bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The wisdom of the road
Authors: Banerjee Payal
Published: August 2018

The Silk Roads Ethos (SRE; Ling, 2014) animates the idea that India and China must draw from the legacy of historical exchanges for future cooperation. Mainstream scholarship on the subject employs and relies predominantly on a state-centric rivalry-oriented framework to study the issue, in which a standard focus on demographic comparisons, growth rates, GDP, FDI, energy-security complex, and cognate connotations of “hypermasculine war games” demarcate India-China relations in mutually distinct and discrete “boxed” categories (Banerjee and Ling, 2010). It also does not engage with the growing body of historically attuned, critical scholarship that focuses on the nuances of exchange, collaboration, and conflict between India and China. If scholars working on China-India are serious about offering a counter-hegemonic alternative to the current work-manuals, then our research approaches in understanding one another must also employ a counter-hegemonic epistemology. Drawing on insights from two recent collaborative projects, one on hydro-power projects in India and China, and a second, larger project on India-China relations, this article outlines the specific ways in which the wisdom of the SRE carries with it unequivocal empirical and pedagogical possibilities.
Metaphysical mapping: A methodology to map the consciousness of organizations
Authors: Russ Helen
Published: August 2018

Intuitively, groups of people, be it a business, sporting club, or international corporation are recognized by a particular flavor of consciousness. Broadly described as organizational culture, this article presents a methodology to systematically enter and explore organizational consciousness described by Helen Russ as the organizational lexion. Drawn from idealist philosophy, particularly Plato’s Theory of Forms, metaphysical mapping is a systematic subjective technique to map consciousness, described by Plato as intelligible realms. Plato uses the Allegory of the Cave and the Analogy of the Divided Line to explain the difference between the visible and the intelligible. This article presents a method to systematically enter and explore that which is intelligible within an organizational context. Case studies in Ireland, Australia, and the United States are the contexts. The methodology is significant because it provides a subjective, systematic, repeatable process to map and, therefore critique, the consciousness of groups. Organizations largely run on “vibes” on subtle feelings and beliefs. This method allows mappers to enter this field of perception and experience the pathways, behavior, and systems of the lexion from the inside. A plethora of qualitative and quantitative techniques explore organizational behavior and culture. These techniques use participant observation, surveys, and metaphor to explore what can be known through conceptual, analytical, or descriptive mental processes. Edgar Schein argues that (1) artifacts and behaviors, (2) espoused values, and (3) shared basic assumptions are categories for understanding culture. There are, to date, no techniques recognized academically that actively engage with Noetic realms, beyond the levels described by Schein. Metaphysical mapping provides material to critique, discuss, and actively work with organizational consciousness. While it has significant implications for organizational integrity and design, here it is presented as an additional qualitative tool for understanding the lexion or “meta” organization within a mixed methods framework.
Reading Errors in Second Language Learners
Authors: Obiegbu Ifeyinwa Rita
Published: August 2018

This study posits that there are divergent positions among scholars regarding the roles of experiential and linguistic factors in reading incompetence among Second Language (L2) readers. This study was conducted with a view to determining the exact sources of reading errors among selected second language learners. The goal was to suggest strategies of reading improvement, using the context of the research as a microcosm of Nigeria and, by extension, other second language contexts. It emerged that reading competence was typically low. However, it is significant that linguistic inadequacies accounted for the bulk of the reading errors identified. This study advocates an approach to reading instruction which emphasizes wide reading, that is, extensive reading. This approach not only generates interest in reading but also creates the opportunity for the learners to gain exposure to data of the target language thereby improving their linguistic skills and subsequently improving their L2 reading.
Diagnostic Testing and Decision-Making: Beauty Is Not Just in the Eye of the Beholder
Authors: Vetter Thomas R. , Schober Patrick , Mascha Edward J.
Published: August 2018

To use a diagnostic test effectively and consistently in their practice, clinicians need to know how well the test distinguishes between those patients who have the suspected acute or chronic disease and those patients who do not. Clinicians are equally interested and usually more concerned whether, based on the results of a screening test, a given patient actually: (1) does or does not have the suspected disease; or (2) will or will not subsequently experience the adverse event or outcome. Medical tests that are performed to screen for a risk factor, diagnose a disease, or to estimate a patient’s prognosis are frequently a key component of a clinical research study. Like therapeutic interventions, medical tests require proper analysis and demonstrated efficacy before being incorporated into routine clinical practice. This basic statistical tutorial, thus, discusses the fundamental concepts and techniques related to diagnostic testing and medical decision-making, including sensitivity and specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, positive and negative likelihood ratio, receiver operating characteristic curve, diagnostic accuracy, choosing a best cut-point for a continuous variable biomarker, comparing methods on diagnostic accuracy, and design of a diagnostic accuracy study.
Short chain ceramides disrupt immunoreceptor signaling by inhibiting segregation of Lo from Ld plasma membrane components
Authors: Holowka David , Thanapuasuwan Kankanit , Baird Barbara
Published: August 2018

