bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Mobile App (iBeni) With a Neuropsychological Basis for Cognitive Stimulation for Elderly Adults: Pilot and Validation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Martínez-Alcalá Claudia I , Rosales-Lagarde Alejandra , Hernández-Alonso Esmeralda , Melchor-Agustin Roberto , Rodriguez-Torres Erika E , Itzá-Ortiz Benjamín A
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment is considered one of the most feared chronic conditions among the older adult population since its incidence is approximately twice more frequent than that of dementia. In Mexico, no studies or reports of older adults using technology for cognitive interventions have been published, given that institutions usually frame cognitive stimulation tasks in paper and pencil (ie, in the traditional manner).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to create and analyze the effect, viability, and impact of a mobile app for cognitive stimulation implemented among a group of elderly adults (over 60 years of age) from the state of Hidalgo in Mexico.

METHODS

This study was a nonprobabilistic pilot trial using convenience sampling. An intervention was implemented among a group of 22 older adults between 60 and 80 years of age over 12 weeks. Half of the older adults were stimulated with the mobile app (experimental group) and the other half followed the traditional paper and pencil training (control group). Assessments with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Neuropsi, a neuropsychological test validated in Mexico, were done before and after both cognitive stimulations.

RESULTS

According to the analyzed data, 6/11 (55%) participants from the experimental group obtained better results in their cognitive skills, and 5 (45%) of the adults maintained their score, given that the participants were able to execute the exercises repetitively. Meanwhile, for the control group, only 3/11 (27%) participants obtained better results in the postevaluation. Significant values for results of the MMSE were obtained in the postevaluation for the experimental group compared to the control group, while results did not show significant differences in the Neuropsi. Regarding the validation of the app, all the participants evaluated its pertinence positively.

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention data show that the experimental group obtained better results in the postevaluation given that the participants were able to execute the exercises repetitively. The control group could not accomplish this since they had to respond on the manual and no further attempts were provided. However, both groups increased their score in the neuropsychological evaluations. This suggests that a longer and more frequent intervention is required.

REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER

RR1-10.2196/9603
From Populism to Democratic Polity: Problems and Challenges in Surakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Pratikno Pratikno , Lay Cornelis
Published: December 2017

This paper discusses democratisation practiced in Surakarta, Indonesia, which has been claimed by many experts as a municipality with "best practices" of democratic local governance in Indonesia. Their analyses focus on the actors and claim that participation is a possible way of crafting stable democracy. This participation in turn, they suggest, is a result of decentralisation which thus strengthen local democracy. Presenting the civil society participation and the decentralisation in the city of Surakarta, this paper shows that what actually happens is otherwise. It argues that the rise of popular participation was rooted in contentious local politics. Besides, the constitution of the new forms of popular representation are not supported by, and produced within, a clear ideological framework from the people in Surakarta.
Paths to Peace: Contending Discourses on Communal Violence and Conflict in the Post-New Order Indonesia
Authors: Sugiono Muhadi , Djalong Frans
Published: December 2017

This paper discusses actual discourses that have shaped the ways in which violent communal conflicts have been understood, and how different practices of interventions have been applied to address the conflicts in the post-New Order Indonesia. The discourses have their own perspectives, practical interventions, and agencies. Against the backdrop of the competing discourses, this paper argues for more attention being paid to local ways of resolving communal conflict despite the accompanying debates on their effectiveness and efficiency.
MODELLING AND CONTROL OF H-SHAPED RACING QUADCOPTER WITH TILTING PROPELLERS
Authors: Alkamachi Ahmed , Ercelebi Ergun
Published: December 2017

Traditional quadcopter suffers terribly from its underactuation which implies the coupling between the rotational and the translational motion. In this paper, we present a quadcopter with dynamic rotor tilting capability in which the four propellers are allowed to tilt together around their arm axis. The proposed model provides leveled forward/backward horizontal motion and therefore, ensures a correct view of the onboard camera, and increases the vehicle speed by reducing the air drag. The rotor tilt mechanism also provides an instant high speed in the forward or reverse direction and offers a quick and solid air brake to restrain that fast moving speed.  The nonlinear dynamical model for the quadcopter under consideration is derived using Newton-Euler formalization. A control strategy is then proposed aimed to control the altitude, attitude, and the forward speed of the obtained model. Finally, a numerical simulation is used to integrate the system model with the controller and to test the system performance. Simulation results are reported to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed novel configuration.
Architectural Imaginaries: From Nomadism to the Volunteer Prisoners of Architecture
Authors: Muniz Ribeiro Diego Mauro
Published: December 2017

The present study deals with changes in the architectural imaginary between the late 1950s and early 1970s, especially with regard to the promises of unrestricted mobility (architecture and technology in favor of a society that would know no frontiers) and the subsequent representations, in which architecture not only continues to perpetuate exclusion and regimes of segregation but also assigns a desirable status to this process.

