In general, support systems for older drivers should increase their comfort and decrease their stress levels. Systems that compensate for physical and psychological reductions of capacity are available on the market and may already be used by older drivers. Participants in the present study spoke highly of electric rear mirrors that facilitate parking and of cars with automatic transmission. Cars with automatic transmission have been shown to decrease the number of required tasks while driving [27] . Furthermore, there are systems available that have not been advertised or marketed at older drivers, e.g., navigation systems. Navigation systems may be useful in managing the stress associated with high-speed roads and becoming lost, as well as the increased need to plan car journeys. In 2007, Monash University proposed developing a "safer mode" in the navigation system. This system could be used to take drivers on a route that avoided black spots e.g., difficult intersections. The system could be further developed to include information on how to avoid high speed roads, road works, roads with a high traffic flow, as well as information on available parking spots close to the final destination. Such technology is already available and needs to be adapted to fit older drivers' needs. Further research and development is needed to investigate the more specific needs of older drivers in road situations. Challenges for the future are to develop new support systems to tackle older drivers' specific difficulties at intersections.

Cars with automatic transmission have been shown to decrease the number of required tasks while driving.


Another type of support system to assist older drivers is the co-pilot aid [28] . In the future, the co-piloting function could be replaced by a technical system that supports good decisions from the planning through to the driving stage. The design should take into account both relevant safety aspects and also those aspects related to comfort and decreasing stress. This is a challenge that the automotive industry will have to face in the near future.

Another type of support system to assist older drivers is the co-pilot aid.


Neutrophils kill bacteria by releasing proteolytic enzymes and generating reactive oxygen species. To prevent unwanted tissue damage, peripheral blood neutrophils normally respond poorly to pro-inflammatory stimuli. To effectively kill bacteria, these relatively benign cells convert to a primed state, wherein they are capable of responding to stimuli, and then to an activated state in which they release proteolytic enzymes and reactive oxygen species. Priming of neutrophils by inflammatory mediators involves exocytosis of intracellular granules, leading to a progressive change in the complement of proteins expressed in the plasma membrane. This process depends on activation of p38 MAPK [11] . The present study shows for the first time that the reactive carbonyl compound, methylglyoxal, can induce exocytosis and enhance respiratory burst activity in human neutrophils, and that these actions depend on activation of p38 MAPK. The time courses of p38 MAPK activation and neutrophil functional response observed for methylglyoxal are similar to those observed with other priming agents, such as LPS and TNFa; that is, initial activation of p38 MAPK followed after a time lag by exocytosis and enhancement of respiratory burst activity [10, 11] .

This process depends on activation of p38 MAPK.

The time courses of p38 MAPK activation and neutrophil functional response observed for methylglyoxal are similar to those observed with other priming agents, such as LPS and TNFa; that is, initial activation of p38 MAPK followed after a time lag by exocytosis and enhancement of respiratory burst activity.


Hepatic cysts are rarely symptomatic. Symptoms can arise due to growth of the cysts and are usually due to abdominal mass; examples include abdominal pain, early satiety, dyspnea, nausea, and vomiting and are mostly seen in females [50 years of age. Rarely, complications such as portal hypertension, cyst infection, and cyst rupture occur [10] .

Hepatic cysts are rarely symptomatic.

Rarely, complications such as portal hypertension, cyst infection, and cyst rupture occur.


Near Field Communication (NFC) is a wireless communication technology to exchange data up to a distance of 10 cm. NFC uses inductive coupled devices operating at the frequency of 13.56 MHz. NFC, standardized in ISO 18092, ECMA 340 and ETSI TS 102 190, is compatible to the standard of contactless smartcards (ISO 14443 ). An NFC device can operate either in active mode (generating a field and initiating the communication) or in passive mode (unpowered, waiting for a request) [1] . An NFC device is typically made up of two parts: the NFC part responsible for peer-to-peer communication, and a secure element storing sensitive data. Traditionally they are treated as separate devices, represented by different UIDs. But this approach poses several problems.

An NFC device can operate either in active mode (generating a field and initiating the communication) or in passive mode (unpowered, waiting for a request).


This paper has presented data from a longitudinal study of a group of HE in FE lecturers who embarked on a series of professional development activities to support their emerging research practices. The need to prepare all members of the academic community to undertake their roles in the increasingly diverse environment of HE has become the focus of academic developers and policymakers alike (Boud, 1999; Brew, 2010) . Preparation requires more than providing academics with support to develop teaching. The role of an academic is broader than this. It includes expertise in research, writing, teaching, service and administration (Boud, 1999; McAlpine et al., 2010) . Studies of the traditional recipients of academic development support in universities (e.g. research students, post-doctoral researchers and those taking up their first academic position), have shown that issues of confidence, recognition, productivity and sophistication of practice are integral to individuals' perceptions of themselves as legitimate practitioners in their chosen discipline (Henkel, 2000) . Therefore there is a clear need to consider these issues for those entering HE teaching from the more traditional research route. Indeed these are all issues touched upon by each of the HE in FE lecturers who participated in the writing group.

The need to prepare all members of the academic community to undertake their roles in the increasingly diverse environment of HE has become the focus of academic developers and policymakers alike.

It includes expertise in research, writing, teaching, service and administration.

Studies of the traditional recipients of academic development support in universities (e.g. research students, post-doctoral researchers and those taking up their first academic position), have shown that issues of confidence, recognition, productivity and sophistication of practice are integral to individuals' perceptions of themselves as legitimate practitioners in their chosen discipline.


It is now realized that higher-order theory and calculations for evaporation and combustion are needed for analytical/numerical investigations of droplet ignition and extinction phenomena in the presence of convective flow (Jog 1993) . To appreciate this need, we first recall that the onset of droplet ignition is governed by two characteristic time scales: the 'diffusion time' and the 'chemical reaction time'. The ratio of these time scales is the Damkohler number 9. When $2 + 0, the reaction time is very long compared to the diffusion time, and the effects due to reaction may be neglected. This is the frozen limit. When 9 -+ 00, the reaction time is so short that the reaction may be assumed to take place instantaneously. This is the fast chemistry limit.

It is now realized that higher-order theory and calculations for evaporation and combustion are needed for analytical/numerical investigations of droplet ignition and extinction phenomena in the presence of convective flow.

This is the frozen limit.

This is the fast chemistry limit.


Pattern of alcohol use among our study sample was very different to that of Western military personnel. Unlike in the UK armed Forces, alcohol misuse was not a significant problem in the SLN [12] . Hazardous alcohol use (AUDIT ≥8) was much less prevalent among SLN personnel (16.69 %) compared to US National Guard recently returned from duty in Afghanistan and Iraq (36 %) and UK armed services personnel in service in Iraq (67 %) [12, 24] . Prevalence of binge drinking too was lower in our sample (26.1 %) compared to active duty US military personnel (43.2 %) and US Navy personnel (40.1 %) [22] . The frequency of binge drinking too was lower. Weekly binge drinking was reported among 46 % of UK armed forces personnel compared to 2.38 % in the SLN [12] .

Unlike in the UK armed Forces, alcohol misuse was not a significant problem in the SLN.

Hazardous alcohol use (AUDIT ≥8) was much less prevalent among SLN personnel (16.69 %) compared to US National Guard recently returned from duty in Afghanistan and Iraq (36 %) and UK armed services personnel in service in Iraq (67 %).

Prevalence of binge drinking too was lower in our sample (26.1 %) compared to active duty US military personnel (43.2 %) and US Navy personnel (40.1 %).

Weekly binge drinking was reported among 46 % of UK armed forces personnel compared to 2.38 % in the SLN.


As shown in Table 1 , an array of organic and inorganic constituents has been discovered to be secreted by these glands [1, [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . However, the exact chemical composition of fingermark deposits is still widely unknown as research studies in the past have focused on bulk production of sweat, not necessarily the unique mixture that is present in fingermark deposits [1, 8, 9] . It has been noted that the quality of fingermarks treated with reagents such as 1,2-indanedione are not consistent within a donor population, with age, gender, prior activity and diet thought to be possible causes [3, [10] [11] [12] [13] . Furthermore, the density of sweat pores, the pores' size and shape, as well as the physical contact that occurs when placing fingermarks (such as pressure and contact time) [14, 15] . While there are a growing number of recent studies that investigate fingermark secretions, these mostly focus on chromatographic and mass spectral techniques [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] . In addition, the age of a deposit can have a significant effect on the ability to detect it, with some reagents reacting better with fresh fingermarks, while other develop increasingly well with an ageing print [4] . However, the effect of ageing on fingermarks has not been extensively researched [3, 4, 12, 13, [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] . As the chemical reaction that occurs between a reagent and the fingermark deposit is directly dependent on its chemical nature, a deeper understanding of its chemistry and ageing process are vital for the progression of development techniques.

As shown in Table 1 , an array of organic and inorganic constituents has been discovered to be secreted by these glands.

However, the exact chemical composition of fingermark deposits is still widely unknown as research studies in the past have focused on bulk production of sweat, not necessarily the unique mixture that is present in fingermark deposits.

It has been noted that the quality of fingermarks treated with reagents such as 1,2-indanedione are not consistent within a donor population, with age, gender, prior activity and diet thought to be possible causes.

Furthermore, the density of sweat pores, the pores' size and shape, as well as the physical contact that occurs when placing fingermarks (such as pressure and contact time).

While there are a growing number of recent studies that investigate fingermark secretions, these mostly focus on chromatographic and mass spectral techniques.

In addition, the age of a deposit can have a significant effect on the ability to detect it, with some reagents reacting better with fresh fingermarks, while other develop increasingly well with an ageing print.