Lipid phase heterogeneity in plasma membranes is thought to play a key role in targeting cellular signaling, but efforts to test lipid raft and related hypotheses are limited by the spatially dynamic nature of these phase-based structures in cells and by experimental characterization tools. We suggest that perturbation of plasma membrane structure by lipid derivatives offers a general method for assessing functional roles for ordered lipid regions in membrane and cell biology. We previously reported that short chain ceramides with either C2 or C6 acyl chains inhibit antigen-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization (Gidwani et al., 2003). We now show that these short chain ceramides inhibit liquid order (Lo)-liquid disorder (Ld) phase separation in giant plasma membrane vesicles that normally occurs at low temperatures. Furthermore, they are effective inhibitors of tyrosine phosphorylation stimulated by antigen, as well as store-operated Ca2+ entry. In Jurkat T cells, C6-ceramide is also effective at inhibiting Ca2+ mobilization stimulated by either anti-TCR or thapsigargin, consistent with the view that these short chain ceramides effectively interfere with functional responses that depend on ordered lipid regions in the plasma membrane.
All three IP3 receptor subtypes generate Ca2+ puffs, the universal building blocks of IP3-evoked Ca2+ signals
Authors: Mataragka Stefania , Taylor Colin W.
Published: August 2018

All three subtypes of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) are intracellular Ca2+ channels that are co-regulated by IP3 and Ca2+. This allows IP3Rs to evoke regenerative Ca2+ signals, the smallest of which are Ca2+ puffs that reflect the coordinated opening of a few clustered IP3Rs. We use total internal reflection microscopy (TIRF) microscopy to record Ca2+ signals in HEK cells expressing all three IP3R subtypes or a single native subtype. Ca2+ puffs are less frequent in cells expressing one IP3R subtype, commensurate with them expressing fewer IP3Rs than wild-type cells. However, all three IP3R subtypes generate broadly similar Ca2+ puffs with similar numbers of IP3Rs contributing to each. This suggests that IP3R clusters may be assembled by conserved mechanisms that generate similarly sized clusters across different IP3R expression levels. The Ca2+ puffs evoked by IP3R2 had slower kinetics and more prolonged durations, which may be due to IP3 binding with greater affinity to IP3R2. We conclude that Ca2+ puffs are the building blocks for the Ca2+ signals evoked by all IP3Rs.
Hanging in suspense
Authors: Carswell John
Published: August 2018

Πρόσφατα είχα την ευκαιρία να καταγράψω ένα ογκώδες σφαιρικό αντικείμενο ανάρτησης κατασκευασμένο στο Ιζνίκ, το οποίο με έκανε να αναρωτηθώ για τη χρήση αυτών των αντικειμένων. Συχνά συνδέονται με κρεμαστές καντήλες της ίδιας τεχνοτροπίας, και έχουμε μαρτυρίες ότι κατασκευάζονταν από την πρωιμότερη παραγωγή των κεραμικών Ιζνίκ των χρόνων γύρω στο 1580. Αυτό διήρκεσε όλο τον 17ο αιώνα και όταν εξέλιπε η συνήθεια να διακοσμούνται τα τζαμιά με αυτά τα αντικείμενα, συνεχίστηκε και από τους Χριστιανούς τον 18ο αιώνα για τη διακόσμηση των ορθόδοξων και των αρμενικών εκκλησιών. Τόσο για τους ορθόδοξους όσο και για τους μουσουλμάνους φαίνεται ότι υπήρχαν συγκεκριμένες παραπομπές σε έναν πολΰ παλαιότερο συμβολισμό που συνδεόταν με αγροτικές και γονιμικές τελετές. Ένα από τα πλέον εντυπωσιακά σφαιρικά αντικείμενα ανάρτησης βρίσκεται στο Μουσείο Μπενάκη. Συνδέεται άμεσα με την τεχνοτροπία και τη διακόσμηση μιας παρόμοιας καντήλας, άλλοτε αναρτημένης στο Τρούλο του Βράχου της Ιερουσαλήμ (σήμερα στο Βρετανικό Μουσείο). Η καντήλα είναι υπογεγραμμένη από τον κεραμέα Μουσλί και χρονολογείται το 1549. Το αντικείμενο ήταν κατασκευασμένο αναμφίβολα την ίδια εποχή. Αυτό που κεντρίζει το ενδιαφέρον είναι ότι πρέπει να κατασκευάστηκαν την εποχή που ο σουλτάνος Σουλεϊμάν επισκεύαζε τον Τρούλο του Βράχου. Θα μπορούσε ο Μουσλί να είχε κάποια σχέοη με την επένδυση με κεραμικά πλακίδια της εξωτερικής όψης που κατασκεύασε αυτήν την εποχή ο Αμπντουλάχ από την Ταμπρίζ; Ορισμένες λεπτομέρειες, όπως τα σχηματοποιημένα σύννεφα και μια μικρή δέσμη με τρεις τουλίπες που χρησιμεύουν ως γέμισμα του βάθους στην επιγραφή της βόρειας εισόδου του Τρούλου του Βράχου, ίσως να δηλώνει ότι αυτό το πλαίσιο μαζί με εκείνο πάνω από τη νότια είσοδο σχεδιάστηκαν από τον Μουσλί. Πιθανότατα έγιναν στο Ιζνίκ για την αναστήλωση του σουλτάνου Σουλεϊμάν, αντίθετα με την υπόλοιπη κεράμωση, για την οποία υπάρχουν πληροφορίες ότι κατασκευάστηκε στην Ιερουσαλήμ
Working drawings: research and study programme
Authors: Vassilaki Maria
Published: August 2018

