bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of time to peak contrast enhancement of the aorta and liver for dual-phase computed tomography on the basis of contrast medium arrival time, injection duration, and injection technique in dogs
Authors: Chau Jennifer , Young Alex C. , Dhand Navneet , Makara Mariano A.
Published: September 2016

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the accuracy of estimating time to peak enhancement (TPE) of the aorta and liver parenchyma on the basis of contrast medium arrival time in the aorta, injection duration, and injection technique in dogs.

ANIMALS 18 dogs of specific body weight categories (≥ 2 dogs/category) with no liver abnormalities detected via CT.

PROCEDURES Dogs were randomly assigned within weight categories to receive contrast medium IV at a fixed injection rate (5 mL/s) or fixed injection duration (20 seconds). Time–contrast attenuation curves were generated from dynamic CT scans acquired at the hepatic hilus. Data collected for contrast medium arrival time and injection duration were used to estimate TPEs of the aorta and liver, and results were compared with the observed TPEs for the aorta and liver.

RESULTS Contrast medium arrival time, injection duration, and injection technique were significantly associated with observed values for aortic TPE and explained 96.1% of variation in TPE. For the fixed rate technique, the regression equation for estimating aortic TPE was 0.8 × (injection duration + contrast medium arrival time) + 1.6. For the fixed duration technique, the regression equation changed by only the constant (–2.6). However, the hepatic TPE estimated from the 3 predictor variables was not significantly different from the mean of observed TPEs.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Aortic TPE could be accurately estimated from contrast medium arrival time, injection duration, and injection technique in dogs with apparently healthy livers. The regression equations derived from this relationship can be used to improve the efficiency of dual-phase CT of the liver in dogs.
Clinical effects of computed tomography–guided lumbosacral facet joint, transforaminal epidural, and translaminar epidural injections of methylprednisolone acetate in healthy dogs
Authors: Liotta Annalisa P. , Girod Maud , Peeters Dominique , Sandersen Charlotte , Couvreur Thierry , Bolen Géraldine
Published: September 2016

OBJECTIVE To determine clinical effects of CT-guided lumbosacral facet joint, transforaminal epidural, and translaminar epidural injections of methylprednisolone acetate in healthy dogs.

ANIMALS 15 healthy Beagles.

PROCEDURES Dogs were randomly assigned to 3 groups (5 dogs/group) and received a single CT-guided lumbosacral facet joint, transforaminal epidural, or translaminar epidural injection of methylprednisolone acetate (0.1 mg/kg). Contrast medium was injected prior to injection of methylprednisolone to verify needle placement. Neurologic examinations were performed 1, 3, 7, and 10 days after the injection. In dogs with neurologic abnormalities, a final neurologic examination was performed 24 days after the procedure.

RESULTS Methylprednisolone injections were successfully performed in 14 of the 15 dogs. In 1 dog, vascular puncture occurred, and the methylprednisolone injection was not performed. No major or minor complications were identified during or immediately after the procedure, other than mild transient hyperthermia. During follow-up neurologic examinations, no motor, sensory, or postural deficits were identified, other than mild alterations in the patellar, withdrawal, cranial tibial, and perineal reflexes in some dogs. Overall, altered reflexes were observed in 11 of the 14 dogs, during 27 of 65 neurologic examinations.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that CT-guided lumbosacral facet joint, transforaminal epidural, and translaminar epidural injections of methylprednisolone acetate were associated with few complications in healthy dogs. However, the number of dogs evaluated was small, and additional studies are needed to assess clinical efficacy and safety of these procedures.
Effects of topical ocular application of 1% trifluridine ophthalmic solution in dogs with experimentally induced recurrent ocular canine herpesvirus-1 infection
Authors: Spertus Chloe B. , Mohammed Hussni O. , Ledbetter Eric C.
Published: September 2016

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of topical ocular application of 1% trifluridine ophthalmic solution in dogs with experimentally induced recurrent ocular canine herpesvirus-1 (CHV-1) infection.

ANIMALS 10 specific pathogen–free Beagles.

PROCEDURES 12 months prior to the beginning of the randomized, masked, placebo-controlled 30-day trial, latent ocular CHV-1 infection was experimentally induced in each dog by topical ocular inoculation of both eyes with a field strain of CHV-1. Recurrent ocular CHV-1 infection was induced by oral administration of prednisolone for 7 days (starting day 1). Starting on the fourth day of prednisolone administration, each dog received 1% trifluridine solution or artificial tears (placebo) topically in both eyes 6 times daily for 2 days and then 4 times daily for 12 days. Ophthalmic examinations were performed every 2 days, and ocular disease scores were calculated. Ocular samples for CHV-1 PCR assays and blood samples for clinicopathologic analyses and assessment of CHV-1 serum neutralization antibody titers were collected at predetermined intervals.

