This article presents a discussion of a 2015-16 University of Washington (UW) Libraries project focused on transfer students at the UW Seattle campus. A team of librarians, graduate students, and staff members employed design thinking methodology to explore challenges faced by transfe r students and to identify ways in which UW Libraries might better support this group of students. The authors will highlight the benefits of design thinking as a method for understanding student needs and discuss the results of this approach and subsequent actions taken to improve the transfer student experience at the UW Seattle campus. Over the course of an 11-month project, the team learned that some transfer students wished to have separate events and programming during orientation, as they wanted to be seen as a distinct group and felt that they had little in common with first-year students entering directly from high school. Transfer students also felt intense pressure on their time, both because they are already two years into their degree progress and because of work and family pressures they perceived to be greater than for other first-year students. The combination of these two findings provided the basis for several programmatic changes to the way UW Libraries planned for Fall 2016 orientation events, specifically targeting events to transfer students and having content that was more explicitly designed with their needs in mind. The authors believe other institutions will benefit not only from learning about the results of this project, but also from understanding how a design thinking approach can yield a deeper awareness of transfer students' experiences [1] .

The authors believe other institutions will benefit not only from learning about the results of this project, but also from understanding how a design thinking approach can yield a deeper awareness of transfer students' experiences.


The work of the UW Libraries project team was structured around the phases outlined in the Design Thinking for Libraries Toolkit: inspiration, ideation, and iteration/implementation. According to Tim Brown, CEO of IDEO, the design thinking process is best thought of as a system of overlapping spaces -inspiration, ideation, and implementation -rather than a sequence of orderly steps. Inspiration is the problem or opportunity that motivates the search for solutions. Ideation is the process of generating, developing and testing ideas. Implementation is the path that leads from the project stage into people's lives (Luebkeman, 2015) .

Implementation is the path that leads from the project stage into people's lives.


Throughout the various stages of the project, the team held interviews and focus group-style discussions with a total of eight transfer students and four University staff members. In keeping with the iterative nature of design thinking, six of these student and staff participants were consulted at multiple points in the process [3] . In addition, follow-up surveys were sent to students who attended a series of events that were implemented in the final stage of the project.

In keeping with the iterative nature of design thinking, six of these student and staff participants were consulted at multiple points in the process.


In order to gain insights into the needs of transfer students and devise new ways to foster their success at UW, the Libraries project team employed design thinking methodology, which Steven Bell describes as a process that … guides the development and implementation of all types of products and services. Design thinking can be used to create a new building or a new library service. Design thinking is the mental approach that designers use to identify problems, understand those affected, prototype possible solutions, and then develop appropriate products and services (Bell, 2007) .

Design thinking is the mental approach that designers use to identify problems, understand those affected, prototype possible solutions, and then develop appropriate products and services.


Despite the benefits, high proportions of older people lead sedentary lives. Policies and programmes should encourage inactive people to become more active as they age and to provide them with opportunities to do so [65] . The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) suggests group-based programmes over individual programmes and the incorporation of behavioural-change principles as critical elements for initiating and maintaining physical activity in older adults [59] .

Policies and programmes should encourage inactive people to become more active as they age and to provide them with opportunities to do so.

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) suggests group-based programmes over individual programmes and the incorporation of behavioural-change principles as critical elements for initiating and maintaining physical activity in older adults.


Human papilloma virus-positive HNSCC appears to be different from HPV-negative HNSCC in both molecular and clinical features (Lajer and Buchwald, 2010) . In general, it is recommended that at least two standardised and recognised methods should be used to confirm the diagnosis of clinically relevant HPV-positive HNSCC. This is underscored in this project as a clear separation in the PCA plots and heatmaps could only be achieved when at least two out of three positive criteria were met. Human papilloma virus status clearly has an influence on the miRNA expression profiles.

Human papilloma virus-positive HNSCC appears to be different from HPV-negative HNSCC in both molecular and clinical features.


Even though advances in diagnostic tools and treatments have been achieved over the past three decades, the mortality of head and neck cancer patients is still high and the offered treatment modalities are still associated with major adverse effects with considerable impact in the quality of life (Corry et al, 2010) . HNSCC comprises a group of diverse heterogeneous cancers that develop from many different anatomical sites and are associated with different risk factors related to both behaviour and genetic background (Marcu and Yeoh, 2009) . Clinical features and prognosis are likewise very different, and it would be of great importance to obtain site-specific miRNA signatures to verify origin of the tumour and prognostic values. For example, HPV status greatly influences the clinical features and prognosis (Lajer and Buchwald, 2010) . This emphasises the importance of using larger patient material for profiling analysis as cell lines may not fully reflect the miRNA profiles of solid tumours and may be inadequate to illustrate the diversity among the different HNSCC.

Even though advances in diagnostic tools and treatments have been achieved over the past three decades, the mortality of head and neck cancer patients is still high and the offered treatment modalities are still associated with major adverse effects with considerable impact in the quality of life.

HNSCC comprises a group of diverse heterogeneous cancers that develop from many different anatomical sites and are associated with different risk factors related to both behaviour and genetic background.

For example, HPV status greatly influences the clinical features and prognosis.


Apart from the grid restrictions, each of the components used in the power conversion can add constraints to the conversion process, such as force, displacement or speed limitations. Besides, these components are designed to efficiently perform close to nominal values, but lose performance as soon as operation conditions move away from these nominal values. Consequently, a simulation model that [1] . Nom refers to the nominal power specified by the rated generator capacity and Av refers to average power output.

Consequently, a simulation model that.


The SPADE project was started in 1991 to develop an environment for software process analysis, design, and enactment [Bandinelli et al. 1994c] . The main concept of the project is the adoption of extended Petri nets, augmented with specific object-oriented constructs to support product modeling. SPADE-1, the first implementation of the SPADE concept, is based on standard technologies that include a commercial object-oriented database (O 2 ) and tool integration facilities (DEC FUSE, Sun Tooltalk, and Microsoft OLE2). The last released version of SPADE-1 (version 3.0) was completed in the summer of 1995.

The SPADE project was started in 1991 to develop an environment for software process analysis, design, and enactment.


In most forms of therapy, the treatment process includes two major phases of discourse: (1) the client talks about his or her concerns or problems and describes incidents related to these concerns, and (2) the client, perhaps with the help of the therapist, thinks about these concerns and evaluates the significance of the described incidents (Bucci, 2013) . These phases are likely to be repeated in different contexts and with different contents. Some versions of psychodynamic therapy include reports of memories and dreams, as well as current interactions and interpretations of these. Some types of CognitiveBehavioral Therapy include 'experiments' and other forms of 'homework' outside the treatment situation, and descriptions and evaluations of these critical events in the session. Some exposure therapies require that the client tell and retell the story of the trauma. Different treatments have different mixes of these two crucial phases.

In most forms of therapy, the treatment process includes two major phases of discourse: (1) the client talks about his or her concerns or problems and describes incidents related to these concerns, and (2) the client, perhaps with the help of the therapist, thinks about these concerns and evaluates the significance of the described incidents.


The above-mentioned effectiveness of metacognitive strategy training or instruction proves to have significant gains in performance, and many researchers strongly agreed that students need to receive more effective instructional practice so as to enhance their reading achievement. Readers can become skilled readers and learners of whole text if they are given instruction in effective strategies and taught to monitor and check their comprehension while reading (Cubukcu, 2008) . Based on these reasons, the researcher felt very interested in teaching students these effective comprehension strategies to enhance the awareness of their own learning when they are reading texts. The results obtained will clarify how strategy instruction and training affects students' reading comprehension and confirm the findings of previous studies conducted in language learning settings.

Readers can become skilled readers and learners of whole text if they are given instruction in effective strategies and taught to monitor and check their comprehension while reading.


PBU 13/2000 "Government Assistance Accounting" presupposes two options of accepting the government assistance for accounting. In the first case, receipt of monetary and non-monetary funds is accounted as the budgetary funds actually get to the debit of the corresponding accounts (51, 52, 10, 11, etc.) and directly to the credit of account 86. In the second case, government assistance accounting should be carried out with the use of transit account 76 "Settlements with Different Debtors and Creditors" (Kolyadinsky, 2008; Krokhina, 2007) .

In the second case, government assistance accounting should be carried out with the use of transit account 76 "Settlements with Different Debtors and Creditors".


Thus, subsidies are regarded not as additional sources of funds, but as a mechanism for lowering the prime cost of the produced products. Surely, this method was very convenient under the conditions of the centralized economy. During the drawing up of consolidated reports, when indicators of the superior and inferior enterprises, subject granting the subsidy and subsidy recipient were united in one document, such a method ensured accountant officers' labor minimization. It was possible to receive general data on the agriculture of a region, okrug, country without special expenses, since there was no need for eliminating the double count (Babaev & Petrov, 2012) . It is interesting that the international accounting does not refute such an option, either. International standards on financial accounting allow reflecting separate subsidies in the above described way (Karagod, 2012) .

It was possible to receive general data on the agriculture of a region, okrug, country without special expenses, since there was no need for eliminating the double count.

International standards on financial accounting allow reflecting separate subsidies in the above described way.


To spend funds on supporting one or another sector most effectively, the government develops targeted programs. They contain precise information about the works, for which the funds will be allocated, terms and amount of the funds allocation. This prevents the allocated funds from being spent on other purposes. The programs are mainly financed from the budget. However, sometimes other sources are involved, too. For instance, funds may be allocated by wealthy companies. For this, they receive tax concessions. Recipients of funds may, in their turn, expand the production capacities and upgrade the equipment, restore the premises or carry out research (Bourtsev, 1999) .

For this, they receive tax concessions.

Recipients of funds may, in their turn, expand the production capacities and upgrade the equipment, restore the premises or carry out research.


