A lot of research has been made on how to measure, grade and process the wood material focusing on the first part of the wood processing chain [2, 3, 4, 5] . Different technologies to reach improved results in the value chain have been described [6, 7, 8, 9] . Also the last part of the chain has to some extent been described and evaluated by consumer preference studies [10, 11, 12] . However, few studies have been presented aiming at describing whole wood product chains together with collecting empirical data about the process and raw material [13, 14] . Such data can be used for describing the complexity of raw material allocation through a process but also to improve or build simulation models for future use and studies.

A lot of research has been made on how to measure, grade and process the wood material focusing on the first part of the wood processing chain.

Different technologies to reach improved results in the value chain have been described.

Also the last part of the chain has to some extent been described and evaluated by consumer preference studies.

However, few studies have been presented aiming at describing whole wood product chains together with collecting empirical data about the process and raw material.


The XPS analysis has been used to obtain the qualitative determination of the surface components and composition of the samples. Figure 6 shows the survey of XPS narrow scan spectra of the as-prepared Ca 10− Sm (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 with Sm = 0.01 (a), Sm = 0.03 (b), and Sm = 0.1 (c) nanopowder samples. Concerning the binding energies in the pure HAp, the peaks at 347.3 eV, 532.1 eV and 133.8 eV can be attributed to the binding energy of Ca 2p, O 1s and P 2p, confirming the presence of apatite groups [64] [65] [66] . The peak at 1084,4 eV observed in Ca 10− Sm (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 was attributed to the Sm 3d 5/2 , consistent with the normal oxidation state of Sm 3+ , because the binding energy of core level for Sm 2 O 3 is generally observed at 1083.2 eV [65] .

Concerning the binding energies in the pure HAp, the peaks at 347.3 eV, 532.1 eV and 133.8 eV can be attributed to the binding energy of Ca 2p, O 1s and P 2p, confirming the presence of apatite groups.

The peak at 1084,4 eV observed in Ca 10− Sm (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 was attributed to the Sm 3d 5/2 , consistent with the normal oxidation state of Sm 3+ , because the binding energy of core level for Sm 2 O 3 is generally observed at 1083.2 eV.


Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) has a significant impact on the quality of life of women. Depending on the prolapsed compartment, symptoms may include urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction, feeling of bulge, difficulty to defecate or fecal incontinence and sexual dysfunction [1] . Symptom relief is an obvious and important outcome measure for patients with pelvic organ dysfunction, but still most studies on POP surgery tend to report objective or anatomical cure as the primary outcome [1] .

Depending on the prolapsed compartment, symptoms may include urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction, feeling of bulge, difficulty to defecate or fecal incontinence and sexual dysfunction.

Symptom relief is an obvious and important outcome measure for patients with pelvic organ dysfunction, but still most studies on POP surgery tend to report objective or anatomical cure as the primary outcome.


The first nationwide iodine monitoring in Germany was implemented in 1996. Results demonstrated a rise in urinary iodine excretion in the German population due to a widespread use of iodized salt in households, bakeries and meat products [19] . In addition, iodine content of milk and milk products had also increased [13, 14] .

Results demonstrated a rise in urinary iodine excretion in the German population due to a widespread use of iodized salt in households, bakeries and meat products.

In addition, iodine content of milk and milk products had also increased.


In contrast to former studies, no significant changes of the iodine content were found during the period from 2007 up to 2011 (Table 3) [18] . Similarly increased trends during the last 2 -3 decades were also determined in other European countries. In Swedish cow's milk, the iodine content increased by 75% between 1975 and 1995 -1997 [20] . In the UK, iodine concentrations in milk samples had risen from 150 µg/l in 1991/1992 to 303 µg/l in 1995 [21] .

In contrast to former studies, no significant changes of the iodine content were found during the period from 2007 up to 2011 (Table 3).

In Swedish cow's milk, the iodine content increased by 75% between 1975 and 1995 -1997.

In the UK, iodine concentrations in milk samples had risen from 150 µg/l in 1991/1992 to 303 µg/l in 1995.


The microbial community in an anaerobic digestion comprise of fermentative, acetogenic and methanogenic microorganisms. In general, methanogens have slower growth rates compared to hydrolytic and acetogenic organisms, and are more sensitive to environmental stress. Efficient anaerobic digestion requires the development and maintenance of a large, stable and viable population of methane-forming microorganisms [5] . The most common reactor configuration used for anaerobic digestion is the continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR), in which the active biomass is constantly removed from the system. These conventional systems usually have long retention times. This drawback has been overcome using a high rate system, which is basically based on immobilization of the active biomass which enables short retention times. It is because the sludge retention time is more or less independent of the hydraulic retention time [7] [8] [9] . The microorganisms in the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors are kept in the reactor by their ability to flocculate and produce granules and thereby give the sludge good settling properties [9] [10] [11] .

Efficient anaerobic digestion requires the development and maintenance of a large, stable and viable population of methane-forming microorganisms.

It is because the sludge retention time is more or less independent of the hydraulic retention time.

The microorganisms in the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors are kept in the reactor by their ability to flocculate and produce granules and thereby give the sludge good settling properties.


To understand barriers to change, it is useful to analyze in more depth the types of changes that need to occur in the social system and the nature of conflicts in the transition to a sustainable management of riverine landscapes, as well as possible strategies for their resolution in social learning and decision-making processes. In doing so, one has to take into account that in restoring the multifunctionality of riverine landscapes, one has to deal with "messy problems" when there are large differences regarding the perceptions of the nature of the problem, the need for action, and the type of action that should be taken. Such differences arise, on one hand, from uncertainties in the factual knowledge base, and on the other hand, from ambiguities in problem framing, and in the diverse ways in which the nature of the problems are perceived. Despite the considerable body of knowledge that has been collected about riverine ecosystems and floodplains, huge knowledge gaps still exist with respect to quantitative assessments of spatiotemporal water requirements and the impact of change on ecosystem properties. In addition, it is not clear what a "desirable" future state of a floodplain should be or how it can be achieved (Hughes 2003) .

In addition, it is not clear what a "desirable" future state of a floodplain should be or how it can be achieved.


Although the method is applicable in higher dimensions, we have exercised it on the geometrically exact theory of Kirchhoff-Love thin-shells. Our work significantly extends the applicability of meshfree methods to thin-shell analysis. Previous methods were limited to very simple surfaces admitting a single parametric space. The proposed method is very robust and general and can deal very easily with shells of very complex geometry and topology. Furthermore, we have shown that it is very accurate and competitive with state-of-the-art mesh-based methods such as subdivision finite elements. Interestingly, although the local max-ent approximants are only linearly reproducing, we obtain excellent results for the fourth-order partial differential equations of thin-shells. We have observed the same behavior in the numerical approximation of a fourth-order phase-field model for biomembranes [74] . This suggests further mathematical analysis of the method [75] . The proposed method can be easily enhanced to account for internal connections or non-manifold shells [72, 76] . We are also working on a boundary representation avoiding ghost nodes, by describing the boundary curves by B-spline or NURBS curves [77] .

We have observed the same behavior in the numerical approximation of a fourth-order phase-field model for biomembranes.

This suggests further mathematical analysis of the method.

The proposed method can be easily enhanced to account for internal connections or non-manifold shells.

We are also working on a boundary representation avoiding ghost nodes, by describing the boundary curves by B-spline or NURBS curves.


Another advantage is that additional non-physical characteristic roots, which may be introduced by certain model transformations, can be dealt with in an elegant way. Indeed, the non-physical roots are typically known beforehand, and can be explicitly ignored by the optimisation algorithm. Such transformations are for instance necessary when a system with distributed delays needs to be converted into a system with constant delays [15] . The same thing happens when the system exhibits a rotational symmetry. This is illustrated in the semiconductor laser example, where a non-physical zero characteristic root, due to such a rotational symmetry, is known a priori and can be easily ignored explicitly by the optimisation procedure. Note that existing criteria for asymptotic stability cannot be used for such a problem, as the non-physical unstable characteristic root would, mathematically speaking, render the system unstable for all values of the controller parameters.

Such transformations are for instance necessary when a system with distributed delays needs to be converted into a system with constant delays.


Agroindustries are focused in the transformation and processing of raw materials from agricultural source (plant or animal) and contribute to the generation of large amounts of organic residues. These are solid or liquid materials, which are not used in the production chain, and constitute a serious problem because, apparently without viable application, they are discarded directly into the environment and, if not properly treated, can cause pollution in soil, surface water and groundwater (Mareti et al., 2010) . The concern with the environment leads to the elaboration of projects aiming the sustainability of the industrial production system.

These are solid or liquid materials, which are not used in the production chain, and constitute a serious problem because, apparently without viable application, they are discarded directly into the environment and, if not properly treated, can cause pollution in soil, surface water and groundwater.


The recent guidelines from the World Society of the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (ACS) have proposed new definitions that are specific for pediatric use. The new proposed IAP level in the critically ill children is between 4 and 10 mmHg. Intraabdominal hypertension (IAH) in children is sustained or repeated pathological elevation in IAP >10 mmHg, whereas ACS is defined as sustained elevation in IAP of greater than 10 mmHg associated with new or worsening organ dysfunction that can be attributed to the elevated IAP [6] . Contrary to the earlier opinions, renal function monitoring may not be sensitive enough to recognize IAH in the children [6, 11, 12] .

