To extract anomalous flows, one could build a model describing normal flow characteristics and use the model to identify deviating flows. However, building such a microscopic model is very challenging due to the wide variability of flow characteristics. Similarly, one could compare flows during an interval with flows from normal or past intervals and search for changes, like new flows that were not previously observed or flows with significant increase/decrease in their volume [12] . Such approaches essentially perform anomaly detection at the level of individual flows and could be used to identify anomalous flows.

Similarly, one could compare flows during an interval with flows from normal or past intervals and search for changes, like new flows that were not previously observed or flows with significant increase/decrease in their volume.


Silicon-based transistors in ICs, such as CMOS and bipolar junction transistor (BJT), can be affected by electrons, protons, and neutrons in radiation environments, which change the transistor parameters and degrade the circuit performance. These radiation effects on transistors can be categorized into three effects, i.e., total ionizing dose (TID), single event effect (SEE), and displacement damage (DD), as summarized in Table 1 [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] . The analog circuits with CMOS transistors mainly suffer from TID effects, which change the transistor parameters over time and are less vulnerable to SEE and DD effects. Thus, the proposed IA focuses on improving the radiation tolerance against the TID effects. In addition, it is important to estimate the IA performance against TID effects during the design stage. To accurately reproduce radiation effects on CMOS transistors, we utilized the compact transistor models, whose parameters were degraded by TID and applied those compact models to SPICE circuit simulations. This compact model-based simulation methodology enables the precise estimation of the IA performance before conducting experiments in actual radiation environments.

These radiation effects on transistors can be categorized into three effects, i.e., total ionizing dose (TID), single event effect (SEE), and displacement damage (DD), as summarized in Table 1.


Silicon-based transistors in ICs, such as CMOS and bipolar junction transistor (BJT), can be affected by electrons, protons, and neutrons in radiation environments, which change the transistor parameters and degrade the circuit performance. These radiation effects on transistors can be categorized into three effects, i.e., total ionizing dose (TID), single event effect (SEE), and displacement damage (DD), as summarized in Table 1 [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] . The analog circuits with CMOS transistors mainly suffer from TID effects, which change the transistor parameters over time and are less vulnerable to SEE and DD effects. Thus, the proposed IA focuses on improving the radiation tolerance against the TID effects. In addition, it is important to estimate the IA performance against TID effects during the design stage. To accurately reproduce radiation effects on CMOS transistors, we utilized the compact transistor models, whose parameters were degraded by TID and applied those compact models to SPICE circuit simulations. This compact model-based simulation methodology enables the precise estimation of the IA performance before conducting experiments in actual radiation environments. To reduce the radiation effects on the electronic components, three radiation-hardening methods have been widely considered: radiation hardening by process (RHBP), radiation hardening by shielding (RHBS), and radiation hardening by design (RHBD) [4] [5] [6] . While RHBP and RHBS, which improve the radiation tolerance by enhancing the process parameters and using shielded packages, respectively, have been effective ways for space and medical imaging applications, the nuclear fusion reactor suffers from more harsh radiation environments with high integral dose of MGy or higher [2, 3] . Therefore, RHBD, which utilizes the optimized circuit structure against radiation effects, should also be considered for the sensor readout IC, especially, sensitive analog circuits, in nuclear fusion systems [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] .

To reduce the radiation effects on the electronic components, three radiation-hardening methods have been widely considered: radiation hardening by process (RHBP), radiation hardening by shielding (RHBS), and radiation hardening by design (RHBD).

While RHBP and RHBS, which improve the radiation tolerance by enhancing the process parameters and using shielded packages, respectively, have been effective ways for space and medical imaging applications, the nuclear fusion reactor suffers from more harsh radiation environments with high integral dose of MGy or higher.

Therefore, RHBD, which utilizes the optimized circuit structure against radiation effects, should also be considered for the sensor readout IC, especially, sensitive analog circuits, in nuclear fusion systems.


A cavity wall combines a lot of transport mechanisms and sources for heat and moisture, which explains the difficulty in modelling such a configuration. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate some of the main transport mechanisms for heat and moisture in ventilated cavity walls. Figure 1 shows the heat fluxes, sources and sinks present in a cavity wall. For heat, three transport mechanisms can be identified: radiation, convection and conduction. At the outside, heat transport by radiation is very important. During sunny days, solar radiation accounts for a large part of the heat gains of the wall. Solar radiation is referred to as shortwave radiation. Next, heat exchange by longwave radiation is possible. This is radiation emitted by the wall or received from the surroundings. The wall will also exchange radiant heat with the sky. During clear winter nights, the temperature of the sky can be some 21°C lower than the environmental temperature (Hens, 2007) . This can result in significant longwave radiant heat losses.

During clear winter nights, the temperature of the sky can be some 21°C lower than the environmental temperature.


Similarly, in the present study drug-naïve planarians displayed a clear preference for light (about 90%), which is consistent with our previous findings. Exposure of the planarians to d-amphetamine (0.1 mM) for 15 minutes reduced the dark-preference to only ~50% and exposure to amphetamine for 30 minutes inverted the preference to light--demonstrative of a conditioned place preference. This is to our knowledge the first report of the development of CPP to amphetamine in planarians. The demonstration of this phenomenon in planarians is important, because planarians have proven to be a valuable model system for studying drug action and abuse [47] . These results can now form the basis for investigation of other drugs of abuse and a more detailed investigation of the biochemical processes involved.

The demonstration of this phenomenon in planarians is important, because planarians have proven to be a valuable model system for studying drug action and abuse.


The developments in distribution networks had major impact on the diffusion of distributed generation (DG). The traditional principle of distribution networks where electricity used to travel long distances from distant centralized power generation plants through radial passive networks to supply the end users has changed. It became active networks that support more dynamic energy flows with real-time management. Information technology and power electronics have facilitated the control of these new active networks in order to withstand the increasing number of DG units connected at the low and medium voltage level of distribution networks [3] .

Information technology and power electronics have facilitated the control of these new active networks in order to withstand the increasing number of DG units connected at the low and medium voltage level of distribution networks.


The focus of the analysis is the functioning of labour markets in Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, Sweden, the U.K. and the U.S.. Of these countries, Sweden and Finland tend toward more unionised and regulated labour markets, whereas the U.S. is at the other end of the spectrum (Cahuc and Zylberberg, 2004) . With the exception of the U.K., the European countries in the sample are characterised by stronger unions and more regulated labour markets than Australia, Canada and the U.S..

Of these countries, Sweden and Finland tend toward more unionised and regulated labour markets, whereas the U.S. is at the other end of the spectrum.


Bacterial meningitis (BM) is associated with a mortality rate of up to 30% and up to 50% of the surviving patients suffer from permanent neurological sequelae which include deafness, learning impairment, seizure disorders and cerebral palsy [1] [2] [3] . The most common etiological agent of non epidemic BM is Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) [4] . Among the different forms of bacterial meningitis, pneumococcal meningitis is associated with the highest case fatality rate and incidence of neurological sequelae [1, 5, 6] . Morbidity and mortality have largely remained unchanged over the last decades in spite of advances in antimicrobial and intensive care therapies [7] . Therapeutic options to reduce acute injury and to improve recovery from BM are limited [8] . In BM, the only clinically used, adjunctive therapy is the administration of dexamethasone during the acute disease phase [2, 8] . While this leads to improvement primarily on mortality in adult patients, there is currently no conclusive evidence that the drug is beneficial in paediatric patients [2, 8, 9] . Given the limited success in reducing brain damage during the acute disease, it appears imperative to expand the scope of strategies from the acute disease phase into the recovery phase with the aim to improve the outcome of brain injury. Thus, current therapies for BM are insufficient and new approaches to the adjunctive therapy of BM are needed. Understanding the processes of brain damage and repair following BM is a prerequisite for the development of new drugs that can preserve and restore neuronal function.

Bacterial meningitis (BM) is associated with a mortality rate of up to 30% and up to 50% of the surviving patients suffer from permanent neurological sequelae which include deafness, learning impairment, seizure disorders and cerebral palsy.

The most common etiological agent of non epidemic BM is Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus).

Among the different forms of bacterial meningitis, pneumococcal meningitis is associated with the highest case fatality rate and incidence of neurological sequelae.

Morbidity and mortality have largely remained unchanged over the last decades in spite of advances in antimicrobial and intensive care therapies.

Therapeutic options to reduce acute injury and to improve recovery from BM are limited.

In BM, the only clinically used, adjunctive therapy is the administration of dexamethasone during the acute disease phase.

While this leads to improvement primarily on mortality in adult patients, there is currently no conclusive evidence that the drug is beneficial in paediatric patients.


Ideal edible film or coating should have the following features: it cannot contain toxic, allergenic components; it should provide structural stability and prevent mechanical damage during transport, handling, and exposure. The edible coating should adhere well to the surface, provide complete uniform coverage of product, and control water migration to and from the protected food to maintain the desired level of water content. It has to provide semipermeability to gases, maintain the internal equilibrium of gases involved in the aerobic and anaerobic respiration, and prevent the loss or absorption of aroma and flavor and nutritional and organoleptic characteristics, which are necessary to appeal to consumer. Microbiological and biochemical stability and protection against dirt, pests, and microbial proliferation should be provided. The edible coating has to maintain or increase the aesthetic and sensory attributes of the product and act as a carrier for the desired additives (antioxidants and antimicrobials). Moreover, production process of film or coating should be simple and inexpensive [1] . The difference between the film and the coating results from the fact that the protective coatings are part of the product, while films are not necessarily integrated with the product [2] .

Moreover, production process of film or coating should be simple and inexpensive.

