bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Steve Boardman and Julian Goodare, eds., Kings, Lords and Men in Scotland and Britain, 1300–1625: Essays in Honour of Jenny Wormald. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2014. Pp. 368. ISBN: 9780748691500. £75.00.
Authors: Dean Lucinda
Published: March 2016

Steve Boardman and Julian Goodare, eds., Kings, Lords and Men in

Scotland and Britain, 1300–1625: Essays in Honour of Jenny

Wormald. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2014. Pp. 368.

ISBN: 9780748691500. £75.00.
Sharon Adams and Julian Goodare, eds., Scotland in the Age of Two Revolutions. Studies in Early Modern Cultural, Political and Social History. Woodbridge, UK: The Boydell Press, 2014. Pp. xiii + 253. ISBN 9781843839392. £65.00.
Authors: Cipriano, Jr. Salvatore
Published: March 2016

Sharon Adams and Julian Goodare, eds., Scotland in the Age of

Two Revolutions. Studies in Early Modern Cultural, Political and

Social History. Woodbridge, UK: The Boydell Press, 2014. Pp. xiii

+ 253. ISBN 9781843839392. £65.00.
Potential of Low-Salinity Waterflood To Improve Oil Recovery in Carbonates: Demonstrating the Effect by Qualitative Coreflood
Authors: Nasralla Ramez A. , Sergienko Ekaterina , Masalmeh Shehadeh K. , van der Linde Hilbert A. , Brussee Niels J. , Mahani Hassan , Suijkerbuijk Bart M. , Al-Qarshubi Ibrahim S.
Published: March 2016

Low-salinity waterflood (LSF) is a promising improved-oil-recovery (IOR) technology. Although, it was demonstrated that LSF is an efficient IOR method for many sandstone reservoirs, the potential of LSF in carbonate reservoirs is still not well-established because only a limited number of successful coreflood experiments are available in the literature. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the oil-recovery improvement by LSF in carbonate reservoirs by performing coreflood experiments.

This paper proposes an experimental approach to qualitatively evaluate the potential of LSF to improve oil recovery and alter the rock wettability during coreflood experiments. The corefloods were conducted on core plugs from two Middle Eastern carbonate reservoirs with a wide variation of rock properties and reservoir conditions. Seawater (SW) and several dilutions of formation brine and SW were flooded in the tertiary mode to evaluate their impacts on oil recovery compared with formation-brine injection. In addition, a geochemical study was performed with PHREEQC software (Parkhurst and Appelo 1999) to assess the potential of calcite dissolution by LSF.

The experimental results confirmed that lowering the water salinity can alter the rock wettability toward more water-wet, causing improvement of oil recovery in tertiary waterflood in plugs from the two reservoirs. Furthermore, SW is more-favorable for improved oil recovery than formation brine because injection of SW after formation brine resulted in extra oil production. This demonstrates that the brine composition plays an important role during waterflooding in carbonate reservoirs, and not only the brine salinity. It was also observed that oil recovery can be improved by injection of brines that cannot dissolve calcite on the basis of the geochemical modeling study. This implies that calcite dissolution is not the dominant mechanism of IOR by LSF.

To conclude, this paper demonstrates that LSF has a good potential as an IOR technology in carbonate reservoirs. In addition, the proposed experimental approach ensures the verification of LSF effect, either it is positive or negative. However, further research is required to explore the optimum salinity and composition and the most-influential parameters affecting LSF response.
Simulated impact of climate change on hydrology of multiple watersheds using traditional and recommended snowmelt runoff model methodology
Authors: Elias Emile , Rango Albert , Steele Caitriana M. , Mejia John F. , Baca Ruben , James Darren , Schrader Scott , Gronemeyer Peg
Published: March 2016

For more than two decades researchers have utilized the snowmelt runoff model (SRM) to test the impacts of climate change on streamflow of snow-fed systems. SRM developers recommend a parameter shift during simulations of future climate, but this is often omitted. Here we show the impact of this omission on model results. In this study, the hydrological effects of climate change are modeled over three sequential years with typical and recommended SRM methodology. We predict the impacts of climate change on water resources of five subbasins of an arid region. Climate data are downscaled to weather stations. Period change analysis gives temperature and precipitation changes for 55 general circulation models which are then subsampled to produce four future states per basin. Results indicate an increase in temperature between 3.0 and 6.2 °C and an 18% decrease to 26% increase in precipitation. Without modifications to the snow runoff coefficient (cS), mean results across all basins range from a reduction in total volume of 21% to an increase of 4%. Modifications to cS resulted in a 0–10% difference in simulated annual volume. Future application of SRM should include a parameter shift representing the changed climate.
Mental Health Nursing, Mechanical Restraint Measures and Patients’ Legal Rights
Authors: Birkeland Soren , Gildberg Frederik A.
Published: April 2016

