Studying the impacts of habitat fragmentation on rare species at a broad scale is often difficult because of insufficient sample sizes and restricted distributions, and therefore common species have often been used to guide the conservation of such groups or species (Caro et al., 2005) . Surrogates may be used to identify areas that should become the focus for conservation attention in single-species driven conservation (Lambeck, 1997) . Alternatively, they may be used where the response of one species or population to environmental disturbance is thought to predict the response of another to a similar disturbance (Caro et al., 2005) . Here, we use surrogate species in this second sense, where common species are essentially proxies for threatened ones and are not of great conservation interest themselves (Armstrong, 2002) .

Studying the impacts of habitat fragmentation on rare species at a broad scale is often difficult because of insufficient sample sizes and restricted distributions, and therefore common species have often been used to guide the conservation of such groups or species.

Surrogates may be used to identify areas that should become the focus for conservation attention in single-species driven conservation.

Alternatively, they may be used where the response of one species or population to environmental disturbance is thought to predict the response of another to a similar disturbance.

Here, we use surrogate species in this second sense, where common species are essentially proxies for threatened ones and are not of great conservation interest themselves.


There is a growing concern about the environmental impact of particulate matter and increasing interest in metrics, other than particle-mass concentration, such as size fractionated mass, number concentration, and surface concentration. Some health studies suggest that the biological response is better correlated with surface concentration than with mass or number (Brown et al. 2000) . The purpose of this study is to characterize the size-dependent response of surface instruments including diffusion chargers using Fuchs surface area. This study focuses on fast response measurement of surface area related properties of various particles including diesel agglomerates. Such agglomerates are an important component of ambient particulate matter, especially in urban areas.

Some health studies suggest that the biological response is better correlated with surface concentration than with mass or number.


The emission rates of VOCs from building products with no internal chemical reactions generally depend on two mechanisms: (1) the diffusion of VOCs within the building product and (2) the evaporation from the building product surface to the ambient air (Clausen et al., 1991; Tichenor, 1992) . Depending on the type of building product, the emission rate may be limited by one or both mechanisms. In the case of evaporation from the building product, the emission rate of VOCs may be affected by the concentration in the air, because it is the differences in partial pressures between building product surface and air which drive the mass transfer to the air. Some effects of concentration have been observed during the initial emission from liquid surface products like waterborne paints and wood finishing products (i.e. stain, polyurethane and wax) (Andersen et al., 1996; Tichenor and Guo, 1991) . However, theoretical studies and measurements have indicated that the concentration effect on the emission rate especially from some building products (PVC flooring, waterborne paint, nylon carpet with latex backing, floor varnish on beechwood parquet and sealant) may be negligible (Andersen et al., 1996; Christiansson et al., 1993; Clausen et al., 1991; Jayjock, 1994; Wolkoff, 1998) .

The emission rates of VOCs from building products with no internal chemical reactions generally depend on two mechanisms: (1) the diffusion of VOCs within the building product and (2) the evaporation from the building product surface to the ambient air.

Some effects of concentration have been observed during the initial emission from liquid surface products like waterborne paints and wood finishing products (i.e. stain, polyurethane and wax).

However, theoretical studies and measurements have indicated that the concentration effect on the emission rate especially from some building products (PVC flooring, waterborne paint, nylon carpet with latex backing, floor varnish on beechwood parquet and sealant) may be negligible.


Oxidative stress is a possible mechanism consistent with dangerous effects of smoking since cigarette smoke contains free radicals that activate inflammatory cells with inflammatory mediator production and further oxidative damage [3, 4] . Smokers have significantly lower erythrocyte CuZn SOD and Se-GSH-Px activities than non-smokers [5] . Accordingly, concentrations of serum antioxidant vitamins, such as ascorbic acid and vitamin E, have been reported to be lower in chronic smokers than in nonsmokers [6] . Hence, these findings support the concept that smoking is associated with an increased oxidative stress that may cause and/or accelerate age-related inflammatory diseases [7] .

Oxidative stress is a possible mechanism consistent with dangerous effects of smoking since cigarette smoke contains free radicals that activate inflammatory cells with inflammatory mediator production and further oxidative damage.

Smokers have significantly lower erythrocyte CuZn SOD and Se-GSH-Px activities than non-smokers.

Accordingly, concentrations of serum antioxidant vitamins, such as ascorbic acid and vitamin E, have been reported to be lower in chronic smokers than in nonsmokers.

Hence, these findings support the concept that smoking is associated with an increased oxidative stress that may cause and/or accelerate age-related inflammatory diseases.


For deciduous trees in temperate regions the maintenance of water transport at the time of leaf expansion is the most important precondition to guarantee the current year's growth. The pattern of water transport in a trunk is remarkably different between ring-porous wood and diffuse-porous wood (Zimmermann 1983) . Ring-porous trees transport water mainly through large vessels in the outermost growth ring, while water is transported through vessels of several outer growth rings in diffuse-porous trees (Ladefoged 1952; Kozlowski & Winget 1963; Chaney & Kozlowski 1977; Ellmore & Ewers 1986) .

The pattern of water transport in a trunk is remarkably different between ring-porous wood and diffuse-porous wood.

Ring-porous trees transport water mainly through large vessels in the outermost growth ring, while water is transported through vessels of several outer growth rings in diffuse-porous trees.


In the second method, 10 g of grated cheese were placed in a tube (32 mm × 250 mm) and packed to form a plug at the bottom. The height of cheese was marked. The test tube was covered with aluminium foil and holes were made to let the hot gas escape during heating. The test tube was kept vertically in a refrigerator at 4°C for 30 min and then horizontally in an oven heated at 104°C for 60 min (Poduval & Mistry 1999; Koca & Metin 2004) . Meltability was measured as the flow distance in mm of melted cheese.

The height of cheese was marked.

The test tube was kept vertically in a refrigerator at 4°C for 30 min and then horizontally in an oven heated at 104°C for 60 min.


The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), an intensive programme of nurse home visitation for low-income first-time mothers, is an intervention shown in US trials to improve maternal and child outcomes, including exposure to child maltreatment (Olds et al. 2007) . The NFP programme of home visitation is currently being implemented or evaluated internationally, in countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway. The context of the NFP, a programme for women at high risk of IPV, provides a unique opportunity for nurses to respond to women experiencing IPV . The overall purpose of this programme of research was to develop a complex intervention to identify and respond to IPV within the context of NFP . In this article, we present the results from a practice, problem and needs analysis using data from the broader project exploring how nurse home visitors identify and assess for IPV exposure and what conditions foster the safe disclosure and discussion of experiences of abuse.

The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), an intensive programme of nurse home visitation for low-income first-time mothers, is an intervention shown in US trials to improve maternal and child outcomes, including exposure to child maltreatment.


In addition, GFDM technology with high spectral efficiency enables the access system to support a huge number of optical network units. They are more susceptible to transmission impairments from channel and components in optical access network, which leads to inter-symbol interference (ISI) and degrade the performance of the system [6] . Therefore, the forward error correction (FEC) codes can be employed to improve the BER performance by providing extra gain to the optical access network; it is a powerful technique to increase the system's margin [8] - [10] . Turbo code as one of the FEC code, has very good performance for error correction. It not only has superior performance in high noise environment, but also has strong anti-fading and anti-interference ability. Moreover, the ability to provide communication near the shannon limit in various harsh conditions has been demonstrated. Turbo code has been as deep space communication standard by the United States advisory committee of space data system which provides an important background for the research of Turbo code implementation [11] . However, Turbo code has the problem of error floor, this phenomenon will seriously affects the high reliability in the actual communication. While the technology of combing turbo code with trellis coded modulation (TCM) can improve spectrum efficiency and has robust error correction quality with simple construction where the error floor problem can be avoided, which makes it an attractive solution for optical access network in the near future [12] - [16] .

They are more susceptible to transmission impairments from channel and components in optical access network, which leads to inter-symbol interference (ISI) and degrade the performance of the system.

Therefore, the forward error correction (FEC) codes can be employed to improve the BER performance by providing extra gain to the optical access network; it is a powerful technique to increase the system's margin.

Turbo code has been as deep space communication standard by the United States advisory committee of space data system which provides an important background for the research of Turbo code implementation.

While the technology of combing turbo code with trellis coded modulation (TCM) can improve spectrum efficiency and has robust error correction quality with simple construction where the error floor problem can be avoided, which makes it an attractive solution for optical access network in the near future.


In contrast to the nonidentification result with one-to-one matches, we show that the distribution of latent indices on each side of the market is nonparametrically identified from data on many-to-one matches. The key insight is that the same value of the unobservable characteristic of an agent determines multiple matches for that agent. The formal result requires that each agent on one side of the market is matched to at least two agents on the other side, a requirement that is likely satisfied in many education and labor markets. To the best of our knowledge, this difference between the empirical content of one-to-one matching and many-to-one matching has not been previously exploited to obtain nonparametric identification results of a model with unobserved characteristics. Our proof is based on interpreting the matching model with two-to-one matches in terms of a measurement error model (Hu and Schennach (2008) ). This reinterpretation makes the additional empirical content of many-to-one matches ex post intuitive: the observable components of a worker's quality provide a noisy measure of the overall quality of her colleagues. As in measurement error models, we use the repeated measurements made available when many workers match with the same firm to identify the model.

Our proof is based on interpreting the matching model with two-to-one matches in terms of a measurement error model).