The difference between the film and the coating results from the fact that the protective coatings are part of the product, while films are not necessarily integrated with the product.


The results of contact angles of polysaccharides films are shown in Table 2 . The effect of time on contact angle of films is also presented in Figure 1 . The contact angle values of films varied from 53.67 ∘ to 78.33 ∘ which was caused by simultaneous effect of cellulase dosage and storage time. When the contact angle is smaller than 90 ∘ , the surface is defined as hydrophilic and when it is larger than 90 ∘ hydrophobic character of surface may be observed [14] . Chitosan, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and glycerol are hydrophilic polymers and their impact on the wettability of films surface is reflected. The HPMC and the chitosan contact angles are 75 ∘ and 47 ∘ , respectively [15] . The 69.00 ∘ contact angle was obtained for mixture of HPMC-chitosan (C0T0) in our study. The smaller the contact angle, the better the wettability and adhesiveness of chitosan [16] . The degree of samples deformation caused by contact with water can be quite large. The destruction is due to dissolution of samples by contact with water. This process is accompanied by the stress formation, which results from the sample deformation. Any chemical and physical changes taking place in the substrate surface can be confirmed by measuring the contact angle, which also allows characterizing the hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of the surface [17] . Selected films presented in Figure 1 did not show changes in the contact angle in storage time, which demonstrates their chemical stability.

When the contact angle is smaller than 90 ∘ , the surface is defined as hydrophilic and when it is larger than 90 ∘ hydrophobic character of surface may be observed.

The HPMC and the chitosan contact angles are 75 ∘ and 47 ∘ , respectively.

The smaller the contact angle, the better the wettability and adhesiveness of chitosan.

Any chemical and physical changes taking place in the substrate surface can be confirmed by measuring the contact angle, which also allows characterizing the hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of the surface.


The characterization of degradation was performed by thermogravimetric analysis and data of thermal stability and weight loss are shown in Table 3 . Small weight loss from 4.23 to 14.45% was observed in all samples at temperatures lower than 80 ∘ C. It corresponds to evaporation of moisture and bonded water from films. Strong affinity for water of polysaccharides films was proved in contact angle analysis. Pyrolysis decomposition temperature was noted between 176. 15 and 196.68 ∘ C and is attributed to endothermic reaction, which is due to the depolymerization and evaporation of degradation products. The least thermally stable was C0.1T14, which is related to hydrolyzing effect of cellulase on polymers. The lower thermal stability is caused by decreasing of molecular weight [26] . Despite the fact that the maximum cellulase activity used in our study is displayed at temperature of 40 ∘ C to 57 ∘ C and pH of 4.2 to 6.5, we can assume that hydrolytic effect is also possible at 24 ∘ C and pH of 4.0-4.5 during structuring process. Activities of endoglucanase, b-glucosidase, and xylanase from Aspergillus niger at 23 ∘ C and pH = 4.5 are 3.21 IU/mL, 8.40 IU/mL, and 1.72 IU/mL, respectively [27] . Water activity needed for enzymes action in dry chitosan films is 0.93 [28] .

The lower thermal stability is caused by decreasing of molecular weight.

Activities of endoglucanase, b-glucosidase, and xylanase from Aspergillus niger at 23 ∘ C and pH = 4.5 are 3.21 IU/mL, 8.40 IU/mL, and 1.72 IU/mL, respectively.

Water activity needed for enzymes action in dry chitosan films is 0.93.


When it comes to bioavailability, nontoxicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, the ability to form chelates, gels, and antimicrobial and antifungal activity of chitin, chitosan and chitooligomers are excellent materials for edible films production [3, 4] . Chitosan coatings have been already characterized by the moderate water permeability and ability to oxidize lipids, reduce discoloration, maintain stability of fresh foods with a high water activity during storage at low temperatures, and minimize oil absorption during frying breaded products [5, 6] . The mechanical properties and permeability of chitosan films can be controlled by selecting molecular weight and a suitable solvent system and adding plasticizer and dispersing or homogenizing agents [7] . Many researchers have proved better bactericidal effect of chitooligomers than chitin and chitosan [8, 9] . Enzymatic hydrolysis of chitosan is an environmentally friendly way to obtain chitooligomers with modified properties. Enzymes are used under mild reaction conditions and are easy to control. No information is provided on physical and chemical changes of films and coatings produced with enzymes, which could 2 International Journal of Polymer Science provide polysaccharide hydrolysis. The exception is lysozyme incorporation to chitosan films and coatings, which was mainly used in view of its lytic action against many bacteria, compared to hydrolytic effect of polysaccharides [10, 11] . The aim of the study was to assess the variability of hydrolytic influence of cellulase on the polysaccharides films prepared by casting and evaluate their stability of physical and chemical properties during storage.

When it comes to bioavailability, nontoxicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, the ability to form chelates, gels, and antimicrobial and antifungal activity of chitin, chitosan and chitooligomers are excellent materials for edible films production.

Chitosan coatings have been already characterized by the moderate water permeability and ability to oxidize lipids, reduce discoloration, maintain stability of fresh foods with a high water activity during storage at low temperatures, and minimize oil absorption during frying breaded products.

The mechanical properties and permeability of chitosan films can be controlled by selecting molecular weight and a suitable solvent system and adding plasticizer and dispersing or homogenizing agents.

Many researchers have proved better bactericidal effect of chitooligomers than chitin and chitosan.

The exception is lysozyme incorporation to chitosan films and coatings, which was mainly used in view of its lytic action against many bacteria, compared to hydrolytic effect of polysaccharides.


Well adapted to local conditions, the Eurasian Collared Dove sings and courtship displays anytime during the year, even out the breeding season and even more during rainy and snowy times, as was the case in late January 2005. It breeds from March and continues until mid-July, but in autumn (October-November), it is just displaying [49] . In this respect, its behaviour in Algeria is not different from that of populations living in Europe [34] .

It breeds from March and continues until mid-July, but in autumn (October-November), it is just displaying.

In this respect, its behaviour in Algeria is not different from that of populations living in Europe.


Ecological monitoring is a core activity for the conservation of biodiversity and conservation biology [1] . Maintaining biodiversity requires a spatial planning for the conservation of both species and their habitats [2] . Population dynamics refers to the population change over time, and its trend is therefore a crucial component in population ecology. Some bird populations are relatively constant over time, others fluctuate (i.e. their numbers alternate between increase and decrease), while others are continuously increasing or declining. Information on population dynamics are thus essential to determine the status of different populations, which is itself an important management tool [3] .

Ecological monitoring is a core activity for the conservation of biodiversity and conservation biology.

Maintaining biodiversity requires a spatial planning for the conservation of both species and their habitats.

Information on population dynamics are thus essential to determine the status of different populations, which is itself an important management tool.


Reasons of Woodpigeon's population increase in our study area during these nineteen years is based on the assumption that we are dealing with increasing sedentary populations; contrary to recruitments of few individual migrants reaching the area from northern Morocco and middle Europe during postnuptial migration [29, 34] . Moreover, we are uncertain if these migration routes may reach up central Algeria and thus lead to population increase. However, we hypothesize that the diminution in hunting pressure, reduced almost to zero, for over a decade in Algeria. Now, hunting is prohibited all times, except for some species such as wild boar (Sus scrofa). Generally, this factor was favourable for a wide range of game birds [35] . In addition, poaching of woodpigeons, although there is still, remains insignificant. Another high-probable hypothesis, but not exclusive as the one of hunting banning, is that the woodpigeons in Algiers region like in Europe, have developed adaptation to new and abundant food resources provided by the extensive agriculture. Indeed, woodpigeons still are predominantly occurring in natural woodland in Morocco, but they frequently forage in cultivated areas [27, [36] [37] [38] . In Europe, large cereal crop areas certainly played a key-role in increasing Woodpigeon populations [37, 39] . However, this factor seems insufficient to explain the same phenomenon in Algiers region, as cereals are intended for livestock feeding on one hand and they are seasonally produced and only on about 9300 ha (about 15 % of all cropland areas) on the other hand. Under these conditions, even if the cereal production has favoured population growth of the Woodpigeon at its beginning, it will quickly become a limiting factor, if it is not already done so, unless the species is boarding its feeding niche by diversifying its diet and foraging on other plain habitats.

Reasons of Woodpigeon's population increase in our study area during these nineteen years is based on the assumption that we are dealing with increasing sedentary populations; contrary to recruitments of few individual migrants reaching the area from northern Morocco and middle Europe during postnuptial migration.

Generally, this factor was favourable for a wide range of game birds.

Indeed, woodpigeons still are predominantly occurring in natural woodland in Morocco, but they frequently forage in cultivated areas.

In Europe, large cereal crop areas certainly played a key-role in increasing Woodpigeon populations.


Many urban and suburban bird studies proved their usefulness in the development and establishment of urban management, biodiversity conservation and planning strategies [9, 11] . The abundance of birds in urban and suburban environments can reach values higher than in the natural habitats, although the diversity decreases along the gradient of urbanization [12] [13] [14] . In most cases, bird populations that cause problems in cities are not there confined at all times; for example, they forage in the nearby countryside, or disperse over other locations [15] .

Many urban and suburban bird studies proved their usefulness in the development and establishment of urban management, biodiversity conservation and planning strategies.

The abundance of birds in urban and suburban environments can reach values higher than in the natural habitats, although the diversity decreases along the gradient of urbanization.

In most cases, bird populations that cause problems in cities are not there confined at all times; for example, they forage in the nearby countryside, or disperse over other locations.


