Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants in the organism, so that, the first is predominant, producing toxic or harmful compounds for tissue, denominated free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) [1] . The excess of free radicals induces harmful effects such as lipid peroxidation, damage to DNA, proteins, enzymes and carbohydrate [2] . Studies have shown a strong relationship between hyperglycemia and oxidative stress [3, 4, 5, 6] . Consequently, there is a great deal of interest in foods that contain antioxidants and health-promoting phytochemicals as potential therapeutic agents. In this context, several experiments, both in vitro and in vivo, have been conducted with numerous antioxidants components, including polyphenols from red wine [7, 8] .

Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants in the organism, so that, the first is predominant, producing toxic or harmful compounds for tissue, denominated free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS).

The excess of free radicals induces harmful effects such as lipid peroxidation, damage to DNA, proteins, enzymes and carbohydrate.

Studies have shown a strong relationship between hyperglycemia and oxidative stress.

In this context, several experiments, both in vitro and in vivo, have been conducted with numerous antioxidants components, including polyphenols from red wine.


The lock-in amplifier maintains a frequency lock throughout all the experiments, where no spurious spikes from other frequencies are generated. An average time of 2.4 s for the sensor to reach 90 % of final output (t90) was calculated. The response time was limited partially by the low drive frequency and minimal filtering. Prior experiments demonstrated to reach our 1 % energy expenditure (EE) calculation target measurements of CO2 were needed to 1.2 % accuracy. The current sensor outputs have demonstrated the system is capable of measuring CO2 to within the necessary tolerance. However, the variation caused by humidity requires further experiments to verify the effect on the sensor response when it is subjected to the levels of humidity similar to breath. The setup is currently under test with a 12 mm path length in a side-stream breath analyser [4] .

The setup is currently under test with a 12 mm path length in a side-stream breath analyser.


Another important reason for using the interactive online digital media is the customer relationship is that the marketers have direct interaction with the consumers due to the variety of online channels, thus companies have better relationship and communication with their customers through this media [8, 9] . The digital online media is not only cost effective, but is also user-friendly and it provides numerous digital channels to connect with the consumers. The term "Globalization" is fit for the online digital media, thus, with the help of digital online media, the companies launch their products and services globally with minimal cost. The new digital media capture the audiences from all over the World, in reality; the new interactive digital media has translated the true essence globalization. The customer can use the interactive digital media to provide their suggestions and comments regarding the products and services, and to also discuss the good and bad characteristics of the company's products. Therefore, companies can obtain immediate feedback regarding their products and can alter their strategies timely for the long-term sustainability of their brands [10, 11] . The use of this new media has become imperative and important for Pakistani companies; marketers also understand the importance of this media as a strategic tool for building brand sustainability. Globally, many researches have been carried out, but all of these researches are either generic or conducted in the international perspective by keeping in view of their own local culture and business atmosphere. Hence, there is an utmost need to carry out a research study in Pakistani perspective [12, 13] . However, few research studies have been carried out in Pakistan but the scope of these studies were very narrowed and limited. Moreover, the practical implementation and implications are missing, therefore, there is a strong need to conduct detailed and thorough research, which addresses all of the aspects of digital media. In this research, we have taken ten different sectors of the economy and also incorporated the survey of consumers and professionals.

Another important reason for using the interactive online digital media is the customer relationship is that the marketers have direct interaction with the consumers due to the variety of online channels, thus companies have better relationship and communication with their customers through this media.

Therefore, companies can obtain immediate feedback regarding their products and can alter their strategies timely for the long-term sustainability of their brands.

Hence, there is an utmost need to carry out a research study in Pakistani perspective.


The European agricultural sector, just as the rest of the economy, is facing the challenges of this decade's market globalization and new trends in economic movements. Spain, as well as some other Mediterranean countries, is suffering the consequences of a deep economic recession which affects every sector of the economy, including agriculture. Many authors point out that the lack of competitiveness of the Spanish economy-including the agricultural sector-is one of the causes that explains the intensity of the crisis when compared to other countries of the region. It is in this adaptation process to the new economic context that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP from now on) is being reviewed [1] . One of the principal objectives of the new CAP is to integrate Europe's agricultural activity into the global market, consequently attributing most of the CAP's budget to subsidies decoupled from production for them not to interfere in the functioning of markets ("green box" aids in the World Trade Organization's terminology). In short, what is expected of the new CAP is the persistence of a sustainable agriculture that is viable in an eminently competitive environment [2, 3] . Under this premise, subsidies are presented as a payment per hectare provided that certain environmental requirements are met, recognizing the sustainability of agriculture [2] . This is why the reform's debate revolves around identifying which agricultural sectors are the least competitive (and as a result the most vulnerable to subsidies' decoupling) and trying to prevent them from being penalized in the future distribution of aids [4, 5] .

It is in this adaptation process to the new economic context that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP from now on) is being reviewed.

In short, what is expected of the new CAP is the persistence of a sustainable agriculture that is viable in an eminently competitive environment.

Under this premise, subsidies are presented as a payment per hectare provided that certain environmental requirements are met, recognizing the sustainability of agriculture.

This is why the reform's debate revolves around identifying which agricultural sectors are the least competitive (and as a result the most vulnerable to subsidies' decoupling) and trying to prevent them from being penalized in the future distribution of aids.


Note on coefficients Notice that one of the properties of ν include the use of coefficients in Z (2) . This is the integers localized at two, the ring of rational numbers expressible with odd denominator. Although much of our work could be modified so that results could be stated in the Z-coefficient setting, the proofs demand working with Z (2) . Furthermore, the use of Z (2) (as opposed to Z/2Z) is consistent with the past work on the subject which we will be citing.

Note on coefficients Notice that one of the properties of ν include the use of coefficients in Z.

Although much of our work could be modified so that results could be stated in the Z-coefficient setting, the proofs demand working with Z.


Survey results in other countries are not significantly different from this domestic survey. In case of Japan, the 2006 statistics revealed that small businesses with fewer than 50 employees accounted for a very high percentage with 96.7% of all businesses and 60.6% of all workers [3] . In the United States, the classification criterion for a small business is fewer than 100 employees, rather than fewer than 50 employees as it is in Korea. According to the 2008 statistics, 89.2% of these U.S. businesses employed fewer than 20 employees while a majority of businesses (98%) had fewer than 100 workers. The number of employees working in businesses with fewer than 100 employees was 34.8% [4] .

In case of Japan, the 2006 statistics revealed that small businesses with fewer than 50 employees accounted for a very high percentage with 96.7% of all businesses and 60.6% of all workers.

The number of employees working in businesses with fewer than 100 employees was 34.8%.


The challenge of achieving sustainable development in developing countries has been closely associated with reversing rates of resource degradation (Pender, 1996) . In countries where agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, soil fertility depletion is an important cause of resource degradation and leads to low agricultural productivity and declining per capita income. Fundamentally, in the ideal agrarian economy a productive and sustainable production system requires a combination of inorganic fertilizers and organic fertilizers such as farmyard manure (FYM) to replenish the soil and maintain soil organic matter level (Place et al., 2003; Heerink, 2005) . However, the limited use of inorganic and organic nutrient inputs among smallholder farmers exacerbates soil nutrient deficiencies (Place et al., 2003) .

The challenge of achieving sustainable development in developing countries has been closely associated with reversing rates of resource degradation.

Fundamentally, in the ideal agrarian economy a productive and sustainable production system requires a combination of inorganic fertilizers and organic fertilizers such as farmyard manure (FYM) to replenish the soil and maintain soil organic matter level.

However, the limited use of inorganic and organic nutrient inputs among smallholder farmers exacerbates soil nutrient deficiencies.


The high discount rate of the poor due to serious imperfections in the credit markets has received previous attention (Pender, 1996; Becker and Mulligan, 1997; Holden et al., 1998; Tanaka et al., 2010; Yesuf and Bluffstone, 2009; Bezabih, 2009) . The high discount rates observed in this study, on the other hand, indicate the disregard of most farm households of the use of FYM farming with effects on sustainable management of the soil resources. This implies that the poverty reduction scheme and ensuring the functioning of rural credit markets are also important policy directions associated with sustainable land management practices.

The high discount rate of the poor due to serious imperfections in the credit markets has received previous attention.


Nominal SRL is related to nominal relation interpretation as evaluated in SemEval (Girju et al., 2007) . Both tasks identify semantic relations between a head noun and other constituents; however, the tasks focus on different relations. Nominal SRL focuses primarily on relations that hold between nominalizations and their arguments, whereas the SemEval task focuses on a range of semantic relations, many of which are not applicable to nominal argument structure.

Nominal SRL is related to nominal relation interpretation as evaluated in SemEval.


In this study, an efficient strategy is proposed to improve the mechanical properties of the CNT-cement nanocomposites using functionalized CNTs during hydration. This has also been compared with non-functionalized CNTs. The microstructural investigation of the nanocomposites reveals that CNT helps in filling upmicro/nano pores between the calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) and ettringite during the process of hydration, which is in agreement with previous studies [34, [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] . It is also envisaged that providing an adequate force between CNTs and the composite matrix is essential, which provides information for better understanding of the load transfer mechanisms in composite materials. The effect of highly dispersed functionalized CNTs on the mechanical properties of cement mortar composites is also demonstrated in this study.

The microstructural investigation of the nanocomposites reveals that CNT helps in filling upmicro/nano pores between the calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) and ettringite during the process of hydration, which is in agreement with previous studies.


