Antibiotics used for animals either for therapy, prophylactic or growth promotion purposes at a sub therapeutic dose can result in transfer of resistant genes from animals to humans and thereby establishing a reservoir of resistant microbes (Angulo et al., 2004; Maripandi and Al-Salamah, 2010) . Subsequently, fish contamination with antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be a major threat to public health, as it can be transferred to other bacteria of human clinical significance (O'Brien, 2002) . The choices of antibiotic for the treatment of common infectious diseases in humans are becoming increasingly limited, expensive and ineffective due to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria (Weese et al., 2011) .

Antibiotics used for animals either for therapy, prophylactic or growth promotion purposes at a sub therapeutic dose can result in transfer of resistant genes from animals to humans and thereby establishing a reservoir of resistant microbes.

Subsequently, fish contamination with antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be a major threat to public health, as it can be transferred to other bacteria of human clinical significance.

The choices of antibiotic for the treatment of common infectious diseases in humans are becoming increasingly limited, expensive and ineffective due to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria.


Second, the possibility of deterioration in scoliosis was suggested, although we have particularly reported that there was no connection between the frequencies of scoliosis in GH treatment and non-treatment groups [14, 15] . Based on the backgrounds of these studies, GH treatment has recently been recommended at an early age, and it is assumed that its long-term use is not a problem. It is important that PWS patients are treated intensively from 3 years of age, because obesity begins at around this time.

Second, the possibility of deterioration in scoliosis was suggested, although we have particularly reported that there was no connection between the frequencies of scoliosis in GH treatment and non-treatment groups.


In this work, we showed how VSM and LM can be considered dual in how they allocate the representation space of density matrices and in the nature of their scoring functions. In our interpretation, VSM adopt a symmetric scoring function which measures the concept similarity. LM fixes the standard conceptual basis and scores documents against queries based on how they spread the probability mass on such basis. We argued that leveraging both degrees of freedom could lend a more precise representations of documents and queries and could be especially effective in modelling compound concepts arising from phrasal structures. This has been confirmed by another study [28] .

This has been confirmed by another study.


MUA and arthroscopy (with or without MUA) result in similar gains in ROM in patients with arthrofibrosis after TKA. Open arthrolysis to treat arthrofibrosis after TKA seems to have inferior results when compared with MUA or arthroscopy (with or without MUA). In the eight articles reviewed, MUA alone resulted in a mean gain in knee motion of 30°to 47° [6, 9, 10, 14, 16, 20, 24, 33] . In the 12 articles using arthroscopy to treat arthrofibrosis of the stiff TKA, ROM increased between 18.5°to 60° [2, 4, 8, 11, 13, 21, 24, 26, [28] [29] [30] 33] . At least nine of these articles reported MUA was performed in addition to arthroscopy. Therefore, this review more accurately reviews arthroscopy combined with MUA and not arthroscopy alone to treat the stiff TKA [2, 4, 8, 21, 24, 26, [28] [29] [30] .

In the eight articles reviewed, MUA alone resulted in a mean gain in knee motion of 30°to 47°.

In the 12 articles using arthroscopy to treat arthrofibrosis of the stiff TKA, ROM increased between 18.5°to 60°.

Therefore, this review more accurately reviews arthroscopy combined with MUA and not arthroscopy alone to treat the stiff TKA.


Another approach to housing choice is viewing the process of decision-making as a series of dynamic problem-solving techniques [10, [18] [19] [20] . In other words, looking for a new residence is the process of resolving a complicated and ill-structured situation into a relatively satisfying situation. In this context, goal-oriented behavior is highlighted in housing choice rather than just preferences. Customers can derive their goals from economic, social, and environmental issues that repeat and backtrack in their lives. Thus, the housing choice is an optimal behavior to pursue a certain desired quality of life such as happiness, freedom, safety, and security, or, in other words, minimizing the experience of negative emotions [21] .

Another approach to housing choice is viewing the process of decision-making as a series of dynamic problem-solving techniques.

Thus, the housing choice is an optimal behavior to pursue a certain desired quality of life such as happiness, freedom, safety, and security, or, in other words, minimizing the experience of negative emotions.


The oil also contains approximately 10% acetyleugenol and small quantities of gallic acid, sesquiterpenes, furfural, vanillin and methyl-n-amyl ketone. Other constituents include flavonoids, carbohydrates, lipids, oleanolic acid, rhamnetin and vitamins. In addition, the bud contains a tannin complex, gum and resin and a number of glucosides of sterols (Chaieb et al., 2007) .

In addition, the bud contains a tannin complex, gum and resin and a number of glucosides of sterols.


Although the serial processing hypothesis suggests that onsetto-vowel effects will emerge earlier than coda-to-vowel effects, a different outcome is possible. Onset-to-vowel influences may emerge later than coda-to-vowel influences because associations of the former type are less common than associations of the latter type in English (Kessler & Treiman, 2001) . According to this context asymmetry hypothesis, children have encountered a number of situations in which a coda influences the spelling of a vowel. Given the nature of the English writing system, they have encountered few cases in which the onset has an influence. This imbalance induces a bias such that children are more likely to notice new cases of the coda-to-vowel variety.

Onset-to-vowel influences may emerge later than coda-to-vowel influences because associations of the former type are less common than associations of the latter type in English.


We show that meta-analytic panel tests can have arbitrarily large Errors-in-Rejection Probabilities (size distortions) even when the underlying time series tests have only slight Errors-in-Rejection Probabilities. The recommendation for empirical practice therefore is to use critical values which take into account as well as possible the shape of the exact (but generally unknown) finite sample distribution of the test statistics. One way to achieve this is to compute correction factors depending on T using response surface regressions [MacKinnon, 1991] . Even though we discuss the application of the P χ 2 test to testing problems for nonstationary panel data, the conclusions may hold more generally for other applications and other meta-analytic test statistics.

One way to achieve this is to compute correction factors depending on T using response surface regressions.


Concrete, like many widely employed construction materials, typically follows the classic bathtub hazard rate function curve [1] . A measurable fraction of concrete structures exhibit problems with early-age cracking [2] . Those that perform well at these early ages often provide a long and generally service-free life, followed by end-of-life failures, due to the material's most common degradation mechanisms including sulfate attack, chloride-induced corrosion, freezethaw attack or degradation, and/or alkali-silica reaction. While most new concrete technologies are intended and designed to address either the early-age performance or the longer term durability of concrete, those that provide benefits in both arenas would offer significant advantages, such as reduced concrete mixture complexity.

Concrete, like many widely employed construction materials, typically follows the classic bathtub hazard rate function curve.

A measurable fraction of concrete structures exhibit problems with early-age cracking.


Nevertheless, two-way SMPs are more intelligent; they can sense environmental changes and respond to them in an optimal manner [35] . Applying two-way SMPs in built environments could offer real benefits, though there are still many difficulties with their proper engineering. Section 4 of this research concisely describes the mechanism of two-way SMPs, reviews certain popular areas of research, and lists particular challenges and opportunities related to their use in building and architecture applications.

Nevertheless, two-way SMPs are more intelligent; they can sense environmental changes and respond to them in an optimal manner.


Based on the number of shapes involved in each shape memory cycle, SMPs can be classified as dual, triple, or multi-SMP [13] . A typical SMP is dual (i.e., one temporary shape transformed into a permanent shape). In contrast, triple-SMPs feature two temporary shapes (A and B in Figure 3 ) in addition to their permanent one (C in Figure 3) . First, the temporary shape B must be programmed, followed by the temporary shape A.

Based on the number of shapes involved in each shape memory cycle, SMPs can be classified as dual, triple, or multi-SMP.


A corollary of the first two hypotheses is that having a germ line becomes more and more advantageous as organisms increase in size. Indeed division of labor is more fruitful in a big group than in a small one (first hypothesis), and the frequency of mutants occurring during the development increases with development time (second hypothesis). Therefore, one might think that a consequence of both these hypotheses is that big organisms should have a germ line, while small ones should not. However, this deduction is not valid across taxa, because organisms from different taxa are subject to different sets of constraints. For example, we expect that organisms from different taxa should differ in their susceptibility to selfish mutants: in plants, for example, selfish mutants do not have much opportunity to spread within the organism, due to the mechanical constraint of the rigid cell wall, while in animals, cell mobility increases the risk of proliferation of selfish cells. Therefore, having a germ line could be more advantageous for a small animal than for a large plant. So we do not think that comparisons made by Pál and Szathmáry between loosely related taxonomic groups provide a powerful test for these hypotheses (Pál and Szathmáry, 2000) . Comparisons between closely related species, however, are more useful, because these species may be subject to similar constraints. The Volvocales, for example, illustrate the association of larger size with earlier germsoma differentiation, in agreement with the division of labor and conflict mediation hypotheses (but, of course, a correlation is not a proof of a causal relationship).

So we do not think that comparisons made by Pál and Szathmáry between loosely related taxonomic groups provide a powerful test for these hypotheses.


The investigation of the long air gap discharge mechanism is essential for the optimization design of the external insulation of power systems and lightning protection [1] [2] [3] . Furthermore, it can also provide fundamental knowledge to improve the lightning protection performance of grounded structures. About 50% of breakdown voltage of long air gaps is closely related to the waveform of impulse voltages, which trends to a U-shaped curve. The Ultra High Voltage (UHV) transmission system has many advantages in bulk power transmission over remote distances, such as lower line losses, lower footprint and lower cost. Thus, the statistical value of the front time for switching overvoltage waveform is in the range of 0.5~2 milliseconds (ms), and much greater than that of the standard switching impulse proposed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards. The computation and field record waveform showed that the front time in switching the overvoltage waveform was greater than 1000 microsecond (µs); on the other hand, wave front time is associated with the transmission distance [4] [5] [6] . Furthermore, the effect of a long front time in switching impulse insulation deserves consideration.