Differences in closed question responses between the two distribution modes were, although significant, in general small. Whilst this finding relates only to responses associated with organizational commitment, perceptions of organizational support and trust in organizational authorities, it suggests for such employee attitudes only small differences in response bias are likely to be attributable to distribution mode. For other topics, in particular those related to distribution mode, using WBS may still lead to response bias (Couper, 2000) .

For other topics, in particular those related to distribution mode, using WBS may still lead to response bias.


Neutrophils are classified as polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) which serve as the first line of cellular defense [8] . Rapid recruitment of sufficient numbers of PMN and increased phagocytosis in the beginning prevents establishment of any infection. Neutrophils exhibit a highly ruffled surface by exhibiting pseudopods on the surface. This increases the surface area of neutrophils and helps in augmenting phagocytosis by increasing the formation of phagosomes [9] .

Neutrophils are classified as polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) which serve as the first line of cellular defense.

This increases the surface area of neutrophils and helps in augmenting phagocytosis by increasing the formation of phagosomes.


Annual precipitation (BIO 12) is also one of the frequently reported bioclimatic variables to predict occurrence and distribution of vegetation formations at large scales [9, 22] . As one of the essential components of ombrothermic diagrams, annual rainfall seems to be useful to classify climate-based broad-scale vegetation zones [35] . In our study, annual precipitation proved to be the least important bioclimatic predictor for the variability of the climate-related functional distribution pattern (NFL = −2.538; see Table 1 ). Moreover, the composite indices that contained annual or other long-term rainfall components proved to have poor explanatory power (e.g., EQ, Oi, Q, P VEG ; see Table 1 ). On the other hand, medium-term precipitation measures, especially those of summer months or season were more important for determining ecological variability (e.g., FAi, CSOi, P 07 ). Among the short-term (monthly) precipitation variables, July rainfall was the most important, and February precipitation (that of the driest month) was the least effective (see Table 1 ).

Annual precipitation (BIO 12) is also one of the frequently reported bioclimatic variables to predict occurrence and distribution of vegetation formations at large scales.

As one of the essential components of ombrothermic diagrams, annual rainfall seems to be useful to classify climate-based broad-scale vegetation zones.


Some fossils from Baltic and Dominican amber are assigned to the Bruchomyiinae (Edwards 1921; Schlüter 1978; Wagner 2006) . Based on the general morphology of the terminalia, the Dominican amber species can be easily related to the extant fauna of Mesoamerica, but the Baltic amber species belong to extinct evolutionary branches. Most likely climatic changes since the end of the Tertiary have caused the extinction of Bruchomyiinae in Europe and probably in non-tropical Asia.

Some fossils from Baltic and Dominican amber are assigned to the Bruchomyiinae.


Spatial composition is similar to the compositionality property of denotational semantics. As for simple mathematical expressions, we assume that the meaning of expression 2 + 5 is determined by the meaning of 2, 5 and the semantics of the + operator, i.e. [ [2 + 5] ] = [ [2] ] [ [5] ]. In terms of model transformations, compositionality is presented in Figure 1 . A system consisting of components A and B with a connector c is mapped to a semantic domain through transformation sem. The result is a set of semantic expressions sem(A), sem(B) and sem(c) such that their composition represents the semantics of the whole system.

As for simple mathematical expressions, we assume that the meaning of expression 2 + 5 is determined by the meaning of 2, 5 and the semantics of the + operator, i.e. [ [2 + 5] ] = [] [].


As a consequence of the widespread use of visual languages, new applications for model transformations arise. Model transformation techniques are not only used for code or platform-specific model generation, but also for software refactoring, definition of semantics, formal verification and even architecture migration purposes [11] . Most of these applications are assumed to preserve the structure of the participant models, i.e. they should be compositional.

Model transformation techniques are not only used for code or platform-specific model generation, but also for software refactoring, definition of semantics, formal verification and even architecture migration purposes.


SEM micrograph of the RSC of closed pores on the surfaces (Figure 5(a) ). However, after the KOH activation at 850°C, pores structure of the RSAC850 was developed (as shown in Figure 5(b) ). Chemical activation resulted in carbon porous structure which opened the pores on the surface of the RSAC. The high pores were resulted in the high BET surface area of RSAC as discussed previously. These results were consistent with results obtained from previous study (Oh & Park 2002; Oh et al. 2003) .

These results were consistent with results obtained from previous study.


Indiscriminate use of antibiotics for the treatment of disease has caused accumulation and biomagnifications of these chemicals and emergence of resistant bacteria inside the human body. Some pathogens, such as MDR K. pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii, are currently untreatable with antibiotics [21, 22] . The mechanisms by which bacteria become antibiotic resistant are either by modification of the antibiotic or the target site, or its removal from the cell [2] . Te, Pn, clindamycin resistant anaerobic strains Bacteroides, Clostridium and cocci were isolated from patients in the United States sufferring from infections involving abdominal, pelvic, and pleuropulmonary sites [23] . Pretesting is necessary to find out an effective antimicrobial agent to be used by clinicians. We found 16 clinical isolates of which 6 depicted a high level of resistance to six to nine drugs tested. The resistance prevalence of the clinical isolates was comparatively greater than the soil, fish and water bacteria probably because of direct exposure of the antibiotics during chemotherapy. The antibiotics are used in the treatment of many life-threatening diseases, and the use of new antimicrobial agent causes the pathogenic bacteria to become resistant to the relatively older antibiotics. Environmental bacteria have been shown to be reservoir and source of antibiotic resistance genes in clinical pathogens [14] . Acquisition of resistance genes through horizontal transfer facilitated by plasmids has been found to be ubiquitous in clinical pathogens [24, 25] .

Some pathogens, such as MDR K. pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii, are currently untreatable with antibiotics.

The mechanisms by which bacteria become antibiotic resistant are either by modification of the antibiotic or the target site, or its removal from the cell.

Te, Pn, clindamycin resistant anaerobic strains Bacteroides, Clostridium and cocci were isolated from patients in the United States sufferring from infections involving abdominal, pelvic, and pleuropulmonary sites.

Environmental bacteria have been shown to be reservoir and source of antibiotic resistance genes in clinical pathogens.

Acquisition of resistance genes through horizontal transfer facilitated by plasmids has been found to be ubiquitous in clinical pathogens.


Note that this is an embedding of S into A (Lemma 6.1.1, [7] ). We identify the image of this map and denote it by S again. We start with an easy lemma.

Note that this is an embedding of S into A (Lemma 6.1.1,).

We start with an easy lemma.


In principle all kinds of two dimensional structures can be manufactured. Magnetron sputtering offers manufacturing thin films of high purity, low grain size and precipitation free alloys [9, 11, 12] . Chemical polishing enables high surface quality while microblasting allows adjusting of mechanical properties. This technology offers new options for the development of future biodegradable implants.

Magnetron sputtering offers manufacturing thin films of high purity, low grain size and precipitation free alloys.


Due to the increasing energy demand and environmental issues, the number of wind farms is rapidly increasing in many countries [1] [2] [3] . At present, the most commonly employed wind turbine in the field of wind power generation are doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) and direct-drive permanent-magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). Most of the newly constructed wind farms also employ more and more DFIG and PMSG, no longer adopting fixed-speed induction generators (FSIG). However, before the emergence of variable-speed wind turbine generators technology, FSIG were already widely used, and these FSIG-based wind farms are still in operation at present. Therefore, FSIG-based wind farms still have a certain percentage in the existing large-scale wind farms [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] .

Due to the increasing energy demand and environmental issues, the number of wind farms is rapidly increasing in many countries.

Therefore, FSIG-based wind farms still have a certain percentage in the existing large-scale wind farms.


As shown in previously mentioned results, it can be seen that for 510 nm laser times of flight are longer, compared to 405 nm laser irradiation times of flight. This can be attributed to penetration depth for different wavelengths of lasers. Other researches on skin and laser light interaction show this tendency with penetration depths for lasers of shorter wavelengths [8] .

Other researches on skin and laser light interaction show this tendency with penetration depths for lasers of shorter wavelengths.


Thus, effective inventory management "is all about knowing what is on hand, where it is in use, and how much finished product results" [16] . It points out that "this process usually involves controlling the transfer in of units in order to prevent the inventory from becoming too high or dwindling to levels that could put the operation of the company into jeopardy". Competent inventory management "also seeks to control the costs associated with the inventory, both from the perspective of the total value of the goods included and the tax burden generated by the cumulative value of the inventory" [16] .

Thus, effective inventory management "is all about knowing what is on hand, where it is in use, and how much finished product results".

Competent inventory management "also seeks to control the costs associated with the inventory, both from the perspective of the total value of the goods included and the tax burden generated by the cumulative value of the inventory".


The goal of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility of using VOF modeling to adequately capture key aspects of sprinkler atomization in an idealized sprinkler geometry, and to provide a path forward to subsequently simulate realistic sprinkler geometries. Accurately resolving the key flow features in the near-field, such as film thickness and sheet breakup length, is critical to enable eventual simulation of the fully atomized spray. Comparisons of the predicted flow features are made with a previously characterized idealized fire sprinkler geometry [14] . A mesh refinement study is performed for better understanding of the required resolution necessary to enable accurate representation of the liquid surface and the details of the subsequent breakup.

Comparisons of the predicted flow features are made with a previously characterized idealized fire sprinkler geometry.


Traditionally, atomization in fire sprinklers has been studied experimentally [1] . A great amount of effort has been invested in measuring the sprinkler droplet diameter distribution, droplet velocities, and mass flux profiles [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . These measurements have been used to better understand the atomization process and to develop spray injection models for use within fire suppression modeling [8] .

Traditionally, atomization in fire sprinklers has been studied experimentally.

