Many issues in evolutionary biology revolve around the existence of genetic structure in wild populations (Barton & Clark, 1990) . Thus, evolutionary geneticists seek to document patterns of structure at various scales and to understand how organismal attributes generate these patterns (Avise, 1994) . This task is increasingly accomplished by combining knowledge of an organism's natural history with data from diverse molecular markers, including markers with contrasting modes of inheritance that can illuminate the roles of the different sexes and life stages *Correspondence E-mail: ross@bscr.uga.edu in mediating gene flow and generating structure (Avise, 1994; Dong & Wagner, 1994; Hoelzer et al., 1994) .

Many issues in evolutionary biology revolve around the existence of genetic structure in wild populations.

Thus, evolutionary geneticists seek to document patterns of structure at various scales and to understand how organismal attributes generate these patterns.

This task is increasingly accomplished by combining knowledge of an organism's natural history with data from diverse molecular markers, including markers with contrasting modes of inheritance that can illuminate the roles of the different sexes and life stages *Correspondence E-mail: ross@bscr.uga.edu in mediating gene flow and generating structure.


The effect of electric and magnetic fields on chaotically moving charge carriers in a semiconductor with uniform distribution of the impurity results in a drift of carriers within the free run in the direction of the electric field action and curving of the carriers' trajectory under the Lorentz force transverse to the electric field action. The electric field creates a current, and with an active magnetic field, there are two effects: The longitudinal Galvanomagnetic Gauss effect -change in the semiconductor resistance in the magnetic field, supplement with a cross effect resulting in the evolvement of the cross Galvanomagnetic effect -the Hall Voltage between the lateral surfaces of the sample [1] . The change of resistance is defined as a change of mobility at each point of the semiconductor or as a current line deflection increasing the effective length. The Hall effect is determined by accumulation of charges of different signs on the opposite lateral surfaces of the sample.

The electric field creates a current, and with an active magnetic field, there are two effects: The longitudinal Galvanomagnetic Gauss effect -change in the semiconductor resistance in the magnetic field, supplement with a cross effect resulting in the evolvement of the cross Galvanomagnetic effect -the Hall Voltage between the lateral surfaces of the sample.


The research is conducted through a qualitative approach with a phenomenological strategy -a study which is conducted at particular setting in a real live (natural setting) to investigate and understand phenomena; what had happened, why does it happen, and how does it happen. In other word, the research is based on the "going exploring" concept that involves in-depth and case oriented study on several cases or single case (Weber 1960) . Qualitative research aims to make a fact to be understandable and, if possible it is based on its research model, produce new hypothesis. The research is performed by gathering information of the respective parties, particularly the regional government officers and the society that receive and get benefits from the special autonomy fund. To support the study, the information from the decision makers from Papua House of Representatives Members, and from NGO members in Papua that are competent to provide information is also collected.

In other word, the research is based on the "going exploring" concept that involves in-depth and case oriented study on several cases or single case.


On the flip side, traditional wideband radio techniques create highly dispersive communication channels. As a result, channel estimation and channel equalization require special attention during the receiver design to overcome amplitude and phase distortions. This complicates modeling of the channel for conventional UWB radios, and in this situation, a transmitted reference wideband (TR-UWB) transceiver appears as an attractive option because of its exploitation of a simple synchronizing technique [6] . However, the issue of threshold detection in the TR-UWB rreceiver still can be a major design challenge for high data rates. A traditional topology for a wideband receiver includes an integrated antenna followed by an amplifier (LNA) for the front-end, and an integrator, a sampling circuit and a separate comparator after the RF mixer for threshold detection [7] . This would lead to a demand for extra device burden in the circuit as the design will need to generate regulatory voltages for the decision section. In addition, the RF mixer in a microwave receiver produces output signals in the order of a few millivolts. If this output is not sufficient to drive the threshold detection section, a supporting wideband amplifier will be needed before the decision block. Even after the inclusion of all receiver components, the overall capacity/P figure at the transceiver output is dominated by the decision circuit. Keeping that in mind, this work aims to propose a comparator sub-circuit which realizes the TR-UWB receiver and improves the power efficiency and overall performance of the decision section. The threshold detection circuit presented in this paper is implemented with 90 nm IBM CMOS process parameters. Powered from a 1.2 V dc power supply, its capacity/P figure varies between 10.9 to 218.8 GHz/W for a received data rate of 0.1∼2.0 Gbps. The circuit dissipates 9.14 mW of power including buffer circuits. Section 2 explains the proposed architecture of a transmitted reference receiver with emphasis on the window detection technique. The characterization and performance of the decision circuit (with a supporting mixer) are discussed in Section 3. Finally, Section 4 summarizes the merits of the proposed design and compares it with examples from published literature.

This complicates modeling of the channel for conventional UWB radios, and in this situation, a transmitted reference wideband (TR-UWB) transceiver appears as an attractive option because of its exploitation of a simple synchronizing technique.

A traditional topology for a wideband receiver includes an integrated antenna followed by an amplifier (LNA) for the front-end, and an integrator, a sampling circuit and a separate comparator after the RF mixer for threshold detection.


Antibacterials, pyrethroids and macrocyclic lactones are the most widely used veterinary drugs in dairy cattle management for both disease therapy and the control of bacterial and parasitic infections (Toaldo et al., 2012) . Extensive and improper use of these active compounds can lead to the presence of their residues in milk, risks to human health, the development of microbial drug resistance, the spread of resistant pathogens, and a loss of industrial output and technological problems in dairy production (Ruegg and Tabone, 2000; Toaldo et al., 2012) . In this regard, an attempt should be made to identify and interpret the variation of milk quality parameters and the occurrence of veterinary drug residues from an integrated point of view because these variables reflect overall milk quality and management practices (Gonzalo et al., 2010) .

Antibacterials, pyrethroids and macrocyclic lactones are the most widely used veterinary drugs in dairy cattle management for both disease therapy and the control of bacterial and parasitic infections.

Extensive and improper use of these active compounds can lead to the presence of their residues in milk, risks to human health, the development of microbial drug resistance, the spread of resistant pathogens, and a loss of industrial output and technological problems in dairy production.

In this regard, an attempt should be made to identify and interpret the variation of milk quality parameters and the occurrence of veterinary drug residues from an integrated point of view because these variables reflect overall milk quality and management practices.


This body of knowledge emerge from the interest to explore the Technology Transfer perspective related to implementation of public technology policies affecting the whole span of business environment at national level-adoption by mandate-, being the Government the source of technology transfer (one point source) and the universe of taxpayers of a country the receivers (multiple points/massive users), in diffusion literature is known as vertical diffusion [9] . Application of the referred term by mandate to a specific context in a massive environment is not yet found in MOT literature. Upon this view, moving such concepts as Technology Transfer and Technology Diffusion from theoretical to the application arena reveals to be a much complex task to manage, mainly when introducing facts such as the user's technology readiness to engage in mandatory use of technology based business process. The complexity of such a research context is shown in Diagram 1, where is clear that either at national or corporate level, it all starts in the Technology Policy dimension.

This body of knowledge emerge from the interest to explore the Technology Transfer perspective related to implementation of public technology policies affecting the whole span of business environment at national level-adoption by mandate-, being the Government the source of technology transfer (one point source) and the universe of taxpayers of a country the receivers (multiple points/massive users), in diffusion literature is known as vertical diffusion.


In this work, we present a platform that leverages the properties of microfluidics and combines them with the unique capability of measuring the optical density of biofilms formed in the microfluidic environment. Biofilm optical density is continuously and non-invasively measured using a simplified experimental setup using off-the-shelf electrical components. Biofilm optical properties are corroborated with biofilm morphological properties quantified using confocal microscopy and image analysis. The platform is used to investigate the dependence of Escherichia coli biofilm formation on quorum sensing, which is the process used to describe bacterial communication. This investigation is achieved by comparing optical and morphological data between wild-type E. coli and E. coli incapable of quorum sensing molecule synthesis. The quorum sensing molecule under investigation, AI-2 (autoinducer-2), is known to exert control over the signaling of more than 70 species of bacteria; thus, our results can be extended to relate to a wide variety of bacterial systems [16] . The repeatability of biofilms formed in the platform using the developed methodology is also evaluated, toward the end of using the system as a reliable drug evaluation platform.

The quorum sensing molecule under investigation, AI-2 (autoinducer-2), is known to exert control over the signaling of more than 70 species of bacteria; thus, our results can be extended to relate to a wide variety of bacterial systems.


Many types of bacteria are able to communicate with each other through quorum sensing, a process involving the continuous secretion and uptake of signaling molecules. Through this communication, bacteria are able to determine the size of the surrounding population. Upon reaching a threshold population, the molecular signaling dictates a change in phenotype often resulting in the formation of a biofilm, a pathogenic matrix comprised mainly of extracellular polysaccharides and bacteria. Biofilms are of particular interest since they are clinically prevalent; it is estimated that biofilms are involved in 65% of bacterial infections in humans [1] . Clinically, biofilms are difficult to treat due to their increased resistance to traditional antibiotic treatment as compared to bacterial suspensions [2] . Since there exists a need for development of new, effective biofilm treatments, there also exists a need for in vitro biofilm models on which new pharmaceutical agents may be tested.

Biofilms are of particular interest since they are clinically prevalent; it is estimated that biofilms are involved in 65% of bacterial infections in humans.

Clinically, biofilms are difficult to treat due to their increased resistance to traditional antibiotic treatment as compared to bacterial suspensions.


A key policy option to respond to the geographical and jurisdictional constraints experienced in rural and remote localities might be the expansion of telemental health (TMH). TMH involves the use of information and communications technology (e.g. telephone or videoconferencing) to support the delivery of MHC services to communities unable to physically access them [75] . Although the effectiveness of TMH has not been thoroughly assessed in relation to health outcomes, it is shown to increase access to services, client satisfaction, decrease costs, and facilitate networking [53, 76] . However, challenges with implementing telehealth have been identified in First Nations contexts, including infrastructural development, privacy protection, supporting technical capacity, perceived usefulness by service providers, and cultural values conflicting with technological approaches [52, 77] . While BC offers TMH to on-reserve First Nations, these services are limited and vary across communities, depending on the availability of providers, community infrastructure and other factors [52] .

