Dilulin is synthesized from linseed oil and cyclopentadiene through a high temperature, high pressure Diels-Alder reaction. Chemical structure of Dilulin has been studied thoroughly with NMR and FTIR, indicating an average of one norbornene ring pendant group per triglyceride [11, 12] . In the polymerization of the copolymer, the unsaturated norbornene ring in Dilulin can undergo ROMP with DCPD to form a cross-linked structure. However, even after complete cure, the copolymer still contains a number of unreacted double bonds, such as unsaturated bonds in fatty acid chains in Dilulin and double bonds in cyclopentene rings in DCPD (discussed later). These unsaturated bonds are likely to be attacked by UV radiation to form free radicals during photo-degradation. Catalyst residue and other impurities in the polymer also absorb UV radiation, producing free radicals. Understanding the degradation behavior of this bio-renewable polymer is essential for exploring possible practical applications.

Chemical structure of Dilulin has been studied thoroughly with NMR and FTIR, indicating an average of one norbornene ring pendant group per triglyceride.


Photo-degradation generally leads to an embrittlement of polymer materials and often causes a transition from ductile failure to brittle fracture. A reduction in yield stress, tensile stress, and elongation at break was observed in many photo-degraded materials [2] [3] [4] [5] . Conductivity and dielectricity are also affected by photo-degradation [6, 7] . Because degradation will eventually cause material failure, examining and understanding the degradation effects on material properties provides key indicators when predicting the service life of a material.

A reduction in yield stress, tensile stress, and elongation at break was observed in many photo-degraded materials.

Conductivity and dielectricity are also affected by photo-degradation.


Aging is the primary effect limiting the lifetime of plastics. It usually leads to irreversible changes in material properties. Materials exposed to environmental influences, such as light, temperature, and humidity may lose ductility, color, or transparency. In outdoor applications of plastic materials, UV radiation is responsible for most aging damages, because the quantum energy of UV radiation is high enough to cause chain cleavage in the molecules, and this, in turn, resulting in one or more of the following chemical changes: depolymerization, crosslinking, formation of double bonds in the polymer chain and other low-molecular compounds [1] . These effects are usually classified as photo-degradation.

In outdoor applications of plastic materials, UV radiation is responsible for most aging damages, because the quantum energy of UV radiation is high enough to cause chain cleavage in the molecules, and this, in turn, resulting in one or more of the following chemical changes: depolymerization, crosslinking, formation of double bonds in the polymer chain and other low-molecular compounds.


In this paper, the effect of UV radiation on physical and chemical properties of thick, bio-renewable polymer samples was studied utilizing various methods. In general, photo-degradation in thick specimen is governed by diffusion of oxygen into the polymer over time [13] . The distribution of oxygen through the specimen thickness results in varying concentrations of oxidation products with changing depth [14] [15] [16] . Profile analysis of photo-degraded samples was used as an effective way to study the time dependent degradation process. Photo-acoustic FTIR (PAS-FTIR) was used to examine chemicals on the surface layer of degraded materials. Together with an MTEC microlap system, it allowed to generate depth profiles of degraded materials with good resolutions.

In general, photo-degradation in thick specimen is governed by diffusion of oxygen into the polymer over time.

The distribution of oxygen through the specimen thickness results in varying concentrations of oxidation products with changing depth.


The present article describes the results of a qualitative study into men's help-seeking following a major earthquake and tsunami event in February 2010, in Chile. For men living in urban centers and coastal zones, the disaster event represented an immediate danger to their physical integrity. The event and its repercussions elicited a range of emotional responses. The testimonies of men exposed to the disaster clearly communicate despair, sadness, stress and anger. These results parallel those of other studies of men's attitudes (B. in identifying negative emotions that persist over time (Lazaratou et al., 2008) .

These results parallel those of other studies of men's attitudes (B. in identifying negative emotions that persist over time.


The third "help factor" or strategy men adopted in order to avoid seeking help was to rely on the passage of time to erase or filter the traces of trauma. Although the results show that nearly all participants (n=16) adhered to this view, the majority presented psychological health problems, since 13 registered scores of 33 or higher on the IES-R, signifying the presence of post-traumatic stress, and all reported physical health complications. Clearly, therefore, the notion of time as a healing agent appears to be a commonly held fallacy that, unfortunately, adds to the burden of traditional models of masculinity, further hindering men's help-seeking behaviors (Dulac, 2001; Hayes & Mahalik, 2000; Tremblay et al., 2007) .

Clearly, therefore, the notion of time as a healing agent appears to be a commonly held fallacy that, unfortunately, adds to the burden of traditional models of masculinity, further hindering men's help-seeking behaviors.


Parboiling is a hydrothermal treatment wherein the main steps consist of soaking, steaming, and drying. During this process on paddy rice, kernels change their physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory properties: starch gelatinizes, part of the vitamins and minerals migrate towards the endosperm, and a lipideamylose complex is formed, restricting starch swelling and amylose leaching during cooking (Bhattacharya, 2004) . The modifications of starch organization are responsible for reducing stickiness and increasing hardness.

During this process on paddy rice, kernels change their physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory properties: starch gelatinizes, part of the vitamins and minerals migrate towards the endosperm, and a lipideamylose complex is formed, restricting starch swelling and amylose leaching during cooking.


Among DG technologies, especially wind power has already been largely applied but also other technologies are being used, such as hydro small units, photovoltaic units, fuel cell units, cogeneration units and biomass units. Future power systems will have to deal with large-scale integration of DG and other Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), such as storage units and demand response [1] . In the future, it is likely that consumers generate energy with micro generation systems and manage their consumption according to the electricity real-time price, the own generation or in response to the system operator solicitations.

Future power systems will have to deal with large-scale integration of DG and other Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), such as storage units and demand response.


DER significantly increase the number of variables that must be considered in the economic dispatch problem. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new methodologies to improve the efficiency of economic dispatch methods able to cope with the new paradigms of power systems, namely aiming at obtaining fast response for optimization problems with many variables [18, 19] . Deterministic optimization techniques require significant computer means and the execution times are not compatible with the short-term scheduling. Therefore, it is necessary to use alternative methodologies, to have fast response for optimization problems with many variables. Computational Intelligence techniques, namely metaheuristics inspired by biological processes, have advantages in terms of computational requirements compared with the traditional optimization techniques. Genetic Algorithms (GAs) are inspired by natural evolution and use concepts such as mutation, selection, and crossover. GA have been successfully used in many power systems problems [20] [21] [22] [23] .

Therefore, it is necessary to develop new methodologies to improve the efficiency of economic dispatch methods able to cope with the new paradigms of power systems, namely aiming at obtaining fast response for optimization problems with many variables.

GA have been successfully used in many power systems problems.


Written calculations were more difficult for aphasic patients. Changes in understanding and lexical and written difficulties, both commonly found in aphasics, may also affect performance on these tasks [28] . In this regard, the systematic association of linguistic and numerical deficits may be informative and contribute to our understanding of numerical difficulties in different clinical populations. The acalculia pattern found in the aphasia group can be explained as follows: both calculation routes may have been damaged, leading to deficiencies in tasks that require semantic number comparison.

Changes in understanding and lexical and written difficulties, both commonly found in aphasics, may also affect performance on these tasks.


Although some evidence, mainly in single case reports, has upheld the notion of the functional independence of language and number processing and calculation, we believe that some tasks, such as those involving counting, transcoding, and mental and written calculations, depend on linguistic processing. Counting serially requires learned numerical concepts [3] . Numerical transcoding abilities depend on a central component that performs all transcoding and calculations [10] . For numerical comprehension or calculations, mechanisms are necessary to translate numerical inputs, whether in orthographic, arabic, or verbal form. Moreover, numerical production mechanisms have implications that require translation and abstract representations of the appropriate forms of output for each notation system (verbal, orthographic, or arabic). To complete this process, a distinction must also be made between lexical and syntactic numerical processing, in which a series of verbal, orthographic, and arabic transformations in numeric comprehension are performed.

Counting serially requires learned numerical concepts.

Numerical transcoding abilities depend on a central component that performs all transcoding and calculations.


Ruminal microbes play an important role in forage degradation. Specifically, the numbers of rumen microbes and/or their activity contribute to the magnitude of forage degradation (Hungate, 1966) . Increased concentrations of ruminal fibrolytic bacteria have been observed to result from yeast supplementation (Wiedmeier et al., 1987; Harrison et al., 1988; Dawson et al., 1991) . In the present study, forage degradation was increased by the addition of dried beer yeast. Thus, as in agreement with the above reports, it can be concluded that the addition of yeast activates rumen microbes.

Specifically, the numbers of rumen microbes and/or their activity contribute to the magnitude of forage degradation.

Increased concentrations of ruminal fibrolytic bacteria have been observed to result from yeast supplementation.


Here, we compared traditional MNE and a number of spatial covariance selection methods from literature to our spatio-temporal GP framework; specifically how these affect the spread and reliability of the inverse solution. We show that our method is especially good in enhancing weak responses with low SNR, by comparing the results of MNE to regularized solutions with an empirical dataset where SNR was gradually reduced (Kauramäki et al., 2012) . The regularized solutions retain the basic results of peak latency and amplitude modulations (Figures 4 and 7) compared to the solution obtained using traditional MNE. Further, these solutions reliably place the activity estimate at a neuroanatomically plausible location, even at low-SNR conditions (Fig. 6) where MNE estimates have much more uncertainty in auditory areas. The GP-regularized solutions yield spatially smooth estimates, as shown in Figure 1 , and can reliably separate distinct sources with low uncertainty.