The investigation of the long air gap discharge mechanism is essential for the optimization design of the external insulation of power systems and lightning protection.

The computation and field record waveform showed that the front time in switching the overvoltage waveform was greater than 1000 microsecond (µs); on the other hand, wave front time is associated with the transmission distance.


However, there is far more to solar convection than solar granulation. Granulation alone cannot account for the differential rotation and meridional circulation apparent from surface observations and helioseismic inversions. Furthermore, it is these mean flows, together with the deeper, larger-scale convective motions that must maintain them, that are thought to be responsible for establishing the solar activity cycle (Miesch, 2005; Charbonneau, 2010) .

Furthermore, it is these mean flows, together with the deeper, larger-scale convective motions that must maintain them, that are thought to be responsible for establishing the solar activity cycle.


Observations clearly indicate that the surface of the Sun is blanketed by roughly a million convection cells, each with a characteristic size of about 1.4 Mm and a typical lifetime of about 10-15 min. This is the well-known phenomena of solar granulation and it represents the dominant scale of convection in the solar photosphere. Granulation is well understood theoretically and modern numerical simulations are able to reproduce observations with striking fidelity (Nordlund et al., 2009) . In fact, modeling solar granulation is arguably one of the most notable success stories in all of computational astrophysics.

Granulation is well understood theoretically and modern numerical simulations are able to reproduce observations with striking fidelity.


To demonstrate this, we can quantify the rotational influence by means of the Rossby number R o = U/(2ΩL) where Ω is some measure of the rotation rate and U and L are typical convective velocity and length scales. If we take Ω = 2.7 × 10 −6 rad s −1 U ∼ 200 m s −1 , and L ∼ H ρ ∼ 28 Mm, where H ρ is the density scale height, we obtain R o ∼ 1.3. This appears to be at odds with the differential rotation of the Sun inferred from photospheric observations and helioseismic inversions, which reveal a ∼30% decrease in angular velocity from equator to pole. Such a substantial differential rotation implies efficient angular momentum transport by the convective Reynolds stress (Miesch, 2005) . This in turn requires the strong Coriolis-induced velocity correlations that are generally associated with R o 1. This expectation is borne out by global simulations of solar and stellar convection, which show a dramatic change in the differential rotation profile near R o = 1 (Guerrero et al., 2013; Gastine et al., 2014; Fan and Fang, 2014; Käpylä et al., 2014; Featherstone and Miesch, 2015; Karak et al., 2015) . For R o 1, differential rotation profiles are generally solar-like in the sense that the Ω gradient is equatorward, decreasing from equator to pole (though the Ω contours are often more cylindrically-aligned than in the Sun). For R o 1, differential rotation profiles are anti-solar, with a poleward Ω gradient. This is attributed to the tendency for convective motions to conserve their angular momentum locally when the rotational influence is weak.

Such a substantial differential rotation implies efficient angular momentum transport by the convective Reynolds stress.

This expectation is borne out by global simulations of solar and stellar convection, which show a dramatic change in the differential rotation profile near R o = 1.


When interpreting our results, we must keep in mind the target parameter regime. As discussed in §4, the conductive flux F c is a model that is intended to represent SGS convection in the solar surface layers. As such, there is no value of κ that corresponds to the microphysical (plasma) thermal diffusion in the actual Sun. However, there is a thermal diffusion due to radiative heat transport (modeled here implicitly by Q), which is proportional to κ r ∇T . Thus, we may loosely take the value of κ r ∼ 10 7 cm 2 s −1 as our target value for the effective κ in the Sun. Since the values of κ used here are on the order of 10 12 -10 13 cm 2 s −1 , we would need to decrease κ by about 5-6 orders of magnitude to approach the actual thermal diffusion of the Sun. The molecular viscosity, ν, in the Sun is even smaller, on the order of 1 cm 2 s −1 (Miesch, 2005) . So, in order to achieve the true microphysical plasma viscosity of the Sun, we would have to decrease ν by about 12-13 orders of magnitude. So, based on the microphysics of the solar plasma, P r 1. However, as we will argue in §6, the effective viscosity of the solar plasma may be much higher, potentially placing the Sun in a high-P r regime. This justifies our two paths in parameter space. We seek to understand the behavior of the system as we decrease κ to approach more solar-like parameter regimes. However, we find that this behavior depends on whether or not we simultaneously decrease ν as well.

The molecular viscosity, ν, in the Sun is even smaller, on the order of 1 cm 2 s −1.


There are three recent research developments that suggest our current understanding of deep solar convection may be incomplete. The first comes from the same numerical simulations of solar surface convection that do so well at capturing granulation. When these are extended to larger horizontal and vertical scales, they tend to over-estimate the power at low spectral wavenumbers when compared to photospheric observations (Lord et al., 2014) . For the largest horizontal scales in the simulations, 196 Mm, the characteristic amplitude of convective velocities is at least three times larger than that inferred from correlation tracking of photospheric features, with the trend suggesting even larger discrepancies at larger scales. Furthermore, the peak vertical velocities at the bottom of the computational domain, 49 Mm below the solar surface, can exceed several hundred m s −1 . Though these surface convection simulations neglect rotation, such large convective velocities suggest a weak rotational influence.

When these are extended to larger horizontal and vertical scales, they tend to over-estimate the power at low spectral wavenumbers when compared to photospheric observations.


Floras of tropical islands, particularly which are rich in endemics and still retain ancient floras could provide valuable information on the evolutionary trends of their breeding system. Chief factors which determine the present distribution of species appear to be the degree of isolation and the tolerance to changes in the environment exhibited by the individual species (Abeywickrama 1956a) . Because of the isolation of Sri Lankan flora, particularly the concentration of endemics in the wet zone of the island, it can be used for the comparative studies of the evolution of dioecy and monoecy. Thus, distribution of monoecy and dioecy in relation to different factors, namely endemism, growth form, fruit type, seed number and flower size were studied for the entire Sri Lankan flora.

Chief factors which determine the present distribution of species appear to be the degree of isolation and the tolerance to changes in the environment exhibited by the individual species.


Although global incidence has been significantly reduced through vaccination, measles remains an important public health problem. This disease remains the leading vaccine-preventable killer of children worldwide, and is estimated to have caused 614 000 global deaths in 2002 with 50% of these occurring in sub-Saharan Africa [1] . The persistence of measles in many African countries indicates the need to further investigate the dynamics of measles epidemics in these areas as well as our approach to epidemic control.

This disease remains the leading vaccine-preventable killer of children worldwide, and is estimated to have caused 614 000 global deaths in 2002 with 50% of these occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.


The main objective of this study is to recognize the level of narcissism in Iranian accounting profession. The other objective is to introduce narcissism as an unethical behavior in accounting climate, which could influence on audit opinion. It is important to point that this study provides some research results on overconfidence because narcissism and overconfidence are two related concepts and covered each other in different studies (Johnson et al., 2013) .

It is important to point that this study provides some research results on overconfidence because narcissism and overconfidence are two related concepts and covered each other in different studies.


Previous research said that one of the popular methods for recognition of facial expressions such as happiness, sadness and surprise is based on deformation of facial features. Motion vectors which show these deformations can be specified by the optical flow [1] . With this method, for detecting expressions, the resulted set of motion vectors are compared with the standard deformation template that caused by facial expressions. In this paper, a new method is introduced to compute the quantity of likeness in order to make decisions based on the importance of obtaining vectors from an optical flow approach. For finding the vectors, one of the efficient optical flow methods developed by Horn and Schunck is used.

Motion vectors which show these deformations can be specified by the optical flow.


Derivative-Free Optimization (DFO) refers to a large class of methods that are designed to find local optima without needing derivative information to be provided or to even exist, a ubiquitous practical situation arising in problems where the often black-box function evaluations may be expensive or inaccurate/noisy [9] . Global Optimization (GO) algorithms, whether derivativebased or derivative-free, tackle the (NP-hard) question of finding global optima, a much more computationally intense effort but a crucial requirement for some applications [27] . Both classes of methods aim to go beyond the remit of the successful and scalable local derivative-based optimization solvers that, by construction, get easily trapped in/close to local optima; this larger applicability comes at the cost of reduced scalability, especially in the case of generic GO algorithms.

Derivative-Free Optimization (DFO) refers to a large class of methods that are designed to find local optima without needing derivative information to be provided or to even exist, a ubiquitous practical situation arising in problems where the often black-box function evaluations may be expensive or inaccurate/noisy.

Global Optimization (GO) algorithms, whether derivativebased or derivative-free, tackle the (NP-hard) question of finding global optima, a much more computationally intense effort but a crucial requirement for some applications.


This quantitative study used an online survey for data collection. The online survey was based on previously published research that identified potential factors that may contribute to librarians' research productivity. The knowledge resulting from this first phase of the research was conducted via content analysis, and the results are described in a previous publication (Hoffmann et al., 2014) . We considered the survey instruments used in those studies found via the content analysis to inform the development of survey questions. Building from the results of the first phase of the research, survey questions captured participants' research outputs and explored factors related to three categories: Individual Attributes (including demographics), Peers and Community, and Institutional Structures and Supports.

The knowledge resulting from this first phase of the research was conducted via content analysis, and the results are described in a previous publication.


