Once a fault is detected in industrial processes, a prognostic tool is required to predict how the system will behave under faulty operating conditions. Examples of successful applications of different methodologies for performance estimation in the presence of faults are available (Ai et al., 2009; Ai, Zheng, Wang, Jang, & Song, 2010; Zheng et al., 2010) . In addition to the abovementioned approaches, CVA is a subspace identification method that can be used to build a dynamic model using measurements of a system's input and output signals. The obtained model can be utilized to predict system performance given expected future input conditions. System inputs used in subspace identification are typically manipulated or controllable variables such as inlet liquid and gas flow valve position. However, the performance of complex industrial systems, such as turbomachines, is not only associated with the system's input signals, which can be manipulated, but is also affected by variations in environmental conditions such as the ambient temperature (Campanari, 2000) . The inlet gas temperature of the compressor in this study is a prime example of how environmental conditions can affect a system's performance. Specifically, for the centrifugal compressor, the temperature of the gas to be compressed is largely determined by the ambient temperature when the gas passes through long transmission pipelines to the compressor. As a result, the magnitude of the compressor's inlet gas temperature changes periodically, most commonly every 24 h. To account for the impact of ambient temperature on a system's performance, and thereby allow both the environmental factors and the human interventions to be factored in when predicting the system's future behavior, a time series prediction method is required to forecast the magnitude of the inlet gas temperature based on historical data.

Examples of successful applications of different methodologies for performance estimation in the presence of faults are available.

However, the performance of complex industrial systems, such as turbomachines, is not only associated with the system's input signals, which can be manipulated, but is also affected by variations in environmental conditions such as the ambient temperature.


The recent important changes occurred in urban retail dynamics led to a retail revolution essentially associated with the growing of large-scale stores mostly located outside the city centers [1] . These recent transformations changed both the retail settlement phenomena in cities and the consumers' everyday habits. In this perspective, retail is conceived as an open system operated by several actors who, in last decades, have gone through periods of intense innovation and change followed by periods of reaction and adaptation [2] .

The recent important changes occurred in urban retail dynamics led to a retail revolution essentially associated with the growing of large-scale stores mostly located outside the city centers.

In this perspective, retail is conceived as an open system operated by several actors who, in last decades, have gone through periods of intense innovation and change followed by periods of reaction and adaptation.


In Thailand, green concepts have been widely applied in many industries including the palm oil products industry. Palm oil is an essential raw material for producing certain types of products such as fuels and various consumer goods; thus, the demand for palm oil in Thailand has continuously risen [3] . Many manufacturers who require raw palm oil for their production inputs are paying attention to involvement in green supplier selection in order to support global sustainability by considering several related conditions. Generally, the company would closely evaluate relevant green factors when choosing a supplier of palm oil. However, green factor evaluation might not be efficient due to unscientific decision-making, possibly leading to the loss of profits and of the ability to compete in the market. Moreover, a misleading green evaluation may also negatively influence the whole supply chain, including both upstream and downstream operations, and finally leads to negative impacts on the company's reputation, particularly regarding corporate social responsibility.

Palm oil is an essential raw material for producing certain types of products such as fuels and various consumer goods; thus, the demand for palm oil in Thailand has continuously risen.


A supply chain consists of certain processes including production planning, raw material sourcing, production, quality control, product shipping, as well as inventory management. Sourcing is a key point of the procurement process in the supply chain, with its critical roles in resource efficiency management and cost reduction. However, the sourcing is not only relevant to either the buyer of raw materials or the manufacturer of the products, but also the suppliers of those raw materials required. Therefore, supplier selection is considered one of the most strategic parts of supply chain management (SCM) of the company [1] . Nowadays, sustainable enterprise management promotion has encouraged green supply chain implementations. For instance, a green supply chain may apply a green production with an environmentally friendly design which supports the reduction of wastes and greenhouse gas emissions generated during the production process. Aiming to minimize environmental problems, a large number of enterprises try to engage only in green supply chains with environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable material sourcing and production processes. Accordingly, sustainable manufacturers also focus on green supplier selection to save cost and to protect the environment at the same time [2] .

Therefore, supplier selection is considered one of the most strategic parts of supply chain management (SCM) of the company.

Accordingly, sustainable manufacturers also focus on green supplier selection to save cost and to protect the environment at the same time.


There are some specific problems that occur when complicated multi-criteria decision-making is applied to the selection of green suppliers for Thailand palm oil-related product industry. Firstly, green factors previously used in the supplier selection in the palm oil products industry might not cover all relevant aspects and may not align with a green supplier's practical operations. Conventional procurements focus on the comparison of quality, price, time, and transportation cost while they still lack evaluation on environmental impacts. Secondly, procurement teams deal with lots of information, so there might be a problem of information loss. Traditional data analysis only represents data in the form of real numbers, and that would create an uncertain environment which lessens the efficiency of data analysis such as evaluating and ranking, especially when arranging qualitative data (i.e., service minds, attitudes). Therefore, linguistic variables should be more appropriate for denoting the data on human thinking with fuzzy characteristics, for instance, 'very poor', 'poor', 'good', and 'excellent'. Thirdly, methods for determining the weights of factors in current green supplier selection did not consider the uncertainty and fuzzy characteristics occurred during the decision making. Most of the studies only apply basic principles when determining the weights without an in-depth analysis of each factor's impact on final decision-making results. Lastly, the decision making of procurement teams concerns risk and uncertainty, namely psychological problems. Behavioral characteristics of decision makers may lead to over expectation or unavoidable risks due to certain limitations [4] .

Behavioral characteristics of decision makers may lead to over expectation or unavoidable risks due to certain limitations.


Atmospheric chemistry. The role of terpenes in the formation of ozone and other oxidants has been debated for a long time. In many regions monoterpenes are considered unimportant because of reported low concentrations compared to anthropogenic hydrocarbons (Altshuller, 1983) . The present study demonstrates that this argument is not valid in southern Scandinavia. The concentrations 3 of total alkylbenzenes were only 3.2, 2.5, 2.8 and 3.0 pg/m for the samples in Table 1 . Thus the alkylbenzenes, which are a major group of reactive anthropogenic hydrocarbons, were present in concentrations less than 5% of those of monoterpenes, a1 though the sampling site was not far from traffic emissions. Toluene was the major alkylbenzene and other prominent components were ethylbenzene, the xylenes, the ethylmethylbenzenes and the trimethyl- In remote regions, formation of photo-oxidants is hampered by low NO levels. For urban, industrial and traffic plumes with x elevated NO concentrations and CH -limited photo-oxidant formax x tion, model calculations indicate that terpenes give rise to increased ozone levels (Lurmann et al., 1983) . The ozone-forming potential of the pine forests studied is likely to be particularly large. Possibly this will necessitate especially farreaching reductions of anthropogenic emissions in certain areas to compensate for the contributions from terpenes.

Atmospheric chemistry.

In many regions monoterpenes are considered unimportant because of reported low concentrations compared to anthropogenic hydrocarbons.

For urban, industrial and traffic plumes with x elevated NO concentrations and CH -limited photo-oxidant formax x tion, model calculations indicate that terpenes give rise to increased ozone levels.


Wide-spread forest decline in Europe was first attributed mainly to effects of soil acidification. Only recently, direct effects of ozone and other oxidants have been emphasized as a major explanation (Ashmore et al., 1985) . Accordingly the role of terpenes in the formation of oxidants is currently a matter of great interest. The measurements reported here were made just before the general recognition, in 1984, of forest decline in certain areas in southern Sweden.

Only recently, direct effects of ozone and other oxidants have been emphasized as a major explanation.


The matching behavior of the immediate REMD animals on the final 2 days was fairly consistent within the entire group. No rat made less than six or more than eight left choices . They showed some tendency to choose the rewarded position of the preceding trial , but this choice pattern did not differ significantly from the random matching behavior of fish in this situation (Behrend & Bitterman, 1961) . One-sample runs tests assessing reward following for each animal on these days showed no deviation from randomness at the .05 level. The randomness of this pattern was also checked by a 2 by 2 table in which left and right choices were compared with whether the preceding choice had been rewarded or nonrewarded. Chi square for these contingencies did not approach significance, thus indicating that position choice was not significantly influenced by reward of the preceding choice.

They showed some tendency to choose the rewarded position of the preceding trial , but this choice pattern did not differ significantly from the random matching behavior of fish in this situation.


The Ss were initialIy placed in the maze in groups of four for % h/day for 5 days. All doors were open, and food was available in each goalbox. During this period, the animals were reduced to about 80% of their normal weight. For the serial spatial reversal, three groups of 10 rats were given 10 trials per day . The position of the food was shifted each day for a total of nine reversals. Training was conducted for 4 days per week. Animals were allowed about 5 sec to eat following a correct choice and were detained in the unr ewarded box for about 5 sec after an incorrect response. Intertrial interval was about 2 min. Following each session, one group received IP saline injection, one group had immediate REMD by IP injection of imipramine 5 mg/kg or chlordiazepoxide 4 mg/kg on alternate days, and one group received the REMD regimen after a 3-h rest in its home cages. The alternate day drug regimen and spaced training served two purposes: (a) tachyphylaxis of the imipramine effect was avoided ; (b) sufficient time elapsed between chlordiazepoxide injections to prevent accumulation of the drug (Greenblatt & Shader, 1974) .

Intertrial interval was about 2 min.

The alternate day drug regimen and spaced training served two purposes: (a) tachyphylaxis of the imipramine effect was avoided ; (b) sufficient time elapsed between chlordiazepoxide injections to prevent accumulation of the drug.


