Most developing countries, and especially Nigeria, face a rapidly increasing quantity of e-waste, both from domestic generation and import of obsolete or used electrical and electronic equipment (UEEE). It was reported that approximately 1.1 M tons of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) become obsolete each year in Nigeria of which 75% is stored in homes, government institutions, industries and private offices, due to the uncertainty of how to handle or dispose of such items [4] . Most developing countries lack a functional structure for the sorting, storage, collection, and disposal of waste or the proper implementation of hazardous waste-related legislation [5] . In Nigeria, there is no formal collection system and practically no capacity for material recovery processes for e-waste. Thus, the processes of managing the huge e-waste stream is not clearly spelled out and practiced, as a result of which these items are recycled using crude methods and unwanted components become discarded in local dumps or surface water bodies [6, 7] . Major factors influencing this trend are the low level of public awareness on e-waste toxicity and lack of legislation aimed at providing a collection or recovery system in the country. The rudimentary recycling of e-waste has caused considerable harm to the health of scavengers, workers with no personal protective equipment, and the surrounding environment. An adequate management system for formal e-waste recycling can drive the development of local economies and the reduction of poverty.

It was reported that approximately 1.1 M tons of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) become obsolete each year in Nigeria of which 75% is stored in homes, government institutions, industries and private offices, due to the uncertainty of how to handle or dispose of such items.

Most developing countries lack a functional structure for the sorting, storage, collection, and disposal of waste or the proper implementation of hazardous waste-related legislation.

Thus, the processes of managing the huge e-waste stream is not clearly spelled out and practiced, as a result of which these items are recycled using crude methods and unwanted components become discarded in local dumps or surface water bodies.


Today, as production, recovery, recycling and reuse of electronic products becomes an issue of concern among environmentalists and concerned stakeholders, it is becoming more imperative for governments to enact e-waste specific legislation and develop integrated e-waste management frameworks to increase the rate of collection, reuse, recycling and recovery of such wastes, to minimize disposal. More importantly, the role of consumers is key in the life-cycle of EEE, thus, a proper understanding of the consumers' e-waste disposal behavior and factors which will influence consumers' intentions to engage in green behavior is needed. In this light, several researchers have investigated consumers' intentions and behaviors towards recycling using the theoretical lens of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) [8] [9] [10] [11] . In this paper, we seek to comprehend the factors that will influence consumers' intentions to participate in a formal e-waste collection system. Thus, we utilize the TPB to develop a theoretical framework to examine how influencing factors lead to formal collection participation intentions. In addition, we extend the framework to examine the moderation effect of infrastructure and economic incentives on the relationship between the influencing factors and intention.

In this light, several researchers have investigated consumers' intentions and behaviors towards recycling using the theoretical lens of the theory of planned behavior (TPB).


The importance of teacher characteristics in realizing educational goals and objectives in any educational system cannot be over emphasized. Teacher characteristics are the instructional behaviours exhibited by the teacher towards goal attainment. These characteristics are the combination of peculiar qualities, traits, mental or moral nature/strength and status that make one person or group different from another. Successful teachers' characteristics are those that have been found by empirical researches to be related to improved achievement by students in the cognitive, affective or psychomotor outcomes of education (Offorma, 1994) .

Successful teachers' characteristics are those that have been found by empirical researches to be related to improved achievement by students in the cognitive, affective or psychomotor outcomes of education.


In this work we present a unique biaxial deformation rig that can be used for in-situ biaxial proportional and non-proportional testing during neutron diffraction at the beamline POLDI of the Swiss Neutron Spallation Source (SINQ). The rig exhibits two independent axes and a torsional unit, which allows to apply various multiaxial stress states and to perform complex strain path changes. We apply this method to study the evolution of the inter/ intra granular stresses in a 316 L stainless steel known to exhibit transient softening when changing the strain path [22] . We show that the nature and magnitude of intergranular strain strongly depends on the applied stress state and demonstrate that micro yielding and internal strain recovery are responsible for the observed transient softening during a 90 strain path change. We anticipate that this new characterization method will provide previously inaccessible microstructural data that can serve as input for benchmarking current state-of-the-art crystal plasticity models.

We apply this method to study the evolution of the inter/ intra granular stresses in a 316 L stainless steel known to exhibit transient softening when changing the strain path.


In this paper we present a set of theories that are designed to generate a large hierarchy between the weak scale and a large UV scale. These purely four-dimensional models consist of gauge groups joined by sigma models, the so-called quiver theories, and they are cousins of AdS 5 theories in that they are related to them by the procedure called deconstruction [9] . They are characterized by highly ordered vacuum expectation values (VEVs) of the sigma models, starting just below the desired UV scale and going all the way to the weak scale. The limit of large number of gauge groups and large value of the UV VEV, corresponds to recovering AdS 5 theories and we will call it the continuum limit. However, the fourdimensional quiver theories can be quite different from AdS 5 , particularly when we consider the opposite limit, which we can call coarse discretization, and that corresponds to using only a few gauge groups. Thus, we are interested in working far from the continuum limit to build our models, so that these quiver theories cannot have an interpretation as a lowenergy AdS 5 model that can be obtained by truncating the Kaluza-Klein towers [10] . As we will show below, the result of a coarse discretization is very different from this procedure since, for instance, it gives very different couplings of the excited states to zero-mode fermions, resulting in a distinct phenomenology. We will show that quiver theories with few gauge groups or "sites" can generate a large hierarchy of scales, as well as the fermion mass hierarchy just as AdS 5 models, while not generating too large flavor violation. This particular advantage, together with the fact that these theories are fundamentally different from the warped extra dimension models, makes a full exploration of full-hierarchy quiver theories an interesting proposition.

These purely four-dimensional models consist of gauge groups joined by sigma models, the so-called quiver theories, and they are cousins of AdS 5 theories in that they are related to them by the procedure called deconstruction.

Thus, we are interested in working far from the continuum limit to build our models, so that these quiver theories cannot have an interpretation as a lowenergy AdS 5 model that can be obtained by truncating the Kaluza-Klein towers.


It is possible to protect the Higgs mass from the quadratic divergences that would drive it and the weak scale to the UV cutoff by making use of symmetries. Such is the case with weak-scale supersymmetric models [3] . However, the origin of the supersymmetry breaking scale leading to the now stable weak scale, becomes the new unknown. In addition, the generation of fermion masses posses a problem typically leading to large flavor violation and CP asymmetries. Alternatively, it is possible to naturally generate a large weakscale/UV-scale hierarchy by assuming a new assimptotically-free interaction getting strong at the TeV scale, such as in Technicolor theories [4] . These scenarios also have a problem with large flavor violation since in order to accommodate fermion masses the interaction has to be embedded in extended gauge sectors. Furthermore, the need to add new chiral fermions has an unavoidable impact in electroweak precision constraints, particularly the S parameter.

Such is the case with weak-scale supersymmetric models.

Alternatively, it is possible to naturally generate a large weakscale/UV-scale hierarchy by assuming a new assimptotically-free interaction getting strong at the TeV scale, such as in Technicolor theories.


The pattern of cytokines produced by T lymphocytes plays a central role in susceptibility to TB [7, 8] . Activation of T helper type 1 (Th1) lymphocytes, production of interferon-c (IFN-c), and macrophage activation are crucial in the defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis [9] . On the other hand, tumor necrosis fatoralpha (TNF-a) plays an essential role in protection but is also related to a higher risk of active disease [10] .

The pattern of cytokines produced by T lymphocytes plays a central role in susceptibility to TB.

Activation of T helper type 1 (Th1) lymphocytes, production of interferon-c (IFN-c), and macrophage activation are crucial in the defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

On the other hand, tumor necrosis fatoralpha (TNF-a) plays an essential role in protection but is also related to a higher risk of active disease.


Software defined networking, referred to as a revolutionary new idea in computer networking, is the new approach that promises to dramatically simplify network-control and the management plane. It is achieved through innovative network programmability. In the cloud environment, monitoring network users and the resources they access, managing the infrastructure, as well as supporting demand becomes complicated [4] [5] . Networking devices have control and data movement functions on the same device. Traditionally, the network admin has to control from the network management plane in order to configure each network's devices separately. This static setup of current network devices does not permit control-plane configuration. The Software-defined networking (SDN) approach allows for open, user-controlled, management of the forwarding hardware in network elements [6] . SDN implements centralized control-plane intelligence while keeping the data plane separate, which in turn enables the administrator to configure network hardware directly from the controller. This approach of centralizing control of the entire network makes the network highly flexible [7] [8] . To meet growing demand and cater for network instability, Manar Jammal proposed Software Defined Networking (SDN) combined with network function virtualization (NFV) [6] . SDN isolates the network control logic from the hardware which in turn enables the network administrator to have more control over network functions and a global view of networks.

In the cloud environment, monitoring network users and the resources they access, managing the infrastructure, as well as supporting demand becomes complicated.

The Software-defined networking (SDN) approach allows for open, user-controlled, management of the forwarding hardware in network elements.

This approach of centralizing control of the entire network makes the network highly flexible.

To meet growing demand and cater for network instability, Manar Jammal proposed Software Defined Networking (SDN) combined with network function virtualization (NFV).


The permutation flow shop scheduling problem is one of the most extensively studied combinatorial optimization problems. It has important applications, among others, in manufacturing systems, assembly lines and information service facilities in use nowadays. In a traditional flow shop, there are n jobs that have to be processed on m machines. All jobs visit the machines in the same sequence. Each job is assumed to be indivisible, and thus, it cannot be transferred to the downstream machine until the whole operation on the preceding machine is finished. Nevertheless, this is not the case in many practical environments where a job or lot consists of many identical items. For example, in the fastener production process, jobs are batches of thousands of bolts, dowels, or rivets. The whole batch does not need to be finished in order to move on to the next machine. Another example comes from the electronics and semiconductor production environment where a job comprises thousands of identical electronic components and again it is not necessary to wait for all items in the lot to be completed before moving to the downstream machine. In order to accelerate production, a job is allowed to overlap its operations between successive machines by splitting it into a number of smaller sub-lots and moving the completed portion of the sub-lots to downstream machines (Yoon and Ventura (2002a) ).