We show that our method is especially good in enhancing weak responses with low SNR, by comparing the results of MNE to regularized solutions with an empirical dataset where SNR was gradually reduced.


Preliminary ARPES measurements were carried out using a home-built laser-based ARPES setup at the Ames Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, United States. Measurements were conducted under ultra-high vacuum and at temperatures ≤ 10K. The angular and energy resolution was better than 0.1 • and 5 meV, respectively, with photon energies from 5.77 eV to 6.67 eV [31] . Pump-probe ARPES measurements were carried out using a hemispherical Scienta R4000 analyzer and a mode-locked Ti:Sapphire laser system that delivered 1.48 eV pump and 5.92 eV probe pulses at a repetition rate of 250 kHz [29] . The time and energy resolution were 300 fs and 15 meV, respectively. The spot diameters of the pump and probe lasers at the sample were 250 µm and 85 µm, respectively. Measurements were carried out at pressures < 5 × 10 −11 Torr and temperatures ∼ 8 K.

The angular and energy resolution was better than 0.1 • and 5 meV, respectively, with photon energies from 5.77 eV to 6.67 eV.

Pump-probe ARPES measurements were carried out using a hemispherical Scienta R4000 analyzer and a mode-locked Ti:Sapphire laser system that delivered 1.48 eV pump and 5.92 eV probe pulses at a repetition rate of 250 kHz.


We have applied the temporal coupled-mode theory to study the resonant antireflection. The formalism developed, moreover, is general and can be used to study other effects associated with resonant particles at interfaces [58] [59] [60] . For example, instead of conditions for antireflection, one can derive conditions for enhanced or perfect reflection [61] [62] [63] [64] [65] . Finally, Eq. (1), which represents a sufficient condition for complete antireflection, also represents an optimal condition for light trapping [66, 67] . Thus, our theory is useful for understanding the important synergy of simultaneous antireflection and light trapping in these systems [15, 28, 41] .

The formalism developed, moreover, is general and can be used to study other effects associated with resonant particles at interfaces.

For example, instead of conditions for antireflection, one can derive conditions for enhanced or perfect reflection.

Finally, Eq. (1), which represents a sufficient condition for complete antireflection, also represents an optimal condition for light trapping.

Thus, our theory is useful for understanding the important synergy of simultaneous antireflection and light trapping in these systems.


Older forest communities vary considerably in dominant tree species composition among the southern Cascade Range (Oregon/California), central and northern Cascades (Oregon/Washington), Coast Range (California/Oregon/Washington) and Klamath Mountains (Oregon/California [6] ). Forests are generally dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) on sites associated with western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla, sometimes including Pacific and grand fir, Abies amabalis, A. grandis; western red cedar Thuja plicata, bigleaf maple Acer macrophyllum); mixed conifers (white fir A. concolor and sometimes incense cedar Calocedrus decurrens, ponderosa and sugar pine Pinus ponderosa, P. lambertina); and mixed-evergreens (Pacific madrone Arbutus menziesii, tan oak Lithocarpus densiflorus, and canyon live oak Quercus chrysolepis). Structurally, these forests are characterized by the presence of high densities of large (>100 cm in diameter) conifers (typically 16-23 trees/ha), varied tree sizes and multi-layered canopies, trees with broken and dead tops, high levels of snags and downed wood, and diverse understories [6] .

Older forest communities vary considerably in dominant tree species composition among the southern Cascade Range (Oregon/California), central and northern Cascades (Oregon/Washington), Coast Range (California/Oregon/Washington) and Klamath Mountains (Oregon/California).

Structurally, these forests are characterized by the presence of high densities of large (>100 cm in diameter) conifers (typically 16-23 trees/ha), varied tree sizes and multi-layered canopies, trees with broken and dead tops, high levels of snags and downed wood, and diverse understories.


Risk stratification has proven to be a useful tool in surgical site infection (SSI) prevention. The duration of the surgical procedure has been recommended for use in SSI risk stratification [5] . This study, a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent TKR, assessed the association between the duration of the surgical procedure and the risk of postoperative infection and its possible value as a risk predictor.

The duration of the surgical procedure has been recommended for use in SSI risk stratification.


Leaders in the field of sustainable development assessment include the World Bank, which since 1980 has been assessing the eradication of poverty in countries of the world based on more than 500 indicators and cites it in the annual report "The World Development Indicators", the analysis of which is conducted at the local, regional and national levels. Since 2000, the annual "green" directory "The Little Green Data Book" has been issued, in which the indicator "true savings" based on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimate was proposed. This indicator refers to the real rate of accumulation of national savings after proper consideration of investments in increasing human capital, depletion of natural resources and damage from environmental pollution. From the standpoint of sustainable development, negative indicators of true savings show the formation of an antisustainable type of development and must inevitably lead to a deterioration in well-being [4] .

From the standpoint of sustainable development, negative indicators of true savings show the formation of an antisustainable type of development and must inevitably lead to a deterioration in well-being.


The presented dynamic model of the "green" economy allows us to promptly forecast the outcome of various scenarios for its development, considering a wide range of multifaceted factors and interactions at the level of the regional space. Within the capabilities of the developed model, an experiment was carried out suggesting several key scenarios reflecting multifaceted options for developing a "green" economy. Each of them presupposes intensification of the influence of one of the cognitive vertices of the model on the development curve of the "green" economy. The range of values for each simulated flow to be changed is in the range [−1; +1] It should be noted that the maximum assessment of the development of the "green" economy in the economic space is 1, which corresponds to estimates of the values of the resulting indicator of the development of the "green" economy in the economic space of the region [28] . Forecasting covers a time interval of 15 years. The main results of scenario modelling are presented in Figures 4-8 .

The range of values for each simulated flow to be changed is in the range [−1; +1] It should be noted that the maximum assessment of the development of the "green" economy in the economic space is 1, which corresponds to estimates of the values of the resulting indicator of the development of the "green" economy in the economic space of the region.


Since 1990, the countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have been developing a program of environmental indicators. In 1993, a model of sustainable development indicators was presented through a logical sequence of cause-effect relationships (load-state of the environment-society's response), which includes ten indicators. This model was used as a basis for the Eurostat's European Impact Indicators and is often used in analytical reviews related to the assessment of environmental quality. Accounting for the environmental factor in statistical observations was introduced in 1993 under the name of the program "System for Integrated Environmental and Economic Accounting" [6] .

Accounting for the environmental factor in statistical observations was introduced in 1993 under the name of the program "System for Integrated Environmental and Economic Accounting".


In 1992, William Rees proposed an indicator of the development of the area called "The Ecological Footprint", which has found wide application in the WWF assessment programs [7] . In 1996, the Commission on Sustainable Development of the United Nations (UNCSD) proposed a draft of "Indicators of Sustainable Development: Framework and Methodology", which includes a comprehensive assessment of 132 indicators. Special attention is paid to the development of socio-economic indicators, however, on the whole, sustainability is seen as a change in certain states that can maintain stability under qualitative changes [8] .

In 1992, William Rees proposed an indicator of the development of the area called "The Ecological Footprint", which has found wide application in the WWF assessment programs.

Special attention is paid to the development of socio-economic indicators, however, on the whole, sustainability is seen as a change in certain states that can maintain stability under qualitative changes.


Our study consists of four steps: data collection and preprocessing, analyses of the AC use intensity and patterns, discussion of potential applications, and conclusion ( Figure 3 ). Firstly, we cleaned up the collected data for the residential district, such as removing erroneous or missing data from the original data, and converted them to appropriate format for analysis. Then, we developed several KPIs to represent the comprehensive characteristics of cooling energy consumption in all households. Cluster analysis was applied to generate the representative AC use patterns. Thirdly, we discussed the potential applications based on the research findings. Finally, we discussed the implication and limitations of this study, and draw the conclusion. The R language package was used for the statistical analyses [33] .

The R language package was used for the statistical analyses.


Percivall Pott, in 1877, first described spinal tuberculosis was as a kyphotic deformity of the spine associated with paraplegia [3] . Although spinal tuberculosis occurs in fewer than 1 % of patients with tuberculosis, it is a disabling, life-threatening condition and deserves attention [4] . The pathophysiology involves hematogenous spread of tuberculosis into the vertebrae, decreasing vascularity, and limitating nutrient flow, with their ultimate collapse.

Percivall Pott, in 1877, first described spinal tuberculosis was as a kyphotic deformity of the spine associated with paraplegia.

Although spinal tuberculosis occurs in fewer than 1 % of patients with tuberculosis, it is a disabling, life-threatening condition and deserves attention.


A more difficult problem relates to hydrogen non-producers, which make up about 10% of the population [1, 3] . A non-producer status was determined in three patients (2%) in our study, which is low compared to the general population. On the other hand, a hydrogen non-producer status was not excluded in all cases by means of the HLBT but only in those patients reporting typical symptoms who did not exhibit a significant H 2 increase in exhaled air.

A more difficult problem relates to hydrogen non-producers, which make up about 10% of the population.


