The quantitative description of microbial communities is one of the most di¤cult tasks facing microbial ecologists as the classical techniques of viable counting often recover only a small proportion of total cells [1] . At present, only two methods have overcome the problem of selective culturing while providing an unbiased view of the structure of complex microbial communities. These are analysis of microbial populations using ribosomal RNA (rDNA) and phospholipid fatty acid analysis [2] . Microbial community analysis using rRNA (rDNA) can detect and identify community members with high speci¢city to the species and strain levels, as well as detect and suggest phylogenetic a¤nities of uncultured organisms [3] . However, these procedures are labor intensive and the time required for DNA extraction, screening and sequencing can be prohibitive. The alternative is the use of phospholipid fatty acids to quantify community structure without relying upon cultivation of microorganisms. This approach does not have the capability to identify microorganisms to species and strain level, but rather produces descriptions of microbial communities based on functional groupings of fatty acid pro¢les.

The quantitative description of microbial communities is one of the most di¤cult tasks facing microbial ecologists as the classical techniques of viable counting often recover only a small proportion of total cells.

These are analysis of microbial populations using ribosomal RNA (rDNA) and phospholipid fatty acid analysis.

Microbial community analysis using rRNA (rDNA) can detect and identify community members with high speci¢city to the species and strain levels, as well as detect and suggest phylogenetic a¤nities of uncultured organisms.


Based on the above, action and improvement diagrams may be obtained for tracking changes of student's preferences. Action diagrams (performance-importance maps) may determine the weak and strong points of student's satisfaction as well as the actions that should be undertaken to improve the overall satisfaction. These diagrams are composed of four quadrants depending on the performance (satisfaction indices) and the importance (weights) of the criteria (Grigoroudis and Siskos, 2002) .

These diagrams are composed of four quadrants depending on the performance (satisfaction indices) and the importance (weights) of the criteria.


To support the rapidly emerging bandwidth-rich multimedia services, it is urgent to increase the transmission capacity of optical access networks. Due to its high reliability and low cost, passive optical network (PON) is widely used and implemented as a high-speed broadband access strategy. Meanwhile, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) has been successfully introduced into optical fiber communications due to its flexible dynamic bandwidth allocation, high spectral efficiency and strong resistance to dispersion. As shown in Fig. 1 , OFDM-PON enables dynamic subcarrier resources allocation combining the advantages of optical OFDM technology and PONs. Furthermore, the application of OFDM technology can alleviate the cost pressure from expensive optical devices using mature digital signal processing (DSP) in electrical domain and cost-efficient high-frequency microwave devices. Therefore, OFDM-PON has been regarded as a reliable choice for next-generation optical access networks [1] - [2] .

Therefore, OFDM-PON has been regarded as a reliable choice for next-generation optical access networks.


Referring to Figure 2 , the steady state thermal maximum voltage, V max , assumes importance due to the reason that this is the maximum voltage below which the thermal runaway can not occur even in the remote future after an application of voltage [3, 4] . For a few percent higher voltages than this the thermal runaway may result in a rapid breakdown. The fact that the application of voltage equal to the thermal maximum voltage results in the runaway at theoretically infinite time makes it difficult for laboratory experimentation or estimation. The intrinsic instability as shown here, is, a consequence of the electrical conductivity being made a function of temperature and electric field. The coupled thermal and current continuity conditions, under stated boundary conditions, are seen to give double solutions to stress and temperature in the neighborhood of an inherent peak voltage referred to as the intrinsic thermal maximum voltage (ITMV). In so doing, the maximum insulation temperature at breakdown (MITB) and the effects of the thickness on the ITMV, which seem to have not been covered earlier, have been examined in detail. Several gaps existing in Eoll's formulations are now filled leading to a comprehensive understanding of the concept of intrinsic thermal stability.

Referring to Figure 2 , the steady state thermal maximum voltage, V max , assumes importance due to the reason that this is the maximum voltage below which the thermal runaway can not occur even in the remote future after an application of voltage.


In its strongest form, the AdS/CFT correspondence establishes an equivalence of N = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills (SYM) theory and string theory in Anti-de-Sitter space [1] - [4] . Because even a free string propagation in Anti-de-Sitter space is rather complicated, going beyond the low-energy, supergravity approximation in the AdS/CFT correspondence is extremely hard. Not surprisingly, the stringy nature of the AdS/CFT duality is not directly visible in the supergravity limit. Fortunately, there is one exception: Wilson loops in N = 4 SYM probe genuine stringy degrees of freedom even in the supergravity regime [5, 6, 4, 7] . Wilson loop correlators therefore should display stringy behavior in the large-N, large 't Hooft coupling limit of SYM theory which is dual to classical supergravity.

In its strongest form, the AdS/CFT correspondence establishes an equivalence of N = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills (SYM) theory and string theory in Anti-de-Sitter space.

Fortunately, there is one exception: Wilson loops in N = 4 SYM probe genuine stringy degrees of freedom even in the supergravity regime.


Malaria outbreaks are a clear threat to maintain achievements and to the final goal of elimination in China [12] . They can have various reasons, ranging from environmental causes over parasite/vector characteristics to health system factors and human behaviour aspects [13] . Increasing development in China, which is associated with increased mobility, led to malaria outbreaks in areas where local malaria transmission had previously been interrupted. A strengthened surveillance system contributed largely to active investigation and better reporting of these outbreaks. Therefore, a thorough analysis of the specific reasons for these outbreaks will be helpful to improve the effectiveness of the national malaria programme.

Malaria outbreaks are a clear threat to maintain achievements and to the final goal of elimination in China.

They can have various reasons, ranging from environmental causes over parasite/vector characteristics to health system factors and human behaviour aspects.


Binocular vision is an important part of computer vision. According to binocular stereo vision technology, researchers can obtain the stereo information of an object and calculate the three-dimensional coordinates of the object to achieve the positioning of the object [6] . Binocular vision technology originated in 1977, and Professor Marr proposed the computer binocular vision theory in the USA. Since then, the binocular vision theory has been continuously improved, and its application in the field of fruit and vegetable picking robots has been continuously matured [7] . In 2002, Professor Takahashi of Hirosaki University in Japan used binocular stereo vision technology to locate kiwifruit in the orchard. First, the three-dimensional space is divided into several cross-sections according to the line-of-sight distance, and then the three-dimensional information of the object is reconstructed by integrating the two-dimensional images of the cross-sections. It has been proved by experiments that the error of measuring the depth distance using this method is controlled within ± 5%. When there are 20~30 fruits in the image, the discrimination rate of fruit is greater than or equal to 90% [8] .

According to binocular stereo vision technology, researchers can obtain the stereo information of an object and calculate the three-dimensional coordinates of the object to achieve the positioning of the object.

Since then, the binocular vision theory has been continuously improved, and its application in the field of fruit and vegetable picking robots has been continuously matured.

When there are 20~30 fruits in the image, the discrimination rate of fruit is greater than or equal to 90%.


Heart failure (HF) is a functional consequence of a wide variety of diseases, including ischaemic heart disease, congenital disorders, hypertension, valvular heart disease, postpartum cardiomyopathy, and the complex cardiomyopathies where genetic mutations may be contributing reasons [1] [2] [3] . Regardless of etiology, the heart may respond with remodelling to maintain cardiac function despite continuous stress. In the 1960s and 1970s, HF was regarded as a mechanical pump failure and treated with inotropic and diuretic agents. In the 1980s, the neurohormonal model of HF was introduced, leading to clinical treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, b-blockers, and aldosterone antagonists. However, morbidity and mortality of HF still remain high, indicating that we have not yet fully grasped the mechanisms of the underlying pathology and are not able to prevent remodelling. In the 1990s, the cardioinflammatory model of HF was introduced [3] . Since then, a large number of publications have documented the activation of the innate immune system in heart failure patients. Patients with HF have increased circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines, immune activity in the heart itself, and in circulating blood cells. Whether this is a cause or consequence of disease is currently not known. Patients with inflammatory disease (i.e. inflammatory joint disease, inflammatory bowel disease and HIV infections) have increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, indicating that the events leading to remodelling of the heart may be due to systemic effects driven by the immune system [3] [4] [5] [6] . The current review aims at giving an overview of how the innate immune system regulates cardiac cells in the process of remodelling towards HF.

Heart failure (HF) is a functional consequence of a wide variety of diseases, including ischaemic heart disease, congenital disorders, hypertension, valvular heart disease, postpartum cardiomyopathy, and the complex cardiomyopathies where genetic mutations may be contributing reasons.

In the 1990s, the cardioinflammatory model of HF was introduced.

Patients with inflammatory disease (i.e. inflammatory joint disease, inflammatory bowel disease and HIV infections) have increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, indicating that the events leading to remodelling of the heart may be due to systemic effects driven by the immune system.


Multi-objective optimization offers an approach for exploring optimal values of a variable when several and often competing objective functions (e.g. ventilation heat losses, negative health impacts) exist. There are two general approaches to multi-objective optimization. One is to combine the individual objective functions into a single objective function by for example an appropriate weighting scheme, or by converting all but one objective function into constraints [15] . In both cases, an optimization method would return a single solution for each choice of weights or constraints, but these weights and constraints could be varied in order to obtain a set of solutions to help decision-makers examine trade-offs. The second general approach is to determine the entire set or a representative set of 'Pareto optimal solutions', in which the least value of each objective function is obtained within acceptable levels, without dominating other objective functions. While moving from one Pareto solution to another, there is some sacrifice in one objective function(s) to achieve a gain in the other(s), therefore easily allowing the decision-maker to examine trade-offs.

One is to combine the individual objective functions into a single objective function by for example an appropriate weighting scheme, or by converting all but one objective function into constraints.