A great amount of effort has been invested in measuring the sprinkler droplet diameter distribution, droplet velocities, and mass flux profiles.

These measurements have been used to better understand the atomization process and to develop spray injection models for use within fire suppression modeling.


As the sheet transports radially outward, the sheet velocity decreases due to momentum exchange with the surrounding air. Eventually, due to the sheet thinning as it expands radially and due to instabilities in the flow, the sheet breaks up. Experimental observation suggests that for this flow rate and disk/nozzle configuration, the sheet transitions into ligaments and droplets at a radius of ~ 165 mm from the disk center [14] . In the simulations, the sheet breakup occurs at a radius of about 25 mm, 160 mm, and 155 mm for the three mesh resolution results shown in Figure 6 . The 1 mm mesh resolution case clearly under predicts the sheet breakup distance, due to a lack of refinement necessary to sufficiently resolve the phase interface. Refining the mesh to 0.5 mm and subsequently to 0.25 mm results in a breakup distance that closely matches the experimental observation to within 10 mm. For these cases, the sheet falls below the local refinement zone at a radial distance between 150 and 200 mm. A representation of the film flow on the surface of the disk is shown in Figure 8 . The thickness of the liquid film as it exits the disk is of interest, as this sheet thickness influences the size distribution of droplets formed upon breakup. Experimentally, while direct measurements of the sheet thickness for this flow rate are not available, estimates for the film thickness at the edge of the disk based on analytical models place the value at ~ 1.0 to 1.2 mm [14] . The film thickness from the simulations, determined as the distance above the disk at which the liquid phase fraction drops to 0.5, is shown in Table 2 . The simulated values are approximately in the expected range.

Experimental observation suggests that for this flow rate and disk/nozzle configuration, the sheet transitions into ligaments and droplets at a radius of ~ 165 mm from the disk center.

Experimentally, while direct measurements of the sheet thickness for this flow rate are not available, estimates for the film thickness at the edge of the disk based on analytical models place the value at ~ 1.0 to 1.2 mm.


The detected segregation anomalies in our genetic populations can account, at least in part, for the unexpectedly high level of genetic similarity observed among ZYMV-resistant cultivars of Cucurbita pepo (Formisano et al. 2010) . A quasi-linkage phenomenon has been reported, too, in the F 2 of a cross between a dessert watermelon and a citron watermelon (Levi et al. 2003) . In that investigation, non-homologous linkage groups behaved as one comprehensive linkage group, suggesting that this phenomenon might be the result of strong affinity among non-homologous chromosomes or chromosome regions, causing them to pass to the same pole during cell division.

The detected segregation anomalies in our genetic populations can account, at least in part, for the unexpectedly high level of genetic similarity observed among ZYMV-resistant cultivars of Cucurbita pepo.

A quasi-linkage phenomenon has been reported, too, in the F 2 of a cross between a dessert watermelon and a citron watermelon.


A large international multicenter study, The One Million Global catheters study (OMG), revealed poor current practices regarding insertion and management of PIVCs [13, 14] . In the OMG study, PIVCs were in use despite signs of local infection and pain, a large amount of PIVCs were kept without indication, and securement dressings were often blood stained or loose. Documentation of these complications were often lacking in patient journals [13, 14] . All these factors have been shown to increase infection risk and hamper patient safety and are not compliant with best practice [15] .

A large international multicenter study, The One Million Global catheters study (OMG), revealed poor current practices regarding insertion and management of PIVCs.

Documentation of these complications were often lacking in patient journals.

All these factors have been shown to increase infection risk and hamper patient safety and are not compliant with best practice.


The lipoxygenase free food grade soybean germplasm line, HS-151 (Reg No: CN 116290) , was developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Greenhouse and Processing Crops Research Centre (GPCRC) at Harrow, Ontario for use in high protein, lipoxygenase free soy food production and released in 2015. It lacks the three lipoxygenase isozymes, 1, 2, and 3, which are primarily responsible for the grassy and beany flavors of some soy foods considered undesirable by some consumers (Kitamura et al. 1985) . The grassy and beany flavors resulted from the volatiles during the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids by the lipoxygenase isozymes (Wilson 1996) . HS-151 is adapted to areas of southwest Ontario with 3100 or more crop heat units and has a relative maturity of 2.2 (MG 2.2) and a protein content of 46.7%.

It lacks the three lipoxygenase isozymes, 1, 2, and 3, which are primarily responsible for the grassy and beany flavors of some soy foods considered undesirable by some consumers.

The grassy and beany flavors resulted from the volatiles during the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids by the lipoxygenase isozymes.


Imaging gratings are relatively easy to implement in waveguide-based systems and compact microspectrometer are presented in the literature [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . However, implementation of a planar diffraction grating in a classical type of spectrometer has also been demonstrated [9] . A typical characteristic of a planar imaging diffraction grating is the maximum resolution at a selected central wavelength and a reduced spectral resolution for wavelengths away from this central wavelength with a minimum at the edges of the optical band considered. This property dictates the design of an array of detectors onto which the image is projected, since the pitch between adjacent elements should be kept to the minimum at the centre of the array and may increase further away from the centre for exploiting the spectral resolution provided by the grating. As a consequence, larger area detectors should be used at the edges of the spectral band in order not to reduce detectivity. This property could conveniently be used in a design by matching the array of detector elements of a nonuniform pitch to that of an array of readout channels with a constant pitch in such a way that the total array length is the same as minimum.

Imaging gratings are relatively easy to implement in waveguide-based systems and compact microspectrometer are presented in the literature.

However, implementation of a planar diffraction grating in a classical type of spectrometer has also been demonstrated.


Due to their environmental toxicity, persistency, ubiquitous presence and carcinogenic, phenols and their derivatives in drinking water are harmful to human health and ecosystems [1] . The increasing pollution of phenols and other associated environmental hazards in waste water has become a serious issue. As a result, the development of methods to remove the contaminants from waste water has gained considerable interest, and a variety of practical water purification processes to remove phenol pollutants have been proposed including chlorination, solvent extraction, activated carbon adsorption, microbial degradation and membrane separation. However, these techniques are subjected to either complicated procedures, expensive cost, or producing hazardous by-products [2] . In recent years, the heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation process has emerged with a good potential through which the complete mineralization of highly toxic phenol compounds in water can be achieved [3] .

Due to their environmental toxicity, persistency, ubiquitous presence and carcinogenic, phenols and their derivatives in drinking water are harmful to human health and ecosystems.

However, these techniques are subjected to either complicated procedures, expensive cost, or producing hazardous by-products.

In recent years, the heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation process has emerged with a good potential through which the complete mineralization of highly toxic phenol compounds in water can be achieved.


Dynamics of transfer RNAs and particularly of their anticodon domain have been of interest to investigators due to its relevance to codon binding. A number of them has exploited the fluorescence properties of wybutine (Y, fig. 1 ), a modified base 3 to the anticodon mGAA of yeast tRNA P he to extract information about the intriguing possibility that codon binding may lead to a triggering of a conformational transition which propagates through the entire tRNA molecule thereby exerting a controlling effect on its functions. Bases in the analogous position of most other tRNAs of known sequence have been shown to be modified adenines. The Y base differs from all of these bases because its absorption maximum occurs at about 315 nm [1] . This is considerably to the red of the maxima of most known nucleic acid bases. Significant changes in fluorescence intensities and anisotropy decay rates have been observed when Mg 2+ concentration has been changed [2, 3] . A 250% increase in fluorescence intensity occurs gradually as the Mg 2+ ion concentration is raised [4] . However, the increase in intensity occurs with virtually no change in the shape of the excitation spectrum and with a small shift in frequency.

The Y base differs from all of these bases because its absorption maximum occurs at about 315 nm.

Significant changes in fluorescence intensities and anisotropy decay rates have been observed when Mg 2+ concentration has been changed.

A 250% increase in fluorescence intensity occurs gradually as the Mg 2+ ion concentration is raised.


A reflectarray antenna consists of a set of radiating elements, called phase-shifting cells, printed on a flat surface and illuminated with a primary source (Fig. 1) . The main role of each cell is to re-radiate and scatter the incident wave with a certain phase-shift required to form a specified pattern in the far-field. Reflectarrays usually use patch or slot to vary the phase of the reflected wave. By modifying the geometry of the resonant element for passive structures or its loading for active ones, the resonant frequency can be changed and so the reflected phase. One of the main challenges is to provide a phase-shifting cell with large bandwidth. For medium size reflectarrays, the bandwidth limitation is due to the dispersive nature of the resonant elements [1] , [2] . Active reflectarrays are promising solutions for reconfigurable radiating apertures at reasonable cost. One of the main challenges is to design a phase-shifting cell whose phase can be controlled dynamically over a 360° phase range with both smooth frequency variations and low losses. MEMS are key elements for such applications due to their excellent radio-frequency (RF) properties. They are usually used as switches to control the physical length of resonating elements such as stubs, slots or rings [3] [4] [5] . Dual annular slots topologies have been demonstrated as excellent candidates to achieve passive low-loss and large bandwidth reflectarray phase-shifting cells [6] . The main object of our study is to characterize a new active cell topology with rectangular slots, loaded with a reduced number of capacitance to provide full 360° phase range coverage with a large bandwidth.

For medium size reflectarrays, the bandwidth limitation is due to the dispersive nature of the resonant elements.

They are usually used as switches to control the physical length of resonating elements such as stubs, slots or rings.

Dual annular slots topologies have been demonstrated as excellent candidates to achieve passive low-loss and large bandwidth reflectarray phase-shifting cells.