As a kind of special dynamic algorithm, the self-adaptive load balancing algorithm can adjust its own behaviors via dynamically changing parameters to adapt to the changing system status. For example, one load balancing algorithm is quite effective under condition A whereas another algorithm is effective under condition B. Integrated with more than two kinds of strategies, the self-adaptive algorithm can select suitable strategies according to the changes of system status. At present, the popular self-adaptive scheduling algorithms include minimum load algorithm and average load algorithm [14] , etc.

At present, the popular self-adaptive scheduling algorithms include minimum load algorithm and average load algorithm, etc.


An adaptive parental effect is a modification of a progeny's phenotype, attributable to the parental environment, that increases progeny fitness (Mousseau & Fox, 1998b) . Because organisms generally live in spatially and temporally variable environments, any correct predictions made by a parent about the environment that its progeny will experience could enhance progeny fitness; however tests of adaptive parental effects are exceedingly rare (Mousseau & Fox, 1998a) . Parental care, oviposition behaviour of mothers, and provisioning to eggs or seeds are some probable mechanisms by which parents can adjust their progeny's phenotype to increase performance in the predicted environment (Mousseau & Fox, 1998a; Wade, 1998) .

An adaptive parental effect is a modification of a progeny's phenotype, attributable to the parental environment, that increases progeny fitness.

Because organisms generally live in spatially and temporally variable environments, any correct predictions made by a parent about the environment that its progeny will experience could enhance progeny fitness; however tests of adaptive parental effects are exceedingly rare.

Parental care, oviposition behaviour of mothers, and provisioning to eggs or seeds are some probable mechanisms by which parents can adjust their progeny's phenotype to increase performance in the predicted environment.


For herbivorous insects using seasonal resources, cues in a parent's environment can indicate future conditions. For example, host plant quality may change predictably throughout a season or in response to herbivory (Kause et al., 1999) . These changes take many forms including alterations of leaf (1) physical properties, such as toughness, (2) nutritional properties, such as protein concentration, or (3) defences, such as secondary compounds (Karban & Baldwin, 1997; Kause et al., 1999; Simpson & Raubenheimer, 2001) .

For example, host plant quality may change predictably throughout a season or in response to herbivory.

These changes take many forms including alterations of leaf (1) physical properties, such as toughness, (2) nutritional properties, such as protein concentration, or (3) defences, such as secondary compounds.


Issue (4) refers to the unobservable heterogeneity between units or individual effects, which may cause omitted variable bias. In dynamic panel data models, if the unit-specific effects are stochastic and they are correlated with the lagged dependent variable, then the OLS estimator is inconsistent due to its correlation with the error term (Bond 2002) . Thus, before running the PCSE model, it is necessary to control for time and individual effects (Kaufman and Segura-Ubiergo 2001; Wibbels 2006) .

In dynamic panel data models, if the unit-specific effects are stochastic and they are correlated with the lagged dependent variable, then the OLS estimator is inconsistent due to its correlation with the error term.

Thus, before running the PCSE model, it is necessary to control for time and individual effects.


Avoiding price-instability is one advantage with having a su¢ ciently large ticksize. Other advantages with having a positive tick-size is that it improves liquidity, simpli…es the trading environment for human traders, reduces the cost of bandwidth and data storage in computers, and reduces the time needed in negotiations (Harris, 1991; Angel, 1997; Angel, 2012) . But there can also be disadvantages. In my model, a positive tick-size does not introduce any welfare losses, as …rms are symmetric and the demand side is perfectly inelastic. In a …nancial exchange, however, the tick-size introduces a transaction cost, which has a negative impact on welfare. A more competitive market due to an improved rationing rule would lower welfare losses.

Other advantages with having a positive tick-size is that it improves liquidity, simpli…es the trading environment for human traders, reduces the cost of bandwidth and data storage in computers, and reduces the time needed in negotiations.

But there can also be disadvantages.


It seems that young ravens' object orientedness is strong and may precede any clear cachingrelated behavior. One might assume that general object-oriented motivation developmentally precedes motivations for performing caching-related behaviors. It has been suggested that such object-oriented, playful, exploratory motivations led to the innovation of caching in the early ancestors of corvidsa behavior later selected for (Jacobs et al., 2013) .

It has been suggested that such object-oriented, playful, exploratory motivations led to the innovation of caching in the early ancestors of corvidsa behavior later selected for.


This study could not determine the inception of play behavior in young ravens. However, we observed the first unambiguous play behavior, seen over the nest brim, 28 days after the first bird hatched (exertion/pulling). By contrast, infant chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) have been observed to begin visually guided object manipulation by around 11-14 weeks of age (Potì & Spinozzi, 1996) . That said, there is a glaring sensorimotor difference in object manipulation between chimpanzees and ravens: the ape must coordinate its hands and eyes, whereas the bird's beak is always in the direction of its headimplying that eye-appendage coordination should develop more quickly. This may affect early cognitive development: a young bird may have more sensorimotor feedback from the environment than a young mammal. However, the developmental sequences might still be similar.

By contrast, infant chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) have been observed to begin visually guided object manipulation by around 11-14 weeks of age.


Play amounted to 37.4% of all the instances of coded behavior. The number of instances of play was higher than for maintenance (35.4%), flight training (13.6%), and non-play social behavior (13.6%). This is also shown in Figure 1 , which includes 95% bootstrap confidence intervals (CI) (Efron, 1979) . These CIs were calculated by resampling the dataset 1000 times, assuming the observational sessions are independent and identically distributed, and then taking the 2.5% and 97.5% quantiles of the bootstrap distribution of the corresponding statistic.

This is also shown in Figure 1 , which includes 95% bootstrap confidence intervals (CI).


Renewable energy technologies are a sustainable solution to providing cheaper and cleaner energy in these areas. For instance, in Maldives islands, hybrid solar and wind electricity generation systems have been proven to be financially feasible for supplementing the fossil fuel based grid [4] . Adoption of these hybrid renewable energy systems is faced with the challenge of designing an optimal energy management system that satisfies the load while considering the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources and variations in power demand [5] .

For instance, in Maldives islands, hybrid solar and wind electricity generation systems have been proven to be financially feasible for supplementing the fossil fuel based grid.

Adoption of these hybrid renewable energy systems is faced with the challenge of designing an optimal energy management system that satisfies the load while considering the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources and variations in power demand.


The water absorption coefficient of chestnut wood in the radial and tangential plane was 0.0056 ± 0.0010 kg·m -2 ·s -0.5 and 0.0054 ± 0.0013 kg·m -2 ·s -0.5 , respectively. There was no significant difference between the results of the two planes. The absorption coefficient for the chestnut was lower than that of the pine, 1.1x10 -2 kg·m -2 ·s -0.5 (Mukhopadhyaya et al. 2002) . Even though the coatings had an organic solvent base, the water absorption coefficient can be considered an indication of the mechanisms for liquid absorption which could explain the differences between chestnut and pine.

The absorption coefficient for the chestnut was lower than that of the pine, 1.1x10 -2 kg·m -2 ·s -0.5.


A common problem in outdoor wood flooring is the risk of accidents due to slipping. Skid resistance is the property of a surface to provide a pedestrian with a safe grip; it depends on the surface material, and design, the shoe sole worn by the pedestrian and the condition of the surface (dry or wet) (Medina 2005) . Skid resistance is determined using a Portable Skid Resistance meter, which consists of a pendulum with a rubber-coated foot piece which oscillates on the sample to test. The pendulum is stopped by the friction between the rubber and the sample. The maximum oscillation is indicated on a scale from 0 to 150 (there are no units involved) with a high value indicating high anti-skid resistance.

Skid resistance is the property of a surface to provide a pedestrian with a safe grip; it depends on the surface material, and design, the shoe sole worn by the pedestrian and the condition of the surface (dry or wet).


Moisture content is a critical factor to consider, since wood is a hygroscopic material. Water fills the void space in wood, resulting in a physical obstacle for the absorption of the coating. Furthermore, high moisture content prevents the cross linking of polymers and produces defective drying which causes a lack of adherence of the coating. For appropriate application and correct subsequent coating drying, the amount of moisture should not exceed 20% (Martin 1997) . Therefore, it is important to consider the fiber saturation point (FSP), namely the moisture content at which the cell wall is saturated with moisture. This property varies greatly between species, and normally is lower in species with a high content of extractives (Spalt 1958) .

For appropriate application and correct subsequent coating drying, the amount of moisture should not exceed 20%.

This property varies greatly between species, and normally is lower in species with a high content of extractives.


The presence of extractives in wood affects the absorption of the coatings and its curing on the surface of the wood. During the drying of wood the extractives are transported to the surface in a heterogeneous distribution, causing their concentration in certain parts of the boards. In addition, heated wood releases exudates that interfere with absorption, curing, and anchorage of coatings. Conifer woods are rich in resinous substances, whereas deciduous wood are richer in tannins (Martin 1997) .

Conifer woods are rich in resinous substances, whereas deciduous wood are richer in tannins.


Furthermore a radial cut has greater dimensional stability compared with a tangential cut. Therefore, a radial cut results in a better coating finish than a tangential cut. This fact shows the advantages of using wood species with a low coefficient of volumetric contraction (Tamatir-Urias et al. 2002) .

This fact shows the advantages of using wood species with a low coefficient of volumetric contraction.