Μέσα στις συνθήκες που διαμορφώνονται με την πτώση της Κωνσταντινούπολης το 1453 και τη διάλυση του βυζαντινού κράτους, η Κρήτη -βενετική κτήση από τις αρχές του 13ου αιώνα (1210) μετασχηματίζεται στο σημαντικότερο καλλιτεχνικό κέντρο του ορθόδοξου κόσμου. Πολυάριθμα εργαστήρια ζωγραφικής οργανώνονται στα αστικά κέντρα του νησιού και ιδιαίτερα στην πρωτεύουσα του τον Χάνδακα, που αναλαμβάνουν μεγάλες παραγγελίες εικόνων. Για να αντεπεξέλθουν στην αυξημένη ζήτηση της αγοράς οργανώνονται κατάλληλα όχι μόνο σε επίπεδο έμψυχου δυναμικού αλλά και σε εκείνο του τεχνολογικού εξοπλισμού. Διερευνώντας τους τρόπους με τους οποίους οι Κρητικοί ζωγράφοι από τον 15ο έως και τον 17ο αιώνα αναπαρήγαγαν και μετέφεραν τα εικονογραφικά τους δέματα από εικόνα σε εικόνα, διαπιστώνουμε ότι αυτό γινόταν με τη βοήθεια ανθιβόλων. Τα ανθίβολα ήταν δηλαδή σχέδια εργασίας με τα οποία οι Κρητικοί ζωγράφοι μπορούσαν να αντιγράψουν και να μεταφέρουν αυτούσιο και «κατά γράμμα» το εικονογραφικό θέμα μιας εικόνας σε μιαν άλλη. Στο Τμήμα Ζωγραφικής, Χαρακτικών και Σχεδίων του Μουσείου Μπενάκη φυλάσσονται δύο πολύ σημαντικοί φάκελοι με ανθίβολα. Τον πρώτο είχε αγοράσει ο ίδιος ο Αντώνης Μπενάκης από τον αρχαιοπώλη Θεόδωρο Ζουμπουλάκη στα μέσα της δεκαετίας του '40. Ο φάκελος αυτός αποτελείται από 372 συνοπτικά σχέδια τοιχογραφιών και σχετίζεται με το Άγιο Όρος. Ο δεύτερος φάκελος ανήκε στο γνωστό βυζαντινολόγο Ανδρέα Ξυγγόπουλο, ο οποίος τον είχε αποκτήσει μέσω του αρχαιοπώλη Δημοσθένη Στάικου, και μετά το θάνατο του το 1979 κληροδοτήθηκε στο Μουσείο Μπενάκη. Ο φάκελος αποτελείται από 464 φύλλα με διάτρητα στην πλειονότητα τους σχέδια, που σχετίζονται με εικόνες. Με τη μελέτη των φακέλων αυτών είχε ασχοληθεί η αείμνηστη Λασκαρίνα Μπούρα και μετά το θάνατο της η γράφουσα ανέλαβε τη συνέχιση και ολοκλήρωση της μελέτης τους με στόχο την τελική δημοσίευση τους σε επιστημονικό κατάλογο. Τα ανθίβολα αρχικά καταγράφηκαν σε παραδοσιακές καρτέλες και στη συνέχεια σε ηλεκτρονικές. Κατόπιν, και με τη μέθοδο της Β-ραδιογραφίας, έγινε προσπάθεια να αποτυπωθούν τα υδατόσημα, τα οποία πολλές φορές διατηρούνται πάνω στο χαρτί των ανθιβόλων. Η χρονολόγηση των υδατόσημων προσφέρει το πιο σταθερό terminus για τη χρονολόγηση των ίδιων των ανθιβόλων.
Τα διάφορα, τα διάφορα να μην σας είν' αδιάφορα
Authors: Καρδαμίτση-Αδάμη Μάρω
Published: August 2018

Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη.
Haematology of N’Dama and West African Shorthorn cattle herds under natural Trypanosoma vivax challenge in Ghana
Authors: Ganyo Ebenezer Yaw , Boampong Johnson N , Masiga Daniel K , Villinger Jandouwe , Turkson Paa Kobina
Published: August 2018

Background: Animal trypanosomosis is a major cause of economic loss in livestock production in Africa. A suggested control measure is to use breeds with traits of trypanotolerance. The study examines the effect of natural Trypanosoma vivax challenge on haematological parameters in two trypanotolerant cattle [N’Dama and West African Shorthorn (WASH)] herds.

Methods: Trypanosoma vivax-specific primers were used to diagnose T. vivax infection in an N’Dama herd at Cape Coast in southern Ghana and a WASH herd at Chegbani in northern Ghana from May to July 2011 in a cross-sectional study. Levels of haematological parameters comprising packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and red blood cell (RBC) and total white blood cell (TWBC) counts; differential WBC counts (neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes and basophils); and RBC indices of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were determined in blood samples and then compared between infected and uninfected cattle.

Results: We found that haematological indices for infected and uninfected animals in both breeds were within the normal range. However, the mean PCV values for T. vivax-infected WASH and N’Dama were lower in infected compared to uninfected animals. The difference was significant ( p< 0.05) in N’Dama but not in WASH.

