To analyze the relationship between the intensity of PTG with the level of SWL and the Big Five personality traits, while controlling for several socio-medical variables among PLWH, a regression analysis was performed. PTG was treated as an explained variable. Other variables were analyzed as correlates. The analysis was performed in a hierarchical model. In the first step, sociodemographic variables (sex, age, stable relationship, higher education and professional activity) were analyzed with the use of a stepwise method. In the second step, the same method was used to analyze medical characteristics (CD4 level, HIV duration, years of treatment, AIDS). In the third step, personality traits were analyzed, and in the fourth step SWL was entered. In the final step, the stepwise method was applied to test interactions between personality traits, socio-medical variables and the level of SWL and PTG intensity in this patient group. The meaning of interactions was determined with simple effects analysis (Darlington and Hayes 2017) . The significance in each test was calculated with the use of bootstrapping, as the distributions of analyzed variables significantly differed from the normal distribution (see Table 2 ).

The meaning of interactions was determined with simple effects analysis.


The members of each friendship dyad participated in a one-hour laboratory session. At the beginning of the session, children were escorted by two female researchers to a room equipped with a table, two chairs, and a video camera. After engaging in some small talk with the researchers and a videotaped ice-breaker discussion with one another, children were escorted to separate classrooms, where they were asked to complete an experimental puzzle task. The procedure was similar to that used in previous research aimed at assessing children's responses to achievement-related failure (Dweck & Gilliard, 1975; Lobel & Bempechat, 1992) . Specifically, children were presented with two sets of four puzzles representing geometric shapes and were allotted a total of four minutes to solve the four puzzles in each set. Children were not aware that some of the puzzles were unsolvable. A randomly selected focal child from each dyad was selected to receive failure feedback. That is, he or she received three unsolvable puzzles and one solvable puzzle in the first set and four unsolvable puzzles in the second set. The performance of the focal child's friend was manipulated. Specifically, the friend was randomly assigned either to the failure condition (i.e., he or she received the same puzzles as the focal child) or to the success condition (i.e., he or she received four solvable puzzles in both sets). This procedure resulted in 58 focal children being assigned to the friend-success condition and 58 focal children being assigned to the friend-failure condition.

The procedure was similar to that used in previous research aimed at assessing children's responses to achievement-related failure.


Research by Rose and her colleagues shows that girls are more likely to coruminate than are boys and that corumination has its trade-offs (Rose, 2002; Rose et al., 2007) . Specifically, Rose finds that corumination may lead girls to feel better about their friendships (because corumination is socially supportive) but also to worry more (because it leads girls to ruminate on their failures). In the case of the present study, the trade-offs may also involve immediate versus long-term outcomes. These types of coruminative interactions may boost girls' immediate confidence insofar as they feel socially supported by a friend. However, these types of interactions may not boost girls' confidence for long as girls come to face the reality that they've performed poorly and may have to face similar challenges alone in the future. In the end, then, good feelings about the friendship may stand the test of time, but negative feelings about the self may remain and may contribute to girls' greater tendency to engage in learned helpless behavior.

Research by Rose and her colleagues shows that girls are more likely to coruminate than are boys and that corumination has its trade-offs.


In recent years, developed countries have attached importance to the collection of used resources and products. Europe is the progenitor in the field of product collection. From the perspective of management, European Commission enacted relative legislation (e.g., Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 12 July 1975 on waste, which is the first directive of Western Europe aiming at addressing waste management) to promote the product collection activities. Germany also enacted ElektroG Act, which came into force in 2005, to address the recycling problem of WEEE (waste electric and electronic equipment) [1] . From the perspective of business, there are many companies that are known for their return policies, such as the 365-day return policy of Zappo.com and the buyer protection program of Hyundai Motor.

Germany also enacted ElektroG Act, which came into force in 2005, to address the recycling problem of WEEE (waste electric and electronic equipment).


In China, a developing country, the problem of product waste is serious. E-product sales in China have increased sharply during the last 10 years, and China is already the second largest generator of e-waste in the world, with 2.3 million tons generated domestically each year [2] . In addition, according to the survey from the China Household Electrical Appliances Association, the annual amount of the e-products that are out of service has exceeded 0.15 billion. More than 80 percent of disposed electrical equipment is transported to Asia from all over the world, and 90 percent of this equipment is received by China, the largest junkyard of the world. Unless effective actions are taken to solve the problem of waste, the large amount of waste in China will cause the serious consequences in terms of the environment and society. However, although there have been some policies and legislations in China in favor of facilitating product 2 Mathematical Problems in Engineering return because of the economic and environmental effects, the problem of recycling used products has not been resolved. Therefore, it is important to address this situation in China.

E-product sales in China have increased sharply during the last 10 years, and China is already the second largest generator of e-waste in the world, with 2.3 million tons generated domestically each year.


Product return has become a significant and imperative process during the manufacturing operation, which benefits both society and the manufacturer. For some particular industrials, for example, batteries, used product collection will help to diminish the pollution, which is the reason why some governments, such as the EU and the USA, issue legislation to require the enterprises to collect used products. The reverse activities in the supply chain provide manufacturers with enormous economic potential [3] . Efficient and tenable remanufacturing processes may lead to lower manufacturing cost.

The reverse activities in the supply chain provide manufacturers with enormous economic potential.


On the other hand, AAs are recognised for their direct effect in reducing testosterone levels. Previous research has reported significant declines in hypersexuality, sexual preoccupation and/or sexual compulsivity in individuals treated with AAs (Bradford & Pawlak, 1993; Thibaut et al., 2010; Winder et al, 2014) . Similarly, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists are used to constantly stimulate the pituitary gland, initially increasing but ultimately decreasing pituitary secretion of luteinising hormone (LH) and thus diminishing testosterone release.

Previous research has reported significant declines in hypersexuality, sexual preoccupation and/or sexual compulsivity in individuals treated with AAs.


Furthermore, studies have shown that the zooplankton community is sensitive to extreme variation in flow; thus species composition is changed and the succession of taxa is redirected after flow recession [20] . This results in different timing for the emergence of rotifers, cladocerans, and copepods from the inundated dry river beds [21] . However, the role of the hydrological disturbances in the spatial dynamics of zooplankton and the habitat variation in intermittent streams has received little attention. Studies indicate that water flow and its effects on habitat structure play a major role in producing and maintaining a mosaic of pools and microhabitats that can be used for colonization and refugia for aquatic organisms [22, 23] . This dynamic makes intermittent streams complex and heterogeneous systems, with organisms distributed in patches determined by environmental conditions affecting the fauna hierarchically [24, 25] .

Furthermore, studies have shown that the zooplankton community is sensitive to extreme variation in flow; thus species composition is changed and the succession of taxa is redirected after flow recession.

This results in different timing for the emergence of rotifers, cladocerans, and copepods from the inundated dry river beds.

Studies indicate that water flow and its effects on habitat structure play a major role in producing and maintaining a mosaic of pools and microhabitats that can be used for colonization and refugia for aquatic organisms.

This dynamic makes intermittent streams complex and heterogeneous systems, with organisms distributed in patches determined by environmental conditions affecting the fauna hierarchically.


In SSA, significant differences in childhood mortalities across several individual, household and community-level factors have been reported [10] [11] [12] [13] . The situation is considerably worse for the under-privileged communities when it comes to health care seeking behavior and the quality of the services they receive. In many resource-constrained settings, interventions have been targeted to address the inequities and inequalities in under-5 mortalities. The focus has majorly been on the associations between individual-level factors and childhood mortality, which has not been investigated rigorously at national level [14] .

In SSA, significant differences in childhood mortalities across several individual, household and community-level factors have been reported.

The focus has majorly been on the associations between individual-level factors and childhood mortality, which has not been investigated rigorously at national level.


Sustainability in the airport field is not unanimously explained by the aviation society. The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) explains airport sustainability as "A deeper terminology that involves a large variety of techniques that can be applied to the organization of airports" [5] . The Sustainable Aviation Guidance Alliance (SAGA) suggests that airport operators should realize the meaning of sustainability in the context of particular organizations or individuals, keeping in view the distinctive nature of the airport and its community. SAGA declared that sustainability includes vital elements under the "Triple Bottom Line"-Economic Growth, Social Responsibility and Environmental Stewardship [6] .

The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) explains airport sustainability as "A deeper terminology that involves a large variety of techniques that can be applied to the organization of airports".

SAGA declared that sustainability includes vital elements under the "Triple Bottom Line"-Economic Growth, Social Responsibility and Environmental Stewardship.


Drinking water treatment and energy consumption are integrally related and need to be addressed together in order to achieve all the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals [1] . A concern with remote drinking water supplies is the presence of naturally-occurring salts and inorganic contaminants (such as arsenic, calcium, chloride, copper, fluoride, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, nitrate, potassium, selenium, sodium, strontium, sulfate, uranium, vanadium, and zinc), which can be undesirable above guideline values for both health and aesthetic reasons [2, 3] . Nanofiltration/reverse osmosis (NF/RO) is capable of retaining many of these salts and inorganic contaminants, and NF/RO coupled with a renewable energy source may help address drinking water treatment in remote areas without electrical grid connections.

Drinking water treatment and energy consumption are integrally related and need to be addressed together in order to achieve all the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals.

