bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inclusão de pessoas com deficiência na empresa como fator responsabilidade social - Inclusion of people with disabilities in the company as a factor social responsibility
Authors: Silva Guimarães Daniel , Viana de Oliveira Fabio , Rodrigues Vicente Leonardo
Published: December 2017

RESUMOO presente artigo trata do estudo da inclusão de pessoas com deficiência na empresa como fator de responsabilidade social, tendo por objetivo verificar o conceito de responsabilidade social empresarial e sua relação com esse tipo de inclusão. A responsabilidade social muitas vezes é confundida com o conceito de filantropia, o que leva muitas empresas a focarem suas ações sociais em apenas um determinado grupo de pessoas. Todavia, ser socialmente responsável é ir além de ações filantrópicas, é possuir uma gestão que se baseia na ética empresarial. E, diante do cenário atual de conquistas sociais, se torna fundamental à empresa ter o conhecimento de suas obrigações legais mediante seu papel no processo de contratação da pessoa com deficiência, pois a legislação brasileira defende a empregabilidade e a acessibilidade dessas pessoas como uma garantia de inclusão na sociedade e na empresa. Assim, com uma metodologia de pesquisa bibliográfica e estudo de caso de forma qualitativa, obteve-se a resposta para o seguinte problema de pesquisa: “há dificuldade no processo de inclusão da pessoa com deficiência na empresa?”.Palavras – chave: Responsabilidade social; Inclusão; Empresa.ABSTRACT This article deals with the study of the inclusion of people with disabilities in the company as a social responsibility factor, aiming to verify the concept of corporate social responsibility and its relationship with this type of inclusion. Social responsibility is often confused with the concept of philanthropy, which leads many companies to focus their social actions in only a certain group of people. However, being socially responsible is to go beyond philanthropy, it is to have a management that is based on business ethics. And given the current scenario of social achievements, it becomes fundamental to the company have knowledge of their legal obligations by its role in the person's contracting process with disabilities because Brazilian law supports employability and accessibility of these people as a guarantee inclusion in society and the company. So with a bibliographic research methodology and case study qualitatively, obtained the answer to the following research problem: "there is difficulty in the process of inclusion of people with disabilities in the company?”Key Words: Social responsibility; Inclusion; Company.
O sistema cicloviário como alternativa para a mobilidade urbana: uma análise em piracicaba – são paulo. - Cycling system as an alternative for urban mobility: an analysis in piracicaba- são paulo.
Authors: Diego Gobbo Alves José , Leonardo Rodrigues da Cunha Eric
Published: December 2017

RESUMOAs cidades brasileiras enfrentam sérios problemas de mobilidade urbana causados, principalmente, pelo padrão de desenvolvimento urbano (disperso, segregado e dependente do modal rodoviário). O aumento dos congestionamentos e acidentes, a precariedade do transporte coletivo público, o aumento das distâncias percorridas no cotidiano e a falta de infraestruturas necessárias tem se tornando, cada vez mais, problemas estruturais nas cidades. Este artigo propõe um diagnóstico da mobilidade urbana em Piracicaba, interior do estado de São Paulo, através do sistema cicloviário como alternativa para o panorama atual de mobilidade na cidade. Como metodologia, realizou-se levantamento bibliográfico, de dados e documental; trabalhos em campo e mapeamento temático. Os resultados desta pesquisa apontam para sérios problemas da mobilidade urbana apresentados na cidade, tais como o aumento na frota de automóveis (67%) e motocicletas (150%) entre os anos de 2002 e 2015 além de um sistema cicloviário deficitário, com trechos que não interligam as principais áreas das cidades, possuindo um caráter de lazer ao invés de funcional para as atividades do cotidiano da população.Palavras-chaves: Mobilidade Urbana; Sistema cicloviário; Piracicaba – São Paulo. ABSTRACTBrazilian cities have been facing serious urban mobility problems caused mainly by the pattern of urban development (dispersed, segregated and road modal dependent). The increases in traffic jams and accidents, the precarious public transport, the increase in daily life distances and the lack of necessary infrastructure are increasingly becoming structural problems in cities. This article proposes a diagnosis of urban mobility in the Piracicaba, in São Paulo state interior, through the bicycle system as an alternative to the current panorama of mobility in the city. As methodology, a bibliographical and data survey was carried out, also field work and thematic mapping. The results show serious urban mobility problems in the city, such as the increase in the car fleet (67%) and motorcycles (150%) from 2002 to 2015 and a deficient bicycle system, with non-interconnected paths to the city’s main areas and having a leisure character rather than functional for the population daily activities.Keywords: Urban Mobility; Bicycle path system; Piracicaba - São Paulo.
Quantificação de porcentagem de gordura em diferentes cortes de carne a partir de visão computacional
Authors: Sátiro de Jesus Lázaro , Carvalho Ferreira Karen , Freire Melissa Cássia Favaro Boldrin , Oliveira Marcelo Moreira de , Damasceno Eduardo Filgueiras
Published: December 2017