We have presented an approach for integrating individual knowledge work and organizational knowledge work by means of the pattern-based core ontology strukt. The core ontology strukt defines several ontology design patterns for capturing weakly structured workflows of individual knowledge work and structured workflows in the context of organizational knowledge work. A formal alignment and synchronization of the activities in individual knowledge work and organizational knowledge work is conducted by basing on the DOLCE+DnS Plan Ontology [8] . Concrete instances of weakly structured workflows can be transformed into generic workflow models, enabling reuse of procedural knowledge. On basis of the strukt ontology, we have developed a prototypical software system for the collaborative planning and execution of weakly structured workflows and applied it to the use case of an architectural office. The strukt prototype connects with a simple workflow management system to synchronize the flexible, individual knowledge work with the strict execution of business processes. This work has been co-funded by the EU in FP7 in the ROBUST project (257859).

A formal alignment and synchronization of the activities in individual knowledge work and organizational knowledge work is conducted by basing on the DOLCE+DnS Plan Ontology.


Besides skin detection, our work also leverages an array of image recognition techniques, including face, nose, eye, mouth, and upper body detectors, which are supported in the latest version of OpenCV library [20] . An extensive survey of these techniques is outside the scope of this paper. We focus on adapting these techniques to our online video chat images and identifying the strengths and limitations of each individual technique. Such information is then utilized in the fusion process.

Besides skin detection, our work also leverages an array of image recognition techniques, including face, nose, eye, mouth, and upper body detectors, which are supported in the latest version of OpenCV library.


Hydrogels are polymeric materials with open porous structures with the ability to take in large quantities of water and solutes. They have attracted much interest because of their potential to find different application. Biocompatible polymer hydrogels are being used in the biomedicine, agriculture, foodprocessing industry and immobilization of enzymes [6] . Stimuli-responsive hydrogels are one of the more promising types of polymeric materials. The water uptake of such hydrogels depends on environmental conditions (pH, ionic strength, temperature, and electrical or magnetic field). Superporous hydrogels are three-dimensional networks of hydrophilic polymers that contain many pores which are hundreds of micrometres in diameter [7] . Because these hydrogels absorb a large volume of environmental fluids, which expand their volume considerably over a very short time, their sheer bulk hinders their transport to the next organ via the narrow pylorus. This unique swelling property allows them to be used as gastric retention carriers, providing sustained release through long residence in the stomach [8] .

Biocompatible polymer hydrogels are being used in the biomedicine, agriculture, foodprocessing industry and immobilization of enzymes.

Superporous hydrogels are three-dimensional networks of hydrophilic polymers that contain many pores which are hundreds of micrometres in diameter.

This unique swelling property allows them to be used as gastric retention carriers, providing sustained release through long residence in the stomach.


A problem frequently encountered with oral formulations is the inability to increase their residence time in the stomach and proximal portion of small intestine [1] . Retention of an oral formulation in the stomach prolongs the overall gastrointestinal (GI) transit time, thereby, resulting in an improved oral bioavailability of basic drugs that have poor solubility at higher pH, as well as drugs that are susceptible to circadian variations [2, 3] . Under this condition, it becomes necessary to prolong the presence of the dosage form in the stomach or somewhere in the upper small intestine until all the drug is released over the desired period of time [4, 5] . The retention of the dosage form in the stomach prolongs overall GI transit time, thus resulting in improved oral bioavailability of the drug.

A problem frequently encountered with oral formulations is the inability to increase their residence time in the stomach and proximal portion of small intestine.

Retention of an oral formulation in the stomach prolongs the overall gastrointestinal (GI) transit time, thereby, resulting in an improved oral bioavailability of basic drugs that have poor solubility at higher pH, as well as drugs that are susceptible to circadian variations.

Under this condition, it becomes necessary to prolong the presence of the dosage form in the stomach or somewhere in the upper small intestine until all the drug is released over the desired period of time.


Interestingly, the image current problem can be solved by utilizing a PMC, which produces an image current in the same direction as that of the original current. This implies that the reflection phase is 0 • and the magnitude of reflection coefficient, τ , equals +1. However, a PMC does not exist in nature, so an AMC can be designed only within a limited frequency band. AMC behaves like a PMC in the designed band, while it exhibits PEC characteristics in other bands [7] . AMC is closely related with the electromagnetic band gap (EBG), high impedance surfaces (HIS), and frequency selective surfaces (FSS).

AMC behaves like a PMC in the designed band, while it exhibits PEC characteristics in other bands.


The lifeline of Pakistan's water resources and agriculture is the summer monsoon rainfall which is received from the months of June to September. Any variability in the summer monsoon system can have major impacts on the irrigation as well as on the water resource management in the country. Uncertainty and uneven temporal and spatial distribution of rainfall may cause extreme situations such as flooding and long dry spells (Lai et al. 1998) . This study provides an insight to the onset of summer monsoon season on the selected stations in Pakistan. Results of this study also indicate the spatial and temporal variability in the monsoon onset and precipitation in Pakistan.

Uncertainty and uneven temporal and spatial distribution of rainfall may cause extreme situations such as flooding and long dry spells.


The purpose of this study was (a) to investigate mean differences of SUS scores for OSSI among different departments and student usage frequencies and (b) to collect in-depth ideas of students in regard to the usability issues of OSSI. In the first part of the study, a 2x4 ANOVA was conducted in order to answer the first and second research questions. A qualitative approach was applied for the third research question, investigating in-depth usability issues of OSSI. With regard to the first research question, usage frequency levels had no effect on students' SUS scores. That is, how much time the students used OSSI had no effect on their SUS scores in regard to the usability issues of OSSI. This result could mean that student perceptions about the usability of the system did not change over time. This finding is consistent with the literature; in an evaluation of the usability of web media for educational purposes, it was stated that familiarity of users with the system has no effect on the determination of usability problems (Baş & Tüzün, 2011) . Therefore, usability issues for an educational system should be taken into consideration independently.

This finding is consistent with the literature; in an evaluation of the usability of web media for educational purposes, it was stated that familiarity of users with the system has no effect on the determination of usability problems.


Stochastic differential equations (SDEs) on manifolds were first defined by Itô [1] . Itô's formulation was given in terms of coordinate charts. This has led many authors to seek coordinate-free formulations of SDEs on manifolds. We will describe such a formulation in the language of 2-jets [2] . We will study how this formulation gives rise to intuitive graphical representations of SDEs.

Stochastic differential equations (SDEs) on manifolds were first defined by Itô.

We will describe such a formulation in the language of 2-jets.


In previous studies, the downward IR associated with the TEAM mechanism was examined with ERA-40 and ERA-Interim data. As the reanalysis IR data are model generated, to corroborate the key role played by downward IR for the TEAM mechanism, we examine whether tropical convection and poleward-propagating Rossby wave trains are associated with changes in downward IR at various surface stations in the Arctic. For this purpose, we use daily downward IR data from the following two World Radiation Monitoring Center-Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) stations: Barrow, Alaska (718N, 1568W), and Ny-Ålesund, Spitsbergen (788N, 118E) (Dutton et al. 2014; Maturilli et al. 2014) .

For this purpose, we use daily downward IR data from the following two World Radiation Monitoring Center-Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) stations: Barrow, Alaska (718N, 1568W), and Ny-Ålesund, Spitsbergen (788N, 118E).


Poincaré invented homoclinic orbits, conjectured their existence in the planar three body problem, and despaired of understanding their complexity. Research by Birkhoff, Cartwright & Littlewood, and Levinson revealed that near transverse homoclinic points there are robust periodic points. A pinnacle of this line of research, and the basis for much of modern dynamical theory, is Smale's "horseshoe" theorem [22] . For a diffeomorphism f of a manifold of any dimension, it states that every neighborhood of a transverse homoclinic point meets a structurally stable, hyperbolic compact invariant set K on which some iterate f k is topologically conjugate to the shift map on the Cantor set 2 Z .

A pinnacle of this line of research, and the basis for much of modern dynamical theory, is Smale's "horseshoe" theorem.


Zambezi region was double the national average, standing at 34 per cent among the 15 to 19-year-old age group. The study also found that the main causes of teenage pregnancies were lack of education and poverty. The study showed that 91 per cent of pregnancies among teenagers were unwanted, while 98 per cent of young people were informed about contraceptives, but only 8.7% used it [3] .

The study showed that 91 per cent of pregnancies among teenagers were unwanted, while 98 per cent of young people were informed about contraceptives, but only 8.7% used it.


Nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are the most common human cancer with more than five million cases treated every year [1] . Although they rarely metastasize, their management has become a real challenge to the health care system due to extensive treatment costs [2] . In a significant portion of cases, the tumors can originate in highly visible areas, such as the head and neck areas, including the face, and, thus, surgical management may not be the most attractive option. Cryotherapy, laser and photodynamic therapy (PDT) or a combination thereof may be an attractive alternative treatment option for the management of NMSCs with good to excellent cosmetic outcomes [3] .

Nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are the most common human cancer with more than five million cases treated every year.

Although they rarely metastasize, their management has become a real challenge to the health care system due to extensive treatment costs.

Cryotherapy, laser and photodynamic therapy (PDT) or a combination thereof may be an attractive alternative treatment option for the management of NMSCs with good to excellent cosmetic outcomes.