TMH involves the use of information and communications technology (e.g. telephone or videoconferencing) to support the delivery of MHC services to communities unable to physically access them.

Although the effectiveness of TMH has not been thoroughly assessed in relation to health outcomes, it is shown to increase access to services, client satisfaction, decrease costs, and facilitate networking.

However, challenges with implementing telehealth have been identified in First Nations contexts, including infrastructural development, privacy protection, supporting technical capacity, perceived usefulness by service providers, and cultural values conflicting with technological approaches.

While BC offers TMH to on-reserve First Nations, these services are limited and vary across communities, depending on the availability of providers, community infrastructure and other factors.


According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the population of over 60s in developing countries is expected to triple from "400 million to 1.7 billion" over the next forty years [1] . Rising healthcare costs and lack of resources in terms of hospitals and the availability of skilled doctors and nurses mean that by 2050, this situation will become unsustainable. In Ireland 11% of the population is currently over 65 and this is expected to double over the next 25 years, in particular a threefold increase in those aged 80 and above is expected [2] . Accommodating the ageing population is and will continue to be an increasing challenge. For example, Technology Research for Independent Living (TRIL) report that 40% of older people are prematurely institutionalised due to injuries sustained from falls in the home [3] . In general it is beneficial to develop alternative approaches to prevent or delay the institutionalisation of older people, enabling the elderly to remain at home. This has subsequently required an increase in the need to develop HCS.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the population of over 60s in developing countries is expected to triple from "400 million to 1.7 billion" over the next forty years.

In Ireland 11% of the population is currently over 65 and this is expected to double over the next 25 years, in particular a threefold increase in those aged 80 and above is expected.

For example, Technology Research for Independent Living (TRIL) report that 40% of older people are prematurely institutionalised due to injuries sustained from falls in the home.


HCS is defined as "a potentially linked set of services including social care and health care that provide or support the provision of care in the home" [4] . Along with the cared person, many other stakeholders are involved including family members, social care, home help, health nurses and GPs. Given such diversity of background, perspective and experience, and perhaps geographic distribution, identification, access to and engagement of the appropriate stakeholders to identify requirements is difficult. To complicate things further, modes of interaction are expected to be subject to continuous change over time as the condition of the home dweller may change [5] . Identification of a more suitable approach for requirements development is necessary.

HCS is defined as "a potentially linked set of services including social care and health care that provide or support the provision of care in the home".

To complicate things further, modes of interaction are expected to be subject to continuous change over time as the condition of the home dweller may change.


The fact that the students are aware of this is already a positive because, in a way, it can help to reduce the traditional resistance on the part of students to take part in educational experiments (Lorente & Kirk, 2012) . This perception is also vital when we are trying to create an environment of trust because the students need to see that the system is fair (Brown, 2015) . The marks obtained for items related to the learning process and the students were also notable, given that collaborative learning is coherent in general with the proposals.

The fact that the students are aware of this is already a positive because, in a way, it can help to reduce the traditional resistance on the part of students to take part in educational experiments.

This perception is also vital when we are trying to create an environment of trust because the students need to see that the system is fair.


The positioning sensing techniques, such as ultra wide band (UWB), radio frequency identification (RFID), WLAN, Bluetooth(BT) techniques, are utilized to obtain a seamless indoor/outdoor positioning. But these systems require fix infrastructures. The operational environments encountered will be very diverse. The availability of such infrastructures cannot be guaranteed in all applications. A self-contained navigation system with wearable sensors based on the dead reckoning (DR) principle is preferable solution. It has the advantage that no preinstalled infrastructures and priori information are required. Once initialized, the system is completely autonomous [3] . The dead reckoning is a relative navigation technique using walking distance and heading. Starting from a known origin, the successive position displacements are added up to calculate the position of the PNS user [1] , [8] , [9] .

Once initialized, the system is completely autonomous.

Starting from a known origin, the successive position displacements are added up to calculate the position of the PNS user.


The PNS must be low-cost, light-weight, small-size, low-power, easily mounted on the body and provides meterlevel accuracy during operations [3] , [10] . The MEMS inertial sensors are the pretty choice [6] . However, MEMS sensors exhibit small measurement errors which tend to accumulate into big positioning errors with time during the integral process [11] . Therefore, the suitable hardware and corresponding algorithms are required in order to provide the navigation information with acceptable accuracy in both outdoor and indoor environments [2] , [9] .

The PNS must be low-cost, light-weight, small-size, low-power, easily mounted on the body and provides meterlevel accuracy during operations.

The MEMS inertial sensors are the pretty choice.

However, MEMS sensors exhibit small measurement errors which tend to accumulate into big positioning errors with time during the integral process.

Therefore, the suitable hardware and corresponding algorithms are required in order to provide the navigation information with acceptable accuracy in both outdoor and indoor environments.


The pedestrian navigation system(PNS) provides walking velocity and position of a person, which can be applied in location based services(LBS), rescue, military infantry, science, tourism, sports, games, navigation aids for the blind or visually impaired man etc [1] , [2] . A robust and accurate positioning system with seamless outdoor and indoor coverage is required [3] . The GPS provides position and velocity information and is widely applied in most open environments [4] , [5] . When the GPS signals are available, the absolute position with a few meter error can be attained. However, due to the satellite signal degradation and interference, the GPS signal is not reliable enough to produce good position information in deep street canyons and indoor environments where most pedestrian travels take place [6] . It is necessary to develop a positioning system to overcome these limitations [7] .

The pedestrian navigation system(PNS) provides walking velocity and position of a person, which can be applied in location based services(LBS), rescue, military infantry, science, tourism, sports, games, navigation aids for the blind or visually impaired man etc.

A robust and accurate positioning system with seamless outdoor and indoor coverage is required.

The GPS provides position and velocity information and is widely applied in most open environments.

However, due to the satellite signal degradation and interference, the GPS signal is not reliable enough to produce good position information in deep street canyons and indoor environments where most pedestrian travels take place.

It is necessary to develop a positioning system to overcome these limitations.


Regarding policy conclusions, the welfare analysis confirms Geroski's opinion that one can hardly imagine that there is too much entry (Geroski, 1991) . Even subsidizing the entry of 'inefficient' firms improves welfare if these firms add variety to the consumers' choice. As discussed in some detail in section 4, the welfare results are sensitive to the functional specification of the model. This is different as far as the positive analysis is concerned. The derived patterns of industry evolution depend on general factors, namely product differentiation, sunk costs, and heterogeneity of firms, rather than the functional specification.

Regarding policy conclusions, the welfare analysis confirms Geroski's opinion that one can hardly imagine that there is too much entry.


Production of hydrocarbons having significant quantities of sulphur species were considered uneconomically in the past. However, with the demand and developments in gas engineering practices, exploitation of high-sulphur reserves is often viable. The global production of sour natural gases is on rise in several countries; Canada is the second largest producer of natural gas in the western hemisphere after the United States, having 57.9 trillion SCF of proven natural gas reserves as in 2009. About 30 percent of total natural gas production of Canada is sour with an average of about 10 percent sulphur species ranging from traces to about 80 percent of well head gases. Canada is producing about one quarter of all elemental sulphur being the largest sulphur producing country of the world [1, 4] .

Canada is producing about one quarter of all elemental sulphur being the largest sulphur producing country of the world.


In recent years, some of the public housing projects have been found the problems of substandard piles in the foundation. Most of the public may consider as contractor's fault and the insufficiency of client's supervision [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] . However, according to the Report of the Selected Committee on Building Problem of Public Housing Unit, these factors only form parts of the failure. On the other hand, one of the most serious problems is the underestimate of the project cost. Owing to the keen competition of tendering, most contractors would try to lower their tender price in order to bid the tenders [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] .

Most of the public may consider as contractor's fault and the insufficiency of client's supervision.

Owing to the keen competition of tendering, most contractors would try to lower their tender price in order to bid the tenders.


Drying is an essential process in the wood industry. During drying, the stress that develops in the boards can produce several defaults such as deformations and checks. In order to reduce the stress level, the activation of viscoelastic creep by suitable drying conditions (elevated temperature together with elevated EMC) is the strategy adopted for the drying at high temperature of softwoods and has been developed successfully with tropical hardwoods (Aguiar and Perré 2000a) . However, this strategy fails with species prone to thermal degradation (collapse, discolouration, etc.).

In order to reduce the stress level, the activation of viscoelastic creep by suitable drying conditions (elevated temperature together with elevated EMC) is the strategy adopted for the drying at high temperature of softwoods and has been developed successfully with tropical hardwoods.


Among tin oxide compounds, tin dioxide (SnO 2 ) and tin monoxide (SnO) have attracted much attention due to their potential applications in optoelectronic devices such as solar cells, displays, sensors, and complementary oxide-thin film transistors [1] [2] [3] . The existence of different oxidation states in tin ion makes it more beneficial to have nonstoichiometric tin oxide phases. SnO 2 is generally an n-type semiconductor due to the existence of intrinsic defects such as oxygen deficiencies and tin interstitials; but, SnO exhibits p-type conductivity and relatively high hole mobility originated from the tin vacancy. From the literature concerned, most research work in the past has paid attention to SnO 2 , whereas experimental reports on SnO are fewer because of its metastability and tendency to transform into SnO 2 at high oxygen pressures. However, interest in SnO has been recently resurged because of the difficulty in obtaining high quality p-type oxide semiconductor such as p-type-doped ZnO, NiO, and CuO.