Antioxidants are being investigated for their ability to prevent cardiovascular, hepatic and pulmonary damage caused by LPS-induced production of ROS, peroxides and cytokines [14] . Vitamin E has been shown to protect the liver in several models of liver injury via inhibiting oxidative damage [16, 19, 21, [31] [32] [33] [34] . The present study was therefore designed to study the detailed mechanism of protection offered by vitamin E against LPS-induced liver damage in rats in terms of biochemical, histological and immunological parameters.

Antioxidants are being investigated for their ability to prevent cardiovascular, hepatic and pulmonary damage caused by LPS-induced production of ROS, peroxides and cytokines.

Vitamin E has been shown to protect the liver in several models of liver injury via inhibiting oxidative damage.


Addition of biofibers or other biobased fillers is another attractive option to enhance the properties of starch-based materials [12] . The chemical similarities and hydrophilicity of starch and natural fillers, like wood flour, give good prerequisites for successful formation of favorable interactions between the additive and starch matrix [13] . However, chemical modification can still be necessary to improve the fiber/starch interface [14] . A combination of nanofillers and biobased fillers could offer additional possibilities for material modification [15] . As an example nano-biocomposites combining cassava starch, sugarcane bagasse fibers and montmorillonite were successfully prepared [16] . Previously we utilized agrowaste-based fillers to modify properties and 2 ISRN Polymer Science degradation process of polylactide [17] . The purpose of the present work was to further evaluate the possibilities of using agroindustrial waste materials as fillers for common biobased materials and to tune the mechanical properties of starch through utilization of different combinations of plasticizers, mineral, and biobased fillers.

Addition of biofibers or other biobased fillers is another attractive option to enhance the properties of starch-based materials.

The chemical similarities and hydrophilicity of starch and natural fillers, like wood flour, give good prerequisites for successful formation of favorable interactions between the additive and starch matrix.

However, chemical modification can still be necessary to improve the fiber/starch interface.

A combination of nanofillers and biobased fillers could offer additional possibilities for material modification.

As an example nano-biocomposites combining cassava starch, sugarcane bagasse fibers and montmorillonite were successfully prepared.

Previously we utilized agrowaste-based fillers to modify properties and 2 ISRN Polymer Science degradation process of polylactide.


JA presented an interesting treatment dilemma. Unlike some senile fractures due to osteoporosis, our analysis demonstrated that stabilizing her non-healing sacral base fracture with injection of PMMA cement would be risky, as communication of the fracture line into the S2 foramen could have led to inadvertent nerve root compression. It should also be noted that JA's outcome was surprising, given that she demonstrated severe osteoporosis both on radiographs and the tactile feel of the trocar at time of treatment. Arguments in the published literature on whether osteoporosis would be expected to negatively impact an MSC procedure can be made on both sides. For example, while MSC's are clearly involved in the differentiation pathway that leads to osteoblasts and bone formation, they have been shown to be less osteogenic with advancing age in females [31] [32] [33] [34] . On the other hand, animal models have demonstrated that thickening of bone trabeculae can be induced even with senile MSC's [35] .

For example, while MSC's are clearly involved in the differentiation pathway that leads to osteoblasts and bone formation, they have been shown to be less osteogenic with advancing age in females.

On the other hand, animal models have demonstrated that thickening of bone trabeculae can be induced even with senile MSC's.


Recently there has been an initiative to incorporate feedback control into radiotherapy, i.e., the treatment of cancer by external ionizing radiation (Davison and Hwang, 2003) . The radiotherapy research project has motivated several theoretical control problems, including the question of how to accommodate time delays in feedback sensors. In the case of the radiotherapy work, sensor delays arise because of image processing and calculations required to determine tumor position and radiation dose distribution information; sensor delays arise naturally in other applications where, for example, data must be transmitted over huge distances.

Recently there has been an initiative to incorporate feedback control into radiotherapy, i.e., the treatment of cancer by external ionizing radiation.


We consider the scenario where two wireless transmitter (TX) -receiver (RX) pairs operate simultaneously at the same frequency. The two pairs, i.e., TX1 → RX1 and TX2 → RX2, are located in the proximity of each other. Therefore, they mutually interfere each other. This setup is known as the interference channel (IC). In this paper, we assume that the TXs are equipped with n ≥ 2 antennas, whereas the RXs are equipped with a single antenna each. Hence, this is a multiple-input single-output (MISO) IC [1] . We assume that the RXs treat interference as noise and that the TXs have perfect channel state information. The focus of this paper is to propose an efficient method for finding the Pareto, i.e., outer, boundary of the rate region. We build upon the fact that this is a one-to-one curve in the two-dimensional space, so it can be described using one real-valued parameter. We derive a relation that couples the transmit strategies, here beamforming vectors, in such way that they together achieve a Pareto-optimal (PO) operating point.

Hence, this is a multiple-input single-output (MISO) IC.


The pathophysiologic mechanism is the peristaltic movement of a lesion associated with the intussusceptum (invagination). Intussusceptions with no clear anatomical lesion are the primary or idiopathic type, present in 8 to 20% of cases, and more likely to occur in the small intestines [2, 6, 7] . In contrast, the secondary type, constituting the greater majority, is due to an existing gut pathological lesion. This lesion is best described as a lead point; a functional or structural lesion associated with the intussusceptum, postulated to be the "trigger" for intussusception. The commonest "lead points" are colonic malignant tumors, present in up to 60 percent of cases [2, 4, 5, 8, 9] . Benign tumours constitute the majority of the rest.

Intussusceptions with no clear anatomical lesion are the primary or idiopathic type, present in 8 to 20% of cases, and more likely to occur in the small intestines.

The commonest "lead points" are colonic malignant tumors, present in up to 60 percent of cases.


Ripening and senescence is mainly controlled by ethylene, one of several plant growth regulators involved in the growth and developmental processes, especially in climacteric fruits and vegetables (Abeles et al., 1992) . This simple hydrocarbon can diffuse into and out of plant tissues from both endogenous and exogenous sources and can greatly affect the quality of harvested products (Watkins, 2006) . These effects can be beneficial or deleterious depending on the product, its ripening stage and its usage (Saltveit, 1999) . Exogenous ethylene applications in bananas, for example, initiate uniform ripening. However, most commonly, commercial approaches for horticultural products are based on avoiding exposure to ethylene and/or attempting to minimize ethylene production and action during ripening, harvest, storage, transport and handling by temperature and atmosphere control (Watkins, 2002) .

Ripening and senescence is mainly controlled by ethylene, one of several plant growth regulators involved in the growth and developmental processes, especially in climacteric fruits and vegetables.

This simple hydrocarbon can diffuse into and out of plant tissues from both endogenous and exogenous sources and can greatly affect the quality of harvested products.

These effects can be beneficial or deleterious depending on the product, its ripening stage and its usage.

However, most commonly, commercial approaches for horticultural products are based on avoiding exposure to ethylene and/or attempting to minimize ethylene production and action during ripening, harvest, storage, transport and handling by temperature and atmosphere control.


Essentially, a high-voltage dc power supply consists of five basic parts: an input rectifier with filter capacitor, a high frequency inverter, a high-voltage transformer, a high-voltage output rectifier with filter capacitor, and a controller [1] [2] [3] . Among all the parts, the high-voltage transformer is most critical as it affects the performance of the power supply. Its high turns ratio (ranging from 300 to 500) and insulation requirements exacerbates transformer non-idealities (i.e., leakage inductance and parasitic capacitance) [1] [2] [3] . These non-idealities cause voltage and current spikes and increase loss and noise. In order to absorb these non-idealities as useful elements, several types of resonant converters, such as the series resonant converter (SRC), parallel resonant converter (PRC), and series-parallel resonant converter (SPRC) have been proposed by researchers worldwide.

Essentially, a high-voltage dc power supply consists of five basic parts: an input rectifier with filter capacitor, a high frequency inverter, a high-voltage transformer, a high-voltage output rectifier with filter capacitor, and a controller.

Its high turns ratio (ranging from 300 to 500) and insulation requirements exacerbates transformer non-idealities (i.e., leakage inductance and parasitic capacitance).


A growing number of older persons continue to live in their own homes. This is not due to a declining need for care, but to limited nursing home places. In the final stage of life, most people are exposed to increasing health problems, generating a substantial demand for health and social care. As a result, older persons often need help from their next of kin [6] . The term next of kin is often used to describe someone who cares for a person, who may also be called an informal caregiver [7] .

As a result, older persons often need help from their next of kin.

The term next of kin is often used to describe someone who cares for a person, who may also be called an informal caregiver.


In Sweden today, 75% of the care of older persons is provided by the person who usually is closest to them -the next of kin [8] . The time pressure resulting from giving care can cause problems for the next of kin regarding their work situation and can lead to strained family relationships [8] . There is a relationship between care provision and self-estimated health status. The risk of illness in caregivers increases in relation to an increase the extent of care they provide [8] . In one study, the next of kin experienced greater cognitive difficulties and poorer mental health than did demographically matched, married, non-caregiving controls [9] . Extensive research has been done during the past 20 years on the life situation of caregiving next of kin, documenting their burden of care [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] . Studies of informal caregiving have focused on the caregiving of older persons who are cognitively impaired, and on the tasks, burdens, and socioeconomic impacts of informal caregiving in families [18] . In Sweden, as in the other Nordic countries, society has the responsibility for people in need of care [8] . The National Board of Health and Welfare is obliged by law to individually support the caregiving next of kin of a person who is older, disabled, or chronically ill. Consequently the health and welfare authorities, specifically in the municipalities, shall pay attention to the next of kin's life situation [19] .

