Although sandwich-like structured composite can still be achieved when increasing GO amount in reaction precursors, the amount of ZIF-8 nanocrystals covered on GO sheet obviously reduces with increasing GO amount (e.g., 0.05 g, 0.1 g), resulting in not fully covered GO surface ( derived from ZIF-8@GO composite at 900 °C under N 2 atmosphere (take N-PC@G-0.02 derived from ZIF-8@GO-0.02 as an example), followed by acid etching. As shown in Fig. 4a , the pyrolytic carbon product shows well-preserved sheet-like structure with surface carbon nanoparticles derived from ZIF-8 nanocrystals. TEM image of N-PC@G-0.02 indicates detailed structure information on the pyrolytic carbon product, confirming the composite is composed of graphene sheets and surface carbon nanoparticles (Fig. 4b ). Compared to ZIF-8 nanocrystals before pyrolysis, the thermally converted carbon nanoparticles show obviously decreased particle sizes possibly owing to structural shrinkage during high temperature pyrolysis (Fig. 4b) . After high temperature pyrolysis, the obtained carbon nanoparticles almost completely cover on both surfaces of graphene sheet with a strong connection to form sandwich-like structured composite. Such structural and component properties are very favorable for improving material's electrical conductivity, thus high electrocatalytic performance when used as electrocatalyst [7, 8] . In previous reports, it has been demonstrated that GO can effectively affect the carbonization process of ZIF, and prevent the agglomeration of carbon structures derived from ZIF and graphene sheets during high temperature pyrolysis process [17] .

Such structural and component properties are very favorable for improving material's electrical conductivity, thus high electrocatalytic performance when used as electrocatalyst.

In previous reports, it has been demonstrated that GO can effectively affect the carbonization process of ZIF, and prevent the agglomeration of carbon structures derived from ZIF and graphene sheets during high temperature pyrolysis process.


The Kromme Estuary is located in the Eastern Cape Province, 80 km west of Port Elizabeth. The estuary is relatively narrow with an average width of approximately 80 m, and extends for 14 km from the permanently open mouth to a rocky sill that forms the tidal head of the estuary. Its major tributary is the Geelhoutboom River which enters 8 km from the mouth. The catchment area and length of the Kromme River are approximately 1 000 km 2 and 100 km respectively. The rainfall in the catchment occurs throughout the year, with bimodal maxima in autumn and spring. January and February tend to have the lowest rainfall (Bickerton and Pierce, 1988) .

January and February tend to have the lowest rainfall.


Jatropha curcas seed cake contains antinutritional factors (trypsin inhibitor, phytic acid, lectin, saponin), and phorbol esters (PE) as the main toxic compound, which known as tumor promoting activity [1] [2] [3] [4] . Hence, the presence of PE limits the applications of the seed cake for food and feed consumptions. Currently, the degradation of PE is an important issue to be studied. Various chemicals and physical methods have been studied for the degradation of PE [5] [6] [7] . Most of these treatments were non-specific and costly.

Jatropha curcas seed cake contains antinutritional factors (trypsin inhibitor, phytic acid, lectin, saponin), and phorbol esters (PE) as the main toxic compound, which known as tumor promoting activity.

Various chemicals and physical methods have been studied for the degradation of PE.


To summarize, a variety of important predictors of work engagement have been investigated in previous studies (Chaudhary et al., 2012; Bakker & Demerouti, 2016) . However, to date, only a few studies have outlined the significance of high performance work practices, employees' mindfulness, and self-concept clarity for employee's work engagement. Thus, our study contributes to previous findings by showing that of those three resources, self-concept clarity and motivation seems to be the most important for employee's work engagement.

To summarize, a variety of important predictors of work engagement have been investigated in previous studies.


Let M be a smooth compact connected Riemannian manifold without boundary. The space P (M) of probability measures of M carries a natural metric, the Wasserstein metric, and acquires the structure of a length space. There is a close relation between minimizing geodesics in P (M) and optimal transport between measures. For more information on this relation, we refer to Villani's book [13] .

For more information on this relation, we refer to Villani's book.


Otto discovered a formal Riemannian structure on P (M), underlying the Wasserstein metric [10] . One can do formal geometric calculations for this Riemannian structure [6] . It is an interesting problem to make these formal considerations into rigorous results in metric geometry.

Otto discovered a formal Riemannian structure on P (M), underlying the Wasserstein metric.

One can do formal geometric calculations for this Riemannian structure.


The principle of degradation states that the amount of energy absorbed by a molecule must exceed the bond energy in order to cause degradation. So, UV-A radiation energy is not enough to break the chemical bonds of the PE and cause the degradation of the polymer [18] . UV-B radiation is particularly efficient in bringing about photodamage in synthetic polymers.

So, UV-A radiation energy is not enough to break the chemical bonds of the PE and cause the degradation of the polymer.


In earlier works, it is widely assumed that the relays have access to instantaneous channel state information (CSI) of relay-eavesdropper (RE) channels [7, 8, [13] [14] [15] . This assumption is ideal but unpractical in a real-life wiretap attack since the malicious eavesdropper would not be willing to share its instantaneous CSI. Thus, security schemes using instantaneous CSI of the eavesdropper cannot be adopted anymore. However, the instantaneous CSI of relaydestination (RD) channels is available since the destination is positive. The statistical information of the RE channels is also available through long-term supervision of the eavesdropper's transmission [9] . It is worth mentioning that even if the relays do not have access to the perfect CSI of RD channels, they can still estimate these channels by training sequences and perform beamforming based on the estimated CSI [16] .

In earlier works, it is widely assumed that the relays have access to instantaneous channel state information (CSI) of relay-eavesdropper (RE) channels.

The statistical information of the RE channels is also available through long-term supervision of the eavesdropper's transmission.

It is worth mentioning that even if the relays do not have access to the perfect CSI of RD channels, they can still estimate these channels by training sequences and perform beamforming based on the estimated CSI.


To meet the goals outlined in the MDGs and reduce deaths due to preventable disease in children, the WHO and UNICEF developed the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) system. This is aimed at qualified doctors, nurses or health care workers and provides a framework for deciding treatment routes for children who present to the clinic. It focuses on the most common causes of preventable infant death. The strategy was first implemented in 1995 whereby a more holistic approach was adopted to under-5 s care [4] . As more than one of the common preventable diseases are often found in one patient it aims to bypass diagnosis of individual diseases and instead classify the patient depending on how urgently they require treatment. To identify the common preventable diseases all patients should be checked for the four main symptoms: cough or difficult breathing; diarrhea; fever; and ear problems. This, along with assessing the child's nutritional and immunization status, allows the illness to be classified and then treated systematically [3] . Other important aspects to IMCI care are health education for the guardian and giving follow up care. IMCI was designed for use in countries with an infant mortality rate of 40 per 1000 live births or greater [4, 5] .

The strategy was first implemented in 1995 whereby a more holistic approach was adopted to under-5 s care.

This, along with assessing the child's nutritional and immunization status, allows the illness to be classified and then treated systematically.

IMCI was designed for use in countries with an infant mortality rate of 40 per 1000 live births or greater.


Silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are widely employed in high energy physics experiments. High photon detection efficiency and typical peak spectral sensitivity ranging between 400 and 500 nm make them very convenient for detecting photons produced in de-excitation processes evoked by ionizing particles in a plastic scintillator. Compactness and robustness of SiPMs make mechanical implementation easy. Furthermore, when assembled in a 2D array they can cover a sizable area, therefore can be considered as a relevant replacement for traditional photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). In particular, the sensors can be coupled directly to a scintillator bulk to provide a time resolution on a sub 100 ps level [1] [2] [3] .

In particular, the sensors can be coupled directly to a scintillator bulk to provide a time resolution on a sub 100 ps level.


Gas ionization chambers (GIC) with thin entrance windows are used in increasing numbers in ToF-ERDA spectrometers as the energy detector [4, 5] . In order to exploit the capabilities of even a simple planar electrode GIC, signals should be captured also from other electrodes than the anode, and advanced pulse shaping methods used to analyze those signals. Build up of charge in the gas and pile-up limit the count rate of the detector to typically 1000 (cps).

Gas ionization chambers (GIC) with thin entrance windows are used in increasing numbers in ToF-ERDA spectrometers as the energy detector.


In a platform market, two groups of users interact through a platform …rm. The bene…t to users on one side of the market increases with the number of users on the other side of the market, and a platform is able to charge individual prices to the two groups (Rochet and Tirole, 2006) . The newspaper industry is a prototypical example of a platform market. It involves three sets of players: newspapers, readers, and advertisers. In this perspective, readers and advertisers are the two user groups that interact on newspaper platforms.

The bene…t to users on one side of the market increases with the number of users on the other side of the market, and a platform is able to charge individual prices to the two groups.


Enamel is the hardest and most mineralized tissue of human body. It is structured in order to resist to mechanical injuries, abrasion, and chemical attack. Differently from all the other mineralized tissues, it lacks proteins even if they are essential to its formation. Actually, matrix proteins are cleaved by proteinases secreted by the ameloblasts during tooth formation; hence, the matrix proteins of enamel are not incorporated into enamel prisms [38] . Degradation and resumption of enamel matrix proteins is the reason why enamel prisms, once formed, cannot be remodelled. After enamel prism formation, only the amount of hydroxyapatite within the prisms may decrease in consequence of chemical changes into the oral environment.

Actually, matrix proteins are cleaved by proteinases secreted by the ameloblasts during tooth formation; hence, the matrix proteins of enamel are not incorporated into enamel prisms.