RESULTS Conjunctivitis was clinically detected in all dogs by day 4. Compared with dogs receiving placebo, mean and total clinical ocular disease scores were significantly lower and median CHV-1 shedding duration was significantly shorter for the trifluridine-treated dogs. Both groups had increasing CHV-1 serum neutralization antibody titers over time, but no significant differences between groups were detected. Clinicopathologic findings were unremarkable throughout the study.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Topical ocular application of 1% trifluridine ophthalmic solution was well tolerated and effective at reducing disease scores and viral shedding duration in dogs with experimentally induced ocular CHV-1 infection, but may require frequent administration.
Analysis of Waste Water for Bioelectric Generation Using Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Rawat Shweta , Rawat Jyoti
Published: September 2016

Microbial fuel cell technology is a recent approach which consist renewable and sustainable technology for electricity generation. Great attentions have been paid to microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Since, it recovers energy from renewable materials that can be difficult to dispose, such as organic wastes, waste water etc. and utilize variety of biodegradable substrates as fuel. Through which, microorganisms actively catabolize substrate and generate electricity. Besides many advantages, it still faces some limitations such as low power and current density. In the present research waste water was physically, biologically and chemically tested. We found that waste water has less amount of toxicity. Thus, it was assumed as low strength waste water and used for the MFC setup for bioelectric generation.Initially, the setup was run three times in a small scale. Simultaneously voltage and current was measured at different time intervals. It was observed that in first run, the voltage and current fluctuation data was not significant but voltage generation was varied from 140.8-182.5 mV in final run, correspondingly current fluctuated from 51-352 μA and power varied from 7180.8-66439.1 nW. However, we got highest power density of 0.0215-0.042 mW when the setup was moved in higher scale.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(3): 281-287
Phenotypic Dissimilarities among Inbreds of Maize (Zea Mays L.)
Authors: Subedi S. , Paudel B. , Bhandari B.
Published: September 2016

For development of single cross hybrids in maize, developed inbreds must be evaluated for the determination of highly heterotic inbred combination (HIC). One of the best methodologies for determination of heterotic inbred combination can be multivariate analysis (MVA) or scales of phenotypic distance or dissimilarities or cluster diagram. For it, inbred must be observed for useful trait measurements. Accordingly, an experimental evaluation was conducted including promising 55 inbred lines of winter maize planting on Sep 3, 2015 at National Maize Research Program Rampur, Chitwan Nepal (NMRP/NARC). The distant inbred lines were determined through MVA. Single plot research technique was done where each inbred line was provided with 2 rows of 20 plants each. Data were taken for fifteen traits. By the use of MINITAB software, the data was analysed. Graphics of principle component analysis (PCA) cluster diagram (CD or dendogram) were constructed and phenotypic dissimilarities are examined.The distant inbreds RML-8, RML-88, RML-13, RML-103, RML-89, RML-102, RML-11, RML-17, RML-83,RML-98,RML-85,RML-86,RML-94 and RML-28 could be crossed with RML-75,RML-6,RML-68,RML-36 and RML-32 which could be used as tester inbred for heterotic hybrid combination. Similarly, RML-98, RML-85, RML-86, RML-94 and RML-28 could be crossed with RML-24, RML-96 and RML-99.  Though distant inbred, RML-104 had less ASI but it wasn’t feasible to use for crossing due to higher anthesis tasseling interval.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(3): 359-364
Keratinolytic Protease Production by Bacillus Cereus Strain Ps03 under Submerged Fermentation: Optimization and Characterization
Authors: BalaKumaran M.D. , Santhi R.
Published: September 2016

In the present study, chicken feather powder was screened for its application as the substrate for the production of keratinolytic protease by Bacillus subtilis strain PS03. Bacillus subtilis produced a high level of keratinolytic protease using chicken feather powder as substrate. With feather powder as substrate, physical factors such as incubation time, pH and temperature were optimized for increased keratinolytic protease production by Bacillus subtilis. The enzyme production was enhanced when using maltose as carbon source and yeast extract as nitrogen sources. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated the molecular weight of 46 kDa of the partially purified keratinolytic protease. The keratinolytic protease enzyme was stable over a pH range of 6 – 9 and temperature range of 35 - 50°C with maximum activity at pH 9 and 40°C. Based on the results, the use of feather powder as substrate for keratinolytic protease production is cost effective and is easy to scale up. Considering the availability and cost, chicken feather powder is considered as an ideal substrate for keratinolytic protease production in an industrial point of view. Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(3): 397-401
Behavior towards HIV among the Spouse of Male Migrants in Mid-western Nepal- A cross-sectional study
Authors: Mishra D. , Basnet G. , Yadav U.N.
Published: September 2016