In Sweden today, 75% of the care of older persons is provided by the person who usually is closest to them -the next of kin.

The time pressure resulting from giving care can cause problems for the next of kin regarding their work situation and can lead to strained family relationships.

The risk of illness in caregivers increases in relation to an increase the extent of care they provide.

In one study, the next of kin experienced greater cognitive difficulties and poorer mental health than did demographically matched, married, non-caregiving controls.

Extensive research has been done during the past 20 years on the life situation of caregiving next of kin, documenting their burden of care.

Studies of informal caregiving have focused on the caregiving of older persons who are cognitively impaired, and on the tasks, burdens, and socioeconomic impacts of informal caregiving in families.

In Sweden, as in the other Nordic countries, society has the responsibility for people in need of care.

Consequently the health and welfare authorities, specifically in the municipalities, shall pay attention to the next of kin's life situation.


There are different ways to support the next of kin, such as to set up kin support groups with other next of kin who are in similar situations [20] . A model developed by Nolan and colleagues, called the Partnership Model, is of relevance [21, 22] . It offers a means of closer cooperation between staff, on the one hand, and the older person and his or her next of kin, on the other hand. Nolan and colleagues propose that the model has a role to play in nursing education [21, 22] .

There are different ways to support the next of kin, such as to set up kin support groups with other next of kin who are in similar situations.

A model developed by Nolan and colleagues, called the Partnership Model, is of relevance.

Nolan and colleagues propose that the model has a role to play in nursing education.


While the older persons were on the waiting list for a permanent place in a nursing home, the next of kin were constantly afraid and worried about what might happen to the older person. Their sense of responsibility increased, especially when they were not there to help. Feelings of inner conflict, guilt, anxiety, sorrow, fear, and loneliness arose. Emotions in the next of kin group have also been noted in previous research, showing their vulnerability [9, [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] .

Emotions in the next of kin group have also been noted in previous research, showing their vulnerability.


The model consists of a framework involving six ʺsensesʺ that are seen as prerequisites for good relationships and good communication through dialogue, within the context of care and service delivery. Good care can only be delivered where there is a triadic relationship, in which all three parties involved in the care understand which ʺsensesʺ are involved and how each of these ʺsensesʺ is affected in the care situation. Each party, the older person, the next of kin, and the staff, has a key role to play and has unique knowledge to contribute. All parties should experience a sense of security (simply feeling safe), a sense of continuity (perceiving links and connections), a sense of belonging (feeling a part of things), a sense of purpose (having one or more goals to aspire to), a sense of achievement (making progress towards these goals), and a sense of significance (feeling that they matter as a person) [21, 22] . What is meant by ʺgoodʺ communication is that there arises a feeling, an emotional feeling, that something positive has happened [29] . Below, we will discuss the results of the study in light of these six ʺsensesʺ.

All parties should experience a sense of security (simply feeling safe), a sense of continuity (perceiving links and connections), a sense of belonging (feeling a part of things), a sense of purpose (having one or more goals to aspire to), a sense of achievement (making progress towards these goals), and a sense of significance (feeling that they matter as a person).

What is meant by ʺgoodʺ communication is that there arises a feeling, an emotional feeling, that something positive has happened.


The proportion of older persons is expected to increase in the Western world as their health improves [1] . In Europe, around 20% of the population is over 60 years of age [2] . The number of people aged 65 and above is expected to grow by 70% by the year 2050, putting additional demands on the health care sector. As a result, the health care sector needs to be adapted to the needs of an aging population and a smaller workforce [3] . Furthermore, an ongoing global and national effort is under way to improve health among older persons. Due to medical advances, older persons survive longer now than before and for this reason, there is an increased need for health care during the final years of life [4] . Sweden is among the top ten countries when it comes to having the largest proportion of the population aged 60 or more: 25% of Swedes are in this age group [5] .

The proportion of older persons is expected to increase in the Western world as their health improves.

In Europe, around 20% of the population is over 60 years of age.

As a result, the health care sector needs to be adapted to the needs of an aging population and a smaller workforce.

Due to medical advances, older persons survive longer now than before and for this reason, there is an increased need for health care during the final years of life.

Sweden is among the top ten countries when it comes to having the largest proportion of the population aged 60 or more: 25% of Swedes are in this age group.


A growing number of researchers believes that at higher levels of safety and in more technologically complex contexts, safety is better represented in terms of complex dynamics, rather than SCM's linear sequences of events [3, 5] . If accidents are complex emergent phenomena, then the rationale for designing safety nets in terms of preventing dangerous linear sequences of events is flawed. It is not possible to predict all failure modes and accident paths because safety nets may interact, fail to work as intended and produce new, unknown dangers [1] .

A growing number of researchers believes that at higher levels of safety and in more technologically complex contexts, safety is better represented in terms of complex dynamics, rather than SCM's linear sequences of events.

It is not possible to predict all failure modes and accident paths because safety nets may interact, fail to work as intended and produce new, unknown dangers.


In this paper, however, we argue that as a working theory for management, STAMP should not be seen as a whole new approach to safety. While STAMP is in many respects a significant improvement from older linear accident models, it has limitations as an organizational management theory. In some ways STAMP continues to encourage topdown thinking about management, because it is not intended to represent the behaviour of people. It simply places control on behaviour without understanding its driving forces, and does not count for the complexities that workers face and the contributions that they (could) make to safety. Therefore, STAMP to some extent fails to capture the 'new' view where safety is approached positively, in the sense that workers' input to safety are fully appreciated [9] .

Therefore, STAMP to some extent fails to capture the 'new' view where safety is approached positively, in the sense that workers' input to safety are fully appreciated.


When the teams felt they had a sense of what is going on, they moved to step three, separated into two parallel tasks. The OE characterized the dilemmas experienced by members of the organization by writing a thick description. This involved picking out telling anecdotes or physical details, interpreting what they signified for members of the organization, and showing how those contributed to specific behavioural dynamics as well as a more global texture of the culture. The way in which what it means to work safely may differ in different sub-cultures of an organization, is an example of a more global texture; a detailed example of this can be found in Atak and Kingma [22] . Focusing on more a detailed work process, the AM finished the formal model and instantiated it to run simulations that should reveal patterns matching the longitudinal data. By performing sensitivity analysis, tweaking specific parameters and running statistical analyses over the results, the AM team developed predictions about how emergent patterns came about. This method is described in more detail by Sharpanskykh and Haest [23] .

The way in which what it means to work safely may differ in different sub-cultures of an organization, is an example of a more global texture; a detailed example of this can be found in Atak and Kingma.

This method is described in more detail by Sharpanskykh and Haest.


The simulations of the implicit coordination scenario reproduced the pattern described above where temporary attention by management to the FOD check led to temporary increase in compliance. The explicit coordination case predicted that team members would develop a team norm to complete the FOD check before allowing the aircraft to park, and that reduced control from management would not quickly result in reduced compliance. These results were also observed in practice [23] . The sensitivity analysis furthermore revealed that management control was a relatively ineffective method to establish compliance. Addressing agents' needs to understand why an action needs to be performed a certain way, came out as more influential. Responding to team member norms also became an important factor. Because members have shifted in this scenario to a more conscious, rational way of reasoning, these norms then become ingrained and compliance remains high, also after management relaxes control.

These results were also observed in practice.


This method of working with LOSA seemed perfectly in tune with viewing the employees as the controlled process, and the extensive hierarchy of managers as the control architecture consisting of many control loops. The process was complex, because when managers would start enforcing compliance on one point, compliance would relax on another. The organization consists of several departments working on different locations and there are many interacting processes and coordination issues. Therefore, STAMP seemed suitable for analysing the problem. STAMP application in other cases in the same domain were proved successful [21] .

STAMP application in other cases in the same domain were proved successful.


The specimens upon which this paper is based are deposited in the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France (MNHN). Prior to receipt by the author, the amber piece containing the selenopid had been mounted on a glass microscope slide. All measurements were made using an ocular graticule. Photographs were taken with a Nikon Coolpix 4500 digital camera attached to a Leica M10 stereomicroscope with a 1.6ϫ planapochromatic objective, using a Volpi Intralux 6000 ringlight illuminator inverted on a custom de-signed base, to produce a 'dark field' effect. CombineZ 5 software was used for computer generation of 3D images, which were then manipulated in Adobe Photoshop. In leg formula (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 3) legs are ranked in order of length, longest first. Abbreviations used in the text and figures: ab ϭ abdomen; ALE ϭ anterior lateral eye; AME ϭ anterior median eye; b ϭ bulb; cda ϭ cheliceral distal apophysis; cla ϭ cheliceral lateral apophysis; cx ϭ coxa; fe ϭ femur; mt ϭ metatarsus; mx ϭ maxilla; p ϭ procursus; pa ϭ patella; PLE ϭ posterior lateral eye; PME ϭ posterior median eye; st ϭ sternum; t ϭ trichobothria; ta ϭ tarsus; ti ϭ tibia; tra ϭ lateral apophysis of palpal trochanter; 1-4 ϭ walking legs 1-4. Diagnosis.-Long-legged, six-or eighteyed pholcids with globular, oval or elevated and often posteriorly pointed opisthosoma, varying in total size from 1-4 mm. Distinguished from other genera by the pair of modified hairs on the male cheliceral apophyses (Huber 2003) .

Distinguished from other genera by the pair of modified hairs on the male cheliceral apophyses.


