Studies have shown that different preparation techniques, such as step-back, and crown-down and different filing motions such as pull-push, result in different amount of debris extrusion (DE) [7] [8] [9] . Even though the introduction of the rotary systems facilitated and accelerated the root canal procedures, DE into the periapical space continues to occur [9] . Different studies evaluated the amount of extruded debris after using various engine-driven systems with different movements [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] . The comparison of hand and engine-driven filing systems also indicated that despite the advancement of the instruments and irrigation systems, and changes in the material, shape, pitch, taper and the motion cycle, all preparation techniques and instruments are associated with some amount of DE [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] . In the recent years, faster mechanical preparations, with a reduced number of instruments, led to the increased popularity of the single-file systems; nonetheless, it is a hypothesis that the significant amounts of dentin cutting in relatively shorter time periods may result in forcing more debris and irrigants through the apex [19] . Additionally reciprocation motion, as the mechanism of action in most of the single-instrument systems, mimics the kinematics of balanced force technique, which is proven to be a pressure less movement pushing less material in apical direction [25] [26] [27] . However, since the reciprocation is presumed to be a forceful movement, it may pump debris and irrigants through the apex like a mechanical piston [19] .

Studies have shown that different preparation techniques, such as step-back, and crown-down and different filing motions such as pull-push, result in different amount of debris extrusion (DE).

Even though the introduction of the rotary systems facilitated and accelerated the root canal procedures, DE into the periapical space continues to occur.

Different studies evaluated the amount of extruded debris after using various engine-driven systems with different movements.

The comparison of hand and engine-driven filing systems also indicated that despite the advancement of the instruments and irrigation systems, and changes in the material, shape, pitch, taper and the motion cycle, all preparation techniques and instruments are associated with some amount of DE.

In the recent years, faster mechanical preparations, with a reduced number of instruments, led to the increased popularity of the single-file systems; nonetheless, it is a hypothesis that the significant amounts of dentin cutting in relatively shorter time periods may result in forcing more debris and irrigants through the apex.

Additionally reciprocation motion, as the mechanism of action in most of the single-instrument systems, mimics the kinematics of balanced force technique, which is proven to be a pressure less movement pushing less material in apical direction.

However, since the reciprocation is presumed to be a forceful movement, it may pump debris and irrigants through the apex like a mechanical piston.


Clinically, in multi-rooted posterior teeth, the practitioner is frequently faced with severely curved roots [27] . Studies showed contradictory results comparing rotary and reciprocating systems in single and multi-rooted teeth with mild to moderate curvature [1, 3, 19, 22, 23] . However, to date no study assessed I the amount of extruded debris in severely curved canals between the full-sequence rotaries and reciprocating motion systems in multi rooted posterior teeth. The present study aimed to compare the ProTaper Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and WaveOne (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) systems for this particular aspect.

Clinically, in multi-rooted posterior teeth, the practitioner is frequently faced with severely curved roots.

Studies showed contradictory results comparing rotary and reciprocating systems in single and multi-rooted teeth with mild to moderate curvature.


WaveOne (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) is a single-file NiTi system with reciprocating back-and-forth movement and a reverse taper, variable helical angle and a nonactive edge. It is used with 150° counter clockwise rotation (direction of cutting) and 50° clockwise rotations at a speed of 300 rpm [29] . WaveOne is available in different tip sizes and tapers 21/0.06 (Small), 25/0.08 (Primary) and 40/0.08 (Large) that claims complete root canal preparation with only one instrument with adequate size and taper. The files are made of M-Wire, an innovative thermal treatment processed NiTi alloy. A special automated device is required for the reciprocal motion [29] .

It is used with 150° counter clockwise rotation (direction of cutting) and 50° clockwise rotations at a speed of 300 rpm.

A special automated device is required for the reciprocal motion.


The results of the present study demonstrated that the ProTaper system with full-sequence rotary motion caused less DE from the apical foramen compared to WaveOne system with the reciprocating motion. It has been discussed in previous studies that the difference between the amounts of debris extruded in these two different systems is due to the difference in the number of files and the kinematics of the motions [19] . However, based on the findings of the current study it cannot be defined which factor had a more significant effect on DE and a separate study specifically designed for this comparison is required.

It has been discussed in previous studies that the difference between the amounts of debris extruded in these two different systems is due to the difference in the number of files and the kinematics of the motions.


Amazon.com uses both categories and tags in its recommender service by letting users specify that each can refine recommendation lists. Amazon, however, lets users rate neither categories nor tags, only items. In addition, they do not use categories and tags in recommendation generation processing. MovieLens recently added tags to its recommender service, giving users both the ability to assign tags to movies and to rate tags assigned by others [10] . This rating of tags relates closely to this work's rating of features. In MovieLens, however, a user's rating of a tag indicates the user's confidence in its informative accuracy rather than how appealing the user finds that topic.

MovieLens recently added tags to its recommender service, giving users both the ability to assign tags to movies and to rate tags assigned by others.


While Amazon.com and MovieLens only let users rate items, Revyu.com lets users rate "anything" by assigning ratings (and descriptive reviews) to community-defined tags [6] . These ratings represent level of user interest. Revyu.com does not distinguish between items and their features because tags can represent either in the same manner. However, Revyu.com does not process these ratings for recommendations.

While Amazon.com and MovieLens only let users rate items, Revyu.com lets users rate "anything" by assigning ratings (and descriptive reviews) to community-defined tags.


This retrospective study had limitations, with the first being the small number of cases. We applied the subjective quantification of photoreceptor damage, although the automatic measurements using image processing procedures generally improve the reproducibility and objectivity [51] [52] [53] . Compared to the degenerative processes of photoreceptors in geographic atrophy or retinitis pigmentosa, photoreceptor damage in DME is often accompanied with hyperreflective foci 38 . The automatic methods cannot completely discriminate such lesions from the fragmented EZ lines and therefore did not measure the EZ lines precisely. The images of the outer retinal layers often were affected by the hyperreflective lesions in the inner retinal layers, which suggested that the changes in the ELM and EZ might sometimes be artifacts. The modest correlation between the disrupted ELM and CSF thickness suggested that the inner retinal edema might block the faint reflective signals of the ELM (Table 7) . Another study should determine if these results are generalizable to other populations, injection regimens, and imaging instruments.

We applied the subjective quantification of photoreceptor damage, although the automatic measurements using image processing procedures generally improve the reproducibility and objectivity.


A previous study suggested the possibility that an interaction occurs between the IFNL3 and PNPLA3 genotypes in the pathogenesis of HS in non-genotype 3 chronic HCV-infected patients. The rs12979860 CC genotype was found to provide protection from HS in those who were positive, but not in those were negative, for the PNPLA3 G variant [55] . The same finding was also noted in the present study, in which both the rs12979860 CC genotype and the rs809 9917 TT genotype were found to provide protection from HS in those who were positive, but not in those who were negative, for the PNPLA3 G variant.

The rs12979860 CC genotype was found to provide protection from HS in those who were positive, but not in those were negative, for the PNPLA3 G variant.


Insulin-like growth factor-I reverted testicular atrophy in rats with advanced cirrhosis, condition with "IGF-I deficiency" [1] . A question arises as to whether the beneficial effects of IGF-I on testicular atrophy are derived from the direct action of IGF-I or these effects are an epiphenomenon secondary to the general improvement induced by IGF-I in cirrhotic animals [1, [5] [6] [7] [8] . The direct action of IGF-I would allow us to suggest this therapy for other conditions with testicular damage.

Insulin-like growth factor-I reverted testicular atrophy in rats with advanced cirrhosis, condition with "IGF-I deficiency".

A question arises as to whether the beneficial effects of IGF-I on testicular atrophy are derived from the direct action of IGF-I or these effects are an epiphenomenon secondary to the general improvement induced by IGF-I in cirrhotic animals.


The concepts of cultural creativity and the creative economy have been increasingly valued globally. Countries worldwide have started to promote policies on cultural and creative industries (CCIs), rendering these industries the focus of industrial development in the respective countries. Furthermore, the annually increasing level of consumption in emerging countries has caused CCIs to raise global purchasing power. Creative industries, which emphasis creativity, facilitate the transformation of traditional industries and the development of newly emerging industries through soft power industries, such as culture and leisure, showcase a country's economic growth and have thus become a critical strategy for improving the core competitiveness of national economies. The country is composed of cities, while cities vary due to the geographic, social and science development. Thus, the cultures of cities may be different from each other. Art and culture are the essential foundations of the urban development, and the Untied Stated first applied them as a tool to enhance the city development, then followed by many European cities [1] [2] [3] . Therefore, the role of cultural and creative industries in the evolution of urban space is becoming increasingly important. Many world-class cities have become the central place for the cultural and creative industries and also attract funds, talent, as well as resources to create the industrial cluster. Cities such as Buenos Aires, Berlin, Vancouver, Seoul and Shanghai are named "Design Capitals" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). These cities all commit to the development of culture and creative industries and also support their unique culture characteristics. The actions include the reconstruction of old cities and the planning and development of the new culture park. Design becomes the core direction of the industrial development in the 21st century because it provides a wide range of forms and applications to many fields and also has led the culture and creative industries to the new stage.

Art and culture are the essential foundations of the urban development, and the Untied Stated first applied them as a tool to enhance the city development, then followed by many European cities.


While the Australian government spends more than AUD 3 billion annually on respiratory disorders, 19 % of Australian patients visited medical practitioners for respiratory disorders in 2007 and 2008 [1] . At least one-fifth of people with respiratory disorders, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, seek complementary and alternative treatments, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle advice [2, 3] . However, little is known about the patient characteristics, clinical applications, and respiratory conditions treated in Chinese medicine (CM) clinics. The respiratory disorders included in this study were conditions affecting any part of the airways, including the nasal cavities, throat, larynx, pharynx, trachea, and lung [4] .