Background : Foreign labor migration has over the years, become major features of Nepal’s economy and society. In seek of opportunities; many of people of reproductive age group migrate to destination countries where they are exposed to risky behaviors. This study aimed to study HIV related knowledge and vulnerability of these women.Methods : The cross-sectional study was carried out among 150 spouses of migrant workers in Dhanauri VDC of Dang District. Semi-structured questionnaire was designed to collect the information from the respondents to meet objectives of the study. Data was analyzed by using SPSS(15.0). Ethical permission was obtained by Institutional Ethics Committee.Results: Almost all respondents had heard of HIV and AIDS and 55% had poor comprehensive knowledge on HIV prevention; 32% perceived HIV could transmit through mosquito bite; sharing meal of infection person (59.3%). The women ever discussed about sex with their husbands were 25.3%, among them 77.1 percent of spouse of male migrants doesn’t use condom during sexual intercourse during husband’s last visit at home. Major reason was they didn’t think it is necessary (88.1 percent) to use.Conclusion: The study revealed, despite great attention to HIV/AIDS program by Government and other agencies the knowledge on HIV prevention is below 50%. Comprehensive education program is needed to increase the level of correct knowledge on HIV prevention among wives of migrant workers. Targeted intervention among wives of migrant workers is important to make them able to negotiate for safe sexual practices with their husbands for HIV prevention and disclose their status for accessing services.Journal of Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences Vol. 2 2016 p.7-13
Sonographic measurement of normal plantar fascia thickness in healthy nepalese population
Authors: Dhakal Gaurav Raj , Parajuli Nirajan Prasad , Joshi Kirti Subas , Shrestha Rohit , Sherchan Binod
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND: Plantar fascitis is one of the commonest causes of heel pain. Thickening of plantar fascia is the most consistent sonological finding in plantar fasciitis.Objective: To estimate normal plantar fascia thickness in healthy Nepalese volunteers and evaluate its relationship with age, sex, height, weight and body mass index (BMI).METHODS: The plantar fascia thickness was measured at 5mm distal to its insertion into the calcaneus using 10 MHz linear array transducer. Total 700 feet of 350 healthy volunteers were evaluated in our study. Physical examination was also performed to assess height, weight and BMI.RESULTS: The mean plantar fascia thickness among entire population, male subjects, female subjects, right side and left side were respectively 2.39±0.37 (Range 1.4-3.6; 95% confidence interval=2.36-2.42); 2.47±0.37 (Range 1.4-3.6; 95% confidence interval =2.43-2.51); 2.32±0.35 (Range 1.4-3.5; 95% confidence interval =2.28-2.36); 2.39±0.36 (Range 1.4-3.6; 95% confidence interval =2.35-2.43) and 2.40±0.37 (Range 1.4-3.5; 95% confidence interval of 2.36-2.44). The mean was significantly higher in men than in women (p <0.05) but similar in left and right feet (p>0.05). Amongst age, sex, weight, height and body mass index; only age significantly co-related with the plantar fascia thickness.CONCLUSION: The mean plantar fascia thickness was 2.39±0.37mm. The mean is significantly higher in men than in women but similar in both feet. Sex, weight, height and BMI are not significantly related to the thickness. Age is the single most determinant factor of plantar fascia thickness.Journal of Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences Vol. 2 2016 p.37-44
TB: Barrier in access, diagnosis and treatment completion
Authors: Marahatta Sujan B. , Shrestha Ashish , Bhattarai Pramod R , Thapa Anil , Lamichinnae Bikash , Chhetri Charu
Published: September 2016

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern for Nepal like many other developing countries around the world. Economic barrier is one of the major problems in poor and marginalized population. Poor people mostly remain unaware of the treatment facilities and some find it difficult in seeking T.B treatment as they don’t trust the program and most of them don’t possess enough knowledge about the disease itself. Population residing in the remote areas of the countries can’t access the treatment facilities due to far distance of health facilities from there residence due to lack of roads and lack of transport. Thus difficult geography primarily in rural areas in the country acts as a barrier to access the health facility. TB infection faces add-on challenge with the advent of co-infection and possibility of increase in drug resistant TB. This is why detecting TB in its early stage would pose a number of advantages to the patient that would in turn help for early treatment. However, the challenges and barriers in early diagnosis remain that is being contributed by multifaceted factors. The lack of knowledge coupled with poor financial capacity to pay for the diagnosis especially in rural population prevents them from being diagnosed properly as well. Factors for not completing the treatment are when patient starts feeling better, lack of drugs, major side effects of the drugs and inadequate knowledge about advantages of completion of the drug treatment. The attitude of the hospital staff also in many cases leads to discontinuation of the treatment. Patient who have limited income and got financial support from their relatives explained about treatment going above their obtainable resources leading to early withdrawal from the treatment completion. Geography is one of the important issues for treatment completion as routine drug administration follow up in patient (farther from particular distance) is difficult and leads to exhaustion and withdrawal from the treatment.Journal of Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences Vol. 2 2016 p.76-80
Future Rehabilitation Professionals' Intentions to Use Self-Management Support: Helping Students to Help Patients
Authors: Figueiredo Sabrina , Mayo Nancy E. , Thomas Aliki
Published: September 2016