Depth data present a set of characteristics that diverge from color images. Typically, they are composed of large smooth regions separated by sharp depth transitions. Classical video compression techniques for color images have been designed to achieve high visual quality. For this purpose, the image is divided in blocks and each block is coded using a transform and a quantization step [28] . However, the direct application of these techniques on depth maps leads to coding artifacts in the edges due to quantization. An accurate representation of the sharp edges is capital for the DIBR process. Since it generates virtual views, the depth transitions allow to separate regions of the image with different inter-view motion vectors. Quantization-based artifacts near the edges introduce severe rendering artifacts in synthesized virtual views [23] .

For this purpose, the image is divided in blocks and each block is coded using a transform and a quantization step.

Quantization-based artifacts near the edges introduce severe rendering artifacts in synthesized virtual views.


There is also another group of 325 million with risk of Type II diabetes in 2017 and the numbers of these patients are also progressively increasing throughout the world [1] . Most of the people in this category belonged to the age group between 40 to 59 years of age wherein 1 out of 2 people among 212 million people are completely ignorant and uninformed of their disease. Hence it is quite evident that diabetic retinopathy has the probability to soon become a major health issue throughout the world. Obesity, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity are the primary factors responsible for Type 2 diabetes. But it is important to understand that diabetic retinopathy gets developed only when a patient has diabetes for at least 10 years and remains unaware and untreated without proper eye examination. Diabetic Retinopathy can always be prevented if it is detected early enough by conducting health check-ups and systematic treatment of Diabetes [2, 3] .

There is also another group of 325 million with risk of Type II diabetes in 2017 and the numbers of these patients are also progressively increasing throughout the world.

Diabetic Retinopathy can always be prevented if it is detected early enough by conducting health check-ups and systematic treatment of Diabetes.


Duration of Diabetes acts as one of the primary cause for patients getting affected with retinopathy wherein with longer duration, the probability of occurrence of the disease gets enhanced. Hence it is evident that retinopathy initiates when the patient has diabetes for a longer timeframe being completely unaware, ignorant and untreated on the possibilities of diabetic retinopathy as a natural progression from diabetes [4] . The onset of diabetes happens when there is an abnormal fluctuation in the blood sugar level. Normally the glucose in the body gets transformed into energy helping to conduct regular human activities. But in an adverse situation when there is abnormal shooting up of blood sugar level, the excess blood sugar generated finds no other option but to get accumulated in blood vessels of various organs in the body including human eye [3] . This phenomenon is called hyperglycemia. Diabetic eye disease or retinopathy has two stages namely Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR) and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR). In NPDR the retina gets swollen, a case of macular edema, due accumulation of glucose leading to blood vessel leakages in the eyes. The swelling could be so worse that the vessels could get completely blocked resulting, in macular ischemia. In all of the instances the patient loses vision partially, completely or sometimes suffers from blurred vision. The PDR occurs at a much advanced stage of diabetes when new blood vessels start growing in the retina, a case known as neovascularization. The new blood vessels are extremely thin and fragile being more prone to haemorrhage. The blood from the haemorrhage leads to partial or complete vision loss. Also the newly created blood vessels form scar tissues which lead to detachment of retina resulting in loss of central or peripheral vision. The symptoms of NPDR and PDR include blurred vision, haemorrhages, wool spots, double vision, corneal abnormalities, intra-retinal abrasions, microvascular abnormalities, microaneurysms and increase in retinal permeability [5] .

Hence it is evident that retinopathy initiates when the patient has diabetes for a longer timeframe being completely unaware, ignorant and untreated on the possibilities of diabetic retinopathy as a natural progression from diabetes.

But in an adverse situation when there is abnormal shooting up of blood sugar level, the excess blood sugar generated finds no other option but to get accumulated in blood vessels of various organs in the body including human eye.

The symptoms of NPDR and PDR include blurred vision, haemorrhages, wool spots, double vision, corneal abnormalities, intra-retinal abrasions, microvascular abnormalities, microaneurysms and increase in retinal permeability.


In this study, the results of the authorship classification tests are rigorously assessed using the equal error rate (EER), the Tippett plot, and the loglikelihood-ratio cost or C llr matrices (Brümmer and du Preez, 2006) . Using LR values as discriminant scores, we can measure the accuracy of the authorship classification systems in terms of EER. EER is a good indicator of the overall accuracy of a system, but does not refer to how good the LR values are. An LR is an estimate of the degree of support for a hypothesis against its alternative. Thus, the value of an LR itself is very important.

In this study, the results of the authorship classification tests are rigorously assessed using the equal error rate (EER), the Tippett plot, and the loglikelihood-ratio cost or C llr matrices.


The basic idea behind the concept of deformable models is that a geometrical representation of an object is allowed to deform under an internal deformation energy (controlling the allowed shapes of the deforming object), and an external potential energy field (from the input images or user interaction). The deformable object is allowed to deform such as it fits the input data. Minimizing the energy of the deformable object o, leads to an Euler-Lagrange equation which basically states or express that the internal and external forces must balance at equilibrium [7] . In this paper deforming the object is based solely on solving a modified Euler-Lagrange equation that states that the forces need only to balance along the normal vectorn at the model surface. The objective for modifying the EulerLagrange equation is to avoid that the parametrization of the deformable model o influence the deforming forces.

Minimizing the energy of the deformable object o, leads to an Euler-Lagrange equation which basically states or express that the internal and external forces must balance at equilibrium.


The supreme challenge in the selective synthesis of 2-nitroalkanols in the multiple product options such as aldol olefin and its polymer and Cannizaro products is the selection of the accurate kind of base [8] . Noteworthy developments to the Henry reaction have been achieved by using silyl nitronates in the existence of fluoride ion or instead α-α doubly deprotonated primary nitroalkanes [9] . Both of these processes have showed to be valuable for the stereo selective preparation of vicinal amino alcohols under drastic conditions, which reduced diastereoselectivity with aromatic aldehydes. Hence to obtain better yields and diastereoselectivity of 2-nitroalcohols, it was necessary to develop new procedures employing heterogeneous catalysts with basic character.

The supreme challenge in the selective synthesis of 2-nitroalkanols in the multiple product options such as aldol olefin and its polymer and Cannizaro products is the selection of the accurate kind of base.

Noteworthy developments to the Henry reaction have been achieved by using silyl nitronates in the existence of fluoride ion or instead α-α doubly deprotonated primary nitroalkanes.


Quark flavour-changing transitions have been used to probe high-energy scales since several decades, with many successes along the way, such as predicting the existence and properties of the charm and top quarks. They are particularly well suited for this purpose in the context of the Standard Model (SM), where flavour transitions are controlled by the unitary Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix defined by only 4 real parameters. Over the last decades, the improvement in measurements has been matched by theoretical progress in computing accurately SM contributions, from the high-energy side (electroweak and perturbative QCD contributions) but also from the lowenergy side (hadronic matrix elements involving QCD in the non-perturbative regime). Global fits to the wealth of experimental data on flavour transitions show an overall excellent agreement with the SM picture, leading also to a precise determination of the CKM parameters [1] .

Global fits to the wealth of experimental data on flavour transitions show an overall excellent agreement with the SM picture, leading also to a precise determination of the CKM parameters.


Roughage is the main responsible for ensuring the suitability of the diet's physical characteristics. In beef cattle, one important indicator in this context is the effective neutral detergent fiber (NDFe), which is the remaining percentage of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) that is retained in a 1.18-millimeter sieve. NDFe is the NDF fraction capable of stimulating salivation, chewing, rumination and rumen motility, which is responsible for maintaining the ruminal pH and health (PITT et al., 1996) .

NDFe is the NDF fraction capable of stimulating salivation, chewing, rumination and rumen motility, which is responsible for maintaining the ruminal pH and health.


As observed in histological sections, the protein bodies were synthesized in early developmental stages and stored in the cotyledonary leaves of mature somatic embryos. Thus, the levels of total protein in somatic embryos increased during the progression of developmental stages, and this could be ascribed to the synthesis of storage proteins, among them Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins, as well as of those showing high affinity with water molecules and acting in seed dehydration and protection (Wise & Tunnacliffe, 2004) . However, the values observed in cotyledonary-staged somatic embryos were lower than those observed in cotyledonary-staged zygotic embryos. Contrarily, loblolly pine somatic embryos showed enhanced levels of storage proteins as compared to zygotic embryos (Brownfield et al., 2007) . In Eucalyptus nitens, somatic embryos showed slightly lower levels of storage proteins in their cotyledonary cells as compared to zygotic embryos (Bandyopadhyay & Hamill, 2000) .

Thus, the levels of total protein in somatic embryos increased during the progression of developmental stages, and this could be ascribed to the synthesis of storage proteins, among them Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins, as well as of those showing high affinity with water molecules and acting in seed dehydration and protection.

Contrarily, loblolly pine somatic embryos showed enhanced levels of storage proteins as compared to zygotic embryos.

In Eucalyptus nitens, somatic embryos showed slightly lower levels of storage proteins in their cotyledonary cells as compared to zygotic embryos.


Einstein gravity in three dimensions with or without cosmological constant and supplemented with a gravitational Chern-Simons (CS) term has been a subject of many investigations since long [1] . This theory is of considerable interest, as the presence of the cosmological term makes it possible to have a black hole solution, while the Chern-Simons term is responsible for the presence of a single propagating massive graviton. For the latter reason, this model is referred to as the topologically massive gravity (TMG).

Einstein gravity in three dimensions with or without cosmological constant and supplemented with a gravitational Chern-Simons (CS) term has been a subject of many investigations since long.


