bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Debt Covenants and Cross-Sectional Equity Returns
Authors: Helwege Jean , Huang Jing-Zhi , Wang Yuan
Published: April 2016

This paper investigates the impact of debt covenant protection on the cross section of equity returns with a firm-level covenant index and four subindices. We find that firms with weaker covenant protection (lower covenant index levels) earn significantly higher risk-adjusted equity returns than do those firms with greater covenant protection. These results are stronger for covenant indices that are related to investments, subsequent financing, and event risk. The difference between high and low covenant index stocks is more pronounced when agency problems between shareholders and debtholders are more severe, suggesting that the covenant effect arises from an inability to control shareholder risk taking.

This paper was accepted by Wei Jiang, finance.
Fluid Limits for Multiple-Input Shortest Remaining Processing Time Queues
Authors: Kruk Łukasz , Sokołowska Ewa
Published: April 2016

A single queueing station serving K input streams with renewal arrivals and generally distributed independent and identically distributed service times is considered. Customers are served by the Shortest Remaining Processing Time policy. In the case of a tie, the first-in, first-out policy is utilized. We analyze a fluid model for the evolution of a measure-valued state descriptor of this system, with particular emphasis on its limiting behavior in the critical case as time gets large. We also prove a fluid limit theorem justifying our fluid model as the first-order approximation of the queueing system under consideration. Along the way, we establish fluid limits for the corresponding state-dependent response times.
Factors leading to male and female subfertility
Authors: Kochhar Suneeta
Published: April 2016

There are numerous factors involved in a couple’s inability to conceive, writes Suneeta Kochhar
Get more from your day
Authors: Hart Karen
Published: April 2016

Time management is a vital skill for early years practitioners who wish to spend more of their working day in a hands-on role with children. Karen Hart investigates what training and tools are available to support them.
Extend the boundaries by talking through thoughts
Authors: Clarke Jenni
Published: April 2016

Sustained shared thinking supports development in all areas of the EYFS and is an essential element of best practice. Jenni Clarke kicks off her new series with a focus on investigations as a springboard for discussions.
What a perfect day
Authors: Garner Lynne
Published: April 2016

What would you like to do today? Use Pippa Goodhart's book, What Will Danny Do Today? to encourage children to make their own decisions and talk about how they would like to spend their day.
The unstable total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Ullmark Gösta
Published: April 2016

One of the most common causes for revision surgery following total hip arthroplasty (THA) is dislocation. Dislocation is associated with a considerable amount of suffering and risks for the patient, and extra costs for the health care system. Compared with degenerative arthritis, the dislocation rate is doubled for avascular necrosis and multiplied by three times for congenital dislocation, four for fracture, five for nonunion, malunion or a failed hip arthroplasty, and eleven times after surgery for prosthetic instability. In analysing instability the cause may be assessed as 1) locally caused within the hip with explanatory radiographic findings, 2) locally caused without explanatory radiographic findings or 3) non-locally caused, i.e. non-compliant patient, neuromuscular or cognitive disorders. Revision strategies for instability are typically directed to correct the underlying aetiology, but also to strive for an upsizing of the head and liner.

Cite this article: Ullmark G. The unstable total hip arthroplasty. EFORT Open Rev 2016;1:83-88. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.1.000022.
USAGE OF SCALES WITH DIFFERENT NUMBER OF GRADES FOR PAIR COMPARISONS IN DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Authors: Tsyganok Vitaliy V , Kadenko Sergii V , Andriichuk Oleh V
Published: April 2016

In this paper we suggest an original approach to conducting individual pair comparisons during individual and group multi-criteria decision-making (including AHP/ANP-based decisions). With this approach every expert is given an opportunity to use the scale, in the degree of detail (number of points/grades) that most adequately reflects his/her competence in the issue under consideration for every single pair comparison. Before aggregation all separate expert estimates (judgments) are brought to a unified scale, and scales in which these judgments were built are assigned respective weights. A respective instrument for pair comparison conduction has been developed, and an experiment has been organized. The experiment statistically proves that as a result of suggested technology usage, there is an increase in the degree of correspondence between estimates, input by an expert, and his (her) own notions on examination objects.
DO INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIC EXPERTS DIFFER IN WEIGHTING CRITERIA FOR AGRICULTURAL PLANNING AND IN THEIR LOSS AVERSION?
Authors: Yom Din Gregory
Published: April 2016