While the Australian government spends more than AUD 3 billion annually on respiratory disorders, 19 % of Australian patients visited medical practitioners for respiratory disorders in 2007 and 2008.

At least one-fifth of people with respiratory disorders, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, seek complementary and alternative treatments, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle advice.

The respiratory disorders included in this study were conditions affecting any part of the airways, including the nasal cavities, throat, larynx, pharynx, trachea, and lung.


Natural gas plays an important role in China's energy structure, and marine origin oil and gas is one of the strategic focuses of oil and gas development in the new century in China. In addition to the developing Puguang gas field, marine origin natural gas reserves which were found continue to rise, such as Yuanba gas fields in Sichuan Basin found in September 2011. China's marine origin oil and gas exploration has entered a period of rapid development [1] .

China's marine origin oil and gas exploration has entered a period of rapid development.


Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide [1] . In Korea, stroke is the second-leading cause of death [2] . The Korean population is aging very rapidly; the percentage aged ≥ 60 years is predicted to increase from 13.7% in 2015 to 28.6% by 2050 [3] . Incidence of stroke increases with age. Stroke patients have longer hospital stays and higher re-admission rates and medical costs than patients with other chronic diseases [4, 5] . In the U.S., the total annual direct medical costs of stroke in 2008 were USD 18.8 billion; in the same year, the per-person expenditure was USD 7657 [6] . Length of hospital stay, medical expenditure, readmission rate, and accompanying comorbidities greatly affect medical resource use [7] [8] [9] [10] . Studies on stroke patients are very important for efficient utilization of medical resources.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide.

In Korea, stroke is the second-leading cause of death.

The Korean population is aging very rapidly; the percentage aged ≥ 60 years is predicted to increase from 13.7% in 2015 to 28.6% by 2050.

Incidence of stroke increases with age.

Stroke patients have longer hospital stays and higher re-admission rates and medical costs than patients with other chronic diseases.

In the U.S., the total annual direct medical costs of stroke in 2008 were USD 18.8 billion; in the same year, the per-person expenditure was USD 7657.

Length of hospital stay, medical expenditure, readmission rate, and accompanying comorbidities greatly affect medical resource use.


Cross-cohort variables and challenges in the recruitment of patients shortly after an exacerbation were evident in this study. Recruitment was complicated by significant co-morbidities found in the target cohort, which frequently were cause for exclusion, by the difficulty of coordinating patient hospitalization, discharge and consent for study participation, and by the limited availability of investigators with both outpatient and inpatient practices qualifying them to participate in the study. The identification of such recruitment issues emphasizes the need for careful cohort definition in future studies of the timely treatment of COPD exacerbation risk. Defining eligibility criteria on the basis of prior treatment with ICS may help to identify a steroid-responsive cohort. The observation of baseline FEV 1 below a defined threshold may help identify patients who are less likely to respond to treatment. Another factor that may have affected responsiveness to treatment was the unexpectedly low exacerbation rate seen in both study arms, possible explanations for which include the use of concurrent tiotropium by patients and temporal improvements in patient care. While the results of this study were negative, the implementation of lessons herein learned may result in future studies being appropriately powered to detect a statistically significant treatment effect on rehospitalization rate, to assist clinicians to identify COPD phenotypes, including the presence or absence of common COPD co-morbidities, most likely to benefit from ICS/LABA intervention immediately following an exacerbation [41] .

While the results of this study were negative, the implementation of lessons herein learned may result in future studies being appropriately powered to detect a statistically significant treatment effect on rehospitalization rate, to assist clinicians to identify COPD phenotypes, including the presence or absence of common COPD co-morbidities, most likely to benefit from ICS/LABA intervention immediately following an exacerbation.


Further reforms in the civil service were thus triggered. In line with the NEAC's recommendations, the public service in Malaysia embarked on a three-pronged strategy: strengthen government delivery systems at all levels and institute fast track approval for business licences, certificates of fitness and building plans; redesign the government interface with the public based on clear rules and transparent procedures; and improve the quality of information available to government and policy-makers for monitoring and planning purposes by extending the breadth and depth of statistical coverage (Wee, 1998) . The three-pronged strategy for public service reform clearly indicated the necessity of the serious promotion of e-government.

In line with the NEAC's recommendations, the public service in Malaysia embarked on a three-pronged strategy: strengthen government delivery systems at all levels and institute fast track approval for business licences, certificates of fitness and building plans; redesign the government interface with the public based on clear rules and transparent procedures; and improve the quality of information available to government and policy-makers for monitoring and planning purposes by extending the breadth and depth of statistical coverage.


Despite the bureaucratic shortcomings, economic growth was still strong in 1996 at 10% (Bank Negara Malaysia, 1999; World Bank, 2013) . There was a fiscal surplus and external debt was only 40% of gross national product (GNP). The current account deficit decreased from 10% to 5% of GNP with the positive trend expected to continue. Inflation was also low at 2.1%. The banking system was judged to be in good order according to standard international measures, while the core principles for effective banking as recommended by the Bank for International Settlements had been adopted by Malaysia.

Despite the bureaucratic shortcomings, economic growth was still strong in 1996 at 10%.

Inflation was also low at 2.1%.


The pursuit of quality management began in 1993 with the introduction of client charters (Rahman, 1995) . All government organisations were instructed to issue these charters containing the service standards that customers should expect. However, at least in the early years, citizens had little or no input into determining what these standards should be despite the apparent existence of feedback mechanisms. In 1996, Malaysia introduced the ISO 9000 series and became the first country to employ this mode of quality assurance across all government agencies, both federal and subnational . A further quality management initiative occurred in 1999 with a benchmarking program, 'a systematic and continuous process to identify, learn, adapt and improve best practices' (Siddiquee, 2006b: 348) . TQM completed the Malaysian government's embrace of quality management and was seen in such things as quality control circles and quality assurance units (Sarji, 1996) . While the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) was entrusted with responsibility for monitoring the progress of quality initiatives, the National Institute of Administration (INTAN) was instructed to provide necessary training to public officials in implementing quality management programmes.

The pursuit of quality management began in 1993 with the introduction of client charters.

TQM completed the Malaysian government's embrace of quality management and was seen in such things as quality control circles and quality assurance units.


Drawing on theories of work-nonwork conflict and enrichment, we addressed this issue and investigated the extent to which NWOs are related to objective (i.e., salary) and subjective (i.e., career satisfaction) indicators of career success. Moreover, we examined how NWOs are related to life satisfaction. In addition, we considered gender and age as potentially important factor to explain individual differences in NWOs and their functioning. Addressing these issues makes several contributions to the literature. First, it significantly advances our understanding of how the endorsement of NWOs is related to career success and well-being outcomes. Second, it enriches our understanding of individual differences in the endorsement of NWOs for different gender and age groups. Third, it provides novel insights into whether NWOs have differential effects on career success and wellbeing for different types of employees. As such, our paper makes a contribution to the more general understanding of contemporary forms of work and careers that are at the intersection of the work and nonwork spheres of life (Greenhaus & Kossek, 2014) .

As such, our paper makes a contribution to the more general understanding of contemporary forms of work and careers that are at the intersection of the work and nonwork spheres of life.


Channel measurement is the most straightforward and reliable method to acquire the real channel characteristics [18] . Based on the wideband MIMO channel measurement in a typical indoor scenario at 6 GHz, we propose a metric to distinguish various MIMO channel conditions. Two extreme cases of our campaign are selected for performance evaluation, which yield poor and fine multiplexing capabilities, respectively. In this paper, we focus on the following key problems.

Channel measurement is the most straightforward and reliable method to acquire the real channel characteristics.


Our model suggests that predation risk from sharks can produce an asymmetric trophic cascade mediated by the seal's underutilisation of deeper, riskier strata. During simulations, risk management by seals reduced mortality on pollock, which required riskier access in deep strata, while increasing mortality on herring, which could be accessed more safely in shallow strata. In shifting their foraging effort to herring, seals may pay the cost of reduced rates of net energy gain; although herring have higher energy density, their smaller size implies less energy gain per fish captured and their clumped distribution makes them the less predictable resource (Frid et al. 2007a) .

In shifting their foraging effort to herring, seals may pay the cost of reduced rates of net energy gain; although herring have higher energy density, their smaller size implies less energy gain per fish captured and their clumped distribution makes them the less predictable resource.


Like all models, ours required a number of simplifications. As discussed earlier (see Model derivation), only two major resource species are considered, there is no density dependence and simulations represent a relatively short time span. Also, predators in our model were behaviourally inert, while in fact state-dependent responses of predator to prey and of prey to predator should be relevant (Alonzo et al. 2003) . Still needed are demographic analyses using our model's output to parameterize life tables of fish and assess whether phenomena emerging from our simulations produce strong numerical responses. Our model, however, is the first application of state-dependent TMII theory to explore the ecological consequences of shark removals. Its predictions, therefore, have a heuristic value that is not undermined by our simplifications. Future models can build on this foundation.

Also, predators in our model were behaviourally inert, while in fact state-dependent responses of predator to prey and of prey to predator should be relevant.