Intraabdominal hypertension (IAH) in children is sustained or repeated pathological elevation in IAP >10 mmHg, whereas ACS is defined as sustained elevation in IAP of greater than 10 mmHg associated with new or worsening organ dysfunction that can be attributed to the elevated IAP.

Contrary to the earlier opinions, renal function monitoring may not be sensitive enough to recognize IAH in the children.


Provided that it is reliable, self-report has many advantages; it is cost-effective, less time consuming, and non-invasive than other forms of data gathering in health settings (Waters et al. 2003) . Health professionals must rely on selfreports of many health-related behaviors such as alcohol and substance use because objective indicators are often unable to provide information on specific aspects of user behavior such as history, frequency and severity over extended time periods (Carroll 1995) . Consequently, self-report of health behaviors is a widely used method of data collection. However evidence regarding the accuracy of self-reports in juvenile forensic populations is limited, and of the available evidence, results are inconsistent. Hence the accuracy of selfreport on a range of common health related behaviors and concerns -sleep difficulties; alcohol use; physical and sexual abuse; perceptions of weight and weight related behaviors; anxiety; and suicide and self harmwere assessed in a juvenile forensic population and compared with accuracy of self-report in community and clinical samples of adolescents, which has generally been reported to be acceptable to highly reliable.

Provided that it is reliable, self-report has many advantages; it is cost-effective, less time consuming, and non-invasive than other forms of data gathering in health settings.

Health professionals must rely on selfreports of many health-related behaviors such as alcohol and substance use because objective indicators are often unable to provide information on specific aspects of user behavior such as history, frequency and severity over extended time periods.


Therefore, in subsequent experiments we used a visuomotor, virtual environment, where participants aimed to targets with trajectory feedback that was rotated by 30deg in a clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW) direction. In addition to testing for after-effects following observation (Exp1) and observation + imagery (Exp 2), we tested whether there would be advantages associated with observational practice over physical practice. In previous research, actors showed significant (retroactive) interference in retaining a model of performance in one environment (e.g., CW) following practice of a second rotation (e.g., CCW, [7] ). Arguably, these effects were related to difficulties in holding multiple internal models of the environment. If observation does not promote the updating of an internal model (i.e., motor-based simulation), then we should not see this interference in observers (Exp 3). In a final experiment we tested for after-effects in observers who had previously received physical practice but after-effects had been washed-out before a subsequent observation phase. If action simulation is only possible once the action is part of the person's motor repertoire we would now expect after-effects following observation (Exp 4).

In previous research, actors showed significant (retroactive) interference in retaining a model of performance in one environment (e.g., CW) following practice of a second rotation (e.g., CCW,).


Learning through watching has long been considered a useful practice method and is probably one of the most favoured and widely used techniques in the teaching of motor skills [1] . Much of learning, via this observation method, is expected to occur via explicit, strategic means [2] . Physical practice is believed necessary to translate the acquired information into a motor code (late mediation hypothesis [3] ).

Learning through watching has long been considered a useful practice method and is probably one of the most favoured and widely used techniques in the teaching of motor skills.

Much of learning, via this observation method, is expected to occur via explicit, strategic means.

Physical practice is believed necessary to translate the acquired information into a motor code (late mediation hypothesis).


To reduce the likelihood of waiting due to bank contention, the cache sets have been interleaved among banks. Experimental results showed that, regardless the cache scheme and organization, eight banks provide less than 0.7 percent performance degradation with respect to an unlimited number of banks. Therefore, the number of banks has been set to eight across all the experiments. This number of banks is reasonable, since it is common to find designs having more banks in the literature [8] . Finally, since one bank only can perform one swap operation at a given time, the number of banks also matches the number of intermediate buffers. This amount of buffers does not adversely affect the length of the bitlines, since their capacitances, as obtained with CACTI, range from 14 to 29 fF depending on the cache organization. These values fall in the same range as the ones obtained with conventional eDRAM caches implemented with the same cell capacitance and number of banks.

This number of banks is reasonable, since it is common to find designs having more banks in the literature.


Another important component that affects adsorption is the type of biocontactors, which conventional adsorption techniques using packed beds separation systems have widely been investigated and applied. This technique has several drawbacks since it requires the feed stream to be free of any particulates to avoid any blocking of the adsorbent beds. Such congestions would result in pressure drops and requiring a back flush to remove the clogged particles which require filtration, centrifugation and/or solids settling steps [14] . Therefore, a bioseparation technique that does not require a prior removal of particulate matter would be considered to be vitally important. Conventional fluidized bed technology can overcome this major problem with the relatively large voidage between the fluidized adsorbents that prevents any blockage of the bed [14] [15] [16] . Furthermore, the higher fluid mechanical shear in conventional fixed bed adsorption techniques can cause damage to proteins [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] . Along the same line of interest, airlift or gas-lift bioreactors were proven to be important in emerging fluidizing technology, where industrially important microorganisms are used as catalysts. These bioreactors exploit hydrostatic pressure differences on fluid circulation. This class of bioreactors consists of a liquid pool divided into two distinct zones one of which is purged with air or gas. The contents of the bioreactor circulate by a gas-lift action due to different bulk densities between gassed and un-gassed zones. Fluidizing agent causes the fluid motion after being pumped into the inner draft tube of the bioreactor [17, 18] . The overall directionality of internal flow generates a homogeneous field of shear, which has been proven to be essential for better mass transfer during adsorption [18, 19] . Because of their advanced hydrodynamics, mass transfer characteristics and uniformity in the shear environment, airlift bioreactors (or biocontactors) are increasingly being applied in medical, pharmaceutical, dyes and fragrances industries, biotechnology and in multiphase chemical reactions [19] [20] [21] .

Such congestions would result in pressure drops and requiring a back flush to remove the clogged particles which require filtration, centrifugation and/or solids settling steps.

Conventional fluidized bed technology can overcome this major problem with the relatively large voidage between the fluidized adsorbents that prevents any blockage of the bed.

Furthermore, the higher fluid mechanical shear in conventional fixed bed adsorption techniques can cause damage to proteins.

Fluidizing agent causes the fluid motion after being pumped into the inner draft tube of the bioreactor.

The overall directionality of internal flow generates a homogeneous field of shear, which has been proven to be essential for better mass transfer during adsorption.

Because of their advanced hydrodynamics, mass transfer characteristics and uniformity in the shear environment, airlift bioreactors (or biocontactors) are increasingly being applied in medical, pharmaceutical, dyes and fragrances industries, biotechnology and in multiphase chemical reactions.


Previous studies have demonstrated high rates of medication nonadherence in dialysis patients with rates ranging from 19 to 99%, with 14% of patients citing 'the number of medications' as a major reason for their noncompliance [8, 12, 13] . Furthermore, noncompliance with the dialysis regimen is associated with an increase in mortality [14, 15] . Strategies to reduce pill burden and overcome nonadherence have been successfully implemented in the treatment of hypertension in haemodialysis with thrice weekly lisinopril and atenolol reducing blood pressure by 12-22/11 mmHg [9, 10] . In our study, patients were deemed nonadherent by the attending nephrologists based on failure to take warfarin as prescribed due to a history of self-administered medication dosage errors, often due to cognitive impairment. In-centre administration in carefully selected cases could ensure that adequate anticoagulation is achieved while limiting medication over dosage.

Previous studies have demonstrated high rates of medication nonadherence in dialysis patients with rates ranging from 19 to 99%, with 14% of patients citing 'the number of medications' as a major reason for their noncompliance.

Furthermore, noncompliance with the dialysis regimen is associated with an increase in mortality.

Strategies to reduce pill burden and overcome nonadherence have been successfully implemented in the treatment of hypertension in haemodialysis with thrice weekly lisinopril and atenolol reducing blood pressure by 12-22/11 mmHg.


In addition to genes, the production of volatile terpenoids is influenced by many factors, such as environment, hormones, etc. Skinkis found that grapefruit significantly increased the content of bound terpenes in daylight, but this had no effect on the free terpenes [37] . Toselli's results showed that the linalool content of the Prunus persica var after applying organic fertilizer was higher [38] . The aroma of Vitis vinifera L. has the highest content under mild water stress and moderate nitrogen supply while severe water stress and nitrogen deficiency will weaken the aroma [39] . The analysis of the aroma of Malus domestica found that the esters were considered to be the major contributors to most cultivars of Malus domestica. The biosynthesis of ester volatiles during Malus domestica ripening requires not only sustained ethylene but also a high ethylene yield [40] . For Z. bungeanum, the aroma can be modified by treating the environment and hormones, which will be an important direction of further research.

Skinkis found that grapefruit significantly increased the content of bound terpenes in daylight, but this had no effect on the free terpenes.

Toselli's results showed that the linalool content of the Prunus persica var after applying organic fertilizer was higher.

The aroma of Vitis vinifera L. has the highest content under mild water stress and moderate nitrogen supply while severe water stress and nitrogen deficiency will weaken the aroma.

The biosynthesis of ester volatiles during Malus domestica ripening requires not only sustained ethylene but also a high ethylene yield.


Plasma lipid disorders are characterized by elevated plasma levels of LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and by a decreased level of HDL-cholesterol. Epidemiological studies demonstrate that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. It results from a variety of risk factors such as heredity, smoking, high blood cholesterol, glucose intolerance, obesity, and high blood pressure that are substantially influenced by dietary factors. These constitute important risk factors for cardiovascular disease that are modifiable (Stamler et al., 1986) . In addition, a number of dietary factors alter lipoprotein profiles and have a significant effect on initiation and progression of cardiovascular disease (Paolisso et al., 2000) .