Agricultural planning models account for changing weather conditions and for high food price volatility. Applying the criteria of maximum farmer’s profit in various years enables the use of multi-criteria techniques. This paper presents the application of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to estimate the importance of these criteria. The study contributes to the literature by a) addressing expert opinions on the importance of the criteria of profit in normal, dry years, and in years when agricultural prices rise; b) examining differences in weighting criteria between industry and academic experts; c) taking into account the loss averse behavior for these two groups of experts. Industry and academic experts were interviewed in the agricultural region of North-Eastern Israel. Changes in profit are approximated by a linear utility function with a positive slope (for both losses and gains) which is steeper for losses (profit in dry years) than for gains (profit in years when prices rise). The AHP method allows for the identification of the importance of the criteria for all respondents as a whole and for academic experts as compared to industrial experts. The share of loss averse respondents and coefficients of loss aversion are identified for both groups of experts. These coefficients are used for explaining differences between industry and academic expert opinions in estimating the criteria importance.
Perceived Autonomy Support Scale for Exercise Settings: Validity and reliability study for Turkish
Egzersizde Algılanan Özerklik Desteği Ölçeği: Türkçe geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması
Authors: Muftuler Mine
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of Perceived Autonomy Support Scale for Exercise Settings (PASSES; Hagger et al., 2007) from teacher and from peers in Turkish context. It was conducted with volunteer university students. 230 university students completed PASSES from teacher, and 142 university students completed PASSES from peers. Each scale has 12 items with a unidimension structure. The items were rated on a 7-point Likert type scale from totally disagree (1) to totally agree (7). Each scale was analyzed by using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to determine validity and by using Cronbach alpha value to determine reliability. The validity analyses for each scale showed good fit indexes in Turkish context. The reliability analyses also showed high reliability scores for each scale. Results were consistent with previous studies. It was suggested that PASSES from teacher and from peers can be used in Turkish context. ÖzetBu araştırmanın amacı “Egzersizde Algılanan Özerklik Desteği Ölçeğinin” (Perceived Autonomy Support Scale for Exercise Settings; Hagger ve diğ., 2007) hem öğretmen hem de arkadaşlar versiyonunu Türkçeye uyarlamak ve her iki ölçeğin geçerlik ve güvenirliğini incelemektir. Bu amaçla Türkçeye çevrilen ölçekler bir grup üniversite öğrencisine uygulanmıştır (öğretmen versiyonu için n = 230; arkadaşlar versiyonu için n = 142). Tek boyutlu olan ölçekler 12 ifadeden oluşmaktadır ve ifadeler tamamen katılmıyorum (1)’dan tamamen katılıyorum (7)’a doğru sıralanan yedili Likert üzerinden değerlendirilmektedir. Ölçeğin yapı geçerliğini belirlemek için doğrulayıcı faktör analizi uygulanmış, iç güvenirliğini tespit etmek için de Cronbach alfa kat sayısı hesaplanmıştır. Her iki ölçeğin yapı geçerliği bulguları iyi uyum indeksleri göstermiştir. Her iki ölçeğin iç güvenirlik kat sayıları da oldukça yüksek olarak hesaplanmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular alan yazında ilgili araştırmalarla benzerlik göstermektedir. Egzersizde Algılanan Özerklik Desteği Ölçeğinin hem öğretmen hem de arkadaşlar versiyonunun Türkçede ilgili araştırmalarda kullanılabileceği önerilmektedir.
Unilateral Intercordal Neural Communication Coexistent with Variant Branching Pattern of Posterior Cord of Brachial Plexus
Authors: Baliyan Renu , Mehta Vandana , Arora Jyoti , Nayyar Ashish Kr. , Suri R. K. , Rath Gaytri
Published: April 2016

Variant branching pattern of the cords of brachial plexus coupled with erroneous communications has been an area of concern for surgeons opting to explore this region. Anaesthetic blocks and surgical approaches are the highlights of these interventions, where a keen familiarization of the anatomy of this region is mandatory. The present case description reports a unilateral variant branching pattern of the posterior cord coexistent with a neural communication between lateral and medial cords in an adult male cadaver. This intercordal neural communication between lateral and medial cords was oriented obliquely and measured 2.2 cm in length. Furthermore, the posterior cord revealed a variant branching pattern. It branched into three upper subscapular nerves and a common trunk for the thoracodorsal and lower subscapular nerves. The lowest of the three upper subscapular nerves gave a communicating twig to the thoracodorsal nerve. Inspite of uncountable reports on variations of brachial plexus, descriptions regarding anomalous branching patterns hold enormous clinical significance for the radiologists, anesthetists and surgeons, besides being of academic interest for the anatomists.
Repairing the Damage: The Effect of Price Knowledge and Gender on Auto Repair Price Quotes
Authors: Busse Meghan R. , Israeli Ayelet , Zettelmeyer Florian
Published: April 2016

The authors investigate whether sellers treat consumers differently on the basis of how well informed consumers appear to be. They implement a large-scale field experiment in which callers request price quotes from automotive repair shops. The authors show that sellers alter their initial price quotes depending on whether consumers appear to be correctly informed, uninformed, or misinformed about market prices. The authors find that repair shops quote higher prices to callers who cite a higher benchmark price and that women are quoted higher prices than men when callers signal that they are uninformed about market prices. However, gender differences disappear when callers mention a benchmark price for the repair. Finally, the authors find that repair shops are more likely to offer a price concession if asked to do so by a woman than if asked by a man.
Improvement in the predictive ability of the Intermountain Mortality Risk Score by adding routinely collected laboratory tests such as albumin, bilirubin, and white cell differential count
Authors: May Heidi T. , Anderson Jeffrey L. , Muhlestein Joseph B. , Lappé Donald L. , Ronnow Brianna S. , Horne Benjamin D.
Published: April 2016

Background:

The Intermountain Mortality Risk Score (IMRS), a sex-specific mortality-prediction metric, has proven to be effective in various populations. IMRS is comprised of the complete blood count (CBC), basic metabolic panel (BMP), and age. Whether the addition of factors from the comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) and white blood cell (WBC) differential count improves risk stratification is unknown.