Purpose: We evaluated whether education in self-management support (SMS) increases future clinicians' intentions to use a new way of delivering rehabilitation services. Methods: A convenience sample of 10 students took a 5-week theoretical course, followed by 6 weeks spent assessing patients, establishing treatment plans, and monitoring their performance by telephone. Focus groups were held before and after the educational modules, with deductive mapping of themes to the Theory of Planned Behaviour and inductive analysis of additional themes. Results: Five themes and 22 subcategories emerged from the deductive–inductive focus group content analysis. After participating in the educational modules, students reported gaining knowledge about SMS and highlighted the lack of similar preparation during their academic courses. Nonetheless, they were hesitant to adopt SMS. Conclusion: Future clinicians gained knowledge and skills after being exposed to SMS courses, but their intention to adopt SMS in their future daily practice remained low. We also noted a lack of formal training in SMS in the academic setting. The findings from this study support incorporating SMS training into the curriculum, but to increase students' intention to use SMS as part of patient care, training may need to be in more depth than it was in the modules we used.
Analysis of Rear-End Collisions at Roundabout Approaches
Authors: Burdett Beau , Alsghan Ibrahim , Chiu Li-Hong , Bill Andrea R. , Noyce David A.
Published: September 2016

Roundabouts are common alternatives to stop- and signal-controlled intersections and have grown in popularity in response to the promise to reduce traffic crash severity at intersections. In Wisconsin, more than 300 roundabouts have been installed. Studies of these intersections have found a 38% reduction in fatal and injury crashes. However, a 12% overall increase also was found, and this finding is not unique to Wisconsin. An increase in less-serious crashes can lead to a negative public perception about roundabout benefits. The causes of rear-end collisions (a common type of low-severity crash) were examined. Four years of crash reports from 55 roundabouts were analyzed along with the geometric conditions of the roundabouts. The 16- to 24-year-old driver age group represented a significantly higher proportion of involvement in rear-end collisions than in total crashes across the state. Negative binomial models were created for roundabout approaches. For combined one-lane and multilane roundabout approaches, annual average daily traffic, sawtooth pavement markings, and high deflection angles were significantly correlated with an increase in the expected number of rear-end collisions, and wider entry was significantly correlated with a decrease in the expected number of rear-end collisions. For one-lane approaches, “Yield” pavement markings led to an expected reduction in crashes, as did the presence of horizontal curves within 250 feet of a roundabout. These findings reflect the complexity of driving at roundabout approaches, especially for younger drivers. Results also indicate the importance of proper pavement markings at approaches.
Correlation of Driver Gender with Injury Severity in Large Truck Crashes in Missouri
Authors: Bernard Jill M. , Mondy Christopher M.
Published: September 2016

Large trucks are vital for shipping freight in the United States but are also a dangerous mode of transportation. From 2002 to 2012, 91,145 crashes involving large trucks were recorded in Missouri, resulting in 1,156 fatalities and 18,457 injuries. Many factors contribute to the severity of a large truck crash; these factors and their effects on severity may vary as a function of gender. Missouri crash data from 2002 to 2012 were analyzed to identify circumstances that increased the probability of injury severity outcomes in the event of a large truck crash. Chi-square automatic interaction detector decision tree models were developed for each gender to understand predictor importance better and to uncover interactions between contributing factors. Results suggest that the major correlations with levels of injury severity are following too closely, physical impairment, and improper passing for female Missouri drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and driving too fast for conditions, failing to yield, and physical impairment for male Missouri CDL drivers. Results suggest that environmental factors are not significant predictors of severity outcome for female CDL drivers; however, road and lighting conditions play a tertiary role for male CDL drivers. Recommendations based on study results include encouraging truck driver training programs to focus educational efforts on gender-specific behaviors that affect crash injury severity to enhance road safety.
Impact of New Tolls on Existing Roadway Facilities: Hampton Roads, Virginia, Experience
Authors: Nichols Keith M. , Belfield Samuel S.
Published: September 2016

The Midtown and Downtown Tunnels have been two of the most congested facilities in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Traffic queues nearly 4 mi long were daily occurrences at both facilities during peak travel periods. To relieve this congestion, construction began in 2012 of an additional two-lane tube at the Midtown Tunnel, along with rehabilitation of the Downtown Tunnel and the original Midtown Tunnel, and the addition of an extension to the Martin Luther King Freeway. To finance the project, whose completion is expected in 2018, toll collection began at the Midtown and Downtown Tunnels on February 1, 2014. The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) studied the impact of tolling on the regional transportation system by comparing the traffic and transit conditions before and after toll collection was implemented at the Midtown and Downtown Tunnels. This research will assist local decision makers as they determine whether tolls should be included as a funding source for candidate major highway projects. Further, the research will provide other planning agencies with information about the regional travel impacts of tolling, given that tolls were implemented on existing facilities before capacity improvements were completed. This study included an analysis of changes in traffic volumes, queues, delays, and transit conditions and highlighted a survey funded by the HRTPO to assess the public’s views of the project. Among the findings was that peak period delays decreased by 32% at four river-crossing corridors after tolls were implemented.
Economic Analysis of 65 mph Speed Limits on Rural Highways
Authors: Gates Timothy J. , Savolainen Peter T. , Kay Jonathan J.
Published: September 2016

