bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound Image-Based Diagnosis of Malignant Thyroid Nodule Using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Nguyen Dat Tien , Kang Jin Kyu , Pham Tuyen Danh , Batchuluun Ganbayar , Park Kang Ryoung
Published: March 2020

Computer-aided diagnosis systems have been developed to assist doctors in diagnosing thyroid nodules to reduce errors made by traditional diagnosis methods, which are mainly based on the experiences of doctors. Therefore, the performance of such systems plays an important role in enhancing the quality of a diagnosing task. Although there have been the state-of-the art studies regarding this problem, which are based on handcrafted features, deep features, or the combination of the two, their performances are still limited. To overcome these problems, we propose an ultrasound image-based diagnosis of the malignant thyroid nodule method using artificial intelligence based on the analysis in both spatial and frequency domains. Additionally, we propose the use of weighted binary cross-entropy loss function for the training of deep convolutional neural networks to reduce the effects of unbalanced training samples of the target classes in the training data. Through our experiments with a popular open dataset, namely the thyroid digital image database (TDID), we confirm the superiority of our method compared to the state-of-the-art methods.
A Unified Deep Framework for Joint 3D Pose Estimation and Action Recognition from a Single RGB Camera
Authors: Pham Huy Hieu , Salmane Houssam , Khoudour Louahdi , Crouzil Alain , Velastin Sergio A. , Zegers Pablo
Published: March 2020

We present a deep learning-based multitask framework for joint 3D human pose estimation and action recognition from RGB sensors using simple cameras. The approach proceeds along two stages. In the first, a real-time 2D pose detector is run to determine the precise pixel location of important keypoints of the human body. A two-stream deep neural network is then designed and trained to map detected 2D keypoints into 3D poses. In the second stage, the Efficient Neural Architecture Search (ENAS) algorithm is deployed to find an optimal network architecture that is used for modeling the spatio-temporal evolution of the estimated 3D poses via an image-based intermediate representation and performing action recognition. Experiments on Human3.6M, MSR Action3D and SBU Kinect Interaction datasets verify the effectiveness of the proposed method on the targeted tasks. Moreover, we show that the method requires a low computational budget for training and inference. In particular, the experimental results show that by using a monocular RGB sensor, we can develop a 3D pose estimation and human action recognition approach that reaches the performance of RGB-depth sensors. This opens up many opportunities for leveraging RGB cameras (which are much cheaper than depth cameras and extensively deployed in private and public places) to build intelligent recognition systems.
An Effective Sensor Deployment Scheme that Ensures Multilevel Coverage of Wireless Sensor Networks with Uncertain Properties
Authors: Chen Yu-Ning , Lin Wu-Hsiung , Chen Chiuyuan
Published: March 2020

The coverage problem is a fundamental problem for almost all applications in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Many applications even impose the requirement of multilevel (k) coverage of the region of interest (ROI). In this paper, we consider WSNs with uncertain properties. More precisely, we consider WSNs under the probabilistic sensing model, in which the detection probability of a sensor node decays as the distance between the target and the sensor node increases. The difficulty we encountered is that there is no unified definition of k-coverage under the probabilistic sensing model. We overcome this difficulty by proposing a “reasonable” definition of k-coverage under such a model. We propose a sensor deployment scheme that uses less number of deployed sensor nodes while ensuring good coverage qualities so that (i) the resultant WSN is connected and (ii) the detection probability satisfies a predefined threshold p th , where 0 < p th < 1 . Our scheme uses a novel “zone 1 and zone 1–2” strategy, where zone 1 and zone 2 are a sensor node’s sensing regions that have the highest and the second highest detection probability, respectively, and zone 1–2 is the union of zones 1 and 2. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our scheme.
On Decolonising Borders and Regional Integration in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region
Authors: Moyo Inocent
Published: March 2020