In this paper, we propose an anisotropic meta-material based on cellular rigid origami [12] . The material is flexible and stiff at the same time, along orthogonal axes which we name for reference: flexible in the x and y directions and stiff against compression in the z-direction (figure 1). The interleaved cellular structures are constructed from material with non-negligible thickness, and can be considered to be composed of facets, much like traditional closed-cell materials. While they are strictly not closed-cell structures, because the cells are connected into rows of tubes, rigid configurations of closed faces can contribute significant stiffness through their elemental bending and shearing stiffness. We establish the constitutive volume relationships between the two axes of tubes, and predict the elastic behavior of interleaved tube cellular materials through classical dimensional scaling analysis; specifically, we focus on the materialʼs elastic modulus scaling with relative density. Further, a fabrication technique based on the rigid-foldable deployment mechanism of the structure is proposed, whereby distinct repeating patterns of thin sheets are laminated in a flat state, then deployed to obtain the target 3D volumetric structure.

In this paper, we propose an anisotropic meta-material based on cellular rigid origami.


Lipases are an intriguing group of enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of carboxylic esters in water and the reverse reaction of ester synthesis in organic solvents. In water solutions, lipases transform water insoluble substrates. Possessing a mobile lid, which covers substrate binding site, lipases structure is specifically adjusted to non-polar substrates. Interestingly, a molecular dynamic study showed that an organic solvent promotes and stabilizes open lid structure of lipases [17] . Enzyme conversions of hydrophobic substrates can be facilitated by addition of non-polar organic solvents, however, loss of enzymatic activity promoted by solvent becomes factor of limitation in such conditions. On the other side, to be active in non-water environments appropriate for substrate solubilization, a certain amount of water is necessary for conformational mobility of enzymes. Delicacy of experimental conditions to achieve a certain lipase reaction demands a good balance of nature/properties and amount of organic solvent, amount of water and stability and amount of lipase. It is expected that immobilization of enzymes/lipases on nanostructured materials would improve their stability and protect its necessary conformational mobility in transformations of water non-soluble substrates in organic solvents.

Interestingly, a molecular dynamic study showed that an organic solvent promotes and stabilizes open lid structure of lipases.


The safe and cost effective way to manage medical waste disposal is through segregation into infectious and non-infectious categories. In this way, the general waste can be disposed of cost-effectively through normal channels and taken to landfill and infectious waste can be treated safely before final disposal [18] . This reduces the risks of infections and control of the costs involved in treatment [5] [19] . Segregation should always be the responsibility of the waste generator, and should take place at the point of generation, maintained in special colour-coded and labelled containers with tight fitted lids [20] .

In this way, the general waste can be disposed of cost-effectively through normal channels and taken to landfill and infectious waste can be treated safely before final disposal.

This reduces the risks of infections and control of the costs involved in treatment.

Segregation should always be the responsibility of the waste generator, and should take place at the point of generation, maintained in special colour-coded and labelled containers with tight fitted lids.


All medical waste management processes require proper planning and implementation by HWs of all levels [6] . Segregation of the medical waste by categories also depends on what HWs perceive on the risks posed by the waste categories [7] . Awareness among HWs on the diseases that can be transmitted through handling medical waste is a critical factor in minimizing infection transmission. To minimize risks, provision of medical waste handling infrastructure (which depend strongly on skills and commitment among hospital management team members), is of great importance.

All medical waste management processes require proper planning and implementation by HWs of all levels.

Segregation of the medical waste by categories also depends on what HWs perceive on the risks posed by the waste categories.


In the area of patient monitoring, the recording or self-reporting of patient health state or well-being has the potential to become ubiquitous through the use of Smartphone Apps. Furthermore, connection of Smartphones to sensors capable of physiological measurement (carried or wearable on/in the body or clothes, or present in the near environment) and storing or transmitting the data, promises to expand the established uses of medical 'remote' and 'ambulatory' monitoring based on conventional medical devices. These innovations should enable individuals to better monitor their own health, keep carers informed, or aid healthcare professionals in giving advice or informing treatments. Examples of applications in existence include self-reporting of physical health states or mood, behaviours (such as alcohol use) and those recording regular or continuous readings from devices (e.g. weight, level of exercise, blood glucose levels), entered either manually or through wireless connections. Another example of self-reporting that could transfer well to Smartphone technology is ecological momentary assessment, a methodology which highlights the benefits of repeated sampling in real time in subjects' natural environments [2] .

Another example of self-reporting that could transfer well to Smartphone technology is ecological momentary assessment, a methodology which highlights the benefits of repeated sampling in real time in subjects' natural environments.


Tests of the modified geometric hypothesis as well as the extended version of mirror symmetry that includes D-branes and their world-volume theories will need a worldsheet description of CY manifolds where both Kähler and complex moduli have simple realisations. The gauged linear sigma model (GLSM) is a suitable worldsheet description in this regard. As shown by Witten, this model has several phases of which the Calabi-Yau phase is one. Thus, the enlarged Kähler cone which is required by mirror symmetry naturally fits into the setup [24] . The price one pays for this choice is that conformal invariance on the worldsheet is obtained only at the infrared fixed point of the GLSM.

Thus, the enlarged Kähler cone which is required by mirror symmetry naturally fits into the setup.


Another question of interest is the nature of spacetime at short distances. It turns out that the answer is related to the kind of probe which is used. Given the democracy among all objects one can probe spacetime using both fundamental strings as well as solitons such as D-branes. Fundamental strings probe objects which are of the string scale l s while D-branes in perturbative string theory probe much shorter scales (g s ) a l s , where g s is the string coupling constant and a is a positive constant [3] . From earlier studies of closed strings, it is known that strings can propagate in apparently singular spaces such as orbifolds. D-brane probes see these space-time geometries in a manner different from that of closed string theories. For example, it was shown that for D0-brane probes of the orbifold C 3 /Γ (where Γ is a discrete subgroup of SU(3)), the non-geometric phases seen by the closed string are projected out [4] .

Fundamental strings probe objects which are of the string scale l s while D-branes in perturbative string theory probe much shorter scales (g s ) a l s , where g s is the string coupling constant and a is a positive constant.

For example, it was shown that for D0-brane probes of the orbifold C 3 /Γ (where Γ is a discrete subgroup of SU(3)), the non-geometric phases seen by the closed string are projected out.


While much is known about the nature of fundamental strings probing various space-time geometries, our understanding in the case of D-brane probes is in a much more primitive state, apart from the cases of flat space and toroidal and orbifold backgrounds. In the last couple of years, there has been considerable progress has been made in understanding D-branes in the context of string compactification on Calabi-Yau threefolds [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18] . Unlike the case of toroidal compactifications, these correspond to fewer unbroken supersymmetries and thus fewer constraints follow. For example, the BPS conditions leave open the possibility of having lines of marginal stability in the moduli space, where a D-brane can decay. A D-brane which fills the non-compact spacetime while also wrapping some cycle of the CY three-fold can possess a nontrivial superpotential in its worldvolume gauge theory. It is of interest to derive this superpotential and its dependence on closed string moduli.

In the last couple of years, there has been considerable progress has been made in understanding D-branes in the context of string compactification on Calabi-Yau threefolds.


In this paper we shall present a different approach, based on a Darboux-Wiener type result, Lemma 3.1, which serves as a powerful alternative to the Tauberian theorem. While we too consider the asymptotics of the generating function, we allow the parameter λ to be complex, and using Cauchy's formula we are able to completely avoid the monotonicity restriction imposed by the Tauberian theorem. In this way we prove the n 2 bound without additional symmetry conditions, and we actually obtain the exact asymptotics rather than just a bound. We also prove the conjecture in one dimension for random walks attracted to the symmetric Cauchy law. As a corollary we prove a functional central limit theorem for random walk in random scenery conjectured by Kesten and Spitzer [5] .

As a corollary we prove a functional central limit theorem for random walk in random scenery conjectured by Kesten and Spitzer.


Despite constituting an important functional feature to accommodate a rich and continuously changing stimulus-rich environment and maintaining flexible and adaptive postural control function, in many cases such intrinsic dynamics can be changed by prior knowledge, which was demonstrated long ago (Horak, Diener, & Nashner, 1989) . More recently, verbal information about visual manipulation also reduced induced body sway (Barela et al., 2009; Freitas Junior & Barela, 2004; Stoffregen et al., 2006) . Our results corroborate these previous findings in which we observed a reduction of gain values in the information and resisted conditions compared with the dynamic condition. Moreover, coherence values were also lower for the same comparison. Therefore, prior knowledge about visual manipulation reduced the coupling between visual information and body sway, indicating changes in the intrinsic dynamics of postural control functioning.

Despite constituting an important functional feature to accommodate a rich and continuously changing stimulus-rich environment and maintaining flexible and adaptive postural control function, in many cases such intrinsic dynamics can be changed by prior knowledge, which was demonstrated long ago.

More recently, verbal information about visual manipulation also reduced induced body sway.


The DPM seems to be the most suitable method for reliable k L a measurement in gas-liquid contactors. However, the drawback of the method is that it can be used only for physical absorption. In the presence of a chemical/biochemical reaction, a reaction enhancement factor needs to be considered in the models describing the mass transfer rate [8, 27, 28] . This become relevant especially when fast chemical/biochemical reactions take place. In the case of a reaction rate slower than the mass transfer rate, the enhancement factor is equal to unity and the volumetric mass transfer coefficient for physical absorption characterizes the mass transfer rate.

In the presence of a chemical/biochemical reaction, a reaction enhancement factor needs to be considered in the models describing the mass transfer rate.