Among tin oxide compounds, tin dioxide (SnO 2 ) and tin monoxide (SnO) have attracted much attention due to their potential applications in optoelectronic devices such as solar cells, displays, sensors, and complementary oxide-thin film transistors.


Thus, exchanging Sn 2+ for Ag + ions should reduce the crystal size. Raman spectroscopy is another powerful nondestructive technique for studying the microstructural properties of crystalline materials such as crystal quality, structure disorder, and defects in doped semiconductor alloys. It can provide Journal of Nanomaterials crucial information about local structural changes that arise due to the incorporation of Ag + ions into the SnO host lattice. As shown in Figure 1(b) , the Raman spectra of the undoped and Ag-doped SnO thin films exhibit two Raman modes at 113 cm −1 (E 1g ) and 211 cm −1 (A 1g ), in excellent agreement with the theoretical and experimental values in the literature [9] . With increasing dopant concentration, the Raman spectra of the Ag-doped SnO samples exhibited a slight blue-shift, while the intensity of the above modes decreased dramatically. These trends, which were observed in this study for the first time, may possibly arise due to the incorporation of Ag + ions into the SnO host lattice, which affects lattice scattering, resulting in decreased peak intensity.

As shown in Figure 1(b) , the Raman spectra of the undoped and Ag-doped SnO thin films exhibit two Raman modes at 113 cm −1 (E 1g ) and 211 cm −1 (A 1g ), in excellent agreement with the theoretical and experimental values in the literature.


Figure 1(a) shows the XRD patterns of the undoped and Ag-doped SnO thin films with different Ag concentrations coated on glass substrates. The XRD patterns indicate that there are no impurity phases or other tin oxides such as SnO 2 , Sn 3 O 4 , and Sn 2 O 3 [8] . All samples were SnO with a tetragonal structure, indicating a strong (101) preferred orientation according to JCPDS card no 06-0395. With Ag doping, an increase in doping content causes a significant increase in the (110) diffraction peak intensity, which may be attributed to elongation of the tetragonal phase. Adding Ag did not change the crystal structure significantly. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the SnO (110) reflection peak was observed to increase from 3.07 to 4.92 corresponding to an increase of silver doping concentration from 0 to 5%. The average crystallite size, calculated from the Scherrer formula, decreases from 46.51 nm for the undoped SnO to 29.07 nm for the Ag-doped SnO (at. 5%). It indicated that the crystal size of the Ag-doped SnO films decreases with increasing dopant concentration and the FWHM must be inverse relation with the crystallite size. A feasible explanation for this observation is that the atomic radius of the Ag + ion (1.15Å) is smaller than that of the Sn 2+ ion (1.18Å).

The XRD patterns indicate that there are no impurity phases or other tin oxides such as SnO 2 , Sn 3 O 4 , and Sn 2 O 3.


A permissionless implementation makes sense for applications such as Bitcoin, which seek to ensure that nobody can control who can participate, a property often called censorship resistance. By contrast, permissioned implementations explicitly permit some forms of censorship: for example, permitting compliance with "know your customer" regulations that exclude known money-launderers from financial markets. Moreover, permissioned implementations can often provide more effective governance: for example, by providing an orderly procedure for updating the ledger protocol [11] .

Moreover, permissioned implementations can often provide more effective governance: for example, by providing an orderly procedure for updating the ledger protocol.


An embedded system is a special-purpose system designed to perform one or a few pre-defined tasks, usually with very specific requirements. It can also be consider as an application that contains at least one programmable computer (microcontroller or microprocessor) and individuals that use it are unaware of its computer-based concepts [1] . Following these definitions, embedded systems range from very simple microcontrollers to very complex and sophisticated portable devices such as MP3 players, PDAs and smart phones [2] [3] .

It can also be consider as an application that contains at least one programmable computer (microcontroller or microprocessor) and individuals that use it are unaware of its computer-based concepts.

Following these definitions, embedded systems range from very simple microcontrollers to very complex and sophisticated portable devices such as MP3 players, PDAs and smart phones.


Throughout investigations of devices for automated medical testing purposes are still rather scarce (as are such devices themselves). A recent positive example covers the IDx-DR device which allows diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy in diabetic patients via deep learning based on retinal color images (Abràmoff et al., 2016) . Diagnostic accuracy was assessed in an extensive observational clinical trial involving 900 patients, which lead to a marketing permit by the FDA 2 . In this study, only a single model was (successfully) evaluated on the final dataset. This default strategy is often advised in machine learning and diagnostic accuracy research and is reasonable if previously available data for model training and selection is (a) large in number and (b) representative of the intended target population. However, when potentially hundreds of modeling approaches are compared on (quantitatively and/or qualitatively) modest datasets, the model selection process can rarely be concluded with confidence. While the default approach enables an unbiased estimation and simple statistical inference, one is thus bound to this one-time model choice under uncertainty. In effect, this strategy is quite inflexible as it is impossible to retrospectively correct a flawed model selection without compromising the statistical inference in the evaluation study.

A recent positive example covers the IDx-DR device which allows diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy in diabetic patients via deep learning based on retinal color images.


This work is primarily concerned with the quantification of sampling variability. Our primary statistical inference goal is to bound the probability for false positive claims regarding the performance of a prediction model, i.e. the type I error rate. On the other hand, we of course seek to identify a truly good model with high probability. It may be argued that methodological research in machine learning or bioinformatics does not (need to) have the goal to control the type I error rate. We agree with this view in the context of the early development of new algorithms and prediction models and acknowledge that exploratory research is of utmost importance for the scientific process. In machine learning applications, this amounts to trying out a wide variety of learning algorithms deemed suitable for the prediction task at hand. This makes sense, as by the no-free-lunch theorem of statistical learning, no single algorithm gives universally best results for all prediction tasks (Shalev-Shwartz & Ben-David, 2014) . Modern algorithms additionally involve the tuning of several hyperparameters. The performance of (deep) neural networks depends for example on depth (number of layers), width (neurons per layer), activation function(s) and further hyperparameters related to regularization (e.g. dropout rate) and optimization (e.g. loss function, learning rate, mini batch size) (Bengio, 2012) . In effect, usually dozens, hundreds or even thousands of candidate models are initially trained and compared.

This makes sense, as by the no-free-lunch theorem of statistical learning, no single algorithm gives universally best results for all prediction tasks.

The performance of (deep) neural networks depends for example on depth (number of layers), width (neurons per layer), activation function(s) and further hyperparameters related to regularization (e.g. dropout rate) and optimization (e.g. loss function, learning rate, mini batch size).


To facilitate interpretation of the statistically significant mean effects reported, this study examined minimal important difference (MID), or the criteria that need to be met when determining if a mean difference in scores on a PROM is clinically meaningful (Wyrwich, Norquist, Lenderking, & Acaster, 2013) . The mean difference in scores (study sample-PROMIS national sample) on the PROMIS SPSR-SF were compared to the threshold value of 0.50 SD (i.e. mean difference of 5 points). Mean differences for the overall sample were clinically meaningful for all age categories 55 years and older. In this study, the overall sample presented a mean difference that was 0.50 SD units below the PROMIS national sample. In terms of the chronic condition subsamples, observed differences for all groups were 4-6 points lower than the PROMIS national sample. The PPS group reported the largest mean difference of 0.61 SD units while SCI group differed by 0.44 SD units. For participants in this study, grouped by age category, clinically meaningful differences were observed for all chronic condition sub-samples that were 55 years and older, with differences in T-scores ranging from 0.47 SD (SCI)-0.60 SD (PPS) units for the 55-64 age category to 0.70 SD (MS) to 1.27 SD (MD) units for the 75+age category.

To facilitate interpretation of the statistically significant mean effects reported, this study examined minimal important difference (MID), or the criteria that need to be met when determining if a mean difference in scores on a PROM is clinically meaningful.


Work values differ from person to person and such variations in work values are said to be due to a number of variables such as socializations and other types of life experience which have been in existence prior to the person's taking up the job; non-work social roles; and the work experiences themselves (Ejiogu, 1992) . In a study {Ejiogu, 1980} of teachers' work orientations, teachers were revealed as placing higher values on the extrinsic reward of their jobs than on the intrinsic. The teachers, regardless of their variations in age, sex and qualifications placed the highest valuation on economic returns. They presented themselves as hedonistic and acquisitive creatures interested mostly in obtaining the greatest economic rewards. Certainly it would be sheer romanticism to expect the present day teachers in relatively deprived society such as Nigeria to work for a reward in heaven". The protestant ethic which emphasizes hard work as a sign of God's favour does not seem to appeal any longer to most of the modern employees, teachers inclusive.

Work values differ from person to person and such variations in work values are said to be due to a number of variables such as socializations and other types of life experience which have been in existence prior to the person's taking up the job; non-work social roles; and the work experiences themselves.


Initial interrogation of the five-category land cover classification (see Figure 4 ) demonstrated satisfactory levels of accuracy (overall accuracy 85%) consistent with internationally recognised standards [67, 68] . The dataset resulting from this initial classification is presented in Figure 4 . Figure 6 shows the distribution of values for green and blue space per LSOA for the Figure 6 shows the distribution of values for green and blue space per LSOA for the ILM.

Initial interrogation of the five-category land cover classification (see Figure 4 ) demonstrated satisfactory levels of accuracy (overall accuracy 85%) consistent with internationally recognised standards.


The primary goal of the present work is to develop a methodology that allows practitioners to compare model simulations with experimental data. More precisely, given a set of data, identify the optimal parameter values for P, C and χ so that the resulting model predictions and the data are close in some sense. Our approach makes use of standard techniques from parabolic optimal control theory [24, 33] . This approach interprets the inverse problem in the sense of an optimal control problem, governed by a system of partial differential equations, namely the tumour model, and the parameters are interpreted as controls.

Our approach makes use of standard techniques from parabolic optimal control theory.