Methods:

Patients with baseline complete metabolic panel (CMP) and IMRS measurements were randomly assigned (60%/40%) to independent derivation (n=84,913) and validation (n=56,584) populations. A sex-specific risk score based on IMRS methods was computed in the derivation population using adjusted multivariable regression weights from all significant and noncollinear CMP [expanded IMRS (eIMRS)] and, when available, WBC differential components (eIMRS+diff).

Results:

Age averaged 67±16 years for females and 67±15 years for males. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) c-statistics for 30-day death showed marked improvement for the eIMRS compared to the IMRS in both females [0.895 (0.882, 0.908) vs. 0.865 (0.850, 0.880)] and males [0.861 (0.847, 0.876) vs. 0.824 (0.807, 0.841)]. These results persisted for 1-year death: females [0.854 (0.847, 0.862) vs. 0.828 (0.819, 0.836)] and males [0.835 (0.826, 0.844) vs. 0.796 (0.789, 0.808)]. In addition, the eIMRS significantly improved risk reclassification. Further precision was seen when WBC differential components were included.

Conclusions:

The addition of the CMP components to the IMRS improved risk prediction. WBC differential also improved risk score predictive ability. These results suggest that the eIMRS may function even better than IMRS as a tool in patient care, risk-adjustment, and clinical research settings for predicting outcomes.
Chemical oxidative polymerization of conductive polyaniline-iron oxide composite as an electro-transducer for electrochemical sensing applications
Authors: Shaimi Roswani , Ketar Mokhtar Nabilah Mohamad , Tan Peng Chee , Jawad Zeinab Abbas , Low Siew Chun
Published: April 2016

This study explored the preparation of conductive polyaniline-iron oxide (PANI-Fe2O3) that served as the electrical signal transducer, to convert the electrochemical interactions between the biotinylated-goat-anti-mouse IgG (b-IgG) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) into a measurable resistance signal. In this study, PANI was synthesized through the oxidative polymerization of aniline monomer (AM) in the presence of ammonium persulfate (APS) as the oxidizing agent. Concentration effects of AM and volume ratios of AM:APS were evaluated so as to obtain higher conductivity performance in an electrochemical sensing application. The synthesized PANI composites were analyzed through conductivity measurement. The conductive PANI-Fe2O3-GA-b-IgG bio-conjugates was then interacted with BSA, relays the antigen-antibody binding as a measured electrical detection in an assembled pulse-mode electrochemical biosensor. In present work, 0.2 m of AM with 1:3 volume ratio of AM:APS has contributed to the optimal ionic conductivity property of PANI, with excellent electrochemical sensing performance recorded at 3.538±0.067 mΩ.
Continuous H2O2 direct synthesis process: an analysis of the process conditions that make the difference
Authors: Huerta Irene , Biasi Pierdomenico , García-Serna Juan , Cocero María J. , Mikkola Jyri-Pekka , Salmi Tapio
Published: April 2016

A trickle bed reactor (TBR) was used to study different process parameters upon hydrogen peroxide direct synthesis. The catalysts used were commercial palladium on active carbon. The influence of pressure (1.75–25 barg), temperature (5–60°C), liquid flow rate (2–13.8 ml·min-1), gas flow rate (3.4–58.5 ml·min-1), catalyst amount (90–540 mg), Pd percentage on the support (5% wt., 10% wt. and 30% wt. Pd/C) as well as promoter concentrations (0.0005–0.001 m) were all varied as process parameters to better understand the behaviour of the system. By contrast, the gas phase molar composition of the feed (4:20:76=H2:O2:CO2) was kept constant. The strong influence between liquid flow rate, gas flow rate and catalyst amount were identified as the key parameters to tune the reaction, and related to the activity of the catalyst. In essence, these parameters must be carefully tuned to control the hydrogen consumption. The maximum productivity (289 μmol H2O2·min-1) and yield (83.8%) were obtained when a diluted bed of 30% Pd/C was applied. The H2O2 hydrogenation was studied in order to understand its role in the H2O2 direct synthesis reaction network. The hydrogenation reaction mechanism and the role of NaBr were identified thanks to the experiment proposed in the present work. Consequently, understanding the whole reaction mechanism from the process conditions studied led to a deeper understanding of all of the phenomena involved in the H2O2 direct synthesis.
Review on role of progestogen (dydrogesterone) in the prevention of gestational hypertension
Authors: Mohamad Razi Zainul Rashid , Schindler Adolf E.
Published: April 2016

Introduction:

Gestational hypertension remains one of the main causes of maternal deaths all over the world. Attempts to reduce/prevent the incidence had failed due to lack of understanding of the disease’s aetiology. One of the early roles of natural progesterone in the first trimester of pregnancy is to promote formation of wide-calibre spiral vessels that invade into the myometrial layer of the gravid uterus. Theoretically, this will prevent or reduce the incidence of gestational hypertension in the latter half of the pregnancy.