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El presente estudio trata sobre los cambios en el imaginario arquitectónico entre finales de la década de 1950 e inicios de la de 1970,
especialmente al respecto de las promesas de movilidad ilimitada (arquitectura y tecnología a favor de una sociedad que no conocería fronteras) y las representaciones subsecuentes en las que la arquitectura no sólo continúa perpetuando los regímenes de exclusión y segregación, sino que asigna a este proceso un estatus deseable.
Contentious Narratives in Amazonian Cities Along the Brazil–Bolivia Border: Memories and Resentments Turned Heroic and Glorious
Authors: Bento da Silva Francisco , De Araujo Souza Jairo , Messina Marcello
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this article is the comparative study of monuments in
Cobija (Bolivia) and Rio Branco (Brazil), unearthing the contentious national narratives that each of these two Amazonian border cities sustains as a result of the historical dispute over control of the region that today composes the southern part of the Brazilian state of Acre. We explore the different ways in which monuments on both sides of the border draw on narratives of national pride that allude to this conflict.
Unsteady behaviours of a volute in turbocharger turbine under pulsating conditions
Authors: Yang Mingyang , Martinez-Botas Ricardo F. , Rajoo Srithar , Ibaraki Seiichi , Yokoyama Takao , Deng Kangyao
Published: December 2017

Turbochargers are currently in their prime utilization period, which pushes for performance enhancement from conventional turbochargers and more often than not revisiting its design methodology. A turbocharger turbine is subjected to pulsating flow, and how this feeds a steady flow design volute is a topic of interest for performance enhancement. This article investigates unsteady effects on flow characteristics in the volute of a turbine under pulsating flow conditions by numerical method validated by experimental measurement. A single pulse with sinusoidal shape is imposed at the turbine inlet for the investigation on unsteady behaviours. First, pulse propagation of different flow parameters along the volute passage, including pressure, temperature and mass flow rate, is studied by the validated numerical method. Next, the unsteady effect of the pulsating flow on the flow angle upstream the rotor inlet is confirmed by simulation results. The mechanism of this unsteady effect is then studied by an analytical model, and two factors for flow angle distributions are clearly demonstrated: the configuration of the volute A/Rc and the unsteady effect that resulted from mass imbalance. This article demonstrates unsteady behaviours of the turbine volute under pulsating conditions, and the mechanism is discussed in details, which can lead to the improvement of volute design methodology tailoring for pulsating flow conditions.
Analisis Kadar Glukosa pada Nasi Putih dan Nasi Jagung dengan Menggunakan Metode Spektronik 20
Authors: Novianti Muli , Tiwow Vanny M. A. , Mustapa Kasmudin
Published: December 2017

Study on the main content of carbohydrates in rice and corn has been done. This study aims to determine the glucose level in a mixture of corn and rice with a certain ratio prior and during storage in a rice cooker. Spectronic 20 was used in this study to measure the absorption wavelength of sample solutions. Samples used in this study were from rice and sweet corn (Zea mays L. Saccharata) in various ratios of 1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 3:1 and 1:3, and variations in storage of 0, 1, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 hours. The results showed that the highest glucose level in corn were of 32.250 ppm within 12 hours storage, and 40.447 ppm in rice for 12 hours storage. The highest level of glucose in mixture of corn and rice for 12 hours storage was 67.546 ppm at a ratio of 1 : 3.
2. Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes:Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2018
Authors:   American Diabetes Association
Published: December 2017

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) “Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes” includes ADA’s current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA’s clinical practice recommendations, please refer to the Standards of Care Introduction. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.
4. Lifestyle Management:Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2018
Authors:   American Diabetes Association
Published: December 2017

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) “Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes” includes ADA’s current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA’s clinical practice recommendations, please refer to the Standards of Care Introduction. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.
13. Management of Diabetes in Pregnancy: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2018
Authors:   American Diabetes Association
Published: December 2017

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) “Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes” includes ADA’s current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA’s clinical practice recommendations, please refer to the Standards of Care Introduction. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.
CO08 - Canela Sassafrás protagonizou o pioneirismo científico na região do Alto Vale do Itajaí - SC
Authors: Dos Santos Sandra Aparecida , Bedin Everton , Ramlov Gabriel Victor Venâncio , Dos Santos Felipe Augusto , Rech Bruno , Dos Santos Anya Rafaela , Küster Joziani , De Luca Anelise Grünfeld
Published: December 2017

RESUMO - COMUNICAÇÃO ORAL
Attitudes of the GCC youths towards marriage-related issues and requirements: A field study on youths planning to get married in the GCC countries
Authors: Al Nawfali Hamoud Khamis Hamad
Published: December 2017

This study investigates the attitudes of the GCC youths towards marriage issues and requirements in their communities. The topic has been selected based on the researcher’s awareness of the magnitude of marriagerelated problems in the GCC countries, including divorce, spinsterhood, family disintegration, and parental conflicts. The study endeavors to explore the views of unmarried youths towards the different marriage-related issues, the basis for their selection of marriage partners, and their need for marriage orientation programs to prepare them for marriage life. This descriptive study uses the social survey sample method with a sample population of 662 participants. The population of the study consists of young people (18+) from the GCC who are planning to get married. The study shows that lack of financial means is the most important constraints precluding the GCC youths from getting married. The study also shows that the selection of a marriage partner is based mainly on the good reputation and manners of the partner. The study recommends that the GCC communities need to create awareness programs to help reduce dowries and other marriage-related expenses. It also recommends to establish marriage funds to help the youths with marriage expenses and to encourage group wedding ceremonies in order to reduce cost.
Evaluation of Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activities in vitro of Gomphrena CelosiodesMart
Authors: Thu Dang Kim , Hoa Vu Thi , Khanh Chu Ngoc , Tung Bui Thanh
Published: December 2017