Conclusion: Despite the presence of infection by T. vivax, N’Dama and WASH cattle maintained their haematological parameters within acceptable normal ranges,  which confirms their trypanotolerant trait. This highlights the need for low-input traditional African farmers in medium, high and severe tsetse challenge areas to be educated on the advantages of N’Dama and WASH breeds to increase their utilization in integrated tsetse and trypanosomosis control programmes.
TRGAted: A web tool for survival analysis using protein data in the Cancer Genome Atlas.
Authors: Borcherding Nicholas , Bormann Nicholas L. , Voigt Andrew P. , Zhang Weizhou
Published: August 2018

Reverse-phase protein arrays (RPPAs) are a highthroughput approach to protein quantification utilizing an antibody-based micro-to-nano scale dot blot. Within the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), RPPAs were used to quantify over 200 proteins in 8,167 tumor or metastatic samples. This protein-level data has particular advantages in assessing putative prognostic or therapeutic targets in tumors. However, many of the available pipelines do not allow for the partitioning of clinical and RPPA information to make meaningful conclusions. We developed a cloud-based application, TRGAted to enable researchers to better examine survival based on single or multiple proteins across 31 cancer types in the TCGA. TRGAted contains up-to-date overall survival, disease-specific survival, disease-free interval and progression-free interval information. Furthermore, survival information for primary tumor samples can be stratified based on gender, age, tumor stage, histological type, and subtype, allowing for highly adaptive and intuitive user experience. The code and processed data is open sourced and available on github  and with a tutorial built into the application for assisting users.
Pilot study of publicly available data to evaluate the relationship between forest fires and emergency department visits due to asthma in the state of California
Authors: Srour Hayat , Fomenko Ruslan , Baguley Joshua , Bellinger Shandra , Jordan Angel , Sutton Jennifer , Santana Melany , Marull Armando , Abdalhuk Musheer , Rivera-Mariani Félix E.
Published: August 2018

The focus of this study was to determine the relationship between asthma-related emergency department (ED) visits and fires in the state of California. Publicly available data of ED visits due to asthma, as well as occurrence of forest fires in California from 2005 to 2015 were obtained, where the California counties were grouped by region: North, Coastal, Motherload, Central, and South.  There were no statistical differences with regards to acres of forest burned, but statistically significant differences were found (although small) with regards to ED visits due to asthma attacks by region (Motherload higher than South region). When evaluating the relationship of ED visits due to asthma and acres of forest burned, forest fires barely explained the variability of emergency department visits (r2 = f 0.05, p<0.01). With aims to establish a connection between natural disasters and respiratory distress, we faced obstacles in data limitations and confounding variables. This paper serves as a pilot study supporting the need for further exploration of environmental, health, and socio-demographic variables that interplay when evaluating relationships of natural disasters and incidence of chronic diseases, such as asthma.
Breast cancer
Authors: Peate Ian
Published: August 2018

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed life-threatening cancer in women globally and is the leading cause of cancer death among women. Breast cancer may be discovered either while in situ or as a malignant neoplasm (a new and abnormal growth of tissue). This article considers breast cancer and provides the healthcare assistant and assistant practitioner (HCA and AP) with an overview of the disease. The anatomy of the female breast is outlined and the incidence of the disease discussed. Risk factors are described, along with the signs and symptoms of the disease. An overview of how a diagnosis is made is provided, along with treatment options. Preventative measures—health-promotion activities—are also included. A glossary of terms is provided, as well as five multiple-choice questions.
How to prepare and deliver a good presentation: general principles for success
Authors: Stonehouse David
Published: August 2018

The author has more than 14 years' experience in higher education, supporting students in delivering presentations for assessment and in marking across all levels up to masters, and as an external examiner. This article examines and highlights the general principles that will assist the student in writing, preparing and delivering a successful presentation. Standing up in front of your peers, tutors, or interviewers can be one of the most stressful things students and job applicants face.

The aim of this article is to give advice and encouragement to the student, thereby hopefully reducing some of the stress that presentations cause.

Areas such as the length of the presentation, structure and content, maintaining confidentiality, referencing, presentation marking criteria, spelling and grammar, font size and clutter, animation and colour, individual or group presentations, poster presentations, preparing for questions, audience participation, notes and handouts, confidence and body language, and feedback will be discussed.
The Effect of the Layered Curriculum on the 6th Grade Students’ Learning Styles in Science Lesson
Authors: Koç-Akran Sevda , Üzüm Burhan
Published: August 2018

This study mainly aims to determine the effect of the layered curriculum on the 6th grade students’ learning styles in science lesson. The study group consists of students in the 6/A and 6/D at Fevzi Cakmak Secondary School in the city center of Siirt-Turkey in the academic year of 2015-2016. “Learning Styles Inventory” developed by Kolb and translated into Turkish by Askar and Akkoyunlu, diaries of students and semi-structured interview form developed by researchers and examination of the documents were used as data collection tools. As for data analysis, percent (%) and chi-square techniques were used to determine the learning styles of students, but in the analysis of students’ opinions the descriptive analysis was used. During the study, students were also asked to express their experiences and considerations about learning activities via a diary. The thoughts and feelings reflected in the diaries of students were directly quoted in findings. As a result of the analysis, in pre-test results of the students in the experimental group exposed to the layered curriculum, a significant difference was found in terms of gender; however, no significant difference was found in their post-test results.
Designing a sustainable future through fashion education
Authors: Radclyffe-Thomas Natascha
Published: August 2018

