We have studied the logarithmic divergences, arising in these correlation functions. For the 3-point function this divergency immediately reproduces the quadratic contribution to the beta-function of the dual to probe operator (5), being essentially equivalent to the computation of this contribution from OPE's of the perturbing fields [2, 10] . This beta-function has the form of the squared Kodaira-Spencer equations, and the computation of the 3-point function reproduced it in the first nonvanishing order. In order to complete this derivation, and to get full Kodaira-Spencer equation, as required for example by target-space symmetries of the theory, we have computed the 4-point function, again with one operator being the probe operator (3). The divergency of the 4-point function gives rise to a necessary contribution to the squared KodairaSpencer equations (37), which is cubic in Beltrami fields and completes their derivation in given order. We have also analyzed an extra divergency in the 4-point function, and demonstrated that it origin comes rather from IR, than from UV regime, which however could be hardly distinguished in conformal field theory. Nevertheless, in given order this extra divergency also vanishes on Kodaira-Spencer equations (10) .

For the 3-point function this divergency immediately reproduces the quadratic contribution to the beta-function of the dual to probe operator (5), being essentially equivalent to the computation of this contribution from OPE's of the perturbing fields.

Nevertheless, in given order this extra divergency also vanishes on Kodaira-Spencer equations.


The main advantages of carbon cathodes are low work function and high chemical and physical stability in comparison with silicon or molybdenum emitters [1] . Carbon cathodes are more resistant to contamination from elements such as sulfur that can be released from phosphorus. Carbon also has a low sputtering coefficient at bombardment by ions of residual gases in devices. To obtain a low threshold voltage for electron field emission (EFE) diamond films, diamond-like carbon (DLC) films or carbon nanotubes can be used. An important advantage of DLC films compared to diamond films and carbon nanotubes is the simpler process with low-temperature deposition. Hence, DLC films are very promising materials for EFE.

The main advantages of carbon cathodes are low work function and high chemical and physical stability in comparison with silicon or molybdenum emitters.


The exploitation of high-power secondary batteries has received considerable interest as part of efforts to solve environmental and energy problems while promoting social development. Lithium ion secondary batteries are one of the most important rechargeable batteries, and are widely used nowadays as power sources for portable electronic devices such as laptop computers, cellular phones and camcorders, due to their high energy density. Large size lithium ion batteries are also very attractive for use in hybrid electric vehicle or for fully electrical vehicle applications. The application requires high power, high energy density and a high efficiency power supply [1] [2] [3] . Studies on anode materials, aimed at improving material capacity and cyclability, have been active for many years [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] .

The application requires high power, high energy density and a high efficiency power supply.

Studies on anode materials, aimed at improving material capacity and cyclability, have been active for many years.


The electrochemical properties of natural graphite anodes, involving initial efficiency, reversible capacity and cycle stability have been improved due to higher graphitization degree, higher purity, more suitable particle size distribution, and so on. Recently, natural graphite has come to be considered as a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries due to its high reversible capacity, appropriate charge/discharge profile and low cast. However, low first cycle efficiency and poor cycle stability have limited its practical use [10, 11] .

However, low first cycle efficiency and poor cycle stability have limited its practical use.


A waveguide triplexer is a device used in communication systems to perform the frequency discrimination between three different signal channels [1] . It can be used to split the signal incoming by the waveguide common port into three different channel ports, each one associated to a different frequency band. Other common use is to combine the signals from each channel port into a signal with a broader frequency range in the common port attached to the antenna. In these cases, the frequency discrimination facility of the triplexers allows the use of the same antenna for different frequency bands, achieving an important reduction of mass and volume in the hardware equipment. This is a very important feature in communications satellite systems.

A waveguide triplexer is a device used in communication systems to perform the frequency discrimination between three different signal channels.


More recently, nickel-nitrogen-related point defects in diamond generated strong interest. These defects can be found in some natural type II-a diamonds and more generally in high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) grown diamond samples where nickel is used as a solvent/catalyst for the HPHT crystal growth. Nickel then incorporates in the lattice as a substitutional or an interstitial impurity [16] . In the presence of nitrogen impurities, it can form a variety of nickel-nitrogen colour centres where a single nickel atom is surrounded by different number of nitrogen atoms located at adjacent lattice sites [17] .

Nickel then incorporates in the lattice as a substitutional or an interstitial impurity.

In the presence of nitrogen impurities, it can form a variety of nickel-nitrogen colour centres where a single nickel atom is surrounded by different number of nitrogen atoms located at adjacent lattice sites.


We have introduced two types of gene expression data, namely the GEO microarray data and the GTEx/1000G RNA-Seq data. We have formulated the gene expression inference as a multi-task regression problem, using the GEO data for training and both the GEO and the GTEx data for testing. We have also described our deep learning method D-GEX, and another two methods, linear regression and k-nearest neighbour regression, to solve the problem. Next, we show the predictive performances of the three methods on both the GEO data and the GTEx data. D-GEX achieves the best performance on both GEO-va and GEO-te with 10% dropout rate (denoted as D-GEX-10%). Figure 1 and Table 1 show the overall performances of D-GEX-10% and the other methods on GEO-te. The complete performances of D-GEX with other dropout rates on both GEO-va and GEO-te are given in Supplementary Table S2 and S3. The largest architecture of D-GEX-10% (3 hidden layers with 9,000 hidden units in each hidden layer, denoted as D-GEX-10%-9000×3) achieves the best performance on both GEO-va and GEO-te. The relative improvements of D-GEX-10%-9000×3 are 15.33% over LR and 45.38% over KNN-GE. Besides D-GEX-10%-9000×3, D-GEX-10% consistently outperforms LR and KNN-GE on all the other architecture as shown in Figure 1 . One possible explanation is that deep architectures enjoy much richer representability than shallow architectures, thus learning complex features is much easier from the perspective of optimization [31] . D-GEX also outperforms LR and KNN-GE for almost all of the target genes. Figure 2 shows the density plots of the predictive errors of all the target genes by LR, KNN-GE and GEX-10%-9000×3. Figure 3 shows a gene-wise comparative analysis between D-GEX-10%-9000×3 and the other two methods. D-GEX-10%-9000×3 outperforms LR in 99.97% of the target genes and outperforms KNN-GE in all the target genes. These results seem to suggest that D-GEX captured some intrinsic nonlinear features within the GEO data where LR and KNN-GE didn't. Regularization methods do not improve LR significantly. Table 1 shows the relative improvements of LR-L1 and LR-L2 over LR are 0.05% and 0.00%. Thus, it is most likely that LR is underfitting which means linear model is not complex enough to represent the data. Therefore, regularization techniques that reduce model complexity are not helpful.

One possible explanation is that deep architectures enjoy much richer representability than shallow architectures, thus learning complex features is much easier from the perspective of optimization.


In general, the problem of contingency planning is known to be quite hard [ 11] , and k-contingency planning is no exception. If k = oo, k-contingency planning reduces to finding the optimal policy. If k = 0, k-contingency plan ning reduces to stochastic conformant planning, where we must find the best unconditional sequence of actions [9] .

If k = 0, k-contingency plan ning reduces to stochastic conformant planning, where we must find the best unconditional sequence of actions.


Given the controversial interest that China is demonstrating in its economic relations with African countries, there are intense arguments in the academic and policy-making circles about Chinese motivations and intentions (Taylor, 2006; Asongu & Aminkeng, 2013) . The present exposition contributes to the debates by providing some valuable lessons for China, Africa and the West. As far as we have reviewed, the current literature can be improved with updated lessons for all three parties concerned in the debate.

Given the controversial interest that China is demonstrating in its economic relations with African countries, there are intense arguments in the academic and policy-making circles about Chinese motivations and intentions.


Accordingly, the rise of China has recently been subject to growing interest due to its strengthening of South-South relations and its significance for the international system. In essence, Africa's political and economic landscape is increasingly experiencing China's emerging footprint. China's success in Africa has raised the debate in academic and policy making circles regarding the former's strategies. Among the subjects for debate, China's tactic in economic diplomacy has been in the forefront (Asche et al., 2008; Besada et al., 2008; Biggeri et al., 2009; Ortmann, 2012; Asongu & Aminkeng, 2013) . This is compounded by the fact that, China has an African policy while most African countries south of the Sahara (with the exception of South Africa and Botswana) do not yet have a plan on China to balance the asymmetry in economic relations with historical Western donors. The present paper aims to examine China's strategies in economic diplomacy before drawing lessons for Africa, China and the West 1 .

Among the subjects for debate, China's tactic in economic diplomacy has been in the forefront.


The desire by independent African countries to seek new relationships in the 21 st Century with non-Western allies is not a new intriguing development in the international relationship arena. Resource wars fought by white mercenaries, government corruption by Western companies, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Structural Adjustments, Cold War manipulations from the West, Apartheid, colonialism and slavery are all examples of factors that are pushing nations of the continent towards alternative partners. Against this background, China's growing economic and political influence has become an attractive substitute for African governments, leading to substantial increases in this country's investments in Africa (Robinson, 2009) . Such is partly explained by the fact that the Chinese government adopted a strategy that is not just nefarious subversion, but masked by altruism.

Against this background, China's growing economic and political influence has become an attractive substitute for African governments, leading to substantial increases in this country's investments in Africa.