Review:

The progestogen, dydrogesterone, has similar molecular structure and properties to natural progesterone. A pilot study was undertaken on primigravidae, who have higher risk of developing gestational hypertension. They were supplemented with dydrogesterone in the first trimester (Study Group) and compared with a similar number of primigravidae (Control Group) without supplementation with the progestogen. The incidence of gestational hypertension was significantly lower in the Study Group as compared to the Control Group (1.7% vs. 12.9%, respectively, p<0.001). The incidence of foetal distress was also significantly lower in the Study Group compared to the Control Group (4.3% vs. 18.1%, respectively, p<0.001).

Conclusion:

Supplementation of the progestogen, dydrogesterone, in the first trimester to primigravidae has shown great potential in reducing or preventing the incidence of gestational hypertension.
Diffusion Kinetics of Chromium in a Novel Super304H Stainless Steel
Authors: Ping Shao Bo , Xie Fei , Wang Rui Kun , Zheng Zhi Jun , Gao Yan
Published: April 2016

Diffusion behavior and diffusion kinetics of chromium (Cr) from the pure chromium coating in the matrix of Super304H and TP304H steels were investigated in a temperature range of 600–900 ℃ by using energy-dispersive spectrum (EDS) quantitative line scanning and Fick’s second law of diffusion. Pure Cr coating was obtained by electroplating. Experimental results show that the diffusion depth and diffusivity of Cr increase gradually with the increase in temperature. The diffusion activation energy of Cr is found to be lower and the diffusion coefficient of Cr to be higher in the Super304H steel than those in the TP304H steel at the same temperature. Furthermore, the diffusion equation of Cr in the Super304H and TP304H steels is

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${D_{{\rm{Cr/Super304H}}}} \, {\rm{=\, 1}}{\rm{. 08 \times 1}}{{\rm{0}}^{{\rm{- 15}}}}{\rm{exp\ (- 6}}{\rm{. 08 \, \times \, 1}}{{\rm{0}}^{\rm{4}}}{\rm{/RT)}}$

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, respectively.
Application of Multi-Objective Human Learning Optimization Method to Solve AC/DC Multi-Objective Optimal Power Flow Problem
Authors: Cao Jia , Yan Zheng , He Guangyu
Published: April 2016

This paper introduces an efficient algorithm, multi-objective human learning optimization method (MOHLO), to solve AC/DC multi-objective optimal power flow problem (MOPF). Firstly, the model of AC/DC MOPF including wind farms is constructed, where includes three objective functions, operating cost, power loss, and pollutant emission. Combining the non-dominated sorting technique and the crowding distance index, the MOHLO method can be derived, which involves individual learning operator, social learning operator, random exploration learning operator and adaptive strategies. Both the proposed MOHLO method and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGAII) are tested on an improved IEEE 30-bus AC/DC hybrid system. Simulation results show that MOHLO method has excellent search efficiency and the powerful ability of searching optimal. Above all, MOHLO method can obtain more complete pareto front than that by NSGAII method. However, how to choose the optimal solution from pareto front depends mainly on the decision makers who stand from the economic point of view or from the energy saving and emission reduction point of view.
Design and Analysis of Grid Connected Photovoltaic Fed Unified Power Quality Conditioner
Authors: Dash Santanu Kumar , Ray Pravat Kumar
Published: April 2016

This paper proposes the integration scheme and operation of the Unified Power Quality conditioner (UPQC) with Photovoltaic source as distributed generations for power quality improvement. Thus, it provides a novel PV-grid integration configuration and prevents any adverse situation related to current or voltage in power system. Voltage related issues are maintained by the series part of UPQC and the current related issues are handles by shunt part of the UPQC. The various operation modes of PV-UPQC schemes are broadly classified according to the direction of power flow, (i) Interconnected mode, (ii) Islanding mode. PV-UPQC has advantage over the conventional UPQC scheme as it has developed the capability to compensate the voltage interruption problems Control algorithms for shunt and series part of the UPQC is implemented. Development of the proposed configuration has been designed in the laboratory with control algorithm implemented in dSPACE and results are discussed.
Influence of Different Drying Methods on Drying Characteristics, Carotenoids, Chemical and Physical Properties of Gac Fruit Pulp (Momordica cochinchinensis L.)
Authors: Trirattanapikul Wittawat , Phoungchandang Singhanat
Published: April 2016

Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis L.) pulp is high in carotenoids and fiber; however, it is discarded during process. Both maturity stages of matured gac fruit could be used in the drying experiments. Gac fruit pulp was dried by different drying methods including tray drying (40–60 °C), heat pump-assisted dehumidified drying (40–60 °C), microwave drying (450–900 W), mixed-mode solar drying and freeze drying. The Modified Henderson model presented the best fit of desorption isotherms. New model proposed was the best drying model. Quality evaluation by β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, total phenolics and antioxidant activity revealed that heat pump-assisted dehumidified drying at 60 °C provided the highest lutein, total phenolics and antioxidant activity and could reduce drying time by 25 % and increased lutein, total phenolics and antioxidant activity by 12.6 %, 32.0 % and 0.3 %, respectively and is more promising drying method for gac fruit pulp.
A double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in the treatment of anxiety and depression
Authors: Mazidi Mohsen , Shemshian Maryam , Mousavi Seyed Hadi , Norouzy Abdolreza , Kermani Tayebe , Moghiman Toktam , Sadeghi Akram , Mokhber Naghme , Ghayour-Mobarhan Majid , Ferns Gordon A. A.
Published: April 2016

