This study investigates the relationships among interpartner resource alignment, absorptive capacity, U-I collaboration, and firms' knowledge transfer performance, as shown in Figure 1 . Table 1 shows the means, standard deviations, and correlations for all the variables measured in this study. The values of variance inflation factors (VIFs) associated with each of the predictors are within a range from 1.221 to 1.592, with a mean of 1.428. The effects of multicollinearity are within acceptable limits, suggesting no need for concern with respect to multicollinearity (Hair et al., 1998) . Table 2 displays the results of the regression analyses of the effects of resource alignment and absorptive capacity on U-I interaction. Models 1a and b in Table 2 are the base models that include the three control variables. They indicate that this combination of variables does not have any significant effect on the dependent variable (F = 1.09, R 2 = 0.03; F = 1.45, R 2 = 0.04). Models 2a and b capture the effects of resource alignment on U-I interaction. These two models are significant at the p < 0.001 level (F = 7.56, R 2 = 0.25; F = 6.25, R 2 = 0.22) and explain an additional 22 and 18% of variance over what the control variables alone explain, respectively. The coefficients for resource utilization are positive and statistically significant for trust (p < 0.001) and for coordination (p < 0.001), indicating that firms would achieve a higher degree of U-I interaction if they developed better interpartner resource alignment. Conversely, resource similarity is statistically insignificant for trust and coordination. These findings partially support H 1 -that resource alignment is positively related with U-I interaction.

The effects of multicollinearity are within acceptable limits, suggesting no need for concern with respect to multicollinearity.


Moreover, firms' attempts to be self-sufficient in creating knowledge are quite risky, with a significant chance of not being successful, whereas, working with universities, academics, and research institutions can considerably improve their chances of gaining valuable knowledge. Successful companies are able to create knowledge within their boundaries as well as expose themselves to a variety of new knowledge from outside in order to prevent rigidity and encourage reshaping of their own competencies (Leonard-Barton, 1995; Gold et al., 2001; Chen and Lin, 2003) . Therefore, a firm's competitive advantage increasingly depends not only on its internal capacities and resources, but also on the external collaborations that it pursues, with universities and research institutions often providing key knowledge and and abilities that would otherwise be inaccessible (Parkhe, 1991; Barnes et al., 2002) . University-industry (U-I) collaboration thus constitutes perhaps the most appropriate, but challenging, vehicle for internalizing the competencies of each side of the partnership, and such partnerships are becoming an essential feature of many firms' overall corporate strategy.

Successful companies are able to create knowledge within their boundaries as well as expose themselves to a variety of new knowledge from outside in order to prevent rigidity and encourage reshaping of their own competencies.

Therefore, a firm's competitive advantage increasingly depends not only on its internal capacities and resources, but also on the external collaborations that it pursues, with universities and research institutions often providing key knowledge and and abilities that would otherwise be inaccessible.


Spin foam models aim at providing a description of the microscopic structure of spacetime and thus a theory of quantum gravity [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] . These models can be understood as a non-perturbative definition of the path integral for quantum gravity. To make these path integrals well defined one has to introduce a regularization based on a choice of discretization, i.e. a lattice or, more generally, a triangulation or two-complex. Indeed, spin foams can be understood as generalized lattice gauge theories.

Spin foam models aim at providing a description of the microscopic structure of spacetime and thus a theory of quantum gravity.


In 2009, the South African EPI schedule was revised, with the introduction of among others, pneumoccocal conjugate vaccine (PCV), an injectable given at 6 and 14 weeks. This addition therefore increased the number of injections to three at the 6 and 14 week immunisation visits. The South African Vaccinators Manual also specified that both the PCV and Hepatitis B injections should be administered intramuscularly in the right thigh, and the DTaP-IPV/Hib injection in the left thigh of infants under one year of age [8] . The aim of this study was to determine the acceptability and acceptance of three injection vaccinations during a single immunisation visit in SA, to contribute to policy on multiple vaccine injections in LMIC settings.

The South African Vaccinators Manual also specified that both the PCV and Hepatitis B injections should be administered intramuscularly in the right thigh, and the DTaP-IPV/Hib injection in the left thigh of infants under one year of age.


In Holland and his colleagues' research into attrition loss on the same kind of aggregate, control concrete with W/C ratio of 0.45 had 6.9% attrition loss after 72 hours of attrition application. It was established that, under the same conditions, concrete that had silica fume as 17.6% of cement's volume and W/C ratio of 0.53 had 5% and concrete that had silica fume as 42.9% of cement's volume and W/C ratio of 0.21 had 2.2% of attrition loss [11] . According to Jahren, fresh concrete with silica fume additive decomposes less and has fewer settling cracks, while its adhesiveness is caused by the increase of its paste viscosity and density. Mineral additives that have high fineness prevent or substantially decrease perspiration in fresh concrete. Because the very high specific surface silica fume absorbs a part of free water, perspiration decreases [12] . Meland, in his research, has observed that silica fume added in 10% and 20% ratios in place of cement decreases the total hydrotation heat in the first two days [13] . According to Yeginobalı, Sellevold, and Radj, silica fume particles in the state of small spheres improve granulometry and increase the amount of free water by exchanging places with water between the larger cement particles. Despite this positive effect, because of the very large silica fume particles total area to be moistened, the requirement for water increases in proportion to silica fume [14, 15] . According to many researchers, the positive effect of silica fume additive to concrete's compressive strength is a result of strengthening aggregate-paste transition areas. On the other hand, it has been suggested that one of the most important factors is formation of compressed and high quality cement paste. Silica fume is an important element in improvement of concrete resistance. Silica fumes make concrete more resistant by blocking paste-aggregate transition areas [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] .

It was established that, under the same conditions, concrete that had silica fume as 17.6% of cement's volume and W/C ratio of 0.53 had 5% and concrete that had silica fume as 42.9% of cement's volume and W/C ratio of 0.21 had 2.2% of attrition loss.

Because the very high specific surface silica fume absorbs a part of free water, perspiration decreases.

Meland, in his research, has observed that silica fume added in 10% and 20% ratios in place of cement decreases the total hydrotation heat in the first two days.

Despite this positive effect, because of the very large silica fume particles total area to be moistened, the requirement for water increases in proportion to silica fume.

Silica fumes make concrete more resistant by blocking paste-aggregate transition areas.


Straggler Mitigation Techniques. Many prior proposals attempt to improve task completion times through various straggler mitigation techniques (e.g., re-issuing the request) [7, 18] . These techniques are orthogonal to our work as they focus on non-scheduling delays, such as delays caused by slow machines or failures, while we focus on the delays due to the resource sharing policy.

Straggler Mitigation Techniques.

Many prior proposals attempt to improve task completion times through various straggler mitigation techniques (e.g., re-issuing the request).


The efficiency of the HCCI engine has previously been shown by a number of experiments. Parts of the experiments have been complemented by numerical studies modeling the engine as a plug flow reactor (PFR) [1] [2] . In these simulations the ignition delay times for a set of different parameters were investigated. The results indicate that local inhomogeneities are responsible for differences between measurements and simulation results.

Parts of the experiments have been complemented by numerical studies modeling the engine as a plug flow reactor (PFR).


The highly regular EOD interval series displayed during courtship behaviour were similar to the discharge patterns of probing motor acts (same range of interval lengths). The motor displays resembled the 'exploratory backward swimming'. This suggests an evolutionary relationship between courtship displays and probing motor acts; this may seem less strange when considering that courtship takes place at night. At the same time, an important role of discharge latencies cannot be excluded. From P. adspersus (isidori) & sexual dimorphism of latency-related discharge behaviour is known, males preferring latencies of about 12 ms and females avoiding them (LUCKER & KRAMER 1981) . Similar preferred latencies were seen in both sexes in M. senegalensis during a short courtship episode (Fig. 8) .

From P. adspersus (isidori) & sexual dimorphism of latency-related discharge behaviour is known, males preferring latencies of about 12 ms and females avoiding them.


The accurate diagnosis of a diseased state relies on the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient data [1] . Clinical parameters that are used to describe the health condition of a patient are often defined as concentrations of specific metabolites and (regulatory) proteins that reflect the dynamics of disease-relevant biochemical pathways in the body. Standard clinical chemistry assays such as for glucose, insulin and triglyceride levels have long been used for the diagnosis and medical management of metabolic diseases and related co-morbidities [2, 3] . However, research in the past decades have shown that many common diseases are rather heterogeneous in many aspects, suggesting an urgent need for better tools facilitating disease prediction and diagnostics.

The accurate diagnosis of a diseased state relies on the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient data.

Standard clinical chemistry assays such as for glucose, insulin and triglyceride levels have long been used for the diagnosis and medical management of metabolic diseases and related co-morbidities.


The occurrence of stratiform clouds in the upper troposphere is well reproduced by the ECMWF prognostic cloud scheme. Radiosonde humidity measurements, lidar observations of ice clouds and prognostic model output thus provide a consistent picture of the occurrence of stratiform cirrus clouds at mid-latitudes. The correlation between observed total OD of ice clouds and modeled ice water path indicates that changes in the optical depth of a thin cirrus is primarily linked to the particle size. Stratiform cirrus clouds seem to be composed of a relatively small number (10 particles per litre) of large particles with effective radii on the order of 10 µm for subvisible clouds and over 100 µm for thick cirrus with OD around 1. Our results contrast the large amount of small particles that were found in cirrus clouds formed by strong dynamical forcing like jet streams or orographic waves (Gayet et al., 2006) .

Our results contrast the large amount of small particles that were found in cirrus clouds formed by strong dynamical forcing like jet streams or orographic waves.