All of the imaging approaches mentioned above for TWI problem are based on physical modeling. However, the lack of required data and the expense of data acquisition can limit the practical application of physics-based models. In this situation, data-driven models are good alternative, or a complement, to physics-based models for TWI problem [7] . They are characterized by their ability to capture the underlying physics of the system simply by examination of the inputs and outputs of the system. Taking advantage of data-driven model, the TWI problem is reformulated as a regression one, where the data (i.e., scatter-fields measurement) and the unknowns (i.e., the position of the object) are related by means of an approximated function to be estimated through an offline data fitting process. In this way, the effects caused by the walls can be included in the mapping obtained after the training phase. Therefore, this technology is not sensitive to a priori knowledge on the walls or the room geometry.

In this situation, data-driven models are good alternative, or a complement, to physics-based models for TWI problem.


The OSCAR model is a partial equilibrium model built to illustrate the agro-energy chain structure in France by simulating farmers' behaviour. It is written in General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS) and integrates a sequential multi-annual and regional agricultural sector [41] . The objective function of the model is to maximize the net income of the farmers. The regional agricultural sector model maximizes total gross margin by determining farmers' decisions. Crop prices are set exogenously, and the model determines crop production [2] . It considers that farmers maximize their individual gross margin by cultivating the most profitable set of crops subject to crop prices, agronomic, and institutional constraints [42, 46] . The main assumptions of the model are that farmers are considered to be "price takers", the agro sector is closed to imports, and crop demands are considered to be totally elastic [3] . These assumptions would still be valid in a regime with more biofuels production, although plants and farmers likely would use long term production contracts to reduce risk on both sides. The model optimizes incomes of the sector for several years based on exogenous variables. Figure 1 provides a flow chart for the OSCAR model.

It is written in General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS) and integrates a sequential multi-annual and regional agricultural sector.

Crop prices are set exogenously, and the model determines crop production.

It considers that farmers maximize their individual gross margin by cultivating the most profitable set of crops subject to crop prices, agronomic, and institutional constraints.

The main assumptions of the model are that farmers are considered to be "price takers", the agro sector is closed to imports, and crop demands are considered to be totally elastic.


Hopanes are markers of lubricating oil in the emissions of high-emitting vehicles (Rogge et al., 1993a; Zielinska et al., 2004) . In this study two hopanes (17α,21β-norhopane and 17α,21β-hopane) have been clearly associated with the traffic and more closely related to the heavy-duty traffic. However the quantification of ratios of hopanes to OC showed divergences with other studies that require a better understanding.

Hopanes are markers of lubricating oil in the emissions of high-emitting vehicles.


Experimental studies with the spine are usually performed with anatomical parts of elderly individuals. Another alternative is the use of animal spines from monkeys or pigs (Kouwenhoven et al., 2007) . However, vertebral deformity such as adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is not found in quadruped animals. It affects young people who have yet to reach complete bone maturity (Castelein et al., 2005) . The availability of a young spine for experimental studies is extremely rare.

Another alternative is the use of animal spines from monkeys or pigs.

It affects young people who have yet to reach complete bone maturity.


The supply chain and its management are of major importance in most industries. In essence, they concern collection and analysis of data to provide better basis for decisionmaking (Hilletofth and Lättilä, 2012) . Information systems are needed to achieve this because of complex supply chain structures and processes (Hilletofth, 2010) . One information system that has been crucial in operating and managing supply chains ERP system 285 efficiently and effectively is the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system . The ERP system provides seamless integration of processes across functional areas with improved workflow and standardization, as well as access to real-time and up-to-date data . It has become a fundamental tool to remain competitive on both global and local markets (Beheshti and Beheshti, 2010) .

In essence, they concern collection and analysis of data to provide better basis for decisionmaking.

Information systems are needed to achieve this because of complex supply chain structures and processes.

It has become a fundamental tool to remain competitive on both global and local markets.


To address these and other challenges faced by university students, particularly those from the aforementioned previously-excluded backgrounds, new and innovative interventions and strategies need to be designed and implemented. The implementation of these interventions and strategies in different institutions of Higher Education yielded varied levels of success (Smith et al 2014) . In addressing this challenge, and of interest for this contribution, the Academic Development Centre (ADC), at the comprehensive university under investigation, also implemented an intervention loosely called "Academic Advising" since 2009. Academic Advising (which will also be the term I use in this article) has been designed broadly as a tertiary-level intervention programme, based on mentoring by the academic staff. This programme aims to eradicate first year students' sense of isolation and increase their access for success by, amongst other things, assist them to be familiar with, access and use available resources and services supplied by the university. Academic staff members play an instrumental role in the early identification of at-risk students who are then provided with the necessary information and support that would help them address their challenges. It is important to note that these interventions include a special orientation dimension. This orientation supplements the generic orientation offered by the institution at the beginning of the year, which is part of the induction of new extended-programme students into the ethos of the university. Furthermore, a student conference is organised once a year to motivate students; and, a mark review session is convened each term to give academic staff the opportunity to holistically examine the academic progress of each student on the programme.

The implementation of these interventions and strategies in different institutions of Higher Education yielded varied levels of success.


As indicated in the introduction, literature on the first year experience of students in Higher Education, identified students' slow or difficult academic and social adjustment, but also, their lack of finance and time management skills as some of the significant factors hindering their academic success (Higgins 2010) . Consequently, universities' approach to this maladjustment has changed. Rigid rules and regulations requiring staff to act in loco parentis have been replaced by an approach aimed at equipping students with the tools they need to personally manage their adjustment (Higgins 2010) . This new approach consists of using faculty staff members as mentors to first year students, on a one-on-one basis. This focus on mentoring it is argued has the potential to increase both the retention and enrichment of undergraduate students (Jacobi 1991) .

As indicated in the introduction, literature on the first year experience of students in Higher Education, identified students' slow or difficult academic and social adjustment, but also, their lack of finance and time management skills as some of the significant factors hindering their academic success.

Rigid rules and regulations requiring staff to act in loco parentis have been replaced by an approach aimed at equipping students with the tools they need to personally manage their adjustment.

This focus on mentoring it is argued has the potential to increase both the retention and enrichment of undergraduate students.


Determining the age of radioactive material can provide insights on the material's origin and history [1] . Most radiological sealed sources are composed of isotopes that decay into isobaric daughters, which prevents their direct measurement using mass spectrometry, the most widely used method for isotopic analysis of stable elements. If mass spectrometry is to be used with such a system, the parent and daughter(s) must first be chemically separated from each other.

Determining the age of radioactive material can provide insights on the material's origin and history.


The proposed alternative separation method using DGA Normal Resin has been tested and appears to work as well as, if not better than, the previously validated method using Sr Resin [9] . The new procedure does require the use of higher concentrations of HF to keep the Zr solubilized but makes up for this by not requiring as much sample volume to execute. The new procedure results in slightly higher recoveries and smaller recovery variation among experiments. While the difficulty of finding an aged 90 Sr source with a known pedigree precluded the testing of the system on an actual radioactive source, the method did match or exceed the performance of the established Sr Resin method in recovery and precision, and shows no bias with respect to recovery of one analyte over the other after separation.

The proposed alternative separation method using DGA Normal Resin has been tested and appears to work as well as, if not better than, the previously validated method using Sr Resin.


We model the elevator trip OD matrix estimation problem as a minimum cost network flow problem. This model can be used to solve the problem when the measured boarding and alighting counts are consistent taking into account also lower bounds on the OD passenger counts. When the counts are consistent, the result of minimizing the distance between the boarding and alighting counts produced by the estimated elevator trip OD matrix and the observed boarding and alighting counts does not depend on the distance metric. The minimum cost network flow formulation is appealing since it is a linear program which can be efficiently solved with the network simplex algorithm (Bertsimas and Tsitsiklis, 1997) . The elevator trip OD matrix estimation problem is either over-, exactly-or under-determined, i.e., the number of OD pairs is either less than, equal to or greater than the number of boarding and alighting counts. In the first case, the problem has a unique solution and in the last two cases it has more than one solution.

The minimum cost network flow formulation is appealing since it is a linear program which can be efficiently solved with the network simplex algorithm.


Fast and slow chlorophyll fluorescence kinetic parameters were measured using a PK Morgan CF 1000 fluorometer using an actinic light intensity of 400 Frnol.m-'.s-' for 5 s. Foliage was dark-equilibrated for 15 min prior to measurement. Five replicates of foliage from each sample tree were measured. The ratio ofvariable (F,) to maximal (F,) chlorophyll fluorescence was assessed as a quantitative measure of photochemical efficiency (Mohammed et al. 1995) .

The ratio ofvariable (F,) to maximal (F,) chlorophyll fluorescence was assessed as a quantitative measure of photochemical efficiency.


Scaffolding is mostly utilised as temporary structures in building construction process. In many cases, linear analysis procedure is performed to design scaffold systems to support construction loads. These loads can be gravity loads such as own weight of the members, fresh concrete, formwork, workers, and equipment or lateral loads like wind and earthquake. Scaffold systems are mainly consisting of modular units that are usually fabricated from slender members with flexible connections and are subjected to compressive forces. Stability problems are one of the main causes of collapse of these structures during construction. Thus, it is important to evaluate the buckling load of the modular shoring systems (support scaffolds) which depends not only on the geometry and material, but also on the boundary conditions, types of loading and connection between the members of the system (Zhang et al., 2010) .

Thus, it is important to evaluate the buckling load of the modular shoring systems (support scaffolds) which depends not only on the geometry and material, but also on the boundary conditions, types of loading and connection between the members of the system.


This paper describes a way to generalize [5] formulation. Before posing the concerned integral equation system, we briefly remind how the initial problem is decomposed. The well posedness of the formulation is then demonstrated. Finally we give some numerical illustrations which validate this approach and point out its advantages.

This paper describes a way to generalize formulation.