Hydroxyapatite has been widely subjected to experiment as bone filler and prosthetic coating due to its biocompatibility and osteoconductivity, representing an elective material covering a wide range of applications for bone substitution and interface [30] . Poorly crystalline HA nanocrystals, in addition to the excellent biological properties of HA, such as nontoxicity and lack of inflammatory and immunitary responses, have bioresorption properties under physiological conditions. This property can be modulated by modifying its degree of crystallinity, which is achieved by implementation of innovative synthesis with a nanosize crystals control. In the last decade, advanced technology has been utilized to synthesize a new generation of biomimetic apatitic alloplastic materials which can optimize the interaction with biological entities thanks to their strong surface bioactivity [31] . The aim of the present study is to highlight the effect of the synthetic biomimetic hydroxyapatite crystals respect the fluoride ions into the remineralization in vitro of human enamel surface.

Hydroxyapatite has been widely subjected to experiment as bone filler and prosthetic coating due to its biocompatibility and osteoconductivity, representing an elective material covering a wide range of applications for bone substitution and interface.

In the last decade, advanced technology has been utilized to synthesize a new generation of biomimetic apatitic alloplastic materials which can optimize the interaction with biological entities thanks to their strong surface bioactivity.


Numerous species of native stingless bees, the Meliponini, are important pollinators of the original vegetation. In the same way as honeybees do, these bees elaborate a compound similar of propolis, named geopropolis. This term was formerly purposed by Nogueira-Neto [13] . It means a product made by the Meliponini using plant resins, bee-wax, bee glandular secretion and soil mud, clay, earth or sand. It does not contain plant tissue and trichomes. The honey of Meliponini is harvested inside the nests in little pots [13] . These pots are made of a mixture of resin and bee-wax only, named "cerume/cerúmen" in Brazil, and are not as resistant as geopropolis.

This term was formerly purposed by Nogueira-Neto.

The honey of Meliponini is harvested inside the nests in little pots.


Propolis is a product elaborated by honey bees starting to collect plant resins into its basquetes. This resin was obtained from some damaged tree stems or branches [3] . In a special case of green propolis, the bees chew leave buds to open the plant resin channels, introducing plant tissue fragments accidentally into its propolis [4] . Mixing the resin with bee wax, glandular secretion of the worker bees is added, and the result is a material used to seal holes and cracks inside the honeycomb and to isolate foreign incomes. By making artificial holes between the honeycomb walls and grids, beekeepers collect a great amount of propolis of high commercial value [5] .

This resin was obtained from some damaged tree stems or branches.

In a special case of green propolis, the bees chew leave buds to open the plant resin channels, introducing plant tissue fragments accidentally into its propolis.

By making artificial holes between the honeycomb walls and grids, beekeepers collect a great amount of propolis of high commercial value.


In this paper we have examined the role that weakly damped modes play in the pattern selection process for Faraday waves forced with frequency components mω and nω. Our symmetry arguments predict that the modes oscillating primarily with the harmonic frequency mω, the difference frequency |n − m|ω, and the sum frequency (n + m)ω will be the most important in terms of their contribution to the cubic coefficients A and B(θ) in the standing wave equations (8) . The symmetry considerations also provided scaling laws for the magnitude of these resonance effects.

Our symmetry arguments predict that the modes oscillating primarily with the harmonic frequency mω, the difference frequency |n − m|ω, and the sum frequency (n + m)ω will be the most important in terms of their contribution to the cubic coefficients A and B(θ) in the standing wave equations.


In the case of large-scale simulations, the discrete system of equations is typically being solved with iterative linear solvers, which are asymptotically more efficient than direct solvers [3] . Furthermore, these methods mainly rely on matrix-vector multiplications, which are relatively easy to parallelize and for which acceleration algorithms are available. However, the required number of iterations can easily become prohibitively large for high-frequency problems, especially for the classical boundary integral formulations. In Section 3 we therefore review various operator preconditioning techniques for high-frequency applications and numerically assess their performance in Section 5.2.

In the case of large-scale simulations, the discrete system of equations is typically being solved with iterative linear solvers, which are asymptotically more efficient than direct solvers.


On the other hand, the BEM is not free of problems. For instance, it is crucial to carefully choose the correct type of boundary integral equation formulation. In particular for high-frequency problems it is necessary to choose a formulation that does not suffer from breakdown at certain resonant frequencies [1, 2] . This will be the topic of Section 2.

In particular for high-frequency problems it is necessary to choose a formulation that does not suffer from breakdown at certain resonant frequencies.

This will be the topic of Section 2.


The boundary element method (BEM) is an efficient and competitive tool to solve large-scale high-frequency Helmholtz problems in bounded or unbounded domains. Recent developments in fast matrix compression and preconditioning for boundary integral operators have pushed the computational limit of high-frequency boundary element computations such that problems in three dimensions with over a hundred wavelengths across the domain can be solved on a single workstation [48] . Furthermore, the availability of high-level software libraries allows for a convenient implementation of different boundary integral formulations [42] . This combination makes it possible to solve large-scale problems of engineering interest effectively with the BEM.

Recent developments in fast matrix compression and preconditioning for boundary integral operators have pushed the computational limit of high-frequency boundary element computations such that problems in three dimensions with over a hundred wavelengths across the domain can be solved on a single workstation.

Furthermore, the availability of high-level software libraries allows for a convenient implementation of different boundary integral formulations.


The advent of multi-element array transducers driven by multi-channel electronics offers significant advantages over concave single-element piezoelectric devices. Multi-element transducers have the ability to compensate for tissue and bone heterogeneities and to steer the beam electronically by adjusting the time delays in each channel to produce constructive interference at the required location, thus minimizing the requirement for mechanical repositioning of the transducer during treatment. A pseudo-random arrangement of the circular planar elements on the surface of the transducer is often opted for. This has been shown to minimize the formation of side lobes when design constraints place a limit on the amount of elements that can be used and on the spacing between these elements [24] . Fig. 5 depicts a mesh of four ribs, together with a spherical section transducer array, with 256 pseudo-randomly distributed elements. The array is positioned so that its geometric focus is located at an intercostal space, approximately 3 cm deep into the rib cage.

This has been shown to minimize the formation of side lobes when design constraints place a limit on the amount of elements that can be used and on the spacing between these elements.


Catering for the needs of internal customers has been recognised vital for successful PD [15] [16] . Effective product development is a necessity for achieving competitive goals, and to tackle price erosion. Different aspects internal to companies have been addressed by utilising the DfX methodology, including different disciplines, such as assembly and manufacturing in general. The methodology has later expanded to cover also other relevant aspects, including environment and many others [17] .

Catering for the needs of internal customers has been recognised vital for successful PD.

The methodology has later expanded to cover also other relevant aspects, including environment and many others.


Many authors have stressed the significance of early steps of PD [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] . The possibilities of influencing PD success are seen to be at best during the early project stages. The decisions made early, reduce unnecessary changes during later PD stages, and even the total lifecycle costs. Design for X (DfX) is a structured means to systematically address the early product development, functional integration, and enable capability creation [12] [13] [14] .

Many authors have stressed the significance of early steps of PD.

Design for X (DfX) is a structured means to systematically address the early product development, functional integration, and enable capability creation.


In order to make products, a company needs a product development process, including preparation for production. This is regardless that there is no uniform conception of what constitutes a product development process, and that it may differ by industry and possibly by a company [28] . It has been known already for some time that it may be possible to improve product development efficiency and effectiveness by simultaneously designing products and related production processes, rather than designing them separately or in a sequential manner [29] [30] . Automotive industry, especially Toyota, provides a good example of simultaneous product and process design, as each new model typically requires a new assembly line [31] [32] [33] .

This is regardless that there is no uniform conception of what constitutes a product development process, and that it may differ by industry and possibly by a company.

It has been known already for some time that it may be possible to improve product development efficiency and effectiveness by simultaneously designing products and related production processes, rather than designing them separately or in a sequential manner.

Automotive industry, especially Toyota, provides a good example of simultaneous product and process design, as each new model typically requires a new assembly line.


In view of the prominence of multiprocessing and multi-user environments in computer system, it is inefficient to restrict large database to sequential operation. If concurrent transactions are allowed, then throughput, resource utilization are improved and response time is reduced [4] . But all the usual problems associated with parallel accessing of data updating will arise. For example update of one transaction may be overwritten by another.

If concurrent transactions are allowed, then throughput, resource utilization are improved and response time is reduced.


In a wide variety of commercially available biopolymers a new group of biopolyamides has recently been introduced on the market. They are obtained in the condensation reaction of diamines and dicarboxylic acids from castor oil (Niaounakis 2015) . Importantly, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during production of PA4.10 is compensated by the amount of CO 2 absorbed during plant growth.

They are obtained in the condensation reaction of diamines and dicarboxylic acids from castor oil.


Research and developments of new preservation methods are continuously carried out in order to improve the quality of the final product. For drying of vegetables and fruits, freeze-drying (FD) is known to be a good method, by which product shrinkage is eliminated or minimized, and a near-perfect preservation results are expected (Moreira et al., 1998) . FD also prevents heat damage and produces products with excellent structural retention (Lin et al., 1998) . However, as FD is a costly process, it is only suitable for high-value products (Lin et al., 1998) .

For drying of vegetables and fruits, freeze-drying (FD) is known to be a good method, by which product shrinkage is eliminated or minimized, and a near-perfect preservation results are expected.

FD also prevents heat damage and produces products with excellent structural retention.

However, as FD is a costly process, it is only suitable for high-value products.