These constitute important risk factors for cardiovascular disease that are modifiable.

In addition, a number of dietary factors alter lipoprotein profiles and have a significant effect on initiation and progression of cardiovascular disease.


The four identical satellites of the ESA Cluster Mission were launched in pairs on 15 July and 9 August 2000. One of the major goals of Cluster is to determine the local orientation and the state of motion of the small-and medium-scale plasma structures, such as the magnetopause, and thereby give, for the first time an unambiguous indication in order to distinguish between spatial and, temporal variations (Escoubet et al., 1997b) . The current polar orbit has a perigee of ∼ 4 R E and an apogee of ∼ 19.7 R E , an inclination of 90 • , a line of apsides around the ecliptic plane, and an orbital period of ∼ 58 hours. Orbital parameters of the four satellites differ slightly in order to achieve an almost perfect tetrahedral configuration in the external cusp and magnetopause.

One of the major goals of Cluster is to determine the local orientation and the state of motion of the small-and medium-scale plasma structures, such as the magnetopause, and thereby give, for the first time an unambiguous indication in order to distinguish between spatial and, temporal variations.


The short lifetime of Nieuwland catalyst, whether in aqueous solution or an anhydrous organic solvent, has been reported to be caused by the formation of a dark red precipitate containing the active CuCl component [14, 29] . Catalyst stability could be improved by the addition of HCl to the catalyst solution. Recently, we found that addition of CuCl 2 to the anhydrous Nieuwland catalyst can improve acetylene conversion; however, the reasons are unclear. As an extension, this study investigates the effect of Cu + /Cu 2+ ratio on acetylene conversion through an anhydrous catalyst and the relationship between copper valence and catalyst stability.

The short lifetime of Nieuwland catalyst, whether in aqueous solution or an anhydrous organic solvent, has been reported to be caused by the formation of a dark red precipitate containing the active CuCl component.


In the present study, torsion was not enhanced in the untreated DM group. It has been noticed in a clinical practice that the direct pathway from DM to dilated cardiac failure (increased LV sphericity and eccentricity change) can occur without a myocardial infarction [29] . Chronic exposure to disturbances of glucose metabolism in DM might negatively affect LV mechanics through myocardial fibrosis and microvascular disease [29, 30] . The spherical and eccentricity change in LV wall could attenuate enhanced torsion.

It has been noticed in a clinical practice that the direct pathway from DM to dilated cardiac failure (increased LV sphericity and eccentricity change) can occur without a myocardial infarction.

Chronic exposure to disturbances of glucose metabolism in DM might negatively affect LV mechanics through myocardial fibrosis and microvascular disease.


One disadvantage of Skorohod's approach is the fact that the existence of local surface measure may not yield the existence of a global surface measure. On the contrary, the Airault-Malliavin method produces a measure on the entire surface. We point out that an important ingredient in this method is the integral representation of positive distributions by measures [14, 17] ).

We point out that an important ingredient in this method is the integral representation of positive distributions by measures).


The rapid and reliable detection of multiple biomarkers simultaneously in small sample volumes is increasingly requested in current clinical practice and represents a fundamental step towards personalized medicine [1] . Nowadays, most of the available diagnostic devices are solid-state based analytical assays, where a functionalized surface works as the active element for biorecognition. Site-specific immobilization of multiple active elements on the same surface to probe low biosample volumes requires miniaturization and is generally technologically demanding, since it entails successive steps specifically tailored to each biomarker probe.

The rapid and reliable detection of multiple biomarkers simultaneously in small sample volumes is increasingly requested in current clinical practice and represents a fundamental step towards personalized medicine.


In particular, extending current simulations -which are currently based on the selection of a number of fixed canned texts -with a component that enable interaction with the system using free speech, allows users to behave in more natural ways, without system constraints linked to the humancomputer interface. This component matches a transcribed speech input to a set of available questions. In NLP, this task can be viewed as a similarity ranking problem regarding texts. Modelling semantic similarity of texts is a well-studied and active field in NLP and has gained traction with the advent of Deep Learning-based approaches. One line of work focuses on modelling similarity between words through vector representations of words, so-called word embeddings, which are learnt unsupervised on large text collections [2] , [11] , [14] , [20] . These works are extended into the similarity comparison of sentences, phrases, or whole documents. Texts are embedded as vectors or matrices using variants of recurrent neural networks or convolutional neural networks, often using an attention mechanism [16] , [19] , [22] . Our work incorporates word embeddings, but also makes use of simpler string matching approaches and term weighting using TF IDF [8] , [14] .

One line of work focuses on modelling similarity between words through vector representations of words, so-called word embeddings, which are learnt unsupervised on large text collections.

Texts are embedded as vectors or matrices using variants of recurrent neural networks or convolutional neural networks, often using an attention mechanism.

Our work incorporates word embeddings, but also makes use of simpler string matching approaches and term weighting using TF IDF.


Sodium silicate gel (SS), Na2SiO 3 ·9H 2 O, is a kind of water-soluble silicate which appears as crystallization of orthogonal double cone or white-to-gray lump or powder. SS is often used as a binder and an activator in cement-based materials to improve the strength and stability [11] . For example, after contacted with water, a waterproof layer of aluminum silicate film, which can prevent further hydration reaction of GGBFS, can be created on slag particles. As a kind of alkali excitation agent, SS can speed up the disintegration of GGBFS vitreous and promote the hydration process [12] . However, the effect of SS on the binder containing lead-zinc smelting slag has not been explored.

SS is often used as a binder and an activator in cement-based materials to improve the strength and stability.

As a kind of alkali excitation agent, SS can speed up the disintegration of GGBFS vitreous and promote the hydration process.


In an effort to clarify the status of the subgenera, quantitative studies were first undertaken on the major workers (Gotwald and Barr 1980) . These studies revealed only four integral species clusters, and these corresponded to the subgenera Rhogmus, Alaopone, Typhlopone, and Dorylus (s.s.). This paper reports the results of an identical set of phenetic studies conducted on the males. Although the results are of intrinsic interest to the grouping of Dorylus species, they are also useful in demonstrating the degree of congruence achieved between independent studies of the two phena, i.e., of the workers and males. To the extent that congruence exists, the pragmatic value of phenetics to taxonomic revisions of groups containing unassociated phena can be determined.

In an effort to clarify the status of the subgenera, quantitative studies were first undertaken on the major workers.


In our work, we discovered that this increased complexity affected our primary goal, reusability, negatively. With increase in complexity, the importance of architects' skills and experience was elevated. We hypothesized that the lack of dedicated support for architecture reasoning with self-adaptation and strategic reuse was a primary reason. To that end, we adopted existing methods and techniques to develop an extended Architectural Reasoning Framework (eARF) [2] .

To that end, we adopted existing methods and techniques to develop an extended Architectural Reasoning Framework (eARF).


Self-adaptation combined with the product-line approach introduces variability along three dimensions. Domain variability, the first dimension, originates from the SPLE domain. It refers to differences among products in a product line. Run-time variability, the second dimension, comes from the self-adaptive software systems. It refers to run-time changes in a system's requirements, goals, environment, and the system itself [10] . The third dimension, cross-domains variability, stems from horizontal reuse, that is reuse across product domains. It refers to differences among products in two or more domains. The combination of three dimensions expands the design space architects have to consider, and consequently architectural reasoning and analysis become more complex.

It refers to run-time changes in a system's requirements, goals, environment, and the system itself.


We have conducted an initial evaluation of the framework in a case study with final year master students [17] . The goal was to investigate its feasibility. The results indicate that use of the eARF framework provides better architectural analysis and reasoning support compared to the reference approach. It helps architects to design assets with increased reusability and reduced fault density. By providing architects with required knowledge encapsulated in the form of tactics and patterns, it also reduces the effect of differences in architects' skills and experience. The combined results indicate that our working hypothesis is correct. However, further evaluation is required to support the findings.

We have conducted an initial evaluation of the framework in a case study with final year master students.


Software architecture provides the cornerstones for software system design and development. A high-quality architecture is a necessary condition if a software system should satisfy its requirements [6] . This condition becomes more vital when developing large and complex software systems.

A high-quality architecture is a necessary condition if a software system should satisfy its requirements.


Low-energy effective theories play an important role in the study of non-perturbative effects of quantum field theory, such as the chiral Lagrangian of QCD [1] . In certain supersymmetric gauge theories, low-energy effective theories are determined exactly offering full quantum spectra of Bogomol'nyi-Prasado-Sommerfield (BPS) states [2] . BPS states preserve a part of supersymmetry, belonging to so-called short multiplets of supersymmetry algebra, and consequently they are stable against quantum corrections perturbatively and non-perturbatively [3] .

Low-energy effective theories play an important role in the study of non-perturbative effects of quantum field theory, such as the chiral Lagrangian of QCD.

In certain supersymmetric gauge theories, low-energy effective theories are determined exactly offering full quantum spectra of Bogomol'nyi-Prasado-Sommerfield (BPS) states.

BPS states preserve a part of supersymmetry, belonging to so-called short multiplets of supersymmetry algebra, and consequently they are stable against quantum corrections perturbatively and non-perturbatively.