However, the effect of ageing on fingermarks has not been extensively researched.


The world's energy needs are presently covered mainly by fossil fuels. The numerous problems related to their exploitation (air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and related climate change) and their depleting supply, make the finding of alternatives to their use a very pressing issue. Bioenergy derived from biomass could offer a costeffective alternative to the use of fossil fuels and might lead to reduced net CO 2 emissions (Hall et al. 1991) . However, the use of bioenergy requires large areas of land to intercept incoming solar radiation, and the total amount of energy that can be obtained from these sources is limited. The use of biomass for biofuels production has recently been the subject of much debate especially in relation to fuel-food competition and the associated increases in food prices.

Bioenergy derived from biomass could offer a costeffective alternative to the use of fossil fuels and might lead to reduced net CO 2 emissions.


The study demonstrated that there is an increase in suicide attempts in the absence of suicide ideation, and that a high rate of learners felt hopeless. The result from our study suggests that evidence-and theory-based suicide prevention programs should be developed to reduce the high suicide rate of (mainly black) school learners in South Africa. The school curriculum content should include information on mental health and suicide. The prevalence of depression and thus suicide ideation in young people should be reduced by early identification of at risk students, for example, those experiencing forced sexual encounters, poor social support, and previous suicide attempts [44] . The Government and non-governmental organizations should work collaboratively in providing in-service education to health promoters and school teachers to address risk behaviours in an integrated and comprehensive manner, for example within the WHO concept of health promoting schools [53] . The department of Health and the department of Education should work together in reviewing the content included in the Life Orientation (LO) subject. This will ensure that service providers and schools do not feel overwhelmed and overburdened by multiple single behaviour interventions but approach suicidal behaviour and related risk behaviours in a comprehensive manner, guided by systematic explorative and confirmative research to develop evidence-and theory-based suicide prevention and behaviour change programmes using intervention development frameworks such as Intervention Mapping [54] .

The prevalence of depression and thus suicide ideation in young people should be reduced by early identification of at risk students, for example, those experiencing forced sexual encounters, poor social support, and previous suicide attempts.

The Government and non-governmental organizations should work collaboratively in providing in-service education to health promoters and school teachers to address risk behaviours in an integrated and comprehensive manner, for example within the WHO concept of health promoting schools.

This will ensure that service providers and schools do not feel overwhelmed and overburdened by multiple single behaviour interventions but approach suicidal behaviour and related risk behaviours in a comprehensive manner, guided by systematic explorative and confirmative research to develop evidence-and theory-based suicide prevention and behaviour change programmes using intervention development frameworks such as Intervention Mapping.


Few studies have investigated the relationship between EPCs and aortic aneurysms. Moreover, these studies aimed to show the presence or the localization of CD34+ or CD34+CD133+ cells in abdominal aortic aneurysm [10, 11] . To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to show a relationship between circulating EPCs and the severity of the iATAA, which is reflected by the aneurysm's diameter. The exact mechanism involved in iATAA occurrence is not clear. However, it is commonly admitted that atherosclerosis, the main mechanism of abdominal aortic aneurysm, is not involved in the genesis of iATAA. The risk of acute evolution due to rupture or acute dissection does constitute a serious concern with respect to iATAA. Our study showed that EPCs and, particularly, circulating CD34+CD144+CD14À and CD34+VEGF-R2+CD14À cells could be biomarkers of iATAA severity.

Moreover, these studies aimed to show the presence or the localization of CD34+ or CD34+CD133+ cells in abdominal aortic aneurysm.


There have been serious problems of air pollution, energy consumption, traffic accidents and congestion caused by automotive traffic. An electric vehicle (EV) contributes to solving the problems of air pollution, and energy consumption [1] [2] [3] . One of the most important problems in the penetration of EVs is the charging. It is important for an EV user that charging is speedier, easier and safer. In this study, we deal with an inductive type of charging. The inductive type has advantages that are less attrition and more safety. The inductive type of charging requires that an EV be positioned in a charging spot with high accuracy, but it can be usually achieved with guide rails at the spot. It is, thus, necessary that an EV must be guided to the spot with the high positioning accuracy. An essential problem in the inductive type of charging is, therefore, that an EV is guided to an optimal position at a charging spot.

An electric vehicle (EV) contributes to solving the problems of air pollution, and energy consumption.


The anti-mycobacterium activity of the synthesized compound is assessed against M. tuberculosis H37RV at 512, 256, 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, and 1 µg/mL. The MIC of compound compared with isoniazid, standard anti tubercular drugs are summarized in Table 2 . Ligand shows inhibition at concentration 4 µg/mL. The Schiff bases ligand was readily prepared for evaluation against M. tuberculosis in good yield. Compound show strong level of activity in vitro [22, 23] .

Compound show strong level of activity in vitro.


The IR band assignment of ligand is included in Table 1 . IR spectrum of ligand is displayed in Figure 2 . The coordination sites of ligand are determined using IR. The IR spectrum of the ligand exhibit two bands in the regions 3200 and 1693 cm -1 due to ν (NH) and ν (C = O) stretches. A new band appearing in the 1257 cm -1 is assigned to the ν (C-O) (enolic) mode. The band due to the imine group ν (C = N) mode of ligand at 1602 cm -1 . In complex, the lactone carbonyl stretching has shifted to lower wave number by 32-75cm -1 indicating its involvement in coordination [19] . Also, shift of (N-N) band to the higher frequency region can be taken as an additional evidence for the participation of azomethine group incoordination [20] . Thus ligand functions as amonobasic tridentate ligand coordinating through lactone carbonyl oxygen, azomethine nitrogen and amide carbonyl oxygen via deprotonation. Typical proton NMR spectra of the ligand was recorded at room temperature using DMSO as the solvent and the data was summarized in ''Experimental'' section. NMR of ligand has been analyzed in order to specify the coordination through lactone carbonyl oxygen and amide carbonyl oxygen. In the 1H NMR spectrum of ligand a signal at 12.27 ppm is assignable to the -OH proton, while a signal at 10.72 ppm is assigned to the -NH proton. Furthermore, azomethine proton is observed as a singlet at 8.69 ppm. Aromatic protons of the ligand appear well within the expected range. The aromatic protons of the ligand appeared at 6.81 -9.79 ppm. Aromatic protons of the ligand appear well within the expected range. A quartet at 4.04 ppm [3J (H, H) = 6.95 Hz] is assigned to the -OCH2 protons, coupling with the -CH3 protons, while a triplet at 1.33 ppm [3J (H, H) = 6.95 Hz] is assigned to the -CH3 protons, coupling with the -OCH2 protons [19] .

In complex, the lactone carbonyl stretching has shifted to lower wave number by 32-75cm -1 indicating its involvement in coordination.

Also, shift of (N-N) band to the higher frequency region can be taken as an additional evidence for the participation of azomethine group incoordination.

A quartet at 4.04 ppm [3J (H, H) = 6.95 Hz] is assigned to the -OCH2 protons, coupling with the -CH3 protons, while a triplet at 1.33 ppm [3J (H, H) = 6.95 Hz] is assigned to the -CH3 protons, coupling with the -OCH2 protons.


The prepared compound was screened for the inhibition of microbial growth under standard conditions, which may be utilized for demonstrating their antimicrobial efficacy using a serial broth microdilution method in 96 multi-cell micro liter plates [21] . Compound is tested at different concentrations and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is determined. The antibacterial activity of synthesized compound is tested against bacteria like S. aureus (SA, ATCC 9144), E. coli (EC, ATCC 87261) and result is included in Table 2 . The antibacterial activity of synthesized compound is compared with standard antibacterial drug. The results are compared with standard antibacterial drug ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone. The ligand show higher activity against SA (MIC 8 µg/mL) and EC (MIC 4 µg/mL) ( Table 2) .

The prepared compound was screened for the inhibition of microbial growth under standard conditions, which may be utilized for demonstrating their antimicrobial efficacy using a serial broth microdilution method in 96 multi-cell micro liter plates.


Besides algorithms specifically designed for query optimization, there has been work on utilizing generic solvers for join ordering [30] . By translating the query graph into a mixed integer linear program (MILP) existing solvers can be used to obtain a linear join tree. Such an approach benefits from the decades of research effort put into those solvers. Furthermore, such solvers can be stopped at any time and still deliver a solution (although no longer optimal). However, this approach considers cross products which makes the search space much larger. And the complexity of the join ordering problem remains, whether it is solved by specialized algorithms or by a general purpose solver. Hence, utilizing MILP solvers is not an alternative for the large queries considered in this paper.

Besides algorithms specifically designed for query optimization, there has been work on utilizing generic solvers for join ordering.


Ultimately, involvement of students in class discussions seems to have benefits over the traditional realms of education. These positive effects are seen at personal and social levels, bringing forth more dynamic aspects of culture. Unfortunately, the Iranian educational system has thus far been rightly criticized for not utilizing more effective ways to foster healthy critical thinking in students, but is instead known for its focus on accumulation of data and textbook information in the minds of learners, which is contrary to creating thoughtful individuals (Hashemi, Naderi, Shariatmadari, Seif Naraghi, & Mehrabi, 2010) . In other words, the Iranian school system and university system are often not conducive to educating or training critically thinking students (Fahim & Sa'eepour, 2011) . This is despite the fact that old Iranian cultural and religious traditions have suggested that one hour of thoughtful discussion is worth more than a full night of prayers.

Unfortunately, the Iranian educational system has thus far been rightly criticized for not utilizing more effective ways to foster healthy critical thinking in students, but is instead known for its focus on accumulation of data and textbook information in the minds of learners, which is contrary to creating thoughtful individuals.