Among these treatment alternatives we have been investigating PDT at preclinical and clinical settings as a viable option for the management of NMSCs [4] [5] [6] . PDT is a light-based therapy for tumor destruction that requires a combination of light, photosensitizer (PS) and oxygen [7, 8] . Tumor destruction can be obtained by vascular shutdown, direct cell kill, activation of host immune response, or a combination of these mechanisms [9, 10] . Most PSs localize in the endothelium and can induce substantial vascular changes during PDT, making microvasculature changes a good target for monitoring the efficacy of PDT [6, [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] . We have shown recently that blood flow changes assessed with diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS), a diffuse optical spectroscopy method to quantify tissue blood flow, can be indicative of PDT efficacy [17] .

Among these treatment alternatives we have been investigating PDT at preclinical and clinical settings as a viable option for the management of NMSCs.

PDT is a light-based therapy for tumor destruction that requires a combination of light, photosensitizer (PS) and oxygen.

Tumor destruction can be obtained by vascular shutdown, direct cell kill, activation of host immune response, or a combination of these mechanisms.

Most PSs localize in the endothelium and can induce substantial vascular changes during PDT, making microvasculature changes a good target for monitoring the efficacy of PDT.

We have shown recently that blood flow changes assessed with diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS), a diffuse optical spectroscopy method to quantify tissue blood flow, can be indicative of PDT efficacy.


As we entering the big data era, change-point analysis for sequences of multivariate observations or non-Euclidean data objects is gaining more and more attentions. For example, in text or sequence analysis, each observation in the sequence could be a vector of word counts over a large dictionary of words (Girón, Ginebra and Riba, 2005; Tsirigos and Rigoutsos, 2005) . Network data is ubiquitous nowadays as well. Email, phone and online chat records can be used to construct networks of social interactions among individuals (Kossinets and Watts, 2006; Eagle, Pentland and Lazer, 2009) . A large part of these studies is characterizing how the network evolves through time. Here, each observation is a network and one might ask whether there is an abrupt shift in network connectivity at any point in time. In these sequences of complicated data types, it is common that observations are autocorrelated. For example, relationships among people last over an extended time period and the social networks have serial correlations.

For example, in text or sequence analysis, each observation in the sequence could be a vector of word counts over a large dictionary of words.

Email, phone and online chat records can be used to construct networks of social interactions among individuals.


The KAM framework as a whole is relatively rich, both in possible application scenarios and theory. Due to space constraints, we will only present a smaller subset that was also used in a similar form in the REPET family of methods for singing voice removal [13] . To this end let x be the signal to be processed with x(t) = s(t) + n(t), where s and n are the clean music and the interference signal, respectively. Further, let X, S ∈ C F ×T be the spectrograms of x and 1 https://www.freesound.org/ Fig. 1 . Individual steps in our proposed method, (a)-(d) using standard KAM, (e)-(h) using our proposed extension: (a,e) current frame used for similarity search, (b,f) first 10 closest frames found, (c,g) estimated frame and (d,h) ideal clean frame.

Due to space constraints, we will only present a smaller subset that was also used in a similar form in the REPET family of methods for singing voice removal.


Utilizing forest residues for production of bioenergy and bioproducts effectively reduce the fire hazard and emissions from OPB, but collection and transportation of forest residues to power plants is often cost-prohibitive [4] . For this reason, one of the options used to reduce a huge amount of woody residues is to incinerate fuels. However, OPB has restrictions and challenges including fire hazards and emissions. The main contribution of this study was to introduce the environmental friendly forest residue disposal option of using an ACB and evaluate the economic feasibility. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate two types of ACBs (S-220 and BurnBoss) and compare one with pile burning using a variety of forest residue types. We focused on a burning consumption rate based on the time to consume the materials loaded until the last materials are loaded. The ACB's burning consumption rates ranged between 0.6 and 6.8 GmT of forest residues/SMH at a cost US $47.5 and US $10.8/GmT, respectively. The S-220 offers a higher (85%) burning consumption rate and incurs a lower cost than the BurnBoss. The BurnBoss's burning consumption rate was 40-80% greater than HPB in this case study. In addition, BurnBoss burning produced much less smoke than the HPB.

Utilizing forest residues for production of bioenergy and bioproducts effectively reduce the fire hazard and emissions from OPB, but collection and transportation of forest residues to power plants is often cost-prohibitive.


Confirmatory factor analysis performed using the original version of the SCS-MS indicated mixed fit indices (Ware, The school climate survey, unpublished). In the present study, exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) was performed due to the lack of exploratory studies with this instrument and the existence of possible differences in the factor structure of the instrument to the Brazilian sample. The results presented suitable fit indices for the six factor solution of the SCS-MS to the Brazilian sample. However, there were differences regarding the number of items in the Brazilian version and the composition of four factors (fairness, order and discipline, parent involvement, student interpersonal relations). Of the 37 items that compose the original instrument, seven presented factor loadings below .40 and one presented cross-loading, suggesting a structure of 29 items for the Brazilian version of the SCS-MS. The differences between these studies could be due to the sociocultural characteristics of the countries. The school is part of a broader social context, reflecting the standards, values and culture of the society (Bronfenbrenner, 1979) . Item 20 ("Some children bring guns or knives to my school") can be regarded as an example of the differences between Brazil and the United States, which have different laws regarding the possession and use of weapons. The Brazilian population, for example, has more restricted access to firearms than the American population. For the children in this study, item 20 did not appear to be related to the other items linked to school climate, with factor loadings below the cutoff point. Therefore, the factors of the macrosystem of a country can relate to the students' perception of the school climate, confirming the importance of exploratory studies in the SCS-MS validation process. Future investigations could evaluate the adequacy of the factor structure of the adapted version of the SCS-MS in other Brazilian samples, and compare this with the structure of the original instrument.

The school is part of a broader social context, reflecting the standards, values and culture of the society.


The definition of school climate used in this study consists of six dimensions: fairness, order and discipline, parent involvement, sharing of resources, student interpersonal relations and student-teacher relations (Emmons et al. 2002) . Fairness refers to the equal treatment of students without discrimination due to race or socioeconomic status. Order and discipline concern students' behavior appropriate to the school context. Parent involvement refers to the frequency of parental participation in school activities. Sharing of resources refers to offering equal opportunities for all students to participate in activities of the school and to use its materials and equipment. Student interpersonal relations concern the level of care, respect and trust demonstrated among the students in the school. Finally, student-teacher relations refer to the level of care, respect and trust shown between the students and teachers in the school.

The definition of school climate used in this study consists of six dimensions: fairness, order and discipline, parent involvement, sharing of resources, student interpersonal relations and student-teacher relations.


School climate is a complex and multidimensional construct that refers to different aspects of school life (Thapa et al. 2013; Zulling et al. 2010) . Due to the multiplicity of factors involving the school, there is no consensus about the definition of school climate or its dimensions (Cohen et al., 2009; Thapa et al., 2013) . In this study, school climate will be understood as the perception of individuals (students, parents, and teachers/staff) regarding the quality and consistency of the personal interactions that involve the school community (Haynes et al., 1997) . This definition focuses on the individual as the unit of analysis. Personal experiences construct the perception of each person regarding the school and this perception may influence their cognitive, social and psychological development (Haynes et al., 1997) . Accordingly, although the students share the same physical space, each perceives the school environment in a unique way.

School climate is a complex and multidimensional construct that refers to different aspects of school life.

Due to the multiplicity of factors involving the school, there is no consensus about the definition of school climate or its dimensions.

In this study, school climate will be understood as the perception of individuals (students, parents, and teachers/staff) regarding the quality and consistency of the personal interactions that involve the school community.

Personal experiences construct the perception of each person regarding the school and this perception may influence their cognitive, social and psychological development.


The concept of school climate adopted in this study refers to the students' perception about the quality and consistency of the personal interactions that occur in the school and involve the entire school community. This perception is subjective and results from personal experiences inside and outside the school. Accordingly, the SCS-MS can provide important information related to which dimensions of the school climate are more relevant to the students, encouraging the implementation of programs aimed at improving these dimensions in the school (Kuperminc et al. 1997) .

Accordingly, the SCS-MS can provide important information related to which dimensions of the school climate are more relevant to the students, encouraging the implementation of programs aimed at improving these dimensions in the school.


As far as chloride penetration resistance is concerned, a certain NS dosage showed different effects on the chloride diffusion coefficient of concrete with different w/b ratios. Comparing Figures 14(a) with 14(c) , 0.5% NS seems to be effective to promote concrete resistance to chloride penetration for w/b = 0.65 and 0.55; 1.5% NS reduced the chloride diffusion coefficient of w/b = 0.5 and 0.55. Thus, the tendency of reduction as a function of w/b ratio in Figure 14 NS addition, the reduction of median pore diameter was probably enough to slightly reduce the diffusion coefficient (see Table 4 ) [13] .

Thus, the tendency of reduction as a function of w/b ratio in Figure 14 NS addition, the reduction of median pore diameter was probably enough to slightly reduce the diffusion coefficient (see Table 4 ).


For investigating the effect of a certain NS dosage on compressive strength of concrete with various w/b ratios, the strength of 7 and 28 days of concrete is depicted as a function of w/b ratio in Figure 13 . For each NS dosage, the experimental data are fitted through an exponential relationship according to Abram's law [32] . Each line is illustrative of a certain NS dosage and represents a specific exponential relationship between the strength and w/b ratio. According to Figure 13 the addition of NS and the lines approximately approached the reference line. The effect of a certain NS dosage was more pronounced at the lower strength mixes (higher w/b ratio). For the higher strength mix (lower w/b ratio), the effect was less. The reason probably relates to the reduction of distance between cement grains, when w/b ratio is reduced. Decreasing the distance, packing, and accelerating effects of NS may differ.