Coercive mechanical restraint (MR) in psychiatry constitutes the perhaps most extensive exception from the common health law requirement for involving patients in health care decisions and achieving their informed consent prior to treatment. Coercive measures and particularly MR seriously collide with patient autonomy principles, pose a particular challenge to psychiatric patients’ legal rights, and put intensified demands on health professional performance. Legal rights principles require rationale for coercive measure use be thoroughly considered and rigorously documented. This article presents an in-principle Danish Psychiatric Complaint Board decision concerning MR use initiated by untrained staff. The case illustrates that, judicially, weight must be put on the patient perspective on course of happenings and especially when health professional documentation is scant, patients’ rights call for taking notice of patient evaluations. Consequently, if it comes out that psychiatric staff failed to pay appropriate consideration for the patient’s mental state, perspective, and expressions, patient response deviations are to be judicially interpreted in this light potentially rendering MR use illegitimated. While specification of law criteria might possibly improve law use and promote patients’ rights, education of psychiatry professionals must address the need for, as far as possible, paying due regard to meeting patient perspectives and participation principles as well as formal law and documentation requirements.
Measles outbreak in a refugee settlement in Calais, France: January to February 2016
Authors: Jones G , Haeghebaert S , Merlin B , Antona D , Simon N , Elmouden M , Battist F , Janssens M , Wyndels K , Chaud P
Published: March 2016

We report a measles outbreak in a refugee settlement in Calais, France, between 5 January and 11 February 2016. In total, 13 confirmed measles cases were identified among migrants, healthcare workers in hospital and volunteers working on site. A large scale vaccination campaign was carried out in the settlement within two weeks of outbreak notification. In total, 60% of the estimated target population of 3,500 refugees was vaccinated during the week-long campaign.
Expanding the Epistemological Terrain
Authors: Banks James A.
Published: March 2016

During the civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s, the quest for civil rights by African Americans and other groups of color reverberated throughout the United States and the world, including within educational professional and research organizations, such as the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the American Educational Research Association (AERA). In this article, I discuss the presidential addresses of four AERA presidents, the historical and demographic context in which they were presented, and the ways in which these addresses increased equity and diversity within AERA by expanding its epistemological terrain.
One Hundred Years of Research
Authors: Glass Gene V
Published: March 2016

The statistical method “meta-analysis” is perhaps unique as a contribution to empirical inquiry of many types because it arose entirely within the practice of education research. In spite of its origins, meta-analysis has found its widest application and most important contributions in the field of medicine. Contrasting the success of meta-analysis in medicine and education reveals interesting lessons for the future of education research. The findings of research studies in education are highly variable. Context matters in very significant ways when studying education phenomena, and decades of research have produced little understanding of these contextual influences. The findings of education studies remain varied in unaccountable ways.
Evolving Research Perspectives on Education Politics and Policy
Authors: McDonnell Lorraine M.
Published: March 2016

The eight presidential addresses included in this essay, delivered between 1923 and 2009, focus wholly or partly on education politics and policy. Although they reflect their different intellectual and social times, they share a dominant theme in documenting the shifting and uneasy relationship between research and education policy. Presidents have expressed faith in both as resources to achieve an equal and democratic education for all children. Still that faith, expressed most strongly in the early years, has been mixed with strong doses of skepticism and caution.
And Then There Is This Thing Called the Curriculum
Authors: Ladson-Billings Gloria
Published: March 2016

Despite the long history of curriculum studies in the American Educational Research Association, few past presidents have used their presidential addresses to speak about the curriculum and its importance in education research and teaching. In this essay, I examined the presidential addresses (and paper) of three well-known curriculum theorists—Harold Rugg, Maxine Greene, and Eliot Eisner—to share their perspectives on the curriculum as a vehicle for public discourse and democratic engagement. The essay ends with a challenge to AERA members to continue to use the study of curriculum as a vehicle for democracy, civic participation, and a more equitable and just society.
Education Researchers, AERA Presidents, and Reforming the Practice of Schooling, 1916–2016
Authors: Cuban Larry
Published: March 2016

For a century, AERA has had as its mission using research to improve K–12 and higher education practices. Born in a period of reform, the Association’s mission—reformist both in spirit and the letter—has been articulated time and again by its elected presidents. As different reform movements have swept across U.S. schools, as demographics and contexts changed, elected presidents reflecting those shifting reforms, contexts, and demographics have adhered to the founding mission of the Association. Using presidents’ addresses across the century, I show that the belief in using research to improve practice has remained stable yet contested in recent decades.
Rockfall Characterization and Structural Protection in the Siddhababa Section of Siddhartha Highway H10, Nepal
Authors: Gnyawali Kaushal Raj , Shrestha Ranjit , Bhattarai Anil , Magar Pramod Rangu , Dhungana Anup Raj , Sukupayo Imjal , Dumaru Rasla
Published: March 2016

Many national highways of Nepal are periodically facing the rockfall events, causing fatal accidents. The Siddhababa section of Siddhartha Highway is a lively example of an active rockfall zone where the highly steep slope geometry in combination to the unfavourable inclination of the rock joints with the road alignment primarily cause the rockfall. Recent accidents of a jeep and a bus have created much concern on rockfall in the area. But still, we do not possess any type of structural countermeasure to overcome this scenario. To address this problem, our study aims at frstly characterizing the rockfall in the area and then on proposing structural countermeasure as rockfall barriers, rock netting and rockshed, and assisted with rock bolting, based on simulation studies and analysis of the rockfall scenario in Rocscience Rocfall® program. Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 2015, 11(1): 1-11
Computer Vision Based Hand Gesture Recognition For Speech Disabled Persons
Authors: Acharya Manoj , Pant Dibakar Raj
Published: March 2016