Anger rumination and sadness rumination may predict unique response trajectories because they correspond to separate associative networks that activate different (Miller et al. 2003) . These conceptually independent associative networks for rumination on anger and sadness may be the mechanisms through which the contentspecific effects of both forms of rumination arise. The Sadness and Anger Rumination Inventory (SARI) was explicitly designed to contain analogous scales for each form of rumination to ensure that results of specificity were not due to different question content and format. A potential limitation with this approach is that unique characteristics of each form of rumination might not have been fully captured. For example, a feature of anger rumination-"thoughts of revenge"-was not included in the anger rumination questionnaire because analogous items could not be devised for the sadness rumination questionnaire. Although developing the SARI (congruent measures for both types of rumination) was an important first step to examine both types of rumination using a methodology that minimized measurement variance, it is not the final step in understanding the constructs of anger rumination and sadness rumination. It may be that content differences in the two forms of rumination, which were attenuated using the SARI, are what maximize the prediction of anger, aggression and depressed mood. Therefore, focusing on these differences, by using measures that include unique content for each form of rumination, may have important implications for future research and intervention. It will be important for future studies to investigate how the SARI fares in comparison to other rumination measures in predicting specific conditions. In addition, it will be important for future rumination research to be conducted on non-clinical groups of adults that extend beyond the university setting, and across a wider age range, to assess the generalizability of findings. Research examining adult clinical populations and adopting longitudinal designs will also shed more light on the distinction between the two forms of rumination, and the predictive role of rumination in the course of aggressive behavior. Further, it is important to recognize that this study investigated the relation between rumination and depressed mood, rather than depression. In addition, a shortened measure was used to assess depressed mood (items from the MMPI) as opposed to a lengthier measure assessing clinical depression (e.g., Beck Depression Inventory; BDI). Replication of our findings is necessary within adult clinical populations using a standard instrument such as the BDI to measure clinical depression.

Anger rumination and sadness rumination may predict unique response trajectories because they correspond to separate associative networks that activate different.


Grain growth is expected to occur during the premain-sequence phase of star formation in the circumstellar disks, when the disk is still gas-rich. The dust is processed from ISM-like sub-micron size grains into mm and cm-size structures on their way to form planets (Beckwith et al. 2000) . Interferometric sub-millimetric and millimetric observations are playing a key role in the detection and study of these disks.

The dust is processed from ISM-like sub-micron size grains into mm and cm-size structures on their way to form planets.


One potential source of market failure results from consumers being poorly informed about the quality and prices of alternatives in the market before making decisions (Storey 2003) . On the supply side, different lending technologies have been investigated and the potential effect of these methods on small firms have been discussed (Berger et al. 2005; Berger & Udell 2006; Berger & Black 2011) . However, we are much less informed about the readiness of the entrepreneur to approach external financiers. An important part of successful lending processes depends on entrepreneurs' decisions about when, where, and how to apply for external financing.

One potential source of market failure results from consumers being poorly informed about the quality and prices of alternatives in the market before making decisions.

On the supply side, different lending technologies have been investigated and the potential effect of these methods on small firms have been discussed.


Photosynthesis is one of the most studied processes in experiments with UV-B stress. It seems that the photosynthetic apparatus is one of the main action sites of UV-B damage. Enhanced UV-B radiation caused a decrease in Rubisco activity, inhibition of PSII activity and reduced dry weight and chlorophyll content in sensitive plants. UV-B also affected the stomatal conductance, CO 2 fixation and the integrity of thylakoid membranes (Hollósy 2002; Lidon et al. 2012; Zlatev et al. 2012) .

UV-B also affected the stomatal conductance, CO 2 fixation and the integrity of thylakoid membranes.


This study has shown the importance of considering the right aerosol composition when estimating incoming solar radiation. This was done by estimating the diurnal direct, diffuse and global DSSF corresponding to 20 dates at two stations in West Africa (Dakar and Niamey) using three different methodologies having distinct degrees of accuracy regarding aerosol representation. First, the operational LSA-SAF method, which assumes static aerosol properties, was considered. Second, two configurations of the recent surface fluxes retrieval method, referred to as SIRAMix, were used to try to improve the aerosol effects: the first (SIRAMix1) took the evolution of AOD into account with a fixed desert aerosol model and the second (SIRAMix2) accounted for variations in aerosol load and composition. SIRAMix1 reduced the bias of global DSSF by about 50% on average compared to the LSA-SAF product. However, the diffuse DSSF estimated by SIRAMix1 still contained significant errors (an average RMSE of 45.9 W/m 2 for all dates in Dakar), especially for days classified as mixture or dusty. The SIRAMix2 method, taking the optical properties of the two most predominant types (fine and coarse particles) into account, greatly improved the estimation of the diffuse radiation (average RMSE of 30.7 W/m 2 for all dates). This improvement was obtained by considering fine aerosol particles (made up of fine mineral dust, particles from biomass burning, or sea salt particles, depending on the day) that are often neglected in default desert aerosol models. Besides the better estimation of the DSSF, the improved representation of the aerosol extinction properties may be of great interest to study other radiative terms, such as radiative forcing by aerosols at the surface [14, 51] .

Besides the better estimation of the DSSF, the improved representation of the aerosol extinction properties may be of great interest to study other radiative terms, such as radiative forcing by aerosols at the surface.


Knowledge of thermodynamic properties (such as initial freezing point, fraction of frozen water, specific heat and enthalpy) at refrigeration and freezing temperatures is essential for the efficient design and selection of processes and equipments, estimation of freezing and thawing time, and control of operating costs. However, values of thermal and physical properties of foods strongly depend on temperature and composition (Cogné et al., 2003; Hamdami et al., 2004; Ngadi et al., 2003; Tocci et al., 1997) . Although many authors have measured thermophysical properties of bakery products, experimental data for below the freezing point are scarce and do not comprise all composition ranges that may be of interest to the bakery industry e not to mention the inherent variation in properties due to differences in product specification (Hamdami et al., 2004; Lind, 1991; Rask, 1989) .

However, values of thermal and physical properties of foods strongly depend on temperature and composition.

Although many authors have measured thermophysical properties of bakery products, experimental data for below the freezing point are scarce and do not comprise all composition ranges that may be of interest to the bakery industry e not to mention the inherent variation in properties due to differences in product specification.


The six factors identified are convenient location and availability of ATM, people influence, secure feeling, marketing promotion, speedy and efficient service, and financial benefits. Table 2 depicts the sorted rotated factor loadings for the items based on a six-factor extraction. The Cronbach alpha was used to measure internal reliability by unit weighting items with salient loadings in a factor where Cronbach's alpha coefficient at 0.5 or higher was considered acceptable (Kerlinger & Lee, 2000) . These factors produced alpha coefficients between 0.60 and 0.87; indicating high internal consistency and reliability (see Table 2 ).

The Cronbach alpha was used to measure internal reliability by unit weighting items with salient loadings in a factor where Cronbach's alpha coefficient at 0.5 or higher was considered acceptable.


A deeper analysis will be needed in future work to understand the nature of optical Bloch ͑=coupled͒ modes in these systems well. This aspect is at the root of an apparent paradox: if one forgets the Bloch nature of modes in a DBR and only thinks in terms of successive Fresnel reflections, then transmission would always be impeded and there would be no bands, only gaps. Here, we can think of a ray impinging at adequate incidence on the side corrugation and undergoing a diffraction event in Littrow or near-Littrow geometry [26] . At each bounce, only a fraction of the light goes forward, so that naively, only backscattering is possible for a long enough system [26] . The formation of bands allows this paradox to be solved: eigenmodes (Bloch modes) acquire forward and backward components everywhere, and transmission windows (bands) are retained. What we find here is the critical coupling situation whereby bands are maximally squeezed and transmission is almost always impeded, save for very narrow minibands.

Here, we can think of a ray impinging at adequate incidence on the side corrugation and undergoing a diffraction event in Littrow or near-Littrow geometry.

At each bounce, only a fraction of the light goes forward, so that naively, only backscattering is possible for a long enough system.


We have pointed out a hitherto unnoticed property of multimode corrugated waveguides: they are able to provide a slow-light propagation regime under the appropriate waveguide parameters-ratios of waveguide width and corrugation depth to periodicity of the corrugation-in a sizable fraction of their dispersion diagram. The underlying physical mechanism is a Bragg feedback that can also be analyzed as a Littrow-type backdiffraction effect combined with the waveguide discretization constraints. A phenomenological and generic study exploiting coupledmode formalism for both bands and gaps highlighted the prominent role of coupling strength. A critical coupling condition was identified that produced ultraflat bands. The flatness can be made arbitrarily low in coupled-mode theory over several successive crossings. The persistence of slow modes shows the relevance of the Bloch-mode picture, as light would be simply decaying upon propagation in the naive grating diffraction picture ignoring the profound physics of guided waves. As for the attainment of the critical coupling in a real system, it was clearly evidenced in modeling realistic systems, such as corrugated slabs of index n = 3.21, with a top triangular corrugation of limited depth ͑ϳ / n͒. A more explicit view of the effect of low group velocity and of the critical coupling was investigated thanks to the FDTD method, and the trends were confirmed by an original comparison of the FDTD delayed propagation results with the group-velocity distribution of excited modes. Applications exploiting a mere corrugated waveguide have the interest of simplicity and of possible tuning and transduction action at the accessible grating surface. As for a photonic-crystal version, it would likely demand more complex shapes than round holes, but one could gain from the omnidirectional bandgap access to angular windows in the guide that are incompatible with total internal reflection. Applications of broad photonic-crystal waveguides to produce original Littrow lasing systems was recently reported by our group [26] . The present study, detailing a blend of simple and more complex physics, suggests that highly multimode waveguides have an interesting potential to hit a variety of conditions implementing enhanced light-matter interaction, that, to date, were reported almost exclusively around ultimately confined systems (waveguides or microcavities).