In other words, the Iranian school system and university system are often not conducive to educating or training critically thinking students.


It is beneficial to develop strategies to simplify the integration phase of mobile devices to existing medical information systems. Applications developed for the mobile devices should use special interfaces. Using object-oriented and user-oriented methods will produce more efficient and user-friendly interfaces (Chan, 2002) . The primary target should be proving the significant role of developing more usable software to decrease the error rate while entering data by TabletPCs. Previous studies have shown the advantages of using mobile devices for data flow in hospital processes (Terry, 2002) .

Using object-oriented and user-oriented methods will produce more efficient and user-friendly interfaces.

Previous studies have shown the advantages of using mobile devices for data flow in hospital processes.


This paper presents the design of the application as well as the requirement and evaluation analysis that will support the Tablet PC use in the hospital emergency service. The interfaces and menu structures were modeled by using the inputs taken from the physicians and nurses. The primary source is the printed forms which have already used in emergency service of the pilot hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. The long and detailed printed forms can cause info-phobia (Ying, 2003) . There are several fundamental differences between the use of paper records and electronic healthcare records. Paper data can be viewed from only one location but electronic data can be displayed from a set of locations by computer networks. The human eye can directly read paper data, therefore electronic data should be transformed into a readable presentation by the software. Papers are not easy to store in real life, and they can be lost. Retrieval for the paper based data takes longer time than the retrieval of the electronic data. In addition, icons used on the interfaces were also designed with the participation of the actual system users at the design phase. We believe that user-centered development methodology is useful to improve the both user and system performance.

The long and detailed printed forms can cause info-phobia.


For the numerical solutions of different differential equations, the area of mathematics pays much attention to approximating the equation more accurately and faster (accuracy and speed). The area of computer science mainly focuses on the runtime (speed) and code reuse (software). The numerical methods (mathematic area) have eternal value and may exist along with the existence of human culture [19] [20] [21] . The implementations (computer area) are closer to the human society and the real applications but vary quickly along with the computer architecture [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] . The computational cost of the numerical solutions for fractional equations is much heavier than that for the traditional integer order equations. In the near future, the fractional problems with high dimension, long time iterations, and huge grid points will need to be solved. These problems are real challenge for today's computer technologies and algorithms.

The numerical methods (mathematic area) have eternal value and may exist along with the existence of human culture.

The implementations (computer area) are closer to the human society and the real applications but vary quickly along with the computer architecture.


With the rapid development of navigation satellite systems, China is accelerating the development of its own navigation system called Compass Navigation Satellite System (CNSS for short) with location information and communication services [1] . Recently, its applications in civil and military domains have been rapidly developed to achieve fast, continuous and accurate positioning services. The communication function can be achieved by a dual-band terminal antenna which operates at L band (1616 ± 5 MHz, left-handed circular polarization) to send information and S band (2492 ± 5 MHz, righthanded circular polarization) to receive information [2] [3] [4] [5] . Consequently, demand for dual-band dualpolarized and high-performance terminal antenna for CNSS has greatly increased. Microstrip patch antennas have narrow bandwidth typically 1-5% because of inherent constraints. When 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth and antenna gain are more than 20 MHz and 3 dB, we believe that this antenna meet the requirement of CNSS antenna.

With the rapid development of navigation satellite systems, China is accelerating the development of its own navigation system called Compass Navigation Satellite System (CNSS for short) with location information and communication services.

The communication function can be achieved by a dual-band terminal antenna which operates at L band (1616 ± 5 MHz, left-handed circular polarization) to send information and S band (2492 ± 5 MHz, righthanded circular polarization) to receive information.


One potential barrier to the employment of current and former welfare recipients that has not been previously studied is obesity. Among women in the U.S., the prevalence of obesity is above average for those of low socioeconomic status (Sobal and Stunkard, 1989) . Obesity represents a potential barrier to labor market success because obese females tend to earn less than healthy-weight females; this relationship is stronger for white than African-American females (Averett and Korenman, 1999; Cawley, 2004) .

Among women in the U.S., the prevalence of obesity is above average for those of low socioeconomic status.

Obesity represents a potential barrier to labor market success because obese females tend to earn less than healthy-weight females; this relationship is stronger for white than African-American females.


In general, the mean score of Semester 1 is higher and more positive than Semester two, even though Semester two students were involved in developing the assessment criteria. It was natural for Semester two students to assign higher score on the statements "I fully understand what was expected of me in doing the peer assessments" and "I found it easy to evaluate my peers on their class participation" due to their involvement in setting the assessment criteria. But their rating on other statements indicated that they are less in favor of the peer assessment exercise. The literature suggests that allowing the students to be involved with the creation of the evaluation criteria may improve student understanding and acceptance of the assigned grades (Dochy et al., 1999) . However, the result of this study reflected a slightly different view.

The literature suggests that allowing the students to be involved with the creation of the evaluation criteria may improve student understanding and acceptance of the assigned grades.


There is substantial evidence that peer assessment can result in improvements in the effectiveness and quality of learning, with gains for assessors, assessees, or both (Topping, 2009) . Peer assessment involves students directly in learning, thus promoting a sense of autonomy and ownership of the assessment process which improves motivation. Peer assessments can lead teachers to scrutinize and clarify assessment objectives and purposes; criteria and grading scales.

There is substantial evidence that peer assessment can result in improvements in the effectiveness and quality of learning, with gains for assessors, assessees, or both.


Peer assessment is not a set prescriptive process, but rather one that may take time to develop and may also change over time depending on the course content, class size, the curriculum, the university culture, and the students themselves. It is suggested that students need to undergo attitudinal changes towards their learning roles and need practice in more self-evaluative role behaviours if peer assessment is to become more acceptable and successful (Brindley and Scoffield, 1998) . In this study, students who disliked peer evaluation believed the process was bias and could result in an unfair grade. This was commented on by eight students in their written remarks. Some felt that it was a tedious process and bringing unnecessary pressure to students as peer assessment was rarely practiced consistently in Business School. A student indicated preference using self assessment instead of peer assessment.

It is suggested that students need to undergo attitudinal changes towards their learning roles and need practice in more self-evaluative role behaviours if peer assessment is to become more acceptable and successful.


Assigning a class participation mark is very complicated because of its subjective nature. Several evaluation tools have been published to assist teachers in assessing class participation (Bean & Peterson, 1998; Chapnick, 2009; Craven & Hogan, 2001; Maznevski 1996; Melvin, 1988) . The use of published scales may assist in the process, but assigning a class participation grade remains difficult to objectify. The equivocal nature of evaluating class participation makes it an ideal area in which to share evaluation with students. Multiple evaluators may increase the accuracy of class participation grading. Student involvement in assessment typically takes the form of peer or self assessment. As research suggests, peer and self-assessment has been increasingly used as an alternative method of engaging students in the development of their own learning. It encourages for example student autonomy and higher order thinking skills, whilst in contrast potential weaknesses can be minimized with anonymity, multiple assessors and moderation by tutors (Van Den Berg, 2006) .

Several evaluation tools have been published to assist teachers in assessing class participation.

It encourages for example student autonomy and higher order thinking skills, whilst in contrast potential weaknesses can be minimized with anonymity, multiple assessors and moderation by tutors.


The current most important environmental challenge facing the world today is the understanding of global change and its effect on the Earth. This is critical knowledge to the world's communities for making predictions and decisions, and for designing strategies for mitigation and adaptation. Release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by human activity, mainly through fossil fuel burning, is known to be the major driver of climate change [1] . The terrestrial biosphere plays a significant role in this context and acts as both a carbon source through land-use change, including deforestation and fires, and as a carbon sink through vegetation growth. Through such processes the terrestrial biosphere has acted as a net carbon sink, removing from the atmosphere about one third of the carbon dioxide produced from fossil fuel burning and thereby reducing the impact on global change [2] . However, little is known about the future of this mechanism since the evolution of the terrestrial biosphere is the least understood and the most uncertain among the different elements of the carbon cycle.

Release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by human activity, mainly through fossil fuel burning, is known to be the major driver of climate change.

Through such processes the terrestrial biosphere has acted as a net carbon sink, removing from the atmosphere about one third of the carbon dioxide produced from fossil fuel burning and thereby reducing the impact on global change.


Although this species is interesting from the scientific and conservation viewpoint, its intraspecific genetic variation remains unknown. Studies into the genetic structure of plant species are increasingly common in conservation and recent decades have seen several significant studies demonstrating the distribution of genetic variation in rare and endangered species (Falk and Holsinger 1991; Ellstrand and Elam 1993) . Genetic diversity is directly involved in species viability. Therefore, loss of genetic diversity may lead to a decrease in population viability, adaptability to environmental changes, and disease resistance (Beardmore 1983; Fischer and Matthies 1998; Reed and Frankham 2003; Frankham et al. 2010) .

Studies into the genetic structure of plant species are increasingly common in conservation and recent decades have seen several significant studies demonstrating the distribution of genetic variation in rare and endangered species.

Therefore, loss of genetic diversity may lead to a decrease in population viability, adaptability to environmental changes, and disease resistance.


Visual assessment is not accurate enough to determine the age of a bruise [1] . The diffuse reflectance spectroscopy has been successfully used to analyse the temporal changes of bilirubin content in bruises [2] [3] [4] . With this technique it was possible to determine the age of a bruise with the accuracy of one day [5] . The multi-spectral imaging combines spectroscopic and imaging techniques, being therefore useful for distant mapping of skin chromophores (haemoglobin and melanin) [6] . In the present work, this technology is further developed in order to employ it for mapping the skin bilirubin distribution.