This paper proposes a method to recognize static hand gestures in an image or video where a person is performing Nepali Sign Language (NSL) and translate it to words and sentences. The classification is carried out using Neural Network where contour of the hand is used as the feature. The work is verified successfully for NSL recognition using signer dependency analysis. Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 2015, 11(1): 30-35
Effects of Urbanization on Storm Water Run-off : A Case Study of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal
Authors: Bajracharya Ashim Ratna , Rai Ritu Raj , Rana Shreema
Published: March 2016

In urban and suburban areas, much of the land surface is covered by buildings and pavements, which do not allow precipitation and snowmelt to soak into the ground. Instead, most developed areas rely on storm drains to carry large amounts of runoff from roofs and paved areas to nearby waterways. Hard surfaces such as streets, parking lots and built-up areas are impervious surfaces through which, water cannot pass through. As more and more landscapes are covered with hard impervious surfaces, the amount of water that infltrates, decreases and the amount that runs off, increases. This research is focused on studying run-off conditions in context of urban areas. The study area is Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC). The City is in the stage of rapid urbanization and with it, a rapid increase in built-up spaces. As a result, the city is losing a balance between impervious and pervious cover. Loss of greeneries and unpaved open spaces are causing rapid drain of rain-water. This is creating a disturbance in the hydrological cycle of the area. For assessing the extent of runoff, total runoff was estimated of KMC, as per the surface characteristics and using rational method for calculation.  Parameters for determining run-off coeffcients were mainly land cover and land use data, soil type and slope of surface. Results show that current runoff is alarmingly high, indicated by the difference between the run-off values of pre and post-development scenarios. Urban development pattern has caused a major impact, in the prevailing run-off and it is very crucial that these issues are addressed in urban planning to promote effective solutions for maintaining water cycle and water resources in urban areas. Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 2015, 11(1): 36-49
Elemental and Organic Carbon, Ionic and Non ionic components in TSP and PM Particulates of Kathmandu 10 Valley, Nepal
Authors: Sharma R. K. , Bhattarai B. K. , Sapkota B. K. , Gewali M. B. , Kjeldstad B. , Ito N.
Published: March 2016

Particulate matters of different aerodynamic diameters; TSP, PM10 for 24 hours were collected on quartz 47mm filter paper using Frm OMNITM Ambient Air Sampler from December 2010 to March 2011 and analyzed. The analysis of these sample collected were carried out by gravimetric, X-ray fluorescent and ion-chromatographic methods. TSP value for the observed period lies between 31.3-84.08 μg/m3 while PM10 ranges from 39.5-104.2 μg/m3. Daily carbonaceous aerosols concentration in TSP varied widely between (5.3-18.2 μg/m3) for Organic carbon (OC) and 5.6-10.2 μg/m3 for Elemental carbon (EC). Similarly in PM10 the range was from 4.8-14.1 and 3.9-10.1 μg/m3 respectively. The OC/EC ratio in the particulate matters ranges from 0.9-1.4. OC/EC ratio within 1.1 infers vehicular emission as a major source of carbonaceous aerosols in the valley. Further, among the nonionic components analyzed (K, Ca, Fe, Ti and Pb ) showed highest concentration of Fe as 2.5 μg/m3 while lowest of Pb as 0.001 μg/m3.The ionic components analyzed shows presence of SO4 2- and NH4 + in most of the samples while Cl-, NO3- and Ca2+ are only in few samples. Few samples of soil analyzed shows maximum of 32 elements. Variation in the concentration of ionic nonionic and carbonaceous aerosols is not related with wind pattern and its velocity.Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 2015, 11(1): 79-87
Removal of Cd (II) ions from Aqueous Solution by Adsorption on Activated Carbon Prepared from Lapsi (Choerospondias axillaris) Seed Stone
Authors: Shrestha Rajeshwar Man
Published: March 2016

Batch adsorption experiments were conducted for the adsorption of Cd (II) ions from aqueous solution by activated carbon prepared from Lapsi seed stone. The activated carbon was characterized by Iodine number, Methylene blue number, SEM and FTIR. Adsorption experiments were carried out to describe the effect of pH ,contact time and  adsorbent dose on the metal ion removal process .The results showed that the adsorption of Cd (II) ions was very fast initially and the equilibrium time was 3 hrs.The pH of 6.0 was an optimal pH for adsorption  of Cd(II) ions. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms were used to explain the equilibrium data. Langmuir model best described the data with higher value of coeffcient of determination as −1 compared to that of Freundlich isotherm showing a maximum uptake of 37.0 mgg . This study demonstrated that the activated carbons prepared from Lapsi seed stone could be used for the removal of Cd (II) ions in water treatment. Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 2015, 11(1): 140-150
Estimation of Global Solar Radiation using Modifed Angstrom Empirical formula on the basis of Meterological parameters in Himalaya Region Pokhara, Nepal
Authors: Poudyal Khem N.
Published: March 2016

