bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ARAAC: A Rational Allocation Approach in Cloud Data Center Networks
Authors: Quttoum Ahmad , Alsarhan Ayoub , Moh’d Abidalrahman
Published: September 2017

The expansion of telecommunication technologies touches almost all aspects life that we are living nowadays. Indeed, such technologies have emerged as a fourth essential utility alongside the traditional utilities of electricity, water, and gas. In this context, Cloud Data Center Networks (cloud-DCNs) have been proposed as a promising way to cope with such a high-tech era and with any expected trends in future computing networks. Resources of cloud-DCNs are leased to the interested users in the form of services, such services come in different models that vary between software, platform, and infrastructure. The leasing process of any service model starts with the users (i.e., service tenants). A tenant asks for the service resources, and the cloud-provider allocates the resources with a charge that follows a predefined cost policy. Cloud resources are limited, and those cloud providers have profit objectives to be satisfied. Thus, to comply with the aforementioned promise, the limited resources need to be carefully allocated. Existing allocation proposals in the literature dealt with this problem in varying ways. However, none proposes a win-win allocation model that satisfies both the providers and tenants. This work proposes A Rational Allocation Approach in Cloud Data Center Networks (ARAAC) that efficiently allocates the available cloud resources, in a way that allows for a win-win environment to satisfy both parties: the providers and tenants. To do so, ARAAC deploys the Second Best-Price (SBP) mechanism along with a behavioral-based reputation model. The reputation is built according to the tenants’ utilization history throughout their previous service allocations. The reputation records along with the adoption of the SBP mechanism allows for a locally free-equilibrium approach that allocates the available cloud-DCN resources in an efficient and fair manner. In ARAAC, through an auction scenario, tenants with positive reputation records are awarded by having the required resources allocated at prices that are lower than what they have offered. Compared to other benchmark models, simulation results show that ARAAC can efficiently adapt the behavior of those rational service-tenants to provide for better use of the cloud resources, with an increase in the providers’ profits.
Extraction of Rice Heavy Metal Stress Signal Features Based on Long Time Series Leaf Area Index Data Using Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition
Authors: Tian Lingwen , Liu Xiangnan , Zhang Biyao , Liu Ming , Wu Ling
Published: September 2017

The use of remote sensing technology to diagnose heavy metal stress in crops is of great significance for environmental protection and food security. However, in the natural farmland ecosystem, various stressors could have a similar influence on crop growth, therefore making heavy metal stress difficult to identify accurately, so this is still not a well resolved scientific problem and a hot topic in the field of agricultural remote sensing. This study proposes a method that uses Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) to obtain the heavy metal stress signal features on a long time scale. The method operates based on the Leaf Area Index (LAI) simulated by the Enhanced World Food Studies (WOFOST) model, assimilated with remotely sensed data. The following results were obtained: (i) the use of EEMD was effective in the extraction of heavy metal stress signals by eliminating the intra-annual and annual components; (ii) LAIdf (The first derivative of the sum of the interannual component and residual) can preferably reflect the stable feature responses to rice heavy metal stress. LAIdf showed stability with an R2 of greater than 0.9 in three growing stages, and the stability is optimal in June. This study combines the spectral characteristics of the stress effect with the time characteristics, and confirms the potential of long-term remotely sensed data for improving the accuracy of crop heavy metal stress identification.
Multimorbidity in Chronic Conditions: Public Primary Care Patients in Four Greater Mekong Countries
Authors: Pengpid Supa , Peltzer Karl
Published: September 2017

The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence, pattern, and social determinants of chronic conditions multimorbidity among chronic disease primary care patients in four Greater Mekong countries (Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam). In a cross-sectional survey, chronic disease patients accessing primary care were recruited if they had been diagnosed with any of 21 chronic conditions in the past 12 months, and were interviewed with a structured questionnaire on anxiety, depression, alcohol use, tobacco use, dietary behaviour, physical activity, and quality of life. The sample included 6236 public primary care patients (32.8% men and 67.2% women), with a mean age of 53.0 years (SD = 16.8). From 21 chronic conditions, the three most common were hypertension (37.4%), depression (34.4%), and digestive diseases (32.0%). In all, 27.4% had one chronic condition, 28.6% had two, 22.4% had three, and 21.6% had four or more chronic conditions. The percentage with the highest comorbidity was depression (47.3%), hypertension (43.4%), and digestive diseases (34.1%). The highest mean multimorbidity reported was for mental illness (4.44), kidney disease (4.11), and Parkinson’s disease (4.10), and the lowest multimorbidity for epilepsy (2.43) and cancer (2.80). Compared to those who had only one chronic condition, being male, older age, lower education, and lower quality of life were associated with having two and three or more chronic conditions. Multimorbidity is a prevalent problem among chronic condition primary care patients—a finding with implications for health care delivery, management, and research.
Effects of Hyporheic Water Fluxes and Sediment Grain Size on the Concentration and Diffusive Flux of Heavy Metals in the Streambed
Authors: Liu Qi , Song Jinxi , Zhang Guotao , Wang Weize , Guo Weiqiang , Tang Bin , Kong Feihe , Huo Aidi
Published: September 2017