We found that diet overlap between lake whitefish and round whitefish at Douglas Point was about 40%, based on Schoener's similarity index (Schoener, 1970) . This value is less than 0.60, which is considered a threshold for the development of significant ecological interactions between species (Schoener, 1970) . Although our diet analyses show that a similar range of prey species is consumed by each whitefish species, dominant prey in the diet of lake whitefish and round whitefish differ in May and especially in November, lessening the impact, if any, of each species on the other. These prey differences may be related to the habitats used by each species. Round whitefish were more common than lake whitefish in nets set at 12 m depths, whereas lake whitefish were more common than round whitefish in nets set at 28 m depths. The bottom at 12 m depths around Douglas Point is dominated by boulders and cobble whereas at 28 m depth the bottom is smoother with patches of sand and depositional areas between pockets of boulders and cobble (Carey, 1984; Balesic and Martin, 1987) . We conclude that the potential for inter-specific competition among populations of lake whitefish and round whitefish in the main basin of Lake Huron at the beginning (spring) and end (fall) of the main growing season (summer -not sampled) is low.

We found that diet overlap between lake whitefish and round whitefish at Douglas Point was about 40%, based on Schoener's similarity index.

This value is less than 0.60, which is considered a threshold for the development of significant ecological interactions between species.

The bottom at 12 m depths around Douglas Point is dominated by boulders and cobble whereas at 28 m depth the bottom is smoother with patches of sand and depositional areas between pockets of boulders and cobble.


Developments of innovative efficient materials presenting high thermal insulation performances have recently attracted a great deal of interest because of their remarkable potential in building sector. In this context, a variety of inorganic materials have been used in designing of new materials with excellent physical and chemical structures due to their very high porosity, nano-scale pore sizes and lightweight. Such promising kinds of materials are called aerogels well-known as superinsulators. Indeed these systems yield a significant decrease of solid and gaseous thermal conductivity due to air confinement effect [1] - [3] . The characteristic of small solid thermal conductivity is the result of the high porosity of the aerogels structure, while the low gaseous thermal conductivity can be explained by the Knudsen effect, describing the gaseous conduction in a porous media as function of the air pressure and the characteristic pore size [4] [5] .

Indeed these systems yield a significant decrease of solid and gaseous thermal conductivity due to air confinement effect.

The characteristic of small solid thermal conductivity is the result of the high porosity of the aerogels structure, while the low gaseous thermal conductivity can be explained by the Knudsen effect, describing the gaseous conduction in a porous media as function of the air pressure and the characteristic pore size.


Therefore, understanding the effects of fibers characteristics and their interfacial interactions with the silica particles is essential to the improvement and optimization of both the mechanical properties and the thermal insulating performances of the fiber-silica composite. However, the very complex composition and heterogeneity of the flax fibers, as reported above, make difficult the understanding of the adsorption mechanisms on real fiber. In order to make simplify the system we have represented the fiber by model surfaces of its main polysaccharides, as recently reported by our group in the study of the adhesion of PLA with flax fibers [24] . Smooth cellulose, xyloglucan and pectin surfaces were prepared via spin-coating method, and used separately to study their affinity with the SBA-15 particles in aqueous media. The morphology of the prepared polysaccharide surfaces was analyzed by atomic force microscopy, and their wettability with water contact angle measurements. Apart from the micrometer-scale of the SBA-15 visualized by SEM, we have also used Stöber colloidal silica of nanometer-scale to characterize the obtained surfaces by AFM microscopy in tapping mode. This comparison is expected to reinforce our understanding of the interactions between the mineral charges with the polysaccharide model surfaces. The surface charge of the different polysaccharides and the silica particles was determined using zeta potential measurements. Then we have studied and compared the adsorption capacity of SBA-15 on the model surfaces varying preparation conditions, such as the initial pH solution and the ionic strength, followed by using urea chelating agent in order to evaluate the hydrogen bonding interactions between hydroxyl groups of SBA-15 and polysaccharide surfaces. Finally, we have investigated the effect of the flax fiber wall treatments on the interface SBA-15/flax fibers using scanning electron microscopy.

In order to make simplify the system we have represented the fiber by model surfaces of its main polysaccharides, as recently reported by our group in the study of the adhesion of PLA with flax fibers.


Although the present study provided validity evidence for the PCES capturing theoretically and practically relevant dimensions of classroom engagement, it has some limitations that provide opportunities for future research. First, this research tested the PCES in one large urban school district. While the findings are encouraging, the generalizability of the PCES across other large urban school districts should be assessed. Second, the testing of this measure was limited to first, second, and third grades. Additional benefit would be gained if these measures used independent observers thereby providing a perspective beyond the teacher. Finally, this study employed traditional, single-level factor analytic methods to analyze nested data. This approach has been recommended as good practice prior to conducting multilevel analyses, especially in the case of categorical data (Grilli & Rampichini, 2007) . However, future research should employ multilevel categorical factor analytic approaches to further assess the robustness of the current model.

This approach has been recommended as good practice prior to conducting multilevel analyses, especially in the case of categorical data.


Factor analytic examination of the PCES revealed a robust bifactor model reflecting one general factor (Problems in Behavioral Engagement) measured by all 14 items and two group factors (Problems in Social Engagement and Problems in Academic Engagement). These findings are consistent with engagement theory, which operationalizes behavioral engagement to include academic and social engagement (Finn & Zimmer, 2012) . Also in accordance with this literature, the Problems in Social Engagement dimension focuses on a student's ability to work and play well with others, respect the rights of others, follow teacher's rules and directions, and manage conflict appropriately. In contrast, the Problems in Academic Engagement dimension addresses a student's persistence and attention to school work, ability to complete academic tasks independently, and a student's display of motivation to learn and to complete quality work.

These findings are consistent with engagement theory, which operationalizes behavioral engagement to include academic and social engagement.


On the Activity Engagement subscale of the CPAQ both the standard scales and Rasch transformed scale revealed significant differences between intervention and control groups at 2 months. Rasch analysis of the CPAQ has highlighted the need to use the Activity Engagement and Pain Willingness subscales separately [25] . Our intervention might predominantly affect one (i.e. activity engagement) aspects of acceptance. Future studies could consider how the components of the therapeutic approach could be tailored to address both aspects of acceptance.

Rasch analysis of the CPAQ has highlighted the need to use the Activity Engagement and Pain Willingness subscales separately.


Non-Gaussianity of the local type (with bispectrum maximum in the squeezed limit; k 1 ≈ k 2 k 3 ) has recently generated a good deal of interest in part because it will be especially well-constrained by LSS observations [15] . Even in the case of Gaussian fluctuations, the statistics of collapsed objects are different from those of the underlying density field, and the ratio of the clustering of the two is known as the halo bias [16] . The particular coupling of long and short wavelength modes in local non-Gaussianity introduces an additional, distinctive correction (proportional to 1/k 2 ) in the power spectrum of collapsed objects which will allow strong observational constraints on local non-Gaussianity [15, 17] . From a theoretical point of view, observably large primordial non-Gaussianity of this type requires at least two fields to contribute to the scenario -single field inflation alone can only generate a bispectrum of the local shape with an extremely small amplitude (of order the spectral index of the primordial power spectrum [18] ). The complete phenomenology of multi-field models is rich but we will show here that there are qualitative differences that are observationally distinguishable in the halo bias. We propose here a generalization of the local ansatz that is phenomenologically useful and captures the physics of many possible multi-field models. The generalized ansatz allows for different types of scale-dependent amplitude f NL along with the standard local shape.

Non-Gaussianity of the local type (with bispectrum maximum in the squeezed limit; k 1 ≈ k 2 k 3 ) has recently generated a good deal of interest in part because it will be especially well-constrained by LSS observations.

Even in the case of Gaussian fluctuations, the statistics of collapsed objects are different from those of the underlying density field, and the ratio of the clustering of the two is known as the halo bias.

The particular coupling of long and short wavelength modes in local non-Gaussianity introduces an additional, distinctive correction (proportional to 1/k 2 ) in the power spectrum of collapsed objects which will allow strong observational constraints on local non-Gaussianity.

From a theoretical point of view, observably large primordial non-Gaussianity of this type requires at least two fields to contribute to the scenario -single field inflation alone can only generate a bispectrum of the local shape with an extremely small amplitude (of order the spectral index of the primordial power spectrum).


Facebook is the most popular social network among preservice teachers with a percentage of 89.1. Other popular networks are Twitter with a percentage of 10,8, LinkedIn, Instagram and Whatsapp with a percentage of 5,4. The literature also suggests that the most commonly used social network is Facebook (Baran and Ata, 2013; Christofides et al., 2012; Kert and Kert, 2010; Lin and Lu, 2011; Toprak et al., 2009; Vural and Bat, 2010) .

The literature also suggests that the most commonly used social network is Facebook.


The interaction forces involved in physical adsorption of a reagent molecule during froth flotation process are weaker than forces involved in chemical adsorption. The physical bond between reagent molecule and mineral surface can be easily broken by hydrodynamic turbulence created by ultrasound [22] . In the case of chemical adsorption, the interaction forces between a reagent molecule and the mineral surface are stronger and cannot be broken by ultrasonication. Increased flotation recoveries in the presence of ultrasonic treatment could be explained by the cleaning and formation of micropits on mineral surfaces with the effect of ultrasound.

The physical bond between reagent molecule and mineral surface can be easily broken by hydrodynamic turbulence created by ultrasound.


The introduction of ultrasonic energy into a flotation system could produce changes in the system and cause a severe change of flotation rates. Some studies indicated that sound irradiation might change the pH value, surface tension, and oxidation-reduction potential of flotation pulp with a certain increase in local temperature and pressure. Previous researchers have stated that the application of ultrasound during flotation, even for a short period, for various minerals such as ilmenite, rutile, and zircon, had considerably increased the flotation response and had yielded significant increases in the recovery and grade values of the valuable minerals. These improved values were believed to be due to the effective cleaning of particle surfaces from film coatings, namely slimes [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] .