Applications of broad photonic-crystal waveguides to produce original Littrow lasing systems was recently reported by our group.


Th e quantitative data were collected through a random cross-sectional telephone survey of adults in April 2002, with 113 participants drawn from each study suburb (total n=339). Th e survey included items measuring social capital, sense of community, self-reported mental health, and perceptions of the neighborhood environment-along with a series of questions relating to pets. Th e survey instrument has been described in detail elsewhere (Wood et al., 2005) .

Th e survey instrument has been described in detail elsewhere.


As many a companion animal (pet) lover will testify, pets bring affection, enjoyment, companionship, and distraction to the lives of those with whom they reside. Such anecdotes are supported by studies associating pet guardianship (ownership) with a diversity of therapeutic, psychological, physiological, and psychosocial benefits. Although the bulk of evidence relates to individual level benefits of pet ownership, emerging research suggests that there are also collective benefits that accrue to communities through the presence of pets, benefits that extend beyond pet owners themselves (Wood, Giles-Corti, & Bulsara, 2005) .

Although the bulk of evidence relates to individual level benefits of pet ownership, emerging research suggests that there are also collective benefits that accrue to communities through the presence of pets, benefits that extend beyond pet owners themselves.


Research on biometric systems has experienced an important growth in the last years. In the case of individual biometric traits such as fingerprint, face, and voice, this has been promoted by the availability of biometric databases developed for international benchmarks such as Fingerprint Verification Competitions, NIST Facial Recognition Technology Evaluations, and NIST Speaker Recognition Evaluations [1] . In the same way, the progress on multimodal biometric systems relies heavily on the availability of multimodal biometric databases.

In the case of individual biometric traits such as fingerprint, face, and voice, this has been promoted by the availability of biometric databases developed for international benchmarks such as Fingerprint Verification Competitions, NIST Facial Recognition Technology Evaluations, and NIST Speaker Recognition Evaluations.


As no single approach works best for all topics, we wanted to minimize query-dependency-and improve robustnessby combining our query expansion techniques together with the baseline approach. We used a score averaging fusion scheme (global parameter-free fusion) to combine all 4 methods, and also considered a query-specific Oracle fusion. The latter serves to measure potential performance gains with optimally tuned query-specific fusion parameters. For the Oracle evaluation, we considered 5 different score normalization methods, along with 3 non-weighted fusion methods (AVG, MAX, and PRODUCT), and chose the optimal combination for each query as observed on the test set. Query-dependent weighted fusion approaches are likely to perform better, and are subject of ongoing work [9] .

Query-dependent weighted fusion approaches are likely to perform better, and are subject of ongoing work.


Most solid-state materials are polycrystalline consisting of grains separated by grain boundaries. Their macroscopic properties are often anisotropic in polycrystalline state (Nye, 1979) . Microscopically, each grain, which can be considered as a single crystal, could have its own anisotropic property. A huge number of individual crystallites provide an overall material property which is the integration of the contribution from each grain. Consequently, the materials can have different values of properties or performances if the crystal orientations are different or are changed. Therefore, the orientation is an important factor of the macroscopic properties. Ferroelectricity and pyroelectricity are caused by the spontaneous polarization that occurs in a non-centrosymmetrical crystal structure (Xu, 1991) . The properties of these materials have strong orientation dependence. Besides the dipole in atomic level and domains in microstructure level, the overall texture is also an important factor in the onset of spontaneous polarization.

Their macroscopic properties are often anisotropic in polycrystalline state.

Ferroelectricity and pyroelectricity are caused by the spontaneous polarization that occurs in a non-centrosymmetrical crystal structure.


Secrecy of communication is essentially required to maintain the sanctity of privacy. Steganography is one of tested technique of secret communication. The word steganography is a combination of two Greek words -STEGANOS mean Covered and GRAPHIE mean Writing. Steganography is an art and science of secret communication which is used to conceal secret information within a cover media like text, image, audio and video files in such a way that prevents an unauthorized user to detect hidden message [9] .

Steganography is an art and science of secret communication which is used to conceal secret information within a cover media like text, image, audio and video files in such a way that prevents an unauthorized user to detect hidden message.


Double bonds of unsaturated fatty acids (FA) can be either subject to geometrical isomerisation with forming trans isomers of fatty acids (TFA) or positional isomerisation with shifting of double bond in carbon chain. Dienoic FA usually provide a conjugated isomers (Velíšek 2002) . Conjugated isomers of octadecadienoic acid are collectively known as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (Larqué et al. 2001) . Isomerisation of double bonds of FA are effectively induced by heating up 200°C, so the TFA are formed especially by physical refining and deodorisation of plant oils. Their presence negatively affects a final nutritious quality of refined oils (Ackman et al. 1974; O'Brien 2004; Čmolík et al. 2007) .

Dienoic FA usually provide a conjugated isomers.

Conjugated isomers of octadecadienoic acid are collectively known as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

Their presence negatively affects a final nutritious quality of refined oils.


Huanghuai goats are not seasonal breeders and are considered one of the most important local breeds in China as they are highly prolific and have good leather and meat production potential. The number of kids born per goat averages 2.38, but the prolificacy of the goats is somewhat irregular (Zhao et al., 2005) . Some very highly prolific does sometimes have only one lamb born. This complex trait involves a combination of ovulation rate, embryo viability and uterine capacity in swine (Bennett and Leymaster, 1989) . To date, mechanisms controlling prolificacy in goats are unclear. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the trait of prolificacy and to characterize differences in ovarian hormone levels of prolific and nonprolific goats throughout natural estrus cycles. We examined the litter sizes of Huanghuai goats, and analyzed hormonal profiles (estradiol and progesterone) during natural estrus cycles synchronized using a prostaglandin analog and at five days after ovariectomy.

The number of kids born per goat averages 2.38, but the prolificacy of the goats is somewhat irregular.

This complex trait involves a combination of ovulation rate, embryo viability and uterine capacity in swine.


In 2005, government administrators initiated a set of policies focused on promoting agricultural and rural development to spur the rural economy and confront the striking inequality between urban and rural regions [17] . The resulting national "New Rural Campaign" was initiated in 2006, which included an emphasis on deliberate financial intervention in the rural economy [17, 21] . This liberalisation of the credit market is likely to have long term effects, reshaping the rural financial system in China and enhancing the process of rural development [17] . It is thus important to identify the factors determining credit constraints in rural China and examine the impact of these on farm household welfare.

In 2005, government administrators initiated a set of policies focused on promoting agricultural and rural development to spur the rural economy and confront the striking inequality between urban and rural regions.

The resulting national "New Rural Campaign" was initiated in 2006, which included an emphasis on deliberate financial intervention in the rural economy.

This liberalisation of the credit market is likely to have long term effects, reshaping the rural financial system in China and enhancing the process of rural development.


In addition, poor rural households are more likely to be credit constrained from both formal and inform credit sources [14, 16] . Poor rural households lack collateral, which results in credit constraints from formal credit sources that restricts their participation in additional income generating activities. It further impoverishes them by depriving their households of an opportunity to invest in social capital to expand their social network. This acts as a further constraint by isolating them from informal credit sources [17] . The social network is the most important key determinant for farmers' access to informal credit, as informal borrowing is a resource traded among friends and relatives or via their social networks [14, 18] . Therefore, credit constraint is one of the more substantial factors that reinforces the poverty trap among the rural poor [17] .

In addition, poor rural households are more likely to be credit constrained from both formal and inform credit sources.

This acts as a further constraint by isolating them from informal credit sources.

The social network is the most important key determinant for farmers' access to informal credit, as informal borrowing is a resource traded among friends and relatives or via their social networks.

Therefore, credit constraint is one of the more substantial factors that reinforces the poverty trap among the rural poor.


To relax credit constraints in the rural credit market, an appropriate strategy is to direct both informal and formal credit sectors to work better towards the rural development goal since both sectors coexist and interact. A better connection between the two credit sectors would enable one sector to overcome its weaknesses by gaining from the others' strengths [19] . This will enable the informal sector to serve the rural community efficiently instead of attempting to diminish its operation and existence.

A better connection between the two credit sectors would enable one sector to overcome its weaknesses by gaining from the others' strengths.


These types of condensation reactions continue to build larger and larger silicon-containing molecules by the process of polymerization. Figure ( 1) illustrates the molecular structure, which produced as a result of the reaction between silica gel and phosphoric acid in the last stage of sol-gel coating preparation (Bamoniri et al., 2012) . This research work aims to improve the thermal and ignition properties of polyester samples. PET was activated by UV/Ozone for different periods then coated with phosphorylated sol-gel. All the samples were tested for TGA and flammability properties.

Figure ( 1) illustrates the molecular structure, which produced as a result of the reaction between silica gel and phosphoric acid in the last stage of sol-gel coating preparation.


Biharmonic maps φ : (M, g) → (N, h) between Riemannian manifolds are the critical points of the bienergy functional E 2 (φ) = 1 2 M |τ (φ)| 2 ν g and represent a natural generalization of the well-known harmonic maps, the critical points of the energy functional E(φ) = 1 2 M |dφ| 2 ν g . The bienergy functional has been suggested since 1964 by Eells and Sampson in their famous paper [13] . The bienergy functional can be viewed as the analogue for maps of the Willmore functional for Riemannian immersions. In a different setting, Chen defined the biharmonic submanifolds in an Euclidean space. If we apply the characterization formula of biharmonic maps to Riemannian immersions into Euclidean spaces, we recover Chen's notion of biharmonic submanifold.