Hydrogels have gained much importance nowadays towards the site specific and temporal control of drug delivery systems. These are the three dimensional polymeric networks that can swell after taking in a reasonable amount of water [1] . Proteins, peptides and other drugs can be made safely available in the colon using hydrogel as vehicle. Swelling depends upon monomeric composition, extent of cross linking, type of cross linker and pH of the surrounding fluid [2, 3] .

These are the three dimensional polymeric networks that can swell after taking in a reasonable amount of water.

Swelling depends upon monomeric composition, extent of cross linking, type of cross linker and pH of the surrounding fluid.


Cross-linking density depends largely on the concentration of cross-linking agent. The higher the concentration of cross-linker, the denser will be the networks which result in the production of a decreased mesh size [11] . Hence, there will be less space for water to enter into the hydrogel. Mobility of the polymer chain is also hindered by heavy cross-linking. These factors are responsible for producing a harder and tighter structured hydrogel with lesser swelling. If crosslinked density is higher, then Mc will be lower. When the concentration of monomer and crosslinker rises, cross-linked density increased and as a result the value of Mc decreased. The hydrogels which polymerized in the presence of excess solvent exhibit a higher degree of cyclization, resulting in the formation of a network with low cross-linking density [13] .

The higher the concentration of cross-linker, the denser will be the networks which result in the production of a decreased mesh size.

The hydrogels which polymerized in the presence of excess solvent exhibit a higher degree of cyclization, resulting in the formation of a network with low cross-linking density.


Isosorbide mononitrate is a member of nitrates class act as vasodilator by relaxation of veins causing enhanced venous capacitance and decrease in ventricular preload. It is used for the immediate relief and prophylaxis of angina pectoris. Isosorbide mononitrate is prescribed in dose 20 mg twice daily and its absorption occurs in small intestine [6] . Isosorbide mononitrite shows rapid rate of absorption when it is directly placed into the intestine [7] . Moreover, targeted delivery of drugs reduces side effects, frequency of administration and enhances patient compliance. In present study, Isosorbide mononitrates pH-dependent hydrogel of ethyl cellulose and acrylic acid were for the small intestine targeted delivery.

Isosorbide mononitrate is prescribed in dose 20 mg twice daily and its absorption occurs in small intestine.

Isosorbide mononitrite shows rapid rate of absorption when it is directly placed into the intestine.


Increase in gel fraction due to higher concentrations of monomer and cross-linker was the result of more extensive cross-linking as compared to the samples containing lower amounts of these ingredients. On the other hand, increased concentration of ethyl cellulose, solution became more viscous which hindered the movement of free radicals during polymerization. Gel fraction is dependent on cross-linking which in turn also depends on movement of free radicals [14] . As a result, less gel structure formed and sol fraction increased instead of gel fraction.

Gel fraction is dependent on cross-linking which in turn also depends on movement of free radicals.


A significant difference was noted at pH 6.5 and 7.5. This was due to the EC forming intermolecular hydrogen bonds with carboxylic acid groups of AA, which influenced the swelling behavior. Swelling ratios slightly decreased with increasing amount of EC but the decrease was insignificant (p < 0.05). The hydrophobic nature and an increased amount of EC may be responsible for the decreased swelling [11, 12] . The complex structures and denser networks between EC and AA through intermolecular hydrogen bonding were formed due to increased amount of EC. These interactions lowered the ability of hydrogel to form hydrogen bonding with water, due to which water diffusion into the gel was reduced.

The hydrophobic nature and an increased amount of EC may be responsible for the decreased swelling.


Trust is a fundamental part of social and commercial relationships, both in the reallife and the virtual world. Complex dynamic environments, like the Internet, makes it extremely hard to obtain perfect information about potential interaction partners. In e-commerce and other electronic transactions and services, where the assets of interaction partners might be at risk, trust mechanisms may facilitate the decision-making process and lower the risk. Since trust management can be assumed to decrease risk, it can also be assumed that it will increase security and can be considered as a soft security mechanism [15] . Soft security accepts the fact that it is possible to circumvent the implemented security mechanisms, given enough time, effort and money. Since we might have users with malicious intentions in a system, the challenge is to detect them and find a way to monitor their behavior and possibly influence their actions, in order to prevent them from causing any harm. Trust management serves this purpose by evaluating the trustworthiness of users and offering different service levels to users based on a trust policy. If services are denied to untrusted users, an incentive for users not to misbehave, is created.

Since trust management can be assumed to decrease risk, it can also be assumed that it will increase security and can be considered as a soft security mechanism.


Most previous studies have given the readers basic knowledge for understanding the process [12] [13] [14] . Unfortunately, almost all the previous literatures paid their attention on the fabrication of nanofibers. The reason of the gas-channel formation in this new electrospinning process has not been investigated. Recently, the mathematical model has become an efficiency tool for solving practical problems in materials science [15] . In this work, the influence of air pressure on the period of gas-channel formation was studied to understand the crater-like electrospinning process.

Most previous studies have given the readers basic knowledge for understanding the process.

Recently, the mathematical model has become an efficiency tool for solving practical problems in materials science.


Bubble electrospinning and crater-like electrospinning are both new electrospinning techniques having the potential to fabricate nanofibers with a high output, which designed by our group [8] [9] [10] . It is well known that the Taylor cone plays a key role in the production of nanofibers in electrospinning process, bubble electrospinning and crater-like electrospinning are no exceptions. In these two processes, Taylor cone, a bubble or a crater-like solution ridge, has significant influence on producing multiple jets continuously. However, bubble electrospinning process is discontinuous due to the repeat of burst and reformation of fluid bubble, according to our previous study [11] .

Bubble electrospinning and crater-like electrospinning are both new electrospinning techniques having the potential to fabricate nanofibers with a high output, which designed by our group.

However, bubble electrospinning process is discontinuous due to the repeat of burst and reformation of fluid bubble, according to our previous study.


In the 1930s electrospinning was developed as one of the important methods for fiber fabrication, and has produced various polymer nanofibers with the diameter range from several nanometers to several micrometers [1] [2] [3] . The nanofibrous materials obtained by electrospinning has nonwoven structure with unique features, including interconnected pores and a very large surface to volume ratio, which enable such nanofiber materials to have many applications such as filters, energy storage, environment engineering, protective clothing and tissue engineering [4, 5] . With the rapid increase in application of nanofibers in more and more industry areas, electrospinning has been one of the most important and basic techniques in the fabrication of nanofibers since the early 2000s.

In the 1930s electrospinning was developed as one of the important methods for fiber fabrication, and has produced various polymer nanofibers with the diameter range from several nanometers to several micrometers.

The nanofibrous materials obtained by electrospinning has nonwoven structure with unique features, including interconnected pores and a very large surface to volume ratio, which enable such nanofiber materials to have many applications such as filters, energy storage, environment engineering, protective clothing and tissue engineering.


The same model solution also closely reproduced the age structure of the population found at the end of the study (Fig. 2B) . A slightly better fit was achieved for the latter, when optimized on this variable alone. The resultant model, however, estimated a lower value for the instantaneous loss of settlers (43%) and overestimated juvenile abundance, albeit not to the degree shown by the single application of Eq. 1 (Appendix D). This result is probably artifactual because aging error is known to smear and flatten peaks in an age distribution (Worthington et al. 1995) . When a soft constraint was added to this optimization, requiring a match with the maximum density observed on 23 February, the best model based upon age had almost identical parameters to the unconstrained model based upon abundance ( Table 1) .

This result is probably artifactual because aging error is known to smear and flatten peaks in an age distribution.


Land degradation in the form of soil erosion and soil nutrient depletion are critical challenges to agricultural production and economic growth in Ethiopia. On farm lands, in particular, there is a continuous decline in soil quality resulting from reduced fallows and the sub-optimal use of input [1] . At the national level, fertilizer is applied to only 45% of the total crop area [2, 3] . Factors that limit the use of chemical fertilizer by smallholder farmers are the high cost, lack of access to credit, price risk of fertilizers and lack of technology [4] .

On farm lands, in particular, there is a continuous decline in soil quality resulting from reduced fallows and the sub-optimal use of input.

At the national level, fertilizer is applied to only 45% of the total crop area.

Factors that limit the use of chemical fertilizer by smallholder farmers are the high cost, lack of access to credit, price risk of fertilizers and lack of technology.


To identify the buyers' clubs in operation worldwide, we contacted a number of community organisations who identified two Australian buyers' clubs (FixHepC and Hep C Treatment Without Borders), the South-east Asian buyers' clubs, and an Eastern European buyers' club. The results from FixHepC have been reported elsewhere [11] . The three other buyers' clubs asked individuals who were using imported generic DAAs to fill out a standardised data collection form along with a consent form. These patients were typically treated with assistance from a clinician in their country. In some cases, patients were advised on which combination of DAAs to take from an online consultation with the co-ordinators of their buyers' club.

The results from FixHepC have been reported elsewhere.


Paclitaxel is the active agent of Taxol Ò (Bristol-Myers Squibb), one of the most effective anticancer plantderived drugs. Paclitaxel is not only a first line treatment chosen for ovary, breast and lung cancers, but is also used in combination therapies (Fauzee 2011) . Moreover, paclitaxel has shown great promise as a locally delivered antirestenotic agent and also seems to be an effective compound for the treatment of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases (Nims et al. 2006; Li et al. 2003; Fu et al. 2009) .

Paclitaxel is not only a first line treatment chosen for ovary, breast and lung cancers, but is also used in combination therapies.

Moreover, paclitaxel has shown great promise as a locally delivered antirestenotic agent and also seems to be an effective compound for the treatment of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.


The first committed step in the synthesis of paclitaxel and its congeners is the cyclization of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) by taxadiene synthase (txs synthase) (Croteau et al. 2006) . Although this enzyme does not seem to be rate-limiting in taxane production, the presence of both the txs synthase transgene and rol genes of Agrobacterium rhizogenes in Taxus x media cell suspension cultures has led to significantly higher levels of taxanes in comparison with cell lines transformed only by A. rhizogenes wild strain (Exposito et al. 2010) . Moreover, the txs synthase transgene has recently been successfully introduced in Taxus x media var. Hicksii, resulting in taxaneproducing transgenic hairy root cultures (Sykłowska-Baranek et al. 2015) .