Environment and resource issues are the hot spot and new focus of games in the 21st century. Efforts of all countries in the world on energy conservation and emission reduction have become one of the most efficient methods to win the competition for economic strength and the dominance of the rules governing international trade. In particular, the issue of global warming has received increasing attention. Since the main cause of global warming is carbon dioxide emissions, controlling carbon emissions has become an effective way to curb global warming (http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/gsteps.asp). With the popularity of carbon footprint and the improvement of consumer's awareness of environmental protection, consumers are concerned about the product's carbon emissions besides the price [1] . Researchers recognize that consumers are passionate about the product's carbon footprint labeling and willing to pay higher prices than regular products [2, 3] . In the face of carbon sensitive consumers, enterprises will invest in green technology to improve their own profits [4] .

With the popularity of carbon footprint and the improvement of consumer's awareness of environmental protection, consumers are concerned about the product's carbon emissions besides the price.

Researchers recognize that consumers are passionate about the product's carbon footprint labeling and willing to pay higher prices than regular products.

In the face of carbon sensitive consumers, enterprises will invest in green technology to improve their own profits.


Emotion expresses the psychological state of humanity. The emotional speech recognition system is related to the recognition of human emotion conveyed in speech. Speech production is substantially affected by the different emotional states of the speaker [21] . The presence of different emotions can be determined by several parameters in speech signal features.

Speech production is substantially affected by the different emotional states of the speaker.


In human communication, information conveyed through speech usually comes along with the emotion of the speaker. Effective interaction is not just focused on what the contents of the information delivered but also how the information is presented to accomplish the natural communication [1] . Human's speech basically has various emotional states such as happiness, sadness, fear, anger, boredom, disgust, surprise and neutral. Emotions are very important in producing effective communication. Improper emotions delivered may lead to wrong perception and thus give ineffective interaction. With the advancement of today's technology, computer application can be programmed to understand human emotion in the better way of HCI.

Effective interaction is not just focused on what the contents of the information delivered but also how the information is presented to accomplish the natural communication.


In the kidneys, TDF destabilises the re-absorptive capacity and secretory function of the proximal tubules resulting in the loss of filtered compounds such as glucose, proteins and phosphate in the urine, coupled with the reduced secretion of protons and TDF [11] . Recent evidence suggests that TDF-associated proximal tubulopathy is due to mitochondrial toxicity. This evidence is founded on biopsy results that have shown mitochondrial damage in the proximal tubular cells in patients with renal insufficiency while taking TDF-containing ART. It is believed that inhibition of mitochondrial DNA-polymerase gamma, an NRTIclass related mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction, underlies TDF-associated proximal tubulophathy [1, 11, 12] .

In the kidneys, TDF destabilises the re-absorptive capacity and secretory function of the proximal tubules resulting in the loss of filtered compounds such as glucose, proteins and phosphate in the urine, coupled with the reduced secretion of protons and TDF.

It is believed that inhibition of mitochondrial DNA-polymerase gamma, an NRTIclass related mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction, underlies TDF-associated proximal tubulophathy.


An in vitro study involving laser stimulation of cultured murine DRG cells demonstrated that low level laser irradiation suppresses action potentials induced by Bradykinin, suggesting that the LLLT may block the conduction of nociceptive signals in primary afferent neurons [30] . However, the application of LLLT to compressed dorsal root ganglia has not been well investigated, and studies addressing the effects of LLLT on the DRG for the purpose of relieving neuropathic pain are not common in the literature. In the present study, a rat CCD model was used to evaluate the effects of LLLT applied directly to the injured DRG. The levels of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-a and IL-1b were significantly reduced after 8 days of LLLT. Furthermore, behavioral tests showed that hyperalgesia in response to both mechanical and thermal stimuli were reduced after only 4 consecutive days of LLLT. These findings suggest that LLLT applied to chronically compressed dorsal root ganglia may alleviate neuropathic pain by reducing the inflammatory response. However, our data did not show time dependency of functional recovery after LLLT. Our previous study showed that LLLT can suppress inflammation response by modulating intracellular cyclic AMP level and NFkappaB activity in a very short time (!24 h) [22] . We demonstrated that LLLT suppresses the CCD-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines in Fig. 3 . One of the possible reasons is LLLT decreased inflammation response and swelling around compressed DRG within 4 days, which effectively decreased the mechanical and thermal thresholds in the CCD+LLLT group. Therefore, further work will be necessary to observe the functional recovery in day 1 to day 4 after CCD and to determine the correlation between functional recovery and the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines.

An in vitro study involving laser stimulation of cultured murine DRG cells demonstrated that low level laser irradiation suppresses action potentials induced by Bradykinin, suggesting that the LLLT may block the conduction of nociceptive signals in primary afferent neurons.

Our previous study showed that LLLT can suppress inflammation response by modulating intracellular cyclic AMP level and NFkappaB activity in a very short time (!24 h).


The clinical significance of CSVD in our study was substantiated by the finding that mild CSVD was associated with HAND even after statistically adjusting for vessel mineralization, HIV encephalitis, microglial nodular lesions, white matter lesions, or older age. Nonetheless, with moderate/severe CSVD, the apparent trend toward higher likelihood of HAND did not reach statistical significance. It is possible that a subset of neurocognitively impaired HIV-infected patients who concurrently had neurological or imaging evidence of cerebrovascular disease were not diagnosed with HAND by definitional criteria, but were instead included, together with those having other neurological comorbidities (e.g. history of moderate or severe head injury, history of learning disability, brain opportunistic diseases, and severe substance use disorders), in a category of neuropsychological impairment due to other causes [46] .

It is possible that a subset of neurocognitively impaired HIV-infected patients who concurrently had neurological or imaging evidence of cerebrovascular disease were not diagnosed with HAND by definitional criteria, but were instead included, together with those having other neurological comorbidities (e.g. history of moderate or severe head injury, history of learning disability, brain opportunistic diseases, and severe substance use disorders), in a category of neuropsychological impairment due to other causes.


The present paper is an update to the work presented by the authors in 2008 [11] . The reference work studied in detail the available technology alternatives to upgrade locally produced fuel oil to more valuable and lighter distillates, so as to fill the existing gap in the middle distillates. The final choice of the best alternative(s) was governed by techno-economic profitability analysis. In this communication, economic analysis of the seven previously studied cases is repeated after updating equipment, utility and crude oil and products' prices. More over sensitivity analysis was performed to study the most influential factors that affect the net present value and the internal rate of return.

The present paper is an update to the work presented by the authors in 2008.


By the year 2015, some of these projects and plans were already implemented, while the others were still pending. This clearly reflects a concern regarding the water stress situation and the related poverty within the Hexi Corridor. One may therefore ask: how successful are the proposed measures for reducing the water scarcity and the defined new water and developmental policies? There is no doubt that an assessment of the progress, determination of the priority developmental activities, and the design of management strategies for the water resource sector are very complex. Considering this, an interdisciplinary approach utilized in an integrated manner needs to be adopted to help analyze such situations [8] [9] [10] [11] . Water use indicators are thus considered to be powerful quantitative tools for decision-making [12] .

Considering this, an interdisciplinary approach utilized in an integrated manner needs to be adopted to help analyze such situations.

Water use indicators are thus considered to be powerful quantitative tools for decision-making.


Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis confirmed the pore size distribution, surface area and pore volume as shown in Fig. 3 and inset which shows the Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) plot. According to BET classification, the graph shown matches well with TYPE H4, Fig. 1 Steps involved in the synthesis of MoS 2 -PANI composite according to standard IUPAC classification, and forms hysteresis loop which is observed for mesoporous structures [16, 17] . The pore diameter and volume are found to be 2.39 nm and 0.071 cc/g, respectively.

According to BET classification, the graph shown matches well with TYPE H4, Fig. 1 Steps involved in the synthesis of MoS 2 -PANI composite according to standard IUPAC classification, and forms hysteresis loop which is observed for mesoporous structures.


Development of ulcerative colitis is characterized by increased mucosal infiltration by neutrophils and monocytes which, having become activated, release proinflammatory cytokines-tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and free oxygen radicals, induce increased expression of iNOS COX-2, nuclear transcription factor NF-kB, protein p66, and enhancement of the lipoperoxidation processes. These changes cause destructive affections of the mucous membrane of the large intestine, for example impairment of mucous barrier, swelling, ulcers, erosions, and hemorrhages (Hosoi et al., 2001; Martin et al., 2005) . The destructive changes the intestinal mucosa is subjected to due to ulcerative colitis are associated with increased numbers of active forms of oxygen, enhanced synthesis of NO, expression of iNOS by epithelial cells, macrophages, and neutrophil infiltraton into the damaged mucous membrane. Concomitantly, the activity of myeloperoxidase, the marker of inflammation was enhanced (Tanaka et al., 2002) .

These changes cause destructive affections of the mucous membrane of the large intestine, for example impairment of mucous barrier, swelling, ulcers, erosions, and hemorrhages.

Concomitantly, the activity of myeloperoxidase, the marker of inflammation was enhanced.


Hence, it is plausible that the presence of these classes of natural compounds in the H. thebaica contribute to the observed intestinal anti-inflammatory activity. The flavonoids found in the extract of H. thebaica possess anti-proliferative activity that causes a decrease in the weight and volume of contents of granuloma in inflammation (Koganov et al., 1999) . Therefore, this might be its probable mechanism of anti-inflammatory action. MPO, an enzyme found predominantly in the azurophilic granules of neutrophils, is a biochemical marker of neutrophil infiltration, and measurements of its activity have been widely used to detect intestinal inflammatory processes (Yamada et al., 1992; Villegas et al., 2003) . Reduction of MPO activity can be interpreted as a manifestation of the anti-inflammatory property of a given compound (Veljaca et al., 1995) . The intestinal antiinflammatory activity of the H. thebaica was also related to an inhibitory effect on MPO activity.