Magnetic nanomaterials have a range of unique properties and can offer new attractive options in many biomedical applications [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] . For example, magnetic nanoparticles can be selectively targeted to a specific biological entity of interest using an external magnetic field. Moreover, an alternating magnetic field can be used to provide selective heating of the area where magnetic particles are localized, and this serves as a basis for cancer hyperthermia therapy. Aqueous dispersions of superparamagnetic nanoparticles have also been used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Magnetic nanomaterials have a range of unique properties and can offer new attractive options in many biomedical applications.


They were originally introduced as structural reinforcing elements to upgrade RC bridges when new code and traffic requirements came into force [14] . FRP-based strengthening techniques rapidly increased their possibility of use thanks to many experimental studies demonstrating their effectiveness especially under the shape of externally bonded reinforcement (EBR), where the laminate is glued to the concrete surface by an epoxy resin [15] [16] [17] . Several guidelines were drawn all around the world (and in Italy) since especially in the last decade FRP techniques became popular and affordable [18] . Moreover, after the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake, specific guidance was delivered for the use of FRP techniques to strengthen and repair structural as well non-structural components, such as partition and infill walls [19] .

They were originally introduced as structural reinforcing elements to upgrade RC bridges when new code and traffic requirements came into force.

FRP-based strengthening techniques rapidly increased their possibility of use thanks to many experimental studies demonstrating their effectiveness especially under the shape of externally bonded reinforcement (EBR), where the laminate is glued to the concrete surface by an epoxy resin.

Several guidelines were drawn all around the world (and in Italy) since especially in the last decade FRP techniques became popular and affordable.

Moreover, after the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake, specific guidance was delivered for the use of FRP techniques to strengthen and repair structural as well non-structural components, such as partition and infill walls.


A low-temperature (LT) GaN layer is commonly used as the nucleation layer for nitride-based devices [5] . Although crystal quality of the LT GaN layer itself is poor, it can significantly reduce threading dislocations in the subsequently grown high-temperature GaN epitaxial layers [6, 7] . Very recently, it has been shown that the LT-GaN can be used to serve as the passivation layer of GaN-based [8, 9] . In this paper, we fabricated novel p-i-n photodetectors with a thin LT-GaN interlayer in the intrinsic absorption layer. Properties of the fabricated photodetectors with and without the LT-GaN interlayer will also be discussed.

A low-temperature (LT) GaN layer is commonly used as the nucleation layer for nitride-based devices.

Although crystal quality of the LT GaN layer itself is poor, it can significantly reduce threading dislocations in the subsequently grown high-temperature GaN epitaxial layers.

Very recently, it has been shown that the LT-GaN can be used to serve as the passivation layer of GaN-based.


Figs. 2a and 2b show dark I-V characteristics of the fabricated p-i-n photodetectors without and with the LT-GaN interlayer, respectively. I-V characteristics measured under 360 nm light illuminations were also plotted in these figures. For the conventional p-i-n photodetector without the LTGaN interlayer, it was found that measured dark currents were 15.7 and 36.6 nA when biased at 25 and 240 V, respectively. On the other hand, dark currents of the p-i-n photodetector with the LT-GaN interlayer were 143 and 147 nA when biased at 25 and 240 V, respectively. The larger dark currents observed from the photodetector with the LT-GaN interlayer should be attributed to the leakage paths formed in the LT-GaN. It was also found that the ideality factor of the conventional p-i-n photodetector was 1.9, which suggests that the dominant carrier transport mechanism was the recombination current [14] . In contrast, the ideality factor of the p-i-n photodetector with the LT-GaN interlayer was 2.3. The larger ideality factor indicates that other processes contributed to the dark leakage current. It is possible that additional recombination/generation processes occurred in the LT-GaN interlayer (in the middle of the absorption region) because of its poor crystal quality. It should be noted that the reverse photocurrent of the p-i-n photodetector with the LT-GaN interlayer increased significantly at a high-applied bias. In contrast, the reverse photocurrent of the conventional p-i-n photodetector only depends slightly on the applied bias. The increase of the reverse photocurrent shown in Fig. 2b indicates that the current gain exists in the p-i-n photodetector with the LTGaN interlayer.

The larger dark currents observed from the photodetector with the LT-GaN interlayer should be attributed to the leakage paths formed in the LT-GaN. It was also found that the ideality factor of the conventional p-i-n photodetector was 1.9, which suggests that the dominant carrier transport mechanism was the recombination current.


In this study conducted in a monocentric cohort of HIV-1 positive patients exposed to NVP we observed, during the first three months of treatment, an incidence of severe liver toxicity of 2.2%. This finding is similar to that reported by other cohorts when NVP was used in experienced patients [10, 22] . We did not observe a significant association between the development of hepatotoxicity and high CD4 cells count at NVP start, supporting the observation of low frequency of NVP induced liver toxicity in experienced patients [10] . The mechanisms involved in the development of severe hepatotoxicity are not well explained and it could be that in patients never exposed to antiretroviral therapy immune-mediated process leading to immune-reconstitution could elicit the development of liver toxicity [23] . On the contrary, in experienced patients with a stable immune-virological situation, hepatotoxicity could be driven by a direct effect of the drug in susceptible patients [24] . We confirm previous findings supporting the importance of HCV coinfection as independent factor associated to the development of NVP-related liver toxicity; HCV infection could play a direct role causing liver injury and also could interfere with the metabolism of the drug [8, 11, 25] . The enhanced risk of development hepatotoxicity in HCV coinfected patients treated with NVP seems to be independent from NVP plasmatic concentrations, since comparable NVP concentration are observed in patients with and without HCV coinfection [26] .

This finding is similar to that reported by other cohorts when NVP was used in experienced patients.

We did not observe a significant association between the development of hepatotoxicity and high CD4 cells count at NVP start, supporting the observation of low frequency of NVP induced liver toxicity in experienced patients.

The mechanisms involved in the development of severe hepatotoxicity are not well explained and it could be that in patients never exposed to antiretroviral therapy immune-mediated process leading to immune-reconstitution could elicit the development of liver toxicity.

On the contrary, in experienced patients with a stable immune-virological situation, hepatotoxicity could be driven by a direct effect of the drug in susceptible patients.

We confirm previous findings supporting the importance of HCV coinfection as independent factor associated to the development of NVP-related liver toxicity; HCV infection could play a direct role causing liver injury and also could interfere with the metabolism of the drug.

The enhanced risk of development hepatotoxicity in HCV coinfected patients treated with NVP seems to be independent from NVP plasmatic concentrations, since comparable NVP concentration are observed in patients with and without HCV coinfection.


To address the limitations with system-level autonomic toolkits, component-level autonomic frameworks are needed to reduce the effort of developing autonomic applications. Component-level autonomic properties support fine-grained healing, optimization, configuration, monitoring, and protection than system-level toolkits. For example, a mission-critical command and control system for emergency responders should be able to shutdown/restart application component logic selectively as it fails, rather than shutdown/restart the entire application. With existing autonomic infrastructure based on the system-level , the failure of a key component triggers a restart of the entire application [5] . In contrast, a component-level autonomic framework could provide mechanisms to restart only the point of failure.

With existing autonomic infrastructure based on the system-level , the failure of a key component triggers a restart of the entire application.


The major strength of this study was the random sample selection of Mother and Child Health Centres, which represented women from all parts of Oslo, including 35% with an ethnicity other than Norwegian. Secondly, we collected four breastmilk samples per women, two in the morning, and two in the afternoon; two with foremilk and two with hind milk. Recent maternal iodine intake may influence BMIC which fluctuate throughout the day, and a single breast milk sample may provide an imprecise measurement of daily iodine output or maternal iodine sufficiency [51] . Third, we collected detailed information on 24 h iodine intake, including supplement use during the last 24 h, in addition to the habitual use. The food frequency questionnaire for calculating habitual iodine intake had not been formally validated, but the questions covered all iodine containing foods and there was good agreement between the calculated habitual and 24 h iodine intakes. The major limitation of the study was the lack of infant UIC and thyroid stimulating hormone/thyroid function tests [61, 62] .

Recent maternal iodine intake may influence BMIC which fluctuate throughout the day, and a single breast milk sample may provide an imprecise measurement of daily iodine output or maternal iodine sufficiency.

The major limitation of the study was the lack of infant UIC and thyroid stimulating hormone/thyroid function tests.


It is important to find effective biomarkers to make the diagnosis and predict the prognosis precisely so that we can make optimal decisions for chemotherapy or other adjuvant therapies. However, just carbohydrate antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) have been proved having limited diagnostic and prognostic value for PDAC [5] . New effective biomarkers are needed.

However, just carbohydrate antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) have been proved having limited diagnostic and prognostic value for PDAC.

New effective biomarkers are needed.


Sixty-six undergraduate students (41 women) from a midwestern U.S. university received $10 for their participation in this study. We manipulated prior knowledge at the outset of the study using a training exercise adapted from prior research (Wood and Lynch 2002) . Participants read an article as a warm-up task. Those in the extensive prior knowledge condition read about MP3 players, the same category for which they would subsequently make a choice. Participants in the limited prior knowledge condition instead read about laundry and laundry products, which were unrelated to the product category for the focal task (see the Web Appendix at http://www.marketingpower.com/jmrapril10). Both of the articles used a similar structure and provided a similar amount of information, and they did not differ in their processing difficulty.

We manipulated prior knowledge at the outset of the study using a training exercise adapted from prior research.