Relevance can be established by using real life examples, drawing cases from current issues, giving local materials/examples and relating theories to practice  Using a variety of teaching approaches involving active learning -learning occurs more through what students do than through what the lecturer says. Use a different teaching approach for lesson after lesson to avoid learning becoming monotonous They further suggested that a variety in teaching approaches, involving active learning, is a feature of quality teaching, which naturally results in an innovative form of teaching. In addition to the most common types of university teaching: lectures, seminars and tutorials, several other forms can be used, which include: (1) projects, (2) student presentations, (3) case-based teaching, (4) problem-based learning, (5) role-play, (6) reflective journals, (7) experiential learning, (8) peer-tutoring, (9) games and simulations and (10) computerenhanced learning. Additionally, recently emerged adaptive e-tutorials technique is claimed to create a more advanced interactive learning environment that provides instant feedback to students on their learning progress and allows repeated attempts, thereby improving students' motivational level in learning (Beldagli & Adiguzel 2010) .

Additionally, recently emerged adaptive e-tutorials technique is claimed to create a more advanced interactive learning environment that provides instant feedback to students on their learning progress and allows repeated attempts, thereby improving students' motivational level in learning.


In this section, we evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm against another commonly used uniform placement schema that places sensors with equal distance in between. It is noticed that the uniform placement schema has been used as the benchmark of performance evaluation in literatures [19, 20] . In all our experiments, we assume that the radius of the monitored circle L = 250 m and n = πL 2 = 196 250 cheap sensors have been uniformly deployed in the circle. The value at each figure is the average of 15 results of applying each algorithm to different topological networks with the same network size. Recall that the network lifetime is proportional to the initial energy capacity of aggregate node and inversely proportional to the maximum energy consumption among aggregate nodes per data gathering session. Thus, we focus on minimizing the maximum energy consumption of aggregate nodes per data gathering session to maximize the network lifetime.

It is noticed that the uniform placement schema has been used as the benchmark of performance evaluation in literatures.


Since the main operation in our chosen problem is zero-knowledge integer comparison, it is fair to ask why we do not use techniques based on Schnorr's protocol [39] . These techniques have been shown to yield very efficient zeroknowledge proofs for integer comparison. The answer is that real auctions, as well as other e-commerce and e-government applications, are quite complex. They typically involve evaluation of arbitrary predicates on encrypted data. Discreet proofs based on circuit methods are, in general, the best way we know how to do this. Thus, as a proof of concept, this work is aimed at providing evidence of the feasibility of practical privacy-preserving solutions to real problems in the online world.

Since the main operation in our chosen problem is zero-knowledge integer comparison, it is fair to ask why we do not use techniques based on Schnorr's protocol.


In this work, we propose a new kind of polygonal vortex beams (PVB), which is generated by astigmatic transformation of the geometric modes in the vicinity of SU(2) coherent frequencydegenerate states. The PVBs carrying OAMs with patterns of closed triangle, square, and parallelogram shapes are obtained respectively in quasi-frequency-degenerate (QFD) states. The PVBs are distinct from the vortex beams with patterns of spots arrays located on the triangle-, square-, and parallelogram-shaped routes [namely polygonal-spots-array vortex beams (PSA-VBs)] in normal degenerate states as reported before [27] - [29] . In order to obtain a stable QFD state, Yb:CALGO crystal is used as the gain medium in our resonator for its extremely broad emission band [34] - [36] . The profile of PVB or PSA-VB as well as the OAM can be controlled by adjusting the cavity length and the position of pump spot.

The PVBs are distinct from the vortex beams with patterns of spots arrays located on the triangle-, square-, and parallelogram-shaped routes [namely polygonal-spots-array vortex beams (PSA-VBs)] in normal degenerate states as reported before.

In order to obtain a stable QFD state, Yb:CALGO crystal is used as the gain medium in our resonator for its extremely broad emission band.


To circumvent this difficulty, we develop an affine approximation of the bilinear form based on interpolation with (local) polynomials. Here, we take into account the specific regularity of the bilinear form with respect to δ and s, which results in an efficient and offline-online separable method. In the case of s, we prove an exponentially convergent approximation based on the regularity result for the bilinear form. A byproduct of our analysis is the parametric regularity of the solution in δ for a general class of kernels and in s for the fractional Laplace problem, which is of independent interest. In particular, we show the Lipschitz continuous differentiability of the solution with respect to δ and C ∞ -regularity with respect to s. To derive these results we strongly rely on the spatial regularity of the solution [14, 7] . To the best of our knowledge, these are the first results on the study of the smoothness of the solution with respect to the nonlocal interaction radius and power of the integral fractional Laplacian.

In particular, we show the Lipschitz continuous differentiability of the solution with respect to δ and C ∞ -regularity with respect to s. To derive these results we strongly rely on the spatial regularity of the solution.


For practical purposes, this study constitutes Part 3 (after section Polydactylon and Peltigera) in our ongoing worldwide phylogenetic revision of Peltigera. Its purpose is to: 1) provide a comprehensive multilocus phylogeny for section Peltidea; 2) evaluate the currently recognized species in a phylogenetic context using multiple discovery and validation methods; 3) reassess the validity of species-specific phenotypic characters including secondary chemistry; 4) reevaluate the high mutually exclusive specificity reported for P. malacea and their Nostoc partners We sampled members of section Peltidea across their ranges, but with special emphasis on North America (from arctic regions southward through the Rocky Mountains and in the southern Appalachians) where trimembered species of Peltidea co-occur with somewhat phenotypically similar and morphologically variable species from section Chloropeltigera, P. leucophlebia s.l. and P. latiloba. We identified the mycobiont using four markers (β-tubulin, COR1b, COR3, and ITS) and the cyanobiont with rbcLX, i.e., the last 82 amino acids of the RUBISCO large subunit (rbcL), a putative chaperone gene (rbcX), and two intergenic spacers (Li & Tabita 1997) . We inferred phylogenetic relationships for each partner, i.e., Peltigera and Nostoc. We delimited Peltigera species using multiple species discovery and validation methods and discussed the results within a phylogenetic framework.

We identified the mycobiont using four markers (β-tubulin, COR1b, COR3, and ITS) and the cyanobiont with rbcLX, i.e., the last 82 amino acids of the RUBISCO large subunit (rbcL), a putative chaperone gene (rbcX), and two intergenic spacers.


The vertical deformation depths were measured from various tests as a function of the number of load cycles and base course layer thickness. Figs. 3 and 4 show the surface deformation versus the number of load cycles for test Series I. From the two Figures, it is obvious that the presence of geogrid decreased the vertical deformation depth by pronounced values. This improvement can be attributed to the increase in the confinement effect by reinforcement which prevented the lateral spreading of the base course layer and distributed the load over a wider area on the subgrade soil surface, subsequently reduced the stresses. It appeared that the benefit from geogrid inclusion, placed at the interface, decreased as the thickness of base course layer increased. This behavior is consistent with the observation of Fannin and Sigurdsson [6] . Improper location of the geogrid reinforcement layer lowered its benefit. The effect of one geogrid reinforcement layer position on the relation between the vertical deformation depth and the number of load cycles is shown in Fig. 5 (Test Series II). The results showed that the optimum position of one geogrid reinforcement layer was at the top quarter of the base course layer and not at the interface. Fig. 6 illustrates the effect of using two geogrid reinforcement layers and their position on the vertical deformation depth value with respect to the number of load cycle (Test Series III). It could be seen that the best position for using two layers of geogrid reinforcement was achieved when one layer was placed at the interface between base course layer and subgrade, and the other was in the top quarter of the base course layer.

This behavior is consistent with the observation of Fannin and Sigurdsson.


Phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase (PAP) is considered to be a key enzyme in the regulation of lipid synthesis [16] . This key biocatalyst has not been identified in oleaginous cucurbits. Ours is an attempt to identify and characterize the seed PAP from L. siceraria, an important member of the cucurbitaceae family.

Phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase (PAP) is considered to be a key enzyme in the regulation of lipid synthesis.


Short pulse laser probing techniques for diagnostics have distinct advantages over very large pulse width or continuous wave lasers primarily due to the additional information conveyed by the temporal distribution of the observed signal [14, 15] . The distinct feature is the multiple scattering induced temporal distribution, which persists for a time period greater than the duration of the source pulse and is a function of the source pulse width as well as the optical properties of the medium. If the detection is carried out at the same short timescale (comparable to the order of the pulse width), the signal continues to be observed even at large times after the pulse has been off due to the time taken for the photons to migrate to the detector after multiple scattering in the media. Therefore in this paper for optical imaging, a short pulse laser is focused on the region to be probed and scattered reflected/transmitted signals are measured at different locations using streak camera.

Short pulse laser probing techniques for diagnostics have distinct advantages over very large pulse width or continuous wave lasers primarily due to the additional information conveyed by the temporal distribution of the observed signal.


Numerous observations in laboratory compression tests on rocks and concrete revealed that the deformation becomes localized somewhere in a specimen ahead of the peak load [10] [11] [12] [13] . On the other hand, it is well known that as soon as the elastic energy stored in the testing system, like the machine, becomes greater than the fracture energy of the specimen, the catastrophic rupture will occur [12, 14, 15] . However, it was observed that even for the so called stiff testing machine, catastrophic rupture still can happen [10] [11] [12] [13] . It is supposed that this should be attributed to the localization of damage and deformation of specimen. But, the problem how the localization is related to the every value of catastrophic rupture strain remains open till now.

Numerous observations in laboratory compression tests on rocks and concrete revealed that the deformation becomes localized somewhere in a specimen ahead of the peak load.

On the other hand, it is well known that as soon as the elastic energy stored in the testing system, like the machine, becomes greater than the fracture energy of the specimen, the catastrophic rupture will occur.