The flavonoids found in the extract of H. thebaica possess anti-proliferative activity that causes a decrease in the weight and volume of contents of granuloma in inflammation.

MPO, an enzyme found predominantly in the azurophilic granules of neutrophils, is a biochemical marker of neutrophil infiltration, and measurements of its activity have been widely used to detect intestinal inflammatory processes.

Reduction of MPO activity can be interpreted as a manifestation of the anti-inflammatory property of a given compound.


The results of this study have shown that aqueous extract of H. thebaica has got a good potential to suppress experimental colitis in rats, as indicated by macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical evaluations. Acetic acid induced colitis model is similar to human ulcerative colitis in terms of histological features. It affects the distal colon portion and induces non-transmural inflammation, massive necrosis of mucosal and submucosal layers, mucosal edema, neutrophil infiltration of the mucosa and submucosal ulceration. The protonated form of the acid liberates protons within the intracellular space and causes a massive intracellular acidification resulting in massive epithelial damage. The inflammatory response initiated by acetic acid includes activation of cyclooxygenase and lipooxygenase pathways (Sharon and Stenson, 1985; MacPherson and Pfeiffer, 1976) .

The inflammatory response initiated by acetic acid includes activation of cyclooxygenase and lipooxygenase pathways.


Another method consists of selecting a subset of data and fitting a boundary line f (X; θ) on this subset (Webb, 1972; Casanova et al., 1999; Johnson et al., 2003) . The principle is to divide the domain of variation of X into Q intervals and, for each X interval, to calculate the value of Y corresponding to a high quantile value (for example, the 90th percentile). The resulting dataset is then used for estimating the boundary line parameters by least squares. The drawbacks of this method are, firstly, that the parameters are not estimated from the original dataset and, secondly, that the method is based on an arbitrary number of X intervals and an arbitrary quantile value. Thus, there is a need for methods supported by a more explicit modelling of the whole dataset.

Another method consists of selecting a subset of data and fitting a boundary line f (X; θ) on this subset.


Several methods have been defined by agronomists for developing sustainable cropping systems. One of these methods is called 'agronomic diagnosis' (Doré et al., 1997) . Its objective is to discover which cropping techniques and environmental conditions are responsible for yield variations in a given area. The results can then be used to adjust cropping techniques to economic and environmental targets. An original feature of this method is that it does not directly relate yield to limiting factors. The principle is to measure several yield components (e.g. grain weight, grain number per m 2 , stem number per m 2 ) in a large number of farmers' fields located in the area of interest and to conduct a yield gap analysis taking into account these measurements. For the most relevant pairs of consecutive yield components X and Y, measurements are used to define the functions Y MAX = f (X; θ) giving the optimal value Y can take for the observed value of X, with θ a set of parameters (Doré et al., 1997; Wey et al., 1998; Brancourt-Hulmel et al., 1999) . For example, f (X; θ) may represent a function relating maximum crop grain number m −2 to stem number m −2 or a function relating maximum grain weight to grain number m −2 (Doré et al., 1998; Brancourt-Hulmel et al., 1999) . These functions are then used to identify fields where yield components did not reach their optimal values and, consequently, to determine the most important limiting factors in the area of interest as well as the periods when their effects took place.

One of these methods is called 'agronomic diagnosis'.

For the most relevant pairs of consecutive yield components X and Y, measurements are used to define the functions Y MAX = f (X; θ) giving the optimal value Y can take for the observed value of X, with θ a set of parameters.

For example, f (X; θ) may represent a function relating maximum crop grain number m −2 to stem number m −2 or a function relating maximum grain weight to grain number m −2.


It was widely shown that properties of bound water (phase transitions, relaxation time, polarization, etc.) differ from properties of free water. As a result, the diffusion of water-soluble drug molecules in hydrogels is expected to be affected by the presence of different types of water. It is assumed that at high level of hydration, the drug diffusion would occur primarily in the bulk water; however, at low hydration, the diffusion can take place in the bound water [12, 13] . The diffusion in bound water can be reduced due to additional steric hindrance, increased viscous drag, or reduced compatibility with a diffusing solute.

It is assumed that at high level of hydration, the drug diffusion would occur primarily in the bulk water; however, at low hydration, the diffusion can take place in the bound water.


In the present work, oligomeric polyethylene glycols (PEG) with molecular weights of 400 and 600 Da were introduced into the liquid phase used for the samples swelling in order to overcome mechanical weaknesses and to improve the mechanical properties of cross-linked HEA-HEMA hydrogels. Polyethylene glycols with different molecular weights are widely used as excipients in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry due to excellent solubility in water and outstanding toxicological safety [26] . However, addition of PEG into formulation can have an impact on water content and free-bound water redistribution in hydrogels resulting in alteration in drug diffusion and uptake/release properties. Therefore, the state of water in HEA-HEMA hydrogels in PEG solutions needs to be examined to establish the impact of PEG on the liquid medium and physicochemical properties of the hydrogels. To evaluate the amount and properties of free and bound water in HEA-HEMA hydrogels, in the present work, the thermoanalytical techniques (DSC and TG) were applied. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was engaged for the structure analysis of the fully swollen hydrogels. The friability test was applied to characterize the mechanical properties of the hydrogels with different compositions and liquid media.

Polyethylene glycols with different molecular weights are widely used as excipients in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry due to excellent solubility in water and outstanding toxicological safety.


Depending on the rates of liquid diffusion into the polymer matrix and polymer relaxation, three types of diffusion mechanism can be considered [1, 29, 30] . For the Fickian diffusion (Case 1) with n = 0.5, the rate of water diffusion is lower than the rate of relaxation of the polymer chain making the diffusion a rate limited factor. Coefficient n = 1 indicates Case 2 diffusion where the rate of diffusion is rapid compared with the chain relaxation process. NonFickian diffusion or Case 3 diffusion (0.50 \ n \ 1) occurs when the diffusion and relaxation rates are comparable, and hydrogel swelling is controlled by both liquid phase diffusion inside the polymer matrix and by relaxation of polymer chains [1, 28] .

Depending on the rates of liquid diffusion into the polymer matrix and polymer relaxation, three types of diffusion mechanism can be considered.

NonFickian diffusion or Case 3 diffusion (0.50 \ n \ 1) occurs when the diffusion and relaxation rates are comparable, and hydrogel swelling is controlled by both liquid phase diffusion inside the polymer matrix and by relaxation of polymer chains.


Hydrogels can accommodate substantial amount of water, which has different properties depending on the position and interactions within the hydrophilic network. A ''three states model'' presented in 1973 by John and Andrade, defines three types of water in hydrogels-non-freezing or bound water, free or bulk water, and freezing interfacial or intermediate water [10] . Molecules of free water are not affected by the polymer and freeze/melt similarly to pure water; molecules of bound water are directly immobilized by binding to the polymer chains through hydrogen bonds. Molecules of intermediate or freezing bound water interact weakly with polymers. Some authors suggest that the polar interaction between water and polymer chains cannot be the sole factor responsible for the existence of non-freezing water; other factors including increased viscosity at low temperatures and inability for water molecules to diffuse through the hydrogel phase also need to be taken into account [11 and references therein] .

A ''three states model'' presented in 1973 by John and Andrade, defines three types of water in hydrogels-non-freezing or bound water, free or bulk water, and freezing interfacial or intermediate water.


The aim of this work is to exploit ground-based FTIR measurements of OCS to evaluate its sources and sinks, and further to use OCS as a tracer of photosynthesis. This is the first time total/partial column data from FTIR networks are used to study the relationship between OCS and CO 2 . When interpreted by models, total column measurements are much less sensitive to assumptions on the boundary layer mixing, because every molecule in the atmospheric column is detected, independent of whether it is at the surface or in the upper troposphere. In order to obtain realistic fluxes by inverse models, assumptions must be made on the vertical mixing in the atmosphere, which is currently a large uncertainty in the transport of most models (Wunch et al., 2011; Yang et al., 2007; Keppel-Aleks et al., 2011) . Therefore, column measurements of OCS and CO 2 could provide additional information for evaluating their terrestrial exchange.

In order to obtain realistic fluxes by inverse models, assumptions must be made on the vertical mixing in the atmosphere, which is currently a large uncertainty in the transport of most models.


Another useful information from Raman analysis is to detect an amorphous phase by considering the secondorder two-phonon mode (2D). The absence of 2D peak could infer the presence of amorphous phase in the material [36] . From Figure 5 (b), 2D peak of graphitic micropowder at 2703 cm −1 is sharp while that of carbonized hair is very broad and low. This could confirm the presence of amorphous phase as well as some small number of graphitic phase in the carbonized hair sample.

The absence of 2D peak could infer the presence of amorphous phase in the material.


In this study, we demonstrated the use of DSSC CE made of human hair catalyst mixed with a PEDOT:PSS binder. PEDOT:PSS (PEDOT) conducting polymer is a good choice because it has high conductivity and exhibits electrocatalytic activity toward converting tri-iodide I − 3 into iodide (I − ) [21] . Consequently, DSSCs with CEs made of PEDOT composited with various types of carbon catalysts often show a high solar conversion efficiency [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] . Notably, human hair-derived carbon has rarely been tested as a DSSC CE.

PEDOT:PSS (PEDOT) conducting polymer is a good choice because it has high conductivity and exhibits electrocatalytic activity toward converting tri-iodide I − 3 into iodide (I − ).

Consequently, DSSCs with CEs made of PEDOT composited with various types of carbon catalysts often show a high solar conversion efficiency.