The bienergy functional has been suggested since 1964 by Eells and Sampson in their famous paper.


Prior to July 1977, when only two samples were collected per location for a given sampling date (Fig. 1) , it was not possible to statistically compare intake and discharge mortalities by collection date and incubation period. Beginning in July 1977, when the statistical design of the sample collection program was improved (i.e. four rather than two samples were collected from each location for each time, Fig. 1 ), such analyses could be conducted. Since the sample size was small (n =4) and the data did not meet the assumptions of normality, the Smirnov upper-sided twosample test, a nonparametric test, was used. The test compares the distribution functions associated with two populations, F(x) or intake mortality and G(x) or discharge mortality. The assumptions are that the samples are randomly collected from the two populations, that they are mutually independent, and that the measurement scale is at least ordinal. The test hypothesis is that F(x)<~ G(x), i.e. intake mortalities tend to be smaller than discharge mortalities. The alternate hypothesis is that F(x)>G(x) (Conover, 1980) . Analyses were conducted only for those zooplankton taxa which were abundant in the four replicate samples. Nauplii, immature and adult Cyclops spp and Diaptomus spp, Bosmina longirostris, Eubosmina coregoni and Daphnia spp met this criterion during at least one season (e.g. summer) of the year.

The alternate hypothesis is that F(x)>G(x).


In the laboratory, each subsample was examined in a circular counting dish under a stereozoom dissecting microscope. Organisms which exhibited no visceral or appendicular movements, even after gentle prodding, were classified as "dead". At the beginning of the mortality studies, we investigated the feasibility of using vital stains: however, none of the stains tested proved as reliable as using the visual observation method (Evans, 1975) . Organisms were identified to suborder (nauplii), genus (Asplanchna spp, immature copepodites), or species (adult copepods, cladocerans). After identification and enumeration, dead animals were placed in a separate vial and preserved with a sugar-formalin solution (Haney and Hall, 1973) . After complete examination of the subsample, remaining live zooplankton were preserved for later examination and identification.

At the beginning of the mortality studies, we investigated the feasibility of using vital stains: however, none of the stains tested proved as reliable as using the visual observation method.

After identification and enumeration, dead animals were placed in a separate vial and preserved with a sugar-formalin solution.


Lake Michigan has been exposed to many environmental perturbations in addition to thermal pollution, i.e. eutrophication, overfishing, and the invasion of exotics such as the alewife (Alosa pseduoharengus) (Beeton, 1969; Christie, 1974) . In areas where eutrophication has been minimal (including southeastern Lake Michigan), the alewife has had a strong effect on the zooplankton community (Wells, 1970) . Temporal changes in alewife populations have been followed by changes in zooplankton community structure (Brooks and Dodson, 1965; Wells, 1970) . Furthermore, alewife predation may affect spatial gradients in zooplankton community structure (Evans et al., 1980) .

Lake Michigan has been exposed to many environmental perturbations in addition to thermal pollution, i.e. eutrophication, overfishing, and the invasion of exotics such as the alewife (Alosa pseduoharengus).

In areas where eutrophication has been minimal (including southeastern Lake Michigan), the alewife has had a strong effect on the zooplankton community.

Temporal changes in alewife populations have been followed by changes in zooplankton community structure.

Furthermore, alewife predation may affect spatial gradients in zooplankton community structure.


Hurwitz numbers of degree n generates a Frobenius algebra and linear functional on it. This algebra is isomorphic to the center Z(k[S n ]) of the group algebra of the permutation group S n over a field k. Therefore, Hurwitz numbers correspond to certain 2D closed topological field theory [6] . Classical Hurwitz theory and particularly Hurwitz numbers were generalized to the coverings over surfaces with boundaries [3] . These generalized Hurwitz numbers correspond to certain open-closed topological field theory and to more general Klein topological field theory [1, 2, 3] .

This algebra is isomorphic to the center Z(k[S n ]) of the group algebra of the permutation group S n over a field k. Therefore, Hurwitz numbers correspond to certain 2D closed topological field theory.

Classical Hurwitz theory and particularly Hurwitz numbers were generalized to the coverings over surfaces with boundaries.

These generalized Hurwitz numbers correspond to certain open-closed topological field theory and to more general Klein topological field theory.


Managers need to take certain actions to influence the behaviour of subordinates in an organisation so that they complete the tasks assigned to them by the organisation. Managers have to use influence tactics to change the behaviour of other persons (Durbin, 2001) . Influence tactics are a means of influencing other people into cooperating or complying with one's demands. These tactics can change the attitudes, values, beliefs or behaviours of others. Managers are able through influence tactics (such as setting an example, commanding or lobbying) to influence people to attain organisational goals. More importantly, the effective use of influence tactics is often looked upon as an important criterion for evaluating a manager's leadership. It determines whether the manager's leadership is successful or not, and whether the results are immediately reflected in the performance of the whole organisation.

Managers have to use influence tactics to change the behaviour of other persons.


In Chinese society particular emphasis is placed on personal guanxi. From society as a whole down to organisation level, and from government officials to the general public, this kind of guanxi is ubiquitous (Jacobs, 1979; Tsai, Yeh & Wu, 2011) . In fact, this personal guanxi is viewed as an asset in Chinese society, as it can determine the survival of an individual or a corporate entity. Therefore, differentiating between the guanxi types is the most important challenge for someone possessing power (Hwang, 1987) . Summing up the above, personal guanxi may be used either for one's own protection, or to obtain rare resources so as to get ahead of the competition, or to be free from threats. Under the influence of cultural background and family heritage, a Chinese family business often prefers to have their children or descendants as future successors in their business.. This is known as family guanxi.

From society as a whole down to organisation level, and from government officials to the general public, this kind of guanxi is ubiquitous.

Therefore, differentiating between the guanxi types is the most important challenge for someone possessing power.

This is known as family guanxi.


Two tanks were used to collect samples for biochemistry and FA and another two were used for trials on reproductive performance. Each female was considered an experimental unit (Nakayama et al., 2008) . Animals were fed ad libitum three times per day (09:00, 01:00 and 20:00 h) alternating frozen squid, mussels, Artemia biomass and polychaetes.

Each female was considered an experimental unit.


Fluorescent Pseudomonas species are capable of inhibiting the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria tenuissima. This common plant pathogen in several regions of the world (USA, South Africa, Europe) infects various crops such as cereals, vegetables (carrot, cauliflower, potato, etc.) and fruits (lemon, apple, etc.) (Gannibal et al., 2007) . A significant characteristic of this phytopathogenic fungus is causing secondary infections and producing spores in conditions of favorable moisture (rains, large amounts of dew) and temperature (19-23°C). Symptoms of infection are represented by dark necrotic spots on leaves, which often wilt and fall off (Blodgett and Swart, 2002) .

This common plant pathogen in several regions of the world (USA, South Africa, Europe) infects various crops such as cereals, vegetables (carrot, cauliflower, potato, etc.) and fruits (lemon, apple, etc.).

Symptoms of infection are represented by dark necrotic spots on leaves, which often wilt and fall off.


Students from a Research Methodology class in the Faculty of Management Sciences were utilised as fieldworkers. The questionnaire and consent form were posted on an e-learning website and each student had to complete five questionnaires at five organizations for additional marks. Thus non-random convenient sampling was used to compile the sample. To ensure the trustworthiness of this process each questionnaire had to be stamped by the organization in question, while the respondent remained anonymous. Key ethical considerations subsumed maintaining confidentiality (especially since the researchers made use of fieldworkers and did not take part in the data gathering phase), anonymity, ensuring informed consent and willing participation at all times. Additionally, respondents gave informed consent to make research findings public. The ethical guidelines adhered to was in line with research protocols and ethics of care (Henderson, 2012) .

The ethical guidelines adhered to was in line with research protocols and ethics of care.


Since the 1980s, total proctocolectomy and ileal pouchanal anastomosis (IPAA) has become the surgical treatment of choice for UC [8, 9] . Although total proctocolectomy eliminates the risk of colorectal cancer, several cases with cancer in the rectal remnant or ileal pouch have been reported. The major methods of IPAA are stapled IPAA without mucosectomy and handsewn IPAA with mucosectomy. Stapled IPAA is a safer and less complicated method than handsewn IPAA, but the rectal remnant of a few centimeters may retain a malignant potential. Mucosectomy could theoretically remove all the rectal mucosa that might have malignant potential. However, the resected specimens of the patients undergoing pouch excision following mucosectomy revealed that isolated rectal mucosa might remain [10, 11] . Indeed, several cases of "rectal" carcinoma after mucosectomy have been reported [12] [13] [14] . Moreover, several cases of dysplasia or cancer in the ileal pouch have been reported after IPAA [15] [16] [17] .

Since the 1980s, total proctocolectomy and ileal pouchanal anastomosis (IPAA) has become the surgical treatment of choice for UC.

However, the resected specimens of the patients undergoing pouch excision following mucosectomy revealed that isolated rectal mucosa might remain.

Indeed, several cases of "rectal" carcinoma after mucosectomy have been reported.

Moreover, several cases of dysplasia or cancer in the ileal pouch have been reported after IPAA.