In the cases when the stress distribution is not uniform but does not present a crack singularity, these criteria are no longer sufficient to describe accurate fracture conditions. Many factors such like stress gradient, multi-axial stress state or structure size may influence the material strength (Bazant, 1976) . With the aim of extending these criteria to more general cases, numerous fracture and damage models were proposed in the literature.

Many factors such like stress gradient, multi-axial stress state or structure size may influence the material strength.


In regards to the methodology proposed in this paper, the following issues should be noted. On hazard simulation, the cascading process from typhoon generation to storm surge and coastal inundation simulation is presented. The key process to construct the methodology is typhoon ensemble forecasting. All the simulations and statistical analysis are based on the typhoon generation. On loss estimation, the property damage and business interruption loss are estimated for industry sectors in this paper, because double counting can take place if they are simply added. Further, business interruption loss mentioned in this paper is the primary business interruption loss, which is caused directly by the inundation. The higher order business interruption loss caused by interruptions in the business chain is not included. The average ratio between primary business interruption loss and property damage among all sectors in the study is less than 1:10. The expected loss is used as a representation of EP curves in discussing the case study results; however, it could make the risks appear moderate [28] . EP curves provide a complete version of risk information. For different purposes, the conditional expected value or value at risk (VaR) can be used instead of the expected value.

The expected loss is used as a representation of EP curves in discussing the case study results; however, it could make the risks appear moderate.


To deal with SoS architecture complexity and to assist architects, various kinds of architectural patterns were proposed [11, 12, 15] . These patterns are suitable to assist the architect with development, maintenance and evolution steps. They are reusable units for specification, design and analysis of architecture. We propose to use the same abstraction to address reconfiguration issues. Our approach fosters the reuse of principled solutions and the documentation of the decisions made in the design of each SoS reconfiguration.

To deal with SoS architecture complexity and to assist architects, various kinds of architectural patterns were proposed.


This test does not give us a detailed insight into the persuasiveness of the application, as this only can be evaluated in a longer study. However, responses that show patients' interest to use it every day and their positive feedback on the gamified training goal elements show preliminary indications that this approach can work to keep patients motivated. The gamification aspect also caters to the conceptual principle "reward" (mentioned in Section 3.8).To convert this into achieving sustained behavior change, further emphasis needs to be laid on fulfilling intrinsic goals [12] . The usability tests show that we succeeded to integrate the persuasive design principles in HeartHab, whilst maintaining a good level of usability.

The gamification aspect also caters to the conceptual principle "reward" (mentioned in Section 3.8).To convert this into achieving sustained behavior change, further emphasis needs to be laid on fulfilling intrinsic goals.


Successful FE model updating via an inverse method requires a large number of available measurements compared with the number of unknown parameters. Frequency response function (FRF)-based methods can provide an abundance of data by using measured responses in a wide range of excitation frequencies. Also, FRF data can be extracted without numerical approximations, such as curve fitting, and thus are less susceptible to error compared with modal data. Because of these advantages, measured FRF data are very promising for identifying structural damage (Bandara et al. 2014; Wan et al. 2014) .

Because of these advantages, measured FRF data are very promising for identifying structural damage.


The variation among the sampled canids was also not easily explained as a result of habitat or body mass differences. The two canids with the densest arrangement of maxilloturbinates are the grey wolf and Brazilian bush dog. One is a large-bodied cursorial hunter in temperate to arctic climates; the other is a small, short-distance rush hunter in tropical rainforest (Bueler, 1973) . The ecological parallel (cursorial pack hunter) to the grey wolf is the African wild dog, and its maxilloturbinates are very different in density and architecture (Fig. 7) . It is possible that the differences among the species may be better explained by phylogeny than function, but this is difficult to assess based on only eight of 35 canid species. The two most closely related canids in our sample, the kit fox and arctic fox, do differ from one another in the expected direction. That is, the arctic fox, which presumably has greater heat conservation needs than its temperate sister taxon, has slightly denser turbinates and an overall greater volume of turbinate bone for its body size.

One is a large-bodied cursorial hunter in temperate to arctic climates; the other is a small, short-distance rush hunter in tropical rainforest.


During surgery on the trachea and bronchus, a double lumen endotracheal tube or a univent tube may be appropriate for adults and older children. However, in small children, because conventional single lung ventilation methods are likely to fail to maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation, the elective application of ECMO may be a good option [9] . ECMO was also useful during the postoperative course in the described case because it can minimize inspiratory airway pressure during mechanical ventilation.

However, in small children, because conventional single lung ventilation methods are likely to fail to maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation, the elective application of ECMO may be a good option.


However, in a traditional laser scanning confocal microscope, bulky mechanical beam scanners are usually needed so that the excitation laser beams are sequentially focused on the samples point to point by scanners and an objective. The reflected light, encoded by 2-D sample structures in the time domain, was detected and then decoded into images by computers. These mechanical scanners introduce fluctuations or noise during the process of image acquisition. Furthermore, miniaturizing mechanical scanners, such as galvanometers, resonant mirrors, and spinning polygons, remain a challenge to the development of hand-held compact microscopes and endoscopes for imaging inside hollow tissue cavities [4] .

Furthermore, miniaturizing mechanical scanners, such as galvanometers, resonant mirrors, and spinning polygons, remain a challenge to the development of hand-held compact microscopes and endoscopes for imaging inside hollow tissue cavities.


Since the invention of confocal microscopy, it has become an important diagnosis tool widely used in the biological, medical, industrial, semiconductor, and physical fields due to its capability in noninvasively imaging sectioned microstructures inside thick specimens with a high contrast and a micro-meter resolution [1] , [2] . Currently, besides the basic research requiring maximum performance inside the laboratory, the major focus of research on confocal microscopy is to develop higher speed, miniaturized, and simpler imaging instruments [3] . This is due to the fact that motion artifacts can be avoided with a high speed confocal microscope. Moreover, a simple and miniaturized confocal microscope can be easily incorporated into an endoscope or a catheter or even into charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras inside smart-phones, which is utilized to image microscope structures inside a hollow cavity or outside of the laboratory environments.

Since the invention of confocal microscopy, it has become an important diagnosis tool widely used in the biological, medical, industrial, semiconductor, and physical fields due to its capability in noninvasively imaging sectioned microstructures inside thick specimens with a high contrast and a micro-meter resolution.

Currently, besides the basic research requiring maximum performance inside the laboratory, the major focus of research on confocal microscopy is to develop higher speed, miniaturized, and simpler imaging instruments.


What does it mean to say, as many have, that "the Internet treats censorship as damage and routes around it" [14] ? Or what does it mean to argue, as is also common, that the Internet is a democratizing force as a result of its decentralized architecture [8] ? Or that it's a platform for grass-roots community-building rather than mass media messaging [35] ?

What does it mean to say, as many have, that "the Internet treats censorship as damage and routes around it"?

Or what does it mean to argue, as is also common, that the Internet is a democratizing force as a result of its decentralized architecture?

Or that it's a platform for grass-roots community-building rather than mass media messaging?


Managers and administrators nationwide continue to work to help employees avoid and manage stress. The earliest employee assistance programs (EAP's) were developed in the mid-1920s during the Hawthorne Studies conducted by Western Electric (Dickson, 1945) . During the 1940s and 1950s, occupational alcoholism programs emerged, as a way to treat "troubled" employees. By the 1990s, health promotion programs such as smoking cessation, weight reduction, and stress management began to surface. These programs reflect numerous changing strategies to increase employee productivity.

The earliest employee assistance programs (EAP's) were developed in the mid-1920s during the Hawthorne Studies conducted by Western Electric.


Brook lampreys presumably derive from a parasitic ancestor. In some cases, the origin of non-parasitism may occur at different times or in different locations, resulting in morphological and genetic differences among the non-parasitic derivatives (Docker, 2009) . Recently, following mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analyses using the cytochrome b (cytb) and ATPase (subunits 6 and 8) (ATPase 6/8) genes, we recognized the existence of highly divergent allopatric evolutionary lineages of L. planeri from the Iberian Peninsula, and suggested the existence of a complex of incipient or cryptic species . We identified four clades (I-IV) that do not overlap geographically ( Fig. 1 ): clade I includes the populations from Sado basin; clade II includes the individuals from river Nabão and its tributaries, in the Tagus river basin; clade III includes the populations from Esmoriz and Vouga basins; and clade IV shows a wide distribution, from Tagus river basin to the northern Spanish river Deva and presents further subdivision (subclades IV-A to IV-C). The uniqueness of Iberian populations from clades I, II and III is even more evident when they are placed in a phylogenetic context including L. planeri populations from throughout the European range, showing greater levels of genetic divergence, and falling outside the L. planeri clade (clade IV) . Accordingly, we suggested the definition of four evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) for L. planeri, as defined by clades I, II, III and IV. Morphological differentiation between these ESUs remains, however, to be investigated.

In some cases, the origin of non-parasitism may occur at different times or in different locations, resulting in morphological and genetic differences among the non-parasitic derivatives.


Wide area multilateration (WAM) is a cooperative aircraft surveillance technology based on the same time difference of arrival principle that is used on an airport surface. WAM is a technique where several ground receiving stations receive Mode A/C and Mode S transponder signal of civil aircraft; then the aircraft's location is mathematically calculated typically in two dimensions, with the aircraft providing its altitude. Aircraft position, altitude and other data are ultimately transmitted, through an Air Traffic Control automation system, to screens viewed by air traffic controllers for separation of aircraft. It can and has been interfaced to terminal or en-route automation systems [1] [2] [3] . As the existing secondary surveillance radar (SSR) has an incomplete coverage, resulting in dead zones, and its cost is high, a WAM system has been installed in some mountainous routes and terminal areas in Europe and America for aircraft surveillance [4] .