Background: Depression and anxiety are prevalent serious psychiatric disorders. Several drugs are used to treat these conditions but these are often associated with serious side effects. For this reason alternative therapies, including herbal medication such as saffron, have been proposed. We aimed to assess the effects of saffron extract for the treatment of anxiety and depression using a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial design.

Methods: Sixty adult patients with anxiety and depression were randomized to receive a 50 mg saffron capsule (Crocus sativus L. stigma) or a placebo capsule twice daily for 12 weeks. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) questionnaires were used at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks after initiating medication. 54 subjects completed the trial.

Results: Saffron supplements had a significant effect on the BDI and BAI scores of subjects in comparison to placebo at the 12 week time-point (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Saffron appears to have a significant impact in the treatment of anxiety and depression disorder. Side effects were rare.
Crystal structure of (2RS,3RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pentan-3-ol, C15H20ClN3O
Authors: Wan-Ming Xiong , Juan-Hua Kong , Jing Chen , Jin-Zhu Chen , Xu-Liang Nie
Published: April 2016

C15H20ClN3O, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 19.300(2) Å, b = 10.8262(11) Å, c = 15.4282(16) Å, β = 100.457(4)°, V = 3170.0(6) Å3, Z = 8, R
gt
(F) = 0.0409, wR
ref
(F
2) = 0.1150, T = 296(2) K.
Perception? Orthography? Phonology? Conflicting Forces Behind the Adaptation of English /ɪ/ in Loanwords into Polish
Authors: Szpyra-Kozłowska Jolanta
Published: April 2016

This paper deals with a puzzling and theoretically interesting case of the adaptation of English /ɪ/ in loanwords into Polish in which the English sound is predominantly nativized as P /i/ in spite of the fact that the expected substitution pattern is E /ɪ/ → P /ɨ/ as the two vowels are phonetically similar. A detailed analysis of this phenomenon shows that the polonization of E /ɪ/ in anglicisms results from a complex interplay of several factors which include perception, orthography, the Polish phonological system, phonotactic constraints and phonological levelling. The collected data are then examined in the light of two major approaches to loanword adaptation, i.e. nativization-through-perception (e.g.
Respiratory health outcomes and air pollution in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a systematic review
Authors: Abdo Nour , Khader Yousef S. , Abdelrahman Mostafa , Graboski-Bauer Ashley , Malkawi Mazen , Al-Sharif Munjed , Elbetieha Ahmad M.
Published: April 2016

Exposure to air pollution can cause detrimental health and be an economic burden. With newly developed equipment, monitoring of different air pollutants, identifying the sources, types of air pollutants and their corresponding concentrations, and applying mitigation intervention techniques became a crucial step in public health protection. Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) are highly exposed to dust storms, have high levels of particulate matter (PM) concentrations, and have a unique climatic as well as topographic and socio-economic structure. This is the first study conducted to systemically and qualitatively assess the health impacts of air pollution in the EMR, identify susceptible populations, and ascertain research and knowledge gaps in the literature to better inform decisions by policy makers. We screened relevant papers and reports published between 2000 and 2014 in research databases. A total of 36 published studies met the inclusion criteria. A variety of indoor and outdoor exposures associated with various acute and chronic respiratory health outcomes were included. Respiratory health outcomes ranged in severity, from allergies and general respiratory complaints to lung cancer and mortality. Several adverse health outcomes were positively associated with various indoor/outdoor air pollutants throughout the EMR. However, epidemiological literature concerning the EMR is limited to a few studies in a few countries. More research is needed to elucidate the health outcomes of air pollution. Standardized reliable assessments on the national level for various air pollutants in different regions should be implemented and made publically available for researchers to utilize in their research. Moreover, advancing and utilizing more sound epidemiological designs and studies on the effect of air pollution on the respiratory health outcomes is needed to portray the actual situation in the region.
The research of soft matter properties by light scattering material adding drop additive
Authors: Huang Yao , Wu Daming , Ren Dongyun , Meng Qingyun , Xu Ben
Published: April 2016

In the present work, we investigated the effects of the addition of α-hydroxylethyl ferrocene, polymerization initiator and pre-polymer on preparation temperature, microstructure and optical properties of PMMA/PS compound light scattering material. It was found that the haze of the compound material increases significantly from 64% to 84% after introducing styrene (St) pre-polymer. The addition of α-hydroxylethyl ferrocene also leads to several notable properties change of the composite materials including the in situ polymerization temperature decrease to 300 K. The optical property change after the addition of small amount of α-hydroxylethyl ferrocene and prepolymer (St) demonstrates the soft matter characteristic of PMMA.
Syntheses, crystal structures and thermal properties of two novel isostructural Co(III) complexes with salophen ligand
Authors: Smolko Lukáš , Tóthová Jana , Kuchár Juraj , Černák Juraj
Published: April 2016