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is an enzyme that has an improtant role in the synthesis of uric acid. XO is an enzyme allowscatalyzing the hydroxylation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and xanthine to uric acid. These are two reactions in the final stage of metabolism of the purines in the body. Offal, XO enzyme inhibitors reduce biosynthesis of uric acid have been used to prevent and treat gout. In this study, Gompherena celosiodes is extracted by ultrasonic with ethanol 80 % (EtOH)solvents and fractionated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and n-butanol (n-BuOH) solvents. These fractions were evaluated xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities in vitro. The results show that n-BuOH fraction from roots bark had the strongest XO enzyme inhibitory activity (IC50: 27,39 ± 0,31µg/mL), followed by EtOH fraction (IC50: 47,37 ± 0,26 µg/mL) and EtOAc fraction (IC50: 33,36 ± 0,51µg/mL) and the lowest is n-hexan fraction (IC50: 81,59 ± 0,21µg/mL). The research results indicated that the n-BuOH fraction and the EtOAc fraction from tree-hatched soil have a potential in the prevention and treatment of gout.
Psicologia de la ciencia
Authors: Martel Vidal Víctor Hugo
Published: December 2017

Los avances logrados por la ciencia y la tecnología nos han permitido alcanzar mejores niveles de vida, sin embargo muchas otras ciencias, sobre todo las humanas, como las teorías posdarwinianas, continúan teniendo muy poca difusión, incluso entre los que debieran ser sus cultores, lo que impide continuar mejorando nuestra formación humanística, sobre todo en la formación profesional de los estudiantes universitarios y la cultura de la población en general, a esto se añade el inmenso aporte de las neurociencias que hacen posible construir una comprensión mejor lograda de la condición humana.
建筑工程质量管理中存在的问题及解决对策分析
Authors: 杨 宏
Published: December 2017

随着中国社会经济的不断发展，建筑行业取得了飞速发展，建筑施工质量管理越来越受到人们的重视。目前来看，建筑行业已经成了国民经济的重要基础，建筑工程质量不仅仅关系到建筑本身的稳定性与功能性，其与国家财产安全与人民生命安全有着直接联系。鉴于此，论文针对质量管理工作中存在的问题提出了相关控制策略，希望能为相关工作者提供一定的参考。
Critérios utilizados pelos enfermeiros na realização dos curativos.
Authors: Barbosa Marques Antonio Dean , Maria do Socorro Oliveira Guimaraes Maria do soccorro Oliveira , Formiga Cabral Luciane Dos anjos , Soares da Cunha Kleber Parecido , Francisco Luz Nunes Queiroz Artur Acelino , De Oliveira Layze Braz
Published: December 2017

Objetivo: analisar os critérios utilizados pelo enfermeiro na realização do curativo. Metodo: Estudo exploratório-descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, realizado em uma Unidade Integrada de Saúde situada no município de Teresina - PI. A população do estudo foram sete enfermeiros. Resultados: De acordo com perfil dos enfermeiros, a maioria é do sexo feminino, com faixa etária que varia entre 27 a 61 anos de idade, com tempo de formação entre 04 a 24 anos, os resultados apontam ausência de protocolos na instituição do estudo, favorecendo a ausência de parâmetros para a avaliação de feridas, além disso, diversas barreiras foram identificadas como fator que prejudica a realização dos procedimentos de curativo. Conclusão: Para a evolução satisfatória de uma ferida é relevante que o profissional detenha conhecimento e habilidade para realizar um procedimento, além disso, é importante desenvolver práticas com o intuito de otimizar o serviço.
Toxoplasmose Ganglionar em um indivíduo imunocompetente: relato de caso
Authors: Hinterholz Eliana Mello , Lima Monia Maia , Moreira Antonio Marcos , Machado Marcelo Donizete
Published: December 2017