Charleston represents a case of ongoing urban change that illustrates both maintenance and disruption of the social and physical environments. Resilience in one time period can be achieved at the expense of future resilience (Carpenter et al. 2001) . The metaphor of the adaptive cycle can be used to classify systems and order events so that specific questions and testable hypotheses can be formulated to help understand transformations in social-ecological systems (Holling and Gunderson 2002) . The collapse of the plantation system, which persisted in the Charleston low country for more than 160 years, occurred quickly. A collapse in Regime 2 structure and function could occur just as quickly under the right combination of shocks and disturbances at different levels in the panarchy. Recognizing the system characteristics that are most vulnerable to these shocks and disturbances is the first step in addressing ways to make the social-ecological system more resilient.

Resilience in one time period can be achieved at the expense of future resilience.

The metaphor of the adaptive cycle can be used to classify systems and order events so that specific questions and testable hypotheses can be formulated to help understand transformations in social-ecological systems.


Environmental uncertainties and novel disturbances require social mechanisms that maintain ecosystem resilience and allow for adaptive responses (Carpenter et al. 2002) . However, in many urban coastal systems, the slower ecological variables that promote resilience are degraded in favor of faster social variables that promote economic growth. This appears to increase the odds that responses to major disturbances caused by sea level rise would focus on protecting existing infrastructure and other social-system resources rather than finding innovative ways to adapt. In this regard, economic growth and development as currently practiced by many urbanized coastal systems could be considered its own rigidity trap.

Environmental uncertainties and novel disturbances require social mechanisms that maintain ecosystem resilience and allow for adaptive responses.


Resilience theory provides a framework for understanding social and demographic changes within an urban system while acknowledging the influence of the ecological system on social structures and functions. For resilience to be useful for studying urban systems, it must move beyond metaphor to something that is measurable. This requires specifying temporal and spatial scales and identifying system configurations and disturbances of interest (Carpenter et al. 2001) . Ecological resilience can help explain how urban systems respond to broad-scale changes and identify system characteristics that serve as indicators for future regime shifts.

This requires specifying temporal and spatial scales and identifying system configurations and disturbances of interest.


The probability of lock tends to limit the maximum allowable size of a COA, which originates from the randomness in the free-running frequencies of the oscillators. The probability of lock decreases as the array size increases [19] . Besides, the beam-pointing error also increases with the array size [20] .

The probability of lock decreases as the array size increases.

Besides, the beam-pointing error also increases with the array size.


Pancreatic cancer is a major health problem that shows a steady increase in incidence and death rate while also exhibiting a slight improvement in survival rates over the past 5 years [10] . To our best knowledge, this is the first approach for automated 3D segmentation of pancreatic tumors. The proposed method can be extended to any tumor segmentation tasks.

Pancreatic cancer is a major health problem that shows a steady increase in incidence and death rate while also exhibiting a slight improvement in survival rates over the past 5 years.


The results are also compared with results from traditional methods. In general, MENU method gives lower estimates of return values (design values) than the traditional methods do. This is in accordance with the findings of other works that take into account the dependence and seasonality features of the time series [10, 11, 25] .

This is in accordance with the findings of other works that take into account the dependence and seasonality features of the time series.


Construction projects are complex and dynamic in their nature. One of the main resources and constraints that affect the delivery of construction projects is the space available on site (Dawood et al., 2005) . Construction projects are currently characterized by a high degree of fragmentation and specialization, which shape both the work on construction site and the upstream supply chains (Kassem and Dawood., 2012) . Construction activities on site are being performed by multiple trades that may require, at any point in time, different workspaces as working areas for labor or working space areas for material storage, people, equipment and support infrastructures. Given the complexity and dynamicity of this problem, project managers cannot often predict solutions by relying on experience only. Current space-time planning techniques involve mainly textual description, hand sketches with site layout templates, bar charts, network diagrams, and 2D/3D scaled visualization models. Current construction planning techniques like Gantt chart, network diagrams, and CPM are proven to be inadequate for construction execution space planning. Therefore, project managers require a structured approach and new project management tools that allow them to analyze, detect, control and monitor workspace conflicts (Dawood and Mallasi, 2006) . A serious game engine is a game designed for a primary purpose other than pure entertainment (Sawyer and smith, 2008) . This paper presents a framework that enables the management of construction workspaces within a serious game engine by integrating the traditional planning (CPM), BIM data of construction models and providing real time visual rehearsal of construction workspace.

One of the main resources and constraints that affect the delivery of construction projects is the space available on site.

Construction projects are currently characterized by a high degree of fragmentation and specialization, which shape both the work on construction site and the upstream supply chains.

Therefore, project managers require a structured approach and new project management tools that allow them to analyze, detect, control and monitor workspace conflicts.

A serious game engine is a game designed for a primary purpose other than pure entertainment.


Published reports of studies using BAD, however, generally report on the design and results found, but provide little information on the process of adaptation used that would allow others to replicate the study, a key feature for advancing science and confirming evidence for translation into clinical practice. Lee and Chu conducted an extensive literature review to ascertain how Bayesian methods have been applied in the design, implementation, and analysis of real clinical trials. They found that while most trials (62 %) applied Bayesian methods for testing treatment efficacy, only about 5 % looked at both efficacy and safety, approximately 5 % applied adaptive randomization, and an even smaller percentage had more than three treatment groups [4] . Although literature is available detailing the Bayesian methods that have been applied in the design and analysis of real clinical trials, there are very few reports on the implementation of Bayesian methods. The literature does not provide detailed information on how the studies were actually conducted, i.e., the computational approaches to the adaptation processes.

They found that while most trials (62 %) applied Bayesian methods for testing treatment efficacy, only about 5 % looked at both efficacy and safety, approximately 5 % applied adaptive randomization, and an even smaller percentage had more than three treatment groups.


Remarkably, the sinus mucosa in all patients of the present study was altered. Similarly to the oral mucoperiosteum, which can be very easily detached from the bone in patients treated with BPs, it could be removed from the underlying sinus bone without significant force. This supports the theory that soft tissue adjacent to bone is more affected by BPs than soft tissue that is not in connection with bone [20] . It is discussed that BPs are released from the bone by osteoclasts and low pH-values and then internalized by fibroblasts and epithelial cells [21] . Zoledronate inhibits proliferation and elevates apoptosis of these soft tissue cells, and inhibits expression of type-1-collagen [22] . As the periosteal membrane is connected to the bony surface by collagenous fibers, and type-1-collagen expression needs to be increased in maxillary mucosa healing, inhibition of fibroblasts and epithelial cells might explain the easier detachment of the periost and Schneiderian membrane [23] . Because vascular remodeling and neovascular formation is delayed, soft tissue regeneration may also be impaired in patients with BP-ONJ [24] .

This supports the theory that soft tissue adjacent to bone is more affected by BPs than soft tissue that is not in connection with bone.

It is discussed that BPs are released from the bone by osteoclasts and low pH-values and then internalized by fibroblasts and epithelial cells.

Zoledronate inhibits proliferation and elevates apoptosis of these soft tissue cells, and inhibits expression of type-1-collagen.

As the periosteal membrane is connected to the bony surface by collagenous fibers, and type-1-collagen expression needs to be increased in maxillary mucosa healing, inhibition of fibroblasts and epithelial cells might explain the easier detachment of the periost and Schneiderian membrane.

Because vascular remodeling and neovascular formation is delayed, soft tissue regeneration may also be impaired in patients with BP-ONJ.


Examples of semi-arithmetic groups admitting modular embeddings are Fuchsian triangle groups (see Cohen and Wolfart [4] ). The next theorem is the main result of this paper. It is a compilation of Lemma 3.2, Theorem 3.4 and Theorem 3.8 in the text.

Examples of semi-arithmetic groups admitting modular embeddings are Fuchsian triangle groups (see Cohen and Wolfart).


The semi-arithmetic Fuchsian groups constitute a specific class of Fuchsian groups which can be embedded up to commensurability in arithmetic subgroups of PSL (2, R) r (see Schmutz Schaller and Wolfart [19] ). These embeddings are of infinite covolume in PSL (2, R) r . A trivial example is the group PSL(2, Z) that can be embedded diagonally in any Hilbert modular group. Further examples are the other arithmetic Fuchsian groups, the triangle Fuchsian groups and the Veech groups of Veech surfaces.

The semi-arithmetic Fuchsian groups constitute a specific class of Fuchsian groups which can be embedded up to commensurability in arithmetic subgroups of PSL (2, R) r (see Schmutz Schaller and Wolfart).


We used scopolamine to investigate the effects of F. mume on the cholinergic neurons given that it is reported to induce ACh depletion in the mouse hippocampus [22] . Reduced ACh may be responsible, in part, for the cognitive deficits in animals after scopolamine treatment [31, 32] . The mechanism of action of the effects of F. mume on cognition, therefore, would be via the cholinergic septohippocampal system, as was evidenced by decreased AChE levels and increased ChAT in the hippocampus of scopolamine-treated mice that also received F. mume. However, further study is required to reveal the other mechanisms and brain structures responsible for the effect of F. mume (e.g., cholinergic system from the BFCNs to the cortex).

We used scopolamine to investigate the effects of F. mume on the cholinergic neurons given that it is reported to induce ACh depletion in the mouse hippocampus.

Reduced ACh may be responsible, in part, for the cognitive deficits in animals after scopolamine treatment.


One of the important agricultural materials is kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), which is an ancient crop and has a long history of being planted and used by human beings. It 2 Journal of Chemistry is one of the best alternative crops that provide a good source of cellulose. Due to its environmental and biodegradability compatibility, the usage of kenaf has increased [27] . Malaysia is in the process of developing kenaf cultivation and processing. Nevertheless, it was only in 2010 that Malaysian government seriously accepted kenaf as the Malaysian seventh commodity, through the setting up of the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board, 2013. The production in Malaysia is estimated at 3,000 tons to 10,000 tons of kenaf fiber annually. Kenaf is annually cultivated from its seeds for the fibers. In this paper, the kenaf was modified using NaOH (as shown in the next paragraphs). In this research, the objective is to evaluate the adsorption potential of modified kenaf for the removal of anionic dyes. The effects of different factors on the adsorption such as pH, contact time, and initial dye concentration are studied in batch method. The kinetic data and equilibrium of the adsorption are processed to comprehend the adsorption.