This paper uses insights gained from a qualitative study of informal cross border actors on selected Southern African Development Community (SADC) borders to argue for the decolonisation of these borders. It is asserted that, although SADC citizens enjoy a 90-day free visa in member states, this should not be simplistically taken to mean that there are “open borders” and free movement of persons in region. The recognition that a border “open” to formal actors may be closed to informal cross border actors based on issues of power and class is the foundation for the decolonisation of these borders, a process which should articulate to the regional integration project in the region. Such a decolonisation of borders should recognise in policy and/or border management regimes all cross-border actors, especially non-state actors, who are criminalized and rendered invisible through cross border discourses and policies. This point is worth emphasizing, because most people who cross African borders may not be the formal actors such as multinational corporations (MNCs) and/or their proxies who are favoured by cross border policies, but ordinary people such as informal cross border traders and border citizens, who need decolonised borders for them to enjoy freedom of movement, rather than being depoliticized and relegated to the subaltern who cannot speak, let alone move.
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emissions from a Personal Care Polymer-Based Item: Simulation of the Inhalation Exposure Scenario Indoors under Actual Conditions of Use
Authors: Palmisani Jolanda , Di Gilio Alessia , Cisternino Ezia , Tutino Maria , de Gennaro Gianluigi
Published: March 2020

Polymer-based items may release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and odors indoors, contributing to the overall VOC inhalation exposure for end users and building occupants. The main objective of the present study is the evaluation of short-term inhalation exposure to VOCs due to the use of a personal care polymer-based item, namely, one of three electric heating bags, through a strategic methodological approach and the simulation of a ‘near-to-real’ exposure scenario. Seventy two-hour test chamber experiments were first performed to characterize VOC emissions with the items on ‘not-heating mode’ and to derive related emission rates. The polyester bag was revealed to be responsible for the highest emissions both in terms of total VOC and naphthalene emissions (437 and 360 µg/m3, respectively), compared with the other two bags under investigation. Complementary investigations on ‘heating mode’ and the simulation of the exposure scenario inside a 30 m3 reference room allowed us to highlight that the use of the polyester bag in the first life-cycle period could determine a naphthalene concentration (42 µg/m3) higher than the reference Lowest Concentration of Interest (LCI) value (10 µg/m3) reported in European evaluation schemes. The present study proposes a strategic methodological approach highlighting the need for the simulation of a realistic scenario when potential hazards for human health need to be assessed.
The Complex Pathway towards Farm-Level Sustainable Intensification: An Exploratory Network Analysis of Stakeholders’ Knowledge and Perception
Authors: Micha Evgenia , Fenton Owen , Daly Karen , Kakonyi Gabriella , Ezzati Golnaz , Moloney Thomas , Thornton Steven
Published: March 2020

Farm-level sustainable intensification of agriculture (SIA) has become an important concept to ensuring food security while minimising negative externalities. However, progress towards its achievement is often constrained by the different perceptions and goals of various stakeholders that affect farm management decisions. This study examines farm-level SIA as a dynamic system with interactive components that are determined by the interests of the stakeholders involved. A systems thinking approach was used to identify and describe the pathways towards farm-level SIA across the three main pillars of sustainability. An explanatory network analysis of fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) that were collectively created by representative groups of farmers, farm advisors and policy makers was performed. The study shows that SIA is a complex dynamic system, affected by cognitive beliefs and particular knowledge within stakeholder groups. The study concludes that, although farm-level SIA is a complex process, common goals can be identified in collective decision making.
A Prescription for Urban Sustainability Transitions in China: Innovative Partner Selection Management of Green Building Materials Industry in an Integrated Supply Chain
Authors: Xia Wenfei , Li Baizhou , Yin Shi
Published: March 2020