Type transition statistics are an important kind of spatio-temporal statistics that provide databases for the analytic indices and dynamic models. It concerns the measurable areal relationship characterizing changes between features and answers queries such as "how much farmland has changed to residential land over a period". Transition statistical process (TSP), which involves complicated relational and topological operations, remains a challenge in land data statistical applications. Although TSP can be obtained through overlay analysis (Figure 1 ), the process requires substantial time and resources when handling massive practical land-use data [14] . Based on the query optimizations for spatio-temporal database (STDB), the computation of TSP can be reduced to a certain extent, but still unable to satisfy the practical needs. The lack of an accurate and efficient TSP method for mass data is the bottleneck problem of land-use change analysis and data mining.

Although TSP can be obtained through overlay analysis (Figure 1 ), the process requires substantial time and resources when handling massive practical land-use data.


Several studies have evaluated prevalence and the factors influencing EBF in various SSA settings among women with infants aged six months to 12 months [17] [18] [19] [20] . Results showed knowledge of EBF and counselling on breastfeeding during pregnancy or after delivery to be important factors influencing EBF [21, 22] . A study in Central Nepal showed that with support from health care workers and family members mothers were enabled to practice successful breastfeeding [23] . However, there is limited literature on the level of knowledge on optimal breastfeeding practices among women during pregnancy and how this may influence future optimal breastfeeding practices.

Several studies have evaluated prevalence and the factors influencing EBF in various SSA settings among women with infants aged six months to 12 months.

Results showed knowledge of EBF and counselling on breastfeeding during pregnancy or after delivery to be important factors influencing EBF.

A study in Central Nepal showed that with support from health care workers and family members mothers were enabled to practice successful breastfeeding.


The accuracy of GEBV for wool traits was only evaluated for Merino sheep because there were a limited number of observations for the other breed types and the ASBV accuracy for wool traits of maternal and terminal validation rams was low or zero in some cases. In Merino sheep, the correlations between yearling GEBV and yearling ASBV for wool traits ranged from 0.23 to 0.79 for GBLUP and from 0.15 to 0.74 for BayesA (Table 4) . Both GFW and FD had accuracies in excess of 0.70. However, the accuracy for SS was less than 0.70, which may be partly explained by two factors: the number of SS records was low and SS has a lower heritability than either GFW or FD (Table 2 ). These accuracy trends were similar to those for the correlation between yearling GEBV and adult ASBV (Table 5) , which, to some extent, is expected as genetic correlations between yearling and adult wool traits are generally >0.60 (Huisman and Brown 2009) . However, it is noteworthy because accurate prediction of adult wool ASBV from yearling GEBV facilitates accurate selection of young rams for the adult GFW and FD of their progeny. The accuracy within wool types was generally somewhat lower and more variable than the accuracy for all Merino sheep combined. The between-Merino wool type variation in accuracy was likely increased by some wool types having only a few validation rams available. For example, there were only 19 superfine Merino rams available for validation. The lower correlations between wool types compared with those for the full Merino dataset likely also reflects the fact that some of the SNP predict between-strain differences.

These accuracy trends were similar to those for the correlation between yearling GEBV and adult ASBV (Table 5) , which, to some extent, is expected as genetic correlations between yearling and adult wool traits are generally >0.60.


The other data, σ i,e (x) are conductivity matrices; f : R × R m → R and g : R×R m → R m are functions representing the ionic activity in the myocardium; and s i,e : (0, +∞) × Ω → R are external applied current sources. We point out that the conductivity matrices are quite specific: at each x ∈ Ω, they have the same eigenbasis, and for x ∈ ∂Ω, the normal n(x) to ∂Ω is an eigenvector of both σ i (x) and σ e (x). In an isolated heart, no current flows out of the heart, as expressed by the boundary conditions (5) . The initial data (at t = 0) is set only on u and w.

In an isolated heart, no current flows out of the heart, as expressed by the boundary conditions.


In §5, our main result is stated: existence of a weak solutions. It is based on a classical Galerkin technique, a priori estimates and compactness results [39] . The results are obtained under minimal regularity assumptions on the data. The problem of regularity of the solutions is not addressed here.

It is based on a classical Galerkin technique, a priori estimates and compactness results.


University lecturers around the world report lack of adequate mathematical knowledge and computational skills in beginning students (Fedoryshyn, O'Brien, Hintz & Bosner, 2010; Heck & Van Gastel, 2006; Stainbank, 2013) . It is therefore not surprising that the relationship between competence and attitude to mathematics of students and the study of subjects that depend on certain levels of mathematics competence continues to be a focus of interest both locally and internationally. Research into this issue in emerging-economy contexts like South Africa is important, as it has much potential for also informing educational contexts in advanced economy contexts, where immigration has presented new challenges for those education systems too. Student diversity and unevenness in mathematics preparedness increasing affect first-world learning contexts. As such, mathematics anxiety issues are likely to pertain in classrooms worldwide, and insights into these issues and how they may impinge on the study of commercial subjects, whether in developing or advanced economies, will have wide pertinence for funders interested in developmental advancement of mathematics and commerce.

University lecturers around the world report lack of adequate mathematical knowledge and computational skills in beginning students.


Attitudes are veiled, not directly observable or measurable. Attitudes can be measured by sets of statements created and sorted as positive or negative. Attitudes are thus calculated from respondents' statements (Thurstone, 1928) . Attitudes can also be measured using 5-to 11-point Likert scales, where respondents indicate agreement with groups of statements and reliability is calculated for individuals or groups by summation of scores (Likert, 1932) .

Attitudes are thus calculated from respondents' statements.

Attitudes can also be measured using 5-to 11-point Likert scales, where respondents indicate agreement with groups of statements and reliability is calculated for individuals or groups by summation of scores.


With all these benefits of nano material engineered concrete, concerns remain for scientists and engineers of the wide utilization of particles mixed concrete material. First of all, the toxicity and environmental impact of the ultra-fine nano particles are not yet well studied [18] . Secondly, it is well acknowledged that most of the nanoscale materials are expensive that limits their use with concrete in industry. Finally, the development of nano engineered concrete is based on advances in the materials science. Considerable effort is required to transfer and implement the knowledge gained at the material level to structural engineering and design.

First of all, the toxicity and environmental impact of the ultra-fine nano particles are not yet well studied.


Teachers who participated in the study in the inclusive educational environment with talented and gifted students, often preferred educational practices such as using different teaching methods and techniques, engaging with stakeholders to identify their students' interests, abilities and intelligence and doing activities that will reveal interests and talents. When results are evaluated in terms of countries, it can be stated that Czech and German teachers were predominantly involved in educational practices aiming at collaborating with stakeholders. On the other hand, teachers in Italy and Turkey were found to be predominantly involved in performing activities and using different teaching methods and techniques. The activities of revealing the interests and talents and using different teaching methods were emphasized by Italian teachers. This situation may be because of reflections of the Italian education system which emphasizes participation in educational processes (Yilmaz, 2013) . One of the remarkable findings of the study is that diversification of teaching methods and techniques and and the inclusion of other elements in the education were considered as one of the important elements of the inclusive education by the teachers working in Czech Republic, which is an important feature of Czech educational system (Kratochví lová . In addition, it can be said that teachers benefitted from educational activities such as using diagnostic methods, doing individual andgroup work, making evaluations and creating an appropriate class atmosphere. When educational practices of teachers to determine the students' interests and abilities in the inclusive education environment with talented and gifted students are evaluated in terms of today's education principles, it can be concluded that the given educational applications will allow the students to recognize themselves and reveal their abilities. In particular, using different teaching methods and techniques, engaging educational practices that reveal the interests and abilities, the arrangement of individual and group work and organizing the learning atmosphere in which the students can express themselves comfortably will contribute positively to the social emotional development of the students. In terms of teacher qualifications, the importance of the specified applications is among the highlighted subjects (Seferoglu, 2004) .

This situation may be because of reflections of the Italian education system which emphasizes participation in educational processes.

In terms of teacher qualifications, the importance of the specified applications is among the highlighted subjects.


While it was emphasized intensely by teachers in Italy that respecting individual traits by accepting the individual as they are, was one of the most important principles of the inclusive education. In addition to the group interaction of teachers in Germany, students performed accountability practices. For the teachers in Turkey, it can be stated that they were predominantly involved in the applications to provide feedback, which is an important element of the communication process (Basar, 2001; Erden, 2005; Bacanli, 2011) .

For the teachers in Turkey, it can be stated that they were predominantly involved in the applications to provide feedback, which is an important element of the communication process.


There is also mounting lack of support for the role of goal conflict in understanding physical activity. There may be a range of reasons for this. For instance, when considering the totality of an individual's goal pursuits, individuals may be better able to perceive helpful goal relationships than conflicting ones. Individuals may not be aware of the extent that their competing goals interfere with their physical activity. When using diaries to assess actual time spent in pursuit of goals that conflict with physical activity over time, goal conflict has been shown to be predictive of objectively assessed physical activity (Presseau et al., 2013) . This suggests that measures of perceived goal conflict may need to be supplemented with behavioural assessments. This also presents opportunities for feedback interventions by showing individuals which of their behaviours is most interfering with their physical activity. In addition, when focusing the goal pursuit context to a specific time and place rather than all of everyday life, both goal conflict and goal facilitation have been shown to predict behaviour (Presseau et al., 2011) .

When using diaries to assess actual time spent in pursuit of goals that conflict with physical activity over time, goal conflict has been shown to be predictive of objectively assessed physical activity.

In addition, when focusing the goal pursuit context to a specific time and place rather than all of everyday life, both goal conflict and goal facilitation have been shown to predict behaviour.


Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by increased levels of blood sugar. Diabetes occurs either when the pancreas produces no or insufficient insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Type 2 diabetes results from the body's insufficient production and/or ineffective use of insulin. Hyperglycaemia (an increased concentration of glucose in the blood) is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves (WHO, 2015) .

Hyperglycaemia (an increased concentration of glucose in the blood) is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.


In nano-devices the presence of very high and rapidly varying electric fields is the cause of thermal heating of the carriers and the crystal lattice. In fact, the external electric field transfers energy to the electrons and in turn to the lattice through the scattering mechanism. This self-heating process can influence significantly the electrical behaviour because the dissipated electrical energy causes a temperature rise in the device resulting in increased power dissipation. Power dissipation limits the performance of electronics from handheld devices (≃ 10 3 W) to massive data centers (≃ 10 9 W), all primarily based on silicon micro/nanotechnology [2] .

Power dissipation limits the performance of electronics from handheld devices (≃ 10 3 W) to massive data centers (≃ 10 9 W), all primarily based on silicon micro/nanotechnology.


Bacterial lipases are mostly inducible enzymes and require some form of oil, fatty acid, fatty acid alcohol or fatty acid ester and surfactants for induction (Immanuel et al., 2008) . Lipase biosynthesis by microorganisms under cultural conditions is influenced by factors such as medium composition, pH, temperature among others. Therefore, in the present investigations, a study was undertaken to optimize the lipase production by locally isolated Staphylococcus sp. Lp12 on relatively low cost media.

Bacterial lipases are mostly inducible enzymes and require some form of oil, fatty acid, fatty acid alcohol or fatty acid ester and surfactants for induction.


Lipases or triacylglycerol acylester hydrolases are carboxylesterases (E.C. 3.1.1.3) that catalyze both hydrolysis and synthesis of esters formed from glycerol (Immanuel et al., 2008) . Lipases are currently attracting an enormous attention because of their biotechnological applications. Lipases remain active in organic solvents, do not usually require a cofactor and display exquisite chemo, region and enantio selectivity. Hence they have become important biocatalysts in various industrial sectors, such as the agrochemical, pharmaceutical, detergent and food industries (Bouke et al., 2007) .

Lipases or triacylglycerol acylester hydrolases are carboxylesterases (E.C. 3.1.1.3) that catalyze both hydrolysis and synthesis of esters formed from glycerol.

Hence they have become important biocatalysts in various industrial sectors, such as the agrochemical, pharmaceutical, detergent and food industries.


The ever increasing demands on accuracy and faster response confront control engineers with the mechanical limitations of modern industrial servo systems. The parasitic flexibilities in the structure of a robotic-system have to be taken into account when controlling a servo system for high precision applications. The presence of nonlinearities of the plant dynamics and multi-modal behaviors further complicate this scenario that necessitate design of robust controller parameters. In this context, many feed-forward methods have been studied in the past and time-delayed input shaping (IS) is one of the primitive and effective methods in this regard. These techniques are used to eliminate or suppress residual vibrations either to a open loop system or an existing feedback controlled system as long as these are stable or exhibit sustained oscillations. Though, originally developed for linear time invariant (LTI) systems such schemes have been successfully applied to a variety of (simple to complex) nonlinear systems including flexible manipulators, gantry cranes etc [1] .

Though, originally developed for linear time invariant (LTI) systems such schemes have been successfully applied to a variety of (simple to complex) nonlinear systems including flexible manipulators, gantry cranes etc.


It has been reported that the ABO 3 perovskites can be properly modified by the partial substitution of atoms at A or B which dramatically enhance the activity and significant structural changes, such as lattice distortions, stabilization of multiple oxidation states, or generation of cationic and anionic vacancies. Many studies have reported that partial substitution at the A-site by a cation of different valence (e.g., La 3+ by Ce 4+ or Sr 2+ ) can form oxygen vacancies or change the oxidation state of the B-site cation, which enhances substantially the catalytic activity [12, 13] . Cerium is usually reported as a good promoter in perovskite lattice. An increase in the cerium substitution level up to 10% on the structure is expected to the enhancement in the activity that explained by oxygen excess in the lattice, cationic vacancies, structural defects, and the presence of multiple B oxidation states [14] .

Many studies have reported that partial substitution at the A-site by a cation of different valence (e.g., La 3+ by Ce 4+ or Sr 2+ ) can form oxygen vacancies or change the oxidation state of the B-site cation, which enhances substantially the catalytic activity.

An increase in the cerium substitution level up to 10% on the structure is expected to the enhancement in the activity that explained by oxygen excess in the lattice, cationic vacancies, structural defects, and the presence of multiple B oxidation states.


In this study, nanosized Ce-substituted perovskite-type oxides with up to 0.4 were synthesized by sol-gel method and described structural change including Ce distribution. The prepared powder samples were systematically characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform 2 Journal of Nanomaterials infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, Xray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and temperatureprogrammed reduction of H 2 (H 2 -TPR). Catalytic activity and selectivity were examined on dehydrogenation propane reaction. Dehydrogenation of propane is attractive in terms of the direct conversion of economic feedstock, which can contribute to the future chemical industry. Perovskite catalysts possess high activities to propylene on this reaction [15] .

Perovskite catalysts possess high activities to propylene on this reaction.


One of the most used statistical methods in all research areas to compress data into a few explanatory latent variables is principal component analysis (PCA) [10] . PCA can be used to impute missing values considering the latent structure of the data set, thus taking into account not only the information regarding to the observation with missing values and the variable itself, but also their relationships with the rest of observations and variables. Several methods have been presented in the literature exploiting the ability of PCA to impute missing values [1, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16] .

One of the most used statistical methods in all research areas to compress data into a few explanatory latent variables is principal component analysis (PCA).

Several methods have been presented in the literature exploiting the ability of PCA to impute missing values.


As stated earlier, treatments that received the high N fertilizer rate prior to planting and P fertilizer exhibited higher grain yields in 2003 and 2008 (irrigated and/or rainfed). Differences likely were not seen in 2004 because of ample precipitation and in 2011 because of severe drought (Figure 1 ). The only logical explanation for the significant increase in grain yield for the 2003 fertilizer treatments that received 45 kg N ha −1 midseason compared to N applications prior to planting is that the period from planting to the average break of dormancy received the most amount of rainfall of any of the four years analyzed (Figure 1 ). The soil being near saturation during this period, confirmed by the elevated FWI values over this time (Figure 2 ), is ideal for N losses via denitrification [34] .

The soil being near saturation during this period, confirmed by the elevated FWI values over this time (Figure 2 ), is ideal for N losses via denitrification.


The present study provides detailed immunocytochemical information on a salmonid olfactory system-specific protein (N24) in kokanee salmon. The distribution of N24 immunoreactive axons in the olfactory bulb are generally consistent with results of tracing experiments using cobaltlysine or horseradish peroxidase methods in other salmonids (Bazer et al., 1987; Riddle and Oakley, 1992) . It seemed reasonable to suppose that these axons were primary projections from the olfactory receptor cells in the olfactory epithelium (Satou, 1992) .

The distribution of N24 immunoreactive axons in the olfactory bulb are generally consistent with results of tracing experiments using cobaltlysine or horseradish peroxidase methods in other salmonids.

It seemed reasonable to suppose that these axons were primary projections from the olfactory receptor cells in the olfactory epithelium.


Wide bandgap power semiconductor devices such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) have recently become a hot research topic because they are able to operate in higher temperature, higher frequency and realise higher energy conversion efficiency in comparison with traditional silicon (Si) power semiconductor devices. Commercial SiC transistors (JFET, MOSFET) can block voltage above 1200 V and GaN transistor (HEMT) is able to withstand a maximal voltage of 650 V, while they can conduct current from a few amperes to a few tens of amperes. Both SiC and GaN devices can be applied in EVs, in which the voltage rating of different electrical systems is found to be from low voltage to high voltage. Low voltage is normally from 12 to 42 V and mainly for vehicle electrical equipment, where GaN devices can be used; while high voltage can reach up to 600 V and is mainly for vehicle motor drive, where SiC devices can be used because of their high voltage rating. The voltage rating of battery pack in an EV can vary from 200 to 400 V, and it is found in the literature that both SiC and GaN devices are applied in vehicle based battery charger [3, 4] .

The voltage rating of battery pack in an EV can vary from 200 to 400 V, and it is found in the literature that both SiC and GaN devices are applied in vehicle based battery charger.


An overload of targeted vaccination studies demonstrate that vaccination can be tailor-made to induce a particular phenotype of adaptive immunity by specifically targeting different surface molecules on DC subsets [146] . Nonetheless, conflicting results regarding the outcome of targeted vaccines to induce therapeutic antitumor immunity also stress that the benefit of targeting as such may not be overestimated. The immunogenicity of every vaccine, irrespective of its targeting abilities, is also characterized by its dose, size, surface charge, cargo, presence of adjuvants, route of administration, and the species to which it is delivered. So the question remains: does one targetable and omnipotent DC subtype really exists to increase the efficiency of current antitumor vaccination strategies?

An overload of targeted vaccination studies demonstrate that vaccination can be tailor-made to induce a particular phenotype of adaptive immunity by specifically targeting different surface molecules on DC subsets.


With the development of the high-speed railway and urban rail transit, railway noise has become a growing public concern in the world today. There are plenty of noise sources associated with the railway. However, in general, railway noise is composed mainly of three types: rolling noise, traction noise, and aerodynamic noise [1] . Figure 1 presents the predominant noise sources in the total noise level depending on train speed, of which rolling noise is the greatest contributor to the overall noise level when the train is running at a speed of less than 300 km/h [2] .