Objetivo: discutir um caso clínico de um indivíduo imunocompetente que desenvolveu toxoplasmose ganglionar aguda. Metodologia: pesquisa tipo estudo de caso, de característica descritiva, realizada em uma unidade hospitalar do município de Primavera do Leste/MT. Resultados: o estado clínico era compatível com o sítio anatômico comprometido, apresentando febre intermitente maior de 38ºC, fraqueza, emagrecimento, fadiga aos pequenos esforços e aumento dos linfonodos cervicais. A terapêutica foi Pirimetamina 100 mg (VO) três vezes ao dia por três dias, 50 mg (VO) três vezes ao dia, por seis semanas, Sulfadiazina 1000 mg (VO) três vezes ao dia por três dias após 500 mg (VO) três vezes ao dia, por seis semanas e ácido folínico 10 mg (VO) por seis semanas. Conclusão: a toxoplasmose é um sério problema de saúde pública no Brasil e no mundo. Compreender suas manifestações clínicas em indivíduos imunocompetentes torna-se uma ferramenta útil para as equipes multiprofissionais em nível hospitalar.
A CRIAÇÃO DE PRODUTOS LOCAIS EM PARCERIA COM O MUSEU DE FAVELA NO RIO DE JANEIRO ATRAVÉS DA METODOLOGIA DE PERCURSO
Authors: Langone Jorge , Gamba Junior Nilton Gonçalves , Coutinho Davison Da Silva
Published: December 2017

Este artigo tem o objetivo de descrever uma parte do processo das oficinas colaborativas de design com os moradores da comunidade do Cantagalo, Pavão e Pavãozinho, participantes ativos do Museu de Favela a partir da aplicação da Metodologia de Percurso no Circuito Casas Tela. Para isso, utiliza um diálogo com os conceitos de delinquência de um percurso em um determinado trajeto de Michel de Certeau e de cimento societal que agrega grupos em um território delimitado de Michel Maffesoli. Os dados foram construídos pelos pesquisadores por meio de uma pesquisa bibliográfica e da aplicação empírica da Metodologia de Percurso em aulas expositivas-práticas com os moradores, nas quais foram desenvolvidos signos visuais da identidade do morro para a prototipagem de artefatos locais. Os dados revelaram que a participação ativa dos moradores para a construção de uma linguagem própria além de aperfeiçoá-los nos fazeres do seu território, os transformam em potenciais multiplicadores dos signos locais, ressaltando os saberes da cultura material da comunidade por intermédio dos produtos gerados nas oficinas colaborativas.ABSTRACTThis article aims to describe a part of the process of collaborative design workshops with locals of the underprivileged community of Cantagalo, Pavão and Pavãozinho, active participants of the Favela Museum by using the Course Methodology in the Canvas-Houses Circuit. For this purpose, it uses a dialog with the concepts of delinquency of a route in a given path by Michel de Certeau and societal cement that adds groups in a territory delimited by Michel Maffesoli. Researchers have obtained the data through a bibliographical research and empirical application of Route Methodology in lectures and practical classes with locals in which visual signs of identity of the underprivileged areas have been developed for the prototyping of local artifacts. The data have shown that the active participation of the locals for the construction of an own language in addition to enhancing them in the chores of their territory, they turn them into potential multipliers of local symbols, and this highlights knowledge of the material culture of the underprivileged community through the products generated in collaborative workshops.
ESTUDO DE CASO: VERIFICAÇÃO DO USO DE EMBALAGENS DESCARTÁVEIS E RETORNÁVEIS NA CADEIA LOGÍSTICA DE PEÇAS AUTOMOTIVAS
Authors: Santos Hugo Flávio dos , Ferroli Paulo Cesar Machado
Published: December 2017

Resumo de dissertanção de mestrado apresentada ao Programa de Pós Graduação em Engenharia Ambiental da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina.
SUSTENTABILIDADE E EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL NA CONCEPÇÃO DA ENCÍCLICA LAUDATO SI'
Authors: Neves Maria Lúcia Corrêa , Perassi Richard , Fialho Francisco Antonio Pereira
Published: December 2017

Trata-se de estudo descritivo-interpretativo, de base qualitativa, da “Carta Encíclica Laudato Si´: sobre o cuidado da casa comum” (2015), assinada por Papa Francisco. Considerou-se o caráter educativo do documento e seu potencial de influência. O objetivo foi identificar a concepção de educação ambiental (EA) presente na publicação. Na análise do conteúdo foi utilizada tipologia com três categorias de concepções de EA: (A) Conservadora; (B) Pragmática; (C) Crítica, considerando-se, ainda, cinco dimensões: (1) valores éticos; (2) política; (3) relação ser humano e meio ambiente; (4) ciência e tecnologia; (5) atividades sugeridas. Identificou-se o predomínio da concepção Crítica de EA. Considera-se que com uma visão de Ecologia integral, o conhecimento interdisciplinar expresso no documento contribui de maneira diferenciada com o debate sobre a sustentabilidade, revelando a influência da origem latino-americana do Papa e da Igreja da América Latina que, tradicionalmente, relaciona a defesa do meio ambiente com a defesa da Justiça social.
METODOLOGIA DE BENCHMARKING PARA PRODUÇÃO MAIS LIMPA E PRÁTICAS SUSTENTÁVEIS: UM ESTUDO NO SETOR DE PVC
Authors: De A. Boada Paola Andrea , Ferreira João C.E.
Published: December 2017

Resumo de dissertação de mestrado.
PROPOSTA DE SUBSTITUIÇÃO DE COPOS PLÁSTICOS DESCARTÁVEIS EM FÁBRICA DE GRANDE PORTE
Authors: Corrêa Maria Eugenia , Heemann Adriano
Published: December 2017