Conventionally, different techniques exist for the design of digital filters. The simplest design of FIR (finite impulse response) filter is achieved using window method. In this method, ideal impulse response is multiplied with a window function [1] . The various available windows limit the infinite length impulse response of ideal filter into finite window to design an actual response. But windowing methods do not allow sufficient control of frequency response in the various frequency bands and other filter parameters such as transition width [2] . Furthermore, the windowing method does not permit individual control over approximate error in various bands. So, better filter result from minimization of maximum error in both stop band and pass band of the filter which leads to equiripple filters [3] . Such filters can be achieved using evolutionary methods. Since population based stochastic search methods have proven to be effective in multidimensional nonlinear environment.

In this method, ideal impulse response is multiplied with a window function.

But windowing methods do not allow sufficient control of frequency response in the various frequency bands and other filter parameters such as transition width.

So, better filter result from minimization of maximum error in both stop band and pass band of the filter which leads to equiripple filters.


Landforms of mined waste are the most obvious physical remnant of open pit mining operations. In many cases they represent a visually distinct, unnatural and high impact feature in the landscape and will remain a feature in perpetuity. Reflecting this, the landforms represent a significant element of closure and relinquishment, and it is important that they are safe, stable, non-polluting, appropriately vegetated and represent minimal ongoing environmental risk. However, in reality, in many cases development of landforms has involved only limited consideration of future closure requirements and at best has been based on known technologies of the day (Wright, 2006) . The key design focus has typically been to minimise haulage cost.

However, in reality, in many cases development of landforms has involved only limited consideration of future closure requirements and at best has been based on known technologies of the day.


It is well established that it is far more cost-effective to design and construct landforms that will meet closure requirements during operations, than to superimpose these when mining has been completed (Biggs, 2003) . Without planning, decisions made in the early stages of mine planning can significantly impact closure costs (Pulino et al., 2010) . If an appropriate landform planning approach is applied, then the process is commonly a compromise between constraints such as the area of land available, the availability of the materials as determined by the mine schedule, and the cost of haulage. The challenge of working with these constraints and still achieving the best possible design outcome for the landform is most easily addressed early in the planning stages.

It is well established that it is far more cost-effective to design and construct landforms that will meet closure requirements during operations, than to superimpose these when mining has been completed.

Without planning, decisions made in the early stages of mine planning can significantly impact closure costs.


Considering the motivational regulations of the adolescents investigated, higher values were observed for self-determined motivation, evident in the regulation identified and intrinsic motivation. It was also shown that non-selfdetermined motivations (external regulation and demotivation) displayed a negative correlation with satisfaction with the activity, but no correlation with physical activity level. These results are similar to those obtained in other studies, demonstrating a direct relationship between intrinsic motivation in physical education classes and the satisfaction with and desire to participate in future physical activities (Standage, Gillison, Ntoumanis, & Treasure, 2012; Teixeira, Carraça, Markland, Silva, & Ryan, 2012) .

These results are similar to those obtained in other studies, demonstrating a direct relationship between intrinsic motivation in physical education classes and the satisfaction with and desire to participate in future physical activities.


Dehydrogenase activity (DHA) has been proposed as a sensitive indicator for evaluating microbial oxidative activity in soils (Turgay et al., 2010; Serrano et al., 2009; Dawson et al., 2007) . Quantification of DHA in soil is made by measuring the amount of an artificial electron acceptor reduced by the microbial activity. Compounds such as soluble tetrazolium salts are reduced to red coloured formazans, which can be extracted and measured colorimetrically (Camin˜a et al., 1998; Shaw and Burns, 2006) .

Dehydrogenase activity (DHA) has been proposed as a sensitive indicator for evaluating microbial oxidative activity in soils.

Compounds such as soluble tetrazolium salts are reduced to red coloured formazans, which can be extracted and measured colorimetrically.


The CFU count for heterotrophic bacteria was influenced by soil properties and by hydrocarbon type. High organic matter and clay content, as found in Insch soils, may reduce the bioavailability of hydrocarbons through sorption and increase the enumeration compared to sandier, textured soils (Labud et al., 2007) . Soil pH is an important factor that can affect soil microorganism diversity (Killham, 2006) . Relatively low pH values (6.0-6.5) of Insch and Brechin soils are associated with higher heterotrophic bacteria CFU counts compared to the higher pH Boyndie soil (pH 7.5).

High organic matter and clay content, as found in Insch soils, may reduce the bioavailability of hydrocarbons through sorption and increase the enumeration compared to sandier, textured soils.

Soil pH is an important factor that can affect soil microorganism diversity.


For plate counts, it is known that zymogenous populations proliferate following addition of readily assimilated substrates at the expense of autochthonous groups (Killham, 2006) . Hydrocarbons in soil provide a source of C for microbial growth and this explains the high CFU for heterotrophic bacteria in freshly contaminated soils compared to control soils of all three types. The addition of N and P to nutritionally balance the incubated hydrocarbon amended treatments may also enhance the growth of zymogenous populations and increase CFU counts of heterotrophic bacteria compared to incubated controls (Margesin et al., 2000) .

For plate counts, it is known that zymogenous populations proliferate following addition of readily assimilated substrates at the expense of autochthonous groups.

The addition of N and P to nutritionally balance the incubated hydrocarbon amended treatments may also enhance the growth of zymogenous populations and increase CFU counts of heterotrophic bacteria compared to incubated controls.


We have proposed a novel approximation for K Distribution using associated Laguerre Polynomial to facilitate computation of analytical closed form expression for performance measures such as BER and Fade Probability. The advantage of this approximation is that it not only works fairly well in the region of interest but also forms expressions which are not obscured by complicated mathematical functions. This approximation can be viewed as a weighted sum of three Gamma PDF's which makes the analytical computation of all performance measures in FSO tractable. The low value of KL measure further confirms the accuracy of the proposed model. Based on Jaynes' Concentration Theorem, it is known that the distance between the approximate and exact PDF follows asymptotically χ 2 distribution [21] . This will enable to test the null hypothesis for a given level of statistical significance.

Based on Jaynes' Concentration Theorem, it is known that the distance between the approximate and exact PDF follows asymptotically χ 2 distribution.


A major challenging factor hampering the wide adoption of FSO is the atmospheric turbulence induced fading which is also known as scintillation [6] . Inhomogenieties in the temperature and pressure of the atmosphere leads to variation of the refractive index on account of atmospheric turbulence [7] . Due to the random fluctuations in the received signal FSO system performance degrades severely particularly over long ranges.

A major challenging factor hampering the wide adoption of FSO is the atmospheric turbulence induced fading which is also known as scintillation.

Inhomogenieties in the temperature and pressure of the atmosphere leads to variation of the refractive index on account of atmospheric turbulence.


The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project has provided researchers a rich database to study the molecular basis of cancer (Cancer Genome Atlas Research, et al., 2013) . Pan-cancer analyses enable a better understanding of the genomic commonalities and differences across tumor types and subtypes, which makes it possible to extend diagnosis and treatment from one cancer type to another with a similar genomic profile (Cline, et al., 2013) . RNA sequencing data and DNA methylation data have been widely investigated in pan-cancer analyses to identify cancer driver genes or biomarkers (Byron, et al., 2016; Gevaert, et al., 2015; Kulis and Esteller, 2010; Litovkin, et al., 2015; Tomczak, et al., 2015) . Many such studies on pan-cancer genomics require complete datasets (Champion, et al., 2018) . However, missing values are frequently present in these data due to various reasons including low resolution, missing probes, and artifacts (Baghfalaki, et al., 2016; Libbrecht and Noble, 2015) . Therefore, practical methods to handle missing data in pan-cancer genomic datasets are needed for effective downstream analyses.

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project has provided researchers a rich database to study the molecular basis of cancer.

Pan-cancer analyses enable a better understanding of the genomic commonalities and differences across tumor types and subtypes, which makes it possible to extend diagnosis and treatment from one cancer type to another with a similar genomic profile.

RNA sequencing data and DNA methylation data have been widely investigated in pan-cancer analyses to identify cancer driver genes or biomarkers.

Many such studies on pan-cancer genomics require complete datasets.

However, missing values are frequently present in these data due to various reasons including low resolution, missing probes, and artifacts.


Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have been developed into an effective scheme for the provision of large-scale projects which become essential pillar for economic growth (Liu & Cheah, 2009) . PPP, as a means to appeal for fund or to finance the project, has been successfully adopted in the development of asset-based industries, as well as in urban development. Within the PPP framework, public sector who takes the lead in large-scale projects for urban development and redevelopment adopts market-led strategy (Dormois, Pinson, & Reignier, 2005) . Such a strategy inevitably brings about various risks due to its market-driven nature. As most of large-scale projects in the courses of urban development and redevelopment have high risk profiles, both private and public sectors have great interest in balancing risk and return of the project (Leung & Hui, 2005) .

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have been developed into an effective scheme for the provision of large-scale projects which become essential pillar for economic growth.

Within the PPP framework, public sector who takes the lead in large-scale projects for urban development and redevelopment adopts market-led strategy.

As most of large-scale projects in the courses of urban development and redevelopment have high risk profiles, both private and public sectors have great interest in balancing risk and return of the project.


Third, some evidences are explored to support the price discovery between public and private housing (Ong & Sing, 2002) . The price of private housing is found to be positively correlated with that of public sector. Thus, the proportion of public housing defined by the public target determines the supply of public housing in a public-private project, which influences the pricing of public portion and eventually that of private portion. Besides, the construction costs of public housing proportionately count for the total construction costs. Thus, the proportion of public sector contributes a substantial part to the developer's financial burden.

