The gene expression profiles for SWT and E2 also showed a strong difference. A wider range of cellular pathways and targets were affected by SWT but not E2. Hence, the action of SWT on MCF-7 cells is multifaceted. One of the most notable differences is the ability to induce the Nrf2. Although Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress response was identified as the pathway most significantly changed among differentially expressed genes showing dose-dependent response to SWT treatment, this trend has not been observed for E2 treatment. This finding suggests that SWT could have cancer preventive effect. The role of estrogen in the initiation and progression of breast cancer has been well known [41] . However, there is a large body of evidence that the consumption of phytoestrogens derived from natural products can decrease the risk of cancer although they display estrogenlike activity [42] . These results support a notion that SWT may not have the cancer-causing effects of estradiol, but have the beneficial cell protective activity.

The role of estrogen in the initiation and progression of breast cancer has been well known.

However, there is a large body of evidence that the consumption of phytoestrogens derived from natural products can decrease the risk of cancer although they display estrogenlike activity.


Texture analysis is necessary for many computer image analysis applications such as classification, detection, or segmentation of images. In the other hand, defect detection is an important problem in fabric quality control process. At present, the texture quality identification is manually performed. Therefore, Tissue online Automatic Inspection (TAI) increases the efficiency of production lines and improve the quality of the products as well. Many attempts have been made based on three different approaches: statistical, spectral, and model based [1] .

Many attempts have been made based on three different approaches: statistical, spectral, and model based.


In our experimental condition, neither glomerular crescent formation nor tuft necrosis has been observed in group 1 rats, despite the aggravation of the histopathology. This might be partly ascribable to certain genetic factors that determine cellular immunological response in rats. Indeed, it has been known that the Wistar rat is not highly susceptible to the crescent formation, in contrast to the susceptibility to crescentic NTN in the strain of WKY rat [29] .

Indeed, it has been known that the Wistar rat is not highly susceptible to the crescent formation, in contrast to the susceptibility to crescentic NTN in the strain of WKY rat.


I MPROVING the network throughput (how fast the network may deliver data) and improving the network lifetime (how long the network may last) are two important design objectives for multihop wireless networks. These two objectives appear to be in conflict with each other-intuitively, higher throughput means greater energy consumption, and hence reduced network lifetime. In order to be able to balance these two design objectives, it becomes important to identify the trade-offs between throughput and lifetime. In particular, it is not clear if it is possible to set the transmit power in a network, so as to improve both throughput and lifetime. Further, how much throughput needs to be traded off to achieve a certain improvement in lifetime? Our aim is to investigate the trade-off between throughput and lifetime in multihop wireless networks, to address questions of the above nature. We consider scenarios where it is required to achieve an adequate network throughput (not necessarily the maximum) as well as a sufficiently long lifetime. This would be the case for wireless sensor networks which need to collect a large amount of data, such as multimedia sensor networks [1] . Wireless mesh networks in developing countries, whose nodes have occasional access to the power grid, serve as another example.

This would be the case for wireless sensor networks which need to collect a large amount of data, such as multimedia sensor networks.


Nonlocal elasticity theories have been devised with the objective of taking into account long-range internal interaction forces between particles. In this way, these theories aim to alleviate various singularity problems that arise in local theories, such as stress singularities in the vicinity of cracks. The beginning of the non-local theory of elasticity goes back to the pioneering work of Kro¨ner [1] . In this early paper the classical linear local Lame´model is modified by adding a non-local term in the form of an integral operator acting on displacements.

The beginning of the non-local theory of elasticity goes back to the pioneering work of Kro¨ner.


In view of the ill-posedness of Eringen's model with smooth kernels it is natural to look for possible remedies. One such possibility is the so-called Eringen's mixture model, which has been proposed by Eringen himself [2] . This model has been recently revitalized in connection with applications in nanoscale modelling. This model is, roughly speaking, a convex combination of the classical local elasticity model and Eringen's non-local integral model. Another way of thinking about it is that this model can be formally obtained from the non-local Eringen's model by adding a d-function to the non-local interaction kernel. Consequently, it should not come as a surprise that this model remains close to the local elasticity model and inherits many theoretical properties from it. In particular, it is elementary to see that this model is well-posed, yet for the sake of completeness we include an existence result which is valid for general positive definite kernels, including smooth ones.

One such possibility is the so-called Eringen's mixture model, which has been proposed by Eringen himself.


Perhaps the most popular and extended theory of non-local elasticity is due to Eringen [2] . In Eringen's model a non-local stress tensor, computed as an average of the local stress tensor, is introduced. The equation of motion is then expressed in terms of the non-local stress tensor. If the elastic tensor is constant throughout the domain, this theory can be equivalently expressed by replacing the local strain in the constitutive relation for classical elasticity by a non-local one, obtained by averaging [3] .

Perhaps the most popular and extended theory of non-local elasticity is due to Eringen.

If the elastic tensor is constant throughout the domain, this theory can be equivalently expressed by replacing the local strain in the constitutive relation for classical elasticity by a non-local one, obtained by averaging.


We emphasize that on any fixed mesh the discretized non-local Eringen's model admits solutions, which we believe explains numerous successful numerical simulations based on this model. Furthermore, although there are no rigorous studies to the best of the authors' knowledge, it is plausible to expect that this model converges to the local model of linear elasticity when the long-range interaction potential is scaled appropriately (that is, when the potential converges to d-function in some sense). Rigorous limit derivations in the sense of G-convergence for other related non-local models have been presented [9] [10] [11] . Therefore, one may expect that when the scaling is such that the non-local model is close enough to a local model for a given mesh size, the discrete solutions are close to those given by the local model, while stresses are smoother owing to the smoothing effect of the integral convolution that is built into the model.

Rigorous limit derivations in the sense of G-convergence for other related non-local models have been presented.


There is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution for the growing variety of computer users and interactions (Obrenovic, Garay, López, Fajardo, & Cearreta, 2005) . Therefore, emotion-aware applications should be designed in a flexible way so a wider class of users can use them. In this way, personalisation is necessary for more efficient interaction, better tuning and acceptation of developed systems.

There is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution for the growing variety of computer users and interactions.


The crucial element for a market-based mutual credit instrument to lead to 'positive' social impact is for the rate of interest to be zero on all debt and credit balances; this focuses economic activity on goods and services with immediate socio-economic impact, rather than financial instruments operating on a longer-term horizon and under greater risk. This is because, somewhat reductively, a capitalist market is a market in which the medium of exchange is itself a commodity, whose price is the rate of interest (Amato and Fantacci 2012) . We claim that a non-capitalist market (thus defined) with a zero-interest currency is part of the solution to the sustainable development problem, as it has beneficial properties reminiscent of Adam Smith's 'circular flow' or Schumpeter's 'circulating debt', where there is no hoarding and the market functions at its most efficient.

This is because, somewhat reductively, a capitalist market is a market in which the medium of exchange is itself a commodity, whose price is the rate of interest.


A similar trend has been observed in the online activities of the Islamic State terrorist organization, also known as the ISIS or ISIL. Reports have indicated that a social/collaborative answering website known as Ask.fm has been strategically used by ISIS and other extremist groups to answer questions from potential recruits (Hall, 2014) . According to a report by the International Centre for the Study of Radicalization and Political Violence (ICSR), extremist organizations such as ISIS, use highly sophisticated and carefully blended social media outreach strategies (Carter et al., 2014) . In fact, ISIS has developed its own Twitter app available on major platforms including Android and iOS, which is used to recruit, radicalize, and raise funds (Berger, 2014) .

Reports have indicated that a social/collaborative answering website known as Ask.fm has been strategically used by ISIS and other extremist groups to answer questions from potential recruits.

According to a report by the International Centre for the Study of Radicalization and Political Violence (ICSR), extremist organizations such as ISIS, use highly sophisticated and carefully blended social media outreach strategies.

In fact, ISIS has developed its own Twitter app available on major platforms including Android and iOS, which is used to recruit, radicalize, and raise funds.


They exhibit an extremely high modulus of elasticity (MOE) under tension and contribute greatly to the stiffness of the cell wall [19] . Under compression, however, cellulose microfibrils buckle easily [20] . This low resistance against compression loads is compensated by the cell wall matrix that contains a rigid lignin network [20] [21] [22] . Lignin also limits the access of water to the cell wall, enabling it to retain its strength and stiffness in humid environments [23, 24] . However, lignin is not bonded to the cellulose directly, thus hemicelluloses are required as coupling agents that enable the transfer of stresses between the individual polymers, so that the cell wall acts as a continuum. Although hemicelluloses are presumably not bonded to the cellulose microfibrils covalently either, hydrogen bonds between these polymers are formed, which is further supported by physical entanglement within the non-crystalline regions of the microfibrils [17, 25, 26] .

They exhibit an extremely high modulus of elasticity (MOE) under tension and contribute greatly to the stiffness of the cell wall.

Under compression, however, cellulose microfibrils buckle easily.

This low resistance against compression loads is compensated by the cell wall matrix that contains a rigid lignin network.

Lignin also limits the access of water to the cell wall, enabling it to retain its strength and stiffness in humid environments.

Although hemicelluloses are presumably not bonded to the cellulose microfibrils covalently either, hydrogen bonds between these polymers are formed, which is further supported by physical entanglement within the non-crystalline regions of the microfibrils.