Visual assessment is not accurate enough to determine the age of a bruise.

The diffuse reflectance spectroscopy has been successfully used to analyse the temporal changes of bilirubin content in bruises.

With this technique it was possible to determine the age of a bruise with the accuracy of one day.

The multi-spectral imaging combines spectroscopic and imaging techniques, being therefore useful for distant mapping of skin chromophores (haemoglobin and melanin).


Commercial buildings are complicated thermodynamic objects. Occupant behavior and local weather conditions may strongly impact their energy use, making it difficult to detect operational inefficiencies such as malfunctioning equipment and inefficient control strategies. Unfortunately, such inefficiencies are ubiquitous and waste substantial energy and money. A study of 60 buildings by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory showed that, before intervention, at least half had problems with their system controls, a minimum of 40% had faulty HVAC equipment, and 25% or more had problems with specific "green" HVAC features (Piette, Nordman, & Greenberg, 1994) . One group of researchers estimated that finding and fixing these types of problems can save $18 billion or more per year in commercial buildings in the U.S. alone (Mills et al., 2004) .

A study of 60 buildings by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory showed that, before intervention, at least half had problems with their system controls, a minimum of 40% had faulty HVAC equipment, and 25% or more had problems with specific "green" HVAC features.

One group of researchers estimated that finding and fixing these types of problems can save $18 billion or more per year in commercial buildings in the U.S. alone.


We also show in figure 1 the constraints discussed above both in the m Z -g χ and in the m χ -g χ parameter plane. Here and in the following, all constraints are shown at 95% confidence level, except for direct and indirect detection constraints, which are shown at 90% confidence level as customary. As we consider negligible mixing of the dark Higgs with the SM Higgs, these constraints are independent of the value of m s , with the only exception of the unitarity constraint, which is indicated by a solid grey line for m s = 3 m χ and by a dashed grey line for m s = 0.1 m χ . For m s = 3 m χ and θ ≈ 0 the unitarity bound from the scalar potential given in eq. (2.5) is always stronger than the direct bound on the Yukawa coupling in eq. (2.4) and leads to the strongest constraint for m Z < 500 GeV (top row) and m χ > 40 GeV (bottom row). For larger values of m Z or smaller values of m χ this bound becomes weaker, so that the unitarity bound results simply from the requirement g χ < √ 4π. For m s = 0.1 m χ the requirement of perturbative unitarity of the scalar potential is less constraining and the relevant bound for small m Z and large m χ comes from the condition y χ < √ 8π. In the lower panels of figure 1 the required thermal coupling g χ , as well as the unitarity bound on g χ , are seen to decrease with increasing m χ in a seemingly counter-intuitive manner. This behaviour can be understood once we consider the dominant annihilation channels. For m Z m χ the relic abundance is either set by χχ → Z L Z L or by χχ → sZ L and both these processes are controlled by the Yukawa coupling y χ ∝ g χ mχ m Z which grows with m χ just as expected. We note that for m s m χ the DM mass can be as large as m χ ∼ 40-50 TeV before the requirement of perturbative unitarity becomes incompatible with thermal freeze-out [79] .

We note that for m s m χ the DM mass can be as large as m χ ∼ 40-50 TeV before the requirement of perturbative unitarity becomes incompatible with thermal freeze-out.


This paper contributes to the literature on forecast combination in three aspects. First, we use ROC, in lieu of the usual mean squared error, as the measure of performance of the combined forecasts since the latter tends to reward hedging behavior of a forecaster when it is used to evaluate uncommon event probabilities (Stephenson 2000) . Second, an optimal decision rule to combine multiple predictors to maximize the discrimination capacity is formulated within a robust Bayesian framework. An algorithm is also given to make the rule practically operational. In addition, a counterfactual exercise is undertaken to identify several important determinants of a better forecast, which in turn suggests possible paths to follow to enhance the reliability of the combined forecasts in the present framework.

First, we use ROC, in lieu of the usual mean squared error, as the measure of performance of the combined forecasts since the latter tends to reward hedging behavior of a forecaster when it is used to evaluate uncommon event probabilities.


One should remember that causality violation and superluminal group velocity are not always equivalent [1] . Strictly speaking, our analysis does not say anything about causality. We merely show that positive quartic Riemann terms in the effective action give a negative (or zero) shift of the frequency of ultraviolet perturbations; if one of the quartic terms is negative, the frequency shift can be positive. The frequency shift is proportional to the cube of the wavenumber, so a positive frequency shift corresponds to a positive correction to the group velocity.

One should remember that causality violation and superluminal group velocity are not always equivalent.


Highly efficient and compact veto systems to tag cosmic muons become increasingly important components for low background experiments, such as searching for Dark Matter and Double Beta decay [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] . Requirements for such a system are compactness, hermiticity, very high efficiency for muon identification and immunity from ambient gamma ray background. Often such a system has to operate in a limited space so that large lifting fixtures to mount the system are not always an option.

Highly efficient and compact veto systems to tag cosmic muons become increasingly important components for low background experiments, such as searching for Dark Matter and Double Beta decay.


In the past few decades, the All-Aluminum Alloy Conductor (AAAC) was more widely used in electrical engineering area. Compared with traditional All Aluminum Conductor (AAC), AAAC can afford better sag characteristics due to its high strength/weight rate [1] . From corrosion property's point of view, AAAC also exhibits higher corrosion-resistance than AAC and another widely-used conductor material Aluminum Conductors Steel Reinforced Conductors (ACSR) [2] . With promising mechanical and conductive properties, Al-Si-Mg alloys have been applied for manufacturing AAAC for transferring electrical energy over long distances since last century. Furthermore, Al-Si-Mg alloys' mechanical and conductive properties could still be improved by optimum of processing and heat treatment.

Compared with traditional All Aluminum Conductor (AAC), AAAC can afford better sag characteristics due to its high strength/weight rate.

From corrosion property's point of view, AAAC also exhibits higher corrosion-resistance than AAC and another widely-used conductor material Aluminum Conductors Steel Reinforced Conductors (ACSR).


Germination in Zea mays (Z.mays L.) decreases linearly with rising salinity. Salt stress creates both ionic as well as osmotic stress in plants (Parvaiz and Satyawati, 2008) . These stresses can be distinguished at several levels such as shoot, root and tissues (Tester and Davenport, 2003) . Salt stress is an abiotic stress that can effects the plant growth and physiological and biochemical activities such as photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll content (Hajer et al., 2006; Saleh, 2012) .

Salt stress creates both ionic as well as osmotic stress in plants.

These stresses can be distinguished at several levels such as shoot, root and tissues.

Salt stress is an abiotic stress that can effects the plant growth and physiological and biochemical activities such as photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll content.


Intraventricular and subarachnoid hemorrhage is a common problem in premature infants, and has been reported in one-third to one-half of infants weighing less than 2,000 g at birth [4, 11] . Because all fluid collections appear as similar cystic spaces on sonography, hemorrhage into the fluid-filled ventricles cannot be detected unless the hemorrhage has developed into a solid hematoma. Two infants in our series with normal sonograms were found to have intracranial hemorrhage on CT . Therefore , CT is more accurate than sonography in the detection of recent intracranial hemorrhage [11] . Communicating hydrocephalus, a frequent complication of intracranial hemorrhage, can be monitored with accuracy by either CT or sonography , but sonography is preferred at our institution in the follow-up of intracranial hemorrhage [12] .

Intraventricular and subarachnoid hemorrhage is a common problem in premature infants, and has been reported in one-third to one-half of infants weighing less than 2,000 g at birth.

Therefore , CT is more accurate than sonography in the detection of recent intracranial hemorrhage.

Communicating hydrocephalus, a frequent complication of intracranial hemorrhage, can be monitored with accuracy by either CT or sonography , but sonography is preferred at our institution in the follow-up of intracranial hemorrhage.


Experiments conducted in grasslands have provided much insight regarding diversity-function relationships in plant communities. We must use caution, however, when applying theories derived from low-statured ecosystems to forest ecosystems (Scherer-Lorenzen et al., 2005) . As we have illustrated, elucidation of the underlying physiological mechanisms may provide a functional explanation for the diversity-productivity theory as it applies to forest ecosystems. Among these, we believe that individual-level phenotypic plasticity of photosynthesis-related traits is especially important because the breadth of physiological plasticity is what allows tree species to coexist along the vertical gradient of light availability within the forest canopy, as well as in the light-limited understory. In contrast to the view from the ground, a canopy perspective reveals the breadth of phenotypic plasticity of each species contributing to their coexistence and various ecosystem functions. It may also reveal new relationships between functional diversity and ecosystem functioning previously undiscovered in grassland experiments, where the vertical variation in the light environment and leaf functions is much less than in forest ecosystems. A cross-biome exploration of the link between plasticity of photosynthesis-related traits and stand productivity may provide a functional explanation for the relationship between species assemblages and productivity of forest ecosystems.

We must use caution, however, when applying theories derived from low-statured ecosystems to forest ecosystems.


Recently, voltage stability has become a challenging issue in power industries since several major blackouts worldwide have been mainly attributed to voltage collapse [1] [2] [3] . Based on this concern, much attention has been devoted to understanding the voltage collapse phenomenon. Voltage collapse is described as the phenomenon in which the events in sequential operations are accompanied by voltage instability. This may lead to blackouts or abnormally low voltage distribution in a vital part of the power grid [4, 5] . Therefore, it is essential that system operators easily identify system voltage instability to prevent possible voltage collapse.