These improved values were believed to be due to the effective cleaning of particle surfaces from film coatings, namely slimes.


Power ultrasound is known to create its effect via cavitation bubbles. When power ultrasound is applied to a liquid in sufficient power, frequency and intensity, the liquid is alternately subjected to compression and expansion forces giving rise to cavitation bubbles [20] . The application of power ultrasound into a liquid containing a mixture of solid particles makes the bubbles collapse near a solid surface, a high-speed jet of liquid is driven into the particles, and this jet can deposit enormous energy densities at the site of impact [21] .

When power ultrasound is applied to a liquid in sufficient power, frequency and intensity, the liquid is alternately subjected to compression and expansion forces giving rise to cavitation bubbles.

The application of power ultrasound into a liquid containing a mixture of solid particles makes the bubbles collapse near a solid surface, a high-speed jet of liquid is driven into the particles, and this jet can deposit enormous energy densities at the site of impact.


In adverse atmospheric circumstances, this fish proves to be a very good challenger of fish culture. But, often its production fails to fulfil its high market demand, due to lack of proper culture. However, the results of the survey in 2002, more than 50 % climbing perch culture farmers were lost due to high feed costs (Tihn 2003) .

However, the results of the survey in 2002, more than 50 % climbing perch culture farmers were lost due to high feed costs.


Other beliefs in respect of not seeking help were: 'Being ashamed to speak about the problem' and 'not being asked by the doctor during routine visits' (Table 3) . Similar findings have indicated that doctors in Europe and other countries rarely ask patients about their sexual health during a routine consultation even though patients would appreciate this [2, 18, 19] . The reluctance to initiate a discussion about sexual health is a dual interaction between patients and doctors. This may be in part affected by patients' barriers such as embarrassment, lack of knowledge and indirect presentation of the disease [10] .

Similar findings have indicated that doctors in Europe and other countries rarely ask patients about their sexual health during a routine consultation even though patients would appreciate this.

This may be in part affected by patients' barriers such as embarrassment, lack of knowledge and indirect presentation of the disease.


Multicellular tumour spheroids growing in vitro have been extensively investigated as experimental models of avascular tumour nodules [17] . During the growth of the spheroid the fraction of proliferating cells decreases, and when the cells become deprived of oxygen, glucose and other nutrients, and/or metabolic waste accumulates, cell death occurs. Thus, in an advanced stage of growth, the spheroid shows an outer viable rim (whose thickness ranges from about 100 µm to 250 µm) surrounding a necrotic core. Because of the degradation of dead cells in the necrotic core, the spheroid growth eventually saturates with a final diameter of 1-3 mm.

Multicellular tumour spheroids growing in vitro have been extensively investigated as experimental models of avascular tumour nodules.


The method described above assumes that when the first point in the domain reach failure, it immediately follows that the rest of the structure fails catastrophically (Meyer and Brannon, 2012) . They further showed both theoretically and through simulations that even for realistic mesh refinements, the term V/V 0 gives a non-physical material representation with an unrealistically strong base material and too few weak spots. Based on this, it seems that a relatively small variation of the fracture parameter, without a volume term, is more appropriate in simulations where the goal is to predict various fracture modes and not only the initiation of fracture. It follows from this approach that failure at a material point does not necessarily result in immediate catastrophic failure, but just a local softening of the material. In this paper, we will thus apply a thermoelastic-thermoviscoplastic constitutive relation where the fracture parameter is a random variable defined by a normal distribution. The normal distribution is chosen here for its simplicity. The aim will then be to investigate if the heterogeneous model gives a better description of the failure process in the Taylor bar impact test.

The method described above assumes that when the first point in the domain reach failure, it immediately follows that the rest of the structure fails catastrophically.


The fracture parameter was assumed as a random variable governed by a normal distribution in the simulations. The available experimental data are not sufficient to support this choice, and the normal distribution was adopted mainly due to its simplicity. We believe that the distribution itself is essential, not the particular form of it. This was supported by an earlier work where a threepart discrete distribution was successfully employed (Rakvåg et al., 2012) . Except from the discussed problems with element erosion, the proposed model with a normal distribution of the fracture parameter based on macro-mechanical observations is shown to reproduce experimentally observed fracture modes and critical velocities with good accuracy. Also, common assumptions regarding anvil behaviour and friction properties are shown to be possible sources of error in numerical simulations of Taylor bar impact tests.

This was supported by an earlier work where a threepart discrete distribution was successfully employed.


The bulk of this paper deals with the application of the DC to a wide class of models. We begin with a "warm-up:" generalizations of Derrick's work to sigma models and higher derivative scalar actions. We then survey soliton systems in various dimensions and check that DC associated with conserved currents are fulfilled. These include (trivially) the topological currents, currents associated with global symmetries in the Skyrme model, and with local symmetries in the Abelian Higgs model and the 't Hooft-Polyakov monopole [4, 5] .

These include (trivially) the topological currents, currents associated with global symmetries in the Skyrme model, and with local symmetries in the Abelian Higgs model and the 't Hooft-Polyakov monopole.


However, the possibility that spermatangia removal is not CFC remains because we did not know the exact sperm volumes of the spermatangia passed by males and those retained spermatangia in females, or fertilisation success. A large amount of sperm might not be needed for storage or fertilisation in pygmy squid. Surplus sperm passed by males might serve as a nuptial gift and provide nutritional resources. For example, female land snails can digest stored sperm (Rigby 1963) . The behaviour might also be performed simply to keep clean. To resolve this issue, we should clarify the mechanism of sperm transfer and storage in cephalopods and determine how many sperm are stored in the seminal receptacle and used for fertilisation.

For example, female land snails can digest stored sperm.


As in the setting of transition systems, bisimulation and simulation relations are means to compare the behavior of probabilistic automata [2, 3, 1] . The notable difference of PAs to transition systems is that a transition from some state s leads to a sucessor distribution µ over states instead of just a single successor state. A successor distribution µ gives the probability µ(s ) of entering successor state s . This probabilistic transition structure is reflected in the definition of simulation. A binary relation R is a simulation relation if, for all (s, t) ∈ R, t can mimic all stepwise behavior of s with respect to R. Intuitively, this means that every distribution µ leaving state s with label a has a distribution µ leaving state t with the same label a such that the distributions µ and µ are related: relations between distributions are established by weight functions [3] . The largest simulation preorder is the union of all simulation relations R. This notion of simulation for PAs is a conservative extension of simulation for transition systems; the latter corresponds to the special case where only Dirac distributions (µ(s ) = 1 for some state s ) are considered.

As in the setting of transition systems, bisimulation and simulation relations are means to compare the behavior of probabilistic automata.

A binary relation R is a simulation relation if, for all (s, t) ∈ R, t can mimic all stepwise behavior of s with respect to R. Intuitively, this means that every distribution µ leaving state s with label a has a distribution µ leaving state t with the same label a such that the distributions µ and µ are related: relations between distributions are established by weight functions.


So, teaching students to design effective oral presentations implies training them insightful and well-trained thinking strategies. Improving the quality of presentation actually improves the quality of thought, and vice versa. This is the ultimate result of a successful presentation. This innovative framework provides a holistic approach in assessing a student's performance based on the content and the delivery of their presentation (Carroll, 2006) .

This innovative framework provides a holistic approach in assessing a student's performance based on the content and the delivery of their presentation.


The challenge for the teacher is to provide a relevant framework for students upon which they construct knowledge and become active participants in the learning process. The teacher involves preparing detailed guidelines, organizing groups, helping students to select topics, guiding their research and helping them learn the use of various visual aids, providing feedback on the sequencing of ideas, and evaluating their performance (King, 2002) . Importantly, the teacher is no longer perceived as the knowledge dispenser and decision maker. Instead, the teacher has become the facilitator of learning whose main task is to set goals and organize the learning process accordingly. The teacher creates social and intellectual climates, where collaborative and cooperative learning methods are supported. The teacher creates opportunities for students to interact with other learners and with the teacher as well. On the whole, the teacher is responsible for leading and coordinating the work and make learning progress easier.

The teacher involves preparing detailed guidelines, organizing groups, helping students to select topics, guiding their research and helping them learn the use of various visual aids, providing feedback on the sequencing of ideas, and evaluating their performance.


Today's global, competitive and rapidly changing world needs young people who are flexible, active, innovative and creative in problem solving and decision making, who can communicate effectively and work collaboratively. It needs young people to develop their potential as individuals and to be prepared for the unique demands of the 21st century world. The ability to communicate is important in order to be able to operate effectively in the real world (Hedge, 2000) .

The ability to communicate is important in order to be able to operate effectively in the real world.


The aim of the present study is to evaluate the self-healing of model TBC systems. For this purpose, SPS technique was first used to sinter mixtures of YPSZ powder and MoSi 2 co-doped with B and Al based particles on a NiCoCrAlY coated Ni-based superalloy. Prior to sintering, these particles were coated with an α-Al 2 O 3 protective shell deposited via a sol-gel route. The particles were alloyed with Al to allow the formation of Al 2 O 3 , by selective oxidation of Al, in case of shell breakage during the SPS sintering. The nature and composition of the protective shell, before and after SPS sintering and short annealing treatment, were characterized by means of X-ray Diffractometry (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Thermal cycling tests were performed in order to study the behaviour and the self-healing response of the model self-healing TBC systems. The advantage of the SPS method over the industrially more relevant APS method is that the protective alumina coating on the MoSi 2 healing particles remains intact during the synthesis process. The integrity of the particle coating is crucial to ensure the absence of non-crack related decomposition of the particle [22, 23] .