Third, some evidences are explored to support the price discovery between public and private housing.


Among various large-scale schemes in urban development, the public housing is the one of most important solutions to the local government and community as it offers a feasible remedy to housing inequality. Public housing plays a prominent part in many countries, either developed or developing ones, during their urban development and sprawl (Aurand, 2013) . The local government adhering to the long-term sustainability regards the provision of public housing services to the society as one of its aims. In a majority of cases, the government develops a parcel of empty land to facilitate public housing supply.

Public housing plays a prominent part in many countries, either developed or developing ones, during their urban development and sprawl.


As discussed, PPP complicates the risk issues. On one hand, the private developer is confronted with the uncertainty of investment lag (Bar-Ilan & Strange, 1996) . On the other hand, the private sector has to evaluate the additional risk brought by the public housing. Hence, the private developer has an urgent demand to understand the risks stemming from the public target under market uncertainty, in order to work out optimal strategy prior to project development. Furthermore, the optimal strategy adopted by the private sector including the timing and quantity would affect the outcome of the project, and eventually the achievement of the public target.

On one hand, the private developer is confronted with the uncertainty of investment lag.


When working with PCG, it is necessary to review how the game designer sets the change in difficulty throughout the levels. Consider the case of a platformer game where the goal is to reach the end of the level by jumping gaps. Increasing the width of the gaps or placing several ones close to one another can increase the difficulty of the level. Because the designer has a direct contact with the arrangement of the gaps and can move them as desired, this becomes a spatial problem. However, if the same game contains procedural generated levels, the designer suddenly loses control over the space. When the level is generated at run time, there is no opportunity to judge a particular part of the level directly and modify it if necessary [4] .

When the level is generated at run time, there is no opportunity to judge a particular part of the level directly and modify it if necessary.


Worldwide, it is generally held that all stakeholders in education, including Governments, individuals and communities expect schools at all levels to produce educated persons for national and individual development. This expectation is higher at the University level which by its nature is expected to produce very high level quality manpower both for its educating functions and meeting the needs of the society for effective growth and development of every sector of the economy. It is also acknowledged that apart from the human resources, among the several factors which contribute to the achievement of the goals and objectives, adequacy of funding has been identified as possibly the most crucial in maintaining and improving the quality of education (Idialu & Idialu, 2012) . Despite the identification of funding as the key factor in positive transformation of the education most African Governments including Nigeria, and in particular, those persons in charge of education have not given explicit attention to funding the education industry.

It is also acknowledged that apart from the human resources, among the several factors which contribute to the achievement of the goals and objectives, adequacy of funding has been identified as possibly the most crucial in maintaining and improving the quality of education.


The studied area corresponds to the upper third of the Paraná River (Bonetto, 1986) (Fig. 1) . In this stretch, the last one inside Brazilian territory free of dams, there is an extensive floodplain on the west margin. This floodplain supports a great diversity of organisms (Agostinho et al., 2000) . Main impacts in the region are high biocide loads and pollution from domestic and agricultural activities, deforestation of riparian vegetation and, the most conspicuous, construction of dams. Dams have altered the natural water regime (floods) and removed portions of floodplains in the upper Paraná River basin. The remaining floodplain is a mosaic of habitats, with several canals and lagoons (connected or isolated). Isolated lagoons are heterogeneous in surface area, depth, distance from the main river, macrophyte cover and other features (Table 1) .

The studied area corresponds to the upper third of the Paraná River(Fig. 1).

This floodplain supports a great diversity of organisms.


The SSSF process consisted of a 4 h step of pure enzymatic pre-hydrolysis and a 92 h step where the conditions were intermediate for the hydrolysis and fermentation. The advantage is that the fermentation removes glucose from the solution which regulates the product inhibition of the enzymatic activity, especially for beta-glucosidase [35] . In Figure 2 the data obtained from the SSSF (sample from BS02 and BS04), relative to both glucose consumption and ethanol production, were plotted as a function of time. Despite the glucose concentration after 24 h being close to zero, the ethanol concentration persisted to grow, meaning that the enzyme's action on cellulose was working efficiently between 24 h and 96 h.

The advantage is that the fermentation removes glucose from the solution which regulates the product inhibition of the enzymatic activity, especially for beta-glucosidase.


Since cellulose was not degraded by the pretreatment, the PL after the SE was only analyzed in terms of total solubilized sugars from the hemicellulose. This value was used for determining the hemicellulose dissolved into the liquid. The percentages of hemicellulose recovered into the PL, the WIS, and its total recovery after the SE pretreatment are shown in Table 4 . The data in Table 4 show that the percentage of hemicellulose turning into WIS considerably dropped at an increasing severity factor. The %H r PL showed percentages equal to 17.86% for LogR 0 3.65 and at the same severity factor the amount of hemicellulose present in the WIS was 66.79%. At higher severity factors the hemicellulose recovered into the WIS started decreasing, but at the same time the %H r PL showed the same trend, suggesting its conversion into inhibitors such as furfural, 5-HMF, levulinic acid and formic acid [31] . Furthermore, after the SE pretreatment, it is desirable to recover as much hemicellulose as possible and at the same time deconstruct the lignocellulosic matrix. This condition might be verified by samples BS02 and BS03 that presented an amount of %Total H r equal to 44.76% and 25.74%, respectively. The enzymatic hydrolysis (S/L ratio of 1%) was performed twice and an aliquot of each sample was filtered and analyzed at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h by the HPLC system. This S/L ratio was chosen in order to determine the maximum enzymatically accessible cellulose. In order to describe the enzymatic hydrolysis, the conversion of cellulose into glucose with respect to time was plotted in Figure 1 .

At higher severity factors the hemicellulose recovered into the WIS started decreasing, but at the same time the %H r PL showed the same trend, suggesting its conversion into inhibitors such as furfural, 5-HMF, levulinic acid and formic acid.


Curve squeal noise is a high amplitude tonal noise, which often occurs when a train or tram negotiates a tight curve. Curve squeal is considered to be generated from the self-excited vibration of the wheel in one of its natural modes [1] . Although it has been studied for several decades, the mechanism behind curve squeal is still the subject of some controversy. Two main causes have been proposed and discussed in the literature: negative slope in the friction coefficient and 'mode coupling'. When a rail vehicle negotiates a sharp curve the leading wheelset exhibits a considerable yaw angle relative to the running direction, leading to a lateral sliding velocity at the wheel/rail contact [2] . The sliding velocity normalised by the running velocity is termed the creepage and has components in all three directions (two translations and one rotation) with each component giving rise to a creep force [3] . The adhesion coefficient is the ratio between the force in any of these directions and the normal force. This increases from zero with increasing creepage until it reaches saturation, at which point there is slip in the whole contact area and gross sliding occurs [4] . In some cases, for large creepages, the adhesion coefficient can decrease with further increase of creepage and the friction-creepage curve can thereby exhibit a negative slope [5] .

Curve squeal is considered to be generated from the self-excited vibration of the wheel in one of its natural modes.

When a rail vehicle negotiates a sharp curve the leading wheelset exhibits a considerable yaw angle relative to the running direction, leading to a lateral sliding velocity at the wheel/rail contact.

The sliding velocity normalised by the running velocity is termed the creepage and has components in all three directions (two translations and one rotation) with each component giving rise to a creep force.

This increases from zero with increasing creepage until it reaches saturation, at which point there is slip in the whole contact area and gross sliding occurs.

In some cases, for large creepages, the adhesion coefficient can decrease with further increase of creepage and the friction-creepage curve can thereby exhibit a negative slope.


The partial wave decomposition employed here should be distinguished from the usual partial wave decompositions in first-or second-quantized particle theories. We are forced to treat particles not as being point-like, but as forming a finite set of membranes that each take the shape of a partial wave. So, introducing a cut-off in would not restrict total angular momenta of all particles any way. Although these partial waves have a classical appearance, we insist that they form legitimate representations of our operator algebra. They can be interpreted as a reformulation of the coordinates of all particles entering and leaving the black hole, a number that is roughly equal to R 2 (in Planck units) [16] . The partial waves are then nothing but a band-limited mode decomposition as was described in Ref [17] .

They can be interpreted as a reformulation of the coordinates of all particles entering and leaving the black hole, a number that is roughly equal to R 2 (in Planck units).

The partial waves are then nothing but a band-limited mode decomposition as was described in Ref.


Finally, further supporting the interpretation that the QDSCs under study are limited by SRH recombination, Figure 7 compares the measured and simulated behavior of the integrated PL (IPL) versus the excitation power (P exc ): at T = 10 K, all the cells present a linear dependence of IPL with P exc (slope ∼ 1 in the log-log plot) regardless of doping, since they are dominated by the radiative recombination through the QDs. On the other hand, at T = 300 K, the undoped cell shows a superlinear dependence of IPL with P exc (slope ∼ 1.8 in the log-log plot), while the doped ones have again almost linear behavior. Our comprehension of the mechanism is that at T = 300 K nonradiative recombination through the barrier is an effective loss mechanism for photogenerated carriers that tends to be suppressed (or saturated) as the excitation power increases: thus, at low excitation power, IPL scales almost quadratically with P exc [18, 45, 46] . The introduction of doping changes the electrostatic potential and electrical field profiles of the cell in such a way that SRH recombination results minimized. As a result, the doped QD cells have again a radiative limited behavior and their IPL scales linearly with P exc .