A concern with remote drinking water supplies is the presence of naturally-occurring salts and inorganic contaminants (such as arsenic, calcium, chloride, copper, fluoride, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, nitrate, potassium, selenium, sodium, strontium, sulfate, uranium, vanadium, and zinc), which can be undesirable above guideline values for both health and aesthetic reasons.


Accumulation on the membrane surface can result from precipitation due to concentrations at the membrane surface exceeding solubility limits [12] . Deposit formation and the possible consequent variation of membrane characteristics affect apparent retention. The actual concentration at the surface (or boundary layer concentration) depends on membrane characteristics, solution chemistry (e.g. feed concentration and pH), and operating conditions (e.g. pressure, cross flow velocity, hydrodynamics), and cannot be measured. Deposition on the membrane surface can result in membrane scaling, which reduces permeate flux and quality, requires chemical cleaning, and may lead to physical damage of the membranes and hence a reduced lifetime.

Accumulation on the membrane surface can result from precipitation due to concentrations at the membrane surface exceeding solubility limits.


The feed pH (which varies widely in real groundwater) dictates compound protonation and speciation. The speciation of a compound varies due to oxidation-reduction transformations and the number of hydrogen atoms available for bonding. The resulting species affects the retention mechanisms [5, [13] [14] [15] [16] . The dominant retention mechanism further depends on the specific compound characteristics, feed solution chemistry, membrane characteristics (especially charge), and operational parameters (in particular applied pressure) [11, 13, 15, [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] . Theoretical models using the extended Nernst-Plank equation have been used to predict the relative influence 3 of contributing mechanisms, namely convection (pressure gradient), diffusion (concentration gradient) and electromigration (electric potential gradient) [4, [24] [25] [26] [27] .

The resulting species affects the retention mechanisms.

The dominant retention mechanism further depends on the specific compound characteristics, feed solution chemistry, membrane characteristics (especially charge), and operational parameters (in particular applied pressure).

Theoretical models using the extended Nernst-Plank equation have been used to predict the relative influence 3 of contributing mechanisms, namely convection (pressure gradient), diffusion (concentration gradient) and electromigration (electric potential gradient).


Size exclusion is another important mechanism of NF/RO. Ion transport is significantly impacted by hydrated radii and hydration strength because size variations can determine which ions are able to pass through the membrane pores via convection or diffusion [6, 10, 11] . Ions with relatively smaller crystal radii have higher charge, higher hydration numbers, larger hydrated radii, and hold hydration shells more strongly [6] . Conversely, ions with larger crystal radii have weaker hydration shells and smaller hydrated radii, and hence may be able to detach from their hydration layer when passing through the membrane [6] . Hydration strength is impacted by ionic structure and solution composition as well as environmental factors such as pH, ionic strength, and temperature [6] .

Ion transport is significantly impacted by hydrated radii and hydration strength because size variations can determine which ions are able to pass through the membrane pores via convection or diffusion.

Ions with relatively smaller crystal radii have higher charge, higher hydration numbers, larger hydrated radii, and hold hydration shells more strongly.

Conversely, ions with larger crystal radii have weaker hydration shells and smaller hydrated radii, and hence may be able to detach from their hydration layer when passing through the membrane.

Hydration strength is impacted by ionic structure and solution composition as well as environmental factors such as pH, ionic strength, and temperature.


Most of the studies that examined the differences among the phonemes in the effectiveness for identifying the speakers report that the vowels and the voiced sonorants obtained higher scores than the voiceless consonants or the obstruents [35, [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] . Specifically, the identification performance was significantly better when the nasal sounds were presented than when the stimuli contained only oral sounds [37] . The tendency that voiced sonorants are more effective for identifying the speakers is also seen in automatic speaker recognition [18, 42, 43] .

Most of the studies that examined the differences among the phonemes in the effectiveness for identifying the speakers report that the vowels and the voiced sonorants obtained higher scores than the voiceless consonants or the obstruents.

Specifically, the identification performance was significantly better when the nasal sounds were presented than when the stimuli contained only oral sounds.

The tendency that voiced sonorants are more effective for identifying the speakers is also seen in automatic speaker recognition.


Investigation of speaker identification by human perception can contribute not only to clarifying the acoustical properties for speaker identity, but also to understanding the mechanism of human perception and to the forensic sciences [20] [21] [22] . It is important to understand the properties of human perception of speaker identity when we estimate the validity of a testimony given by an ear-witness in the court. Speech can be used as evidence, for instance, in the case of kidnapping, stalking, robbery or any other crimes where speech data are available by telephone recordings or in the anti-holdup cameras [23] [24] [25] .

Investigation of speaker identification by human perception can contribute not only to clarifying the acoustical properties for speaker identity, but also to understanding the mechanism of human perception and to the forensic sciences.

Speech can be used as evidence, for instance, in the case of kidnapping, stalking, robbery or any other crimes where speech data are available by telephone recordings or in the anti-holdup cameras.


Nowadays, investment in the electrical industry is massive, aiming at improving performance of power generation and distribution, increasing electricity production while reducing its cost, and increasing reliability and safety of electric grid systems. In order to achieve these goals, communication between different components within the grid and control centers is required. This is called smart grid [1] . Potential smart grid benefits can be classified into energy efficiency, financial, environmental, power reliability and safety, and cybersecurity. In order to achieve the most out of a smart grid, it is essential to transform its communications infrastructure into real-time distribution and transmission substations. The current Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, located inside the substation, could not evolve to support next-generation intelligence [2] . Thus, the demands for substation automation (SA) are increasing, because substations are considered as critical infrastructure since these are needed for interconnecting many systems as shown in Figure 1 .

This is called smart grid.

The current Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, located inside the substation, could not evolve to support next-generation intelligence.


We pose two additional questions. First, do creditors have even less strict debt contracts for family firms with higher asset tangibility? Less transparent family firms may be difficult to monitor, and asset tangibility helps to reduce information asymmetry and improve monitoring (Almeida & Campello, 2007; Céspedes, González, & Molina, 2010) . Second, do creditors allow loss-averse family firms to make risky R&D investments by not increasing debt contract strictness? If the lower shareholder-creditor agency costs expected in family firms are confirmed, both creditors and family firms could forbear to lower contracting frictions. Forbearance on the creditor's side can be assessed by a non-significant (significant) increase in debt contract strictness despite increases in R&D in family (non-family) firms.

We pose two additional questions.

Less transparent family firms may be difficult to monitor, and asset tangibility helps to reduce information asymmetry and improve monitoring.


Meat provides a rich source of animal protein and is an important staple food that is highly demanded in many parts of the world. Consumption of meat in South Africa is said to be 41 kg per capita per year and is second only to Ghana in Africa [2] . Meat plays a crucial role in human nutrition in South Africa. Many studies have alluded to the decline in food production even as population increases [3] [4] [5] . Alongside the decline in agricultural output is the issue of food wastages at abattoirs. The liver is basically condemned due to preventable lesions/diseases detected during routine post-mortem meat inspection. Other reasons for condemnation may be for the aesthetics value of the liver and faulty slaughter techniques [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] . For livestock productivity to be doubled and to help mitigate food insecurity, the reduction in food wastage, especially along the production line, is crucial.

Consumption of meat in South Africa is said to be 41 kg per capita per year and is second only to Ghana in Africa.

Many studies have alluded to the decline in food production even as population increases.

Other reasons for condemnation may be for the aesthetics value of the liver and faulty slaughter techniques.


Abattoir meat inspection and slaughter records contribute to disease surveillance and control [44] . Meat inspection assists in monitoring diseases in the national herd and flock by providing database information to the veterinary department to control or eradicate diseases, produce wholesome products, and protect the public from zoonotic hazards [13, 25, 45] . Information obtained from such inspection can reveal causes of meat condemnation even in apparently healthy animals, and as such can be communicated back to the farmer to improve farm management and husbandry.

Abattoir meat inspection and slaughter records contribute to disease surveillance and control.

Meat inspection assists in monitoring diseases in the national herd and flock by providing database information to the veterinary department to control or eradicate diseases, produce wholesome products, and protect the public from zoonotic hazards.


The monitoring and surveillance of emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases in food animals should be an integral component of every food safety system. Although PMMI has been criticized for its limitations, there is evidence that substantiates the sensitivity of meat inspection for identifying specific diseases of humans and animal importance [5, 26, 27] . Meat inspection is a veritable tool in data gathering on notifiable diseases, zoonoses, and endemic production diseases. Furthermore, it can be used to monitor disease that may lead to monetary losses associated with meat condemnation and syndromic surveillance system for improved detection of disease outbreaks [5, [28] [29] [30] [31] . Identifying and quantifying the causes of liver condemnation is the first step in diseases surveillance aimed at preventing further liver losses at the abattoir. Condemnation of the liver represents a reduction in available food resources. Research and discussion on food security and safety are very timely. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate causes of liver condemnation and the financial loss of condemnation.

Although PMMI has been criticized for its limitations, there is evidence that substantiates the sensitivity of meat inspection for identifying specific diseases of humans and animal importance.

Furthermore, it can be used to monitor disease that may lead to monetary losses associated with meat condemnation and syndromic surveillance system for improved detection of disease outbreaks.