In soil heterotrophic respiration (SHR) microbes utilize the carbon in soil organic matter (SOM) as an energy source, releasing gaseous CO 2 , which accumulates in the soil at significantly larger concentrations than in the atmosphere (Hirano et al., 2003) . Ultimately this excess CO 2 is released to the global atmosphere. It is important we understand the processes that determine variations in the magnitude of SHR because it influences the flux of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from soils to the atmosphere, an important part of the global carbon cycle with major implications for global climate change (Cox et al., 2000) . The turnover of SOM is also an important control on the cycling of other macronutrients, notably nitrogen.

In soil heterotrophic respiration (SHR) microbes utilize the carbon in soil organic matter (SOM) as an energy source, releasing gaseous CO 2 , which accumulates in the soil at significantly larger concentrations than in the atmosphere.

It is important we understand the processes that determine variations in the magnitude of SHR because it influences the flux of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from soils to the atmosphere, an important part of the global carbon cycle with major implications for global climate change.


However, of all the ordination techniques developed so far, PCA continues to be the most popular technique in a number of biological sciences and other fields besides ecology and environmental sciences. The properties as well as the interpretation of the components of PCA have been investigated extensively (Rao, 1964; Jackson, 1991; Joliffe, 2002) . PCA is a formal ordination technique basically used by ecologists for the purpose of parsimony and exploration of data in order to comprehend data and to seek the underlying trends and gradients in the data structure (James, McCulloch, 1990; Walker, Jackson, 2011) .

The properties as well as the interpretation of the components of PCA have been investigated extensively.

PCA is a formal ordination technique basically used by ecologists for the purpose of parsimony and exploration of data in order to comprehend data and to seek the underlying trends and gradients in the data structure.


Singapore's retail landscape has witnessed dramatic changes since the 1960s due to its economic growth and social development (Keri, 1993) . The Singapore Government played a major role in helping the retail sector become modern and attractive to domestic and overseas shoppers. As the retail market in Singapore continues to mature, retailers must be vigilant to understand the mindset of the shopper. The contemporary retail market can be described as highly cosmopolitan, complex and sophisticated, as evidenced by the presence of almost every international brand and multinational retailer (Yap, 1996) . Within this accelerating competitive environment, the typical person in Singapore has been transformed into a well-informed customer with clearly defined preferences. As such, retailing entrepreneurs face a more challenging environment in Singapore compared to only a decade ago.

Singapore's retail landscape has witnessed dramatic changes since the 1960s due to its economic growth and social development.

The contemporary retail market can be described as highly cosmopolitan, complex and sophisticated, as evidenced by the presence of almost every international brand and multinational retailer.


The survey consisted of the adapted version of the 22-item service quality scale known as SERVQUAL scale (Parasuraman et al., 1991) . It measures various aspects of service such as tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. Survey participants provided the expected quality they deemed necessary from retailers and subsequently the actual service quality rendered by Singaporean retailers in general. Seven point rating scales (1 = low, 7 = high) were used to measure response to each of the 22-scale items. The survey also measured overall satisfaction with retailers, also using a seven-point rating scale. The demographic characteristics included measures of age, gender and shopping frequency.

The survey consisted of the adapted version of the 22-item service quality scale known as SERVQUAL scale.


The main objective of our paper is to examine service quality of retailers in terms of consumer expectations of retailer service, perceptions of actual level of service received and the gap in service quality. We also wanted to find out whether service quality varies by age, gender and shopping frequency. To make these comparisons, we first needed to examine the psychometric properties of the service quality measures. We accomplished this task by performing a series of confirmatory factor analyses using Lisrel 8.80 statistical software (Joreskog and Sorbom, 2006) .

We accomplished this task by performing a series of confirmatory factor analyses using Lisrel 8.80 statistical software.


Natural dyes are reported to be biodegradable, less toxic to human health as compared to synthetic dyes and cause no skin dermatitis and allergy [1] . Toxicity and mutagenicity of synthetic dyes have increasingly become a major occupational hazard and challenge in regard to their use and safety in the textile industry [2] . However, studies on toxicity of natural dyes are very limited. The vast majority of natural dye constituents are non-toxic, and have a long history of use for treatment of different diseases and complaints. Several natural dyes are also used as colouring matters in food, for which a low toxicity is obviously crucial. Even so, annatto, cohineal (carmine), saffron and turmeric appear on lists of permitted food additives in the EU and USA [3, 4] .

Natural dyes are reported to be biodegradable, less toxic to human health as compared to synthetic dyes and cause no skin dermatitis and allergy.

Toxicity and mutagenicity of synthetic dyes have increasingly become a major occupational hazard and challenge in regard to their use and safety in the textile industry.

Even so, annatto, cohineal (carmine), saffron and turmeric appear on lists of permitted food additives in the EU and USA.


Here we reassess the repressive capacity of promoter DNA methylation through an extensive analysis that overcomes the limitations outlined above. Specifically, instead of using effect-size cutoffs, we identified promoters that were significantly methylated while accurately controlling the 4/27 false discovery rate using dmrseq (Korthauer et al., 2018) . This prevents falsely detecting regions with large observed effect-sizes that are not statistically significant due to either very low coverage or high within-group variability. In addition, instead of global size factor normalization of RNA-Seq counts, we identify a set of control genes that are not bound by ZF-DNTMA or near a differentially methylated region (DMR) and calculate size factors from these control genes (Risso et al., 2014) .

Specifically, instead of using effect-size cutoffs, we identified promoters that were significantly methylated while accurately controlling the 4/27 false discovery rate using dmrseq.

In addition, instead of global size factor normalization of RNA-Seq counts, we identify a set of control genes that are not bound by ZF-DNTMA or near a differentially methylated region (DMR) and calculate size factors from these control genes.


While combining data from these two studies improved the generalizability of findings, the overall sample size was small. This study was underpowered to examine the clinimetric properties of the SPPB and thus, results should be viewed with caution and interpreted as an overall trend in findings. Whilst reliability of the functional outcomes was not examined specifically within this study, the reliability of the PFIT-s and IMS has been previously reported within individuals with critical illness [17, 42] . Currently there are no published data on the reliability of the FSS-ICU and this is an area that needs to be addressed in future research. To our knowledge, the reliability of the SPPB scoring has not been reported for individuals with critical illness; it has been shown to have excellent reliability in the general geriatric population [43] . Results from logistic regression need to be validated in an independent sample, and therefore, results on the ability of the PFIT-s, FSS-ICU and IMS to predict discharge destination must be viewed with caution.

Whilst reliability of the functional outcomes was not examined specifically within this study, the reliability of the PFIT-s and IMS has been previously reported within individuals with critical illness.

To our knowledge, the reliability of the SPPB scoring has not been reported for individuals with critical illness; it has been shown to have excellent reliability in the general geriatric population.


Today, many countries are faced with two major challenges -deindustrialization and reindustrialization (Kucera & Milberg, 2003; Palma, 2008; Tregenna, 2009) . Industrialization remains an important goal for the majority of developing countries, particularly those that are undergoing economic transition. The global economic crisis has underlined reindustrialization as one of the critical present and future challenges related to the economic development of the mentioned countries. Reindustrialization also has a major role in developed countries, primarily due to competition among rapidly growing economies.

Today, many countries are faced with two major challenges -deindustrialization and reindustrialization.


In developed countries, deindustrialization is accompanied by efficient reindustrialization. Surely, reindustrialization is one of the challenges related to premature deindustrialization in developing countries. However, there are many other challenges (Tregenna, 2011) .

However, there are many other challenges.


The industrialization process, which has been lasting for some 250 years already (i.e. since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution), is usually seen as an economic development strategy. It has different priorities and modes of implementation in different countries, depending on the level of a country's development and the time when this process was introduced (Pack & Westphal, 1986) . Industrialization is synonymous with economic development, wealth, technological leadership and innovation, economic and political power and international dominance (Szirmai, Naude & Alcorta, 2013) . Industrial development is considered to be the key driver of the structural change and transformation of an economy, which is of particular importance for developing countries. Along with the changing structure of an economy, and changes in the share of an industry in the GDP and employment, the structure of an industry also changes, especially the manufacturing one. The intensity of changes is inversely related to a country's level of development -the higher the intensity of change, the lower the level of development.

It has different priorities and modes of implementation in different countries, depending on the level of a country's development and the time when this process was introduced.

Industrialization is synonymous with economic development, wealth, technological leadership and innovation, economic and political power and international dominance.


Structural change refers to changes in the composition of an aggregate, which affects the relative significance of economic sectors or their parts, and is strongly interrelated with economic development (Syrquin, 2007) . It involves a shift from traditional activities to newer, highly productive ones (Rodrik, 2008) . Furthermore, industries have higher levels and dynamics of productivity than other sectors do (Szirmai, 2012) . Industry induces productivity growth in other sectors, which is essential for an increase in competitiveness.

Structural change refers to changes in the composition of an aggregate, which affects the relative significance of economic sectors or their parts, and is strongly interrelated with economic development.

It involves a shift from traditional activities to newer, highly productive ones.

Furthermore, industries have higher levels and dynamics of productivity than other sectors do.


Thus, the induced current on the target's surface plays the same role as the current source of an AUT. Proceeding from this, the Fourier transformation of the measured near-field gives the far-field scattering pattern. To convert the bistatic scattering pattern into bistatic RCS a calibration procedure is required [8] .

To convert the bistatic scattering pattern into bistatic RCS a calibration procedure is required.


