bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
True and Fair View
Authors: Almeida Bruno José Machado de
Published: September 2017

De acordo com o parágrafo 46 da estrutura concetual do SNC as demonstrações financeiras devem mostrar uma imagem verdadeira e apropriada, ou apresentar apropriadamente, a posição financeira, o desempenho e as alterações da posição financeira de uma entidade. Todavia, a estrutura concetual do SNC não interpreta diretamente tais conceitos, situação que se pode refletir na qualidade do reporting financeiro apresentado e divulgado. O referencial contabilístico português apresenta, como equivalentes, as noções de true and fair view, presentfairly, fairly reflect ou fair reflection, e silenciando toda a polémica envolvente às expressões apresentadas. Com efeito, a primeira expressão é identificada, com a União Europeia, onde a apresentação e divulgação da informação financeira é baseada num conjunto de princípios — principies — based standards — e pressupõe o exercício de um julgamento, enquanto que as três expressões seguintes traduzem o standard de reporting financeiro, para os Estados Unidos, tendo subjacente a abordagem designado por — rule based standards — A não abordagem do SNC levou-nos a refletir sobre o assunto apresentado, apresentando uma análise multifacetada do conceito.
A Noção de Insolvência Iminente
Authors: Conceição Ana Filipa
Published: September 2017

A grave crise económica e financeira que, nos últimos anos, tem fustigado as economias mundiais, deixou fortes marcas nas próprias economias domésticas. O aumento dos processos de insolvência relacionados com pessoas singulares, verificado nos últimos anos, atesta que os consumidores são particularmente vulneráveis ao impacto da crise económica. Todavia, é também de notar que um elevado número de consumidores e respetivas famílias, correndo o risco de exclusão social, não recorrem a qualquer tipo de serviço de aconselhamento ou apoio ao endividamento, nem tão-pouco ao próprio processo insolvencial ou, recorrendo, fazem-no já tarde de mais, ou seja, quando já existe incumprimento ou não existem bens, nem capacidade de negociar com os credores, respetivamente.
O Direito de Fiscalização do Dono da Obra (Art. 1209º do CC)
Authors: Silva Nuno Sousa e
Published: September 2017

O artigo 1209.° do Código Civil, inserido no corpo regulamentar do tipo contratual empreitada, consagra um direito do dono da obra à fiscalização da mesma. Neste curto trabalho pretendo analisar este direito no que respeita ao seu fundamento, natureza, modo e consequências do seu exercício, delimitando assim o seu conteúdo. De fora do âmbito deste texto ficam as possíveis reacções do dono da obra a vícios que detecte pelo exercício do seu direito de fiscalização.
"Novas" Questões sobre a (In) Constitucionalidade do Prazo Único de Prescrição das Contraordenações Laborais
Authors: Machado José M. Gonçalves
Published: September 2017

O Tribunal Constitucional tem sido chamado, repetidamente, a apreciar a constitucionalidade da norma do artigo 52.º da Lei n.º 107/2009, de 14 de setembro, que estabelece um prazo único de cinco anos para a prescrição do procedimento por contraordenação laboral (ou de segurança social), independentemente da gravidade da infração, do grau de culpa do infrator, da sua capacidade económica ou da moldura aplicável.Numa jurisprudência uniforme e constante, sufragada pelo Ministério Público nos vários recursos por este apresentados sobre a temática, o Tribunal Constitucional tem considerado que o prazo único de cinco previsto naquela norma está em conformidade com a ampla liberdade atribuída ao legislador ordinário no que respeita, designadamente, à extinção da responsabilidade contraordenacional por prescrição.Tal entendimento não está, no entanto, isento de dúvidas.O presente trabalho não pretende esgotar o tema, amplamente debatido entre a jurisprudência e a doutrina. Os nossos propósitos são modestos. Queremos fomentar o debate e, quem sabe, contribuir, ainda que indiretamente, para um revisão do regime geral e dos regimes especiais do direito contraordenacional, e particular do regime das contraordenações laborais.
A Determinação das Competências Tributárias entre os Estados
Authors: Azevedo Patrícia Anjos
Published: September 2017

De acordo com o critério da residência, a tributação do rendimento deverá ser levada a cabo independentemente do local da fonte de tal rendimento. Assim, um dado sujeito passivo será tributado no Estado no qual seja considerado como fiscalmente residente, por todos os rendimentos que aufira, independentemente de obter a totalidade ou parte de tais rendimentos nesse território. A residência apresenta-se como uma ligação de natureza “socioeconómica” a um Estado, “(...) que implica a presença física, permanente ou temporária, a disponibilidade de uma habitação ou a existência de certo tipo de conexão económica, como o exercício de determinadas funções”.
Role of Local Press in Conflicts: A Case Study of Editorial’ Contents of Daily Chand and Daily Shamal during Militancy in district Swat, Pakistan
Authors: Ud Din Jamal , Ul Amin Khan Rooh , Khan Khalid
Published: September 2017