Tendo em vista o impacto ambiental gerado pela produção de copos plásticos descartáveis e a quantidade de resíduos gerada pelo uso destes produtos, o estudo aqui relatado tem como objetivo apresentar uma alternativa para a substituição de copos plásticos em uma fábrica na região de Curitiba. Através da pesquisa bibliográfica inicial, é possível identificar as alternativas já existentes e, assim, adequá-las como uma solução pertinente para este caso específico. A proposta apresentada explora a substituição dos copos plásticos descartáveis por copos de polipropileno, copos plásticos biodegradáveis além da adoção de uma campanha de conscientização de todos os funcionários. O artigo discute essas possibilidades e aponta para perspectivas futuras.
DESIGN E SUSTENTABILIDADE: NECESSIDADE DE QUEBRA DE PARADIGMA NO ENSINO
Authors: Pazmino Ana Veronica , Santos Adriane Shibata dos
Published: December 2017

O artigo defende a necessidade de que nos cursos de design o tema da sustentabilidade seja inserido nos períodos iniciais e permeie o curso nas disciplinas posteriores, sendo tratado como relevante e praticado nas ações projetuais. Assim, pode-se esperar que nos projetos realizados pelos alunos de design sejam considerados problemas sociais e ambientais, além de outras questões relacionadas à sustentabilidade. Apesar do MEC ter estabelecido Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para a Educação Ambiental, Relações Étnico Raciais e Direitos Humanos, no artigo é apresentada uma pesquisa sobre a oferta destas temáticas em disciplinas nos cursos de Santa Catarina. O artigo finalmente propõe um modelo interdisciplinar da sustentabilidade nos cursos de design, visando que os designers do futuro sejam conscientes e responsáveis da sua atividade
A SUSTENTABILIDADE NO ENSINO DE DESIGN EM INSTITUIÇÕES FEDERAIS DE ENSINO SUPERIOR NO BRASIL
Authors: Calegari Eliana Paula , De Oliveira Branca Freitas
Published: December 2017

Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar a inserção dos aspectos relacionados à sustentabilidade nos cursos de design em Instituições Federais de Ensino Superior no Brasil. Dessa forma, apresenta-se a identificação das Instituições Federais de Ensino Superior que possuem cursos na área de design, realizada através da plataforma e-MEC no período de outubro de 2015. A partir disso, foi realizado o levantamento da estrutura curricular das disciplinas que abordam a sustentabilidade, através do site das universidades, e por meio das ementas foi realizada a análise de conteúdo visando diagnosticar como ocorre a abordagem da sustentabilidade nos cursos de design.  A pesquisa revelou que nas ementas dos cursos de design, que abordam disciplinas sobre a sustentabilidade, o ensino é baseado na problemática ambiental, abordando questões como o respeito ao meio ambiente, a qualidade de vida, a consciência ambiental, a preservação dos recursos naturais e impactos ambientais, e, além disso, são apresentadas estratégias de ecodesign a fim de minimizar impactos ambientais provocados durante o ciclo de vida dos produtos.
EDITORIAL
Authors: Librelotto Lisiane Ilha , Ferroli Paulo Cesar Machado
Published: December 2017

Editorial da publicação
FSW of bimodal reinforced Al-based composites produced via spark plasma sintering
Authors: Sadeghi Behzad , Shamanian Morteza , Ashrafizadeh Fakhreddin , Cavaliere Pasquale
Published: December 2017

Metal-matrix composites produced via spark plasma sintering are characterized by enhanced mechanical and microstructural properties. Obviously, the material behavior is strongly related to the reinforcement properties, in particular the reinforcement shape. The present paper is aimed at showing the friction stir welding of Al-based composites reinforced with different percentages of nano (2%) and microsized (8%) alumina particles. The joints, microstructural and mechanical properties were evaluated as a function of the different processing parameters such as rotating and advancing speeds of the tool. The joint evolution was related to the heat input during welding. The welded material fracture behavior showed different types of rupture compared to the spark plasma sintered material.
Hunt for Perfect Detection of Parking Occupancy: Evaluation of On-Street Technology and Its Ability to Address Urban Challenges
Authors: Dey Soumya S. , Darst Matthew , Pochowski Alek , Pérez Benito O. , Sanchez Eduardo Cardenas
Published: December 2017

For better management of on-street parking, cities are searching for ways to understand current usage of their on-street supply. Options for collecting on-street parking occupancy information range from manual data collection, which tends to be slow and not in real time, to in-ground sensors, which can provide real-time data but are costly and may have other issues related to battery life and their placement in the roadbed. This paper evaluates the various data collection methods and technologies for on-street parking. The District of Columbia Department of Transportation’s experience with various on-street technologies to detect parking occupancy is described, with a focus on how the technologies were able to identify solutions to the urban challenges inherent in the District. Criteria for a more in-depth analysis of on-street occupancy detection technology are described and presented as the next steps in the evaluation.
Investigating Impacts of Communication Loss on Signal Performance with Use of Event-Based Data
Authors: An Chengchuan , Wu Yao-Jan , Xia Jingxin , Lu Zhenbo
Published: December 2017