The rapid development of the construction industry, which has brought economic prosperity, has been accompanied by ecological and environmental crises incurred by the generation of building materials. The development of the green building materials (GBMs) industry provides the key to solving this problem. With the continuous promotion of Internet of Things strategies, cooperative innovation in integrated GBMs supply chain (IGBMSC) enterprises has become an important method of cooperative green innovation. The key strategy to realizing the development of the GBM industry is promoting the technological innovation of GBMs via innovative resources in the GBM supply chain. We examined the selection of green innovation partners for IGBMSCs, and the results are as follows: Partner selection for technological innovation is an important factor influencing green innovation among enterprises in the integrated GBMs supply chains. The method of selecting green innovation partners in IGBMSCs proposed in this study is a reasonable and effective dynamic selection decision-making method that can be used to improve the collaborative innovation capability of IGBMSCs. The investigation of IGBMSC cooperative innovation partners includes quality and capability, as well as the technology level, integration degree, integration and co-ordination ability, resource integration ability, and learning and absorption ability of partners.
Sensitivity and Uncertainty Analyses of Flux-based Ecosystem Model towards Improvement of Forest GPP Simulation
Authors: Ma Hanqing , Ma Chunfeng , Li Xin , Yuan Wenping , Liu Zhengjia , Zhu Gaofeng
Published: March 2020

An ecosystem model serves as an important tool to understand the carbon cycle in the forest ecosystem. However, the sensitivities of parameters and uncertainties of the model outputs are not clearly understood. Parameter sensitivity analysis (SA) and uncertainty analysis (UA) play a crucial role in the improvement of forest gross primary productivity GPP simulation. This study presents a global SA based on an extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (EFAST) method to quantify the sensitivities of 16 parameters in the Flux-based ecosystem model (FBEM). To systematically evaluate the parameters’ sensitivities, various parameter ranges, different model outputs, temporal variations of parameters sensitivity index (SI) were comprehensively explored via three experiments. Based on the numerical experiments of SA, the UA experiments were designed and performed for parameter estimation based on a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method. The ratio of internal CO2 to air CO2 ( f C i ) , canopy quantum efficiency of photon conversion ( α q ) , maximum carboxylation rate at 25 ° C ( V m 25 ) were the most sensitive parameters for the GPP. It was also indicated that α q ,   E V m   and   Q 10 were influenced by temperature throughout the entire growth stage. The result of parameter estimation of only using four sensitive parameters (RMSE = 1.657) is very close to that using all the parameters (RMSE = 1.496). The results of SA suggest that sensitive parameters, such as f c i , α q , E V m , V m 25   strongly influence on the forest GPP simulation, and the temporal characteristics of the parameters’ SI on GPP and NEE were changed in different growth. The sensitive parameters were a major source of uncertainty and parameter estimation based on the parameter SA could lead to desirable results without introducing too great uncertainties.
Application of Bolter Miner Rapid Excavation Technology in Deep Underground Roadway in Inner Mongolia: A Case Study
Authors: Ma Peng , Qian Deyu , Zhang Nong , Shimada Hideki , Pan Dongjiang , Huang Kejun
Published: March 2020

Rapid excavation could mitigate the imbalance relationship between excavation speed and production needs that plays a pivotal role in the sustainable development of large underground coal mines. This paper provides a case study on Bolter Miner Rapid Excavation Technology (BMRET) in Menkeqing Coal Mine, which has a high production of 13 million tons per year in Inner Mongolia. The temporal characterization of excavation procedures is analyzed in detail based on field monitoring data. The improvement of the roadway driving process and efficiency under a new support design is introduced, and corresponding evaluation methods, including parallel operation index ( P x ) and unit drilling-hole index ( D x ), are proposed for BMRET. A field application is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the improved BMRET, which fully considers the structure characteristic of the bolter miner machine. The performance and reliability of this new support scheme are monitored in terms of roadway convergence and axial force of cable through professional instrumentation programs in the field. The results show that the average excavation speed of the BMRET is 36.15 m/day (1080 m/month), an increase of 99.72% compared with the original excavation technology, which indicates that the BMRET could provide high efficiency in roadway excavation and effectively control the stability of deep roadways. It is pivotal to apply BMRET to ensure sustainable and highly efficient coal production. This case study provides reference and guidance for rapid excavation of deep underground roadways with similar geological conditions.
Thermal Performance of Vertical Courtyard System in Office Buildings Under Typical Hot Days in Hot-Humid Climate Area: A Case Study
Authors: Wei Jin , Yu Fangsi , Liang Haixiu , Luo Maohui
Published: March 2020