Much of the world's trade in derivatives, foreign currency, and many other assets, is conducted in these exchanges. They provide flexibility to financial institutions, however, this comes at a cost. During adverse conditions, their decentralized nature can cause traders to be unable to identify counter-parties and as a result the markets may lose liquidity and fail. This happened during the 2008 financial crisis when the sparse structure of OTC markets was blamed for a lack of transparency and an inability for institutions to identify prices of assets and to trade (Brunnermeier, 2009) . As a result this has led to calls for trade to be moved away from OTC markets towards centralized exchanges to increase stability. There is, however, very little work comparing these two types of institutions. This paper aims to address a key aspect: the stability and dynamics of prices. In particular it will look at how the pattern of interactions between institutions, the structure of an OTC market, affects the market behavior. The markets considered in this paper will contain heterogeneous speculative traders which base their trading decisions on their valuation of the asset. Each trader's valuation is itself dependent on their strategy and the information the trader gains through trading with its counterparts.

This happened during the 2008 financial crisis when the sparse structure of OTC markets was blamed for a lack of transparency and an inability for institutions to identify prices of assets and to trade.


In this analysis, we have shown that the switch from IS to FCM in HD patients was associated with a significant improvement of iron status, unrelated to iron dose. After the switch to FCM hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum ferritin, TSAT, and MCV increased, while transferrin levels decreased, reflecting erythropoiesis which is less restricted by iron deficiency [17] . Furthermore, ESA dose decreased after the switch to FCM. This is, to our knowledge, the first investigation to compare the effects on iron status of a switch to FCM from IS in dialysis-dependent CKD patients. In the subgroup of anemic patients at baseline especially, the effect of the switch on iron status was even more pronounced, despite the fact that these patients were prescribed significantly less iron and a smaller ESA dose after the switch. Switching from IS to FCM resulted in a marked increase in TSAT in both groups, a large increase of MCV in the anemic group, and an increase in serum ferritin in both groups. Although the baseline hemoglobin and iron status in the anemic and iron deficient groups were worse, the large improvement of iron Shown in this table are the marginal estimated means of all data before and after the switch, as calculated with our model. Data is described as mean (SE). P-values of paired samples t-tests are shown. Ln-transformed variables were transformed back in order to give insight into the effect size SE, standard error; Hb, hemoglobin; Ht, hematocrit; MCV, mean corpuscular volume; TSAT, transferrin saturation; TIBC, total iron binding capacity; CRP, C-reactive protein a Sample size was too small to draw useful conclusions status in these groups seems attributable to the effect of switching from IS to FCM since we did not identify a statistically significant general trend based solitarily on the factor time.

After the switch to FCM hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum ferritin, TSAT, and MCV increased, while transferrin levels decreased, reflecting erythropoiesis which is less restricted by iron deficiency.

Data is described as mean (SE).


There are a few major limitations of the present study. First, this is an observational study, not a randomized controlled trial, with all participants receiving full PAP treatment. Therefore, our findings are preliminary and have to be interpreted with caution. Second, this was a study with a relatively small number of OSA patients and present findings need to be validated in a larger study. The sample did not include non-OSA controls or mild OSA patients and the limited variability in the lower end of OSA severity and BMI could underestimate associations between the studied variables. The sample was also relatively homogeneous with Caucasian and mostly male participants. The results might therefore not generalize to other more ethnically diversed populations or across gender. No difference in serum CHI3L1 levels between males and females have though been found in previous studies [45] . Third, we did not have other measurements of obesity like visceral fat and waist circumference, change in BMI during the 4-month treatment period, or concentrations of other pro-inflammatory mediators, which may provide valuable information on a possible role of CHI3L1 and CHIT1 in the progression of OSA. However, our previous paper assessing the role of different fat measures in inflammatory biomarkers showed that total fat measures such as BMI were more highly associated with inflammatory levels than visceral fat levels per se [4] . Fourth, with multiple sensitivity analyses (excluding each disease), there is an increased risk of false positive results (type 1 error). By replicating the study in a larger sample, more information could be fitted into the statistical model, decreasing the risk of this type of error. Also, with a larger sample, estimation of coefficients will be more precise. Finally, residual confounding cannot be fully excluded as confounding factors were assessed with crude precision (e.g., having a condition vs. not having a condition).

No difference in serum CHI3L1 levels between males and females have though been found in previous studies.

However, our previous paper assessing the role of different fat measures in inflammatory biomarkers showed that total fat measures such as BMI were more highly associated with inflammatory levels than visceral fat levels per se.


The next generation Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is a networking protocol, which would be replacing IPv4 and allows users that include professional, naive users and users from all walks of life, to communicate with other users over the Internet. The major organizations in the fast growing market of Asia and Europe, as well as mobile service providers worldwide are under increasing pressure to migrate from the entrenched IPv4 standard to the emerging IPv6 one [1] . IPv6 is designed to meet requirements that did not exist in earlier IPv4. It provides capabilities that go beyond large address [2, 5, 8] . A unique identifier is capable of acting as the reference that enables communication and services. In the network world, a globally unique identifier that is based upon the Internet Protocol address [4] .

The major organizations in the fast growing market of Asia and Europe, as well as mobile service providers worldwide are under increasing pressure to migrate from the entrenched IPv4 standard to the emerging IPv6 one.

It provides capabilities that go beyond large address.

In the network world, a globally unique identifier that is based upon the Internet Protocol address.


In contrast, Sue's hypothetical argument was contextualized within her real "world" experience. Thus, her response is equally plausible, given the contextual influences on thinking (Brown, Collins, & Duguid, 1989; Cobern, 1993; Sternberg, 1985) . For Sam and Sue to appreciate each other's reasoning, they will need to understand each other's "world view" of the problem in a similar way to two different cultural groups recognizing that their differing perspectives on a controversial issue (e.g., land rights) may be due to particular cultural world views.

Thus, her response is equally plausible, given the contextual influences on thinking.


In problem solving, reasoning involves identifying premises from the problem information and making inferences from these premises to reach a solution. The premises are the stated or assumed basis from which reasoning proceeds. The appropriateness of these inferences determines whether or not an individual's reasoning is valid (Barwise & Etchemendy, 1995) . In a valid argument, if the premises are true the conclusion is true. Thus, in problem solving, the correctness of a solution is determined by the verity of the premises, and the validity of the problem solving process.

The appropriateness of these inferences determines whether or not an individual's reasoning is valid.


It has been shown that traditional elicitation techniques assume that end users are able to understand and articulate their problems and needs in a reflective manner. Expressing oneself, with the right problem descriptions and the right needs, however, are all learnt skills, which because of their socioeconomic situation, people in rural communities may not have had the opportunity to develop [3] . An oral based mode of communication is more intuitive among such communities [4] .

Expressing oneself, with the right problem descriptions and the right needs, however, are all learnt skills, which because of their socioeconomic situation, people in rural communities may not have had the opportunity to develop.

An oral based mode of communication is more intuitive among such communities.


Sweet potato is one of the first natural Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), genetically modified 8000 years ago by Agrobacterium rhizogenes [1] . A section of 10 kbp long DNA (Transferred-DNA or T-DNA) of the Ri (Root-inducing) plasmid was transferred to the plant genome by A. rhizogenes and has been maintained in all 291 hexaploid sweet potato cultivars of the world. The maintenance in the sweet potato genome and expression of two T-DNA genes for tryptophan-2-monooxygenease (iaaM) and for indole-3-acetamide hydrolase (iaaH) are likely to be physiologically significant since these enzymes convert tryptophan to indole-3-acetic acid, a major plant growth hormone auxin.

Sweet potato is one of the first natural Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), genetically modified 8000 years ago by Agrobacterium rhizogenes.


Several trilinear interactions of higher spin fields where presented in our previous article [1] . Interactions are constructed in the Lagrangian framework using Noether's procedure together with the corresponding gauge field transformations next to the free level. In this article we turn to the construction of the cubic selfinteraction for the spin s higher spin gauge field in a flat background using again direct Noether's procedure.

Several trilinear interactions of higher spin fields where presented in our previous article.


Stochastic programming with a recourse model is well suited to solve such problems (Bienstock and Shapiro 1988) . It is been often used to plan the capacity under uncertain situations (Ahmed et al. 2003) . The underlying problem is modeled as a two (multi) stage stochastic prograIilming with recourse where the first stage decides the capacity for the entire horizon while the second stage takes recourse actions to correct infeasibilities. Because the focus of this research was on improving computational efficiencies, it neither considered the diffusion effects nor integrated the marketing decisions with operations planning and investigated their impact on the profits.

Stochastic programming with a recourse model is well suited to solve such problems.

It is been often used to plan the capacity under uncertain situations.


The role of definitive diagnosis or rapid diagnostic tests is more uncertain in areas with high intensity malaria transmission. In these areas, it has been considered acceptable to treat on a clinical diagnosis on the grounds that a high proportion of febrile cases are actually parasitaemic and that it is better to treat all febrile cases than to miss one potentially fatal malaria infection, especially in young children [22] . On the other hand, it could also be argued that there is a greater likelihood for partial immunity in the adult populations living in areas of high transmission intensity and, therefore, it is likely that a smaller proportion of their fevers would actually be malaria cases.

In these areas, it has been considered acceptable to treat on a clinical diagnosis on the grounds that a high proportion of febrile cases are actually parasitaemic and that it is better to treat all febrile cases than to miss one potentially fatal malaria infection, especially in young children.


In this paper, we focus on the RODO design. Practically, there are three major reasons why a RODO is needed. Firstly, in areas such as fault diagnosis, an estimate of the entire states may not be necessary for the purpose of fault estimation (Xiong and Saif, 2003) . Secondly, there are some practical scenarios where disturbance estimation is required even if the states are not fully estimable (Bejarano et al., 2009) . Finally, when a fast disturbance estimate is required, DOs with a lower order are often more desirable for online implementation (Ohishi et al., 1987) .

Firstly, in areas such as fault diagnosis, an estimate of the entire states may not be necessary for the purpose of fault estimation.

Secondly, there are some practical scenarios where disturbance estimation is required even if the states are not fully estimable.