A carne, por ser um alimento de alta importância na dieta humana merece espaço dentro das análises tanto qualitativas quanto quantitativas. Dentro das análises qualitativas temos destaque para a análise sensorial que visa analisar os atributos da carne como palatabilidade, aroma, sabor, entre outros. Essas análises podem ser feitas de diversas maneiras, porém, algumas delas demanda um tempo relativamente alto; portanto, ao se utilizar métodos computacionais podemos reduzir o tempo dessas análises. O presente trabalho analisou através de um programa de lógica operacional utilizando linguagem C++, com biblioteca OpenCV, a quantidade de gordura presente no corte cárneo, sendo que foram analisados os cortes de picanha, cupim e acém. A relação entre a cor da gordura presente com a cor do músculo da carne foi contabilizada e transformada em porcentagem.Palavras-chave: OpenCV, linguagem C++, Carne
Eficácia Horizontal Dos Direitos E Garantias Fundamentais: Parâmetros Para A Harmonização Da Autonomia Privada E A Dignidade Da Pessoa Humana
Authors: Gonzaga Castro Larissa De Paula , Araujo Letycia Neres de
Published: December 2017

A teoria da eficácia vertical dos direitos fundamentais surgiu no Estado Liberal com a finalidade de proteger os cidadãos da atuação exacerbada do Estado Absolutista Monárquico, todavia a violação dos direitos fundamentais não ocorre apenas nas relações entre Estado e o cidadão, mas também no âmbito das relações privadas, tornando-se necessária a aplicação da teoria de eficácia horizontal dos direitos fundamentais, em que tais direitos podem incidir nas relações jurídicas eminentemente privadas, apresentando-se contemporaneamente como um tema de estudo imprescindível ao estudante e aplicador do direito, devido à natureza dos interesses em conflito. O presente artigo apresenta uma síntese doutrinaria e jurisprudencial da aplicação dos direitos fundamentais nas relações privadas.
Quantifying meso‐mammal cave use in central Texas
Authors: Montalvo Andrea E. , Lopez Roel R. , Parker Israel D. , Silvy Nova J. , Cooper Susan M. , Feagin Rusty A.
Published: December 2017

Knowledge of meso‐mammal cave use is essential for natural resource managers, particularly in the management of endangered cave invertebrates. Scat left by meso‐mammals represents significant nutrient inputs into the oligotrophic cave environment which can disrupt the invertebrate species composition and ecology. Since little is known about what constitutes typical timing or frequency of meso‐mammal visitation, current management practices are largely speculative. Central Texas caves were historically associated with raccoonsProcyon lotor,but with the loss of large predators and encroachment of woody vegetation, the now naturalized North American porcupineErethizon dorsatumhas become an established part of the local ecosystems whose effect on cave biology remains unknown. Our objective with this study was to quantify meso‐mammal cave use according to seasons, time of day, weather conditions, as well ecological and physical cave characteristics. We monitored 30 caves by placing trail cameras at cave entrances for one year on Joint Base San Antonio‐Camp Bullis military base just north of San Antonio, Texas. North American porcupines, raccoons, and Virginia opossumsDidelphis virginianawere the three most commonly photographed meso‐mammals (>87%). All meso‐mammal groups showed significantly different cave use according to season, weather, and cave characteristics. Data suggested most meso‐mammals were using caves for denning while raccoons and Virginia opossums also were feeding on resident invertebrate and rodent populations. In particular, Virginia opossum and raccoon, both potential predators of endangered species, showed greater use of caves containing endangered species. The results from our study represent an initial step in understanding meso‐mammal cave use in central Texas.
Note sul "significato della vita"
Authors: Holt Robert R.
Published: December 2017

Vengono esposte alcune brevi riflessioni sul significato della vita, scritte dall'autore nel momento in cui si avvicina a compiere 100 anni. Tra le altre cose, si accenna al tema della religiosità e alla concezione di Karl Popper dei "tre mondi" (Mondo 1: oggetti ed eventi fisici; Mondo 2: esperienza soggettiva; Mondo 3: conoscenze oggettive prodotte dal Mondo 2).
Tracce - "le stesse cose ritornano" - Premessa
Authors: Galli Pier Francesco , Merini Alberto
Published: December 2017

Dopo una premessa di Pier Francesco Galli, viene riportata una intervista fatta da Ettore Perrella a Pier Francesco Galli e pubblicata, col titolo "Guadisti e avanguadisti. Alcune considerazioni su psicoanalisi e psicologia in Italia", nel libro a cura di Ettore Perrella, Professione psicoanalisi. La psicoanalisi in Italia e il pasticcio giuridico sulle psicoterapie (Roma: Aracne, 2014, pp. 23-44). Vien ripercorsa criticamente la storia della Legge 56/1989 sulla istituzione dell'Albo degli Psicologi e la regolamentazione della psicoterapia in Italia, con particolare riferimento al ruolo delle associazioni professionali e alla pratica della psicoanalisi.
Dibattiti - La fine di un'illusione
Authors: Angelozzi Andrea
Published: December 2017