Raman curve fittings were carried out using three-and two-peak models to determine the number, position, and area of each of carbon's signature peak. A disorder graphitic structure (D peak) and amorphous (A peak) and graphiticlike (G peak) features were identified in a three-peak model [31] . Note that the A peak was not fitted in the two-peak fitting scheme. Phase identification with Raman analysis is useful because both G peak and D peak are associated with the electrocatalytic reaction. The defective sites on graphitic edges related to G peak could help reduce the charge transfer resistance of the DSSC's CE [32] . Although the electrocatalytic activity occurs mostly at edge planes rather than the basal planes, the basal plane itself could benefit from the electron transfers in the CE. As for the D peak, its area and intensity increase with the increasing disorders in a carbon material, which can be affected by a particle size, a dopant, and others. When carbon particles become smaller, the D peak area and intensity increase. It was shown that a DSSC whose CE was made of smallest carbon black particles (20 nm) exhibited the highest solar conversion efficiency [33] . This nanocarbon, whose D peak is large, performs better than the larger ones since it has high surface areas and its disorder sites are electrochemically active in the material. Aside from the size effect, the introduction of heteroatom in carbon normally introduces disorder in a carbon material and consequently raises area ratio of D peak (I D ) over G peak (I G ) (I D /I G ). For example, I D /I G of reduced graphene oxide, when doped with nitrogen and phosphorous, increases from 0.94 to 1.15 [34] . The higher I D /I G ratio, associating with increasing degree of disorder, offers numerous active sites for electrocatalytic activity [35] .

A disorder graphitic structure (D peak) and amorphous (A peak) and graphiticlike (G peak) features were identified in a three-peak model.

The defective sites on graphitic edges related to G peak could help reduce the charge transfer resistance of the DSSC's CE.

It was shown that a DSSC whose CE was made of smallest carbon black particles (20 nm) exhibited the highest solar conversion efficiency.

For example, I D /I G of reduced graphene oxide, when doped with nitrogen and phosphorous, increases from 0.94 to 1.15.

The higher I D /I G ratio, associating with increasing degree of disorder, offers numerous active sites for electrocatalytic activity.


Elastography is a sonographic method of assessing tissue stiffness. Numerous studies reported decreased elasticity of malignant thyroid nodules also in other conditions, e.g. chronic thyroiditis, Graves' disease or subacute thyroiditis [8] [9] [10] [11] . Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) is a new, promising, but still not widely available technique. It is thought to be more objective, reliable and reproducible than older variants of elastography, as it does not require any compressive maneuvers. In SWE, shear waves emission is induced by a focused ultrasonic beam. Based on the received signals, the elasticity of the tissue is assessed in real-time and may be estimated both qualitatively and quantitatively. In the case of the former, elasticity is expressed as a color. In the latter, elasticity of a particular region of interest is expressed in kPa, and is thought to be more objective than the previous qualitative method pattern [12, 13] . Currently, the available reports on the usefulness of SWE are promising, but data are still limited due to the insufficient number of performed studies, as well as the number of evaluated patients. The present study is the first to comprehensively assess and compare the usefulness of the SWE using both a qualitative and quantitative method, as well as to compare the efficacy of this novel technique with traditional markers of malignancy detected in conventional ultrasonography on the largest number of nodules.

Numerous studies reported decreased elasticity of malignant thyroid nodules also in other conditions, e.g. chronic thyroiditis, Graves' disease or subacute thyroiditis.

In the latter, elasticity of a particular region of interest is expressed in kPa, and is thought to be more objective than the previous qualitative method pattern.


Generally, cocoa production is profitable. However, cocoa farmers who mismanaged their farms usually incur losses. It has been observed that maximization of profit in cocoa production, using improved technologies, is associated with increasing cost of production. This observation can be substantiated with empirical evidence from the baseline socio-economic and farm management survey: that improved production practices increased cocoa yield, cocoa income, cost of production of cocoa and profit [1] .

This observation can be substantiated with empirical evidence from the baseline socio-economic and farm management survey: that improved production practices increased cocoa yield, cocoa income, cost of production of cocoa and profit.


Non-medical wards were responsible for almost 50% of admissions in the ER. This finding may be explained not only by a greater physical fragility of surgical patients, but also by the lower number of physicians assigned to these wards in comparison to medical wards. The EWS system would be helpful in assisting health care staff in these wards, a benefit that has already been demonstrated [33] .

The EWS system would be helpful in assisting health care staff in these wards, a benefit that has already been demonstrated.


Hydrogenated amorphous silicon-germanium alloys (aSiGe:H) are widely used in multijunction solar cells, where their main advantage is the capability of shifting the optical band gap to lower energies by increasing the germanium concentration in the film [1] [2] [3] . In order to avoid drastic reduction of the short-circuit current (J SC ) in a cell with small thickness, it is necessary to increase absorbance of the material and optimize the cell structure [4] . Using a lower band-gap material such as a-SiGe in the active base region of the cell is a possible approach, owing to its compatibility with the mature Si-based cell process. An appreciable increase of photocurrent (J SC ) in the small band-gap a-SiGe material is highly expected, because of the increased absorption of photons. On the other hand, a drop of the open-circuit voltage (V OC ), due to the reduction of the SiGe bandgap with increasing Ge concentration [5, 6] . As a result, a compromise between the cell's parameters is necessary in the optimization procedure. The optimization of band-offset between a-SiGe and a-Si either in the valence band (E V ) or in the conduction band (E C ) can help design a more effective back surface field, where the photogenerated carriers from the highly dislocated surfaces and interfaces are reflected, thus at the backside of the cell the recombination velocity is significantly decreased. The band offset of E V and E C at the aSi/SiGe heterointerface is dependent on the Ge concentration in the film. In addition to less surface recombination velocity, the smaller band gap (E g ) in high Ge concentration SiGe film has a larger light absorption coefficient, which can lead to more electron-hole pair generation and higher J SC . Both of them can result in higher cell efficiency of the a-SiGe-based solar cell [4] . The optimization process of a multijunction structure involves both the design of individual junction layers which produces an optimum output power and the design of a series stacked configuration of these junction layers which yields the highest possible overall output current. Figure 1 shows a double-junction structure for a pi-n a-Si solar cell used in this work [7] .

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon-germanium alloys (aSiGe:H) are widely used in multijunction solar cells, where their main advantage is the capability of shifting the optical band gap to lower energies by increasing the germanium concentration in the film.

In order to avoid drastic reduction of the short-circuit current (J SC ) in a cell with small thickness, it is necessary to increase absorbance of the material and optimize the cell structure.

On the other hand, a drop of the open-circuit voltage (V OC ), due to the reduction of the SiGe bandgap with increasing Ge concentration.

Both of them can result in higher cell efficiency of the a-SiGe-based solar cell.

Figure 1 shows a double-junction structure for a pi-n a-Si solar cell used in this work.


The pharmacology of elicited kindled seizures is remarkably similar to the pharmacology of spontaneous seizures that occur in the SE models. In other words, kindled seizures respond to the same antiepileptic drugs that block spontaneous seizures in SE models. However, when these models are used to study the antiepileptogenic effects of drugs, major differences between the kindling and SE models exist, even among different SE models [34, 35] . It should also be pointed out that many humans with TLE do not have status epilepticus as their initial seizure event and this may be a limitation of the SE models. However, the SE models can reliably produce the latent period and spontaneous seizures found in humans. Both kindling and SE models suffer from the disadvantage that they have age and strain specificity; as a consequence, it is sometimes difficult to generalize the findings of a specific animal model [36, 37] .

However, when these models are used to study the antiepileptogenic effects of drugs, major differences between the kindling and SE models exist, even among different SE models.

Both kindling and SE models suffer from the disadvantage that they have age and strain specificity; as a consequence, it is sometimes difficult to generalize the findings of a specific animal model.


Today, although not proven to provide survival advantages (except in the pivotal Swedish trial), preoperative chemoradiotherapy with concurrent infusional 5-FU and more recently the oral fluoropyrimidine, capecitabine, followed by TME has become the standard of care for patients with T3 or lymph-node-positive rectal cancer, especially in tumors of the mid-and lower rectum [7, 8] . The use of targeted agents in patients with advanced colorectal cancer has led to further improvements in disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS), and further investigation in various settings is underway [9] [10] [11] [12] . These "targeted" agents are now being studied in the treatment of rectal cancer and are discussed below.

Today, although not proven to provide survival advantages (except in the pivotal Swedish trial), preoperative chemoradiotherapy with concurrent infusional 5-FU and more recently the oral fluoropyrimidine, capecitabine, followed by TME has become the standard of care for patients with T3 or lymph-node-positive rectal cancer, especially in tumors of the mid-and lower rectum.

The use of targeted agents in patients with advanced colorectal cancer has led to further improvements in disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS), and further investigation in various settings is underway.


Throughout the 1970s the black hole spacetimes considered in the scientific literature were typically globally stationary and asymptotically flat-with true mathematically precise event horizons (absolute horizons). When accretion was considered it was most often handled in the test-matter limit, where the self-gravitation of the accreting matter was ignored. After the accretion rate was calculated in this approximation one might feed this back into the black hole geometry to allow the spacetime to evolve in a quasi-static manner, but the horizon itself was almost always treated as though the idealized Schwarzschild or Kerr event horizon captured almost all of the relevant physics. The 'membrane paradigm' is perhaps the apex of this quasi-stationary approach [1] . Similarly, calculations concerning Hawking radiation are typically carried out in the test-field limit, where the gravitational field generated by the outgoing Hawking flux is ignored [2] . Once the Hawking flux is calculated, this is set equal to the mass loss rate of the underlying black hole, with the black hole again evolving in a quasi-stationary manner [3] .