Our comprehension of the mechanism is that at T = 300 K nonradiative recombination through the barrier is an effective loss mechanism for photogenerated carriers that tends to be suppressed (or saturated) as the excitation power increases: thus, at low excitation power, IPL scales almost quadratically with P exc.


It is known that the agro-technical measures are of great importance in maize production in the context of these measures is choice of hybrids and adequate application of nitrogen. Proper selection of hybrids that will in specific conditions of climate, soil and other environmental factors lead to achieve high and stable yields of maize is the first step on this path. In this respect, the modern hybrids, beside high genetic yield potential, are characterized by a higher tolerance to stress conditions. The newest hybrids submitted earlier and denser sawing, a more rational use of nutrients and better use of water (Stojaković et al., 1996; Živanović, 2005) .

The newest hybrids submitted earlier and denser sawing, a more rational use of nutrients and better use of water.


In the presence of additional invariance assumptions the angularity conjecture is known to be true in the following special cases: translation-invariant curvature measures on R n and isometry-invariant curvature measures in complex projective space CP n . Both results are due to Bernig, Fu, and Solanes [16] . The main result of this paper is Theorem 1.2. The angularity conjecture is true.

Both results are due to Bernig, Fu, and Solanes.

The angularity conjecture is true.


Evidence of the synergy between food-related health and citizenship is beginning to emerge. For example, in primary school settings climate change, biodiversity, animal welfare, local economic development, social justice and cultural regeneration aspects of food are topics that may create alternative routes for health education messages [17] . However, to date there has been little research on these initiatives in secondary schools. This is a setting that raises some specific challenges. Apart from competing educational pressures, schools have limited resources-including staff, funding and appropriate expertise-to promote active citizenship [18] . Staff report problems embedding new and prescriptively organized programmes into routine school life [19] . The aim of this paper is to understand the opportunities and challenges for the implementation of a food education and sustainability programme, the Food for Life Partnership (FFLP), and its relationship to student food citizenship learning.

For example, in primary school settings climate change, biodiversity, animal welfare, local economic development, social justice and cultural regeneration aspects of food are topics that may create alternative routes for health education messages.

Apart from competing educational pressures, schools have limited resources-including staff, funding and appropriate expertise-to promote active citizenship.

Staff report problems embedding new and prescriptively organized programmes into routine school life.


Although the mixed methods approach helps triangulate the findings, some measures are inherently subjective-so for example there was scope for an 'approval bias' in the responses of some staff closely engaged in the programme. It should also be recognized that the study period of 24 months may have been simply too short to capture changes in student behaviour that are longer term in character. This perspective certainly reflects wider learning from the outcome evaluations of complex community based interventions [22] .

This perspective certainly reflects wider learning from the outcome evaluations of complex community based interventions.


Whilst all of these explanations are likely to hold some water, the more direct evidence presented in this study points towards the organizational challenges of delivering a complex and ambitious programme in the secondary school setting. This poses some challenges for research, policy and programme development in this field. Clearly longer term, controlled studies would have value, although they are best warranted with an FFLP-type programme that has refined its theory base and blueprint for delivery [21] . For secondary schools, FFLP-type programmes may have greater impact when delivered as two tier initiatives that consist of (a) an overarching set of coordinated and long term school policy reforms and (b) highly focused, project driven interventions with discrete groups of students. This approach would assist the design of a monitoring and evaluation framework to track behavioral change for targeted students. Finally, for food citizenship initiatives to become more firmly embedded in schools, they need supportive school-level leadership and clear national policy drivers.

Clearly longer term, controlled studies would have value, although they are best warranted with an FFLP-type programme that has refined its theory base and blueprint for delivery.


Lisinopril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), congestive heart failure, and to improve survival after a heart attack. Lisinopril works by causing blood vessels to relax, lowering blood pressure and increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. For this reason it is also sometimes used, alongside other medicines, to treat circulatory problems associated with diabetes [3] - [5] .

For this reason it is also sometimes used, alongside other medicines, to treat circulatory problems associated with diabetes.


Stability testing is the primary tool used to assess expiration dating and storage conditions for pharmaceutical products. Many protocols have been used for stability testing, but most in the industry are now standardized on the recommendations of the International Conference on Harmonization [7] - [9] . These guidelines were developed as a cooperative effort between regulatory agencies and industry officials from Europe, Japan, and the United States.

Many protocols have been used for stability testing, but most in the industry are now standardized on the recommendations of the International Conference on Harmonization.


In view of developing an industrially feasible process, the focus of the present work was on maintaining desired product properties (for the intended applications) while accelerating and increasing the volumetric yield of the reaction. To achieve this, several process parameters were modified to enable scale-up while preserving the intensified process conditions. The focus was on increasing the ultrasound power-toslurry volume ratio, to improve the rate of crystal nucleation and crystal growth, thus allowing an increase in initial concentration of Ca(OH) 2 and in CO 2 flow rate to reach higher yields. An alternative source of calcium was also tested: calcium acetate (Ca(CH 3 COO) 2 ), which can be recovered from iron-and steel-making slags (De Crom et al., 2015) .

An alternative source of calcium was also tested: calcium acetate (Ca(CH 3 COO) 2 ), which can be recovered from iron-and steel-making slags.


Measuring systems destined for indication should meet a number of important requirements to be met to ensure the possibility of their diagnostic use. These includes: high precision sensors for the measurement of cylinder pressure, high speed and accuracy of measuring and recording of measured values, a reliable determination of the top dead center piston (TDC). These and other important issues cylinder pressure measurement were highlighted in many publications [3] [4] [5] [6] . Compliance with these requirements is particularly important when will be determined based on the indicator diagram of heat release characteristics for diagnostic purposes [7] [8] [9] [10] .

These and other important issues cylinder pressure measurement were highlighted in many publications.

Compliance with these requirements is particularly important when will be determined based on the indicator diagram of heat release characteristics for diagnostic purposes.


In order to provide specific course purpose it is significant that text that is used within a course is related to or from the learners' areas of specialization. There are two main divisions in context of which English is being learned for a specific purpose. Firstly, it has been identified that English is learned for overcoming occupational purposes (Gan, 2009) . Thus, English is being learned when students need to use it as part of their work.

Firstly, it has been identified that English is learned for overcoming occupational purposes.


On the other hand, another specific purpose for which English is being learned or students especially in the Saudi Engineering University are interested to learn because some students need English in their studies. For example, English for Science, Technology and Engineering is important and it helps students in serving various purposes that are connected with their specialization (Hartel & Vittori, 2010) . Therefore, students in the engineering field especially in Saudi Arabia, as a result of their professional needs are motivated towards learning English as it provides a stock of vocabulary items, grammatical forms and functions that are common to the study of Engineering.

For example, English for Science, Technology and Engineering is important and it helps students in serving various purposes that are connected with their specialization.


The subject's BMI was 21.92 ± 2.99 kg/m 2 , which showed the typical body type of Japanese people [13] . In the right side of the ventrogluteal site, measured DEUF values using an ultrasonography were 12.42 ± 5.26 mm, while those using a PoccoStick were 15.18 ± 8.77 mm. The latter showed significantly longer values. As for the left side, there was no significant difference. But in the dorsogluteal site, there were measurement values with differences of less than 2 mm, nine subjects on the left side and eight subjects on the right side showed a difference of more than 10 mm.

The subject's BMI was 21.92 ± 2.99 kg/m 2 , which showed the typical body type of Japanese people.


In many cases, intramuscular injections are given in the deltoid muscle and the gluteus medius muscle [5] . Anatomically, the gluteus medius muscle is a bulkier muscle compared to the deltoid muscle. When an intramuscular injection is administer using the ventrogluteal and dorsogluteal sites, physicians and nurses need to be aware that these sites are pathways of the sciatic nerve and superior gluteal nerve [3, 6, 7] .

In many cases, intramuscular injections are given in the deltoid muscle and the gluteus medius muscle.

When an intramuscular injection is administer using the ventrogluteal and dorsogluteal sites, physicians and nurses need to be aware that these sites are pathways of the sciatic nerve and superior gluteal nerve.


In the subjects with the measurement values using the PoccoStick was shorter compared to the ultrasonography, the injection solution might have been injected into subcutaneous layer onto the muscular fascia. In such situations, it is possible that this may impact the efficacy of the medicine and be one of the causes of induration, skin redness, and abscesses on injection sites [4] . In the subjects in which the measurement values using the PoccoStick was longer than that of the ultrasonographic value, caution is raised as the needle tip might reach the muscle layers, and/or it is at risk for damaging the iliac bone.

In such situations, it is possible that this may impact the efficacy of the medicine and be one of the causes of induration, skin redness, and abscesses on injection sites.


Intramuscular injection is an essential nursing technological skills with a high risk of arteriovenous injury or nerve injury [1] [2] [3] . Intramuscular injections require a deeper insertion into the target muscle, as compared to intracutaneous injections or subcutaneous injections, because the muscular layer is located under subcutaneous fatty tissues. As a result, medication efficacy and administration safety are difficult to control. In cases in which medications are injected into the subcutaneous tissue, manifested side effects, induration, skin redness, and abscesses may arise [4] .

Intramuscular injection is an essential nursing technological skills with a high risk of arteriovenous injury or nerve injury.

In cases in which medications are injected into the subcutaneous tissue, manifested side effects, induration, skin redness, and abscesses may arise.


