances may be mitigated by the antenna system with an isoflux radiation.

Usually, large antennas as reflectors or horns are utilized for this purpose.


The high degree of spatial variability in catchment characteristics requires careful calibration of the model so as to obtain consistent results among all the gauging stations within the catchment. However, calibration of CHMs to determine a suitable set of parameter values that can describe the hydrology of the catchment is not always an easy task . Studies have shown that the parameter set used to calibrate CHMs against flow measured only at the catchment outlet (single-site calibration (SSC)) may not produce similar results at other internal hydrometric stations within the catchment (Wang et al. 2012; Wi et al. 2015; Leta et al. 2017) . Furthermore, several researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of calibrating CHMs with data from different parts of the catchment using simultaneous multi-site calibration (SMSC) over SSC (Wang et al. 2012; Wi et al. 2015; Chaibou Begou et al. 2016) .

Studies have shown that the parameter set used to calibrate CHMs against flow measured only at the catchment outlet (single-site calibration (SSC)) may not produce similar results at other internal hydrometric stations within the catchment.

Furthermore, several researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of calibrating CHMs with data from different parts of the catchment using simultaneous multi-site calibration (SMSC) over SSC.


The rate of hydrological change in the Lake Chad Basin (LCB) has increased in recent decades. Lake Chad is an endorheic lake located in the Sudano-Sahel transition zone of the Central Africa region. Between 1960 and 2000 the lake experienced one of the most significant and sustained reductions in rainfall recorded anywhere in the world, which caused the lake area to shrink by more than 80% (Odada et al. 2005) . However, the shrinkage in lake size cannot be attributed wholly to a reduction in rainfall. Construction of numerous dams on the feeder rivers of the lake for irrigation projects have reduced inflows into the lake by about 50% (Odada et al. 2005) .

Between 1960 and 2000 the lake experienced one of the most significant and sustained reductions in rainfall recorded anywhere in the world, which caused the lake area to shrink by more than 80%.

Construction of numerous dams on the feeder rivers of the lake for irrigation projects have reduced inflows into the lake by about 50%.


The study focuses on the effect of material, thickness and arrangement of thin layer ring structure on the ice formation enhancement. It has been shown that the heat transfer performance of the thin layer ring is dependent on its material, thickness, and arrangement [27] . The ice formation with novel thin layer ring can be improved by increasing the thermal conductivity of a material. Copper, Aluminium and stainless steel were tested in our previous study [27] . Thickness effect was studied from 0.5mm to 2mm, and the arrangement effect was investigated for the staggered arrangement and parallel arrangement. But these tests were limited by the number of factorial level. In this study, the influence of various design parameters on the heat transfer enhancement with thin layer ring is analysed using numerical method in the rectangular space. The Taguchi method [30, 31, and 32] is introduced into this study. The method is used to demonstrate a systematic procedure of using Taguchi parameter design in product design of thin layer ring applied in ITS system. It is also adopted to demonstrate a use of the Taguchi parameter design in order to identify the optimum thin layer ring performance with a particular combination of parameters in the ITS system application.

It has been shown that the heat transfer performance of the thin layer ring is dependent on its material, thickness, and arrangement.

Copper, Aluminium and stainless steel were tested in our previous study.


Surfactants are organic salts that have amphiphilic character, which contain both non-polar hydrophobic and polar hydrophilic groups [12] . Moreover, they can act as interaction links between non-polar hydrophobic and polar hydrophilic polymers [13] . Previous studies have indicated that the anionic and cationic surfactants could successfully be utilized as compatibilizing agents in polymer blend systems especially for polar and non-polar polymers [14, 15] . In addition, natural fillers such as starch, sawdust and cellulose powders could also be treated with ionic and non-ionic surfactants for improving the properties of polymer composites [16] [17] [18] . Therefore, the surfactants could definitely increase compatibility between the components phases of the biocomposites. In this preliminary study, the cationic surfactant was used as a treatment agent for natural filler to enhance the physicochemical properties of PE/cellulose woven biocomposites system. The tensile, morphological and chemical properties of prepared biocomposites have been characterized and studied to determine the optimum surfactant concentration for treatment of cellulose woven and also the optimum treatment time.

Surfactants are organic salts that have amphiphilic character, which contain both non-polar hydrophobic and polar hydrophilic groups.

Moreover, they can act as interaction links between non-polar hydrophobic and polar hydrophilic polymers.

Previous studies have indicated that the anionic and cationic surfactants could successfully be utilized as compatibilizing agents in polymer blend systems especially for polar and non-polar polymers.

In addition, natural fillers such as starch, sawdust and cellulose powders could also be treated with ionic and non-ionic surfactants for improving the properties of polymer composites.