With production moving offshore in the race to the bottom, necessary to satisfy increased demand for more garments and faster trends delivered at lower prices, fashion in the developed world has become not just fast, but disposable. One of the ‘successes’ of the twentieth-century fashion industry was to democratize fashion; by adopting mass production techniques and sourcing from low-wage economies, fashion retailers were able to produce runway looks at more affordable prices. Concurrently, developments in fashion media sped up the communication of fashion and we have seen an exponential proliferation of enticing creative imagery circulating from brands, models, online influencers and passionate amateurs. Consequently, rates of fashion consumption have risen, unacceptable working conditions continue for many, and the fashion industry is facing complex and demanding challenges including resources, climate change, waste, labour conditions and income inequality. Much as we now understand how garment design has an exponential impact on a garment’s sustainability, and recognize that incorporating sustainable design principles is paramount, so those of us in fashion education should prioritize sustainability in our curriculum design and increasingly, I have felt a responsibility to bring these issues into the classroom, to design a fashion education that acknowledges and addresses ethical and sustainable aspects of fashion.
Predicting consumer intention to purchase clothing products made from sustainable fabrics: Implications for the fast-fashion industry
Authors: Yoo Jeong-Ju , Divita Lorynn , Kim Hye-Young
Published: August 2018

The goal of this study is to investigate the differential influences of environmental concern and fashion opinion leadership on consumer intention to purchase clothing products made from sustainable fabrics. In doing so, this study examines the mediating role of environmental attitude towards clothing consumption. The data were collected from 122 US college students with an average age of 21.4. The majority of the participants were female (83.6 per cent) and Caucasian (64.5 per cent). A weighted least squares (WLS) hierarchical regression analysis was used for the data analysis. The results suggested that fashion opinion leadership was a more powerful determinant than environmental concern in predicting consumer intention to purchase clothing products made from sustainable fabrics. However, environmental attitude towards clothing consumption did not serve as a significant mediator. These findings provide beneficial insight for fast-fashion retailers mainly targeting fashion opinion leaders. Managerial implications are discussed to delineate how fast-fashion retailers can benefit from sustainable production and retailing strategies.
Re-fashioning the garment industry: Exploring innovations for a circular economy
Authors: Hussain Talia
Published: August 2018

The circular economy is promoted as an innovation and growth model for a garment industry widely understood to be wasteful, polluting and ripe for change. There is a growing body of knowledge related to sustainability, design, eco-innovation and business; there is, however, a scarcity of material that examines all subjects as they relate to the garment industry. There exists, in both literature and practice, a conceptual gap between the commercial viewpoint and established thinking around sustainable practices. There is a lack of research investigating operations management, buying and merchandising roles in apparel product development. Understanding the influence of these functional roles is crucial in developing strategies for closing the gap between commercial and environmentally sustainable practices and bringing innovations to market. Investment in sustainability-related knowledge and capabilities within firms is needed. Reconsidering the role of fashion designers, expanding their training and elevating them to process-leading problem-solvers could unlock new sources of value within the industry.
Some characterizations of raised cosine distribution
Authors: Ahsanullah M , Shakil M
Published: August 2018

Some distributional properties of the raised cosine distribution are presented. Based on the distributional properties, several new characterizations of the raised cosine distribution are given.Â
Ebola: History and some implications for Africa
Authors: Pavlik Ivo , Lategan François , Verter Nahanga
Published: August 2018

The Ebola disease derives its name after a small river, the Ebola River, flowing through the former Zaire (present day DR Congo) and was formally named in 1976. The disease belongs to the category of diseases referred to as “haemorrhagic fever”; the causal agent – a filovirus (from Latin “filo” = thread) belonging to the Filoviridae family. The treatment of Ebola has been only symptomatic, i.e. based on mitigation of the symptoms related to the infection, such as kidneys and liver. An effective vaccine has not been developed yet, even though rigorous attempts have been made and reported. Ebola has been primarily found in the Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Sudan, Gabon and other equatorial African countries. Based on the data obtained during the latest epidemics, people are strongly advised to avoid direct contact with patients, avoid buying bush meat in street markets and not handle dead bats, megabats, monkeys or gorillas. Estimated data suggest that more than 5,000 of these animals have died. The disease was also diagnosed in patients in the USA and Europe. The epidemic afflicted West Africa and had significant implication on their economy in terms of lost production, higher fiscal deficits, rising prices and lower real household incomes, leading to greater poverty.
Awareness of the health implications of use of biomass energy sources among women in rural households of Jigawa State, Nigeria
Authors: Orifah Martins Olusegun , Ijeoma Messiah Chijioke , Ehien Alfred Ehizua , Nasiru Ado , Fadairo Olushola Samuel
Published: August 2018

Various health challenges and fatalities in rural communities of most developing countries of the world have been traceable to the unabated use of biomass energy sources. We therefore assessed the awareness of the health implications of the use of biomass energy sources among women in rural households of Jigawa State. Multistage sampling procedure was used to collect data from 120 respondents using structured questionnaires. Data were collected on respondents’ socioeconomic characteristics, types of biomass used, information sources on the health implications from use of biomass energy sources, awareness of the health implications and constraints to the use of alternatives to biomass. Data were summarised using frequencies, percentages, means, Chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Majority of the respondents (78.3 %) were below 40 years of age with a mean age of 30 ± 2.02 years. Majority were married (90.8 %), Muslims (100 %), involved in agro-processing (65.8 %), had no formal education (73.3 %), and earned not more than ₦10, 000 (90.8 %) with mean household size of 9 members. Wood (100 %) and charcoal (100 %) were the dominant biomass energy sources used. Respondents’ main source of information on the health implications of the use of biomass were radio (64.2 %) and extension agents (54.2 %). Awareness level of the health implications from the use of biomass energy sources was fairly high (51.7 %). High cost of the alternatives, scarcity of refilling points and alternatives and lack of capital were the main hindrances to the use of the alternatives to biomass energy sources. The result on the inferential statistics revealed that a significant association existed between education (χ2 = 6.08; P < 0.05) and awareness of health implications from the use of biomass. Efforts should be made to sensitize women on the health implications resulting from the use of biomass. Alternatives should be made available and affordable to encourage a switch from biomass energy sources thereby reducing the fatalities that may result from its continual use.
Recheneffiziente Bewertung von Messsignalen am Beispiel einer Regelkreisüberwachung für mechatronische Antriebssysteme
Authors: Krippner Wolfgang , Kisner Viktor , Listmann Kim D. , Konigorski Ulrich
Published: August 2018