Research productivity can be an important element of librarians' career development and career progression; however, librarians' enthusiasm and capacity to achieve and maintain a scholarly record is inconsistent. While some librarians have excelled in this aspect of their responsibilities, others have struggled (Walters, 2016; O'Brien & Cronin, 2016) . There have been numerous approaches to supporting librarians in their efforts to be productive researchers; however, the impact of these supports has not been well studied.

While some librarians have excelled in this aspect of their responsibilities, others have struggled.


Recently, various systems for platelet function test have been used to measure platelet reactivity. Current laboratory techniques, such as ADP-induced light transmittance aggregometry (LTA), the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay, multiple electrode platelet aggregometry (MEA), and flow cytometry are all based on different principles and measure different properties to evaluate platelet activation [6, 7] . Another platelet function analyzer (PFA) (IN-NOVANCE PFA-200 System; Siemens Healthcare, Marburg, Germany) equipped with the new P2Y assay is also being used in clinical trials [7, 8] . As an improved version of PFA-100, the PFA-200 has now become more usable because it overcame the lack of sensitivity to the effects of clopidogrel and has shown promising results in a few clinical studies [9, 10] . However, few studies have investigated the sensitivity and specificity of PFA-200 assays for detecting inhibition of platelet function in patients taking oral clopidogrel, based on their CYP2C19 polymorphism status.

Current laboratory techniques, such as ADP-induced light transmittance aggregometry (LTA), the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay, multiple electrode platelet aggregometry (MEA), and flow cytometry are all based on different principles and measure different properties to evaluate platelet activation.

Another platelet function analyzer (PFA) (IN-NOVANCE PFA-200 System; Siemens Healthcare, Marburg, Germany) equipped with the new P2Y assay is also being used in clinical trials.

As an improved version of PFA-100, the PFA-200 has now become more usable because it overcame the lack of sensitivity to the effects of clopidogrel and has shown promising results in a few clinical studies.


Two parallel case studies were conducted in this research. In the first study, use of HCl as an accelerator was investigated and different associated parameters were examined. Second study was devoted to examine feasibility of generating 5.5 wt% of hydrogen that concurs US DOE 2015 storage targets. Samples of experimental results are shown in Tables 1, 2, and 3. A value of 1 wt% NaOH was adopted in all experiments in both studied cases for fuel (NaBH 4 ) solution stabilization, since it has been proven to be optimal concentration [14] .

A value of 1 wt% NaOH was adopted in all experiments in both studied cases for fuel (NaBH 4 ) solution stabilization, since it has been proven to be optimal concentration.


In the current study, a continuous increase in the hydrogen generation rate was observed with a parallel increase in NaBH 4 concentration when using acidic scheme and applying HCl as an acid accelerator, as presented in Fig. 2 . This result is partially related to the hydrogen storage capacity which increases theoretically with a parallel increase in NaBH 4 concentration fed to the system. Additional reason could be a high conversion which occurred as a result of an efficient direct contact between fuel solution and acidic accelerator through a tee junction. This result is in agreement with the findings of several researchers [3, 10, 18] . They concluded that using NaBH 4 in a solid form, while being injected through aqueous acidified water, is more efficient than alkaline stabilized form. They showed that an acidic scheme offers to pack more hydrogen per unit volume of hydrogen generator, while the mode of contact between two reacting species would become much easier.

This result is in agreement with the findings of several researchers.


The organizational diversity of environmental labelling schemes is analysed along two main dimensions: The level of state involvement in environmental labelling and the plurality of environmental labels existing within a country. It can be argued that when states assume an active role in environmental labelling, then trust in and recognition of the respective labels increases (Sønderskov and Daugbjerg 2010; Teisl and Roe 2005) . The multitude or fragmentation of the environmental labels, in turn, is expected to increase confusion about standards, thereby decreasing the propensity to buy environmental-labelled products (Aschemann et al. 2007; Hamm and Gronefeld 2004) .

It can be argued that when states assume an active role in environmental labelling, then trust in and recognition of the respective labels increases.

The multitude or fragmentation of the environmental labels, in turn, is expected to increase confusion about standards, thereby decreasing the propensity to buy environmental-labelled products.


The multivariate multilevel regression analysis allows one to assess whether organizational and supply-side variables have a significant effect on the purchase of environmentallabelled goods and whether this effect persists when controlling for other (demand-side) variables. To assess whether there is sufficient variation on the macro level, the ICC is estimated for an empty model (without any variables). The ICC is 10% which is sufficiently high for estimating a multilevel model (Hox 2002) . Thus 10% of the overall variance is linked to the macro level. Table 2 presents the results for the first set of logistic hierarchical regressions. Models 1 and 2 report the coefficients for the micro variables and the organizational and market supply-side factors. In Model 3, both types of variables are jointly introduced to the model.

The ICC is 10% which is sufficiently high for estimating a multilevel model.


In the next section, a conceptual model is outlined which allows one to distinguish analytically between supply-and demand-side explanations in the market as well as in the political/organizational dimension of environmental labelling (Thøgersen 2010) . Focusing consecutively on information, trust, and opportunity structures, a theoretical argument is developed that explains how the organization of environmental labelling as well as the retailing structures and market supply affect purchasing behaviour. After giving an overview of the varieties of environmental labelling and market structures in Europe, relevant control variables are discussed. The "Empirical Analysis" section presents the data, method, as well as the descriptive and multivariate results. In the conclusion, the limitations of the findings and policy implications are discussed.

In the next section, a conceptual model is outlined which allows one to distinguish analytically between supply-and demand-side explanations in the market as well as in the political/organizational dimension of environmental labelling.


In the current work, acidic leaching was used for uranium extraction, as it has the advantages of being more effective -requiring lower temperatures and leaching times. Moreover, the particle size from the grinding process does not need to be very small, as it is required in case of alkaline leaching [10] . Sulphuric acid used as leaching agent, typically combines high leach performance and relatively low cost [11] .

Moreover, the particle size from the grinding process does not need to be very small, as it is required in case of alkaline leaching.

Sulphuric acid used as leaching agent, typically combines high leach performance and relatively low cost.


The usefulness of Dowex 1 for uranium recovery is confi rmed in numerous papers. However, the authors do not provide information about the degree of crosslinking of the ion exchanger used. Cross-linkage is an essential parameter which may profoundly affect the ion-exchange behaviour especially in the case of large complex anions [16, 24, 25] . In these works, the infl uence of degree of crosslinking of Dowex 1 on the effi ciency of uranium extraction was investigated.

Cross-linkage is an essential parameter which may profoundly affect the ion-exchange behaviour especially in the case of large complex anions.


In the face of depletion of fossil resources, the development of nuclear power in the world is inevitable. Poland is one of the few developed countries, which does not have a nuclear power plant [1] . Therefore, The programme of Polish nuclear energy has recently been implemented. Simultaneously, the interest in domestic uranium ores, which fi rst appeared in the fi ftieth of the previous century, has been renewed.

Poland is one of the few developed countries, which does not have a nuclear power plant.


Copper T intrauterine devices (IUDs) have been used for more than 40 years as a contraceptive medium and remain the mainstay of family planning measures in developing countries. Use of these devices has been associated with serious complications, though. With an incidence of 1.2 per 1,000 insertions, uterine perforation is considered a rare complication [1] . Migration of an IUD can occur either into the peritoneal cavity or into adjacent organs such as the colon, with subsequent septic manifestations. Due of unspecific symptoms, many cases of migrated IUDs are diagnosed with delay or even accidentally. We report a case of IUD migration into the colonic wall. Following a laparoscopic dissection of intraabdominal adhesions, the device could be colonoscopically retrieved with a "rendezvous" maneuver.

With an incidence of 1.2 per 1,000 insertions, uterine perforation is considered a rare complication.


Therefore, a heated accumulator is used to ensure safe operation of the compressor (only saturated or superheated vapor enters the compressor) while allowing two-phase flow at the exit of the evaporator. Nevertheless, transitions between two-phase and superheated regions at the exit of the evaporator may occur during large transients. The control system must be able to handle these transitions. However, these phase transitions represent a challenge for controller design because a switch in the steady-state gain sign can occur in the refrigerant temperature at the exit of the evaporator. First principle models are highly nonlinear and need to be simplified to be practical for VCC control ( [10] , [2] ). Experimental identification of system dynamics is required for model validation and can also be used for simple controller design. In this paper, experimental identification of a VCC dynamics is obtained by measuring the system response to pulse changes in operating conditions (expansion valve opening, compressor speed, or evaporator heat load). The pulse changes are given from a steady-state condition and measurements are taken until steady-state is again reached after the disturbance. Experiments are performed at two different regimes: Where the initial steady-state flow at the exit of the evaporator is in the two-phase region and there is no transition during the disturbance; and where the pulse causes the flow to transition from the two-phase into the superheated region.

First principle models are highly nonlinear and need to be simplified to be practical for VCC control (,).


The smart grid is a new concept of the next-generation electric power system that has emerged to address challenges of the existing power grid. The smart grid is a modern electric power grid infrastructure for enhanced efficiency, reliability and safety, with smooth integration of renewable and alternative energy sources, through automated control and modern communications technologies [1] . Communication architecture of smart grid including requirements, topologies, and protocol stack is required for smart grid environments [2] . Smart grids provide more electricity to meet rising demand, increase reliability and quality of power supplies, increase energy efficiency, be able to integrate low carbon energy sources into power networks [3] . To realize the smart grid technology, legacy substations are retrofitted by substation automation systems (SASs), allowing the robust control and communication tasks [4] . The SAS system is used to control, supervise, and protect substations that are strategic nodes in power networks, which consist of large numbers of switchgears and measuring devices [5] . Functions of an SAS are control and supervision, as well as protection and monitoring of the primary equipment and of the grid. The functions can be assigned to three levels: the station level, the bay level, and the process level. Devices of an SAS may be physically 1.