In order to accelerate production, a job is allowed to overlap its operations between successive machines by splitting it into a number of smaller sub-lots and moving the completed portion of the sub-lots to downstream machines).


Fuel injection systems for conventional diesel combustion can be readily used for moderately advanced injections without concerns about cylinder wall wetting by spray, but large quantities of cooled EGR are generally necessary to realize LTC. As both ignition delay and combustion temperature are commonly changed with EGR, fuel-air mixing is believed to play an important role in ultra-high EGR LTC, although with sufficiently lowered temperature, in principle, non-sooting combustion should be obtained regardless of fuel-air mixing [13] . Recent experiments have demonstrated that as long as combustion temperature is sufficiently low, non-sooting LTC can be realized, even with insufficient fuel-air mixing, but this is at the expense of dramatic increases in unburned hydrocarbon (UHC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions and unacceptable deterioration in fuel efficiency [22] [23] [24] . These results suggest that while lowered temperature is necessary for LTC, a promotion of fuel-air mixing at relatively high intake oxygen concentrations is extremely important for clean and highly efficient combustion, especially at higher loads.

As both ignition delay and combustion temperature are commonly changed with EGR, fuel-air mixing is believed to play an important role in ultra-high EGR LTC, although with sufficiently lowered temperature, in principle, non-sooting combustion should be obtained regardless of fuel-air mixing.

Recent experiments have demonstrated that as long as combustion temperature is sufficiently low, non-sooting LTC can be realized, even with insufficient fuel-air mixing, but this is at the expense of dramatic increases in unburned hydrocarbon (UHC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions and unacceptable deterioration in fuel efficiency.


While elevated injection pressures and enhanced swirl ratios can promote air-fuel mixing, sufficient premixing time between end of injection and ignition is necessary for non-sooting, efficient LTC. Lower cetane numbers (CNs) can lead to longer ignition delays and premixing times, and reductions in compression ratios as well as increases in EGR can promote the effect of CN on premixing time [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] . As described in ASTM D613, the CN is measured with a cooperative fuel research (CFR) engine under specific conditions similar to conventional diesel combustion. However, in diesel LTC with very long ignition delays, the ignition processes could be different to those in conventional diesel combustion as the reaction kinetics, including low-temperature oxidation, can play more significant roles in the ignition processes of LTC. Therefore, there is a necessity to examine the CN effects in the premixed LTC mode of diesel engines. Furthermore, while commercial fuels for current diesel engines have CNs ranging from 40 to 57, it is quite possible that fuels of lower ignitability will be considered for use in diesel engines to meet the requirements of higher thermal efficiencies, fuel diversification, and lower production cost for refineries in the future [1] [2] [3] [4] . To elucidate this, more extensive investigations of the effects of fuel ignitability over a wider range on diesel engines operated in a wide range of combustion modes would be essential.

Lower cetane numbers (CNs) can lead to longer ignition delays and premixing times, and reductions in compression ratios as well as increases in EGR can promote the effect of CN on premixing time.

Furthermore, while commercial fuels for current diesel engines have CNs ranging from 40 to 57, it is quite possible that fuels of lower ignitability will be considered for use in diesel engines to meet the requirements of higher thermal efficiencies, fuel diversification, and lower production cost for refineries in the future.


One of the current models for membrane fusion proposes formation of a stalk (Figures 1(a) and (b) ) (i.e., an hourglass-shaped structure) and subsequently hemifusion intermediates (Figures 1(c) and (d) ), leading to fusion pore formation (Figure 1(e) ) [22] [23] [24] . The hemifusion intermediate is a state where contacting (proximal) monolayers are fused but the distal monolayers stay intact and therefore there is no content mixing. The model suggests that, for membrane fusion, properties of the monolayer are also important. The intrinsic curvature of lipid monolayers as well as bilayers has been studied [25, 26] . However, the potential usefulness of their data has not been fully explored possibly because it is difficult to study biologically relevant "monolayers". With interest in hemifusion, we applied molecular dynamics simulation to a system mimicking a hemifusion intermediate. In this system, the curvature of a monolayer could be higher than physiologically relevant curvatures formed by bilayers. However, note that our system (i.e., hemifused ribbon or ''-system) has not yet been applied to membranes containing cholesterol. Therefore, more analyses are necessary in order to consider the behavior of physiological membranes in fusion intermediates.

One of the current models for membrane fusion proposes formation of a stalk (Figures 1(a) and (b) ) (i.e., an hourglass-shaped structure) and subsequently hemifusion intermediates (Figures 1(c) and (d) ), leading to fusion pore formation (Figure 1(e) ).

The intrinsic curvature of lipid monolayers as well as bilayers has been studied.


Most species in our study thrive in artificial environments, such as reservoirs, but also in roadside ditches and other artificial water features. Therefore, to a certain extent, loss in connectivity or changes in hydrological conditions are unlikely to affect these species. However, stream specialists, such as the nationally endemic species C. fasciatus and C. tessellatus, are far more vulnerable. These species are adapted to cool, oligotrophic, acidic stream conditions (Samways and Simaika 2015) . Coastal habitats are predicted to become warmer, resulting in increased evaporation (Schulze et al. 2011) . Intensified coastal winds are likely to increase this effect. Increases in rainfall volume and intensity, and consequently increased sedimentation, are likely to result in negative changes to stream geomorphology and, thus, to affect the ability of larvae to cope in their aquatic habitats. In addition, stream species (C. fasciatus at higher elevations and C. tessellatus at lower ones) are vulnerable to the effects of forestry and invasive alien woody plants. This threat is real because increasing CO 2 concentrations in the atmosphere are predicted to dramatically contribute to woody plant growth (Wigley et al. 2010) . Both species benefit from clearing of invasive alien tree and creation of large-scale natural corridors (ecological networks) along streams in their natural habitat. These corridors will be increasingly important in the future as a means of maintaining connectivity across the landscape and for allowing these species and others to track climate change without the inhibition of a fragmented landscape (Samways 2010) .

These species are adapted to cool, oligotrophic, acidic stream conditions.

Coastal habitats are predicted to become warmer, resulting in increased evaporation.

This threat is real because increasing CO 2 concentrations in the atmosphere are predicted to dramatically contribute to woody plant growth.

These corridors will be increasingly important in the future as a means of maintaining connectivity across the landscape and for allowing these species and others to track climate change without the inhibition of a fragmented landscape.


The cohesive zone model (CZM), as a discrete numerical tool, surpasses most of the limitations involved in the conventional fracture mechanics. This approach is particularly capable of interface fracture analysis independent of geometry and loading configurations. In this method, tractions and separations induced within the crack tip fracture process zone are correlated by an interfacial constitutive law to model crack initiation and propagation [13] . The CZM is characterized by two parameters of so-called cohesive strength and cohesive energy. These two parameters represent the maximum attainable traction within the fracture process zone and the energy needed for complete material separation per unit area of the crack advance, respectively [14] . Applicability of the CZM to fracture analysis of nonlinear structures is the superior advantage of this approach [15] . Particularly, this method is a powerful tool for crack growth analysis at interfaces with complex crack tip fields [12] . Using the CZM, the energy needed for material debonding is decoupled from other dissipative mechanisms within the crack tip process zone. As a result, the CZM characterized for an interface is capable of predicting the experimentally observed geometry and load dependencies of the interfacial crack growth behavior [12] .

In this method, tractions and separations induced within the crack tip fracture process zone are correlated by an interfacial constitutive law to model crack initiation and propagation.

These two parameters represent the maximum attainable traction within the fracture process zone and the energy needed for complete material separation per unit area of the crack advance, respectively.

Applicability of the CZM to fracture analysis of nonlinear structures is the superior advantage of this approach.

Particularly, this method is a powerful tool for crack growth analysis at interfaces with complex crack tip fields.

As a result, the CZM characterized for an interface is capable of predicting the experimentally observed geometry and load dependencies of the interfacial crack growth behavior.


Resistance of brazed joints against propagation of inherent defects and cracks under cyclic loading relies on the joint ductility. Extensive experimental studies have been conducted to investigate fatigue crack initiation and propagation behavior of various brazed joints influenced by the brazing conditions, joint microstructure, and environmental factors [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . However, few researchers have characterized the fatigue behavior of brazed joints using empirical equations.

Extensive experimental studies have been conducted to investigate fatigue crack initiation and propagation behavior of various brazed joints influenced by the brazing conditions, joint microstructure, and environmental factors.


The tools that have been proposed for the assurance of data by the cryptographic community are known to be the proofs of retrievability (PORs) and proofs of data possession (PDPs). The POR represent a mechanism of a challenge and reaction protocol which facilitates the user to confirm whether a data file can be retrieved from cloud server or not. The advantage of POR as compared to simple file transmissions is its effectiveness. The reply will possibly be very much compacted, so the client only needs a small portion of the file for completing the proof. The value of POR is limited if used for verifying the retrievability in a single server environment and as a separate means. It is not important to detect that the file a customer is looking for is corrupted, rather than if the file is not retrievable and the customer has no alternative [4] [5] [6] [7] .

It is not important to detect that the file a customer is looking for is corrupted, rather than if the file is not retrievable and the customer has no alternative.