Fifty-five undergraduate students (38 women) from a midwestern U.S. university received $10 for participating. These participants were recruited to take part in a product evaluation study. They viewed an advertisement for a (fictitious) new model of MP3 player, called CL200, which described the MP3 player on seven features (e.g., storage capacity, memory, menu navigation). The features remained constant across the conditions but were presented at either high or low levels of construal. In the high-level construal condition, the abstract product descriptions focused on why the features were valuable, whereas in the low-level construal condition, the more concrete descriptions emphasized how the features operated (Vallacher and Wegner 1987) . For example, the control menu feature noted either the "easy menu navigation" (high-level construal) or the ability to "select a song by artist, album, song title, and more with the touch of a button" (low-level construal). Similarly, the memory feature description indicated either "readily expandable memory" (high-level construal) or "insert a memory card in the built-in slot for even more space" (lowlevel construal; for further information, see the Web Appendix at http://www.marketingpower.com/jmrapril10).

In the high-level construal condition, the abstract product descriptions focused on why the features were valuable, whereas in the low-level construal condition, the more concrete descriptions emphasized how the features operated.


Antimicrobial peptides are important defense weapons of many organisms. They target bacterial membranes, inhibit the growth of bacteria and finally lead to their death [1] [2] [3] . Because of the difficulty for bacteria to develop a new membrane system, antimicrobial peptides that mainly target the bacterial membrane have been considered promising drug candidates as a substitute for conventional antibiotics for which many pathogens have acquired a variety of resistance. Therefore, in an effort to defend against bacterial infections, the investigation of the functional mechanism of antimicrobial peptides against bacterial membrane lipids has become an important subject.

They target bacterial membranes, inhibit the growth of bacteria and finally lead to their death.


Besides the naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides, many designed or modified antimicrobial peptides also show strong antimicrobial activity and reduced toxicity indicating a high potential for drug development [21, 22] . Our previously de novo designed antimicrobial peptide V4 which is a cyclic peptide, shows a good combination of high antimicrobial activity, low cytotoxic and low hemolytic activity compared to the control peptide polymyxin B [23] . Besides the high binding activity for LPS and lipid A, V4 also displays a higher affinity for negatively charged phospholipids than for zwitterionic phospholipids [24] . The strong interaction of V4 to the negatively charged lipids showed that electrostatic force is a prerequisite for its selective action on bacterial membranes, in contrast to mammalian membranes.

Besides the naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides, many designed or modified antimicrobial peptides also show strong antimicrobial activity and reduced toxicity indicating a high potential for drug development.

Our previously de novo designed antimicrobial peptide V4 which is a cyclic peptide, shows a good combination of high antimicrobial activity, low cytotoxic and low hemolytic activity compared to the control peptide polymyxin B.

Besides the high binding activity for LPS and lipid A, V4 also displays a higher affinity for negatively charged phospholipids than for zwitterionic phospholipids.


Finally, we apply a series of rotations and translations in order to transform the full system (Pluto, Charon, Sun and particles of the swarm) to a new reference frame, centered on Pluto, whose reference plane is the orbital plane of Charon. The integrations are performed in this new Pluto-centric frame, using the swift rmvs3 integrator from the Swift package (Levison and Duncan, 1994) . Each integration is continued until all swarm particles exceed a distance of two Hill radii (or 12,000 R p ) from Pluto (2 R H hereafter). We call "temporarily trapped" the particles which have, at some time, a negative energy relative to the Pluto-Charon barycenter.

The integrations are performed in this new Pluto-centric frame, using the swift rmvs3 integrator from the Swift package.


For each of these planetesimals, we compute the intrinsic collision probability p (defined as the probability per target km 2 , per year), the unperturbed relative velocity v and the orientation of the relative velocity vector (θ, φ). This is done using a Opik-like approach (Wetherill, 1967) . The orientation angles (θ, φ) are defined in a reference frame where the x-axis is directed along the velocity vector of the Pluto-Charon binary relative to the Sun, while the y-axis is directed towards the Sun from the Pluto-Charon barycenter (Fig. 1) . More precisely, θ is the angle defining the projection of the relative velocity vector on the x-y plane and φ gives the latitude of the relative velocity vector relative to that plane. In fact, there are 4 possible equi-probable encounter configurations, corresponding to the 4 possible combinations of the signs of θ and φ. For each planetesimal, we chose randomly these two signs, thus fixing the encounter geometry.

This is done using a Opik-like approach.


There has been an increased focus on failure of shape memory alloys in the literature in the last couple of years. Shape memory alloys are being increasingly used in engineering applications, particularly in the medical industry [1] . While the early works regarding shape memory alloys were focused on understanding and describing the behavior of these materials, a need has now emerged to understand why and how they fail [2] .

Shape memory alloys are being increasingly used in engineering applications, particularly in the medical industry.

While the early works regarding shape memory alloys were focused on understanding and describing the behavior of these materials, a need has now emerged to understand why and how they fail.


Many researches focused on the optical properties, luminescence properties, and fluorescence quenching mechanisms of Pr doped Y 2 SiO 5 crystals [25] [26] [27] . Also, a number of studies report the application of Pr doped Y 2 SiO 5 nanomaterials in biological, medical, sensing, optical areas, and so on [2, 3, [5] [6] [7] [8] . In particular, the upconversion nanomaterials unique property of emitting visible light under NIR irradiation makes them a suitable candidate both for in vivo and in vitro bioimaging [28, 29] . However, the research and application of Pr doped Y 2 SiO 5 nanomaterials on environment or pollutants degradation are seldom reported. In this study, nitrobenzene wastewater, which is from a TNT factory, has been used as the target pollutant to test the photodegradation performances of the prepared Pr(III) doped Y 2 SiO 5 upconversion nanomaterials.

Many researches focused on the optical properties, luminescence properties, and fluorescence quenching mechanisms of Pr doped Y 2 SiO 5 crystals.

Also, a number of studies report the application of Pr doped Y 2 SiO 5 nanomaterials in biological, medical, sensing, optical areas, and so on.

In particular, the upconversion nanomaterials unique property of emitting visible light under NIR irradiation makes them a suitable candidate both for in vivo and in vitro bioimaging.


In the past decades, high-quality rare earth-doped upconversion nanomaterials have been successfully synthesized with the rapid development of nanotechnology and are becoming more prominent in biological and environmental sciences [9] [10] [11] . However, till now, the low luminescence efficiency is still one of the main limiting factors for upconversion materials. A suitable host material with lower phonon energy is one of the most important factors to obtain high upconversion luminescence efficiency. Up to now, host materials, including fluoride, chloride, and bromide, have been shown to enhance upconversion luminescence intensity. As a substrate for upconversion materials, yttrium silicates Y 2 SiO 5 show high thermal stability, good optical performance, simple manufacture process, and has been widely used in fluorescent technique, optical information storage, and anticounterfeit technology [12] .

In the past decades, high-quality rare earth-doped upconversion nanomaterials have been successfully synthesized with the rapid development of nanotechnology and are becoming more prominent in biological and environmental sciences.

As a substrate for upconversion materials, yttrium silicates Y 2 SiO 5 show high thermal stability, good optical performance, simple manufacture process, and has been widely used in fluorescent technique, optical information storage, and anticounterfeit technology.


The determination of biological durability of wood is an issue requiring sufficient reliability regarding end-use related prediction of performance (Van Acker et al. 2003) . By natural durability is meant the inherent ability of timber to resist decay and other destructive agencies (FAO, 1986) . For using wood out of doors such as decking, fencing and garden furniture, natural durability is one of important characteristics of wood. Because of the increasing population, expansion of agricultural land and rapid industrialization, the forest wealth is fast depleting. Thus, it has become imperative to make use of the fast-growing species. But most of fast growing species are considered to be not durable against microorganisms, because fast growing species have lower density than slow-growing species. Selection of a timber species for a specific use, therefore, plays an important role in achieving its most economic utilization (Latif et al. 1978) . If the fast-growing species are not naturally durable, they need preservative treatment with chemicals to improve the service life.

The determination of biological durability of wood is an issue requiring sufficient reliability regarding end-use related prediction of performance.

By natural durability is meant the inherent ability of timber to resist decay and other destructive agencies.

Selection of a timber species for a specific use, therefore, plays an important role in achieving its most economic utilization.


Plutonium is produced from the irradiation of 238 Uranium ( 238 U) in nuclear reactors and separated from other fission products and the unconsumed uranium (U) fuel at spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plants. Industrial scale Pu separation methods include liquid-liquid extraction, ion exchange chromatography, and precipitation [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] . Out of the latter, Pu oxalate precipitation in particular, is one of the most commonly used chemical reactions employed during the final stage of the solid Pu production process [20] . The easily filtered Pu oxalate precipitate can be further converted to an easily storable Pu oxide (PuO 2 ) when heated at above 600°C [21] . In spite of its common application at industrial scale, utilization of Pu oxalate precipitation technology for Pu material trace impurity analysis at analytical laboratories has seldom been explored.

Industrial scale Pu separation methods include liquid-liquid extraction, ion exchange chromatography, and precipitation.

Out of the latter, Pu oxalate precipitation in particular, is one of the most commonly used chemical reactions employed during the final stage of the solid Pu production process.

The easily filtered Pu oxalate precipitate can be further converted to an easily storable Pu oxide (PuO 2 ) when heated at above 600°C.


In the Actinide Analytical Chemistry group at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), USA, the standard protocol to separate Pu prior to trace elemental analysis employs an anion exchange resin, AG MP-1 (BioRad, Hercules, CA, USA), packed into a chromatographic column [7] . The trace impurities, having negligible or minimal affinity for the AG MP-1 quaternary amine resin, pass though the column and the eluents are collected for ICP-OES measurements. The Pu retained on the column is eluted and recovered into a residue bottle. Currently, the Pu is absorbed onto a support and disposed as transuranic (TRU) solid waste. Disposal of radioactive waste is extremely expensive. The United States' only defense-related TRU waste repository plant, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico, USA, has already been heavily occupied. There is an unquestionable urgency for the US Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories to evaluate alternative Pu separation methods to reduce or eliminate TRU waste generation. It is envisioned that any newly developed methods will promote recycle of the valuable Pu material and cost-effective chemical analysis.