For each NS dosage, the experimental data are fitted through an exponential relationship according to Abram's law.


The principal aim of this paper is a numerical analysis of thermoacoustic phenomena which occur in the thermoacoustic engine. The application of the CFD methods to analyse the thermoacoustic effect was also a subject of the Authors' consideration earlier [9] . The applied numerical model is based on the solution to the fundamental equations that govern the gas flow, the solutions to the equations of conservation of mass, energy and momentum. The presented studies were all carried out with the use of the Ansys-CFX12 commercial CFD code.

The application of the CFD methods to analyse the thermoacoustic effect was also a subject of the Authors' consideration earlier.


Sound can be produced not only by vibrating bodies but also by a nonstationary flow field or a temperature gradient. Thermoacoustics deals with the study of the generation of acoustic waves whose source is the heat flow caused by a forced temperature gradient. The history of thermoacoustic devices goes back to the 19th century. The phenomenon of sound generation caused by a temperature gradient was first observed in glass-works. In the process of glass blowing, the heated glass tubes which were closed at one end emitted a characteristic tonal sound. The theoretical basics of this field of acoustics were developed by Rayleigh [1] . His research led to the formulation of the fundamental principle of thermoacoustics. It states that in order to excite and maintain acoustic vibrations, heat should be delivered to the working agent at the moment of its largest compression, and collected at its expansion. The compression and expansion stages are related to the course of the acoustic wave which varies with time. The process can also be reversed and then the produced acoustic wave can generate a temperature gradient.

The theoretical basics of this field of acoustics were developed by Rayleigh.


Brackish water contains much lesser dissolved mineral salts which indicate the operating pressure for the membrane process can be lowered down significantly, as compared to seawater desalination process. This opens the opportunity for nanofiltration (NF) membrane to be used in brackish water treatment process, since NF membrane offers higher water production (permeate) while operating at lower pressure compared to reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. Higher production rate also reflects the chance to reduce energy consumption and increase the economic values of the desalination plant. Theoretically, the application of NF membrane in brackish water desalination process would be favourable due to its advantages over RO membrane as aforementioned [4] . However, this comes at the expense of lower membrane salt rejection capability as high permeability membrane normally has high salt permeability too [5] . In other words, further treatment is required to get the permeate TDS concentration down to the recommended range. This might incur extra costs for the additional treatment process and offset the benefit of high flux performance. The cost comparison study among different types of NF and RO membranes for brackish water desalination has been limited and this information is required to know to what extent the NF membrane is economically preferable than RO membrane. Such comparison is also important to clarify the arguments about the use of high permeability membrane will not result in significant energy and cost savings [5] .

Theoretically, the application of NF membrane in brackish water desalination process would be favourable due to its advantages over RO membrane as aforementioned.

However, this comes at the expense of lower membrane salt rejection capability as high permeability membrane normally has high salt permeability too.

Such comparison is also important to clarify the arguments about the use of high permeability membrane will not result in significant energy and cost savings.


Therefore, from the discriminant analysis, we can objectively compare the features only by measuring cluster separability according to the Fisher criterion [9] . Moreover, this was expected and we subsequently validated it with ANOVA, as we found that TRF responses had p-values under 0.05 while VRF responses had higher p-values around 0.10. The results indicate that TRF based-responses have higher separability, better representing boundary-present features.

Therefore, from the discriminant analysis, we can objectively compare the features only by measuring cluster separability according to the Fisher criterion.


Wide adoption and long term use of these applications have been reported as being a big challenge for achieving the sought healthcare service improvement goals [39] [40] [41] [42] . Hence this study has been undertaken to explore the plausibility of mobile phone-based applications for HIV/AIDS care adoption and long term use from a care givers' and patients' perspective. This has contributed towards knowledge development about the care givers and patients' contextual realities; their perception about the technology; their expectations about the technology adoption and long term use cost; and the implication of these factors if adoption and sustainability of mobile phones for HIV/AIDS care are envisaged and have to be achieved.

Wide adoption and long term use of these applications have been reported as being a big challenge for achieving the sought healthcare service improvement goals.


Composites may be used either under the assumption of homogeneity of treatment effect across components or to summarize a risk-benefit profile of an intervention. In this manuscript we address the former use, where the best knowledge of the disease being studied points to a likely similarity of treatment effect on all component outcomes, based on known physiological pathways and theoretical models. While the treatment effect is assumed to be similar across each of the components in terms of direction, it is recognized that the magnitude may differ [2, 5] . Many authors recommend reviewing suspected treatment homogeneity through visual inspection of the direction of relative risk estimates for individual components of the composite in a trial [2, 7] . However, it is possible to test for heterogeneity of these treatment effects across components directly using standard methods for correlated binary data. If significant heterogeneity is found then the composite outcome may be invalidated or inappropriate for use. If not, we may have more confidence in the composite outcome, viewing it as meaningful, interpretable to represent treatment effect as a whole, and likely free from evidence of heterogeneity. However, tests for heterogeneity have been shown to lack power in meta-analyses and subgroup analyses [21] . The purpose of this paper is to compare the power of different tests to detect heterogeneity of treatment effect across components of composite binary outcomes. We then explore the usefulness of such tests for detecting composite heterogeneity when the power is high for the treatment comparison on the composite outcome as a whole.

While the treatment effect is assumed to be similar across each of the components in terms of direction, it is recognized that the magnitude may differ.

Many authors recommend reviewing suspected treatment homogeneity through visual inspection of the direction of relative risk estimates for individual components of the composite in a trial.

However, tests for heterogeneity have been shown to lack power in meta-analyses and subgroup analyses.


Concerning resveratrol, this natural compound displays strong inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory marker secretion. The decrease of IL-6 secretion by resveratrol was dependent on NF-κB inhibition in chondrocytes. Such a reduced IL-6 level downregulates STAT3 activation in macrophages, leading to the impairment of the running inflammatory amplification loop ( Figure 6 ). After the stimulation of chondrocytes by IL-1β through the plasma membrane IL-1β receptor (IL-1β R), resveratrol leads to the inactivation of the NF-κB transcription factor by phosphorylation (p-NF-κB) of the inactive form, thus limiting the secretion of IL-6 and other cytokines (GM-CF, IL-8, MCP-1 and Rantes). Chondrocyte-secreting IL-6 can cross-talk with macrophages through the plasma membrane IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), which triggers activation of the STAT3 transcription factor by phosphorylation (p-STAT3 inactive form) and will limit IL-6 secretion. This pathway is also inhibited by resveratrol. IL-1R, IL-6R: receptors of IL-1 and IL-6. Our results put forward the understanding of the anti-inflammatory potential of resveratrol and open new perspectives in the prevention and possibly the treatment of osteoarthritis, based on the use of phytophenols [25, 26] .

Our results put forward the understanding of the anti-inflammatory potential of resveratrol and open new perspectives in the prevention and possibly the treatment of osteoarthritis, based on the use of phytophenols.


A fabricated sensor is directly bonded to a printed circuit board (PCB) (figure 11), together with a charge amplifier. The charge amplifier is put close to the sensor to avoid large parasitic components generated by long connections. Two anti-phase sine-wave-driving signals and a synchronous signal are provided externally by a low-distortion signal generator. The amplitude of the driving signals is 20 V peak-to-peak to guarantee a mV-level output signal. The demodulation and low-pass filters are implemented by the lock-in amplifier (SR830). The time constant of the lock-in amplifier is chosen to be 10 ms. An operational amplifier MAX4489 with a GBW of 42 MHz, a C F of 1 pF and an R F of 10 M is used as the charge amplifier. The sensitivity is calculated to be 7.07 mV fF −1 by using equation (4) . The suspended blade is connected to the ground potential as previously discussed. A needle of the probe-station is used to control the capacitance variation by pushing the blade while observing its position under a microscope.

The sensitivity is calculated to be 7.07 mV fF −1 by using equation.


The miniaturization of sensing systems requires the sensor dimensions to be shrunk down. Consequently, the nominal capacitance of the sensor to be measured could be as small as fF-level [5] . This results in a high-impedance signal path and limits the signal to nA-levels. Furthermore, the tiny signal is often degraded by parasitic components and disturbed by electrical noise. These factors limit the resolution of the sensor, posing great challenges for both MEMS design and detection strategy.

Consequently, the nominal capacitance of the sensor to be measured could be as small as fF-level.