Speed management has been a long-standing concern of transportation agencies. Recently, nationwide speed limit policy modifications have resulted in a general upward trend in many states. In Michigan, legislation was proposed to raise the maximum speed limits on state-owned, rural, nonfreeway highways from 55 to 65 mph. In response to this proposed speed limit policy change, research was performed to assess the associated economic impacts through the use of benefit–cost analysis. Several potential implementation scenarios of the proposed speed limit policy were investigated; these included a limited subset of roadways with favorable geometry and full statewide implementation. A primary research task was to estimate the costs for infrastructure upgrades necessary to achieve compliance with state and federal design speed requirements for the cohort of roadways included within each 65 mph implementation scenario. User benefits and disbenefits associated with the proposed speed limit increase also were estimated, which included reduced travel times, increased fuel consumption, and increased traffic crashes. Although the travel time savings were estimated to exceed the fuel consumption costs, the resulting benefit was far outweighed by crash-related disbenefits and agency infrastructure costs for roadways that required major geometric modifications (e.g., vertical or horizontal realignment). Consequently, an increase in the speed limit to 65 mph on rural, nonfreeway highways should be considered only if the critical geometric elements can maintain design speed compliance without major modification. However, even for roadways on which design speed compliance is maintained, careful, site-specific consideration must be given to the potential safety impacts, particularly with respect to fatal and injury crashes, which may result after the speed limit is increased.
Importance of Recognizing Locational Differences in Assessing the Impact of a Road User Charge: Oregon Case Study
Authors: McMullen B. Starr , Ke Yue , Wang Haizhong
Published: September 2016

Oregon Senate Bill 810 created a program that allows drivers to pay a flat-mileage road user charge (RUC) of 1.5 cents per mile rather than the 30 cents per gallon state fuel tax. Major concerns about the adoption of this RUC are that it could increase costs for rural households relative to urban households and that the costs would fall disproportionately on lower-income groups. Further, it has been suggested that significant differences in the impact of the RUC could arise from locational distinctions beyond the urban–rural split alone. Earlier studies analyzed the regional impacts of an RUC only at the statewide level or only with the use of a broad urban–rural distinction. The newly available Oregon Households Activity Survey (OHAS) data provide detailed household location information, which permits impacts to be assessed with regional and geographic definitions relevant to policy makers in Oregon. Results with the use of OHAS data showed that, on average, statewide households would pay 5 cents more daily under the RUC than they did under the fuel tax because the 1.5 cents per mile RUC actually will produce more gross revenue than the fuel tax. However, the price increase in rural regions will be less than the statewide average, whereas more urban regions will pay slightly more than the statewide average. Further, the distributional impact of the flat 1.5 cents RUC on all households in the OHAS data set differed, depending on the region of the state examined.
Value of Travel Time: To Differentiate or Not to Differentiate?
Authors: Mouter Niek
Published: September 2016

The value of travel time (VTT) is one of the most crucial concepts in transport infrastructure appraisal, given that travel time typically accounts for 60% to 80% of the monetized benefit of new transport infrastructure when formal cost–benefit analysis (CBA) is undertaken. VTT can be differentiated in many dimensions (e.g., travel purpose, travel mode). This study scrutinized the extent to which VTT was differentiated or not differentiated for empirical–theoretical, political–philosophical, or practical reasons in the appraisal practices of the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Each country’s appraisal guidelines were analyzed, and 32 experts in CBA were interviewed. It was found that the five countries made different decisions on differentiation of VTT with respect to the dimensions of mode, journey length, and trip purpose. Moreover, it was found that the VTT was not segmented between regions in the five countries. The appraisal guidelines in the countries underpinned this decision with the argument that politicians would reject CBA if the VTT varied between regions, and most of the experts consulted in this study endorsed this view. Empirical evidence in the literature was scant, however, either to support or contest the argument that politicians would not accept regional differentiation. Thus 19 Dutch politicians were asked to reflect on the desirability of a VTT differentiated by region. It was found that most politicians supported this differentiation. Politicians, among others, stated that the purity and impartiality of CBA should be safeguarded. This result called into question the assumption articulated in the guidelines that politicians would reject CBA if the VTT were differentiated between regions.
Integrating Multiple Economic Analysis Methods for More Effective Decision Making: Three-Dimensional Framework
Authors: Weisbrod Glen , Duncan Chandler
Published: September 2016