In the Actinide Analytical Chemistry group at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), USA, the standard protocol to separate Pu prior to trace elemental analysis employs an anion exchange resin, AG MP-1 (BioRad, Hercules, CA, USA), packed into a chromatographic column.


In this regard, we found that ion energies delivered onto dielectric surfaces can be controlled to some extent by layering the dielectric substrate [13] . In this manner the applied voltage is divided between the resistance of the plasma column, the sheath at the dielectric surface, and the layered capacitances of the substrate. By varying the dielectric constant of the material underlying the top surface to be treated, as might be possible in the treatment of thin polymer sheets, the energies of ions incident onto the top surface can be controlled. If the surface being treated is bulk material, for example human tissue, one unfortunately has a very limited ability, if any ability at all, to change the dielectric properties under the surface to be treated to in order to control the ion energies delivered to the top surface.

In this regard, we found that ion energies delivered onto dielectric surfaces can be controlled to some extent by layering the dielectric substrate.


Specifically, spiders (Arachnida: Araneae), centipedes (Myriapoda: Chilopoda), and ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) proved to be effective ecological indicators in forest ecosystems (Paradis and Work 2011; Pearce and Venier 2006) . In particular, they share an important trophic position, regulating populations of forest-floor invertebrates and serving as prey for many vertebrates. Moreover, spiders, centipedes, and ground beetles constitute the most conspicuous groups of predator arthropods in the forest litter environment, providing an important ecosystem service (Jouquet et al. 2006; Purchart et al. 2013) . Understanding how these assemblages change through time can help in the management of forest ecosystems in a more appropriate (natural) manner.

Specifically, spiders (Arachnida: Araneae), centipedes (Myriapoda: Chilopoda), and ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) proved to be effective ecological indicators in forest ecosystems.

Moreover, spiders, centipedes, and ground beetles constitute the most conspicuous groups of predator arthropods in the forest litter environment, providing an important ecosystem service.


Cd QDs have the potential for revolutionizing biological imaging at the cellular level, cancer detection and treatment, radio-and chemosensitizing agents, and targeted drug delivery; however QDs contain substantial amounts of cadmium in a highly reactive form, which is toxic for living organisms [20] . However, recent studies about distribution of cadmium in the chicken embryo of both the solution of Cd ions and solution of CdTe QDs showed that the embryos exposed to the solution of free Cd ions led to the 100% mortality. On the contrary, the mortality of embryos exposed to QDs was 0%. Obtained results suppose that bioavailability of Cd in the QDs is significantly lower in comparison to free Cd ions and therefore toxicity is lowered; probably it happens due to the crystalline structure of QDs and due to the capping of the CdTe core [21] .

Cd QDs have the potential for revolutionizing biological imaging at the cellular level, cancer detection and treatment, radio-and chemosensitizing agents, and targeted drug delivery; however QDs contain substantial amounts of cadmium in a highly reactive form, which is toxic for living organisms.

Obtained results suppose that bioavailability of Cd in the QDs is significantly lower in comparison to free Cd ions and therefore toxicity is lowered; probably it happens due to the crystalline structure of QDs and due to the capping of the CdTe core.


The ploidy in rucola leaves cells was assessed in 300 samples in total and the results were presented in Table 2 . The ploidy of cells was detected in control samples, as well as in samples treated with CdS NPs of different sizes. In the control, 94% of cells were diploid; however, in samples treated with CdS NPs (size < 5 nm) the proportion of tetraploid cells and mixoploid (2n + 4n) cells increased till 15% and 20%, respectively, and the number of diploid cells decreased till 65%. In samples which were grown on CdS NPs with the larger size, the number of diploid cells increased till 78% and tetraploid cells till 15%. In this sample, mixoploid cells were not detected. This study acknowledged the tendency to increase for the amounts of polyploid cells in plant if it is treated with NPs. There are lots of researches proclaiming that increase in ploidy leads to improvements in economically valued plants attributes, for example, biomass increase and stress tolerance escalation [28] [29] [30] [31] .

There are lots of researches proclaiming that increase in ploidy leads to improvements in economically valued plants attributes, for example, biomass increase and stress tolerance escalation.


The tests of the steel at a low strain rate in a 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution demonstrate a weak effect of hydrogen embrittlement, because hydrogen is adsorbed from the electrolyte aqueous solution during its dissociation [16] . As a whole, the embrittlement effect (Δσ u /σ u ) of the quenched 07Kh16AG13M3 steel under the action of the corrosion medium was 4.7%, which demonstrates a high resistance of the steel to SCC as compared to Cr-N and Cr-Ni-N steels [9] . The influence of the medium in the deformed steel increased to 8.6%, which is compara ble to the best Cr-Ni-Mn-N austenitic steels during SCC tests [6] .

The tests of the steel at a low strain rate in a 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution demonstrate a weak effect of hydrogen embrittlement, because hydrogen is adsorbed from the electrolyte aqueous solution during its dissociation.

As a whole, the embrittlement effect (Δσ u /σ u ) of the quenched 07Kh16AG13M3 steel under the action of the corrosion medium was 4.7%, which demonstrates a high resistance of the steel to SCC as compared to Cr-N and Cr-Ni-N steels.

The influence of the medium in the deformed steel increased to 8.6%, which is compara ble to the best Cr-Ni-Mn-N austenitic steels during SCC tests.


Mougeotia was first recorded in the plankton of Lake Kinneret in May 1998. Beforehand, covering initial investigations of the Kinneret phytoplankton in the 1950s, followed by nearly four decades of intensive monitoring from the early 1960s onwards, neither Mougeotia nor any other filamentous green alga was ever recorded (Komarovsky, 1959; Pollingher, 1978; Zohary et al., 2014b) . While initially quite rare, after 2004 Mougeotia was present in the water column most of the time, occasionally forming massive blooms that constituted a nuisance because they clogged fishermen's nets.

Beforehand, covering initial investigations of the Kinneret phytoplankton in the 1950s, followed by nearly four decades of intensive monitoring from the early 1960s onwards, neither Mougeotia nor any other filamentous green alga was ever recorded.


The actual tests were administered in online mode under supervised and time restricted conditions in an on campus computer laboratory. Identical hardware and equal speed of broadband connection provided equal technological conditions for all participants. The test duration of 55 minutes allowed all students sufficient time to complete the test. The test can be considered a 'power test', as all items could be answered without the influence of a speed factor, rather than a 'speeded test' which is characterised by speeding behaviour like accelerating or rapid guessing observed for last questions (Schnipke & Scrams, 1999a) . The notion t h a t this was a power test is also supported by almost all students completing a practice test within 45 minutes.

The test can be considered a 'power test', as all items could be answered without the influence of a speed factor, rather than a 'speeded test' which is characterised by speeding behaviour like accelerating or rapid guessing observed for last questions.


In our previous studies, we have successfully isolated cell-free nucleic acid in malignant effusions and demonstrated that cell-free BIRC5 mRNA could be used as a potent diagnostic biomarker for MPE [15] . We also found that miR-24 and miR-30d were differently expressed in benign and malignant effusions, while the cell-free miR-152 may be used to predict the chemosensitivity to docetaxel [16, 17] . Given the prognostic potential for miRNAs in cancer, the aim of this study was to determine whether cell-free miRNA in pleural effusion could be used to predict survival time of patients with malignant pleural effusion secondary to NSCLC.

In our previous studies, we have successfully isolated cell-free nucleic acid in malignant effusions and demonstrated that cell-free BIRC5 mRNA could be used as a potent diagnostic biomarker for MPE.

We also found that miR-24 and miR-30d were differently expressed in benign and malignant effusions, while the cell-free miR-152 may be used to predict the chemosensitivity to docetaxel.


Apgar scores were used to provide an assessment of the overall general health and condition of the baby [16] . Apgar scores range from 1 to 10 with above 7 being normal and below three indicating that the infant is in critical condition [16] . Apgar scores also provided a subjective numerical categorisation of each new born with respect to heartbeat, respiratory rate, colour, muscle tone and response to stimuli.

Apgar scores were used to provide an assessment of the overall general health and condition of the baby.

Apgar scores range from 1 to 10 with above 7 being normal and below three indicating that the infant is in critical condition.


In testing practice, one of the challenges in the WinBUGS model building is setting appropriate prior distributions for the parameters. In this study, prior distributions of item parameters were based on the default prior distributions of BILOG (Mislevy & Bock, 1990) . For the slope, a log-normal(0,0.50) was specified, by which a mean of 1.13 and a variance of 0.36 would result, and only positive slopes (0 ≤ a < ∞) would be generated. For the threshold, an Nð0, 1) was specified. For the asymptote, a Beta(3,14) was specified, by which a mean of 0.18 and a variance of 0.14 would produce, and the asymptotes would be limited within the range of 0 ≤ c ≤ 1 (a bound of 0 ≤ĉ ≤ 0:50 was inserted). The same specifications of prior distributions were applied to all three cases. It seemed that the prior distributions were appropriate in all cases.

In this study, prior distributions of item parameters were based on the default prior distributions of BILOG.