The study "Role of Local Press in Conflict: A Case Study of Editorial' Contents of  Daily Chand and Daily Shamal during Militancy in district Swat, Pakistan" is basically a comparison of editorials, being published on the issue of militancy in both the local dailies of Swat to analyze that how these dailies treated government and militants’ agendas in their editorials. This study was conducted by content analysis of editorials of Daily Chand and Daily Shamal, publishing from district Swat while the media hegemony theory was applied as theoretical frame work for conducting the study. The findings made it clear that both the dailies had been given more coverage to militants' agenda, the ruling class during the unrest, than government agenda. Daily Chand had written total 84 editorials on the issue of militancy, it wrote 12 (14 percent) editorials against government but not a single editorial had been written against militants. Besides the daily had given only 06 percent supportive coverage to government agenda by publishing 05 editorials while the paper had, however, given more supportive coverage to militants by publishing 17 editorials in favor of their agenda with 20 percent of its total editorials, being published on the issue of militancy. Similarly daily Shamal had written 61 editorials on issue of militancy and of them only three editorials had been written with percentage of 05 percent in support of government agenda while it published two editorials in favor of militants' agenda, which reflect 03 percent of the total editorials, being written on the issue of militancy. Daily Shamal wrote o8 editorials (13 percent) against the provincial government, but it did not write even a single editorial to oppose militants' agenda or their any kind of act, meant to challenge writ of the government in district Swat, Pakistan.
Collaborative Learning via Sharing Session towards Achieving Training Effectiveness in Negotiation Education
Authors: Badlishah Shahrizal , Abdul Majid Abdul Halim
Published: September 2017

Attaining training effectiveness for Negotiation as an elective subject in obtaining Bachelor of Human Resource Management in University Utara Malaysia will be beneficial for students when they start to work. The subject requires strong fundamental knowledge in human resource management and other management related subjects, as it demands students to be able to relate issues and needs in business venture strategic decision. However, the drawback in achieving this is difficult because students are weak in the basics due to low clasp of fundamental understanding. This action research has been conducted in two consecutive semesters in order to find the best way to improve student basic understanding thus connection to the higher-level knowledge is possible. Collaborative teaching, which was introduced as a sharing session, through small group discussion has been chosen for the purpose of developing effective negotiation education. As a result, students are more comfortable to be open-minded and less stressful while learning with their peers compares to instructors. Based on interviews and observations, results found that collaborative learning do improve understanding and built critical thinking. The approach developed had resulted a more relax and conducive learning environment and the training effectiveness achieved served as evidence in students' performance.
Digital Engagement, Political and Civic Participation
Authors: Samsuddin Jamali , Hasan Hamisah , Ching Lai Che
Published: September 2017

Objective: This paper examines the digital engagement, political and civic participation among Malaysian youth in marginalized communities.  It also studies the relationship between digital engagement and two participation constructs. The framework of the study was based on mobilization theories, which suggested that previously unavailable technologies such as the Internet could mobilize members of underprivileged or underrepresented groups who lack socioeconomic resources. Methodology: The data were obtained through a self-administered survey completed by 4,107 youths, aged from 15 to 25 years old, living in marginalized communities in six regions, namely Central, Eastern, Northern, Southern, Sabah, and Sarawak. Descriptive and factor analyses were used to analyze the data. Pearson correlation was also run to test the hypothesis that digital engagement is positively related to political and civic participation. Results: The study found that while youths were digitally engaged, their engagement was still characterized by basic use of the Internet, such as communicating with friends. The study also found that their civic and political participation is low. However, the research found that digital engagement had a significant and positive impact on the youths' political and civic participation. Implication: This research provides empirical data on the level of digital engagement, political and civic participation among Malaysian youths. The study expands on current literatures by examining the effects of Internet on youth participation. This paper offers insights to policy makers on implementing strategies and programs that promote participation among youth in marginalized communities. Its practical implication also includes contributing towards the development of specific policy and good practices on media to encourage youth participation in Malaysia.
Framework for Managing Employee Talent in Malaysian Islamic Banks
Authors: Mustafa Kamil Bidayatul Akmal , Abd Hamid Siti Norasyikin , Abd Rani Shamsul Huda
Published: September 2017

Objective: This paper proposes a conceptual framework to formulate a model of employee talent management, which might be implemented among Islamic banks in Malaysia.Methodology: This concept paper relies on analysis of previous literature and observation of current issues in Islamic banking industry.Results: It has been found that the demand for combination of knowledge about Sharia law and finance among bankers is rising in the Islamic banking industry. The capability and expertise of current bankers in Islamic banks are overlapping with those found in conventional banks. Yet only those bankers who are equipped with knowledge of Sharia or Islamic jurisprudence can discriminate the discrepancy of Islamic banking terms and regulations.Implication: This study proposes that developing and retaining those talents should be focus of formal and informal organizational policies and procedures in Islamic banks in order to make their performance as a manageable outcome. The policy of right capabilities at right time among Islamic bankers would also lead to comprehensive understanding of the Islamic banking principles, nature and forms which is prerequisite to make this industry competitive in areas of marketing, financial and operation management.
NATIONALISM APPLYING IN LEARNING CIVIC EDUCATION AS MORAL LEARNING MEDIA IN UNIVERSITY
Authors: Setyowati Rini
Published: September 2017