In 2003, ASTM D6890 was approved as another method for rating diesel fuels [4] [5] [6] [7] . The technique, which is based on using a constant volume combustion bomb, measures ignition delay at constant initial pressure and temperature. The apparatus is called the Ignition Quality Tester (IQT TM ) and the measurement is referred to as a derived cetane number (DCN). An empirical equation relating DCN measured by the IQT and CN measured by the CFR engine has been established. More recently, a second method using a combustion bomb (ASTM D7170) was approved. The major difference between the constant volume combustion methods and the CFR method is that with the latter, the compression ratio is changed to obtain a constant ignition delay, whereas in the former the ignition delay is measured with the fuel being exposed to constant pressure and temperature.

In 2003, ASTM D6890 was approved as another method for rating diesel fuels.


The multi-stage autoignition of hydrocarbons has been well known since the early 1950s. In this type of autoignition, as the pressure and/or temperature of the air-fuel mixture is increased, reaction rates increase with temperature according to the classical exponential Arrhenius rate equation [8] . A small amount of heat is released in the temperature range of 760-880 K, which is referred to as low-temperature heat release (LTHR). Then, the reaction rates of some hydrocarbons do not increase as temperatures rise above 880 K. This is referred to as the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) period. After the NTC period, reaction rates quickly increase with increasing temperature, the main combustion stage occurs and most of the energy is released. LTHR is strongly influenced by fuel chemistry and the engine operating condition. It plays a significant role in HCCI combustion by providing heat and a radical pool to help initiate the main combustion stage. Generally, nparaffins exhibit strong LTHR behaviour and aromatics do not show a dual-stage autoignition under typical engine operating conditions. Diesel-like fuels exhibit dual-stage autoignition behaviour under HCCI operating conditions whereas gasoline-like fuels exhibit a single-stage autoignition.

In this type of autoignition, as the pressure and/or temperature of the air-fuel mixture is increased, reaction rates increase with temperature according to the classical exponential Arrhenius rate equation.


The polished top surfaces of the HPT-processed Al/ Ti composite disks were examined by XRD. Examples of the indexed XRD patterns are shown in Fig. 1 . An XRD pattern from the cryomilled Al/Ti powder is also included in Fig. 1 for comparison. The HPT-deformed samples are mainly composed of crystalline hexagonal close packed (HCP) Ti and face centered cubic (FCC) Al. There is also evidence for the formation of secondary IMC phases after only 1 revolution of HPT processing. The additional peaks from these phases indicate that they are a mixture of TiAl 2 and TiAl 3 , which is consistent with previous reports in the literature [6, 7, 11] . After further HPT processing (2 and 5 revolutions), no additional phases were identified from the XRD analysis.

The additional peaks from these phases indicate that they are a mixture of TiAl 2 and TiAl 3 , which is consistent with previous reports in the literature.


At a HPT strain of 58, the lamellar spacings of the Al and Ti phases were reduced to a scale of tens to a few hundred nm. This leads to a high density of interphase boundaries, which geometrically confine dislocation motion and multiplication. To accommodate the Al/Ti co-deformation, dislocations must slip across the interphase boundaries. To meet the structural requirement for slip transfer, these Al/Ti interphase boundaries have to be coherent to minimize the interface energy and misorientation between the adjacent two slip planes [46] . The coherent Al/Ti interphase boundary shown in Fig. 5b has an orientation relationship of {111} Al //(0002) Ti . These parallel planes are the primary slip planes for FCC Al and HCP Ti, respectively. Therefore, slip transmission was activated and led to a considerable strain hardening, as shown in Fig. 2b . Excessive dislocations could pile up at the interphase boundaries and rearrange to form subgrain boundaries leading to grain refinement, as shown in Fig. 5b . Increasing the shear strain to 87 further refined the Al/Ti lamellae to a thickness of tens of nm. Interphase dislocation motion and multiplication was further promoted, and this refined the average grain sizes to 22 and 31 nm for Al and Ti, respectively.

To meet the structural requirement for slip transfer, these Al/Ti interphase boundaries have to be coherent to minimize the interface energy and misorientation between the adjacent two slip planes.


The immune system and lymphocytes are important in the prevention and control of cancers [11] . Patients with severe immune deficiencies have a higher incidence of cancer and poorer survival than those with normal immune systems [12, 13] . Even pretreatment lymphopenia has been documented to be a poor prognostic factor in patients with solid tumors and lymphomas [14] . The function of the immune system depends in a large part on interleukins. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is required for human T cell development and for maintaining and restoring homeostasis of mature T cells. IL-7 is the main homeostatic driver of T cell numbers. IL-7 blood levels are inversely correlated with peripheral T CD4 cell counts, similar to erythropoietin blood levels and their inverse correlation with red blood cells counts. Although IL-7 is limited in normal conditions, it accumulates during lymphopenic conditions [15] . It has been indicated that TGF-b is a significant negative regulator for IL-7 by down-regulating stromal IL-7 secretion [16] . Numerous vaccines and oncolytic virus have been studied in early phase clinical trials in patients with glioblastoma [17] . Reservation of the immune function could be critical in the current stage of cancer immunotherapy.

The immune system and lymphocytes are important in the prevention and control of cancers.

Patients with severe immune deficiencies have a higher incidence of cancer and poorer survival than those with normal immune systems.

Even pretreatment lymphopenia has been documented to be a poor prognostic factor in patients with solid tumors and lymphomas.

Although IL-7 is limited in normal conditions, it accumulates during lymphopenic conditions.

It has been indicated that TGF-b is a significant negative regulator for IL-7 by down-regulating stromal IL-7 secretion.

Numerous vaccines and oncolytic virus have been studied in early phase clinical trials in patients with glioblastoma.


Online/Offline Signcryption. The notion of online/offline signcryption was first introduced by An, Dodis and Rabin [1] . As in the case of online/offline signature schemes, online/offline signcryption schemes should satisfy a basic property that online computation should be performed very efficiently. All expensive operations such as exponentiation or pairing computation should be conducted offline in the first phase of the scheme. Similar to online/offline signature, it is also reasonable to assume that the offline operations are independent of the particular message to be signed and encrypted, since the message only becomes available at a later stage. The second phase is performed online, once the message is presented.

Online/Offline Signcryption.

The notion of online/offline signcryption was first introduced by An, Dodis and Rabin.


The traditional approach to the design of adaptive beamformers assumes that the desired signal components are not present in training data, and the robustness of beamformer is known to depend essentially on the availability of signal-free training data. However, in many important applications such as mobile communications, passive location, microphone array speech processing, medical imaging, and radio astronomy, the signal-free training data cells are unavailable. In such scenarios, the desired signal is always present in the training snapshots, and the adaptive beamforming methods become very sensitive to any violation of underlying assumptions on the environment, sources, or sensor array. In fact, the performances of the existing adaptive array algorithms are known to degrade substantially in the presence of even slight mismatches between the actual and presumed array responses to the desired signal [1] [2] [3] . Similar types of degradation can take place when the array response is known precisely but the training sample size is small, namely the mismatch between the actual and the estimated covariance matrix [4] [5] [6] . Therefore, robust approaches to adaptive beamforming appear to be of primary importance in these cases .

In fact, the performances of the existing adaptive array algorithms are known to degrade substantially in the presence of even slight mismatches between the actual and presumed array responses to the desired signal.

Similar types of degradation can take place when the array response is known precisely but the training sample size is small, namely the mismatch between the actual and the estimated covariance matrix.


In order to address the shortcomings associated with the conventional wind energy transfer system, a hydraulically connected energy transfer is proposed [6] [7] [8] [9] . In this method, the gearbox is replaced with a hydraulic pump, which is coupled with the wind turbine to generate high-pressure hydraulic fluid in the system. This flow can be used to drive a number of generators shown in Figure 1 . When controlled, the hydraulic flow is distributed between two hydraulic motors coupled with electric generators to supply electric power to the grid. Unlike traditional wind power generation, this technique integrates many of the individual tower equipment into a central energy generation unit. This reduces the cost of power generation and maintenance. The gearless configuration also allows for collecting of energy of multiple wind turbines into a central generation unit.

In order to address the shortcomings associated with the conventional wind energy transfer system, a hydraulically connected energy transfer is proposed.


These experimental results correspond strongly to the real-world political climate in Israel today. Namely, support for negotiations with the Palestinians for a two-state solution is the most important ideological issue for Israeli leftists, whereas Israeli rightists, on the other hand, tend to frame their most important issue as protecting national security (Arian and Shamir 2011) . Thus, it makes sense-and, in fact, provides support for the proposed mechanism of social desirability under accountability-that in a negotiations scenario accountable leftists feel more socially obligated to take a more stereotypically leftist stance, whereas in a security scenario, accountable rightists would feel the same need to take a more stereotypically rightist stance on this issue.

Namely, support for negotiations with the Palestinians for a two-state solution is the most important ideological issue for Israeli leftists, whereas Israeli rightists, on the other hand, tend to frame their most important issue as protecting national security.


Violent intergroup conflict is one of the most pressing issues facing scholars and practitioners of diplomacy and government today. The potent role of conflict ideologies in fueling and prolonging these conflicts all too often contributes to a cycle of mistrust, aggression, and polarization that is hard to break (Bar-Tal 2007) . Thus, exploring the potential factors that can change these dynamics, encourage reflective deliberation by political actors, and perhaps lead to compromise for peace is a major challenge for scholars of conflict, security, and international relations today. Although this research demonstrates that caution should be used in advocating one such factor, accountability, as a universal panacea for conflict resolution, accountability may still provide an important impetus for conflict parties to reach a settlement in certain situations. Discovering in what specific contexts accountability may indeed play a role in encouraging societies in conflict to compromise for peace remains a central question for future studies.