The 'membrane paradigm' is perhaps the apex of this quasi-stationary approach.

Similarly, calculations concerning Hawking radiation are typically carried out in the test-field limit, where the gravitational field generated by the outgoing Hawking flux is ignored.

Once the Hawking flux is calculated, this is set equal to the mass loss rate of the underlying black hole, with the black hole again evolving in a quasi-stationary manner.


A central issue in studying materialism, especially amongst young people, is that of social comparison and the intention to imitate media figures. Due to the combination of rapid body growth and puberty, the early self-identity formed in childhood is no longer appropriate, and teenagers enter a period of identity crisis (Erikson, 1980) . Young people need to formulate a new identity and to establish autonomy from their parents. They become more independent in decision making. As a result, young people tend to seek personal relationships that give value to their perspectives and ensure that their feelings are understood. Peer groups, with their shared experience, are an inevitable source of these relationships. Consequently, young people prefer to identify with their peer groups. The frequent interaction with peers, even more frequent than with parents, can lead to peers becoming the primary basis for social comparison. A generalized social comparison theory states that individuals compare their own material possessions with those owned by significant others to ascertain their social status (Saunders, 2001) .

Due to the combination of rapid body growth and puberty, the early self-identity formed in childhood is no longer appropriate, and teenagers enter a period of identity crisis.

A generalized social comparison theory states that individuals compare their own material possessions with those owned by significant others to ascertain their social status.


A questionnaire was constructed based on a study of Chinese young consumers in Hong Kong (Chan & Prendergast, 2007) . All of the constructs in the model were measured by multiple items, with the exception of respondents' attention to television commercials. That construct was measured by responses to the item "How often do you watch television commercials?" on a five-point scale (1 = never, 5 = nearly every time). Generally, the respondents were asked to indicate on a five-point scale the extent to which they agreed with the statements (1 = disagree very much, 5 = agree very much) or how frequently they engaged in a specific form of behavior (1 = never, 5 = nearly every time). Amount of television viewing was obtained by asking the number of hours of television viewing on a typical day.

A questionnaire was constructed based on a study of Chinese young consumers in Hong Kong.


Some further remarks are as follows. We have noted that the family of static JNW spacetimes (2) are singular at r 0 , with the exception of the Schwarzschild black hole, α = 1, which has vanishing scalar field. This includes the case α = 1/2, which we have found is the reduction of a smooth 5D Kaluza-Klein bubble spacetime. This is true for the cosmological JNW solutions with α = 1/2 as well. The dimensional reduction, therefore, does not accurately capture the smooth 5D bubble geometry. Possibly there is a more sophisticated dimensional reduction which gives a regular 4D spacetime that is derived from a modified 4D action. The issue in this case is that the 5D coordinates are not well defined at r 0 , which describes the origin of an R 2 plane in in polar coordinates. The dimensional reduction prescription (15) is then not valid at the location of the bubble. A similar issue arises when computing the Euclidean action of a black hole in the Hamiltonian framework, where a proper treatment yields a contribution to the action proportional to the area of the Euclidean horizon [25] . In future work, it would be interesting to study dimensional reduction including the possible contributions from such an inner boundary term.

Some further remarks are as follows.

A similar issue arises when computing the Euclidean action of a black hole in the Hamiltonian framework, where a proper treatment yields a contribution to the action proportional to the area of the Euclidean horizon.


Strictly speaking these are black hole solutions only if one takes r + > r − , because the curvature is singular at r − . The standard neutral limit is achieved by taking r − = 0, which gives Schwarzschild for all values of the dilaton coupling a. However, taking r + = 0 gives a second neutral limit and this yields the JNW spacetime (2), with the JNW parameter related to the dilaton coupling according to α = (1 − a 2 )/(1 + a 2 ). This again reduces to Schwarzchild when a = 0. This is interesting because solutions for BPS dilaton black holes with r + = r − embedded in the scalar cosmologies (38) are also known [24] . Hence the cosmological JNW metrics can be thought of as a second data point that can be applied to the puzzle of constructing cosmological versions of the entire family of dilaton black hole solutions (36).

This is interesting because solutions for BPS dilaton black holes with r + = r − embedded in the scalar cosmologies (38) are also known.


For military personnel, the ability to sustain attention for prolonged periods of time can mean the difference between life and death. However, there is evidence from both laboratory and field studies that vigilance tends to declines with time on watch (See, Howe, Warm, & Dember, 1995) . Research has also shown that vigilance tasks also impose considerable workload and stress on those who perform them (Warm, Parasuraman, & Matthews, 2008) .

However, there is evidence from both laboratory and field studies that vigilance tends to declines with time on watch.

Research has also shown that vigilance tasks also impose considerable workload and stress on those who perform them.


The results of this study supported some hypotheses but not others. Findings of a significant main effect of Block, specifically with a decreasing trend in performance across the Blocks would be in support of hypothesis 1, namely that a vigilance decrement would be observed even in a video game-based vigilance task. However, although the main effect of Block was observed to be significant on both measures of vigilance performance in the training phase, the decreasing trend was not observed. Instead, performance improved over Blocks (i.e. proportion of signals detected increased and number of false alarms declined). Moreover, the absence of a significant main effect of Block in the testing phase, which followed the training phase, indicated the absence of a performance decrement as well. It is possible that the perceptually rich virtual environment may confer a similar type of protection against the decrement as that afforded by cognitive vigilance tasks (Montague, Webber, & Adams, 1965; Warm, Howe, Fishbein, Dember, & Sprague, 1984) . The second hypothesis regarding the potency of KR in enhancing vigilance performance received was confirmed. The KR condition was associated with higher proportions of signals detected and lower incidences of false alarms relative to the No-KR condition.

It is possible that the perceptually rich virtual environment may confer a similar type of protection against the decrement as that afforded by cognitive vigilance tasks.


Medicinal plants have been used since ancient times as medicines for the treatment of diseases and still play a key role in world health. The chemical diversity of plants has made them one of the main sources of the isolation of bioactive organic compounds (Frutuoso et al., 2007) . Several plants are now being used in part or as a whole to treat many diseases. The active components of these plants are now being investigated, extracted and developed into drugs with little or no negative effects or contraindication (Oluyemi, Okwuonu, Baxter, & Oyesola, 2007) .

The chemical diversity of plants has made them one of the main sources of the isolation of bioactive organic compounds.

The active components of these plants are now being investigated, extracted and developed into drugs with little or no negative effects or contraindication.


Genetic toxicology studies have given rise to a number of testing procedures, both in vitro and in vivo, that are designed to assess the effects of chemicals on genetic mechanisms and the potential risk of these compounds to organisms, including humans. Studies on the mechanisms by which adverse genetic effects are mediated and epidemiological studies on the frequency of chemical exposure-related effects are equally important. Thus far, it is clear that information on three levels of mutation, e.g., gene, chromosomal and cellular apparatus required for chromosome segregation, is necessary to provide broad coverage of the mutagenic and presumably carcinogenic potential of a chemical or radiation (Oluyemi et al., 2007) .

Thus far, it is clear that information on three levels of mutation, e.g., gene, chromosomal and cellular apparatus required for chromosome segregation, is necessary to provide broad coverage of the mutagenic and presumably carcinogenic potential of a chemical or radiation.


Bone remodeling is a continuous process that involves osteoclasts and osteoblasts [8, 9] . The molecular biology of bone forming is well defined and includes a variety of molecular pathways and molecules [10] . Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a soluble RANKL-binding protein that binds RANKL. This molecule prevents RANKL from combining with RANK on the osteoclast membrane. Denosumab mimics endogenous OPG and prevents RANKL from binding with RANK, which leads to inhibition of osteoclastic differentiation, activation, and bone resorption [5, 11] .

Bone remodeling is a continuous process that involves osteoclasts and osteoblasts.

The molecular biology of bone forming is well defined and includes a variety of molecular pathways and molecules.

Denosumab mimics endogenous OPG and prevents RANKL from binding with RANK, which leads to inhibition of osteoclastic differentiation, activation, and bone resorption.


The total mass fraction, or total consistency, of pulp is measured as the mass percentage of all dry material for a given pulp sample and is one of the most important control parameters for the paper maker. Today, there are a number of methods commercially available to measure total consistency online. Those methods are mainly based on attenuation and scattering of optical signals, attenuation and retardation of microwaves or changes in viscosity of the flowing pulp (Tornberg 1999) . In all these methods, the calibration is recognized as the key to accurate consistency measurements (Tornberg 1999) .

Those methods are mainly based on attenuation and scattering of optical signals, attenuation and retardation of microwaves or changes in viscosity of the flowing pulp.

In all these methods, the calibration is recognized as the key to accurate consistency measurements.


We found significantly higher abundance of Lactobacillus in the proximal intestine of Arctic charr fed the microbe-based diets (Fig. 3) . We also found numerically higher abundance of Lactobacillus in the distal intestine of fish fed the microbe-based feeds, but the difference was not significant. The elevated abundance of Lactobacillus in fish fed the microbe-based diets could be explained by the cell wall components in the microbe-based feeds having prebiotic properties. The yeast cell wall is made up of betaglucans, mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) and chitin. Beta-glucans have been shown in vitro to have a beneficial effect on the stress tolerance of intestinal Lactobacillus (Stack et al., 2010) . It has also been shown that whole yeasts have similar effects as refined MOS when fed to pigs, resulting in elevated Lactobacillus levels (White et al., 2002) . In addition, MOS can function as prebiotics by providing favourable conditions for growth of Lactobacillus in monogastric animals (Flickinger and Fahey, 2002) . However, we obtained similar results for the diets with intact yeast (ISC) and extracted yeast (ESC), where the cell wall had been removed, and the effect could possibly be due to a symbiotic relationship between yeast and Lactobacillus.