A distanza di 40 anni dalla Legge 180/1978 che ha riformato la psichiatria in Italia, vengono esaminati alcuni suoi punti centrali per valutare quanto di fatto siano stati attuati: il superamento del concetto di pericolosità, la limitazione alla cronicità istituzionale, la attenuazione dello stigma, la centralità del lavoro sul territorio e la collocazione del ricovero ospedaliero all'interno dell'ospedale generale. Emerge il mancato raggiungimento di questi obiettivi, per limiti intrinseci alla legge, per limiti profondi nel mondo psichiatrico nel costruire nuovi modelli e per una difficoltà a costituirsi come interlocutori forti all'interno di una gestione della Sanità sempre più frammentata e ospedalizzata.
Incremental Design of Perishable Goods Markets through Multi-Agent Simulations
Authors: Miyashita Kazuo
Published: December 2017

In current markets of perishable goods such as fish and vegetables, sellers are typically in a weak bargaining position, since perishable products cannot be stored for long without losing their value. To avoid the risk of spoiling products, sellers have few alternatives other than selling their goods at the prices offered by buyers in the markets. The market mechanism needs to be reformed in order to resolve unfairness between sellers and buyers. Double auction markets, which collect bids from both sides of the trades and match them, allow sellers to participate proactively in the price-making process. However, in perishable goods markets, sellers have an incentive to discount their bid gradually for fear of spoiling unsold goods. Buyers can take advantage of sellers’ discounted bids to increase their profit by strategic bidding. To solve the problem, we incrementally improve an online double auction mechanism for perishable goods markets, which promotes buyers’ truthful bidding by penalizing their failed bids without harming their individual rationality. We evaluate traders’ behavior under several market conditions using multi-agent simulations and show that the developed mechanism achieves fair resource allocation among traders.
Electron Backscatter Diffraction Studies on the Formation of Superlattice Metal Hydride Alloys
Authors: Yan Shuli , Young Kwo-Hsiung , Zhao Xin , Mei Zhi , Ng K.
Published: December 2017

Microstructures of a series of La-Mg-Ni-based superlattice metal hydride alloys produced by a novel method of interaction of a LaNi5 alloy and Mg vapor were studied using a combination of X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy and electron backscatter diffraction. The conversion rate of LaNi5 increased from 86.8% into 98.2%, and the A2B7 phase abundance increased from 42.5 to 45.8 wt % and reduced to 39.2 wt % with the increase in process time from four to 32 h. During the first stage of reaction, Mg formed discrete grains with the same orientation, which was closely related to the orientation of the host LaNi5 alloy. Mg then diffused through the ab-phase of LaNi5 and formed the AB2, AB3, and A2B7 phases. Diffusion of Mg stalled at the grain boundary of the host LaNi5 alloy. Good alignments in the c-axis between the newly formed superlattice phases and LaNi5 were observed. The density of high-angle grain boundary decreased with the increase in process time and was an indication of lattice cracking.
A Neural Network Propagation Model for LoRaWAN and Critical Analysis with Real-World Measurements
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Salaheddin , Almoathen Mahmood , Larijani Hadi , Curtis Krystyna
Published: December 2017

Among the many technologies competing for the Internet of Things (IoT), one of the most promising and fast-growing technologies in this landscape is the Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN). Coverage of LoRa, one of the main IoT LPWAN technologies, has previously been studied for outdoor environments. However, this article focuses on end-to-end propagation in an outdoor–indoor scenario. This article will investigate how the reported and documented outdoor metrics are interpreted for an indoor environment. Furthermore, to facilitate network planning and coverage prediction, a novel hybrid propagation estimation method has been developed and examined. This hybrid model is comprised of an artificial neural network (ANN) and an optimized Multi-Wall Model (MWM). Subsequently, real-world measurements were collected and compared against different propagation models. For benchmarking, log-distance and COST231 models were used due to their simplicity. It was observed and concluded that: (a) the propagation of the LoRa Wide-Area Network (LoRaWAN) is limited to a much shorter range in this investigated environment compared with outdoor reports; (b) log-distance and COST231 models do not yield an accurate estimate of propagation characteristics for outdoor–indoor scenarios; (c) this lack of accuracy can be addressed by adjusting the COST231 model, to account for the outdoor propagation; (d) a feedforward neural network combined with a COST231 model improves the accuracy of the predictions. This work demonstrates practical results and provides an insight into the LoRaWAN’s propagation in similar scenarios. This could facilitate network planning for outdoor–indoor environments.
EDTA and NTA Effectively Tune the Mineralization of Calcium Phosphate from Bulk Aqueous Solution
Authors: Hentrich Doreen , Tauer Klaus , Espanol Montserrat , Ginebra Maria-Pau , Taubert Andreas
Published: December 2017

This study describes the effects of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and ethylenediaminotetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the mineralization of calcium phosphate from bulk aqueous solution. Mineralization was performed between pH 6 and 9 and with NTA or EDTA concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 15 mM. X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy show that at low pH, mainly brushite precipitates and at higher pH, mostly hydroxyapatite forms. Both additives alter the morphology of the precipitates. Without additive, brushite precipitates as large plates. With NTA, the morphology changes to an unusual rod-like shape. With EDTA, the edges of the particles are rounded and disk-like particles form. Conductivity and pH measurements suggest that the final products form through several intermediate steps.
Defects in Static Elasticity of Quasicrystals
Authors: Xu Qin , Lu Jing , Li Wu
Published: December 2017