It can and has been interfaced to terminal or en-route automation systems.

As the existing secondary surveillance radar (SSR) has an incomplete coverage, resulting in dead zones, and its cost is high, a WAM system has been installed in some mountainous routes and terminal areas in Europe and America for aircraft surveillance.


The concept of isolating block is related to earlier ideas of Wazewski [11] . It is possible to get the crucial property of continous exit times under weaker assumptions than are needed for the topological index theory. For example, whereas isolating blocks are always compact, Wazewski sets need not be. In this paper the proof will be based on the construction of a Wazewski set, rather than an isolating block. It is hoped that Wazewski sets and higher-dimensional shooting arguments will provide existence proofs for symmetrical periodic solutions in more complicated systems, such as the planar three-body problem or symmetrical subsystems of the n-body problem.

The concept of isolating block is related to earlier ideas of Wazewski.


Perhaps of greater interest than the orbits themselves is the method of proof, which is a variation of an idea used by Conley in the restricted three-body problem [1] . In Conley's paper, the retrograde lunar orbit of Hill is shown to exist for a wide range of values of the Jacobi constant. After regularizing double collisions, the problem becomes one of finding a solution of a system of second-order differential equations in the plane which moves from the positive x-axis to the positive y-axis across the first quadrant and meets both axes orthogonally.

Perhaps of greater interest than the orbits themselves is the method of proof, which is a variation of an idea used by Conley in the restricted three-body problem.


The original ADM 3+1 formulation uses a three-dimensional metric γ ij and an extrinsic curvature K ij as unknown functions [1] . In other 3+1 formulations, such as hyperbolic, conformal formulations and their combinations, the ADM equations are extended by introducing additional variables such as spatial derivatives of γ ij , traces of γ ij and K ij , conformal factors, by forming new combinations of these variables, or by modifying equations with the help of constraints [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] . These modifications change the nature of the equations so that they can become more stable, and the integration can be prolonged [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] . Nonetheless, calculations (of black hole collisions, in particular) often suffer from instabilities. A stable, accurate, long-term integration of the Einstein equations remains as an outstanding problem of numerical GR.

The original ADM 3+1 formulation uses a three-dimensional metric γ ij and an extrinsic curvature K ij as unknown functions.

In other 3+1 formulations, such as hyperbolic, conformal formulations and their combinations, the ADM equations are extended by introducing additional variables such as spatial derivatives of γ ij , traces of γ ij and K ij , conformal factors, by forming new combinations of these variables, or by modifying equations with the help of constraints.

These modifications change the nature of the equations so that they can become more stable, and the integration can be prolonged.


The broad emission band around 1.9 µm can be utilized to build new mid-infrared laser sources suitable for spectroscopic, chemical, and atmospheric sensing applications [1] . In addition, strong water absorption occurs at these wavelengths, making thulium-doped gain media very attractive in the development of lasers for biomedical applications such as tissue welding and ablation [2, 3] . Therefore, investigation of novel laser materials, especially thulium-doped hosts which fluoresce around 2 µm, deserves a great deal of attention, considering the ever-increasing demand and need for new laser sources operating in the near-and mid-IR regions of the spectrum.

The broad emission band around 1.9 µm can be utilized to build new mid-infrared laser sources suitable for spectroscopic, chemical, and atmospheric sensing applications.

In addition, strong water absorption occurs at these wavelengths, making thulium-doped gain media very attractive in the development of lasers for biomedical applications such as tissue welding and ablation.


Gray mangrove (Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh.) grows principally in tropical areas. However, its distribution extends to some parts of the temperate regions of the world [1] . In Southwestern Asia, gray mangroves grow in discrete associations along the coasts of the Arabian Gulf as well as the eastern and western shores of the Red Sea [2] . Globally, climatic, edaphic, physiographic, and biotic factors influence the distribution and biodiversity of mangroves and their associated communities [3] . Hence, a tall, dense growth of mangroves is found in high rainfall areas across the tropics; however, dwarf forms of the species typify its physiognomy in the Arabian Peninsula. The shrubby form of mangroves reflects the aridity of the environment, the high seawater salinity, and other local site conditions [4, 5] .

However, its distribution extends to some parts of the temperate regions of the world.

In Southwestern Asia, gray mangroves grow in discrete associations along the coasts of the Arabian Gulf as well as the eastern and western shores of the Red Sea.

Globally, climatic, edaphic, physiographic, and biotic factors influence the distribution and biodiversity of mangroves and their associated communities.

The shrubby form of mangroves reflects the aridity of the environment, the high seawater salinity, and other local site conditions.


Most of the current commercial available 3D printers have limited printing area. For printing 3D garments FDM, SLS and PolyJet are often used due to the comfortability of the printed items they can print. Light weight polymers or polymer composites are the main materials used as printing materials allowing flexibility of the printed items [4] .

Light weight polymers or polymer composites are the main materials used as printing materials allowing flexibility of the printed items.


Because of the process of 3D printing, it allows to avoid disadvantages of conventional manufacturing, one of them being the lack of flexibility. It can be noted that because of the whole unit is built independently, it requires to get changed easily to accommodate the enhancements or change of fashion. Moreover, the manufacturing preparation process is simple because it needs fewer stages. Not only is it good for producing prototypes or samples in small scale, but also in mass manufacturing, because of the size, colour and shape of the generated 3D object can be easily changed in computer without adding additional cost [3] .

Not only is it good for producing prototypes or samples in small scale, but also in mass manufacturing, because of the size, colour and shape of the generated 3D object can be easily changed in computer without adding additional cost.


Some properties of nanometric materials differ markedly from those of micrometric materials of identical composition by effect of mere simple size effects or differences in electronic structure. This has aroused great expectations in many fields including the production of electrochemical energy storage systems. Thus, the use of nanometric materials to prepare electrodes for lithium-ions batteries has gained substantial interest in the last few years [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . Trivial size effects (e.g., an increased surface-to-volume ratio and shorter length displacements for lithium ions) can lead to an improved rate capability and cycle life of cells.

Thus, the use of nanometric materials to prepare electrodes for lithium-ions batteries has gained substantial interest in the last few years.


This has resulted in several ambitious, replicable, and participatory SEC projects that support an integrated approach to energy planning and project development [27] . Such projects have the opportunity to potentially improve the quality of life and the quality of urban services [9, 28] . By adopting an integrated approach, the SEC project can achieve more holistic solutions to complex problems by bringing together different kinds of stakeholders, sectors, and technologies, and incorporating the dimension of sustainability.

This has resulted in several ambitious, replicable, and participatory SEC projects that support an integrated approach to energy planning and project development.

Such projects have the opportunity to potentially improve the quality of life and the quality of urban services.


There was also a marked increase in efficiency when we compared the WVC Reporter system to the pen/paper method as data collection time was reduced 49-58% and transcription was eliminated. For one year of reporting in Utah, the time savings from these two factors alone equates to 2.5-4 weeks of work for one person. Time savings could be considerably more for states with higher numbers of WVCs. In one year Pennsylvania had an estimated ,115,571 deer-vehicle collisions [44] . If we assumed that these data were recorded with the WVC Reporter rather on paper forms, it is possible that 0.8-1.3 person-years of work could be saved. Today state agencies are consistently asked to do more with fewer resources. They may not have the time or person power to process data that requires considerable labor to make it useable for management purposes. The use of WVC Reporter allowed managers to focus on analysis and planning rather than data entry and preparation.

In one year Pennsylvania had an estimated ,115,571 deer-vehicle collisions.


Every level of public hospital had a fairly high availability of the EM surveyed. Although sodium valproate liquid preparation should be available in all levels of public health care facilities excluding level 1, it had a 0% availability. This is similar to the findings of a previous study which showed 0% availability for carbamazepine syrup [17] . The unavailability of these medicines could be due to the absence of an EML for paediatric medicines. When compared with previous studies, availability of cardiovascular medicines in the public sector showed a significant improvement [8, 22] .

This is similar to the findings of a previous study which showed 0% availability for carbamazepine syrup.

When compared with previous studies, availability of cardiovascular medicines in the public sector showed a significant improvement.


The inability of our study to find in Russia the pattern described previously in the literature questions the general nature of this pattern, but also invites pursuing alternative theoretical explanations. First, the pattern we observed is consistent with the approach stressing the selection to parenthood (Kravdal, 2014) . The low childlessness in Russia suggests that personal preferences for parenthood may play a less important role as a trigger of the transition to parenthood than in Western countries. In other words, if the choice to remain childless is culturally unacceptable in Russia, it is likely that among the first-time parents the share of persons who do not have a clear preference for parenthood may be rather high. Such a mismatch between preferences and behavior may result in either flat or negative trajectories of life satisfaction. On the other hand, the stronger selection to second births in Russia may increase the match between behavior and parenting preferences, leading to the positive life satisfaction outcomes of second birth.

First, the pattern we observed is consistent with the approach stressing the selection to parenthood.