The infrastructure planning process requires broad consideration of the benefits, costs, and impacts of proposed projects. However, planners and decision makers often are unclear about how they can best use economic analysis methods to inform decision making and how they can unsort what appear to be competing methodologies to portray the consequences of projects: benefit–cost analysis (BCA), economic impact analysis (EIA), and financial impact analysis (FIA). The result can be an inappropriate or ineffective use of economic analysis and failure to match its capabilities to the requirements of infrastructure investment planning. This paper reviews the evolving application of economic analysis techniques for transportation infrastructure investment decision making and identifies sources of confusion for analysts and decision makers. The paper introduces a new structure for the application of economic analysis in the planning process. The structure is built on a unifying framework to view the various forms of economic analysis in terms of how they differentially cover a three-dimensional universe of space, time, and economy elements. The paper shows how a structural framework can be used to match economic analysis techniques to stakeholder issues and decisions on the basis of spatial and temporal information requirements that are applicable at different stages of the planning and decision-making process. Finally, the paper provides an example of how state agencies can use this framework to bring together information from BCA, EIA, and FIA to support decisions on investment in a major transportation infrastructure project.
Multi-Objective Resource Allocation Scheme for D2D Multicast with QoS Guarantees in Cellular Networks
Authors: Li Fangmin , Zhang Yong , Aide Al-Qaness Mohammed
Published: September 2016

Device-to-device (D2D) multicast communication can greatly improve the spectrum utilization in a content delivery scenario. However, the co-channel interference and power consumption brought by D2D bring new challenges. All the D2D multicast groups expect to achieve a higher system capacity with less extra energy cost. In this paper, we investigate the uplink resource allocation issue when D2D multicast groups share the resources with other cellular uses (CUs), while guaranteeing a certain level of quality of service (QoS) to CUs and D2D users. Firstly we address a flexible tradeoff framework in which the system power consumption and the system capacity (i.e., the number of admitted D2D links) are assigned with different weight factors so that these two objectives are jointly considered. Then we propose an efficient resource optimization scheme, which comprises sub-channel allocation and signal-to-interference- plus-noise ratio (SINR) assignment. Numerical results validate the effectiveness of the proposed framework, and demonstrate the advantages in dealing with the proposed multi-objective optimization problem.
Immobilized Aspergillus niger Lipase with SiO2 Nanoparticles in Sol-Gel Materials
Authors: Xu Li , Ke Caixia , Huang Ying , Yan Yunjun
Published: September 2016

Lipase from Aspergillus niger was “doubly immobilized” with SiO2 nanoparticles in sol-gel powders prepared via the base-catalyzed polymerization of tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and methyltreimethoxysilane (MTMS). The hydrolytic activity of the immobilized lipase was measured using the p-nitrophenyl palmitate hydrolysis method. The results showed that the optimum preparation conditions for the gels were made using a MTMS/TMOS molar ratio of 5, 60 mg of SiO2 nanoparticles, a water/silane molar ratio of 12, 120 mg of enzyme supply, and 120 μL of PEG400. Under the optimal conditions, the immobilized lipase retained 92% of the loading protein and 94% of the total enzyme activity. Characteristic tests indicated that the immobilized lipase exhibited much higher thermal and pH stability than its free form, which shows great potential for industrial applications.
Morphological and Structural Control of Organic Monolayer Colloidal Crystal Based on Plasma Etching and Its Application in Fabrication of Ordered Gold Nanostructured Arrays
Authors: Liu Guangqiang , Cai Weiping
Published: September 2016

The organic monolayer colloidal crystals, which are usually prepared by self-assembling, could be used as templates, due to their interstitial geometry, for the periodically arranged nanostructured arrays, which have important applications in many fields, such as photonic crystals, information storage, super-hydrophobicity, biological and chemical sensing. Obviously, the structures of the obtained arrays mainly depend on those of the templates. However, the self-assembled monolayer colloidal crystal is exclusive in structure and for its hexagonal close-packed colloidal arrangement, leading to the limitation of the monolayer colloidal crystal as the template for the nanostructured arrays. Therefore, structural diversity is important in order for colloidal crystals to be used as the templates for various nanostructured arrays. Recently, there have been some reports on the morphological and structural manipulation of the organic monolayer colloidal crystals. In this review article, we focus on the recent progress in morphological and structural manipulation of polystyrene monolayer colloidal crystals based on plasma etching, and its application in the fabrication of the ordered gold nanostructured arrays with different structures, mainly including close-packed monolayer colloidal crystal and its transferrable property; structural manipulation based on plasma etching; and fabrication of gold nanostructured arrays based on varied monolayer colloidal crystals as template.
Design and Implementation of a High Efficiency, Low Component Voltage Stress, Single-Switch High Step-Up Voltage Converter for Vehicular Green Energy Systems
Authors: Wu Yu-En , Wu Yu-Lin
Published: September 2016

In this study, a novel, non-isolated, cascade-type, single-switch, high step-up DC/DC converter was developed for green energy systems. An integrated coupled inductor and voltage lift circuit were applied to simplify the converter structure and satisfy the requirements of high efficiency and high voltage gain ratios. In addition, the proposed structure is controllable with a single switch, which effectively reduces the circuit cost and simplifies the control circuit. With the leakage inductor energy recovery function and active voltage clamp characteristics being present, the circuit yields optimizable conversion efficiency and low component voltage stress. After the operating principles of the proposed structure and characteristics of a steady-state circuit were analyzed, a converter prototype with 450 W, 40 V of input voltage, 400 V of output voltage, and 95% operating efficiency was fabricated. The Renesas MCU RX62T was employed to control the circuits. Experimental results were analyzed to validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed system.
Evaluating the Management System Approach for Industrial Energy Efficiency Improvements
Authors: Zobel Thomas , Malmgren Charlotte
Published: September 2016