This research will review about nationalism in university. The first part of this research will introduce the meaning of nationalism and relation with civic education in university. Nationalism is defined as a love of their country and most citizens feel a sense of nationalism. Civic education in the university is required to strengthen the students in shaping the attitude of nationalism. Students are spearheading the future of a country that they have to love their country because the science which is accepted must be applied in their social life. The main mission of civic education is to help students establish the values of their personality, in order to be able to realize the basic values of Pancasila consistently, also their sense of nationalism in developing science, technology and art with morality. The obstacle of applying nationalism in Civic Education is because of too theoretical and not oriented to the practice of students in community. Inculcation of nationalism should not use indoctrination.We need a civic education in students moral fortify until finally embedded as strong nationalism. This paper using library research. Secondary data was collected by identifying the relevan papers, books, and journal. The data was interpretated and analyzed descriptively. The second part: this research will give solution about method to inculcation of nationalism toward higher educational education. The final part : will give conclusion the best method to inculcation of nationalism in higer educational education and give suggestion to further research about inculcation of nationalism.
Использование «рукавной» резекции желудка в лечении больных по поводу ожирения
Authors: Usenko A. Yu. , Todurov I. M. , Perekhrestenko A. V. , Plegutsa A. I. , Kalashnikov A. A. , Kosiukhno S. V.
Published: September 2017

Проанализированы ближайшие и отдаленные результаты хирургического лечения 117 больных, у которых по поводу ожирения выполнена sleeve–гастрэктомия, в том числе с использованием лапароскопического доступа – у 59 (50,4%), верхней срединной лапаротомии – у 58 (49,6%).
Гиперваскуляризация эзофагоколотрансплантата: обзор литературы и собственный опыт
Authors: Vorobey A. V. , Chepik D. A. , Vizhinis Ye. I. , Makhmudov A. M.
Published: September 2017

Пластика пищевода сегментом толстой кишки при его послеожоговой стриктуре является сложной операцией. Основная проблема – жизнеспособность шейной части толстокишечного графта. Изучение сосудистой анатомии ободочной кишки позволяет выбрать ее наиболее эффективно кровоснабжаемую часть в качестве эзофагоколотрансплантата. Для гиперваскуляризации графта при его недостаточном кровоснабжении предложено формирование прямых сосудистых анастомозов его шейной части с сосудами шеи или внутренними грудными сосудами. Разработана технология лигирования его сосудов, при этом интенсивно развивается коллатеральный кровоток. Приведен обзор источников литературы по мезентерикографии перед эзофагоколопластикой и гиперваскуляризации графта из ободочной кишки. Приведен собственный опыт авторов.
Хірургічне лікування хворих з приводу хронічного панкреатиту з біліарною гіпертензією
Authors: Shevchuk I. M. , Pylypchuk V. I. , Khrunik A. D. , Gedzik S. M.
Published: September 2017

Проаналізовані результати лікування 25 хворих з приводу фіброзно–дегенеративного хронічного панкреатиту (ХП) з біліарною гіпертензією (БГ), у яких виконана операція Фрея. У 13 (52%) хворих (група порівняння) здійснена класична операція Фрея з формуванням панкреатоєюноанастомозу (ПЄА) на петлі тонкої кишки, виключеній за Ру, у 4 (16%) – операція Фрея з накладанням гепатикоєюноанастомозу (ГЄА). У 8 (32%) хворих застосовано модифікацію операції Фрея, що передбачала формування ПЄА на ізольованому сегменті тонкої кишки, додаткового дуоденоєюноанастомозу з дистальним кінцем сегмента тонкої кишки, холецистектомію, фомування ГЄА бік у бік та міжкишкового анастомозу за Ру (основна група). Для інтраопераційного визначення тиску у позапечінкових жовчних протоках використовували оригінальну методику. Віддалені результати проаналізовані у 13 пацієнтів. В групі порівняння показник фізичного здоров’я (PHs) становив у середньому (42,9 ± 0,9) ум. од., психологічного здоров’я (MHs) – (57,6 ± 1,9) ум. од., вираженість больового синдрому (BP) – (60,3 ± 5,2) ум. од.; в основній групі PHs становив (47,1 ± 1,1) ум. од., MHs – (61,5 ± 1,5) ум. од., BP – (68,4 ± 4,2) ум. од. Запропонована модифікація хірургічного лікування фіброзно–дегенеративного ХП з БГ має переваги, обнадійливі віддалені результати і може бути застосована у лікуванні таких хворих.
Динаміка клітинної ланки імунітету при використанні сорбційно–трансмембранного діалізу
Authors: Kryshen V. P. , Lyashchenko P. V. , Panikova T. M. , Vlasenko A. N. , Vlasenko A. V.
Published: September 2017