Animal products, and meat in particular, can be a source of infection or food poisoning. Two main factors responsible for food poisoning by meat are (i) the presence of animal diseases transmissible to humans by meat consumption and (ii) the contamination of the carcass or meat with external agents such as physical, chemical, or biological agents [16, [19] [20] [21] [22] . Public health concerns regarding the safety of meat necessitate both antemortem (AMMI) and post-mortem meat inspection (PMMI) at abattoirs using the guidelines by the South Africa Meat Safety Act of 2000 [23, 24] . The PMMI of the slaughtered carcass is designed to identify and take away from the food chain all carcasses/offal that present grossly identifiable abnormalities that might affect safety or wholesomeness of the meat product [5, 25] .

Two main factors responsible for food poisoning by meat are (i) the presence of animal diseases transmissible to humans by meat consumption and (ii) the contamination of the carcass or meat with external agents such as physical, chemical, or biological agents.

Public health concerns regarding the safety of meat necessitate both antemortem (AMMI) and post-mortem meat inspection (PMMI) at abattoirs using the guidelines by the South Africa Meat Safety Act of 2000.

The PMMI of the slaughtered carcass is designed to identify and take away from the food chain all carcasses/offal that present grossly identifiable abnormalities that might affect safety or wholesomeness of the meat product.


The world population is currently estimated to be seven billion but is expected to rise to eight billion by 2030 and over nine billion by 2050 [1] . Africa's population is also estimated to double from one billion to two billion people by 2050. The production of sufficient amounts of high quality, affordable, and safe food requires the sustainable use of scarce agricultural resources with less waste. Notably, several biological and non-biological factors affect livestock production negatively, leading to post-slaughter losses. The impact of biological factors such as animal diseases far outweighs other factors because it increases livestock mortality as well as reducing the safety and quality of food supplies.

The world population is currently estimated to be seven billion but is expected to rise to eight billion by 2030 and over nine billion by 2050.


Over the past two decades, the dairy industry globally has moved from being based solely on commodity food production to earning a significant income from specialty proteins. The introduction of large scale membrane processing in the early 1970's made it possible not only to reduce waste but to produce new products such as lactose and whey protein concentrate. A logical extension of the latter product is whey protein isolate (WPI), produced by single-stage batch capture of proteins on anion exchange resins. WPI is a crude mixture of acidic whey proteins, containing mainly α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, bovine serum albumin and immunoglobulins. Typical concentrations, molecular weights and isoelectric points of whey proteins are given in Table 1 [1] .

Typical concentrations, molecular weights and isoelectric points of whey proteins are given in Table 1.


There is, therefore, a contradiction between the normal practices of dairy production processes and the usual requirements of protein purification processes. The resulting loss in yield can be significant. For example, Nuyens and Vav Veen reported that acid precipitation of casein resulted in 4 -8 times more LF entrapped in the casein pellet than in the whey fraction [29] . Table 2 shows the effects of various process operations on protein activity [30] .

For example, Nuyens and Vav Veen reported that acid precipitation of casein resulted in 4 -8 times more LF entrapped in the casein pellet than in the whey fraction.

Table 2 shows the effects of various process operations on protein activity.


The inability to pass raw or whole milk through a chromatography column is likely caused by low processing temperatures. Milk is processed nominally at 4 °C because of the need to minimise bacterial growth. At these temperatures, milk fat hardens or solidifies, causing column blockage. Table 3 gives the melting points and approximate compositions of the fatty acids making up the milk fat triglycerides [4] . Immediately after milking, fresh raw milk has a temperature of about 35 to 37 °C. Although this temperature is below the melting points of several fatty acids, notably myristic and palmitic acids, it is above the melting point of oleic acid, which is the most abundant fatty acid. The hardness of the fat globules will be affected by the relative fatty acid compositions of the milk fat tri-glycerides. At 35 to 37 °C the milk fat globules may be soft enough to easily deform and pass through a packed bed of chromatography resin of sufficient resin diameter. In this case, chromatographic processing should be possible. Also, the viscosity of whole milk decreases with increasing temperature, so back pressure through the column will be lower for warm milk than for cooled milk. Lower viscosity, combined with higher protein diffusivities, should also enhance the performance of chromatographic processes because of improved protein mobility compared with that at lower temperatures. If the milk can be processed quickly enough on the farm, microbial growth may not be a factor.

Table 3 gives the melting points and approximate compositions of the fatty acids making up the milk fat triglycerides.


During service encounter and product experience, customer delight is positively linearly correlated with the performance of products and services. In some cases, however, this relationship is no longer applied (Kano et al., 1984; Chen and Chuang, 2008) . Surprisingly, only a little performance and innovation might lead to significant effect on customer delight. In other words, a little provision of unexpected needs might produce significant satisfaction. The Kano model has the potential to fill out unspoken and latent needs (known as attractive quality), the satisfaction of which might lead to customer delight (Hartono and Tan, 2011b) .

In some cases, however, this relationship is no longer applied.

The Kano model has the potential to fill out unspoken and latent needs (known as attractive quality), the satisfaction of which might lead to customer delight.


Although intrinsic and extrinsic motivation directly influenced class satisfaction, these variables did not do so for academic achievement. With regard to class satisfaction and academic achievement, academic self-efficacy was found to be significant while computer self-efficacy was not.. Academic achievement was influenced by class satisfaction, which is consistent with general beliefs wherein significant correlations were found between satisfaction and academic achievement (Kang & Park, 2010) . As for indirect effects, learner-learner interaction, content quality, and system quality exhibited a significant indirect effect on class satisfaction; learner-learner interaction, content quality, system quality, internal motivation, and external motivation exhibited an indirect effect on academic achievement.

Academic achievement was influenced by class satisfaction, which is consistent with general beliefs wherein significant correlations were found between satisfaction and academic achievement.


This study's primary objective is to identify determinants of student learning outcomes and satisfaction in online e-learning systems. To address this issue, we began by establishing a research model based upon earlier studies in order to highlight variables that affect e-learning outcomes and user satisfaction. Furthermore, it is important for readers to understand the context of the study's research environment. Korea possesses an advanced background in information technology (IT), and a strong Internet infrastructure. Accordingly, e-learning has relatively a long history in the country, and learners at all grade levels are to some extent familiar with online education. However, learning in Korea is also heavily influenced by its Asian educational heritage, wherein the intellectual authority of an instructor is highly respected. Teachers are expected to deliver learning content in a unidirectional manner wherein communication or interaction with students is limited (Lee, 2010; Park, 2006) .

Teachers are expected to deliver learning content in a unidirectional manner wherein communication or interaction with students is limited.


Hepatic portal vein blood flow increased postprandially in both trials within the present study, with flow still above fasting values at 6 h after meal ingestion. This effect was unsurprising, having been reported previously on more than one occasion [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] . Although meal intake has been shown to elevate portal blood flow on several occasions, we believe the significantly greater total flow response following exercise in our study is a new finding. It is not clear exactly how a bout of prior exercise would bring about this change in portal haemodynamics; future studies could address this issue by including measurement of flow within the superior mesenteric artery and in vessels which drain directly into the hepatic portal vein.

This effect was unsurprising, having been reported previously on more than one occasion.


The main objective of a race simulation is to prepare an athlete for the specific structure of competition, providing an experience that is close to actual competition and familiarising the athlete with the performance and tactical conditions of competition (Martin, Carl & Lehnertz, 2008) . Accordingly, simulated competitions assist in diagnostic procedures of performance and provide information which can be used to analyse an athlete's progress during the training period. For this, there is a need to ascertain if the race simulations reflect actual competition characteristics and if the race simulations are reproducible.

The main objective of a race simulation is to prepare an athlete for the specific structure of competition, providing an experience that is close to actual competition and familiarising the athlete with the performance and tactical conditions of competition.


In this sense, accurate and fast completion of the course depends on a series of technical movements executed at a high speed with changes in direction. These movements are necessarily linked to the successful development of basic physical capacities skills, such as aerobic and anaerobic resistance, strength, coordination, and speed, all of which are required during competition (Zamparo et al., 2006) . Notwithstanding, understanding about the particularities of a sport depends on characterisation of the competitive moments. In this manner, quantitative and qualitative analysis of the physical, technical, tactical and physiological aspects allows for more specific interventions during the training process (Matveev, 1997) .

These movements are necessarily linked to the successful development of basic physical capacities skills, such as aerobic and anaerobic resistance, strength, coordination, and speed, all of which are required during competition.

In this manner, quantitative and qualitative analysis of the physical, technical, tactical and physiological aspects allows for more specific interventions during the training process.


The necessary time to complete the course is used as the definitive criterion of performance in canoe slalom (Michael, Rooney & Smith, 2008) . As runtime is such a crucial variable, it was determined using a stopwatch (Casio, HS-30W-N1V) and a digital camera (JVC) positioned on the side of the river, approximately in the middle of the path, which allowed for a full view of the course. The timing equipment was triggered by athletes moving toward the course and finished after passage through the final gate. A global positioning system (GPS-G3 model, Polar) was used to quantify the distance travelled by each athlete as well as the trajectory during the race simulations. Mean velocity (km/h -1 ) for each simulation was calculated using the measurements of distance travelled (m) and runtime (s) obtained by the GPS.

The necessary time to complete the course is used as the definitive criterion of performance in canoe slalom.