Reliable communication in a traffic signal network is essential for responsive traffic management. However, communication malfunctions often go unnoticed by transportation agencies because of unfamiliarity with the potential problems and inefficiencies that can arise from poor communication quality. Therefore, this paper focuses on the critical effects of communication loss on data quality and signal coordination. On the basis of regionwide event-based data collected in the city of Tucson, Arizona, a data quality control method with criteria specifying the completeness of event-based data was proposed and implemented. The quantified analysis provides a better understanding of data completeness than is possible by simply scanning real-time monitoring states. The proposed method provides an effective tool that will enable practitioners to diagnose problems with missing data and to evaluate the health and capability of a communication network for event-based data collection. A further investigation of how signal performance is affected by communication loss found unexpected changes in traffic progression, a situation identified by using a statistical analysis method and evaluated by monitoring control delay. The evaluation results for test cases found significant increases in the control delays between 27% and 720% when communication losses occurred. This study provides an innovative data-driven approach that supports smarter asset management of signal communication networks and ultimately will enhance signal performance.
Enhancing Relative Positioning Accuracy in Vehicle-to-Vehicle Safety: Multivehicle Kinematics and Nonlinear Particle Filtering Approach
Authors: Zhang Yang , Han Lee D.
Published: December 2017

Unsatisfactory relative positioning accuracy is a bottleneck in collision avoidance applications of vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Previous efforts focused mainly on either enhancing absolute GPS data precision or experimenting with positioning techniques alternative to GPS, such as real-time kinematics, Doppler measurements, or integration of GPS with ultrawideband ranging radios. This paper proposes a new approach that is independent from the sources and precisions of raw data. Based on a multivehicle kinematics model adapted from a multirobot domain, the method can predict vehicles’ distances and bearings by fully utilizing the shared real-time motion data from dedicated short-range communications’ basic safety message packets. Three types of nonlinear filters were proposed and compared to minimize the errors caused by raw data noise and system timing inaccuracies. Experiments indicated that the extended Kalman filter failed to estimate a highly nonlinear process, unscented Kalman filter dysfunctions, if the statistical features of errors were misestimated; only the particle filter maintained satisfactory and stable accuracies in both high-nonlinearity and error-unknown situations. The combination of the kinematics model and particle filtering can serve as an algorithmic complement to various approaches focused on data sources to enhance relative positioning precision.
Novel Cooperative Collision Avoidance Model for Connected Vehicles
Authors: Wang Pangwei , Wu WenXiang , Deng Xiaohui , Xiao Lin , Wang Li , Li Min
Published: December 2017

Connected vehicle technology exchanges real-time vehicle and traffic information through vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. The technology has the potential to improve traffic safety applications such as collision avoidance. In this paper, a novel cooperative collision avoidance (CCA) model that could improve the effectiveness of the collision avoidance system of connected vehicles was developed. Unlike traditional collision avoidance models, which relied mainly on emergency braking, the proposed CCA approach avoided collision through a combination of following vehicle deceleration and leading vehicle acceleration. Through spacing policy theory and nonlinear optimization, the model calculated the desired deceleration rate for the following vehicle and the acceleration rate for the leading vehicle, respectively, at each time interval. The CCA approach was then tested on a scaled platform with hardware-in-the-loop simulation embedded with MATLAB/Simulink and a car simulator package, CarSim. Results show that the proposed model can effectively avoid rear-end collisions in a three-vehicle platoon.
Short-Term Traffic Flow Forecasting for Urban Roads Using Data-Driven Feature Selection Strategy and Bias-Corrected Random Forests
Authors: Ou Jishun , Xia Jingxin , Wu Yao-Jan , Rao Wenming
Published: December 2017

Urban traffic flow forecasting is essential to proactive traffic control and management. Most existing forecasting methods depend on proper and reliable input features, for example, weather conditions and spatiotemporal lagged variables of traffic flow. However, the feature selection process is often done manually without comprehensive evaluation and leads to inaccurate results. For that challenge, this paper presents an approach combining the bias-corrected random forests algorithm with a data-driven feature selection strategy for short-term urban traffic flow forecasting. First, several input features were extracted from traffic flow time series data. Then the importance of these features was quantified with the permutation importance measure. Next, a data-driven feature selection strategy was introduced to identify the most important features. Finally, the forecasting model was built on the bias-corrected random forests algorithm and the selected features. The proposed approach was validated with data collected from three types of urban roads (expressway, major arterial, and minor arterial) in Kunshan City, China. The proposed approach was also compared with 10 existing approaches to verify its effectiveness. The results of the validation and comparison show that even without further model tuning, the proposed approach achieves the lowest average mean absolute error and root mean square error on six stations while it achieves the second-best average performance in mean absolute percentage error. Meanwhile, the training efficiency is improved compared with the original random forests method owing to the use of the feature selection strategy.
Evaluating the Promotion of Innovative Mobility Options with an Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation Approach
Authors: Arian Ali , Chiu Yi-Chang
Published: December 2017