На основі аналізу результатів клінічного та лабораторного досліджень встановлено, що використання у комплексі лікування хворих з приводу поширеного перитоніту (ПП) сорбційно–трансмембранного діалізу для санації черевної порожнини дозволило досягти значної протекції CD8–лімфоцитів та зменшити тяжкість ендотоксикозу.
Видеоторакоскопический плевродез с введением аутокрови при операциях по поводу буллезной эмфиземы легких, осложненной спонтанным пневмотораксом
Authors: Gaft K. L.
Published: September 2017

Причиной большой частоты рецидивов спонтанного пневмоторакса при распространенных формах буллезной эмфиземы легких (БЭЛ) является неэффективность существующих видов видеоторакоскопического (ВТС) плевродеза. Разработан метод плевродеза с введением аутокрови, что позволяет достичь более эффективной облитерации плевральной полости и клинического эффекта.
Результаты хирургического лечения больных с применением метода спондилодеза на уровне шейного отдела позвоночника
Authors: Garaiev I. D.
Published: September 2017

Хирургическое лечение больных по поводу грыжи межпозвонкового диска (МПД) шейного отдела позвоночника является оптимальным и наиболее эффективным методом. Применение аутотрансплантата из подвздошного гребня при операциях по поводу грыжи МПД шейного отдела позвоночника обеспечивает высокую эффективность и низкую частоту инвалидизации пациентов. Проведен анализ результатов хирургического лечения 50 больных по поводу грыжи МПД шейного отдела позвоночника в период с 2009 по 2015 г. В результате декомпрессии и межтеловой стабилизации восстановлены объем позвоночного канала и высота МПД. Через 3 – 4 сут после операции достигнут полный или значительный регресс неврологических симптомов. Формирование костного блока оперированного сегмента наступало в среднем через 7 мес. Гнойно–воспалительных и ятрогенных осложнений не было.
Bovine Reproductive Palpation Training: Does the Cow Make a Difference?
Authors: French Hilari M. , Dascanio John J. , Gilbert Gregory E. , Robinson James Q.
Published: September 2017

Gaining experience and dexterity for trans-rectal cattle palpation requires substantial training. Simulation allows students to perform palpation without risks and to obtain feedback, but many believe live cattle palpation is essential. Limited research exists on the proper training method for live animal trans-rectal palpation. This study compared student improvement in laboratory palpation skills when assigned to the same cows versus choosing a cow at random. The hypothesis for the study was that students assigned the same cow, as compared to students choosing a cow at random, would be more accurate at palpation, would learn what structures are present on the ovaries and what size the reproductive tract measures, and would be able to follow the cyclicity of the cow. Cervical diameter, uterine tone, diameter of left and right uterine horns, and ovarian structures were recorded over time. Responses were compared to laboratory instructors' responses and Z-tests for proportions were used to test the differences in percentage correct at each time point for each palpation exercise. Overall the experiment showed that assigning students to certain cows will not improve their trans-rectal palpation training. However, asking students to identify specific landmarks with quantitative measurements did allow for more productive laboratory time and engaged students. The results of the present study also suggest that if there is limited time available for palpation instruction, choosing cows with behavior allowing easy handling is important to the educational process.
Evaluation of Operational Effects of I-66 Active Traffic Management System
Authors: Chun PilJin , Fontaine Michael D.
Published: September 2017

In September 2015, the Virginia Department of Transportation instituted an active traffic management system on I-66 in Northern Virginia. I-66 is a major commuter route into Washington, D.C., that experiences significant recurring and nonrecurring congestion. The active traffic management system sought to manage existing capacity dynamically and more effectively with hard shoulder running, advisory variable speed limits, lane use control signs, and queue warning systems. An initial before-and-after analysis of the system’s operational effectiveness was performed with probe-based travel time data from the provider, INRIX, and used records from the active traffic management’s traffic operations center. On weekdays, statistically significant improvements were often observed during off-peak periods, but conditions did not improve during peak periods. Weekends showed the greatest improvements, with travel times and travel time reliability measures improving by 10% to 14%. Segment-level analysis revealed that most of the benefits were attained because of the use of hard shoulder running outside of the peak periods, which created additional capacity on I-66. Benefits due to advisory variable speed limits were inconclusive because of limited data.
Frontal and occipital horn ratio is associated with multifocal intraparenchymal hemorrhages in neonatal shunted hydrocephalus
Authors: Oushy Soliman , Parker Jonathon J. , Campbell Kristen , Palmer Claire , Wilkinson Corbett , Stence Nicholas V. , Handler Michael H. , Mirsky David M.
Published: September 2017

OBJECTIVE

Placement of a cerebrospinal fluid diversion device (i.e., shunt) is a routine pediatric neurosurgical procedure, often performed in the first weeks of life for treatment of congenital hydrocephalus. In the postoperative period, shunt placement may be complicated by subdural, catheter tract, parenchymal, and intraventricular hemorrhages. The authors observed a subset of infants and neonates who developed multifocal intraparenchymal hemorrhages (MIPH) following shunt placement and sought to determine any predisposing perioperative variables.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the electronic medical record at a tertiary-care children’s hospital was performed for the period 1998–2015. Inclusion criteria consisted of shunt placement, age < 30 days, and available pre- and postoperative brain imaging. The following data were collected and analyzed for each case: ventricular size ratios, laboratory values, clinical presentation, shunt and valve type, and operative timing and approach.