The hyporheic zone regulates physicochemical processes in surface-groundwater systems and can be an important source of heavy metals in fluvial systems. This study assesses the pore water concentrations and diffusive fluxes of heavy metals with respect to the vertical water exchange flux (VWEF) and sediment grain size. Water and sediment samples were collected on August 2016 from upstream Site 1 and downstream Site 2 along the Juehe River in Shaanxi Province, China. Streambed vertical hydraulic conductivity (Kv) and the VWEF were estimated via the standpipe permeameter test method and Darcy’s law. The heavy metal concentrations in the pore water were measured and the diffusive fluxes were calculated using Fick’s first law. The VWEF patterns were dominated by upward flow, and Site 1 featured higher values of Kv and VWEF. Higher Cu and Zn concentrations occurred near the channel centre with coarse sand and gravel and greater upward VWEFs because coarser sediment and greater upward VWEFs cause stronger metal desorption capacity. Additionally, Cu and Zn at the two sites generally diffused from pore water to surface water, potentially due to the upward VWEF. The VWEF and sediment grain size are likely crucial factors influencing the heavy metal concentrations and diffusive fluxes.
Overview of β-Glucans from Laminaria spp.: Immunomodulation Properties and Applications on Biologic Models
Authors: Bonfim-Mendonça Patrícia , Capoci Isis , Tobaldini-Valerio Flávia , Negri Melyssa , Svidzinski Terezinha
Published: September 2017

Glucans are a group of glucose polymers that are found in bacteria, algae, fungi, and plants. While their properties are well known, their biochemical and solubility characteristics vary considerably, and glucans obtained from different sources can have different applications. Research has described the bioactivity of β-glucans extracted from the algae of the Laminaria genus, including in vivo and in vitro studies assessing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, vaccine production, inhibition of cell proliferation, and anti- and pro-oxidant activity. Thus, the objective of this article was to review the potential application of β-glucans from Laminaria spp. in terms of their immunomodulatory properties, microorganism host interaction, anti-cancer activity and vaccine development.
Dietary Phenethyl Isothiocyanate Protects Mice from Colitis Associated Colon Cancer
Authors: Liu Yi , Dey Moul
Published: September 2017

We have previously reported alleviation of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis signs in phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC)-treated mice. Here we investigated chemoprotective activities of PEITC in mice with Azoxymethane-DSS induced colitis associated colon carcinogenesis. We also examined the molecular mediators associated with the PEITC effects using relevant cell lines. A 0.12% PEITC-enriched mouse-diet reduced mucosal and submucosal inflammation as well as glandular atypia by 12% and the frequency of adenocarcinoma by 17% with a concomitant improvement in overall disease activity indices compared to the diseased control group. Lipopolysaccharide-induced in vitro up-regulation of key mediators of inflammation, immune response, apoptosis, and cell proliferation were attenuated by 10 μM PEITC. Three of these mediators showed concentration-dependent reduction in respective mRNAs. Furthermore, PEITC inhibited Nuclear factor kappa B1 (NFκB1) proteins in a concentration-dependent manner. The NFκB1 mRNA expression inversely correlated (r = −0.940, p = 0.013) with tri-methylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 near its promoter region in a time-dependent manner. These results indicate that PEITC may slow down the development of colon carcinogenesis in an inflammatory intestinal setting which is potentially associated with epigenetic modulation of NFκB1 signaling.
Factors Contributing to the Hydrologic Effectiveness of a Rain Garden Network (Cincinnati OH USA)
Authors: Shuster William , Darner Robert , Schifman Laura , Herrmann Dustin
Published: September 2017

Infiltrative rain gardens can add retention capacity to sewersheds, yet factors contributing to their capacity for detention and redistribution of stormwater runoff are dynamic and often unverified. Over a four-year period, we tracked whole-system water fluxes in a two-tier rain garden network and assessed near-surface hydrology and soil development across construction and operational phases. The monitoring data provided a quantitative basis for determining effectiveness of this stormwater control measure. Based on 233 monitored warm-season rainfall events, nearly half of total inflow volume was detained, with 90 percent of all events producing no flow to the combined sewer. For the events that did result in flow to the combined sewer system, the rain garden delayed flows for an average of 5.5 h. Multivariate analysis of hydrologic fluxes indicated that total event rainfall depth was a predominant hydrologic driver for network outflow during both phases, with average event intensity and daily evapotranspiration as additional, independent factors in regulating retention in the operational phase. Despite sediment loads that can clog the rooting zone, and overall lower-than-design infiltration rates, tradeoffs among soil profile development and hydrology apparently maintained relatively high overall retention effectiveness. Overall, our study identified factors relevant to regulation of retention capacity of a rain garden network. These factors may be generalizable, and guide improvement of new or existing rain garden designs.
Review and Comparison of Clock Jitter Noise Reduction Techniques for Lowpass Continuous-Time Delta-Sigma Modulators
Authors: Chang Hairong , Tang Hua
Published: September 2017