This research work proposes the coefficient equation of modified Angstrom   model using sunshine hour and meteorological parameters for the estimation of global solar radiation in Himalaya Region Pokhara (28.22° N, 83.32° E),  Nepal . This site is about 800.0 m above from the sea level lying just 20.0 km south of the Machhaputre Himalayas.  The model coefficients a and b obtained in this research are 0.43 and 0.23 respectively. The performance parameters of the model are: Root Mean Square Error RMSE = 0.13 MJ/m2 /day, Mean Bias Error MBE= 0.02 MJ/m /day Mean Percentage MPE= 5 percent and coefficient of determination R2 = 0.70. Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 2015, 11(1): 158-164
Transient Analysis of Queueing Model
Authors: Sah Shyam Sundar , Ghimire Ram Prasad
Published: March 2016

This paper deals with the study of Erlangian queueing system with time dependent framework. Under our study we fnd (i) the expected number of customers in the queue (ii) the expected waiting time before being served (iii) the expected time spent in the system (iv) the expected number of customers in the system. Customers arrive in the system in Poisson fashion with rate  and served in arbitrary service time distribution with rate µ.The probability generating function technique and Laplace transform method have been used. The numerical computation has also been obtained for applicability of the model. Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 2015, 11(1): 165-171
Impact of English on the Career of Engineering Students: A Brief Overview in G(local) Context
Authors: Shrestha Rup Narayan , Pahari Bharat Raj , Awasthi Jai Raj
Published: March 2016

The present article highlights the importance of the English language in the career of the students of engineering both in global and local contexts. The main objective of this article is to explore the impact of English language on the career of the students of engineering all over the world in general and in Nepal in particular. Based primarily on the literature review for the necessary data, it reveals the fact that the English language is a most essential language for the students of engineering  not only in Nepal but it is equally relevant in the global context as well. It suggests that there is widespread application of English language in the feld of engineering. Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 2015, 11(1): 182-188
A Short Note on Ancient Heritage Edifices after the 2015 Earthquake
Authors: Joshi Hikmat Raj
Published: March 2016

The ancient heritage edifces of Nepal have special characteristics both from technical and architectural point of view.  They have gone through several cultural and natural upheavals like tribal invasions and earthquakes.  In this paper, the attempts of the people to reinstate them, in the past and how it should be done, in the present context have been presented in a seminal way for further detail development, in the future. Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 2015, 11(1): 189-190
Age-related carbon dioxide reactivity in children after moderate and severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: Maa Tensing , Yeates Keith Owen , Moore-Clingenpeel Melissa , O'Brien Nicole F.
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to assess carbon dioxide reactivity (CO2R) in children following traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS

This prospective observational study enrolled children younger than 18 years old following moderate and severe TBI. Thirty-eight mechanically ventilated children had daily CO2R testing performed by measuring changes in their bilateral middle cerebral artery flow velocities using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) after a transient increase in minute ventilation. The cohort was divided into 3 age groups: younger than 2 years (n = 12); 2 to 5 years old (n = 9); and older than 5 years (n = 17).

RESULTS

Children younger than 2 years old had a lower mean CO2R over time. The 2–5-year-old age group had higher mean CO2R than younger patients (p = 0.01), and the highest CO2R values compared with either of the other age groups (vs > 5 years old, p = 0.046; vs < 2 years old, p = 0.002). Having a lower minimum CO2R had a statistically significant negative effect on outcome at discharge (p = 0.0413). Impaired CO2R beyond Postinjury Day 4 trended toward having an effect on outcome at discharge (p = 0.0855).

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal CO2R is prevalent in children following TBI, and the degree of impairment varies by age. No clinical or laboratory parameters were identified as risk factors for impaired CO2R. Lower minimum CO2R values are associated with worse outcome at discharge.
Registration of ‘Serenut 5R’ Groundnut
Authors: Okello D. K. , Deom C. M. , Puppala N. , Monyo E. , Bravo-Ureta Boris
Published: April 2016

‘Serenut 5R’ (Reg. No. CV‐129, PI 676092) is a new high‐yielding, spanish‐type groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. fastigiata var. vulgaris) with two seeds per pod. Serenut 5R was released in 2010 by the National Semi‐Arid Resources Research Institute, Soroti, Uganda. It was a selection from the ICRISAT advanced line ICGV‐SM 93535. Serenut 5R originated from a cross made between ICGM 522 and ‘RG 1’. ICGV‐SM 93535 was developed by using repeated bulk selections for groundnut rosette disease resistance, using the infector row technique at the ICRISAT‐Malawi research station. Performance tests in replicated trials were performed in Uganda in 2008 and 2009. Trials were performed in two seasons each year and averaged over 10 rainfed locations in Uganda. Serenut 5R matures in 100 to 110 d, similar to the widely grown control cultivar Serenut 3R. Serenut 5R resulted in significantly higher pod yields (16%) than Serenut 3R, and the shellout percentage for Serenut 5R was 4.8% higher than Serenut 3R. Seed testa is red, and the seeds are slightly larger than those of Serenut 3R. The sound mature kernel count for Serenut 5R was 38.7 g 100−1 compared with 32.38 g 100−1 for Serenut 3R, an increase of 19.51%. The dormancy period for Serenut 5R was significantly less than Serenut 3R.
Modifying Orthogonal Drawings for Label Placement
Authors: Kakoulis Konstantinos , Tollis Ioannis
Published: March 2016