The potent role of conflict ideologies in fueling and prolonging these conflicts all too often contributes to a cycle of mistrust, aggression, and polarization that is hard to break.


Various methods such as measurement, emission inventory, and modelling studies are used in order to determine impacts of air pollution caused by one or more pollutants found at high levels in the atmosphere on the receiving environment and to monitor whether pollutant concentrations exceed the legal limit values. Air pollution measurement data are important in regards comparing with the national and international legal limit values and determining whether certain pollutants exceed the legal limit values. On the other hand, emission inventories are useful tools from the point of identification of individual amounts of emissions diffusing into the atmosphere from various pollutant sources such as residential heating, traffic, and industry,and making comparison between those pollutant sources [5] . Air quality modellings are important for estimating the atmospheric concentrations of pollutants and determining their distribution.

On the other hand, emission inventories are useful tools from the point of identification of individual amounts of emissions diffusing into the atmosphere from various pollutant sources such as residential heating, traffic, and industry,and making comparison between those pollutant sources.


Various modelling approaches can be used for modelling of atmospheric distributions of pollutants [11] . Capacities of the modelling methods can vary. Although only a certain number of mathematical formulas run on background of each model, differences occur in estimations and programs calculate different results. Therefore, one aim of the present study is to specify performances of the models by using both steady-state models (AERMOD and ISCST-3) and the Lagrangian puff model (CALPUFF). For this aim, results of the models were compared with the results of measurements performed with the active method in the mobile measurement vehicle available in the research area and, then, performances were determined with various statistical methods. Considering the studies made in recent years, it can be seen that statistical methods have been widely used. The greater number of analysis methods used for any study performed, the greater the accuracy coefficient of the result considered to be achieved [12] . Based on this approach, in this study fractional bias (FB), mean squared error (MSE), and geometric mean bias (MG) methods were used as the statistical method. The other aim of this study is to evaluate temporal and spatial variations of point (P), area (A) and line (L) -sourced CO and NO x emissions in the research area by using the modelling methods.

Various modelling approaches can be used for modelling of atmospheric distributions of pollutants.

The greater number of analysis methods used for any study performed, the greater the accuracy coefficient of the result considered to be achieved.


One of these limitations is emission factors used to calculate emissions. Adapting the data of America and Europe to emissions factors for Turkey is useful in cases where there is no other option. However, these factors, which may vary from one process to another due to differences in technology as well as raw materials, should be prepared for each region. This will make the results more reliable. Another limitation is lack of meteorological and topographical data of the study area. In particular, an inadequate number of meteorological stations and missing and/or incorrect data taken from the stations do significantly affect the modelling results. Furthermore, topography of the region may be inadequate in identifying the urbanization rapidly and irregularly evolving in our country, although it enables us, as a functionality of the modelling programs, to download information from satellite data to the computer via internet and run them. Therefore, whether the topographic data used for modelling is updated emerges as having an important impact on the results of modelling. Predictions of these models can be improved by obtaining actual data for input parameters [59] [60] . Also, problems can be eliminated by combining the model results with the measurement results.

Predictions of these models can be improved by obtaining actual data for input parameters.


Recently, an all-mechanical unpowered pressure sensing technology has been proposed as a novel IOP measurement paradigm [9] . In essence, the device is a deformable spiraltube parylene pressure sensor that facilitates micromechanical pressure sensing without electrical circuitry or external powered signal transduction. When the sensor is implanted on the iris of the eye as shown in figure 1 , its in situ mechanical pressure response corresponding to the IOP variation can be observed with an optical reader, such as a camera, a microscope or a stereoscope, from outside the eye through the transparent cornea. In the implantation scheme as shown in figure 2 , the device is fabricated in a small form factor so that it can be accommodated inside a hypodermic needle, and hence minimally invasive suture-less implantation can be accomplished with a needle incision and device injection. Similarly to telemetric sensing, this optical methodology has the potential of enabling a patient to read his/her own IOP (e.g. using his/her one eye to observe the other where the Iris Cornea Lens Pupil IOP sensor Figure 1 . Ocular anatomy of anterior chamber of the eye. The pressure sensor is designed for implantation on the iris so its visible IOP response can be externally observed through the transparent cornea. Because of its specific location the device is highly sensitive to the IOP variation.

Recently, an all-mechanical unpowered pressure sensing technology has been proposed as a novel IOP measurement paradigm.


Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) is an enabling technology to fabricate miniaturized sensors, actuators and systems. Having characteristic dimensions at the microscale, MEMS devices/systems are highly suitable for implantable applications, particularly for implantable IOP sensors. Many telemetric MEMS pressure sensors, using passive or active measurement modalities, have been developed to realize continuous IOP monitoring directly from inside the eye with accurate and precise pressure readouts [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . However, the sensors will eventually be implanted inside the eye and exposed to the in vivo environment such that power consumption would be a concern in the use of the active sensors. On the other hand, insufficient reading distance due to limited magnetic coupling impedes the use of the existing passive sensors for practical IOP sensing. Additionally, all these sensors were fabricated in sizes that are large compared with the human eye, which is not favorable to their implantation in terms of surgical procedures and time.

Many telemetric MEMS pressure sensors, using passive or active measurement modalities, have been developed to realize continuous IOP monitoring directly from inside the eye with accurate and precise pressure readouts.


Wastewater effluents from many industries, including paper, leather, textiles, rubber, plastics, printing, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food, contain several kinds of synthetic dyestuffs [1] . Dye-bearing wastewaters exhibit high chemical and biochemical oxygen demands [2] . The presence of even very low concentrations in discharge effluents to the environment is worrying for both toxicological and esthetic reasons [3, 4] . To reduce the negative effects of dye-contaminated wastewater on humans and the environment, the wastewater must be treated carefully before discharge into main streams [5] . Various physical, chemical and biological methods, including adsorption, biosorption coagulation and flocculation, advanced oxidation, ozonation, membrane filtration and liquid-liquid extraction, have been widely used for the treatment of dye-bearing wastewater [2, [6] [7] [8] . Adsorption is a very effective separation technique and is considered to be superior to other techniques for water treatment in terms of initial cost, simplicity of design, ease of operation and resilience to toxic substances [9, 10] . Although adsorption technologies are well established, a significant limitation is the cost of adsorbent materials. This has motivated the search for low-cost and renewable materials for use as sorbents and has led to a growing interest in the use of nonconventional and locally available materials such as natural materials and agricultural wastes.

Wastewater effluents from many industries, including paper, leather, textiles, rubber, plastics, printing, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food, contain several kinds of synthetic dyestuffs.

Dye-bearing wastewaters exhibit high chemical and biochemical oxygen demands.

The presence of even very low concentrations in discharge effluents to the environment is worrying for both toxicological and esthetic reasons.

To reduce the negative effects of dye-contaminated wastewater on humans and the environment, the wastewater must be treated carefully before discharge into main streams.

Various physical, chemical and biological methods, including adsorption, biosorption coagulation and flocculation, advanced oxidation, ozonation, membrane filtration and liquid-liquid extraction, have been widely used for the treatment of dye-bearing wastewater.

Adsorption is a very effective separation technique and is considered to be superior to other techniques for water treatment in terms of initial cost, simplicity of design, ease of operation and resilience to toxic substances.


The banking literature suggests that, after directly accounting for input prices, output quantity, technology-specific factors, and country characteristics, the remaining cost inefficiency is managerial (Fries and Taci, 2005; Bos and Kool, 2006) . In a second step, the (predicted) individual efficiency coefficients from the cost function estimation are modelled as a function of measurable internal and external governance mechanisms. The internal governance factors are those related to the MFI board and include its size, representations by various stakeholders and managerial capture. The external factors account for the weak market-disciplining mechanisms in microfinance, such as a lack of private shareholders, the limited role of competition, and differences in regulation.

The banking literature suggests that, after directly accounting for input prices, output quantity, technology-specific factors, and country characteristics, the remaining cost inefficiency is managerial.


HVO has lower viscosities, lower cloud points and therefore better storage and cold flow properties than FAMEs. Also the relatively high heating value and CN makes HVO a very high-quality fuel for potential utilisation in the transportation sector. Nevertheless, a potential drawback for HVO is that lubricity is poorer and additives have to be used to increase lubrication properties [7] .

Nevertheless, a potential drawback for HVO is that lubricity is poorer and additives have to be used to increase lubrication properties.


To overcome the above problem, the routing protocol broadcast the routing information via the network. That consequently issues a problem known as "broadcast storm". This event occurs when a high number of broadcast activities are performed simultaneously at a certain period of time and triggering torrents of redundant broadcasts requests and replies that will eventually lead the contention based link layer of MANETs to suffer a blackout (Ni et al., 1999) . In networks with varying node densities, such problems is expected to occur more frequently as MANET nodes will be forced to reiterate its broadcasting events whenever there is a broken link or when the destination could not be found over a certain period of time. The performance of the communication in the network will then eventually decline over time.

This event occurs when a high number of broadcast activities are performed simultaneously at a certain period of time and triggering torrents of redundant broadcasts requests and replies that will eventually lead the contention based link layer of MANETs to suffer a blackout.