It is well known that continuous-time Delta-Sigma modulators are very sensitive to clock jitter effects. In literature, a number of techniques have been proposed to cope with them. In this brief, we present a detailed review and comparison of the reported techniques. While the effectiveness to reduce clock jitter effects may be of most importance in this comparison, we also consider other performance metrics such as circuit complexity and overhead to implement the technique, power consumption overhead of technique, synthesis complexity incurred in system-level design, extensibility of the technique from single-bit to multi-bit operation, and robustness to process variation. When clock jitter is relatively large, the fixed-width pulse feedback technique is most effective to reduce clock jitter effects among all techniques at high sampling frequency, while switched-capacitor-resistor and switched-shaped current techniques have best performance at medium frequency or below.
Processing Stability and the Significance of Variation in Extrusion Speeds and Temperatures on SSB® 55 Pharma Grade Shellac for Oral Drug Delivery
Authors: Gately Noel , Kennedy James
Published: September 2017

The melt-extrusion process is utilized in the pharmaceutical arena for the manufacturing of a variety of dosage forms and formulations, including solid dispersions. This technology is considered an efficient and continuous dosage form manufacturing method. However, there are potential challenges mainly because, during hot-melt extrusion, polymers are subject to mechanical and thermal degradation. Mechanical degradation may be induced by the shear effects imposed by the rotating screw. Thermal degradation results from high temperatures and includes random scission, scission from the ends of the polymer and unzipping of substitute groups. This paper endeavors to understand the impact of thermal and/or mechanical components of the melt-extrusion process on the stability of a pH sensitive polymer, namely Shellac. Correlation between the screw speeds and processing temperature profile was examined in the context of the overall degradation profile of the polymer. The results suggest that the processing stability of Shellac was reliant on optimization of screw speed (rpm) and process temperature.
Impact of North Atlantic Teleconnection Patterns on Northern European Sea Level
Authors: Chafik Léon , Nilsen Jan , Dangendorf Sönke
Published: September 2017

Northern European sea levels show a non-stationary link to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The location of the centers of the NAO dipole, however, can be affected through the interplay with the East Atlantic (EAP) and the Scandinavian (SCAN) teleconnection patterns. Our results indicate the importance of accounting for the binary combination of the NAO with the EAP/SCAN for better understanding the non-stationary drivers inducing sea level variations along the European coasts. By combining altimetry and tide gauges, we find that anomalously high monthly sea levels along the Norwegian (North Sea) coast are predominantly governed by same positive phase NAO+/EAP+ (NAO+/SCAN+) type of atmospheric circulation, while the Newlyn and Brest tide gauges respond markedly to the opposite phase NAO−/EAP+ combination. Despite these regional differences, we find that coherent European sea level changes project onto a pattern resembling NAO+/SCAN+, which is signified by pressure anomalies over Scandinavia and southern Europe forcing winds to trace the continental slope, resulting in a pile-up of water along the European coasts through Ekman transport. We conclude that taking into consideration the interaction between these atmospheric circulation regimes is valuable and may help to understand the time-varying relationship between the NAO and European mean sea level.
Monitoring Ion Track Formation Using In Situ RBS/c, ToF-ERDA, and HR-PIXE
Authors: Karlušić Marko , Fazinić Stjepko , Siketić Zdravko , Tadić Tonči , Cosic Donny , Božičević-Mihalić Iva , Zamboni Ivana , Jakšić Milko , Schleberger Marika
Published: September 2017

The aim of this work is to investigate the feasibility of ion beam analysis techniques for monitoring swift heavy ion track formation. First, the use of the in situ Rutherford backscattering spectrometry in channeling mode to observe damage build-up in quartz SiO2 after MeV heavy ion irradiation is demonstrated. Second, new results of the in situ grazing incidence time-of-flight elastic recoil detection analysis used for monitoring the surface elemental composition during ion tracks formation in various materials are presented. Ion tracks were found on SrTiO3, quartz SiO2, a-SiO2, and muscovite mica surfaces by atomic force microscopy, but in contrast to our previous studies on GaN and TiO2, surface stoichiometry remained unchanged. Third, the usability of high resolution particle induced X-ray spectroscopy for observation of electronic dynamics during early stages of ion track formation is shown.
Tribological Properties of AlSi12-Al2O3 Interpenetrating Composite Layers in Comparison with Unreinforced Matrix Alloy
Authors: Dolata Anna Janina
Published: September 2017

Alumina–Aluminum composites with interpenetrating network structures are a new class of advanced materials with potentially better properties than composites reinforced by particles or fibers. Local casting reinforcement was proposed to take into account problems with the machinability of this type of materials and the shaping of the finished products. The centrifugal infiltration process fabricated composite castings in the form of locally reinforced shafts. The main objective of the research presented in this work was to compare the tribological properties (friction coefficient, wear resistance) of AlSi12/Al2O3 interpenetrating composite layers with unreinforced AlSi12 matrix areas. Profilometric tests enabled both quantitative and qualitative analyses of the wear trace that formed on investigated surfaces. It has been shown that interpenetrating composite layers are characterized by lower and more stable coefficients of friction (μ), as well as higher wear resistance than unreinforced matrix areas. At the present stage, the study confirmed that the tribological properties of the composite layers depend on the spatial structure of the ceramic reinforcement, and primarily the volume and size of alumina foam cells.
Lactobacillus sakei: A Starter for Sausage Fermentation, a Protective Culture for Meat Products
Authors: Zagorec Monique , Champomier-Vergès Marie-Christine
Published: September 2017