In this paper, we investigate how one can modify an orthogonal graph drawing to accommodate the placement of overlap-free labels with the minimum cost (i.e., minimum increase of the area and preservation of the quality of the drawing). We investigate computational complexity issues of variations of that problem, and we present polynomial time algorithms that find the minimum increase of space in one direction, needed to resolve overlaps, while preserving the orthogonal representation of the orthogonal drawing when objects have a predefined partial order.
Study of the Properties of Bearberry Leaf Extract as a Natural Antioxidant in Model Foods
Authors: Mohd Azman Nurul , Gallego Maria , Segovia Francisco , Abdullah Sureena , Shaarani Shalyda , Almajano Pablos María
Published: April 2016

The common bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi L. Sprengel) is a ubiquitous procumbent evergreen shrub located throughout North America, Asia, and Europe. The fruits are almost tasteless but the plant contains a high concentration of active ingredients. The antioxidant activity of bearberry leaf extract in the 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical cation assay was 90.42 mmol Trolox equivalents/g dry weight (DW). The scavenging ability of the methanol extract of bearberry leaves against methoxy radicals generated in the Fenton reaction was measured via electron paramagnetic resonance. Lipid oxidation was retarded in an oil–water emulsion by adding 1 g/kg lyophilised bearberry leaf extract. Also, 1 g/kg of lyophilised bearberry leaf extract incorporated into a gelatin-based film displayed high antioxidant activity to retard the degradation of lipids in muscle foods. The present results indicate the potential of bearberry leaf extract for use as a natural food antioxidant.
A FBG Intensity Modulation System Combined with an Optical Whispering Gallery Mode Edge Filter
Authors: Wang Sheng-Feng , Chen Tao-Hsing , Tsai Liren , Huang Chien-Chang , Chiang Chia-Chin
Published: March 2016

In this study, we demonstrated an edge filter–based fiber Bragg grating (FBG) intensity modulation system to realize strain measurement. In order to establish a precise and highly sensitive intensity modulation system, we utilized a bent single-mode fiber to induce whispering gallery mode (WGM) interference as an edge filter and combined that with a FBG sensor. The interference spectra of the attenuation band for the WGM edge filter were tuned by adjusting the bending radii. In addition, we compared and analyzed the signals from the proposed vibration interrogating system and a strain gauge. The measured voltage signals from the proposed interrogation system were in close agreement with measured strains of the strain gauge. The experimental results showed that when the resonant wavelength of the WGM edge filter was 1535.10 nm, the filtration was better and the noise was lower within 100 Hz. Moreover, as the frequency of piezoelectric transducer (PZT) was at 400 and 1000 Hz, the better signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of 28.54 and 25.97 were measured at wavelength 1542.05 nm of the edge filter.
Effect of Different Conditions of Growth and Storage on the Cell Counts of Two Lactic Acid Bacteria after Spray Drying in Orange Juice
Authors: Barbosa Joana , Borges Sandra , Teixeira Paula
Published: March 2016

Consumers increasingly require innovative food products with health benefits. Thus, a dried orange juice incorporating probiotics could be a novel challenge. In this context, we investigated whether different sugars added to the culture media used for growth of two lactic acid bacteria contributed to their protection during spray drying in orange juice and subsequent storage under different conditions of temperature, light exposure and water activity. Cell viability during passage through simulated gastro-intestinal conditions was also investigated. Cells grown in culture medium containing fructose resulted in the worst survival rates during storage. High survival was observed for cells grown in the presence of lactose, followed by glucose. The survival of dried bacteria was enhanced at 4 °C, water activity of 0.03 and absence of daylight. For cells grown in standard culture medium and after 12 months of storage at 4 °C in orange juice powder (about 109 cfu/mL), there was a reduction of approximately 2 log-units for both lactic acid bacteria after gastro-intestinal tract passage simulation. Using the conditions of growth and storage investigated, it is possible to improve the survival rate of lactic acid bacteria and produce an orange juice powder with probiotic characteristics with shelf life of at least 12 months.
HPV Positive Head and Neck Cancers: Molecular Pathogenesis and Evolving Treatment Strategies
Authors: Dok Rüveyda , Nuyts Sandra
Published: March 2016

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly heterogeneous disease that is the result of tobacco and/or alcohol abuse or infection with high-risk Human papillomaviruses. Despite the fact that HPV positive HNSCC cancers form a distinct clinical entity with better treatment outcome, all HNSCC are currently treated uniformly with the same treatment modality. At present, biologic basis of these different outcomes and their therapeutic influence are areas of intense investigation. In this review, we will summarize the molecular basis for this different outcome, novel treatment opportunities and possible biomarkers for HPV positive HNSCC. In particular, the focus will be on several molecular targeted strategies that can improve the chemoradiation response by influencing DNA repair mechanisms.
New Method of Pulsed Electrodeposition of Nanostructure of ZnS Films
Authors: Dergacheva M.B. , Urazov K.A. , Khussurova G.M. , Leontyeva K.A.
Published: March 2016