A review on mathematical elasticity of quasicrystals is given. In this review, the focus is on various defects of quasicrystals. Dislocation and crack are two classes of typical topological defects, while their existence has great influence on the mechanical behavior of quasicrystals. The analytic and numerical solutions of dislocations and crack in quasicrystals are the core of the static and dynamic elasticity theory, and this paper gives a comprehensive review on the solutions for dislocations and crack with different configurations in different various important quasicrystalline systems. We review some results in linear elasticity of quasicrystals, referring to different boundary value problems. We also add some new achievements.
Testing the Beta-Lognormal Model in Amazonian Rainfall Fields Using the Generalized Space q-Entropy
Authors: Salas Hernán , Poveda Germán , Mesa Oscar
Published: December 2017

We study spatial scaling and complexity properties of Amazonian radar rainfall fields using the Beta-Lognormal Model (BL-Model) with the aim to characterize and model the process at a broad range of spatial scales. The Generalized Space q-Entropy Function (GSEF), an entropic measure defined as a continuous set of power laws covering a broad range of spatial scales, S q ( λ ) ∼ λ Ω ( q ), is used as a tool to check the ability of the BL-Model to represent observed 2-D radar rainfall fields. In addition, we evaluate the effect of the amount of zeros, the variability of rainfall intensity, the number of bins used to estimate the probability mass function, and the record length on the GSFE estimation. Our results show that: (i) the BL-Model adequately represents the scaling properties of the q-entropy, S q, for Amazonian rainfall fields across a range of spatial scales λ from 2 km to 64 km; (ii) the q-entropy in rainfall fields can be characterized by a non-additivity value, q s a t, at which rainfall reaches a maximum scaling exponent, Ω s a t; (iii) the maximum scaling exponent Ω s a t is directly related to the amount of zeros in rainfall fields and is not sensitive to either the number of bins to estimate the probability mass function or the variability of rainfall intensity; and (iv) for small-samples, the GSEF of rainfall fields may incur in considerable bias. Finally, for synthetic 2-D rainfall fields from the BL-Model, we look for a connection between intermittency using a metric based on generalized Hurst exponents, M ( q 1 , q 2 ), and the non-extensive order (q-order) of a system, Θ q, which relates to the GSEF. Our results do not exhibit evidence of such relationship.
Do We Really Need to Catch Them All? A New User-Guided Social Media Crawling Method
Authors: Erlandsson Fredrik , Bródka Piotr , Boldt Martin , Johnson Henric
Published: December 2017

[-15]With the growing use of popular social media services like Facebook and Twitter it is challenging to collect all content from the networks without access to the core infrastructure or paying for it. Thus, if all content cannot be collected one must consider which data are of most importance. In this work we present a novel User-guided Social Media Crawling method (USMC) that is able to collect data from social media, utilizing the wisdom of the crowd to decide the order in which user generated content should be collected to cover as many user interactions as possible. USMC is validated by crawling 160 public Facebook pages, containing content from 368 million users including 1.3 billion interactions, and it is compared with two other crawling methods. The results show that it is possible to cover approximately 75% of the interactions on a Facebook page by sampling just 20% of its posts, and at the same time reduce the crawling time by 53%. In addition, the social network constructed from the 20% sample contains more than 75% of the users and edges compared to the social network created from all posts, and it has similar degree distribution.
Entropy Analysis for a Nonlinear Fluid with a Nonlinear Heat Flux Vector
Authors: Yang Hyunjin , Massoudi Mehrdad , Kirwan A.
Published: December 2017

Flowing media in both industrial and natural processes are often characterized as assemblages of densely packed granular materials. Typically, the constitutive relations for the stress tensor and heat flux vector are fundamentally nonlinear. Moreover, these equations are coupled through the Clausius–Duhem inequality. However, the consequences of this coupling are rarely studied. Here we address this issue by obtaining constraints imposed by the Clausius–Duhem inequality on the constitutive relations for both the stress tensor and the heat flux vector in which the volume fraction gradient plays an important role. A crucial result of the analysis is the restriction on the dependency of phenomenological coefficients appearing in the constitutive equations on the model objective functions.
Measuring Renewable Energy Development in the Eastern Bloc of the European Union
Authors: Momete Daniela
Published: December 2017

This paper aims to investigate the energy development in terms of renewable energy in the Eastern Bloc European Union member states. Energy is a topic of planetary implications and the analysis of the development of renewable energy sources (RES) in parts of the world where the fossil fuels are scarce is of tremendous importance. In the first section, the paper concisely explores the energy landscape of the European Union (EU), revealing important concerns. The second section introduces an index of renewable energy development (IRED) which captures the complexity of the development of RES and is based on two components, each containing three factors built on efforts and outcomes in RES development. IRED is further applied on a cross-country analysis based on the Eastern Bloc of the EU member states for 2005–2015 interval, revealing the best and worst performers. The application of IRED might contribute to a better understanding of the needed efforts required by different countries in their quest towards energy security, efficient energy use and emissions control. The findings of this paper might conduct to the identification of the best practices which could be spread throughout EU and might contribute to a more rigorous development of policymaking in the energy area.
Boolean Network-Based Sensor Selection with Application to the Fault Diagnosis of a Nuclear Plant
Authors: Dong Zhe
Published: December 2017