Beta-glucans have been shown in vitro to have a beneficial effect on the stress tolerance of intestinal Lactobacillus.

It has also been shown that whole yeasts have similar effects as refined MOS when fed to pigs, resulting in elevated Lactobacillus levels.

In addition, MOS can function as prebiotics by providing favourable conditions for growth of Lactobacillus in monogastric animals.


Preparation of activated carbon using chemical and physical activation has been widely studied using various low-cost biomass materials such as coconut shell, nut shell and apple pulp, to name a few (Laine and Yunes, 1992; Toles et al., 1997 and Suárez-García et al., 2001) . Physic nut (Jatropha) waste was used to produce activated carbon by chemical activation using KOH and H 3 PO 4 along with physical activation by CO 2 (Sricharoenchaikul et al., 2008) . In the present study, the activated carbon was produced by steam activation without any chemicals impregnation. To study the performance of the produced carbon methylene blue adsorption capacity also studied as well as BET surface area. It was found that the surface area was higher than the previous study even by using only steam instead of any chemicals. The use of steam is environmental friendly and more economical.

Preparation of activated carbon using chemical and physical activation has been widely studied using various low-cost biomass materials such as coconut shell, nut shell and apple pulp, to name a few.

Physic nut (Jatropha) waste was used to produce activated carbon by chemical activation using KOH and H 3 PO 4 along with physical activation by CO 2.


Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment worldwide, especially with ageing populations in many parts of the world (Lim et al. 2012) . Approximately 8.7% of the world population suffers from AMD. The projected number of people in 2020 with AMD is 196 million, increasing to 288 million in 2040 . Estimates indicate a substantial global burden of the disease in future.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment worldwide, especially with ageing populations in many parts of the world.


Flame Surface Density (FSD) models rely on geometric parameters of the flame front to evaluate its progress. In this case, the laminar flamelet model used in RANS has been adapted to LES by considering a locally laminar flame wrinkled by turbulence. The amount of wrinkling (Σ) is measured by the flame surface area per unit volume (Boger and Veynante, 2000) . Transport equations for the progress variable and for the wrinkling variable are solved to describe the evolution of the flame since the wrinkling increases the burning rate.

The amount of wrinkling (Σ) is measured by the flame surface area per unit volume.


First, results are presented in terms of frequencies f q and Strouhal numbers (St=f q d/U axe ) of the vortex emission frequency behind the obstacle, where d is the obstacle height and U axe is the maxim velocity at the channel entrance. Th e size of the average recirculation zone X r is also compared. Next, the energy spectrum is analysed in order to verify the adequacy of the computational grid and to compare the inertial range against the -5/3 turbulence decay rate for both inert and reactive cases (Pope, 2000) . Th en, streamwise and normal velocity profi les are compared to the experimental results in the recirculation zone and downstream of the recirculation zone. Finally, the progress variable and temperature profi les are presented. Th e recirculation zone and the energy spectra are determined through the velocity data aft er the simulation reaches the stationary periodic state. Once the length of the recirculation zone X r is determined, one can calculate the St to compare it with experimental results. To determine the values of the energy spectrum, the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of the oscillatory instantaneous velocity is taken. Th is information is used to determine if the simulation captures the large turbulent scales and models the sub-grid scales correctly.

Next, the energy spectrum is analysed in order to verify the adequacy of the computational grid and to compare the inertial range against the -5/3 turbulence decay rate for both inert and reactive cases.


Delfy implements dynamic, rather than static, symbolic execution for two important reasons. First, DSE can alleviate the limitations of an underlying SMT solver by replacing complex symbolic conditions in SMT queries with their concrete values [24] . Second, the dynamic aspect has applications beyond the scope of this paper, in particular for learning specications [21, 17, 36] .

First, DSE can alleviate the limitations of an underlying SMT solver by replacing complex symbolic conditions in SMT queries with their concrete values.

Second, the dynamic aspect has applications beyond the scope of this paper, in particular for learning specications.


Increasing the integration of renewable sources into the grid requires the reinforcement of power networks, and the construction of new lines and substations [1] . Restriction on land availability could suggest a wider application of gas-insulated substations (GIS) in future. However, despite the very efficient GIS space reduction, strong environmental pressures make this option less attractive due to the greenhouse effect of the insulating gas SF6 [2] [3] [4] [5] . A sufficiently compact air-insulated substation would offer a cost-effective solution in many cases where restrictions in available land are encountered. For example, compaction could be successfully adopted for the construction of extension bays within existing substation boundaries. In many cases of substation replacement, the safety and operational issues associated with bay-by-bay replacement impose the selection of a GIS solution. However, with a compact design, a replacement substation could be constructed off-line on land of a reduced footprint that is adjacent to the existing substation, without affecting its availability during the construction period.

Increasing the integration of renewable sources into the grid requires the reinforcement of power networks, and the construction of new lines and substations.

However, despite the very efficient GIS space reduction, strong environmental pressures make this option less attractive due to the greenhouse effect of the insulating gas SF6.


Caroli disease is a rare disorder of the intrahepatic bile ducts characterized by multiple saccular segmental, cystic dilatations, and has an incidence of 1/1,000,000 births [17] . The polycystic dilatations are either diffuse throughout the liver or confined to only one of its part [10] . There are two distinct types of the disease: (1) the pure form of Caroli disease and (2) the association of the bile duct dilatations with congenital hepatic fibrosis, leading to portal hypertension in 25% to 50% of cases, which is termed by some authors as Caroli syndrome [27] . The pathogenesis of Caroli disease seems to be related to a ductal plate malformation. Its inheritance is considered to be autosomal recessive, as already shown in some cases in which homozygous mutations of the PKHD1 gene were found [20] .

Caroli disease is a rare disorder of the intrahepatic bile ducts characterized by multiple saccular segmental, cystic dilatations, and has an incidence of 1/1,000,000 births.

The polycystic dilatations are either diffuse throughout the liver or confined to only one of its part.

There are two distinct types of the disease: (1) the pure form of Caroli disease and (2) the association of the bile duct dilatations with congenital hepatic fibrosis, leading to portal hypertension in 25% to 50% of cases, which is termed by some authors as Caroli syndrome.

Its inheritance is considered to be autosomal recessive, as already shown in some cases in which homozygous mutations of the PKHD1 gene were found.


Focusing magnetic flux is difficult since, due to the circulatory nature of the field, it tends to disperse in order to reduce its energy density. In the very near field, where dimensions are a small fraction of a wavelength, antenna array techniques cannot be used to produce the desired effect. Furthermore, Earnshaw's theorem can be used to show that focusing a low frequency magnetic field in three dimensions is not directly attainable [1] . In order to overcome this limitation, the focusing will be performed in one dimension. This means that, along a single line that passes between the magnetic poles, the magnetic flux lines will be most concentrated at the target zone. Focusing will not occur in the other dimensions.

Furthermore, Earnshaw's theorem can be used to show that focusing a low frequency magnetic field in three dimensions is not directly attainable.


One of the main problems while attempting to reduce lower order harmonics is that output voltage is staircase and is not purely sinusoidal. It contains a number of odd order harmonics. The higher order harmonics can be reduced by using filters but the lower order dominant harmonics are difficult to reduce. Elimination of harmonics from cascaded multilevel inverters is one of the main challenges in applications like drives and smart grid. For this, researchers have proposed many traditional control schemes such as Newton-Raphson sequential quadratic programming, mathematical theory of resultants, pulse width modulation (sinusoidal/space vector/selective harmonic elimination) and so forth [5, [12] [13] [14] [15] . The conventional iterative method like Newton-Rephson requires an initial guess of switching angles close to the exact solution [5, 12, 15] . However, optimized selected harmonic elimination based control schemes also have emerged as the feasible alternative to the traditional control schemes. Thus, bio inspired optimization methods such as GA (Genetic Algorithm) and PSO (Practical Swarm Optimization) based selected harmonic elimination may also be used to increase the system robustness [12] .

For this, researchers have proposed many traditional control schemes such as Newton-Raphson sequential quadratic programming, mathematical theory of resultants, pulse width modulation (sinusoidal/space vector/selective harmonic elimination) and so forth.

The conventional iterative method like Newton-Rephson requires an initial guess of switching angles close to the exact solution.

Thus, bio inspired optimization methods such as GA (Genetic Algorithm) and PSO (Practical Swarm Optimization) based selected harmonic elimination may also be used to increase the system robustness.


Realtime parking availability information of parking lots is of great importance to help drivers to find a parking space faster and thus to reduce parking search traffic [3] . A significant portion of the traffic in big cities is caused by searching for parking spaces, which is responsible for up to 40% of the total traffic within cities [8] . In reality, however, there are insufficient realtime parking availability services in a city due to the expensive cost of sensor devices and maintaining realtime parking availability information.

Realtime parking availability information of parking lots is of great importance to help drivers to find a parking space faster and thus to reduce parking search traffic.

A significant portion of the traffic in big cities is caused by searching for parking spaces, which is responsible for up to 40% of the total traffic within cities.


Concept maps also serve as a useful vehicle for discussion between students and instructors. Concept Map can facilitate the preparation of lessons, the sequencing of topics, presented in a lesson and the sequencing of lessons by teachers and authors. When instructional materials are planed from concept maps, it becomes relatively easy for students to grasp the meaning of the materials; especially if the students themselves are asked to prepare their own concept of the topic (Musonda 1991) .