Due to the different types of courtyards in vertical courtyard system (VCS), their impacts on thermal performance in office buildings may vary. To better understand this issue, this paper investigates the thermal performance impact of three typical vertical courtyards. A field case study was conducted in VCSs during two typical extreme hot days under hot-humid climate conditions. The results show that the vertical courtyards have significant cooling effects under hot-humid climatic conditions. Via testing on linear, integrated, and rooftop courtyard with fusion layout, the fusion one has an obviously positive impact on air temperature reduction (4.3 °C). Compared with the linear and integrated courtyards, the maximum air temperature difference of fusion layout is around 1.6 °C. The thermal radiation environment of the fusion layout was better than that of the other two (linear and integrated). Besides, the surface temperature of the pavements (wood panel) in the vertical courtyards can reach 47 °C, while the vegetation can lower it by 8 °C under the same weather conditions. These findings show that the courtyard with fusion layout is more suitable for extreme hot weather conditions.
Social Sustainability Empowering the Economic Sustainability in the Global Apparel Supply Chain
Authors: Sudusinghe Jayani Ishara , Seuring Stefan
Published: March 2020

Scholarly discussion on the amalgamation of sustainability and supply chain management has been growing in the last decade. However, an integrated social and economic sustainability performance measurement in supply chains is an emerging avenue in the Sustainable Supply Chain Management discourse. Hence, the purpose of this study is to understand how socially sustainable practices affect economic sustainability performances in supply chains. A survey questionnaire and a conceptual framework were developed to explore this relationship. Survey data collected based on responses from 119 managers in the Sri Lankan apparel-manufacturing sector was analyzed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling. We observed that the practices conducted by apparel manufacturers ensuring the social sustainability of the human factor inside the company (Internally influencing Social Sustainability Practices-ISSP) and in society (Externally Influencing Social Sustainability Practices-ESSP) create a positive impact on the economic performance. However, the effect produced by ISSP was higher compared to the ESSP. This study is based on a single developing country and, thus, should be extended to other countries considering the different institution environments when studying this interrelation between the social and economic sustainability dimensions.
Decomposition Analysis and Trend Prediction of CO2 Emissions in China’s Transportation Industry
Authors: Meng Ming , Li Manyu
Published: March 2020

China’s transportation industry has become one of the major industries with rapid growth in CO2 emissions, which has a significant impact in controlling the increase of CO2 emissions. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to use a hybrid trend extrapolation model to project the future carbon dioxide emissions of China. On account of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) inventory method of carbon accounting, this paper applied the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) model to study the factors affected by CO2 emissions. The affected factors are further subdivided into the scale of employees, per capita carrying capacity, transport intensity, average transportation distance, energy input and output structure, energy intensity and industrial structure. The results are as follows: (1) Per capita carrying capacity is the most important factor to promote the growth of CO2 emissions, while industrial structure is the main reason to inhibit the growth of CO2 emissions; (2) the expansion of the number of employees has played a positive role in the growth of CO2 emissions and the organization and technology management of the transportation industry should be strengthened; (3) comprehensive transportation development strategy can make the transportation intensity effect effectively reduce CO2 emissions; (4) the CO2 emissions of the transportation industry will continue to increase during 2018–2025, with a cumulative value of about 336.11 million tons. The purpose of this study is to provide scientific guidance for the government’s emission reduction measures in the transportation industry. In addition, there are still some deficiencies in the study of its influencing factors in this paper and further improvements are necessary for the subsequent research expansion.
Productivity and Topsoil Quality of Young and Old Permanent Grassland: An On-Farm Comparison
Authors: Iepema Goaitske , Deru Joachim G. C. , Bloem Jaap , Hoekstra Nyncke , de Goede Ron , Brussaard Lijbert , van Eekeren Nick
Published: March 2020