Fault diagnosis is crucial for the operation of energy systems such as nuclear plants, and heavily relies on various types of sensors for temperature, pressure, concentration, etc. Due to the redundancy of sensors in each energy system, the sensor selection scheme can deeply influence the diagnostic efficiency. In this paper, a Boolean network (BN) with its linear representation is proposed for describing the fault propagation among sensors. Both the sufficient condition of fault detectability and that of fault discriminability are given. Then, a sensor selection method for fault detection and discrimination is proposed. Finally, the theoretic result is applied to realize the diagnosis oriented sensor selection for a nuclear steam supply system based on a modular high temperature gas-cooled reactor (MHTGR). The computation and simulation results verify the correctness of the theoretical results.
On the Applicability of Linear, Axisymmetric Dynamics in Intensifying and Mature Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Montgomery Michael , Smith Roger
Published: December 2017

The applicability of linearized axisymmetric dynamics to the intensification and structure change of tropical cyclones is investigated. The study is motivated by recent work that presented axisymmetric solutions to the linearized, non-hydrostatic, vortex-anelastic equations of motion (the so-called 3DVPAS model). The work called into question the importance of a recently proposed nonlinear, system-scale boundary-layer spinup mechanism both in intensifying storms and in mature storms undergoing secondary eyewall formation. The issue is examined using a three-dimensional mesoscale simulation of an intensifying tropical cyclone, alongside the linear 3DVPAS model. Solutions to the linear model, for imposed eddy forcing terms derived from the mesoscale simulation, are shown to be valid only for short times ( t < 1 h) in the inner-core region of the vortex. At later times, the neglected nonlinear terms become significant and the linear results invalid. It follows that the linear results cannot be used to describe all aspects of the tropical cyclone dynamics at later times. In particular, they cannot be used (a) to dismiss the importance of the nonlinear boundary-layer spinup mechanism, nor (b) to isolate the separate effects of diabatic heating from those of friction, within the nonlinear boundary layer at least. Such separation depends on the linear superposition principle, which fails whenever nonlinearity is important. Similar caveats apply to the use of another linear model, the traditional Sawyer–Eliassen balance model. Its applicability is limited not only by linearity, but also by its assumption of strictly balanced motion. Both are incompatible with nonlinear spinup.
Impacts of the 2015 Heat Waves on Mortality in the Czech Republic—A Comparison with Previous Heat Waves
Authors: Urban Aleš , Hanzlíková Hana , Kyselý Jan , Plavcová Eva
Published: December 2017

This study aimed to assess the impacts of heat waves during the summer of 2015 on mortality in the Czech Republic and to compare them with those of heat waves back to the previous record-breaking summer of 1994. We analyzed daily natural-cause mortality across the country’s entire population. A mortality baseline was determined using generalized additive models adjusted for long-term trends, seasonal and weekly cycles, and identified heat waves. Mortality deviations from the baseline were calculated to quantify excess mortality during heat waves, defined as periods of at least three consecutive days with mean daily temperature higher than the 95th percentile of annual distribution. The summer of 2015 was record-breaking in the total duration of heat waves as well as their total heat load. Consequently, the impact of the major heat wave in 2015 on the increase in excess mortality relative to the baseline was greater than during the previous record-breaking heat wave in 1994 (265% vs. 240%). Excess mortality was comparable among the younger age group (0–64 years) and the elderly (65+ years) in the 1994 major heat wave while it was significantly larger among the elderly in 2015. The results suggest that the total heat load of a heat wave needs to be considered when assessing its impact on mortality, as the cumulative excess heat factor explains the magnitude of excess mortality during a heat wave better than other characteristics such as duration or average daily mean temperature during the heat wave. Comparison of the mortality impacts of the 2015 and 1994 major heat waves suggests that the recently reported decline in overall heat-related mortality in Central Europe has abated and simple extrapolation of the trend would lead to biased conclusions even for the near future. Further research is needed toward understanding the additional mitigation measures required to prevent heat-related mortality in the Czech Republic and elsewhere.
Well-Being and Associated Factors among Women in the Gender-Segregated Country
Authors: Jradi Hoda , Abouabbas Oraynab
Published: December 2017

Well-being is an essential measure that contributes to the evaluation of the health and quality of life of populations. In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as physical, mental and social well-being. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between July and September 2015. Women aged 18 years old and above were invited to participate in the study. The data were collected using the WHO’s Well-Being Index questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors that are significantly associated with well-being. A total of 900 women completed the survey. Approximately 58% of the women reported moderate to high (≥50) score of well-being, whereas 41.7% reported ill-being/likely depression. Experiencing violence, living in unfavorable physical conditions and reporting morbidities were shown to be significantly associated with low levels of subjective well-being (ill-being) (p < 0.0001). Our study revealed a significant percentage of low levels of well-being among women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and identified the factors associated with them. Further research in this domain is recommended to better investigate additional causes of the low levels of well-being hence help in planning and guiding necessary interventions.
hASC and DFAT, Multipotent Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine: A Comparison of Their Potential Differentiation In Vitro
Authors: Saler Marco , Caliogna Laura , Botta Laura , Benazzo Francesco , Riva Federica , Gastaldi Giulia
Published: December 2017