There are many stages of policy making: from identifying, quantifying and promoting recognition of health issues to seek or to justify policy intervention; through strategy development, including economic analysis, impact assessment, selection of targets; to target monitoring and policy evaluation. This paper reviews use of HSE examination data collected at the nurse visit, at each policy stage. Specific examples are presented. There is no previously published analysis of the use of health examination data for policy making and monitoring, however this work complements our examination of the use of measured heights and weights in obesity policy, presented elsewhere [10] .

Specific examples are presented.

There is no previously published analysis of the use of health examination data for policy making and monitoring, however this work complements our examination of the use of measured heights and weights in obesity policy, presented elsewhere.


Initially, during the first year after planting, geotextile tape resulted in larger plants than drip in four out of six cultivars, including Earliblue, Draper, Bluecrop, and Elliott, while microsprinklers produced the smallest plants in each cultivar. More growth with geotextile tape could have been a result of the even distribution of water and fertilizer along the row but was more likely because of the position of the irrigation lines. Since NH 4 -N is relatively immobile in soil, application of N by drip may have positioned the fertilizer too far from the roots of the young plants (Haynes, 1990) . However, increasing the N rate with drip from 100 to 200 kg · ha -1 N improved leaf N and plant growth considerably the first year. Fertigation with microsprinklers, on the other hand, appeared to be less N efficient than drip. By the second year, plant size was similar between drip at the higher N rate and geotextile tape in each cultivar, as well as between the drip treatments fertigated with low and high N rates in all but 'Aurora'. Yield was also similar among these treatments the following year. While it was not measured in the study, the root systems of the plants were likely much larger by the beginning of the second season than in the previous year, and roots were probably concentrated near the drip emitters (Bryla, 2011b) . If so, more of the N applied through the drip system would have been available for root uptake and, therefore, would explain why less N (i.e., 100 kg · ha -1 ) was needed in plants fertigated by drip during the latter 2 years of the study. Only 67-93 kg · ha -1 N was required for fertigation by drip to maximize yield in a mature field of 'Bluecrop' blueberry (Vargas and Bryla, 2015) .

Since NH 4 -N is relatively immobile in soil, application of N by drip may have positioned the fertilizer too far from the roots of the young plants.

While it was not measured in the study, the root systems of the plants were likely much larger by the beginning of the second season than in the previous year, and roots were probably concentrated near the drip emitters.

Only 67-93 kg · ha -1 N was required for fertigation by drip to maximize yield in a mature field of 'Bluecrop' blueberry.


In terms of yield, the most efficient system used in the study was drip at the lower N rate (100 kg · ha -1 N). The total amount of N required to produce 1 kg of fruit in the treatment was roughly half as much as geotextile tape or drip at the higher N rate. However, leaf N was below normal each year at the lower N rate, especially in the higher yielding cultivars, 'Elliott' and 'Aurora'. This suggests that N standards could be lower with fertigation than with granular fertilizer (Hart et al., 2006) . Yield ranged from an average of 3.1 t · ha -1 in the early-season cultivar, 'Earliblue', to 9.1 t · ha -1 in the lateseason cultivar, Elliott, which is comparable to commercial fields of this age (B.C. Strik, personal communication) .

This suggests that N standards could be lower with fertigation than with granular fertilizer.


When pretreatment temperature was increased, a higher concentration of glucose was obtained. The major effect found by autohydrolysis on lignocellulosic material was removing the hemicellulose and thus reducing its hindrance, and improving the access of enzymes to the cellulose [20, 21] . This effect can be clearly observed in Figure 1 , where increased pretreatment temperature during autohydrolysis enhanced glucose release during enzymatic hydrolysis but xylose concentration was reduced because some amount of xylan had already been removed during autohydrolysis [19] . Reduction in xylose concentration at 205 °C can be attributed to the removal of some hemicellulose content during high temperature autohydrolysis, while low xylose concentration at 110 °C might be due to more lignin hindrance [19, 22] . Many studies have confirmed the same effect of hightemperature autohydrolysis on the reduction of hemicellulose content [21, 23] . It was mentioned in our previous study that C4mimOAc also had a significant effect on hemicellulose; however, compositional analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) data of pretreated bagasse revealed that the effect of ionic liquid on hemicellulose was still milder as compared to autohydrolysis [19] .

The major effect found by autohydrolysis on lignocellulosic material was removing the hemicellulose and thus reducing its hindrance, and improving the access of enzymes to the cellulose.

This effect can be clearly observed in Figure 1 , where increased pretreatment temperature during autohydrolysis enhanced glucose release during enzymatic hydrolysis but xylose concentration was reduced because some amount of xylan had already been removed during autohydrolysis.

Reduction in xylose concentration at 205 °C can be attributed to the removal of some hemicellulose content during high temperature autohydrolysis, while low xylose concentration at 110 °C might be due to more lignin hindrance.

Many studies have confirmed the same effect of hightemperature autohydrolysis on the reduction of hemicellulose content.

It was mentioned in our previous study that C4mimOAc also had a significant effect on hemicellulose; however, compositional analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) data of pretreated bagasse revealed that the effect of ionic liquid on hemicellulose was still milder as compared to autohydrolysis.


This study is the continuation of our previous study that investigated the effects of 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (C 4 mimOAc) pretreatment versus autohydrolysis on sugarcane bagasse [19] . The aim was to study differently pretreated and enzymatically hydrolyzed bagasse to determine the effects of C 4 mimOAc pretreatment on sugar release [19] . To clarify this further, different yeast strains were compared to find out which of the strains was working efficiently with a newly-designed C 4 mimOAc pretreatment strategy. Thus, this study deals with the use of four different types of yeast on the enhanced production of bioethanol from hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse.

This study is the continuation of our previous study that investigated the effects of 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (C 4 mimOAc) pretreatment versus autohydrolysis on sugarcane bagasse.

The aim was to study differently pretreated and enzymatically hydrolyzed bagasse to determine the effects of C 4 mimOAc pretreatment on sugar release.


When pretreatment temperature was increased, a higher concentration of glucose was obtained. The major effect found by autohydrolysis on lignocellulosic material was removing the hemicellulose and thus reducing its hindrance, and improving the access of enzymes to the cellulose [20, 21] . This effect can be clearly observed in Figure 1 , where increased pretreatment temperature during autohydrolysis enhanced glucose release during enzymatic hydrolysis but xylose concentration was reduced because some amount of xylan had already been removed during autohydrolysis [19] . Reduction in xylose concentration at 205 • C can be attributed to the removal of some hemicellulose content during high temperature autohydrolysis, while low xylose concentration at 110 • C might be due to more lignin hindrance [19, 22] . Many studies have confirmed the same effect of high-temperature autohydrolysis on the reduction of hemicellulose content [21, 23] . It was mentioned in our previous study that C 4 mimOAc also had a significant effect on hemicellulose; however, compositional analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) data of pretreated bagasse revealed that the effect of ionic liquid on hemicellulose was still milder as compared to autohydrolysis [19] .

Reduction in xylose concentration at 205 • C can be attributed to the removal of some hemicellulose content during high temperature autohydrolysis, while low xylose concentration at 110 • C might be due to more lignin hindrance.

Many studies have confirmed the same effect of high-temperature autohydrolysis on the reduction of hemicellulose content.

It was mentioned in our previous study that C 4 mimOAc also had a significant effect on hemicellulose; however, compositional analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) data of pretreated bagasse revealed that the effect of ionic liquid on hemicellulose was still milder as compared to autohydrolysis.


As proved by the production of the maximum ethanol titer, S. cerevisiae MZ-4 strain can be considered a more tolerant yeast regarding ionic liquid pretreatment conditions as compared to other yeast strains used in this study. ATCC strain S. stipitis is considered as comparatively more efficient in fermenting xylose to ethanol, but its lower production with all pretreated samples can be attributed to its less efficient glucose utilization as compared to S. cerevisiae [24] . Moreover, it was also suggested in previous studies that all symporters (i.e., the proteins that assist in passage of molecules through the plasma membrane) in S. stipitis are competitively inhibited by glucose molecules, which makes it difficult to utilize both sugars simultaneously, hindering the production of ethanol from xylose [25] . The difference in amount of ethanol produced by these strains can be partially attributed to their difference in tolerance against side-products released during different pretreatment conditions and enzymatic hydrolysis. However, it is very important to optimize both ionic liquid pretreatment and fermentation conditions for this ethanol-producing MZ-4 strain in order to further enhance yields and make the process less expensive. Moreover, previous studies have reported that the formation of inhibitors is limited in ionic liquid (IL) pretreatments, but the remnants of ILs in pretreated materials can adversely affect the enzymes and microorganisms [22, 26] . Therefore, further studies are required to examine the impact of C 4 mimOAc remaining on fermentation, especially under low-process water consumption. Although S. cerevisiae strains were found to be comparatively better for the production of bioethanol from C 4 mimOAc-pretreated bagasse, they usually do not have the ability to ferment xylose. Therefore, a large amount of xylose must remain in the fermentation broth. Further research is required to overcome this unutilized xylose. Different molecular strategies such as protoplast fusion or genetic recombination can be tried in the future to induce xylose utilizing abilities in strain MZ-4.

ATCC strain S. stipitis is considered as comparatively more efficient in fermenting xylose to ethanol, but its lower production with all pretreated samples can be attributed to its less efficient glucose utilization as compared to S. cerevisiae.