Severe slugging is an open loop unstable flow condition which occurs in offshore riser-pipeline production systems. Low well pressure, stratified flow regime in the pipeline and inclined pipeline geometry (upstream the riser) are the basic conditions necessary to initiate and sustain severe slugging. The resulting instability can affect the system adversely in many ways, (Hill and Wood, 1994) .

The resulting instability can affect the system adversely in many ways.


This study presents a way to test for the influence of landscape features on realised contemporary patterns of gene flow by pollen. However, this alternative approach also has difficulties in separating the effects of geographical distance and landscape variables on realised gene flow by pollen. We did so by comparing the relationship of realised gene flow distances with landscape features to the relationship of a random model of gene flow in the same landscape. In general, realised gene flow events (i.e. pollinator flights) in S. domestica were shorter than expected under the random model (as evidenced by the smaller intercept of the realised model as compared to the random model). Our analysis nevertheless also provided evidence that large areas of open land, a marked topography and, partly, settlements enforce particularly long pollinator flights (as evidenced by the different regression slopes in the realised and random models). Most palaeoecologists and ecologists consider that the natural vegetation in the lowlands of Central Europe was closed forest (Bradshaw et al. 2003) . However human activities-particularly forest clearance for agriculture-began thousands of years ago and drastically reduced the originally closed forest cover. For Sorbus domestica, these changes in the structure of the landscape seem to have partly enforced pollen flow over long distances. Thus, from a conservation perspective, it seems that even widely scattered trees are functionally connected in such human-dominated landscape.

Most palaeoecologists and ecologists consider that the natural vegetation in the lowlands of Central Europe was closed forest.


The results of this study identified the real effect of ISO 9001 standard certification on company performances. The current study uncovered the mediating effects of internal and external factors on financial performance and their relationship with ISO 9001 certification. The results show that there is significant improvement in internal quality and company processes in ISO 9001 certified companies compared to non-certified companies. Therefore, this study supports the findings of the majority of previous studies (Psomas et al 2013; Kim et al. 2011) . This study found that certification of ISO 9001 standards does play an important role in enabling companies in Malaysia to survive in today's highly competitive business environment by significantly improving internal quality process and systems.

Therefore, this study supports the findings of the majority of previous studies.


We can also compare this to algorithms that only use frequency (Nevill-Manning & Witten, 1997) . This algorithm merely generates a compressed representation of the input data. There is no suggestion that the structures it produces will have any relation to the derivation trees of a generating context free grammar.

We can also compare this to algorithms that only use frequency.


The fermented anchovy sauce was prepared by fermenting the mixture of fresh anchovies and high salt concentration (25 %). High salt intake has been reported to stimulate ACE activity and lead to an increase in blood pressure (Denton et al. 1995; He and Macgregor 2003) . Therefore, it was necessary to know how ACE activity was Fig. 1 Changes in ACE inhibitory activity of fermented anchovy sauce during fermentation. The reaction solution containing 0.1 M sodium borate buffer (pH 8.3) containing 0.3 M NaCl, 5 mM HHL solution as a substrate, and rabbit rung acetone powder solution as an ACE source was incubated at 37°C for 1 h. The absorbance of released hippuric acid was determined at 228 nm affected by various salt concentrations before purification of ACE inhibitors from the fermented anchovy sauce that contained high salt concentration. The ACE activity significantly increased with an increase in salt content and reached the maximum at 25 mg salt/mL (Fig. 2) . The maximum ACE activity was 40 % higher compared to that of the reaction solution without salt. In this study, also it was confirmed that salt stimulated ACE activity. However, the fermented anchovy sauce had high ACE inhibitory activity in the presence of high salt concentration, which strongly suggested that ACE inhibitory peptides might be contained in this sauce.

High salt intake has been reported to stimulate ACE activity and lead to an increase in blood pressure.


The ACE inhibitor activity of the fermented anchovy sauce significantly increased with an increase in fermentation time (Fig. 1) . That is, the ACE inhibitory activity of the fermented anchovy sauce at 12 months of fermentation was 67 %; the inhibitory activity increased to 96 % at 15 months of fermentation and then saturated. Our data were similar to the previous results that ACE inhibitory activity increased during fermentation of anchovy sauce (Park and Kim 2003) . This result also implicated that the commercial anchovy sauce fermented for 18-24 months exhibited high ACE inhibitory activity. The increase of ACE inhibitory activity in anchovy sauce might be at least partially due to the production of ACE inhibitory peptides as a result of protein hydrolysis by enzymes during fermentation. To verify this, the anchovy sauce fermented for 24 months was used to separate and identify ACE inhibitor peptides.

Our data were similar to the previous results that ACE inhibitory activity increased during fermentation of anchovy sauce.


Several methods are used to determine C in soils, from those based on wet oxidation, such as classic dichromatometry, to autoanalyzers constructed for this purpose, such as CHNS/O (Nelson and Sommers, 1996) . Wet combustion methods are more accessible, despite the use of toxic reagents (Pimentel et al., 2006) . The advent of automated devices has brought advances in analysis. Elemental analysis (CHNS/O) allows for rapid and reliable determinations by dry combustion; however, the cost of each determination is higher than the cost of wet combustion methods (Segnini et al., 2008) . Due to low sample throughput and difficulty in automation, gravimetric dry combustion is rarely used in routine laboratories (Miyazawa et al., 2000) . However, it is a method that does not use toxic reagents that would be ideal in view of current environmental concerns.

Several methods are used to determine C in soils, from those based on wet oxidation, such as classic dichromatometry, to autoanalyzers constructed for this purpose, such as CHNS/O.

Wet combustion methods are more accessible, despite the use of toxic reagents.

Elemental analysis (CHNS/O) allows for rapid and reliable determinations by dry combustion; however, the cost of each determination is higher than the cost of wet combustion methods.

Due to low sample throughput and difficulty in automation, gravimetric dry combustion is rarely used in routine laboratories.


Unfortunately, paper currency can be easily damaged by tears or wearing out in different areas of the note, thus adding to the complexity of currency inspection. Currency notes in warm climates tend to wear faster than those in cooler climates. Such factors are abused by counterfeiters by intentionally damaging the f orged notes and covering up suspicious areas of the notes [2] .

Such factors are abused by counterfeiters by intentionally damaging the f orged notes and covering up suspicious areas of the notes.


The rest of the paper is organized as follows. In Section 2, we present preliminary resents, including the boundedness and permanence of system. In Section 3, at first, through a simple change of variables, we transform the ratio-dependent predator-prey system to a equivalent system and study locally asymptotical stabilities for the positive equilibrium of system; next, by constructing Lyapunov function, we establish the sufficient conditions for global stability. In Section 4, through a simple change of variables, we transform the ratio-dependent HollingTanner model to a better studied Liénard equation, to which some existing methods and results are applicable [21] . Taking advantage of this, we can prove the uniqueness of limit cycle for system (1.6). Finally, Section 5 is a discussion section, where the biological interpretations are given and the simple comparison between the results of model (1.6) and the results of model (1.4) is made.

In Section 4, through a simple change of variables, we transform the ratio-dependent HollingTanner model to a better studied Liénard equation, to which some existing methods and results are applicable.


Cerebral energy production depends on an adequate supply of glucose. Systemic glucose levels affect glucose availability to the brain and can impact cellular metabolism and energy production after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because of impaired glucose transport, systemic glucose levels considered to be normal may be relatively insufficient to meet the increased cerebral metabolic demand seen in patients with SAH [1, 16, 20] .

Because of impaired glucose transport, systemic glucose levels considered to be normal may be relatively insufficient to meet the increased cerebral metabolic demand seen in patients with SAH.


Becoming a competent reader is critical to academic achievement [1] . However, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reports 74% of fourth-grade students attending the nation's largest school districts score below the proficient level in reading with this percentage climbing to 83% for African-American children [2] . Unfortunately, the same data finds that a percentage of those struggling with reading in fourth grade continue to struggle through the secondary grades. This strongly suggests that students must acquire the foundational literacy skills prior to fourth grade that will set them on track for appropriate reading development. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the growth of reading subskills in approximately 2,000 kindergarten children attending a large urban district where an emphasis has been placed on the teaching of letter naming knowledge, phonological awareness, and lettersound correspondence in kindergarten.

Becoming a competent reader is critical to academic achievement.

However, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reports 74% of fourth-grade students attending the nation's largest school districts score below the proficient level in reading with this percentage climbing to 83% for African-American children.


Insulin is an important anabolic hormone, especially when it comes to glucose metabolism, but it also has important cardiovascular regulatory properties that help to regulate blood pressure during normal physiological conditions [1] [2] [3] . Insulin can act both as a vasodilator and a vasoconstrictor by acting at different levels of the cardiovascular system [1, 2] . For instance, insulin stimulates the sympathetic nervous system by potentiating the response to noradrenaline leading to vasoconstriction but it also potentiates vasodilation by enhancing the response to acetylcholine (AC) [1] . In addition to this it also acts on the endothelial cells and stimulates the release of nitric oxide (NO) as well as endothelin (ET), where NO acts as a vasodilator and ET is a potent vasoconstrictor [2] . Moreover insulin activates the renin-angiotensinaldosterone system (RAAS) and thereby increases the retention of sodium and water in the distal tubuli of the nephron [1, 3] . Altogether this helps to balance blood pressure during normal physiological conditions. In humans it is well known that conditions causing insulin resistance (IR) and hyperinsulinemia (HI) are associated with hypertension [4] [5] [6] . The exact mechanisms behind this are not known. However, studies in humans and animals have indicated that IR and HI increase the sympathetic tone by stimulating the release of NA [7] . There are indications that during IR and HI the response to AC and the release of NO are impaired whereas the stimulatory effect on both ET and NA remains [8, 9] . There are also increasing evidence that obesity, which is often associated with IR, further stimulates the RAAS and causes an increased retention of sodium and water which in turn increases the circulating blood volume [1, 3] . All of this promotes a rise in blood pressure and in the long run causes hypertension.