Adipose tissue comprises both adipose and non-adipose cells such as mesenchymal stem cells. These cells show a surface antigenic profile similar to that of bone-marrow-derived MSC. The cells derived from the dedifferentiation of mature adipocytes (DFAT) are another cell population with characteristics of stemness. The aim of this study is to provide evidence of the stemness, proliferation, and differentiation of human adipose stem cells (hASC) and DFAT obtained from human subcutaneous AT and evaluate their potential use in regenerative medicine. Cell populations were studied by histochemical and molecular biology techniques. Both hASC and DFAT were positive for MSC markers. Their proliferative capacity was similar and both populations were able to differentiate into osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages. DFAT were able to accumulate lipids and their lipoprotein lipase and adiponectin gene expression were high. Alkaline phosphatase and RUNX2 gene expression were greater in hASC than in DFAT at 14 days but became similar after three weeks. Both cell populations were able to differentiate into chondrocytes, showing positive staining with Alcian Blue and gene expression of SOX9 and ACAN. In conclusion, both hASC and DFAT populations derived from AT have a high differentiation capacity and thus may have applications in regenerative medicine.
Molecular Markers for Interspecies Transmission of Avian Influenza Viruses in Mammalian Hosts
Authors: Lloren Khristine Kaith S. , Lee Taehyung , Kwon Jin Jung , Song Min-Suk
Published: December 2017

In the last decade, a wide range of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have infected various mammalian hosts and continuously threaten both human and animal health. It is a result of overcoming the inter-species barrier which is mostly associated with gene reassortment and accumulation of mutations in their gene segments. Several recent studies have shed insights into the phenotypic and genetic changes that are involved in the interspecies transmission of AIVs. These studies have a major focus on transmission from avian to mammalian species due to the high zoonotic potential of the viruses. As more mammalian species have been infected with these viruses, there is higher risk of genetic evolution of these viruses that may lead to the next human pandemic which represents and raises public health concern. Thus, understanding the mechanism of interspecies transmission and molecular determinants through which the emerging AIVs can acquire the ability to transmit to humans and other mammals is an important key in evaluating the potential risk caused by AIVs among humans. Here, we summarize previous and recent studies on molecular markers that are specifically involved in the transmission of avian-derived influenza viruses to various mammalian hosts including humans, pigs, horses, dogs, and marine mammals.
Cut-Off Values of Hematologic Parameters to Predict the Number of Alpha Genes Deleted in Subjects with Deletional Alpha Thalassemia
Authors: Velasco-Rodríguez Diego , Blas Carlos , Alonso-Domínguez Juan-Manuel , Vega Gala , Soto Carlos , García-Raso Aránzazu , Llamas-Sillero Pilar
Published: December 2017

Most α-thalassemia cases are caused by deletions of the structural α-globin genes. The degree of microcytosis and hypochromia has been correlated with the number of affected α-globin genes, suggesting a promising role of hematologic parameters as predictive diagnostic tools. However, cut-off points for these parameters to discriminate between the different subtypes of α-thalassemia are yet to be clearly defined. Six hematologic parameters (RBC, Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW) were evaluated in 129 cases of deletional α-thalassemia (56 heterozygous α+ thalassemia, 36 homozygous α+ thalassemia, 29 heterozygous α0 thalassemia and 8 cases of Hb H disease). A good correlation between the number of deleted alpha genes and MCV (r = −0.672, p < 0.001), MCH (r = −0.788, p < 0.001) and RDW (r = 0.633, p < 0.001) was observed. The presence of an α0 allele should be discarded in individuals with microcytosis without iron deficiency and normal values of Hb A2 and Hb F with MCH < 23.40 pg. Furthermore, MCH < 21.90 pg and/or MCV < 70.80 fL are strongly suggestive of the presence of one α0 allele. Finally, an accurate presumptive diagnosis of Hb H disease can be made if both RDW ≥ 20% and MCH < 19 pg are seen.
Developing an Agent-Based Drug Model to Investigate the Synergistic Effects of Drug Combinations
Authors: Gao Hongjie , Yin Zuojing , Cao Zhiwei , Zhang Le
Published: December 2017

The growth and survival of cancer cells are greatly related to their surrounding microenvironment. To understand the regulation under the impact of anti-cancer drugs and their synergistic effects, we have developed a multiscale agent-based model that can investigate the synergistic effects of drug combinations with three innovations. First, it explores the synergistic effects of drug combinations in a huge dose combinational space at the cell line level. Second, it can simulate the interaction between cells and their microenvironment. Third, it employs both local and global optimization algorithms to train the key parameters and validate the predictive power of the model by using experimental data. The research results indicate that our multicellular system can not only describe the interactions between the microenvironment and cells in detail, but also predict the synergistic effects of drug combinations.
A Novel Antibiotic Mechanism of l-Cyclopropylalanine Blocking the Biosynthetic Pathway of Essential Amino Acid l-Leucine
Authors: Ma Bingji , Shen Jinwen , Yindeeyoungyeon Wandee , Ruan Yuan
Published: December 2017