Die Regelkreisüberwachung findet für mechatronische Antriebssysteme nur selten Anwendung, da hierfür oftmals zusätzliche, kostspielige Hardware benötigt wird. Im Rahmen dieses Beitrags wird gezeigt, wie mit der Autokorrelationsfunktion Messsignale aus Regelkreisen für mechatronische Antriebssysteme nach auftretenden Oszillationen im Zeitbereich bewertet werden können. Die Analyse der Oszillation nach der Frequenz und eine Abschätzung des Signal-Rausch-Verhältnisses sind möglich. Um auch eine recheneffiziente Auswertung zu erreichen, wird über die Information, welche während der Berechnung von endlichen, zeitdiskreten, homogenen Markovmodellen entsteht, ein Schätzverfahren für die Autokorrelationsfunktion entwickelt. Es resultiert ein Verfahren für die Bewertung von Oszillationen in Messsignalen, welches nahezu frei von Parametern und robust gegenüber der Parameterwahl ist. Durch die geringen notwendigen Rechenkosten kann es auf rechenleistungsschwacher Hardware, wie speicherprogrammierbare Steuerungen, implementiert werden.
On steady-state disturbance compensability for actuator placement in adaptive structures
Authors: Wagner Julia Laura , Gade Jan , Heidingsfeld Michael , Geiger Florian , von Scheven Malte , Böhm Michael , Bischoff Manfred , Sawodny Oliver
Published: August 2018

Adaptive structures in civil engineering are mechanical structures with the ability to modify their response to external loads. Actuators strongly affect a structure’s adaptivity and have to be placed thoughtfully in the design process to effectively compensate external loads. For constant loads, this property is introduced as steady-state disturbance compensability. This property can be linked to concepts from structural engineering such as redundancy or statical indeterminacy, thus representing an interdisciplinary approach. Based on the disturbance compensability matrix, a scalar performance metric is derived as quantitative measure of a structure’s ability to compensate the output error for arbitrary constant disturbances with a given set of actuators. By minimizing this metric, an actuator configuration is determined. The concept is applied to an example of a truss structure.
Multivariate statistical approaches for an early detection of foaming in a refinery SCOT unit
Authors: Al Mawla Hassan Enam , Kroll Andreas
Published: August 2018

The formation of foam in amine units is an issue that plant operators and field personnel are confronted with on a regular basis. The inability to take proper actions in due time may result in plant downtime and increased emissions. Steep rises in differential pressure indicate foam formation, and are monitored manually in practice. Antifoaming agent is added in order to reduce foaming, but this is usually carried out under time pressure. Hence, plant operating authorities have expressed a strong interest in a data-driven solution capable of providing an early warning against foaming. The classical univariate alarm associated with differential pressure can be ineffective for foaming detection due to high misdetection rates and its lateness of detection. Modern univariate approaches based on pattern recognition techniques may not be suitable either for an early detection, as no universally distinctive features of differential pressure are observed prior to foaming in the present study. In this contribution, the multivariate statistical process monitoring approach based on principal component analysis (PCA) is applied to the early detection of foaming in a continuously operated Shell Claus Off-gas Treating (SCOT) unit of a major refinery in Germany. The results are extended to facilitate fully automated and adaptive modeling based on exponentially weighted recursive principal component analysis (EWRPCA).
Enhancement of Damage Detectability in Aircraft Structures Using the Fusion of NDT Results
Authors: Zapłotny Marcin , Katunin Andrzej , Dragan Krzysztof
Published: August 2018

Following the damage tolerance philosophy in aircraft design and operation, one of the most significant stages of maintenance is non-destructive testing of structures. It is, therefore, essential to use testing methods sensitive to particular damage types occurring in aircraft structures during operation. In this paper, the authors present a study on selection and comparison of methods of information fusion applied to testing the results of inspection of composite structures used in aircraft elements, obtained using various ultrasonic methods. The presented approach of fusion of ultrasonic scans allows for enhancement of damage detection and identification due to the presence of different parts of information about detected damage obtained from different initial information sources in a single resulting set. Such an approach can be helpful at the decision-making stage during inspection of aircraft elements and structures. Besides the methodology, the GUI-based software for performing fusion of various types of ultrasonic data is presented.
A Model for Fatigue Crack Growth in the Paris Regime under the Variability of Cyclic Hardening and Elastic Properties
Authors: Kebir Tayeb , Benguediab Mohamed , Imad Abdellatif
Published: August 2018