Renewing agricultural grasslands for improved yields and forage quality generally involves eliminating standing vegetation with herbicides, ploughing and reseeding. However, grassland renewal may negatively affect soil quality and related ecosystem services. On clay soil in the north of the Netherlands, we measured grass productivity and soil chemical parameters of ‘young’ (5–15 years since last grassland renewal) and ‘old’ (>20 years since last grassland renewal) permanent grasslands, located as pairs at 10 different dairy farms. We found no significant difference with old permanent grassland in herbage dry matter yield and fertilizer nitrogen (N) response, whereas herbage N yield was lower in young permanent grassland. Moreover, the young grassland soil contained less soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (C) and soil organic N compared to the old grassland soil. Grass productivity was positively correlated with SOM and related parameters such as soil organic C, soil organic N and potentially mineralizable N. We conclude that on clay soils with 70% desirable grasses (i.e., Lolium perenne and Phleum pratense) or more, the presumed yield benefit of grassland renewal is offset by a loss of soil quality (SOM and N-total). The current practice of renewing grassland after 10 years without considering the botanical composition, is counter-productive and not sustainable.
Transgressing Boundaries between Community Learning and Higher Education: Levers and Barriers
Authors: Macintyre Thomas , Chaves Martha , Monroy Tatiana , Zethelius Margarita O. , Villarreal Tania , Tassone Valentina C. , Wals Arjen E. J.
Published: March 2020

In times of global systemic dysfunction, there is an increasing need to bridge higher education with community-based learning environments so as to generate locally relevant responses towards sustainability challenges. This can be achieved by creating and supporting so-called learning ecologies that blend informal community-based forms of learning with more formal learning found in higher education environments. The objective of this paper is to explore the levers and barriers for connecting the above forms of learning through the theory and practice of an educational approach that fully engages the heart (feelings), head (thinking), and hands (doing). First, we present the development of an educational approach called Koru, based on a methodology of transgressive action research. Second, we critically analyze how this approach was put into practice through a community-learning course on responsible tourism held in Colombia. Results show that ICT, relations to place, and intercultural communication acted as levers toward bridging forms of learning between participants, but addressing underlying power structures between participants need more attention for educational boundaries to be genuinely transgressed.
Research on the Construction of a Natural Hazard Emergency Relief Alliance Based on the Public Participation Degree
Authors: Chen Yingxin , Zhang Jing , Wang Zhaoguo , Tadikamalla Pandu R.
Published: March 2020

At present, in light of new situations and the new task of natural hazard response, effective public participation in emergency relief has become an urgent task that can reduce economic losses and casualties. The purpose of this paper is to construct a natural hazard emergency relief alliance and analyze the mechanisms and dynamics of public participation. In this study, methods based on a multi-agent system were adopted, and we used different participants as heterogeneous agents with different attitudes and resources. Using four different processes, namely participation proposals, negotiation interval, negotiation decision-making function, and participation strategy, we comprehensively construct an emergency relief alliance for natural hazards. In addition, the dynamic public interaction process is analyzed and a construction algorithm is given. The experimental results show that the proposed method has better performance in alliance formation efficiency, negotiation efficiency, and agent utility. The research results illustrate that the public’s attitudes and resources influence the construction of emergency relief alliances; a greater degree of public participation contributes to a more efficient alliance formation. The findings of this study contribute to the promotion of public cooperation and improvement in the efficiency of natural hazard emergency relief.
Incentive Decision for Supply Chain with Corporate Social Responsibility and Lag Effect
Authors: Cheng Huijin , Ding Hao
Published: March 2020