The unusual amino acid l-cyclopropylalanine was isolated from the mushroom Amanita virgineoides after detection in an anti-fungal screening test. l-Cyclopropylalanine was found to exhibit broad-spectrum inhibition against fungi and bacteria. The anti-fungal activity was found to be abolished in the presence of the amino acid l-leucine, but not any other amino acids, indicating that l-cyclopropylalanine may block the biosynthesis of the essential amino acid l-leucine, thereby inhibiting fungal and bacteria growth. Further biochemical studies found l-cyclopropylalanine indeed inhibits α-isopropylmalate synthase (α-IMPS), the enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the biosynthetic pathway of l-leucine. Inhibition of essential l-leucine synthesis in fungal and bacteria organisms, a pathway absent in host organisms such as humans, may represent a novel antibiotic mechanism to counter the ever-increasing problem of drug resistance to existing antibiotics.
Amount, Distribution, and Quality of Protein Intake Are Not Associated with Muscle Mass, Strength, and Power in Healthy Older Adults without Functional Limitations—An enable Study
Authors: Gingrich Anne , Spiegel Alexandra , Kob Robert , Schoene Daniel , Skurk Thomas , Hauner Hans , Sieber Cornel , Volkert Dorothee , Kiesswetter Eva
Published: December 2017

To maintain muscle mass in older age, several aspects regarding the amount and distribution of protein intake have been suggested. Our objective was to investigate single and combined associations of daily protein intake, evenness of protein distribution across the three main meals, number of meals providing ≥0.4 g protein/kg body weight (BW), and number of meals providing ≥2.5 g leucine, with muscle mass, strength, and power in successful agers. In this cross-sectional study in 97 healthy community-dwelling adults without functional limitations aged 75–85 years, protein intake was assessed using 7-day food records. Muscle mass, leg muscle strength, leg muscle power, and handgrip strength were measured according to standardized protocols. Mean daily protein intake was 0.97 ± 0.28 g/kg BW and the coefficient of variance between main meals was 0.53 ± 0.19. Per day, 0.72 ± 0.50 meals providing ≥0.4 g protein/kg BW and 1.11 ± 0.76 meals providing ≥2.5 g leucine were consumed. No correlations between single or combined aspects of protein intake and skeletal muscle index, leg muscle power, leg muscle strength, or handgrip strength were observed (Spearman’s r of −0.280 to 0.291). In this sample of healthy older adults without functional limitations, aspects of protein intake were not associated with muscle mass, strength, or power.
Accurate Sample Time Reconstruction of Inertial FIFO Data
Authors: Stieber Sebastian , Dorsch Rainer , Haubelt Christian
Published: December 2017

In the context of modern cyber-physical systems, the accuracy of underlying sensor data plays an increasingly important role in sensor data fusion and feature extraction. The raw events of multiple sensors have to be aligned in time to enable high quality sensor fusion results. However, the growing number of simultaneously connected sensor devices make the energy saving data acquisition and processing more and more difficult. Hence, most of the modern sensors offer a first-in-first-out (FIFO) interface to store multiple data samples and to relax timing constraints, when handling multiple sensor devices. However, using the FIFO interface increases the negative influence of individual clock drifts—introduced by fabrication inaccuracies, temperature changes and wear-out effects—onto the sampling data reconstruction. Furthermore, additional timing offset errors due to communication and software latencies increases with a growing number of sensor devices. In this article, we present an approach for an accurate sample time reconstruction independent of the actual clock drift with the help of an internal sensor timer. Such timers are already available in modern sensors, manufactured in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. The presented approach focuses on calculating accurate time stamps using the sensor FIFO interface in a forward-only processing manner as a robust and energy saving solution. The proposed algorithm is able to lower the overall standard deviation of reconstructed sampling periods below 40 μ s, while run-time savings of up to 42% are achieved, compared to single sample acquisition.
Single Channel EEG Artifact Identification Using Two-Dimensional Multi-Resolution Analysis
Authors: Taherisadr Mojtaba , Dehzangi Omid , Parsaei Hossein
Published: December 2017

As a diagnostic monitoring approach, electroencephalogram (EEG) signals can be decoded by signal processing methodologies for various health monitoring purposes. However, EEG recordings are contaminated by other interferences, particularly facial and ocular artifacts generated by the user. This is specifically an issue during continuous EEG recording sessions, and is therefore a key step in using EEG signals for either physiological monitoring and diagnosis or brain–computer interface to identify such artifacts from useful EEG components. In this study, we aim to design a new generic framework in order to process and characterize EEG recording as a multi-component and non-stationary signal with the aim of localizing and identifying its component (e.g., artifact). In the proposed method, we gather three complementary algorithms together to enhance the efficiency of the system. Algorithms include time–frequency (TF) analysis and representation, two-dimensional multi-resolution analysis (2D MRA), and feature extraction and classification. Then, a combination of spectro-temporal and geometric features are extracted by combining key instantaneous TF space descriptors, which enables the system to characterize the non-stationarities in the EEG dynamics. We fit a curvelet transform (as a MRA method) to 2D TF representation of EEG segments to decompose the given space to various levels of resolution. Such a decomposition efficiently improves the analysis of the TF spaces with different characteristics (e.g., resolution). Our experimental results demonstrate that the combination of expansion to TF space, analysis using MRA, and extracting a set of suitable features and applying a proper predictive model is effective in enhancing the EEG artifact identification performance. We also compare the performance of the designed system with another common EEG signal processing technique—namely, 1D wavelet transform. Our experimental results reveal that the proposed method outperforms 1D wavelet.
The Facile Synthesis of Branch-Trunk Ag Hierarchical Nanostructures and Their Applications for High-Performance H2O2 Electrochemical Sensors
Authors: Zhang Yan , Chen Meiqiong , Cai Zhiquan , Zhang Min , Liu Peng , Cheng Faliang
Published: December 2017