Among lactic acid bacteria of meat products, Lactobacillus sakei is certainly the most studied species due to its role in the fermentation of sausage and its prevalence during cold storage of raw meat products. Consequently, the physiology of this bacterium regarding functions involved in growth, survival, and metabolism during meat storage and processing are well known. This species exhibits a wide genomic diversity that can be observed when studying different strains and on which probably rely its multiple facets in meat products: starter, spoiler, or protective culture. The emerging exploration of the microbial ecology of meat products also revealed the multiplicity of bacterial interactions L. sakei has to face and their various consequences on microbial quality and safety at the end of storage.
A Novel Combination of Wheat Peptides and Fucoidan Attenuates Ethanol-Induced Gastric Mucosal Damage through Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Pro-Survival Mechanisms
Authors: Kan Juntao , Hood Molly , Burns Charlie , Scholten Jeff , Chuang Jennifer , Tian Feng , Pan Xingchang , Du Jun , Gui Min
Published: September 2017

Gastritis or peptic ulcer is believed to affect about half of people worldwide. Traditional medications can lead to adverse effects, therefore, alternative nutritional strategies are needed to prevent the development of gastric mucosal damage. A novel combination of two food-grade ingredients, wheat peptides and fucoidan (WPF), was prepared to treat male Sprague Dawley rats for 30 days before gastric mucosal damage was induced by oral administration of ethanol. The serum levels of biomarkers were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Biomarkers in stomach tissue were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. In addition, human gastric epithelial cell line (GES-1) was used to investigate protein expression by Western blot. WPF could attenuate ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in an inverse dose-dependent manner, with both ulcer index and pathological index improved. WPF increased superoxide dismutase level and decreased malondialdehyde level. WPF also decreased the levels of interleukin-8, platelet-activating factor, and Caspase 3, while increasing the levels of prostaglandin E-2, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and EGF receptor (EGFR). Furthermore, phosphorylation of EGFR and extracellular signal–regulated kinases was induced by WPF in GES-1 cells. In conclusion, the novel combination of wheat peptides and fucoidan attenuated ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in rats through anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-survival mechanisms.
Dietary Protein Consumption and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies
Authors: Tian Shuang , Xu Qian , Jiang Ruyue , Han Tianshu , Sun Changhao , Na Lixin
Published: September 2017

Recently, some studies have focused on the relationship between dietary protein intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the conclusions have been inconsistent. Therefore, in this paper, a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies regarding protein consumption and T2DM risk are conducted in order to present the association between them. We searched the PubMed and Embase databases for cohort studies on dietary protein, high-protein food consumption and risk of T2DM, up to July 2017. A summary of relative risks was compiled by the fixed-effect model or random-effect model. Eleven cohort studies regarded protein intake and T2DM (52,637 cases among 483,174 participants). The summary RR and 95% CI (Confidence Interval) of T2DM was 1.12 (1.08–1.17) in all subjects, 1.13 (1.04–1.24) in men, and 1.09 (1.04–1.15) in women for total protein;1.14 (1.09–1.19) in all subjects, 1.23 (1.09–1.38) in men, and 1.11 (1.03–1.19) in women for animal protein; 0.96 (0.88–1.06) in all subjects, 0.98 (0.72–1.34) in men, and 0.92 (0.86–0.98) in women for plant protein. We also compared the association between different food sources of protein and the risk of T2DM. The summary RR (Relative Risk) and 95% CI of T2DM was 1.22 (1.09–1.36) for red meat, 1.39 (1.29–1.49) for processed meat, 1.03 (0.89–1.17) for fish, 1.03 (0.64–1.67) for egg, 0.89 (0.84–0.94) for total dairy products, 0.87 (0.78–0.96) for whole milk, 0.83 (0.70–0.98) for yogurt, 0.74 (0.59–0.93) in women for soy. This meta-analysis shows that total protein and animal protein could increase the risk of T2DM in both males and females, and plant protein decreases the risk of T2DM in females. The association between high-protein food types and T2DM are also different. Red meat and processed meat are risk factors of T2DM, and soy, dairy and dairy products are the protective factors of T2DM. Egg and fish intake are not associated with a decreased risk of T2DM. This research indicates the type of dietary protein and food sources of protein that should be considered for the prevention of diabetes.
Fast and Efficient Correction of Ground Moving Targets in a Synthetic Aperture Radar, Single-Look Complex Image
Authors: Park Jeong-Won , Kim Jae , Won Joong-Sun
Published: September 2017