The integrity of the particle coating is crucial to ensure the absence of non-crack related decomposition of the particle.


Recently, it was demonstrated the feasibility to deposit mixed layers of MoSi 2 based particles and YPSZ by Atmospheric Plasma Spraying (APS) technique leading for the optimal process conditions to a significant life time extension [16] . While APS is a suitable technique for coating complex shaped components, the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), has attracted great interest for the manufacturing of multi-layer samples for scientific studies on material degradation under relevant thermal cycles [17] . Already the feasibility of one-step manufacturing of YPSZ nanocrystalline TBC and Pt-rich γ-Ni/γ′-Ni 3 Al bond coating sintered on AM1 substrates was demonstrated [18] . Thereafter, the same protocol was used to fabricate complete TBC systems with a NiCrAlY bond coating [19] . SPS was also used to simultaneously produce YPSZ/MCrAlY multi-layer coatings on Hastelloy X substrates with a rough YPSZ/ MCrAlY interface [20] . Recently, the feasibility of functionally graded TBC by SPS was reported [21] .

Recently, it was demonstrated the feasibility to deposit mixed layers of MoSi 2 based particles and YPSZ by Atmospheric Plasma Spraying (APS) technique leading for the optimal process conditions to a significant life time extension.

While APS is a suitable technique for coating complex shaped components, the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), has attracted great interest for the manufacturing of multi-layer samples for scientific studies on material degradation under relevant thermal cycles.

Already the feasibility of one-step manufacturing of YPSZ nanocrystalline TBC and Pt-rich γ-Ni/γ′-Ni 3 Al bond coating sintered on AM1 substrates was demonstrated.

Thereafter, the same protocol was used to fabricate complete TBC systems with a NiCrAlY bond coating.

SPS was also used to simultaneously produce YPSZ/MCrAlY multi-layer coatings on Hastelloy X substrates with a rough YPSZ/ MCrAlY interface.

Recently, the feasibility of functionally graded TBC by SPS was reported.


Our result of high a band in the active state showed a modulation with an increase of ERPow in C3 and Cz electrodes. This distinct high alpha frequency band has been called m rhythm when it is present over central Rolandic cortical areas [45] . The increase m synchronisation in the active state rather than at rest is rather surprising, because m rhythm is more dominant during quiet wakefulness and is blocked by motor movements or somatosensory stimuli [46] . Although previously m rhythm was thought as merely epiphenomena without functional significance, recent research reveals that m is more than an idling state of sensorimotor cortex and instead reflects integrative sensory and motor processes with important information processing function [47, 48] .

This distinct high alpha frequency band has been called m rhythm when it is present over central Rolandic cortical areas.

The increase m synchronisation in the active state rather than at rest is rather surprising, because m rhythm is more dominant during quiet wakefulness and is blocked by motor movements or somatosensory stimuli.

Although previously m rhythm was thought as merely epiphenomena without functional significance, recent research reveals that m is more than an idling state of sensorimotor cortex and instead reflects integrative sensory and motor processes with important information processing function.


We have shown here that in the limit of high energies, the production of relativistic particles from the vacuum leads to a viable inflationary solution, and this dynamics is in good agreement with the observational data recently released by the Planck collaboration [1] . Further, we present an alternative to the recently reported values of the dark energy equation of state beyond −1, may arise from the joint effect of the quantum vacuum and the process of particle production. This offers a viable alternative to the embarrassing possibility of the scalar fields which violate the dominant energy condition, and give rise to classical and quantum instabilities, and further do not respect the second law of thermodynamics.

We have shown here that in the limit of high energies, the production of relativistic particles from the vacuum leads to a viable inflationary solution, and this dynamics is in good agreement with the observational data recently released by the Planck collaboration.


Sexual orientation of the participants was assessed using a self-report questionnaire (Sell, 1996) . Participants were included only if they rated themselves as 'exclusively heterosexual' on a seven-point Likert-type scale. Another 10 volunteers (5 females, 5 males) took part in the experiment but their data were excluded from subsequent analysis because the participants indicated a homosexual orientation in the questionnaire (Sell, 1996) .

Sexual orientation of the participants was assessed using a self-report questionnaire.

Another 10 volunteers (5 females, 5 males) took part in the experiment but their data were excluded from subsequent analysis because the participants indicated a homosexual orientation in the questionnaire.


Our C 1 -extension assumption is a much stronger one. The original proof of this extension property for biholomorphisms by C. Fefferman is based on analysis of the Bergman kernel [5] . It would be interesting to prove the extension property for Kobayashi/Carathéodory isometries and hence render the assumption in Theorem 1.1 unnecessary.

The original proof of this extension property for biholomorphisms by C. Fefferman is based on analysis of the Bergman kernel.


In recent years, a new concept called hybrid positioning systems (HPSs) is more and more popular in navigation and location-based services research community [1] . HPSs are systems for finding the location of a mobile device by using several different positioning technologies in indoor environments. Mostly, GPS is one major component of such systems, aided by others such as tower signals, wireless internet signals, Indoor Messaging System (IMES), bluetooth sensors, or other local positioning systems [1, 2] . So far many different hybrid positioning systems are being explored and gradually applied in services from Google Maps for Mobile, Combain Mobile, SkyHook, openBmap, Navizon, PlaceEngine, Xtify, and so forth.

In recent years, a new concept called hybrid positioning systems (HPSs) is more and more popular in navigation and location-based services research community.

Mostly, GPS is one major component of such systems, aided by others such as tower signals, wireless internet signals, Indoor Messaging System (IMES), bluetooth sensors, or other local positioning systems.


Obviously, HPS will be well developed in urban locationbased service areas because of the huge commercial market. So studies are rapidly increasing and more practically viable than ever [1, [3] [4] [5] [6] . But in these literatures, researchers paid more attention to the architecture of HPS, or how to choose and integrate different sensors or signals reliably [1, 5, 6] . Actually, for getting reasonable accuracy and precision, position estimator is one of the key factors in the hybrid positioning systems, which will directly affect the quality of system performance. As we all know, for an HPS use in real environments, there is hardly enough measuring information for a unique position because of the reflection conditions of the environment, which will influence the WLAN or the other radio signals. On the other hand, the measurement functions are nonlinear functions of the motion state, so we have to think about the estimation accuracy the variations because the sensors' signals may significantly change depending on the motion of vehicle (or person) and slight differences of the positions at which the signals are measured [7] . For example, due to the influence of the transmission distance, WLAN or other mobile phone signals with the nonlinearity can have a significant effect on the estimation errors than GPS measurements.

So studies are rapidly increasing and more practically viable than ever.

But in these literatures, researchers paid more attention to the architecture of HPS, or how to choose and integrate different sensors or signals reliably.

On the other hand, the measurement functions are nonlinear functions of the motion state, so we have to think about the estimation accuracy the variations because the sensors' signals may significantly change depending on the motion of vehicle (or person) and slight differences of the positions at which the signals are measured.


The section condition is a quantum off-shell condition rather than an on-shell condition. Equation (43) must be read as a quantum mechanical condition as p = i ∂ ∂x . The type of constraint given by the section condition has been observed before in the context of half-BPS states and U-duality [49] , [27] . It would be of great interest to see if this connection remains true for the larger duality groups.

The type of constraint given by the section condition has been observed before in the context of half-BPS states and U-duality.


Beyond China, and within Asia, there are fast-growing, emerging markets for IP that seek to capitalise locally and internationally by moving towards an innovation-based economy. In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, a most diverse one in the world in terms of level of economic development, innovation and IP creation grows in parallel with the evolution of a strong IP regime. Indonesia (7.7%), Thailand (7.1%) and Singapore (6.1%) topped the growth list on the strength of non-resident applications (WIPO, 2015) . This is noteworthy, considering that developing countries often perceive the misappropriation of IP rights as acceptable on social, economic and development grounds. Many developing countries perceive IP rights as an obstacle to the acquisition of advanced technology, put forward by developed countries to prevent them from catching up in the early stages of their development. Yet for many ASEAN countries, stronger protection for IP is justified on the basis that innovators should be allowed to recoup their investment in R&D. While there is no indication that countries such as Laos and Myanmar devote much attention to IP, others such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines are on a steady path of building a strong IP regime. For these countries, the example of Singapore where the development of an IP rights framework mirrored, if not preceded, its economic development is a strong motivator and a path to follow.

Indonesia (7.7%), Thailand (7.1%) and Singapore (6.1%) topped the growth list on the strength of non-resident applications.


For IP to be an effective development tool, it needs to be managed effectively to keep competitors at bay or to confer competitive advantage (Zhuhadar et al., 2017) . The key for every business is to be aware of IP rights and their potential and to exercise due diligence in identifying whether an innovation should be afforded protection and in developing an effective protection. The impact of IP rights protection on firm performance has never been studied in isolation. As IP is a major component of the intangible assets of a company, the so-called IC of the enterprise, its effect on business performance and economic growth can be indirectly observed through studies of IC.

For IP to be an effective development tool, it needs to be managed effectively to keep competitors at bay or to confer competitive advantage.