Two new isostructural octahedral complexes [CoX(H2O)(salophen)]·H2O·EtOH (X=Cl (1), Br (2); salophen=N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-diaminobenzene) have been prepared by reaction of CoX2 and H2
salophen in a mixture of ethanol and dichloromethane (1:1) and characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Crystal structures of both 1 and 2 are molecular and built up of [CoX(H2O)(salophen)] complex molecules and solvate water and ethanol molecules. The salophen ligand occupies the equatorial plane of the hexacoordinated Co(III) atom while halogenido and aqua ligands are placed in the axial positions. The crystal packings are formed by O–H···O hydrogen bonds and additional π–π stacking interactions. The results of thermogravimetric studies of 1 and 2 revealed that the loss of solvating molecules takes place first.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel pyrimidines derived from 6-aryl-5-cyano-2-thiouracil
Authors: Mahran Asma Mohamed , Hassan Nasser Abdelhamid , Osman Dalia Ahmed A. , Ragab Sherif Shaban , Hassan Allam Abdelhamid
Published: April 2016

Starting from 6-aryl-5-cyano-2-thiouracil derivative 1a–f, a series of novel thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidines 4a–f were synthesized. The mechanism and the regioselectivity of the studied reactions are discussed. In addition, a series of tetrahydro-4-H-pyrimido[2,1-b][1,3]thiazines 7a–e and 2-((ethoxymethyl)thio)-4-aryl-1,6-dihydropyrimidines 9b,c,e were synthesized. The anti-microbial activities of some of the prepared compounds were screened, and the results revealed that compounds 3c and 4c were more active than the standard (Ampicillin) against gram positive bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Moreover, compounds 4b,e and 3f were found to be good antifungal agents against the studied fungal strains.
Nuclear Envelope Retention of LINC Complexes Is Promoted by SUN-1 Oligomerization in the Caenorhabditis elegans Germ Line
Authors: Daryabeigi Anahita , Woglar Alexander , Baudrimont Antoine , Silva Nicola , Paouneskou Dimitra , Vesely Cornelia , Rauter Manuel , Penkner Alexandra , Jantsch Michael , Jantsch Verena
Published: April 2016

SUN (Sad1 and UNC-84) and KASH (Klarsicht, ANC-1, and Syne homology) proteins are constituents of the inner and outer nuclear membranes. They interact in the perinuclear space via C-terminal SUN-KASH domains to form the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex thereby bridging the nuclear envelope. LINC complexes mediate numerous biological processes by connecting chromatin with the cytoplasmic force-generating machinery. Here we show that the coiled-coil domains of SUN-1 are required for oligomerization and retention of the protein in the nuclear envelope, especially at later stages of female gametogenesis. Consistently, deletion of the coiled-coil domain makes SUN-1 sensitive to unilateral force exposure across the nuclear membrane. Premature loss of SUN-1 from the nuclear envelope leads to embryonic death due to loss of centrosome–nuclear envelope attachment. However, in contrast to previous notions we can show that the coiled-coil domain is dispensable for functional LINC complex formation, exemplified by successful chromosome sorting and synapsis in meiotic prophase I in its absence.
Effects of participatory ergonomic intervention on the development of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and disability in office employees using a computer
Authors: Baydur Hakan , Ergör Alp , Demiral Yücel , Akalın Elif
Published: April 2016

Objective

To evaluate the participatory ergonomic method on the development of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and disability in office employees.

Methods

This study is a randomized controlled intervention study. It comprised 116 office workers using computers. Those in the intervention group were taught office ergonomics and the risk assessment method. Cox proportional hazards model and generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used.

Results

In the 10‐month postintervention follow‐up, the possibility of developing symptoms was 50.9%. According to multivariate analysis results, the possibility of developing symptoms on the right side of the neck and in the right wrist and hand was significantly less in the intervention group than in the control group (p<0.05). Neck disability/symptom scores over time were significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (p<0.05).

Conclusion

The participatory ergonomic intervention decreases the possibility of musculoskeletal complaints and disability/symptom level in office workers.
Study of a repair technique in carbonated blended mortars: Electrochemical re-alkalization
Authors: Aguirre Ana Maria , Mejía de Gutiérrez Ruby , Restucci Jean Paul , Alvarado Bueno Alexander
Published: April 2016

The present article studies the influence of two pozzolanic additions, metakaolin (MK) and silica fume (SF), and the water/binder ratio (w/b) on the electrochemical re-alkalization (ER) of reinforced mortars as a technique to prevent reinforcement corrosion in carbonated concrete. Mixtures with a 10% (by weight) addition as a replacement for cement at w/b ratios of 0.45 and 0.65 were prepared. Test specimens were exposed to carbonation in a chamber under controlled conditions (1% CO2, 65%RH, and 25°C), until reaching two levels of carbonation (50% and 100%). ER was applied for a period of 15 days using sodium carbonate as the electrolyte and a current density of 1 A/m2. From the evaluated additions, MK is highlighted, which generated a resistance increase of 53.51% relative to that of the reference mixture and contributes to improvements of durability properties. Regarding the ER technique, the specimens with greater w/b ratios and partial carbonation were more effective.
Manufacturing of a maxillofacial prosthesis from an axial tomography using simulation technologies with a virtual machine tool and four-axis machining
Authors: García Barbosa Jorge Andrés , Arroyo Osorio José Manuel , Córdoba Nieto Ernesto
Published: April 2016