Recently, voltage stability has become a challenging issue in power industries since several major blackouts worldwide have been mainly attributed to voltage collapse.

This may lead to blackouts or abnormally low voltage distribution in a vital part of the power grid.


Furthermore, from Figure 5 , it is observed that the bulk density of the various samples reduced with increased percentage sawdust admixture. This is because firing the samples, burn off the sawdust admixtures leading to increased porosity while at the same time results in reduced matter contents of the samples. From Figure 6 , it is also observed that the cold crushing strength of the samples reduced with increased percentage sawdust admixture [14] . This is because as explained above, the increased percentage sawdust admixture leads to reduced matter content of the sample; less matter are available to bear the applied load. A brick of high porosity will have lower load bearing capacity than one of the same material with lower porosity, since there is less material in the brick to carry the load in the former case. Porous bricks are lighter and therefore unlikely to carry heavy load [15] .

From Figure 6 , it is also observed that the cold crushing strength of the samples reduced with increased percentage sawdust admixture.

Porous bricks are lighter and therefore unlikely to carry heavy load.


It is also observed from Figure 3 that the thermal conductivity of the samples decreases with increased sawdust admixture. This should be expected; as the samples were fire, the sawdust admixture got burnt off, leaving pores (compare with Figure 4 ) which are empty spaces within the solid-bodied samples. This is supported by Figure 8 (compared with Figure 9 ) which show the SEM micrographs of the various samples with different percentages sawdust admixture. It could be noticed that the pores in the micrographs increases with sawdust admixture. These empty spaces or voids (though may contain air) insulate the thermal flow hence, the reduction in thermal conductivity of the samples as the percentage sawdust admixture increases. The same explanation is applicable to Figure 4 , where the porosity of the samples increases with increased percentage sawdust admixture. When the samples were fired, the sawdust admixture got burnt off, leaving pores. As the percentage sawdust admixture increased it leads to increased percentage pores when the samples were fired [12, 13] .

As the percentage sawdust admixture increased it leads to increased percentage pores when the samples were fired.


These applications require an optimal pore-size distribution, the porous microstructure, and other important properties such as chemical inertia, and resistance to thermal and/or mechanical shock [1] . The presence of pores (holes) in a material can render itself all sorts of useful properties that the corresponding bulk material would not have [2] . Generally porous materials have porosity (volume ratio of pore space to the total volume of the material) between 0.2 -0.95 [3] . Pores are classified into two types: open pores which connect to the surface of the material, and closed pores which are isolated from the outside.

These applications require an optimal pore-size distribution, the porous microstructure, and other important properties such as chemical inertia, and resistance to thermal and/or mechanical shock.

The presence of pores (holes) in a material can render itself all sorts of useful properties that the corresponding bulk material would not have.

Generally porous materials have porosity (volume ratio of pore space to the total volume of the material) between 0.2 -0.95.


There are different approaches to increase the reliability of software. A rigorous way to prevent flaws is the exclusion of systematic errors by verification. If the proofs are checked by a computer, we speak of formal verification. Certainly, this method should not be limited to a single system layer but span as many layers as possible. Pervasive verification means that the system layers are coupled by formal soundness and simulation theorems, such that any verification result, obtained on a suitable layer, can ultimately be transferred down to a correctness theorem on the lowest level. While program verification has been known and used over decades, the pervasive formal verification of complete computer systems still remains a grand challenge [3] .

While program verification has been known and used over decades, the pervasive formal verification of complete computer systems still remains a grand challenge.


With respect to the current-voltage characteristics, the variation in ion number concentration with corona voltage in the ionizer discharge zone at different operating flow rates is shown in Fig. 5 . The mean number concentration of ions in the discharge zone of the ionizer was calculated by Equation (1) . Obviously, the increase of the ion number concentration depends on the corona voltage. This shows that the highest ion concentration for positive and negative coronas was about 1.71 × 10 14 and 5.09 × 10 14 ions/m 3 , occurring at corona voltage of about 3.6 and 2.6 kV, respectively. It is commonly known that the number concentration of negative ion is generally larger than positive ion, in a range well above corona onset. Fig. 6 shows the number concentration of positive and negative ions as a function of the corona voltage at the ionizer outlet at operating flow rate between 1 and 5 L/min. The onset voltage for negative corona appeared at about 2.3 kV, while positive corona was needed for the onset voltage of about 2.5 kV. At the flow rate of 1 L/min, it was found that the ion concentration for both positive and negative coronas decreased with increasing corona voltage. For larger operating flow rate, ion number concentration for positive corona practically became a constant, independent of the corona voltage, while negative corona slightly increased with increasing corona voltage, dependent of the corona voltage in narrow range. The highest ion concentration was found to be about 1.95 × 10 13 and 1.91 × 10 13 ions/m 3 occurring at the corona voltage of 3.4 and 2.8 kV for positive and negative coronas, and the flow rate at 5 L/min, respectively. Fig. 7 shows the ion penetration as a function of the corona voltage at different operating flow rates. Both positive and negative coronas, the penetration dropped with increasing corona voltage because the sink flow of air through the discharge zone was no longer able to focus all of ions through the discharge zone and more ions loss due to electrostatic deposition on the inner surface of the outer electrode inside the ionizer. When the flow rate increased, the ion penetration through the ionizer was found to slightly increase. This is because the ions can be transported from the ionizer more easily by faster flowing air. Due to high electrical mobility of negative ion, the penetration of positive ions was found to be higher than negative ions. From Fig. 7 , the highest ion penetration for positive and negative coronas through the ionizer was found to be about 98 %, and 33 % occurring at the corona voltage of 2.5 and 2.3 kV, and the flow rate of 5 L/min, respectively. For most applications of the ionizer, stability and the absolute magnitude of the free ion current are more important than the efficiency as long as the efficiency is high.

The mean number concentration of ions in the discharge zone of the ionizer was calculated by Equation.


Knowing how an insect outbreak starts is central to the development of any preventative management strategy. The spruce budworm (SBW), Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), is the most destructive forest insect pest of eastern North America [1] . Millions of dollars were spent during the last outbreak cycle trying to predict what would happen, and to mitigate the damage [2, 3] .

The spruce budworm (SBW), Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), is the most destructive forest insect pest of eastern North America.

Millions of dollars were spent during the last outbreak cycle trying to predict what would happen, and to mitigate the damage.


We also demonstrated the high efficacy of Btk and tebufenozide as management tactics applicable to incipient populations of spruce budworm, while mating disruption with pheromones has been shown to be ineffective [16] . Taken together, these results indicate that insecticide applications, when efficacious, can reduce populations that happen to increase above the unstable eruption threshold. This is the essence of what is termed an "early intervention" strategy, where treatment in one year may have benefits lasting well beyond the treatment year [5] .

We also demonstrated the high efficacy of Btk and tebufenozide as management tactics applicable to incipient populations of spruce budworm, while mating disruption with pheromones has been shown to be ineffective.

This is the essence of what is termed an "early intervention" strategy, where treatment in one year may have benefits lasting well beyond the treatment year.


The respondents of the survey were asked to name the actual software package that performs or assists in performing project management activities. The activities ranged from analyzing project risks, to defining WBS, developing schedules, and estimating project costs and size, assigning resources to reporting and analyzing on project activities. The results are described in Table 1 . Among the 70 record responses, MS-Project is the most used PMSP, followed by Project Manager Workbench and CA super project [1] .

The results are described in Table 1 .

Among the 70 record responses, MS-Project is the most used PMSP, followed by Project Manager Workbench and CA super project.


There has been a heightened concern for socio-economic inequalities in health and access to health care and the social determinants of health as countries progress towards the target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) [1] . There is increasing evidence demonstrating that the poor and marginalized segments of society have the worst health status and access to health enhancing interventions [2] [3] [4] [5] . Access to health care still follows the inverse care law, where the wealthiest that have relatively less need for health care consume more of it [6] .

There has been a heightened concern for socio-economic inequalities in health and access to health care and the social determinants of health as countries progress towards the target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

There is increasing evidence demonstrating that the poor and marginalized segments of society have the worst health status and access to health enhancing interventions.

Access to health care still follows the inverse care law, where the wealthiest that have relatively less need for health care consume more of it.


The question of whether NSAIDs increase the risk for IBD flare is important, since spondylarthropathies are among the most common extra-intestinal manifestations of patients with IBD, with a prevalence up to 22% [93] . Our analysis of 24 studies with a total of 5556 AS patients revealed that symptoms of IBD were reported in 5.8% of the patients. We conclude that although the available data do not support that NSAIDs increase IBD symptoms, IBD patients treated with NSAIDs should be monitored closely for early detection of IBD flares.

The question of whether NSAIDs increase the risk for IBD flare is important, since spondylarthropathies are among the most common extra-intestinal manifestations of patients with IBD, with a prevalence up to 22%.


In this paper, we show that the response of a PD is independent of the particle-particle interaction to the extent that even friction or inelastic collisions can be suppressed without altering the vibration attenuation. This effect is explained in terms of the effective zero restitution of the granular system caused by the effective inelastic collapse [11] . The inelastic collapse in dense granular materials refers to the effect by which the system can dissipate its entire kinetic energy in a short finite time even if collisions have a very high restitution coefficient. In dense systems, the number of collisions grows so rapidly that even a minute dissipation in each collision suffices to make the system as a whole fully dissipative. We show that this interpretation allows us to set the limits to the universal response. Crucial implications for the design and maintenance of PDs are discussed.

This effect is explained in terms of the effective zero restitution of the granular system caused by the effective inelastic collapse.