Over the last 60 years, several models have been developed governing different zones of fatigue crack growth from the threshold zone to final failure. The best known model is the Paris law and a number of its based on mechanical, metallurgical and loading parameters governing the propagation of cracks. This paper presents an analytical model developed to predict the fatigue crack propagation rate in the Paris regime, for different material properties, yield strength (σy), Young’s modulus (E) and cyclic hardening parameters (K’, n’) and their influence by variability. The cyclic plastic deformation at a crack tip or any other cyclic hardening rule may be used to reach this objective, for to investigate this influence, these properties of the model are calibrated using available experimental data in the literature. This FCGR model was validated on Al-alloys specimens under constant amplitude load and shows good agreement with the experimental results.
Google Trends and Structural Exchange Rate Models for Turkish Lira–US Dollar Exchange Rate
Authors: Bulut Levent , Dogan Can
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we use Google Trends data to proxy macro fundamentals that are related to two conventional structural determination of exchange rate models: purchasing power parity model and the monetary exchange rate determination model. We assess forecasting performance of Google Trends based models against random walk null on Turkish Lira–US Dollar exchange rate for the period of January 2004 to August 2015. We offer a three-step methodology for query selection for macro fundamentals in Turkey and the US. In out-of-sample forecasting, results show better performance against no-change random walk predictions for specifications both when we use Google Trends data as the only exchange rate predictor or augment it with exchange rate fundamentals. We also find that Google Trends data has limited predictive power when used in year-on-year growth rate format.
Quantifying International Tax Avoidance: A Review of the Academic Literature
Authors: Riedel Nadine
Published: August 2018

This paper provides a brief review of the academic literature that assesses the quantitative importance of tax avoidance behaviour of multinational entities (MNEs) by means of income shifting from high-tax to low-tax affiliates. Existing studies unanimously report evidence in line with tax-motivated profit shifting (despite using different data sources and estimation strategies). In terms of shifting channels, there is evidence consistent with strategic mispricing of intra-firm trade, the location of valuable intellectual property at low-tax affiliates and debt-shifting activities. The quantitative estimates vary across approaches and studies though. The paper moreover stresses that some care should be warranted when interpreting profit shifting estimates as they often rely on non-trivial assumptions.
The Impact of the Crisis and Unconventional Monetary Policy on European Inflation Dynamics
Authors: Schäfer Benjamin
Published: August 2018

This study investigates the impact of the economic crisis in the late 2000s and early 2010s on European inflation dynamics using a hybrid New-Keynesian Phillips Curve (NKPC) during three distinct periods. The pre-crisis period from 1999 through mid-2007, the crisis period until August 2012, and finally the “Whatever-It-Takes”-period after the remark by ECB president Mario Draghi. The structural hybrid NKPC is estimated for six countries of the Euro area (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands and Austria) and for each of the three periods. The crisis and the subsequent reaction of the ECB both seem to have had a profound impact on the dynamics, as estimated parameters differ markedly between the periods. A discussion and interpretation of the results is provided.
First record of Theraphosa apophysis (Tinter, 1991) (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae) in Brazil
Authors: Queiroz Almeida Marlus , Salvatierra Lidianne , Wellington de Morais José
Published: August 2018

We present the first record for Theraphosa apophysis (Tinter, 1991) for Brazil. A male of T. apophysis was collected in São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas state, Brazil. This is the third species of Theraphosa in Brazil along with T. blondi (Latreille, 1804) and T. stirmi Rudloff & Weinmann, 2010.
IDENTIFICATION AND LIFE CYCLE OF MARINE LEECH ISOLATED FROM CULTURED HYBRID GROUPER IN THE NORTHERN BALI WATERS OF INDONESIA
Authors: Mahardika Ketut , Mastuti Indah , Sudewi Sudewi , Zafran Zafran
Published: August 2018

The aims of this study were to identify and to determine life cycle of marine leech isolated from cultured hybrid grouper “cantik” (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus fx E. polyphekadion m) in the northern Bali waters of Indonesia under laboratory conditions. Observation of the life cycle of the marine leech was done using petri-dishes (9 cm in diameter) arranged into two groups. In group-1, a petri-dish was filled with sterile seawater (with water exchange of 50%-60% every two days) and in group-2, a petri-dish was filled with continuous running water. DNA sequence was aligned with the sequences from GenBank by BLAST program. Results of similarity index with GenBank sequence exhibited that the nucleic acid of the marine leech isolated from the hybrid grouper “cantik” showed high similarity (99%) with Zeylanicobdella arugamensis. One adult leech could produce 1-63 eggs. The eggs were developed into morula, blastula, and gastrula within five days. The early phase of the embryo with daily water exchange treatment started on day-6 and hatched into larvae on day-10. The eggs incubated with continuous running water had hatched faster (eight days). However, not all eggs hatched at the same time. Some of the eggs hatched 1-3 days after the first one. Hatching rate of eggs varied from 2.70% to 100%. The newly hatched Z. arugamensis larva has transparent color and length of 1.0-1.5 mm. On day-6, Z. arugamensis larvae were already seen attaching to the body of the fish. The size of the Z. arugamensis larvae ranged between 3-11 mm on day-9. In that stage, they were able to produce eggs. Therefore, we argue that Z. arugamensis only requires 17 to 22 days to develop into the adult stage.
COUNTERGRADIENT VARIATION IN GROWTH OF BARB (Barbonymus balleroides Val. 1842) DOMESTICATED AT DIFFERENT ALTITUDES
Authors: Subagja Jojo , Prakoso Vitas Atmadi , Arifin Otong Zenal , Suhud Endang Haris
Published: August 2018