The first committed step in the synthesis of paclitaxel and its congeners is the cyclization of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) by taxadiene synthase (txs synthase).

Although this enzyme does not seem to be rate-limiting in taxane production, the presence of both the txs synthase transgene and rol genes of Agrobacterium rhizogenes in Taxus x media cell suspension cultures has led to significantly higher levels of taxanes in comparison with cell lines transformed only by A. rhizogenes wild strain.

Hicksii, resulting in taxaneproducing transgenic hairy root cultures.


The water soluble orotic acid and its low molecular weight metabolites may have been lost to a certain extent during preparation of the specimen, since glutaraldehyde fixes most of the polymeric substances in the cell, whereas many unbound small molecules may leach out during fixation and the subsequent washing in buffer. It is known, that glutaraldehyde binds only 2 5 -65 ~ of the free amino acids like leucine present in the tissue (Peters and Ashley, 1967) . For orotic acid and its metabolites similar or even lower values might be expected. Therefore, radioactivity demonstrated in this study mainly seems to indicate labeled macromolecules. Orotic acid is known to be an effective precursor of pyrimidine-nucleotides and RNA in bean leaves (Ross, 1965) . After feeding labeled orotic acid, radioactivity is incorporated extensively into nuclei of the host and into fungal structures (Fuchs and Tschen, 1969; Heitefuss, 1970) .

It is known, that glutaraldehyde binds only 2 5 -65 ~ of the free amino acids like leucine present in the tissue.

Orotic acid is known to be an effective precursor of pyrimidine-nucleotides and RNA in bean leaves.

After feeding labeled orotic acid, radioactivity is incorporated extensively into nuclei of the host and into fungal structures.


Body temperature is one of the most commonly used indicators of health status in humans. Thermal imaging for the superficial temperature measurement has been used since the early 1960s in various fields. Recent technical advances in infrared cameras open new possibilities [1] . Thermal imaging is a safe, noninvasive, and quite inexpensive technique that allows for the monitoring of the superficial body temperature for various applications [2] [3] [4] [5] . Furthermore, thermal imaging enables to specify temperature changes not only in terms of values, but also in terms of spatial distribution, what can be exploited in various biomedical applications [5] [6] [7] . The spatial distribution of temperatures is associated with the spatial distribution of the energy emitted from the examined body. The thermal imaging enables to determine the temperature in each point on the surface basing on the recording of the spatial distribution of the emitted energy.

Recent technical advances in infrared cameras open new possibilities.

Thermal imaging is a safe, noninvasive, and quite inexpensive technique that allows for the monitoring of the superficial body temperature for various applications.

Furthermore, thermal imaging enables to specify temperature changes not only in terms of values, but also in terms of spatial distribution, what can be exploited in various biomedical applications.


Local cryotherapy and ultrasound therapy (called sonotherapy) are applied in physical treatment for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. These two treatments are often recommended in one session. Local cryotherapy is the stimulating application of low temperatures around -100/°C or slightly below for 1-3 min. Cryotherapy supports basic treatment and facilitates kinesiotherapy. From the clinical standpoint, local cryotherapy has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioedematous effects and reduces muscle tone [11] [12] [13] [14] .

From the clinical standpoint, local cryotherapy has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioedematous effects and reduces muscle tone.


Composting is a technique which can be used to reduce the amount of organic waste through recycling and the production of soil fertilizers and conditioners. Compost is primarily used as a soil conditioner and not as much as a fertilizer because it contains a high organic content (90-95%) but generally low concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium as well as macro and micro nutrients compared to commercial fertilizers. It is comparable to peat moss in its conditioning abilities. Areas where composting can be beneficial is in the recycling of the organic fraction of the municipal waste. It reduces as much as 30% of the volume, in the form of organic matter, entering our already overcrowded landfill sites. Furthermore the composting process, if performed correctly, transforms wet and odorous organic waste into an aesthetically, dryer, decomposed and reusable product [1] .

Furthermore the composting process, if performed correctly, transforms wet and odorous organic waste into an aesthetically, dryer, decomposed and reusable product.


It is recognized that a multi-unit controlled release dosage form represents a preferable alternative to a single-unit system for oral administration [1] . However, it is not easy in practice to present a low potency drug in the form a multiparticulate delivery system. This is due mainly to patient compliance problems associated with the large size of the hard gelatin shell required for such dosage form. The compaction of pellets is usually of special interest in the pharmaceutical industry [2] [3] [4] . Hard gelatin capsules are a very elegant dosage form, but have the disadvantages of higher production cost, lower production rate and tampering potential, when compared to compressed tablets [5] .

It is recognized that a multi-unit controlled release dosage form represents a preferable alternative to a single-unit system for oral administration.

The compaction of pellets is usually of special interest in the pharmaceutical industry.

Hard gelatin capsules are a very elegant dosage form, but have the disadvantages of higher production cost, lower production rate and tampering potential, when compared to compressed tablets.


Preliminary results on the individual excipients used in this work revealed that materials used possess similar densities, which are indicative of minimal problems of segregation, except in the case of calcium carbonate, which was found to exhibit a higher density than other tested materials. This observation was expected because calcium carbonate is a material classically used in spheronization technology to increase the density of produced microspheres [10, 11] . As was predicted, the flowability of granules was better than the individual powders alone. Also, slight differences in flowability was observed between granules prepared with two different type of solvents which was attributed to the strength of binding bridges between excipients molecules as formed by the wetting liquid [12] . First attempts of tabletting were performed on excipient granules without the inclusion of ketoprofen microspheres. All the used combinations produced tablets of acceptable mechanical strength and disintegration. In addition, the type of solvent used in preparing the granules was found to affect the physical properties of the produced tablets. When ketoprofen was included at various levels with excipient granules during compression it was found that the drug microspheres sustained a high degree of damage during compression. And that a high amount of excipients will be necessary to protect and partially coat drug microspheres during the compression stage to minimize the degree of damage. The combination of excipients will also serve to optimize the disintegration time of the produced tablets to make it comparable to that of capsules [2] .

This observation was expected because calcium carbonate is a material classically used in spheronization technology to increase the density of produced microspheres.

Also, slight differences in flowability was observed between granules prepared with two different type of solvents which was attributed to the strength of binding bridges between excipients molecules as formed by the wetting liquid.

The combination of excipients will also serve to optimize the disintegration time of the produced tablets to make it comparable to that of capsules.


Some pilot studies focused on HMGB1 after cardiac arrest have been done regarding the influence on neurological outcome [3, 4] . However, the pathophysiology of elevated serum HMGB1 affecting poor neurological outcome is not sufficiently clear. The correlation between systemic I/R and secondary brain aggravation has not been discussed. In the present study, serum HMGB1 correlated with serum NSE in patients with PCAS. This phenomenon may indicate a possible mechanism of a secondary brain injury process with systemic I/R after cardiac arrest.

Some pilot studies focused on HMGB1 after cardiac arrest have been done regarding the influence on neurological outcome.


Our survey indicates a high level of understanding of conservation issues by the local people. On the positive side, the majority favored conservation, and did not perceive that it undermined human wellbeing, a specious argument used to impose development projects within or near protected areas in India [37, 38] . The respondents displayed a keen awareness of the loss of wildlife and forest cover in Similipal Tiger Reserve.

On the positive side, the majority favored conservation, and did not perceive that it undermined human wellbeing, a specious argument used to impose development projects within or near protected areas in India.


Polymorphisms for the 21 microsatellite loci were analysed by amplification for 40 L. (L.) coronata and 7 L. (L.) scuterallis specimens collected from the study site, Maibara city (central Japan). Genomic DNA was extracted using a modified Chelexbased method (Walsh et al., 1991) . Five micro-liter PCR reactions containing 2.5 µl 2× GC buffer II, 0.8 µl dNTP mix (2.5 mM of each dNTP), 0.5 µl of each primer (10 pmol/µl), 0.25 U LA Taq (TaKaRa-Bio), 0.5 µl DNA (50 ng) and 0.175 µl sterilized, distilled water were performed. The PCR cycles were as follows: 3 min at 94°C, 30 cycles of 20 s at 94°C, 20 s at 50-56°C (see Table 1 ), 1 min at 64°C. The PCR products were resolved on 8% non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels by electrophoresis. A size standard, Marker 10 (pBR322/Msp I digest, NIPPON GENE, Tokyo, Japan), was used to determine the allele sizes.

Genomic DNA was extracted using a modified Chelexbased method.


To understand evolutionary processes involved in sexual selection, it is necessary to determine whether polyandry occurs in the wild as well as in laboratory mating experiments. Comparing the genetic diversity of offspring from females collected in the wild and laboratory-reared females could provide an estimate of the probability of polyandry occuring in field populations (Kamimura, 2003) . The nine microsatellite loci provide a valuable source of markers for such comparative analyses. However, since the extent of the polymorphism at each locus was not the same, greater priority should be placed on using more polymorphic loci in future analyses.

Comparing the genetic diversity of offspring from females collected in the wild and laboratory-reared females could provide an estimate of the probability of polyandry occuring in field populations.


Interesting results were found with respect to the experience of the owner/manager of a young company and a positive relationship with SMP. However, a negative significant effect was found for industry experience and SMP. These results are more explainable when one considers certain assumptions behind the two experience variables. While managerial experience refers to the practice of management techniques like SMP, industry experience focuses more on information collected in the past which has been processed to become part of an individual manager's factual knowledge. The more information that was collected and processed in the past, the less necessary it is perceived to collect new information for current decision-making. This kind of experience is sometimes included in decision-making constructs which deal with intuition (Khatri and Ng, 2000) .