Introducing logical timestamps into the coherence protocol brings several salient properties to Tardis. First, Tardis is scalable; it has no sharer list and only requires O(log N) storage per cacheline for an N-core system. It also does not require broadcasting support. Tardis is also simple; it uses timestamps to explicitly express the consistency model and is easy to reason about and verify [11] . Different from other protocols, Tardis does not need invalidation and is therefore able to achieve better performance on some benchmarks.

Tardis is also simple; it uses timestamps to explicitly express the consistency model and is easy to reason about and verify.


PACT '16, September 11-15, 2016 As an alternative, a recently proposed cache coherence protocol called Tardis shows better scalability while maintaining simplicity and high performance [10] . The key insight behind Tardis is that it is sufficient but unnecessary to enforce the global memory order in physical time order, which is what traditional coherence protocols do. Instead, Tardis uses a combination of logical timestamps and physical time. In Tardis, a memory write does not invalidate shared copies in other cores' private caches. Instead, the write is immediately performed at a logical timestamp greater than the timestamps of all the shared copies. The new data version can coexist with old versions at the same physical time but is ordered after the old versions in logical time.

PACT '16, September 11-15, 2016 As an alternative, a recently proposed cache coherence protocol called Tardis shows better scalability while maintaining simplicity and high performance.


We should add that SU (3) F symmetries have been considered in the past as a good starting point for flavour structure [20, 21, [24] [25] [26] [27] . Usually one requires a quasi-degeneracy between the first and second generation to avoid flavour changing effects. This may arise from an approximate remaining SU (2) F and we build this into some of our examples. In other examples this degeneracy will be broken mildly and therefore the discovery of (small) FCNC processes is a prediction of our framework. Indeed an important advantage of combined flavour+standard gauge-mediation is that, with the first and second generation masses in the TeV range and dominated by the standard mediation contribution, the nondegeneracy required in the favour-mediation contribution is significantly relaxed, to the extent that it can be consistent to have no apparent SU (2) F symmetry for the first two generations, but just the correct general pattern of flavour dependence.

We should add that SU (3) F symmetries have been considered in the past as a good starting point for flavour structure.


There remains the possibility that there may yet be topologically nontrivial non-abelian solutions that map to Eguchi-Hanson, in addition to the abelian-like gauge field considered here. The fact that both an abelian and non-abelian quantity may map to the same gravitational quantity is possible given that colour structure is stripped off upon performing the double copy, and indeed such behaviour has been seen before in the study of infrared singularities [36] . One way to proceed may be to embed the abelian-like field seen here in a fully non-abelian setting using the well-known t'Hooft ansatz [94] .

The fact that both an abelian and non-abelian quantity may map to the same gravitational quantity is possible given that colour structure is stripped off upon performing the double copy, and indeed such behaviour has been seen before in the study of infrared singularities.

One way to proceed may be to embed the abelian-like field seen here in a fully non-abelian setting using the well-known t'Hooft ansatz.


One interpretation of the present state of string theories is that it lacks a geometric foundation and that this is an obstacle to finding its most natural formulation. It is possible that our concept of space-time will have to be generalised to some form of "stringy space" in which its full symmetry is manifest. Such space-time must be dynamical and capable of undergoing topological or even dimensional changes [30, 31, 32] . To understand stringy space it is almost certainly necessary to identify the symmetry which is restored at high temperature. I suggest that the symmetry should include event-symmetry of space-time [33] .

Such space-time must be dynamical and capable of undergoing topological or even dimensional changes.

I suggest that the symmetry should include event-symmetry of space-time.


A successful theory of Quantum Gravity should describe physics at the Planck scale [24] . It is likely that there is a phase transition in string theories at their Hagedorn temperature near kT = Planck Energy [25] . It has been speculated that above this temperature there are fewer degrees of freedom and a restoration of a much larger symmetry [26, 27, 28, 29] . This phase is sometimes known as the topological phase because it is believed that a Topological Quantum Field Theory may describe it. A fundamental formulation of string theory would be a model in which the large symmetry is explicit. It would reduce to the known formulations after spontaneous symmetry breaking below the Hagedorn Temperature.

A successful theory of Quantum Gravity should describe physics at the Planck scale.

It is likely that there is a phase transition in string theories at their Hagedorn temperature near kT = Planck Energy.

It has been speculated that above this temperature there are fewer degrees of freedom and a restoration of a much larger symmetry.


Conventional wisdom among the pioneers of string theories was that there is a unique string theory which is self consistent and which explains all physics. This view was gradually tempered by the discovery of a variety of different string theories but recently the belief in uniqueness has been reaffirmed with the discovery that there are hierarchies in which some string theories can be seen as contained within others [18, 19, 20] . This inspires a search for a universal string theory [21, 22, 23] .

This view was gradually tempered by the discovery of a variety of different string theories but recently the belief in uniqueness has been reaffirmed with the discovery that there are hierarchies in which some string theories can be seen as contained within others.

This inspires a search for a universal string theory.


Recently, Energy has eventually reached its peak due to the growth and population of the country. In order to meet the growing electricity demand, the Kingdom must increase the installed power capacity from 35 GW in 2007 to more than 72 GW by 2022. This will require a massive investment-program [1] . While the others are moving towards the conventional generation of power by heavy or light fuel or natural gas to meet this goal, this paper aims primarily to discuss the potential of applying PV technology to generate power for the Kingdom from geographic, economic and technical aspect.

This will require a massive investment-program.


Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is an Arabian country and the largest in the Peninsula. It is bordered by Jordan on the northwest, Iraq on the north and northeast, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates lie to the east, Oman on the southeast, and Yemen on the southern half. It has an estimated population of 27.6 million, with approximately 2,150,000 square kilometers of area [1] .

It has an estimated population of 27.6 million, with approximately 2,150,000 square kilometers of area.


There are rising concerns around the globe over the high oil and gas prices because of growing demand as well as the aspect to reserve oil for the next generation. Some isolated regions in KSA can be reached via RE technology too [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . Hence, it is a great necessity to study the overview feasibility study of having PV power plants to generate electricity in Saudi Arabia.

Some isolated regions in KSA can be reached via RE technology too.


The majority of the patients were initially hospitalised under the diagnosis of Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO), and as a result those included in the study were subsequently diagnosed with any one of the four urinary tract syndromes: cystitis, prostatitis, pyelonephritis and urosepsis. Cystitis was defined as the presence of dysuria, frequency, urgency, without axillary fever (< 37.5C); prostatitis as an acute febrile episode with lower back or perineal tenderness with urinary frequency or dysuria and possible acute urinary retention; pyelonephritis was recognized as the presence of fever and spontaneous or provoked lumbar tenderness; and urosepsis was defined as the presence of sepsis criteria with a positive urine or blood culture for a uropathogen with no other infection source [11] . All cases were considered as complicated UTIs.

Cystitis was defined as the presence of dysuria, frequency, urgency, without axillary fever (< 37.5C); prostatitis as an acute febrile episode with lower back or perineal tenderness with urinary frequency or dysuria and possible acute urinary retention; pyelonephritis was recognized as the presence of fever and spontaneous or provoked lumbar tenderness; and urosepsis was defined as the presence of sepsis criteria with a positive urine or blood culture for a uropathogen with no other infection source.


Mammalian hairs especially the human hair have been reported by many authors and researchers to exhibit very good physical and mechanical properties, which in turn account for their intrinsic ability to undergo appreciable mechanical stressing and various types of chemical and thermal treatments without sustaining permanent damage [1] - [3] . This unique behaviour of hair has been attributed to the presence of structural proteins which are essentially keratin in the hair fibre [4] . Hair has been defined as a filamentous biomaterial consisting principally of proteins, most especially keratin [5] . These keratins are scaffolding proteins that combine to form a network of intermediate filaments in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells and their foremost function is fundamentally to provide structural maintenance for cells and tissues [6] . Remarkable works of some researchers have shown that the response of hair fibres to mechanical stresses is highly dependent on the stability of the structure of the cortical keratin of hair fibre and this stability is at times affected by heat and chemical treatments depending on the degree of application [7] [8] . Recent research findings have also shown that appropriate chemical treatments can significantly improve the structural integrity of hair fibres without deteriorating their intrinsic properties [9] [10] . In recent times, these attractive properties of hair fibres have impelled materials scientists especially from the developing countries to reassess the economic importance of hair fibres, and in doing so, they are able to unlock a new vista for the industrial applications of hair fibres, as reinforcements for the synthesis of novel composite materials [11] [12] .

Mammalian hairs especially the human hair have been reported by many authors and researchers to exhibit very good physical and mechanical properties, which in turn account for their intrinsic ability to undergo appreciable mechanical stressing and various types of chemical and thermal treatments without sustaining permanent damage.

This unique behaviour of hair has been attributed to the presence of structural proteins which are essentially keratin in the hair fibre.

Hair has been defined as a filamentous biomaterial consisting principally of proteins, most especially keratin.

These keratins are scaffolding proteins that combine to form a network of intermediate filaments in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells and their foremost function is fundamentally to provide structural maintenance for cells and tissues.

Remarkable works of some researchers have shown that the response of hair fibres to mechanical stresses is highly dependent on the stability of the structure of the cortical keratin of hair fibre and this stability is at times affected by heat and chemical treatments depending on the degree of application.

Recent research findings have also shown that appropriate chemical treatments can significantly improve the structural integrity of hair fibres without deteriorating their intrinsic properties.

In recent times, these attractive properties of hair fibres have impelled materials scientists especially from the developing countries to reassess the economic importance of hair fibres, and in doing so, they are able to unlock a new vista for the industrial applications of hair fibres, as reinforcements for the synthesis of novel composite materials.