Data on the presenting VTE location of participants of the MEGA study (n = 4953), the Hokusai-VTE study (n = 6720) and the RIETE registry (n = 40 028) with a first episode of VTE were included in the current analysis. General characteristics of the MEGA and Hoskusai-VTE study populations were available, and are shown in Table 1 . Table 2 shows the distribution of DVT, PE and combined DVT and PE as the presenting location for each of the three studies. In the MEGA study, PE was the presenting location in 35.5% of women and in 29.5% of men (difference 6.0%, 95% CI 3.4-8.6). In the Hokusai-VTE study, PE was the presenting location in 35.1% of women and in 25.2% of men (difference 10.0%, 95% CI 7.8-12.2). In the RIETE registry, PE (with or without DVT) as the presenting location was also more frequently observed in women (53.3%) than in men (47.7%), with a difference in proportion of 5.6% (95% CI 4.7-6.6). With respect to this classification in the RIETE registry, in the MEGA and Hokusai-VTE studies, PE with or without DVT was also more frequently the presenting location in women than in men, with the differences between women and men being 3.2% (95% CI 0.3-5.9) and 8.5% (95% CI 6.2-10.9), respectively. Table 3 shows the sex-specific distribution of DVT, PE and combined DVT and PE as the presenting location for a total of 11 671 patients with a first VTE in different age categories from the MEGA and Hokusai-VTE studies ( Fig. S1 shows a summary of these findings). The observed higher proportion of PE as a presenting location in women than in men was observed in all age groups. The largest differences in the proportion of PE as the presenting location were detected in the age categories 30-45 years (difference between women and men: MEGA, 5.6%, 95% CI 0.6-10.5; and Hokusai-VTE, 8.0%, 95% CI 3.5-12.6) and > 60 years (difference between women and men: MEGA, 12.9%, 95% CI 7.0-18.7; and Hokusai-VTE, 11.3%, 95% CI 7.8-14.8). Only in the youngest age group (< 30 years) was there no clear difference in the proportion of presenting location between men and women in the MEGA study (difference À 1.1%, 95% CI À 11.7 to 8.7). However, in the Hokusai-VTE study, PE as the presenting location was again found more often in women than in men in this age group, i.e. 16.0% (95% CI 7.9À23.7). This discrepancy might be explained by the inclusion of pregnant women in the MEGA study, and the exclusion of pregnant women in the Hokusai-VTE study [18] .

This discrepancy might be explained by the inclusion of pregnant women in the MEGA study, and the exclusion of pregnant women in the Hokusai-VTE study.


The proposed theory also suggests that the effectiveness of this education is likely to be dependent upon individual parents' willingness to learn and the on-going support they receive from key stakeholders (e.g., coaches, other parents). These findings align with studies that have shown one-toone mentoring, feedback, and support from peers can reinforce key messages and facilitate learning TENNIS PARENTS' EDUCATION & SUPPORT NEEDS transfer in adult education (Merriam & Leahy, 2005) . As a final point, an interesting finding to emerge from the current study was how psychologists worked directly with a small number of parents and families to help them cope with and overcome individual challenges they were facing (e.g., children's mental health problems or developmental disorders). This highlights the need to not only integrate educational provision that meet the needs of British tennis parents as a group, but also to ensure that coaches and psychologists are available in a consultancy capacity to support parents with specific needs (see for a review of family system approaches).

These findings align with studies that have shown one-toone mentoring, feedback, and support from peers can reinforce key messages and facilitate learning TENNIS PARENTS' EDUCATION & SUPPORT NEEDS transfer in adult education.


Subsequent laboratory work will test the correspondence between ratings to food images and ratings to actual foods. Additionally, the portion size of foods used in images could be improved. In the current study, portion sizes were judged by two independent raters to provide an amount of food which covered the majority of the plate. However, a more uniform standardisation of portion size across foods would be useful to confirm appropriate portion sizes. The food images also used generic food items with no packaging. Although this served to control for the influence of food packaging on ratings, in the real world food products tend to be encountered in packaging and the effect packaging has on perceptions needs to be confirmed. Furthermore, while the use of online surveys in the current study meant a relatively large range of foods and relatively large sample of respondents could be examined, additional in-depth information from qualitative interviews with consumers could also be important (Furst, Connors, Bisogni, Sobal & Falk, 1996; Furst, Connors, Sobal , Bisogni, & Falk, 2000) . Findings from both quantitative and qualitative research should be compared to draw clear conclusions about food perceptions.

Furthermore, while the use of online surveys in the current study meant a relatively large range of foods and relatively large sample of respondents could be examined, additional in-depth information from qualitative interviews with consumers could also be important.


This study demonstrates that for dieters, the discrimination between finding a food pleasant but not leading to overconsumption is important in the perception of successful weight management foods, whereas, for non-dieters these attributes are less important. These differences between groups may Indeed, other research suggests individuals scoring high in measures of restrained eating have more knowledge generally about foods as evidenced with high restrained eaters using more dimensions to describe foods compared to low restrained eaters (King et al. 1987) . This research suggests that in addition to high restrained eaters, dieters may also have a wider base of knowledge and experiences about foods compared to non-dieters.

These differences between groups may Indeed, other research suggests individuals scoring high in measures of restrained eating have more knowledge generally about foods as evidenced with high restrained eaters using more dimensions to describe foods compared to low restrained eaters.


In this initial demonstration, the platform was used to examine the global food attributes that determine the consumer perception of foods that promote successful weight management in a sample of dieting and non-dieting adults. The perception of foods associated with successful weight management is important in part because perception may assist dieters to meet diet-related goals by directing food choices and reducing energy intake (Buckland et al. 2013) . Therefore, it was of interest to explore how the perception of foods may differ between dieters and non-dieters.

The perception of foods associated with successful weight management is important in part because perception may assist dieters to meet diet-related goals by directing food choices and reducing energy intake.


The premise of this study is that VLL programming can be a way to provide acceleration coursework to these students in their area of talent, while giving them options to work either with or alongside their same age gifted peers and with differentiated instruction and pace. A case study approach was chosen as an appropriate evaluation tool because it allowed us to understand the types of interactions between the teachers and learners in a blended-learning setting, without having to generalize beyond it (Stake, 1998) . Investigators closely examined the VLL on multiple levels and holistically within geographic, cultural, organizational, and historical contexts to come up with a research-based case description and case-based themes (Stufflebeam, 2001) . The study had several orienting questions, including the following: What is the historical progress of the VLL and what was the need that drove its development? What are the characteristics of the VLL environment and how does it operate? What benefits are perceived for gifted learners? How does the lab support students' development of 21st-century skills? What are the lab's most important unresolved issues and lessons learned?

A case study approach was chosen as an appropriate evaluation tool because it allowed us to understand the types of interactions between the teachers and learners in a blended-learning setting, without having to generalize beyond it.

Investigators closely examined the VLL on multiple levels and holistically within geographic, cultural, organizational, and historical contexts to come up with a research-based case description and case-based themes.


The area included in the frequency curve was divided into ten equal parts. Each scope defines a 10% probability of the observed event occurring. As can be seen from Table 2 , the last (tenth) decile includes extreme events that belong to the category of extraordinary above normal [50] . The procedure was carried so that the number of stations in which the observed precipitation on the same day was above the threshold of a heavy precipitation event (already defined by the method of peaks) were classified into appropriate deciles; the higher the decile, the bigger the distribution of the phenomena. Very heavy precipitation events represent extreme precipitation that was, according to the territorial distribution, classified into the last decile (extraordinary above normal).

As can be seen from Table 2 , the last (tenth) decile includes extreme events that belong to the category of extraordinary above normal.


The daily maximum of precipitation is a parameter with no Gaussian distribution [2, 6, 43, 44] . Two methods are used for analysis: the method of peaks over threshold (POT), and the decile method (D) [6, 43, 44] . These two statistical methods were used in this study for calculating the thresholds of extreme intensity of precipitation.

The daily maximum of precipitation is a parameter with no Gaussian distribution.

Two methods are used for analysis: the method of peaks over threshold (POT), and the decile method (D).


With the rapid economic development, demand for electric energy is increasing day by day, and the installed capacity is increasing year by year. At present, the world energy structure is still dominated by thermal power generation, and the installed capacity of nuclear power is also expanding. As the core of thermal power generation and nuclear power generation, the safe and stable operation of turbo-generators is very important to the power grid. However, many internal faults can seriously affect the safe and stable operation of these generators [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . The rotor of the generator is in high-speed rotating state for a long time, the excitation winding is embedded in the rotor groove and rotates with the rotor, and the interturn insulation is easily destroyed by centrifugal force, which causes excitation winding interturn short circuit (EWISC) faults.

However, many internal faults can seriously affect the safe and stable operation of these generators.


There are several algorithms available to improve the acquisition carrier frequency accuracy for the receivers employing BPSK modulation, such as the GNSS receiver. The current fine frequency estimation algorithms can be divided into two categories: one-step algorithms and coarse-to-fine algorithms [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] . One-step algorithms use long data to calculate the carrier frequency, which include time-domain correlation and frequency-domain circular correlation [10] [11] [12] . Since the carrier frequency accuracy improves with increasing data length, long computational time and navigation message bit transition are the main disadvantages. In addition to the above two reasons, the periodic broadcast of short codes is also the reason why the algorithm that increases the data length is not used to improve the carrier frequency estimation accuracy in the TC-OFDM receiver. As for coarse-to-fine methods, short codes are used to estimate the coarse PRN code phase of the incoming signals. Then, the long-code-stripped signals are utilized to accurately acquire carrier frequency.

The current fine frequency estimation algorithms can be divided into two categories: one-step algorithms and coarse-to-fine algorithms.

One-step algorithms use long data to calculate the carrier frequency, which include time-domain correlation and frequency-domain circular correlation.