This kind of experience is sometimes included in decision-making constructs which deal with intuition.


Traditionally, the focus of research and education in marketing has been on large incumbent firms. Existing marketing tools were designed and used regardless of the companies' size and age. In the research literature, many methods of developing a marketing strategy are described, such as the incremental, the political or the command method (Smith, 2003; McDonald, 1992a; Hart, 1992) . Strategic marketing planning (SMP) is a management method which involves a planned approach towards developing a marketing strategy. It has been argued that SMP ensures a systematic method of decision making in marketing, makes internal and external relationships transparent, reduces complexity, supports an increase in knowledge about a company's markets, helps to reduce uncertainty and has an effectiveness and efficiency function (Wiedmann and Kreutzer, 1985; Rühli, 1989; Russi, 1993; Diller, 1998; Böcker 2001) .

In the research literature, many methods of developing a marketing strategy are described, such as the incremental, the political or the command method.

It has been argued that SMP ensures a systematic method of decision making in marketing, makes internal and external relationships transparent, reduces complexity, supports an increase in knowledge about a company's markets, helps to reduce uncertainty and has an effectiveness and efficiency function.


Nonabelian duality tells us how to recover information about a C * -dynamical system (A, G, α) from its crossed product A × α G. The dual systems consist of a coaction δ : B → M(B ⊗ C * r (G)) of a locally compact group G on a C * -algebra B; one recovers (A, G, α) from A × α G by taking the crossed product (A × α G) ×α G by the dual coactionα, and invoking the duality theorem of Imai and Takai. The theory of crossed products by coactions runs parallel to the theory of ordinary crossed products by actions, and there are now analogues for coactions of many of the important theorems about ordinary crossed products. In particular, Mansfield has proved an imprimitivity theorem for crossed products by coactions analogous to that of Rieffel and Green for ordinary crossed products [8] .

In particular, Mansfield has proved an imprimitivity theorem for crossed products by coactions analogous to that of Rieffel and Green for ordinary crossed products.


The potential of these measurements lies in the possibility of a cost-effective instrumentation of the large areas needed for measurements at the highest cosmic-ray energies with radio antennas as well as in the complementarity of the radio and particle-detector measurements of inclined air showers. This concept will be explored further with the latest stage of AERA, in which an additional 29 detector stations have been deployed, mostly on a grid with 750 m distance, thereby instrumenting a total area of 17 km 2 with 153 antenna stations [10] . Furthermore, we envisage the direct integration of radio antennas with the Auger surface detector stations over a large part of the observatory.

This concept will be explored further with the latest stage of AERA, in which an additional 29 detector stations have been deployed, mostly on a grid with 750 m distance, thereby instrumenting a total area of 17 km 2 with 153 antenna stations.


On the other hand, 1/6 BPS Wilson loops in ABJM theory have no direct connection to open topological strings and the instanton corrections of 1/6 BPS Wilson loops have not been fully explored in the literature. In this paper, we initiate a study of the instanton corrections of 1/6 BPS Wilson loops mainly using the numerical analysis. We will show that the VEV of 1/6 BPS Wilson loops can be computed numerically with high precision and we will study the instanton corrections of 1/6 BPS Wilson loops from numerical fitting. We first consider the 1/6 BPS Wilson loops in the fundamental representation. We find that the membrane instanton corrections are given by the NS free energy, and the pole cancellation mechanism works also for the 1/6 BPS Wilson loops. We find that, up to regular terms, the 1/6 BPS Wilson loops in the fundamental representation is essentially determined by the quantum volume appearing in the exact quantization condition of the spectrum [15, [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] .

We find that, up to regular terms, the 1/6 BPS Wilson loops in the fundamental representation is essentially determined by the quantum volume appearing in the exact quantization condition of the spectrum.


Menstrual delay can be an intense stressor on women worried about unintended pregnancy. Menstrual regulation involves the medical or mechanical stimulation of uterine sloughing in women with up to 2 -3 weeks of menstrual delay (Swahn et al., 1999; Bygdeman, 2003; Xiao et al., 2003) . A positive pregnancy test result is not a prerequisite for menstrual regulation, and it can be conducted in countries or regions where medical abortion is legally restricted. Menstrual regulation and medical abortion may have different medical, psychological, and legal impacts on women.

Menstrual regulation involves the medical or mechanical stimulation of uterine sloughing in women with up to 2 -3 weeks of menstrual delay.


The different breeding habitats favoured by the two Bombina species can be classified by their permanence. The relative longevity of ponds creates a very different aquatic environment from ephemeral puddles, which will necessarily contain little vegetation and only the most opportunistic fauna. In particular, the abundance of potential aquatic predators, both vertebrate and invertebrate, on amphibian eggs and larvae should be higher in ponds. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of interspecific interactions such as predation on larvae in determining species composition in anuran guilds (Morin 1983 ; Wilbur et al. 1983 ; Woodward 1983 ; Morin 1986 ; Cortwright & Nelson 1990) . We therefore consider the potential role of predation in defining differential selection pressures within the Bombina system, and ask specifically whether predation could explain B. ariegata's avoidance of the pond habitat.

Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of interspecific interactions such as predation on larvae in determining species composition in anuran guilds.


We also performed solubility tests of the materials in water; the results were displayed in Figure 2(a) . Both the sets of AuNP-GO nanocomposites could be dispersed well after sonication. Nevertheless, we could occasionally observe some black powder formed after aging for 15 days for the AuNP-GO/SC sample. Although this black powder could be redispersed after gentle shaking of the solution, precipitates appeared after 40 days that could not be redispersed readily. In contrast, the AuNP-GO/GL solution exhibited higher solubility; the solution remained clear after aging for 40 days [34, 47] .

In contrast, the AuNP-GO/GL solution exhibited higher solubility; the solution remained clear after aging for 40 days.


Color changes occurred to the solutions during the syntheses of both sets of AuNP-GO materials. The resulting colors were, however, slightly different for the two types of nanocomposites (Figure 2(a) ). The UV-Vis absorption spectra in Figure 2 (b) reveal a peak near 580 nm for the AuNP-GO/GL composites; this signal corresponds to the plasmonic absorption of the AuNPs. In contrast, the spectrum of the AuNP-GO/SC composite exhibited an absorption peak near 550 nm. The different locations of the plasmonic bands may have originated from the different surface coatings on the NPs, resulting in different dielectric environments [48, 49] . Furthermore, the two solutions also exhibited typical extinction peaks for GOs at 230 and 305 nm, which correspond to the - * transitions of C=C bonds and the - * transitions of C=O groups, respectively [50] . Because these two characteristic peaks had not shifted, we suspected that the chemical structures of the GO sheets had not changed too much or that they had been reduced only mildly during the reduction processes.

The different locations of the plasmonic bands may have originated from the different surface coatings on the NPs, resulting in different dielectric environments.

Furthermore, the two solutions also exhibited typical extinction peaks for GOs at 230 and 305 nm, which correspond to the - * transitions of C=C bonds and the - * transitions of C=O groups, respectively.


We have also prepared rGOs using glycine as the reducing agent. Without the presence of gold ions, we found that the GOs could be reduced, which was consistent with the previous literature [34] . From the Raman spectra (the inset to Figure 9 ), we could see the D / G ratio was increased to 1.36, suggesting the reduction of GOs. Then, we fabricated devices using the resulting rGOs as the anode buffer layers; the J-V curve is shown in Figure 9 . The device exhibited a oc of 0.55 V, a sc of 8.93 mA cm −2 , and a FF of 0.61; the calculated PCE was 3.00%. Apparently, the photocurrent was reduced compared with that of the GO device.

Without the presence of gold ions, we found that the GOs could be reduced, which was consistent with the previous literature.


To investigate the plasmonic effect, we performed steadystate photoluminescence (PL) measurements using a 470 nm laser as the excitation source (Figure 8 ) after spin-coating pristine P3HT films onto GO-and AuNP-GO/GL-modified indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates. The integrating PL intensity of the AuNP-GO/GL sample was enhanced relative to that of the GO sample, implying an increase in exciton generation in P3HT upon excitation of the LSPRs. Because the resonance peak of the AuNPs was close to the absorption band of P3HT, the higher PL intensity was probably due to the higher level of light absorption in the active layer, suggesting that the enhanced local electromagnetic field increased the total number of excitons [18, 37] .

Because the resonance peak of the AuNPs was close to the absorption band of P3HT, the higher PL intensity was probably due to the higher level of light absorption in the active layer, suggesting that the enhanced local electromagnetic field increased the total number of excitons.


To study the mechanism of the improvement in performance, we measured the incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) spectra (Figure 7(b) ). The efficiencies improved for the AuNP-GO/GL device, consistent with the J-V characteristics. For comparison, Figure 7 (c) displays the plot of the increase in IPCE (ΔIPCE) with respect to the absorption spectrum of AuNP-GO/GL. The photocurrent increased at wavelengths in the range from 450 to 650 nm, coinciding with the extinction range of the AuNPs. These results reveal that the LSPR effects should be responsible for the improved device performance [18, 37] .

These results reveal that the LSPR effects should be responsible for the improved device performance.


Hydrogen holds enormous potential to be the ultimate energy carrier of the future [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . Yet the lack of an effective method for storing hydrogen with high density currently restrains its widespread utilization. Solid state hydride materials offer promising possibilities to deliver high capacity, safe, and compact hydrogen storage systems [5, 6] . However, so far no material satisfies all the requirements for practical mobile application [3] . For hydrogen storage purposes, LiAlH 4 is one of the most promising and interesting candidates owing to its competitive total hydrogen capacity as well as its low temperature for hydrogen release with fast kinetics [3, 6] . When doped with catalysts, about 75% of its stored hydrogen can be released below 100 • C in about 1.5 h, while 30 min is required when at 150 • C [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] . A particularity of LiAlH 4 is the exothermic nature of its initial hydrogen release following the widely accepted Steps 1-3 [12] [13] [14] .