The smart grid is a modern electric power grid infrastructure for enhanced efficiency, reliability and safety, with smooth integration of renewable and alternative energy sources, through automated control and modern communications technologies.

Communication architecture of smart grid including requirements, topologies, and protocol stack is required for smart grid environments.

Smart grids provide more electricity to meet rising demand, increase reliability and quality of power supplies, increase energy efficiency, be able to integrate low carbon energy sources into power networks.

To realize the smart grid technology, legacy substations are retrofitted by substation automation systems (SASs), allowing the robust control and communication tasks.

The SAS system is used to control, supervise, and protect substations that are strategic nodes in power networks, which consist of large numbers of switchgears and measuring devices.

Devices of an SAS may be physically 1.


When we began our activities, there were few national or international precedents for us to draw upon, either in mental health or in the broader general health sector. Australia was one of the first places to introduce routine outcome measurement in mental health services on such a large scale, although others were beginning to take up the mantle. Notable among these are Ohio in the United States, and New Zealand, both of which have faced the same sorts of issues that we have and (with some contextual nuances) have often addressed them in a similar fashion [57] .

Notable among these are Ohio in the United States, and New Zealand, both of which have faced the same sorts of issues that we have and (with some contextual nuances) have often addressed them in a similar fashion.


In 1983, Mandelbrot studied the shapes of nature objects and discovered fractal phenomena. The shape of rocks or other shapes of nature show similar structures with the initial stage when zoomed at different scales [5] . Fractal analysis was first applied to time series by following the work of Hurst to the hydrological approach [6, 7] . When a time series is viewed at different scale levels, the fractal scaling behavior can be generated.

The shape of rocks or other shapes of nature show similar structures with the initial stage when zoomed at different scales.

Fractal analysis was first applied to time series by following the work of Hurst to the hydrological approach.


Podobnik and Stanley proposed a new method called detrended cross-correlation analysis (DCCA), which is a generalization of DFA based on detrended covariance. The cross correlation between two distinct signals, namely air humidity and temperature, and sleep disorder breathing and cardiovascular disease were both analyzed to obtain the power-law cross correlations between two time series [17] . Similarly, DCCA has been extensively used in physics for analyzing the basic relation between the correlation properties of an original signal and its magnitude fluctuations [18] .

The cross correlation between two distinct signals, namely air humidity and temperature, and sleep disorder breathing and cardiovascular disease were both analyzed to obtain the power-law cross correlations between two time series.

Similarly, DCCA has been extensively used in physics for analyzing the basic relation between the correlation properties of an original signal and its magnitude fluctuations.


Recent research at the ICRISAT center to investigate these differences showed that large responses to P occurred in Alfisols when the extractable P (0.5 M NaHCO3) was less than 5 mg kg -1. On the other hand, sorghum responded little to applied P on Vertisols unless the extractable P was less than 2.5 mg kg -1 (ICRISAT, 1985) . The cause of low response in Vertisols is not known, but is often attributed to phosphate sorption (Murthy, 1988) . However, recent work on the behaviour of P in Indian Vertisols indicated that the Vertisols have low phosphate sorption capacity compared to other tropical soils (such as Ultisols and Oxisols). The data on P desorption indicated that the Vertisols studied sorb P in an easily desorbable form (Sahrawat and Warren, 1989; Shailaja and Sahrawat, 1990) .

On the other hand, sorghum responded little to applied P on Vertisols unless the extractable P was less than 2.5 mg kg -1.

The cause of low response in Vertisols is not known, but is often attributed to phosphate sorption.

The data on P desorption indicated that the Vertisols studied sorb P in an easily desorbable form.


A very useful approach for measuring the dielectric properties of materials is time domain reflectometry (TDR) [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] . This is a time domain approach. It is based on the measurement of step or impulse response of the device under test (DUT).

A very useful approach for measuring the dielectric properties of materials is time domain reflectometry (TDR).

This is a time domain approach.


When the geometrical structure of the material under test is in the sheet form, free space techniques may be more suitable [2] . In these methods, the response (i.e., reflection, transmission and absorption) of this sheet to Electromagnetics waves is measured and analyzed. It is obvious that this method is not applicable for small samples of dielectrics.

When the geometrical structure of the material under test is in the sheet form, free space techniques may be more suitable.


Electromagnetic properties of each material include the permittivity, permeability and conductivity. For dielectric materials either lossy or lossless, the most identifying parameter is the dielectric constant or permittivity [1] . There are many methods for measuring this parameter. Many of these methods require very complicated test sets. Also many of them have a limited dynamic range.

For dielectric materials either lossy or lossless, the most identifying parameter is the dielectric constant or permittivity.


Thus, assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices could be an early step forward to determine the extent to which an individual can follow healthy behaviors [18] . Screening Clinical indicators of renal dysfunction is fundamental for the early detection of patients at risk for CKD; moreover, it is also imperative to increase patients' awareness in order to modify their lifestyle towards preventing the occurrence of the disease. Early screening and population education regarding CKD positively affected patients' understanding of CKD and medical outcomes [19] . Therefore, the current study is aimed at assessing patient awareness, prevalence, and risk factors for CKD among diabetes mellitus and hypertensive patients.

Thus, assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices could be an early step forward to determine the extent to which an individual can follow healthy behaviors.

Early screening and population education regarding CKD positively affected patients' understanding of CKD and medical outcomes.


We live in an information-rich era that has come to expect ubiquitous on-demand data delivered at low cost to mobile platforms. This hunger for ever-increasing amounts and types of data has expanded to include chemical and biological information, with the hope that such data hold keys to improving our life. For example, MEMS-based chemical and biological sensors enable more convenient and advanced forms of Point-of-Care Testing (POCT), which can provide patient data in real-time at the patient's bedside [1] . MEMS-based chemical sensors, integrated with mobile platforms, further offer the possibility of distributed realtime environmental monitoring in remote or hazardous locations, where conventional techniques would be impractical or even impossible [2, 3] . By adding additional value in terms of automation and real-time data collection, MEMS-based sensor technologies are even being developed to displace traditional analysis methods for addressing routine pollution concerns (e.g. municipal water supplies and indoor air quality) [2] .

For example, MEMS-based chemical and biological sensors enable more convenient and advanced forms of Point-of-Care Testing (POCT), which can provide patient data in real-time at the patient's bedside.

MEMS-based chemical sensors, integrated with mobile platforms, further offer the possibility of distributed realtime environmental monitoring in remote or hazardous locations, where conventional techniques would be impractical or even impossible.

By adding additional value in terms of automation and real-time data collection, MEMS-based sensor technologies are even being developed to displace traditional analysis methods for addressing routine pollution concerns (e.g. municipal water supplies and indoor air quality).


With the goal of developing such real-time mobile sensing platforms, this work demonstrates a resonant cantilever platform with integrated temperature modulation for chemical sensing. The embedded heating elements enable rapid thermal cycling of individual resonant microstructures and, thus, allow for analysis of signal transients, which contain information about the real-time sorption kinetics of analytes into the sensing film on the resonator surface [5, 6] . By generating the signal transients through temperature modulation with integrated heating units, this mode of operation eliminates the need for an external microfluidic setup to switch between analyte and reference gas streams. Additionally, the rapid temperature modulation potentially enables intrinsic drift compensation without the need for a reference resonator and generates measurement data in realtime. Combining these two advantages -no need for an external flow system or a reference resonator -can dramatically reduce the complexity and cost of the total system, leading to increased deployability in the field as part of low-power mobile platforms. Finally, when compared to traditional mass-sensitive microsensors operating in steady state, the on-chip generation of signal transients provides additional information for analyte discrimination and quantification, which can lead to improved sensing performance in the presence of interfering compounds [5, 6, 7, 8] . Figure 1 shows an SEM micrograph of a fabricated microresonator consisting of a semicircular head region with inner and outer diameters of 100 µm and 200 µm, respectively, supported by a 75 µm wide and 100 µm long cantilever beam. Three integrated heating resistors, connected in series, are defined around the perimeter of the semicircular head region and were formed via hightemperature boron diffusion through an oxide mask. As the thermal excitation resistors as well as the piezoresistive sensing resistors connected in a Wheatstone bridge are formed in like manner, the integration of the embedded heating resistors does not require any additional process steps. The total series resistance of the embedded heating unit was designed to have a value of approximately 1 kΩ, allowing for significant temperature elevation with modest applied heating current in the low milliamp range. The overall resonator structure was further designed to allow for rapid and uniform heating of the head area with a minimal thermal time constant.

The embedded heating elements enable rapid thermal cycling of individual resonant microstructures and, thus, allow for analysis of signal transients, which contain information about the real-time sorption kinetics of analytes into the sensing film on the resonator surface.

Finally, when compared to traditional mass-sensitive microsensors operating in steady state, the on-chip generation of signal transients provides additional information for analyte discrimination and quantification, which can lead to improved sensing performance in the presence of interfering compounds.


Currently, many standard testing systems for chemical analysis consist of bulky desktop equipment (e.g. gas chromatography, mass spectrometry), requiring costly and complex external support systems to process and treat samples with additional reagents and control fluids [2, 4] . Such systems are often expensive and difficult to transport, requiring them to be located at a fixed position in a centrally located facility. Thus, many such standard tests require samples to be transported off-site to a designated testing facility for processing and analysis, which introduces significant time delays and can even lead to inaccuracies in the results due to sample degradation [2] . In instances where the sample analysis leads to a time-sensitive decision (e.g. a clinical decision or a quarantine of a contaminated location), such delays severely limit the efficacy of the information being gathered. In these cases, the real-time nature of data provided by low-cost MEMS-based sensors can prove more valuable than the superior accuracy of traditional techniques, leading to applications where 'good enough,' in terms of measurement resolution, can be a preferable alternative.