Insulin is an important anabolic hormone, especially when it comes to glucose metabolism, but it also has important cardiovascular regulatory properties that help to regulate blood pressure during normal physiological conditions.

Insulin can act both as a vasodilator and a vasoconstrictor by acting at different levels of the cardiovascular system.

For instance, insulin stimulates the sympathetic nervous system by potentiating the response to noradrenaline leading to vasoconstriction but it also potentiates vasodilation by enhancing the response to acetylcholine (AC).

In addition to this it also acts on the endothelial cells and stimulates the release of nitric oxide (NO) as well as endothelin (ET), where NO acts as a vasodilator and ET is a potent vasoconstrictor.

Moreover insulin activates the renin-angiotensinaldosterone system (RAAS) and thereby increases the retention of sodium and water in the distal tubuli of the nephron.

In humans it is well known that conditions causing insulin resistance (IR) and hyperinsulinemia (HI) are associated with hypertension.

However, studies in humans and animals have indicated that IR and HI increase the sympathetic tone by stimulating the release of NA.

There are indications that during IR and HI the response to AC and the release of NO are impaired whereas the stimulatory effect on both ET and NA remains.

There are also increasing evidence that obesity, which is often associated with IR, further stimulates the RAAS and causes an increased retention of sodium and water which in turn increases the circulating blood volume.


In nature, D. intermedia grows in the acidic parts of valley mires that are flooded in winter, and subject to drying out in summer, but it is also widespread in persistent pools. In most natural sites of Europe and North America, it is becoming less frequent because of land drainage and uncontrolled collections for medicinal and ornamental purposes (Crowder et al., 1990; Kawiak et al., 2003; Kawiak and Lojkowska, 2011) . Therefore, in vitro propagation would be a useful tool for conservation of germplasm and as a source of plants for commercialization of the species (Jimenez et al., 2011; Swart et al., 2012) .

In most natural sites of Europe and North America, it is becoming less frequent because of land drainage and uncontrolled collections for medicinal and ornamental purposes.

Therefore, in vitro propagation would be a useful tool for conservation of germplasm and as a source of plants for commercialization of the species.


Due to limited methods in which to analyze the microenvironment, little research has been done on the mechanical analysis on the neural probe and brain tissue interface. Previous studies on localized strain around the probe tip and electrodes induced by deformation of brain or static force on the probe have been limited for the conventional Michigan probe electrode type designs, as well [13, 14] . In this study, a finite-element model analysis is extended to the nanowire electrode-brain tissue interface in order to understand the effects from vertically aligned nanostructures. It is anticipated that the analysis of the strain field distribution under nanoscale interface conditions and different loading effects applied on the neural electrode may provide useful information, which can enhance the biocompatibility and longevity of neural sensing in the brain.

Previous studies on localized strain around the probe tip and electrodes induced by deformation of brain or static force on the probe have been limited for the conventional Michigan probe electrode type designs, as well.


The use of neural sensing devices is essential for longitudinally and sensitively monitoring neuronal activities in mechanistic studies of neurological and behavioral disorders, understanding neuronal network circuitry, as well as developing quantifiable indicators in preclinical studies of disease progression and treatment efficacy [1] [2] [3] . Ideal neural electrodes should have high charging capacity and charge injection efficiency together with long-term reliability for chronic implantation in brain tissue [4, 5] . In previous research, we have developed nanotechnology-enabled neural electrodes, which are small enough to sense localized unit cell spikes and dopamine concentration levels [6, 7] . Even with increased sensing efficiency, the function and longevity of neural electrodes is limited by adverse tissue reaction and immune response upon implantation and micromotion in the brain [8] . In particular, the brain micromotion can induce strain in the area around neural probes, which in turn induces cellular sheath formation. As shown in Fig. 1 , brain motion ranging from a few tens to few hundreds of microns arises from many different sources such as physiological internal motion (respiration and cardiac pulses) and external motion (spontaneous head movements and external impact) [9, 10] . The relative motion and mechanical disturbances by rigid neural probes could generate mechanical stresses and strains on the brain tissue adjacent to the electrode [11] . It is believed that compression, expansion, and even tearing of the neural cells trigger immune response and form compact sheath layers, eventually isolating the probe function from neural cells around it [12] .

The use of neural sensing devices is essential for longitudinally and sensitively monitoring neuronal activities in mechanistic studies of neurological and behavioral disorders, understanding neuronal network circuitry, as well as developing quantifiable indicators in preclinical studies of disease progression and treatment efficacy.

Ideal neural electrodes should have high charging capacity and charge injection efficiency together with long-term reliability for chronic implantation in brain tissue.

In previous research, we have developed nanotechnology-enabled neural electrodes, which are small enough to sense localized unit cell spikes and dopamine concentration levels.

Even with increased sensing efficiency, the function and longevity of neural electrodes is limited by adverse tissue reaction and immune response upon implantation and micromotion in the brain.

As shown in Fig. 1 , brain motion ranging from a few tens to few hundreds of microns arises from many different sources such as physiological internal motion (respiration and cardiac pulses) and external motion (spontaneous head movements and external impact).

The relative motion and mechanical disturbances by rigid neural probes could generate mechanical stresses and strains on the brain tissue adjacent to the electrode.

It is believed that compression, expansion, and even tearing of the neural cells trigger immune response and form compact sheath layers, eventually isolating the probe function from neural cells around it.


Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) accounts for 80 to 85% of all thyroid cancers. Although most patients with PTC have a good prognosis, recurrent disease develops in about 20 to 30%, and about 7% of patients die from progressive disease within 10 years of diagnosis [1] . After initial surgery for PTC, follow-up consists of regular ultrasound examination of the neck, measurements of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and Tg antibodies, and wholebody iodine scans (WBS) [2] . Patients who have recurrent or persistent disease usually have increased serum Tg levels. Recurrent PTC can be identified best by ultrasound imaging of the neck, increased basal or stimulated serum Tg levels, and whole-body iodine scans. Metastatic PTC tumors can be identified by radioactive iodine scans, because well-differentiated thyroid cells often take up and concentrate iodine [3] .

Although most patients with PTC have a good prognosis, recurrent disease develops in about 20 to 30%, and about 7% of patients die from progressive disease within 10 years of diagnosis.

After initial surgery for PTC, follow-up consists of regular ultrasound examination of the neck, measurements of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and Tg antibodies, and wholebody iodine scans (WBS).

Metastatic PTC tumors can be identified by radioactive iodine scans, because well-differentiated thyroid cells often take up and concentrate iodine.


The emergence and development of the syariah banks began from the issuing of the October Policies which managed the deregulation of the banking industry in Indonesia. The emergence of syariah banks in Indonesia is an interesting phenomenon and is the highest point of the long effort by some individual (scholars and intellectuals) both individually and institutionally in the process of social transformation. In its development, then later all the Islamic Business Unit at Commercial Bank in accordance with the law -law number 23 year 2008, about Islamic banking must be changed to Islamic Banks. It is expected that at least within 15 years after the rule is applied, ie, in 2023, all UUS Banks must be Syari'ah (Purwadi, 2011) .

It is expected that at least within 15 years after the rule is applied, ie, in 2023, all UUS Banks must be Syari'ah.


Customer loyalty is a routine commitment to repurchasing a product or service in future in a consistent fashion, regardless of the infl uence of situational factors and marketing eff orts that possibly can lead to brand-shi ing behaviour (Oliver, 1997) . Customer loyalty is defi ned as a buyer's deeply held commitment to stick with a product, service, brand or organization consistently in the future, despite new situations or competitive overtures to induce switching (Oliver, 1999) . It is similar to relationship commitment in buyer-seller relationships where customers have an enduring intent to maintain a long-term relationship (Anderson and Weitz, 1992) .

Customer loyalty is a routine commitment to repurchasing a product or service in future in a consistent fashion, regardless of the infl uence of situational factors and marketing eff orts that possibly can lead to brand-shi ing behaviour.

Customer loyalty is defi ned as a buyer's deeply held commitment to stick with a product, service, brand or organization consistently in the future, despite new situations or competitive overtures to induce switching.

It is similar to relationship commitment in buyer-seller relationships where customers have an enduring intent to maintain a long-term relationship.


The concept of customer satisfaction is one of the most important topics in modern marketing, drawing more and more attention both towards literature and business practice as well. Customer satisfaction is an important goal of every business, indicating its success in the past, present and future. Customer satisfaction has long been investigated by marketing and customer researches (Park and Choi, 1998) . In particular, a number of empirical studies have been published with regard to cognitive processes mediating customer satisfaction (Yi, 1990) .

Customer satisfaction has long been investigated by marketing and customer researches.

In particular, a number of empirical studies have been published with regard to cognitive processes mediating customer satisfaction.


Loyalty in terms of behaviour is measured by taking into account the probability of repurchase. In terms of attitude and behaviour, loyalty appears as a brand preference or emotional commitment. Therefore, it is measured with the intention of buying, rejection of better alternatives, price tolerance, and intention of recommending the product or service to others. Loyalty behaviour can take on several forms, but is usually operationalized as future intention to repurchase products and services or continue a working relationship (Dick and Basu, 1994) . As suggested by some studies, customer experience is crucial to predicting the level of loyalty. Higher levels of satisfaction with a specifi c transaction indicate higher levels of loyalty. Most o en loyalty is measured as a direct consequence to customer satisfaction (Heskett et al., 1997) . But some suggest that satisfying customers is insuffi cient to create loyal customers (Fornell, 1992) .

Loyalty behaviour can take on several forms, but is usually operationalized as future intention to repurchase products and services or continue a working relationship.