The development of Singapore's IP rights regime occurred during a period characterised by rapid economic growth and restructuring. With a strategic goal to move to a knowledge-intensive economy and the increasing importance of IP in such an economy, Singapore consciously used the IP rights protection system as a tool to achieve its economic goals. Singapore recognised that a strong IP protection framework does not just support resident innovation, but also provides spillover effects in the economy by attracting development capital and encouraging firms to locate in Singapore (Gill et al., 2014) . Stronger IP protection attracts foreign direct investment and creates demand for a skilled workforce in R&D intensive sectors.

Singapore recognised that a strong IP protection framework does not just support resident innovation, but also provides spillover effects in the economy by attracting development capital and encouraging firms to locate in Singapore.


While there is a rise in patent and trademark filings worldwide, Asia is emerging as a new hotbed for IP activities. Based on 2010 data from the Patent Cooperation Treaty (the framework used for the filing of patents in multiple international jurisdictions), "filings from Asia overtook those from Europe, so that Asia became the region from which the highest number of international applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) was filed" (WIPO, 2011) . China -more than ever -has been driving that growth with patent applications increasing by 12.5% and trademark applications rising by 18.2% on the strength of resident applications (WIPO, 2015) .

Based on 2010 data from the Patent Cooperation Treaty (the framework used for the filing of patents in multiple international jurisdictions), "filings from Asia overtook those from Europe, so that Asia became the region from which the highest number of international applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) was filed".

China -more than ever -has been driving that growth with patent applications increasing by 12.5% and trademark applications rising by 18.2% on the strength of resident applications.


To our knowledge, this is the first prospective study to evaluate the accuracy of gastroenterologist-performed POCUS in excluding inflammation in symptomatic patients compared to colonoscopy in North America. The accuracy established here is similar to previous published data [20] [21] [22] . There is a significant need for noninvasive, safe, resource-conscious modalities of accurately detecting inflammation in symptomatic patients, as symptoms alone do not accurately reflect inflammatory disease activity and incorrect diagnosis can delay appropriate management of IBD [23, 24] . Ultrasound has been shown to significantly impact clinical decisions, when used at the bedside [25] . Symptoms of diarrhea and abdominal pain are common as manifestations of irritable bowel syndrome, and diarrhea is a symptom that often drives patient visits to primary care [1, 21] . Commonly used noninvasive markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) may be falsely negative and fecal calprotectin has variable availability and may have a lower accuracy in detecting small bowel inflammation [9, 26] .

The accuracy established here is similar to previous published data.

There is a significant need for noninvasive, safe, resource-conscious modalities of accurately detecting inflammation in symptomatic patients, as symptoms alone do not accurately reflect inflammatory disease activity and incorrect diagnosis can delay appropriate management of IBD.

Ultrasound has been shown to significantly impact clinical decisions, when used at the bedside.

Symptoms of diarrhea and abdominal pain are common as manifestations of irritable bowel syndrome, and diarrhea is a symptom that often drives patient visits to primary care.

Commonly used noninvasive markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) may be falsely negative and fecal calprotectin has variable availability and may have a lower accuracy in detecting small bowel inflammation.


Hyperuricemia (defined as serum urate level ≥ 7.0 mg/ dL in Japan) is a causative factor for urate deposition diseases such as urolithiasis and gouty arthritis [1] . A major target of treating hyperuricemia to prevent gouty arthritis is to reduce and maintain the serum urate levels at < 6.0 mg/dL [2] [3] [4] [5] . On the other hand, recent studies have shown that hyperuricemia causes renal impairment and it is related to the development and progression of chronic kidney disease [6] [7] [8] . Interventional studies have shown that serum urate-lowering drugs, such as allopurinol, are effective in maintaining the renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease [9, 10] .

Hyperuricemia (defined as serum urate level ≥ 7.0 mg/ dL in Japan) is a causative factor for urate deposition diseases such as urolithiasis and gouty arthritis.

A major target of treating hyperuricemia to prevent gouty arthritis is to reduce and maintain the serum urate levels at < 6.0 mg/dL.

On the other hand, recent studies have shown that hyperuricemia causes renal impairment and it is related to the development and progression of chronic kidney disease.

Interventional studies have shown that serum urate-lowering drugs, such as allopurinol, are effective in maintaining the renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease.


To compare the methodology for assessment of individual biomass in salps, we obtained a better relationship between the area of the nucleus and their total dry weight (see Table 1 ) than measurement of the entire body area for the same organisms. The same conclusion was drawn in a previous study (Alcaraz et al. 2003) . This relationship will allow establishing a more precise estimation of the dry weight of those transparent organisms.

The same conclusion was drawn in a previous study.


As a kind of handling robot, the crane systems have the advantages of less executive mechanism and simple structure; therefore, they have been widely used in various production departments [1] . However, load sways caused by the cart or boom motion not only damage goods, reduce production efficiency, but also cause accidents, even casualties. Hence, how to design a control method that can effectively suppress the load sways has been a hot and difficult point in both academic and industrial circles.

As a kind of handling robot, the crane systems have the advantages of less executive mechanism and simple structure; therefore, they have been widely used in various production departments.


In order to solve the foregoing problems, a simple model for controller design is obtained by linearizing and decoupling the complex nonlinear model of rotary crane. Next, a linear feedback controller which can furnish robust performance is presented. The controller gains are obtained by using synthesizing a pole placement and a optimal regulator problems [43] . Finally, numerical simulations verify the effectiveness of the proposed method by comparing with a traditional approach.

The controller gains are obtained by using synthesizing a pole placement and a optimal regulator problems.


Implementing multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) technology with multiple antennas in both base stations and terminals is a key solution to increase the data rate of future wireless communication systems without sacrificing additional frequency spectrum and transmit power [1] . However, it also brings challenges for antenna design, especially in compact terminal devices such as mobile phones. For example, the performance of the multiple antenna systems as measured by metrics such as efficiency, bandwidth, diversity gain and capacity will generally deteriorate when the distance between the antennas becomes smaller [2] .

Implementing multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) technology with multiple antennas in both base stations and terminals is a key solution to increase the data rate of future wireless communication systems without sacrificing additional frequency spectrum and transmit power.

For example, the performance of the multiple antenna systems as measured by metrics such as efficiency, bandwidth, diversity gain and capacity will generally deteriorate when the distance between the antennas becomes smaller.


Here, we investigate the dispersal ability of Speolepta leptogaster by integrating population genetic data of specimens collected from underground sites in the Central German Uplands (Hesse). The study region was chosen since it was covered by permafrost during the Last Glacial Maximum (18,000 -24,500 ybp) (Clark et al. 2009) . A postglacial (re-)colonization of this area (inferring a certain level of mobility) rather than the survival in a central German glacial refugium is likely.

The study region was chosen since it was covered by permafrost during the Last Glacial Maximum (18,000 -24,500 ybp).


Quality education at all levels requires quality resources and consequently adequate funding. This is so because schooling is not the same thing as education (Ukeje, 2002) . Initially, the Christian Missionary Societies that introduced Western education into Nigeria financed it through Church collections and free labour from their members. The catechists invariably doubled as class teachers and their salaries were paid through Church collections.

This is so because schooling is not the same thing as education.


It was not until the year 1872 that the colonial government in Nigeria became actively involved in the issue of educational financing, when it made a grant of £30 to each of the three Missionary Societies then operating educational institutions in Lagos. This marked the beginning of the scheme of grants-aid to education by the government (Ukeje, 2002) . By 1882, educational financing in Nigeria was from the following sources: (i) the government, directly and through grants-in-aid; (ii) the voluntary agencies through fees and Church collections; and (iii) the communities through free labour, provision and maintenance of school buildings and staff quarters. Thus, by this time, the principle of shared responsibility in educational financing has been established (Ukeje, 2002) . In 1899, the first government school for the education of Moslem children in the township of Lagos was founded.

This marked the beginning of the scheme of grants-aid to education by the government.

Thus, by this time, the principle of shared responsibility in educational financing has been established.


As a result of the Ashby Commission's report of 1962, three more universities were established in Lagos, Zaria and Ife. Lagos was a Federal Government institution, while Ife and Zaria were regional government institutions. The University of Benin was established in 1972 by the then Mid-West Region, thus bringing the total number of universities to six. In 1975, the Federal Government took over the four regional universities (Nsukka, Zaria, Ife and Benin) and went ahead to establish seven more universities at Jos, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Kano, Ilorin, Calabar and Port Harcourt. The third phase of the expansion of the Federal Government universities took place between 1979 and 1983 when seven more new Federal Universities of Technology were established. Presently, the number of Federal Government universities has increased to 25 (16 conventional universities, 5 special universities of technology, 3 universities of agriculture, and one military university) (Ukeje, 2002) . A recent addition is the National Open University of Nigeria.

Presently, the number of Federal Government universities has increased to 25 (16 conventional universities, 5 special universities of technology, 3 universities of agriculture, and one military university).


Indexed African Journals Online: www.ajol.info introduced in 1938. Thus, the principle of fees in higher education was established in 1938 (Ukeje, 2002) . The University College Ibadan came into existence in 1948 as a result of the Elliot Commission on Higher Education set up in 1945. The Eastern Region established University of Nigeria, Nsukka on 7 October 1960 to coincide with and as part of the independence celebrations (Ukeje, 2002) .

Thus, the principle of fees in higher education was established in 1938.

The Eastern Region established University of Nigeria, Nsukka on 7 October 1960 to coincide with and as part of the independence celebrations.