The voltammetry method of analysis is used to investigate the electrochemical behavior of zinc(II) and thiosulfate (\(\text{S}_{2}\text{O}_{3}^{2-}\)) ions in acidic solutions and their electrochemical deposition onto glass coated with a conductive layer of tin oxide. It is found that electrodeposition conducted according to the two-electrode scheme using the pulse current generated by the industrial alternating current produces sound zinc sulfide deposits. Physical and chemical properties of obtained zinc sulfide films have been characterized by using scanning electron microscope and UV spectroscopy. The "cross-section" method is used to determine the thickness of zinc sulfide film, which is equal to 140–160 nm. The obtained films have n-type conductivity.
Current Issues in Finite-T Density-Functional Theory and Warm-Correlated Matter †
Authors: Dharma-wardana M.
Published: March 2016

Finite-temperature density functional theory (DFT) has become of topical interest, partly due to the increasing ability to create novel states of warm-correlated matter (WCM).Warm-dense matter (WDM), ultra-fast matter (UFM), and high-energy density matter (HEDM) may all be regarded as subclasses of WCM. Strong electron-electron, ion-ion and electron-ion correlation effects and partial degeneracies are found in these systems where the electron temperature Te is comparable to the electron Fermi energy EF. Thus, many electrons are in continuum states which are partially occupied. The ion subsystem may be solid, liquid or plasma, with many states of ionization with ionic charge Zj. Quasi-equilibria with the ion temperature Ti ≠ Te are common. The ion subsystem in WCM can no longer be treated as a passive “external potential”, as is customary in T = 0 DFT dominated by solid-state theory or quantum chemistry. Many basic questions arise in trying to implement DFT for WCM. Hohenberg-Kohn-Mermin theory can be adapted for treating these systems if suitable finite-T exchange-correlation (XC) functionals can be constructed. They are functionals of both the one-body electron density ne and the one-body ion densities ρj. Here, j counts many species of nuclei or charge states. A method of approximately but accurately mapping the quantum electrons to a classical Coulomb gas enables one to treat electron-ion systems entirely classically at any temperature and arbitrary spin polarization, using exchange-correlation effects calculated in situ, directly from the pair-distribution functions. This eliminates the need for any XC-functionals. This classical map has been used to calculate the equation of state of WDM systems, and construct a finite-T XC functional that is found to be in close agreement with recent quantum path-integral simulation data. In this review, current developments and concerns in finite-T DFT, especially in the context of non-relativistic warm-dense matter and ultra-fast matter will be presented.
Grand Canonical Monte Carlo Simulation of Nitrogen Adsorption in a Silica Aerogel Model
Authors: Xie Wen-Li , Chen Zheng-Ji , Li Zeng , Tao Wen-Quan
Published: April 2016

In this paper, the Diffusion Limited Cluster Aggregation (DLCA) method is employed to reconstruct the three-dimensional network of silica aerogel. Then, simulation of nitrogen adsorption at 77 K in silica aerogel is conducted by the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) method. To reduce the computational cost and guarantee accuracy, a continuous-discrete hybrid potential model, as well as an adsorbed layer thickness estimation method, is employed. Four different structures are generated to investigate impacts of specific surface area and porosity on adsorptive capacity. Good agreement with experimental results is found over a wide range of relative pressures, which proves the validity of the model. Specific surface area and porosity mainly affect nitrogen uptake under low pressure and high pressure, respectively.
A Method for Measuring Treatment Effects on the Treated without Randomization
Authors: Swamy P.A.V.B. , Hall Stephen , Tavlas George , Chang I-Lok , Gibson Heather , Greene William , Mehta Jatinder
Published: March 2016

This paper contributes to the literature on the estimation of causal effects by providing an analytical formula for individual specific treatment effects and an empirical methodology that allows us to estimate these effects. We derive the formula from a general model with minimal restrictions, unknown functional form and true unobserved variables such that it is a credible model of the underlying real world relationship. Subsequently, we manipulate the model in order to put it in an estimable form. In contrast to other empirical methodologies, which derive average treatment effects, we derive an analytical formula that provides estimates of the treatment effects on each treated individual. We also provide an empirical example that illustrates our methodology.
Recovering the Most Entropic Copulas from Preliminary Knowledge of Dependence
Authors: Chu Ba , Satchell Stephen
Published: March 2016

This paper provides a new approach to recover relative entropy measures of contemporaneous dependence from limited information by constructing the most entropic copula (MEC) and its canonical form, namely the most entropic canonical copula (MECC). The MECC can effectively be obtained by maximizing Shannon entropy to yield a proper copula such that known dependence structures of data (e.g., measures of association) are matched to their empirical counterparts. In fact the problem of maximizing the entropy of copulas is the dual to the problem of minimizing the Kullback-Leibler cross entropy (KLCE) of joint probability densities when the marginal probability densities are fixed. Our simulation study shows that the proposed MEC estimator can potentially outperform many other copula estimators in finite samples.
Progress in Heat Pump Air Conditioning Systems for Electric Vehicles—A Review
Authors: Peng Qinghong , Du Qungui
Published: March 2016