The ambiguity of morphological characters was particularly evident in the case of R. arenincola. Large variations existed in soldier morphology, even within the same sample. Typically, R. arenincola is smaller than R. flavipes. However, soldiers from a sample collected in Dubois County had pronotum widths of 0.80 Ð1.04 mm, which overlapped with that of both R. flavipes and R. virginicus. The morphological ambiguities, in general, can be resolved by the complementary molecular identiÞcations. In the case of R. arenincola, RFLP proÞling and 16S rRNA sequence generated from this study supports R. arenincola as a distinct species. However, they were not congruent with a previous report (Ye et al., 2004) . A thorough search of 16s rRNA sequences from genus Reticulitermes in GenBank retrieved in total 391 entries, including 132 sequences from R. flavipes. Among them, only one other North American Reticulitermes species, Fig. 3 . Termite distribution maps in Indiana. Statewide survey covers 45 (shaded in gray) of 92 counties in Indiana (A). Reticulitermes was the only genus found in the current survey, and the exact distribution maps of the dominant species, R. flavipes (B) and R. virginicus (C), and the marginal species, R. arenincola, R. tibialis, and R. hageni (D) were plotted using ArcView GIS 3.3 (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.). Some records are not shown due to incomplete address information.

However, they were not congruent with a previous report.

Termite distribution maps in Indiana.


In section 2.3 we studied the DMRs in QWs and QWWs of II-VI materials in accordance with the Hopfield model, where the splitting of the two spin states by the spin-orbit coupling and crystalline field has been taken into account in describing the carrier energy spectrum in II-VI compounds. In section 2.4 we studied the corresponding DMRs for IV-VI quantum confined compounds on the basis of the Cohen model. It may be noted that the Cohen model is also used to study the transport properties of bismuth. The importance of bismuth with respect to the experimental and theoretical realization of quantum confinement is already well known in the literature [40] . Our study is also valid for QWs and QWWs of bismuth with the proper changes in the energy band constants. In section 2.5 we suggested that the DMR varies inversely with the thermoelectric power for the present system when temperature is kept constant. This suggestion is again dimension independent.

The importance of bismuth with respect to the experimental and theoretical realization of quantum confinement is already well known in the literature.


In response to this growing concern, and preliminary developments leading up to the WHO recommendations, new regulations on the scheduling and content of television food advertising to children in the UK were announced in 2007 [9] . The scheduling restrictions, as fully implemented, prohibit advertisements for foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) on all children's channels and on non-children's channels during or around programmes 'of particular appeal to' 4-15 year olds (see Box S1). The stated aim of the scheduling restrictions was to ''reduce significantly the exposure of children under 16 to HFSS advertising'' [9] .

In response to this growing concern, and preliminary developments leading up to the WHO recommendations, new regulations on the scheduling and content of television food advertising to children in the UK were announced in 2007.

The stated aim of the scheduling restrictions was to ''reduce significantly the exposure of children under 16 to HFSS advertising''.


Synopsis This paper advocates using SAT to derive upper-approximations of existentially quantified propositional formulae The approach is designed to be anytime so that it can be stopped early without compromising correctness. This can be considered to be a pragmatic response to the complexity of projec-tion [11] . Further, the technique avoids the blow-up in the number of clauses in an intermediate representation that is associated with eliminating variables with resolution.

This can be considered to be a pragmatic response to the complexity of projec-tion.


The IOC-3844 T. harzianum strain has been widely studied in the last years as a potential producer of enzyme complexes. In terms of the volumetric yield and specific activity of the enzymes, this strain has proved to be able to produce large amounts of cellulases, even when compared with the standard industrial T. reesei RUT C30 strain. It was reported that the IOC-3844 strain produces larger quantities of FPAse, endoglucanase, and β-glycosidase than the reference fungus (Castro et al., 2010) . Other studies showed that the high β-glycosidase and xylanase activities of T. harzianum IOC 3844 prevent the accumulation of inhibitors. This improves the enzymatic hydrolysis yields because the increase in the degree of synergism depends mainly on the enzyme concentrations (Nobuyuki et al., 2011) .

It was reported that the IOC-3844 strain produces larger quantities of FPAse, endoglucanase, and β-glycosidase than the reference fungus.

This improves the enzymatic hydrolysis yields because the increase in the degree of synergism depends mainly on the enzyme concentrations.


The cellulose in biomass can be hydrolyzed chemically, with dilute or concentrated acid, or through an enzymatic treatment to produce glucose, which is the main source of carbon in the production of secondgeneration ethanol (2G ethanol). The enzymatic route occurs under mild conditions, which allows for greater reaction control to minimize the degradation of biopolymers. Also, lignin is not solubilized, and the carbohydrate structures are well preserved. On the other hand, chemical hydrolysis using concentrated or dilute acid, generates toxic substances such as furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and phenolics from lignin degradation (Badger, 2002; Brodeur et al., 2011) .

On the other hand, chemical hydrolysis using concentrated or dilute acid, generates toxic substances such as furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and phenolics from lignin degradation.


The enzymatic hydrolysis of the lignocellulosic material results from the cooperative action of several glycosyl hydrolases. These include endo-β-1,4-glucanases (EG, E.C. 3.2.1.4), cellobiohydrolases or exoglucanases (CBH, E.C. 3.2.1.91) and β-glycosidases (E.C.3.2.1.21), which act on the cellulosic fraction, and a set of hemicellulases, such as xylanases, β-xylosidases, glucuronidases, acetyl esterases, galactomannanases and glycomannanases, which act on the hemicellulosic fraction (Canilha et al., 2012) . Many efforts to increase the efficiency of the enzymatic hydrolysis have focused on preparing adequate proportions and highly concentrated enzyme mixtures to maximize the synergistic effect of the enzyme complex, in addition to minimum dilution of the hydrolysis mixture and the ease of storage and transportation of the biocatalysts (Queiroz et al., 2001) .

These include endo-β-1,4-glucanases (EG, E.C. 3.2.1.4), cellobiohydrolases or exoglucanases (CBH, E.C. 3.2.1.91) and β-glycosidases (E.C.3.2.1.21), which act on the cellulosic fraction, and a set of hemicellulases, such as xylanases, β-xylosidases, glucuronidases, acetyl esterases, galactomannanases and glycomannanases, which act on the hemicellulosic fraction.

Many efforts to increase the efficiency of the enzymatic hydrolysis have focused on preparing adequate proportions and highly concentrated enzyme mixtures to maximize the synergistic effect of the enzyme complex, in addition to minimum dilution of the hydrolysis mixture and the ease of storage and transportation of the biocatalysts.


Lignocellulosic biomass is a renewable raw material with great potential as a source of clean energy. To compete with fossil fuels, it has to be adequately used. However, a key challenge is the development of efficient technologies to convert biomass components into different types of fuel (Ptasinski et al., 2007) .

However, a key challenge is the development of efficient technologies to convert biomass components into different types of fuel.


Tab.1 summarizes the effect of pH, buffer and tonicity modifiers on corneal permeation of ofloxacin. The average pH of tears is 7.2 and eyes can tolerate pH of 6.5-8.0 without much discomfort [9] . Ofloxacin yields a slightly turbid solution at Ofloxacin ophthalmic solution (0.3%, w/v) USP has a pH of 6.0-6.8. Increasing the pH of the formulation to physiological pH will reduce its irritation potential. So, in order to enhance the solubility of ofloxacin at pH 7.2, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin was employed. Cornea has an isoelectric point (pI) of 3.2, and above this pH, cornea is negatively charged, and thus becomes selectively permeable to cations [11] . Ofloxacin is a racemate with pKa 1 of 5.5 (for the carboxyl group), pKa 2 of 8.0(for the piperazinyl group) and pI of 6.75 [12] . Thus, increasing the pH of ofloxacin solution from 6.4 to 7.2 will increase the unionized fraction of ofloxacin, which should increase its corneal permeation. But the unionized drug concentration exceeds the solubility of drug in water at pH 7.2; as a result it gives a cloudy solution. Inclusion of cyclodextrin improved the solubility of drug at pH 7.2.

The average pH of tears is 7.2 and eyes can tolerate pH of 6.5-8.0 without much discomfort.

Cornea has an isoelectric point (pI) of 3.2, and above this pH, cornea is negatively charged, and thus becomes selectively permeable to cations.

Ofloxacin is a racemate with pKa 1 of 5.5 (for the carboxyl group), pKa 2 of 8.0(for the piperazinyl group) and pI of 6.75.


There are a lot of important intracellular antioxidant defence mechanisms like the glutathione redox system, the vitamin C\vitamin E cycle and the α-lipoic acid\ dihydrolipoic acid redox pair. Impairment of these defence mechanisms in diabetes mellitus has been described by several authors [14, 15] . Furthermore, the ability of α-lipoic acid, a cofactor in the α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, to reduce lipid peroxidation, to quench radicals, to regenerate vitamins C and E (in its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid), to increase intracellular levels of glutathione and to prevent glycation of serum albumin has been well documented [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] .

Impairment of these defence mechanisms in diabetes mellitus has been described by several authors.

Furthermore, the ability of α-lipoic acid, a cofactor in the α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, to reduce lipid peroxidation, to quench radicals, to regenerate vitamins C and E (in its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid), to increase intracellular levels of glutathione and to prevent glycation of serum albumin has been well documented.


ELM offers numerous advantages because of high transport efficiency, economical, relatively low energy consumption, and high extraction efficiency due to large mass transfer surface area available. Besides, ELM also one of the most efficient techniques for separation and concentration process for low concentration of solute [5] . In addition, ELM process involve combination of extraction and stripping process [6] . This combination can remove the equilibrium limitation between the organic and aqueous phase. Besides, with the use of appropriate carrier for transport mechanism, specific molar recognition can be achieved.

Besides, ELM also one of the most efficient techniques for separation and concentration process for low concentration of solute.

In addition, ELM process involve combination of extraction and stripping process.