RESULTS

A total of 121 neonates met the inclusion criteria for the study, and 11 patients (9.1%) had MIPH following shunt placement. The preoperative frontal and occipital horn ratio (FOR) was significantly higher in the patients with MIPH than in those without (0.65 vs 0.57, p < 0.001). The change in FOR (∆FOR) after shunt placement was significantly greater in the MIPH group (0.14 vs 0.08, p = 0.04). Among neonates who developed MIPH, aqueductal stenosis was the most common etiology (45%). The type of shunt valve was associated with incidence of MIPH (p < 0.001). Preoperative clinical parameters, including head circumference, bulging fontanelle, and coagulopathy, were not significantly associated with development of MIPH.

CONCLUSIONS

MIPH represents an underrecognized complication of neonatal shunted hydrocephalus. Markers of severity of ventriculomegaly (FOR) and ventricular response to CSF diversion (∆FOR) were significantly associated with occurrence of MIPH. Choice of shunt and etiology of hydrocephalus were also significantly associated with MIPH. After adjusting for corrected age, etiology of hydrocephalus, and shunt setting, the authors found that ∆FOR after shunting was still associated with MIPH. A prospective study of MIPH prevention strategies and assessment of possible implications for patient outcomes is needed.
Harnessing rhetorical figures for argument mining
Authors: Lawrence John , Visser Jacky , Reed Chris
Published: September 2017

The generalised, automated reconstruction of the reasoning structures underlying persuasive communication is an enormously challenging task. While this work in argument mining is increasingly informed by the rich tradition of argumentation studies outside the computational field, the rhetorical perspective on argumentation is thus far largely ignored. To explore the application of rhetorical insights in argument mining, we conduct a pilot study on the connection between rhetorical figures and argumentation structure. Rhetorical figures are linguistic devices that perform a variety of functions in argumentative discourse. The textual form of some of these figures is easy to identify automatically, such that an established connection between the figure and a preponderance of argumentative content would improve the performance of argument mining techniques. Furthermore, the automated mining of rhetorical figures could be used as an empirical, corpus-based testing ground for the claims made about these figures in the rhetorical literature. In the pilot study, we explore the connection between eight rhetorical figures the forms of which we expect to be relatively easy to identify computationally, and argumentation structure (concretely, we consider the six schemes ‘anadiplosis’, ‘epanaphora’, ‘epistrophe’, ‘epizeuxis’, ‘eutrepismus’, and ‘polyptoton’, and the two tropes ‘antithesis’ and ‘dirimens copulatio’, and relate their occurrences to relations of inference and conflict). The data of the study is collected in the MM2012c corpus of 39,694 words of argumentatively annotated transcripts from the BBC Radio 4’s Moral Maze discussion program. We show that some of the figures indeed correspond to passages of high argumentative density, relative to the text as a whole.
Toward Colloidal Motors
Authors: Zrínyi Miklós , Nakano Masami
Published: September 2017

We have presented the first direct observation of electric field induced rotation of epoxy based polymer rotors. Polymer disks and gears were prepared in few micrometer dimensions as rotors. Electrorotation of these sub-millimeter sized tools was studied under uniform DC electric field. The rotational speed of micron-sized polymer rotors can be conveniently tuned in wide range (between 300 – 3000 rpm) by the DC electric field intensity, opening new perspectives for their use in micro electric motor applications.
Attempted Diels-Alder Reactions on Vindoline Derivatives
Authors: Mayer Szabolcs , Keglevich Péter , Ábrányi-Balogh Péter , Szigetvári Áron , Dékány Miklós , Szántay, Jr. Csaba , Hazai László
Published: September 2017

The Diels-Alder reaction of vindoline and methyl vinyl ketone resulted in a Friedel-Crafts reaction product. In the reaction between the ortho-quinone derivative of vindoline and N-phenylmaleimide, two anomalous products were obtained, a vindoline dimer, and a condensed vindoline derivative.
Use of La-, Ce-, Y-, Fe- bentonites for Removing Phosphate Ions from Aqueous Media
Authors: Buzetzky Dóra , Nagy Noémi M. , Kónya József
Published: September 2017

Clays play an important role in the environment. By removing cations and anions either through ion exchange, adsorption and precipitation, or all these combined, they can act as natural decontaminating agents of numerous pollutants. In this study, four modified bentonites (La-, Ce-, Y-, Fe-bentonite) were prepared and characterized, and their phosphate sorption capabilities were measured in batch experiments. Equilibrium times were also examined. The activation energy of the sorption process was calculated. The La- , Ce- and Y-bentonite can bind similar amount of phosphate ions, while iron-bentonite can bind only half of it compared to La-, Ce- and Y-bentonite.
Performance Comparison of Multi Design Method and Meta-Heuristic Methods for Optimal Preliminary Design of Core-Form Power Transformers
Authors: Orosz Tamás , Borbély Bence , Tamus Zoltán Ádám
Published: September 2017