Ground moving targets distort normally-focused synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. Since most high-resolution SAR data providers only offer single-look complex (SLC) data rather than raw signals to general users, they need to apply a simple and efficient residual SAR focusing to SLC data containing moving targets. This paper presents an efficient and effective SAR residual focusing method that is practically applicable to SLC data. The residual Doppler spectrum of the moving target is derived from a general SAR configuration and normal SAR focusing. The processing steps are simple and straightforward, with a limited size of the processing window, e.g., 64 × 64. Application results using simulation data and actual TerraSAR-X SLC data with a speed-controlled vehicle demonstrate the effectiveness of the method, which particularly improves the −3 dB width, integrated sidelobe ratio, and symmetry of the reconstructed signals. In particular, the azimuthal symmetry becomes seriously distorted when the target speed is higher than 8 m/s (or 28.8 km/h), and the symmetry is well recovered by the proposed method.
RuO2 pH Sensor with Super-Glue-Inspired Reference Electrode
Authors: Lonsdale Wade , Wajrak Magdalena , Alameh Kamal
Published: September 2017

A pH-sensitive RuO2 electrode coated in a commercial cyanoacrylate adhesive typically exhibits very low pH sensitivity, and could be paired with a RuO2 working electrode as a differential type pH sensor. However, such sensors display poor performance in real sample matrices. A pH sensor employing a RuO2 pH-sensitive working electrode and a SiO2-PVB junction-modified RuO2 reference electrode is developed as an alternative high-performance solution. This sensor exhibits a performance similar to that of a commercial glass pH sensor in some common sample matrices, particularly, an excellent pH sensitivity of 55.7 mV/pH, a hysteresis as low as 2.7 mV, and a drift below 2.2 mV/h. The developed sensor structure opens the way towards the development of a simple, cost effective, and robust pH sensor for pH analysis in various sample matrices.
Tapered Optical Fiber Functionalized with Palladium Nanoparticles by Drop Casting and Laser Radiation for H2 and Volatile Organic Compounds Sensing Purposes
Authors: González-Sierra Nancy , Gómez-Pavón Luz , Pérez-Sánchez Gerardo , Luis-Ramos Arnulfo , Zaca-Morán Plácido , Muñoz-Pacheco Jesús , Chávez-Ramírez Fernando
Published: September 2017

A comparative study on the sensing properties of a tapered optical fiber pristine and functionalized with the palladium nanoparticles to hydrogen and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is presented. The sensor response and, response/recovery times were extracted from the measurements of the transient response of the device. The tapered optical fiber sensor was fabricated using a single-mode optical fiber by the flame-brushing technique. Functionalization of the optical fiber was performed using an aqueous solution of palladium chloride by drop-casting technique assisted for laser radiation. The detection principle of the sensor is based on the changes in the optical properties of palladium nanoparticles when exposed to reducing gases, which causes a variation in the absorption of evanescent waves. A continuous wave laser diode operating at 1550 nm is used for the sensor characterization. The sensor functionalized with palladium nanoparticles by this technique is viable for the sensing of hydrogen and VOCs, since it shows an enhancement in sensor response and response time compared to the sensor based on the pristine optical microfiber. The results show that the fabricated sensor is competitive with other fiber optic sensors functionalized with palladium nanoparticles to the hydrogen.
Simultaneous Detection of Displacement, Rotation Angle, and Contact Pressure Using Sandpaper Molded Elastomer Based Triple Electrode Sensor
Authors: Choi Eunsuk , Sul Onejae , Lee Seung-Beck
Published: September 2017

In this article, we report on a flexible sensor based on a sandpaper molded elastomer that simultaneously detects planar displacement, rotation angle, and vertical contact pressure. When displacement, rotation, and contact pressure are applied, the contact area between the translating top elastomer electrode and the stationary three bottom electrodes change characteristically depending on the movement, making it possible to distinguish between them. The sandpaper molded undulating surface of the elastomer reduces friction at the contact allowing the sensor not to affect the movement during measurement. The sensor showed a 0.25 mm−1 displacement sensitivity with a ±33 μm accuracy, a 0.027 degree−1 of rotation sensitivity with ~0.95 degree accuracy, and a 4.96 kP−1 of pressure sensitivity. For possible application to joint movement detection, we demonstrated that our sensor effectively detected the up-and-down motion of a human forefinger and the bending and straightening motion of a human arm.
Influence of Income Level and Seasons on Quantity and Composition of Municipal Solid Waste: A Case Study of the Capital City of Pakistan
Authors: Zia Amina , Batool Syeda , Chauhdry Muhammad , Munir Soniya
Published: September 2017

The current study aims to analyze and compare the quantity and composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) at three socio-economic levels of population during all four seasons of the year (spring, summer, monsoon and winter). In this study, 2164.75 kg of MSW was evaluated, from 1260 samples collected from 45 households. The average waste generation was estimated to be 0.6 kg per capita per day. Waste generation rate for high, middle and low income groups was 0.890, 0.612 and 0.346 kg per capita per day, respectively. Nevertheless, season specific analysis indicated waste generation rates of 0.78, 0.58, 0.48 and 0.75 kg per capita per day in spring, summer, monsoon and winter, respectively. A two way ANOVA statistical analysis further illustrated a significant effect (p = 0.00) of economic level and seasons on the amount and composition of waste generated by the community. Moreover, the collected waste was segregated into 42 categories, where the highest was the organic fraction (57%), then diapers (12%), followed by plastic (8%), cardboard (3%) and paper (2%). The amounts of textile, diapers and plastics were highest in the lowest income group, while tetra packs, metal, paper and yard waste were maximum in the high income group. It is concluded that the high income group generated the highest amount of waste and waste generation rate is higher in the seasons of spring and winter compared to the other two seasons.
Exclude Me Not: The Untold Story of Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Sweden
Authors: Kordestani Arash , Sattari Setayesh , Peighambari Kaveh , Oghazi Pejvak
Published: September 2017