Voluntary environmental management systems (EMS) based on the international standard ISO 14001 have become widespread globally in recent years. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of voluntary management systems on energy efficiency in the Swedish manufacturing industry by means of objective industrial energy data derived from mandatory annual environmental reports. The study focuses on changes in energy efficiency over a period of 12 years and includes both ISO 14001-certified companies and non-certified companies. Consideration is given to energy improvement efforts in the companies before the adoption of ISO 14001. The analysis has been carried out using statistical methods for two different industrial energy parameters: electricity and fossil fuel consumption. The results indicate that ISO 14001 adoption and certification has increased energy efficiency regarding the use of fossil fuel. In contrast, no effect of the management systems has been found concerning the use of electricity. The mixed results of this study are only partly in line with the results of previous studies based on perceptions of company representatives.
Fire Regime along Latitudinal Gradients of Continuous to Discontinuous Coniferous Boreal Forests in Eastern Canada
Authors: Portier Jeanne , Gauthier Sylvie , Leduc Alain , Arseneault Dominique , Bergeron Yves
Published: September 2016

Fire is the main disturbance in North American coniferous boreal forests. In Northern Quebec, Canada, where forest management is not allowed, the landscape is gradually constituted of more opened lichen woodlands. Those forests are discontinuous and show a low regeneration potential resulting from the cumulative effects of harsh climatic conditions and very short fire intervals. In a climate change context, and because the forest industry is interested in opening new territories to forest management in the north, it is crucial to better understand how and why fire risk varies from the north to the south at the transition between the discontinuous and continuous boreal forest. We used time-since-fire (TSF) data from fire archives as well as a broad field campaign in Quebec’s coniferous boreal forests along four north-south transects in order to reconstruct the fire history of the past 150 to 300 years. We performed survival analyses in each transect in order to (1) determine if climate influences the fire risk along the latitudinal gradient; (2) fractionate the transects into different fire risk zones; and (3) quantify the fire cycle—defined as the time required to burn an area equivalent to the size of the study area—of each zone and compare its estimated value with current fire activity. Results suggest that drought conditions are moderately to highly responsible for the increasing fire risk from south to north in the three westernmost transects. No climate influence was observed in the last one, possibly because of its complex physical environment. Fire cycles are shortening from south to north, and from east to west. Limits between high and low fire risk zones are consistent with the limit between discontinuous and continuous forests, established based on recent fire activity. Compared to the last 40 years, fire cycles of the last 150–300 years are shorter. Our results suggest that as drought episodes are expected to become more frequent in the future, fire activity might increase significantly, possibly leading to greater openings within forests. However, if fire activity increases and yet remains within the range of variability of the last 150–300 years, the limit between open and closed forests should stay relatively stable.
Radiative Transfer Modeling of Radio-Band Linear Polarization Observations as a Probe of the Physical Conditions in the Jets of γ-Ray Flaring Blazars
Authors: Aller Margo , Hughes Philip , Aller Hugh , Hovatta Talvikki , Ramakrishnan Venkatessh
Published: September 2016

Since the mid-1980s, the shock-in-jet model has been the preferred paradigm to explain radio-band flaring in blazar jets. We describe our radiative transfer model incorporating relativistically-propagating shocks, and illustrate how the 4.8, 8, and 14.5 GHz linear polarization and total flux density data from the University of Michigan monitoring program, in combination with the model, constrain jet flow conditions and shock attributes. Results from strong Fermi-era flares in 4 blazars with widely-ranging properties are presented. Additionally, to investigate jet evolution on decadal time scales we analyze 3 outbursts in OT 081 spanning nearly 3 decades and find intrinsic changes attributable to flow changes at a common spatial location, or, alternatively, to a change in the jet segment viewed. The model’s success in reproducing these data supports a scenario in which relativistic shocks compress a plasma with an embedded passive, initially-turbulent magnetic field, with additional ordered magnetic field components, one of which may be helical.
Transition and Transversion Mutations Are Biased towards GC in Transposons of Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Luo Guang-Hua , Li Xiao-Huan , Han Zhao-Jun , Zhang Zhi-Chun , Yang Qiong , Guo Hui-Fang , Fang Ji-Chao
Published: September 2016