Barb (Barbonymus balleroides Val. 1842) is one of the native species found in many rivers of Asian countries, including Indonesia. This species had higher commercial value compared with other fish species popular among consumers. In terms of supporting its domestication, information regarding the optimal aquaculture system of the fish is needed, one of which is its rearing location. Currently, there is limited information on rearing the fish at different locations with different altitude. This research aimed to obtain the growth of barb fingerlings reared in three locations with different altitudes. The study was conducted in the ponds located at Cijengkol area (ASL<200 m), Maleber (200 m<ASL<400 m), and Ciherang (ASL>400 m), West Java. Fingerlings of domesticated barb (total length 4.48 ± 0.10 cm; weight 0.95 ± 0.06 g) were stocked in three fixed net cages (size 2 m × 2 m × 1 m) in a pond (40 m × 20 m) at each location. Fish were fed with commercial feed (30% protein) of 5% biomass three times per day during 120 days of rearing. Water quality parameters observed were temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH. Measured parameters were length gain, weight gain, specific growth rate, average daily growth, biomass gain, feed conversion ratio, and survival rate. The results showed that the fish reared in Maleber showed the best growth and feed conversion ratio compared to other locations (P<0.05). Meanwhile, no significant differences were found on the survival rate within all treatments. The growth of barb fingerlings is more optimal if reared in midland areas which have suitable temperature ranges for their growth.
Influence of accelerated hydration and carbonation on the performance of reactive magnesium oxide concrete
Authors: Dung Nguyen Tien , Unluer Cise
Published: August 2018

The low dissolution of magnesium oxide (MgO) limits the performance of carbonated reactive magnesium oxide cement (RMC)-based formulations. The initial acceleration of hydration (IAH) of RMC samples involving the use of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) (SBC) was enabled by way of the adjustment of curing conditions. The influence of IAH and SBC on hydration kinetics was evaluated by isothermal calorimetry, hydration degree and pH measurements. Mechanical performance results were supported by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy, which identified the amount and morphology of the final phases. The use of IAH increased Mg2+ concentration and enhanced hydration and carbonation at early ages. The introduction of SBC increased CO32− concentration by providing higher initial pH and additional HCO3− that stimulated carbonation at later ages. RMC samples involving IAH and SBC outperformed others, resulting in ∼130% higher 28 d compressive strengths than the control. This increased performance was associated with improvements in the morphology and amount of carbonates, which were assessed by thermal analysis.
Effects of hydrated lime on mechanical behaviour of asphalt concrete at nanoscale
Authors: Barbhuiya Salim , Caracciolo Benjamin
Published: August 2018

Asphalt concrete (AC) is a mix of mineral aggregates and natural sand held together with a binder of bitumen. This paper presents the effects of adding hydrated lime (HL) to AC on the nanoscaled mechanical properties. Two hot mixes of AC were used (one control mix and one mix with HL). Nanoindentation was conducted to study the load–displacement behaviour at nanoscale and evaluate the nanomechanical (elastic modulus and hardness) properties of AC across the mastic, matrix and aggregate phases. It was observed that the HL-containing samples have greater resistance to deformation at nanoscale in the mastic and matrix phases. The resistance is more pronounced in the mastic phase. There is also strong evidence suggesting that HL has the most potent effect on the mastic phase, with significant increase in elastic modulus and hardness.
Moisture movement within concrete exposed to simulated hot arid/semi-arid conditions
Authors: Alaswad Gasim , McCarter William John , Suryanto Benny
Published: August 2018

The ambient environment has a considerable influence on the permeation properties of the near-surface zone of exposed concrete (i.e. the cover zone). Monitoring the mass transport and flow processes and properties within this region is crucial in evaluating the long-term performance of concrete for a particular exposure condition. This paper presents an experimental study on both the spatial and temporal moisture movement within the surface region of concrete with and without supplementary cementitious materials. Prior to exposure, the samples were conditioned under two regimes representing poor and good curing; the samples were then exposed to a simulated hot environment with a diurnal temperature fluctuation of ∼20–40°C and ∼60% ambient relative humidity. Moisture movement within the surface region was monitored using discretised electrical conductivity measurements which, together with gravimetric measurements, allowed evaluation of the volumetric uptake and sorptivity of the concrete and the rate and depth of water penetration into the concrete cover zone; it is shown that when these are combined, the degree of saturation, effective porosity and total porosity of the surface region could be estimated. By evaluating the conductivity prior to and after water absorption, the zone of influence of wetting/drying action (i.e. the convective zone) could be evaluated.
A novel way to determine number of spheres in clump-type particle-shape approximation in discrete-element modelling
Authors: Katagiri Jun
Published: August 2018

Clump-type particle-shape approximation is often employed in discrete-element modelling (DEM). Previous studies have determined the number of spheres in a clump empirically. Herein, a novel approach is proposed to determine the number of spheres in a clump quantitatively on the basis of statistical optimisation using Akaike's information criterion (AIC). AIC quantifies the balance between the approximation accuracy of the clumps and the increase of the number of spheres in a clump. The proposed method is applied to determine a satisfactory number of spheres in a clump value for clumps of Toyoura sand particles. A series of clump-based isotropic-compression DEM simulations is conducted. When the number of spheres in a clump is higher than that determined by the proposed method, the simulated void ratio and the mean contact number converge to their respective values and agree with laboratory test data and X-ray computerised tomography measurements. Therefore, it is concluded that the proposed method is a valid one.