Most o en loyalty is measured as a direct consequence to customer satisfaction.

But some suggest that satisfying customers is insuffi cient to create loyal customers.


From the above analysis, it can be seen that the reason why tillage treatments displayed no significant difference in crop yield of our field site were as follows: firstly, although NT and RT led to a significant BD and SPR increment compared to MP, the real resistance exerted by the soil against root penetration is generally less than the average resistance measured by the penetrometer because roots seek the path of least resistance during growth rather than penetrate straight through the soil (Olibone et al. 2010) . Secondly, though MAC in both NT and RT plots were lower than MP, SWC was higher for NT and RT than MP. Another reason was that all AFP values in NT, RT and MP did not fell within the 'limited' designation.

From the above analysis, it can be seen that the reason why tillage treatments displayed no significant difference in crop yield of our field site were as follows: firstly, although NT and RT led to a significant BD and SPR increment compared to MP, the real resistance exerted by the soil against root penetration is generally less than the average resistance measured by the penetrometer because roots seek the path of least resistance during growth rather than penetrate straight through the soil.


The incidence of anal cancer in the western world is between 7 and 9 per million population. It contributes to only 1.5% of all malignancies of the digestive system [8] . Of these, GIST form only 3% of anorectal mesenchymal tumors [7] . However, the exact data in eastern world may be different, as in China, unlike in western countries, rectal cancer accounts for approximately 70% of colorectal cancers [9] .

It contributes to only 1.5% of all malignancies of the digestive system.

Of these, GIST form only 3% of anorectal mesenchymal tumors.

However, the exact data in eastern world may be different, as in China, unlike in western countries, rectal cancer accounts for approximately 70% of colorectal cancers.


Speech recognition has been a matured technique recently [1] . Command control is the most popular application among all possible speech recognition applications. Voice command control by speech recognition has been a standard function in the smart phone device. Application programs including the widely-used multimedia player could be operated by the voice command utterance of the human user. However, the merit of such the human computer interface will not be maintained in the situation that the smart phone device is a little far away from the user and is not carried by the user. To overcome this problem and to tolerate a longer distance recognition task between the human user and the target smart phone device, a voice-sensing speech recognition scheme with the deployment of voice sensors can be employed. Figure 1 depicts such the concept of voice-sensing command recognition for operating the multimedia player application program of smart phones.

Speech recognition has been a matured technique recently.


Rana chalconota (in the broad sense) is a Sundaland frog that breeds along streams of various sizes in lowland forests of various types, from hilly (but lowland) primary rain forest to swamp forest to secondary forest. It can be seen in low numbers during most nocturnal riparian searches, but exhibits pulses of breeding activity during which many individuals can be seen within a very narrow strip of stream bank (Inger, 1969) . Rana chalconota is a slender, small to moderate-sized species (adults 30-60 mm snout-vent length). The tips of the digits, especially of the fingers, are distinctly enlarged and have circummarginal grooves. The webbing is extensive, reaching the distal subarticular tubercle of the fourth toe or slightly beyond. The general coloration is green above and white or cream-coloured below and the upper lip is usually distinctly lighter than the adjacent areas.

It can be seen in low numbers during most nocturnal riparian searches, but exhibits pulses of breeding activity during which many individuals can be seen within a very narrow strip of stream bank.


Perceived self-efficacy plays an important role in the management of various medical conditions. Most clinicians in this study were more confident in asking about smoking and alcohol intake rather than asking about different kinds of abuse. Most of them perceived lack of self-efficacy in the overall management of domestic violence, including the use of strategies to help the abused person and a lack of access to different management information. All these negatively impact on the health care provider's ability to adequately care for abused person or abusers. Factors, such as inadequate training or the perception of poor success in management of these cases are relevant [30] .

Factors, such as inadequate training or the perception of poor success in management of these cases are relevant.


Stereotypical inferences. Stereotypical inferences related to warmth and competence (hereafter referred to as perceived warmth and competence) were expected to mediate the relation between candidate age and interview intentions (Hypothesis 4). Candidate age was manipulated as a withinsubjects factor. To show within-subjects mediation, two conditions have to be met: (1) there is a significant difference in the mediator and (2) this difference predicts the difference in the dependent variable (Judd, Kenny and McClelland, 2001) . Because the same variable may both mediate and moderate the relation between the predictor and the outcome variable, mediation and moderation are analysed simultaneously when testing condition (2) (see further below).

Stereotypical inferences.

To show within-subjects mediation, two conditions have to be met: (1) there is a significant difference in the mediator and (2) this difference predicts the difference in the dependent variable.


Evaluator's young age and lack of professional experience may have amplified age bias in Study 2. Stereotypical beliefs about older workers become more positive with increasing age of the evaluator (Finkelstein, Burke and Raju, 1995; Hassell and Perrewe, 1995; Kluge and Krings, 2008) . Also, experienced professionals (e.g. supervisors) evaluate older workers less negatively than students do (Gordon and Arvey, 2004) . Hence, in Study 3, we tested our hypotheses with a sample of HR professionals.

Stereotypical beliefs about older workers become more positive with increasing age of the evaluator.

Also, experienced professionals (e.g. supervisors) evaluate older workers less negatively than students do.


Despite the importance of early life conditions for later health and the ability to accumulate wealth, period effects even at higher ages still play an important role in shaping old-age mortality (Vaupel et al., 2003) . Thus, changing income levels are important determinants of health and mortality, and are not merely outcomes of health. This association can be found within and between countries (Preston, 1975; Deaton, 2003) .

Despite the importance of early life conditions for later health and the ability to accumulate wealth, period effects even at higher ages still play an important role in shaping old-age mortality.

This association can be found within and between countries.


There is an ongoing debate about the causal relationship between income and mortality (Smith, 1999) . Despite increasing evidence that wealthier individuals tend to live longer, the causal direction and the underlying mechanisms are still being discussed (Cutler et al., 2006) . Several studies have suggested that being in better health improves the ability of individuals to accumulate more human capital and income, which in turn lowers their mortality (Costa, 1994) . The basis for future health and earnings may therefore be laid during the first years of a person's life (Bengtsson and Broström, 2009; Bengtsson and Mineau, 2009; van den Berg et al., 2006) . External conditions, as well as the physical make-up of an individual, shapes his or her future health, and, consequently, his or her future wealth. Thus, the scarring hypothesis emphasizes that the strong association between income and mortality is largely attributable to cohort effects (Case et al., 2002) .

There is an ongoing debate about the causal relationship between income and mortality.

Despite increasing evidence that wealthier individuals tend to live longer, the causal direction and the underlying mechanisms are still being discussed.

Several studies have suggested that being in better health improves the ability of individuals to accumulate more human capital and income, which in turn lowers their mortality.

The basis for future health and earnings may therefore be laid during the first years of a person's life.

Thus, the scarring hypothesis emphasizes that the strong association between income and mortality is largely attributable to cohort effects.


In contrast, the soft block can consist in a polymer with more flexible, low glass transition temperature (T g ) chains, which can form rubbery segments within the polymer chain normally with high free volume. When aromatic-aliphatic block copolymers are phase-separated, their glassy polymer segments would also provide mechanical support. The rubbery segments, due to the nature of the flexible chain structure, allow an efficient transport of gas, giving a good permeability to the copolymer [9, 10] .

The rubbery segments, due to the nature of the flexible chain structure, allow an efficient transport of gas, giving a good permeability to the copolymer.


After showing insecurity of the previous threshold anonymous PAKE protocol, we have proposed a secure construction (the TAP protocol) which provides not only semantic security of session keys but also anonymity against a passive server. We also proved its security of the TAP protocol in the random oracle model with the reduction to the computational Diffie-Hellman problem. Moreover, we showed the condition on n in order to get the optimal security result against on-line dictionary attacks. For the threshold t = 1, we have proposed an efficient anonymous PAKE protocol that can be obtained by slightly modifying the TAP protocol. The resultant protocol significantly improves efficiency in terms of computation costs and communication bandwidth compared to the original (not threshold) anonymous PAKE protocol [22] .

The resultant protocol significantly improves efficiency in terms of computation costs and communication bandwidth compared to the original (not threshold) anonymous PAKE protocol.


As a microporous material, aluminophosphates (AlPO) nanomolecular sieves have been used in many processes as a shape-selective catalyst [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . The structure of AlPO molecular sieves is mainly composed of Al-O-P linkages and is very similar to that of zeolite. However, AlPO molecular sieves are electrically neutral due to their structure, in addition to completely lacking acidic sites and catalytic properties. It leads to the formation of the silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieves by introducing Si atoms into the AlPO framework [6] [7] [8] . The substitution of Si atoms for the phosphorus in the AlPO generated an electrically negative character because the Si required extra lattice cations. Consequently, the SAPO molecular sieves have Brønsted acidic sites and are active in acid-catalyzed reactions.

As a microporous material, aluminophosphates (AlPO) nanomolecular sieves have been used in many processes as a shape-selective catalyst.

It leads to the formation of the silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieves by introducing Si atoms into the AlPO framework.


Sulphamic acid (H 2 NSO 3 H) is the monoamide of sulphuric acid and is formed as orthorhombic crystal. It is highly stable and it can be kept for years without any change in properties. It is a strong inorganic acid; while mixing it with water it exhibits Zwitterionic form [1] . Owing to these advantages, JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) has established this reagent as a standard substance for titrimetric analysis and the British Analytical Methods Committee as well as IUPAC has also recommended the acid [2] . Mainly, solution growth techniques have been applied for growing good quality crystals. The limited thermal stability of many of the compounds examined makes particularly exploratory solution growth as the first technique to be considered [3] . Crystal growth from solution is an important process that is used in many applications from laboratory to industrial scale. The number of organic and inorganic crystals is grown in this fashion [6] .