Large power transformers are regarded as crucial and expensive assets in power systems. Due to the competing global market, to make a good and competing power transformer design, a non-linear optimization problem should be solved in a very short time in the preliminary design stage. The paper shows and compares the performance of four different methods to solve this problem for three phase core type power transformers. The first algorithm is a novel meta-heuristic technique which combines the geometric programming with the method of branch and bound. Then this conventional multi design method is solved by a simple iterative technique and two novel evolutionary algorithms to enhance the convergence speed. One of these algorithms is the particle swarm optimization technique which is used by many other researchers and the grey wolf optimization algorithm which is a new method in this optimization sub-problem. An example design on an 80 MVA, three phase core type power transformer using these four methods is presented and its performances are analyzed. The results demonstrate that the grey wolf optimization is a good alternative for this optimization problem.
Comparison of Laser-Engraved Hole Properties between Cold-Rolled and Laser Additive Manufactured Stainless Steel Sheets
Authors: Manninen Matti , Hirvimäki Marika , Matilainen Ville-Pekka , Salminen Antti
Published: September 2017

Laser drilling and laser engraving are common manufacturing processes that are found in many applications. With the continuous progress of additive manufacturing (3D printing), these processes can now be applied to the materials used in 3D printing. However, there is a lack of knowledge about how these new materials behave when processed or machined. In this study, sheets of 316L stainless steel produced by both the traditional cold rolling method and by powder bed fusion (PBF) were laser drilled by a nanosecond pulsed fiber laser. Results were then analyzed to find out whether there are measurable differences in laser processing parts that are produced by either PBF (3D printing) or traditional steel parts. Hole diameters, the widths of burn effects, material removal rates, and hole tapers were measured and compared. Additionally, differences in microstructures of the samples were also analyzed and compared. Results show negligible differences in terms of material processing efficiency. The only significant differences were that the PBF sample had a wider burn effect, and had some defects in the microstructure that were more closely analyzed. The defects were found to be shallow recesses in the material. Some of the defects were deep within the material, at the end and start points of the laser lines, and some were close to the surfaces of the sample.
Effects of Unstable Stratification on Ventilation in Hong Kong
Authors: Gronemeier Tobias , Raasch Siegfried , Ng Edward
Published: September 2017

Ventilation in cities is crucial for the well being of their inhabitants. Therefore, local governments require air ventilation assessments (AVAs) prior to the construction of new buildings. In a standard AVA, however, only neutral stratification is considered, although diabatic and particularly unstable conditions may be observed more frequently in nature. The results presented here indicate significant changes in ventilation within most of the area of Kowloon City, Hong Kong, included in the study. A new definition for calculating ventilation was introduced, and used to compare the influence of buildings on ventilation under conditions of neutral and unstable stratification. The overall ventilation increased due to enhanced vertical mixing. In the vicinity of exposed buildings, however, ventilation was weaker for unstable stratification than for neutral stratification. The influence on ventilation by building parameters, such as the plan area index, was altered when unstable stratification was considered. Consequently, differences in stratification were shown to have marked effects on ventilation estimates, which should be taken into consideration in future AVAs.
Effect of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Amoxicillin on Bacterial Growth in the Presence of Dissolved Organic Carbon
Authors: Current Kelley , Dissanayake Niluka , Obare Sherine
Published: September 2017

The impact of emerging contaminants in the presence of active pharmaceutical pollutants plays an important role in the persistence and activity of environmental bacteria. This manuscript focuses on the impact of amoxicillin functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles on bacterial growth, in the presence of dissolved organic carbon (humic acid). The impact of these emerging contaminants individually and collectively on the growth profiles of model gram positive and negative bacteria was tracked for 24 h. Results indicate exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of amoxicillin bound iron oxide nanoparticles, in the presence of humic acid, increase bacterial growth in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Accelerated bacterial growth was associated with an increase in iron ions, which have been shown to influence upregulation of cellular metabolism. Though iron oxide nanoparticles are often regarded as benign, this work demonstrates the distinguishable impact of amoxicillin bound iron oxide nanoparticles in the presence of dissolved organic carbon. The results indicate differential impacts of combined contaminants on bacterial growth, having potential implications for environmental and human health.
Numerical Simulation of Density-Driven Flow and Heat Transport Processes in Porous Media Using the Network Method
Authors: Cánovas Manuel , Alhama Iván , García Gonzalo , Trigueros Emilio , Alhama Francisco
Published: September 2017

Density-driven flow and heat transport processes in 2-D porous media scenarios are governed by coupled, non-linear, partial differential equations that normally have to be solved numerically. In the present work, a model based on the network method simulation is designed and applied to simulate these processes, providing steady state patterns that demonstrate its computational power and reliability. The design is relatively simple and needs very few rules. Two applications in which heat is transported by natural convection in confined and saturated media are studied: slender boxes heated from below (a kind of Bénard problem) and partially heated horizontal plates in rectangular domains (the Elder problem). The streamfunction and temperature patterns show that the results are coherent with those of other authors: steady state patterns and heat transfer depend both on the Rayleigh number and on the characteristic Darcy velocity derived from the values of the hydrological, thermal and geometrical parameters of the problems.
Functional Characterization of Selected Universal Stress Protein from Salvia miltiorrhiza (SmUSP) in Escherichia coli
Authors: Wang Xiao-Fan , Su Jiao , Yang Na , Zhang Hui , Cao Xiao-Yan , Kang Jie-Fang
Published: September 2017