With computer implementations, interactive time sliders have been successfully introduced in many research and/or communication works [8] . As mentioned before, time sliders allow users to choose time slots they are interested in, and investigate the corresponding spatial configuration. But paradoxically, time sliders are mainly efficient in helping us to understand spatial changes. In fact, they are fundamentally a mean to browse through versions of objects using time as selection criteria, and in no way a context+focus visualisation. In a recent experiment we added to this time slider mechanism a visualisation of densities of changes: this context view however only focuses on time aspects -spatial changes remaining readable only one at a time.

With computer implementations, interactive time sliders have been successfully introduced in many research and/or communication works.


The goal of our paper is to show that average energy increase is not an adequate definition of work for microscopic quantum systems when considering heat engines, even when imposing further restrictions such as a limit on entropy increase. Specifically, we demonstrate that if one allows for a definition of work that tolerates a non-negligible entropy increase in the battery, then one can in fact exceed the Carnot efficiency. Most importantly, this can already happen when 1) the cold bath only consists of 1 qubit, where we know that finite-size effects further impede the possibility of thermodynamic state transitions, and 2) without using any additional resources such as non-thermal reservoirs in EQHEs. The reason for being able to surpass the Carnot efficiency stems from the fact that heat contributions have "polluted" our definition of work extraction. We show that work can be divided into different categories: perfect and near-perfect work, where heat (entropy) contributions are negligible with respect to the energy gained; while imperfect work characterizes the case where heat contributions are comparable to the amount of energy gain. We find examples of extracting imperfect work where the Carnot efficiency is surpassed. This completes our picture of the understanding of work in QHEs, since we already know that by drawing perfect/near perfect work, no QHE can ever surpass the Carnot efficiency [14] .

This completes our picture of the understanding of work in QHEs, since we already know that by drawing perfect/near perfect work, no QHE can ever surpass the Carnot efficiency.


There is just one study that utilized US to guide needle placement for TMJ IAS injections [13] . The injections were performed by interventional radiologists. IA needle placement was confirmed by CT in 70% of the cases. This was done depending on the radiologist's preference or availability of the scanner. Minor adjustment of the needle position was required in 16%, and the needle position was unacceptable in 9%. In 30% of the cases, CT confirmation of needle position was not done. Despite this, follow-up showed the injections to be efficacious in 91% of the children, with just one major complication of skin atrophy. The authors concluded that TMJ injections using US is safe, effective and accurate. The high success rate along with avoidance of exposure to radiation by CT is a major advantage. It is also important to recognize that many centres may not have CT to confirm needle placement.

There is just one study that utilized US to guide needle placement for TMJ IAS injections.


It is shown here that analogous solutions can be derived in both the Pr → ∞ and Pr → 0 limits, for both constant and non-constant viscosity and thermal conductivity. The transport properties of large Prandtl number fluids are dominated by momentum diffusion, whereas those of small Prandtl number fluids are dominated by thermal diffusion. Becker's solution applies to air and many other gases, which have Pr ∼ 0.75. Examples at the other extremes include mercury (Pr ∼ 10 −2 ), gas mixtures (Pr ∼ 10 −1 ), engine oil (Pr ∼ 10 2 − 10 5 ) and the Earth's mantle (Pr > 10 23 ) (Clay 1973; Kaminski & Jaupart 2003; Bejan 2004; Hogg 2012) . In addition, plasmas behave as small-Pr fluids due to the importance of heat conduction by both electrons and radiation (Zel'dovich & Raizer 2002) . A proton-electron plasma, for example, has Pr = 0.065 (Chapman & Cowling 1939) . It should be noted that not all of these fluids obey an ideal gas equation of state and other physics may need to be taken into account; see the discussion in §4. Taken together with Becker's solution, the solutions derived here yield analytical profiles of shock fronts in ideal gases over a wide range of parameter space. The basic equations are outlined in §2, §3 gives the derivation of the solutions, and §4 discusses some implications.

Examples at the other extremes include mercury (Pr ∼ 10 −2 ), gas mixtures (Pr ∼ 10 −1 ), engine oil (Pr ∼ 10 2 − 10 5 ) and the Earth's mantle (Pr > 10 23 ).

In addition, plasmas behave as small-Pr fluids due to the importance of heat conduction by both electrons and radiation.

A proton-electron plasma, for example, has Pr = 0.065.


The efficiency of the litterfall traps is unknown, but the consistency of year-to-year LAI estimates suggests that the method probably provides accurate estimates. Across 5 years of collection before the ice storm, the coefficient of variation in the mean estimated LAI between years for the three plots averaged 6%. Another study found litterfall traps to consistently overestimate LAI when compared with direct LAI measurement through harvesting (Jurik et al. 1985) . The precision of the litterfall method for estimating LAI probably depends primarily upon the collection area of the traps. The 0.1-m 2 traps employed in this study resulted in within-plot coefficients of variation ranging from 14% to 18% for the different plots, averaged across 8 years of collection. Another source of error in the litterfall method is sampling error in the estimation of area per leaf. Considerable withinspecies variation was observed in area per leaf both among years and among plots, with the average coefficient of variation across all species and plots over the years of measurement being 18%.

Another study found litterfall traps to consistently overestimate LAI when compared with direct LAI measurement through harvesting.


Anthracyclines and/or taxanes are the most commonly used drugs in first-line metastatic settings, in patients with human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-negative BCs. Other drugs such as vinorelbine, gemcitabine, nabpaclitaxel, capecitabine, and liposomal anthracyclines are used in this setting; however, no standard of care exists [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . Eribulin mesylate is a structurally simplified synthetic analogue of halichondrin B (a natural product isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria okadai), which inhibits the growth phase of microtubule dynamics and sequesters tubulin into nonproductive aggregates. This results in the inhibition of microtubule polymerization, without affecting depolymerization, and inducing an irreversible mitotic block at G2-M phases and consequent apoptosis [9] [10] [11] . Three phase II trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of eribulin in ABC patients, showing encouraging results in terms of activity and tolerability [12] [13] [14] . A randomized phase III trial (EMBRACE) demonstrated overall survival (OS) advantage of eribulin compared to treatment of physician's choice in patients with heavily pretreated BC, with manageable toxicity [15] . The results observed in the pivotal EMBRACE study led to the regulatory approval of eribulin as treatment in metastatic BC patients who had progressed after at least 2 chemotherapy lines, including anthracyclines and taxanes in either an adjuvant or metastatic setting.

Other drugs such as vinorelbine, gemcitabine, nabpaclitaxel, capecitabine, and liposomal anthracyclines are used in this setting; however, no standard of care exists.

This results in the inhibition of microtubule polymerization, without affecting depolymerization, and inducing an irreversible mitotic block at G2-M phases and consequent apoptosis.

Three phase II trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of eribulin in ABC patients, showing encouraging results in terms of activity and tolerability.

A randomized phase III trial (EMBRACE) demonstrated overall survival (OS) advantage of eribulin compared to treatment of physician's choice in patients with heavily pretreated BC, with manageable toxicity.


The trophobiotic relationships of Acropyga and mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are well documented, but despite many observations of mealybugs and ants together, the details of their interactions remain poorly understood (LaPolla, 2004) . The most spectacular aspect of the relationship between Acropyga and their trophobionts is that virgin queens emerge from nests carrying a mealybug for their mating flight and subsequent colony founding, a behavior termed trophophoresy (LaPolla et al., 2002) . Most Acropyga-associated mealybugs belong in the subfamily Rhizoecinae, tribe Xenococcini, including the genera Eumyrmococcus Silvestri, Neochavesia Williams & Granara de Willink, and Xenococcus Silvestri (Williams, 2004) . All of these genera appear to be obligate myrmecophiles with trophophoresy having been observed in several species (LaPolla, 2004) .

The trophobiotic relationships of Acropyga and mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are well documented, but despite many observations of mealybugs and ants together, the details of their interactions remain poorly understood.

The most spectacular aspect of the relationship between Acropyga and their trophobionts is that virgin queens emerge from nests carrying a mealybug for their mating flight and subsequent colony founding, a behavior termed trophophoresy.

Most Acropyga-associated mealybugs belong in the subfamily Rhizoecinae, tribe Xenococcini, including the genera Eumyrmococcus Silvestri, Neochavesia Williams & Granara de Willink, and Xenococcus Silvestri.

All of these genera appear to be obligate myrmecophiles with trophophoresy having been observed in several species.


AFS cells can differentiate into multiple lineages [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15] . Although the term ''fluid'' has been ascribed to AFS cells, cells isolated during amniocentesis contain a variety of stem cells originating from extra-embryonic and embryonic tissues [12] . The properties of AFS cells vary with gestational age [1, 6, 7, 8] . The versatility and plasticity properties of AFS cells fall somewhere in between the pluripotent embryonic stem cells and the multipotent adult stem cells [16, 17] . AFS cells have a high renewal capacity and can be expanded for over 250 doublings without any detectable loss of chromosomal telomere length [16] . The population doubling time for our AFS cells is approximately 30-36 hours. Taken together, these data provide support to the notion that the amniotic fluid is a rich and promising source of stem cells for clinical applications.

AFS cells can differentiate into multiple lineages.

Although the term ''fluid'' has been ascribed to AFS cells, cells isolated during amniocentesis contain a variety of stem cells originating from extra-embryonic and embryonic tissues.

The properties of AFS cells vary with gestational age.

The versatility and plasticity properties of AFS cells fall somewhere in between the pluripotent embryonic stem cells and the multipotent adult stem cells.

AFS cells have a high renewal capacity and can be expanded for over 250 doublings without any detectable loss of chromosomal telomere length.