Finally, when a fast disturbance estimate is required, DOs with a lower order are often more desirable for online implementation.


The supply shortage of conventional fossil fuels and environmental concern about climate changing lead to a great need to harness renewable energy for a sustainable future. Solar energy is regarded as the largest available carbon-neutral energy on the planet, which offers great potentials to be utilized by various technologies [1] . Besides direct conversion of the solar radiation into electricity with photovoltaic technology, the solar energy also can be transformed into thermal energy by solar collectors. Generally, solar collectors are categorized into non-concentrating and concentrating types. Non-concentrating solar collectors are commonly used in domestic hot water heating systems, whereas concentrating solar collectors are popular in thermal power generations with high efficiencies at medium to high operational temperatures, especially for locations receiving high solar beam radiation [2] .

Solar energy is regarded as the largest available carbon-neutral energy on the planet, which offers great potentials to be utilized by various technologies.

Non-concentrating solar collectors are commonly used in domestic hot water heating systems, whereas concentrating solar collectors are popular in thermal power generations with high efficiencies at medium to high operational temperatures, especially for locations receiving high solar beam radiation.


The toluene/water emulsions were stable for at least 20 days at room temperature when added PPIdried or PPI-pellet in different concentrations. As shown in Fig. 4 , the analysis using the Turbiscan show that, after 20 days, emulsions could be kept with 60% of emulsification. The stability of emulsions toluene and nheptane were stable for 20 days with a percentage higher than 60% of emulsification ( Fig. 4a and 4b) . The emulsions of castor oil and linseed oil in aqueous solution showed no stability, and phase separation occurred within the first 24 hours. Thus, it was not possible to evaluate the stability of emulsions with castor oil and linseed oil in such formulations. The technique IE24 is used for emulsification evaluation [30] . This technique is a visual method and did not accurately assess the stability of emulsions. The analysis with the Turbiscan is more detailed than the technique IE24, because it uses the backscatter of light incident on the sample. The analysis of backscatter or "backscattering" (BS(t)) allows to verify more reliably the percentage of emulsification and analyze the behavior of emulsions to determine coagulation, flocculation, coalescence and establish the size of the micelles or vesicles particles formed in the sample [20] .

The technique IE24 is used for emulsification evaluation.

The analysis of backscatter or "backscattering" (BS(t)) allows to verify more reliably the percentage of emulsification and analyze the behavior of emulsions to determine coagulation, flocculation, coalescence and establish the size of the micelles or vesicles particles formed in the sample.


The surface tension measurements of the PPI-pellet and PPI-dried solutions show that the samples have characteristics of surfactants. That is because there were able to lower the surface tension of water to 72mN/m to 47mN/m (Fig. 2) . Compared with the traditional surfactants, the minimum surface tension of 47 mN/m is quite high. However the application of the PPI in the pharmaceutical and food industries because it has variety of amino acids in composition, such as lysine, leucine, isoleucine, threonine, valine, phenylalanine, arginine, and histidine [13] .

However the application of the PPI in the pharmaceutical and food industries because it has variety of amino acids in composition, such as lysine, leucine, isoleucine, threonine, valine, phenylalanine, arginine, and histidine.


The pea proteins are composed of 70% globulins, vicilin (7S) and legumin (11S) [5, 10] . Globulins were described as potential inducers of beneficial health effects, such as anti-carcinogenic, anti-hypertensive, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic [10] . Vicilin is a kind of glycoprotein that corresponds up to 35% of the total seed protein content. This protein is structured by three 50 kDa major subunits, which are assembled to form a 150 kDa oligomer [11] . Vicilin is the most abundant protein fraction of PPI (80%) and its emulsifying properties are highly influenced by pH and heat, which may be present in industrial purification processes [12, 13] . PPI is usually produced by wet fractionation associated to isoelectric precipitation (pH 4.8), which is followed by a drying step [14] . A common drying process used in industrial applications is the spray drying, which is a well-established method for converting liquid feed materials into a dry powder when under heat [9] . Spray drying is largely used in the food and pharmaceutical industry and one of its advantages is the avoidance of microbial deterioration and reduction on the costs of storage and transport [9, 15] . During spray drying processes heat-sensitive proteins can have structural and physical modifications due to denaturation, aggregation and formation of protein complexes, which can affect functional properties [16] .

The pea proteins are composed of 70% globulins, vicilin (7S) and legumin (11S).

Globulins were described as potential inducers of beneficial health effects, such as anti-carcinogenic, anti-hypertensive, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic.

This protein is structured by three 50 kDa major subunits, which are assembled to form a 150 kDa oligomer.

Vicilin is the most abundant protein fraction of PPI (80%) and its emulsifying properties are highly influenced by pH and heat, which may be present in industrial purification processes.

PPI is usually produced by wet fractionation associated to isoelectric precipitation (pH 4.8), which is followed by a drying step.

A common drying process used in industrial applications is the spray drying, which is a well-established method for converting liquid feed materials into a dry powder when under heat.

Spray drying is largely used in the food and pharmaceutical industry and one of its advantages is the avoidance of microbial deterioration and reduction on the costs of storage and transport.

During spray drying processes heat-sensitive proteins can have structural and physical modifications due to denaturation, aggregation and formation of protein complexes, which can affect functional properties.


To bring out the principal relations in the orientation-preservation conditions and avoid unnecessarily tedious calculations, we further restrict ourselves to simple expansionary boundary conditions of the form u 0 = λx and the radially symmetric cavitation solutions. The result shows that the orientation-preservation can be achieved with a reasonable number of total degrees of freedom. In fact, combined with the corresponding interpolation error estimates, it would lead to an optimal meshing strategy, which we will show in a separate article [21] .

In fact, combined with the corresponding interpolation error estimates, it would lead to an optimal meshing strategy, which we will show in a separate article.


Regarding the photolytic rates, it is shown that both the REF and NA simulations simulate the photolytic rates J (O 1 D) and J (NO 2 ) in a satisfactory way for Lampedusa, when compared to in situ measurements. The REF simulation is biased by 5.8 % towards an underestimation of the observed J (O 1 D) value, and the NA simulation is biased by about 2.3 % towards an overestimation. However, two large uncertainty factors affect the modelled J (O 1 D) values: the climatology of stratospheric ozone that has been used for this study did not fit the observed total ozone column, and the temperature in the model was negatively biased as well. Regarding the representation of J (NO 2 ), the NA simulation exhibits an overestimation of 12.3 % in J (NO 2 ) compared to D) on the total ozone column, it is safe to state that the inclusion of the optical effect of aerosols improves the representation of the evolution of J (O 1 D) in the CHIMERE model. Regarding J (NO 2 ), the added value of including the aerosol effects is more spectacular since J (NO 2 ) has no strong dependence on the total ozone column (Fuglestvedt et al., 1994) . The REF simulation captures almost exactly the day-to-day variations of J (NO 2 ) (R = 0.92), while the NA simulation does not capture any of these variations, showing that, in the near absence of clouds, representing correctly the effect of the aerosols is a necessary and sufficient condition to represent the day-to-day variations of J (NO 2 ).

Regarding J (NO 2 ), the added value of including the aerosol effects is more spectacular since J (NO 2 ) has no strong dependence on the total ozone column.


The transducer has a limited bandwidth. Thus, the signal-to-noise ratio decreases moving away from the centre frequency. The lower frequency limit for fitting is chosen so that the error bars from repeated experiments remain acceptable. In this case, the upper frequency limit was set by the oscilloscope's bandwidth. By varying the value for Young's modulus, a curve of the theoretical ratio of reflection coefficients is fitted to the measured curve. Young's modulus for the best-fit curve is the measured value for Young's modulus. The theoretical reflection coefficient as a function of frequency for a given Young's modulus is calculated based on the following equations [25, 26] . The reflection coefficient is related to the equivalent acoustic impedance of the sample and water. For the uncoated side, the acoustic impedance of the sample is equal to the acoustic impedance of silica. Thus, the reflection coefficient for the uncoated side can be calculated from material constants, table 7, and is equal to 0.79. For the coated side, the equivalent acoustic impedance is calculated from the following equation: In all of the equations here, velocity is the longitudinal velocity and impedance is the longitudinal impedance. Finally, Young's modulus is related to the acoustic impedance and Poisson's ratio as follows.

The transducer has a limited bandwidth.

The theoretical reflection coefficient as a function of frequency for a given Young's modulus is calculated based on the following equations.


In terms of assessing model performance, there are some methods such as temporal and spatial comparison of the models or comparison of model and a null model developed from the same data [14] [15] [16] . In this work, due to the difficulty in measuring the actual UPP values, an approach based on the seat of the government was chosen for comparison in aspects of the number and spatial location of UPP zones. The objective of this study is to develop a new method for evaluating UPP based on urban patches. Jiangsu Province is selected as a case study. The new method and a traditional point-based method were compared. The results provide a new perspective of the spatial pattern of urban spatial interactions.

In terms of assessing model performance, there are some methods such as temporal and spatial comparison of the models or comparison of model and a null model developed from the same data.


With the increase of compression ratio, the MC of wood decreased. When the compression ratio reached 60 %, the MC of Poplar and Chinese fir decreased to 65 and 68 %, respectively, much higher than the equilibrium moisture content, the water was supposed to be enough to hygroplastisize the wood, especially the wood matrix of lignin and hemicellulose. When the compression load was released, the microfibrils of cellulose, which owns a high transition temperature even in wet condition, would spring back and becoming the driving force to restore the wood to original size [7] . In the meantime, the softened wood matrix of hemicellulose and lignin facilitated the restoration in the wet condition. All these explained why the wood recovered to almost their original size.