Moreover, it was also suggested in previous studies that all symporters (i.e., the proteins that assist in passage of molecules through the plasma membrane) in S. stipitis are competitively inhibited by glucose molecules, which makes it difficult to utilize both sugars simultaneously, hindering the production of ethanol from xylose.

Moreover, previous studies have reported that the formation of inhibitors is limited in ionic liquid (IL) pretreatments, but the remnants of ILs in pretreated materials can adversely affect the enzymes and microorganisms.


We first show that for a finitely generated module over a commutative noetherian ring of finite Krull dimension, its cosupport is the intersection of its support and the cosupport of the ring, which places emphasis on computing the cosupport of the ring itself. With this in mind, we prove that countable commutative noetherian rings have full cosupport, and hence cosupport and support coincide for finitely generated modules over such rings having finite Krull dimension. We also give new examples of uncountable rings that have full cosupport. Finally, we present an example of a ring whose cosupport is not closed, unlike support, yielding a negative answer to a question posed by Sather-Wagstaff and Wicklein [29] .

Finally, we present an example of a ring whose cosupport is not closed, unlike support, yielding a negative answer to a question posed by Sather-Wagstaff and Wicklein.


This is the first study to explore CDC staff 's views and understanding of climate change and the transmission of malaria in China. Results showed most participants in our survey were either concerned (50.5%) or very concerned (29.3%) about climate change, and about 19% of participants were slightly concerned. The majority (79.7%) of participants indicated they thought the weather was becoming warmer. However, perceived knowledge of climate change was limited. Less than onethird of participants (31.1%) reported they had a good understanding of climate change and nearly 90%, especially females and new staff, indicated they need more information about climate change impacts. Further inhouse training activities could be promoted to improve staff 's knowledge and understanding of climate change. This is consistent with other studies highlighting the need for training and education among CDC staff [29] [30] [31] .

This is consistent with other studies highlighting the need for training and education among CDC staff.


In the coming era the renewable energy has become the significant alternative for conventional power sources (Fossil Fuel) . The Major concerning aspect regarding power generation systems is presence of various sources and its utilization. The conventional sources are on the way of depletion because of their over exploitation. The rapid research is on extracting energy from renewable sources such as wind, tidal, solar etc. Photovoltaic systems are more reliable and provide a viable solution to overcome the drawbacks of non-renewable sources based on fossil fuels [1] - [2] . The energy exploited from photovoltaic panels is DC in nature but in applications such as industrial adjustable speed drives, static reactive power compensators an AC supply is essential aspect [1] - [10] . Conventional or two level inverters need carrier signals with high frequency in order to obtain better output performance [1] - [20] . High Electromagnetic Interferences (EMI), iv) Bulky filters, v) Faster heating of switches, and vi) Not suitable for high voltage applications.

Photovoltaic systems are more reliable and provide a viable solution to overcome the drawbacks of non-renewable sources based on fossil fuels.

The energy exploited from photovoltaic panels is DC in nature but in applications such as industrial adjustable speed drives, static reactive power compensators an AC supply is essential aspect.

Conventional or two level inverters need carrier signals with high frequency in order to obtain better output performance.


Patients with disseminated disease, especially the CNS, should be treated with a combined therapy including TMP-SMX and a bactericidal agent or a combination of imipenem and amikacin. Involvement of CNS might be treated with third generation cephalosporins [22] . Further medical treatment would be based on susceptibility results. Therapy must start intravenously and can later be replaced by oral therapy depending on clinical and radiological responses. An alternative antibiotic drug for resistant bacteria is linezolid [3] .

Involvement of CNS might be treated with third generation cephalosporins.

An alternative antibiotic drug for resistant bacteria is linezolid.


In this paper, we define a handoff to be a change in a device's serving cell, as this change physically alters a device's network path and, thus, can impact performance. It also involves signalling overhead. Note that a handoff is distinct from the process of soft handover, which may add or remove cells from a device's active set without actually changing the serving cell. However, handoff includes all inter-frequency handover events. Finally, note that there can be no handoffs when a device is idle, as it does not have any serving cell. Handoff decisions are based on a deterministic function of recent SNR measurements reported by the device and the load on each cell [13] . While the network can determine whether a handoff will occur at the current time instant, future handoffs are affected by less predictable factors such as user mobility and environmental changes, which affect channel quality.

It also involves signalling overhead.

Handoff decisions are based on a deterministic function of recent SNR measurements reported by the device and the load on each cell.


In order to study the similarities and differences in the SDS for AT between two European welfare models, Sweden and Latvia were chosen. These countries represented one Western and one Eastern EU member state and thus constitute an opportunity to examine the SDS for AT in two contrasting contexts (Bryman 2012) . Extending our aim beyond what is usually done to describe the study context, to produce a knowledge platform serving to contextualize the interview data, information on legislation and other regulations was gathered.

These countries represented one Western and one Eastern EU member state and thus constitute an opportunity to examine the SDS for AT in two contrasting contexts.


The oil industry is the main economic activity in East Patagonia (Argentina). Following extraction, transportation and storage of crude oil, some places in this region are frequently contaminated with hydrocarbons (Peressutti et al. 2003) . Aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the major components of crude oil (Commendatore et al. 2012) . PAH have environmental significance due to their potential toxicity to organisms.

Following extraction, transportation and storage of crude oil, some places in this region are frequently contaminated with hydrocarbons.

Aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the major components of crude oil.


The Patagonian region is characterized by semiarid climate and fluctuating environmental conditions: low precipitations concentrated in winter, strong water deficits in spring and summer, and persistent and intense westerly winds (Paruelo et al. 1998) . In arid and semiarid regions, water controls biotic processes (Prieto et al. 2011) . Total soil water potential is the sum of matric, osmotic and gravitational potential. The gravitational potential is constant, whereas matric and osmotic potentials can change substantially. In non-saline soils, matric potential is the dominant component (Chowdhury et al. 2011) . As the matric potential declines, physiological stress associated with cell dehydration becomes the main factor limiting microbial activity. However, osmotic potential is a function of matric potential, because osmotic potential decreases with decreasing matric potential due to the increasing salt concentration; hence, microorganisms will also experience decreases in osmotic potential as the soil dries (Chowdhury et al. 2011) . On the other hand, as dryer conditions are imposed, a lack of aqueous connectivity between soil particles can reduce the diffusion of substrates, but also restrict the mobility of microbial populations (Treves et al. 2003) .

The Patagonian region is characterized by semiarid climate and fluctuating environmental conditions: low precipitations concentrated in winter, strong water deficits in spring and summer, and persistent and intense westerly winds.

In arid and semiarid regions, water controls biotic processes.

In non-saline soils, matric potential is the dominant component.

However, osmotic potential is a function of matric potential, because osmotic potential decreases with decreasing matric potential due to the increasing salt concentration; hence, microorganisms will also experience decreases in osmotic potential as the soil dries.

On the other hand, as dryer conditions are imposed, a lack of aqueous connectivity between soil particles can reduce the diffusion of substrates, but also restrict the mobility of microbial populations.


In a previous work, we have isolated a PAH-degrading strain, named 22B, from a PAH-contaminated soil sample collected in Pico Truncado, Patagonia, Argentina, in October 2007. The strain, which showed a phylogenetic relationship with the Sphingomonadaceae family, was physiologically characterized and selected by its resistance to drying conditions (Madueño et al. 2011) . Also, the performance of Patagonian strain 22B and an allochthonous phenanthrene-degrading Sphingomonas strain, on phenanthrene-induced mineralization of contaminated Patagonian soil under arid conditions, was previously compared in a short-term study. Those results showed that only the autochthonous strain produced a significant increase in phenanthrene-induced mineralization (Madueño et al. 2011) .

The strain, which showed a phylogenetic relationship with the Sphingomonadaceae family, was physiologically characterized and selected by its resistance to drying conditions.

Those results showed that only the autochthonous strain produced a significant increase in phenanthrene-induced mineralization.


Shale gas is an important source of clean energy and has already attracted much attention. The permeability, deformation, and strength are of great importance in the development and utilization of shale gas. Shale is a typical anisotropic rock which contains structural discontinuities such as natural fractures and bedding planes [1] . Shale gas production often encounters drilling problems, such as hole collapses, stuck pipes and fracturing [2] . During the drilling process, stresses are redistributed at and near the bore-hole walls, the initiation and propagation of fractures occurs and this further affects the strength and permeability evolution [3] .

Shale is a typical anisotropic rock which contains structural discontinuities such as natural fractures and bedding planes.

Shale gas production often encounters drilling problems, such as hole collapses, stuck pipes and fracturing.

During the drilling process, stresses are redistributed at and near the bore-hole walls, the initiation and propagation of fractures occurs and this further affects the strength and permeability evolution.