However, in general, railway noise is composed mainly of three types: rolling noise, traction noise, and aerodynamic noise.

Figure 1 presents the predominant noise sources in the total noise level depending on train speed, of which rolling noise is the greatest contributor to the overall noise level when the train is running at a speed of less than 300 km/h.


Extensive work has been conducted to understand the mechanism of railway rolling noise generation [3] [4] [5] [6] . The vibration of the wheel, rail, and sleeper caused by surface roughness of the rail and train wheel contributes to the overall spectrum of noise. Figure 2 shows, over the whole frequency range, the contribution of the three elements. It is an example of the calculations by Thompson with the TWINS software, which have been validated in extensive field measurements [7, 8] . Amongst them, the rail is a dominant source in the frequency region of 450-2000 Hz, and it generates a larger contribution to the total noise above 2000 Hz. This fact means that rail radiation is one of the significant sources of rolling noise.

Extensive work has been conducted to understand the mechanism of railway rolling noise generation.

It is an example of the calculations by Thompson with the TWINS software, which have been validated in extensive field measurements.


Some of the interesting aspects of the clinical observations from this review are worth mentioning. The high percentage of children with osteoarticular complications is a finding to emphasize to practitioners in the region, and to alert pediatric specialists in endemic areas. Prior studies have described osteoarticular findings in children [12, 21] . In our survey, children were more likely to have these complications, thus providing data to the medical community of the need for vigilance for these findings in children. Another prior observation in children is the frequency of cytopenias, including pancytopenia, associated with brucellosis [22] . We observed a low rate of anemia (2.7%), but a significant percentage of patients with leucopenia (12.5%). It is likely the higher percentages of pancytopenia described in the previous report was attributable to a higher number of pediatric patients in that study. Our study adds further evidence to the observation that leucopenia can be associated with brucellosis.

Prior studies have described osteoarticular findings in children.

Another prior observation in children is the frequency of cytopenias, including pancytopenia, associated with brucellosis.


Despite the fact that formant frequencies are often the only spectral descriptors of vowels (or sonorants in general) offered by textbooks on speech acoustics, we have to ask whether there is indeed no other information in the spectrum that could be correlated with the "proper" sound of schwa. A cue that such information should exist is provided by the metrical role of the English schwa. It is a vowel with the inherent feature [+ unstressed] and in the four-level analysis of syllabic prominences it is associated with the lowest level. It has been pointed out previously that the salience of the vowel is reflected by its spectral slope (also spectral tilt or spectral balance). The brighter sounding vowels display more moderate decay of spectral energies in higher-frequency regions or, the other way round, weaker sounding vowels have steeper decrease of amplitude towards the higher frequencies (Sluijter and van Heuven, 1996; Gobl and Ní Chasaide, 2003) .

The brighter sounding vowels display more moderate decay of spectral energies in higher-frequency regions or, the other way round, weaker sounding vowels have steeper decrease of amplitude towards the higher frequencies.


The three time-dependent states have also been computed recently using the full three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations (Blackburn & Lopez 2000) . They presented solutions, with Λ = 2.5, on the three branches where Re = 3000 (ω 1 branch), Re = 3500 (ω 2 branch), and Re = 4000 (ω 3 branch). The Re = 3000 case evolved to an axisymmetric state, whereas the other two supported rotating waves (modulated by the underlying oscillations of the axisymmetric components of the flows) with azimuthal wavenumbers m = 5 and m = 6, respectively. One particularly salient conclusion from that study was that the axisymmetric components of the non-axisymmetric states retain almost all (> 99%) of the kinetic energy of the flows and that the rotating waves are slaved to the axisymmetric components of the flows.

The three time-dependent states have also been computed recently using the full three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations.


From September 2011 to January 2015 the Swiss central bank's official policy has been to maintain a minimum exchange rate at CHF 1.20 per euro. To achieve this objective, the central bank had stated that it would be willing to buy foreign currency in unlimited quantities (SNB, 2011) . This commitment and the sustainability of this policy had been questioned right from the beginning. Under such a policy, a lack of credibility to carry through with defending the floor invites capital inflows and requires the central bank to buy large quantities of foreign currency which could ultimately make the policy very expensive. Therefore, it is important to be able to precisely assess the views of financial markets participants about the policy and in particular its credibility Financial prices can be used to learn about the implied risk-neutral probability that the EURCHF will move below the official floor of 1.20. For instance, a put option with a strike price of 1.20 or lower with a positive price requires that financial markets assign positive probability that the policy will not persist until the maturity of the option. If exchange rates are lognormally distributed, then one can use the standard Black-Scholes option pricing model to measure the implied risk-neutral probability for any range of the exchange rate.

To achieve this objective, the central bank had stated that it would be willing to buy foreign currency in unlimited quantities.


Intuitively, the equilibrium exchange rate represents the expected value over the two regimes of next period's exchange rate, discounted by the numeraire interest rate   , and augmented by the interest rate on the euro  *  . The time  equilibrium exchange rate  can possibly be below the policy floor . In that case, it is assumed that the central bank can intervene in the current spot market to guarantee that the observed exchange rate equals , that is, the observed exchange rate satisfies (2) . The distinction between the equilibrium exchange ratẽ   and the observed exchange rate   allows the model to produce a well-defined exchange rate based on the no-arbitrage equation (1), while at the same time allowing for the peg to be enforced in the current period.

The time  equilibrium exchange rate  can possibly be below the policy floor . In that case, it is assumed that the central bank can intervene in the current spot market to guarantee that the observed exchange rate equals , that is, the observed exchange rate satisfies.


However, since these parameters are set by the reference scheduler as fixed values in time and for the different stations, the network shows poor performances and the QoS management is not yet satisfactory for applications with variable bandwidth, data rate, packet size, and so forth [2] [3] [4] [5] . Indeed, in the case of Constant Bit Rate (CBR) traffic, the network is yet suitable to guarantee the required service, whereas, as far as Variable Bit Rate (VBR) applications are concerned, it is not able to conveniently follow the traffic changes. Therefore, in order to meet the QoS applications requirements, the MAC scheduling of stations and resources must be refined by means of more specific differentiation mechanisms. The differentiation of service, in the case of IEEE 802.11e HCCA, can be based on diverse approaches, such as (1) modifying the scheduling engine to provide variable TXOP and SI; (2) adopting a simple overprovisioning method (for instance, considering worst case conditions 2 Advances in Multimedia parameters values); (3) integrating/introducing mechanisms to tune the MAC parameters accordingly to the changing traffic profile. An example of the latter solution is the instantaneous dynamic computation of resource assignment respecting the admission control that deals with the capacity allocation constrained by the thresholds of available resources. Otherwise bandwidth reclaiming methods can be adopted: they simply recover the exceeding allocated resources, not used by some stations, and assign that to other stations, without any impact on the resource allocation performed by the admission control, but like a "legal" form of overprovisioning.

However, since these parameters are set by the reference scheduler as fixed values in time and for the different stations, the network shows poor performances and the QoS management is not yet satisfactory for applications with variable bandwidth, data rate, packet size, and so forth.


FOS are mainly composed of 1-kestose, 1-nystose, and 1-b-fructofuranosyl nystose, which can be found in many fruits and vegetables, although in very low concentrations to exert any beneficial effect, and its production is limited by seasonal conditions [1, 4] . Thus, extraction procedures to obtain these compounds are not viable, and the FOS production on an industrial level is required. On industrial scale, FOS are produced either from sucrose by transfructosylation with fructosyltransferase enzymes or from inulin by controlled enzymatic hydrolysis with endoinulinases [5, 6] . The companies that commercially manufacture FOS were summarized in a recent study [6] . FOS have been produced from sucrose by Beghin-Meiji Industries, France (Actilight), Cheil Foods and Chemicals Inc., Korea (OligoSugar), GTC Nutrition, USA (Nutra-Flora), Meiji Seika Kaisha Ltd., Japan (Meioligo), and Victory Biology Engineering Co. Ltd., China (Prebiovis scFOS), while the commercial production of FOS from inulin has been done by the companies Orafti Active Food Ingredients, USA (Raftilose), Beneo-Orafti, Belgium (Orafti), Cosuera Group Warcoing, Belgium (Fibrulose), and Jarrow Formulas, USA (Inulin FOS).

FOS are mainly composed of 1-kestose, 1-nystose, and 1-b-fructofuranosyl nystose, which can be found in many fruits and vegetables, although in very low concentrations to exert any beneficial effect, and its production is limited by seasonal conditions.

On industrial scale, FOS are produced either from sucrose by transfructosylation with fructosyltransferase enzymes or from inulin by controlled enzymatic hydrolysis with endoinulinases.

The companies that commercially manufacture FOS were summarized in a recent study.