In SMC, system closed-loop behavior is determined by a sub-manifold in the state space, which is called a sliding surface. The goal of the sliding mode control is to drive the system trajectory to reach the sliding surface and then to stay on it. When the trajectory is on the surface, system invariance to particular uncertainties and parameter variations is guaranteed. The trajectory's convergence from any point in state space towards the surface can be ensured with an appropriate choice of a reaching law [38] . The ideal sliding along the sliding surface can only be achieved when continuous-time SMC with very high switching frequency of the control signal is used. Since in real power system LFC control signal is sent to power plants in discrete time, a discrete-time sliding mode controller is used here. In discrete-time SMC system the trajectory could only be kept inside a small band around the sliding surface. Optimal parameters of the sliding surface and of the reaching law are obtained by an optimization procedure, which is conducted using genetic algorithm (GA).

The trajectory's convergence from any point in state space towards the surface can be ensured with an appropriate choice of a reaching law.


In BV-2 microglia cells, NO is generated by the inducible isoform of NO synthase (iNOS) and iNOS are responsible for the symptoms of many neuro-inflammatory diseases [16] . Thus, high levels of NO are produced from L-arginine by iNOS in the brain by prolonged activation of microglial cells, and this response is associated with the progression of various neurodegenerative diseases [17] . Our results clearly showed that IHE attenuated LPS-induced iNOS expression and downstream NO production. This result indicates that IHE acts principally by regulating NO generation at the post-transcriptional level and could be beneficial for preventing the progression of neuroinflammation by BV-2 microglial activation. Proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α are the initiators of the inflammatory response and the mediators of the development of chronic inflammatory diseases [18] . Therefore, the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines by activated microglia cell is a possible etiological factor of neurological disorders [19] . Microglial cell activation by LPS produces various cytokines including IL-6 leading to the attraction of neutrophils and the accumulation of neutrophilsecreted proteases and ROS at the site of inflammation. From our results, it appears that IHE may act by suppressing the expression of IL-6 protein levels and thereby inhibiting NO production and iNOS expression levels in LPSstimulated BV-2 cells.

In BV-2 microglia cells, NO is generated by the inducible isoform of NO synthase (iNOS) and iNOS are responsible for the symptoms of many neuro-inflammatory diseases.

Thus, high levels of NO are produced from L-arginine by iNOS in the brain by prolonged activation of microglial cells, and this response is associated with the progression of various neurodegenerative diseases.

Proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α are the initiators of the inflammatory response and the mediators of the development of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Therefore, the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines by activated microglia cell is a possible etiological factor of neurological disorders.


The most common cause of inflammatory responses is an exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria [12] . LPS-activated BV-2 microglia cells responses induction and secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators. Therefore, suppression of aberrant activation of BV-2 microglia cells may have valuable therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as AD and PD [13] .

The most common cause of inflammatory responses is an exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria.

Therefore, suppression of aberrant activation of BV-2 microglia cells may have valuable therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as AD and PD.


The present study demonstrated that IHE possesses an anti-neuroinflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia cells and antioxidant activity. IHE also exhibited significant antioxidant activity. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important causative factors in the development of age-related neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases [14] . Thus neutralization by antioxidants and radical scavengers can reduce neuroinflammation. It is well known that DPPH radical assay as one of the widely used methods for evaluating the free radical scavenging activities of several antioxidants in a relatively short period of time [16] . In our present study, IHE also exhibited significant free radical scavenging effect indicating that it might contain potential antioxidant agents. In our present study, the IHE exhibited significant free radical scavenging effect indicating that the Inula helenium might contain potential antioxidant agents.

Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important causative factors in the development of age-related neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.

It is well known that DPPH radical assay as one of the widely used methods for evaluating the free radical scavenging activities of several antioxidants in a relatively short period of time.


However, in a previous study [7,] we discovered that not all boundary breaks could be accounted by pause durations. We found from consistently annotated speech data of 2 speakers at slightly different speaking rate (220, 230ms/syllable) that higher level boundaries B4 and B5 all possessed pause duration over 330 ms (m=330, 520 ms for B4, SD=162, 124 ms; m=415, 595ms for B5, SD=209, 109 ms, respectively), indicating pause durations alone can be viewed as significant cues for BG and PG boundaries. However, boundary pause of B3 varied considerably in duration (from 17-585, 21-538ms at m=224/248ms, SD=150, 207ms, respectively) from 0 to over 350 ms across speakers, indicating pause durations alone are NOT sufficient for PPh boundaries. Therefore, to develop automatic speech segmentation or recognition, pause durations are adequate cues to locate B4 and B5; speech paragraphs as discourse units could be identified. Unfortunately, the rationale would not be applied to withinparagraph prosodic phrase boundaries B3 since it could not be located by pause duration. The question then is why PPh boundary break B3 varies so much in duration across speakers and yet is still perceived consistently across transcribers? Note nevertheless that the perception based annotation is it makes examination of signal-perception discrepancies possible, especially when perceptions are consistent across transcribers. We therefore hypothesis that there must be cues in the speech signal other than pause duration that are significant to PPh boundary, and are significant to the human ear as well. The same previous study also demonstrated by including boundary immediate prosodic state by one syllable of immediate B3 neighborhood, predictions of B3 were improved by 8.3% [7] . We therefore hypothesize now that B3 predictions can be further improved by including more neighborhood prosodic states in the prediction. In the following sections, we will show how the previous model is revised to accommodate more boundary immediate syllable duration allocation patterns along the time domain, as well as intensity distribution patterns, and compare newly obtained predictions from the same speech materials with those from the previous model.

The same previous study also demonstrated by including boundary immediate prosodic state by one syllable of immediate B3 neighborhood, predictions of B3 were improved by 8.3%.


One important issue was raised by the students. They suggested to apply the teaching strategies used in this course to other courses except for courses needed more explanations from teachers or practices. This result was similar to other studies that clinical nurses although appreciated online teaching, hoping to have more opportunities for hands-on practicing (Edwards et al., 2012) . Nursing is a profession requiring proficient skills. Therefore, while considering using blended course design, it is recommended to appraise characteristics of the course and obtain a balance between practicing, face-to-face lecture and skills demonstration, and online learning.

This result was similar to other studies that clinical nurses although appreciated online teaching, hoping to have more opportunities for hands-on practicing.


Appraisal of the Acrosomal integrity of spermatozoa is among one of most important gauge for the assessment of the serviceable grade of the membrane [27] . In the recent past, it has been documented that hasty cryocapacitation of spermatozoa with typical cryopreservation ahead of freezing is associated with alteration in the acrosomal integrity, resulting in the inability of the spermatozoa for fertilization of eggs [22] . Correspondingly, supplementation of α-tocopherol with a dose of 1.5 and 1 mg/mL in the current study has appreciably enhanced sperm acrosomal integrity in the semen extender for both Achai and Holstein Friesian. The obtained results in the current study were in accordance with the preceding findings in diverse mammalian species i.e. domestic pigs, bulls and boars [4, 19, 22, 28] . Thus taken together these elucidation in conjunction with obtained result in the current study, the most probable rational of advanced acrosome integrity rate might be due to the antioxidant characteristics of α-tocopherol that has been associated with maintenance of spermatozoa acrosomal integrity via diminution of the too much ROS formed throughout the cryopreservation procedure [20, 21] .

Appraisal of the Acrosomal integrity of spermatozoa is among one of most important gauge for the assessment of the serviceable grade of the membrane.

In the recent past, it has been documented that hasty cryocapacitation of spermatozoa with typical cryopreservation ahead of freezing is associated with alteration in the acrosomal integrity, resulting in the inability of the spermatozoa for fertilization of eggs.

The obtained results in the current study were in accordance with the preceding findings in diverse mammalian species i.e. domestic pigs, bulls and boars.

Thus taken together these elucidation in conjunction with obtained result in the current study, the most probable rational of advanced acrosome integrity rate might be due to the antioxidant characteristics of α-tocopherol that has been associated with maintenance of spermatozoa acrosomal integrity via diminution of the too much ROS formed throughout the cryopreservation procedure.


Understanding how people become informed and active citizens is a crucial goal of social science (Delli Carpini & Keeter, 1996) . Many studies link differentials in knowledge and civic participation to differentials in socioeconomic status (Gaziano, 1997; Hwang & Jeong, 2009; Tichenor, Donohue, & Olien, 1970; Viswanath & Finnegan, 1996) . Most of these studies support the knowledge gap hypothesis that posits that increases in information circulating within a social system tend to widen knowledge differentials between high and low status groups rather than lessen them over time (Tichenor, Donohue, & Olien, 1970) . Better understanding of these processes can help to decrease some of the impediments to democratic participation. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the processes that contribute to knowledge gaps occurring during the earliest stages of life by focusing on differentials in parents' childrearing knowledge as a major component of knowledge gaps and to invite communication researchers to consider conducting more work in this area.

Understanding how people become informed and active citizens is a crucial goal of social science.

Many studies link differentials in knowledge and civic participation to differentials in socioeconomic status.

Most of these studies support the knowledge gap hypothesis that posits that increases in information circulating within a social system tend to widen knowledge differentials between high and low status groups rather than lessen them over time.