With the deepening of economic globalization and international division of labor, enterprises gradually turn to supply chain management methods that aiming at win-win cooperation. An enterprise’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) behaviors will affect the interests of other enterprises in the supply chain through transmission, diffusion, amplification, feedback, etc. Therefore, scholars are currently focusing on helping supply chain enterprises to take social responsibility. This paper takes a two-echelon supply chain as an example, which is composed of one manufacturer and one retailer. Considering the influence of lag effect on the performance level of corporate social responsibility, we discuss the optimal strategy of corporate social responsibility in supply chain under centralized and decentralized decision-making. Three incentive models are proposed to improve the implementation effect of decentralized supply chain decision. Study finds that, in real life, decentralized supply chain is more in line with the decision-making mode of supply chain participants, even though centralized decision-making has better operation effect. Under certain circumstances, the mixed contract, which is composed of advertising cooperation, cost sharing and revenue sharing, could lead to supply chain coordination. As an external stakeholder, the government’s subsidy plays a positive role in promoting the fulfillment of corporate social responsibility. Multi-subsidy performs better than single-subsidy. Although the time lag promotes the manufacturer’s social responsibility efforts and the retailer’s advertising, it somehow compromises overall profit of the supply chain. Therefore, manufacturers should try to reduce the lag effect to maintain the overall profitability of the supply chain.
Modelling Lyssavirus Infections in Human Stem Cell-Derived Neural Cultures
Authors: Sundaramoorthy Vinod , Godde Nathan , J. Farr Ryan , Green Diane , M. Haynes John , Bingham John , O’Brien Carmel M. , Dearnley Megan
Published: March 2020

Rabies is a zoonotic neurological infection caused by lyssavirus that continues to result in devastating loss of human life. Many aspects of rabies pathogenesis in human neurons are not well understood. Lack of appropriate ex-vivo models for studying rabies infection in human neurons has contributed to this knowledge gap. In this study, we utilize advances in stem cell technology to characterize rabies infection in human stem cell-derived neurons. We show key cellular features of rabies infection in our human neural cultures, including upregulation of inflammatory chemokines, lack of neuronal apoptosis, and axonal transmission of viruses in neuronal networks. In addition, we highlight specific differences in cellular pathogenesis between laboratory-adapted and field strain lyssavirus. This study therefore defines the first stem cell-derived ex-vivo model system to study rabies pathogenesis in human neurons. This new model system demonstrates the potential for enabling an increased understanding of molecular mechanisms in human rabies, which could lead to improved control methods.
Structural Genomics of SARS-CoV-2 Indicates Evolutionary Conserved Functional Regions of Viral Proteins
Authors: Srinivasan Suhas , Cui Hongzhu , Gao Ziyang , Liu Ming , Lu Senbao , Mkandawire Winnie , Narykov Oleksandr , Sun Mo , Korkin Dmitry
Published: March 2020

During its first two and a half months, the recently emerged 2019 novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has already infected over one-hundred thousand people worldwide and has taken more than four thousand lives. However, the swiftly spreading virus also caused an unprecedentedly rapid response from the research community facing the unknown health challenge of potentially enormous proportions. Unfortunately, the experimental research to understand the molecular mechanisms behind the viral infection and to design a vaccine or antivirals is costly and takes months to develop. To expedite the advancement of our knowledge, we leveraged data about the related coronaviruses that is readily available in public databases and integrated these data into a single computational pipeline. As a result, we provide comprehensive structural genomics and interactomics roadmaps of SARS-CoV-2 and use this information to infer the possible functional differences and similarities with the related SARS coronavirus. All data are made publicly available to the research community.
Clinical Characteristics, Serum Biochemical Changes, and Expression Profile of Serum Cfa-miRNAs in Dogs Confirmed to Have Congenital Portosystemic Shunts Accompanied by Liver Pathologies
Authors: M. El-Sebaey Ahmed , N. Abramov Pavel , M. Abdelhamid Fatma
Published: March 2020