The surfaces of a personalized maxillofacial prosthesis were manufactured in a relatively short time with moderate cost. The topography of the surface was generated with a Computer-Aided Design system from a Computerized Axial Tomography of a maxillofacial area. The design of the machining manufacturing process, its simulation and verification were facilitated by the use of a virtual machine tool equivalent to the real machine tool available. Finally, the manufacturing process was successfully achieved by using a conventional 3-axis vertical machining center equipped with a fourth external rotational axis. Using a 3-axis machine tool with an additional axis is less expensive than using a 5-axis machine. There is abundant literature about machining of free-form surfaces using a 5-axis machine tool, but there are few precedents for the manufacturing of this kind of surface using a 4-axis machine.
A study of co-movements between U.S. and Latin American stock markets: A cross-bicorrelations perspective
Authors: Coronado-Ramirez Semei , Rojas-Altamirano Omar , Romero-Meza Rafael , Venegas-Martínez Francisco
Published: April 2016

This work applies a test that detects dependence between pairs of variables. The kind of dependence is a non-linear one, and the test is known as cross-bicorrelation, which is associated with Brooks and Hinich [1]. We study dependence periods between U.S. Standard and Poor's 500 (SP500), used as a benchmark, and six Latin American stock market indexes: Mexico (BMV), Brazil (BOVESPA), Chile (IPSA), Colombia (COLCAP), Peru (IGBVL) and Argentina (MERVAL). We have found windows of nonlinear dependence and comovement between the SP500 and the Latin American stock markets, some of which coincide with periods of crisis, leading to an interpretation of a possible contagion or interdependence.
A comparative study for the design of rectangular and circular isolated footings using new models
Authors: Luévanos Rojas Arnulfo
Published: April 2016

This paper presents a comparative study for design of reinforced concrete isolated footings of rectangular and circular form subjected to axial load and bending moments in two directions using new modelsto obtain the most economical footing. The new models consider the real soil pressure acting on contact surface of the footing and this pressure is different in all contact area, with a linear variation, this pressure is presented in terms of the axial load, the larger moment around the “X” axis and the smaller moment around the “Y” axis, where the centroidal axes are “X” and “Y” of the footing. The main part of this research is to show the differences of the two models. Results show that the circular footings are more economical with respect to the rectangular footings. Therefore, the new model for design of circular isolated footings should be used, and complies with the real conditions.
Developing a self-regulating soldering iron based on induction heating
Authors: Mazón-Valadez Cuauhtémoc , Quintero-Hernández Luis Héctor , Mazón-Valadez Ernesto Edgar , Hernández-Sámano Alfonso , Ávila-Paz José , Cano-González Mario Eduardo
Published: April 2016

This work focused on the design, development and construction of a new low cost soldering iron that works by means of induction heating. The amount of electronic components has been minimized in order to reduce production costs. Additional tests were undertaken to determine the ideal tips for soldering, and the adaptations necessary to guarantee self-regulation using a nickel foil shield (due to its low curie temperature) are suggested. The new device contains a resonant inverter able to generate alternating magnetic fields of 100 kHz at the center of an 18-turn coil; the inverter is controlled only using an astable oscillator circuit. The paper examines criteria to select suitable soldering-tips by experimentally determining their equivalent resistance heating it within the resonant inverter or well, another one by using a rapid magnetic test. The system represents a good tool, suitable for the manufacture of development boards or electronic tasks.
Effect of a dual tire pressure on the design parameters of thick asphalt pavements using finite element freeware
Authors: Pallares Muñoz Myriam Rocío , Pulecio-Díaz Julián Andrés
Published: April 2016

The effect of a dual tire pressure on the design parameters of thick asphalt pavements using finite element freeware EverStressFE©1.0 is evaluated. This is trying to represent more adjusted the footprint shape and intensity of stress generated by the tires of vehicles. To validate the elastic multilayer EverStress©5.0 software was used. The results of the deformations can be concluded that the asphalt pavement designs made with analytical methods may be slightly oversized and consequently increase the cost of construction of pavements. This study marks a route to analyze the sensitivity of various factors that may affect the design of asphalt pavements. Future research is expected to integrate dynamic conditions by introducing results of field tests to full scale.
Baseflow analysis using master recession curves and numerical algorithms in mountain basins: Suratá's river and Oro's river (Santander, Colombia)
Authors: Gomez Isidro Sully , Gómez-Ríos Viviana Lucía
Published: April 2016