When the compression load was released, the microfibrils of cellulose, which owns a high transition temperature even in wet condition, would spring back and becoming the driving force to restore the wood to original size.


Figure 1(a) shows typical I-V characteristics of an LED measured just after seasoning and after 9,600 hours of aging. Aging is seen to result in a marginal variation of the I-V behaviour at sub-onset currents (δV F ∼ −5 mV at I F = 1 mA), which is probably due to the enhancement of nonradiative recombination and the emergence of ohmic shorts within the chip [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] . At the nominal current (350 mA), a remarkable drop in forward voltage (δV F = −70 mV) is observed. This drop can be attributed neither to nonradiative recombination, which tends to saturate at high forward currents, nor to shunt currents, which are expected to be linear with voltage.

Aging is seen to result in a marginal variation of the I-V behaviour at sub-onset currents (δV F ∼ −5 mV at I F = 1 mA), which is probably due to the enhancement of nonradiative recombination and the emergence of ohmic shorts within the chip.


Monitor dysfunction using NIM-Tube has been reported at rates ranging from 5 to 20% [13, 14] . Malposition and malrotation of the EMG tube are the main causes of monitor dysfunction. Contact between the electrodes and vocal cords must be maintained for high-quality recording. Tube malposition easily decreases EMG amplitude from the vocal cords [15] . Patients undergoing thyroidectomy are generally positioned with the neck extended to facilitate exposure of the neck after induction of general anesthesia. We measured vagal MEPs after the neck extension in this study. Therefore, we presumed that neck extension aggravated the contact of EMG tube electrodes with the vocal cords, resulting in failure of recording. In addition, surgical manipulation may affect contact between the electrodes and vocal cords. The contact area of wire electrodes mounted on NIM-Tube is small compared with that of flat and wide electrodes mounted on NIMTV-Tube. Thus, it is likely that malposition and malrotation of NIM-Tube easily result in poor contact between the electrodes and vocal cords.

Monitor dysfunction using NIM-Tube has been reported at rates ranging from 5 to 20%.

Tube malposition easily decreases EMG amplitude from the vocal cords.


The positive effects of adding exogenous fibrolytic enzyme mixtures to diets of ruminants have been reported recently for some commercial products fed to growing cattle and lactating dairy cows. Using fibrolytic enzyme mixture with alfalfa hay diets improved live weight gain of cattle by as much as 35% and feed conversion by up to 10% as a result of enhanced total tract digestion (Beauchemin et al., 1995) . A similar enzyme mixture was added to a high grain feedlot finishing diet resulted in an improvement of 11% in feed conversion ratio, 6% in weight gain, and a 5% decrease in feed intake (Beauchemin et al., 1997) . In another study, an enzyme mixture added to a high concentrate diet of growing feedlot heifers increased average daily gain by 9% and numerically improved feed to gain ratio by 10% but had no effect on dry matter intake (Beauchemin et al., 1999a) .

Using fibrolytic enzyme mixture with alfalfa hay diets improved live weight gain of cattle by as much as 35% and feed conversion by up to 10% as a result of enhanced total tract digestion.

A similar enzyme mixture was added to a high grain feedlot finishing diet resulted in an improvement of 11% in feed conversion ratio, 6% in weight gain, and a 5% decrease in feed intake.

In another study, an enzyme mixture added to a high concentrate diet of growing feedlot heifers increased average daily gain by 9% and numerically improved feed to gain ratio by 10% but had no effect on dry matter intake.


Definition of such a model is a prerequisite to conduct a model transformation which is the key activity in MDD (Sendall and Kozaczynski, 2003) . Hence in this paper, we also present a model transformation process in which a model conforming to above MAS metamodel is transformed into models conforming to metamodels of two different real agent platforms. The designed Semantic Web enabled MAS can be implemented on these real platforms by applying the corresponding transformations. To do this, we first define source and target metamodels for each transformation and then provide mappings between entities of these source and target metamodels to derive transformation rules and constraints. We realize the whole transformation by using a pretty known model transformation language. Finally, automatic code generation from output MAS models assists MAS developers in implementing their systems on various agent platforms.

Definition of such a model is a prerequisite to conduct a model transformation which is the key activity in MDD.


In the present study, participants mentioned that it would be effective if the services were provided free of charge, continuous and regular follow-ups were constituted, therapies were provided by experts, and the events were arranged as to bring smokers and non-smokers together. Previous studies have indicated that decisiveness to quit smoking, personal trainings and counselling or motivational support by experts/ physicians, and the periodic one-to-one or group interviews and phone conversations increase the success of cessation of smoking [19, 23] . A qualitative research performed on disadvantageous groups has showed that the perception that smoking cessation services are expensive is hampering the success of smoking cessation [24] . Although it is known that even short course trainings regarding smoking cessation are effective, the physicians do not perform any routine evaluation and treatment for cessation of smoking [25] . The causes of this fact include lack of clinical or institutional support, time limitation, inadequate training of physicians about the interventions for cessation of smoking, non-coverage of smoking cessation therapies by insurance [25] . Another qualitative study has concluded that the physicians' prohibitive manner will fail to achieve quit-smoking; however, an advisory manner instead may create an opportunity when the patients presented to receive health care [26] . Another study has reported that the most important obstacle that is confronted by the general practitioners while giving smoking cessation consultation is the patients' lack of interest and motivation. The same study has also concluded that lack of reimbursement and uncertainty in strategies regarding cessation of smoking are also hampering the success [27] . It will be important that the physicians and health care givers are educated about this issue. In the present study, it was a remarkable finding that the participants did not want to hear about the harms of smoking in informational meetings. The strength of the qualitative studies, the present study as well, depends on the fact that the participants have the opportunity to tell about their opinions on their own problems. The effectiveness of the trainings will be improved if they are prepared according to the needs of individuals such as methods for cessation of smoking, negative impacts of smoking cessation and ways to cope, differences in health status after cessation of smoking, contents of cigarette, and smoking related financial difficulties.

Previous studies have indicated that decisiveness to quit smoking, personal trainings and counselling or motivational support by experts/ physicians, and the periodic one-to-one or group interviews and phone conversations increase the success of cessation of smoking.

A qualitative research performed on disadvantageous groups has showed that the perception that smoking cessation services are expensive is hampering the success of smoking cessation.

Although it is known that even short course trainings regarding smoking cessation are effective, the physicians do not perform any routine evaluation and treatment for cessation of smoking.

The causes of this fact include lack of clinical or institutional support, time limitation, inadequate training of physicians about the interventions for cessation of smoking, non-coverage of smoking cessation therapies by insurance.

Another qualitative study has concluded that the physicians' prohibitive manner will fail to achieve quit-smoking; however, an advisory manner instead may create an opportunity when the patients presented to receive health care.

The same study has also concluded that lack of reimbursement and uncertainty in strategies regarding cessation of smoking are also hampering the success.


The benefits of eating fruit are mainly connected with the richness of their chemical composition. Basic components of fruits include protein, carbohydrate (especially fructose, sorbitol and glucose), minerals (Mg, Fe, P, Cu, Ca, Na, K), vitamins (C, PP, B group, provitamin A), organic acids, pectins and a lot of bioactive secondary metabolites of plants (for example, isoprenoids and phenolic compounds) [1] . The largest range of pro-health properties is attributed to secondary metabolites (polyphenols, isoprenoids). Phenolic compounds constitute a very numerous group of natural organic substances that occur in various morphological parts of plants. They exhibit especially strong antioxidative properties that protect defense systems of the body against destructive effects of free radicals [2] [3] [4] . Another group of secondary metabolites of plants that exhibit health-promoting properties are isoprenoids that include triterpenes, iridoids, carotenoids and chlorophylls. They are, likewise polyphenols, classified as both preventive and intervention antioxidants, and are characterized by valuable biological properties the best documented of which is their provitamin activity [5] .

Basic components of fruits include protein, carbohydrate (especially fructose, sorbitol and glucose), minerals (Mg, Fe, P, Cu, Ca, Na, K), vitamins (C, PP, B group, provitamin A), organic acids, pectins and a lot of bioactive secondary metabolites of plants (for example, isoprenoids and phenolic compounds).

They exhibit especially strong antioxidative properties that protect defense systems of the body against destructive effects of free radicals.

They are, likewise polyphenols, classified as both preventive and intervention antioxidants, and are characterized by valuable biological properties the best documented of which is their provitamin activity.


The small Patagonian octopus Octopus tehuelchus has been an important fishery resource in various coastal environments of San Matías Gulf (Patagonia) for at least six decades. Our recent studies have shown that this octopus has a high environmental plasticity in growth, period of maturity and life span (Storero et al. 2010) . This suggests that there may also be variations in the species' reproductive traits, such as patterns of oocyte maturation and fecundity.

Our recent studies have shown that this octopus has a high environmental plasticity in growth, period of maturity and life span.