Two fluid phases can be separated by a barrier called membrane which allow the selective permeation of solute through the barrier [1] . Membrane extraction utilizes either a porous or nonporous polymeric membrane to provide a selective barrier between the feed and the receiving phase. Instead of using solid as membrane material, it is also possible to use liquid as a membrane. Liquid membrane technology is widely applied in different potential area like wastewater treatment, textile industries, electroplating, pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, mining, semiconductor, dairy, food and beverage processing, biotechnology industries, and tanning and leather industries [2] [3] [4] .

Two fluid phases can be separated by a barrier called membrane which allow the selective permeation of solute through the barrier.

Liquid membrane technology is widely applied in different potential area like wastewater treatment, textile industries, electroplating, pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, mining, semiconductor, dairy, food and beverage processing, biotechnology industries, and tanning and leather industries.


Whereas topical microbicides received the major attention other than vaccines to preventing HIV infection thus far with many clinical trials currently ongoing in the field, experimental studies on systemic PrEPs for HIV have been limited to very few compounds with a main focus on RT inhibitors [13, 42, 43] . These included tenofovir, emtricitabine and efavirenz which showed efficacy in non-human primates against i/v, vaginal or rectal challenges with either SIV and/or different versions of SIV/HIV chimeric viruses [13, 42] . In addition to showing efficacy in the monkey models, the RT inhibitors tenofovir and emtricitabine also showed efficacy in the BLT mouse model against HIV challenge [32] . Based on the effectiveness of tenofovir as a PrEP in the experimental studies it is currently in clinical trials to evaluate its efficacy in the human [44] . With regard to fusion inhibitors, oral administration of CMPD167, a small molecule CCR5 inhibitor, protected macaques against vaginal SHIV viral challenge [45] . As can be seen, there is a paucity of number of compounds tested for systemic PrEP.

Whereas topical microbicides received the major attention other than vaccines to preventing HIV infection thus far with many clinical trials currently ongoing in the field, experimental studies on systemic PrEPs for HIV have been limited to very few compounds with a main focus on RT inhibitors.

These included tenofovir, emtricitabine and efavirenz which showed efficacy in non-human primates against i/v, vaginal or rectal challenges with either SIV and/or different versions of SIV/HIV chimeric viruses.

In addition to showing efficacy in the monkey models, the RT inhibitors tenofovir and emtricitabine also showed efficacy in the BLT mouse model against HIV challenge.

Based on the effectiveness of tenofovir as a PrEP in the experimental studies it is currently in clinical trials to evaluate its efficacy in the human.

With regard to fusion inhibitors, oral administration of CMPD167, a small molecule CCR5 inhibitor, protected macaques against vaginal SHIV viral challenge.


An approximate four-fold diff erence in genome size was observed within this sampling of the genus Striga, suggesting that the processes of polyploidization and/or TE amplifi cation are infl uencing genome evolution. Th e genome size values suggest a ploidy series with two rounds of polyploidization: a diploid species having a genome size of ~600 Mb (S. asiatica), a tetraploid species with a genome size of ~1400 Mb (S. hermonthica), and an octoploid species with a genome size of ~ 2400 Mb (S. forbesii). Several rounds of polyploidization have been observed and inferred to drive speciation in the evolution of a closely related genus, Orobanche L. (Schneeweiss et al., 2004) .

Several rounds of polyploidization have been observed and inferred to drive speciation in the evolution of a closely related genus, Orobanche L..


Phylogenetic analysis reveals that S. aspera and S. gesnerioides are sister species and that S. hermonthica is closely related to both. Th is observation is unexpected because S. aspera and S. hermonthica are morphologically very similar and are believed to have the ability to cross hybridize while S. gesnerioides is morphologically distinct (Aigbokhan et al., 2000) . While the genus contains ~28 species, only fi ve of them are considered agricultural weeds. Our results suggest three distinct clades within the genus. Th e most derived clade includes S. aspera, S. gesnerioides, and S. hermonthica while the two other weedy species (S. asiatica and S. forbesii) represent independent lineages. Th ese results are congruent with the most detailed hypothesis of relationships within the family Orobanchaceae (Morawetz et al., 2010) . It was unexpected that S. gesnerioides was found to be closely related to S. hermonthica and S. aspera instead of basal within the genus, as previously hypothesized based on morphology. Th is suggests a rapid morphological change in the legume parasite, perhaps accompanying a recent switch in host preference. Further analysis of this important observation should include low copy nuclear loci.

Th is observation is unexpected because S. aspera and S. hermonthica are morphologically very similar and are believed to have the ability to cross hybridize while S. gesnerioides is morphologically distinct.

Th ese results are congruent with the most detailed hypothesis of relationships within the family Orobanchaceae.


The effect of technology is increasing gradually in the education process. Educators with high self-efficacy perceptions strive greatly to accomplish things, they do not give up if and when they come up against challenges; they are patient and persistent. Thus, it is known that the self-efficacy perception is one of the characteristics we should focus on in the education process. Therefore, the question of what kind of selfefficacy perceptions teachers have on the use of technology is vital (Torkzadeh & Van Dyke, 2001) .

Therefore, the question of what kind of selfefficacy perceptions teachers have on the use of technology is vital.


In order to give a solution to this problem, there are screening scales that have less items and with direct method of answer. That is the case of the "Short Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview" (SPRINT-E) an instrument with 12 items, which measures the 3 groups of DSM-IV symptoms (items 1 to 4), reactions related to PTSD (5 to 11, depression, healthy behavior, stress tolerance, performance in their daily work and social functioning), the perception that each person has on needed help and suicidal intention (item 12). This last item is not included in the score but was included as a precaution: when this question is answered affirmatively, the health professionals may call for immediate referral to psychiatric services (Norris, Hamblen, Brown,& Schinka, 2008) .

This last item is not included in the score but was included as a precaution: when this question is answered affirmatively, the health professionals may call for immediate referral to psychiatric services.


This new model can be explained from the theoretical perspective of covert conditioning, base of the therapeutic procedure known as systematic desensitization (Cautela & Kearney, 1986; Wolpe, 1958) . From this perspective, PTSD is explained by covert stimulus (symptoms) that cause maladaptive responses (reactions). Therefore, the SPRINT-E is reproducing in its factor structure this fundamental theoretical organization. This increases its relevance as a diagnostic tool and complementary to the therapy of PTSD which, as in the case of systematic desensitization should be based on cognitive-behavioral model to be effective .

This new model can be explained from the theoretical perspective of covert conditioning, base of the therapeutic procedure known as systematic desensitization.


Respect of the measuring scale, each SPRINT-E item is evaluated as experienced by the person during the last month, through a Likert scale from 0 (none) to 4 (very much) points. It is considered that a symptom is intense if this has a score of 3 or 4 (Norris et al., 2008) . With the total of intense symptoms, it is used the "rule of 3/7" which states that 3 or more intense symptoms by person is very probably that he or she suffers PTSD; but with 7 or more responses the probability of a false positive (to diagnose PTSD when a person have not this disease) is very low (Norris et al., 2008) .

It is considered that a symptom is intense if this has a score of 3 or 4.

With the total of intense symptoms, it is used the "rule of 3/7" which states that 3 or more intense symptoms by person is very probably that he or she suffers PTSD; but with 7 or more responses the probability of a false positive (to diagnose PTSD when a person have not this disease) is very low.


In this paper, the synthesis of denim waste-based adsorbents via pyrolysis and their application in water defluoridation have been reported. Fluoride ions are considered priority toxic pollutants in the water used for human consumption. Indeed, different regions worldwide have reported the presence of natural occurring fluoride pollution in groundwater [18] . For instance, several cities in Mexico face severe environmental pollution problems due to high fluoride concentrations in the groundwater supply sources, with the corresponding toxicity effects for human beings [19] .

Indeed, different regions worldwide have reported the presence of natural occurring fluoride pollution in groundwater.

For instance, several cities in Mexico face severe environmental pollution problems due to high fluoride concentrations in the groundwater supply sources, with the corresponding toxicity effects for human beings.


We conducted a series of 8 focus groups (n = 38) to identify initial themes, followed by n = 56 individual interviews to gather in-depth information from MSM in Providence, RI. All participants were English-speaking adult cisgender males who self-reported their HIV status to be negative or unknown, and who reported condomless unprotected anal sex in the past 6 months with a male partner of positive or unknown HIV status. No participants had been in a PrEP efficacy trial. Focus groups occurred in February-June 2012, and individual interviews occurred in April 2013-April 2014. Recruitment included outreach and advertising in local entertainment venues, communitybased organizations, clinics, and local media. Focus group methods have been reported elsewhere [17] .

Focus group methods have been reported elsewhere.


Conventional seismic modeling approaches usually ignore attenuation effects on wavefields. In earth media, however, attenuation causes reduced energy and a distorted phase of seismic waves, especially when the attenuation is high due to the presence of, for example, gas pockets (Dvorkin and Mavko, 2006) . To accurately characterize wave propagation in real media, attenuation and associated dispersion effects should be taken into account in seismic wavefield modeling.

In earth media, however, attenuation causes reduced energy and a distorted phase of seismic waves, especially when the attenuation is high due to the presence of, for example, gas pockets.


In principle, the population-based approach of Australia's perinatal mental health initiatives provides an opportunity for routine psychosocial assessment to be available to all women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. However, the implementation and delivery of psychosocial assessment is made more complex by the context in which maternity care is delivered in Australia, and its related mix of Commonwealth, State/Territory and private funding. More than half of pregnant women (55%) receive antenatal care in the public sector, with the remainder of women receiving care from private obstetricians (30%) or General Practitioners (15%) [9] . Public hospital maternity care is provided at no cost to women, whereas private maternity services, although subsidised through Medicare Benefits Schedule and private health insurance rebates, require varying out-of pocket patient contributions for particular services [10] . The private health insurance premiums paid for by this group of women will also vary according to the type and level of premium purchased, the size of the family purchasing insurance, and the particular fund of which she is a member. In this context, private health insurance is an indicator of socioeconomic advantage in Australia, as it is only accessible to people with sufficient financial resources to purchase it.