On the other hand, many successful model-checking experiments of real-life system models have been reported in the literature where full state-space enumeration is used, despite the state explosion problem in the worst case. The success of such experiments usually stems from the proper use of abstraction in modelling the systems [1, 6] . We believe that similar approaches can be followed for UMLSDs, which, moreover, also provide "built-in" abstraction/refinement mechanisms like composite states and hierarchy.

The success of such experiments usually stems from the proper use of abstraction in modelling the systems.


The work presented in this paper forms the basis for the implementation of a hierarchical automata branching time model-checking facility within the verification environment JACK, which will be then extended in order to deal with the graphical nature of UMLSDs. The AMC model-checker provided by JACK requires the full state-space to be computed in order to perform its analysis. This may result in an exponential blow-up. This is quite a common problem when the full state-space enumeration approach is taken. For this reason, alternative model-checking approaches are being developed. In particular, in the context of JACK, efficient on-the-fly model-checking algorithms are being developed for systems modelled as networks of automata [19] . Consequently, a next step in our work with UMLSDs will be the representation of hierarchical automata as networks of automata which cooperate for simulating the state hierarchy as well as transition priorities. Moreover, we are currently investigating the application of on-the-fly techniques to UMLSDs.

In particular, in the context of JACK, efficient on-the-fly model-checking algorithms are being developed for systems modelled as networks of automata.


We can also identify A(A n )/Z, A(B n )/Z, and A( C n−1 ) with the subgroups of Mod(S n+2 ) consisting of orientation preserving elements which fix one, two, and three particular punctures, respectively; further P (A n )/Z is isomorphic to the pure mapping class group PMod(S n+2 ), which is the finite index subgroup of Mod(S n+2 ) consisting of orientation preserving elements which fix every puncture. The group A( A n−1 ) is also isomorphic to a finite index subgroup of Mod(S n+2 ). A complete description of these isomorphisms appears in the paper of Charney-Crisp [9] . The proofs are due to Allcock, Kent-Peifer, Charney-Peifer, Crisp, and Charney-Crisp [1, 9, 10, 11, 23] .

A complete description of these isomorphisms appears in the paper of Charney-Crisp.

The proofs are due to Allcock, Kent-Peifer, Charney-Peifer, Crisp, and Charney-Crisp.


In this study, a more pragmatic approach is pursued. The purpose is to estimate the stratification level with the utilization of a CFD model while keeping the computational effort at reasonable levels. Besides, a basic mixing model is applied in the multi-zone model (XCCI code, [25] ). The diffusion term consists of the gradient of the species or temperature over the zonal boundaries, a laminar diffusion coefficient and a turbulent diffusivity factor as explained further on. A sensitivity study is performed to determine this turbulent diffusivity factor. The XCCI-CFD interaction is not taken into account in a two-way coupled manner. Only the zonal fuel distribution (stratification) which is needed as the initial condition for the model is determined by the CFD model.

Besides, a basic mixing model is applied in the multi-zone model (XCCI code,).


Since emission regulations become more stringent, new combustion concepts should be developed to meet these emission standards. Although compression ignition (CI) engines lead to lower carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions due to their higher efficiency compared to spark ignition (SI) engines, they suffer from high oxides of nitrogen (NO x ) and soot emissions [1] . Premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI) is a promising alternative for diesel combustion which has the potential of combining the superior emission levels of SI and high efficiency of conventional CI engines.

Although compression ignition (CI) engines lead to lower carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions due to their higher efficiency compared to spark ignition (SI) engines, they suffer from high oxides of nitrogen (NO x ) and soot emissions.


PCCI combustion avoids circumstances which result in high NO x and soot emission [1] [2] [3] . Very low NO x emissions are achieved in this concept by operating with a highly diluted mixture which lowers the in-cylinder temperature, resulting in low-temperature combustion (LTC). On the other hand, fuel-air mixing is improved by applying much earlier injection timings in combination with high exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) levels. This lowers local equivalence ratios and thus results in very low soot emissions.

PCCI combustion avoids circumstances which result in high NO x and soot emission.


G ROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION by chlorinated solvents is a widespread and persistent problem in the United States. These compounds are used in a multitude of industrial applications, including the production of pharmaceuticals, chemical processing, paint stripping, and dry cleaning (Wiedemeier et al., 1999) . Chlorinated solvents such as perchloroethylene (PCE) can be transformed by natural attenuation under anaerobic conditions into other hazardous compounds such as trichloroethylene (TCE), cis-dichloroethylene (c-DCE), and vinyl chloride (VC). The accumulation of c-DCE and VC, a known carcinogen, frequently occurs at sites of mixed waste chloroethylene contamination because of the relatively slow biological transformation of these latter substances by reductive dechlorination (Bouwer and McCarty, 1983; Vogel and McCarty, 1985; Distefano et al., 1991) .

These compounds are used in a multitude of industrial applications, including the production of pharmaceuticals, chemical processing, paint stripping, and dry cleaning.

The accumulation of c-DCE and VC, a known carcinogen, frequently occurs at sites of mixed waste chloroethylene contamination because of the relatively slow biological transformation of these latter substances by reductive dechlorination.


In clinical trials, the design of different study stages, including data collection time points, is determined by the prior specification of a research question. The most effective trials involving PROMs are those that achieve very high questionnaire response rates at the pre-specified time points [20] . Nevertheless, procedures designed to maximise response rates can create extra costs [20, 21] . In contexts other than clinical trials, or other forms of funded longitudinal studies -such as audit or clinical governancesimilar rules apply to data collection methods and storage if PROMs data are ultimately to be usable and not prove misleading. Data should be collected at pre-specified time points so that particular questions (e.g., the success of a procedure at one year post operation) can be addressed. It is important to recognise that collecting data continuously, but irregularly, after surgery will limit the usefulness of the data: more data does not necessarily mean better data.

The most effective trials involving PROMs are those that achieve very high questionnaire response rates at the pre-specified time points.

Nevertheless, procedures designed to maximise response rates can create extra costs.


Consequently, the main issue we address in this paper is proposing a modeling approach to examine deeper levels of coopetition mathematically. Cooperative game theory is the common tool to analyze cooperative settings (Nagarajan and Sošić [8] ). One drawback with cooperative game theory is that it focuses on given payoff values for each possible coalition and ignores the internal structure of the cooperation. However, in coopetition we require to consider structural transformations of the partners in the model. In particular, the cost structure of firms evolves as firms expand their cooperation. Therefore, we need a mathematical modeling approach to consider the cooperation-based structural changes which in turn paves the way to a more real analysis of the relationship. In so doing, in this paper we propose, we assume that those parameters of each firm's profit function are subject to transformation by cooperation as a function of cooperation level. We then apply our idea to a situation where two similar suppliers cooperate to reduce production costs and compete in the market of their single product. Our mathematical analysis reveals that under intuitive conditions, the coopetition strategy is superior to the pure competitive relationship between suppliers in terms of profitability which validates the previous empirical results mathematically.

Cooperative game theory is the common tool to analyze cooperative settings (Nagarajan and Sošić).


A real-time PCR assay with a short-length amplicon is preferred since it provides better amplification and recovery of target DNA from a compromised sample processed under harsh physical and chemical treatments which break down DNA into small fragments [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . Following this observation, real-time PCR assays with amplicon as short as 66 or 76 bps were developed [2] . However, this was achieved with a compromise of assay specificity [5] . A compromised assay leads to artefacts in the final results by cross-amplifying an alien species in heterogeneous mixtures of processed foods. A cross-amplifying assay cannot determine whether there has been a real or contaminated target identification [3, 5, 6] . This has raised the concerns of validity and applicability of PCR assays to authenticate species in highly processed meat products where DNA fragmentation is observed.

A real-time PCR assay with a short-length amplicon is preferred since it provides better amplification and recovery of target DNA from a compromised sample processed under harsh physical and chemical treatments which break down DNA into small fragments.

Following this observation, real-time PCR assays with amplicon as short as 66 or 76 bps were developed.

However, this was achieved with a compromise of assay specificity.

A cross-amplifying assay cannot determine whether there has been a real or contaminated target identification.


The carbon fiber reinforced polymer is sensitive to impact damage. Even the surface of CFRP specimen has no plastic damage in low impact energy, the interior may also have defects such as crack and fiber fracture which lead to mechanical properties such as compressive strength fallen dramatically. In this paper, ECPT is employed to evaluate impact damage of CFRP induced by different impact energy. It is demonstrated that the ECPT can detect smaller defects in CFRP assisting image processing using appropriate level of wavelet and frames of thermal images. The new method of wavelet transform combining with PCA is proposed to convert high-dimensional original data into several feature images and separates the redundant information. According to the multiresolution analysis property and the reconstruction algorithm of wavelet, smaller defects are more clearly shown in feature images. According to the results of experimental analysis, the method can be applied directly to the detection of impact damage in composite material down to 4 J level. Compared with visual inspection, the proposed approach in this paper demonstrates greater detectability of induction thermography technique to identify smaller internal impact damages of CFRP induced by low energy [28, 29] . Their detectability will depend on not only the NDT&E approach but also composite structure [30] . Further analysis and quantitative studies will be undertaken for more samples.

Compared with visual inspection, the proposed approach in this paper demonstrates greater detectability of induction thermography technique to identify smaller internal impact damages of CFRP induced by low energy.

Their detectability will depend on not only the NDT&E approach but also composite structure.