Both surface capping molecules and spin canting contributed to the paramagnetic signal. The functional groups of the ligands cause misaligned spins at the particle surface because of the broken exchange bonds from the reduced coordination of Fe surface ions while the spin-canting effects were because of the presence of disordered Fe vacancies. Surface spin-canting effects for nanostructures of high /V ratios are significantly enhanced to minimize the magnetostatic energy at the surface [30] . The canted spins on the surface of a nanostructure with high /V ratios do not respond to the external fields as bulk spins and significantly reduce the magnetization. The slight difference in the M-H curves between small and large scale samples was attributed to the diameter uniformity of the nanowhiskers. Compared to the small scale sample, the diameter of the large scale sample is more uniform without thicker regions as in small scale sample. The small percentage of the superparamagnetic signal mainly resulted from these larger diameter regions. For certain application, paramagnetic signal is more preferred, such as the use of positive MRI contrast agents in our recent publications [21] . The FTIR spectra of the nanowhiskers from small and large scales both showed the typical absorption bands of spinel structures around 590 and 445 cm −1 , where the 590 cm −1 band refers to the Fe-O vibration in the tetrahedral (A) site and 445 cm −1 was assigned to the Fe-O vibration in the octahedral (B) sites. The carboxylic groups on the nanoparticle surface showed an asymmetric (COO − ) vibration at 1533 cm −1 and symmetric vibration of (COO − ) vibration at 1436 cm −1 . The frequency difference of 97 cm −1 between the asymmetric and symmetric absorption bands suggested bidentate binding of carboxylic groups on nanowhiskers surfaces. Because of the bidentate binding (two oxygen atoms to one iron atom) and significant amount of surface atoms of the nanowhiskers, the Fe-O band frequency shifts to higher frequency compared to typical spinel absorption bands. The chemical nature of the large scale sample was also very similar to laboratory scale sample with a frequency difference of 99 cm −1 . Both samples showed the broad absorption band of -NH 2 groups around 3440 cm −1 , suggesting the presence of oleylamine on the nanowhisker surfaces. Samples from both laboratory scale and large scale were capped with mixed ligands oleate and oleylamine. Therefore, we believe that the scaling process did not affect the synthetic process except for the increased reaction times. For example, the reaction time was increased for the precursor preparation from laboratory scale (4 h) to 10 L reactor (8 h) without any noticeable change to the properties of the nanowhiskers.

Surface spin-canting effects for nanostructures of high /V ratios are significantly enhanced to minimize the magnetostatic energy at the surface.

For certain application, paramagnetic signal is more preferred, such as the use of positive MRI contrast agents in our recent publications.


The synthesis of ultrathin iron oxide nanowhiskers was originally developed on laboratory scale using a selective heating method [19] . The entire synthetic process involves preparation of the precursor, iron-ligand complex, synthesis of ultrathin iron oxide nanowhiskers, and subsequent phase transfer from organic solvent to aqueous solution. Here, the precursor preparation and nanowhisker synthesis were scaled up to 10 L reactors and the phase transfer was carried out in a 38-liter tank. Figure 1 shows the experimental setup of the 10 L reactors and the 38-liter stainless steel tank. The 10 L reactors for precursor preparation and nanowhisker synthesis are identical, which are equipped with a digitally controlled and programmable heater in a temperature range of 20-1000 ∘ C. The 0.5 horse power (HP) motor with attached stir rod allows continuous agitation of up to 15 L at a constant rate of 200 RPM to ensure full mixing and effective heat transfer. The see-through glass reactor also makes it easy to monitor the reactions. Additionally, the bottom drain assures the easy recovery of the product after reaction with almost no loss of product due to transfer or spills. The removable motor and reactor lids allow easy cleanup after reaction.

The synthesis of ultrathin iron oxide nanowhiskers was originally developed on laboratory scale using a selective heating method.


The evidence from the present study alone is not enough to ascertain which of these two explanations is more accurate. However, a comparison with results from the literature on individual manage rial behavior is useful to address this point. Gender differences in leadership styles tend to decrease substantially when researchers compare managers from the same organization (Korac Kakabadse et al., 1998) . Pressures exist within organizations towards the homo genization of these leadership styles (House and Aditya, 1997) . Therefore, it is unlikely that the different practices observed in work places with higher percentages of female managers result from independent individual decisions. Instead, the findings of this research suggest that the concept of good management workplace practices becomes more consistent with women's leadership styles as the percentage of female managers increases.

Gender differences in leadership styles tend to decrease substantially when researchers compare managers from the same organization.

Pressures exist within organizations towards the homo genization of these leadership styles.


Most of the studies concerning FDCA-based polyesters are about thermoplastics, but there is a lack of information in the literature about polyester copolymers based on FDCA as precursors for PU coatings. Due to this, the main objective of this work is to present a new class of polyester binders based on FDCA suitable as precursors of PU coating materials. The new 100% bio-based structure was re-designed and obtained through the selection and copolymerization of four different monomers, all available from modern biorefinery downstreams such as glycerine (Gly), 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD), 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and succinic acid (SA). The corresponding PU coatings were obtained and their technological performances were benchmarked against partially bio-based (75% renewable carbon) and fossil-based polyester binders, already developed by our group and described in a previous work [26] . Moreover, the evaluation of the total impact of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), the total non-renewable energy use (NREU) by the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) are included on the basis of a cradle-to-gate approach separating the contributions due to the monomer mixture composition and those related to the copolymerization process, and considering a FDCA production process starting from sugar beet (primary data). Specifically, a finer analysis of the impact of marine eutrophication and freshwater eutrophication is allowed, providing relevant information about the environmental implication of the production of a chemical derived by biomass (sugar beet), as the case of the present study.

The corresponding PU coatings were obtained and their technological performances were benchmarked against partially bio-based (75% renewable carbon) and fossil-based polyester binders, already developed by our group and described in a previous work.


Polyurethanes (PUs) are one of the most used coating materials in many manufacturing sectors (automotive, furniture, heavy duty) due to their excellent durability and mechanical properties [1] . PUs are actually the sixth most used polymer on a global scale with an annual production of over 12 million tons [2] . One of the emerging topics in modern PU technology is the exploitation of monomers and macromers from renewable resources to improve the environmental sustainability while preserving the excellent technical performances [3, 4] . In fact, many works on bio-based PU coatings have appeared in literature for different applications [5, 6] . PU coatings are obtained by the stoichiometrically balanced mixture and crosslinking of polyols (polyether and frequently polyester oligomers) with polyisocyanates. By a careful selection of different polyols and isocyanates, a variety of PUs with specific properties can be developed for a broad range of industrial applications like foams, paints, thermoplastics, fibers and adhesives [7] [8] [9] .

Polyurethanes (PUs) are one of the most used coating materials in many manufacturing sectors (automotive, furniture, heavy duty) due to their excellent durability and mechanical properties.

PUs are actually the sixth most used polymer on a global scale with an annual production of over 12 million tons.

One of the emerging topics in modern PU technology is the exploitation of monomers and macromers from renewable resources to improve the environmental sustainability while preserving the excellent technical performances.

In fact, many works on bio-based PU coatings have appeared in literature for different applications.

By a careful selection of different polyols and isocyanates, a variety of PUs with specific properties can be developed for a broad range of industrial applications like foams, paints, thermoplastics, fibers and adhesives.


No population-based typhoid fever study in our series reported rates of typhoid fever complications. Consequently, we calculated rates from hospitalbased studies. Hospital-based typhoid fever studies showed median (range) intestinal perforation rates of 2 . 8% (0 . 6-4 . 9%). Rates of complications other than intestinal perforation are not consistently reported in contemporary hospital-based studies. Therefore, the total morbidity attributable to typhoid fever cannot currently be calculated. It is probable that hospitalbased studies capture only the most severe illness among persons who have access to health care and therefore such studies may overestimate the rates of complications [7] . No study has systematically evaluated the effect of HIV co-infection on typhoid fever incidence and complications. Data are needed on the rates of complications from population-based studies. Such tracking might be done in areas where a discrete number of health facilities provide care for the majority of the population.

It is probable that hospitalbased studies capture only the most severe illness among persons who have access to health care and therefore such studies may overestimate the rates of complications.


The World Health Organization has emphasized that early diagnosis and prompt treatment for malaria should occur within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms to decrease the risk of severe complications and onward transmission [3] . Appropriate treatment-seeking behaviour and easy access to health services are important components vital to its success [9] . Specifically, it is recommended that patients should seek medical treatment following the onset of fever, a common symptom of malaria [10] . It has been recognized that self-treatment may lead to delays in seeking treatment [9, 11, 12] . Such delay may mean patients develop severe complications within three to seven days of onset of fever [13] . However, in the case of falciparum malaria, these may occur within a few hours [3, 14] .

The World Health Organization has emphasized that early diagnosis and prompt treatment for malaria should occur within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms to decrease the risk of severe complications and onward transmission.

Appropriate treatment-seeking behaviour and easy access to health services are important components vital to its success.

Specifically, it is recommended that patients should seek medical treatment following the onset of fever, a common symptom of malaria.

It has been recognized that self-treatment may lead to delays in seeking treatment.

Such delay may mean patients develop severe complications within three to seven days of onset of fever.

However, in the case of falciparum malaria, these may occur within a few hours.


The last two decades have witnessed a tremendous growth and improvisation in investigating and developing semiconductor nanoparticles in the field of basic and applied research. The semiconducting nanoparticles are of great importance due to their unique physical and chemical properties. The structural aspects and optical properties such as photoconductivity and photoluminescence of nanoparticles are substantially different from their bulk counterparts attributed to the quantum confinement effect and large surface to volume ratio of atoms. Group II-IV semiconductor nanoparticles have wide applications in optoelectronics, photonics, solar cell, photo-detector, laser, light emitting diodes, and high-density magnetic information storage [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . Among the chalcogenide materials, CdS is widely investigated due to its intrinsic direct band gap of 2.42 eV at room temperature, which can be exploited in potential device applications involving bio-imaging, heterogeneous photo catalysis, nonlinear optics and many more [8] [9] [10] [11] .

Group II-IV semiconductor nanoparticles have wide applications in optoelectronics, photonics, solar cell, photo-detector, laser, light emitting diodes, and high-density magnetic information storage.