The shale strength is influenced by many factors, such as the physical properties (e.g., compaction, porosity, density, permeability, mineralogy, water content) and the stress environment (e.g., drilling-induced stress paths, drilling fluid, pore pressure) [2] . The compaction history plays an important role in the shale strength. During the compaction process, grain clays are compacted and this results in excessive pore pressures, pore water is expelled and pore connectivity through pore throats decreases, strength increases and also the porosity and permeability decrease [2] . The shale strength is positively correlated with density. Permeability has a certain influence on reservoir rock strength. With increasing osmotic pressure, the effective confining pressure on the shale framework decreases and as well as the shale strength [4] . Mineral composition is of great importance in the shale reservoir properties. The shale reservoir is mainly composed of quartz and clay minerals, and the shale strength is positively associated with quartz content, and it is negatively associated with clay mineral content [5] . Water content has a significant effect on the shale strength. The water along with the cracks infiltrates the shale grain and weakens the link between the grains so that it reduces the shale strength [6] . During the drilling process, stresses are redistributed, as the stress increases in the vertical direction and decreases in the horizontal direction, the effective confining pressure decreases and this causes the shale strength to decrease [2] . In addition, due to the low permeability of the shale-gas reservoirs, hydraulic fracturing is widely applied in the development of shale gas. In the fracture stimulation processes, the new fractures caused by hydraulic fracturing develop and evolve, combine with the original fractures, and a fracture network is formed. The fractures widen the flow throat and increase the permeability; the fractures weaken the link of the solid framework and decrease the shale strength [3, 7] .

The shale strength is influenced by many factors, such as the physical properties (e.g., compaction, porosity, density, permeability, mineralogy, water content) and the stress environment (e.g., drilling-induced stress paths, drilling fluid, pore pressure).

During the compaction process, grain clays are compacted and this results in excessive pore pressures, pore water is expelled and pore connectivity through pore throats decreases, strength increases and also the porosity and permeability decrease.

With increasing osmotic pressure, the effective confining pressure on the shale framework decreases and as well as the shale strength.

The shale reservoir is mainly composed of quartz and clay minerals, and the shale strength is positively associated with quartz content, and it is negatively associated with clay mineral content.

The water along with the cracks infiltrates the shale grain and weakens the link between the grains so that it reduces the shale strength.

During the drilling process, stresses are redistributed, as the stress increases in the vertical direction and decreases in the horizontal direction, the effective confining pressure decreases and this causes the shale strength to decrease.

The fractures widen the flow throat and increase the permeability; the fractures weaken the link of the solid framework and decrease the shale strength.


Nanoindentation tester is designed to provide low loads with depth measurements in the nanometer scale for the measurement of hardness, elastic modulus, and creep. The system can be used to characterize organic, inorganic, hard, and soft materials. With the unique top surface referencing technique, an indentation measurement can be made in less than 3 minutes without waiting for thermal stabilization. Hence, the positioning process has to be with high accuracy. Materials can be tested, including hard and soft types from tissue, biological cell, nanomaterial, optics, material science, semiconductor, biomechanics, microelectromechanical systems, and electronics [1] [2] [3] . During the indentation process, the multiple microscopes are used to record the image of sample before and after indenting test to characterize the curve of displacement versus load while a material sample is brought in front of microscope. In order to achieve a good image quality, a precise positioning stage is essential. It means that a positioning stage is an important mechanism for the nanoindentation tester. In commercialization, the current positioning stage is difficult to allow a high position precision because of the unfavorable influences of backlash, friction, and wear existing in rigid kinematic joints.

Materials can be tested, including hard and soft types from tissue, biological cell, nanomaterial, optics, material science, semiconductor, biomechanics, microelectromechanical systems, and electronics.


The expected service generated, taking into account the information available on the Internet, is conditioned by the evaluations of competitors and the quality standards desired by customers, depending on the price and category of the product, service, brand, or company. Therefore, it is a much more complex process due to the amount of information and the communication channels that are available on the web [4] . This also means that the internal communication process has to be opened up, so that the service expected from a given good or service coincides with the needs of customers and competitors.

Therefore, it is a much more complex process due to the amount of information and the communication channels that are available on the web.


The online reputation of a company is an open process where customers share their evaluations and opinions about firms through social media, which is available on the Internet [24, 26] . These opinions form an image of a certain company, product, or service, and they have the ability to develop an emotional state that influences customers' purchasing behavior [25] . The evaluations can be transmitted through quantitative measures or qualitative comments where the customers write their experiences, circumstances, and explanations about the product or service acquired [40] .

The online reputation of a company is an open process where customers share their evaluations and opinions about firms through social media, which is available on the Internet.

These opinions form an image of a certain company, product, or service, and they have the ability to develop an emotional state that influences customers' purchasing behavior.

The evaluations can be transmitted through quantitative measures or qualitative comments where the customers write their experiences, circumstances, and explanations about the product or service acquired.


The information transmitted on the Internet determines the expected service and companies' results [30] . Currently, companies' (internal) communication has to act on the online reputation, which is constantly being created and modified. In this situation, a new figure appears: the community manager, who is in charge of managing all of the information and contents that appear in the network through different channels, such as tourism websites (e.g., TripAdvisor, Booking.com, HolidayCheck, Expedia, Trivago, Hotels.com), social media (e.g., Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter), blogs written by people who have a great impact on their followers, and the company's own website [4] .

The information transmitted on the Internet determines the expected service and companies' results.

In this situation, a new figure appears: the community manager, who is in charge of managing all of the information and contents that appear in the network through different channels, such as tourism websites (e.g., TripAdvisor, Booking.com, HolidayCheck, Expedia, Trivago, Hotels.com), social media (e.g., Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter), blogs written by people who have a great impact on their followers, and the company's own website.


Therefore, the reduction in the scale dimensions requires all of the variables to be closely linked to the main attributes of the assessed service, rather than to the theoretical dimensions established in the academic literature. Furthermore, the managers of companies in certain sectors (e.g., tourism, e-commerce) formulate their communication strategies, image, sales, and quality control based on the reduced scales available on the websites [31, 47] . This implies a redefinition of the procedures that ought to be followed internally in companies in order to achieve the objectives of quality service and customer satisfaction.

Furthermore, the managers of companies in certain sectors (e.g., tourism, e-commerce) formulate their communication strategies, image, sales, and quality control based on the reduced scales available on the websites.


The online reputation of lodgings measured by websites through quantitative variables evaluates two constructs: perceived service quality and perceived value [1, 2] . Scales used by online portals have few variables, because it is very difficult to obtain information from customers through long questionnaires [29] . Thus, one of the main differences between the classic methods for measuring service quality and the current scales for determining the online reputation of firms or brands is the number of variables that are evaluated.

The online reputation of lodgings measured by websites through quantitative variables evaluates two constructs: perceived service quality and perceived value.

Scales used by online portals have few variables, because it is very difficult to obtain information from customers through long questionnaires.


At this point, questions arise. Does the information available on the Internet give an image and assessment based on what a company really offers? Does the competitors' information match what they are offering, or is it biased? Is the service expectation generally reasonable, taking into account the price and category of the products and services offered? These questions lead to the need for companies to have trustworthy and credible information on the Internet [28, 61] .

At this point, questions arise.

These questions lead to the need for companies to have trustworthy and credible information on the Internet.


Shear walls with finish materials including gypsum were investigated in an effort to characterize their damage patterns [8] . Tested shear walls contained window and or door openings. At 0.2% drift, the gypsum wallboard sustained damage confined to small hairline cracks near the wall openings. Cracks were typically less than 0.002" wide. A small number of sheathing connections exhibited a bulging effect in the sheathing material near the edges of the panels. At 0.4% drift, the gypsum wallboard panels began to deteriorate and crack at the corners of the openings. Cracks ranged from 0.005" to 0.025" wide. Tearing along the taped joints also became evident. At 0.7% drift, the cracks ranged from less than 0.002" to 0.05" wide. Tearing along the taped joints and bulging near the sheathing connections were more pronounced.

Shear walls with finish materials including gypsum were investigated in an effort to characterize their damage patterns.


The two story building structure was tested on two tri-axial shake tables operating simultaneously. The scope of this portion of project was to determine the dynamic characteristics and the seismic response of the structure under various base input intensities that were representative of ordinary and near-field ground motions typical in California. The structure was tested with and without gypsum wallboard finished on the interior and stucco finishes on the exterior. The experimental results clearly showed that the addition of gypsum wall board to the interior structural wood sheathed walls substantially improved the seismic response of the test structure. Additionally, the addition of stucco to the exterior added to the improved seismic response. The improvement was most noticeable in the longitudinal direction, where the shear response of low aspect ratio wall piers dominated the response. This work was a major step forward in noting the significance of gypsum and stucco in improving the seismic performance of the lateral-load resisting systems in light-frame wood construction [9] .

This work was a major step forward in noting the significance of gypsum and stucco in improving the seismic performance of the lateral-load resisting systems in light-frame wood construction.


The goals of the experimental testing program of the six story apartment building were to demonstrate that the performance-based design procedure developed as part of NEESWood worked on a full-scale building and to gain a better understanding of how mid-rise light-frame wood buildings respond to a major earthquake (2500 year event for Los Angeles, California). Additionally, the testing was intended to provide a baseline data set to the earthquake engineering community. An enormous amount of data was collected from numerous tests, including base shears, wall drifts, inter-story drifts, accelerations, hold-down forces and roof drifts that highlighted many significant findings; however, the information most relevant to the research reported herein focuses on the damage assessment of the test structure [10] .

An enormous amount of data was collected from numerous tests, including base shears, wall drifts, inter-story drifts, accelerations, hold-down forces and roof drifts that highlighted many significant findings; however, the information most relevant to the research reported herein focuses on the damage assessment of the test structure.