In the frame of International HLA and Immunogenetics Workshop there is reproductive immunology component which summarize the results from several scientific groups dealing with KIR and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). They published several papers in which investigate if the outcome of pregnancy depends on women's NKRs. They concluded that women with alloimmune abortions have a limited inhibiting KIR repertoire and such miscarriages may occur because trophoblastic HLA class I molecules are recognized by decidual NK cells lacking the appropriate inhibitory KIRs [1] . In another study they performed analysis from a total population of 158 recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) couples, 40 couples with repeated implantation failures (IVF) and 81 control couples, reported by five different laboratories. RSA couples were divided into alloimmune aborter (RSAallo) and autoimmune aborter (RSAauto). It was suggested a possible involvement of actKIRs in embryo implantation and the maintenance of pregnancy [2] .

They concluded that women with alloimmune abortions have a limited inhibiting KIR repertoire and such miscarriages may occur because trophoblastic HLA class I molecules are recognized by decidual NK cells lacking the appropriate inhibitory KIRs.

It was suggested a possible involvement of actKIRs in embryo implantation and the maintenance of pregnancy.


Natural killer (NK) cell receptors (NKRs) have been suggested to protect trophoblast, but their function at the fetomaternal interface remains http://www.id-press.eu/seejim/ unknown. To investigate if the outcome of pregnancy depends on women's NKRs, we studied the NKR repertoire in couples with recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA). Less aborters than controls were found to have all three inhibitory KIRs, some of them had only one inhibitory KIR and most of them were lacking inhibitory KIRs possessed by their husbands. It was concluded that women with alloimmune abortions have a limited inhibiting KIR repertoire and such miscarriages may occur because trophoblastic HLA class I molecules are recognized by decidual NK cells lacking the appropriate inhibitory KIRs [1] .

It was concluded that women with alloimmune abortions have a limited inhibiting KIR repertoire and such miscarriages may occur because trophoblastic HLA class I molecules are recognized by decidual NK cells lacking the appropriate inhibitory KIRs.


Virtual Maintenance Cloud as a remote control platform collected different data from plants [6] . Users only need to log into the system through a browser to master the information collected from different machinery equipment in different plants. It provides user access management, application 358 services list, and language switching functions [7] . The current system has build some application service including real-time status monitor, machine alarm, NC program management, Machine Availability, and tool management [8] .

Virtual Maintenance Cloud as a remote control platform collected different data from plants.

It provides user access management, application 358 services list, and language switching functions.

The current system has build some application service including real-time status monitor, machine alarm, NC program management, Machine Availability, and tool management.


Breast cancer is the most common cancer which causes significant morbidity and mortality among women worldwide [1] . In India, over 80,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed and metastasis is one of the leading cause of death [2] . In recent years, due to lack of medical facilities for early detection, therapeutic strategies for treatment and side effects due to pharmacological compounds have encompassed the need for new therapies mostly from natural sources for long-term cancer prevention and treatment [3] [4] [5] .

Breast cancer is the most common cancer which causes significant morbidity and mortality among women worldwide.

In India, over 80,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed and metastasis is one of the leading cause of death.

In recent years, due to lack of medical facilities for early detection, therapeutic strategies for treatment and side effects due to pharmacological compounds have encompassed the need for new therapies mostly from natural sources for long-term cancer prevention and treatment.


A number of fabrication technologies have been studied to process biodegradable and bioresorbable materials into a 3D scaffold with high porosity and surface area. These technologies include porogen leaching, fiber bonding, gas foaming, and gel casting. Other scaffold fabrication methods include solution casting, emulsion freeze-dying, and textile (Gadzag et al., 1995; Chapekar, 2000; Mikos et al., 1993; Harris et al., 1998; Coombes and Heckman, 1992; Singhal et al., 1996; Mooney et al., 1996) . These processes involve the use of organic solvents, high temperature melting or sintering and compression molding. Using the above-mentioned techniques is often difficult to produce functional structures with defined morphology which are important for the optimal tissue regeneration. Furthermore, most of the scaffolds for orthopedic applications made by these processes have relatively low mechanical strength, which may lead to implant failure and stress overloading. To overcome some of these problems, a porogen-based fabrication technology was proposed to fabricate porous scaffolds, and this porogenbased forming technology was developed based on the layerby-layer manufacturing technique of solid freeform fabrication (SFF). SFF has been used for manufacturing scaffolds for tissue engineering for many years (Lange and Bhavnani, 1994; Sodian et al., 2002; Porter et al., 2001; Hutmacher, 2000; Park et al., 1998; Chu et al., 2001) . These techniques are mainly limited by the fact that such SFF machines (for example, FDM, Solidscape, and all inkjet type 3D printing machines) must be adapted to the fluid mechanical properties of each biomaterial under consideration. The machine parameters must match the physical properties of the building material viscosity and surface tension. These properties vary significantly between different biomaterials and with temperature, making the use of a single machine for fabrication with multiple biomaterials difficult. The porogen-based fabrication system gives us the ability to use a single building material and the flexibility to use any compatible biomaterial or composite that can be injection molded (Mondrinos et al., 2006; Lu et al., 2005) . From this research it has been found that the porogen method can reach higher resolution than that of direct build method (Lu, 2008) .

Other scaffold fabrication methods include solution casting, emulsion freeze-dying, and textile.

SFF has been used for manufacturing scaffolds for tissue engineering for many years.

The porogen-based fabrication system gives us the ability to use a single building material and the flexibility to use any compatible biomaterial or composite that can be injection molded.

From this research it has been found that the porogen method can reach higher resolution than that of direct build method.


Sulfates and nitrates, which form in the atmosphere from sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen oxide (NO x ) emissions, contribute to visibility impairment. About 50-70% of visibility reductions in the eastern U.S. that negatively affect the economic values of national parks have been traced to sulfate particles, while nitrates and carbon play important roles in the western U.S. [15] . Acid precipitation can wear away the waxy protective coatings of leaves, damage them, and reduce photosynthesis. In the Niger Delta region, serious health problems such as skin cancers and lesions may be linked to acid rain. Stomach ulcers could also occur, as consumption of acidic water can alter the pH of the stomach and leach the mucous membrane of the intestinal walls. Nigerians depend heavily on rainwater for drinking, cooking, laundry, and other domestic uses. It is hoped that a potable water supply will become a high-priority issue for the government as water treatment is rarely carried out at the household level.

About 50-70% of visibility reductions in the eastern U.S. that negatively affect the economic values of national parks have been traced to sulfate particles, while nitrates and carbon play important roles in the western U.S..


The Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) and Long-Term Evolution (LTE)-also known as Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA)-are two promising candidates for providing ubiquitous IP 4G wireless broadband access. The LTE and WiMAX are designed as all IP packet switched networks in order to be capable of providing higher link data bit rate [1] , [2] . Thus, all services involving real and non-real time data, are implemented on top of the IP as a network layer protocol. Real time data services transmission such as voice and video require maintaining the wireless link data rate within the requirement of the rate demands of these applications. Thus, the outage of the link data rate more than a predefined threshold is not tolerable. The link data rate is said to be in an outage if the rate requirements of an application cannot be satisfied. Hence, we define the rate outage probability as the probability of having the attainable link data rate below the required application data rate. LTE and WiMAX both implement OFDMA as the technique to share the access of the media among users.

The LTE and WiMAX are designed as all IP packet switched networks in order to be capable of providing higher link data bit rate.


A well-made provisional fixed partial denture should provide a preview of the future prosthesis and enhance the health of the abutments and periodontium. The theories and techniques of fabrication for numerous types of provisional restorations abound in the dental literature [3] . Many procedures involving a wide variety of materials are available to make satisfactory interim restorations. As new materials are introduced, associated techniques are reported, and thus, there is even more variety. It is helpful principle that all the procedures have in common the formation of a mold cavity into which a plastic material is poured or packed.

The theories and techniques of fabrication for numerous types of provisional restorations abound in the dental literature.


The goal is to express the stationary optimal value as an Abelian limit of discounted optimal values and also as an ergodic limit of finite horizon optimal values, and to characterize explicitly the optimal stationary strategy. When the drift is linear, we are also able to express the stationary value and the optimal strategy in terms of an optimal stopping problem for an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process. The analysis is based in part on our study of the infinite-horizon discounted cost problem in the paper [17] .

The analysis is based in part on our study of the infinite-horizon discounted cost problem in the paper.


Cities are the large-scale consumers of energy and emitters of greenhouse gases, contributing preeminently to global climate change with irreversible long-term consequences [1] [2] [3] . According to some studies, the transport sector is the fastest growing energy-consuming sector [4] [5] [6] . The 2014 report on CO 2 emissions by the International Energy Agency states that approximately 23% of global CO 2 emissions arises from transportation-related activities, and that 50% and 20% of the air pollution in the United States and Japan, respectively, are due to vehicular emissions. The Asian Development Bank estimates global transport CO 2 emissions to increase by 57% in the next 25 years due to rapid growth of the automobile industry in the developing world.

Cities are the large-scale consumers of energy and emitters of greenhouse gases, contributing preeminently to global climate change with irreversible long-term consequences.

According to some studies, the transport sector is the fastest growing energy-consuming sector.