Concerning the maximum FOS production yield (Y P/St ), volumetric productivity (Q P ), and enzymatic activity of FFase, the obtained results did not differ at 95 % confidence level for the different carriers used (Table 3) . Therefore, the next step of this study consisted in a comparison between FOS production results by free cells and immobilized in SF or PF (the most suitable materials for P. expansum immobilization) (Table 4) . When statistically compared, the results obtained for these three fermentation media did not show differences at 95 % confidence level. However, maximum FOS production in free cells medium was achieved after 36 h of fermentation, while 48 h were necessary to obtain the maximum production in media containing cells immobilized in SF or PF, suggesting that microenvironmental conditions of immobilized cells may differ from free cells [33] . FOS production by free or immobilized cells did not differ also in terms of proportion of 1-kestose (GF2), 1-nystose (GF3), and 1-b-fructofuranosyl nystose (GF4) in the final mixture. Fermentation with free cells gave a final FOS mixture containing 72.1 % GF2, 26.4 % GF3 and 1.5 % GF4, while fermentation with cells immobilized in SF or PF yielded FOS mixtures containing 74.2 % GF2, 22.9 % GF3 and 2.9 % GF4; and 67.3 % GF2, 30.0 % GF3 and 2.7 % GF4, for SF and PF, respectively. In brief, it can be concluded that FOS production by cells immobilized on SF or PF was very efficient, allowing the reproduction of the results obtained in the free cells medium. This is advantageous for their application in repeated batch fermentation processes.

However, maximum FOS production in free cells medium was achieved after 36 h of fermentation, while 48 h were necessary to obtain the maximum production in media containing cells immobilized in SF or PF, suggesting that microenvironmental conditions of immobilized cells may differ from free cells.


Understanding the role of information and data provision and participation is still being explored in a movement towards our increasingly data and technology-filled cities (Townsend, 2013) . What this research shows is that there is a balancing act between that of providing enough information to allow informed judgements, and information that is easily understood, which ChangeExplorer probes. What this information was shown to do, however, was to engender an interest in finding out more, and sparking an interest in this kind of information.

Understanding the role of information and data provision and participation is still being explored in a movement towards our increasingly data and technology-filled cities.


In order to study current distribution phenomena in multistage superconducting cables, we have developed in the past years a distributed parameters model that allows to calculate current distribution in very long cables used in magnets due to a substantial decrease of the number of the unknowns of the problem [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . The model is a special case of a multi-conductor transmission line for which standard theory is available in the field of electrical engineering. As we will show in this paper, another remarkable advantage of this formulation as compared to the lumped parameters network model is the possibility to find an analytical solution of the governing equations.

In order to study current distribution phenomena in multistage superconducting cables, we have developed in the past years a distributed parameters model that allows to calculate current distribution in very long cables used in magnets due to a substantial decrease of the number of the unknowns of the problem.


The formulation of solutions presents many technical problems to the industrial pharmacist. A growing number of new therapeutic molecules are limited by low or erratic bioavailability due to poor water solubility. Because of the clinical demand for new and more efficacious anti-cancer, antiviral, and anti-infective drugs, many of these new drugs may be formulated for injection. A large percentage of drugs currently in preclinical and clinical development for injectable administration are considered poorly water soluble. Developing an injectable formulation and drug product for poorly water soluble compound can be challenging because there is no one best approach [1] [2] [3] [4] .

Developing an injectable formulation and drug product for poorly water soluble compound can be challenging because there is no one best approach.


The focus for this paper was to explore the elements of online professional development that are required to support teachers' independent learning pathways. Emerging from the data are three themes within online professional development. These three themes are "investigation", "reflection", and "constructive dialogue". In examining the data, each theme was independently categorized which enabled a clearer sense of what each theme consisted of as well as its relationship with the other themes. It was evident that each of the themes was intrinsically related to one another. Emerging from the findings of this study is a conceptualization of online professional development through the identification of and the relationship between the themes. Figure 9 represents one way of understanding online professional development that responds to the need for teachers to establish both an individual and community presence that supports their development of independent learning pathways. In Figure 9 the three themes, their relationship, and what they develop are represented. Online professional development consists of the interconnected elements of investigation, reflection and constructive dialogue. Investigation in this study was represented as classroom-based inquiry, signifying the opportunity for individual learning pathways. Investigation was found to provide both the corpus and guiding principle for online professional development. Teachers' classroom-based investigations became the platform and reason for online engagement (see Figure 9 where investigation is positioned at the bottom indicating a platform). Teachers were motivated to explore more about what interested them both professionally, in regard to curriculum and student outcomes as well as their own personal interests in the ICT. Both professional and personal factors have been identified as requirements for teacher professional learning [32] . The outcome of the online professional development was perceived by the teachers in relevance to the outcome of their Action Learning Project as well as the emergence of teachers' "self-realisation" as a conscious analysis focused on their pedagogical use of ICT. This construction of investigation as a guiding principle where teachers adopt the activist role as part of their professional practice is founded in action research based professional development [26, 33, 34] .

Both professional and personal factors have been identified as requirements for teacher professional learning.

This construction of investigation as a guiding principle where teachers adopt the activist role as part of their professional practice is founded in action research based professional development.


Teachers are expressing the need for effective professional development that will enable them to explore and discover the digital pedagogies required for the integration of ICT [8] . In Australia, two issues are guiding the reformation of professional development, these are, a geographic isolated population both across Australia and with the world, as well as the move to a National approach to Education with the current development and implementation of a national curriculum [9] . A move to online spaces for professional development, which are not limited by the need for face-to-face contact, is emerging with the growth and ease of use of web 2.0 tools [10, 11] . Educators' professional learning landscape has shifted greatly through such technologies due to the opportunities for any-time, self-generating, and on-demand learning [12] . These researchers identify the potential for online professional development but also call for further research in this field. This study intends to respond to this need with a focus on identifying the most effective elements of online professional development.

Teachers are expressing the need for effective professional development that will enable them to explore and discover the digital pedagogies required for the integration of ICT.

In Australia, two issues are guiding the reformation of professional development, these are, a geographic isolated population both across Australia and with the world, as well as the move to a National approach to Education with the current development and implementation of a national curriculum.

A move to online spaces for professional development, which are not limited by the need for face-to-face contact, is emerging with the growth and ease of use of web 2.0 tools.

Educators' professional learning landscape has shifted greatly through such technologies due to the opportunities for any-time, self-generating, and on-demand learning.


Worldwide, teachers are gaining access to Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), online tutorials are available, and digital curriculum resources are accessible and are continually being developed-the digital classroom is a reality [1] . However, teachers' ability to use digital tools in their classrooms, that is, practicing the digital pedagogies required for the effective integration of ICT, is not yet in evidence amongst the majority [2] [3] [4] . In addition, success with regard to technology integration has been based on how extensive or prominent the use of it has been in schools rather than on whether the teacher has been able to utilize it for "new", "better", or more "relevant" learning outcomes [5] . The Digital Education Revolution in Australia is a response to the disturbing finding that even though most teachers and students benefit from access to computers and online resources only a minority are reaping the benefits of the information technology revolution due to teacher capability [6] (p. 7). Similar results are evident in the United States with the Partnership for 21st Century Skills reform, which is doing little to direct technology integration away from teachers responding to accountability and standardized systems [7] .

Worldwide, teachers are gaining access to Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), online tutorials are available, and digital curriculum resources are accessible and are continually being developed-the digital classroom is a reality.

However, teachers' ability to use digital tools in their classrooms, that is, practicing the digital pedagogies required for the effective integration of ICT, is not yet in evidence amongst the majority.

In addition, success with regard to technology integration has been based on how extensive or prominent the use of it has been in schools rather than on whether the teacher has been able to utilize it for "new", "better", or more "relevant" learning outcomes.

The Digital Education Revolution in Australia is a response to the disturbing finding that even though most teachers and students benefit from access to computers and online resources only a minority are reaping the benefits of the information technology revolution due to teacher capability(p. 7).

Similar results are evident in the United States with the Partnership for 21st Century Skills reform, which is doing little to direct technology integration away from teachers responding to accountability and standardized systems.


We conducted all possible combinations of schemes and techniques discussed in Section 4 with different training corpus sizes: 1%, 10% and 100%. The results of the experiments are summarized in 3 31.1 35.3 14.7 28.8 36.1 MR 11.6 27.5 34.4 14.2 27.5 33.4 n/a n/a n/a 12.7 29.6 35.9 15.7 29.5 34.3 n/a n/a n/a EN 17.5 28.4 34.5 16.3 27.9 34.0 n/a n/a n/a 18.3 30.4 36.0 17.6 30.4 34.8 n/a n/a n/a Table 2 . All reported scores must have over 1.1% BLEU-4 difference to be significant at the 95% confidence level for 1% training. For all other training sizes, the difference must be over 1.7% BLEU-4. Error intervals were computed using bootstrap resampling (Koehn, 2004b) .

Error intervals were computed using bootstrap resampling.


Amongst all liquid biofuels, bioethanol is widely recognized these days as a promising renewable and environmentally friendly source of energy. It is an alternative fuel with the recognition that the global crude oil reserve is finite, and its depletion is occurring much faster than previously predicted [1] . Recently, saprophytic zygomycetes strain Mucor indicus (formerly M. rouxii) has been identified as an ethanol-producing organism, capable to grow aerobically or anaerobically on a number of different carbon sources including hexoses and pentoses with yield and productivity in the same order as Saccharomyces cerevisiae [2] . Furthermore, the interest in the potential utilization of fungal biomass zygomycetes as a valuable product is increasing due to the structural composition of cell walls [3] . Ethanol production by fermentation of natural feedstocks usually requires the use of complex growth supplements, such as yeast extract (YE) [2, 4] . The high cost of YE and other commercial nutrients is a limitation to its application in industrial processes, including the fermentation of biomass to ethanol. Thus, it is desirable to develop media that are likely to perform well in conditions that are representative in microbial fermentation. Several studies have concentrated on the use of yeast autolysate as effective nutrients in wheat fermentations and ethanol production [5, 6] . Fungal biomass as a by-product of fungal fermentations can be used as a source of nutrients for microbial fermentations. This can be achieved by disintegration and releasing materials hydrolyzed in-to assimilable monomers to produce a fungal autolysate as a nutrient-rich solution containing such as amino-acids, peptides, phosphorus and carbohydrates. Cell autolysis as an economical method is the natural degradation process, which starts after the exhaustion of major nutrients and reserves [7] . The objective of the present study was to develop a low-cost and suitable fermentation medium based on the utilization of filamentous fungus biomass, M. indicus, as a nutrient source for production of ethanol with the same fungal strain.