When instructional materials are planed from concept maps, it becomes relatively easy for students to grasp the meaning of the materials; especially if the students themselves are asked to prepare their own concept of the topic.


In this paper, we shall consider flow in a sphere undergoing torsional oscillations. Such oscillations are known to produce steady streaming, defined as the time average of a fluctuating flow. This work is motivated by the study of the flow in the vitreous humour of the eye during saccadic rotations of the eyeball, i.e. rapid movements of short duration. When large quantities of a drug are required to be delivered to the retina, intra-vitreal injection is often the most satisfactory method (Xu et al. 2000) . The drug particles are subsequently advected and diffused around the vitreous humour, and any steady streaming plays an important role in the advection over long times (Riley 2001) . In healthy young subjects, the vitreous body has the consistency of a gel and undergoes little movement with eye rotations. However, typically, with advancing age a progressive collapse of the collagenous framework occurs, leading to the liquefaction of the vitreous body (synchysis). Under these circumstances advection is thought to be by far the most important transport process in the vitreous cavity (Maurice 2001) . Advection might also play an important role in vitrectomized eyes in which the vitreous is replaced by tamponade fluids, typically silicone oils.

When large quantities of a drug are required to be delivered to the retina, intra-vitreal injection is often the most satisfactory method.

The drug particles are subsequently advected and diffused around the vitreous humour, and any steady streaming plays an important role in the advection over long times.

Under these circumstances advection is thought to be by far the most important transport process in the vitreous cavity.


Larval Development, Morphology, and Axial Orientation. D. aligarhensis development included an embryonic stage, four larval instars, a prepupal, and a pupal stage that occurred within the D. citri nymphs. Newly laid eggs were a milky white color but cleared within 12 h after oviposition (Fig. 1A ). Eggs were oval with an axial length of 130 Ϯ 10 m and a diameter of 100 Ϯ 1 m, with the structures of the developing embryo easily discernible within older eggs (Fig. 1B) . Embryogenesis required Ϸ2 d to complete. The oval eggs of D. aligarhensis do not share the typical respiratory specialized dumb-bell shape of other encyrtid parasitoids (Quicke 1997) . The chorion of the eggs was smooth, thin, and ßexible, with no apparent anchoring structures, and the eggs were not found adhering to any host tissues. Eggs were located randomly throughout the hostÕs abdomen and thorax with the majority localized within the abdomen exhibiting no apparent target site or tissue preference. Encapsulation of the eggs was observed in only 1% of the parasitized hosts (Þve of 500 parasitism events examined). Encapsulated eggs were uniformly dark and completely covered in clear soft tissue (data not shown). One encapsulation event was seen in both second-and third-instar hosts, whereas three were observed in fourth-instar D. citri.

The oval eggs of D. aligarhensis do not share the typical respiratory specialized dumb-bell shape of other encyrtid parasitoids.


Human myiasis is common in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. The commonly implicated dipterous families are Muscidae, Sarcophagidae, Calliphoridae, Anisopodidae and Scinoinidae [3] . Myiasis related to tracheostomy is a rarity and only 7 such cases have been reported in literature.

The commonly implicated dipterous families are Muscidae, Sarcophagidae, Calliphoridae, Anisopodidae and Scinoinidae.


In some research, PIN diode is adopted to design a metasurface element [3, 5, 6] . Since the PIN diode only works at one frequency at two states, ON and OFF, the bandwidth of the reconfigurable reflective metasurface is very narrow. If we want to change the operating frequency to get a wide bandwidth, the range of the cell's phase compensation maybe not adequate. When the frequency changes, the element may not be appropriate to design the reflective metasurface [7, 8] . However, the element with varactor diode can work at different frequencies by controlling the bias voltage across the varactor. As a result, it has more potential applications since it can work in a wider bandwidth [9] [10] [11] . These electronically-controlled digital reflective metasurfaces have been proposed for different practical applications such as tunable absorbers, reconfigurable antennas, EM wave modulators, tunable chiral metamaterials, reprogrammable hologram, and so on [12, 13] .

In some research, PIN diode is adopted to design a metasurface element.

When the frequency changes, the element may not be appropriate to design the reflective metasurface.

As a result, it has more potential applications since it can work in a wider bandwidth.

These electronically-controlled digital reflective metasurfaces have been proposed for different practical applications such as tunable absorbers, reconfigurable antennas, EM wave modulators, tunable chiral metamaterials, reprogrammable hologram, and so on.


Recently, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is gaining traction in various sectors due to its numerous advantages such as it does not require line of sight, high read distance, fast date rate and large storage capacity as compared to conventional barcode technology [1] . Some of the sectors utilizing RFID are supply chain management, logistics, access control and real time location service (RTLS) etc. RFID in its basic form consists of tag, attached to an object to be tracked and reader whose function is to read the information contained inside the tag memory. Generally, RFID can be categorized into several types based on their operating frequencies, power source and protocols that govern its communication. Low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) systems are operated based on near-field communication thus having limited read range up to only 1 meter. As for ultra-high frequency (UHF) and microwave systems, the interaction between tag and reader is accomplished via propagating electromagnetic wave hence able to provide longer read range. As such, UHF based RFID technology is rapidly becoming the preferred solution.

Recently, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is gaining traction in various sectors due to its numerous advantages such as it does not require line of sight, high read distance, fast date rate and large storage capacity as compared to conventional barcode technology.


Tag is made up of a microchip and an antenna connected together. To operate the microchip, ample power is needed. Due to cost factors, most systems employ passive tag where there is no on board power source such as battery to provide the power to the microchip. To circumvent this matter, tag antenna extracts the energy from the incident radio wave emitted by the reader to be delivered to the microchip. In addition, in the absence of transmitter on the tag, a special modulation technique is utilized in RFID called backscattering modulation [1] . In this method, the electromagnetic wave from the reader is modulated and reflected back to the reader. The modulation is performed by the tag microchip by changing its input impedance between two states which are matched and mismatched to the antenna input impedance to represent the binary code '1' and '0' of the information to be transmitted to the reader. The corresponding high (mismatched) and low (matched) power of the reflected wave received is then demodulated by the reader.

In addition, in the absence of transmitter on the tag, a special modulation technique is utilized in RFID called backscattering modulation.


The above studies have demonstrated the growing attraction of LHPs for use in practical heat-transporting applications. Compared with those conventional heat transfer methods, the LHP can transport a greater amount of heat at a relatively lower temperature level owing to its evaporation/ condensation operation occurring at the evacuated state and the separation of vapour/liquid flow by using different transportation lines, which diminish the effect of entrainment between the two phase fluids towards the heat transfer of the system. Nevertheless, conventional gravitational LHPs face a common problem that lies in the evenness of the liquid distribution on the heat absorbing surface. In a conventional gravitational LHP, liquid is always returned to the heat pipe evaporator, filling up a certain height of the evaporator and being lifted higher via the capillary effect of the pipe. However, sufficient capillary force is not found to lift the liquid to the whole section of evaporator, which is limited to 0.5 m on most occasions [15] . In that case, upper part of the evaporator wick would stay dry, which would cause reduced heat transfer.

However, sufficient capillary force is not found to lift the liquid to the whole section of evaporator, which is limited to 0.5 m on most occasions.


It has been argued that the reduction of PTG over time indicates its illusionary quality. Constructive growth implicated in symptom reduction should follow an increase trajectory; while growth in the form of a merely positive illusion that does not promote mental health in the long-run, as we found, is expected to diminish over time (Zoellner & Maercker, 2006) . It may be that two decades after the Yom Kippur War, when symptoms do not remit, it is much more difficult to sustain a self-enhancing appraisal and a perception of positive psychological change.

Constructive growth implicated in symptom reduction should follow an increase trajectory; while growth in the form of a merely positive illusion that does not promote mental health in the long-run, as we found, is expected to diminish over time.


There are different BICR review paradigms that are employed; however current United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) guidance recommends that multiple independent reviewers evaluate each subject [2] . Consequently, BICR of industry-sponsored pivotal oncology studies generally includes the use of two independent radiologists evaluating each subject blinded to treatment arm, investigator assessments, and all clinical data. In the event there is discordance between the two reviewers on the outcome variable, a third radiologist, the adjudicator, reviews the assessments by the first two radiologists and determines which of the two is most accurate. If the third reader does not agree with either of the two assessments, the third reviewer will read the entire case from the beginning. This third read is considered the definitive assessment. This is commonly referred to as the "Two Readers and Adjudicator Paradigm".

There are different BICR review paradigms that are employed; however current United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) guidance recommends that multiple independent reviewers evaluate each subject.


Our aim has been to explore the role of management practice in a collaborative space in a multi-partner construction project. We found these management practices to influence both physical features and social constructions of collaboration practices (see Table 1 ). Our findings on the management practices related to the physical features of collaborative space in the case the project included designing the space and its layout either together with different companies or separately. Previous research on workspaces has explored the principles of a physical workspace layout that increases collaboration practices, but it has mostly been done within an intra-organizational context. Within an inter-organizational context, the inhabitants of the collaborative space belong to different companies that have their own cultures and routines that often make collaboration practices challenging (Jones and Lichtenstein 2008) . To overcome some of the differences among company-specific ways of doing, and to form collaboration practices that cross these boundaries, the spatial layout can be planned in accordance with the interdependencies between project tasks instead of according to the companies.

Within an inter-organizational context, the inhabitants of the collaborative space belong to different companies that have their own cultures and routines that often make collaboration practices challenging.