To improve the quantum efficiency of the GaN:Er based LEDs, the excitation efficiency of the Er ions has to be improved. Using quantum well (QW) architecture is expected to enhance both the spatial confinement and density of states of carriers within the well layers leading to an increase in the carrier density and energy transfer from carriers to Er 3+ ions. Furthermore, the use of the QW architecture allows the flexibility in strain engineering which was shown to be an effective means in optimizing the emission characteristics of Er doped semiconductors [24, 25] . Recently, we have demonstrated through photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy that Er doped GaN/AlN multiple QWs(MQWs:Er) structure is an effective means for dramatically enhancing the quantum efficiency of the 1.54 µm emission in Er doped GaN via quantum confinement [26] .

Furthermore, the use of the QW architecture allows the flexibility in strain engineering which was shown to be an effective means in optimizing the emission characteristics of Er doped semiconductors.

Recently, we have demonstrated through photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy that Er doped GaN/AlN multiple QWs(MQWs:Er) structure is an effective means for dramatically enhancing the quantum efficiency of the 1.54 µm emission in Er doped GaN via quantum confinement.


Rare earth (RE) doped III-nitride semiconductors have attracted a lot of interest for applications in full color display systems to optical communication devices with multiple functionalities. Such functionalities are not possible to obtain from either Er-doped silica glasses or narrow bandgap semiconductors [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . Erbium (Er) has been the main RE element under investigation in these semiconductors, due to the importance of the 1.54 μm emission resulting from the intra-4f transition from the first excited manifold ( 4 I 13/2 ) to the ground state ( 4 I 15/2 ) in Er 3+ ions for telecommunications. Wide band gap semiconductors, doped with Er, exhibit spectral emissions from the visible to near infrared (IR) region due to the Er intra-4f transitions [6] . The 1.54 μm emission lies in the minimum loss region of silica fibers used in optical communications. It is well established that the thermal quenching of the Er 3+ emission intensity depends strongly on the band gap of the host semiconductor and is dramatically reduced in wide band-gap semiconductors [7] . Er doped III-nitride semiconductors are of great interest for applications in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) operating at 1.54 µm, because of their temperature insensitive, sharp and stable emission and an ease of current injection. The structural and thermal stability, as well as recent advancements in growth techniques of high quality III-nitride materials with both n-and p-type conductivities, provides the opportunity to create efficient light-emitting devices [6] .

Such functionalities are not possible to obtain from either Er-doped silica glasses or narrow bandgap semiconductors.

Wide band gap semiconductors, doped with Er, exhibit spectral emissions from the visible to near infrared (IR) region due to the Er intra-4f transitions.

It is well established that the thermal quenching of the Er 3+ emission intensity depends strongly on the band gap of the host semiconductor and is dramatically reduced in wide band-gap semiconductors.

The structural and thermal stability, as well as recent advancements in growth techniques of high quality III-nitride materials with both n-and p-type conductivities, provides the opportunity to create efficient light-emitting devices.


Random terms were added to analytical models sequentially. Likelihood Ratio Tests (LRT) were used to assess the significance of the contribution of each random term to improvements in the model. The LRT is based on testing the increase in Log-likelihood resulting from adding an additional random term to the model of analysis (starting with model 1) as a Chi 2 statistic. When two models included the same number of random terms, the model with the higher value for the Log-likelihood was preferred (i.e. when Model 3 was South African Journal of Animal Science 2009, 39 (4) © South African Society for Animal Science 255 compared to Model 4). The ASREML programme was used for estimations of fixed effects and subsequently to derive variance components for each trait in single-trait analyses (Gilmour et al., 1999) . ASREML estimates variance components for mixed models by residual maximum likelihood, employing an average information algorithm that concurrently provides estimates of standard errors for parameters (Gilmour et al., 1995) . A series of two-trait analyses were then performed to estimate direct genetic, maternal genetic, maternal permanent environmental and environmental correlations between traits.

The ASREML programme was used for estimations of fixed effects and subsequently to derive variance components for each trait in single-trait analyses.

ASREML estimates variance components for mixed models by residual maximum likelihood, employing an average information algorithm that concurrently provides estimates of standard errors for parameters.


Nowadays, eggshell is being widely utilized for industrial applications [4, 5, 11, 27] . Eggshell containing CaCO 3 as a major constituent can be a potential candidate for calcium oxide nanoparticle synthesis. In this study, CaO nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel method in which raw eggshell was dissolved by HCl to form CaCl 2 solution, adding NaOH to the solution dropwise to agitate Ca(OH) 2 gel and finally drying the gel at high temperature. This method can be considered as cheap, easy and eco-friendly. The objective of this work is to utilize waste eggshell in wastewater treatment systems.

Nowadays, eggshell is being widely utilized for industrial applications.


Besides the PWV technique, the evaluation of stiffness in the carotid artery may be of great interest. So far, although several papers reported the independent predictive value of aortic stiffness on cardiovascular events, only few studies where parameters of local carotid elasticity were used are available in literature. These parameters can be obtained by measuring both the diameter change during the heart cycle from ultrasound data and the local pulse pressure. Hence, for this kind of evaluation both a system for measuring the instantaneous diameter and a method for the measurement of local pulse pressure are needed. Moreover, an ultrasound data processing system can additionally provide the automatic measure of carotid Intima-Media Thickness, thus allowing the evaluation of both elastic and structural parameters of a vessel from the same ultrasound signals which is considered optimal in the recent expert consensus document on arterial stiffness [4] .

Moreover, an ultrasound data processing system can additionally provide the automatic measure of carotid Intima-Media Thickness, thus allowing the evaluation of both elastic and structural parameters of a vessel from the same ultrasound signals which is considered optimal in the recent expert consensus document on arterial stiffness.


The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a proposed nine-country Asia-Pacific free trade arrangement being negotiated among the United States (US), Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. The aim is to go beyond WTO liberalization and focus on issues of regulation and border controls. As such it differs from tariff based liberalization in there being no revenues involved with the border measures. They also compound with conventional tariffs. The intuition, therefore, is that larger gains may accrue to the importing countries compared to previously studied liberalization. The negotiating partners have agreed that this proposed "living agreement" cover new trade topics and include new members that are willing to adopt the proposed agreement's higher standards. To that end, Japan, Canada and Mexico all have stated that they would have an interest in joining the negotiations. This free trade pact, even without Mexico and Canada, would affect 600 million people in countries that produce 20 trillion US$ of annual economic output (COC, 2011) .

This free trade pact, even without Mexico and Canada, would affect 600 million people in countries that produce 20 trillion US$ of annual economic output.


Gametogenesis and spawning is generally considered to be triggered proximately by environmental cues (Sastry 1979) . In this study, we found a positive correlation between the monthly change in mean air temperature and the percentage of gonads in 'spent' stage ( Fig. S3) , suggesting that increased temperature may have triggered spawning in tropical Lori pes. This contrasts with the findings of for a temperate Loripes population for which environmental triggers of spawning were not readily apparent. The lack of a correlation between heterotrophic feeding and reproductive activity (Fig. S3) suggests that SPOM availability does not affect the reproductive cycle in tropical Loripes. However, the observed gonadal and gametogenic development between September and January (Figs. 3c & 4 , respectively) when food availability seems to decrease (as reflected by a decrease in BMI), does seem to require supplemental nutrition by heterotrophic feeding (Fig. 5) . That we predicted size at first reproduction to be reached at ~7.5 mm shell height, suggests that the choice to only include Lori pes with shell heights ≥7 mm to identify its reproductive biology is justified.

Gametogenesis and spawning is generally considered to be triggered proximately by environmental cues.


In fact, the features and the algorithms to extract them tend to be the significant contributions in the papers in this space. But the state of the art in a variety of applications is to learn features automatically. For instance, Natural Language Processing applications previously relied on parsing and labeling sentences as a pre-processing step, but now use learned vector representations almost exclusively [6, 28] . This approach not only obviates the need for manual feature engineering and pre-processing, but also has the potential to significantly outperform more specialized methods.

For instance, Natural Language Processing applications previously relied on parsing and labeling sentences as a pre-processing step, but now use learned vector representations almost exclusively.


By definition, the generic fiber X h of X is an open rigid subvariety of X which contains all the unramified points on X . Since X is smooth over R, its special fiber is a good measure for the set of unramified points on X h . Therefore, one can consider the motivic Serre invariant SðX Þ as a measure for the set of unramified points on X . It is natural to ask if this invariant admits a cohomological interpretation in terms of the Galois action on the étale cohomology of X . This is indeed the case: under certain finiteness and tameness conditions on X , a trace formula expresses the Euler characteristic of SðX Þ in terms of the trace of a monodromy operator on the tame l-adic cohomology of X [37] , 6.4.

This is indeed the case: under certain finiteness and tameness conditions on X , a trace formula expresses the Euler characteristic of SðX Þ in terms of the trace of a monodromy operator on the tame l-adic cohomology of X, 6.4.


Reference implementations give scarce opportunities for software re-use, since their components are tightly coupled with the whole system of which they are a part. Frameworks overcome this problem, being loosely coupled with the system in which they are instanced. In previous work, we proposed a solution for adopting SCORM RTE based on a suitable framework, called CMIFramework [4] . Several problems still arise with frameworks. First of all, in most cases they are adoptable only in systems developed with the same technology: an O-O framework developed in Java cannot be used in a .NET or LAMP-based LMS. Secondly, even though the use of a framework allows for the easy extensibility of a system with new functionalities and has more customization margins, when instanced in a system, frameworks become part of it, increasing its size. The drawbacks in this case are related to the maintenance, testing and workload of the resulting system, since most enterprises, educational organizations cannot afford high systems handling [5] .