Currently, many standard testing systems for chemical analysis consist of bulky desktop equipment (e.g. gas chromatography, mass spectrometry), requiring costly and complex external support systems to process and treat samples with additional reagents and control fluids.

Thus, many such standard tests require samples to be transported off-site to a designated testing facility for processing and analysis, which introduces significant time delays and can even lead to inaccuracies in the results due to sample degradation.


REDD+ demonstration activities can be led by individuals, communities, NGOs, the private sector, or national or local governments duly authorized by the host country to implement REDD+ project activities (Angelsen, Streck, Peskett, Brown, & Luttrell, 2008) . In the Readiness phase of REDD+ , demonstration projects can contribute to the design of national REDD+ strategies in a number of ways. First, they attempt to trial all elements of REDD+ as a practical proof of concept and provide important on-the-ground information about the application of REDD+ design components, such as measuring, reporting, and verification (MRV), implementation strategies, participation and rights of indigenous people and local communities, financial structures to share carbon revenues, co-benefits, tenure issues, and drivers of deforestation and forest degradation . Second, they serve as a springboard for the international REDD+ debate by providing innovative methodologies and scientific lessons for how to structure and implement national REDD+ policies.

REDD+ demonstration activities can be led by individuals, communities, NGOs, the private sector, or national or local governments duly authorized by the host country to implement REDD+ project activities.


Going beyond that, some countries wish to incorporate such project-based approaches into their national frameworks. They have adopted the principle of a 'nested approach' where projects and/or subnational programmes are integrated into higher-level accounting, allowing 'countries to start REDD+ efforts through sub-national activities and gradually move to a national approach or for the coexistence of the two approaches' (Angelsen et al., 2008) . This nested approach would enable the creation of incentives for action at multiple scales.

They have adopted the principle of a 'nested approach' where projects and/or subnational programmes are integrated into higher-level accounting, allowing 'countries to start REDD+ efforts through sub-national activities and gradually move to a national approach or for the coexistence of the two approaches'.


In the current study, neither age nor years of teaching experience were correlated with the TEIQue and the TSES. These results are consistent with previous studies showing no association between these variables and both EI and self-efficacy among teachers (Chan, 2004; Penrose, Perry, & Ball, 2007; Rastegar & Memarpour, 2009) . Therefore, one can suggest that efficacy in teaching is independent of age and teaching experience (i.e., young teachers can instruct students as efficiently as older or more experienced colleagues), but rather associated to individual differences in EI and self-efficacy.

These results are consistent with previous studies showing no association between these variables and both EI and self-efficacy among teachers.


However, there are emerging surgical options incorporating endarterectomy techniques that may antagonize these morphological changes. One such technique is coronary artery reconstruction using the internal mammary artery. Autologous arterial patching of an open-endarterectomized artery in animal models of carotid and vascular surgery seems to enhance re-endothelialization of the endarterectomized area, and when applied to coronary arteries, may thus prevent or at least greatly reduce the concentric myofibrointimal proliferation typically found on medium-term follow-up in CE [21, 22] .

Autologous arterial patching of an open-endarterectomized artery in animal models of carotid and vascular surgery seems to enhance re-endothelialization of the endarterectomized area, and when applied to coronary arteries, may thus prevent or at least greatly reduce the concentric myofibrointimal proliferation typically found on medium-term follow-up in CE.


Specimen 4, which was loaded to 0.75% strain, shows only one visible narrow crack (Figure 9 ). This crack is filled with moisture rapidly (already after 1 minute), with the moisture front becoming a bit deeper, but significantly wider, after 10 and 30 minutes. This resembles the behaviour of regular concrete, where the (single) crack gets filled almost instantaneously by capillary action, and then the water migrates from the crack into the surrounding concrete (Zhang, et al., 2010) .

This resembles the behaviour of regular concrete, where the (single) crack gets filled almost instantaneously by capillary action, and then the water migrates from the crack into the surrounding concrete.


In the present research, in order to reduce numerical errors and thereby improve the results, application of an improved CUSP scheme in Jameson's two-dimensional finite volume method has been investigated, which is in continuation of previous research and publications of the authors [6, 16, 17] . The first novelty of this research is the innovative combined use with CUSP and scalar methods (hereforth referred to as the hybrid method) to update the properties at each calculation point. In other words, each property (ρ, T, p and V) at each calculation point can be calculated by either a CUSP or scalar method, depending on the least deviation (between two latest iterations) as a criterion, but when it comes to the whole set of the aforementioned properties at each calculation point, both of these methods may be used. This is why this innovative method is called the hybrid method.

In the present research, in order to reduce numerical errors and thereby improve the results, application of an improved CUSP scheme in Jameson's two-dimensional finite volume method has been investigated, which is in continuation of previous research and publications of the authors.


Efficiency enhancement of steam turbines, which are important components of the power generation industry, has been always considered by designers. In these plants, for low pressure transonic turbines, the droplet formation becomes significantly important. Finite volume numerical methods are conventionally used to predict the two-phase flow behavior in these steam turbines [1] [2] [3] . Considering the liquid-vapor two-phase phenomena governing the flow, and also considering the obtained when a matrix dissipation scheme was used, and the superiority of the CUSP method was evident with reference to experimental data. Another approach to increase model accuracy is to use the Levenberg-Marquardt inverse method to achieve results of adequate accuracy in shorter times than those of conventional solutions [25, 26] . The Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm is used to find the minimum of a multivariate nonlinear function; it is designed as a standard method for solving least squares problems for nonlinear functions, and exhibits high efficiency in solving inverse engineering problems. As of present, this algorithm can be used to solve a variety of nonlinear equations [27] .

Finite volume numerical methods are conventionally used to predict the two-phase flow behavior in these steam turbines.

Another approach to increase model accuracy is to use the Levenberg-Marquardt inverse method to achieve results of adequate accuracy in shorter times than those of conventional solutions.

As of present, this algorithm can be used to solve a variety of nonlinear equations.


To establish water quality we enumerated total aerobic counts of bacteria and the number of coliform bacteria. The Pivka River is a highly eutrophic river at the ponor in Postojna Cave regarding both total aerobic counts of bacteria and coliform bacteria. After the polluted Pivka sank in the cave the number of bacteria started to decrease, together with the ratio of coliforms to total bacterial counts. The highest ratio at the ponor was 0.80, which after 9 km of underground water flow dropped to 0.2 (Fig. 2) . The ratio of coliform to total counts of bacteria in the underground Pivka River in Postojna Cave in the summer period with low discharge ranged from 0.17 to 0.80. In this regard, it should be taken into account that microbial count in underground streams is a reflection of many different interactions, such as dilution, mineralization, predation, etc. Temperature gradient was established along the groundwater flow, but statistically significant correlations between measured physical parameters and microbial counts were obtained only occasionally; for example on 11 June 2009, the Pearson correlation coefficient between specific electric conductivity and count of coliform bacteria was 0.967 (p=0.033). By using an alternative method of impacting to depositional air sampling (28 August 2009, impactor Mas-100, Merck) it was shown that high concentrations of coliform bacteria (>560 CFU/ml) in the river resulted in aerosolization, and consequently formation of 2.8 CFU/m 3 of airborne coliform bacteria in the cave air (Mulec, 2010) . Alternatively, by depositional sampling on 25 June 2010 we found in air 1 coliform bacterium (CFU/20 cm 2 /20 min). The studied part of the underground Drienovská stream was only 0.52 km, and number of total bacterial count decreased with increasing distance of sampling sites upstream from the spring (Table 4) .

By using an alternative method of impacting to depositional air sampling (28 August 2009, impactor Mas-100, Merck) it was shown that high concentrations of coliform bacteria (>560 CFU/ml) in the river resulted in aerosolization, and consequently formation of 2.8 CFU/m 3 of airborne coliform bacteria in the cave air.


Entity endpoints are URLs which reliably disambiguate named entity mentions on the web [1] . A target entity can be a person, organisation, location, event or concept. Entity linking systems typically rely on semantic resources such as Wikipedia or DBPedia as end-points. Though they provide rich context for entities, such sources do not have high coverage for many domains. In addition to traditional sources, fortunately many other end-points exist for an entity on the web: for instance, social networks (e.g. facebook.com/ *), news aggregation endpoints (e.g. nytimes.com/topic/ person/*) and organisation directories (e.g. www.gtlaw.com/ People/*) are largely untapped sources of valuable entity information. Each source can be treated as a knowledge base (KB) containing entity-related unstructured data (webpages) identified by URL end-points.

Entity endpoints are URLs which reliably disambiguate named entity mentions on the web.


So clearly for the individual patient with T2DM, diabetes mellitus complications can be a determining factor with regard to functionality and quality of life. However, among a general T2DM population not specifically selected for complications, other factors may be present that might also explain why adults with T2DM have lower functioning (physical and mental) than adults without T2DM. Approximately 40%-50% of patients with diabetes are obese [7] . Epidemiological studies have found that age, family history of diabetes, obesity, low physical activity, and hypertension are risk factors for T2DM [8, 9] .

Approximately 40%-50% of patients with diabetes are obese.

Epidemiological studies have found that age, family history of diabetes, obesity, low physical activity, and hypertension are risk factors for T2DM.