Electric vehicles have become increasingly popular in recent years due to our limited natural resources. As a result, interest in climate control systems for electric vehicles is rising rapidly. According to a variety of research sources, the heat pump air conditioning system seems to be a potential climate control system for electric vehicles. In this paper, an extensive literature review has been performed on the progress in heat pump air conditioning systems for electric vehicles. First, a review of applications of alternative environmentally friendly refrigerants in electric vehicles is introduced. This is followed by a review of other advanced technologies, such as the inverter technology, innovative components and the system structure of the heat pump air conditioning system for electric vehicles. Lastly, recent developments in multiple source heat pump systems are presented. The use of these advanced technologies can provide not only sufficient refrigerating capacity for the electric vehicle, but also higher climate control system efficiency. We believe that ideal practical air conditioning for electric vehicles can be attained in the near future as the mentioned technical problems are gradually resolved.
Sliding-Mode Control of a Charger/Discharger DC/DC Converter for DC-Bus Regulation in Renewable Power Systems
Authors: Serna-Garcés Sergio , Gonzalez Montoya Daniel , Ramos-Paja Carlos
Published: March 2016

Stand-alone power systems based on renewable energy sources are used to replace generators based on fossil fuels. Those renewable power systems also require Energy Storage Devices (ESD) interfaced by a charger/discharger power converter, which consist of a bidirectional DC/DC converter, and a DC bus. This paper proposes a single sliding-mode controller (SMC) for the charger/discharger DC/DC converter to provide a stable DC bus voltage in any operation condition: charging or discharging the ESD, or even without any power exchange between the ESD and the DC bus. Due to the non-linear nature of the power converter, the SMC parameters are adapted on-line to ensure global stability in any operation condition. Such stability of the adaptive SMC is mathematically demonstrated using analytical expressions for the transversality, reachability and equivalent control conditions. Moreover, a design procedure for the adaptive SMC parameters is provided in order to ensure the dynamic response required for the correct operation of the load. Finally, simulations and experimental tests validate the proposed controller and design procedure.
Catalytic Intermediate Pyrolysis of Napier Grass in a Fixed Bed Reactor with ZSM-5, HZSM-5 and Zinc-Exchanged Zeolite-A as the Catalyst
Authors: Mohammed Isah , Kazi Feroz , Yusup Suzana , Alaba Peter , Sani Yahaya , Abakr Yousif
Published: March 2016

The environmental impact from the use of fossil fuel cum depletion of the known fossil oil reserves has led to increasing interest in liquid biofuels made from renewable biomass. This study presents the first experimental report on the catalytic pyrolysis of Napier grass, an underutilized biomass source, using ZSM-5, 0.3HZSM-5 and zinc exchanged zeolite-A catalyst. Pyrolysis was conducted in fixed bed reactor at 600 °C, 30 °C/min and 7 L/min nitrogen flow rate. The effect of catalyst-biomass ratio was evaluated with respect to pyrolysis oil yield and composition. Increasing the catalyst loading from 0.5 to 1.0 wt % showed no significant decrease in the bio-oil yield, particularly, the organic phase and thereafter decreased at catalyst loadings of 2.0 and 3.0 wt %. Standard analytical methods were used to establish the composition of the pyrolysis oil, which was made up of various aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatics and other valuable chemicals and varied greatly with the surface acidity and pore characteristics of the individual catalysts. This study has demonstrated that pyrolysis oil with high fuel quality and value added chemicals can be produced from pyrolysis of Napier grass over acidic zeolite based catalysts.
Assessment of Biomass Energy Potential and Forest Carbon Stocks in Biscay (Spain)
Authors: Mateos Esperanza , Garrido Florencio , Ormaetxea Leyre
Published: March 2016

The aim of this research is to identify, quantify and characterize the potential available forest biomass of Pinus radiata D. Don and Eucalyptus globulus Labill. across Biscay province in northern Spain. In order to do this, we have used information from the National Inventories of Spain to quantify the amount of carbon dioxide accumulated in the forests of Biscay by means of stratum-species-based forestry statistics. The total biomass and biomass fractions have been estimated using two different methods: allometric biomass equations (ABE) and biomass expansion factors (BEF). The second objective is to develop a methodology to quantify and produce a cartography of the prospective energy production of residual biomass from the most representative forest species of Biscay. For this purpose, we have used a Geographic Information System (GIS) computer tool. We have found that the stock of carbon accumulated in the main forest species in Biscay in 2014 amounts to 8.2 Tg (ABE) and 6.63 Tg (BEF) equivalent to 30 and 24.3 Tg of CO2, respectively. The quantity of forestry biomass residue (FBR) obtained has been estimated as 52,214 Mg·year-1 dry matter. This amount means a prospective energy supply of 947,000 GJ·year-1.
Distinct Characteristics of Rye and Wheat Breads Impact on Their in Vitro Gastric Disintegration and in Vivo Glucose and Insulin Responses
Authors: Nordlund Emilia , Katina Kati , Mykkänen Hannu , Poutanen Kaisa
Published: March 2016