The first of the polyolefins, Low Density Polyethylene or LDPE, was originally synthesized some fifty years ago by the high pressure polymerization of ethylene. Its relatively low density arises from the presence of a small amount of branching in the chain, on about 2% of the carbon atoms. This gives a more open structure. It is translucent to opaque, robust enough to be apparently unbreakable and at the same time quite flexible; it may be used at temperatures up to 95˚C for short periods and at 80˚C continuously [24] . Despite competition from new contemporary polymers, LDPE continues to be an important plastic grade. In 2013, the worldwide LDPE market reached a volume of about 33 billion dollars (USD) [25] . Applications of LDPE are extensively seen in low load bearing materials such as general purpose tubing, pipette washing equipment, wash bottles, plastic bags for computer components, wire and cable insulations, utensils, playground slides and toys [26] . Despite the vast areas of applications presented by LDPE, its associated drawbacks include low strength and stiffness, susceptibility to stress cracking, flammability, high gas permeability particularly CO 2 , poor temperature capability and poor weathering resistance [27] . Numerous approaches to progressively surmount these limitations utilizing varieties of reinforcements from microfibres to nanotubes in the matrix of LDPE are voluminously available in existing literature [28] - [30] . Nevertheless, the utilization of cow hair fibres as a potential reinforcement in alleviating these unpromising limitations has not been documented and this in particular, contributes to the novelty of this research.

This gives a more open structure.

It is translucent to opaque, robust enough to be apparently unbreakable and at the same time quite flexible; it may be used at temperatures up to 95˚C for short periods and at 80˚C continuously.

In 2013, the worldwide LDPE market reached a volume of about 33 billion dollars (USD).

Applications of LDPE are extensively seen in low load bearing materials such as general purpose tubing, pipette washing equipment, wash bottles, plastic bags for computer components, wire and cable insulations, utensils, playground slides and toys.

Despite the vast areas of applications presented by LDPE, its associated drawbacks include low strength and stiffness, susceptibility to stress cracking, flammability, high gas permeability particularly CO 2 , poor temperature capability and poor weathering resistance.

Numerous approaches to progressively surmount these limitations utilizing varieties of reinforcements from microfibres to nanotubes in the matrix of LDPE are voluminously available in existing literature.


Prior to the comparison with the MODIS data, first we analyze aerosol properties and their variation using AERONET data at Pune. Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b) portrays the spectral variation of AOD (on log-log scale) and frequency distribution of the Angstrom Exponent (α) during winter (Dec-Jan-Feb) and pre-monsoon (Mar-Apr-May) seasons for the study period 2008-10. The figure brings out the seasonal distinctive features of the spectral variation. It is steeper during winter and relatively less steeper during pre-monsoon. This is indicated by the slope of the spectral curve (i.e., Ångström Exponent) which is 1.34 for winter and 0.80 for premonsoon. Frequency distribution of α is mono-modal in winter and bi-modal in pre-monsoon. Winter modal value of α (= 1.4) implies the dominance of submicron aerosols originating from anthropogenic activity like fossil fuel combustion and biofuel burning (Venkataraman et al., 2005; Pandithurai et al., 2007) . During pre-monsoon, α-frequency distribution has bi-modal character with primary and secondary α-modal values of 0.5 and 0.95, respectively. Even though the primary modal value is not so prominent, it is indicative of the bi-modal nature of frequency distribution of α which indicates dominance of both fine-and coarsemode aerosols. This reveals that the aerosol system over Pune is controlled by different sources depending on the season. Monthly variation of AOD and Angstrom Exponent during 2008-10 is shown in Fig. 2 . From the figure, it is seen that the high and low α -values during winter and premonsoon respectively corroborate the earlier observation (Fig. 1) . It is also seen that AOD, in general, is low during winter and high during pre-monsoon.

Winter modal value of α (= 1.4) implies the dominance of submicron aerosols originating from anthropogenic activity like fossil fuel combustion and biofuel burning.


Finally it is likely that the observed dependence of rf on sex is due to recombinant selective elimination. For example, the output of recombinants may be lowered when crossover and non-crossover chromatids are orientated nonrandomly relative to the very macrospore of the tetrad which will be converted into the egg cell. This assumption was completely rejected after having being tested experimentally using the el mutation which results in the formation of nonreduced diploid eggs (Nel, 1975) . Another mechanism of selective elimination is the reduction of viability (or competitive ability) of crossover combinations due to break-down of coadapted gene blocks in meiosis of Fl hybrids (Zhuchenko, 1980) . This hypothesis cannot either explain our situation with Arabidopsis. Indeed, for estimating sex differences in rf at a set of segments (py-hy3, as-cer8, cer4-fca, hy5-yi) we have used hybrids of crosses between marker stocks derived in the same genetic background (the Landsberg-"erecta" race). Therefore, apart from the marker loci, the heterozygosity for adaptively valuable gene complexes was absent and thus there was no possibility for selection against crossover combination with reduced fitness among female gametes.

This assumption was completely rejected after having being tested experimentally using the el mutation which results in the formation of nonreduced diploid eggs.

Another mechanism of selective elimination is the reduction of viability (or competitive ability) of crossover combinations due to break-down of coadapted gene blocks in meiosis of Fl hybrids.


Superfine temporal resolution is the most significant advantage the electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) techniques offer to cognitive neuroscientists [1] . With these techniques and using the evoked-response methodology (ERP) it became possible to discover and then reliably detect the mismatch negativity phenomenon (MMN) -a tiny and short-lasting negative response that hallmarks the novel stimuli activating primary error-detection mechanisms. Since then a plethora of studies investigating the presence of the MMN response in various paradigms and involving various sensory modalities appeared. Recent neuroscience advances predict the presence of the MMN like response not only in the primary sensory brain regions but also in the structures responsible for executive control, decision making and value encoding such as medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC), posterior ad anterior cingulate cortex (PCC, ACC). Despite the averaging implied by ERP approach, the activity of these deeper located brain regions when recorded by the non-invasive EEG and MEG sensors tends to get obscured by that of more superficial structures impinging on the array of sensors.

Superfine temporal resolution is the most significant advantage the electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) techniques offer to cognitive neuroscientists.


Besides being metabolically active, probiotic bacteria must be able to survive in the gastrointestinal tract. Although this is ensured by many of the commercially available probiotic formulas, these bacterial strains are commonly eliminated as soon as the administration stops. In humans, this may be explained by the phenomenon of colonisation resistance, whereby the resident intestinal microbiota limits the access of allochthonous bacteria (Stecher and Hardt, 2011) . Even autochthonous strains of the gut microbiota may not be shared between relatives, due to individual specificities that may disable the colonisation of the gastrointestinal tract (Walter, 2008) .

In humans, this may be explained by the phenomenon of colonisation resistance, whereby the resident intestinal microbiota limits the access of allochthonous bacteria.

Even autochthonous strains of the gut microbiota may not be shared between relatives, due to individual specificities that may disable the colonisation of the gastrointestinal tract.


Genetic diversity can be evaluated by prediction techniques or by the quantification of the heterosis shown by the hybrids (Cruz and Regazzi, 1997) . However, the latter can be obtained only if the cultivars are crossed, which is unnecessary when prediction techniques are used. In the case of many cultivars with useful traits, the large number of crosses needed hinders the use of the hybrid quantification technique, especially for self pollinating species such as soybean. Also, although genetic diversity is a necessary condition for heterosis, it is not enough to guarantee it, as heterosis depends on the differences in allele frequencies and the dominance of the loci involved (Cress, 1966) .

Genetic diversity can be evaluated by prediction techniques or by the quantification of the heterosis shown by the hybrids.

Also, although genetic diversity is a necessary condition for heterosis, it is not enough to guarantee it, as heterosis depends on the differences in allele frequencies and the dominance of the loci involved.


Diabetes is a complex condition characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and is associated with atherothrombotic complications. Atherothrombosis is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes [1] . Diabetes increases the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease by 2-to 4-fold [2] . The increased risk is independent of and additive to other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, such as hypertension, obesity, smoking, and dyslipidemia, relative to nondiabetic patients with these comorbidities [3] . In addition, patients with diabetes but without previous myocardial infarction (MI) have the same level of risk for subsequent acute coronary events as nondiabetic patients with previous MI. Diabetes has been classified as a coronary risk equivalent [4] .

Atherothrombosis is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes.

Diabetes increases the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease by 2-to 4-fold.

The increased risk is independent of and additive to other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, such as hypertension, obesity, smoking, and dyslipidemia, relative to nondiabetic patients with these comorbidities.

Diabetes has been classified as a coronary risk equivalent.


In multi-organizational systems, participating organizations give access to their local resources; in return their loads can be processed on other resources. The examples of such systems include PlanetLab, grids (Grid5000, EGEE), or organizationally distributed storage systems [16] . There are a few incentives for federating into consortia: the possibility of decreasing the costs of management and maintenance (one large system can be managed more efficiently than several smaller ones), but also the willingness to utilize resources more efficiently. Peak loads can be offloaded to remote resources. Moreover, organizations can access specialized resources or the whole platform (which permits e.g. testing on a large scale).

The examples of such systems include PlanetLab, grids (Grid5000, EGEE), or organizationally distributed storage systems.


The management of coastal waters should be a priority in Brazil, considering the number of smallscale fisheries along its coast and the importance of artisanal fishing as a source of food for the Brazilian population. Coastal artisanal fisheries in Brazil are an important source of employment and food for local communities, contributing 40-60% of marine fish production (Silvano 2004) . Many small communities, such as those along the Atlantic Forest coast, rely on fish as a source of protein, because fish represent 50-68% of the animal protein in their diet . Other authors have stressed the importance of local coastal artisanal fishers and of their conservation (Diegues 1983) .