This article examines the perspectives of immigrant entrepreneurs on the barriers they face regarding their inclusion in public procurement in Sweden through the so-called supplier diversity programs. Drawing upon modern stakeholder theory and transaction cost economics, this study aims to identify potential barriers such entrepreneurs face in succeeding as suppliers to the public sector. Data were collected through interviews with immigrant entrepreneurs who had experience with the public procurement tender process in Sweden. The results reveal that immigrant entrepreneurs doing business with public procurement face several barriers, ranging from economic to social ones such as information, advertising, human resources, and undercapitalization. The interviewees believe that such barriers weaken their performance and hinder their success in public procurement tenders. When it comes to supplier diversity programs, the entrepreneurs under study were either unaware of such programs in public procurement in Sweden or did not believe in their effectiveness.
Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the EU, US, China, and India up to 2060 in Comparison with Their Pledges under the Paris Agreement
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Fang , Zheng Jingyun
Published: September 2017

A greenhouse gas (GHG) emission model was developed based on economic and energy sector development at the national level. Different development scenarios were established, including BAU (scenario with business as usual) and API (scenario with additional policy interventions). We simulated annual GHG emissions under different scenarios for the EU, US, China, and India from 2016 to 2060, and evaluated the impacts of emission changes on their mitigation pledges (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions, INDCs). Two main conclusions were obtained. (1) In API, EU’s emissions fell from 4160 to 2340 MtCO2e/year and would probably achieve its INDC pledge. Though US’s emissions fell from 6330 to 4020 MtCO2e/year, it still had a deficit of 370 MtCO2e in 2025. If the Clean Power Plan (CPP) is abandoned, US’s emissions would remain above 6000 MtCO2e/year. (2) In BAU, China’s emissions peaked in 2044 while India’s emissions were already close to the strict INDC target. In API, China and India both achieved a reduction of about 2000 MtCO2e exceeding their INDC targets in 2030. Chinese emissions peaked in 2030, but Indian emissions grew until 2060. This study also indicates that developed countries should play a more important role in future mitigation efforts.
A Credit Scoring Model for SMEs Based on Accounting Ethics
Authors: Lee Bo Kyeong , Sohn So Young
Published: September 2017

Various types of government credit guarantee programs exist for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The SMEs guaranteed by these programs can resolve their financial difficulties by obtaining loans from banks or being included in a pool for the issuance of primary collateralized bond obligations. However, the loan default rate for these supported firms is high owing to their moral hazard, which can be associated with unethical behavior in the accounting process. Since the stakeholders of credit guarantee programs initiated by the government include not only lenders and borrowers, but also taxpayers, the default risk of moral hazard must be minimized. Thus, an additional evaluation step is required to deal with accounting ethics, which has not thus far been considered in the literature. In this study, we propose an accounting ethics-based credit scoring model as a complementary approach, which can be used to select suitable borrowers. The proposed model is expected to reduce the default rate resulting from the moral hazard associated with unethical accounting behaviors in the supported firms.
Approaches to Assessment and Hazard Identification of Dioxins
Authors: Gogol Elina V. , Gumerova Guzel I. , Egrova Olga S.
Published: September 2017

In the Russian practice in the framework of environmental regulation sanitary measurements to assess the
toxicity of the objects of the environment, which are based on the determination of standardized components concentrations
and comparing them with the limit value, are widely used. But this approach doesn’t allow assessing the degree
of biological hazards for organisms. The biotesting method has been considered for assessing the safety of dioxin-like
compounds. Dioxins can be formed out of control in the environment. Ultraviolet radiation accelerates the formation of
dioxins, as it enhances the ability of a chemical reaction of chlorine. This phenomenon is well known in Russia, where
the chlorination is a standard procedure of water treatment and disinfection of drinking water, and control of the content
of chlorophenols is an optional procedure. Simulation of the formation of dioxins in the process of chlorination of water,
containing phenolic compounds, was carried out. Process of dioxins transformation in living systems to more toxic
metabolites has been described. Enzymes that are involved in detoxification of dioxins have been identified. According
to the results of bioassay danger of water samples, containing dioxins, is underestimated, since it doesn’t take into
account specific features of metabolism of dioxins in living organisms. Under the action of enzymes in the cells the less
toxic compounds can be converted into the more toxic in terms of carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. The system of
determination of the dioxin toxic equivalency factor doesn’t account for it. Thus, during determination of danger of
xenobiotics in living organisms we should move away from the determination of acute toxicity and focus on the processes
that are started by enzyme systems when a toxicant gets into cells of living organisms.
Quick Setting Composition Based on Steelmaking Metallurgical Slag
Authors: Khamatova Alsu , Khozin Vadim , Khohryakov Oleg , Yakovlev Grigory
Published: September 2017