It is a strong inorganic acid; while mixing it with water it exhibits Zwitterionic form.

Owing to these advantages, JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) has established this reagent as a standard substance for titrimetric analysis and the British Analytical Methods Committee as well as IUPAC has also recommended the acid.

The limited thermal stability of many of the compounds examined makes particularly exploratory solution growth as the first technique to be considered.

The number of organic and inorganic crystals is grown in this fashion.


Nonlinear optical (NLO) materials exhibiting second harmonic generation have been in great demand over the last few decades due to technological importance in the fields of optical communication, signal processing, and instrumentation [1] [2] [3] . Most of the organic NLO crystals usually have poor mechanical and thermal properties and are susceptible to damage during processing even though they have large NLO efficiency. Also it is difficult to grow larger size optical-quality crystals of these materials for device applications. Most of the recent work has demonstrated that organic crystals can have very large nonlinear susceptibilities compared with inorganic crystals, but their use is impeded by their low optical transparencies, poor mechanical properties, low laser damage thresholds, and inability to produce and process large crystals [4] . The inorganic materials are widely used in these applications because of their high melting point, high mechanical strength, and high degree of chemical inertness [5] .

Nonlinear optical (NLO) materials exhibiting second harmonic generation have been in great demand over the last few decades due to technological importance in the fields of optical communication, signal processing, and instrumentation.

Most of the recent work has demonstrated that organic crystals can have very large nonlinear susceptibilities compared with inorganic crystals, but their use is impeded by their low optical transparencies, poor mechanical properties, low laser damage thresholds, and inability to produce and process large crystals.

The inorganic materials are widely used in these applications because of their high melting point, high mechanical strength, and high degree of chemical inertness.


One important drawback of the bulk-driven method, however, is that the body transconductance g mb is approximately five times smaller than the gate transconductance g m . Thus, when the input differential pair of an amplifier is composed of bulk-driven transistors, the resulting DC gain is relatively low. This behavior is the primary reason for the low gain (around 45 dB) in previously reported bulk-driven amplifiers [3] , [4] .

This behavior is the primary reason for the low gain (around 45 dB) in previously reported bulk-driven amplifiers.


We were able to evoke TS in conscious cats, which has not been previously reported in this species. Repetition of sub-threshold mechanical stimuli summated and facilitated pain as detected through observation of pain behaviour, and also detected different responses between OA and non-OA cats. Temporal summation involves conduction of impulses via Ad and C-fibers in wide dynamic range neurons of the dorsal horn, and primarily results from progressive and prolonged dorsal horn C-fibre neuron discharge (windup) [25, 30] . Wind-up and central sensitization are not identical phenomena, but depend on similar pathways, where wind-up initiates and maintains central sensitization [14, 25] . Evoked TS of pain was enhanced (faster) in OA compared to non-OA cats, thereby suggesting that central sensitization plays a role in feline OA-associated chronic pain.

Temporal summation involves conduction of impulses via Ad and C-fibers in wide dynamic range neurons of the dorsal horn, and primarily results from progressive and prolonged dorsal horn C-fibre neuron discharge (windup).

Wind-up and central sensitization are not identical phenomena, but depend on similar pathways, where wind-up initiates and maintains central sensitization.


It is clear that where problems are due to poor management, then the chances of successful delivery of the CVA plan are lower. This reflects the difficulties of correcting poor management within the CVA, where the debtor remains in possession and the CVA supervisor has no powers to direct management or investigate the company (Mokal, 2004) . The singular importance of the quality of management within SMEs is entirely consistent with the resource-based view (Rouse and Daellenbach, 1999) .

This reflects the difficulties of correcting poor management within the CVA, where the debtor remains in possession and the CVA supervisor has no powers to direct management or investigate the company.

The singular importance of the quality of management within SMEs is entirely consistent with the resource-based view.


Quotient categories give a way to produce abelian categories [10, 12] . Such as, Koenig and Zhu showed that the quotient category C/T is abelian provided that T is a cluster tilting subcategory of a triangulated category C [10] . A recollement of triangulated categories can induced a recollement of quotient abelian categories [2, 9] . On the other hand, quotient categories also give a way to produce triangulated categories [6, 7] . Such as, Iyama and Yoshino proved that if (Z, Z) is a D-mutation pair and Z is extension-closed, then Z/D is a triangulated category [7] . It is natural to ask that whether a recollement of categories can induce a recollement of quotient triangulated categories.

Quotient categories give a way to produce abelian categories.

Such as, Koenig and Zhu showed that the quotient category C/T is abelian provided that T is a cluster tilting subcategory of a triangulated category C.

A recollement of triangulated categories can induced a recollement of quotient abelian categories.

On the other hand, quotient categories also give a way to produce triangulated categories.

Such as, Iyama and Yoshino proved that if (Z, Z) is a D-mutation pair and Z is extension-closed, then Z/D is a triangulated category.


Atherosclerosis is commonly found near regions of high curvature or bifurcation of large and medium size arteries. The tendency for plaque to form around and near the regions of vessel bifurcation is a well-known fact. Having the same general systematic risk factors for atheroma results in plaque formation around different arterial bifurcations for different individuals. In carotid bifurcations, with identical general risk factors in a given individual, we have asymmetry in the formation of carotid plaque. These seem to indicate the importance of the each bifurcation's unique geometry in plaque formation. Hence, we can hypothesize on the crucial role of local hemodynamic factors in plaque formation and its local distribution. Local hemodynamic forces undergo large changes in the vicinity of these regions due to the interaction of primary flow with the associated local secondary flow. Fluid mechanical forces directly influence endothelial cell structure and function on the vessel walls. The exact mechanisms of how the hemodynamic factors influence plaque formation and its further development are still subject to debate [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . However, it is hypothesized that low wall shear stress regions and regions of high particle residence time are locations of high risk for vascular diseases. Hence, a better understanding of the hemodynamics of these local regions using CFD is important There are many bifurcations in the arterial system with great variations in geometrical parameters within each one.

The exact mechanisms of how the hemodynamic factors influence plaque formation and its further development are still subject to debate.


In the modern era, there is a widespread availability of multimedia data in the digital form. This has led to a tremendous growth of tools to manipulate digital data. To ensure trustworthiness, content based image authentication techniques like image hashing have been proposed. A hash function is a short digital signature of the data [1] . Image hashing has been used in authentication, content based image retrieval (CBIR) and image/video watermarking [2, 3] .

A hash function is a short digital signature of the data.

Image hashing has been used in authentication, content based image retrieval (CBIR) and image/video watermarking.


To answer Q1, we conduct an analysis that reveals differences between descriptions of male and female nouns that align with common gender stereotypes captured by previous human judgements. When using our model to answer Q2, we find that adjectives used to describe women are more often related to their bodies (significant under a permutation test with p < 0.03) than adjectives used to describe men (see Fig. 1 for examples) . This finding accords with previous research (Norberg, 2016) . Finally, in answer to Q3, we find no significant difference in the overall sentiment of the language used to describe men and women.

This finding accords with previous research.


The focus of this study was to fit a longitudinal model for predicting law officer performance several years after training. Previous research has provided sound evidence that personality dimensions are predictors of performance in police training (Aamodt, 2004b; Barrick & Mount, 1991; Black, 2000; Detrick et al., 2004; Tett et al., 1991; Varela et al., 2004) . Here, we propose a model that goes beyond mere association studies and proposes a sequential, causal path for postacademy performance that includes training results and personal dispositions as predictors.

Previous research has provided sound evidence that personality dimensions are predictors of performance in police training.


Cancer is a rising health concern worldwide with being specifically connected to the massive changes toward an inactive lifestyle and subsequent modification of the environments (Bishayee & Sethi 2016) . Recently, there are great evidences showed the potential role of natural products from various medicinal plants in conferring chemopreventive properties that can interfere tumour carcinogenesis events (Basri et al. 2016; Harun & Ghazali 2012; Neergheen et al. 2010; Zaila et al. 2013) . Chemopreventive phytochemicals may serve as alternative agent to reverse, delay or inhibit tumour initiation, promotion or progression (Neergheen et al. 2010; Salleh et al. 2011) .

Cancer is a rising health concern worldwide with being specifically connected to the massive changes toward an inactive lifestyle and subsequent modification of the environments.

Recently, there are great evidences showed the potential role of natural products from various medicinal plants in conferring chemopreventive properties that can interfere tumour carcinogenesis events.

Chemopreventive phytochemicals may serve as alternative agent to reverse, delay or inhibit tumour initiation, promotion or progression.


Along with the 300-year-old history of the fractional calculus, its applications to electrical engineering have received more attention. Typically, chaotic systems are still chaotic even when their differential equations become fractionalorder differential systems [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] . We all know there are many results on fractional-order system, but the bifurcation of fractional-order nonlinear systems has not been well studied.

Typically, chaotic systems are still chaotic even when their differential equations become fractionalorder differential systems.


Primary barriers to HPs assessing and addressing patients' spiritual needs have been identified. Failure to do so is primarily because of (1) HP discomfort with spirituality and (2) lack of training [37, 38] . Consequently, training to assess and address patients' spiritual needs has been recommended as "the critical next step" to meet national care quality standards in healthcare [38] .

Failure to do so is primarily because of (1) HP discomfort with spirituality and (2) lack of training.

Consequently, training to assess and address patients' spiritual needs has been recommended as "the critical next step" to meet national care quality standards in healthcare.