It is an alternative fuel with the recognition that the global crude oil reserve is finite, and its depletion is occurring much faster than previously predicted.

Recently, saprophytic zygomycetes strain Mucor indicus (formerly M. rouxii) has been identified as an ethanol-producing organism, capable to grow aerobically or anaerobically on a number of different carbon sources including hexoses and pentoses with yield and productivity in the same order as Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Furthermore, the interest in the potential utilization of fungal biomass zygomycetes as a valuable product is increasing due to the structural composition of cell walls.

Ethanol production by fermentation of natural feedstocks usually requires the use of complex growth supplements, such as yeast extract (YE).

Several studies have concentrated on the use of yeast autolysate as effective nutrients in wheat fermentations and ethanol production.

Cell autolysis as an economical method is the natural degradation process, which starts after the exhaustion of major nutrients and reserves.


Traditionally, there are few suppliers of reactive power support when it is needed in a particular location, because reactive power does not travel far on the transmission line, which limits the competition for this service [10] . However, as the penetration of renewable energy increases, especially the highly distributed generation penetration, there will be more reactive power suppliers in a region, which increases the practicability to introduce the reactive power market to clear the reactive power This paper reviews the WT level reactive power control strategies and the WF level reactive power dispatch strategies, and compares all of the possible combinations of WF level reactive power dispatch strategies and WT level reactive power control. The loss models for all of the devices that will cause active power and reactive power losses are also given in this paper. The twelve combined reactive power dispatch strategies are evaluated on a WF with 40 NREL 5MW reference WTs under a series of cases. A modified particle swarm optimization (MPSO) algorithm is adopted to solve the optimization problem. The wind speed at each WT inside the WF is calculated using the Jensen wake model [23] . Since the WF active power dispatch is not the main concern in this paper, the MPPT control is used on each WT. The results show that the best reactive power dispatch strategy for loss minimization occurs when the WF level strategy and WT level strategy are coordinated and the losses from each device in the WF are considered in the objective.

Traditionally, there are few suppliers of reactive power support when it is needed in a particular location, because reactive power does not travel far on the transmission line, which limits the competition for this service.

The wind speed at each WT inside the WF is calculated using the Jensen wake model.


Here, the interfacial shear strength τ is used to characterize the practical adhesion. Assuming that after the large-strain stretch, the detached fragments are parts of the film, which are completely detached from the substrate at the interface, their thickness can be used to estimate the thickness of the film and used in equation (2) to calculate the interfacial shear strength. When the pressure increases from 0.9 to 2.8 Pa, τ decreases from about 81 to 68 MPa (see table 1 ). Taking the internal stress into account, we obtain the intrinsic interfacial shear strength that decreases from about 64 to 53 MPa. The interfacial strength of the sample having deposition pressure 0.9 Pa is comparable to that (84 MPa) of SiO 2 /PET prepared by PECVD [18] . The SEM micrographs of the stretched ZnO samples clearly show detached fragments. These fragments are due to the compression caused by stretching the ZnO film deposited on the polyimide substrate that has different Poisson's ratio (see figure 4) . However, even at large strain (about 13.7%), no large areas of film detachment are found. Furthermore, the thicknesses of the fragments estimated from the SEM micrographs are about 190 nm, 300 nm and 330 nm for 0.9 Pa, 1.5 Pa and 2.8 Pa, respectively.

The interfacial strength of the sample having deposition pressure 0.9 Pa is comparable to that (84 MPa) of SiO 2 /PET prepared by PECVD.


A fragmentation test was performed to characterize the development of the crack pattern of each of the samples (see table 1 ). Only the results for the film deposited at 0.9 Pa are presented in figure 3 . At 0.53% strain, only faint cracks are seen perpendicular to the stretching direction. With increasing strain, the number of such cracks increases, and the cracks become wider. With further stretching, cracks in parallel to the stretching direction (transverse cracks) start to appear at the strain of 5.50% and more appear at the strain of 9%. At 13.7% strain, the crack pattern becomes irregular due to the large deformation of the sample and a more transverse crack region is observed. The final crack inter-spacing (l c ) obtained will be used to calculate the interfacial strength later on by equation (3) .

The final crack inter-spacing (l c ) obtained will be used to calculate the interfacial strength later on by equation.


In this paper, we present a new tool, called the Risk Map, for validating VaR-type models. To grasp the intuition of our approach, consider two banks that both have a oneday Value-at-Risk (VaR) of $100 million at the 1% probability level. This means that each bank has a one percent chance of losing more than $100 million over the next day. Assume that, over the past year, each bank has reported three VaR exceptions, or days when the trading loss exceeds its VaR, but the average VaR exceedance is $1 million for bank A and $500 million for bank B. In this case, standard backtesting methodologies would indicate that the performance of both models is equal (since both models lead to the same number of exceptions) and acceptable (since the annual number of exceptions is close enough to its target value of 2.5). The reason is that current backtesting methodologies only focus on the number of VaR exceptions and totally disregard the magnitude of these exceptions (Berkowitz, 2001, and Stulz, 2008) .

The reason is that current backtesting methodologies only focus on the number of VaR exceptions and totally disregard the magnitude of these exceptions.


For a Hilbert space H, let B(H) denote the space of all bounded operators on H. An operator space X on H is just a closed subspace of B(H) [6] . For operator spaces X and Y , and u an element in the algebraic tensor product X ⊗ Y , the operator space projective tensor norm is defined to be u ∧ = inf{ α x y β : u = α(x ⊗ y)β}, where α ∈ M 1,pq , β ∈ M pq,1 , x ∈ M p (X) and y ∈ M q (Y ), p, q ∈ N, and x ⊗ y = (x ij ⊗ y kl ) (i,k),(j,l) ∈ M pq (X ⊗ Y ). The completion of X ⊗ Y with respect to this norm is called the operator space projective tensor product of X and Y , and is denoted by X ⊗Y . It is well known that, for C * -algebras A and B, A ⊗B is a Banach * -algebra under the natural involution [16] . The main objective of this paper is to study properties like symmetry, weak Wiener, quasi-centrality of A ⊗B. This * -algebra has acquired more attention because · ∧ is the largest operator space crossnorm smaller than the Banach space projective norm · γ , and there are not sufficient informations available about A ⊗ γ B.

For a Hilbert space H, let B(H) denote the space of all bounded operators on H. An operator space X on H is just a closed subspace of B(H).

It is well known that, for C * -algebras A and B, A ⊗B is a Banach * -algebra under the natural involution.


Although the market for Mg products continues to grow, many opportunities remain untapped because of the low stiffness and strength of Mg alloys [4] . Due to the limited number of slip systems of Mg and its correspondingly large Taylor factor, grain refinement remarkably improves the mechanical properties of Mg and its alloys. It is well known that the fine-grained Mg alloys exhibit an interesting combination of high strength and high ductility at room temperature and superplasticity at elevated temperatures [5, 6] .

Although the market for Mg products continues to grow, many opportunities remain untapped because of the low stiffness and strength of Mg alloys.

It is well known that the fine-grained Mg alloys exhibit an interesting combination of high strength and high ductility at room temperature and superplasticity at elevated temperatures.


The XRD patterns of AZ91 and MM AZ91 powders are presented in Fig. 2 . The microstructure of the AZ91 powder particles was composed of the b-Mg 17 Al 12 precipitates and the a-Mg solid solution matrix. This structure is typical of AZ91 castings [14] . HEM remarkably affected the intensities and widths of the diffraction peaks of the a-Mg phase, and the mentioned peaks became weaker and wider through HEM. This phenomenon can be attributed to the reduction in particle size, the refinement of crystallite size, and the enhancement of lattice strain, all promoted by the severe plastic deformation of the AZ91 powder particles during HEM. Moreover, the diffraction peaks of the b-Mg 17 Al 12 phase are barely detectable in the XRD pattern of MM AZ91 powder, which can be related to the dissolution of the b-Mg 17 Al 12 phase in the a-Mg matrix of the powder particles.

This structure is typical of AZ91 castings.


This paper analyses stabilization of small NTMs using feedback techniques. For an effective stabilization of the mode, a feedback loop can be conceived in which the applied ECRH/ECCD power is manipulated in response to real-time measurements of the island width w. This implies the realtime computation of the controlled variable P ec as a function of the real-time measured w(t): P ec (w(t)). In this numerical study, it will be shown that using the feedback law u(w) = P ec (w), NTMs can be stabilized at small sizes below the threshold width w < w thres . Three feedback controllers will be introduced and simulated to demonstrate this in theory. An experimental verification of the approaches discussed here is outside the scope of this paper but will be carried out in the near future. The analysis presented here will be restricted to the control of m/n = 2/1 NTMs below w thres in ITER scenario 2 discharges [14] .

The analysis presented here will be restricted to the control of m/n = 2/1 NTMs below w thres in ITER scenario 2 discharges.


In this paper, we consider a holographic model constructed from the brane configuration D4-D4/D4 in noncritical string theory [28] . We investigated the holographic chiral phase cases of the SS model [17] . These results give some universal confirmations for some holographic models. In the appendix, we extend to give some simple calculations about the isospin chemical potential. One can generalize to study the chiral phase diagram of some other holographic models in noncritical string theory.