Coastal artisanal fisheries in Brazil are an important source of employment and food for local communities, contributing 40-60% of marine fish production.

Other authors have stressed the importance of local coastal artisanal fishers and of their conservation.


One of the crucial aspects of the mechanisms for conserving natural resources in fisheries, other than monitoring species and regulating the gear used, is controlling the space used by fishers, including their capacity to exclude outsiders. This is especially true when we observe that other coastal fisheries in the world have control of the space they use. For example, the Japanese coastal fisheries have controlled their shores since 1902, when village sea territories were mapped and registered in the Okinawa prefectural fisheries office (Akimichi and Ruddle 1984) . In addition to controlling the marine space as a prerequisite for success, resource management should be able to set access limits on resources and restrict harvesting. In other words, it is important to define who is going to fish, how much http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol11/iss1/art5/ fish will be taken out, and which species are targeted.

For example, the Japanese coastal fisheries have controlled their shores since 1902, when village sea territories were mapped and registered in the Okinawa prefectural fisheries office.


The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) among Tanzanian women is still high (578/100,000) [9] . The high MMR in Tanzania, despite good antenatal and delivery care coverage, highlights the issue that the use of maternal health services alone is not sufficient to reduce maternal mortality. Studies report that very few women in rural Tanzania can identify three or more obstetric danger signs [4, 10] . Also, women are reluctant to seek care at health facilities due to prior negative experiences with health workers [11] [12] [13] . In addition, the quality of care in health facilities has been reported to be very poor [14] [15] [16] .

The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) among Tanzanian women is still high (578/100,000).

Studies report that very few women in rural Tanzania can identify three or more obstetric danger signs.

Also, women are reluctant to seek care at health facilities due to prior negative experiences with health workers.

In addition, the quality of care in health facilities has been reported to be very poor.


Since the implementation of economic reform in 1986, the Vietnamese government has developed a potential local market and economic infrastructure that maintains strong economic growth. Many scholars assert that the development of SMEs has been recognized as one of the most promising growth areas as well as an engine of economic growth, not only in developed countries but also in developing countries (McMillan and Woodruff 2002) . Transition economies have accelerated as more and more support for smaller businesses has arisen (Leamer 2007) . In Vietnam, SMEs are identified by the government as having a registered capital of $326,000 (or less than $5 billion) and less than 200 employees. SMEs in Vietnam plays an essential role in the industrialization process of the country. Economic reforms in the past decade have directly stimulated the performance of Vietnamese SMEs and promoted diversification and improved trade and business opportunities. According to the information from the Ministry of Justice, Vietnam in the past few years practised a strong growth of SMEs getting 97% of the total number of businesses in the nation.

Many scholars assert that the development of SMEs has been recognized as one of the most promising growth areas as well as an engine of economic growth, not only in developed countries but also in developing countries.

Transition economies have accelerated as more and more support for smaller businesses has arisen.


Provided the likely impacts of the study context, this paper emphasizes the exploratory character. Although the longitudinal study is essential in tracking changes over time, the limits of time and the research funding force us to select a cross-sectional approach. Besides, it is too hard to observe changes in organizational performance and its antecedents over time. It is worth noting that cross-sectional data are blamed as less accurate than longitudinal data due to errors related to memory and biased behaviour (Fadol et al. 2015) . We attempted to diminish this impact throughout asking correspondents to answer the questions with respect to their enterprises at the time that they filled out the survey.

It is worth noting that cross-sectional data are blamed as less accurate than longitudinal data due to errors related to memory and biased behaviour.


In the context of sustainable development, SMEs play an essential role in providing economic stability and social security in many regions (Morsing and Perrini 2009) . The empirical results demonstrate that SMEs support economies through a considerable source of entrepreneurial skills, innovation and human resources (Hillary 2004; Revell et al. 2010) . At the same time, because of the cumulative effect of SMEs, a series of serious environmental problems have been raised. Previous studies have shown that most SMEs are supposed to have no relation to ecological and social issues since indicating that their impact is negligible (Bradford and Fraser 2008; Drake et al. 2004; Revell and Blackburn 2007) . To integrate not only in Asia but also in the global region, SMEs in Vietnam need to focus on sustainable development. In the current context, Vietnamese SMEs must overcome many challenges and gain opportunities in global competition. However, the sustainable development of small and medium enterprises is limited in many respects, primarily due to the rapidly changing market and limited internal resources. Restrictions on internal resources include lack of capital, outdated equipment, outdated technology, lack of skills and management experience (Webster and Taussig 1999) . Besides, they have faced significant barriers to government regulation. Removing these barriers is a difficult task.

In the context of sustainable development, SMEs play an essential role in providing economic stability and social security in many regions.

The empirical results demonstrate that SMEs support economies through a considerable source of entrepreneurial skills, innovation and human resources.

Previous studies have shown that most SMEs are supposed to have no relation to ecological and social issues since indicating that their impact is negligible.

Restrictions on internal resources include lack of capital, outdated equipment, outdated technology, lack of skills and management experience.


The Open University (OU) is a UK based open and distance learning provider. It has about 12,000 staff and around 200,000 students distributed across the world at any one time. Like any large organization mentors play a vital role in the professional development of individuals [11] . Mentoring is a social and psychological relationship and typically takes place face to face, where the value is seen to come from those personal interactions.

Like any large organization mentors play a vital role in the professional development of individuals.


In this study we investigated the relationship between the attitudinal factors and the daily mobility pattern classes. The findings suggest that an individual is more positive towards the modes that are included the daily mobility pattern, compared to the modes that are not part of his or her mobility pattern. This is consistent with previous findings reported in the literature, which state that unimodal car drivers have a biased or more negative attitude towards public transport modes, compared to multimodal car drivers (Diana and Mokhtarian 2009; Molin et al. 2016) . In our research this statement is confirmed, but we see a much more negative attitude towards all other modes (it scores lowest on bicycle, local public transport and inter-city public transport). In contrast, the multimodal users are very positive towards the used modes and generally also positive towards the unused modes.

This is consistent with previous findings reported in the literature, which state that unimodal car drivers have a biased or more negative attitude towards public transport modes, compared to multimodal car drivers.


Austempering Time: If the austempering time is short, the final structure exhibits high hardness but low fracture toughness and ductility. If the austempering time is too long, then it promotes the secondary reaction and results in lower strength, ductility and fracture toughness [17] . At the highest austempering temperature (400 • C), just half an hour is sufficient to produce ausferrite; however more time, (roughly 4 h) is needed to produce the best combination of properties at the lowest austempering temperature (230 • C) [18] .

If the austempering time is too long, then it promotes the secondary reaction and results in lower strength, ductility and fracture toughness.

At the highest austempering temperature (400 • C), just half an hour is sufficient to produce ausferrite; however more time, (roughly 4 h) is needed to produce the best combination of properties at the lowest austempering temperature (230 • C).


Third, we can separate out spillover effects by peers (competitors), suppliers and clients. The conventional definition of spillover suffers from an identifiability problem when the type of relationship (horizontal versus vertical) is taken into account: R&D by a supplier that results in a cheaper input reflects as a surge in the productivity of the downstream firm. This productivity effect in general cannot be decoupled from the actual spillover effect and estimates of the size of spillovers will be biased upwards (Kenta et al., 2015) . Since we are looking directly at R&D expenditure of firms, we do not suffer from this problem.

This productivity effect in general cannot be decoupled from the actual spillover effect and estimates of the size of spillovers will be biased upwards.


For all three types of spillovers -knowledge, market or network -the effect on a firm's R&D expenditure may be either positive or negative. Knowledge spillovers can be either complements or substitutes for a firm's own R&D activity. Depending upon the nature of the knowledge and the spillover, they could affect the R&D activity of any type of firm -competitors, clients, or suppliers. Market spillovers will primarily affect peers and downstream firms. Market competition may keep prices from rising to fully reflect the value of the innovation, thus consumers and other firms that purchase from a firm will benefit from these spillovers. Market spillovers may be either complementary to other firms' R&D activities or make them less valuable. Theory suggests that spillovers between firms in a supplier-client relationship could have a network effect that boosts the value of an innovation when it is concurrent with similar innovations in the supply chain (Jaffe, 1998) . This may make R&D more productive within the network. For all three types of spillovers, there are pecuniary externalities that impose a downward pressure on prices due to the firm's imperfect monopoly over the new innovation, which could act as a disincentive to engage in R&D activity.

Theory suggests that spillovers between firms in a supplier-client relationship could have a network effect that boosts the value of an innovation when it is concurrent with similar innovations in the supply chain.


Whole transcriptome sequencing using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) has grown in popularity for studying organisms in agriculture, evolution, and medicine [1] [2] [3] . Next generation sequencing (NGS) technology has evolved to the point where the cost is within financial range for many labs, and the resultant data can be mined for a range of applications [4] . However, the computational pipelines to process RNA-Seq data were developed for organisms with well-studied reference transcriptomes. In this study, we use simulations to assess the accuracy of a key part of this pipeline, mapping short reads to a reference transcriptome, and quantify the error arising from incomplete transcriptomes and alternative splicing.

Whole transcriptome sequencing using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) has grown in popularity for studying organisms in agriculture, evolution, and medicine.

Next generation sequencing (NGS) technology has evolved to the point where the cost is within financial range for many labs, and the resultant data can be mined for a range of applications.