Among the chalcogenide materials, CdS is widely investigated due to its intrinsic direct band gap of 2.42 eV at room temperature, which can be exploited in potential device applications involving bio-imaging, heterogeneous photo catalysis, nonlinear optics and many more.


Linear motion with rotary motors and linear mechanical interfaces causes a backlash due to gears and problems such as hysteresis [1] . Linear motors eliminate the need for rotary-to-linear mechanical interfaces, resulting in a simpler and more robust conversion of the electrical input into a linear motion. In addition, these motors are quiet and reliable and have so far been successfully applied in conveyor systems, people movers, sliding doors, and airport baggage handling, to mention a few [2] .

Linear motion with rotary motors and linear mechanical interfaces causes a backlash due to gears and problems such as hysteresis.

In addition, these motors are quiet and reliable and have so far been successfully applied in conveyor systems, people movers, sliding doors, and airport baggage handling, to mention a few.


As shown in the right-hand side of Figure 1 , supernova SN1987A was photographed using one of the Hubble cameras [1] . The elliptical region of interest, the He/H interface in the supernova (SN), is accelerated by a blast wave that is created after the core of the star explodes. The long-axis diameter of the structure was 1.2  10 13 km. The event has been studied in detail, and the hydrodynamic Rayleigh-Taylor instability is clearly the origin of the clumping seen in the photo [2, 3] . Here we compare this natural event to two experiments involving the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Our main point is that the evolution of this nonlinear process is nearly identical over 19 orders of magnitude in scale.

As shown in the right-hand side of Figure 1 , supernova SN1987A was photographed using one of the Hubble cameras.

The event has been studied in detail, and the hydrodynamic Rayleigh-Taylor instability is clearly the origin of the clumping seen in the photo.


System LCOE partly build on integration cost studies that typically estimate the additional costs imposed on the system by the variability of wind and rarely also solar PV [15] - [25] , [25] - [27] , [28] . However, standard definitions of integration costs are motivated from a bottom-up engineering perspective and not linked to economic theory. That is why it is not clear how integration cost estimates relate to the economic efficiency or competitiveness of VRE. We want to fill this gap and mathematically derive a definition of integration costs with a direct economic link. On that basis System LCOE of a technology are defined as the sum of generation costs and integration costs per generation unit from that technology.

System LCOE partly build on integration cost studies that typically estimate the additional costs imposed on the system by the variability of wind and rarely also solar PV.


The limitations of an LCOE analysis become even more severe in the future, because market values of VRE are decreasing with increasing VRE shares due to their variability, [9] - [16] . Mills and Wiser show decreasing values for wind and solar in California [12] . Hirth shows similar results for VRE for North-Western Europe including long-term model runs where generation and transmission capacities adjust in response to VRE [6] . Hirst and Hild focus on operational aspects without capacity adjustments with a unit commitment model and show that the value of wind drops significantly as wind power increases from zero to 60% of installed capacity [13] . Grubb shows this effect in model results for the value of wind in England [14] . Hence, competitiveness and economic efficiency for higher shares of VRE will become more difficult than an LCOE comparison would imply. This increases the need for an improved evaluation of VRE, for example by complementing it with market values.

The limitations of an LCOE analysis become even more severe in the future, because market values of VRE are decreasing with increasing VRE shares due to their variability.

Mills and Wiser show decreasing values for wind and solar in California.

Hirth shows similar results for VRE for North-Western Europe including long-term model runs where generation and transmission capacities adjust in response to VRE.

Hirst and Hild focus on operational aspects without capacity adjustments with a unit commitment model and show that the value of wind drops significantly as wind power increases from zero to 60% of installed capacity.

Grubb shows this effect in model results for the value of wind in England.


Under the assumption, we have the cofibre c : X → C of i : B → X. Then c: X → C has a homotopy splitting (see Theorem 3.3) . By using the co-H-structure, one can easily get a canonical homology equivalence X → B ∨ C which induces also an isomorphism of fundamental groups. These properties, however, would not guarantee that the two spaces have the same homotopy type (see G.W. Whitehead [16] pp.183-184).

These properties, however, would not guarantee that the two spaces have the same homotopy type (see G.W. Whitehead pp.183-184).


Davern reported the measured results of many types of absorber consisting of a perforated facing, a film and a fibrous material. Nevertheless, the predictive formula for the absorber is not derived in that report. Since the study by Bolt, prediction for acoustic impedance of an absorbing material covered with a perforated facing has been studied in several works [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . Numerous studies have also examined absorbent materials covered with impermeable films [8] [9] [10] . For predicting absorption the characteristics of fibrous materials combining both a perforated facing and a film, however, no investigations have been undertaken to date.

Since the study by Bolt, prediction for acoustic impedance of an absorbing material covered with a perforated facing has been studied in several works.

Numerous studies have also examined absorbent materials covered with impermeable films.


Returning to our three theoretical issues, we found no evidence in the literature, and added none here, that voluntary memories of traumatic events come with more of a sense of reliving than other memories of equal emotional intensity, though there is evidence that for involuntary memories, highly positive events are less frequent and have much more transient effects than traumatic memories (Berntsen, 2001) . We do, however, provide evidence that with increases in emotional intensity or trauma relatedness, voluntary memories increase in reliving. We also demonstrate that with increases in PTSD symptoms, there is an increase in reliving for a sample of voluntary memories.

Returning to our three theoretical issues, we found no evidence in the literature, and added none here, that voluntary memories of traumatic events come with more of a sense of reliving than other memories of equal emotional intensity, though there is evidence that for involuntary memories, highly positive events are less frequent and have much more transient effects than traumatic memories.


The extent to which our participants reported reexperiencing the emotions of the original event and the extent to which they reported visceral symptoms were related in reasonable ways. However, there were differences consistent with a cognitively accessible-visceral distinction. The measures of visceral emotions more consistently correlated with measures of PTSD severity and with dissociation. The same pattern occurred in a study of flashbulb memories in which a measure of visceral emotions, but not more cognitive judgments of emotion, taken the day after the September 11th attacks predicted later PTSD symptoms (Talarico & Rubin, 2003) . Similarly, in our factor analyses, the cognitive measure of reexperiencing the emotion loaded with other measures of reliving while the measures of visceral emotions tended to form their own factor or split between their own factor and the one with the highest loading of the cognitive measure of emotion.

The same pattern occurred in a study of flashbulb memories in which a measure of visceral emotions, but not more cognitive judgments of emotion, taken the day after the September 11th attacks predicted later PTSD symptoms.


Chinese yellow wine, sometimes also called rice wine, is a main wine consumed in China, especially in South China. This rice brew is made from glutinous rice, wheat and pure water. The quality of Chinese yellow wine depends on the material used, ferment technology and also preservation and normally is judged by a human panel test. The main components of Chinese yellow wines are alcohol, amino acids and carbon hydrates. All these components are electrochemical active at copper electrode in alkaline solution [11, 12] . In this paper, we report an electronic tongue for classification of Chinese yellow wines based on chemometric analysis of cyclic voltammogram of copper electrode. This approach is quite easy to be implemented and according to our knowledge, there is no such report in literatures up to now.

All these components are electrochemical active at copper electrode in alkaline solution.


Unfortunately, most families of children with ASD do not receive coordinated care. The National Survey of Children found that 62% of children with ASD have unmet needs for care coordination [14] . In a study reporting the results of a focus group of parents of children with ASD, most parents felt that their physicians were too busy to provide coordinated care and assumed the role of care coordination themselves [8] . A separate study found that over half of families of children with ASD reported having a parent stop or reduce work because of their child's needs, and over 25% spent greater than 10 h a week coordinating care [15] .

The National Survey of Children found that 62% of children with ASD have unmet needs for care coordination.

In a study reporting the results of a focus group of parents of children with ASD, most parents felt that their physicians were too busy to provide coordinated care and assumed the role of care coordination themselves.

A separate study found that over half of families of children with ASD reported having a parent stop or reduce work because of their child's needs, and over 25% spent greater than 10 h a week coordinating care.


The study generally found high levels of adjustment, as would be expected: those who could not adjust at all are unlikely to be in the sample as they are unlikely to have stayed abroad. Working women in this study had higher average adjustment levels than working men in all facets and dimensions when controlling for age, marital status, level in the organisation and length of stay. This presents a challenge to the continuing small share of women in foreign assignments (Adler, 1984; Caligiuri et al., 1999a) . Only some of these differences are significant, though. As expected, women have significantly higher levels of adjustment because they are better at establishing and maintaining relationships. Their generally acknowledged superior social skills help them to learn faster and to be more confident in their knowledge about how to establish and maintain relationships in the host culture. This also helps them to feel better regarding their relationships with their hosts.

This presents a challenge to the continuing small share of women in foreign assignments.


The economic emergence of women has been a long-term project. It started about two centuries ago and has accelerated in the last 100 years (Bergmann, 1986) . The record has been patchy, though. Women are still segregated into certain types of jobs, often lower earning, less powerful and less prestigious. The index of occupational segregation by gender declined in the USA from the 1970s up to the mid-1990s. In 1995, it was 53.5, meaning that more than half of employed women would have to change jobs to remove all occupational segregation (Wootton, 1997) . Comparative studies show that most European countries have higher occupational gender segregation than the USA (Evans, 2002; Bridges, 2003) . While women are making some progress in managerial work, it remains restricted largely to lower and middle ranks (Morrison et al., 1987; Goodman et al., 2003; Eagly and Carli, 2007) .

It started about two centuries ago and has accelerated in the last 100 years.

The record has been patchy, though.