Moreover, consumption activities in cities are gravitating toward large-scale shopping facilities. In many developed countries that have undergone suburbanization over several decades, the retail structure in metropolitan areas is dominated by suburban arterial strips and shopping malls [21] . However in China's metropolises large departmental stores have aggregated into municipal commercial centers. Suburban shopping centers, large supermarkets, convenience stores and other retail facilities have become a shopping hub for suburban residents [22] . Therefore, the layout of commercial centers is of interest to urban planners and geographers concerned with urban sprawl, transport cost and environmental externalities [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] . Thus, examining shopping trips from the perspective of sustainable and low-carbon urban planning is crucial.

In many developed countries that have undergone suburbanization over several decades, the retail structure in metropolitan areas is dominated by suburban arterial strips and shopping malls.

Suburban shopping centers, large supermarkets, convenience stores and other retail facilities have become a shopping hub for suburban residents.

Therefore, the layout of commercial centers is of interest to urban planners and geographers concerned with urban sprawl, transport cost and environmental externalities.


With economic and social development, retailing in China has entered a phase of rapid growth, especially with regard to the emergence of large-scale commercial centers, and many cities are transforming or have transformed from producing cities to consuming cities [28] . With an increasingly affluent middle class buying cars as soon as they can afford to, Chinese cities are also becoming increasingly congested with automobiles [29] . According to the China Statistical Yearbook, the number of small private passenger cars nationwide has increased from 10.8 million to 105.9 million from 2005 to 2014 (an annual growth rate of 31.1%). With rapid economic growth and unprecedented urbanization and motorization, reducing CO 2 emissions in the transport sector, especially from private cars, is an urgent target in China. This study focuses on shopping trips to commercial centers and their carbon emissions in the city of Shenyang, one of the largest metropolitan areas in China. In particular, we examine the following question: what is the difference in consumers' travel behavior to different types of commercial centers and in the CO 2 emissions of these behaviors? The rest of this paper is organized as follows. We present the data collection and analysis methods in Section 2 and compare the carbon emissions between different types of commercial centers in Section 3. The implications of these results are discussed in Section 4, and Section 5 summarizes the conclusions of this study.

With economic and social development, retailing in China has entered a phase of rapid growth, especially with regard to the emergence of large-scale commercial centers, and many cities are transforming or have transformed from producing cities to consuming cities.

With an increasingly affluent middle class buying cars as soon as they can afford to, Chinese cities are also becoming increasingly congested with automobiles.


The fundamental nature of dark matter is the biggest particle physics question of our time. It follows directly from the success of quantum field theory in describing the properties of elementary particles, as well as the standard cosmology after the Big Bang. A problem is that the term particle dark matter is very loosely defined, covering very light particles essentially giving a background wave function all the way to primordial black holes. Theory motivations are widely used to support certain mass ranges, but given the generally modest success of models for physics beyond the Standard Model they should be taken with a truck load of salt [1] .

Theory motivations are widely used to support certain mass ranges, but given the generally modest success of models for physics beyond the Standard Model they should be taken with a truck load of salt.


Posting and Transfer (P&T) is a mechanism to ensure adequate and equitable staffing across the services and locations. But there is a dearth of literature and reluctance for open debate on P&T in public sector health services in India and elsewhere. Hence the issue of P&T is such where although parallel systems emerge openly within the systems yet there is not enough empirical evidence on the issue [6] . Poor P&T practices have been documented as a cause of low morale, geographical misdistribution and migration of health workers [7] . Further, poor P&T policies directly or indirectly prevent or discourage healthcare providers from either joining Public Health Sector or such policies contribute to provider's dissatisfaction with the existing system and may lead to low morale, poor performance, high absenteeism and attrition [8, 9] . Similarly, lack of adherence to the policies or bypassing them and creating non-transparent and alternative systems of Human Resource Management (HRM) systems can lead to corruption and reduce worker morale thereby affecting the overall effectiveness of the system [10] . However, the effect of the P&T policies on workforce availability is not only dependent on existence of policies but also dependent on the way in which P&T policies are implemented. Hence effectiveness of such policies depends on the degree of "implementation fidelity" of the relevant HR systems [11] .

Hence the issue of P&T is such where although parallel systems emerge openly within the systems yet there is not enough empirical evidence on the issue.

Poor P&T practices have been documented as a cause of low morale, geographical misdistribution and migration of health workers.

Further, poor P&T policies directly or indirectly prevent or discourage healthcare providers from either joining Public Health Sector or such policies contribute to provider's dissatisfaction with the existing system and may lead to low morale, poor performance, high absenteeism and attrition.

Similarly, lack of adherence to the policies or bypassing them and creating non-transparent and alternative systems of Human Resource Management (HRM) systems can lead to corruption and reduce worker morale thereby affecting the overall effectiveness of the system.

Hence effectiveness of such policies depends on the degree of "implementation fidelity" of the relevant HR systems.


This hypothesis is supported by several results obtained in this study. The addition of wild-type muramidase-1 to the NON-1 1 mutant permitted the immediate formation of septa and a single division of the cells. In this case no turnover was observed because the cell maintained its normal morphology (coccus) and septa were formed at the due time as in the control. Further additions of the enzyme stimulated the cells to divide again. Similarly, the recovery of the different autolysin functions in deficient mutants was observed when exogenous enzyme was added to cell cultures (Fan & Beckman, 1971 ; Tomasz & Waks, 1975; Koch & Burdett, 1986) . If, on the other hand, the enzyme was added when cells had already begun to elongate, no immediate effects were observed and only when cells were completely elongated, did septa form and division occur. This provides further support for our hypothesis that elongation and septation are two alternating processes (Satta et al., 1980) . Similarly, when the mutants were incubated briefly at the non-permissive temperature in the presence of the autolytic enzyme, the return to the permissive condition caused the immediate division of the cells. On the contrary, when preincubation at 42 "C was done without enzyme, a lag was observed before division, indicating that time at 30 "C was needed before cells could synthesize a sufficient quantity of normal autolytic enzyme to form septa.

Similarly, the recovery of the different autolysin functions in deficient mutants was observed when exogenous enzyme was added to cell cultures.

This provides further support for our hypothesis that elongation and septation are two alternating processes.


The demand for high-speed and ubiquitous broadband wireless access has spurred an immense growth in mobile data traffic. Due to limited available bandwidths in the radio frequency (RF) band, current wireless systems have hard time to cope with this demand. Visible light communication (VLC) has emerged as a complementary short-range wireless access technique based on the dual use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) [1] . In VLC systems, light from LEDs is modulated at high speeds not noticeable to the human eye without any adverse effects on illumination levels. Therefore, wireless access is provided as an add-on service to the primary task of illumination of LEDs [2] .

Visible light communication (VLC) has emerged as a complementary short-range wireless access technique based on the dual use of light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Therefore, wireless access is provided as an add-on service to the primary task of illumination of LEDs.


The evidence discussed in this paper is certainly not exhaustive. However, the short period of observation of individuals in EU-SILC hampers the explanatory power of other more sophisticated methods of analysis (Eiffe and Till 2013) . We plan to investigate poverty transitions and take explicitly into account poverty duration, as well as the exact timing and pattern of changes in the household characteristics, when richer data will be available.

However, the short period of observation of individuals in EU-SILC hampers the explanatory power of other more sophisticated methods of analysis.


In clinical areas, doctors must take the lead for change to be successful, as they are often suspicious of process redesign and manager-led workplace innovations (McCann et al., 2015) . As shown in the Canadian case, tensions can surround the use of LM, as participants suspect that managers intend to intensify work and cut costs. These tensions were overcome once doctors understood the potential benefits of the LM initiatives and had greater 'ownership' of them to shape the intervention in ways that supported what they saw as improvements in the provision of healthcare.

In clinical areas, doctors must take the lead for change to be successful, as they are often suspicious of process redesign and manager-led workplace innovations.


Third, doctors used IW across three levels (i.e. industry, organization and workplace) to enable the practice changes to be embedded. Importantly, change needs to be driven and supported or allowed by all levels, as institutions not only act as controlling and constraining factors, but also as enabling and empowering factors (Scott, 2008) . Our two scenarios demonstrate how these three levels are enmeshed and how they help or hinder actors to create, maintain or disrupt institutional change (Adler and Kwon, 2013) . In both cases, the macro-institutional environment was conducive to change. While the industrial-relations institutions set certain parameters of the regulatory frameworks, unions did not play a role in the implementation of process redesign, unless it appeared that employees' terms and conditions of employment had been breached. Workplace change was left to managers and clinician groups to negotiate at the local level. In the Australian case the senior doctors reached into the macro level by working with the leading medical professional association to avert any political discontent about the introduction of LM.

Importantly, change needs to be driven and supported or allowed by all levels, as institutions not only act as controlling and constraining factors, but also as enabling and empowering factors.

Our two scenarios demonstrate how these three levels are enmeshed and how they help or hinder actors to create, maintain or disrupt institutional change.


A slight decrease in the growth rate was observed in summer/autumn (Figure 1 ), which cannot be attributed to conditions of low minimum air temperature. These punctuated decreases in the growth rate of some genotypes may be associated with a severe attack of Hemileia vastatrix that occurred in some clones, high maximum air temperatures (above 34ºC, with some days exceeding 38°C), and the water deficit observed in January and February ( Figure 1AB ). It must be noted that decreases in the growth rate values varied according to the genotype studied, as C. canephora responds differently to soil water deficit (DaMatta et al., 2003; Praxedes et al., 2006) .

It must be noted that decreases in the growth rate values varied according to the genotype studied, as C. canephora responds differently to soil water deficit.