Hydrogen holds enormous potential to be the ultimate energy carrier of the future.

Solid state hydride materials offer promising possibilities to deliver high capacity, safe, and compact hydrogen storage systems.

However, so far no material satisfies all the requirements for practical mobile application.

For hydrogen storage purposes, LiAlH 4 is one of the most promising and interesting candidates owing to its competitive total hydrogen capacity as well as its low temperature for hydrogen release with fast kinetics.

When doped with catalysts, about 75% of its stored hydrogen can be released below 100 • C in about 1.5 h, while 30 min is required when at 150 • C.

A particularity of LiAlH 4 is the exothermic nature of its initial hydrogen release following the widely accepted Steps 1-3.


Analysis of the hydrogen desorption properties of these Ti modified nanoparticles revealed a unique behavior (Figure 6 ). Nanosized LiAlH 4 modified with Ti almost fully decomposed through a single and extremely exothermic event recorded by DSC at 120 • C (Figure 6a,b) . In comparison, bulk LiAlH 4 ball milled with TiCl 3 (material denoted bulk-LiAlH 4 /Ti) decomposed following the known decomposition path of LiAlH 4 -i.e., via Steps 1 and 2 (Figure 6c,d )-in agreement with previous reports [9, 43, 44] . This was confirmed by the XRD of bulk LiAlH 4 /Ti after heating at 150, 200 and 300 • C.

In comparison, bulk LiAlH 4 ball milled with TiCl 3 (material denoted bulk-LiAlH 4 /Ti) decomposed following the known decomposition path of LiAlH 4 -i.e., via Steps 1 and 2 (Figure 6c,d )-in agreement with previous reports.


Furthermore, upon hydrogen release, nanosized LiAlH4 coated with Ti lost about 5.7 mass % almost instantly near 120 °C. Taking into account the weight of TiCl3 added to nanosized LiAlH4, the theoretical hydrogen release for Step 1 should be reduced from 5.3 to 4.2 mass %, and from 2.6 to 2.1 mass % for both Steps 2 and 3. This corresponds to a theoretical hydrogen content of 6.3 mass % up to Step 2. The 5.7 mass % loss of the Ti coated nanosized LiAlH4 thus corresponds to a close to full hydrogen release. Possible hydrogen release from TiH was unlikely to be noticeable in the hydrogen desorption profile. Assuming that nanoscale TiH was decomposed, this would correspond to an additional amount of hydrogen of less than 0.1 mass %. Accordingly, this result implies a significant thermodynamic alternation induced by the synergetic effects of the Ti catalytic Another possibility for the partial decomposition of Li 3 AlH 6 is that the intended core-hell structure disintegrated under the sharp exothermic event as proven by TEM analysis of the dehydrogenated material (Figure 8 ), and consequently sprayed around undecomposed Li 3 AlH 6 . The observed suppression of melting as per bulk LiAlH 4 is also an indicator that LiAlH 4 was confined within a TiH shell. Another possibility for the partial decomposition of Li3AlH6 is that the intended core-hell structure disintegrated under the sharp exothermic event as proven by TEM analysis of the dehydrogenated material (Figure 8 ), and consequently sprayed around undecomposed Li3AlH6. The observed suppression of melting as per bulk LiAlH4 is also an indicator that LiAlH4 was confined within a TiH shell. The possible core-shell structure disintegration could also be the reason of an appearance of LiCl and the disappearance of diffraction peaks related to TiH (Figure 7a) . LiCl was not present in the as-prepared Ti coated nanosized LiAlH4 (Figure 4) , and this potentially indicates that more LiAlH4 was exposed to react with TiCl3 to form LiCl following reaction (1) during the exothermic event. The lack of TiH phase after the exothermic release of hydrogen also indicates a deterioration of the coating owing to the heat generated during the exothermic release of hydrogen. TiH has been reported to decompose at temperatures above 470 °C [45] .

TiH has been reported to decompose at temperatures above 470 °C.


Furthermore, upon hydrogen release, nanosized LiAlH4 coated with Ti lost about 5.7 mass % almost instantly near 120 °C. Taking into account the weight of TiCl3 added to nanosized LiAlH4, the theoretical hydrogen release for Step 1 should be reduced from 5.3 to 4.2 mass %, and from 2.6 to 2.1 mass % for both Steps 2 and 3. This corresponds to a theoretical hydrogen content of 6.3 mass % up to Step 2. The 5.7 mass % loss of the Ti coated nanosized LiAlH4 thus corresponds to a close to full hydrogen release. Possible hydrogen release from TiH was unlikely to be noticeable in the hydrogen desorption profile. Assuming that nanoscale TiH was decomposed, this would correspond to an additional amount of hydrogen of less than 0.1 mass %. Accordingly, this result implies a significant thermodynamic alternation induced by the synergetic effects of the Ti catalytic The possible core-shell structure disintegration could also be the reason of an appearance of LiCl and the disappearance of diffraction peaks related to TiH (Figure 7a) . LiCl was not present in the as-prepared Ti coated nanosized LiAlH 4 (Figure 4) , and this potentially indicates that more LiAlH 4 was exposed to react with TiCl 3 to form LiCl following reaction (1) during the exothermic event. The lack of TiH phase after the exothermic release of hydrogen also indicates a deterioration of the coating owing to the heat generated during the exothermic release of hydrogen. TiH has been reported to decompose at temperatures above 470 • C [45] .

TiH has been reported to decompose at temperatures above 470 • C.


Analysis of the hydrogen desorption properties of these Ti modified nanoparticles revealed a unique behavior (Figure 6 ). Nanosized LiAlH4 modified with Ti almost fully decomposed through a single and extremely exothermic event recorded by DSC at 120 °C (Figure 6a,b) . In comparison, bulk LiAlH4 ball milled with TiCl3 (material denoted bulk-LiAlH4/Ti) decomposed following the known decomposition path of LiAlH4-i.e., via Steps 1 and 2 (Figure 6c,d )-in agreement with previous reports [9, 43, 44] . This was confirmed by the XRD of bulk LiAlH4/Ti after heating at 150, 200 and 300 °C.

In comparison, bulk LiAlH4 ball milled with TiCl3 (material denoted bulk-LiAlH4/Ti) decomposed following the known decomposition path of LiAlH4-i.e., via Steps 1 and 2 (Figure 6c,d )-in agreement with previous reports.


As shown in Figure 6b , at 150 °C, bulk-LiAlH4/Ti started partial decomposition to Li3AlH6 according to Step 1. Then at 180 °C, the LiAlH4 phase totally converted to Li3AlH6 and at 300 °C, Li3AlH6 fully decomposed to LiH and Al following Step 2. In comparison, the diffraction pattern of nanosized LiAlH4 coated with Ti heated at 150 °C after the single exothermic event showed that no LiAlH4 remained, while only a very small amount of Li3AlH6 was detected (Figure 7a ). The Additional characterization by TEM revealed largely spherical particles with a broad particle size distribution ranging from 5 to 50 nm (Figure 5a,b,e) . This corresponds to a significant increase in particle size as compared to the uncoated LiAlH 4 nanoparticles ( Figure 2 ) and thus indicates the deposition of a TiH layer. Indeed, EDS analysis and elemental mapping revealed the Ti and Al content of the nanoparticles imaged and the even distribution of Ti on the LiAlH 4 nanoparticles (Figure 5c,d) . Hence, it was believed that Ti was successfully deposited at the surface of the LiAH 4 nanoparticles. The weaker intensity of the XRD peaks related to LiAlH 4 in the Ti coated nanosized LiAlH 4 material also corroborates this conclusion (Figure 4) , because upon coating the diffraction peak intensity of the core has been reported to significantly decrease [31] .

The weaker intensity of the XRD peaks related to LiAlH 4 in the Ti coated nanosized LiAlH 4 material also corroborates this conclusion (Figure 4) , because upon coating the diffraction peak intensity of the core has been reported to significantly decrease.


In the Netherlands, children are admitted to primary school throughout the year, on the first day of the month following their 4 th birthday. Thus, children enter primary school one by one, which can be expected to sensitize teachers for their relatively young age and to allow them to pay attention specifically to these youngest children. As such, this system realizes the solution proposed by Goodman and co-workers to prevent mental health problems among children, i.e. '.. to sensitise teachers to the age position of individual children within the class, ..' (page 475) [2] .

As such, this system realizes the solution proposed by Goodman and co-workers to prevent mental health problems among children, i.e. '.. to sensitise teachers to the age position of individual children within the class, ..' (page 475).


The geometric parameters (D min , D max , t, and l) used to calculate the critical values to initiate Euler buckling or yielding of the nanolattice tubes are schematically defined in Fig. 2(a) and tabulated for each sample in Table 1 . The yield stress of the Au, r y(Au) , in Eq. (3) was measured via nano-indentation into 2.17 lm thick film on a glass substrate to a depth of 100-200 nm to be 583641 MPa, and the indentation modulus to be E ¼ 9564 GPa, both calculated using the Oliver-Pharr method [54] . The stresses required to initiate either yielding or Euler buckling in the Au nanolattices were calculated using Eqs. (2) and (3) and are shown in Table 1 . The experiments presented in this work consider structures of constant relative density and lattice type, therefore the geometric parameters (D min , D max , t, and l) of the hollow tubes must change with the wall thickness, t. As a result, all samples presented in this work have varying values of D min , D max , t, and l, which are shown in Table 1 along with the critical stress to initiate Euler buckling and yielding. We found that for all nanolattices in this work, the threshold stress for yielding was in the range between 164 and 290 MPa, which is more than an order of magnitude lower than that required for Euler buckling (3.0-12.5 GPa). Potential errors in the magnitude of the critical stress values may be introduced if size effects cause the value of r y(Au) to vary as the wall thickness increases, however, based on previous work an order of magnitude change in the yield strength of the Au is not expected due to size effects [24, 26] . This implies that all samples will fail by yielding upon compression and that any geometric changes required to keep relative density constant do not change the fundamental deformation behavior of the nanolattice tubes. We observed that the initiation of yielding always occurred at the hollow nodes likely because of the substantial local stress. The dominance of nodal deformation within the structure renders minor nonuniformities within the wall thickness relatively inconsequential for mechanical behavior.