More than half of pregnant women (55%) receive antenatal care in the public sector, with the remainder of women receiving care from private obstetricians (30%) or General Practitioners (15%).

Public hospital maternity care is provided at no cost to women, whereas private maternity services, although subsidised through Medicare Benefits Schedule and private health insurance rebates, require varying out-of pocket patient contributions for particular services.


Cluster analysis is used to partition observations so each group has observations with similar characteristics but is distinct from the characteristics of other groups. Two kinds of cluster analysis, hierarchical and nonhierarchical, are commonly applied in empirical studies. The hierarchical method has the disadvantage of the researcher's not being able to amend the segmentation of previously assigned observations during the clustering process and is not suitable for large datasets (Khattree & Naik, 2000) . The K-means approach, a nonhierarchical clustering method, was applied in this study. The classifications of observations are iterated to reduce the possibilities of assigning observations to a segment that does not best describe the characteristics of respondents in clusters.

The hierarchical method has the disadvantage of the researcher's not being able to amend the segmentation of previously assigned observations during the clustering process and is not suitable for large datasets.


Factor analysis and cluster analysis were used to examine the differences in consumer perceptions between television and radio advertising information. Factor analysis is a technique used to generate new underlying variables that contain most of the information included in the original variables (Johnson, 1998) . The extracted dimensions or factors are uncorrelated while the variables in each factor are highly correlated.

Factor analysis is a technique used to generate new underlying variables that contain most of the information included in the original variables.


Genomic instability refers to the propensity of aberrations in chromosomes such as mutations, deletions and amplifications. It has been thought to play a critical role in the development of many diseases, for example, many types of cancers (Klein and Klein 1985) . Identifying which aberrations contribute to disease risk, and how they may interact with each other during disease development is of keen interest. High throughput genotyping experiments have been performed to interrogate these aberrations in diseases, providing a vast amount of information on genomic instabilities on tens of thousands of marker loci simultaneously.

It has been thought to play a critical role in the development of many diseases, for example, many types of cancers.


Our study demonstrates that in CIDP, nerve enlargement and clinical impairment persist longer than in GBS. This difference might be a consequence of the more acute nerve pathology in GBS (edema, inflammation, and thus conduction block) compared with the more chronic damage in CIDP (next to edema and inflammation, pronounced fibrosis and onion bulb formation as well as long distance and multifocal demyelination and axonal damage), which might already arise in early CIDP. The pathognomonic occurrence of class 2 pattern in CIDP might be a further proof of this assumption as increased echosignal might be a consequence of chronic nerve damage [8] . These findings might help to discontinue or to continue therapy in cases, in which differentiation might be difficult, if nerve morphology has overall normalized after 6 months or significant enlargement might still arise. Ultrasound might herald the start of a new era of immunotherapy in neuropathies [22] .

The pathognomonic occurrence of class 2 pattern in CIDP might be a further proof of this assumption as increased echosignal might be a consequence of chronic nerve damage.

Ultrasound might herald the start of a new era of immunotherapy in neuropathies.


These findings are of an important concern since men with sperm count <40 · 10 6 /ml were indicated to experience reduced fecundity (Bonde et al., 1998) . However, in contradiction, other studies reported nonsignificant change in human semen quality (Bujan et al., 1996; Fisch et al., 1996; Rasmussen et al., 1997; Andolz et al., 1999; Acacio et al., 2000; Swan et al., 2000; Marimuthu et al., 2003; Axelsson et al., 2011) . Hence, the global temporal trend in semen quality is still on debate.

These findings are of an important concern since men with sperm count <40 · 10 6 /ml were indicated to experience reduced fecundity.

However, in contradiction, other studies reported nonsignificant change in human semen quality.


Plants exposed to salt stress undergo changes in their environment. The ability of plants to tolerate salt is determined by the multiple biochemical pathways that facilitate retention and/or acquisition of water, protect chloroplast functions, and maintain ion homeostasis. Mycorrhizal symbiosis is a key component in helping plants to cope with adverse environmental conditions. Salt stress inhibits photosynthetic ability and induces physiological drought in plants and a decrease in crop production. Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization is reported to promote plant growth and salinity tolerance (Evelin et al. 2011) . It has been suggested that salt stress may reduce colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi via a direct effect on fungal growth (Giri et al., 2007) .

Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization is reported to promote plant growth and salinity tolerance.

It has been suggested that salt stress may reduce colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi via a direct effect on fungal growth.


Another indication of interstellar VLGs comes from direct detection of interstellar grains in the heliosphere by Ulysses and Galileo. These experiments have shown that the volume mass density of VLGs is comparable to the total dust volume mass density derived from the typical dust-to-gas ratio in the diffuse ISM in the Galaxy (Landgraf et al., 2000; Krüger et al., 2007; Frisch and Slavin, 2013) . This seems contradictory to the above grain size distribution derived by MRN, who found that most of the dust grains have radii less than 0.25 µm. Thus, it has been argued that the density of VLGs is enhanced in the solar neighborhood (Draine, 2009; Frisch and Slavin, 2013) . Nevertheless, it is still interesting to compare the VLG abundance expected from the formation in dense cores with the measurements, in order to quantify what fraction of the observed VLGs can be explained by the formation in dense cores.

These experiments have shown that the volume mass density of VLGs is comparable to the total dust volume mass density derived from the typical dust-to-gas ratio in the diffuse ISM in the Galaxy.

Thus, it has been argued that the density of VLGs is enhanced in the solar neighborhood.


There are some indications that VLGs exist in the ISM. One of the indications of interstellar VLGs is provided by meteorites. Large interstellar grains (> 1 µm) are known to exist in chondritic meteorites. Such grains were identified based on their extremely anomalous (way off from the average solar system isotope ratios) isotopic compositions (Clayton and Nittler, 2004) . This implies that interstellar dust grains must have resided and survived in a dense core that ended up forming the solar system.

Such grains were identified based on their extremely anomalous (way off from the average solar system isotope ratios) isotopic compositions.


It is widely known that Agaricus blazei Murrill contains active organic ingredients that are associated with the maintenance of human health and the healing of diseases (Lee et al., 2008) . Pharmacological studies have shown that bioactive substances, such as polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein complexes, in A. blazei, function as antioxidants, antimutagenics, antitumorigenics, and anticancer agents (Izawa & Inoue, 2004; Kimura et al., 2004; Firenzuoli et al., 2008) . Therefore, it is not surprising that A. blazei has drawn the attention of food scientists and biotechnologists.

It is widely known that Agaricus blazei Murrill contains active organic ingredients that are associated with the maintenance of human health and the healing of diseases.

Pharmacological studies have shown that bioactive substances, such as polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein complexes, in A. blazei, function as antioxidants, antimutagenics, antitumorigenics, and anticancer agents.


Since the contact surface between the air and wetted straw is extremely large, the moisture in the air will increase. The difference of density between ambient air and the air inside the head of the wind tower, as well as the height of the wind tower column, produce a pressure dissimilarity, causing a downward airflow inside the column. The difference of density at the topmost point of the column (wind tower head) and the ambient air increases the buoyancy effect [3, 28, 36] . Therefore, it is expected that in places where the wind speed is low, or the ambient air is still, this type of wind tower will be more effective.

The difference of density at the topmost point of the column (wind tower head) and the ambient air increases the buoyancy effect.


An SMC grain structure in the RQM alloy is retained after its annealing at 550 and 600°С (Figs. 3-5) . The corresponding SAED patterns are given in the insets in Figs. 3 and 4 . Their analysis shows that the B2 type atomic ordering and nanodomain modula tion (with a somewhat higher, approximately twofold, period) are retained in the alloy. The diffraction con trast in the electron micrographs remains nonuniform over the grain volume. The elements of the contrast from nanoparticles are equiaxed in the RQM alloy annealed at 550°С for 2 h (Fig. 3) and gradually trans form into the elements of contrast of Widmannstätten type oriented along the {110} B2 planes after annealing at 550°С for 5 h and at 600°С for 2 h (Figs. 4 and 5) . The pattern in the form of fragmented striated contrast is especially strongly pronounced in the images of the RQM alloy annealed at 600°С for 2 h (Fig. 5) . In this case, the substructure of the alloy is apparently most close to the structure of the as cast alloy [19] . The majority of precipitating particles, both globular and lamellar, are no more than 20-30 nm in size after annealing at 550°С; the lamellar particles are 200-300 nm long after annealing at 600°С for 2 h.

In this case, the substructure of the alloy is apparently most close to the structure of the as cast alloy.


The higher enhancement in a heat transfer coefficient for the nanofluid draw the researchers to present the model and study the heat transfer coefficient of nanofluid [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] . They were found that the heat transfer coefficient increase with the increase in Reynolds number and volume fractions, at the same time the pressure drop along the pipe depends on the nanoparticles size suspended in the base fluid. The heat transfer coefficient highly depends on the thermophysical properties of the nanofluids [9, 10] .

The higher enhancement in a heat transfer coefficient for the nanofluid draw the researchers to present the model and study the heat transfer coefficient of nanofluid.

The heat transfer coefficient highly depends on the thermophysical properties of the nanofluids.


Results are generalizable only to students enrolled in courses similar to those included in this study. Although the number of participants was small, it is worth noting the number is within the sampling range for case study research (Stake, 2000) . Although the study profited from the presence of two researcher coders, the lack of multiple coders was also a limitation of the study.

Although the number of participants was small, it is worth noting the number is within the sampling range for case study research.


As researchers and professors in a teacher preparation program, we are and should be concerned about the prevalence of aliteracy among our preservice candidates and practicing graduates. We embrace and support the research that posits teachers who read widely in their private lives use a greater number of best practice strategies for literacy instruction (McKool & Gespass, 2009; Dalhouse et al., 2011) . Our concern led us to initiate this study to identify the existence of aliteracy among our students and mitigate its impact on their lives, their literacy practice, and the lives of their future and existing students.