The 1 H NMR, FT-IR, and GC/MS spectra of the product are shown and interpreted in this section. The boiling point of the obtained salicyladehyde is about 200°C. Fig. 3 shows the 1 H NMR (500 MHz) spectrum of salicylaldehyde. The multiple peaks appeared at the chemical shifts of 7-7.6 ppm could be assigned to aromatic protons. The sharp peak appeared at 9.9 ppm is due to the resonance of aldehyde proton. The sharp peak that is shown at the chemical shift 11.07 ppm could be assigned to the proton of phenolic hydroxyl group. There are many ways to investigate the orthoselectivity and conversion of this reaction using the 1 H NMR spectra. One of them could be the comparison of aldehyde and unreacted phenolic protons, and the other is the comparison of aldehyde and hydroxyl group of orthoformylated protons. Furthermore, 1 H NMR comparison against a reference standard confirms the formation of the desired product (Kasler, 1973; Silverstein et al., 2005) . The phenolic proton of unreacted phenol appeared at 4.02 ppm. Their integration values are too small to be accounted. The integration value of aldehyde protons is about 0.94 and for the phenolic one in orthoformylated product is about 0.92. These similarities imply on the high conversion of reaction. As a result it could be concluded that the conversion of reaction is very high. For studying of the selectivity one can see that there is any multiple peaks at the other positions of phenolic or aldehyde protons (i.e. meta and para). It could be deduced that the production of other formylated sequences is so few that it Figure 2 Proposed mechanism of salicyaldehyde production (Aldred et al., 1994) . Structural and orthoselectivity study of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde using spectroscopic analysis could not be considered (Kasler, 1973; Silverstein et al., 2005) .

Furthermore, 1 H NMR comparison against a reference standard confirms the formation of the desired product.

It could be deduced that the production of other formylated sequences is so few that it Figure 2 Proposed mechanism of salicyaldehyde production.

Structural and orthoselectivity study of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde using spectroscopic analysis could not be considered.


Neurofeedback is a brain training method which is related to electrical activity aspects of brain such as frequency, cerebral rhythm, and location or EEG activity extent. Neurofeedback is comprised of two aspects of active and passive. In active NF, there is a little external control factor (such as subject's intelligence role) which can affect the training factors, however, in the case of passive NF, volition is an inconspicuous role rather than the active one [6, 7] . An active method is encountered with some problems such as numerous of training sessions. The other problem is the absence of a clinical tool as an effective index of the patients' status in training procedure.

In active NF, there is a little external control factor (such as subject's intelligence role) which can affect the training factors, however, in the case of passive NF, volition is an inconspicuous role rather than the active one.


Although, some developments have occurred in recent years, there are some instruments and technologies such as TMS, tDCS and etc., which are used in psychological treatment applications [8, 9] . Therefore, if NF deficiencies removed using on-line and less side-effect and selective tool, NF could be more applicable for different purposes. Few papers confirm NF effectiveness in concentration, consciousness, attention even perception. However, the large number of sessions with medium effectiveness demonstrates that the traditional NF method does not give the required efficiency and capability yet [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] .

Although, some developments have occurred in recent years, there are some instruments and technologies such as TMS, tDCS and etc., which are used in psychological treatment applications.

However, the large number of sessions with medium effectiveness demonstrates that the traditional NF method does not give the required efficiency and capability yet.


Some of the researches believe that at some frequencies, ELF MF causes amplification of the frequency as the exposure field's one, in EEG signals which is called resonance phenomena [19, 20] . There are some researches on effects of very weak alternating magnetic fields upon living organisms and related variations in the ion concentrations within the cells when the frequency of the applied field matches the angular frequency and resonance phenomena investigations. Some papers focused on the cyclotron or Larmor frequency mechanism by which biological systems become sensitive to small static and resonating magnetic fields and existence of a resonating effect on ions. Table 1 summarized some of the ELF-MF cellular interactions and mechanism.

Some of the researches believe that at some frequencies, ELF MF causes amplification of the frequency as the exposure field's one, in EEG signals which is called resonance phenomena.


In order to be able to meet the third generation requirements, SCD has started two main programs about five years ago which are both based on the mature technology of planar InSb 2D arrays. The first one is focused on the signal processor which is bonded directly to the detection material, in this program we developed a family of digital readout integrated circuits (ROIC) with a 20-µm pitch which is called Sebastian [4, 5] . The first product of this program has a format of 640×512 and it was first introduced in 2003. Since then many detectors were produced and have been integrated successfully into systems. The second product consists of 480×384 elements and since 2004 it has been manufactured in SCD's production line [6] .

The first one is focused on the signal processor which is bonded directly to the detection material, in this program we developed a family of digital readout integrated circuits (ROIC) with a 20-µm pitch which is called Sebastian.

The second product consists of 480×384 elements and since 2004 it has been manufactured in SCD's production line.


ADHD frequently occurs with other health conditions including psychiatric and neurologic disorders [7] [8] [9] [10] . For example, depression occurs approximately five times more frequently among children/adolescents with ADHD than in the general population [11] . Approximately 60% of children with ADHD are also reported to meet diagnostic criteria for oppositional defiant disorder [11, 12] . Other conditions such as developmental coordination disorder, conduct disorder, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety disorder, tics, and substance abuse disorder also frequently coexist with ADHD [9, 12, 13] . The presence of multiple psychiatric comorbidities is associated with poorer psychological functioning and greater impairment in quality of life among patients with ADHD [8] .

ADHD frequently occurs with other health conditions including psychiatric and neurologic disorders.

For example, depression occurs approximately five times more frequently among children/adolescents with ADHD than in the general population.

Approximately 60% of children with ADHD are also reported to meet diagnostic criteria for oppositional defiant disorder.

Other conditions such as developmental coordination disorder, conduct disorder, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety disorder, tics, and substance abuse disorder also frequently coexist with ADHD.

The presence of multiple psychiatric comorbidities is associated with poorer psychological functioning and greater impairment in quality of life among patients with ADHD.


Due to the different chain length between CS backbone and quaternary ammonium moieties of the TM-Bz-CS and TM-CM-CS, it was postulated that TM-CM-CS would tightly bind to negatively charged sites more than those of TM-Bz-CS at the cell surfaces and tight junctions followed by enhanced transport through the paracellular pathway. From these results of in vitro studies, it could be explained why TM 65 CM 50 CS had a better effect on adjuvant activity in vivo study than TM 56 Bz 42 CS. In case of TM 53 Py 40 CS which was not observed on tight junction permeability and was not significantly different on immune response after oral administration, it could be possible that the steric hindrance of the N-pyridylmethyl group shielded the positive charges of the quaternary ammonium group on the GlcN of CS, and resulted in hindering the binding of the polymers to negatively charged sites at cell surfaces and tight junctions. Moreover, the positive charge in the pyridine ring could be delocalized by resonance effect, while the positive charges in methylated chitosan derivatives were fixed. The adjuvant activity of TM 65 CS was the lowest. This result was in agreement with the observations of a previous study which showed that TMC with 60 % of DQ showed a low immune response and no significant difference in comparison to control and lower DQ of TMC groups [15] .

This result was in agreement with the observations of a previous study which showed that TMC with 60 % of DQ showed a low immune response and no significant difference in comparison to control and lower DQ of TMC groups.


In recent years, considerable research has been focused on non-invasive delivery of vaccines. Among non-invasive routes, vaccination by the oral route remains the preferred route for non-injectable vaccination due to its convenience for both patients and practitioners. However, poor immunogenicity and impaired antigen delivery still remain to be improved. Diverse strategies have been developed to improve the bioavailability of vaccines. Some focused on adjuvants that boost the potency and longevity of a specific immune response to antigens, causing only minimal toxicity or long-lasting immune effects on their own. The mechanism of action of an adjuvant is mainly either as an immunostimulant or as a delivery system [1] .

The mechanism of action of an adjuvant is mainly either as an immunostimulant or as a delivery system.


It is well known that CS solutions cause a significant and dose-dependent decrease of TEER of the Caco-2 cell monolayers by acting on negatively charged sites at the cell surfaces and tight junctions, and it has been shown that CS is able to induce changes in F-actin distribution [13] . The interaction of CS with the cell membrane results in a structural reorganization of tight junction-associated proteins, followed by enhanced transport through the paracellular pathway. Therefore, binding of CS to Caco-2 cells precedes absorption enhancement, and this increase in absorption is mediated by the positive charges on the polymer [14] . However, cationic polymers have been known to be cytotoxic materials. As a result, CS derivatives containing quaternary ammonium functionality in addition to different hydrophobic substitutions were excellent candidates for novel absorption enhancers. Because of the amphiphilic nature of the cell membrane, an increase in the interaction between the cell membrane and the CS derivative could be favored and safer. Recently, our research group successfully synthesized modified chitosans, methylated  N-(4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzyl) chitosan (TM-Bz-CS), methylated N-(4-N,N-dimethylaminocinnamyl) chitosan (TM-CM-CS) and methylated N-(4-pyridinylmethyl) chitosan (TM-Py-CS). These modified CS were synthesized by the covalent bond formation between the primary amino groups of CS and N-aryl group to provide a hydrophobic moiety. Thereafter, the methylation of the CS molecule containing hydrophobic moieties was carried out using iodomethane to render CS soluble. They showed in vitro absorption enhancing properties to hydrophilic macromolecules on tight junction permeability at pH 7.4 in a dose-dependent effect. Our studies demonstrated that these modified CS have the potential to be used as an absorption enhancer of therapeutic macromolecules, and the chemical structure and the positive charge location play an important role for absorption enhancement [6] [7] [8] .