The article deals with the problem of utilizing steelmaking slag from the production of rapid hardening
composition in Izhstal, CJSC (Izhevsk, Russia), determining its physical and mechanical characteristics, and applying
its properties for renovation and reconstruction.
The physical and mechanical characteristics of the developed mortar exceed the existing analogues in many parameters
(setting speed, strength). Dry mortar has a short setting time (the end of setting occurs 3,5 minutes after mixing
with water at W/S = 0,3), its strength being 66,8 MPa after 28 days of normal hardening. The results show this mortar
can be used for emergency renovation work to stop leaks in concrete, stone and brick structures. The studies were
conducted using the methods of physical and chemical study of the structure and properties of the produced composition.
The developed composition helps reduce the environmental pressure in places of electric steelmaking slag dump.
First detection of Zika virus infection in a Croatian traveler returning from Brazil, 2016
Authors: Vilibic-Cavlek Tatjana , Betica-Radic Ljiljana , Venturi Giulietta , Fortuna Claudia , Djuricic Stjepan , Salvia-Milos Antonella , Tabain Irena , Barbic Ljubo , Stevanovic Vladimir , Listes Eddy , Savini Giovanni
Published: September 2017

In the last few years, several imported cases of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection were reported in European countries. We report the first imported ZIKV infection case in a Croatian traveler returning from Brazil. The patient presented with a low-grade fever, pruritic rash, general weakness, myalgia, arthralgia and edema of the legs and recovered completely within a week. ZIKV infection was confirmed by detection of IgM/IgG antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmed by plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT). ZIKV IgM antibodies cross-reacted with dengue virus (DENV), West Nile virus (WNV) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in ELISA. In indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), IgM cross-reactivity was found only with DENV-3.  ZIKV IgG antibodies cross-reacted with DENV in both ELISA and IFA. PRNT for DENV was negative. Control serology performed on days 64 and 98 after disease onset showed a decline in cross-reactive heterologous DENV IgG antibodies compared to persistently high titer of homologous ZIKV IgG antibodies.
Stéréo
Authors: Bruno Pierre
Published: September 2017

Il s’agit dans cet article de faire valoir la différence entre le menti et le démenti et d’en tirer les conséquences. Si le menti est le propre du langage, le dé-menti consisterait à prendre acte de la limite du langage quant à sa prétention à la vérité. Ce n’est pas disqualifier la quête de la vérité comme moteur d’une psychanalyse, mais appréhender l’incapacité du savoir à la recouvrir toute. De ce point de vue, le dé-menti se distingue du refoulement, y compris originaire, dont l’empan est entièrement circonscrit à l’axiome philosophique, selon lequel il y aurait, à l’infini d’un horizon, promesse virtuelle d’une vérité toute, religieuse donc. Cette thèse est congruente avec la question de Lacan : le démenti est-il un « louche refus » ?
écrire avec Rilke
Authors: Tigirlas Luminitza Claudepierre
Published: September 2017

Dans l’après-coup de la parution de son essai Rilke-Poème. Élancé dans l’asphère (L’Harmattan, 2017), l’auteure refait un tour par l’ Espace intérieur du monde scrutant le réel de l’écriture avec l’ Ouvert rilkéen. L’idéal-du-sacrifice ne cesse de s’y réinventer poétiquement – tant que l’amour élance les mots la-languides des amants qui désavouent leur mue en signes, fussent-ils Héros ou Elle-sans-faute .
La danse : un déshabillage impossible
Authors: Guillen Fabienne
Published: September 2017

À partir d’une analyse de son rapport singulier à la danse, l’auteur tente une approche de cet art de l’éphémère centré sur le corps qui conjoint le temps et l’espace. Elle démontre comment sa passion de la danse a constitué sa réponse symptomatique au réel de son identité, de sa quête de la féminité et de son rapport aux objets du désir de l’Autre, le regard et la voix. Elle convoque à l’appui de ce parcours un conte d’Alphonse Allais, l’œuvre de l’art charnel d’Orlan, la danse des Sept voiles de Salomé, qui s’inspire du mythe de la déesse Ishtar issu des croyances assyriennes et babyloniennes.
La voix féminine de l’orgueil libertin
Authors: Goldzink Jean
Published: September 2017

L’article se propose d’illustrer un thème imposé (« La parole ») par la Lettre 81 des Liaisons dangereuses. Il part du postulat que la philosophie et la littérature d’Ancien Régime établissent la priorité des passions, aptes à former dans chaque cas un système logique à mettre au jour. La Lettre 81 le confirme explicitement. L’origine de l’auto-éducation rigoureuse de Madame de Merteuil se construit à partir de la rencontre entre l’orgueil et l’inégalité des sexes. La marquise prétend renverser, pour elle seule, le système viril du libertinage. D’où la tonalité unique de sa voix.
Comparing Professional Values of Sophomore and Senior Baccalaureate Nursing Students
Authors: Posluszny Laura , Hawley Diane A.
Published: September 2017

Background:

The 2015 American Nurses' Association
Code of Ethics
reinforces professional values in nursing, and nurse educators may need evidence of their students' professional development.

Method:

Using the Nurses Professional Values Scale-Revised (NPVS-R), researchers examined two questions: What is the relative importance of professional values (i.e., caring, trust, justice, activism, and professionalism) for beginning and graduating baccalaureate nursing students, and are there differences in professional values between these students?