The growing, aging, and urbanizing traveling population of the United States requires different and more personal designed mobility options. The private sector, in association with public firms, has started to test and deploy innovative solutions to address these shifting needs. Unfortunately, the build-first-and-users-will-come theory does not hold much weight. Overnight success stories are often the result of years of hard work behind the scenes. Simply put, start-up marketing is often a unique challenge because of limited resources, whether it is time, money, or talent. This study, therefore, introduced an agent-based model that could be used to simulate the reaction of commuters and travelers on the introduction of an innovative mobility option and business model. The model was backed up with empirical data from an Austin, Texas–based innovative mobility solution, the Metropia app. The results of this study show the importance of how and when promotional activities are conducted, with respect to the characteristics of the concept involved, to achieve appropriate public engagement. Thus, decision makers are provided with a quantitative projection of the effect of different strategies and the associated public reaction. For instance, in the case of introducing innovative mobility options that require high public engagement, such as carpooling or crowdsourcing solutions, it is suggested that strategists focus their attention and marketing budget to make an initial splash.
Direct visualization of microcirculation impairment after acute subdural hemorrhage in a novel animal model
Authors: Wang Huan-Chih , Tsai Jui-Chang , Lee Jing-Er , Huang Sheng-Jean , Po-Hao Huang Abel , Lin Wei-Chou , Hsieh Sung-Tsang , Wang Kuo-Chuan
Published: December 2017

OBJECTIVE

Direct brain compression and secondary injury due to increased intracranial pressure are believed to be the pathognomic causes of a grave outcome in acute subdural hemorrhage (aSDH). However, ischemic damage from aSDH has received limited attention. The authors hypothesized that cerebral microcirculation is altered after aSDH. Direct visualization of microcirculation was conducted in a novel rat model.

METHODS

A craniectomy was performed on each of the 18 experimental adult Wistar rats, followed by superfusion of autologous arterial blood onto the cortical surface. Changes in microcirculation were recorded by capillary videoscopy. Blood flow and the partial pressure of oxygen in the brain tissue (PbtO2) were measured at various depths from the cortex. The brain was then sectioned for pathological examination. The effects of aspirin pretreatment were also examined.

RESULTS

Instantaneous vasospasm of small cortical arteries after aSDH was observed; thrombosis also developed 120 minutes after aSDH. Reductions in blood flow and PbtO2 were found at depths of 2–4 mm. Blood-brain barrier disruption and thrombi formation were confirmed using immunohistochemical staining, while aspirin pretreatment reduced thrombosis and the impairment of microcirculation.

CONCLUSIONS

Microcirculation impairment was demonstrated in this aSDH model. Aspirin pretreatment prevented the diffuse thrombosis of cortical and subcortical vessels after aSDH.
Negative surgical exploration in patients with Cushing’s disease: benefit of two-thirds gland resection on remission rate and a review of the literature
Authors: Carr Steven B. , Kleinschmidt-DeMasters Bette K. , Kerr Janice M. , Kiseljak-Vassiliades Katja , Wierman Margaret E. , Lillehei Kevin O.
Published: December 2017

OBJECTIVE

The authors report their single-institution experience with the pathological findings, rates of remission, and complications in patients with presumed Cushing’s disease (CD) who underwent a two-thirds pituitary gland resection when no adenoma was identified at the time of transsphenoidal surgery (TSS). The authors also review the literature on patients with CD, negative surgical exploration, and histological findings.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective analysis of cases found in neurosurgery and pathology department databases between 1989 and 2011. In all cases, patients had been operated on by the same neurosurgeon (K.O.L.). Twenty-two (13.6%) of 161 patients who underwent TSS for CD had no adenoma identified intraoperatively after systematic exploration of the entire gland; these patients all underwent a two-thirds pituitary gland resection. A chart review was performed to assess treatment data points as well as clinical and biochemical remission status.

RESULTS

Of the 22 patients who underwent two-thirds gland resection, 6 (27.3%) ultimately had lesions found on final pathology. All 6 patients were found to have a distinct adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) cell adenoma. Sixteen (72.7%) of the patients had no tumor identified, with 3 of these patients suspected of having ACTH cell hyperplasia. The follow-up duration for the entire group was between 14 and 315 months (mean 98.9 months, median 77 months). Remission rates were 100% (6/6 patients) for the ACTH cell adenoma group and 75% (12/16) for the group without adenoma. Overall, 18 (81.8%) of the 22 patients had no evidence of hypercortisolism at last follow-up, and 4 patients (18%) had persistent hypercortisolism, defined as a postoperative cortisol level > 5 μg/dl. Of these 4 patients, 1 was suspected of harboring a cavernous sinus adenoma, 2 were found to have lung tumors secreting ACTH, and 1 remained with an undiagnosed etiology. Rates of postoperative complications were low.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnosis and treatment of CD can be challenging for neurosurgeons, endocrinologists, and pathologists alike. Failure to find a discrete adenoma at the time of surgery occurs in at least 10%–15% of cases, even in experienced centers. The current literature provides little guidance regarding rational intraoperative approaches in such cases. The authors’ experience with 161 patients with CD, when no intraoperative tumor was localized, demonstrates the utility of a two-thirds pituitary gland resection with a novel and effective surgical strategy, as suggested by a high initial remission rate and a low operative morbidity.
Mitochondrial abnormalities related to the dysfunction of circulating endothelial colony-forming cells in moyamoya disease
Authors: Choi Jung Won , Son Sung Min , Mook-Jung Inhee , Moon Youn Joo , Lee Ji Yeoun , Wang Kyu-Chang , Kang Hyun-Seung , Phi Ji Hoon , Choi Seung Ah , Chong Sangjoon , Byun Jayoung , Kim Seung-Ki
Published: December 2017