Disintegration of rye and wheat breads during in vitro gastric digestion and its relation to the postprandial glucose and insulin responses of the breads was studied. Breads with distinct composition and texture characteristics were prepared with refined or wholegrain wheat and rye flour by using either straight dough or sourdough process. After chewing and gastric digestion in vitro, 100% wholemeal and refined rye breads prepared by sourdough method were disintegrated to a much lower extent than the wheat breads, having more bread digesta particles with size over 2 or 3 mm. Microstructure of the digesta particles of rye sourdough bread revealed more aggregated and less degraded starch granules when compared to refined wheat bread. The postprandial insulin responses, but not those of glucose, to the 100% rye breads made with sourdough method were lower than the responses to the refined wheat bread. Addition of gluten or bran in rye sourdough bread increased insulin response. PCA (Principal Component Analysis) analysis confirmed that the insulin response had a negative correlation with the number of larger particles after in vitro digestion as well as amount of soluble fiber and sourdough process. Since the high relative proportion of large sized particles after chewing and in vitro gastric digestion was associated with low postprandial insulin responses, the analysis of structural disintegration in vitro is proposed as a complementary tool in predicting postprandial physiology.
GIS and Optimisation: Potential Benefits for Emergency Facility Location in Humanitarian Logistics
Authors: Rodríguez-Espíndola Oscar , Albores Pavel , Brewster Christopher
Published: March 2016

Floods are one of the most dangerous and common disasters worldwide, and these disasters are closely linked to the geography of the affected area. As a result, several papers in the academic field of humanitarian logistics have incorporated the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for disaster management. However, most of the contributions in the literature are using these systems for network analysis and display, with just a few papers exploiting the capabilities of GIS to improve planning and preparedness. To show the capabilities of GIS for disaster management, this paper uses raster GIS to analyse potential flooding scenarios and provide input to an optimisation model. The combination is applied to two real-world floods in Mexico to evaluate the value of incorporating GIS for disaster planning. The results provide evidence that including GIS analysis for a decision-making tool in disaster management can improve the outcome of disaster operations by reducing the number of facilities used at risk of flooding. Empirical results imply the importance of the integration of advanced remote sensing images and GIS for future systems in humanitarian logistics.
The Near-Death Experience: A Reality Check?
Authors: Marsh Michael
Published: March 2016

This paper critically reviews assertions that near-death and out-of-body experiences (ND/OBE) offer proof of extra-corporeal existence when the brain is supposedly “dead”. While this field has almost moved away from mere anecdotal recording, the current trend is focussed on demonstrating existence without functional brains. These endeavours have fallen far short of anticipated results—that cardiac patients would report on strategically-placed markers around acute resuscitation units. Two problems arise: a failure to produce corroborative empirical evidence for extra-corporeal cognition (a) when the brain is “dead”, (or “clinically dead”, so-called) and (b) how the memory required for recall could paradoxically be set down at that critical time-point. The view advanced here is that ND/OBE occur as subjects’ states are returning to complete resumption of conscious-awareness and which, from several published accounts, is particularly abrupt but which nevertheless accounts perfectly for memory—and recall. Similar transcendental adventures accompanying returns to conscious-awareness occur with other preceding states of reduced consciousness. Most recollections are intensely geo-physical, anthropomorphic, banal and illogical: their dream-like fantasy provides nothing revelatory about life without a brain, or importantly, about other supposed cosmic contexts. Additionally, it is proposed that since prevalence rates are so extremely low (<1% globally), the few subjects undergoing ND/OBE may have predisposed brains, genetically, structurally or resulting from previous psychological stress. In a somewhat similar vein to post-traumatic stress disorder, subjects with predisposed brains exhibit markedly changed post-experiential phenotypes, so that the ND/OBE itself could be viewed as a transient, accompanying epiphenomenon.
Association between Ambient Air Pollution and Asthma Prevalence in Different Population Groups Residing in Eastern Texas, USA
Authors: Gorai Amit , Tchounwou Paul , Tuluri Francis
Published: March 2016

Air pollution has been an on-going research focus due to its detrimental impact on human health. However, its specific effects on asthma prevalence in different age groups, genders and races are not well understood. Thus, the present study was designed to examine the association between selected air pollutants and asthma prevalence in different population groups during 2010 in the eastern part of Texas, USA.The pollutants considered were particulate matter (PM2.5 with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 micrometers) and surface ozone. The population groups were categorized based on age, gender, and race. County-wise asthma hospital discharge data for different age, gender, and racial groups were obtained from Texas Asthma Control Program, Office of Surveillance, Evaluation and Research, Texas Department of State Health Services. The annual means of the air pollutants were obtained from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)’s air quality system data mart program. Pearson correlation analyzes were conducted to examine the relationship between the annual mean concentrations of pollutants and asthma discharge rates (ADR) for different age groups, genders, and races. The results reveal that there is no significant association or relationship between ADR and exposure of air pollutants (PM2.5, and O3). The study results showed a positive correlation between PM2.5 and ADR and a negative correlation between ADR and ozone in most of the cases. These correlations were not statistically significant, and can be better explained by considering the local weather conditions. The research findings facilitate identification of hotspots for controlling the most affected populations from further environmental exposure to air pollution, and for preventing or reducing the health impacts.