Another possibility is that several heterogeneous TFs of different type are required to bind to the same promoter to activate an OR gene. Because the number of TF types in this case is much smaller than the number of OR genes, this mechanism is consistent with the race model as long as these TFs exhibit cooperative binding. Mathematically the heterogeneous and homogeneous models are similar. There are a number of candidates that support the heterogeneous TF option. Olf-1/EBFlike (O/E) binding sites are known to exist in many OR promoters and O/E genes are expressed in the olfactory epithelium [17, 23, 24] . Knockouts of O/E-2 and O/E-3 do not form normal glomeruli but retain OSNs, suggesting a possible role in OR expression [25] . In addition to the O/E sites, there are also homeodomain (HD) and homeobox classes of motifs found in OR promoters. Two TFs belonging to these classes are known to be involved in OR expression (Lhx2 and Emx2) [26, 27] . HD and O/E sites are present in most OR promoters as well as in the H and P elements [17, 28] . Transgenic experiments in which multiple repeats of HD sites are placed upstream of an OR gene show greatly enhanced expression, suggesting that these HD motifs are important in modulating the probability of OR gene choice [28] . This result is expected in the race model because a larger number of bound TFs can confer greater stability to a given OR choice. For some mouse ORs, such as M71, as little as 161bp upstream from the transcription start site is sufficient to support choice [29] . Interestingly, this segment of M71 promoter contains the motif found in this study (AAATAAA) as well as HD and O/E binding motifs. Another interesting set of candidates supporting the heterogeneous model are the POU domain classes of TFs whose binding motifs are found to be overrepresented in OR promoters compared to other mouse gene promoters [17] . These motifs are targeted by a number of different TFs in the Brn POU domain factors (BRNF) family. It is already known that the TFs in this family can bind cooperatively [30, 31] . Finally, TFs binding to the motif found to be enriched in this study could cooperate with these other TFs in facilitating OR expression.

Olf-1/EBFlike (O/E) binding sites are known to exist in many OR promoters and O/E genes are expressed in the olfactory epithelium.

Knockouts of O/E-2 and O/E-3 do not form normal glomeruli but retain OSNs, suggesting a possible role in OR expression.

Two TFs belonging to these classes are known to be involved in OR expression (Lhx2 and Emx2).

HD and O/E sites are present in most OR promoters as well as in the H and P elements.

Transgenic experiments in which multiple repeats of HD sites are placed upstream of an OR gene show greatly enhanced expression, suggesting that these HD motifs are important in modulating the probability of OR gene choice.

For some mouse ORs, such as M71, as little as 161bp upstream from the transcription start site is sufficient to support choice.

Another interesting set of candidates supporting the heterogeneous model are the POU domain classes of TFs whose binding motifs are found to be overrepresented in OR promoters compared to other mouse gene promoters.

It is already known that the TFs in this family can bind cooperatively.


Our model relies on three assumptions. First, we assume multiplicity of regulatory sites in each OR gene promoter, which implies that several TFs are needed to activate transcription of one OR gene. In our model this number is four, but the exact value is not clear. Second, we assume cooperativity between these TFs. We have determined that cooperative binding between the TFs in our model leads to stable OR gene expression, as opposed to non-cooperative binding which does not exhibit stable expression. Third, we assume a negative feedback regulatory mechanism that is activated by the expressed functional OR [4] . Specifically, we assume that the expression of a functional gene reduces the level of TF in the cell, preventing other ORs from being expressed.

Our model relies on three assumptions.

Third, we assume a negative feedback regulatory mechanism that is activated by the expressed functional OR.


The stability of OR choice is ensured in our model by the cooperative binding of TFs to the promoter region ( Figure 2 ). This means that the rates of TF association and dissociation from the promoter are different and depend on the number of already bound TFs. For simplicity, we assume that the rate of TF association does not depend on the number of TFs already bound to a given promoter. The rate of TF dissociation is lower for promoters with higher TF occupancy. This effect reflects the affinity between TFs that are bound to DNA in close proximity to one another. This type of binding has been studied in other systems such as the lambda repressor [16] . The overall effect of cooperative binding is that the rate of TF accumulation is larger for promoters with larger TF occupancy (Figure 2A) . Cooperative binding implements a winner-takes-all type of competition in the system containing many promoters, leading to the selection of a single active gene when the threshold for transcription is reached. At the same time, the unselected ORs do not have an opportunity to be expressed, because for such ORs, at the basal level of TF production mediated by the negative feedback mechanism, the rate of TF dissociation is higher than the rate of association ( Figure 2B ).

This type of binding has been studied in other systems such as the lambda repressor.


An insight into distribution and behaviour of chironomid larvae is very important in terms of ecosystem services such as carbon metabolism, cycling of nutrients and fisheries. However, patterns of their spatial distribution have been studied rarely and with little reliance on the analysis of the actual two-or three-dimensional patterns. Previous surveys have focused on the relations between density of Chironomus larvae and their horizontal distribution (McLachlan, 1977a; Shiozawa and Barnes, 1977; Titmus and Badcock, 1981; Takacs and Tokeshi, 1994) . Very few investigations have jointly considered the horizontal and vertical distributions (Takacs and Tokeshi, 1994) .

Previous surveys have focused on the relations between density of Chironomus larvae and their horizontal distribution.

Very few investigations have jointly considered the horizontal and vertical distributions.


To be able to establish equations of multiple regression, the predictive study was based on the correlations of the characteristics evaluated in the initial diagnosis with the academic achievement at the end of the year. Our study was then, a longitudinal, evaluative description related to the answers we were looking for. It was centred on the real situation of the students on entering the university and a trend study was carried out based on a longitudinal consideration of the initial description (Best, 1974) .

It was centred on the real situation of the students on entering the university and a trend study was carried out based on a longitudinal consideration of the initial description.


Several tests confirm the illitic structure of the clays. Calculations of d(001) from the first nine reflections give percent variances of less than 0.25 for the ammonium illites in Table 1 . Therefore, the diffraction patterns are rational, and the structures are not mixed layered. Although minor amounts of expandable clays occur in the shale sequence, none of the ammonium illites expand with ethylene glycol treatment. Similarly, heating the samples to 400~ for 1 hr caused no reduction in the d(001) as might be expected if interlayer water were involved. The results are reconcilable with studies of ammonium muscovite which show that NH4 + is not driven from the interlayer site below 800~ (Karyakin et al., 1973) . The clays are not trioctahedral vermiculite collapsed around NH4 § because strong 002 reflections occur in all diffraction profiles. Attempts to exchange the monovalent NH4 § with divalent Mg 2 § showed no effects on the ammonium illites, indicating that exchange sites are not involved.

The results are reconcilable with studies of ammonium muscovite which show that NH4 + is not driven from the interlayer site below 800~.


In terms of product modularity, both systems have a beam-to-column connection that fits the concept of component-sharing module, i.e., a common component that can be adapted to different configurations [64] . Beams and columns in both systems can be categorized as cut-to-fit type modularity. These can have a standardized cross-section but the length is adapted to suit the design requirement [64] .

In terms of product modularity, both systems have a beam-to-column connection that fits the concept of component-sharing module, i.e., a common component that can be adapted to different configurations.

These can have a standardized cross-section but the length is adapted to suit the design requirement.


Regarding supply chain modularity, both systems can be considered as modular, as steel beam and column can be produced by different suppliers, dispersed geographically, without necessarily having close organizational ties with the company that delivers steel structures, as suggested by Fine [37] . In fact, due to the type of connection used, beams and columns can be regarded to some extent as commodities, reducing the structural complexity of the system. Two main differences between the two solutions were found: process modularity and the strategy for managing tolerances. Table 3 depicts characteristics of each connection, emphasizing the differences that made the final systems to become so different from one another.

Regarding supply chain modularity, both systems can be considered as modular, as steel beam and column can be produced by different suppliers, dispersed geographically, without necessarily having close organizational ties with the company that delivers steel structures, as suggested by Fine.


Furthermore, higher -spacing was also obtained for ZnO compared to those of ZnO:H for the same peak positions. For instance, -spacing of ZnO for (100) peak was 2.829, while those of ZnO:H (a) and ZnO:H (b) were 2.791 and 2.803, respectively, for the same peak position. Table 1 of the supplementary data sheet in Supplementary Material available online at https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/5219850 contained -spacing of major peaks of the samples. These narrow shifts in peak positions ( -spacings) could be due to strain effects from inhomogeneity caused by H insertion. However, small changes in lattice parameters would only be observed in the case of uniform dilatation (equally strained polycrystallites) like those of ZnO:H (b) with higher hydrogen concentration compared to ZnO:H (a) [25] .

However, small changes in lattice parameters would only be observed in the case of uniform dilatation (equally strained polycrystallites) like those of ZnO:H (b) with higher hydrogen concentration compared to ZnO:H (a).


The same starch solution (gel) was used for all three samples and this enhanced homogeneous nucleation of Zn(OH) 2 clusters and subsequent crystal growth of zinc oxide nanoparticles during the drying process. This effect is reflected in similar broad peaks and backgrounds observed in the XRD patterns of all three samples (Figure 2 ). The change in colour of the hydrogenated starch-mediated samples from white to brown and finally dark brown as shown in Figure 1 would be due to the presence of oxygen atoms on starch molecules in addition to those provided by ZnO groups compared to nonstarch-mediated ZnO samples. The estimated particle size of ZnO obtained was slightly lower than ∼50 nm reported for similar starch-mediated method with 0.1% starch [19] .

The estimated particle size of ZnO obtained was slightly lower than ∼50 nm reported for similar starch-mediated method with 0.1% starch.


The SEM images of two (0.01 and 0.02% starch-mediated) samples showed morphological differences of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) , respectively. Similar controls of crystal sizes with changing starch concentration have been reported previously [26] . The image in Figure 3 (Figure 4(a) ) showed aggregates of thick-joint polycrystallites separated by pores, while the lower magnification (with 500 nm scale bar) showed a more compact microporous polycrystallite structure (Figure 4(b) ). The higher magnified SEM micrographs (scale bar of 100 nm) of ZnO:H (b) in Figure 4 (c) showed smaller grains of joint polycrystallites on top of larger ball-like structured materials with wider pores. The smaller crystallites could be the hydrogenated zinc oxide polycrystallites. However, at lower magnification with 500 nm scale bar (Figure 4(c) ), an orderly etched monophasic surface was observed. The EDS of both samples appear on Figures 4(a) and 4(d) for ZnO and ZnO:H (b) samples, respectively. They showed Zn as the major components of both samples with ZnO:H (b) having lower Zn content of 54.42% compared to 56.68% of ZnO. Other elements (impurities) found on both EDS were Si, Mn, Fe, Ti, and Ca.