In previous work, we proposed a solution for adopting SCORM RTE based on a suitable framework, called CMIFramework.

The drawbacks in this case are related to the maintenance, testing and workload of the resulting system, since most enterprises, educational organizations cannot afford high systems handling.


We submit that the notion that different HRM practices are subject to different forces of convergence or divergence is not a new one (Rosenzweig and Nohria 1994; Sparrow et al. 1994; Ferner et al. 2001; Tregaskis and Brewster 2006; Almond 2011) . However, in this paper we seek to go a step further and group HRM practices according to the forces that might determine the convergence (or divergence) of the HRM practices of subsidiaries of MNEs and local firms. The contribution of the work is centred on, first, understanding why certain HRM practices converge while others do not (research question 1). The second, and interrelated, contribution is centred on understanding why and which HRM practices are adapted to the new context by both the MNE and domestic firms (research question 2). With respect to the first contribution, we use an extension of institutional theory based on institutional dualism to argue that the tandem pressures of the external institutional environment and the internal firm institutional environment create competing pressures for the convergence and divergence of HRM practices. The former is driven in part by the need to establish legitimacy in the new context and to fit to the institutional framework of the country; but the latter is driven by pressure from headquarters to maintain established organisational practices that are important to the firm. For the second contribution, we demonstrate that these same pressures affect convergence by domestic firms towards international practice so far as for MNEs to converge with local practice. In effect, convergence is occurring at dual levels in that while MNEs maintain a divergence policy on practices pressured primarily by internal institutional drivers, local firms converge towards these international practices through external institutional pressures. In both instances however, the malleability of HRM practices is central in determining which practices are adapted and which are not because these characteristics change the priority attributed to internal versus external institutional pressures.

We submit that the notion that different HRM practices are subject to different forces of convergence or divergence is not a new one.


The vector control methods are complex to implement. Because in vector control method, the decoupling relationship is obtained by means of a proper selection of state coordinates, under the hypothesis that the rotor flux is kept constant. The torque is only asymptotically decoupled from the flux i.e., decoupling is obtained only in steady state, when the flux amplitude is constant. Coupling is still present, when flux is weakened in order to operate the motor at higher speed within the input voltage saturation limit or when flux is adjusted in order to maximize power efficiency [5] , [6] .

Coupling is still present, when flux is weakened in order to operate the motor at higher speed within the input voltage saturation limit or when flux is adjusted in order to maximize power efficiency.


This has further led to introduction nonlinear geometric control theory particularly feedback linearization, which can achieve completely decoupled torque and flux amplitude of the induction motor [7] - [18] . But for the satisfactory performance, the motor parameters of the controlled plant must be precisely known and accurate knowledge of the flux is required. In the last decade, a good number of research works has been reported incorporating various control schemes to simplify and to enhance the performance. The work includes several methods for accurate estimation of flux. But the control performance is still influenced by the uncertainties of the plant. Therefore, the motivation behind this work is to design a suitable robust control scheme to combat the uncertainties arising in practical application.

This has further led to introduction nonlinear geometric control theory particularly feedback linearization, which can achieve completely decoupled torque and flux amplitude of the induction motor.


With rapid development of cloud computing and cloud storage, the cloud is becoming a popular medium for storing and computing data. As data is stored on Virtual Machines, which are deployed on a cloud provider's infrastructure, cloud users give up direct control of their data in exchange for faster on-demand resources and shared administrative costs. Typically, they specify the QoS (Quality of Service) requirements of their outsourced data in a SLA (Service Level Agreement), including not only common QoS requirements such as delay but also location restrictions which define the regional access control about the cloud resource [1] . The aspects referred to above are all related with the geographic locations of Internet hosts. To fulfil the demand of the SLA, cloud providers should choose the proper servers for reducing the delay before an Internet host gets the required cloud resource or for making a decision about whether this Internet host can get access to the cloud resource according to his geographic location [2] . The granularity of geographic location used above is always coarse-grained, such as country, province, or city.

Typically, they specify the QoS (Quality of Service) requirements of their outsourced data in a SLA (Service Level Agreement), including not only common QoS requirements such as delay but also location restrictions which define the regional access control about the cloud resource.

To fulfil the demand of the SLA, cloud providers should choose the proper servers for reducing the delay before an Internet host gets the required cloud resource or for making a decision about whether this Internet host can get access to the cloud resource according to his geographic location.


Cloud providers always establish a geolocation database for collecting the mapping relationships between IP addresses of Internet hosts and their geographic locations. The sources of geolocation information in the database are obtained either by implementing existing geolocation methods or directly from the public IP geolocation databases [3] . There occur some problems which resulted from the geolocation methods and the database itself for affecting the accuracy of the geolocation database of Internet hosts. The geolocation methods can be divided into two different types depending on their underlying methodologies for collecting geolocation information: registration-based geolocation methods and measurement-based geolocation methods [4] . The former set of methods use previously registered data for gaining the information on the geolocation locations of respective IP addresses. In general, these methods provide accurate location information. However, in some cases, their errors are large enough for entire blocks of IP addresses owing to the fact that their precision greatly depends on the resolution and reliability of the previously registered data they utilize [5] . The latter ones utilize active delay and topology measurements to overcome the aforementioned limitations; but because of queuing delays and circuitous routes, the additive noise produces some inherent inaccuracy and unpredictability into the measurements [6] [7] [8] [9] . Moreover, owing to the large number of available Internet hosts and the change in IP assignment, it is hard for the geolocation database to maintain and continuously update the geolocation information of Internet hosts. Because of the drawbacks of geolocation methods and the database itself, the accuracy of geolocation databases still remains limited [10] .

The sources of geolocation information in the database are obtained either by implementing existing geolocation methods or directly from the public IP geolocation databases.

The geolocation methods can be divided into two different types depending on their underlying methodologies for collecting geolocation information: registration-based geolocation methods and measurement-based geolocation methods.

However, in some cases, their errors are large enough for entire blocks of IP addresses owing to the fact that their precision greatly depends on the resolution and reliability of the previously registered data they utilize.

The latter ones utilize active delay and topology measurements to overcome the aforementioned limitations; but because of queuing delays and circuitous routes, the additive noise produces some inherent inaccuracy and unpredictability into the measurements.

Because of the drawbacks of geolocation methods and the database itself, the accuracy of geolocation databases still remains limited.


Measurement-based geolocation methods always leverage a set of geographically distributed landmarks with known geographic locations for geolocating the targets. These landmarks make use of network measurement tool for obtaining various network properties, such as Internet delay and topology information [11, 12] . Then, we classify the existing measurement-based methods into two types depending on the network properties they used: delaybased geolocation methods and topology-based geolocation methods.

These landmarks make use of network measurement tool for obtaining various network properties, such as Internet delay and topology information.


The obtained oligoetherols were analyzed by gas chromatography in order to determine the amount of side products formed in reaction of EC with water released from products of MSA hydroxyalkylation or with diols. In separate control experiments the products of EC with reference diols like glycol and polyglycols were analyzed chromatographically (Table 1) . It has been found that the percentage of glycols and their consecutive products did not exceed 20 mass % in the products (Table 3) , which is comparable to that found previously in case of melamineethylene carbonate system [31] . The presence of low molecular products in oligoetherol corroborates well with hydroxyl number (Table 2 ) which is 806.8 mg KOH/g, i.e., higher than the theoretical (602.6 mg KOH/g). The number-averaged molecular mass was determined by GPC as 314 g/mol, due to the presence of low molecular weight admixtures. Weight-averaged molecular mass was 899 g/mol with polydispersity 2.86. The result on M n and M w are in good accordance with the masses calculated from assumed oligoetherol and side products (Table 3) , which were M n = 333 g/mol and M w = 917 g/mol, respectively.

It has been found that the percentage of glycols and their consecutive products did not exceed 20 mass % in the products (Table 3) , which is comparable to that found previously in case of melamineethylene carbonate system.


In Figure 6 each plot shows how well (or poorly) the model predicts, not for a specific variable but overall, as a function of number of crashes expected on each unit. The CURE plot in Figure 6 (a) for the quasi-Poisson model is closer to a random walk around the horizontal-axis than the plot in Figure 6 (b) and it is inside the confidence limits. The CURE plot of the SSAM model for total crashes versus total conflicts shows long increasing and decreasing runs corresponding to regions of consistent over-and underestimation [1] . In the last case, the safety performance capability of the SSAM crash-conflict model to predict real-world crashes with actual crash experience at Slovenian roundabouts falls. The occurrence of traffic conflicts also was sensitive to the site configuration and priority rules and other parameters in the microsimulation. This confirms again that the safety assessment of a road entity based on surrogate measures of safety is influenced on microscopic traffic simulation model used.

The CURE plot of the SSAM model for total crashes versus total conflicts shows long increasing and decreasing runs corresponding to regions of consistent over-and underestimation.


Many reports have indicated that a superior product quality can be obtained with a well-designed ohmic heating system because of the decrease in processing time as a result of no thermal lags (Lima, 2007) . The objective of this research was to design, fabricate and evaluate the performance of a static laboratory scale Ohmic heating system. The performance of this self-designed setup was evaluated by heating four kinds of liquid materials (tap water, fruit-vegetable juice, yogurt and 0.5% aqueous sodium chloride solution) under different voltage gradients. Effects of different electrical field strengths and temperatures on the heating rate and electrical conductivity were determined.

Many reports have indicated that a superior product quality can be obtained with a well-designed ohmic heating system because of the decrease in processing time as a result of no thermal lags.