The FAME profile found that the ISTE and the two-step transesterification processes used in the present work was very similar, with oleic and palmitic esters being the main components. The percentage of oleic ester was significantly higher after the ISTE process, with a concomitant reduction in the proportion of the other esters except for lignoceric and stearic acids, which were recovered in a greater proportion. Biodiesel must meet certain requirements to be used as a fuel, some of which rely on the fatty acid mixture used in biodiesel production. In Uruguay, standards for biodiesel indicate that the cetane number must be higher than 45, and no more than 12% of linolenic acid esters or 1% of esters from polyunsaturated acids (more than 4 double bonds) is admitted [35] . The fatty acid profiles from R. graminis S1/S2 obtained by the optimized ISTE complied with the Uruguayan standards for biodiesel. The ISTE method optimized in this work was also useful for obtaining FAMEs from intracellular lipids of C. glaebosa 12D, an ascomycetous yeast strain previously selected by our group. As R. graminis is a basidiomycetous yeast, the method could be considered applicable to yeasts of both Ascomycota and Basidiomycota phyla. However, the yields obtained with other oleaginous species of both phyla should be determined to evaluate the scope of the method.

In Uruguay, standards for biodiesel indicate that the cetane number must be higher than 45, and no more than 12% of linolenic acid esters or 1% of esters from polyunsaturated acids (more than 4 double bonds) is admitted.


N traditional animation systems based on key-framing, specifying the motion and the successive shapes of objects interacting with a simulated world requires a great amount of specialized knowledge and intuition from the animator. Models based on simplified physical laws have been proposed for automating these tasks. They generate motion and deformation from initial conditions and from a set of externally applied forces over time, and automatically detect and respond to collisions. These models are particularly appropriate for facilitating the animation of deformable objects. They can either be used alone for the simulation of inanimate bodies, or be combined with usercontrolled structures as has been done for instance in character animation [25] , [7] .

They can either be used alone for the simulation of inanimate bodies, or be combined with usercontrolled structures as has been done for instance in character animation.


An enhanced volumetric analysis technique has been developed which further evaluates erosion-corrosion phenomena [5] . This technique separates the two different wear zones, Directly Impinged Zone (DIZ) and Outer Area (OA), found in the impinged jet test apparatus which is utilised in this study. The mechanical degradation mechanisms (impingement erosion and sliding abrasion) along with the electrochemical processes and their synergistic effects can be quantified in both wear regions during solid-liquid impingement conditions.

An enhanced volumetric analysis technique has been developed which further evaluates erosion-corrosion phenomena.


Although the corn fed groups had better growth performance, its nutrient digestibility was lower compared to other two groups at 40% GC level. Higher feed intake (data not shown) was observed in the corn fed groups that might have compensated for higher growth in spite of its low nutrient digestibility. Dry matter, body weight and digestion coefficient of dry matter not affected by corn or cassava as source of energy in cows (Chanjula et al., 2004) .

Dry matter, body weight and digestion coefficient of dry matter not affected by corn or cassava as source of energy in cows.


Measurement of local strain in OCME is coupled to the underlying sample structure and elasticity, and to the applied load [30, 33, 34] . Related OCE techniques have been demonstrated that directly estimate elasticity based on measurement of the propagation velocity of elastic waves [30] [31] [32] [40] [41] [42] . However, these techniques have yet to overcome the challenges necessary to achieve spatial resolutions comparable with compression OCE techniques, such as OCME [30] [31] [32] . We have recently shown an adaptation of OCME that determines elasticity at the surface of tissue, using a compliant silicone layer with known mechanical properties to account for applied load [43] . However, the ability to characterize the elasticity distribution at depth in heterogeneous tissues is still to be fully investigated. Another possible solution is to solve for the elasticity distribution using an iterative computational method [44] . In addition, semi-quantitative assessment may be possible using a visual grading scale, relating features seen in OCT and OCME with the presence and type/grade of tumor.

Measurement of local strain in OCME is coupled to the underlying sample structure and elasticity, and to the applied load.

Related OCE techniques have been demonstrated that directly estimate elasticity based on measurement of the propagation velocity of elastic waves.

However, these techniques have yet to overcome the challenges necessary to achieve spatial resolutions comparable with compression OCE techniques, such as OCME.

We have recently shown an adaptation of OCME that determines elasticity at the surface of tissue, using a compliant silicone layer with known mechanical properties to account for applied load.

Another possible solution is to solve for the elasticity distribution using an iterative computational method.


The modern approach to prime number races was developed in the seminal paper of Rubinstein and Sarnak [25] . Among other things they proved, conditionally, that all prime number races are inclusive; their results assumed not only the generalized Riemann hypothesis for Dirichlet Lfunctions (which we abbreviate as GRH), but also the following linear independence hypothesis, denoted LI: Linear Independence Conjecture (LI). The non-negative ordinates (imaginary parts) of all zeros of Dirichlet L-functions with conductor q are linearly independent over the rational numbers.

The modern approach to prime number races was developed in the seminal paper of Rubinstein and Sarnak.


While SWS wheat has historically been adapted to the irrigation districts of southern Alberta, it has recently found a niche as a suitable feedstock for ethanol production due to its low GPC and high starch content (Beres et al. , 2013 McKenzie and Pauly 2013) . In fact, the rebound in the seeded area of SWS wheat since 2010 ( Fig. 1) has been driven by the ethanol market. The growing area has shifted north and east, from its traditional base in the irrigation districts of southern Alberta, to non-irrigated regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan, in proximity to ethanol plants . In 2015, 111 000 ha of SWS wheat were grown in Alberta and 138 000 ha in Saskatchewan (Fig. 1) , with the area under irrigation (7000 ha) representing only 6% of the total area grown in Alberta, compared with ∼100% from as recently as 2007.

While SWS wheat has historically been adapted to the irrigation districts of southern Alberta, it has recently found a niche as a suitable feedstock for ethanol production due to its low GPC and high starch content.


Iron oxide generally exists in different structures and forms with different useful applications ranging from geological to nanoscale technology; the most common however are α-Fe 2 O 3 (hematite), γ-Fe 2 O 3 (maghemite), Fe 3 O 4 (magnetite) and Fe 1−x O (wustite); the less commonly found are β-and ε-Fe 2 O 3 [1] . Maghemite has the same crystalline structure like Fe 3 O 4 (magnetite). Main distinct features of maghemite are the presence of vacancies in Fe position with symmetry reduction. These basic polymorphs, the cubic bixbyite structure "beta" and orthor-hombic structure "epsilon", as well as nanoparticles of all forms, have been synthesized and extensively investigated in recent years [2] . Out of all these polymorphs, magehmite is the iron oxides currently most studied, which exhibits ferrimagnetic behavior below 1000 K due to the super exchange integrals competition between tetrahedral and octahedral sites and lately, it has found considerable uses in magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic recording media, fabrication of biocompatible magnetic fluids, and electrochromic devices [1] [3] . Much focus has been given to it resulting in the modification in the growth, crystal structure, magnetic and electrical properties However, a present review of the various synthesis methods available for maghemite nanoparticles growth shows co-precipitation, thermal decomposition, hydrothermal synthesis, microemulsion, sonochemical synthesis, and sonochemical as the most common methods; other methods such as electrochemical synthesis, laser pyrolysis techniques are not common [4] . Considering the present and the future prospect of maghemite crystals, it becomes highly needful to develop a simple, cheap and sustainable method for the synthesis of maghemite nanoparticles.

Iron oxide generally exists in different structures and forms with different useful applications ranging from geological to nanoscale technology; the most common however are α-Fe 2 O 3 (hematite), γ-Fe 2 O 3 (maghemite), Fe 3 O 4 (magnetite) and Fe 1−x O (wustite); the less commonly found are β-and ε-Fe 2 O 3.

These basic polymorphs, the cubic bixbyite structure "beta" and orthor-hombic structure "epsilon", as well as nanoparticles of all forms, have been synthesized and extensively investigated in recent years.

Out of all these polymorphs, magehmite is the iron oxides currently most studied, which exhibits ferrimagnetic behavior below 1000 K due to the super exchange integrals competition between tetrahedral and octahedral sites and lately, it has found considerable uses in magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic recording media, fabrication of biocompatible magnetic fluids, and electrochromic devices.

Much focus has been given to it resulting in the modification in the growth, crystal structure, magnetic and electrical properties However, a present review of the various synthesis methods available for maghemite nanoparticles growth shows co-precipitation, thermal decomposition, hydrothermal synthesis, microemulsion, sonochemical synthesis, and sonochemical as the most common methods; other methods such as electrochemical synthesis, laser pyrolysis techniques are not common.


Hypertension in diabetics is an important issue as the combination often coexists. It affects around 30% of the European diabetic population [33] . Several studies have shown the close association of diabetes with hypertension. Hypertension is significantly more prevalent among patients with type 2 diabetes. This link is mainly attributed to hyperinsulinemia [34] . The prevalence of hypertension is 1.5 to 2 times more in patients with diabetes than in those without diabetes, while almost one-third of patients with hypertension develop diabetes later [35] . The presence of hypertension will increase the risk of CAD, stroke, retinopathy, and nephropathy. In this study, the prevalence of hypertension was 77.6%. This was significantly higher than neighboring India where a study reported hypertension among only 25% of the patients with T2DM [36] . The American Diabetes Association recommends patients with diabetes to achieve a blood pressure goal of less than 140/90 mmHg [37] . Treatment of hypertension in these patients should include an agent which has shown to reduce cardiovascular events (ACEI/ARB, thiazide-like diuretics, and dihydropyridine CCB). Multiple drugs are usually needed to achieve blood pressure targets. In our study, 70% of patients were on ACEI/ARB followed by 16.5% on thiazide-like diuretics and 15.9% on CCB. The superiority of ACE/ARBs over other antihypertensive agents for the prevention of CAD has not been consistently proven [38, 39] . In a recent meta-analysis, thiazide-like diuretics or dihydropyridine CCB have shown cardiovascular benefits similar to ACEI/ARB among patients without albuminuria [38] . It is important to note that blood pressure was inadequately controlled in almost half of the patients on treatment for hypertension in this study. More focus should be upon achieving targets using multiple drug combinations to alleviate the risk CAD.