This analysis uses fixed effects models for panel data. Fixed effect models use the information on changes in the independent variables (in this case: aging of children) to predict changes in the dependent variable (in our case: parental life satisfaction). The focus on change rather than on the absolute levels of life satisfaction restricts the variance available for estimation, but it accurately documents how the transition to parenthood and changing ages of children affect parental life satisfaction. Fixed effects models control for the time-invariant unobserved heterogeneity of individuals, such as genetic differences, personality traits, or the baseline level of happiness (Allison, 2009) . This is particularly important in the light of the set-point theory. Moreover, the possibility to control for individual fixed effects partly solves the selection issues, which is relevant for the relationship between parenthood and subjective well-being as happier persons have higher probability of having a child (Parr, 2010) .

Fixed effects models control for the time-invariant unobserved heterogeneity of individuals, such as genetic differences, personality traits, or the baseline level of happiness.

Moreover, the possibility to control for individual fixed effects partly solves the selection issues, which is relevant for the relationship between parenthood and subjective well-being as happier persons have higher probability of having a child.


Moreover, our study found that the second rather than first births in Russia had a substantial, positive, and temporary effect on life satisfaction of mothers. This effect is also preceded by anticipation effect: life satisfaction of mothers is higher already in the year preceding the birth. This result contrasts with the assumption that the transition to parenthood, i.e. the birth of the first child, is a more noticeable event than the following births, and that it has a stronger effect on life satisfaction. In other words, our results question one of the assumption that the first birth "naturally" matters more than the following births (Aassve et al., 2012) .

In other words, our results question one of the assumption that the first birth "naturally" matters more than the following births.


Little is known about the relationship between parenthood and subjective well-being in the former socialist countries of Eastern Europe. This is unfortunate, because such analyses proved useful in explaining fertility patterns (Myrskylä and Margolis, 2014) . Subjective well-being of parents may drive their fertility behavior: satisfactory transition to parenthood may encourage parents to have another child, and a difficult one may discourage it. Similarly, observing experiences of other parents may provide clues about one's preferred number of children and the preferred timing of own fertility.

This is unfortunate, because such analyses proved useful in explaining fertility patterns.


Furthermore, differently from the pattern prevailing in the literature so far, our results showed a positive long-term effect that parenthood has on life satisfaction. Notably, these results are consistent with studies which demonstrated a sustained positive effect of parenthood on life satisfaction (Baetschmann et al., 2012; Pollmann-Schult, 2014) . In particular, this result is consistent with the demand-reward model of parenthood, which predicts a temporary decline in life satisfaction. On the contrary, our evidence contrasts the set-point theory, which predicts that the return to the initial level of happiness should be permanent.

Notably, these results are consistent with studies which demonstrated a sustained positive effect of parenthood on life satisfaction.


The large similarity between the CARS spectra of the PEC trimers from Mastigocladus laminosus and Westiellopsis prolifica, recorded with 630 nm pump radiation, suggests that the overall chromophore-protein arrangement in the/3-subunit is very similar in the two species. Because of the strong effect of resonance enhancement on CARS intensity, this statement is limited in the sense that it refers to that fraction of the chromoproteins whose contribution to the total absorbance at the pump wavelength is highest. For this and other reasons, we postulated that, in the CARS spectra of PC trimers, the signal contribution should originate predominantly from the /384 chromophores (with smaller contributions from a84) if the pump wavelength is chosen to be 630 nm or higher [19] . Although X-ray analysis indicates that the geometries of the PCB chromophores of the/3-subunits are fairly similar in PEC and PC from Mastigocladus laminosus, we nevertheless find pronounced differences in the CARS spectra of PEC trimers and PC trimers recorded with a pump wavelength of 630 nm [14] . We could claim that, due to the effect of resonance enhancement, for PEC the signal contributions originate exclusively from the/3-chromophores (because of the 50 nm hypsochromic shift of the absorption of the a-chromophore), whereas in PC there is a superposition of the signals of both a84 and/384. On the other hand, it has been proposed that the order of the excited states of/384 and/3155 ehromophores is reversed in trimers of PEC compared with PC [13] . Such an exchange of level order would have the effect that signal contributions from/3155 would be enhanced in PEC relative to PC for energetic reasons (resonance enhancement). However, it is not clear whether the scattering cross-section of the/3155 chromophore is large, since even the 585 nm spectra of PC provide no evidence for contributions from this chromophore.

For this and other reasons, we postulated that, in the CARS spectra of PC trimers, the signal contribution should originate predominantly from the /384 chromophores (with smaller contributions from a84) if the pump wavelength is chosen to be 630 nm or higher.

Although X-ray analysis indicates that the geometries of the PCB chromophores of the/3-subunits are fairly similar in PEC and PC from Mastigocladus laminosus, we nevertheless find pronounced differences in the CARS spectra of PEC trimers and PC trimers recorded with a pump wavelength of 630 nm.

On the other hand, it has been proposed that the order of the excited states of/384 and/3155 ehromophores is reversed in trimers of PEC compared with PC.


In this paper, we report the results of picosecond, time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and resonanceenhanced, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy of trimers of PEC isolated from Westiellopsis prolifica ARM 365 and from a dissociation product called PEC(X) [10] . This biliprotein is believed to be very similar to the a-subunit and therefore provides the unique possibility to collect information on the chromophore in this subunit. The results are discussed in comparison with those obtained earlier for PEC from Mastigocladus laminosus [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] .

In this paper, we report the results of picosecond, time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and resonanceenhanced, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy of trimers of PEC isolated from Westiellopsis prolifica ARM 365 and from a dissociation product called PEC(X).

The results are discussed in comparison with those obtained earlier for PEC from Mastigocladus laminosus.


The findings show that in the growing season dryer conditions and longer droughts with possible adverse effects on yield and quality are more likely to occur. These environmental conditions, which also become more common in NE Slovenia, necessitate some adaptations in existing vineyard management practices to preserve certain specific characteristics of the wines produced in this wine region, especially the technique of arrangement and care of vineyards and management (Vršič 2011) . In specific situations the early varieties will be suitable for the location less exposed to the sun. In this wine region, this is possible because the majority of vineyards are on steep slopes with different sun exposures. More negative influences of climate change can be expected in the case of early-ripe and aromatic varieties (lower acid, bitter substances, atypical aromas, and wine aging, etc.), whereas the growing season in the case of late varieties may be shortened. Due to climate change, the selection of rootstocks will have an increasingly decisive significance (the acceleration and retardation of ripening), in particular in areas where the so-called 'tropical' days are frequent.

These environmental conditions, which also become more common in NE Slovenia, necessitate some adaptations in existing vineyard management practices to preserve certain specific characteristics of the wines produced in this wine region, especially the technique of arrangement and care of vineyards and management.


The differential diagnosis mostly includes anaplastic Wilms' tumor. One can distinguish between these two entities due to the absence or presence of characteristics consistent with Wilms' tumor. Blastema-like cells, epithelial differentiation, as well as negative immunohistochemical staining of CD56 in the blastema-like foci are absent. Contrarily, atypical anaplastic cells in the stroma and cartilage are present. Other tumors to be considered in the differential diagnosis are renal synovial sarcomas, malignant mesenchymomas, and ectomesenchymomas. Renal synovial sarcomas microscopically are characterized by mitotically active, monomorphic, plump spindle cells with indistinct cell borders growing in short, intersecting fascicles. Grossly identified cysts are lined by mitotically inactive, polygonal eosinophilic cells with apically oriented nuclei [4] . Malignant mesenchymomas are uncommon soft tissue tumors that are composed of two or more different types of malignant mesenchymomal differentiation, in addition to any undifferentiated or fibrosarcomatous elements [5] .

Grossly identified cysts are lined by mitotically inactive, polygonal eosinophilic cells with apically oriented nuclei.

Malignant mesenchymomas are uncommon soft tissue tumors that are composed of two or more different types of malignant mesenchymomal differentiation, in addition to any undifferentiated or fibrosarcomatous elements.


HARM was the only non-hydrazine MAO inhibitor that potentiated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion when it was present during both the preincubation and incubation period. HARM also was the only MAO inhibitor that stimulated insulin secretion from pancreas segments incubated in medium with a low or non-stimulatory glucose concentration (3.3 mM). In contrast, 3 of the 4 hydrazine-derivative MAO inhibitors we studied potentiated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion when they were present in the preincubation period and incubation period. NIAL was the only hydrazine-derivative MAO inhibitor that did not potentiate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion under these conditions. NIAL did potentiate insulin secretion when it was present only during the incubation period. This suggests that the ability of the hydrazinetype MAO inhibitors to potentiate insulin secretion may be related more to their hydrazine structure than to their MAO inhibitory properties. This suspicion was confirmed by incubating pancreas segments with hydrazine itself. Even at a concentration of 33 gM, hydrazine does not inhibit MAO activity [31] . In a concentration as low as 10 ~tM, hydrazine significantly potentiated insulin secretion (Fig. 1) .

Even at a concentration of 33 gM, hydrazine does not inhibit MAO activity.


Dopamine and serotonin are potent inhibitors of insulin secretion [1] . The presence of these monoamines in the Islets of Langerhans of the pancreas raises the possibility that they may play a role in the regulation of insulin secretion [2] . If dopamine and serotonin play such a role, it is reasonable to expect a mechanism to be present in the islets for the inactivation of these monoamines. Monoamine oxidase (monoamine: oxygen oxidoreductase, 1.4.3.4), an enzyme that inactivates dopamine and serotonin in other tissues, is present in the islets of many species [3, 4] .