Another goal of the six-story shake table testing in the NEESWood project was focused on how the various construction elements influenced the seismic behavior of woodframed structures so that they could be better considered in the PBSD philosophy. To examine this issue several 50 year seismic tests were conducted at various stages of construction. The drywall panels were "normal" strength Japanese drywall panels. The panels were installed with tape and putty on all joints except the wall-to-ceiling joints and corners. The gypsum wall board was repaired between tests; however, the sill plates were not. Visual damage inspections were conducted after all tests. No edge tearout of the gypsum was evidenced due to the fact that large edge distances had been prescribed in this engineered building. Overall damage was characterized as non-structural damage. Most cracking was located at door and window openings and propagated diagonally outward, similar to damage that is typical for a moderate earthquake. Overall, the building performed very well during all earthquakes reviewed. There was no damage to any wood components in the building. The only damage found was attributed to the gypsum wallboard and noted to be non-structural [11] .

The only damage found was attributed to the gypsum wallboard and noted to be non-structural.


It is thus necessary to reduce system cost and improve supply chain effi to improve the economic feasibility and competitiveness of the advanced biofuel production pathways. To reduce feedstock transportation cost, it has been suggested that biomass can be converted to bio-oil via fast pyrolysis near the harvest sites, then the bio-oil can be transported to the upgrading plant for transportation fuels production [9] . In this paper, the proposed hybrid production pathway is to combine the two prominent thermochemical production pathways. Biomass fast pyrolysis produces bio-oil in relatively small processing plants at distributed locations so that the transportation of bulky biomass over a long distance can be avoided. After mild hydrotreating, the bio-oil is then transported to a centralized gasification facility to produce transportation fuels. It should be recognized that centralized plant has advantages such as economies of scale, the inventory buff storage reduction, and administration overhead cost savings [10] .

To reduce feedstock transportation cost, it has been suggested that biomass can be converted to bio-oil via fast pyrolysis near the harvest sites, then the bio-oil can be transported to the upgrading plant for transportation fuels production.

It should be recognized that centralized plant has advantages such as economies of scale, the inventory buff storage reduction, and administration overhead cost savings.


The calculus of variations and the fractional calculus are connected since the XIX century. Indeed, in 1823 Niels Henrik Abel applied the fractional calculus in the solution of an integral equation that arises in the formulation of the tautochrone problem. This problem, sometimes also called the isochrone problem, is that of finding the shape of a frictionless wire lying in a vertical plane such that the time of a bead placed on the wire slides to the lowest point of the wire in the same time regardless of where the bead is placed. It turns out that the cycloid is the isochrone as well as the brachistochrone curve, solving simultaneously the brachistochrone problem of the calculus of variations and Abel's fractional problem [1] . It is however in the XX century that both areas are joined in a unique research field: the fractional calculus of variations.

It turns out that the cycloid is the isochrone as well as the brachistochrone curve, solving simultaneously the brachistochrone problem of the calculus of variations and Abel's fractional problem.


Fractional calculus, i.e., the calculus of non-integer order derivatives, has its origin also in the 1600s. During three centuries the theory of fractional derivatives of real or complex order developed as a pure theoretical field of mathematics, useful only for mathematicians. In the last few decades, however, fractional differentiation proved very useful in various fields of applied sciences and engineering: physics (classic and quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, etc.), chemistry, biology, economics, engineering, signal and image processing, and control theory [8, 14, 18, 25, 26, 28] .

In the last few decades, however, fractional differentiation proved very useful in various fields of applied sciences and engineering: physics (classic and quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, etc.), chemistry, biology, economics, engineering, signal and image processing, and control theory.


In the next section we consider the Lagrange equations of motion for an autonomous mechanical system with both holonomic and non-holonomic constraints. This problem was considered in some detail by Flannery [1] . For the sake of completeness we consider the equations obtained from the generalized form of d'Alembert's principle and the equations which follow from a variational procedure with constraints implemented by the multiplication rule. In the non-holonomic case these equations are not identical.

This problem was considered in some detail by Flannery.


Transcultural studies help to understand how the different constructs appear in subjects of different nationalities. Through them, we can conclude on the generality of a phenomenon, such as the association between two or more variables, or on its particularity, as with hope and negative affect on Americans. The results help to ponder on the effectiveness or not of importing interventions from other countries. When using an intervention that was developed in a country where the phenomenon occurs in a different manner to that in which it will be applied, one can criticize their applicability (Allik, Massoudi, Realo, & Rossier, 2012) . To understand these differences it is necessary to perform transcultural studies.

When using an intervention that was developed in a country where the phenomenon occurs in a different manner to that in which it will be applied, one can criticize their applicability.


Soil moisture characteristics associated with the experimental basins were related to the position of the water table at each site, and therefore the bias associated with position of the experimental sites along the local gradient cannot be ignored. The soil moisture frequency distributions of the experimental basins are flatter than those of locations outside experimental basins and, in the case of the 20-m site, dominated by sample locations that were flooded. The flatter distributions are related to the proximity of the water table, because soil moisture varies more consistently with water table fluctuations when the water table is high (Price 1997) . The higher moisture within the basins was the obvious consequence of retaining the spring moisture surplus. The lateral leakage of the water retained by basins evidently raised the soil moisture adjacent to the basin (i.e., compared with the control peat field) to a level similar to that at the mulch-protected site.

The flatter distributions are related to the proximity of the water table, because soil moisture varies more consistently with water table fluctuations when the water table is high.


The importance of service user involvement in mental health research is also well established, including, for example, acknowledging possible difference of perspective between service users and mental health professionals about their own illness and need for care, new ways of thinking about the nature of evidence itself, the promotion of social inclusion, and the possibility that service user involvement can of itself be therapeutic (Tait & Lester, 2005) . As a result, applications for research funding in the UK are now routinely required to demonstrate how service users have been, and will be, involved in all stages of the research process. Active service user involvement may take the form of consultation, collaboration, or control of a project in roles that include helping to formulate grant applications, prioritizing research topics, attending steering groups, selecting participants, and disseminating findings (Hanley et al., 2004; Sainsbury Centre, 2008) . Service users may also become active researchers and contribute to decisions on research design and implementation.

The importance of service user involvement in mental health research is also well established, including, for example, acknowledging possible difference of perspective between service users and mental health professionals about their own illness and need for care, new ways of thinking about the nature of evidence itself, the promotion of social inclusion, and the possibility that service user involvement can of itself be therapeutic.

Active service user involvement may take the form of consultation, collaboration, or control of a project in roles that include helping to formulate grant applications, prioritizing research topics, attending steering groups, selecting participants, and disseminating findings.


Speaking is a cognitive activity so it is not surprising that a simultaneous task affects the voice. Misclassification rate of over 30% is high however, given that each test utterance is over 20 s in duration and the number of classes is only three. There are two possible reasons behind this discrepancy. The first is related to precisely that of speaker identification but individuals react differently to cognitive workload [2] . This study has tried to overcome this by training individual classifiers for each participant and other studies do similar things, for example using speaker adaptation [22] . Better methods for addressing individual differences for cognitive workload are therefore called for. The second reason that explains the classification performance has to do with the dynamic nature of the body's response to cognitive workload [30] . Evidence from studies using cardiovascular reactivity shows that the body's response to cognitive stimulus is strong during the first few seconds of the task but fades as the participant gets used to the task. This dynamic behavior is not captured in the current experimental framework used for speech classification but there is a strong reason to suggest that a time-varying analysis would improve classification.

The first is related to precisely that of speaker identification but individuals react differently to cognitive workload.

This study has tried to overcome this by training individual classifiers for each participant and other studies do similar things, for example using speaker adaptation.

The second reason that explains the classification performance has to do with the dynamic nature of the body's response to cognitive workload.


The reason for progression in the quality of argument might also be ascribed to practice. This was suggested in other research studies as well concluding that argumentation is a skill which can be taught and improved with practice (Erduran et al., 2004; Sampson & Walker, 2012) . In order to find the effectiveness of ILAF, the scores obtained by students in the experimental group was compared with students in the control group in the semester exam and were analyzed using 't' test on SPSS PASW 18 (reg.). The semester examination paper was alike for both the groups. The course instructor marked the papers with a predefined marking key, to avoid any bias. The results of 't' test indicated a significant difference between the performance of students in the experimental and control group, t (78) = 4.18, p < 0.001.

This was suggested in other research studies as well concluding that argumentation is a skill which can be taught and improved with practice.


Hormonal (endocrine) therapy is an important component of hormone-receptor positive breast cancer treatment. Adherence to hormonal therapy recommendations is shown to prevent breast cancer recurrence and improve survival [1] [2] [3] [4] . These medications can result in a 50 % reduction in breast cancer recurrence in women at high risk for recurrence [5] . However, in spite of its demonstrated benefits, many women do not initiate hormonal therapy, and among those who do, many discontinue it before the full 5-10 years recommended following surgery for breast cancer [6] [7] [8] [9] .

Adherence to hormonal therapy recommendations is shown to prevent breast cancer recurrence and improve survival.

These medications can result in a 50 % reduction in breast cancer recurrence in women at high risk for recurrence.

However, in spite of its demonstrated benefits, many women do not initiate hormonal therapy, and among those who do, many discontinue it before the full 5-10 years recommended following surgery for breast cancer.