The function of automotive suspension system is not only to isolate the effect of road surface irregularities on the passengers to improve the ride comfort but also it has to control the dynamic tyre load with acceptable suspension working space to enhance the vehicle stability and safety. The dynamic tyre load is the main affect of tyre/road friction forces which controlling the vehicle lateral stability during handling maneuvers and braking, stopping distance, traction forces as well as tyre rolling resistance [1] . Semi-active suspension, which has the principle of controlling energy dissipation, is accepted for automotive manufacturers since they can achieve a desirable performance than passive suspension and there are no external power source requirements (other than for control valve actuation) and much more simple in comparison with fully active suspension [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . Most of previous research work in semi-active suspensions considered that the damping force can be controlled through mechanical changing for the damper orifice using hydraulic valves. These valves are noisy, its maintenance costly and have drawback in their time delay. As technology advances, a semi-active suspension using smart fluids with an adjustable viscosity to control the damper damping force, instead of hydraulic valves, has a considerable attention [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] . These smart fluid dampers are classified into two types Electro-rheological (ER) and Magneto-rheological (MR) dampers. These fluids can reversibly change instantaneously from a free-flowing liquid to a semi-solid with controllable yield strength when exposed to a magnetic field or electric current with maximum power supply of 50 Watt [8] . The main electrical difference between these fluids is that the MR fluid damper uses a power supply voltage from 2 to 25 Volt while the ER fluid damper uses a power supply voltage form 2000 to 5000 Volt. According to these electrical specifications, the MR fluid damper has been used in seat suspensions for trucks since 1998 in USA and recently the MR damper in production for the main suspension of passenger cars.

The dynamic tyre load is the main affect of tyre/road friction forces which controlling the vehicle lateral stability during handling maneuvers and braking, stopping distance, traction forces as well as tyre rolling resistance.

Semi-active suspension, which has the principle of controlling energy dissipation, is accepted for automotive manufacturers since they can achieve a desirable performance than passive suspension and there are no external power source requirements (other than for control valve actuation) and much more simple in comparison with fully active suspension.

As technology advances, a semi-active suspension using smart fluids with an adjustable viscosity to control the damper damping force, instead of hydraulic valves, has a considerable attention.

These fluids can reversibly change instantaneously from a free-flowing liquid to a semi-solid with controllable yield strength when exposed to a magnetic field or electric current with maximum power supply of 50 Watt.


Cohen's d was calculated to determine the magnitude of the differences found between the pre-test and the first post-test (Cohen, 1977) . As Table 3 shows, these effects range from medium to very large. The effects on the variables for stress, social anxiety, self-acceptance and personal growth initiative were very large (d values of -1.84, -2.52, 1.25 and 0.79, respectively). Emotional empathy and self-transcendence reached a medium effect (d = 0.68 and 0.63, respectively).

Cohen's d was calculated to determine the magnitude of the differences found between the pre-test and the first post-test.


The current study examined the psychological impact of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR) on highly sensitive persons (HSPs). Highly sensitive persons have the ability to perceive low-intensity stimuli that originates from the environment, the body, or self-cognition. They tend to process and respond to lower thresholds of information and to better detect subtle differences in the environment (Liss, Timmele, Baxley & Killingworth, 2005 , p. 1430 . Moreover, the HSP is more aware of emotional sensations associated with stimuli of low intensity. This trait might manifest itself in the observation of behavior that is both emotional and subtle in nature. In addition, the HSP is characterized by the presence of spontaneous cognitive activity in the form of thoughts and/or images that have no connection with the physical environment of the individual (Rothbart & Evans, 2007) .

In addition, the HSP is characterized by the presence of spontaneous cognitive activity in the form of thoughts and/or images that have no connection with the physical environment of the individual.


Finally, higher scores on the criterion of self-transcendence are expected after participation in the MBSR program. Through this ability, the individual is able to make intentional contacts with the world beyond the self, which imposes ultimate meaning on life. One who transcends the self recognizes the otherness of the reality beyond the self, searches for respectful relationships with it, derives life-meaning from these relationships and feels responsible for them, feels as though he/she is part of a larger whole, distinguishes interests that surpass self-interests and is able to see the self in perspective of the outer reality (Loonstra et al., 2007; Reed, 1991) .

One who transcends the self recognizes the otherness of the reality beyond the self, searches for respectful relationships with it, derives life-meaning from these relationships and feels responsible for them, feels as though he/she is part of a larger whole, distinguishes interests that surpass self-interests and is able to see the self in perspective of the outer reality.


Similarly, in Nigeria, adequate income security is essential to a happy and comfortable old age. Pension for old age people should be regarded as payment for previous services. It is a right as stipulated in 1979 and 1999 constitutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Having realized the meager allowances and gratuity of the elderly retired civil servants, there has been a reasonable review of these by the Abubakar and Obasanjo's administrations in 1998 and 1999, respectively. Thus, as Obasanjo took the mantle of power in May, 1999 from the military, he made life easy for the pensioners, especially the elderly retired civil servants by improving their socioeconomic status [6, 10] .

Thus, as Obasanjo took the mantle of power in May, 1999 from the military, he made life easy for the pensioners, especially the elderly retired civil servants by improving their socioeconomic status.


In recent years, a wide array of social, health, and related support services have either been developed or extended to provide the needs of the aged. In Nigeria, there are some enactments designed to protect the interest of the elderly. For example, the 1989 National Social Development Policy stipulated the main objectives in respect of the elderly and allocates responsibilities [6] . Ironically, no governmental agencies are seen to execute that policy effectively.

For example, the 1989 National Social Development Policy stipulated the main objectives in respect of the elderly and allocates responsibilities.


Also associated with this freedom, the current generation of older persons are unlike their parents and grandparents in that there is less reliance on kin for assistance because more older people live in their own household, resulting in fewer day-to-day contacts with family members they might rely upon for assistance although researchers have shown that family members remain the greatest source of help for elder persons [11, 16] . Another factor that has changed is that more adult daughters work than was case in previous years. One study, however, has shown that working and nonworking adult daughters provide about the same number of hours of assistance to their mothers. The employed and nonworking daughters, therefore, provided equal amounts of help with shopping, transportation, household tasks, managing money, service arrangement, and emotional support [11, 17, 18] .

Also associated with this freedom, the current generation of older persons are unlike their parents and grandparents in that there is less reliance on kin for assistance because more older people live in their own household, resulting in fewer day-to-day contacts with family members they might rely upon for assistance although researchers have shown that family members remain the greatest source of help for elder persons.

The employed and nonworking daughters, therefore, provided equal amounts of help with shopping, transportation, household tasks, managing money, service arrangement, and emotional support.


In the United States, there has been the "Older Americans Act of 1965" which provides supplementary services through funding of nutrition programmes, transportation, social services, and the coordination of services for the aged. Through the auspices of this "Older Americans Act," "Area wide Agencies on Aging (AAAs)" have been established throughout the country that coordinate services to the ages. Among their many functions are such activities as assessing the needs of the older population, providing or coordinating for congregate meals programmes, developing transportations services, serving as information and referral resources, and acting as advocates for the aged in assuring that communities will be attentive to their needs [9] .

Among their many functions are such activities as assessing the needs of the older population, providing or coordinating for congregate meals programmes, developing transportations services, serving as information and referral resources, and acting as advocates for the aged in assuring that communities will be attentive to their needs.


In Nigeria, many families do discharge their duties to the elderly creditably by providing special needs to the elderly [6] . For instance, most older married couples express general satisfaction with their marriage and the mutual emotional support that it brings. The majority have adult children with whom they maintain contact. Few older adults live with their children, and most do not want to, preferring instead to remain as independent as possible.

In Nigeria, many families do discharge their duties to the elderly creditably by providing special needs to the elderly.


Family care has been one of the focal points in this study. Families have been the major resource, and until very recently their responsibility for relatives was enforced morally, culturally, and through law. For instance, relative responsibility laws held adult children responsible for the support of their parents. Today, if children could not take an older parent needing care into their homes, then they were responsible for paying at least some of the costs for caring for that parent in an institution or elsewhere [3] . And although moral and cultural influences continue to pressure children to care for their parents, social change has made it increasingly difficult.

Today, if children could not take an older parent needing care into their homes, then they were responsible for paying at least some of the costs for caring for that parent in an institution or elsewhere.


Although the majority of older adults are home owners, housing often is a major concern of them. The rate of substandard homes among the elderly exceeds those for other age groups. Many houses become dilapidated over the years, and in later life the ability of older adults to maintain or repair them is often limited by low incomes. In addition, older adults find it very difficult to secure home repair loans. Likewise, in Nigeria, government housing for the aged typically is difficult to secure because of the high demand for lowcost housing units. Even when available, low-cost housing appears unattractive, impersonal, lacking in privacy, and too noisy. More units are needed for older adults but not likely to be forthcoming due to government budgetary limits [9] .

More units are needed for older adults but not likely to be forthcoming due to government budgetary limits.


Living arrangement of the elderly is the living with others and their relationships with others at old age. The great majority of people live with others throughout their lives. This has been a fact across the course of history and is pretty much universal. The unfortunate correlate, however, is the implication that people who live alone are somehow odd or different. Because it is expected, living with others has assumed the status of a norm; thus, those who live alone for some reason are seen as somehow not being normal. Single people at all ages might testify to this rather irritating fact of life [11] .

Single people at all ages might testify to this rather irritating fact of life.


Normally, valve timings are constrained to the motion of the camshaft; however, EHVS valve timings are fully independent of the crankshaft position. This flexibility allows cycle-to-cycle control of fuel intake and waste exhaust, which leads to benefits such as improved fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions. Additionally, at low-to-moderate engine speeds, the timing can be optimized to improve full load torque as discussed by Denger and Mischker [4] .

Additionally, at low-to-moderate engine speeds, the timing can be optimized to improve full load torque as discussed by Denger and Mischker.