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) and biochemical parameters cannot specify liver pathologies in dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) that are easily determined by invasive histopathology. This study aims to assess the possibility of using circulating serum canine familiaris (cfa) microRNAs (miRNAs) as novel non-invasive serum-based fingerprints for liver injuries associated with various morphologies of extrahepatic and intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (EHPSS and IHPSS). Data were obtained from 12 healthy dogs and 84 dogs confirmed to have EHPSS (splenocaval, splenophrenic, splenoazygos, right gastrocaval (RGC), right gastrocaval with caudal loop (RGC–CL)) and IHPSS (right divisional and left divisional) using CTA. Hepatic pathologies were determined by histopathology. Serum expression of miRNAs was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Based on the nature of liver injuries in each shunt type, cfa-miR-122 was significantly upregulated in all CPSS groups. Meanwhile, serums cfa-miR-34a and 21 were not significantly expressed in splenophrenic or splenoazygos groups, but they were extensively upregulated in splenocaval, RGC, RGC–CL groups and less frequently in right or left divisional groups. Also, serum cfa-miR126 was significantly upregulated in both IHPSS groups but less significantly expressed in RGC, RGC–CL, and splenocaval groups. Overall, estimated cfa-miRNAs could serve as novel biomarkers to mirror the histopathological and molecular events within the liver in each shunt type.
Cloud-Based Big Data Platform for Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)
Authors: Grée Florent , Laznikova Vitaliia , Kim Bill , Garcia Guillermo , Kigezi Tom , Gao Bo
Published: March 2020

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) have increasingly become prevalent over the past years. BEVs can be regarded as a grid load and as a way to support the grid (energy buffering), provided this extensive battery usage does not affect the BEV’s performance. Data from both the vehicle and the grid are required for effective Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) implementation. As such, a cloud-based big data platform is proposed in this paper to exploit these data. Additionally, this study aims to develop smart algorithms, which optimise different factors, including BEV cost of ownership and battery degradation. Dashboards are developed to provide key information to different V2G stakeholders.
VARIES OF BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION INDENTIFIED BY 24H AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING AT CAN THO GENERAL HOSPITAL
Authors: Trinh Thi Bich Lien , Hoang Khanh
Published: March 2020

Objectives: 1. Comparing the average values artery blood pressure day and night in the elderly patients with hypertension dipper and non dipper. 2. Determining injury at a target organ between the two groups of patients with hypertension dipper and non dipper. Subjects and Methods: Patients aged 60 years or older have hypertension according to criteria of the Vietnam Heart Association to examination and treatment in Cardiology - Geriatric and Emergency Hospital in Can Tho city from December 2009 to August 2010, discontinuation of treatment of hypertension at least 24 hours. Exclude creamy hypertension, diabetes, stroke complications acute phase. Description interrupted. Testing of blood count, blood biochemistry and urine, ECG, echocardiogram, ophthalmoscopy. ABPM and Holter ECG measurement. Dipper: DI> 10%, non-dipper: DI <10%. Data processing by statistical methods conventional medicine. Results: The average nighttime blood pressure in dipper hypertension (95.17 ± 8.200 mmHg) lower than during the day (102.08 ± 8.867 mmHg), p <0.001. Average blood pressure at night in the group non-dipper (98.74 ± 8.51 mmHg) higher than the value of the day (96.65 ± 9.406 mmHg), p <0.01. Heart, eye, kidney and brain damage of the non-dipper hypertensive group have higher than dipper group (p <0.01). Conclusion: The average nighttime blood pressure in dipper hypertension lower than during the day, p <0.001, while the average blood pressure at night in the group non-dipper higher than the value of the day (p <0.01). Heart, eye, kidney and brain damage of the non-dipper hypertensive group have higher than dipper group (p <0.01). Key words: Elderly; ABPM; dipper, non-dipper hypertension; heart, fundus, kidney and brain complications.
HEART COMPLICATIONS IN HYPERTHYROIDISM
Authors: Nguyen Hai Thuy , Nguyen Anh Vu
Published: March 2020