A typical OTS project consists of a model, the graphics, and the simulation user interface. The model is based on reliable physical phenomena, kinetics, mass, heat and momentum transfer, and thermodynamics, allowing precise reproduction of plant behavior during all operating situations; transient and steady state [2] . The simulation environment is composed of basic unit operations such as pumps, valves, and vessels, combined with a user specified fluid package, which will determine the equations of state for the calculation of thermodynamic and physical properties such as enthalpy, density, and compositions [3] . For the projects which will be discussed, the plant controls, logic, and emergency shutdown system are all simulated within the model and mimic the functionality of the actual DCS. The DCS graphics are replicated and communicate with the model through the simulation user interface. Training scenarios and exercises, which are accessible through the simulation user interface, are configured to represent process upsets, plant start-ups and shutdowns, and equipment and transmitter malfunctions. Manual operations such as manipulation of field valves or sampling and lab analysis are included in the model and are accessed from the simulation user interface through a set of graphics specially conceived for such purpose. Changing ambient temperatures or raw material composition can also be simulated and set by the instructor.

The model is based on reliable physical phenomena, kinetics, mass, heat and momentum transfer, and thermodynamics, allowing precise reproduction of plant behavior during all operating situations; transient and steady state.

The simulation environment is composed of basic unit operations such as pumps, valves, and vessels, combined with a user specified fluid package, which will determine the equations of state for the calculation of thermodynamic and physical properties such as enthalpy, density, and compositions.


It has been proven that OTS is an effective tool for cutting losses as well as incidents related to human error [1] . Operators are trained using a hands-on approach, leading to better and quicker operator response during abnormal situations. The growing phosphate fertilizer industry lacked OTS models because of the challenges encountered in phosphate related processes, including complex thermodynamics, composition of phosphate rock and levels of impurities, stochastic nature of granulator, etc.

It has been proven that OTS is an effective tool for cutting losses as well as incidents related to human error.


Patients 65 years of age and older comprise an everincreasing proportion of the surgical population [7] . On its own, advanced age is an important predictor of adverse post-operative outcomes [8] [9] [10] . However, marked variations in outcomes exist between surgical patients of the same age [11] . Given the significant physiological stress induced by surgery, it is not surprising that frailty is a key factor explaining this variation. Frailty independently predicts mortality, morbidity, extended length of stay, and institutional discharge after surgery [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] .

Patients 65 years of age and older comprise an everincreasing proportion of the surgical population.

On its own, advanced age is an important predictor of adverse post-operative outcomes.

However, marked variations in outcomes exist between surgical patients of the same age.

Frailty independently predicts mortality, morbidity, extended length of stay, and institutional discharge after surgery.


For this reason, traditional technologies of wood processing have a low productivity, produce only limited range of products and negatively influence the environment. In particular, conventional technologies of cellulose production use ecologically dangerous sulfur and chlorine-containing delignification agents (Sixta 2006) . In addition, they do not allow to simultaneously produce the commodity products from such wood components as lignin, hemicelluloses and extractive substances.

In particular, conventional technologies of cellulose production use ecologically dangerous sulfur and chlorine-containing delignification agents.


The studies, directed toward integrated catalytic processing of biomass into biofuels and chemicals, have intensified in the last decade (Cherubini et al. 2009; de Long et al. 2013) . The most promising integrated processes include, as a key stage, biomass fractionation on polysaccharides and lignin. Their further conversion allows for producing various chemicals and liquid biofuels.

The studies, directed toward integrated catalytic processing of biomass into biofuels and chemicals, have intensified in the last decade.


The above-mentioned constraints make it worthwhile to search for an alternative approach for determining TPHs -at least in soil, i.e., a method that is a solvent-free, rapid, and low-cost. Application of near-infrared refl ectance spectroscopy (NIRS) in combination with principal component analysis (PCA) has shown that NIRS is a useful tool for analyzing soil properties [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] . Therefore, a study was undertaken to test the potential of NIRS for direct detection and quantifi cation of TPHs in oil-contaminated soil. If reliable results were obtained, NIRS could be a valuable tool for identifying TPH-polluted land. Our investigations focused on soil contaminated with weathered crude oil (WCO) obtained from different locations in Kuwait's oil fi elds. Cleaned-up soil and the same soil spiked with TPHs ranging from gasoline to WCO served as reference samples. A chemometric method using OPUS-QUANT TM software from Bruker was applied to a set of no. 43 reference samples to develop a model for predicting the TPH content between 0.1 and 5wt% in 26 fi eld samples.

Application of near-infrared refl ectance spectroscopy (NIRS) in combination with principal component analysis (PCA) has shown that NIRS is a useful tool for analyzing soil properties.


The corpus callosum (CC) is the largest commissural white matter tract in placental mammalian brains, connecting both homotopic and heterotopic regions of the cerebral cortex [1] . More than 200 million fibers connect the two cerebral hemispheres. Analysis of human post-mortem brain tissue reveals small diameter (,2 mm), lightly myelinated fibers are found mainly in the foremost anterior and posterior regions connecting higher-association areas, whereas large diameter fibers (.2 mm) are predominant in the middle regions connecting primarily motor and somatosensory areas [2, 3] . Furthermore, increased density of axons is found toward the posterior middle and posterior portion of the CC [4] .

The corpus callosum (CC) is the largest commissural white matter tract in placental mammalian brains, connecting both homotopic and heterotopic regions of the cerebral cortex.

Analysis of human post-mortem brain tissue reveals small diameter (,2 mm), lightly myelinated fibers are found mainly in the foremost anterior and posterior regions connecting higher-association areas, whereas large diameter fibers (.2 mm) are predominant in the middle regions connecting primarily motor and somatosensory areas.

Furthermore, increased density of axons is found toward the posterior middle and posterior portion of the CC.


The proposed system uses the ZigBee-based wireless communication interface, and we expect that the system will be extended to sensor networks for ubiquitous health monitoring. To accomplish this, our ring sensor needs to be more complete and reliable in real dynamic environments. Therefore, we will attempt to improve our system with regard to extracting more reliable heart rates and breath rates [13] [14] [15] .

Therefore, we will attempt to improve our system with regard to extracting more reliable heart rates and breath rates.


In the past decade, a considerable amount of research has been dedicated to ubiquitous computing in health care. Exhibition projects such as "u-chronic care" have become highly complex. The u-chronic care provides chronic sufferers of disease, particularly the elderly, with telemedicine services, including blood sugar and heart monitoring, through a university hospital data collection center. The demand for this type of service is expected to increase in the future. For the success of a u-health care service, two conditions are essential. First, signals must be clearly measured without the awareness of the carrier, and second, the acquired data must be transferred wirelessly. Currently, u-chronic care is available for the collection of biomedical signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate (HR), blood pressure, and blood sugar rate. Among these, heart rate signal data, which possesses essential health information that pertains to life-threatening problems, can be acquired most easily. Previous commercial ambulatory heart rate monitoring devices were incorporated into watches and used by athletes for weight management and general fitness. However, it is uncomfortable to wear such devices for long durations because the transmitter and strap must be worn around the chest. For example, Yang proposed a ring-type heart rate sensor and developed some prototypes [4, 5] . The prototypes were elementary in form, and to our knowledge they have not been commercially produced. In contrast, we designed and developed a commercially-viable ring-type sensor that can be used for 24-hour ambulatory heart rate monitoring. Practical application of efficient, low-cost wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, and RFID can be extended to the design and use of medical monitoring equipment. Consequently, these technologies have become the most pursued applications in the field of sensor networks, particularly in relation to the development of medical services to cope with emergent health crises in seniors who live independently. In our project, we have also constructed a sensor network system for remotely monitoring individuals and assisting them in seeking help from other people in emergency situations.

For example, Yang proposed a ring-type heart rate sensor and developed some prototypes.


A major issue of an aging society with fewer children is the need of the elderly and the handicapped for better living conditions. To address this issue, many social welfare services, and supporting machines or systems for them, have been developed [1] [2] [3] . In particular, the responsibility of providing healthcare for the elderly and handicapped is now being shared by the families and various organizations. The elderly often find it difficult to cope with medical emergencies. The best solution to this problem may be to provide ubiquitous health care which allows out-of-hospital monitoring.

To address this issue, many social welfare services, and supporting machines or systems for them, have been developed.


The haemal arch of the parhypural lacks hypurapophyses, a feature in which the Clariidae differ from the closely related Heteropneustidae (Lundberg & Baskin, 1969) (Fig. 5) . Secondary hypurapophyses are absent as well. An elongated, bony epural, articulating with the bases of one or two procurrent caudal lepidotrichia is present (Lundberg & Baskin, 1969; Arratia, 1983) .

The haemal arch of the parhypural lacks hypurapophyses, a feature in which the Clariidae differ from the closely related Heteropneustidae(Fig. 5).

An elongated, bony epural, articulating with the bases of one or two procurrent caudal lepidotrichia is present.


Different fusion patterns of hypurals can be observed. Within the Siluriformes, as in other teleosts, a trend towards loss and fusion of hypurals has been noted (Arratia, 2002; Lundberg & Baskin, 1969; Poll, 1977; Teugels & Adriaens, 2002) . Thus, the observed variation in C. apus may be an evolutionary transition towards fused hypurals.

Within the Siluriformes, as in other teleosts, a trend towards loss and fusion of hypurals has been noted.