Similar controls of crystal sizes with changing starch concentration have been reported previously.


Biodegradable polymers have been used in a variety of commodity devices and biomedical applications. In biomedical application, their main application is on regenerative medicine, where they temporarily replace the biomechanical functions while the natural tissue regenerates; or in controlled drug delivery, as reviewed by Nair L. and Laurencin C. [1] . Hence a surgery to remove the device is not required, since it will be naturally metabolized. In the case of commodity products, biodegradable plastics claim clear environmental advantages in several brief use applications, mainly in their final stage of life (waste disposal), which can clearly be evident through life cycle assessment.

In biomedical application, their main application is on regenerative medicine, where they temporarily replace the biomechanical functions while the natural tissue regenerates; or in controlled drug delivery, as reviewed by Nair L. and Laurencin C..


In Fig. 2 experimental results of weight loss are presented for the four materials immersed in the three degradation media. PGA-PCL fibres are the fastest in terms of weight loss. Although PCL has a low degradation rate, the combination with PGA results in a less crystalline plastic, and this may explain the faster degradation, as it occurs with PLGA [1] . It has become very fragile just after 2 weeks. It is followed by PGA, PDO and the less degradable PLA-PCL. Alkaline solution of PBS is the fast degrading media. Except for PDO, where water with pH closed to neutral, degrades much faster than the other two media. For PLA-PCL, no significant differences were observed between the three media.

Although PCL has a low degradation rate, the combination with PGA results in a less crystalline plastic, and this may explain the faster degradation, as it occurs with PLGA.


The poly-α-hydroxyesters, polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA) and copolymers are the most popular aliphatic polyesters that have been synthesized for more than 30 years. The lefthanded (L-lactide) and right-handed (D-lactide) are the two enantiometric forms of PLA, with PDLA having a much higher degradation rate than PLLA. An intensive overview was done by Auras R. Et al. [2] . PLLA is a rather brittle polymer with a low degradation rate, and compounding with PCL is frequently employed to improve mechanical properties. PCL is also hydrophilic with a low degradation rate, much more ductile than PLA [3] . PGA, since it is a hydrophilic material presents a high degradation rate. The combination of PGA with PLA is usually employed to tune degradation rate [1] . Polyhydoxyalkanoates (PHA's) is the largest class of aliphatic polyesters, comprising poly 3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), copolymers of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV), poly 4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB), copolymers of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxyhexanoate (PHBHHx) and poly 3-hydroxyoctanoate (PHO) and its blends. The changing PHA compositions also allow favourable mechanical properties and degradation times within desirable time frames [4] . They represent a wide range of mechanical properties and degradation times, as can be seen in Fig. 1 . Fig. 1 -Range of mechanical properties and mass loss degradation times Biodegradable plastics, as other thermoplastics, are viscoelastic materials. This means that mechanical properties, like stiffness, are time dependent and, therefore, stress/strain rate dependent. For instance, at high strain rates they present a more brittle behaviour, with a transition from ductile to brittle behaviour above a specific strain rate. A general consequence of hydrolytic degradation is the lowering of the plastic flow ability of the polymer, thus causing the change from ductile behaviour into a brittle one or, if the behaviour was initially brittle, an increase in the brittleness. After hydrolysis has started, brittleness will occur at lower strain rates. On the other hand it is expected that transition strain rate will increase with swelling. After water absorption, a biodegradable plastic presents a stiffness decrease.

An intensive overview was done by Auras R. Et al..

PCL is also hydrophilic with a low degradation rate, much more ductile than PLA.

The combination of PGA with PLA is usually employed to tune degradation rate.

The changing PHA compositions also allow favourable mechanical properties and degradation times within desirable time frames.


The methodological approach adopted has some strengths to be emphasized: the first concerns the fact that group discussions are inevitably influenced by individuals or clusters, as indicated by Starr [75] . This bias is overcome by controlling stakeholder opinions through individual questionnaires filled independently and based upon a common set of information provided initially. This also helps to reduce the influence by the facilitator who must lead the discussion and helps stakeholder to avoid answers based on "official positions" represented in public and to go beyond the participants' contingent interest. Secondly, the reliance on an integration of tools compensates some limitations of each instrument taken singularly. For example, multi criteria assessment allows identifying tradeoffs between attributes and performances, avoiding dominant positions and forced consensus. Thirdly, cluster analysis on priorities expressed by stakeholders allows overcoming unbalanced composition of experts, as clusters create homogeneous groups, independent from the number and degree of expertise of the participants. Eventually, it allows to identify, and marginalize if necessary, inhomogeneous stakeholders. Some limitations of our work also need to be acknowledged: for example the wide the set of attributes submitted to stakeholder increases the difficulty in understanding the meaning of each one. Moreover, we asked stakeholder to assess the importance of each sustainability attributes: the collective discussion suggested that it would have been useful to ask for a judgment on the importance of attributes for each chain, in order to take into account how the "promise" by each chain changes. However, this would pose a problem regarding the actual ability of stakeholders in answering this question, being limited by their own specific experience.

The methodological approach adopted has some strengths to be emphasized: the first concerns the fact that group discussions are inevitably influenced by individuals or clusters, as indicated by Starr.


In the school of competition, advertisement market is like an information source which increases the sensitivity of the user about the price and encourages competition (Vernon, 1971) . Advertisement in an economical role helps the society to achieve abundance by announcing to the people the products, services and ideals (Sandage, 1973) . Advertisement in a social role reflects the trends of plans and fashions and shares in our aesthetic sense (Wells et al., 1926) . Advertisement is an open, active public tribune in which commercial benefits, creativity, consumer needs and governmental rules meet each other (Bowes, 1991) .

In the school of competition, advertisement market is like an information source which increases the sensitivity of the user about the price and encourages competition.

Advertisement in an economical role helps the society to achieve abundance by announcing to the people the products, services and ideals.

Advertisement in a social role reflects the trends of plans and fashions and shares in our aesthetic sense.

Advertisement is an open, active public tribune in which commercial benefits, creativity, consumer needs and governmental rules meet each other.


This article is organized as follows. Section 2 contains notation and the construction of a space of Boehmians β(R) [4] . Section 3 is concerned with the Laplace transform on a subspace of β(R). A real inversion formula is established for the Laplace transform. The Stieltjes transform on B r (R) ⊂ β(R) is studied in Section 4.

This article is organized as follows.

Section 2 contains notation and the construction of a space of Boehmians β(R).


Improving team SA becomes a crucial issue in complex dynamic systems, which is required to meet three main demands in those fields [6, 7, 20, 22, 13] . First, the increasing complexity of dynamic systems provides a great challenge * Corresponding author to decision makers or operators to recognize external environment timely and conduct ongoing analysis. Second, correct awareness about external environment is a basis for appropriate decision making. Particularly, team members often work simultaneously at different geographical locations. Research shows that team working can efficient reduce decision errors by individuals. Moreover, requirement for real world applications, such as developing friendly user interface for complex control systems and training operators in a complex dynamic environment, needs to be fulfilled. To improve team SA, an accurate measurement of team SA is important.

Improving team SA becomes a crucial issue in complex dynamic systems, which is required to meet three main demands in those fields.


The authors have already built the case for an explicit meta-model centered around the notion of history [6] . The name of the proposed meta-model is Hismo. We implemented Hismo in a tool called Van which is built on top of the Moose reengineering environment [7] . We use Hismo for characterizing the evolution of software and we validated it in a number of occasions for reverse engineering purposes [9, 10, 11, 16] .

The authors have already built the case for an explicit meta-model centered around the notion of history.

We implemented Hismo in a tool called Van which is built on top of the Moose reengineering environment.

We use Hismo for characterizing the evolution of software and we validated it in a number of occasions for reverse engineering purposes.


In the next section we briefly present the concepts in Hismo, in Section 3 we describe the transformation needed for obtaining Hismo and before concluding, we discuss our approach. The Hismo meta-model is based on the explicit notions of history and versions. As these concepts are generic, they have to be applied to specific entities such as packages, classes, methods or any entity related to software that we want to study and for which having a version makes sense. Figure 1 shows Hismo applied to packages and classes. In the figure we also show the relation between our meta-model and the Evolution Matrix [14] . In the lower part of the figure we represent two Evolution Matrixes in which each cell represents a ClassVersion and each column represents PackageVersions.

In the figure we also show the relation between our meta-model and the Evolution Matrix.


Plants have being used as a source of medicine by man since ancient times globally (Bargali et al., 2003) . In the beginning, these were the main source of the folk or ethnomedicine (Parihaar et al., 2014) . Subsequently, in Bangladesh, a considerable amount of this traditional knowledge was formulated and documented into an organized system of medicine parallel to the modern medicine. The use of plants as the principal form of medicine is increasing throughout the developed world. In fact, about 80% population of developing countries still utilizes traditional medicines derived from herbs for their health care (Bargali and Shrivastava, 2002; Shrivastava and Bargali, 2005) . As Bangladesh has numerous plants, proper scientific evaluations are required to explore the potentiality of these plants for treating various diseases (Rahmatullah et al., 2010; Banglapedia, 2012; Ashraf et al., 2014) .

Plants have being used as a source of medicine by man since ancient times globally.

In the beginning, these were the main source of the folk or ethnomedicine.

In fact, about 80% population of developing countries still utilizes traditional medicines derived from herbs for their health care.

As Bangladesh has numerous plants, proper scientific evaluations are required to explore the potentiality of these plants for treating various diseases.