It affects around 30% of the European diabetic population.

This link is mainly attributed to hyperinsulinemia.

The prevalence of hypertension is 1.5 to 2 times more in patients with diabetes than in those without diabetes, while almost one-third of patients with hypertension develop diabetes later.

This was significantly higher than neighboring India where a study reported hypertension among only 25% of the patients with T2DM.

The American Diabetes Association recommends patients with diabetes to achieve a blood pressure goal of less than 140/90 mmHg.

The superiority of ACE/ARBs over other antihypertensive agents for the prevention of CAD has not been consistently proven.

In a recent meta-analysis, thiazide-like diuretics or dihydropyridine CCB have shown cardiovascular benefits similar to ACEI/ARB among patients without albuminuria.


The strongest biocontrol potential in vivo was obtained by S. becharense SG1. This suggests that antibiosis is a factor that can be involved in biocontrol in situ, and that the production of HCN, chitinases and siderophores may also be effective mechanisms for controlling F. culmorum root rot (Franco-Correa et al., 2010) . In addition, biocontrol of root rot in vivo may be affected by many factors besides nutrient availability, water status, soil temperature, soil morphology, pH value, and interactions with indigenous soil microbes (Dhanasekaran et al., 2005) .

This suggests that antibiosis is a factor that can be involved in biocontrol in situ, and that the production of HCN, chitinases and siderophores may also be effective mechanisms for controlling F. culmorum root rot.

In addition, biocontrol of root rot in vivo may be affected by many factors besides nutrient availability, water status, soil temperature, soil morphology, pH value, and interactions with indigenous soil microbes.


Hydrologic conditions are known to be a primary influencing factor on wetland plant communities (Kercher and Zedler, 2004) . Successfully colonizing depth for a particular species varies with several factors. Depth and duration of submergence becomes one major factor, others becoming wave action, light availability and characteristics of substrate (Sorrell et al., 2002; Kercher and Zedler, 2004) . After colonization, seasonal water-level fluctuations, flooding and drought occurrences may also influence species survival, composition and distribution in wetlands (Deegan et al., 2007; Li et al., 2011) . As a consequence of recent urbanization and climate change, frequent flooding and drought conditions are experienced by wetland plant communities. An unfavorable result associated with this phenomenon is the loss of biodiversity in wetlands and the invasion of alien species (Kercher and Zedler, 2004) . Invasive species may have traits that show high levels of plasticity, increasing their advantage in survival in different environmental gradients (Gomes and Asaeda, 2009; Zhang and Wen, 2009) .

Hydrologic conditions are known to be a primary influencing factor on wetland plant communities.

Depth and duration of submergence becomes one major factor, others becoming wave action, light availability and characteristics of substrate.

After colonization, seasonal water-level fluctuations, flooding and drought occurrences may also influence species survival, composition and distribution in wetlands.

An unfavorable result associated with this phenomenon is the loss of biodiversity in wetlands and the invasion of alien species.

Invasive species may have traits that show high levels of plasticity, increasing their advantage in survival in different environmental gradients.


It deserves to mention that TLR4 is not the single receptor upstream the NF-κB pathway. It was selected here largely due to it being as the most potential target of DOX and PTX. In addition to TLR4, NF-κB can also be activated by other receptors, such as IL-1R, TNF-R and other TLRs [26] . These upstream signaling components are also receptor-specific. Furthermore, the target gene products of NF-κB include many cytokines, chemokines and cell adhesion molecules [13] . Previous studies have shown that these products can be inducers of P-gp under several pathological conditions, such as infection, tumor, and diabetes mellitus [14] [15] [16] . For instance, DOX can inhibit the transcriptional activation of the oxidative stress-responsive heat shock factor 1 (HSF-1) and the subsequence declined expression of heat shock proteins in turn reverse the drug resistance by inhibiting MDR1/P-gp expression [40] . Such findings may be employed to explain drug resistance acquired upon exposure to DOX. Therefore, further studies will be required to address these issues.

In addition to TLR4, NF-κB can also be activated by other receptors, such as IL-1R, TNF-R and other TLRs.

Furthermore, the target gene products of NF-κB include many cytokines, chemokines and cell adhesion molecules.

Previous studies have shown that these products can be inducers of P-gp under several pathological conditions, such as infection, tumor, and diabetes mellitus.

For instance, DOX can inhibit the transcriptional activation of the oxidative stress-responsive heat shock factor 1 (HSF-1) and the subsequence declined expression of heat shock proteins in turn reverse the drug resistance by inhibiting MDR1/P-gp expression.


Despite of NF-κB and PXR signaling pathways investigated here, several issues observed in the experiments remained inclusive. For example, P-gp level was not equally induced by DOX and PTX via NF-κB activation. DOX treated cells obtained a higher P-gp expression and activity, which may lead to the ultimate higher P-gp level in MCF-7/DOX cultured cells. Unfortunately, the precise mechanisms that allow drugs to induce NF-κB activation have not been fully illustrated [39] . Since both DOX and PTX are potential ligands of TLR4 in the upstream signal transduction of NF-κB, we hypothesized here that TLR4 may be involved in the up-regulation of P-gp expression via NF-κB. The results indicated that there was a possibility that the acquired resistance to DOX was via or partially via NF-κB activation but not TLR4. PTX can induce the drug resistance via TLR4-NF-κB pathway.

Unfortunately, the precise mechanisms that allow drugs to induce NF-κB activation have not been fully illustrated.


The results for the equilibrium conformation of the neutral molecule of 3,4-diphenyl-1,2,5-thiadiazole 1-oxide (or TSO, for short) calculated with the CHIH(small) model chemistry are presented in Figure 1 through a representation of the molecular structure showing the atomic labelling and numbering as well as the interatomic bond lengths and angles. The results have been compared with the experimental X-ray crystallography determination of the molecular structure of TSO [45] . The agreement is generally good: the standard error of the differences between the experimental and the calculated bond lengths and bond angles being very low. Although not shown in Figure 1 , an analysis of the torsional angles reveals that the heterocycle is almost planar. The good agreement with the experimental data is more noticeable for the heterocyclic ring, because the model have been parameterized for this kind of systems [4] .

The results have been compared with the experimental X-ray crystallography determination of the molecular structure of TSO.

The good agreement with the experimental data is more noticeable for the heterocyclic ring, because the model have been parameterized for this kind of systems.


Despite much effort, semiconductor photovoltaic devices made with traditional inorganic semiconductors have remained sufficiently expensive that their uses are confined to a number of niches. Much effort is currently directed towards the use of thin-film semiconductors, in place of silicon wafers, since the direct fabrication of thin devices on substrates offers the prospect of lower manufacturing costs, particularly for larger area applications. An alternative approach is the use of organic, molecular semiconductors, which can be processed over large areas at relatively low temperatures, either by vacuum sublimation of molecular materials, or, preferably, by processing from solution of film-forming materials such as polymers [2] .

An alternative approach is the use of organic, molecular semiconductors, which can be processed over large areas at relatively low temperatures, either by vacuum sublimation of molecular materials, or, preferably, by processing from solution of film-forming materials such as polymers.


For a stable and reproducible amplification, the electric field lines inside the device, when depleted, must be straight and parallel to each other as much as possible. To achieve this goal, edge effects are minimized by designing pads with sizes of about 1 mm, thus far larger than the silicon thickness. At the edge of the n + implant, an additional deep n + −implant is inserted to protect from an early breakdown [9] . This is usually called Junction Termination Edge (JTE). To keep dead area small at the edge of the devices, the JTE must be as narrow as possible.

At the edge of the n + implant, an additional deep n + −implant is inserted to protect from an early breakdown.


In previous work, we have proposed a direct method to solve the inverse problem of optical tomography that is based on inversion of the Born series [11] [12] [13] . In this approach, the solution to the inverse problem is expressed as an explicitly computable functional of the scattering data. In combination with a spectral method for solving the linear inverse problem, the inverse Born series leads to a fast image reconstruction algorithm with analyzable convergence, stability and error.

In previous work, we have proposed a direct method to solve the inverse problem of optical tomography that is based on inversion of the Born series.


Moreover, for PDEs we present some first steps for making the abstract setting of [5] algorithmic. We develop an algebraic language for encoding the integro-differential operators appearing as Green's operators of some simple twodimensional Dirchlet problems for PDEs with constant coefficients (Section 4). Using our generic factorization approach, this allows to find the Green's operator of higher-order boundary problems by composing those of its lower-order factors. This idea is exemplified for the unbounded wave equation with a sample computation (Appendix A).

Moreover, for PDEs we present some first steps for making the abstract setting of algorithmic.


The basal ganglia (BG) have been implicated in functions as diverse as movement, learning, and motivation [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . Damage to these nuclei impair or even abolish voluntary behavior. But after decades of research it remains unclear how the BG generate behavior.

The basal ganglia (BG) have been implicated in functions as diverse as movement, learning, and motivation.


It is known that the fully resolved variational method and the optimal Kalman filter technique compute the same estimate of the posterior mean for linear systems, linear observation operators [10] . In case of Gaussian uncertainty they produce optimal estimates, in a Bayesian sense. For very long assimilation windows, the 4D-Var analysis at the end of the window is similar to the one produced by running a Kalman filter indefinitely [11] . In the presence of model errors the weak-constrained 4D-Var and the fixed-interval Kalman smoother are equivalent [12] .

It is known that the fully resolved variational method and the optimal Kalman filter technique compute the same estimate of the posterior mean for linear systems, linear observation operators.