A classroom is full with students who come to the class bringing their respective learning styles. Generations after generations of learners, the learning styles may undergo changes in accordance with the changes in the society and modern technology. The ways students from the 1950s learned may differ considerably from the ways students in the second millennium learn. Fueled by rapid advances of computer and communication technology, students in this current era come to classes with distinct predisposition and attitude toward learning. For example, while their parents and grandparents were used to learning new knowledge from their teachers and the prescribed textbooks, the current generation have many more other learning resources that they can easily access from their handheld gadgets. Their intense interaction with gadgets and Internet earn the term "Net Generation", "Millennial Generation", or "Generation Y, which refers to cohorts born between 1982 and 2001 (Williams, 2013) .

Their intense interaction with gadgets and Internet earn the term "Net Generation", "Millennial Generation", or "Generation Y, which refers to cohorts born between 1982 and 2001.


A complex model of such a poorly formalized system can be represented as a fuzzy oriented weighted cyclic signed graph with cause-effect relationships, which may be formed by several methods, including the use of fuzzy cognitive maps [1] . This graphical representation of the behavioral model of systems helps to provide a general overview of factors influence on each other. Nevertheless, the system target direction in addition to selection of key elements from the system remains difficult to achieve. This obstacle is observed due to the large dimensionality of graphs and the presence of numerous feedbacks (the complexity of concepts and relations between them). Moreover, dimensions of modern graphs exceed the capacity of human perception, so their standard representation loses its informative value.

A complex model of such a poorly formalized system can be represented as a fuzzy oriented weighted cyclic signed graph with cause-effect relationships, which may be formed by several methods, including the use of fuzzy cognitive maps.


Second, it is crucial to recognize that, at least in our work, limiting factors will not be defined by either a region itself or the farm system type as a whole; rather, there is an interaction of the two. Even in a small country like New Zealand, local differences in climate change are possible and require regional focus and planning (Sturman and Quénol, 2013) . Broad agricultural adaptation strategies for a given farm system or country therefore may be fruitless if they do not consider heterogeneity among farm types within a given region or consider how ecological contexts affect all farm system types more broadly. While climate change mitigation strategies may be aggregated and determined at a larger scale given its global nature, our work suggests that regional and localbased adaptation strategies will likely be the most effective.

Even in a small country like New Zealand, local differences in climate change are possible and require regional focus and planning.


Model performance for PM 2.5 is on average slightly better than PM 10 , both in terms of bias and correlation. PM 2.5 concentration is less affected by natural processes, which are more relevant for coarse PM; therefore, the obtained results suggest that modelling natural processes still present some relevant weaknesses (Bessagnet et al., 2014) . Modelled diurnal cycles show improved performance in terms of bias, but not with respect to the daily evolution. Firstly, this result confirms that there are processes mainly affecting the coarse fraction that are still missing in some state-of-the-art CTMs, highlighted by the different biases between PM 10 and PM 2.5 . Secondly, the differences in the daily pattern, particularly evident in 2006 where photochemistry is at its maximum, confirm that dilution processes during daytime hours are too efficient with respect to chemical processes, thus preventing the increase of modelled concentrations during afternoon hours.

PM 2.5 concentration is less affected by natural processes, which are more relevant for coarse PM; therefore, the obtained results suggest that modelling natural processes still present some relevant weaknesses.


The temperature response was measured by placing the sensor with a diameter of 125 μm and with a length of 43.9 mm, in a tubular oven with a resolution of 1°C. The temperature was increased in steps of 100°C, until 700°C, and maintained for about 20 min at each step to make sure that the temperature in the oven had stabilized. Fig. 8(a) presents the sensor response towards this parameter. It exhibited thermal dependence of 6.8 pm/°C, with a correlation factor of 0.978. The sensitivity towards temperature is essentially due to the silica thermal expansion, being comparable to that of a fiber Bragg grating [27] . The sensor stability was evaluated by placing the sensor in the water solution, at room temperature, for 90 minutes. The spectrum was acquired every 30 seconds. The peak wavelength variations with time, is shown in Fig. 8(b) . The mean value was of 1535.86 nm and the standard deviation was of 0.01 nm. During the experiment, the temperature fluctuations were of 0.2°C. The proposed sensor revealed high stability, the results are reproducible, and the cross-sensitivity was determined to be 7.1 × 10 −5 RIU/ • C.

The sensitivity towards temperature is essentially due to the silica thermal expansion, being comparable to that of a fiber Bragg grating.


A preliminary experiment was performed to determine the etching rate. A sample of CSF was submerged in liquid HF, at room temperature, for a few minutes, after which it was removed from the solution and cleaned thoroughly with ethanol. A microscope picture was taken to estimate the CSF diameter. The sample was once one again placed in the etching solution for a few additional minutes and the process was repeated. An etching rate of 1.63 μm/min was determined. Figure 7 presents the wavelength dependence with the refractive index variations for the sensors with different CSF diameters, which ranged from 125 μm to 24 μm, translating into p values between 1 and 19. As observed for the non-etched sensors, a non-linear response is obtained. However, in this case, the difference between each sensor response is more significant and, as expected, the sensor with a smallest diameter presented the highest sensitivity. Once again, two different ranges can be considered, between 1.316 RIU and 1.353 RIU, and between 1.364 RIU and 1.397 RIU. Table 2 summarizes the sensitivities to refractive index (k n ) obtained for each sensor, in both regions considered. As can be seen from the results, as the diameter of the CSF decreases, the sensitivity increases, in both ranges presented. The thinnest sensor is 8.3× more sensitive than the one with largest diameter, for the higher refractive index range. Considering the sensor with the highest sensitivity and the OSA resolution, a maximum theoretical resolution of 6.8 × 10 −5 RIU is achieved [26] . The results indicate that it is possible to tailor the sensor dimensions according to the desired sensitivity and to the application. Larger sensors, on one hand, do not exhibit high sensitivities, and require higher volume samples. On the other hand, smaller sensors present better responses. However, as the diameter decreases, the fiber becomes more fragile. In such case, and considering a practical application, a suitable package should be developed to ensure robustness of the sensor. Nevertheless, in all cases the sensors presented a fast response and were very stable in the liquid media.

Considering the sensor with the highest sensitivity and the OSA resolution, a maximum theoretical resolution of 6.8 × 10 −5 RIU is achieved.


We follow a two-step approach in this study. In the first step, which is a 'single-phase' approach, we characterize the material in hand (rice husk/ HDPE composite) for creep, and develop creep prediction equations thereof. Here we determine creep constants, i.e., stress-temperature shift factors for the experimental material. Extensively modified Schapery's concept is adhered to, because this concept is a blend of several creep concepts, to develop the equation describing the validation material. The predictive equation in the first step is actually a validation for the theory developed in the second step. In the second step we strive to predict the said constants with those of the constituent materials (wood particle and HDPE) from the literature. The second step is a generic 'two-phase' model, but in this article we only emphasize the first step. However, a discussion about the 'two-phase' model is also included in the text. We must also emphasize that no article exists to date on the 'two-phase' creep approach in composites. For the 'two-phase' model, the HDPE and wood rheological data are obtained from literature [26] [27] [28] [29] . In the literature, HDPE and wood behaviors were studied at different conditions, and shifts were calculated. Wood also creeps in a nonlinear fashion and exhibits temperature shift. There is a conspicuous absence of rice husk creep data. However, since wood particles and rice husk are both lignocellulosic materials with similar adhesion properties against HDPE, we propose to use the shift factor values of wood as a substitute for rice husk.

For the 'two-phase' model, the HDPE and wood rheological data are obtained from literature.


In this study we have analyzed model simulated surface wind stress fields, as well as the wind structure within the atmospheric boundary layer. We find that winds are generally better simulated near the top of the boundary layer, for example, 850 mb, than near the sea surface. Using a simple empirical method, we further demonstrate that the surface wind stress fields reconstructed from the winds at a level near the top of the boundary layer are more consistent with the observed surface wind stress than those produced directly by the AGCM. To quantify this improvement we have forced an ocean general circulation model of the Pacific Basin with the original AGCM surface stress, the reconstructed surface stress, and the observed surface stress. We find significant improvement in the OGCM simulated interannual variability when the reconstructed surface wind stress is used to force the model. These results have been used to construct practical schemes that may be useful for correcting systematic errors in coupled GCM simulations and predictions. Prediction experiments using anomaly coupled ocean and atmospheric GCMs with the reconstructed stress fields show large improvements in predictability (Kirtman et al. 1997) .

Prediction experiments using anomaly coupled ocean and atmospheric GCMs with the reconstructed stress fields show large improvements in predictability.


Although SST has been found to be an effective treatment method for SAD, during the last few decades only few treatment-outcome studies included SST. Meta-analyses on the effects of different treatments for SAD in general showed that SST and CT are equally effective (Rodebaugh et al., 2004) . The present results point into the same direction. However, only comparative treatment outcome trials can determine whether SST is as effective as other effective approaches in SAD patients with fear of showing bodily symptoms, such as task concentration training (Bögels, 2006; Mulkens et al., 2001) .

Meta-analyses on the effects of different treatments for SAD in general showed that SST and CT are equally effective.

However, only comparative treatment outcome trials can determine whether SST is as effective as other effective approaches in SAD patients with fear of showing bodily symptoms, such as task concentration training.


Based on the groups provided by the SOM network, the preferences average values were computed in each group. The aggregation has been linear, as is stated in Karlsson [24] . As shown in Table 1 In hindsight, a Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to the vector whose components are group averages VTV of each concept in each group. The test result confirms the rejection of the null hypothesis (p-value = 0.03). This implies that at least one group has shown a different degree of knowledge about the key concepts of the do-main. Finally, we apply (5) to obtain the priorities of user requirements list ordered values from highest to lowest, as observed in (6).

The aggregation has been linear, as is stated in Karlsson.