OBJECTIVE

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a unique cerebrovascular disorder characterized by the progressive occlusion of the bilateral internal carotid arteries. Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), previously termed “endothelial progenitor cells,” play an important role in the pathogenesis of MMD. In this study, the authors performed morphological and functional studies of the mitochondria of ECFCs from patients with MMD to present new insights into the pathogenesis of the disease.

METHODS

The morphology of ECFCs from 5 MMD patients and 5 healthy controls was examined under both a transmission electron microscope and a confocal laser scanning microscope. The oxygen consumption rates (OCRs), mitochondrial membrane potentials (MMPs), intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, mitochondrial enzyme activities, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured. Functional activity of the ECFCs was evaluated using a capillary tube formation assay.

RESULTS

The ECFCs from the MMD patients displayed a disrupted mitochondrial morphology, including a shorter and more circular shape. The ECFC mitochondria from the MMD patients exhibited functional abnormalities, which were assessed as a decreased OCR and an increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Moreover, the ECFCs from MMD patients showed increased ROS levels. Interestingly, treatment with an ROS scavenger not only reversed the mitochondrial abnormalities but also restored the angiogenic activity of the ECFCs from the MMD patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The mitochondria of ECFCs from MMD patients, as compared with those from healthy patients, exhibited morphological and functional abnormalities. This finding suggests that the mitochondrial abnormalities may have a role in the pathogenesis of MMD.
Modeling and controller design of a novel large-gap magnetic suspension and balance system for 3D non-contact manipulation
Authors: Wen Tao , Ming Zhengfeng , Zhu Zhanxia , Zhu Wenzhi , Yuan Jianping
Published: December 2017

Magnetic suspension is a good choice for high precision manipulation. Several magnetic suspension systems have been proposed and shown to be effective for precision positioning. Most of these systems work with small air gaps and have a small movement range for suspended-load. Increasing the air gap will introduce uncertainty into the modeling and control of the system but is required for specific applications. The Large-Gap Magnetic Suspension and Balance System (LGMSBS) is a conceptual design for experiments which could be used to investigate the technology issues associated with magnetic suspension and accurate suspended-load control at large gaps. This paper investigates regulation and the control methods of magnetic suspension, and proposed a novel design comprised of a cylindrical element containing a permanent magnet, a planar electromagnet array, a position sensing system, a control system. In order to increase the uniformity of the magnetic field and have control over the distribution of the magnetic field, a new structure called planar electromagnet array is established. The magnetic properties are investigated through the mathematical modeling method. Since the magnetic suspension system is highly nonlinear and inherently unstable in operation, this paper deals with the problems of modeling and control strategy for the LGMSBS with 3D-movement control, and numerical simulations and experiments are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and validity of our conclusions.
Effect of chemical admixtures on borogypsum containing cement mortar
Authors: Kunt Kubra , Dur Fatma , Yildirim Meral , Derun Emek Moroydor
Published: December 2017

In this study, the influences of air-entraining, set accelerating and superplasticizer admixtures on the properties of borogypsum containing cement mortars were investigated. According to results, by using 3% borogypsum and water/binder ratio of 0.45, the compressive and flexural strength values were increased up to 196.38%. The usage of various ratios of air-entraining and set accelerating admixtures showed reverse effects on the compressive and flexural strength. However, 0.4% superplasticizer containing mortars had 65.39 MPa compressive strength and 9.08 MPa flexural strength which were 33.12% and 26.82% higher than the reference. Durability test results showed addition 3% borogypsum provided endurance to sulfate attacks up to 30 days.
Study on the preparation, characterization and photocatalytic performance of SnO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Wei-na , Hai Shi-kun , Li Chun-ling , Wang Nai-ping , Shao Jing , Zhang Zhan , Ye Bao-xian
Published: December 2017

The precursors of SnO2 nanoparticles at different temperatures were synthesized by hydro-thermal method, and then SnO2 nanoparticles were obtained by calcination in this paper. Then the structure and micromorphology were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the chemical composition of the products were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy (IR) and ultraviolet visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), finally, the photocatalytic degradation ability of prepared products were studied by ultraviolet absorption method. The results showed that the low temperature reaction is beneficial to the formation of particle products, and the calcined products were pure stannic oxide particles with rutile structure, which had good crystallinity, good dispersibility, uniform size and strong photocatalytic degradation ability.