Dopamine and serotonin are potent inhibitors of insulin secretion.

The presence of these monoamines in the Islets of Langerhans of the pancreas raises the possibility that they may play a role in the regulation of insulin secretion.

Monoamine oxidase (monoamine: oxygen oxidoreductase, 1.4.3.4), an enzyme that inactivates dopamine and serotonin in other tissues, is present in the islets of many species.


The mechanical properties of particle-polymer composite has been over the decades has attracted Vol.11, No.4 POTENTIALS OF MAIZE STALK ASH 447 many researchers because of the improved properties it offers. The tensile strengths of nylon 6,6/kaolin/glass particles has been carried out [6] . It was shown that the composite strength is increased when the interface adhesion is improved. The tensile modulus of hydroxyapatite (HA) filled polymer composites has been studied [7] . It was found that the tensile modulus is increased by 50-100% by adding 10%vol of kenaf particles. Similar results for other particulate-polymer composite systems have also been obtained. For example, it is observed that the tensile modulus of ternary polymer composites: polyamide 6,6 (PA6,6)/poly[styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-bstyrene] is enhanced by adding glass beads. Also, the modulus of epoxy/glass bead composites increases with glass beads [8] . Similarly, the tensile modulus of nylon 6/silica particles composites increases constantly with increasing silica loading [9] . Hence, addition of particles to a polymer matrix can easily improve the tensile modulus of the polymer since the rigidity of the inorganic fillers is generally much higher than that of the organic polymers.

The tensile strengths of nylon 6,6/kaolin/glass particles has been carried out.

The tensile modulus of hydroxyapatite (HA) filled polymer composites has been studied.

Also, the modulus of epoxy/glass bead composites increases with glass beads.

Similarly, the tensile modulus of nylon 6/silica particles composites increases constantly with increasing silica loading.


To cope with the obvious limitations of polymers, for example, low stiffness and low strength, and to expand their applications in different engineering areas, different types of particulate fillers are often added to process polymer composites, which normally combine the advantages of their constituent phases [1] . Reinforcement of polymers by particulates plays an important role in the improvement of the mechanical properties of high performance materials. Mechanical properties of a polymer can be controlled by the incorporation of well-defined modifier particles in the polymer matrix [2] .

To cope with the obvious limitations of polymers, for example, low stiffness and low strength, and to expand their applications in different engineering areas, different types of particulate fillers are often added to process polymer composites, which normally combine the advantages of their constituent phases.

Mechanical properties of a polymer can be controlled by the incorporation of well-defined modifier particles in the polymer matrix.


The use of agro-sources and wastes as reinforcement in polymer has a reinforcement, have recently attracted the attention of researchers because of their advantages over other established materials. They are environmentally friendly, fully biodegradable, abundantly available, renewable and cheap and have low density [3] . Maize (Zea mays) is of great economic importance. In developing countries such as Nigeria, the harvest of maize is very great [10] . This increasing level of production is due to an increase of the cultivated areas which determines the total amounts of waste generated by the crop after the grain have been harvested. Though, the waste is widely used for feeding livestock fodder, biological conversion to fuels but it is universally appears as waste material after industrial processing and other processes. Frequently, the waste is usually burned as a means of waste disposal. In the light of petroleum shortages and pressure for decreasing the dependence on petroleum products, there is an increasing need in maximizing this waste material.

They are environmentally friendly, fully biodegradable, abundantly available, renewable and cheap and have low density.

In developing countries such as Nigeria, the harvest of maize is very great.


As previously mentioned, it is important to note at the outset that several changes to national policies have occurred in the period since May 2015 in the UK. One of the most significant has been the withdrawal of the Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH) as a system for assessing and effectively encouraging improvements in the environmental design of dwellings [2] . This has meant the abandonment of the scheme which gave a framework of levels of achievement, which had been set up within the Code, and to which low energy designers could aspire to meet or surpass.

One of the most significant has been the withdrawal of the Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH) as a system for assessing and effectively encouraging improvements in the environmental design of dwellings.


A further significant issue is the apparent reduction in enthusiasm by the UK government to carry through previous commitments to low energy design as noted by the interviewees. This is linked to the decision to leave the EU, bringing the potential to ignore previous European Directives, but some reduction of enthusiasm dates back to 2010 with the ending of "goldplating" [39] . This was in effect a decision to go for the minimum required standards relating to European legislation, rather than anything in advance of this, in order to minimize initial costs for UK business and to streamline processes. Whilst reductions in costs and red tape can be welcome, it can also mean that opportunities to improve energy performance in this case are not encouraged.

This is linked to the decision to leave the EU, bringing the potential to ignore previous European Directives, but some reduction of enthusiasm dates back to 2010 with the ending of "goldplating".


Dealing with global climate change and ensuring the efficient use of resources are continuing requirements for sustainable human life on planet Earth. The use of energy in buildings results in both significant emissions of carbon dioxide (associated with the causes of global climate change) and also a major demand for the consumption of precious energy resources. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has frequently signaled in its reports the importance associated with reducing energy demand in buildings. It stated in its fifth and latest report in 2014 that "recent improvements in performance and costs make very low energy construction and retrofits of buildings economically attractive, sometimes even at net negative costs" [1] .

It stated in its fifth and latest report in 2014 that "recent improvements in performance and costs make very low energy construction and retrofits of buildings economically attractive, sometimes even at net negative costs".


One need that was specified was for more "user-friendly" ventilation systems and was linked to better information provision, indicating that good interaction between designers and occupants would be welcome, but also indicating an area for more development and greater research. Case studies of a relatively small number of Passive House and Code for Sustainable Homes certified dwellings investigated with respect to air quality also found concerns about ventilation [58] . In most of the buildings studied, the researchers found evidence of pollutant concentrations breaching or approaching the recommended limits, again indicating that further research might be needed to optimize ventilation and also required for a better understanding of occupant/client needs.

Case studies of a relatively small number of Passive House and Code for Sustainable Homes certified dwellings investigated with respect to air quality also found concerns about ventilation.


Cancer has become a serious threat to public health. In China, cancer has become the leading cause of death in urban areas and the second most common form of death in rural areas [1] . Nearly all medical treatments for cancer such as chemotherapy and radiation have negative side effects that may threaten the lives of cancer patients [2] . In addition to the physical burden of cancer, psychological distress, including increased anxiety and depression and poor quality of life, seems to be greater in cancer patients than in the general population, particularly among patients with later stage cancers [3] - [5] . Religious coping refers to the use of religious beliefs or practices to cope with stressful life circumstance [6] [7] . Religion and/or spirituality(R/S) plays a variety of important and inter-related roles for most advanced cancer patients [8] - [10] . It has confirmed that religious involvement helps the patients to ease stress and provides individuals with positive coping strategies [11] . The study on the relationship between religion and cancer began in the 1990s which had gradually become a key topic in nursing, especially in the field of hospice care and palliative care [12] . Nowadays approximately 50% -95% of cancer patients use religion to cope with disease, particularly among ethnic minorities, women, and older adults [13] . Although research has indicated that religious coping has a significant impact on patients' response to cancer, nothing is known about how Chinese cancer patients cope with cancer. This study employed a qualitative descriptive approach to examine how the patients used religion to cope with cancer, the function of religious coping, the factors influencing how cancer patients coped with religion and the experiences of individuals diagnosed with cancer in order to gain a more in-depth understanding of the religious coping in the context of Chinese culture. This study was based on two theoretical models within the spirituality literately: the general-attribution theory, behavioral-cognitive mechanisms and a meditational model [14] [15] . Results from this study may help health-care providers to facilitate their patients' spiritual journeys in dealing with their diagnoses and treatments.

In China, cancer has become the leading cause of death in urban areas and the second most common form of death in rural areas.

Nearly all medical treatments for cancer such as chemotherapy and radiation have negative side effects that may threaten the lives of cancer patients.

In addition to the physical burden of cancer, psychological distress, including increased anxiety and depression and poor quality of life, seems to be greater in cancer patients than in the general population, particularly among patients with later stage cancers.

Religious coping refers to the use of religious beliefs or practices to cope with stressful life circumstance.

Religion and/or spirituality(R/S) plays a variety of important and inter-related roles for most advanced cancer patients.

It has confirmed that religious involvement helps the patients to ease stress and provides individuals with positive coping strategies.

The study on the relationship between religion and cancer began in the 1990s which had gradually become a key topic in nursing, especially in the field of hospice care and palliative care.

Nowadays approximately 50% -95% of cancer patients use religion to cope with disease, particularly among ethnic minorities, women, and older adults.

This study was based on two theoretical models within the spirituality literately: the general-attribution theory, behavioral-cognitive mechanisms and a meditational model.


The fabrication process for the microfluidic chip in this study is shown in figure 1 . The industrial high-speed injection machine, Sumitomo SD-35E, and the Seiko Giken F-type optical disk mold (the use of which was provided to us by RITEK Corporation, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC) were employed to fabricate the microfluidic chip. Except for the fabrication of the mold insert, the injection molding process of the microfluidic chip is the same as the conventional optical disk process [3, 9] . Therefore, the fabrication process proposed in this study is a time-saving, low-cost, flexible process. It has high-resolution, multi-functional structures on a uni-substrate, and it is suitable for mass production. In addition, we applied the proposed disk microfluidic chip for the generation of 20-50 µm monodisperse Ca-alginate microcapsules. The inference between the emulsion size and flow rate, and the encapsulation of immunoglobulin (IgG) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were also studied.