For very long assimilation windows, the 4D-Var analysis at the end of the window is similar to the one produced by running a Kalman filter indefinitely.

In the presence of model errors the weak-constrained 4D-Var and the fixed-interval Kalman smoother are equivalent.


Botulism is a severe neuroparalytic disease that affects humans, all warm-blooded animals and some fishes. The disease is caused by exposure to botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) produced by anaerobic, spore-forming, ubiquitous bacteria of the genus Clostridium, referred to as BoNT-producing clostridia [1] . BoNTs interfere with acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, which causes a progressive, symmetrical, flaccid muscle paralysis that leads to recumbency and death. Whereas human botulism is quite rare and well managed nowadays; botulism in animals represents a serious welfare and economic concern because of limited options for treatment and the subsequent high mortality rate [2, 3] . Knowledge about potential mechanisms of transmission is therefore crucial to effectively prevent outbreaks.

The disease is caused by exposure to botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) produced by anaerobic, spore-forming, ubiquitous bacteria of the genus Clostridium, referred to as BoNT-producing clostridia.

Whereas human botulism is quite rare and well managed nowadays; botulism in animals represents a serious welfare and economic concern because of limited options for treatment and the subsequent high mortality rate.


Heritage or common old buildings represent the large majority of the construction types in many urban centres all over Europe. Their masonries are frequently in a bad state of conservation and present very different characteristics; some are made of a single leaf, others have multileaf walls. In the case of a multi-leaf wall, the section is composed by two resistant external leaves and an inner core filled by small stones, sand, mortar or other kind of unbounded material (Vintzileou 2011) . The absence of cohesion among masonry elements, the existence of voids and cracks as well as the poor connection between leaves lead to masonry walls with non-monolithic behaviour. This means that the wall becomes brittle, namely under vertical and horizontal loads. In order to stabilise such walls and to prevent structural failure, grout injection is a widely used consolidation technique since the 80's (Vintzileou 2011; Miltiadou 1990) .

In the case of a multi-leaf wall, the section is composed by two resistant external leaves and an inner core filled by small stones, sand, mortar or other kind of unbounded material.

In order to stabilise such walls and to prevent structural failure, grout injection is a widely used consolidation technique since the 80's.


SP is a dispersant admixture whose action is based on repulsive forces; from a chemical point of view an SP is a surface active agent that acts on the binder particles by means of electrostatic charges and/or attaching long polymer chains over the particles, creating a repulsion between them (Martins, Bombard 2012) . This repulsion action contributes to hold the particles far enough apart so that they cannot come together, and thus, particle flocculation is reduced or even prevented (Vickan 2005) . Thus, through SP action an improvement of rheological parameters is expected, such as reduction of plastic viscosity and yield stress as well as a lower segregation. The addition of the SP causes a change in the rheological behaviour of cementitious grouts from shear thinning to quasi-Newtonian. However, it is well known that rheological behaviour of cementitious pastes with SP depends on type and dosage. AEA is a surfactant material which is a polymer molecule that has a hydrophilic polar head and a non-polar hydrophobic tail (Du, Folliard 2005) . Taking into account that lime particles surfaces contain charges, the polar head group is adsorbed by the particles while the hydrophobic tail will become oriented into the air bubble present in the aqueous phase as a result of mix agitation. These small and well distributed air bubbles can act as inerts between the lime particles and the charges surrounding each air bubble causing their mutual repulsion which may improve mix fluidity (Seabra et al. 2009; Du, Folliard 2005; Ouyang et al. 2008) . In addition, the adsorption of small air bubbles on the surface of the particles will prevent the sinking and consequently may improve grout stability through the reduction of segregation.

SP is a dispersant admixture whose action is based on repulsive forces; from a chemical point of view an SP is a surface active agent that acts on the binder particles by means of electrostatic charges and/or attaching long polymer chains over the particles, creating a repulsion between them.

This repulsion action contributes to hold the particles far enough apart so that they cannot come together, and thus, particle flocculation is reduced or even prevented.

AEA is a surfactant material which is a polymer molecule that has a hydrophilic polar head and a non-polar hydrophobic tail.

These small and well distributed air bubbles can act as inerts between the lime particles and the charges surrounding each air bubble causing their mutual repulsion which may improve mix fluidity.


This descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in 2014 in all Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas in the Kalutara RDHS Division other than two MOH areas (Kalutara and Beruwala) served by the National Institute of Health Sciences. Kalutara district has a population of 1,217,260. It is socio-culturally diverse and includes urban, rural and estate sectors. The population comprises of predominantly Sinhalese (86.7 %) with, 9.2 % of Moors and 3.9 % of Tamils [7] .

The population comprises of predominantly Sinhalese (86.7 %) with, 9.2 % of Moors and 3.9 % of Tamils.


We consider the machine vision task of pose estimation from static images, specifically for the case of articulated objects. This problem is hard because of the large number of degrees of freedom to be estimated. Following a established line of research, pose estimation is framed as inference in a probabilistic model. Most approaches tend to focus on algorithms for inference, but in our experience, the low-level image features often dictate success. When reliable features can be extracted (through say, background subtraction or skin detection), approaches tend to do well. This dependence on features tends to be under-emphasized in the literature -one does not want to appear to suffer from "feature-itis". In contrast, we embrace it. Our primary contribution is a novel casting of visual inference as an iterative parsing process, where one sequentially learns better and better features tuned to a particular image. Since our approach is fairly general (we do not use any skin or face detectors), we also apply it to estimate horse poses from the Weizmann dataset [1] .

In contrast, we embrace it.

Since our approach is fairly general (we do not use any skin or face detectors), we also apply it to estimate horse poses from the Weizmann dataset.


Steroid compounds having three or more hydroxy groups and/or such polar groups such as monosaccharide residues, sulfates, phosphates, and nitrogen-containing fragments are usually referred to as polar steroids [1] . Some representatives of this group, including steroidal hormones and their synthetic analogs, are widely used in medicine as anti-inflammatory, anabolic and contraceptive drugs. Several marine natural products in this polar steroid group, for example contignasterol and squalamine, are of interest and may be considered as pharmaceutical leads [1] . The search for new polar steroids from marine organisms provides new information about structural diversity and properties of these compounds.

Steroid compounds having three or more hydroxy groups and/or such polar groups such as monosaccharide residues, sulfates, phosphates, and nitrogen-containing fragments are usually referred to as polar steroids.

Several marine natural products in this polar steroid group, for example contignasterol and squalamine, are of interest and may be considered as pharmaceutical leads.


Crossbar switches provide nonblocking capabilities, and overcome the bandwidth limitation of bus based switches [1] . They have long been used as high speed interconnects in various computing environments, such as Internet routers, computer clusters, and system-on-chip networks. Traditional crossbar switches have no buffers at the crosspoints of the crossbar switching fabric, and packets have to be directly transmitted from input ports to output ports. Such switches work in a synchronous time slot mode and handle only fixed length cells [2] . When variable length packets arrive, they need to be segmented into fixed length cells at input ports. The cells are then used as the scheduling units and transmitted to output ports, where they are reassembled into original packets and sent to the output lines. This process is called segmentation and reassembly (SAR) [3] .

Crossbar switches provide nonblocking capabilities, and overcome the bandwidth limitation of bus based switches.

Such switches work in a synchronous time slot mode and handle only fixed length cells.

This process is called segmentation and reassembly (SAR).


The stabilization of dynamic systems is a very important question since it is the first requirement for most of applications. Powerful techniques for studying the stability of dynamic systems are Lyapunov stability theory and fixed point theory. Those techniques can be easily extended from the linear time-invariant case to the time-varying one as well as to functional differential equations as those arising, for instance, from the presence of internal delays, and to certain classes of nonlinear systems, 1, 2 . Dynamic systems which are of 2 Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society increasing interest are the so-called switched systems which consist of a set of individual parameterizations and a switching law which selects along time which parameterization is active. Switched systems are essentially time-varying by nature even if all the individual parameterizations are time-invariant. The interest of such systems arises from the fact that some existing systems in the real world modify their parameterizations to better adapt to their environments. Another important interest relies on the fact that changes of parameterizations through time can lead to benefits in certain applications [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] . The natural way of modelling these situations lies in the definition of appropriate switched dynamic systems. For instance, the asymptotic stability of Liénard-type equations with Markovian switching is investigated in 4, 5 . Also, time-delay dynamic systems are very important in the real life for appropriate modelling of certain biological and ecology systems and they are present in physical processes implying diffusion, transmission, teleoperation, population dynamics, war and peace models, and so forth see, e.g., 1, 2, 12-18 .

Another important interest relies on the fact that changes of parameterizations through time can lead to benefits in certain applications.


Understanding the supramolecular structure of cellulose and the nature of its overall existing interfaces with water is important in many applications. For chemists working with cellulose, its reactivity is a crucial issue, and this is intimately connected to interfacial properties. Cellulose and its derivatives show a notable variation in their capacity to form anisotropic solutions depending on the kind, the degree of substitution, and the solvent. Molecular structures of typical repeat units of cellulose can be found in the book of Fengel and Wegener [6] .

Molecular structures of typical repeat units of cellulose can be found in the book of Fengel and Wegener.


Unfortunately, it has been proven that a very basic fault-tolerant problem, the consensus problem, cannot be solved by a deterministic algorithm in the asynchronous model when a single process may crash [15] . The same problem may be solved by a deterministic algorithm in the synchronous system model. However, the synchronous system model requires that bounds be defined, which leads to a dilemma. If the bounds are chosen too small, they may be violated: in this case, the algorithm might behave erroneously. If the bound is too large, this has a negative impact on the performance of the algorithm if there is a crash: the crash detection time will be long, and the algorithm will be blocked in the meantime.