The interaction between groundwater inflow and outflow is complex in streams connected from aquifers located in fractured rock media. The recession curves of hydrographs provide information about these hydrogeological processes and they are useful to assess an insight in the storage-discharge relationship in subsurface reservoirs. In this study, the physic base and the nonlinearity relationship of storagedischarge were analyzed through a mathematical expression which describe a master recession curve. Four numerical algorithms were applied to estimate the baseflow of the Suratá's River basin and the high Oro's River basin, Santander-Colombia. In both cases, master recession curves showed the nonlinearity relationship in storage-discharge. Furthermore, the exponent values and the proportionality constants give additional information about the aquifers in contact to the river and the special scale of recharges that may occur in these aquifers.
Preliminary studies on hydrated cement for its reuse in geopolymers
Authors: Segura Sierpes Yasna , Borrachero Rosado María Victoria , Monzó Balbuena José María , Payá Bernabeu Jordi
Published: April 2016

The carbonation of hydrated ordinary Portland cement (OPC) allows the transformation of hydrated calcium aluminates and silicates into calcium carbonate and amorphous silica/ alumina. These carbonated materials are appropriate to being used as inorganic precursors for alkaline activation. The use of sodium silicate and hydroxide solutions enables the production of cementitious gels. Two ways of carbonation of hydrated cement were studied: in a dry environment, where relative humidity did not exceed 70% and in an aqueous medium at a temperature of 5 ± 1 ° C. Both materials were micro-structurally characterised and they have been used for the manufacturing of geopolymeric mortars. These mortars reached mechanical strength between 10 and 20 MPa, depending on the activating solution, the water/binder ratio and curing time/temperature. These results show the feasibility of reusing hydrated cement contained in construction and demolition wastes.
Robinson Salazar Carreño, Tierras y mercados. Campesinos, estancieros y hacendados en la jurisdicción de la Villa de San Gil, siglo XVIII (Bogotá: Ediciones Uniandes-CESO, 2011), 222 pp.
Authors: Velasco Pedraza Julian Andrei
Published: April 2016

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Presentación
Authors: Acevedo Carmona Darío
Published: April 2016

Presentación del número
On the approximation of continuous functions by analytic solutions of universal functional-differential equations
Authors: Elsner C.
Published: April 2016

The existence of an algebraic functional-differential equation P (y′(x), y′(x + log 2), …, y′(x + 5 log 2)) = 0 is proved such that the real-analytic solutions are dense in the space of continuous functions on every compact interval. A similar result holds for an algebraic functional-differential equation P(y′(x − 4πi), y′(x − 2πi), …, y′(x + 4πi)) = 0 (with i2 = −1), which is explicitly given: There are real-analytic solutions on the real line such that every continuous function defined on a compact interval can be approximated by these solutions with arbitrary accuracy.
On distributions associated with the generalized Levy’S stochastic area formula
Authors: Ghomrasni R.
Published: April 2016

A closed-form expression is obtained for the conditional probability distribution of ∫t0R2sds given Rt, where (Rs, s ≧ 0) is a Bessel process of dimension δ > 0 started from 0, in terms of parabolic cylinder functions. This is done by inverting the following Laplace transform also known as the generalized Lévy’s stochastic area formula: . We also examine the joint distribution of (R2t, ∫t0R2sds.
A piecewise Toronto space
Authors: Soukup L.
Published: April 2016

We show that it is consistent that there is a hereditarily separable, 0-dimensional T2 space X of cardinality ω1 such that for each uncountable subspace Y of X there is a continuous bijection φ : Y → X and there is a partition (Yi)i<n of Y into finitely many pieces such that φ ↾ Yi is a homeomorphism for each i < n.
Research at Work: Understanding Regression Tables in Research Studies
Authors: Kondrat David C. , Jaggers Jeremiah W.
Published: April 2016

Understanding and interpreting regression tables is not the exclusive purview of academics. Social workers and allied professionals in micro and macro practice, regardless of whether they are undergraduate or graduate trained, can use the information provided in a research article to make informed decisions about practice and assessment. Regression tables are interpretable once the reader has a basic understanding of regression terms, tables, and criteria for causal inferences. While not an exhaustive discussion of multiple regression, this overview functions as a heuristic understanding for how to interpret multiple regression tables and statistics, and provides a framework for drawing causal inferences.
The Match between Engagement Beliefs of Child Welfare Professionals and Consumer Expectations
Authors: Huebner Ruth A. , Durbin Lisa A. , Cordell Christopher , James Teresa
Published: April 2016

Engaging families, youth, and partners in working relationships with child welfare (CW) professionals is an essential interpersonal process and an important outcome influenced by beliefs and expectations of both parties. This study describes the match between beliefs and attitudes of CW professionals in one state agency (n = 989; 51% response rate) and the expectations of families, youth, and partners found in previous research. The Engagement Beliefs and Attitudes Scale was administered and tested with 19 items having adequate factor loadings, evidence of reliability, and support in previous research. Measuring subjective beliefs proved challenging; lessons learned with implications for future research and practice are explored.
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Cricket injuries - a longitudinal study of the nature of injuries in South African cricketers
Authors: Stretch RA , Venter DJL
Published: April 2016

SA Sports Medicine Vol.15(2) 2003: 4-8