Except for the fabrication of the mold insert, the injection molding process of the microfluidic chip is the same as the conventional optical disk process.


Microfluidic emulsification has been used for the fabrication of monodisperse water-in-oil (w/o), oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions and for bubbles, and then for creating monodisperse polymeric microparticles by curing emulsion droplets containing a monomer solution [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] . Recently, we proposed a novel microfluidic device that utilized a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microfluidic chip to produce 50-2000 µm Ca-alginate microcapsules with a variation within 5% [30] . However, using a CO 2 -laser machine or making a microfluidic structure on a PMMA sheet is not suitable for mass production. Also, the smallest width of the microfluidic channel is limited to 200 µm. In addition, this method is not sufficiently precise, nor is it suitable for the prototype since it will damage the surface of the substrate of the microfluidic channel.

Microfluidic emulsification has been used for the fabrication of monodisperse water-in-oil (w/o), oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions and for bubbles, and then for creating monodisperse polymeric microparticles by curing emulsion droplets containing a monomer solution.

Recently, we proposed a novel microfluidic device that utilized a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microfluidic chip to produce 50-2000 µm Ca-alginate microcapsules with a variation within 5%.


Energies 2016, 9, 1089 2 of 20 long-term. Extreme cold weather events and an unexpected shutdown of some base power plants are examples of short-term shifts in fundamentals of demand and supply, respectively. Other shifts have more permanent effects, such as increase in crude oil demand in China and other developing countries, along with the development of tight oil extraction technology result in a supply shift. Figure 1 shows the term structure of WTI Futures Prices for the 2 April 2016, which is the last day of the sample. The shape of the futures curves is very important for pricing crude oil barrels for the following reason: this shape enables us to observe the spread between futures and spot prices, which is equivalent to the storage price. The situation at the end of 2015 and early 2016 is such that spot prices are lower than long maturity futures prices (contango). The shape of Figure 1 suggests a mean reverting stochastic model for the crude oil price, because the price on the futures market tends towards an equilibrium long-term price as maturity periods increase. This behavior is common on almost all days when futures prices are above spot prices. A similar behavior occurs on almost all days when spot prices are above the prices of futures markets. In these cases a long-term price equilibrium can also be found. However, in the sample there are a few days in which no long-term equilibrium prices can be found using the daily futures term structure because the temporary structure of these days shows an accelerated rise or decline. In these few cases, the price of the future with the longest maturity on that day provides information for an alternative estimate using the last spread between the last future and the long-term equilibrium price. It is clearly established that, both spot and futures prices are relevant for the economy, but not less important is the interrelationship between spot and futures prices. For instance, the lead-lag relationship between crude oil spot and futures markets is a debatable issue, as can be corroborated in the many publications on this topic since the seminal 1999 paper by Silvapulle and Moosa [3] .

For instance, the lead-lag relationship between crude oil spot and futures markets is a debatable issue, as can be corroborated in the many publications on this topic since the seminal 1999 paper by Silvapulle and Moosa.


The crude oil spot price is a fundamental variable for the worldwide economy, and the WTI Spot price is one of the most widely used indexes. No less important are crude oil futures prices. It is well known that both prices are affected by fundamental and transitory factors. One fundamental factor is tight production, while transitory factors such as periods of very cold weather can mainly affect spot prices. Many energy intensive sectors such as transport, refineries, energy-intensive industries and others use the spot and futures prices to make decisions on production and/or investment. Therefore, both spot and futures prices and indeed the interrelationship between them are relevant for the economy. For instance, the lead-lag relationship between crude oil spot and futures markets is a debatable issue, as can be corroborated in the many publications on this topic since the seminal 1999 paper by Silvapulle and Moosa [3] .


Most studies of the relationship between spot and long-term future prices on the crude oil market are based mainly on the estimation of Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients, the cross-correlation function, cointegration theory (bi-and multivariate) or the use of generalized VAR or (G)ARCH models [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . However, cointegration theory can only tackle short-run vs. long-run time horizons and the VAR and (G)ARCH approaches are sensitive to model specifications [8] . By contrast, from a practical point of view, oil time series can be not stationary and involve heterogeneous agents who make decisions over different time horizons and operate on different time scales (frequencies) [9] [10] [11] [12] . A mathematical tool that can handle non-stationaries time series, It is clearly established that, both spot and futures prices are relevant for the economy, but not less important is the interrelationship between spot and futures prices. For instance, the lead-lag relationship between crude oil spot and futures markets is a debatable issue, as can be corroborated in the many publications on this topic since the seminal 1999 paper by Silvapulle and Moosa [3] .

Most studies of the relationship between spot and long-term future prices on the crude oil market are based mainly on the estimation of Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients, the cross-correlation function, cointegration theory (bi-and multivariate) or the use of generalized VAR or (G)ARCH models.

However, cointegration theory can only tackle short-run vs. long-run time horizons and the VAR and (G)ARCH approaches are sensitive to model specifications.

By contrast, from a practical point of view, oil time series can be not stationary and involve heterogeneous agents who make decisions over different time horizons and operate on different time scales (frequencies).


In our vision of interface outsourcing, authors have immediate access to a pool of human expertise. Lag times in our current implementation are still on the order of minutes to hours, due to worker demographics, worker availability, the relative attractiveness of our tasks, and so on. While future growth in crowdsourced work will likely shorten lag times, this is an important avenue of future work. It may be possible to explicitly engineer for responsiveness in return for higher monetary investment, or to keep workers on retainer with distractor tasks until needed [3] .

It may be possible to explicitly engineer for responsiveness in return for higher monetary investment, or to keep workers on retainer with distractor tasks until needed.


The transformation of a primary care practice into a PCMH appears to be a worthwhile endeavor, but requires changes in the use of resources and clinic processes. Currently, there are numerous primary care practices that have been designated as PCMHs across the United States, although different definitions and standards have been used to develop them [11] . Several measures of patient-centeredness and patient satisfaction have been created to assess these aspects after PCMH implementation, but few studies have investigated patient perspectives regarding their specific preferences and needs. A notable exception is a survey of patient opinions about the fundamentals of PCMHs conducted in United States academic medical centers [12] . The authors of that landmark study concluded that care coordination, patient self-management, and improved access to care are most important to patients [12] . While results from that study and ours might seem then to provide guidance about where to begin in developing and executing any PCMH, a recent study by Solberg and colleagues, while recognizing that success in the transformation process required multifaceted strategies, suggested that clinics may need to find their own unique paths to this transformation by assessing their own situation to identify initial changes that make sense for their patients [13] . Therefore, while the study conducted in United States academic centers emphasized the importance of different features, the more recent study by Solberg and colleagues focused on the pathway to getting to those important features including consideration of such items as information technology, organizational culture, and leadership [12, 13] . Our integrated healthcare system recognizes the national transition to a more patient-centered healthcare system and is in the PCMH transformation process. In our quest to build viable PCMHs that meet the patient population preferences and needs in our ambulatory care clinics, we conducted this study to assess our own patients' opinions related to current patient-centeredness focusing on aspects of coordination of care, patient-provider communication, patients' use of technology, access, and management of care.

Currently, there are numerous primary care practices that have been designated as PCMHs across the United States, although different definitions and standards have been used to develop them.

A notable exception is a survey of patient opinions about the fundamentals of PCMHs conducted in United States academic medical centers.

The authors of that landmark study concluded that care coordination, patient self-management, and improved access to care are most important to patients.

While results from that study and ours might seem then to provide guidance about where to begin in developing and executing any PCMH, a recent study by Solberg and colleagues, while recognizing that success in the transformation process required multifaceted strategies, suggested that clinics may need to find their own unique paths to this transformation by assessing their own situation to identify initial changes that make sense for their patients.

Therefore, while the study conducted in United States academic centers emphasized the importance of different features, the more recent study by Solberg and colleagues focused on the pathway to getting to those important features including consideration of such items as information technology, organizational culture, and leadership.


The current healthcare evolution toward meeting the growing patient demand calls for maintaining or initiating high quality patientcentered care [1] . The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) has evolved as a model of care that seeks to place patients at the center of healthcare and is supported by the major primary care organizations in the United States, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, and the American Osteopathic Association [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has described the functions and attributes of the PCMH as mainly comprising: 1) comprehensive care; 2) patient-centeredness; 3) coordinated care; 4) accessible services; and 5) commitment to quality and safety [7] . This concept of PCMH has been touted as a model of care with the ability to provide a rejuvenation of essential primary care services, while maintaining or reducing healthcare costs and improving access, quality, equity, and patient experiences as well as provider satisfaction [8] [9] [10] .

The current healthcare evolution toward meeting the growing patient demand calls for maintaining or initiating high quality patientcentered care.

The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) has evolved as a model of care that seeks to place patients at the center of healthcare and is supported by the major primary care organizations in the United States, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, and the American Osteopathic Association.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has described the functions and attributes of the PCMH as mainly comprising: 1) comprehensive care; 2) patient-centeredness; 3) coordinated care; 4) accessible services; and 5) commitment to quality and safety.

This concept of PCMH has been touted as a model of care with the ability to provide a rejuvenation of essential primary care services, while maintaining or reducing healthcare costs and improving access, quality, equity, and patient experiences as well as provider satisfaction.