The finding that children and adolescents who consume breakfast cereals regularly are slimmer and are less likely to be overweight than children and adolescents who consume breakfast cereals infrequently or not at all is consistent with our previous review and others [7, 12, 29] . In particular, a meta-analysis of skipping breakfast and prevalence of overweight in Asian and Pacific regions found a pooled OR of overweight or obesity for the lowest versus highest category of breakfast frequency of 1.75 >(1.57-1.95) (p < 0.001) which is within the range we found [29] . Nevertheless, the question of whether it is a causal relationship remains. Confounding, for example by higher physical activity levels or dieting behaviour, is a plausible explanation. The consistently lower energy intakes of those consuming breakfast cereals less frequently supports the possibility that those who are already overweight are trying to lose weight by skipping breakfast. Thus reverse causality could be the explanation for the observed relationship between breakfast cereal consumption and lower BMI. Alternatively, those who are more physically active might be both more likely to eat breakfast and have a lower BMI. However, there is some evidence (discussed below) that breakfast cereal consumers might have lower energy intakes or higher energy expenditures which could provide a plausible mechanism for the observed relationship.

The finding that children and adolescents who consume breakfast cereals regularly are slimmer and are less likely to be overweight than children and adolescents who consume breakfast cereals infrequently or not at all is consistent with our previous review and others.

In particular, a meta-analysis of skipping breakfast and prevalence of overweight in Asian and Pacific regions found a pooled OR of overweight or obesity for the lowest versus highest category of breakfast frequency of 1.75 >(1.57-1.95) (p < 0.001) which is within the range we found.


The study findings suggest that police officers in field service in general should receive high threat incident training. In 80% of the incidents, it was the first officers arriving to the site that addressed the situation and the incidents regularly played out so fast that a SWATteam rarely was able to reach the site before the incident was over. Firearms training aimed to mimic real-life shooting incidents should include practicing firing at threats on various distances, various target areas, on threats that are in motion and include training to fire without using sights, using one hand and while in motion. The common practice to fire warning shots in the air is hazardous, given that the bullet in most cases will have lethal velocity when it comes down again (Ordog et al., 1994) . Warning shots should be avoided or fired with caution on suitable safe targets. The situational characteristics in many shooting incidents (32%), e.g., the numerical superiority, no firearm threat, available time and distance, might have allowed attempts to incapacitate assailants using medium to long range less-lethal weapons, e.g., EID.

The common practice to fire warning shots in the air is hazardous, given that the bullet in most cases will have lethal velocity when it comes down again.


Police shooting incidents are rare in Sweden, averaging once per 57 500 policing events. However, being rare, it is likely that the police officers involved have not experienced such events before (Linsdell, 2012) . This has raised questions about how to prepare a police force for these very rare events and how training should be designed to best prepare a police officer for the extremely high psychological stress levels experienced when facing malicious threats to life. This study showed that the local SWAT-team only handled 17% of the shooting incidents. However, several of these SWAT-team shootings recorded occurred while performing regular policing tasks since the SWAT-team performed also such tasks during first decade of the studied period. Most of the shooting events (70%) occurred while performing ordinary uneventful policing tasks, and where the phase of violence played out within a few minutes. Thus, the chances to act preemptive or wait for elite reinforcements were not an option. Most events (80%) had to be handled by the first responders at site, whoever they might be.

However, being rare, it is likely that the police officers involved have not experienced such events before.


The most forceful method for a police officer to contain an imminently high threat situation is to use a firearm. Ideally, threatening situations and violence should never reach this state but be contained through conflict management and tactics (Klinger, 2005) . However, as the present study will illustrate, sometimes the series of events play out so fast or come without warning so that those present at the scene can't prepare before they face a life-ordeath situation. The practices and regulations for police officers use of firearms vary between countries, and sometimes even within countries (Mistry, Minnaar, Redpath, & Dhlamini, 2001; Sarre, 1993) . The Swedish police can use firearms against humans in two different situations; (1) to arrest suspects of grave felonies and (2) to protect themselves or others from ongoing or imminent threat of aggravated assault with risk for life or severe bodily harm. This is similar to the legislation developed in many western countries including Australia (Sarre, 1993) . Swedish police rarely shoot to arrest and, if so, it is then predominately in the form of warning shots. If the firearm is used for arrest, fire-for-effect (FFE) shots aimed at the legs or warning shots are legal. For comparison, in USA warning shots are not an accepted practice and practically not allowed due to the risk of ricochets or stray bullets (Bratton, 2014) . In Sweden, firing warning shots are legal and regularly trained. However, warning shots are only allowed if the situation also allows FFE shots.

Ideally, threatening situations and violence should never reach this state but be contained through conflict management and tactics.

The practices and regulations for police officers use of firearms vary between countries, and sometimes even within countries.

This is similar to the legislation developed in many western countries including Australia.

For comparison, in USA warning shots are not an accepted practice and practically not allowed due to the risk of ricochets or stray bullets.


Ishiji and Kaneko have studied the photoluminescence of PBA incorporated into silicone film and its potential application as an oxygen sensor [1] . The PBA concentration of the silicone films used in their study was low and the emission spectrum of the film exhibited only monomer peaks and no excimer peak. Lubbers and Opitz also have shown that the monomer emission of a layer of PBA stabilized by ethyl cellulose could be used as an oxygen sensor [6] . For PSP applications, the excimer emission of pyrene is utilized because of its higher oxygen quenching, larger Stokes' shift, and higher quantum efficiency than the monomer emission [14, 15] . When pyrene molecules are embedded in a silicone film or coating, it exhibits highly intense excimer emission with good oxygen quenching sensitivity (OQS). But it is not established whether any of the commercially available pyrene derivative could be used as a substitute for pyrene.

Ishiji and Kaneko have studied the photoluminescence of PBA incorporated into silicone film and its potential application as an oxygen sensor.

Lubbers and Opitz also have shown that the monomer emission of a layer of PBA stabilized by ethyl cellulose could be used as an oxygen sensor.

For PSP applications, the excimer emission of pyrene is utilized because of its higher oxygen quenching, larger Stokes' shift, and higher quantum efficiency than the monomer emission.


Pyrene and some its derivatives are often used as fluorescent probes for oxygen sensing applications because they have a long excited state lifetime and are efficiently quenched by oxygen [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . The optical oxygen sensor is based on the quenching of luminescence by oxygen molecules. The oxygen sensor films are prepared by dispersing the probe molecules in a suitable polymer support. The polymer matrix for oxygen sensors should have high oxygen permeability and hence silicone polymers are a natural choice. These optical sensors find use not only for biological monitoring of oxygen but also for measuring surface pressure distribution for wind tunnel studies. The oxygen sensitive coating used for surface pressure measurement is known as pressure sensitive paint (PSP) and this specific application is referred as "luminescence barometry" [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] .

Pyrene and some its derivatives are often used as fluorescent probes for oxygen sensing applications because they have a long excited state lifetime and are efficiently quenched by oxygen.

The oxygen sensitive coating used for surface pressure measurement is known as pressure sensitive paint (PSP) and this specific application is referred as "luminescence barometry".


In addition, the SSD in group 2 (mean; 103.92±3.50 mm, range; 97.53-109.70 mm) was consistent with the cutoff values (10-11 cm) used in previous studies [18, 24] . However, we proposed that the group 2 SSD of the ureter stone was a predicting factor in ESWL outcome rather than cutoff value. We also confirmed that if the SSD was approximately 10 cm (range; 97.53-109.70 mm), the success rate was higher than other groups. This is likely because as the SSD becomes greater, the shock wave decreases. In relatively thin patients in group 1, the success rate after ESWL may be lower than in patients who have an SSD of approximately 10 cm. Therefore, the SSD for Asian or thin patients in a cohort study could not be considered statistically reasonable.

In addition, the SSD in group 2 (mean; 103.92±3.50 mm, range; 97.53-109.70 mm) was consistent with the cutoff values (10-11 cm) used in previous studies.


The aim of this note is to briefly illustrate the relevance of this question for models of Lorentz symmetry violation that can in principle produce effects in the GZK energy region. The bounds on LSV will depend crucially on UHECR composition and on the origin of fluxes for each kind of cosmic rays. We also discuss some possible implications of the AUGER results for the superbradyon (superluminal preon [12] ) hypothesis.

We also discuss some possible implications of the AUGER results for the superbradyon (superluminal preon) hypothesis.


The inclusion of PCMs in façade walls allows the building envelope to become an effective thermal energy storage system [5] . A well-designed thermal energy storage system can improve building operation by reducing the utilized energy to maintain indoor temperature ranges within acceptable comfort levels and shifting energy consumption apart from the peak load on the electrical grid [6] . The retardation of the energy utilization into the building depends on the weather conditions [7] . When ambient temperature increases and the PCM in the façade reaches its melting temperature, heat is absorbed during the phase change. Afterwards, when the ambient temperature reaches the solidification temperature of the PCM, it releases heat. Thus, the heat transfers between outdoor and indoor ambient of the building are decreased. This leads to an indoor thermal behaviour that tends to remain in the vicinity of the PCMs melting point temperature, thus increasing the thermal efficiency of the building. Adequate selection of the melting range is therefore important to guarantee the comfort level. Several studies have investigated methods for incorporating PCM into conventional building materials [3, [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] .

The inclusion of PCMs in façade walls allows the building envelope to become an effective thermal energy storage system.

A well-designed thermal energy storage system can improve building operation by reducing the utilized energy to maintain indoor temperature ranges within acceptable comfort levels and shifting energy consumption apart from the peak load on the electrical grid.

The retardation of the energy utilization into the building depends on the weather conditions.

Several studies have investigated methods for incorporating PCM into conventional building materials.


Energy consumption in buildings and the corresponding costs are two major challenging concerns in most countries worldwide. Therefore, decisions and measures aimed to increase energy efficiency become frequent in view of the importance of this issue. In buildings, a large portion of energy consumption corresponds to heating and cooling necessities [1] . The challenge is to achieve thermally comfortable constructions with minimum energy demand for cooling/heating. It is therefore important to investigate methods that can reduce the cooling/heating energy demand to maintain the internal thermal comfort.