Transposons are often regulated by their hosts, and as a result, there are transposons with several mutations within their host organisms. To gain insight into the patterns of the variations, nucleotide substitutions and indels of transposons were analysed in Chilo suppressalis Walker. The CsuPLE1.1 is a member of the piggyBac-like element (PLE) family, which belongs to the DNA transposons, and the Csu-Ty3 is a member of the Ty3/gypsy family, which belongs to the RNA transposons. Copies of CsuPLE1.1 and Csu-Ty3 were cloned separately from different C. suppressalis individuals, and then multiple sequence alignments were performed. There were numerous single-base substitutions in CsuPLE1.1 and Csu-Ty3, but only a few insertion and deletion mutations. Similarly, in both transposons, the occurring frequencies of transitions were significantly higher than transversions (p ≤ 0.01). In the single-base substitutions, the most frequently occurring base changes were A→G and T→C in both types of transposons. Additionally, single-base substitution frequencies occurring at positions 1, 2 or 3 (pos1, pos2 or pos3) of a given codon in the element transposase were not significantly different. Both in CsuPLE1.1 and Csu-Ty3, the patterns of nucleotide substitution had the same characteristics and nucleotide mutations were biased toward GC. This research provides a perspective on the understanding of transposon mutation patterns.
Children’s Exposure to Secondhand Smoke during Ramadan in Jakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Luntungan Nurul , Byron M. , Hovell Melbourne , Rosen Laura , Anggraeni Annisa , Rees Vaughan
Published: September 2016

Secondhand smoke exposure (SHS) causes a disproportionate health burden for children, yet existing smoke-free laws are often poorly enforced. We monitored air quality while observing children and adult nonsmokers present in public venues during Ramadan, a period of Muslim religious observance marked by family and social gatherings, in Jakarta, Indonesia. A repeated-measures design was used to assess indoor air quality during and after Ramadan in 43 restaurants and in five smoke-free control venues. Fine particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5) was sampled. The average number of children and active smokers present in each venue was also observed. PM2.5 levels were significantly higher during Ramadan (mean 86.5 µg/m3) compared with post-Ramadan (mean 63.2 µg/m3) in smoking venues (p = 0.015). During Ramadan, there were more active smokers (p = 0.012) and children (p = 0.051) observed in venues where smoking occurred, compared with the same venues post-Ramadan. Poor enforcement of the smoke-free law in Jakarta has failed to protect children from SHS exposure in public venues during Ramadan. Collaboration between the government, NGOs (such as the Indonesian Cancer Foundation (YKI) and the Smoking Control Foundation (LM3)), religious leaders, and venue owners and managers must be developed to ensure that the comprehensive smoking bans apply to all venues, and that smoke-free laws are enforced.
MicroRNA-944 Affects Cell Growth by Targeting EPHA7 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Liu Minxia , Zhou Kecheng , Cao Yi
Published: September 2016

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have critical roles in lung tumorigenesis and development. To determine aberrantly expressed miRNAs involved in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and investigate pathophysiological functions and mechanisms, we firstly carried out small RNA deep sequencing in NSCLC cell lines (EPLC-32M1, A549 and 801D) and a human immortalized cell line 16HBE, we then studied miRNA function by cell proliferation and apoptosis. cDNA microarray, luciferase reporter assay and miRNA transfection were used to investigate interaction between the miRNA and target gene. miR-944 was significantly down-regulated in NSCLC and had many putative targets. Moreover, the forced expression of miR-944 significantly inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells in vitro. By integrating mRNA expression data and miR-944-target prediction, we disclosed that EPHA7 was a potential target of miR-944, which was further verified by luciferase reporter assay and microRNA transfection. Our data indicated that miR-944 targets EPHA7 in NSCLC and regulates NSCLC cell proliferation, which may offer a new mechanism underlying the development and progression of NSCLC.
miR33a/miR33b* and miR122 as Possible Contributors to Hepatic Lipid Metabolism in Obese Women with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Auguet Teresa , Aragonès Gemma , Berlanga Alba , Guiu-Jurado Esther , Martí Andreu , Martínez Salomé , Sabench Fàtima , Hernández Mercé , Aguilar Carmen , Sirvent Joan , Del Castillo Daniel , Richart Cristóbal
Published: September 2016

Specific miRNA expression profiles have been shown to be associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We examined the correlation between the circulating levels and hepatic expression of miR122 and miR33a/b*, the key lipid metabolism-related gene expression and the clinicopathological factors of obese women with NAFLD. We measured miR122 and miR33a/b* expression in liver samples from 62 morbidly obese (MO), 30 moderately obese (ModO), and eight normal-weight controls. MiR122 and miR33a/b* expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR. Additionally, miR122 and miR33b* circulating levels were analyzed in 122 women. Hepatic miR33b* expression was increased in MO compared to ModO and controls, whereas miR122 expression was decreased in the MO group compared to ModO. In obese cohorts, miR33b* expression was increased in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Regarding circulating levels, MO patients with NASH showed higher miR122 levels than MO with simple steatosis (SS). These circulating levels are good predictors of histological features associated with disease severity. MO is associated with altered hepatic miRNA expression. In obese women, higher miR33b* liver expression is associated with NASH. Moreover, multiple correlations between miRNAs and the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism were found, that would suggest a miRNA-host gene circuit. Finally, miR122 circulating levels could be included in a panel of different biomarkers to improve accuracy in the non-invasive diagnosis of NASH.