However, it was observed that even for the so called stiff testing machine, catastrophic rupture still can happen.


The strain localization has been analyzed as a bifurcation in the constitutive description of homogeneous deformation [16, 17] . On the other hand, it was found recently that for heterogeneous media macroscopically localized damage may serve as an early precursor to rupture [18] [19] [20] . However, these previous works precludes post-localization analysis, hence unable to provide a definite relation between localization and rupture. In fact, no matter how thin it may be, a localized zone (or fracture zone) has its own width [21, 22] . Therefore, to unveil the relationship between the localization and rupture is really a challenge and opportunity.

The strain localization has been analyzed as a bifurcation in the constitutive description of homogeneous deformation.

On the other hand, it was found recently that for heterogeneous media macroscopically localized damage may serve as an early precursor to rupture.

In fact, no matter how thin it may be, a localized zone (or fracture zone) has its own width.


In future work, the present model will be extended in order to calculate the efficiency of thermoelectric systems from the viewpoint of EIT. Besides the figure of merit, other phenomena can be of importance for the aforementioned efficiency, such as the mutual interaction between phonon and electron temperatures, for which it is necessary to consider a two-temperature model instead of a single one [44] . For instance, it turned out that the larger the ratio of the electron and the phonon temperature was, the higher the efficiency of a thermoelectric device was. Another possible extension is to use a nonlinear regime, since high gradients may be generated over a short length from even small differences in temperature or electric potential [45] . Finally, we can say that for future studies the present paper has investigated for the best physical conditions for the improvement of the efficiency of thermoelectric devices.

Besides the figure of merit, other phenomena can be of importance for the aforementioned efficiency, such as the mutual interaction between phonon and electron temperatures, for which it is necessary to consider a two-temperature model instead of a single one.

Another possible extension is to use a nonlinear regime, since high gradients may be generated over a short length from even small differences in temperature or electric potential.


Risky alcohol consumption didn't appear among the top twelve combinations in our material. Alcohol consumption was relatively low in Norway in the 1990s, but has increased considerably the last decades [44] . In Australia, risky alcohol consumption had higher impact on mortality in a comparable study [16] .

Alcohol consumption was relatively low in Norway in the 1990s, but has increased considerably the last decades.

In Australia, risky alcohol consumption had higher impact on mortality in a comparable study.


The MACG distribution reduces to the angular central Gaussian distribution of a directional random vector on the hypersphere in R" for k = 1. The MACG distributions have statistical properties similar to those for k = 1. It is noted that a further discussion on the MACG distributions, including limit theorems, may be found in Chikuse [3] .

It is noted that a further discussion on the MACG distributions, including limit theorems, may be found in Chikuse.


The FIFM is a technique that does not require the calculation of the natural frequencies or vibration modes of the beam [32] . This method is especially useful for solving hyperstatic problems in dynamic conditions because the influence of the boundary conditions in this method is restricted to the solution of equations Most studies deal with cantilever beams, as they are representative of many structural components with bending torsion coupling effect. However, these beams are isostatic and, due to bending torsion coupling, only a torsional rotation occurs. On the contrary, in a hyperstatic beam this coupling produces both torsional rotation and torsional moment, and, at the same time, this torsional moment produces deflection and bending rotation in the beam.

The FIFM is a technique that does not require the calculation of the natural frequencies or vibration modes of the beam.


The existence of coupling phenomena increases the complexity of formulating the equations of motion and of the procedures to resolve the problem [2] . The coupling can be controlled by laminate parameters (ply orientation and stacking sequence), modifying the global response of the structure [3] . Thus, for example, in helicopter rotors, it is possible to control the aeroelastic response of the blades by the elastic coupling; the vibrations of the rotor could be reduced and the aerodynamic stability could be improved by modifying the laminates parameter [4] . Some of these couplings, such as the bending torsion, may be present even in symmetrical laminates. Because of this latter coupling, beams subjected to transverse load may undergo not only bending moments but also torsional moments or rotations.

The existence of coupling phenomena increases the complexity of formulating the equations of motion and of the procedures to resolve the problem.

The coupling can be controlled by laminate parameters (ply orientation and stacking sequence), modifying the global response of the structure.

Thus, for example, in helicopter rotors, it is possible to control the aeroelastic response of the blades by the elastic coupling; the vibrations of the rotor could be reduced and the aerodynamic stability could be improved by modifying the laminates parameter.


Airspace can be divided into subdivisions called sector to ensure aircraft which are separated safely, to achieve an efficient traffic flow and a more manageable airspace. However, the presence of intersecting routes, intersection angle, the location of the routes, and the distance among them may prevent the airspace from partitioning efficiently. Thus, a number of changes may be needed for a more efficient sectorisation, such as changing the positions of existing routes, reducing the number of intersections, or merging the routes intersecting at different points into a single point. Accordingly, in the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL)'s report called "European Route Network Improvement Plan (ERNIP)", it is stated that unidirectional routes at the same level (odd and even) can be grouped at two different points so that two different sectors can be established. This method is called "roundabout" by EUROCONTROL [1] .

This method is called "roundabout" by EUROCONTROL.


The simultaneous flow of two immiscible liquids inside a pipe is commonly encountered in many applications including transportation in the petroleum industry, emulsifications and twophase reactions and separations in the process industries. The transport phenomena in such flows depend on the flow configurations, while models have been developed to predict the transitions between different flow patterns [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . The transition from stratified flows, in particular, has received a lot of interest. In liquidliquid flows this transition leads to dispersed patterns and is considered to happen when, with increasing flowrates, waves develop at the oil-water interface in stratified flows from which drops detach [8] . However, there is still a lack of experimental data on the development of waves and their characteristics in liquid-liquid pipe flows, especially near the transition boundaries from stratified to non-stratified regimes. This is partly because experimentally it is very difficult to localise the droplet detachment events and to investigate the characteristics of the breaking waves. The physical mechanism behind the transition from stratified to non-stratified flows is, therefore, yet to be fully understood.

The transport phenomena in such flows depend on the flow configurations, while models have been developed to predict the transitions between different flow patterns.

In liquidliquid flows this transition leads to dispersed patterns and is considered to happen when, with increasing flowrates, waves develop at the oil-water interface in stratified flows from which drops detach.


In this work, a novel approach is followed to facilitate the study of interfacial waves and of drop detachment, which is based on the use of a bluff body located close to the oil-water interface. The bluff body passively actuates the formation of waves and the transition from stratified to non-stratified flows. The idea was inspired from previous studies where hydrofoils have been used to increase air entrainment in water and reduce frictional drag around ships [19, 20] . A cylindrical rod is adopted as a bluff body in the current investigations and this approach is applied for the first time to cause and localise drop formation in liquid-liquid pipe flows.

The idea was inspired from previous studies where hydrofoils have been used to increase air entrainment in water and reduce frictional drag around ships.


The main idea of this method is to approximate the optimal value function by a set of basis functions and optimize their weights by linear programming (LP). The optimization can be performed in a structured manner [10, 20] . The structure is a result of combining the structure of factored MDPs and linear value function approximations.

The optimization can be performed in a structured manner.


Kefir is a refreshing, naturally carbonated fermented dairy beverage with a slightly acidic taste, yeasty flavour and creamy consistency (Powell, Witthuhn, Todorov, & Dicks, 2007) . The traditional production of kefir is initiated by the addition of small (0.3-3.5 cm in diameter), irregularly shaped, yellow-white kefir grains to fresh milk (Garrote, Abraham, & De Antoni, 1997; Güzel-Seydim, Seydim, Greene, & Bodine, 2000) . Kefir grains are mostly composed by proteins and polysaccharides and enclose a complex microflora. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts exist in a complex symbiotic relationship and are responsible for alcoholic and lactic acid fermentation, respectively. Since kefir grains are able to metabolize lactose, they can be used to ferment cheese whey, a lactose-rich waste of negligible cost (Papapostolou, Bosnea, Koutinas, & Kanellaki, 2008) .

Kefir is a refreshing, naturally carbonated fermented dairy beverage with a slightly acidic taste, yeasty flavour and creamy consistency.

The traditional production of kefir is initiated by the addition of small (0.3-3.5 cm in diameter), irregularly shaped, yellow-white kefir grains to fresh milk.

Since kefir grains are able to metabolize lactose, they can be used to ferment cheese whey, a lactose-rich waste of negligible cost.


Cheese whey, the yellow-green liquid remaining after the precipitation and removal of milk casein during cheese making, has been considered as one of the major problems in the dairy industry. It represents an important environmental pollution, exhibiting a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) equal to the maximum allowable limits of 50,000 mg/l and chemical oxygen demand (COD) equal to the maximum allowable limits of 80,000 mg/l (Siso, 1996) . Furthermore, deproteinised cheese whey or whey permeate, the liquid fraction obtained through the ultrafiltration or diafiltration of raw cheese whey, account for more than 70% of total whey solids and is mostly responsible for the whey polluting load. This liquid therefore generates disposal problems, in terms of volumes produced and polluting load, almost equal to the disposal of raw whey (Guimarães, Teixeira, & Domingues, 2010) .

It represents an important environmental pollution, exhibiting a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) equal to the maximum allowable limits of 50,000 mg/l and chemical oxygen demand (COD) equal to the maximum allowable limits of 80,000 mg/l.

This liquid therefore generates disposal problems, in terms of volumes produced and polluting load, almost equal to the disposal of raw whey.