In 1995, it was 53.5, meaning that more than half of employed women would have to change jobs to remove all occupational segregation.

Comparative studies show that most European countries have higher occupational gender segregation than the USA.

While women are making some progress in managerial work, it remains restricted largely to lower and middle ranks.


It is not entirely clear whether women differed from men in their confidence about knowledge of local values. The two analyses produced divergent results. But women definitely felt significantly better about these values. It may be a result of superior empathy and of being able to understand others more that allows women to feel better about local values. Women and men hold differing values (Eaton et al., 2001) . These value differences tend to be consistent across different countries (Miller et al., 2002) . Women show less variation in many psychological characteristics than men (Nicholson, 2000) . Therefore, expatriate women may have to confront slightly smaller value differences to their local counterparts compared to expatriate men. This might explain, at least in part, why they feel better about local values. If the size of value differences among women in different countries were less, it could also explain why women possibly feel more confident about their knowledge of values.

Women and men hold differing values.

These value differences tend to be consistent across different countries.

Women show less variation in many psychological characteristics than men.


In our approach we introduce a new methodology of matching ontology concepts: we exploit the OO schema that emerge after the transformation of OWL ontologies into a native OO model by customizing appropriately object similarity measures inspired from the domain of OO programming. The resulting methodology is able to match concepts based not only on the subsumption relationships that are handled by the inheritance mechanism of the underlying OO rule reasoner (CLIPS) but also on class relationships stemming from the OO schema, such as relationships among sibling classes. Such relations can be proved very useful and should not be totally ignored during the discovery of Web services [5] [7] .

Such relations can be proved very useful and should not be totally ignored during the discovery of Web services.


Mycotic aneurysms are infrequent conditions representing approximately 0.9% of all aneurysms [1] . Osler coined the term mycotic aneurysm for the first time in 1885 to describe infected mushroom-shaped aneurysm associated initially with endocarditis [2] . Later the term "mycotic" has been reportedly used to describe infected aneurysms regardless of the etiology [3] . Such lesions are classified to true and pseudoaneurysms; true aneurysms involve all the three layers of vessel wall while pseudo-or false aneurysms involve one of the layers leading to formation of pulsatile hematoma. An infected pseudoaneurysm occurs as a localized and irreversible dilatation caused by infection of the arterial wall leading to its development or a preexisting aneurysm is secondarily infected.

Mycotic aneurysms are infrequent conditions representing approximately 0.9% of all aneurysms.

Osler coined the term mycotic aneurysm for the first time in 1885 to describe infected mushroom-shaped aneurysm associated initially with endocarditis.

Later the term "mycotic" has been reportedly used to describe infected aneurysms regardless of the etiology.


Mycotic aneurysms of the arterial system have been found in association with endocarditis. None has reported any case of mycotic aneurysm of the veins. We found parapharyngeal abscess with bacteremia and tricuspid regurgitations in our patient. The bacteremia and abscess can lead to venous wall infection and increased propensity of dilatation. In our patient the multitude of venous aneurysms can be attributed to the development of back pressure with tricuspid regurgitation [8] .

In our patient the multitude of venous aneurysms can be attributed to the development of back pressure with tricuspid regurgitation.


Over 80% of the UK's current nuclear reactors are graphite-moderated Advanced Gas Cooled Reactors (AGR) or Magnox reactors [1] . In addition to moderating the energies of neutrons in the fission process, the graphite core provides structural support, contains the fuel and control rods and allows for coolant flow. The graphite blocks are subject to high levels of neutron irradiation resulting in chemical and physical property changes, which in turn affect neighbouring reactor components. The lifetime of such reactors is therefore primarily limited by the performance of the irreplaceable graphite within the working reactor, so an accurate measure of its condition is essential for economic success and plant safety. Nuclear graphite is a synthetic material produced from pitch and petroleum coke particles, with a high degree of crystallinity following thermal treatment at high temperatures (graphitization) [2] . When the graphitization process is complete, two main features can be distinguished: the majority filler particles and a minority binder phase, both of which are formed by domains of aligned individual crystallites and appear as a single colour in a polarised light micrograph. Both features have potentially inter-and intra-structural porosity ranging from Mrozowski cracks between crystallites (50 nm -10 m) to micro-and macropores around domains and particles ( Figure 1 ) [3] .

Over 80% of the UK's current nuclear reactors are graphite-moderated Advanced Gas Cooled Reactors (AGR) or Magnox reactors.

Nuclear graphite is a synthetic material produced from pitch and petroleum coke particles, with a high degree of crystallinity following thermal treatment at high temperatures (graphitization).

Both features have potentially inter-and intra-structural porosity ranging from Mrozowski cracks between crystallites (50 nm -10 m) to micro-and macropores around domains and particles ( Figure 1 ).


The increasing number of software systems with similar required functionality has led software engineers to move from development of single software systems to the development of Software Product Lines (SPLs). A SPL is a set of software systems that share most of the features [1] . Because of the shared commonalities, development of families improves reusability and is more cost effective [2] .

A SPL is a set of software systems that share most of the features.

Because of the shared commonalities, development of families improves reusability and is more cost effective.


A SPL 1 is typically specified with three kinds of models: problem space models, solution space models and mapping models [3] . Problem space models define available features of the members of the SPL, as well as their interdependencies. They are typically used by stakeholders for selection of desired features of the product. The set of selected features is called configuration. Solution space models are comprehensive models that specify the realization of complete SPLs. In this paper, we focus on business process families, i.e., families whose solution space models are business process model templates. Business process model templates are specified by business process modeling languages and composed of business process patterns. From solution space models, a particular product, i.e., a business process model is derived by removing or adding parts of it. Finally, mapping models define mapping relations between problem space and solution space models. They regulate which parts might be removed from the business process model according to the selected features from the problem space model.

A SPL 1 is typically specified with three kinds of models: problem space models, solution space models and mapping models.


Current therapeutic strategies for pulmonary hypertension have mainly focused on vascular hyperactivity. This approach improves many of the symptoms and hemodynamic properties of pulmonary hypertension; however, it has a limited ability to improve vascular remodeling and patient survival. Inflammatory processes in pulmonary hypertension are important pathogenic features for identifying new therapeutic strategies [5] [6] [7] [8] .

Inflammatory processes in pulmonary hypertension are important pathogenic features for identifying new therapeutic strategies.


The use of different ontologies results in semantic heterogeneity of the system. Because some peers are unable to precisely understand each others, some semantic interoperability has to be reached in some way. It is generally assumed that neighbour peers use alignments between their ontologies [7] . Then, knowing correspondences between entities of ontologies, each peer translates incoming queries before forwarding them. This kind of approach works well in some cases, although it suffers from information losses due to several translations [8, 3] . Moreover, it mainly focuses on leveraging interoperability without considering reducing semantic heterogeneity. Our goal is to define a class of algorithms that reduce the semantic heterogeneity of the P2P system, thus leveraging interoperability as a consequence. We proceed in two steps.

It is generally assumed that neighbour peers use alignments between their ontologies.

This kind of approach works well in some cases, although it suffers from information losses due to several translations.

We proceed in two steps.


Because of the long-term exposure of concrete structures to various natural corrosive environments, various corrosive substances in these environments are constantly transported into concrete, causing the expansion, cracking, spalling, and finally performance degradation of concrete, such as the strength, dynamic elastic modulus, and surface hardness. Among the numerous corrosive substances, sulfates are the most destructive corrosive substance. It is one of the important factors influencing the durability of concrete [1] .

It is one of the important factors influencing the durability of concrete.


Several systematic reviews on tuberculosis among health care workers have been conducted previously [1, 3, [12] [13] [14] . The first review published more than 20 years back in 1995 included studies from five non-high burden countries the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan and Hong Kong during 1934-1990 [12] . In 2005, a systematic review reporting frequency of a positive tuberculin test or tuberculin test conversion included studies from low incidence countries the United States, Spain, Canada, Germany, Australia and UK during 1971-99 [13] . Two systematic reviews published in 2006 and 2007 on prevalence of LTBI among health care workers in low, middle and high income countries included studies from four high burden countries Brazil, India, Uganda, and Thailand conducted during 1999-2005 [3, 14] . The latest systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2011 included studies from previous reviews and additional studies published during January 2005-July 2010 and reported incidence of LTBI in HCWs from studies conducted in only four high burden countries (Brazil, India, Zimbabwe and Thailand) during 1995-2005. This review excluded studies reporting only prevalence of LTBI and active TB among HCWs [1] . While national-level data on burden of tuberculosis in general population is available from, nationally representative data on LTBI burden in HCWs in the high burden countries is lacking. Data on HCW burden are available from individual studies alone. Since longitudinal studies are time consuming, labour intensive and expensive, prevalence studies are more likely to be conducted in resource-constrained settings and provide information on LTBI burden. A systematic review on current burden of LTBI among HCWs in high burden countries would provide evidence of existing occupational risk of infection in health care settings, raise awareness among HCWs to adopt and practice necessary infection control measures, and guide policy makers to explore and implement necessary prevention and control measures to reduce disease burden.

Several systematic reviews on tuberculosis among health care workers have been conducted previously.

The first review published more than 20 years back in 1995 included studies from five non-high burden countries the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan and Hong Kong during 1934-1990.

In 2005, a systematic review reporting frequency of a positive tuberculin test or tuberculin test conversion included studies from low incidence countries the United States, Spain, Canada, Germany, Australia and UK during 1971-99.