During breeding most of the anchovy population occurs in the southern part of the Bay of Biscay, but subsequently moves progressively northwards (Motos et al., 1996) . In this study, the concentration of the population was considered most important because the stock declined markedly towards the end of the study period, particularly from 2003 to 2005. Therefore, in comparison with the size of the mesozooplankton community sampled each year in the entire Bay of Biscay (Fig. 1) , the number of samples taken at locations where anchovies could be detected was quite low (Table 1 ).

During breeding most of the anchovy population occurs in the southern part of the Bay of Biscay, but subsequently moves progressively northwards.


LCD is derived from User Centred Design (UCD), but acknowledges fundamental differences between users and learners, for example in terms of domain knowledge (Soloway, Guzdial and Hay, 1994) . Unlike users, learners are relatively unlikely to know what they need to do in order to achieve their goals. In short, they do not know the kinds of activities and information that they need to engage in order to understand a given topic. Hence, unlike UCD, a consideration found particularly in LCD is to support, or scaffold, learners in developing this understanding (Quintana, Krajcik and Soloway, 2000) .

LCD is derived from User Centred Design (UCD), but acknowledges fundamental differences between users and learners, for example in terms of domain knowledge.

Hence, unlike UCD, a consideration found particularly in LCD is to support, or scaffold, learners in developing this understanding.


The great saphenous vein (GSV) remains one of the most commonly used conduits due to its ease of harvesting, availability, and versatility [1] . Traditional harvesting of the GSV involves the open-vein technique, which requires an extended leg incision. This technique is associated with a significant morbidity rate, and wound complications occur in 2-24 % of cases [2, 3] .

The great saphenous vein (GSV) remains one of the most commonly used conduits due to its ease of harvesting, availability, and versatility.

This technique is associated with a significant morbidity rate, and wound complications occur in 2-24 % of cases.


Malaysia's palm oil industry has succeeded to be a powerful force in the global oils and fats economy over a few decades of year. Currently, Malaysia is the largest exporter and second producer of palm oil after Indonesia with an annual export value accounting to RM63.4 billion in year 2014 (MPOB, 2014) . Palm oil is widely demanded by various industries like food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and also recently has ventured into the energy sector as a feedstock for biodiesel.

Currently, Malaysia is the largest exporter and second producer of palm oil after Indonesia with an annual export value accounting to RM63.4 billion in year 2014.


Regime switching is a salient feature for our work because of the payment standstill triggered in case of a crisis, and crises typically signal a regime switch. For instance, during the eurozone crisis, a sharp drop of CDS spreads was noted across the board in the second half of 2012 following the ECB OMT announcement, and this was primarily due to a switch of the investors' sentiment, while country specific fundamentals remained broadly unchanged (Heinz and Sun, 2014) . Hence, we develop our model with regime switching.

For instance, during the eurozone crisis, a sharp drop of CDS spreads was noted across the board in the second half of 2012 following the ECB OMT announcement, and this was primarily due to a switch of the investors' sentiment, while country specific fundamentals remained broadly unchanged.


In this study we present the fabrication and characterization of a fiber optic sensor for the detection of chlorine gas using surface plasmon resonance technique. The probe is fabricated by coating an unclad core of the fiber by a thin film of silver followed by a film of zinc oxide. A feasibility/preliminary study of such kind of probe for the detection of chlorine gas was reported by us recently [28] . The present study deals with the more detailed rigorous study of the probe. For the characterization of the probe, light from a polychromatic source is launched from one end of the probe and the spectrum of the transmitted power at the output end of the fiber is recorded for a given concentration of the chlorine gas around the probe. The gas molecules interact with the zinc oxide layer and change its dielectric constant. The change in dielectric constant changes the resonance wavelength in the SPR spectrum recorded. To achieve the maximum shift in resonance wavelength for a given range of chlorine gas concentration the thickness of zinc oxide layer is optimized. Further, the selectivity of the probe for chlorine gas is checked by performing experiments with other gases.

A feasibility/preliminary study of such kind of probe for the detection of chlorine gas was reported by us recently.


The experiments conducted in this work revealed that improvement of the prediction accuracy by smart metering data aggregation is not a random effect. The results of the experiments show how accuracy progresses along within larger group sizes, as well the impact of the individual prediction accuracy. High predictability might be of key importance in future energy systems and the realisation of prosumer virtual power plants, which effectively group different prosumers and based on their behaviour can derive market trading strategies that may lead to lower costs. If forecast algorithms can be used to accurately report electricity loads in advance, one may preform better production scheduling and thus avoid high balancing costs. Additional improvement of group predictability (e.g. by using an electricity storage system) may allow for the existence of fully automated energy brokering [6] .

Additional improvement of group predictability (e.g. by using an electricity storage system) may allow for the existence of fully automated energy brokering.


Despite their plateauing efficiency at STC, there remains an opportunity to improve the power output c-Si solar cells under real operating conditions. The efficiency of most PV cells decreases linearly with increasing temperature, the so-called temperature coefficient of today's commercial c-Si based cells being between 0.28 -0.52 %/°C [3] . Whereas the STC temperature is 25 °C, cells in the field typically operate closer to 50 °C [4] . Assuming a rated efficiency of 25% at STC, this implies an efficiency drop of nearly 3 percentage points.

The efficiency of most PV cells decreases linearly with increasing temperature, the so-called temperature coefficient of today's commercial c-Si based cells being between 0.28 -0.52 %/°C.

Whereas the STC temperature is 25 °C, cells in the field typically operate closer to 50 °C.


In another application, there also exists the motivation to do the opposite and suppress the thermal emission of PV cells and modules. Specifically, in hybrid photovoltaicthermal (PV-T) systems the thermal efficiency can be improved using spectrally-selective low-emissivity coatings to reduce radiative thermal losses [12, 13] . Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) or aluminium-doped zinc oxide (AZO) films deposited by sputtering have been used as low-emissivity coatings, since they are highly reflective in the mid-infrared [14] .

Specifically, in hybrid photovoltaicthermal (PV-T) systems the thermal efficiency can be improved using spectrally-selective low-emissivity coatings to reduce radiative thermal losses.

Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) or aluminium-doped zinc oxide (AZO) films deposited by sputtering have been used as low-emissivity coatings, since they are highly reflective in the mid-infrared.


The electro-hydraulic system as one of the fundamental components has been applied in many other equipment too, such as construction machines, agricultural machines, and airplanes. Common to these applications is that high power is often required to perform the desired work, for example moving material or lifting heavy weights. The power for such drives is often generated by a centralized source, usually an internal combustion engine or a high power electric machine. Using fluid power systems the power is easily distributed via hydraulic lines to either linear or rotary drives. It is estimated that by the year 2000, the world market of electro-hydraulics is about 30-35 billion dollars per year, and is in steady growth. Meanwhile, energy saving concerning a hydraulic system has been raised with the numerical application of heavy equipment. The electro-hydraulic system mounted equipment often works around the clock and outputs high power in handling heavy loads. The energy consumption and the waste gas emission of such systems therefore stays high. Take one of the most popular construction machines, 20-t load sensing controlled hydraulic excavator as an example. Such excavator type usually requires a diesel engine of more than 110 kW, which consumes at least 33 liters fuel in an hour. The amount of NOx and CO emitted by this machine is considerable. But only 30% of the consumed energy is used for moving loads. While more than 60% of the energy is consumed in power losses and driving of hydraulic systems. Therefore, even a small improvement in the hydraulic system efficiency will have a significant impact on the total energy efficiency of the machine [16] .

Therefore, even a small improvement in the hydraulic system efficiency will have a significant impact on the total energy efficiency of the machine.


Besides being a critical cofactor in numerous enzymatic reactions, magnesium (Mg) is involved in several cellular processes, including ATP production, oxygen uptake, electrolyte balance, glucose metabolism, DNA transcription and protein synthesis [8] . Regarding central nervous system, Mg has a neuroprotective role as a blocker of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor ion channel, which regulates Ca 2+ transport through the plasma membrane and prevents ischemic damage to neurons. Since neural activity depends on the Mg concentration, when glutamate is released under anoxia conditions, it acts as a neuromodulator and protect cells from excitotoxicity [9] .

Besides being a critical cofactor in numerous enzymatic reactions, magnesium (Mg) is involved in several cellular processes, including ATP production, oxygen uptake, electrolyte balance, glucose metabolism, DNA transcription and protein synthesis.

Since neural activity depends on the Mg concentration, when glutamate is released under anoxia conditions, it acts as a neuromodulator and protect cells from excitotoxicity.


A number of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) contributed to the rainfall that led to the extreme flooding of the upper Mississippi and Missouri Valley region during the spring and summer of 1993 (Kunkel et al. 1994) . Rainfall during the period, especially June and July, was unusually heavy with numerous locations receiving new monthly maxima (Guttman et al. 1994) . For the 2-month period (June-July), the estimated return period for the observed rainfall at a number of locations was estimated to be more than 100 years (Guttman et al. 1994) . By August, although the worst of the heavy rains and flooding ended for most of the Midwest and northern plains, a number of mesoscale convective systems still affected the region. September brought a dra-matic decrease in convective activity until late in the month when a 4-day period of torrential rainfall led to serious flooding over portions of southeastern Kansas and southwestern Missouri. The June-September 1993 period offered the opportunity to study a number of mesoscale convective systems that were associated with heavy-to-extreme rainfall.

A number of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) contributed to the rainfall that led to the extreme flooding of the upper Mississippi and Missouri Valley region during the spring and summer of 1993.

Rainfall during the period, especially June and July, was unusually heavy with numerous locations receiving new monthly maxima.

For the 2-month period (June-July), the estimated return period for the observed rainfall at a number of locations was estimated to be more than 100 years.