Due to its environmental and biodegradability compatibility, the usage of kenaf has increased.


Lipases (Triacylglycerol acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.3) are serine hydrolases thatcatalyze the hydrolysis of triglycerides to diacylglycerides, monoglycerides and fatty acids under aqueous conditions (Ghasemi et al. 2011) . They are of commercial importance given their wide usage in industry. Lipases are produced by microorganisms (bacteria and fungi), plants and animals. However, microbial lipases, especially from bacteria, are more useful than their plant and animal derivatives because of several important properties (Snellman et al. 2002) . Many microorganisms in the genera Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Idiomarina, Marinobacter, Natronococcus, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus have been reported to produce lipase (Boutaiba et al. 2006; Gayathri et al. 2013; Li et al. 2014; Martin et al. 2003; Mrozik et al. 2006; Walavalkar & Bapat 2001) .

Lipases (Triacylglycerol acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.3) are serine hydrolases thatcatalyze the hydrolysis of triglycerides to diacylglycerides, monoglycerides and fatty acids under aqueous conditions.

However, microbial lipases, especially from bacteria, are more useful than their plant and animal derivatives because of several important properties.

Many microorganisms in the genera Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Idiomarina, Marinobacter, Natronococcus, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus have been reported to produce lipase.


Gauge coupling unification occurs at the string scale M s or the winding scale RM s depending on the appearance of threshold effects [34, 35] . The common gauge coupling at the unification scale, given by the dilaton, arises from the common geometric origin at the singularity for all different gauge factors therefore a simple group GUT is not required for unification. Depending on the breaking scale we find various possible unification scales ranging from an intermediate string scale at M s ∼ 10 12 GeV to M s ∼ 10 16 GeV. This flexibility in the unification scale is very attractive to allow for various string inspired models of supersymmetry breaking, partially requiring a string scale below the usual unification scale M s ∼ 10 16 GeV. Various interesting low-energy phenomenological extensions to standard MSSM physics, including additional U (1) symmetries at low energies, additional SU (2) vector bosons or additional Higgses, are presented and can be roughly within reach for the LHC.

Gauge coupling unification occurs at the string scale M s or the winding scale RM s depending on the appearance of threshold effects.


The visualization results of the shock wave spreading into the ice solid are shown in Fig. 3 is photograph in streak mode [2] [3] [4] . The position of streak slit is shown as dotted line in Fig. 3(a) . The initial temperature of the ice block is 0.5 degrees Celsius, the initial temperature of the water is 1.7 degrees Celsius in the central part of the water area. In Fig. 3(b) -(e), we can know that the shock wave occurred in the water region and a reflected wave generated on the surface of the ice. In Figure 3(d) , it is considered that the front of the light region which has a bigger angle than a shock wave in the water. It is thought the thing that appears by fine crack's going into the ice by the shock wave. By seeing streak photograph of Figure 3 (f), incident angle with the shock wave of the ice is bigger than incident angle with the shock wave of the water. When shock wave propagates in the ice region, the shock velocity, which declined during the water for a while, raises from the difference in impedance. Moreover, the value of incident velocity in the ice solid is higher than the incident velocity in the water. It is expected that a pressure is very high due to the high velocity, too. The velocity of shock wave in the photograph downward distance was calculated by an image's analyzing in this photograph [5] [6] . The result is shown in Fig. 4 . As above-mentioned the difference in the value of the shock wave velocity in the water and the ice are distinct. It was shown that decline in the distance is smaller than one inside the ice than the inside the water. It is found that a decline of the energy of the shock wave is big, which is used for the collapse of the ice inside the ice. However, as the spreading of the shock wave actually faster than the progress of the collapse, it is found that it didn't have an influence against the change in physics and phase, for the progress of the shock wave. It is guessed that shock wave doesn't decline very much inside the ice from the character that scatters, and loss of received shock energy is poor. The received binding force of the molecule in the ice is bigger than that in water. There are a few unnecessary movements in the molecule of the ice. Therefore, it is assumed that arrangement by impedance about the shock wave decline inside the ice is necessary.

The visualization results of the shock wave spreading into the ice solid are shown in Fig. 3 is photograph in streak mode.

The velocity of shock wave in the photograph downward distance was calculated by an image's analyzing in this photograph.

The result is shown in Fig. 4 .


In this work, the birefringence of the optics subunit has been obtained artificially by structuring the substrate with a digital subwavelength grating. The originated metasurface is characterized by two local effective refractive indices, referring to the extraordinary and ordinary propagation axes, which are perpendicular and parallel to the local grating orientation, respectively [19] . By combining different high-resolution nanofabrication techniques, the PBOEs of spatially rotating subwavelength gratings have been etched on a silicon substrate, realizing a two-dimensional (2D) digital structure.

The originated metasurface is characterized by two local effective refractive indices, referring to the extraordinary and ordinary propagation axes, which are perpendicular and parallel to the local grating orientation, respectively.


A pivotal part of a communication system based on OAM-MDM is represented by the so-called multiplexer, i.e., the device located at the entry side of the optical link allowing the generation of a bunch of collimated and superimposed orthogonal beams. At the output end, the beam is sorted by the demultiplexer, which is usually constituted of a multiplexing element working in reverse. Several solutions have been designed and presented in the literature, exhibiting different levels of complexity, efficiency, and integration [8] .

Several solutions have been designed and presented in the literature, exhibiting different levels of complexity, efficiency, and integration.


The far field of the fabricated PBOE has been collected for input optical beams with well-defined orbital angular momentum and circular polarization states. Beams carrying OAM in the sorting set {−9, −6, −3, 0, +3, +6, +9} have been generated, in sequence, and circularly polarized before illuminating the sorter. The desired helical wavefront was loaded on a doughnut intensity profile and properly resized in order to fit the size of the optical element. Using a Mach-Zehnder interferometric branch, the interference pattern of the generated OAM beam was collected. Since the phase structure of an OAM beam presents ℓ intertwined helical phase fronts, with ℓ being the amount of OAM, the interference with a coaxial Gaussian beam generates a fringe pattern of ℓ spirals, whose helicity is given by the sign of ℓ [29] . As Figure 6a shows, the number and the helicity of the spiral arms in the interferograms denote the helical structure of the phase front and the carried OAM value and sign, as expected.

Since the phase structure of an OAM beam presents ℓ intertwined helical phase fronts, with ℓ being the amount of OAM, the interference with a coaxial Gaussian beam generates a fringe pattern of ℓ spirals, whose helicity is given by the sign of ℓ.


In the present work we turn our attention to the low-energy vortex dynamics. In particular our aim is to construct the low-energy effective action describing the fluctuations of the orientational moduli parameters on the vortex worldsheet, generalizing the results found several years ago in the context of U(N) models [1] - [3] . For concreteness and for simplicity, we start our discussion with the case of the SO(2N) × U(1) and USp(2N) × U(1) theories, although our method is quite general. In the case of the SU(N) × U(1) theory our result exactly reduces to the one found earlier; furthermore we shall obtain the effective action for a few other cases with higher-winding vortices in U(N) and SO(2N) theories.

In particular our aim is to construct the low-energy effective action describing the fluctuations of the orientational moduli parameters on the vortex worldsheet, generalizing the results found several years ago in the context of U(N) models.


The sclerosponge A 14C results do not exactly match the Florida/Belize coral results. In particular, the data point representative of growth from 1955-1959 appears to contain a greater activity of ~4C (by 20%0) than the trend in the coral data from the same time period. This may be due to a variable accretion rate during all or part of the sclerosponge's growth or more likely to an artifact of the accretion process. In much the same manner as corals, the sclerosponge first accretes the aragonitic sclerodermites and then fills them with the same material as upward growth progresses (Hartman and Goreau 1970) . Thus, active accretion takes place over a vertical distance of about 1 ram, integrating the growth over a 4-year period.

In much the same manner as corals, the sclerosponge first accretes the aragonitic sclerodermites and then fills them with the same material as upward growth progresses.


Soilnitrate nitrogen is the best nitrogen source for crops; it has non-volatility and can be directly absorbed by plants. It can promote the absorption of potassium, calcium, magnesium and other cations, and limit the absorption of harmful sub-stances. It plays an important role in the nutrient absorption process of crops. In the north of China, the soil is mainly dominated by nitrate nitrogen, and its content reflects the short-term of the soil nitrogen supply directly. Therefore, the real-time monitoring of the soil nitrate nitrogen content has important practical significance in crop growth status, crop yield and soil pollution prevention. The traditional chemistry method of soil nitrate nitrogen-ultraviolet spectrophotometry, which has high measuring precision, is time-consuming and laboriousand is difficult to analyze the results in a timely manner. In recent years, the emerging hyperspectral remote sensing technology has the advantages of high resolution, strong band continuity and large spectral information, which provides technical support for rapid, non-destructive and accurate monitoring of the soil nitrate nitrogen content [1] .

In recent years, the emerging hyperspectral remote sensing technology has the advantages of high resolution, strong band continuity and large spectral information, which provides technical support for rapid, non-destructive and accurate monitoring of the soil nitrate nitrogen content.