Two systematic reviews published in 2006 and 2007 on prevalence of LTBI among health care workers in low, middle and high income countries included studies from four high burden countries Brazil, India, Uganda, and Thailand conducted during 1999-2005.

This review excluded studies reporting only prevalence of LTBI and active TB among HCWs.


Optimization of path queries has been studied in the object database community. However, a key difference is that unlike object graphs, Web graphs do not conform to any well-defined schema. Semi-structured query optimization techniques do not depend on a schema but instead, employ structural and statistical summaries of the graph structure [11] . Our clustered representation scheme is similar in spirit, but is specialized to Web graphs.

Semi-structured query optimization techniques do not depend on a schema but instead, employ structural and statistical summaries of the graph structure.


The use of misting systems for relatively inexpensive evaporative cooling in broiler growout facilities has gained widespread support in the poultry industry (Lacy and Czarick, 1992) . Operational characteristics of misting systems, their design and techniques of control are active areas of research. The cooling performance is very dependent on the inlet air state point, ventilation rate, and misting rate. This dependence, coupled with recent adoption of tunnel ventilation for broiler housing, is a difficult engineering problem to assess in terms of both basic analysis and also daily operation.

The use of misting systems for relatively inexpensive evaporative cooling in broiler growout facilities has gained widespread support in the poultry industry.


M ost broiler houses in the southeastern United States utilize sidewall curtains for natural ventilation by wind; however, mechanical ventilation of broiler houses in the form of tunnel ventilation is becoming increasingly popular in warm weather since high air velocities can be provided over the entire floor area (Czarick and Tyson, 1989) . With tunnel ventilation, air enters a building at one end and travels the entire length of the building before exiting through the exhaust fans. Hence the building cross-sectional free area is the area of flow and air velocities at bird level are relatively high.

M ost broiler houses in the southeastern United States utilize sidewall curtains for natural ventilation by wind; however, mechanical ventilation of broiler houses in the form of tunnel ventilation is becoming increasingly popular in warm weather since high air velocities can be provided over the entire floor area.


This study contributes to the limited literature on the theme by investigating the language and legitimation strategies used by politicians when debating public-sector reforms. In doing so, it discusses the symbolic power of language exercised through the use of particular legitimation strategies by actors, the MPs, who generally have limited knowledge of the technical (accounting) matters being debated. It also addresses recent calls for exploring how accounting is implicated in discussions about crises and austerity (Bracci, Humphrey, Moll & Steccolini, 2015; Lapsley & Hodges, 2016) . Finally, the study contributes, more generally, to gain a better understanding of the processes through which politicians discuss and approve accounting reforms, especially with reference to civil law countries 1 . The paper is structured as follows: the next section reviews the relevant literature on the topic; section three presents the methodology, and the fourth discusses the main results of the empirical analysis. The fifth section concludes by highlighting some implications and suggesting possible further research avenues.

It also addresses recent calls for exploring how accounting is implicated in discussions about crises and austerity.


Language can play an essential role in shaping how change and reforms are communicated and legitimated. Language represents a means of symbolic power that grants the speaker unlimited possibilities to gain the audience's support (Bourdieu, 1991) . This is not less true in a context, the public sector, where major changes and reforms have been introduced over the past few decades, touching, among others, accounting systems. In the case of public-sector accounting reforms, in particular, the Members of Parliament (MPs) are bestowed by the citizens with the power and responsibility to decide about the introduction of new changes. There have been several calls to look more into how accounting is implicated in politics and how, in turn, politicians and politics are implicated in accounting (Ezzamel, Robson, Stapleton & McLean, 2007; Van Helden, 2015) . A number of studies have explored politicians' use of accounting data, understanding of accounting reforms and their role during their implementation (Ter Bogt, 2004; Ezzamel, Hyndman, Johnsen, Lapsley, & Pallot, 2005; Flury & Schedler, 2006; Steccolini, 2009 and Saliterer & Korac, 2013; Ezzamel, Hyndman, Johnsen & Lapsley, 2014) . Some have specifically looked at political accountability itself (Reichborn-Kjennerud, 2013; Ezzamel et al, 2005) . While in such studies politicians have been seen as users of accounting, less consideration has been given so far to what happens when politicians discuss and approve accounting reforms. Although the above studies have suggested that the actual understanding and use of accounting information by politicians is limited, MPs are required to discuss and approve public-sector accounting reforms and enter the reform arena to support (or undermine) possible changes to the accounting systems.

Language represents a means of symbolic power that grants the speaker unlimited possibilities to gain the audience's support.

There have been several calls to look more into how accounting is implicated in politics and how, in turn, politicians and politics are implicated in accounting.

A number of studies have explored politicians' use of accounting data, understanding of accounting reforms and their role during their implementation.

Some have specifically looked at political accountability itself.


In this study, discourse analysis is used to investigate how politicians talked about and justified the introduction of accounting reforms. Several calls have been advanced to consider more closely the relationship between codified discourses and practice to improve our understanding of the discourse/practice dynamics within organisations (Llewellyn & Milne, 2007; Liguori et al, 2016) . This study follows in these footsteps. Different from previous literature, however, it does not investigate the managers' perspective, but explores politicians' views through the analysis of their parliamentary discussions over time. Political talk has been often defined as a language of legitimation, made of arguments and deliberations (Abulof, 2015) . Studying this language can help us understand both the frames politicians use to legitimate their policies, and what they believe to be the arguments more likely to convince their peers about a certain course of action.

Several calls have been advanced to consider more closely the relationship between codified discourses and practice to improve our understanding of the discourse/practice dynamics within organisations.

This study follows in these footsteps.

Political talk has been often defined as a language of legitimation, made of arguments and deliberations.


It is worth reminding that these results refer to a neo-Weberian, civil-law country, where publicsector change is generally ignited by the adoption and implementation of laws, and where NPM has been only mildly adopted (Pollitt & Bouckaert 2011; Liguori, Steccolini & Rota, 2016; Arnaboldi et al., 2016) . Further studies may be conducted in the future in other countries within and outside the EU, and with different administrative traditions, to identify possible patterns in the use of political language. The study could also be extended to the European Parliament itself, or by looking at other types of reforms, including private-sector accounting ones, investigating whether different reforms are rhetorically legitimated in different ways. Finally, a further way forward may be looking at the influence of MPs'-political beliefs, backgrounds and, more generally, personal traits, on the legitimation strategies they adopt 6 .

It is worth reminding that these results refer to a neo-Weberian, civil-law country, where publicsector change is generally ignited by the adoption and implementation of laws, and where NPM has been only mildly adopted.


Bitterlings are a group of freshwater fishes that belong to the subfamily Acheilognathinae (family Cyprinidae), which have a unique spawning symbiosis with freshwater mussels. During the spawning season, males develop bright nuptial coloration and defend territories around mussels. Female bitterlings develop long ovipositors that they use to place their eggs onto the gills of a mussel through the mussels' exhalant siphon. Males fertilize the eggs by releasing sperm into the inhalant siphon of the mussel, so that water filtered by the mussel carries the sperm to the eggs. Bitterlings display remarkable morphological, physiological, and behavioral adaptations for using mussels as spawning sites, and they represent a valuable model in behavioral, population, and evolutionary ecology (Smith et al. 2004) .

Bitterlings display remarkable morphological, physiological, and behavioral adaptations for using mussels as spawning sites, and they represent a valuable model in behavioral, population, and evolutionary ecology.


The evidence suggest that varicocelectomy is beneficial to adolescents with ipsilateral testicular hypotrophy since untreated varicocele was shown to have progressive deleterious effects on the future fertility status [15] . Even in the earliest description of varicocele, testicular volume decrease was taken into consideration. An earlier study reported testicular atrophy incidence as 74% [16] . The ipsilateral testicular volume catch-up growth rate or hypertrophy has been one of the most important endpoints predicting the outcomes of varicocelectomy. Since it is not usually possible to perform preoperative semen analysis in pediatric age group and established clinical criteria to properly define the postoperative outcomes are absent, the improvement in the testicular volume has been considered to be the main outcome measure [12] .

The evidence suggest that varicocelectomy is beneficial to adolescents with ipsilateral testicular hypotrophy since untreated varicocele was shown to have progressive deleterious effects on the future fertility status.

An earlier study reported testicular atrophy incidence as 74%.

Since it is not usually possible to perform preoperative semen analysis in pediatric age group and established clinical criteria to properly define the postoperative outcomes are absent, the improvement in the testicular volume has been considered to be the main outcome measure.


A finding of profitable momentum opportunities within asset classes would provide support for fund managers who engage in momentum strategies. However, a lack of consistent momentum profit opportunities does not preclude managers from adopting a momentum-based strategy. Indeed there is evidence to suggest that fund managers are momentum investors in their stock selection (Grinblatt et al. 1995) . It is therefore interesting to consider if they are momentum investors in terms of asset class allocation.

Indeed there is evidence to suggest that fund managers are momentum investors in their stock selection.


Carbon is one of the main elements in most agricultural wastes. The parameters for this carbon material are its pore structure and surface area. The volumes of the pores limit the sizes of the molecules that can be adsorbed. The surface area limits the amount of material that can be absorbed, assuming a suitable molecular size. Carbon is important because it is very suitable for transforming microwave energy to thermal energy [2] . An electric field is produced when microwaves pass through the absorber, and the electrical energy is transformed into thermal energy.

Carbon is important because it is very suitable for transforming microwave energy to thermal energy.