In particular, the use of VFDs for single-phase Induction Motors (IMs) is recommended in some applications such as blowers, washing machines, mixers, air conditioner, pumps, fans and etc [2] . Besides VFDs for single-phase IMs, drivers control strategies such as scalar-based control and vector-based control have been also proposed to drive the single-phase IMs speed [3] - [21] . Recently, Field-Oriented Control (FOC) of single-phase IMs is extensively adopted to obtain high dynamic performance in drive systems.

In particular, the use of VFDs for single-phase Induction Motors (IMs) is recommended in some applications such as blowers, washing machines, mixers, air conditioner, pumps, fans and etc.

Besides VFDs for single-phase IMs, drivers control strategies such as scalar-based control and vector-based control have been also proposed to drive the single-phase IMs speed.


Diet manipulation is known to have a profound influence on sow performance (Averette et al., 1999) . However, choice of cereal grain as well as dietary fat type has received little attention as a factor affecting reproductive performance. Moreover, there is no research on the interaction of dietary grain sources and fat types in sows. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effects of different dietary fat sources on reproductive performance, milk composition, blood metabolites and hormones in lactating sows fed corn or wheat-based diets.

Diet manipulation is known to have a profound influence on sow performance.


A number of agricultural wastes and its by-products such as sugarcane bagasse, wheat straw, corn cob, rice bran, and wheat bran are cheapest and abundantly available carbon sources [14] . These are normally utilized as animal fodder and domestic fuel while a large portion is being disposed of as waste [15] . For instance, approximately 145.20 million tons per year of wheat straw is available in Asia [16] . However, only a small portion of wheat residues is used as animal feed and the rest is removed from the field by burning which causes air pollution and affects human health [17] . Recently, agricultural waste wheat bran has been used as growth medium for microbial consortium and their further use in biodegradation of azo dye Trypan Blue under submerged conditions [18] .

A number of agricultural wastes and its by-products such as sugarcane bagasse, wheat straw, corn cob, rice bran, and wheat bran are cheapest and abundantly available carbon sources.

These are normally utilized as animal fodder and domestic fuel while a large portion is being disposed of as waste.

For instance, approximately 145.20 million tons per year of wheat straw is available in Asia.

However, only a small portion of wheat residues is used as animal feed and the rest is removed from the field by burning which causes air pollution and affects human health.

Recently, agricultural waste wheat bran has been used as growth medium for microbial consortium and their further use in biodegradation of azo dye Trypan Blue under submerged conditions.


Interestingly, nearly the same theorem was proven under two phylogenomic models that addressed horizontal gene transfer (HGT)! When HGT is present, the evolutionary history of the species is not really treelike, but rather requires a phylogenetic network [1] . Under HGT models, a phylogenetic network consists of an underlying species tree T with horizontal gene transfer edges (represented by directed edges) between branches in the tree, and each locus evolves down a tree (though not necessarily the species tree) within this network. Hence, while the species evolution is not purely treelike, the gene tree evolution is treelike. Furthermore, for this type of reticulate phylogeny, it is reasonable to ask whether the underlying species tree T can be reconstructed from gene trees estimated on the different loci.

When HGT is present, the evolutionary history of the species is not really treelike, but rather requires a phylogenetic network.


In December, the ridge moved southwards establishing an easterly upper level flow over Darwin which strengthened in January with the full establishment of the monsoon ( Fig. 2c  and d ). This easterly flow was also the prevailing situation during the STEP campaign in 1987 (Russell et al., 1993; Danielsen, 1993) . At even higher levels in the lower stratosphere the winds were generally easterly due to the QuasiBiennial-Oscillation (QBO) being in an easterly phase, again similar to the situation during STEP.

This easterly flow was also the prevailing situation during the STEP campaign in 1987.


The WF is widely used as an MMSE filter. However, the WF's drawbacks are obvious, i.e., its capability of suppressing the additive noise is determined by the estimation of S f (u, v)/S g (u, v) and H(u, v). Equation (13) is determined by channel estimation, but both of the former estimations cannot be accurately obtained on account of the features of medical ultrasound images. Therefore, under the circumstance where theoretical instruction is lacking, preferable capability cannot be achieved even through repeated experiments. Generally, the MMSE filter is a linear filter such that it blurs the image when reducing speckle noises [20] . Furthermore, it has been known that linear filters do not perform well in de-speckling since it blurs sharp edges [21, 56] .

Generally, the MMSE filter is a linear filter such that it blurs the image when reducing speckle noises.

Furthermore, it has been known that linear filters do not perform well in de-speckling since it blurs sharp edges.


The filtering algorithms based on the information of spectrum can be labeled as filters based on the characteristics of frequency domain. They are applied to de-speckling by inhibiting a region of the spectrum. However, the noise and the location in an image are not relevant to each other. Therefore, we are unable to locate the noise in the frequency domain, which results in the inability to accurately separate the noise from the image. Currently, speckle reduction via filtering in the wavelet domain has aroused concern, e.g., the idea of soft-thresholding de-noising first presented by Donoho [10] . However, two major drawbacks of the thresholding methods should be concerned [11] . Firstly, it is almost impossible to find the optimal solution for all kinds of images. Secondly, it is unadvisable to use the same noise model for the diverse resolutions. Although the wavelet spectrum can present more details than the frequency spectrum, the problem of how to recognize the noise remains unsolved.

Currently, speckle reduction via filtering in the wavelet domain has aroused concern, e.g., the idea of soft-thresholding de-noising first presented by Donoho.

However, two major drawbacks of the thresholding methods should be concerned.


The environmental psychology paradigm is not new to retail atmospherics. Ample research has shown that environmental cues will impact shoppers' cognition and emotion, and trigger some approach behaviour (Turley and Milliman, 2000) . What is new here is the advent of digital signage or digital communications networks in the retail atmospheric toolbox as a stimulus with a significant effect, as predicted by the LCM. Digital signage has a dual usage: it conveys information when and where shoppers are in the mood to shop, and it can have a strong entertainment component. These results indicate that digital signage is an effective stimulus, adding to positive perceptions of the mall environment, emotions and approach behaviour such as spending, as predicted by the LCM. This study cannot claim to be a test of the LCM, which would entail measuring the availability and allocation of cognitive resources; and the information rate of the stimulus; and comparing with a lower-information rate stimulus. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of digital signage as an atmospheric stimulus is consistent with the LCM, which predicts the effectiveness of vivid moving visual images. The LCM holds that people have a limited capacity to process information and therefore allocate processing resources to those most demanding stimuli that have a high information rate and distinctive features such as movement, colour and vividness. The moving images of digital signage should attract viewers' attention and act as a more effective atmospheric stimulus, with higher recall of messages than those that are static or less vivid. The confirmation of digital signage as an effective stimulus therefore extends the LCM from television to digital signage.

Ample research has shown that environmental cues will impact shoppers' cognition and emotion, and trigger some approach behaviour.


This is a case involving early recurrence of breast cancer manifested with panhypopituitarism due to metastasis to the pituitary, pituitary stalk, and hypothalamus. The pituitary gland is a rare site of metastasis for all neoplasms (metastasis makes up less than 1% of pituitary tumors), and less than 10% of pituitary metastases are symptomatic [6, 7] . Therefore, the clinical history of the patient shows a rare pattern of breast cancer metastasis.

The pituitary gland is a rare site of metastasis for all neoplasms (metastasis makes up less than 1% of pituitary tumors), and less than 10% of pituitary metastases are symptomatic.


The common therapies for unresectable metastases are radiotherapy or chemotherapy [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . However, radiotherapy is contraindicated when the radiation dose reaches the upper limit. Some of patients cannot endure the treatment course due to side effects caused by chemotherapy. Image-guided local therapy is a minimally invasive method that can be performed percutaneously. It includes two main technologies: thermotherapy and chemical ablation. Thermotherapy includes radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, laser ablation, and high-intensity-focused ultrasound ablation. Chemical ablation includes local injection of ethanol or acetic acid [6] [7] [8] . In this technique, the therapeutic electrode or injection needle is inserted into the target region under computed tomography, magnetic resonance, or ultrasound guidance. Radiofrequency ablation and laser ablation has been considered equally effective in treating small hepatocellular carcinoma [6] . Moreover, radiofrequency ablation is considered the first-line treatment in some hepatocellular carcinoma and seems to be comparable to surgical resection in terms of survival outcomes [7, 8] . The advantages of this kind of therapy are local coagulation of malignancies with good toleration in fragile patients and few systemic adverse reactions. Therefore, in the last decade, it has become an effective therapy for some recurrent or unresectable malignancies.

The common therapies for unresectable metastases are radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Chemical ablation includes local injection of ethanol or acetic acid.

Radiofrequency ablation and laser ablation has been considered equally effective in treating small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Moreover, radiofrequency ablation is considered the first-line treatment in some hepatocellular carcinoma and seems to be comparable to surgical resection in terms of survival outcomes.


In this study, the formation of ZnO nanoparticles was investigated by focusing on its dependence on the discharge parameters such as applied pulse voltage (−500 to −800 V) and total gas flow rate of Ar/O 2 (20 to 100 sccm) under the fixed total pressure (30 Pa) of working gases of Ar and O 2 . Figure 1 shows a schematic of the experimental apparatus [14] . The experiment was performed in low-pressure plasma by employing reactive ion sputtering. As a source of Zn, Zn rod electrode (diameter 2 mm) was used and installed in a glass tube of 6 mm in inner diameter and 1 mm thick. The flow rates of Ar and O 2 gases were adjusted by mass flow controllers independently and the mixed gas was introduced into a stainless tube. A pulse voltage with pulse width of 5 s was employed for the plasma production.

Figure 1 shows a schematic of the experimental apparatus.