The multigene universal stress protein (USP) family is evolutionarily conserved. Members play indispensable roles in plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. Although relatively well-characterized in model plants, such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa, this family has not been investigated in Salvia miltiorrhiza, an important herbal plant for which yields can be limited by various abiotic stresses. Here, we identified 32 USP family members in the S. miltiorrhiza genome, and used phylogenetic analysis to sort these SmUSPs into four groups. Groups A and B belong to the ATP-binding class whereas Groups C and D are in the non-ATP-binding class. Motif analysis and multiple sequence alignment hinted that members of group A and B were able to bind ATP. Our qRT-PCR data from different tissues/organs and under salt and heat stresses provided an overall expression pattern for those genes. Three SmUSPs (SmUSP1, SmUSP8, and SmUSP27) were cloned from S. miltiorrhiza and functionally characterized in Escherichia coli. Compared with the control cells, those that expressed SmUSPs exhibited enhanced tolerance to salt, heat, and a combination of the two. This suggested that the protein has a protective role in cells when exposed to single-stress and multiple-stress conditions. Our findings provide valuable information that helps improve our understanding of the evolutionary and functional conservation and diversity associated with the USP gene family in S. miltiorrhiza.
Porcine Bone Scaffolds Adsorb Growth Factors Secreted by MSCs and Improve Bone Tissue Repair
Authors: Mijiritsky Eitan , Ferroni Letizia , Gardin Chiara , Bressan Eriberto , Zanette Gastone , Piattelli Adriano , Zavan Barbara
Published: September 2017

An ideal tissue-engineered bone graft should have both excellent pro-osteogenesis and pro-angiogenesis properties to rapidly realize the bone regeneration in vivo. To meet this goal, in this work a porcine bone scaffold was successfully used as a Trojan horse to store growth factors produced by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This new scaffold showed a time-dependent release of bioactive growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), in vitro. The biological effect of the growth factors-adsorbed scaffold on the in vitro commitment of MSCs into osteogenic and endothelial cell phenotypes has been evaluated. In addition, we have investigated the activity of growth factor-impregnated granules in the repair of critical-size defects in rat calvaria by means of histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular biology analyses. Based on the results of our work bone tissue formation and markers for bone and vascularization were significantly increased by the growth factor-enriched bone granules after implantation. This suggests that the controlled release of active growth factors from porcine bone granules can enhance and promote bone regeneration.
A Novel Method and Mechanism for Micro-Sphere Singularization
Authors: Fontana Gianmauro , Ruggeri Serena , Altissimo Luca , Legnani Giovanni , Fassi Irene
Published: September 2017

The paper presents an innovative mechanism for the singularization of micro-spheres, which can be effectively employed in a diverse range of robotized applications in micro-electronics and micro-mechanics. Many miniaturized devices are currently being developed and consist of different micro-components to be precisely assembled. The demanding product and process requirements can be met by automating the assembly phases, which include sorting and feeding the micro-components. Therefore, accurate, high-throughput, and modular mechanisms and tools able to supply a number of micro-components, or even a single element for the subsequent operations, play a significant role. In this context, this work focused on the development of a novel strategy for separating a single component from an unstructured stock of identical parts, in particular of micro-spheres with diameters of 0.2–1 mm. Suitable expedients were considered to overcome the adhesive effects that can become significant at the micro-scale due to the very small size and low mass of the micro-spheres. The paper describes the operating principle and the actuation strategies of the mechanism. The design and the development of a prototype for singularizing micro-spheres with a diameter of 0.6 mm are thoroughly discussed. Finally, the results of experimental singularization tests demonstrate the method effectiveness and the mechanism performance.
Ethnopharmacology and Therapeutic Value of Bridelia micrantha (Hochst.) Baill. in Tropical Africa: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Maroyi Alfred
Published: September 2017

Bridelia micrantha is traditionally used in tropical Africa to treat a wide range of human and animal diseases. The aim of this study was to summarise the research that has been done on the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of B. micrantha so as to understand its importance and potential value in primary healthcare systems. The literature search for information on ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities of B. micrantha was undertaken using databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, BioMed Central (BMC), PubMed and Springerlink. Other relevant literature sources included books, book chapters, websites, theses, conference papers and other scientific publications. This study showed that B. micrantha is used as herbal medicine in just over half (57.3%) of the countries in tropical Africa where it is indigenous. A total of 54 ethnomedicinal uses of B. micrantha have been recorded with a high degree of consensus on burns, wounds, conjunctivitis, painful eyes, constipation, gastric ulcers, cough, headache, rheumatism, painful joints, dysentery, ethnoveterinary medicine, malaria, sexually transmitted infections, stomach ache, tape worms and diarrhoea. Different plant parts, aqueous and organic extracts exhibited anthelmintic, antimicrobial, anticonvulsant and sedative, antidiabetic, antidiarrhoeal, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, antischistosomal, hepatoprotective, insecticidal and β-lactamase inhibitory activities.
The Small Glutathione Peroxidase Mimic 5P May Represent a New Strategy for the Treatment of Liver Cancer
Authors: Yin Juxin , Wang Bingmei , Zhu Xuejun , Qu Xiaonan , Huang Yi , Lv Shaowu , Mu Ying , Luo Guimin
Published: September 2017

Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is an antioxidant protein containing selenium. Owing to the limitations of native GPx, considerable efforts have been made to develop GPx mimics. Here, a short 5-mer peptides (5P) was synthesized and characterized using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Enzyme coupled assays were used to evaluate GPx activity. The cell viability and apoptosis of H22 cells were tested, and mice bearing H22 cell-derived tumors were used to determine the effects of 5P on tumor inhibition. In comparison with other enzyme models, 5P provided a suitable substrate with proper catalytic site positions, resulting in enhanced catalytic activity. In our mouse model, 5P showed excellent inhibition of tumor growth and improved immunity. In summary, our findings demonstrated the design and synthesis of the small 5P molecule, which inhibited tumor growth and improved immunity. Notably, 5P could inhibit tumor growth without affecting normal growth. Based on these advantages, the novel mimic may have several clinical applications.
Human Erythrocyte Acetylcholinesterase in Health and Disease
Authors: Saldanha Carlota
Published: September 2017

The biochemical properties of erythrocyte or human red blood cell (RBC) membrane acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and its applications on laboratory class and on research are reviewed. Evidence of the biochemical and the pathophysiological properties like the association between the RBC AChE enzyme activity and the clinical and biophysical parameters implicated in several diseases are overviewed, and the achievement of RBC AChE as a biomarker and as a prognostic factor are presented. Beyond its function as an enzyme, a special focus is highlighted in this review for a new function of the RBC AChE, namely a component of the signal transduction pathway of nitric oxide.
Mapping Smallholder Yield Heterogeneity at Multiple Scales in Eastern Africa
Authors: Jin Zhenong , Azzari George , Burke Marshall , Aston Stephen , Lobell David
Published: September 2017

Accurate measurements of crop production in smallholder farming systems are critical to the understanding of yield constraints and, thus, setting the appropriate agronomic investments and policies for improving food security and reducing poverty. Nevertheless, mapping the yields of smallholder farms is challenging because of factors such as small field sizes and heterogeneous landscapes. Recent advances in fine-resolution satellite sensors offer promise for monitoring and characterizing the production of smallholder farms. In this study, we investigated the utility of different sensors, including the commercial Skysat and RapidEye satellites and the publicly accessible Sentinel-2, for tracking smallholder maize yield variation throughout a ~40,000 km2 western Kenya region. We tested the potential of two types of multiple regression models for predicting yield: (i) a “calibrated model”, which required ground-measured yield and weather data for calibration, and (ii) an “uncalibrated model”, which used a process-based crop model to generate daily vegetation index and end-of-season biomass and/or yield as pseudo training samples. Model performance was evaluated at the field, division, and district scales using a combination of farmer surveys and crop cuts across thousands of smallholder plots in western Kenya. Results show that the “calibrated” approach captured a significant fraction (R2 between 0.3 and 0.6) of yield variations at aggregated administrative units (e.g., districts and divisions), while the “uncalibrated” approach performed only slightly worse. For both approaches, we found that predictions using the MERIS Terrestrial Chlorophyll Index (MTCI), which included the red edge band available in RapidEye and Sentinel-2, were superior to those made using other commonly used vegetation indices. We also found that multiple refinements to the crop simulation procedures led to improvements in the “uncalibrated” approach. We identified the prevalence of small field sizes, intercropping management, and cloudy satellite images as major challenges to improve the model performance. Overall, this study suggested that high-resolution satellite imagery can be used to map yields of smallholder farming systems, and the methodology presented in this study could serve as a good foundation for other smallholder farming systems in the world.
Sulfate Radical Technologies as Tertiary Treatment for the Removal of Emerging Contaminants from Wastewater
Authors: Brienza Monica , Katsoyiannis Ioannis
Published: September 2017

Water scarcity and water pollution is a worldwide problem and has driven research into eco-friendly and low-energy cost efficient remediation. The reuse of wastewater for non-potable purpose after proper treatment is the only sustainable solution to the problem. Advanced oxidation processes (AOP) based on the in-situ generation of hydroxyl radicals have been intensively investigated for this purpose as a treatment step to achieve wastewater reuse. The main degradation mechanism of AOPs is based on the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with dissolved organic matter. However, hydroxyl radicals follow unselective multi-step pathways, limiting their efficiency in complex environmental matrices. To overcome such limitations, AOP treatment, based on generation of sulfate radicals, has been developed and widely investigated. This current mini-review will cover the most recent developments regarding emerging contaminant removal, i.e., organic micropollutants, using sulfate radicals generated by active persulfate or peroxymonosulfate, with a focus on an application to wastewater effluents for possible wastewater reuse.