In this paper, several of these measures, the educational games, are presented. The selection of games was led by the idea that most of the presented games do not primarily require lessons following the principles of MeDIM or NaMI, but that they can be used independently of the textbook and the learning environments in Maths classes. To download the printing templates for the games (including Indonesian instructions) go to http://www.ikm.uni-osnabrueck.de/reddot/460.htm. In addition to that, there is a separate paper presenting a role playing game (RPG) for introducing the axioms of a group (Nowinska, 2013) . This paper includes and discusses students' evaluations of the RPG.

In addition to that, there is a separate paper presenting a role playing game (RPG) for introducing the axioms of a group.


To be specific, we shall be concerned in what follows with the boundary value problem Thus, as long as κ X,Y (A) is of moderate size the residual bounds the error in a good way. All presently known adaptive methods rely in one way or the other on bounding the residuals Au h − f Y from above and below by sums of local terms whose size suggests further local refinements. This has been realized so far primarily for symmetric problems that are known to be (X, X)-stable where X is a classical Sobolev space or a product of such [5] [6] [7] . In principle, the convection-diffusion equation is in the above sense (H (A) ∼ |b|/ , so that the relations (1.5) become useless. This ill-conditioning already on the infinite dimensional level causes (at least) two major problem areas, namely (a) the development of robust solvers that are able to solve the finite dimensional systems of equations arising from a given discretization with an efficiency that is, for instance, independent of the parameters , b, c in (1.2), and (b) the choice of the discretization itself. Although these issues are not independent of each other we focus here exclusively on (b). In this regard, it is well-known that, unless a possibly unrealistically small mesh size (depending on ) is chosen, a standard Galerkin discretization of (1.2) will be unstable. Substantial effort has been spent therefore on the development of stabilization techniques. One way is to add artificial diffusion in a consistent way and preferably only along stream lines, in order not to smear the possibly near singular (often anisotropic) features exhibited by the true solution. The perhaps most prominent example is the concept of streamline diffusion e.g. in the form of SUPG which in special cases can be understood also via the so called bubble function approach [3, 4] . In spite of the great success of such concepts it is fair to say that from several perspectives the current state of the art is not completely satisfactory. In particular, the choice of stabilization parameters is still a subtle issue that is not fully understood. This is reflected either by remaining unphysical oscillations in the numerical solution or by smearing solution features too much. In brief, stabilization can ameliorate somewhat but not avoid ill-conditioning.

This has been realized so far primarily for symmetric problems that are known to be (X, X)-stable where X is a classical Sobolev space or a product of such.

The perhaps most prominent example is the concept of streamline diffusion e.g. in the form of SUPG which in special cases can be understood also via the so called bubble function approach.


The significant effect of game period on the length of offensive actions indicates that teams perform significantly fewer direct plays (offensive sequences with a duration of six to eleven seconds) in the first half of matches. One reason could be that players consider rapid movements with the ball to involve risk and are therefore attempt less such actions during the first half, when the match result is not yet decided [12] . In order to obtain more reliable results regarding the effect of game period on team performance, in future analyses, splitting of game time into shorter time intervals (for example, six periods of fifteen minutes each or the specific time period since the last change of match status) should be considered [9, 20] .

One reason could be that players consider rapid movements with the ball to involve risk and are therefore attempt less such actions during the first half, when the match result is not yet decided.

In order to obtain more reliable results regarding the effect of game period on team performance, in future analyses, splitting of game time into shorter time intervals (for example, six periods of fifteen minutes each or the specific time period since the last change of match status) should be considered.


Web usage mining can be used for various uses. With a view to the series of web pages accessed by a user, then a profile of a user could be made, to assist in making arrangements personalized to the user. With web usage mining, the overall quality and effectiveness of web pages on a website can be analyzed and evaluated by both [21, 23] .

With web usage mining, the overall quality and effectiveness of web pages on a website can be analyzed and evaluated by both.


Customer service is a key strategic component toward enhancing corporate image, market share and profitability. Service delivery processes that satisfy customer desires or exceed service expectations can help create and maintain long-term relationships with loyal customers (Rust and Zahorik, 1993) . In an effort to provide additional service delivery options to their current and prospective customers, many banking institutions have made extensive capital investments in service delivery technologies (SDTs) such as automated teller machines (ATMs), automated menu-driven telephone answering services and internet banking. As a result, banking SDTs have become ubiquitous in many countries.

Service delivery processes that satisfy customer desires or exceed service expectations can help create and maintain long-term relationships with loyal customers.


Nonetheless, none of these recommendations on law enforcement have been put into action yet. Awareness of the importance of completing an antibiotic course even when feeling better and knowledge that antibiotics do not affect the speed of cure from cold reported herein were better than those reported in other studies [16] [17] [18] . Similarly, the knowledge of antibiotic resistance and abiding by physicians' instructions were higher than what had been reported from neighboring countries such as Syria [18] . Conversely, aspects related to keeping leftover antibiotics for future use and awareness of antimicrobial resistance associated with antibiotic misuse were lower in our sample than in other studies [16, 17] .

Awareness of the importance of completing an antibiotic course even when feeling better and knowledge that antibiotics do not affect the speed of cure from cold reported herein were better than those reported in other studies.

Similarly, the knowledge of antibiotic resistance and abiding by physicians' instructions were higher than what had been reported from neighboring countries such as Syria.

Conversely, aspects related to keeping leftover antibiotics for future use and awareness of antimicrobial resistance associated with antibiotic misuse were lower in our sample than in other studies.


Recently, many mathematical models have been developed to describe the interaction of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with the immune system [1] . Those mathematical models can provide some insights into the dynamics of HIV viral load in vivo and may play a significant role in the development of a better understanding of HIV/AIDS and drug therapies. For example, they provided a quantitative understanding of the level of virus production during the long asymptomatic stage of HIV infection [2] .

Recently, many mathematical models have been developed to describe the interaction of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with the immune system.

For example, they provided a quantitative understanding of the level of virus production during the long asymptomatic stage of HIV infection.


In the early elastic time regime, t ≪ 1 ≪ De, there is no significant decay of polymer stretching. The fluid thus responds as a neo-Hookean elastic material. This allows the effect of the polymers to be written as a local contribution to the pressure, given in terms of the interface shape (i.e. the local accumulated strain) alone. The parameter determining the magnitude of this contribution is the dimensionless elastic modulus of the material G = ν p /De, which is (up to universal constants) proportional to the polymer concentration. Depending on the viscosity, the dynamics of the bridge can be quite complex. In particular, for low viscosities, capillary waves can travel along threads and rebound off drops (Li & Fontelos (2003) ). Threads are also shown to support elastic waves.

In particular, for low viscosities, capillary waves can travel along threads and rebound off drops).


Botanical dietary supplements are used commonly in the United States and are generally perceived to be safe [11] . In one study, nearly one half of persons reported use of at least one agent to their primary provider [12] . A major difficulty in studying black cohosh is uncertainty regarding the composition of the various black cohosh products. Black cohosh itself contains a number of secondary compounds including phenolic derivatives and triterpene glycosides [13] . Phytoestrogens were postulated to play a role in black cohosh binding to estrogen receptors, but the presence of these compounds is controversial. In one study, chromatographic analysis of 11 commercial black cohosh products showed that three were actually Asian Actea species [13] . An analysis of the remaining eight products found variability in the composition of triterpene glycosides and phenolic constituents. More importantly, not a single product contained a phytoestrogen. Thus, the mechanism by which black cohosh might impact on alleviating menopausal symptoms is not well understood. Other possibilities include binding to yet-to-be-defined receptors or effects on the central nervous system [14] . Whether black cohosh is effective in controlling vasomotor symptoms of menopause is controversial as well. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology included black cohosh as a possible remedy for the vasomotor symptoms of menopause [15] . A large randomized-blinded trial of one-year duration found no difference between black cohosh and placebo in controlling vasomotor symptoms [16] . Moreover, a recent review did not recommend long-term use due to the absence of safety evaluation [17] .

Botanical dietary supplements are used commonly in the United States and are generally perceived to be safe.

In one study, nearly one half of persons reported use of at least one agent to their primary provider.

Black cohosh itself contains a number of secondary compounds including phenolic derivatives and triterpene glycosides.

In one study, chromatographic analysis of 11 commercial black cohosh products showed that three were actually Asian Actea species.

Other possibilities include binding to yet-to-be-defined receptors or effects on the central nervous system.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology included black cohosh as a possible remedy for the vasomotor symptoms of menopause.

A large randomized-blinded trial of one-year duration found no difference between black cohosh and placebo in controlling vasomotor symptoms.

Moreover, a recent review did not recommend long-term use due to the absence of safety evaluation.


For the method proposed in this study, the scheme chosen number two previously mentioned in the work is justified as a choice in the use of the sensitivity of the human visual system. Usually, this scheme is common to take the use of the frequency domain (Carvajal-Gámez, 2010) . Within this domain can work discrete Fourier transform (DFT), discrete cosine transform (DCT) and the discrete wavelet transforms (DWT). Frequency domain methods hide messages in significant areas of the cover image which make them more robust to attacks, such as compression, cropping, and some image processing than the spatial domain methods. However, while they are robust to various kinds of signal processing attacks, they remain imperceptible to the human visual system . The algorithm proposed here for the implementation of steganography is based on the DWT. In the optimization and evaluation of compression algorithms in digital images, the Peak Signal-to-Noise ratio (PSNR) is the most frequently used to evaluate the quality of the images (Huanga et al., 2005) .

Usually, this scheme is common to take the use of the frequency domain.

In the optimization and evaluation of compression algorithms in digital images, the Peak Signal-to-Noise ratio (PSNR) is the most frequently used to evaluate the quality of the images.