Unfortunately, it has been proven that a very basic fault-tolerant problem, the consensus problem, cannot be solved by a deterministic algorithm in the asynchronous model when a single process may crash.


The current study was designed to explore how health anxious individuals perceive their health related Internet use, and to generate ideas about how the Internet might contribute to health anxiety to inform future theory/research. To do this we opted to utilize thematic analysis due to its flexibility in acquiring and understanding rich, qualitative data (Braun & Clarke, 2006) . As it was not our intention to develop a new theory with our findings (we were mainly pursuing to understand a health anxiety CBT model) we decided against using techniques such as Grounded Theory (Corbin & Strauss, 2014, p.7) . Relatedly, we opted against using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), because we were interested in drawing out general themes rather than describing each health anxious individual's idiosyncratic perceptions and experiences (Smith, 1996) . Due to the infancy of this research area we felt that these themes would allow us to inform future research better than an IPA approach.

To do this we opted to utilize thematic analysis due to its flexibility in acquiring and understanding rich, qualitative data.

Relatedly, we opted against using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), because we were interested in drawing out general themes rather than describing each health anxious individual's idiosyncratic perceptions and experiences.


Although seeking reassurance is a normal and appropriate response to health threats, its anxiety-reducing effects are only short-lived in health anxious individuals and can negatively reinforce health preoccupation (Starcevic & Berle, 2013; Wells, 1997) . Indeed, reassurance seeking may be a particularly important reason for such online health related searching, and a behavior that poses a particular risk to health anxious individuals (Starcevic & Berle, 2013) . Research supports this idea, where health anxious individuals were found to seek reassurance by often examining the relevance of online health information to one's own symptoms (Singh & Brown, 2015) .

Although seeking reassurance is a normal and appropriate response to health threats, its anxiety-reducing effects are only short-lived in health anxious individuals and can negatively reinforce health preoccupation.

Indeed, reassurance seeking may be a particularly important reason for such online health related searching, and a behavior that poses a particular risk to health anxious individuals.

Research supports this idea, where health anxious individuals were found to seek reassurance by often examining the relevance of online health information to one's own symptoms.


As e-learning applications become more integrated and e-learning systems more distributed, there is an increased need to manage their software and data components (Anido et al., 2002) . There is a trend in the distributed systems and middleware areas of computing towards Service-Oriented Architectures (SOA), these emphasise loosely coupled components that interoperate by providing distinct services through standardised interfaces. In particular the grid is evolving as an SOA for securely orchestrating and sharing stateful services and resources across distributed or virtual organisations (Foster, 2001) .

As e-learning applications become more integrated and e-learning systems more distributed, there is an increased need to manage their software and data components.

In particular the grid is evolving as an SOA for securely orchestrating and sharing stateful services and resources across distributed or virtual organisations.


Epoxy polymers have many applications, including in adhesives, coatings and fibre composite materials. Conventionally, such thermoset polymers are cured relatively slowly, but the demand for increased manufacturing throughput is driving cycle times down from hours or tens of minutes to several or a few minutes. Some of this reduction in cycle time can be partly achieved by reducing the time taken to fill the mould. For example, for liquid composite moulding processes, the time required for fibre impregnation can be greatly reduced by using throughthickness impregnation (e.g. by compression resin transfer moulding (CRTM) [1] ). This approach reduces the impregnation length compared to standard in-plane infusion processes, and therefore reduces the impregnation time by orders of magnitude. However, curing is generally the rate-determining step in the manufacturing process, and so fast-curing epoxies are being developed.

For example, for liquid composite moulding processes, the time required for fibre impregnation can be greatly reduced by using throughthickness impregnation (e.g. by compression resin transfer moulding (CRTM)).


Model predictive control (MPC) has evolved to become an industrial standard in advanced process control with a steady increasing number of applications [15] . One main reason for this success is the explicit use of a plant model to predict future system behavior and determine the control action by solving an optimization problem respecting the actuator constraints. Obviously the closed loop performance critically depends on the quality of the available plant model. For continuous operation of process systems, a linear model representation is often sufficient while systems dominated by a nonlinear transient operation may require the use of nonlinear prediction models. While MPC is becoming a mature control technology there are still several domains where research is needed. One of the main challenges for many applications is the development of suitable models of the process system. Tuning of offsetfee controllers, performance diagnostics for retuning or remodeling, economical performance objective and very large or nonlinear applications are other challenges that keeps researcher and vendors of control system software busy.

Model predictive control (MPC) has evolved to become an industrial standard in advanced process control with a steady increasing number of applications.


A number of different materials have been tested in order to determine their ability to provide a coronal and/ or apical seal. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), a calcium silicate-based cement, has rapidly gained popularity due to its ability to resist leakage and its superior marginal adaptation to the dentinal walls [1] . It is composed of tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate, bismuth oxide, tricalcium aluminate, and gypsum [6] . It has been used in numerous clinical situations such as direct pulp capping, repair of root perforations, apexogenesis, apexification, and as a root-end filling material [7] . In addition, it is used as a coronal barrier following regenerative endodontic treatment [8] . However, MTA has some disadvantages such as a long setting time, poor handling, and a high price [9] .

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), a calcium silicate-based cement, has rapidly gained popularity due to its ability to resist leakage and its superior marginal adaptation to the dentinal walls.

It is composed of tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate, bismuth oxide, tricalcium aluminate, and gypsum.

It has been used in numerous clinical situations such as direct pulp capping, repair of root perforations, apexogenesis, apexification, and as a root-end filling material.

In addition, it is used as a coronal barrier following regenerative endodontic treatment.

However, MTA has some disadvantages such as a long setting time, poor handling, and a high price.


Several government strategies show that telemedicine and rehabilitation at home will be the future, but the question who pays for additionally medical care is still open [2, 3] . This justifies the use of low-cost sensors in this research field. The aim of this project was to implement a low-cost sensor based therapy system for injured sportsmen. A use case would be a knee injured basketball player, who needs to strengthen his upper thigh muscles after a knee operation. The appropriate system was needed to support independent rehabilitation at home. Sensors for the system should be suitable, give feedback in real-time and be cost-efficient.

Several government strategies show that telemedicine and rehabilitation at home will be the future, but the question who pays for additionally medical care is still open.


The demographic change leads to a new composition of age groups. The increase in the proportion of older people precedes in difficulties in supplying essential public services such as health care [1] . Different government health organizations advocate homebased rehabilitation and telemedicine as a tool for the future [2, 3] . Telemedicine and personalized rehabilitation systems, available to elderly people or patients, like injured athletes, and healthcare staff could help to control healthcare expenditure and improve the wellbeing of citizens [1] .

The increase in the proportion of older people precedes in difficulties in supplying essential public services such as health care.

Different government health organizations advocate homebased rehabilitation and telemedicine as a tool for the future.

Telemedicine and personalized rehabilitation systems, available to elderly people or patients, like injured athletes, and healthcare staff could help to control healthcare expenditure and improve the wellbeing of citizens.


Considerable interest has been devoted in recent years to develop suitable electrode materials for the possible application in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). For fuel cells, state-of-art systems contain large quantities of platinum supported on carbon black. However, active carbon tends to corrode under the fast load change conditions [1] . It is therefore important to explore alternative materials that can provide improved stability across the anticipated potential/pH window compared to carbon [2] .

However, active carbon tends to corrode under the fast load change conditions.

It is therefore important to explore alternative materials that can provide improved stability across the anticipated potential/pH window compared to carbon.


It has been demonstrated by differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) that both peaks observed in the CO ads stripping voltammograms ("pre-peak" and the main peak) are related to the CO 2 production [44, 46] . At the same time, DEMS results presented for Pt-electrodes modified with Mo reveal that CO 2 formation starts around 0.15 V overlapping with the onset of Mo oxidation [46] . Although the mechanism by which Mo promotes the oxidation of the adsorbed CO in the Pt surface is not yet known, it is generally considered to be of a bifunctional nature in conjunction with electronic effect (influence of the catalyst support on the electronic state of active phase) [47] . In agreement with the bifunctional mechanism, the co-catalytic activity is supposed to be due to the good redox properties of the oxides involved.

It has been demonstrated by differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) that both peaks observed in the CO ads stripping voltammograms ("pre-peak" and the main peak) are related to the CO 2 production.

At the same time, DEMS results presented for Pt-electrodes modified with Mo reveal that CO 2 formation starts around 0.15 V overlapping with the onset of Mo oxidation.

Although the mechanism by which Mo promotes the oxidation of the adsorbed CO in the Pt surface is not yet known, it is generally considered to be of a bifunctional nature in conjunction with electronic effect (influence of the catalyst support on the electronic state of active phase).


The technique operates by reverse-engineering a specification from traces of program executions. As with most techniques that are based on program traces (referred to as dynamic analysis techniques), the selection of traces is critical [4] . One of the key novelties of our technique is that, instead of relying on the developer to record and supply traces, they are obtained automatically by using a model-based test-set generator. The resulting traces are used to refine the model at each iteration, until no further tests that contradict the hypothesised model can be found.

As with most techniques that are based on program traces (referred to as dynamic analysis techniques), the selection of traces is critical.


This paper has presented the challenge of inferring testable models, with a specific focus on testing Erlang systems. The basic reverse-engineering challenge is to find a set of program executions that sufficiently exercise a program to ensure that the reverse-engineered model is accurate. This problem has traditionally been overlooked; developers have supplied sets of traces that are effectively arbitrary; without extensive prior knowledge about the program, it is virtually impossible to collect an adequate set of traces [4] .

This problem has traditionally been overlooked; developers have supplied sets of traces that are effectively arbitrary; without extensive prior knowledge about the program, it is virtually impossible to collect an adequate set of traces.