Volumes are fundamental geometric invariants of convex bodies. However, volumes of lattice polytopes often have additional algebraic and combinatorial meaning. For example, order polytopes have volumes equal to the number of linear extensions of their associated poset [29] . The Catalan number C n appears as the volume of the convex hull of the positive root configuration A (+) n [20] . Catalan numbers also appear as factors of the volume of the Chan-Robbins-Yuen polytope [11, 36] . Volumes of lattice polytopes are also interesting in the context of algebraic geometry, as they can be used to determine the number of solutions of zero-dimensional systems of polynomial equations and the degrees of algebraic varieties [5, 31, 32] . This motivates the investigation of volumes of polytopes arising as convex hulls of finite groups of permutation matrices.

For example, order polytopes have volumes equal to the number of linear extensions of their associated poset.

The Catalan number C n appears as the volume of the convex hull of the positive root configuration A (+) n.

Catalan numbers also appear as factors of the volume of the Chan-Robbins-Yuen polytope.

Volumes of lattice polytopes are also interesting in the context of algebraic geometry, as they can be used to determine the number of solutions of zero-dimensional systems of polynomial equations and the degrees of algebraic varieties.


Sodium intakes were considerably high; double or triple the recommended level, in both the normal (296%) and chewing difficulty (259%) groups (P = 0.011). Worldwide, many adult populations have mean sodium intakes that are above the quantity needed on a daily basis [36] . Moreover, the traditional Korean diet is more likely to have a high intake sodium because of the frequent consumption in Korea of kimchi and seasoned vegetables, which are major contributors of dietary sodium intake [37] . In addition, elderly people tend to intake salty stews and soups more frequently than younger adults [38] .

Worldwide, many adult populations have mean sodium intakes that are above the quantity needed on a daily basis.

Moreover, the traditional Korean diet is more likely to have a high intake sodium because of the frequent consumption in Korea of kimchi and seasoned vegetables, which are major contributors of dietary sodium intake.

In addition, elderly people tend to intake salty stews and soups more frequently than younger adults.


The aim of this study was to develop an integrated spatially detailed cost-minimizing model to support water-food-energy nexus management by distributing energy and agriculture production geographically within a region. Specifically, we explored the potential for the introduction of proper water-saving technologies aligned with the heterogeneity of the resource abundance in different subregions of a region, especially where production and resources are mismatched. The model, with its capability of capturing spatial characteristics of sub-regions, permits the derivation of cost-effective spatially detailed production and investment strategies. Notably, similar models available in the literature, of which we are aware, ignore the spatial dimension [35, 36] . In our model, we make a disaggregation of a region into sub-regions where climate, landscape, and other conditions are different and, hence, the model is able to find an optimal use of those.

Notably, similar models available in the literature, of which we are aware, ignore the spatial dimension.


The aim of this study was to develop an integrated spatially detailed cost-minimizing model to support water-food-energy nexus management by distributing energy and agriculture production geographically within a region. Specifically, we explored the potential for the introduction of proper water-saving technologies aligned with the heterogeneity of the resource abundance in different sub-regions of a region, especially where production and resources are mismatched. The model, with its capability of capturing spatial characteristics of sub-regions, permits the derivation of cost-effective spatially detailed production and investment strategies. Notably, similar models available in the literature, of which we are aware, ignore the spatial dimension [35, 36] . In our model, we make a disaggregation of a region into sub-regions where climate, landscape, and other conditions are different and, hence, the model is able to find an optimal use of those.


In the growing field of wind energy extraction, the topic of rotor imbalances of wind turbines (WT) is of vital importance for the operation, safety, and durability of the turbines. Approximately 20% -50% of WT have significant rotor imbalances. This leads to damages of important components, high repair expenses, and reduced output [1] . Rotor imbalances can be categorized into mass and aerodynamic imbalances. Mass imbalances arise from inhomogeneous mass distributions of the rotor including blades and hub. They induce centrifugal forces that depend on the square of the rotational frequency Ω rot . The consequences are harmonic vibrations with Ω rot in the rotor plane (lateral). The vibration amplitude depends on the ratio between Ω rot and the resonance frequency (first eigenfrequency) Ω 0 of the turbine. Mass imbalances can be eliminated or reduced using balancing counterweights. Aerodynamic imbalances evolve from deviations in the aerodynamic properties of the blades. These lead to different thrust and tangential forces and moments, and they depend not only on the rotational frequency but also on the wind speed. Aside from lateral vibrations, they induce axial and torsional vibrations of WT. The main reason for aerodynamic imbalance is a relative deviation of the pitch angles of the blades. This can only be eliminated by a correction of those angles. Additional masses are not helpful here [1] . In practice, both types of imbalances are frequently observed both separately and in combination.

This leads to damages of important components, high repair expenses, and reduced output.

Additional masses are not helpful here.


Open collaborative modes of innovation increasingly compete with and may displace producer innovation in many parts of the economy (Baldwin and von Hippel, 2011) . These systems increasingly relate to socially significant domains, such as health support or eScience, offering individuals and organizations a fertile ground to engage in social value production enabled by new collaboration tools and digital technologies. However, it takes more than a technical infrastructure to make online communities a successful channel of innovation for companies (Wang et al., 2013) . Crowdsourcing platforms need to understand how to encourage solvers' and seekers' participation to realise the benefits of crowdsourcing.

Open collaborative modes of innovation increasingly compete with and may displace producer innovation in many parts of the economy.

However, it takes more than a technical infrastructure to make online communities a successful channel of innovation for companies.


Our results support the notion that the way virtual co-creation experiences are designed have the potential to ignite a sense of enthusiasm in participants and propel them to their peak levels of creativity (Füller et al., 2011) . Drawing from the motivation through job design theory, we find that problem solving shows the strongest impact on intrinsic motivation (H4), underlying the particular traits of this crowdsourcing community in terms of the knowledge and ability demands required to participate in prediction competitions compared to ideas/concepts competitions. It is the knowledge dimension of the competition that particularly impacts on intrinsic motivation as solvers enjoy the challenge residing in the task participation process. The need to perform different tasks further challenge solvers to apply their abilities and skills (H2). Predictive modelling competitions also offer solvers a high level of autonomy to elaborate on their chosen methodologies leading in turn to greater intrinsic motivation as solvers enjoy a higher level of control over their actions during the competition (H1).

Our results support the notion that the way virtual co-creation experiences are designed have the potential to ignite a sense of enthusiasm in participants and propel them to their peak levels of creativity.


Intrinsic motivation was found to have a positive effect on participation intention (H6). Prediction competitions should be enjoyable and challenge solvers to excel while fostering a sense of community where participants can share ideas and build on each other's work. Otherwise, solvers could lose interest over time, even in activities they previously found motivating (Sansone and Smith, 2000) .

Otherwise, solvers could lose interest over time, even in activities they previously found motivating.


Our extreme perturbation of 24 h batch incubation also failed to accelerate release. Our low excretion rates are consistent with the majority of estimates for actively growing, and even some senescent, algal cultures (Nalewajko and Marin, 1969; Laws and Caperon, 1976; Laws and Wong, 1978; Laws and Bannister, 1980; Cosper, 1982) . Most studies, like ours, have also failed to find substantially larger release in response to increased limitation of growth rate and it has been postulated that a special pathway or metabolic controls constrain excretion rates to near constancy (Smith and Wiebe, 1976) . The low release rates, and lack of strong relationships with growth rate, contradict the situation often stated to exist in nature (Watanabe, 1980; Fogg, 1983) . One explanation that has been offered for this discrepancy is that the excretion of low molecular weight compounds follows diffusion gradients which are much stronger in natural populations than in relatively concentrated culture populations (Fogg, 1983) . Our cultures were about one order of magnitude more dilute than most, however, yet still yielded very low excretion rates.

Our low excretion rates are consistent with the majority of estimates for actively growing, and even some senescent, algal cultures.

Most studies, like ours, have also failed to find substantially larger release in response to increased limitation of growth rate and it has been postulated that a special pathway or metabolic controls constrain excretion rates to near constancy.

The low release rates, and lack of strong relationships with growth rate, contradict the situation often stated to exist in nature.

One explanation that has been offered for this discrepancy is that the excretion of low molecular weight compounds follows diffusion gradients which are much stronger in natural populations than in relatively concentrated culture populations.


The growing public concern over the preservation of the environment has stimulated a worldwide search for more sustainable agricultural procedures and alternative sources of energy. Nevertheless, only a few countries have a plenitude of natural resources to produce large amounts of energy crops without jeopardizing their food production capacity. Brazil, for example, has developed a very modern sugarcane industry for ethanol production over the last 30 years. The country has a territory of 851 million hectares with climate conditions highly suitable to the production of massive amounts of sugarcane with minimal need for irrigation (Leite et al., 2009) .

The country has a territory of 851 million hectares with climate conditions highly suitable to the production of massive amounts of sugarcane with minimal need for irrigation.


The application of anaerobic biodigestion technologies to treat sugarcane vinasse has not been shown to be advantageous because of the small gains involved in the use of biogas to generate electricity. It is now receiving more attention mainly due to environmental gains, but scientific progress on this topic is still unsatisfactory, with several questionable or conflicting studies (Moraes et al., 2015) . An earlier report on the economic and energetic aspects of the anaerobic biodigestion of vinasse in sugarcane processing factories pointed out the considerable gains in terms of electricity or co-generation as well as alternative vehicle fuels. The energetic potential of vinasse, which has been lost by application of the "in nature" vinasse to soil, was comparable to the electrical demands of some cities, the generating capacity of some hydroelectric plants, and, in some cases, exceeded the energy obtained from combustion of the sugarcane bagasse. Therefore, the sustainability concepts involved in the anaerobic biodigestion of the vinasse must still be better explored in sugarcane biorefineries of Brazil (Moraes et al., 2014) .