Results:

New and graduating nursing students in the current study had well-developed professional values. Sophomore-level nursing students viewed trust, caring, and justice as significantly more important than activism. Senior-level students perceived trust as significantly more important than activism and professionalism. Although total NPVS-R scores did not differ significantly between cohorts, senior-level students did score significantly higher on activism than sophomore-level students.

Conclusion:

With the revised
Code
, nurse educators may reevaluate the ethics curriculum. This study suggests opportunity for strengthening values beyond the nurse–client relationship, such as activism and professionalism. [
J Nurs Educ.
2017;56(9):546–550.]
Progressive Dosing of Observed Real-Life Clinical Exposure for Nurse Practitioner Training
Authors: Reyes Imelda , Close Sharron , Rodriguez Jeannie , Evans Dian
Published: September 2017

Background:

In most advanced practice programs, preceptors are relied on for providing student clinical experiences. Preceptor feedback often indicates that many students show competency deficits in well child care, case presentation, and clinical skills.

Method:

An innovative preclinical experience was developed using nonscripted pediatric patient and family volunteers from the local community. During the three 4-hour experiences, students obtained a health history, performed a full physical examination, and presented their findings using a standardized case presentation format. Student anxiety and levels of confidence were assessed before and after each experience.

Results:

Student anxiety decreased, and self-confidence and clinical skill competencies improved. Students who participated in the experiences with faculty demonstrated improved entry-level competencies, compared with previous cohorts who had not received the intervention.

Conclusion:

Preclinical experiences using pediatric patients improved advanced practice nursing student confidence and competencies and reduced anxiety, improving overall entry-level clinical performance. [
J Nurs Educ.
2017;56(9):552–555.]
Magneto-Nanofluid Dynamics in Convergent-Divergent Channel and its Inherent Irreversibility
Authors: Alam Md. Sarwar , Khan Md. Abdul Hakim , Makinde Oluwole Daniel
Published: September 2017

The effects of Cu-nanoparticles on the entropy generation of steady magnetohydrodynamic incompressible flow with viscous dissipation and Joule heating through convergent-divergent channel are analysed in this paper. The basic nonlinear partial differential equations are transformed into a system of coupled ordinary differential equations using suitable transformations which are then solved using power series with Hermite- Padé approximation technique. The velocity profiles, temperature distributions, entropy generation rates, Bejan number as well as the rate of heat transfer at the wall are presented in convergent-divergent channels for various values of nanoparticles solid volume fraction, Eckert number, Reynolds number and channel angle. A stability analysis has been performed for the shear stress which signifies that the lower solution branch is stable and physically realizable, whereas the upper solution branch is unstable. It is interesting to remark that the entropy generation of the system increases at the two walls as well as the heat transfer irreversibility is dominant there whereas the fluid friction irreversibility is dominant along the centreline of the channel.
Trapping Pandemis limitata (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) moths with mixtures of acetic acid, caterpillar-induced apple-leaf volatiles, and sex pheromone
Authors: Judd Gary J.R. , Knight Alan L. , El-Sayed Ashraf M.
Published: September 2017

Pandemis limitata (Robinson) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is one of several leaf-feeding caterpillar pests of commercial tree-fruit crops in British Columbia, Canada. Recent discovery that European Pandemis Hübner species are attracted by lures combining acetic acid and the caterpillar-induced apple-leaf volatiles, 2-phenylethanol, and phenylacetonitrile, prompted our examination of P. limitata response to these compounds. Trapping tests in organic apple orchards revealed that neither of these individual benzenoids, nor their binary combination, was attractive. Acetic acid alone was weakly attractive, but more importantly, catches increased significantly when an acetic-acid co-lure was combined with 2-phenylethanol or phenylacetonitrile, individually and together. Catches of male and female P. limitata with acetic acid+2-phenylethanol, or acetic acid+2-phenylethanol+phenylacetonitrile were similar, respectively, and both sexes were caught significantly less often in traps baited with acetic acid+phenylacetonitrile. When combined with acetic-acid co-lures, traps baited with membrane dispensers releasing 2-phenylethanol at ~1 mg/day caught significantly more moths than traps baited with rubber septa lures releasing 2-phenylethanol at ~0.6 mg/day. Moth catches in traps baited with 2-phenylethanol were unaffected when the emission of acetic-acid co-lures was increased from ~28 to 63 mg/day. Catches of male P. limitata in traps baited with sex pheromone were significantly greater than catches in traps baited with acetic acid+2-phenylethanol, or traps baited with a ternary blend of acetic acid+2-phenylethanol+sex pheromone. Catches of female P. limitata in traps baited with acetic acid+2-phenylethanol were significantly reduced when it was combined with sex pheromone. Use of the ternary acetic acid+2-phenylethanol+phenylacetonitrile blend provides an opportunity to develop multispecies bisexual trapping systems to improve management of sympatric tortricid pests currently causing economic losses in organic apples in British Columbia. More work on long-lasting release devices, nonsaturating traps, and organically acceptable killing agents are needed to develop organic mass-trapping systems.