Results suggest that the two forms of KIM critique activities can promote the generation and use of different kinds of criteria. The expert map condition received an expert-generated KIM as a trustworthy reference map. Studying an expert-generated map can model expert understanding, for example how ideas are connected across levels. Student dyads in the expert map condition had to critique their own work, which can be more challenging that evaluating other people's work (Linn & Clancy, 1992) . Despite the teacher's introduction of the expert map as "just one of many possible solutions", results indicate that students interpreted the expert map as the one correct answer and might have limited opportunities for critique. Students might not have felt empowered to critique the reference map as experts generated it. Consequently, students in the expert map condition focused mostly on idea-focused criteria that allowed for a quick evaluation through visual comparison such as "idea placement".

Student dyads in the expert map condition had to critique their own work, which can be more challenging that evaluating other people's work.


Ultra-wide band (UWB) is a technology that has distinct features because of its extremely wide bandwidth. UWB wireless systems are generally based on the transmission and reception of sub-nanosecond pulses without carriers or modulated short pulses with carriers. It is claimed that such wireless systems can provide low system complexity, low cost, low power consumption and a high data rate [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] .

It is claimed that such wireless systems can provide low system complexity, low cost, low power consumption and a high data rate.


To study these questions we analyze a relatively simple model in which risk-averse individuals choose a costly risk-reducing action, "e¤ort,"that determines the probability distribution over output levels. We model the motive for sharing resources within a family as a mixture of voluntary and socially coerced altruism, or as a mixture of sympathy and commitment (Sen, 1983) . Voluntary altruism is formalized in the usual way, as a positive weight placed on others'welfare, while coerced altruism is formalized as a culturally or socially imposed norm for intrafamily transfers. We determine the equilibrium behavior of individuals in this model, and use these results to seek to answer the questions we ask. Moreover, we allow for the possibility that the answers to these questions may depend on the underlying riskiness of the environment, which in our model is captured by the ratio of the high to the low output level.

We model the motive for sharing resources within a family as a mixture of voluntary and socially coerced altruism, or as a mixture of sympathy and commitment.


The identification of more appropriate outcome is Escherichia spp, with differences in test results of MR. The possibility of mixed colonies in a Bactec media is very small, because the culture results with more than one colony are excluded in isolation in solid media. If identified different bacteria, VP test should be positive, because, as has been explained, the germ Enterobacteriaceae using one of the metabolic pathways which is detected with the MR positive test results or test positive VP (Garcia, 2010) . The direct identification method, showed both test MR and VP were negative.

If identified different bacteria, VP test should be positive, because, as has been explained, the germ Enterobacteriaceae using one of the metabolic pathways which is detected with the MR positive test results or test positive VP.


The current analysis only considers monthly mean soil moisture values. The dryness of litter changes with relative humidity on a daily basis and also with rainfall patterns. Average monthly wetness condition may hide short term anomalies and the relationship to satellite observed surface wetness might be stronger in some cases. Droughts occur over longer periods and should therefore nevertheless be captured on a monthly scale. In order to evaluate predictive capabilities of surface soil moisture measurements from satellite data a temporally more detailed investigation would be necessary. The length of a dry period may have an impact on the number of fires. A higher temporal resolution would also allow the assessment of the impact of snowmelt variations which may have consequences for the fire regime [41] . The end of snowmelt can vary by up to a month in southern central Siberia [43] . Acquisitions by the ERS1/2 scatterometers are irregularly spaced. Only every 10 days a full coverage can be expected. With the recently launched MetOp ASCAT, repeat cycles are not only shorter (2-3 days) but the spatial resolution is improved as well. An improved analysis of forest fire occurrence and surface wetness, however, requires also a more precise determination of fire event timing, which is currently not available over larger regions such as Siberia. An analysis of thermal anomaly (hotspot) data such as the MODIS active fire product may resolve this issue. An event based comparison would also provide a basis for consideration of human-induced ignitions in the analyses.

A higher temporal resolution would also allow the assessment of the impact of snowmelt variations which may have consequences for the fire regime.

The end of snowmelt can vary by up to a month in southern central Siberia.


In the first part, we need to find approximations of zeros of cross-product of Bessel functions of the first and second type with errors under good control (see Corollary 2.14) while in the disk case we only need to study zeros of the Bessel function of the first kind. In the derivation we discuss in four cases depending on the sizes of zeros and use expansions of Bessel functions given by the method of stationary phase and F. Olver [18] . As a by-product, we obtain estimates of distances between adjacent zeros (see Corollary 2.10). Based on the approximations, we get a correspondence between eigenvalues and lattice points (translated by various amount), via which the eigenvalue counting problem is reduced to a lattice counting problem naturally. For details see Section 2 and 3.

In the derivation we discuss in four cases depending on the sizes of zeros and use expansions of Bessel functions given by the method of stationary phase and F. Olver.

For details see Section 2 and 3.


Total joint replacement may appear to be the most valid clinical endpoint, although it is highly dependent on local health policies, patient perception, and physician assessment. Owing to the low incidence of total joint replacement, long and large studies would be needed to detect a treatment effect using this endpoint. Alternatively, an estimate of the time to surgery could be used. At present, however, no markers have demonstrated a convincing prediction of total joint replacement [6] . Additionally, such trials would probably need to target patients with end-stage disease who may not be the most adequate subjects to be studied with chondroprotective therapies.

At present, however, no markers have demonstrated a convincing prediction of total joint replacement.


This study found that rutin is abundant in off-specification asparagus spears, which are usually discarded, therefore indicating that spears for which the optimum harvesting time has been missed can still be effectively used as a rutin source. It has also been reported that protodioscin, a type of saponin, is present at high levels in the basal section of spears, which is usually discarded during normal trimming of the spears (Wang et al., 2003) . Together with our findings, these data indicate that the unused parts of asparagus have an unforeseen value and that less of the spear should be trimmed and less asparagus should be rejected in the future.

It has also been reported that protodioscin, a type of saponin, is present at high levels in the basal section of spears, which is usually discarded during normal trimming of the spears.


The rapidly growing population of old adults in Western countries has become a major concern for health care systems. Due to a poorer health status, old adults consume a disproportionate amount of medical care. In some European countries, more than 40% of patients admitted to the hospital for an overnight stay are aged 65 years and older, while their total share of the population is less than 20% [1] .

In some European countries, more than 40% of patients admitted to the hospital for an overnight stay are aged 65 years and older, while their total share of the population is less than 20%.


To study the effect of stabilizer, if any, the above experiments were carried out in the presence of PVP. Figure 3 shows the time-dependent UV-Vis absorption spectra of a Ag colloid in 20 % glycerol solution containing 0.6 mM AgNO 3 in the presence of 1.0 mM TEA and 1 % PVP. The peak maximum centered at 405 nm corresponds to the surface plasmon resonance due to the presence of spherical Ag nanoparticles, along with the presence of shoulder at 531 nm which gradually red shifted with increasing absorption and finally formed a distinct peak at 600 nm. This new peak at longer wavelength is characteristic of formation of anisotropic nanoparticles having geometry other than spherical [1] . However, at lower concentration of Ag ions (0.1 mM) such spectral changes were not seen.

This new peak at longer wavelength is characteristic of formation of anisotropic nanoparticles having geometry other than spherical.


Synthesis of Ag nanoparticles Figure 1a shows the UV-Vis spectra of Ag nanoparticles obtained in the presence of 0.6 mM AgNO 3 and 1.0 mM of TEA with different compositions of glycerol:water (0-40 % v/v) in the absence of any stabilizer. The higher percentage of glycerol ([40 %) was not attempted as mixing of the reactants was not homogeneous due to increase in the viscosity of the solution. It can be seen that the peak maximum was centered in the wavelength region of 400-440 nm. The color of the Ag solution was seen to have changed to greenish yellow orange shades. The change in colors and characteristic surface plasmon absorption spectra indicate the formation of Ag nanoparticles [21] [22] [23] . The observed surface plasmon absorption band appears to be broader with an asymmetric shape at all the compositions of glycerol:water. The shoulder at 580 nm in case of 20 % glycerol and broadening of absorption band at higher wavelength might be attributed to the formation of nanoparticles with different geometry or may be due to small aggregation of primary particles, because with time nanoparticles were precipitated out from the reaction mixture. This can be further evident from the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Figure 1b shows the TEM image of Ag nanoparticles obtained in the presence of 0.6 mM AgNO 3 , 1 mM TEA in the presence of 20 % of glycerol in water. TEM analysis shows that particles were polydispersed with few aggregates; the average particle size is 30 nm.

The change in colors and characteristic surface plasmon absorption spectra indicate the formation of Ag nanoparticles.


They must, for example, be equipped with appropriate process technology to undertake the specific methods of slaughter that the target consumer group expects. Food producers that endeavor to serve a heterogeneous global market, need to adopt process technologies that generate a product that is acceptable for the community, for example, by utilizing only manual slaughtering methods for one market and potentially using automated slaughtering methods for less conservative markets. Not only this, but they must also be capable of communicating the methods of production that are employed clearly and unambiguously to the customer group, and this in itself is known to be a highly problematic undertaking (White and Samuel, 2016) .

Not only this, but they must also be capable of communicating the methods of production that are employed clearly and unambiguously to the customer group, and this in itself is known to be a highly problematic undertaking.


Renewable energy such as wind, solar, tidal, and wave only produces electricity intermittently and with low power and energy density, thus, nondispatchable and difficult to use at large scales as the modern society requires [1] . That is why many renewable energy technologies are lacking the economies of scale, which reduces their competitiveness and delays the transition to a low carbon economy. Therefore, economic solutions to bulk energy storage are urgently needed in order for renewable energy to take a significant share in the total energy mix. A critical issue for renewable energy to be integrated into grids with satisfactory stability is appropriate energy storage to defer electricity demand from peak to off peak times.