The yield stress of the Au, r y(Au) , in Eq. (3) was measured via nano-indentation into 2.17 lm thick film on a glass substrate to a depth of 100-200 nm to be 583641 MPa, and the indentation modulus to be E ¼ 9564 GPa, both calculated using the Oliver-Pharr method.

Potential errors in the magnitude of the critical stress values may be introduced if size effects cause the value of r y(Au) to vary as the wall thickness increases, however, based on previous work an order of magnitude change in the yield strength of the Au is not expected due to size effects.


Equation (5) captures the trend seen in calculated yield stresses for n ¼ 1.5, shown in Fig. 8(b) . The calculated yield stress deviates from that predicted using Eq. (5) by approximately an order of magnitude or more as the lattice angle increases. This is likely because of the hollow nodes and small imperfections, such as minor misalignment at the nodes or prebend in the unit cells connected to the substrate, all of which may emerge as a result of the fabrication process. The behavior or the lattice is more sensitive to imperfections as the lattice angle increases, as shown by the larger spread in the data at higher angles, and we attribute to the increasing deviation from the predicted value according to Eq. (5) to this imperfection sensitivity at higher lattice angles. Material size effects alter the strength of the constituent material at the length scale present in the wall thickness of the nanolattices, however, a model to describe this change in constituent properties for this geometry and microstructure is outside of the scope of this work. The r s q n term acts as a constant in the yield stress $f(sin(h)) relation therefore the value of n cannot be determined until the microstructure and material size effects present in the nanolattices are further characterized. The deviation in the m and n values from that which is expected of a bending-dominated structure (m ¼ 2 and n ¼ 1.5) is likely due to the complex stress state at the hollow nodes that initiates failure well below analytically predicted values. The scaling laws for cellular solids assume pin-jointed structures, which is not the case for the fabricated samples presented in this work, therefore it is expected that the m and n values would deviate from those predicted using analytic theory [1, 2] . Additionally, deviations of up to an order of magnitude between experiments, models, and analytic predictions for strength have been observed in previous work [9] .

The scaling laws for cellular solids assume pin-jointed structures, which is not the case for the fabricated samples presented in this work, therefore it is expected that the m and n values would deviate from those predicted using analytic theory.

Additionally, deviations of up to an order of magnitude between experiments, models, and analytic predictions for strength have been observed in previous work.


Results of our study indicated an abnormal daily urinary excretion of assessed substances by CP-treated rats (including increased NGAL-1 excretion) and a significant urine acidification. IF-treated animals demonstrated only an abnormally low urine pH at urinary NGAL-1 excretion remaining at a similar level as compared to control rats. Therefore, our study demonstrated a significant nephrotoxicity potential for CP. Which proves that acrolein, which is a unique compound released during metabolic processing of CP, exerts not only mainly urotoxic effects but also significant nephrotoxic ones. The most likely mechanism of the acrolein-related nephrotoxicity is complex and based on the same issues contributing to urotoxic properties of that compound, and includes a reduction of the kidney cellular glutathione dependent antioxidant system and an increase in free radical generation, mostly peroxynitrite. The compound is responsible for lipid peroxidation -a deleterious damage of the renal tubular cells [19] . Moreover, a significant drastic decrease (instead of an increase) in the activities of lysosomal enzymes was observed in kidneys of CP-treated rats. A decrease in the activities of lysosomal protein digestive enzymes may contribute to CYPinduced renal damage -the accumulation of abnormal amounts of the protein in kidneys may be at least in part due to a defect in lysosomal enzyme activity and may contribute to renal damage [20] . To sum up, the dosage and route of administration applied in our study showed a more emphasized kidney dysfunction in CP-treated rats, with the absence of any renal histopathological abnormalities. Moreover, results obtained for CP-treated animals suggest some possible disturbances of proximal tubules (impairment of reabsorption), as well as of distal ones (abnormal urine acidification). It seems that IF affects only the distal nephron function, because the agent caused only a drop of urine pH and the analysis of NGAL-1 did not reveal any significant abnormalities. The statement of dysfunction of distal tubules is supported by the finding that H + secretion into urine and, therefore, determination of the final urine pH, takes place just in the distal tubules [21, 22] . Taking into account data presented in Tables 1 and 2 , it should be concluded that the 24-h water and food intake in both CP-and IF-treated animals during monitoring in individual metabolic cages was almost identical (both in the beginning and in the end of the experiment). Therefore, in our opinion, it is unlikely that the final pH drop observed in the treated animals resulted from intergroup differences in water or feed consumption.

The compound is responsible for lipid peroxidation -a deleterious damage of the renal tubular cells.

A decrease in the activities of lysosomal protein digestive enzymes may contribute to CYPinduced renal damage -the accumulation of abnormal amounts of the protein in kidneys may be at least in part due to a defect in lysosomal enzyme activity and may contribute to renal damage.

The statement of dysfunction of distal tubules is supported by the finding that H + secretion into urine and, therefore, determination of the final urine pH, takes place just in the distal tubules.


Alkali activated binders (geopolymers) are amorphous cement free constructional materials which are normally produced from an aluminosilicate source [1] . Fly ash is the most attractive raw material which is widely used in production of geopolymers for construction [2, 3] . Alkali activation of fly ash is performed by a mixture of a silica-rich 2 source (such as sodium silicate or potassium silicate) and an alkali solution (such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH)) [4, 5] .

Alkali activated binders (geopolymers) are amorphous cement free constructional materials which are normally produced from an aluminosilicate source.

Fly ash is the most attractive raw material which is widely used in production of geopolymers for construction.

Alkali activation of fly ash is performed by a mixture of a silica-rich 2 source (such as sodium silicate or potassium silicate) and an alkali solution (such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH)).


Although the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov equation is normally used for representing percentage of crystallization, some works have been conducted for prediction degree of amorphous nucleation [9] . Both C-(N)-A-S-H and N-A-S-H amorphous gels are formed widely in geopolymeric paste in nanoscale and act as reinforcements for the hardened paste. Higher amounts of these gels results in higher strengths. In this work, compressive strength evolution of geopolymers, which directly reflects the degree of reaction, has been predicted by the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov equation.

Although the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov equation is normally used for representing percentage of crystallization, some works have been conducted for prediction degree of amorphous nucleation.


In our study, most residents considered PPIs as their first choice in acid suppressive drugs. This was possibly because PPIs are considered highly efficacious and potentially devoid of adverse effects. This trend of preferring PPIs over H 2 blockers is prevalent globally. In 2007, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, and pantoprazole were the fourth, eighth, and thirteenth leading prescription drugs dispensed in the United States, with 26.4, 20.4, and 16.1 million prescriptions, respectively. Comparatively, ranitidine and famotidine were ranked 47th and 120th with 13 and 3 million prescriptions, respectively [1] . Furthermore, in our survey more than half of the residents preferred the IV route over oral route for administering PPIs. Intravenous PPI is indicated in the treatment of upper GI bleeding caused (UGIB) by PUD associated with high risk stigmata and in patients requiring a PPI but who cannot take medications orally [19] . Many European and North American studies have suggested widespread and inappropriate use of IV PPIs in various medical institutions [20] . In a survey evaluating residents' use and understanding of IV PPI administration, 36% preferred IV pantoprazole for conditions in which there was no clear clinical benefit [21] . Emergency physicians often encounter patients with UGIBs who may experience significant delays before undergoing endoscopy. However, only a small proportion of all patients with UGIBs have high risk lesions on endoscopy that would mandate the use of IV PPIs [22, 23] . Recent studies have also revealed interesting trends associated with use of IV PPI such as prescriptions written by junior doctors, in female patients, in the elderly, in admission to surgical ward, and in prescriptions written during the evening and night when staff supervision is low [24, 25] . A multifaceted approach including physician/pharmacist education, IV PPI ordering templates, and guidelines may lead to more appropriate use of IV PPIs [20] .

Comparatively, ranitidine and famotidine were ranked 47th and 120th with 13 and 3 million prescriptions, respectively.

Intravenous PPI is indicated in the treatment of upper GI bleeding caused (UGIB) by PUD associated with high risk stigmata and in patients requiring a PPI but who cannot take medications orally.

Many European and North American studies have suggested widespread and inappropriate use of IV PPIs in various medical institutions.

In a survey evaluating residents' use and understanding of IV PPI administration, 36% preferred IV pantoprazole for conditions in which there was no clear clinical benefit.

However, only a small proportion of all patients with UGIBs have high risk lesions on endoscopy that would mandate the use of IV PPIs.

Recent studies have also revealed interesting trends associated with use of IV PPI such as prescriptions written by junior doctors, in female patients, in the elderly, in admission to surgical ward, and in prescriptions written during the evening and night when staff supervision is low.

A multifaceted approach including physician/pharmacist education, IV PPI ordering templates, and guidelines may lead to more appropriate use of IV PPIs.


Associated with the recreational sector is a commercial charter sector. Since 2006, licensed charter fishing operators in the area of the fishery have been required to pay an annual management fee and report catches in logbooks. The vessels are also subject to trip limits based on the number of recreational fishers onboard and the length of the trip; i.e., the number of recreational fishers multiplied by the individual fisher's recreational possession limits [15] . Extended limits apply for continuous trips between 72 h and 160 h where double the possession limit applies; trips over 160 h allow three times the possession limit.

The vessels are also subject to trip limits based on the number of recreational fishers onboard and the length of the trip; i.e., the number of recreational fishers multiplied by the individual fisher's recreational possession limits.