We embrace and support the research that posits teachers who read widely in their private lives use a greater number of best practice strategies for literacy instruction.


We have obtained an explicit solution for an axionic perturbation of the non-supersymmetric deformation of the warped deformed conifold of Kuperstein-Sonnenschein. The corresponding supergravity fluctuation is normalizable, and we have performed an analysis analogous to the one developed by Gubser, Herzog and Klebanov in the supersymmetric warped deformed conifold. This is the Goldstone boson associated with the spontaneous breaking of the U(1) B baryon number symmetry in the dual gauge theory of the non-supersymmetric warped deformed conifold background. Moreover, the gauge theory is on the baryonic branch of the moduli space since the SU(2) × SU(2) symmetry of the dual supergravity background is preserved, and therefore the only operators with non-vanishing vacuum expectation values are the baryonic ones. Still, there are some points that deserve further investigation. It was argued that the stability of the non-supersymmetric solution requires a mass gap in the original dual supersymmetric gauge theory [29] . On the other hand, Gubser, Herzog and Klebanov have shown that in the Klebanov-Strassler solution there is no mass gap. Therefore, a very important question arises, i.e. whether the non-supersymmetric deformation of Kuperstein and Sonnenschein induces tachyonic modes, as well as if the saxion becomes a tachyonic mode itself. In addition, it would be useful to discuss the stability of the D1-branes at the bottom of the non-supersymmetric background. It would be expected that they were stable for small values of the non-supersymmetric deformation parameter.

It was argued that the stability of the non-supersymmetric solution requires a mass gap in the original dual supersymmetric gauge theory.


Although several biological targets for CTX have been proposed, direct binding has not been reported. Here, we used protein array technology to identify another possible target for CTX. CTX bound most strongly to cortactin, a substrate of the Src nonreceptor tyrosine kinase. Overexpression of cortactin is linked to invasive cancers, including melanoma, colorectal cancer, and glioblastoma, making it an important biomarker for invasive cancers (MacGrath and Koleske, 2012) . Cortactin localizes to invasive protrusions in cells including invadopodia and has been shown to associate with MMP-2 using co-immunoprecipitation studies (Banon-Rodriguez et al., 2011) . Similar to annexin A2, it has been suggested that a transient interaction between cortactin and complexes containing MMPs might exist (Banon-Rodriguez et al., 2011) . Given CTX can penetrate cells via clathrin-mediated endocytosis, it is possible that it can interact with cortactin intracellularly, or alternatively as part of a MMP-2 complex that is subsequently internalized (Wiranowska et al., 2011) . The importance of intracellular targeting of cortactin has been shown with a cell-permeable peptide that binds cortactin, and inhibits the invasion of a range of cancers including glioblastomas (Hashimoto et al., 2006) . Our cell internalization assay provides support for the possibility that CTX-4 can bind an intracellular target that is specific to tumor cells compared to normal cells. It would be of interest to determine if CTX-4 can also bind to cortactin.

Overexpression of cortactin is linked to invasive cancers, including melanoma, colorectal cancer, and glioblastoma, making it an important biomarker for invasive cancers.

Cortactin localizes to invasive protrusions in cells including invadopodia and has been shown to associate with MMP-2 using co-immunoprecipitation studies.

Similar to annexin A2, it has been suggested that a transient interaction between cortactin and complexes containing MMPs might exist.

Given CTX can penetrate cells via clathrin-mediated endocytosis, it is possible that it can interact with cortactin intracellularly, or alternatively as part of a MMP-2 complex that is subsequently internalized.

The importance of intracellular targeting of cortactin has been shown with a cell-permeable peptide that binds cortactin, and inhibits the invasion of a range of cancers including glioblastomas.


Active safety is all about technical solutions that help the drivers avoid accidents or significantly reduce the possibilities of the accidents. These include braking systems, like ABS, traction control systems, and electronic stability control systems that interpret the signals from various sensors to help drivers control the vehicle or give a warning to driver under various road conditions as well as the driving maneuvers. And the performances of the controller rely heavily on the accurate vehicle states information. Some of the required vehicle state information is easy to measure by the sensors which exist in model vehicle, such as the spin speed of four wheels, but others are difficult to detect due to the expense, complexity, and the technological limits. Reducing sensor is a potential approach to cut down the cost and improve the reliability and performance of the controller. State estimation is an algorithm which prides the internal state of a given system in real time; the algorithm uses the online measurements as inputs and obtains the estimated values. It provides the basis of many practical applications and attracts increasing attention in the field of automobile industry, especially in the vehicle active safety research field [1] [2] [3] [4] .

It provides the basis of many practical applications and attracts increasing attention in the field of automobile industry, especially in the vehicle active safety research field.


Second, we speculate that ambient air pollution is related to TB reactivation. Several studies showed that after a time of exposure to diesel exhaust inhalation, the expression levels of interleukin (TNF)-a, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-c in marine decreased significantly [36, 37] . IFN-c attacks and kills the Mycobacterium tuberculosis by macrophage activation. TNF-a is important in the procedure of granuloma formation and the infection localized. Furthermore, the inhibition of TNF-a by drugs would lead to TB reactivation [38] . A recent study suggested a potential association between the exposure to particulate matter (PM) and pulmonary TB [39] . Additionally, the frequent haze weather may lead to reduced ultraviolet radiation intensity, thus lower the level of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D in body. The haze weather is most frequently in winter. Consequently, all of the above factors would cause the winter or early spring peak of TB reactivation. Considering the diagnosis delay of TB, TB reactivation would manifest as TB peak in spring. Thus, we speculated that spring peak (from March to May) in our study was more likely caused by the reactivation of the latent TB than the enhanced winter transmission.

Several studies showed that after a time of exposure to diesel exhaust inhalation, the expression levels of interleukin (TNF)-a, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-c in marine decreased significantly.

Furthermore, the inhibition of TNF-a by drugs would lead to TB reactivation.

A recent study suggested a potential association between the exposure to particulate matter (PM) and pulmonary TB.


Suppose R is a commutative ring and A is one of the ABCDEFG Dynkin diagrams, or equivalently its Cartan matrix. Steinberg defined what is now called the Steinberg group St A (R), by generators and relations [18] . It plays a central role in K-theory and some aspects of Lie theory.

Steinberg defined what is now called the Steinberg group St A (R), by generators and relations.


This study aimed to establish a robust and reproducible assay to determine the susceptibility of influenza viruses circulating in the past seven years to the PAN inhibitor drug BXA. In addition, we investigated the impact of substitutions at position I38 of the PAN in contemporary A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and influenza B viruses on BXA susceptibility to confirm the ability of the assay to detect such variants. Using the FRA method, BXA was shown to be active against all 286 influenza viruses tested that had circulated in the Asia-Pacific region from 2012 to 2018. The mean EC50 values obtained in this study were similar to those described in a smaller in vitro study using a BXA plaque reduction assay and 17 Japanese influenza A viruses (0.2 to 1.0 nM) and four influenza B viruses (4.0 to 11.3 nM) [8] .

The mean EC50 values obtained in this study were similar to those described in a smaller in vitro study using a BXA plaque reduction assay and 17 Japanese influenza A viruses (0.2 to 1.0 nM) and four influenza B viruses (4.0 to 11.3 nM).


The Doi model for rod-like molecules has been very successful in describing the properties of liquid crystal polymers in a solvent [3] . The basic object in the Doi model is the single molecule position-orientation distribution function. Interactions between molecules are modelled by a mean-field potential. Therefore, the Doi model can be regarded as a mean-field kinetic theory. Besides interaction with other rods, the rods are also interacting with the flow and are subject to Brownian force. If the interaction strength is sufficiently strong, compared with the Brownian force, or if the rod concentration is sufficiently high, then the system prefers to be in a nematic phase in which the rods tend to line up with each other. Otherwise the system is in an isotropic phase in which the orientation of the rods is completely random.

The Doi model for rod-like molecules has been very successful in describing the properties of liquid crystal polymers in a solvent.


Using the presented method, we could set up the hydrostratigraphy on a regional scale (~470 km 2 ) within days, where a manually built model covering the same area would require months. Such time saving on defining the regional model structure frees resources that can be focused on local details around areas of primary interest. We exemplified this by combining the regional scale groundwater model with two embedded local scale models. These local models were based on a detailed geological model developed in a previous study (Høyer et al. 2015) .

These local models were based on a detailed geological model developed in a previous study.


For the comparison only the aerosol information has been altered, all other input variables remained unchanged. Hence, the differences in the error measures can only result from the different aerosol information. As main error measure the Mean Absolute Bias (MAB) and Bias are used. The MAB and bias are defined by Equations (5) and (6) .

The MAB and bias are defined by Equations (5) and.


In summary, empirical findings and RTM results give evidence that the aerosol effect on solar surface irradiance is partly considered by an increase of CAL. Hence, truncation of high aerosol values in the MACC aerosol climatology might lead to better results in the estimated solar surface irradiance than using the original MACC data. Further, also climatological background values might work well. Therefore, the performance of "original" MACC aerosol information is compared to a truncated MACC version and to constant aerosol approaches, in detail Aerosol Optical Depth of 0.18 and 0.0 in the troposphere, respectively. An AOD of 0.18 corresponds approximately to the constant visibility of 20 km, which has been proven to perform well within the SAF comparison study [15] .

An AOD of 0.18 corresponds approximately to the constant visibility of 20 km, which has been proven to perform well within the SAF comparison study.


The subject on properties, characterizations, and representations of digital curves (DC) has been researched continuously since the debut of digitization of graphical objects and visual imageries [1] , [2] . Nevertheless, in the abundance of various problems and their algorithms related with digital objects, polygonal approximation of a digital curve/object has received special attention for its efficient representation and for its potential applications in connection with analysis of digital images [3] , [4] , [5] . The set of straight edges of the concerned polygon carries a strong geometric property of the underlying objects, which can be used for efficient high level description of the objects and for finding the similarity among different objects in the digital plane.