Renewable energy such as wind, solar, tidal, and wave only produces electricity intermittently and with low power and energy density, thus, nondispatchable and difficult to use at large scales as the modern society requires.


For the security Q-score, when language abilities were controlled for, an effect of reasoning IQ appeared. This confirmed that cognitive abilities, over and above language abilities, have an impact on the development of attachment representations. In this research, reasoning IQ was measured by the block design subtest, which involves the capacity to analyze and synthesize abstract visual stimuli as well as to create non-verbal concepts (Wechsler, 2004) . It may be that such cognitive abilities are an important step in the development of attachment representations. The capacities acquired to synthesize and create non-verbal concepts can be very helpful for the two main functions of attachment representations, i.e. the interpretation and the prediction of external events and the behavior of others (Crittenden, 1990) . A child displaying good reasoning abilities would therefore be more likely to create and refer to secure attachment representations earlier in his or her development. Conversely, a child displaying lower reasoning abilities needs more time to create and refer to secure attachment representations.

In this research, reasoning IQ was measured by the block design subtest, which involves the capacity to analyze and synthesize abstract visual stimuli as well as to create non-verbal concepts.

The capacities acquired to synthesize and create non-verbal concepts can be very helpful for the two main functions of attachment representations, i.e. the interpretation and the prediction of external events and the behavior of others.


Electrical conductivity (EC) (25-551 S/cm) and organic matter (OM) (4.87-11.55%) were also influenced by the industrial wastes and effluents of the factories. Electrical conductivity usually used for indicating the total concentration of the ionized constituents of water. It is closely related to the sum of the cations or anions as determined chemically, and it usually correlates closely with TDS (Rouse 1979) . EC varied widely and significantly during wet and dry season in different areas (Tables 1 and  2 ). During the wet season, significantly higher EC values (203.6 S/cm) were recorded around industrial area (Tejgaon soil series) and the lowest value (76.7 S/cm) was recorded around mix (i.e. industrial/residential/slum) (Tejgaon/Kajla/Poyati soil series) areas. On the other hand, the significantly higher EC values (826.3 S/cm) were recorded around slum area (Payati soil series) and the lowest value (140.3 S/cm) were recorded around residential areas (Kajla soil series) during dry season (Table 1) . Table 2 shows the significantly higher EC values which were recorded in dry season (304.4 S/cm) than that of wet season (129.6 S/cm). Discharge of huge quantities electrolytes from industries (Tejgaon soil series) and slum areas (Payati soil series) may be the reasons for higher EC in dry season (Rande 2000) . A significant sharp fall of EC in wet season might be due to huge dilution of the sampling areas by the monsoon rainfall.

It is closely related to the sum of the cations or anions as determined chemically, and it usually correlates closely with TDS.

Discharge of huge quantities electrolytes from industries (Tejgaon soil series) and slum areas (Payati soil series) may be the reasons for higher EC in dry season.


Accurate assessment of felt pain strength is a key factor for successful pain management during surgery and other clinical procedures. Presently, most of the pain scoring systems used in clinical practice rely on patient cooperation and attentiveness. However, in some cases, for example in unconscious, confused, uncooperative patients, or in the case for infants, questioning is impossible. As a result, pain is usually poorly evaluated and inadequately managed. Therefore, a more practical, patient-independent method for this purpose is highly desirable. As pain provokes a sympathetic response in the body, monitoring of parameters, which correlate with such responses could be a helpful tool for pain assessment. Previously SC, as one of the EDA parameter is proposed as a method for monitoring perioperative or postoperative stress [6, [18] [19] [20] .

Previously SC, as one of the EDA parameter is proposed as a method for monitoring perioperative or postoperative stress.


Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is an inherited disease caused by mutations in TSC1 or TSC2 that lead to aberrant activation of mTOR and development of tumours in multiple organs. TSC patients frequently develop renal manifestations, usually multiple and bilateral angiomyolipomas (AML) that are the leading cause of adult deaths from the disease. Renal cysts are also commonly observed and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) develops in around 2% of TSC patients [1] . Treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (sirolimus) or its derivative everolimus significantly reduces the size of renal AML in TSC patients [2] [3] [4] . Everolimus has also demonstrated clinical efficacy in TSC-associated renal carcinoma [5] . However, responses of AML and other TSC-associated tumours to these mTOR inhibitors are partial and tumours that initially respond to treatment usually regrow after drug withdrawal. Partial resistance to rapamycin or its derivatives is suggested to be associated with loss of negative feedback regulation that leads to increased phosphorylation and activation of AKT [6] .

Renal cysts are also commonly observed and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) develops in around 2% of TSC patients.

Treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (sirolimus) or its derivative everolimus significantly reduces the size of renal AML in TSC patients.

Everolimus has also demonstrated clinical efficacy in TSC-associated renal carcinoma.

Partial resistance to rapamycin or its derivatives is suggested to be associated with loss of negative feedback regulation that leads to increased phosphorylation and activation of AKT.


Our findings suggest that tobacco smoking is associated with differential methylation of CpG sites within the type 2 diabetes risk genes ANPEP, KCNQ1 and ZMIZ1. The associations were robust to adjustment for potential confounders and the effect of tobacco smoking appeared to be reversible after smoking cessation. In addition, methylation within ANPEP was significantly associated with gene expression levels of ANPEP. Methylation at KCNQ1 was associated with fasting insulin levels and genetic data supported a role for methylation at KCNQ1 in the development of diabetes. This study provides further insight into potential biological mechanisms underlying the association between tobacco smoking and an excess risk of type 2 diabetes. In contrast to the findings for current vs never smokers, we found similar DNA methylation levels at the replicated CpG sites when comparing former smokers to never smokers. Furthermore, four significant CpG sites were associated with time since smoking cessation, suggesting a return after smoking cessation to DNA methylation levels similar to never smokers. This is in agreement with previous studies investigating the role of smoking cessation in DNA methylation [7, 27, 28] . DNA methylation may return to levels similar to never smokers at some sites, while other sites stay differentially methylated. Our results are in agreement with a potential beneficial effect of smoking cessation on DNA methylation at risk loci for diabetes. Furthermore, at four CpG sites we observed a dose-dependent effect of smoking underscoring the importance of cumulative tobacco exposure over time.

This is in agreement with previous studies investigating the role of smoking cessation in DNA methylation.


With ever increasing concerns on energy security and environmental issues, utilization of renewable energy generation has gained rapid development and global acceptance over the past few decades. Among those sources, photovoltaic (PV) generation appears to be one of the most promising technologies due to the abundance of solar insolation in various regions, the absence of moving parts in the generation system, requiring no transmission lines (e.g. roof top PV installations), and low operation and maintenance costs [1] [2] . Unfortunately, renewable sources such as PV provide variable power generation. PV insolation striking on the PV panels is affected by environmental and cloud conditions, and it varies daily, hourly and even in seconds. As the output power of a PV plant fluctuates, this could cause the power grid to experience frequency and voltage deviations, especially if a large PV plant is connected to a weak grid. To mitigate the negative impacts of this variability from renewable power sources, the use of an energy storage system (ESS) has been considered [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . Since different storage technologies have their own strengths and weaknesses in terms of cost, lifetime, and efficiency, a combination of different technologies, also called a hybrid energy storage system (HESS), has been proposed and evaluated to assist with the integration of renewable generation [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] .

Among those sources, photovoltaic (PV) generation appears to be one of the most promising technologies due to the abundance of solar insolation in various regions, the absence of moving parts in the generation system, requiring no transmission lines (e.g. roof top PV installations), and low operation and maintenance costs.

To mitigate the negative impacts of this variability from renewable power sources, the use of an energy storage system (ESS) has been considered.

Since different storage technologies have their own strengths and weaknesses in terms of cost, lifetime, and efficiency, a combination of different technologies, also called a hybrid energy storage system (HESS), has been proposed and evaluated to assist with the integration of renewable generation.


These data expand our prior finding that 14-month-olds have not yet identified specific basic-level properties for many categories of household artifacts (Mandler & McDonough, 1998b) . By 19 months, the majority of children have learned the relevant associations sufficiently well to narrow their choice of object to the appropri-ADVANCING DOWNWARD TO THE BASIC LEVEL ate category. In our previous study, 14-month-olds did not differentiate appropriate drinking containers from inappropriate ones (frying pans) or appropriate pieces of furniture in which to sleep from inappropriate ones (bathtubs). In this experiment, we found that 14-month-olds overgeneralized their responses to other household items as well. They used both a toothbrush and hairbrush to brush hair, put a dish into both a sink and a bathtub, hammered with both a hammer and a wrench, and put a little person on a toilet as well as a chair at a table.

These data expand our prior finding that 14-month-olds have not yet identified specific basic-level properties for many categories of household artifacts.


The data indicated that boys were slower in this development than girls. Of course, we cannot rule out the possibility that the boys were merely less attentive to detail in the context of an imitation task than were the girls. However, this alternative hypothesis seems unlikely for two reasons. First, there is a good deal of evidence that neither male nor female infants pick objects at random to imitate what they observe. At 14 months both boys and girls rarely choose objects from a different domain to imitate modeled events and they typically refuse to imitate behavior they consider to be incorrect (Mandler & McDonough, 1996; McDonough & Mandler, 1998) . Second, there were no gender differences in Experiment 2 or (with one minor exception) in Experiment 3 in which animals and vehicles were tested. Therefore, the lack of selectivity in the boys' performance in this experiment appears to be due to indifference to basic-level distinctions in the household domain, such as found between one kind of brush and another or one kind of household container and another. This indifference was general for the 14-month-olds but largely disappeared by 19 months for the girls.