In buildings, a large portion of energy consumption corresponds to heating and cooling necessities.


From a practical viewpoint, both TB-MPC and CC-MPC outperform MS-MPC. TB-MPC excels due to its close-loop control capability and requires to build a tree to reproduce the main dynamics of the disturbance [27, 45, 46] . CC-MPC improves the performance by allowing a probability of constraint violation and requires considering a well-known behaviour of water user demand in terms of probability distribution. Finally, MS-MPC is an alternative to cope with the uncertainty, which considers the possible evolutions of the water demand modelled as scenarios, by using an open-loop forecasting of disturbances. A drawback that presents this approach is its reduced capacity to be adapted to changes that the water demand could arise. This may result in more conservative control inputs that increase the economic costs.

TB-MPC excels due to its close-loop control capability and requires to build a tree to reproduce the main dynamics of the disturbance.


Denitrification is the successive reduction of fixed NO,-and NO2-to gaseous N20 and to N, and can be considered as one of the key processes in global and marine nitrogen cycles. The bacterially mediated process occurs in the absence of oxygen, primarily close to the anoxic-oxic interface as encountered in e.g. coastal sediments. At such a site, denitrifying bacteria receive NO3-by diffusion either from the overlying water or from the oxic sediment surface layer, where ammonium is oxidised to nitrate. The latter process, called nitrification, is considered as the predominating nitrate source for denitrification in most coastal sediments (Seitzinger 1988) .

The latter process, called nitrification, is considered as the predominating nitrate source for denitrification in most coastal sediments.


Disproportionated rosin (DPR) is a mixture of rosin acids with dehydro-abietic acid (DAA) (2a) as its major component [1] . Because of its low brittleness, high thermal stability, good oxidation resistance and light color, DPR is widely used in the production of butadiene and chloroprene rubber [2] . Alkaline salts of DPR are used as emulsifier surfactant in emulsion polymerization reactions. This reaction is used for polystyrene and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) preparation in petrochemical industries [3, 4] . The main constituent of the DPR (i.e., DAA) is also of potential value in the pharmaceutical industry and a number of its derivatives have many biological activities such as anti-cancer effects [5] [6] [7] . Disproportionation of rosin is described as a hydrogen exchange between molecules of resin [8, 9] . The main product of the reaction is DAA, and reaction can be viewed as the conversion of abietic acid (AA) to DAA ( Fig. 1) . At temperatures between 250 and 280°C, the reaction is very slow and the addition of a catalyst increases the reaction rate.

Disproportionated rosin (DPR) is a mixture of rosin acids with dehydro-abietic acid (DAA) (2a) as its major component.

Because of its low brittleness, high thermal stability, good oxidation resistance and light color, DPR is widely used in the production of butadiene and chloroprene rubber.

This reaction is used for polystyrene and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) preparation in petrochemical industries.

The main constituent of the DPR (i.e., DAA) is also of potential value in the pharmaceutical industry and a number of its derivatives have many biological activities such as anti-cancer effects.

Disproportionation of rosin is described as a hydrogen exchange between molecules of resin.


Disproportionation of rosin involves dehydrogenation, isomerisation and hydrogenation reactions of abietic-type acids so that the mixture of acids evolves to a final composition that is more stable from a thermodynamical viewpoint. The catalytic behavior of the Pd-NP-AC nanoparticles was studied for disproportionation of gum rosin and the progress of reaction was monitored by GC. In the GC spectrums, the peak at 98.6 min was from AA and the peak at 96.5 min was from DAA. The progress of reaction is monitored as an increase in DAA peak and decrease in AA peak. When the reaction was carried out with 0.1% (w/w) of catalyst at 280°C for 5 h, DPR was obtained with a 72.4% yield. After evaluation of the catalytic efficiency, the optimization of time and temperature showed that the best result was obtained after 3 h at 280°C using 0.05% (w/w) of catalyst in nitrogen. Under this condition, DPR was obtained with a 70% yield. A comparison with other reported efficient catalysts for the disproportion of rosin demonstrated that our present catalytic 2 Teta (degree) Fig. 9 The XRD pattern of the recovered catalyst after the third run system exhibited a higher conversion and yield (see supplementary material) ( Table 1 ). An important issue related to solid catalysts is reusability. The reusability of the Pd-NP-AC catalyst was also studied. To recycle the catalyst, the catalyst was filtered from the reaction, washed with hot 2-propanol and dried for the next cycle at 80°C. The Pd-NP-AC catalyst showed good stability for at least three runs in terms of DAA% ( Table 2 ). The XRD pattern of the recovered catalyst after the 3rd run is shown in Fig. 9 . In the spectra, the sharp and narrow peaks at 2h = 40°, 46.6°and 68°were attributed to the presence of crystalline palladium [23] [24] [25] [26] .

In the spectra, the sharp and narrow peaks at 2h = 40°, 46.6°and 68°were attributed to the presence of crystalline palladium.


Ensilage has long been used to preserve forage crops for livestock. During fermentation process, the epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on forage crops utilizes water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) to produce lactic acid, the primary acid responsible for decreasing the pH in silage [4] - [6] . Silage additives have also been used to obtain high-quality silage, and inoculants and cellulase are the most popular additives on silage [4] . LAB inoculants applied to forage at ensiling promote homofermentation of major WSC transfer to lactic acid, which causes a rapid pH decline [7] . Wheat straw is mainly composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin; hence, its low digestibility prevents the use in feedlots. The addition of cellulase to silage can partially degrade fiber to fermentable WSC used by LAB [8] . The mixtures of inoculants and cellulase had also been used to improve the fermentation quality of silage.

During fermentation process, the epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on forage crops utilizes water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) to produce lactic acid, the primary acid responsible for decreasing the pH in silage.

Silage additives have also been used to obtain high-quality silage, and inoculants and cellulase are the most popular additives on silage.

LAB inoculants applied to forage at ensiling promote homofermentation of major WSC transfer to lactic acid, which causes a rapid pH decline.

The addition of cellulase to silage can partially degrade fiber to fermentable WSC used by LAB.


The manner in which the MMG field equation (1.5) evades inconsistency is novel; we are not aware of any other example in which consistency is achieved in this way. We elaborate on the implications of this novelty in the final section of this paper. One implication is that the MMG field equation (for the metric alone) cannot be obtained from any conventional higher-curvature modification of the TMG action (1.1). Nevertheless, there is a very simple action with auxiliary fields that yields precisely the equation (1.5) , and the required auxiliary fields are those already present in the dreibein formulation of TMG [13, 14] . These auxiliary fields can be eliminated from the field equations derived from the MMG action, leaving only the MMG equation (1.5). However, in contrast to the usual situation for auxiliary fields, back-substitution into the action is not legitimate (for γ = 0) so the MMG action with auxiliary fields does not imply the existence of one without them.

Nevertheless, there is a very simple action with auxiliary fields that yields precisely the equation (1.5) , and the required auxiliary fields are those already present in the dreibein formulation of TMG.


New challenges are brought by these application scenarios. Indeed, while in early WSN deployments the application goals were mainly realized by a single task performed across the whole network (typically, sensing and reporting environmental data), sensing and acting applications are usually composed of many collaborating tasks, each affecting only a given part of the system. For instance, a system deployed to perform control and monitoring of a building needs to perform at least three main tasks, i.e., structural monitoring, in-door environment monitoring, and response to extreme events such as fire or earthquakes [5] . To realize the latter functionality, actuator nodes controlling water sprinklers need to monitor nearby temperature sensors and take the appropriate countermeasures where and when needed. In these settings, the developer must worry not only about the implementation of the application logic, but also about which subset of the system should be involved and how to reach it. As no dedicated programming constructs and mechanisms exist for the latter task, the result is additional programming effort, increased complexity and, in absence of well-established and reusable solutions, less reliable code.

For instance, a system deployed to perform control and monitoring of a building needs to perform at least three main tasks, i.e., structural monitoring, in-door environment monitoring, and response to extreme events such as fire or earthquakes.


The important characteristic of gusA gene as a marker is that it encodes β-glucuronidase which cleaves the histochemical substrates such as X-GlcA (5bromo-4chloro-3indoxyl-β-D-glucuronic acid). The cleavage product of the substrate gives rise to indigo precipitate (Wilson 1995) . Thus, bacteria marked with this gusA gene can easily be detected as blue colonies on plates or blue areas on the root surface or inside root tissue (Wilson 1996) .

The cleavage product of the substrate gives rise to indigo precipitate.

Thus, bacteria marked with this gusA gene can easily be detected as blue colonies on plates or blue areas on the root surface or inside root tissue.


Sucrose thermal degradation is an important reaction in the food industry, since it is responsible for either important characteristics of the final food products or can influence the yield of obtainable white sugar in sugar manufacture. This degradation may occur by two different major reaction pathways: the Maillard reaction, which takes place in the presence of amino acids, and caramelisation, that occurs when sucrose is heated at high temperatures (BeMiller & Whistler, 1996) . The Maillard reaction kinetics has been widely studied in the food science field (Baisier & Labuza, 1992; Buera, Chirifie, Resnik, & Wetzler, 1987; Imming, Buczys, Lehnberger, & Bliesener, 1996; van Boekel, 2001) . Caramelisation, on the other hand, is considered to follow a simpler reaction pathway and consequently fewer studies have been dedicated to its kinetics.

This degradation may occur by two different major reaction pathways: the Maillard reaction, which takes place in the presence of amino acids, and caramelisation, that occurs when sucrose is heated at high temperatures.

The Maillard reaction kinetics has been widely studied in the food science field.