The subject on properties, characterizations, and representations of digital curves (DC) has been researched continuously since the debut of digitization of graphical objects and visual imageries.

Nevertheless, in the abundance of various problems and their algorithms related with digital objects, polygonal approximation of a digital curve/object has received special attention for its efficient representation and for its potential applications in connection with analysis of digital images.


The patients in this study were analysed according to baseline DAS28. However, the DAS28 itself is not without its limitations and the treating physicians may have made treatment decisions independent of DAS28 in certain patients. The DAS28 has a strong weighting towards tender joint count and patient global assessment, two relatively subjective measures of disease activity. Indeed, studies have found that patients without inflammatory arthritis but significant FM can also score high on the DAS28 [21] . Therefore, certain patients with high disease activity may not have, in the physician's opinion, had disease activity high enough to warrant anti-TNF therapy. The DAS28 also excludes certain joints, including the hips, ankles and feet, which may have been important factors in deciding on therapy in individual cases. Therefore, the DAS28 may not capture the full degree of disease activity in the patient.

Indeed, studies have found that patients without inflammatory arthritis but significant FM can also score high on the DAS28.


The 88 references were placed into three main categories. The first were discussion papers: these discussed ethical issues related to indepth interviews but were not specifically connected to any research study . The second were study-connected papers: here the authors described and discussed ethical issues arising from a particular studies that had used in-depth interviews . The third were empirical studies that focussed on ethical issues related to in-depth interviews [82] [83] [84] [85] [86] [87] [88] .

The third were empirical studies that focussed on ethical issues related to in-depth interviews.


Our result suggests that similar formulas for generalized exponents for other classes of irreducible representations of G are also possible if one explicitly describes the Fourier coefficients of the Cherednik kernel parametrized by all weights of the irreducible representation under consideration. A general technique of inductively computing the Fourier coefficients of the Cherednik kernel is described in Theorem 4.1. Another closely related method for computing the Fourier coefficients of the Cherednik kernel was introduced by Bazlov [1] . It is based on Cherednik operators and was succesfuly applied to compute the Fourier coefficients parametrized by roots, but this method seems to be less efficient in general because of the complexity of Cherednik operators.

Another closely related method for computing the Fourier coefficients of the Cherednik kernel was introduced by Bazlov.


Bone is a living, dynamic tissue that is constantly remodeled in the process of bone turnover. Bone health in adults depends on the synchronized performance of bone-resorbing osteoclasts and bone-forming osteoblasts that function together on the bone surface [1] . Bone remodeling is important in vertebrates to maintain bone volume and calcium homeostasis [2] . An imbalance in the activities of boneresorbing osteoclast cells and bone-depositing osteoblast cells upon aging or reaching menopause leads to osteoporosis [3] . Osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis are the result of overactive osteoclasts, which resorb bone [4] . This disorder has been increasing in frequency along with the increase in life expectancy [5] .

Bone health in adults depends on the synchronized performance of bone-resorbing osteoclasts and bone-forming osteoblasts that function together on the bone surface.

Bone remodeling is important in vertebrates to maintain bone volume and calcium homeostasis.

An imbalance in the activities of boneresorbing osteoclast cells and bone-depositing osteoblast cells upon aging or reaching menopause leads to osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis are the result of overactive osteoclasts, which resorb bone.

This disorder has been increasing in frequency along with the increase in life expectancy.


On the other hand, triangle-free hexagonal graphs with large odd girth surely allow better approximation, since hexagonal graphs are planar. However, we are not aware of any work on hexagonal graphs that would improve the well known results that hold for arbitrary planar graphs [4, 5] . Another avenue that may be of interest is to study generalization of the (planar) hexagonal graphs to 3D, where the triangular grid is replaced by the "cannonball" grid [10] .

However, we are not aware of any work on hexagonal graphs that would improve the well known results that hold for arbitrary planar graphs.

Another avenue that may be of interest is to study generalization of the (planar) hexagonal graphs to 3D, where the triangular grid is replaced by the "cannonball" grid.


To understand how defects affect yield and how yield scales, we turn to the common yield model: yield = e -faults/chip . Note that yield is related to the average faults/chip, and not defects/chip. In yield analysis, faults are considered a subclass of defects. Defects include all imperfections, both those that cause malfunctions and those that have no effect on circuit operation. Faults include only the defects that cause circuit malfunctions [15] . These faults are hard, persistent faults, not to be confused with transient faults. The fact that an increase in chip area would increase faults/chip is partially responsible for the economic limits that keep chip size from growing.

Faults include only the defects that cause circuit malfunctions.


As the name implies, ANNs were invented in an attempt to build artificial systems based on computational principles used by the nervous system (Hassabis et al., 2017) . In what follows, we identify additional principles from neuroscience that might accelerate the goal of achieving artificial mouse, and eventually human, intelligence. We argue that much in contrast to ANNs, animals rely heavily on a combination of both learned and innate mechanisms. These innate processes arise through evolution, are encoded in the genome, and take the form of rules for wiring up the brain (Seung, 2012) . We discuss the implications of these observations for generating next-generation machine algorithms.

As the name implies, ANNs were invented in an attempt to build artificial systems based on computational principles used by the nervous system.

These innate processes arise through evolution, are encoded in the genome, and take the form of rules for wiring up the brain.


Salivette ® may be difficult or less suitable to use under certain circumstances. Soaking the cotton roll with saliva requires time and the presence of a certain saliva volume in the mouth. To enable saliva collection, many researchers ask the subjects to chew the cotton roll; however, this is unsuitable when unstimulated saliva has to be collected. Occasionally, young children may find the chewing procedure cumbersome and refuse to co-operate. Repeated short interval-sampling may suffer by a limited amount of saliva absorbed to the roll, which could affect the composition of the final sample. Indeed, an error variance in the measurement of cortisol, testosterone, DHEA, estradiol, progesterone, and salivary α-amylase (sAA), has been reported, particularly with low sample volumes [12] [13] [14] . The concentration of sAA in saliva is considered as an indicator of the sympathetic adrenal medullar system activation due to stress [15] [16] [17] . Saliva for sAA assessment has been sampled with Salivette ® or by the passive drooling technique. However, these techniques may not be feasible when small sample volumes are to be expected, as mentioned above. To overcome this problem, we tried a micro-method that allows sampling of small saliva quantities, using the centrifugation device VectaSpin TM Micro (Whatman, Middlesex, UK) and small cotton pellets for rapid absorption of saliva from the mouth (Figure 1) . The suitability of the two absorbent methods for sampling saliva for sAA assessment was evaluated in this study. In particular, any loss of sAA activity in relation to the saliva volume absorbed was examined.

Indeed, an error variance in the measurement of cortisol, testosterone, DHEA, estradiol, progesterone, and salivary α-amylase (sAA), has been reported, particularly with low sample volumes.

The concentration of sAA in saliva is considered as an indicator of the sympathetic adrenal medullar system activation due to stress.


The saliva obtained after centrifugation with Salivette or VSM is less turbid and viscous than the initial fluid. This indicates that the cotton roll and pellets retained particles, such as microbes, epithelial cells, and food debris, that confer turbidity and also macromolecules, such as mucins that are mainly responsible for the high viscosity of saliva. Removal of particles was also achieved by the initial centrifugation step, performed before pooling the individual saliva samples together. The clarified and less viscous saliva obtained by centrifugation and filtration may, occasionally, be advantageous for the following handling and analysis steps. However, these procedures may also affect the compound under test. Removal of microbes also removes sAA bound to the cell surface of certain oral bacterial species [25] . On the other hand, the cotton roll of Salivette seems to retain most of salivary mucins but not sAA when adequately soaked with saliva.

Removal of microbes also removes sAA bound to the cell surface of certain oral bacterial species.


It is evident from the present results that the saliva volume absorbed by the cotton roll may influence the sAA concentration detected in the final sample. To prevent significant loss of sAA, the cotton roll of Salivette has to be soaked with approximately ≥1.5 ml saliva, which equals to about ≥50% of the volume that the roll can maximally absorb. Decreasing the saliva volume to 0.8 ml/roll resulted in a statistically lower sAA activity in comparison with the other two volumes tested, i.e. 2.9 and 1.5 ml, in the Salivette group as well as the sample collected by drooling. Salivette has been used for sampling saliva in previous studies evaluating stress through sAA activity [11, 17] . These authors provided no information for the possible effect of a partially soaked cotton roll on the estimation of sAA activity, probably, because they did not face the limitation of a small sample volume. Under certain circumstances, it may be difficult to obtain the saliva amount needed for saturation of the roll. Young children may not be capable or even refuge to provide the required volume. Occasionally, the size of the roll may be disproportional to the small mouth of the child, or the procedure itself may seem unbearable or stressful for a subject who must accept the cotton roll in the mouth for several minutes. Furthermore, repeated sampling with short intervals, e.g. <1 min, is unfeasible, since the flow rate of stimulated saliva is usually <1.5 ml/min.

Salivette has been used for sampling saliva in previous studies evaluating stress through sAA activity.


A device under the brand name Salivette ® (Sarstedt, Numbrecht, Germany) is frequently employed for whole saliva collection by the absorbent method [11] . The components of the devise are a cotton roll, and a plastic centrifuge tube with an inner cylindrical strainer (Figure 1) . The cotton roll is placed in the mouth for up to 5 min to absorb saliva till the roll becomes well soaked (about 3 ml saliva). The saliva is then harvested by centrifuging the roll in the tube with the strainer.

A device under the brand name Salivette ® (Sarstedt, Numbrecht, Germany) is frequently employed for whole saliva collection by the absorbent method.