It is now receiving more attention mainly due to environmental gains, but scientific progress on this topic is still unsatisfactory, with several questionable or conflicting studies.

Therefore, the sustainability concepts involved in the anaerobic biodigestion of the vinasse must still be better explored in sugarcane biorefineries of Brazil.


Based on the conducted interviews, it can be concluded that the ship security efforts performed by many European ship owners are sound and well thought out, but if the security experts' preferred risk control options are challenged, they will have problems with presenting proof of that their choices were appropriate. A greater focus on methods that quantify probabilities and consequences, along with quantified data, would allow the specific analysis to be continually tested against, and updated with, data collected over time. Such a process is almost impossible to accomplish with the qualitative analysis performed today. Continuous testing and updating would provide a more detailed and validated analysis and a better understanding of the problem itself and why and how different ship security measures work. This understanding would then also allow for experts to receive feedback that would be crucial to reducing the errors in expert assessment (Hansson, 1993) .

This understanding would then also allow for experts to receive feedback that would be crucial to reducing the errors in expert assessment.


We analyze only those threats related to actual consequences in this study, even though the perception of safety is also important in security measures. The reassurance that the measures give is important because the utility of security measures is not equal to the risk reduction (Kunreuther, 2002) . Therefore, it is important to minimize fatalities and the loss of technical systems, but these issues also combine to affect the impact on perceived safety. There can also exist relevant measures that do not affect actual risk, only perceived safety.

The reassurance that the measures give is important because the utility of security measures is not equal to the risk reduction.


Our results confirm the high incidence of infections during ECMO: more than half of our patients (55%) had at least one NI episode. The IR of infections in our cohort (50.4 per 1,000 ECMO-pd) is within the range previously described in literature (from 11.9 to 75.5 cases/1,000 ECMO d) (4, 5) . However, this comparison is affected by important differences with previous studies, concerning study design and statistical methods, diagnostic criteria, infection control policies, case-mix, ECMO management (i.e., VV-ECMO vs. VA-ECMO, cannulation site and technique). Importantly, our analysis was based on the first incidence of infection and thus we were able to calculate the infection rate and the infection-free ECMO days (i.e., the "actual" at-risk period). However, we also performed a descriptive analysis of reinfections: infected patients had a high risk of recurrent infections that were very frequently due to MDR germs and associated with high mortality. Indeed, each infection significantly increased the odds of death by 1.5. Our patient population was quite homogeneous: all patients had a medical disease, and no surgical (postcardiothomy) patients were included in the study. The vast majority of the patients (87%) received VV-ECMO for ARDS, and all patients had peripheral percutaneous cannulation. Of note, no patient underwent emergency cannulation and connection to ECMO for extracorporeal resuscitation following cardiac arrest. These are major differences with recent studies (4, 5, 14-16) that included a majority of patients on VA-ECMO and a significant proportion of surgical patients requiring central cannulation.

The IR of infections in our cohort (50.4 per 1,000 ECMO-pd) is within the range previously described in literature (from 11.9 to 75.5 cases/1,000 ECMO d).


The design and operation of fast wire scanners has been described elsewhere [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . We will here only concern ourselves with the problems that set the limits for the use of these devices. For our discussion we need to define a geometry and as a starting point we use the geometry shown in Fig. 1 . The figure is showing an instant in the process of the wire sweeping through the beam. The transverse particle distribution within the beam is for simplicity taken to be Gaussian. As a measure for the beam size we have in this work used 4 × σ of the Gaussian beam profile as the measure for the beam width. This transforms to the so called 2σ emittance which at the CERN-PS is the standard quoted measure for transverse beam emittance.

The design and operation of fast wire scanners has been described elsewhere.


Gastric cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in the world, and it has a particularly high incidence in Asian countries including China. Despite the declining incidence of gastric cancer, there are still more than 1 million cases newly diagnosed and 850,000 deaths globally each year [1] . The mortality rate remains high due to late presentation, since early stage of gastric cancer is either asymptomatic or presents with nonspecific symptoms. For advanced diseases, the overall 5-year survival following surgical resection is 30-40 %, as compared to 70-90 % in early stage [2] . To date, endoscopic and pathological examinations are the common techniques for cancer diagnosis. Despite their sensitivity and specificity to visualize and locate the site of malignancy, these approaches are invasive in nature which impede patients from routine screening for gastric cancer. Conventional serum tumour markers, namely, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19.9, however, are not tissue specific and expressed in most of the gastrointestinal cancers. Our group has shown that serum migration-inhibitory factor (MIF) had a better diagnostic value than CEA, however, combined serum MIF and CEA would have a better 5-year survival prognosis than individual marker [3] . Serum E-cadherin level was found to be positively correlated with disease recurrence, and this could be a better marker than CEA in predicting disease recurrence [4, 5] . Therefore, there is an urge to look for a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker that could be easily detected in serum, plasma or urine for early diagnosis for gastric cancer to greatly improve the mortality rate.

Despite the declining incidence of gastric cancer, there are still more than 1 million cases newly diagnosed and 850,000 deaths globally each year.

For advanced diseases, the overall 5-year survival following surgical resection is 30-40 %, as compared to 70-90 % in early stage.

Our group has shown that serum migration-inhibitory factor (MIF) had a better diagnostic value than CEA, however, combined serum MIF and CEA would have a better 5-year survival prognosis than individual marker.

Serum E-cadherin level was found to be positively correlated with disease recurrence, and this could be a better marker than CEA in predicting disease recurrence.


Open heart surgery has been performed at our center for less than a decade, with an annual increase in number and diversity of performed procedures. This is the first report describing the 30-day operative complications following isolated coronary surgery and their predictors. Pneumonia, renal impairment, and sternal wound infection within 30 days after surgery were the studied outcomes. Patients who died with any of these end points were also included. Of all patients, 3.6% developed pneumonia, 5.9% developed renal failure, and 8.5% developed sternal wound infection. These findings were fairly similar to earlier studies [9, 11, 12] .

These findings were fairly similar to earlier studies.


Transcriptional analysis of LjFRO1 in both ecotypes indicated that the expression of this gene was induced by iron-limited growth conditions (Fig. 5) , similar to that seen in other species (e.g., AtFRO2, PsFRO1) (Robinson et al. 1999; Waters et al. 2002) . Furthermore, expression of this gene was quite low in shoot tissues. This transcriptional evidence supports classification of this gene as the root-localized, irondeficiency induced ferric reductase gene, and that it thus encodes the primary ferric reductase protein responsible for root iron reductase activity. Interestingly, for plants grown with 5 μM Fe, LjFRO1 expression was significantly higher in the Gifu accession, relative to Miyakojima, whereas no significant differences were measured in the low Fe treatment (Fig. 5 ). This contrasts with the fact that Gifu had a lower root ferric reductase activity and lower SPAD values in both Fe regimes, relative to Miyakojima (Table 2 ). This apparent incongruity in the gene expression and functional activity data indicates that the upregulation of gene expression upon Fe shortage is seen in both cultivars and suggests therefore that other layers of regulation (which ultimately might be related to the QTL loci found in the present work), acting downstream of gene expression, are important for the induction of ferric reductase activity. In addition, the higher expression observed at 5 μM Fe could also be a reflection of an apparently less efficient reductase enzyme derived from the Gifu allele (Fig. 6a) . This would be in agreement with the SPAD results showing that Gifu plants have lower SPAD readings than Miyakojima, in all treatments assayed. Antibodies to the LjFRO1 protein would be needed to assess these possibilities; unfortunately, antibodies for membranebound proteins are difficult to generate.

Transcriptional analysis of LjFRO1 in both ecotypes indicated that the expression of this gene was induced by iron-limited growth conditions (Fig. 5) , similar to that seen in other species (e.g., AtFRO2, PsFRO1).


Biomimetic nanofibrous scaffolds have gained in popularity for use in many biomedical applications owing to their structural and mechanical properties that mimic the extracellular matrix of biological systems [1] . To date, many techniques have been reported for the fabrication of nanofibrous scaffolds including electrospinning, self-assembly and phase separation [2] . Among these techniques, electrospinning is a relatively simple and robust production method. Electrospinning has become a widely used and relied-upon method because it allows the production of different alignment scaffolds of ultra-fine fibers, ranging from nano-to microscale in diameter, from a wide range of natural and synthetic polymers. This in turn has encouraged the use of various biodegradable and/or biocompatible polymer materials as fiber matrices for use in drug delivery, wound healing, tissue engineering, biosensors and many other applications [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] .

Biomimetic nanofibrous scaffolds have gained in popularity for use in many biomedical applications owing to their structural and mechanical properties that mimic the extracellular matrix of biological systems.

To date, many techniques have been reported for the fabrication of nanofibrous scaffolds including electrospinning, self-assembly and phase separation.

This in turn has encouraged the use of various biodegradable and/or biocompatible polymer materials as fiber matrices for use in drug delivery, wound healing, tissue engineering, biosensors and many other applications.


Electrospinning is a fundamentally simple process but involves many parameters concerning factors such as the polymer solution, process employed and ambient conditions. These parameters are usually used to facilitate the process and tune the system in order to obtain desired nanofibers or scaffold composition [25] . In this study, the influence of solution parameters (concentration and molecular weight), process parameters (applied voltage) and drug loading in the formation of PHA-based fibers during electrospinning was investigated. The effect on fiber morphology was also investigated, and preliminary drug release studies were carried out.

These parameters are usually used to facilitate the process and tune the system in order to obtain desired nanofibers or scaffold composition.