Recently, we characterized the microbiota of kefir grains and beverages obtained from milk and raw/deproteinised cheese whey using microscopy and molecular techniques (Magalhães, de M Pereira, Dias, & Schwan, 2010) . However, scientific information on chemical changes occurring during cheese whey (mainly deproteinised cheese whey) fermentation by kefir grains is still scarce. Therefore, the objective of this work was, for the first time, to evaluate the biochemical changes, organic acids production and volatile compounds formation during deproteinised cheese whey (DCW) fermentation by kefir grains, and compare their performance with that obtained during the production of raw cheese whey (CW) kefir beverage and traditional milk kefir.

Recently, we characterized the microbiota of kefir grains and beverages obtained from milk and raw/deproteinised cheese whey using microscopy and molecular techniques.


Over the years, the golf club has gone through many modifications to improve performance. In response to the evolution of design changes, the governing bodies (United States Golf Association and The R&A) have introduced regulations on golf equipment aimed at protecting the best interests of the game [1] . Golf club manufacturers are now focusing on new strategies to attract consumers such as customizing the stiffness of a golf club's shaft to an individual's swing. The stiffness of a shaft can, in theory, exert its influence on the resulting ball flight in two ways. The first involves the shaft's ability to store and subsequently release strain energy which could result in an increase in clubhead speed. The second is by altering the orientation of the clubhead relative to the ball at impact. The orientation of the clubhead will affect the distance the ball travels by changing the launch angle relative to the horizontal, the direction of ball flight, and the spin rate of the ball.

In response to the evolution of design changes, the governing bodies (United States Golf Association and The R&A) have introduced regulations on golf equipment aimed at protecting the best interests of the game.


The current techniques, such as metabolomics and expressomics, could provide novel information about the molecular factors involved in the complex interactions occurring between plants, beneficial microbes and phytopathogenic agents. Nevertheless, it is important to continue with the identification of natural compounds that are not produced under usual laboratory conditions [120] . Therefore, novel techniques developed recently need to be used in order to select Trichoderma strains for biocontrol that are able to produce only or mainly "beneficial" metabolites (i.e. antibiotics not toxic to plants and their consumers and/or acting as plant growth promoters and/or inducers of disease resistance) [120] .

Nevertheless, it is important to continue with the identification of natural compounds that are not produced under usual laboratory conditions.

Therefore, novel techniques developed recently need to be used in order to select Trichoderma strains for biocontrol that are able to produce only or mainly "beneficial" metabolites (i.e. antibiotics not toxic to plants and their consumers and/or acting as plant growth promoters and/or inducers of disease resistance).


Dietary intakes of trace elements, and therefore in various milk and dairy products, are of great concern for public health, and need to be monitored on a regular basis. The presence of trace elements might indicate qualitative parameters in the production procedures, sanitary conditions, and quality of animal feeding which can affect milk and cheese characteristics, storage or health aspects. Also, some trace elements are correlated to environmental pollution and to releases from packaging and milking equipment in the dairy production (Bakircioglu et al., 2011) .

Also, some trace elements are correlated to environmental pollution and to releases from packaging and milking equipment in the dairy production.


Chromium (Cr) is a common pollutant from industries such as tanning, platting and textile dying [4] . This element is commonly found in the hexavalent or trivalent oxidation states, which are the most stable ones [5] . Cr(VI) is highly soluble in a wide pH range and can diffuse through cellular membranes reacting with intracellular biomolecules such as DNA, producing its carcinogenic effects [5, 6] . The reduced mobility of Cr(III) and tendency to precipitate at neutral pH make this oxidation state less toxic to living cells.

Chromium (Cr) is a common pollutant from industries such as tanning, platting and textile dying.

This element is commonly found in the hexavalent or trivalent oxidation states, which are the most stable ones.

Cr(VI) is highly soluble in a wide pH range and can diffuse through cellular membranes reacting with intracellular biomolecules such as DNA, producing its carcinogenic effects.


Both forms of Y zeolites presented similar Si/Al ratios, different sodium amounts and exhibit large specific surfaces areas, typically higher than 700 m 2 g −1 , greatly depending on the structure and on the chemical composition of the many different zeolites. However, the Si/Al ratios of MOR zeolites are higher than FAU zeolites, due to their chemical composition which reveal the lower sodium amount in their structure. The Si/Al ratio of NaMOR is lower than HMOR, due to higher amount of aluminium atoms in this zeolite. The lowest value of sodium amount is observed for HMOR and the highest for NaY, due to the presence of the larger amount of Na ions per unit cell (47.2) [26] . The higher ion-exchange capacity is evident in the case of FAU zeolites, due to the lower Si/Al ratio and higher sodium amount per unit cell and present in their structure.

The lowest value of sodium amount is observed for HMOR and the highest for NaY, due to the presence of the larger amount of Na ions per unit cell (47.2).


Drawing on the RBV and the dynamic capabilities approach (DCA), this study aims to evaluate the interaction between entrepreneurial orientation and export performance, by examining the mediating effect of intangible resources (available for the international market) and dynamic capabilities. Companies need to understand the processes that lead to superior performance in terms of exports. Although export performance has been addressed in a vast number of studies, it remains one of the least understood and most contentious areas of international marketing (Katsikeas et al., 2000) . Understanding how resources affect the development of differentiated dynamic capabilities is relevant both for managers, public policy makers, and researchers aiming to contribute to firms' competitiveness and performance. This paper is organised as follows: In the next section, we present the theoretical framework of the study and discuss the role of resources and capabilities and export performance. The third section presents the research model and hypothesis. Section 4 describes the method used in this research, while Section 5 presents and discusses our major findings. Finally, in Section 6, we present the study conclusions, limitations, and suggestions for further research.

Although export performance has been addressed in a vast number of studies, it remains one of the least understood and most contentious areas of international marketing.


The survival and expansion of companies and the consequent economic growth of many countries calls for a better understanding of the determinants that influence international performance (Sousa et al., 2008) . Research in this field has focused mainly on how resources and capabilities help companies achieve sustainable competitive advantage and superior performance in foreign markets. This study proposes and tests a model in which entrepreneurial orientation has a positive direct or indirect influence on organisational resources (financial, informational and relational resources) and enhances the development of dynamic capabilities, which mediate the effect of entrepreneurial orientation on export performance.

The survival and expansion of companies and the consequent economic growth of many countries calls for a better understanding of the determinants that influence international performance.


Entrepreneurial orientation, organisational resources, and dynamic capabilities positively affect (directly and indirectly) export performance. For one side, these results support RBV and DCV generic tenets regarding the importance of the resource base of the company, for international performance. More than that, however, the developed model adds to the understanding of the role and nature of the relationships between entrepreneurial orientation, resources and capabilities and how they contribute to performance. Specifically, entrepreneurial orientation allows creating and coordinating organisational resources and developing capabilities, and these sustain long term performance export performance (Teece, 2007) .

Specifically, entrepreneurial orientation allows creating and coordinating organisational resources and developing capabilities, and these sustain long term performance export performance.


Teachers, in many ways, resemble the leaders in organizations. Open, participative, non-controlling and supportive leaders engender more creative outcomes than directive and controlling leaders [11] . Teachers who accept and encourage creative thinking, tolerate dissent, encourage students to trust their own judgment and emphasize that everyone is capable of creativity will stimulate creative thinking [12] .

Open, participative, non-controlling and supportive leaders engender more creative outcomes than directive and controlling leaders.

Teachers who accept and encourage creative thinking, tolerate dissent, encourage students to trust their own judgment and emphasize that everyone is capable of creativity will stimulate creative thinking.


Among the various Multiresolution Analysis (MRA) tool, Wavelet Transform (WT) and its variants (like M-band WT, WT packets etc.) have been used in CBIR systems extensively [14, 10] . But the problem with WT is that it is inherently non-supportive to directionality and anisotropy. To overcome these limitations of WT, recently a theory called Multi-scale Geometric Analysis (MGA) for high-dimensional signals has been proposed and several MGA tools are developed like Curvelet, Contourlet etc., with applications in various problems [6, 1] . CBIR systems based on these MGA tools are found to perform better than the system based on WT [15, 7] . Recently, Ripplet Transform (RT) Type-I is proposed as an extension to Curvelet Transform (CVT) with alternative scaling law, and possessing higher efficiency for various image processing applications [18, 2] . In frequency domain methods, feature vectors are computed from various simple subbands' statistics (such as mean, standard deviation and energy etc.,) [2] . Whereas, in statistical approach, images are modeled in terms of statistical distribution [3, 5] . In this article, we have extended this statistical framework to RT for constructing an efficient image representative feature vector.

Among the various Multiresolution Analysis (MRA) tool, Wavelet Transform (WT) and its variants (like M-band WT, WT packets etc.) have been used in CBIR systems extensively.

To overcome these limitations of WT, recently a theory called Multi-scale Geometric Analysis (MGA) for high-dimensional signals has been proposed and several MGA tools are developed like Curvelet, Contourlet etc., with applications in various problems.

CBIR systems based on these MGA tools are found to perform better than the system based on WT.

Recently, Ripplet Transform (RT) Type-I is proposed as an extension to Curvelet Transform (CVT) with alternative scaling law, and possessing higher efficiency for various image processing applications.

In frequency domain methods, feature vectors are computed from various simple subbands' statistics (such as mean, standard deviation and energy etc.,).

Whereas, in statistical approach, images are modeled in terms of statistical distribution.


The increasing importance of the water industry encourages investors' participation in the water sector. In this context, water indices have been introduced to meet the needs of investors who are interested in this market. These indices are designed to assist investors in capturing movements of the water market. Water funds have been also created for investors looking for opportunities in this market. Presently, there are at least nine funds in the form of exchange traded funds (ETFs), open-ended conventional funds and investment trusts, investing in the water industry partially or wholly (Ben-Ami, 2010) . These water indices and water funds that reflect risks and returns of the entire water industry market are likely to provide diversification of financial capitals for investors.