In this paper, we consider a holographic model constructed from the brane configuration D4-D4/D4 in noncritical string theory.

We investigated the holographic chiral phase cases of the SS model.


However, this symmetry will be restored above it. All these results about the chiral symmetry breaking are similar to some holographic models being constructed in critical string theory [15] . In this brane configuration, the six-dimensional gravity background is the near horizon geometry of the color D4 brane. Compared with the D-brane gravity background in critical string theory, it has some good points since there is not compact sphere. But the fault is that such background is not very reliable in the gauge/gravity correspondence. The reason is now the 't Hooft coupling constant and scalar curvature are almost of order one for these gravit backgrounds. So we can't choose a large 't Hooft limit in this holographic model.

All these results about the chiral symmetry breaking are similar to some holographic models being constructed in critical string theory.


These searches are complementary in the sense that each of them is best suited to probe certain mass regions and types of DM interactions. For example, light DM is difficult to explore with direct detection, because a DM particle with a mass of a few GeV typically cannot produce nuclear recoil signals above the detector threshold [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] . No such limitation exists at colliders, since in the low-mass window monojet and monophoton cross sections, as well as the kinematic distributions, become essentially independent of the DM mass [12, 13] . On the other hand, collider searches cease to be constraining for DM particles with mass of a TeV or more, making direct and indirect searches the most promising strategies for these parameters.

For example, light DM is difficult to explore with direct detection, because a DM particle with a mass of a few GeV typically cannot produce nuclear recoil signals above the detector threshold.

No such limitation exists at colliders, since in the low-mass window monojet and monophoton cross sections, as well as the kinematic distributions, become essentially independent of the DM mass.


Ceramics are used in almost all industrial areas because of their high hardness, good corrosion and erosion resistance, and excellent high-temperature stability. With the increasing demand for industrial mass production and complex geometries, the interest in ceramic injection molding (CIM) has also increased [1] [2] [3] . CIM is a subtopic of a more general term, i.e., powder injection molding (PIM), where the powder could be any material in the periodic system, as long as it is sinterable. The PIM process is a derivation from plastic injection molding, but includes some extra steps, such as debinding (solvent, catalysis, and thermal) and sintering, to achieve the desired final parts. The initial step is the compounding of the selected powder (or powder/powder (fiber) mixture) and a binding system. The binder is a temporary carrier of solid particles in powder injection molding, and includes more than one component with specific functions in terms of molding (provide flowability to feedstock) and binder removal. Several researchers have investigated different formulations of the binding system because each powder-process-geometry combination could require its particular formulation [1, [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] .

With the increasing demand for industrial mass production and complex geometries, the interest in ceramic injection molding (CIM) has also increased.

Several researchers have investigated different formulations of the binding system because each powder-process-geometry combination could require its particular formulation.


A common underlying feature of endocytic membranes, as opposed to other regions of the plasma membrane, is their high curvature [11] . This curvature is somehow linked to the presence of a specific set of regulatory proteins, many of them necessary for curvature generation [38] . Further, endocytic membrane curvature also appears to be influenced by cytoskeleton motor proteins such as myosin [39] . In addition to pushing forces mediated by actin polymerization (helping, e.g., to push neck membranes closer together), the cytoskeleton may also provide pulling forces to keep vesicle necks under tension [40] . Our data indicate that actomyosin contractility may be necessary at the E-YSL for membrane folding and be initially required to fold the E-YSL membrane into ripples.

A common underlying feature of endocytic membranes, as opposed to other regions of the plasma membrane, is their high curvature.

This curvature is somehow linked to the presence of a specific set of regulatory proteins, many of them necessary for curvature generation.

Further, endocytic membrane curvature also appears to be influenced by cytoskeleton motor proteins such as myosin.

In addition to pushing forces mediated by actin polymerization (helping, e.g., to push neck membranes closer together), the cytoskeleton may also provide pulling forces to keep vesicle necks under tension.


A richer structure is obtained if a four index field strength which derives from a three index potential is allowed in the theory [7] , [8] . The introduction of this term breaks the LES mentioned above. In this case, the constraint that the theory provides, allows to solve for the measure Φ in terms of √ −g and the matter fields of the theory.

A richer structure is obtained if a four index field strength which derives from a three index potential is allowed in the theory.


The portable system, shown in Fig. 1a and b, is composed of an aluminium box (26 × 18 × 25 cm) that can host up to four different samples and two ad hoc designed electronic boards (based on STM32 microcontrollers) devoted to electrical measurement and thermoregulation, respectively (Grossi et al., 2017) . Within the chamber, heating is realized by means of four power resistors (50 W, 1.2 ) connected in series. A NTC temperature sensor (B57045K produced by TDK) is placed inside the chamber to provide a feedback to the thermoregulation system. The samples under test (SUT) are contained in 50 mL polypropylene vials featuring two stainless steel electrodes (diameter 5 mm, spaced 12 mm) for electrical characterization (Fig. 1c) . On the top cover of the box, a 320 × 240 LCD display and four buttons are used as a user interface. A USB port allows the measured data to be transferred to a PC for filing and further processing.

The portable system, shown in Fig. 1a and b, is composed of an aluminium box (26 × 18 × 25 cm) that can host up to four different samples and two ad hoc designed electronic boards (based on STM32 microcontrollers) devoted to electrical measurement and thermoregulation, respectively.


Out of these, 5445 (95%) of businesses employed less than 10 people, these are called micro-sized businesses; 242 (5%) of businesses employed 10 to 249 employees and these are called small and medium-sized enterprises and account for 27% of the UKs employed workforce [100] . Table 2 provides the demographics of the respondents and descriptive statistics. For the purpose of this study, data were collected from employees of small and medium-sized companies that employed more than 10 people and were essentially categorized as e-businesses. The primary reason for this was that micro businesses usually do not frequently change technology used in the workplace, nor is the technology used as advanced comparative to small and medium-sized enterprises. The authors searched the website of United Kingdom's official registration authority "Companies House" to identify 50 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The management of each of these companies was contacted and the purpose of our study was explained to them with a request for cooperation in data collection. A total of 28 businesses eventually participated in the study. All the companies were incorporated in the UK. The respondents were employees who had already been using internet communication technologies and some form of office support software such as DSS, enterprise resource planning (ERP), management information systems (MIS), executive information systems (EIS), supply chain management (SCM), web-based systems (WBS) and customer relationship management systems (CRMS). Hence, we conclude that all respondents were skilled in technology use and had undergone a change process with the introduction of new application software at some stage of their careers.

Out of these, 5445 (95%) of businesses employed less than 10 people, these are called micro-sized businesses; 242 (5%) of businesses employed 10 to 249 employees and these are called small and medium-sized enterprises and account for 27% of the UKs employed workforce.


A total of 692 questionnaires were sent out and 336 were returned, thereby yielding a total response rate of 48.6%. After checking data for missing values, outliers and unusable responses, eventually, 331 responses remained usable, yielding an effective response rate of 47.8%. The sample size of 331 in our study is considered appropriate keeping in line with the widespread application of the "10times rule of thumb" which has recommended minimum sample size to exceed ten times the number of independent variables [101] .

The sample size of 331 in our study is considered appropriate keeping in line with the widespread application of the "10times rule of thumb" which has recommended minimum sample size to exceed ten times the number of independent variables.


Decision support systems (DSS) form part of the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT refers to a wide range of platforms, devices and technologies which are linked together on the world wide web (WWW); including varying communication patterns in different networks [1] . The idea of IoT is based on the interaction between a vast array of smart things or objects including, but not limited to, mobile phones, sensors, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, actuators etc., in order to reach common goals via distinctive addressing schemes [2] . Therefore, DSS are essentially a part of IoT.

IoT refers to a wide range of platforms, devices and technologies which are linked together on the world wide web (WWW); including varying communication patterns in different networks.

The idea of IoT is based on the interaction between a vast array of smart things or objects including, but not limited to, mobile phones, sensors, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, actuators etc., in order to reach common goals via distinctive addressing schemes.


Fourthly, contrary to the other three dimensions of e-business readiness, employee security concerns play a volatile role if not addressed properly by management. Results show that concerns were negatively related to perceived usefulness of any given technology. This brings resistance to change by employees. However, this can be countered by maintaining a healthy environment in the workplace by ensuring an individual-technology fit and task-technology fit through training. This is in line with previous studies stating that employee professional-development opportunities are important for employees to maintain their job security [93] . By knowing the capabilities of the workforce, identifying the technological knowledge gap and eliminating these gaps through training, monitoring and feedback, employee security concerns can be mitigated.

This is in line with previous studies stating that employee professional-development opportunities are important for employees to maintain their job security.


Furthermore, PLS is believed to be a preferable approach for decision-making and management-oriented problems; it is also preferred when the study focuses on prediction [9] . In addition, PLS is the best choice in situations where other methods fail to converge; or when developed solutions are inadmissible. This holds true regardless of whether a common factor or composite model data is used [108, 111] . Moreover, normality is required, and is a critical assumption of CB-SEM based software. Normality was a problem in our data when the Shapiro-Wilk test was conducted to find out if our data departed from normal distribution. Therefore, PLS was a preferred option because PLS can deal with skewed data and multi-colinearity issues more robustly [101] .

Furthermore, PLS is believed to be a preferable approach for decision-making and management-oriented problems; it is also preferred when the study focuses on prediction.

This holds true regardless of whether a common factor or composite model data is used.

Therefore, PLS was a preferred option because PLS can deal with skewed data and multi-colinearity issues more robustly.