At 14 months both boys and girls rarely choose objects from a different domain to imitate modeled events and they typically refuse to imitate behavior they consider to be incorrect.


This rejection of perceptual matching ability as an explanation for the data in these experiments is not meant to preclude the hypothesis that improved accuracy of generalization with age is due in part to increased attention to the perceptual details of various animals and artifacts. The data from Experiment 3 merely suggest that less attention is paid to the details of what animals look like than what vehicles look like and that this relative indifference to detail persists longer. At present we have no information about the frequency with which children experience the characteristic properties of animals and vehicles, or even whether they are comparable in what they demand in the way of understanding. However, the data add to the frequent if not always significant finding in our prior experiments of earlier conceptual differentiation of vehicles into separate kinds than that with animals (Mandler & McDonough, 1993; Mandler & McDonough, 1998b) . It is possible that the social, interactive nature of animals is attention-demanding enough to lessen attentiveness to details of their physical appearance.

However, the data add to the frequent if not always significant finding in our prior experiments of earlier conceptual differentiation of vehicles into separate kinds than that with animals.


In many countries, apprenticeship training plays a major role for skill formation during school-to-work transition (Ryan, 2001) . About two thirds of German school leavers, in particular those who finish lower or intermediate secondary schooling, enter the labour market via the apprenticeship system (BMBF, 2010) . Finishing apprenticeship training leads to a formal degree that certifies the acquisition of vocational qualification in form of work experience and specific skills. In Germany, this formal degree often serves as an "admission ticket" for future jobs, and unemployment rates are high for workers who did not finish apprenticeship training successfully. Accordingly, in many cases dropout of apprenticeship will affect future career prospects (Winkelmann, 1996; Lüdemann et al., 2006; Oreopoulos, 2007) . Despite the importance of the apprenticeship degree, dropout of apprenticeship training is frequent. For example, in Germany more than 20 per cent of apprentices drop out before the end of training (see Table 1 ). Early dropout is prevalent; approximately half of the dropouts occurs during the first year of apprenticeship training, and one third occurs during probationary period. Apprenticeship training in Germany takes between 2 and 3.5 years. In 2008, the German Federal Government introduced the Apprenticeship Bonus 1 , a programme that aims to support disadvantaged young people. The Apprenticeship Bonus should help the eligible group to find an apprenticeship position and to obtain the formal degree of a qualified worker. Only young people who have searched without success for an apprenticeship position to start training after leaving school are eligible for an Appren-1 Apprenticeship Bonus denotes the German programme Ausbildungsbonus.

In many countries, apprenticeship training plays a major role for skill formation during school-to-work transition.

About two thirds of German school leavers, in particular those who finish lower or intermediate secondary schooling, enter the labour market via the apprenticeship system.

Accordingly, in many cases dropout of apprenticeship will affect future career prospects.


Other companies have also incorporated P2P services into a wide-variety of business applications. For example, P2P-based sharing of compute capacity has been adopted for collaborative computing (for example, SETI@Home), instant messaging, enterprise information sharing (for example, Bad Blue), and distributed data storage (PeerioData) . Recently, there is blurring of distinction between different P2P-based applications. For example, at one point, the Kazaa user agreement gave Kazaa's parent company, Brilliant Digital Entertainment, the right to sell extra processing power as part of their business model (Carlson, 2002) .

For example, at one point, the Kazaa user agreement gave Kazaa's parent company, Brilliant Digital Entertainment, the right to sell extra processing power as part of their business model.


Whether a culture is focused on survival or achievement also affects parenting. In cultures where health and subsistence are assured, parents tend to stress exploration and self-maintenance. In cultures where health and survival are not stable and dependable, parents tend to be more protective oftheir children's movements. This cultural differences may also contribute to variations in performance on measures such as the Bayley Scales. Culturally sensitive assessment involves consideration of the culture and region within which children live, as well as the goals the culture has for its children (Anderson, 1989) . Practitioners using measures such as the Bayley Scales need to develop this cultural sensitivity and incorporate it into their work with young children and families. Cultural differences also exist in terms of views of child development (McCollum and McBride, 1997) . Parents have different views about when their children should reach developmental milestones, such as walking or toileting. Parent-child interactions emphasize the skills considered important for that time in that particular culture. Parents also hold different beliefs about how their children develop these skills. Some cultures believe that children develop naturally, without outside help or influence, while others view development as being shaped by society or as interactional in nature. These differences in beliefs contribute to differences in parenting styles and participation in child development activities or programs.

Culturally sensitive assessment involves consideration of the culture and region within which children live, as well as the goals the culture has for its children.

Cultural differences also exist in terms of views of child development.


Some cultures promote independence of individual members, while others stress interdependence (McCollum and McBride, 1997) . These cultural tendencies affect parents' socialization goals for their children and subsequent parent-child interactions. Parent-child interactions are among the most important daily activities for infants and toddlers, as they affect the organization of daily experiences and routines and contribute to cognitive, emotional, social and communication skills development in young children. In Russia, parents have more physical contacts with their children and are more protective than American parents (Press, 1989) . These behaviours are consistent with the cultural goal of encouraging their young children to be dependent on adults, which is in contrast to the American culture's focus on increased autonomy.

Some cultures promote independence of individual members, while others stress interdependence.

In Russia, parents have more physical contacts with their children and are more protective than American parents.


Another important area for psychologists to consider involves differences in national goals for early intervention. In Sweden, parents and professionals believe that a child-centered, creative environment is important for early childhood programs (Carlson and Stenmalm, 1989) . Although professionals in the United States also support this view, parents in the United States value more formal academic tasks and conformity to rules as important goals for preschoolers. Similar differences have been found between the views of Finnish and American parents and educators, with Americans valuing a more formal and structured instructional approach (Hoot et al., 1996) . In addition, more congruence has been found between parents and educators in Sweden and Finland than in the United States. The level of agreement may influence the philosophy of early intervention and resulting programs. These cultural variations contribute to differences in national goals for young children as well as differences in performance of varying skills and abilities, all of which may influence interpretations of results of developmental assessments. The use of tests such as the Bayley Scales may be most applicable in countries that focus on early intervention, which may not be the case with many underdeveloped, third world countries. Because of this, it may be preferable to establish local norms.

In Sweden, parents and professionals believe that a child-centered, creative environment is important for early childhood programs.

Similar differences have been found between the views of Finnish and American parents and educators, with Americans valuing a more formal and structured instructional approach.


Differences in conceptualizations of health and disabilities are also found across cultures (Anderson, 1989) . Hispanic and Native American cultures tend to associate health with religion, while many Asians believe that health problems and disabilities result from sins committed by relatives. These differences may contribute to differences in information provided during assessments, as well as variations in levels of understanding disabilities and well as their tendencies to seek and participate in treatment.

Differences in conceptualizations of health and disabilities are also found across cultures.


In the period from the first infection to clinical symptoms, echinococcosis displays the characteristic symptoms of benign tumor that grows slowly. Clinical symptoms depend on the anatomic host area. It may imitate benign and malign tumors, cysts, abscess, hematoma, pseudocyst and congenital cysts [7, 9] .

It may imitate benign and malign tumors, cysts, abscess, hematoma, pseudocyst and congenital cysts.


Deep circulation groundwater flow systems are structurally and geochemically complex. Isotopic investigations combined with geothermal applications represent powerful tools for the exploration of deep circulation groundwater flow systems [6, 7, 12] . In this study, a deep circulation hydrothermal system was surveyed based on hydrogeochemical and isotopic constraints to elucidate the origin of the geothermal fluids and the source of solutes and to discern the mixing and the hydrogeochemical alteration. The main goal is to gain a conceptual model and mechanisms for the deep circulation groundwater flow system.

Isotopic investigations combined with geothermal applications represent powerful tools for the exploration of deep circulation groundwater flow systems.


Mixing is a common process during the upward flow of geothermal water. Geothermal waters might be a mixture of magmatic water, stream, deep geothermal fluids, shallow geothermal fluids, and cold water from the surface [13, [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] . Mixing is also a process that controls outlet temperatures and causes dilution of geothermal water [5] . At the same time, mixing blurs the information of the deep circulation groundwater.

Geothermal waters might be a mixture of magmatic water, stream, deep geothermal fluids, shallow geothermal fluids, and cold water from the surface.

Mixing is also a process that controls outlet temperatures and causes dilution of geothermal water.


Neurodegenerative dementia is a disease that progressively deteriorates brain functionality. One of the most common symptoms of dementia is memory loss. In addition, patients usually lose the ability to solve problems or control their emotions and present changes in personality and normal behaviour. Over time, people with dementia are unable to properly perform the basic activities of daily living such as maintaining personal hygiene or food. Estimates point to the fact that by 2016 there will be 26.6 million people worldwide with Alzheimerʹs disease, and this figure will be three times bigger by 2050 when Alzheimer's will affect 1 in 85 people of the total world population. In addition, 40% of them will be in an advanced state of disease, requiring a level of care that involves high consumption of resources [1] .

In addition, 40% of them will be in an advanced state of disease, requiring a level of care that involves high consumption of resources.