Presently, there are at least nine funds in the form of exchange traded funds (ETFs), open-ended conventional funds and investment trusts, investing in the water industry partially or wholly.


The comparatively poor performance of traditional investment asset classes (such as stocks and bonds) in recent years urged investors to search for greater returns through investing in alternative asset classes (Campbell, 2008) . Early research on alternative investments focused on a small number of asset classes which include private equity, real estate and hedge fund. In the last decade, researchers and investors have expanded their selection to include new classes, such as commodity, infrastructure and water sector. Among the alternative sectors, the water industry has been achieving strong and steady growth. It profits from the growth of world economy as well as from urbanisation and water shortage (Pinsent Masons, 2010) . Hence, the increased interest in the water sector in recent years should not come as a surprise. The traditional way by which investors can participate in the water sector is to directly purchase equities of water companies. However, recently other forms of financial instruments have been introduced allowing more choices for investors to gain exposure to the water market. Water indices and the related ETFs are vehicles developed to mirror the market in meeting investors' needs to take positions in the whole water market rather than in a specific water company. They offer investors the flexibility of buying and selling the whole water market with a single transaction.

The comparatively poor performance of traditional investment asset classes (such as stocks and bonds) in recent years urged investors to search for greater returns through investing in alternative asset classes.

It profits from the growth of world economy as well as from urbanisation and water shortage.


The diminishing supply of fossil fuel reserves and increasing environmental problems associated with the burning of fossil fuel have made renewable energies very promising as future alternative energy sources [1] [2] [3] . Among the renewable energies, biodiesel has been touted as one of the most important renewable energy sources, especially in the context of Malaysia [4, 5] . Biodiesel is defined as mono-alkyl esters derived from long chain fatty acids contained in animal fats and vegetable oils, and processed using alcohol and a catalyst. It is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and of course, abundant in nature [6] [7] [8] .

The diminishing supply of fossil fuel reserves and increasing environmental problems associated with the burning of fossil fuel have made renewable energies very promising as future alternative energy sources.

Among the renewable energies, biodiesel has been touted as one of the most important renewable energy sources, especially in the context of Malaysia.

It is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and of course, abundant in nature.


Hence, a number of researchers have turned their attention to second generation feedstocks. These second generation feedstocks are generally produced from non-edible food crops or non-edible vegetable oils such as wood, waste, etc., in order to avoid the conflict associated with the first generation feedstocks. Included in the second generation feedstocks is waste or used cooking oil [13] [14] [15] . Numerous works have reported the potential of non-edible vegetable oils due to its physicochemical properties, its environmentally friendliness, and availability; allowing the production of biodiesel in a sustainable manner.

Included in the second generation feedstocks is waste or used cooking oil.


There are two widely used all-dielectric strategies for light confinement: photonic crystal and slot waveguides. Photonic crystal waveguides work based on Bragg reflection [7] . The waveguide modes in such designs are not scattered at sharp bends and they can be confined within low index cores. Slot waveguides confine light in a tiny low-index gap surrounded by high index dielectrics [8] . However, none of these all-dielectric confinement strategies is suitable for photonic integration because of the cross talk [9] .

Photonic crystal waveguides work based on Bragg reflection.

Slot waveguides confine light in a tiny low-index gap surrounded by high index dielectrics.

However, none of these all-dielectric confinement strategies is suitable for photonic integration because of the cross talk.


We recently showed that, if a dielectric waveguide is surrounded by a transparent anisotropic cladding, the first propagating TM or hybrid mode can be confined tightly inside the core irrespective of core size [10, 11] . The most striking aspect is that the required anisotropy can be achieved by lossless dielectric media (all-dielectric metamaterials). Therefore, the propagation length is very long, which is one of the most important figures of merit (FOM) for designing nano-waveguides. Simultaneously, we showed that sub-diffraction photonic mode sizes can be achieved and the cross talk between nanowaveguides can be reduced substantially.

We recently showed that, if a dielectric waveguide is surrounded by a transparent anisotropic cladding, the first propagating TM or hybrid mode can be confined tightly inside the core irrespective of core size.


De-anonymization attacks have been used to jeopardize the anonymity of participants in other contexts. A de-anonymization attack against a large Netflix database successfully re-identified Netflix records of known users by relying upon IMDB as background knowledge [27] . Narayanan and Shmatikov also propose de-anonymizing users of an online social network (Twitter in their case) by making use of another online social network (Flickr) as the source of auxiliary information [28] . Another attack shows that location traces could be de-anonymized by relying upon the social graphs of the traces' owners [33] . In the context of anonymous communication, perfect matching attacks have been proven effective to de-anonymize mixing rounds [35] .

A de-anonymization attack against a large Netflix database successfully re-identified Netflix records of known users by relying upon IMDB as background knowledge.

Narayanan and Shmatikov also propose de-anonymizing users of an online social network (Twitter in their case) by making use of another online social network (Flickr) as the source of auxiliary information.

Another attack shows that location traces could be de-anonymized by relying upon the social graphs of the traces' owners.

In the context of anonymous communication, perfect matching attacks have been proven effective to de-anonymize mixing rounds.


We found a significant increase in mean of BM, FFM, and BMI, while the fat mass remained unchanged after preparation. An increase in FFM has been associated with high intensity training and/or resistant training that induced a muscular enlargement (Goldberg, Etlinger, Goldspink, & Jablecki, 1975) . On the other hand, a minimal impact of training on the fat mass in our study was probably also due to its optimal level that is comparable level to standards for age matched group of soccer players (Gil, Gil, Ruiz, Irazusta, & Irazusta, 2007) .

An increase in FFM has been associated with high intensity training and/or resistant training that induced a muscular enlargement.

On the other hand, a minimal impact of training on the fat mass in our study was probably also due to its optimal level that is comparable level to standards for age matched group of soccer players.


In this section, we discuss the implementation of armada. A quick overview: armada ships are Java objects instantiated on hosts in the grid. Each host has a persistent server to host ships, called a harbor. Each harbor monitors and manages the resources used by each ship, and controls access to system resources through a capability-based mechanism [40, 41] .

Each harbor monitors and manages the resources used by each ship, and controls access to system resources through a capability-based mechanism.


A recent trend in high-performance computing is to build "computational grids" that tie together heterogeneous, geographically distributed computers and storage systems. Applications for these environments use high-speed networks to logically assemble resources into a virtual supercomputer. The trend toward grid computing derives from many factors [1] . Among them are the technological advances in networking, computing, and distributed computing software; the increase in the number of demanddriven applications-applications that have infrequent requirements for large computing resources (e.g., a medical diagnosis system during surgery or a seismic simulation after an earthquake); the utilization of idle compute resources; and the increased need to share data that was computed or gathered at geographically distributed locations, e.g., weather prediction simulations that use data gathered from many satellites and stored at locations around the world.

The trend toward grid computing derives from many factors.


The relative importance of the factor Cooperation in school work must increase, because it is through various project-based activities that learners learn to do the same work they will come into contact with in their future work life, and, thus, it is important for them to develop their project-based activity. That childrenís understanding of technology can be achieved by enabling them to work in the same spirit as real technologists do. This approach brings authenticity to the experience (J‰rvinen, Karsikas, & Hintikka, 2007) .

This approach brings authenticity to the experience.


Analysing the results and comparing the aggregates, a t-test was administered to determine the significant probabilities of average differences between Phase 1 and Phase 2, using the average values to illustrate the results on the graph (Figure 1 ). Further, in order to determine the mutual relations between the primary characteristics and to determine latent variables (hidden characteristics), a factor analysis was applied to identify characteristics with common elements and, based on these, to form the factors that describe a broader common aspect (Niglas, 2013) . The statistical data processing software SPSS 18.0 was utilised to process the data; values of the factor loads were obtained by a rotated factor matrix (Varimax method). Factor analysis enables one to express data through a linear network of interconnected characteristics which best expresses the dataís preliminary mutual relations, or, to put it another way, the correlation between the measured characteristics is reduced to the correlation between the measured characteristics and the common factors as well as possible (Tooding, 2007) . Based on the obtained factors, it is possible to give a broader and more general description of the changes in the teaching methods between Phase 1 and Phase 2 as well as to point out changes in teachersí assessment of teaching methods at the different points of time.

Further, in order to determine the mutual relations between the primary characteristics and to determine latent variables (hidden characteristics), a factor analysis was applied to identify characteristics with common elements and, based on these, to form the factors that describe a broader common aspect.

Factor analysis enables one to express data through a linear network of interconnected characteristics which best expresses the dataís preliminary mutual relations, or, to put it another way, the correlation between the measured characteristics is reduced to the correlation between the measured characteristics and the common factors as well as possible.


There is increasing research activity on effects accompanying the electromagnetic wave propagation, diffraction and radiation when a boundary of such a medium as dielectric, ferromagnetic, chiral composite, meta-material, etc. is involved in the process [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] . The interest has been spurred by the growth in the synthesis of new artificial materials possessing unusual electromagnetic properties in the microwave band [6] . Another reason is pressing needs in both high-reflection and absorption structures with controllable scattering properties [4, 5] .

There is increasing research activity on effects accompanying the electromagnetic wave propagation, diffraction and radiation when a boundary of such a medium as dielectric, ferromagnetic, chiral composite, meta-material, etc. is involved in the process.

The interest has been spurred by the growth in the synthesis of new artificial materials possessing unusual electromagnetic properties in the microwave band.

Another reason is pressing needs in both high-reflection and absorption structures with controllable scattering properties.