It is well known that CS solutions cause a significant and dose-dependent decrease of TEER of the Caco-2 cell monolayers by acting on negatively charged sites at the cell surfaces and tight junctions, and it has been shown that CS is able to induce changes in F-actin distribution.

Therefore, binding of CS to Caco-2 cells precedes absorption enhancement, and this increase in absorption is mediated by the positive charges on the polymer.

Our studies demonstrated that these modified CS have the potential to be used as an absorption enhancer of therapeutic macromolecules, and the chemical structure and the positive charge location play an important role for absorption enhancement.


In general, there are two distinctive pathways to allow the transport of antigen into the lymphoid tissue, depending on the nature of antigen. Soluble antigen may be able to penetrate the intestinal epithelium into the lamina propria (LP), and may interact with the antigen presenting cells (APCs) such as macrophages and dendritic cells. The APCs migrate to the lymph node where the antigen is presented to the T cells as a start of the activation of the IgG immune response cascade. In contrast, antigen in particulate form is largely taken up by M-cells for transportation to gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), and is subsequently transferred to underlying APCs for the initiation of antigen-specific mucosal sIgA and IgG responses [18, 19] .

In contrast, antigen in particulate form is largely taken up by M-cells for transportation to gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), and is subsequently transferred to underlying APCs for the initiation of antigen-specific mucosal sIgA and IgG responses.


Two-phase flow is a particular class of multiphase flow that is limited to the relative motion of two phases of immiscible fluids with different physical properties. It is common in many industrial applications such as power generation, oil and gas transportation and combustion systems. The prediction of liquid holdup and pressure drop in two-phase pipe flow is of vast importance during the design and operation stages in all applications to ensure the fluid system does not deviate from its operational envelope and cause damage to personnel, plant and equipment. Currently, steady-state hydrodynamic modelling is a technique that is widely used to help explain the behaviour and characteristics of two-phase flow [1] .

Currently, steady-state hydrodynamic modelling is a technique that is widely used to help explain the behaviour and characteristics of two-phase flow.


It is evident that teaching how to use language in classroom setting is not a simple task that could be changed readily. Learning a second/foreign language is a holistic process that requires not just the mastery of structural, discoursal, and strategic rules but also, learners have to internalize sociolinguistic rules to assist them in the choice of appropriate forms (Yu, 2006) . This study, therefore, aims to highlight these issues by investigating native and nonnative English teachers' perceptions of the knowledge and practice of sociolinguistic competence as part of communicative competence in language classrooms. Based on the data obtained thorough a questionnaire and written reports, the present research examines and discusses the crucial points English teachers should be aware of while teaching this particular competence in their classroom.

Learning a second/foreign language is a holistic process that requires not just the mastery of structural, discoursal, and strategic rules but also, learners have to internalize sociolinguistic rules to assist them in the choice of appropriate forms.


Addressing and preventing operational failures has the potential to improve organizational performance (Tucker 2004) . Incident reporting systems are designed to facilitate process improvement by systematically capturing operational failures. But little is known about the extent to which organizations use incident reports for problem solving, which incidents trigger frontline problem solving, and whether 13 We were unable to classify into our typology 27% of manager actions (10 of 37) such as loss of reputation and cost incurred. As a result, when an incident had one or more manager actions none of which we could classify, we coded depth of management-reported problem solving as missing. This resulted in 17 incidents for which we were unable to classify problem solving actions as shallow or deep.

Addressing and preventing operational failures has the potential to improve organizational performance.


We develop hypotheses that suggest that frontline workers are more likely to engage in problem solving when operational failures pose financial or liability risk. Responding to such operational failures might enable workers to mitigate or even avoid then in the future. We further argue that frontline workers are more likely to invest effort in problem solving when incidents occur in contexts in which managers demonstrate their commitment to problem solving. Prior research on management practices designed to involve workers in problem solving has examined practices employed by incident report analysts, but not by line managers (Macrae 2008) . We examine two manifestations of managerial commitment: managerial communication campaigns that encourage problem solving, and managerial engagement that models desired problem solving behaviors. Finally, we suggest that these two forms of managerial commitment might substitute for or complement one another in the promotion of frontline problem solving.

Prior research on management practices designed to involve workers in problem solving has examined practices employed by incident report analysts, but not by line managers.


Although some researches have reported the alteration of CBS expression in UUO models, almost all the studies focused on the role of H 2 S instead of CBS [48, 49] . The exogenous H 2 S, released via sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), can ameliorate damage associated with short-term ureteral obstruction，but the reno-protective effect was depending on the direct increasing of H 2 S or enhancement of CBS or both of them remained to be elucidated. Moreover, NaHS generates supra-physiological quantities of H 2 S spontaneously in solution and has a half-life of only 15 minutes, which make it difficult to be a potential drug. Researcher claims that future studies might focus on the potential to intervene fibrosis by targeting the pathway of endogenous H 2 S-producing enzymes [44] . However, the relationship between CBS and TIF remained to be determined. This study intended to elucidate the role and mechanism of CBS in renal interstitial inflammation and TIF.

Although some researches have reported the alteration of CBS expression in UUO models, almost all the studies focused on the role of H 2 S instead of CBS.

Researcher claims that future studies might focus on the potential to intervene fibrosis by targeting the pathway of endogenous H 2 S-producing enzymes.


Renal fibrotic disorders are generally refractive to current therapies [3] . However, the concrete and fundamental mechanisms of renal inflammation remain elusive and effective drugs are scarce. Despite the importance of inflammation in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, the pathogenesis of renal inflammation has not been fully explained until now, it is believed to involve some novel proteins, mechanisms, or drug targets associated with the inflammation in the pathogenesis of TIF.

Renal fibrotic disorders are generally refractive to current therapies.


Even in the scalar case commutators are more singular and do not satisfy weak (1, 1) bounds. Rather, the natural endpoint condition involves an L log L estimate: see Pérez and Pradolini [24, 25] . Let Φ(t) = t log(e + t); then we have the following result.

Rather, the natural endpoint condition involves an L log L estimate: see Pérez and Pradolini.


With the proliferation of multi-and many-core platforms in the electronics market, the embedded system industry is experiencing an unprecedented trend towards integrating multiple applications into a common platform. The migration from single-core to multi-core designs affects even safety-critical domains, such as avionics and automotive. In such domains, applications are characterized by discrete safety criticality levels, as defined e.g., by the DO-178C avionics standard [17] . Integration of applications with different safety criticality has led to the design of so-called mixed-criticality systems, which has been a prominent research topic in recent years [12] . Nonetheless, a complete and sound methodology for successfully integrating mixed-criticality applications on (shared-memory) multicores remains by and large an open problem. Some of the challenges are listed below.

In such domains, applications are characterized by discrete safety criticality levels, as defined e.g., by the DO-178C avionics standard.

Integration of applications with different safety criticality has led to the design of so-called mixed-criticality systems, which has been a prominent research topic in recent years.


This article reported the first study of beliefs about the cause of JIA in adolescents (aged 1116 years) at first presentation to a rheumatologist and investigated whether they are associated with a number of factors including age, source of referral, gender, ethnicity, subtype and severity. In rheumatology, the role of beliefs is now recognized as an important influence on behavioural responses to diagnosis and treatment [22] . For example, a belief that arthritis is caused by trauma may lead to reluctance to engage in physical activity. In the current study, analysis of the categories of perceived cause showed that the majority (50.8%) of participants believed that the cause of their JIA was their genetics or immune system. This would be expected as adolescents (aged 1116 years) should have reached the formal operational phase of cognitive development that is associated with a basic understanding of the pathophysiology of disease [23] . It may also reflect their educational experiences, as at this age, the national school curriculum starts to include causes of disease in biology.

In rheumatology, the role of beliefs is now recognized as an important influence on behavioural responses to diagnosis and treatment.

This would be expected as adolescents (aged 1116 years) should have reached the formal operational phase of cognitive development that is associated with a basic understanding of the pathophysiology of disease.


However, SET is perhaps the most reliable index to express the warmness of a thermal environment since it takes into account all six parameters affecting the thermal sensation: air temperature, meant radiant temperature, humidity, air velocity, metabolic rate, and clothing value. On the other hand, the humidex, the lesser-known thermal index, is a temperature-humidity index, which takes into account the combination effect of air temperature and humidity. This index was introduced in 1979 by Masterson and Richardson and was initially used for weather forecasting in Canada [20] .

This index was introduced in 1979 by Masterson and Richardson and was initially used for weather forecasting in Canada.


In this work, we demonstrate an innovative GaN-based µLED array configuration combining a common p-electrode with individually addressable n-electrodes. Compared with a conventional µLED array, this design employs a reversed common and individual electrode structure, which minimises the series-resistance differences from conductive paths and provides compatibility with NMOS transistor-based CMOS drivers. We have furthermore developed the fabrication process and describe how the various challenges in the fabrication of GaN-based LED arrays with individual n-electrodes can be addressed. We have improved the performance, the proportion of working µLED elements per array (referred to as µLED element yield from here on) and the uniformity of electrical/optical characteristics in comparison with our earlier work [7] , [15] . Example arrays fabricated from a commercial blue LED wafer on sapphire show performance characteristics confirming the potential of the approach. At 450 nm, over 2.0 mW optical power and 440 MHz E-O modulation bandwidth are achieved for a single µLED element of 24 µm diameter at 17.7 kA/cm 2 operating current density.

We have improved the performance, the proportion of working µLED elements per array (referred to as µLED element yield from here on) and the uniformity of electrical/optical characteristics in comparison with our earlier work.