A novel branch-trunk Ag hierarchical nanostructure was synthesized via a galvanic replacement reaction combined with microwave-assisted synthesis using Te nanowire as a sacrificial template. The Te nanowire was synthesized via a hydrothermal process. We further investigated the potential application of the obtained hierarchical nanostructures in electrochemical sensor analysis. The results showed that the as-prepared sensor exhibited a wide linear range with 0.05 µM to 1.925 mM (R = 0.998) and the detection limit was estimated to be 0.013 µM (S/N = 3). These results indicate the branch-truck Ag hierarchical nanostructures are an excellent candidate material for sensing applications.
A Novel Concrete-Based Sensor for Detection of Ice and Water on Roads and Bridges
Authors: Tabatabai Habib , Aljuboori Mohammed
Published: December 2017

Hundreds of people are killed or injured annually in the United States in accidents related to ice formation on roadways and bridge decks. In this paper, a novel embedded sensor system is proposed for the detection of black ice as well as wet, dry, and frozen pavement conditions on roads, runways, and bridges. The proposed sensor works by detecting changes in electrical resistance between two sets of stainless steel poles embedded in the concrete sensor to assess surface and near-surface conditions. A preliminary decision algorithm is developed that utilizes sensor outputs indicating resistance changes and surface temperature. The sensor consists of a 102-mm-diameter, 38-mm-high, concrete cylinder. Laboratory results indicate that the proposed sensor can effectively detect surface ice and wet conditions even in the presence of deicing chlorides and rubber residue. This sensor can further distinguish black ice from ice that may exist within concrete pores.
Female Directors and Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence from the Environmental Investment of Chinese Listed Companies
Authors: Wei Feng , Ding Binyan , Kong Yu
Published: December 2017

Taking Chinese listed companies in 2008–2015 as the sample, in this paper we test in detail the impact of female directors on corporate environmental investments. Furthermore, we study the impact of female directors on environmental investment in enterprises with different types of ownership and industry attributes. Empirical studies show that when there are only 1 or 2 female directors on the board, no significant impact on the scale of corporate environmental investment can be seen. However, when the number reaches at least 3, female directors have a significantly positive impact on the scale of corporate environmental investment. This confirms critical-mass theory; meanwhile, we find that the empirical results do not indicate any significant correlation when the variable of female directors is measured by the proportion of female directors and the Blau index of gender balance. Further analysis suggests that in state-owned enterprises and enterprises from heavily-polluting industries, the above findings remain true, while in non-state-owned enterprises and enterprises from non-heavily-polluting industries, the above findings prove false, i.e., that the impact of female directors on corporate environmental investment is not significant. The conclusion demonstrates that the impact of female directors on environmental investment varies in enterprises with different types of ownership and industry attributes.
An evaluation of the clinical skills and experience within an orthopaedic Integrated Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service
Authors: Feist-Wilson Simon , Heron Neil
Published: December 2017

Background

General practice in the UK is ‘in crisis’. With 20% of GP workload relating to musculoskeletal (MSK) problems, an orthopaedic Integrated Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (ICATS) could help support assessment of these patients in primary care, alleviating pressure on GPs. However, practitioners in ICATS must be trained appropriately to ensure its effectiveness.

Aim

This evaluation aimed to identify the training levels of doctors in one Northern Ireland orthopaedic ICATS system, what their future training needs are, and suggestions for how this service could be improved to better support general practice.

Design & setting

A questionnaire study in an orthopaedic ICATS, Northern Ireland.

Method

All seven doctors working within the Southern Trust orthopaedic ICATS were asked to complete a questionnaire detailing their training and experience in MSK medicine. Their views on how the service could be improved were elicited.

Results

Six of seven questionnaires were returned. All responders were Members of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP), while five of six held a Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine (Dip SEM). Half of responders suggested that MSK ultrasound could be beneficial within ICATS. However, it was viewed that extensive training would be required before paediatric MSK patients could be included.

Conclusion

High levels of training and experience were reported by responders, suggesting ICATS provides a high-level MSK service. Furthermore, it was noted that inclusion of MSK ultrasound and paediatric patients into this service could be beneficial but not without undertaking further training. With appropriate funding and support the ICATS service has the potential to expand the clinical services it offers to general practice, helping to reduce work pressures in primary care at this time of crisis for UK general practice.