Thyroid hormone increases the force of the contraction and the amount of the heart muscle oxygen demand. It also increases the heart rate. Due to these reasons, the work of the heart is greatly increased in hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism increases the amount of nitric oxide in the intima, lead them to be dilated and become less stiff. Cardiac symptoms can be seen in anybody with hyperthyroidism, but can be particularly dangerous in whom have underlying heart diseases. Common symptoms include: tachycardia and palpitations. Occult hyperthyroidism is a common cause of an increased heart rate at rest and with mild exertion. Hyperthyroidism can also produce a host of other arrhythmias such as PVCs, ventricular tachycardia and especially atrial fibrillation. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and systolic dysfunction, Mitral regurgitation and mitral valve prolapsed are heart complications of hyperthyroism could be detected by echocardiography. The forceful cardiac contraction increases the systolic blood pressure despite the increased relaxation in the blood vessels reduces the diastolic blood pressure. Atrial fibrillation, atrial enlargement and congestive heart failure are important cardiac complications of hyperthyroidism. An increased risks of stroke is common in patients with atrial fibrillation. Graves disease is linked to autoimmune complications, such as cardiac valve involvement, pulmonary arterial hypertension and specific cardiomyopathy. Worsening angina: Patients with coronary artery disease often experience a marked worsening in symptoms with hyperthyroidism. These can include an increase in chest pain (angina) or even a heart attack.
STUDY THE CHANGE OF CENTRAL VENOUS PRESSURE THROUGH CATHETER PLACED IN BASILIC VEIN IN TREATMENT OF DENGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER SHOCK AT CANTHO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Authors: Phan Van Nam , Phan Hung Viet , Pham Huu Hoa
Published: March 2020

Objective: To study the change of central venous pressure (CVP) placed through the basilic vein and to find a correlation between the value of central venous pressure with clinical features in Dengue hemorrhagic fever shock. Patients and methods: included 43 patients ≤ 15 years old and hospitalized with diagnosis of Dengue Hemorrhagic fever with shock (level 3, level 4) at intensive care unit of Can tho Children's Hospital from 03/2009 - 08/2010. Each patients had their CVP measures through catheter placed in basilic vein. Results: The average value of CVP measured for the first time was 7.3 ± 3.0 CmH2O, after 30 minutes was 9.5 ± 2.6 CmH2O, after 60 minutes was 10.2 ± 2.3 CmH2O, after 2 hours was 10.4 ± 2.3 CmH2O, after 3 hours was 10.5 ± 2.4 CmH2O, after 6 hours was 10.5 ± 2.5 CmH2O, after 12 hours was 10.8 ± 2.5 CmH2O, after 24 hours was 12 ± 2.8 CmH2O, and after 36 hours was 12.4 ± 4.1 CmH2O.
There are an inverse correlations between CVP value measured for the first time with capillary refill time (r = - 0.32, p <0.05) and with increased heart rate (r = -0.43, p <0.05). There is a moderate correlation between CVP value with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.31, p <0.05). Conclusion: The value of CVP is the most obvious change in the first hour of treatment. CVP values slightly changed in the 2, 3, 6 and 12 hours interval. There are an inverse correlations between CVP value measured for the first time with capillary refill time and with increased heart rate. There is a moderate correlation between CVP value with systolic blood pressure.
HPV VACCINE AND CERVICAL CANCER
Authors: Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy
Published: March 2020

Persistent infection with high-risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) has been identified as the causal factor of cervical cancer, with relative risk up to 300-400 folds. This very close relationship leads to the preventive strategy of vaccination against HPV infections and HPV-related lesions. The article describes molecular and immunologic characteristics of HPV, currently available HPV vaccines and its protective effects; the relationship between HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening, and an introduction to therapeutic HPV vaccine trials.
EFFICACY OF H.PYLORI ERADICATION TREATMENT WITH LEVOFLOXACIN – BASED TRIPLE THERAPY IN GASTRODUODENITISS PATIENTS
Authors: Bui Quang Di , Hoang Trong Thang
Published: March 2020

Objective: This study is to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and adverse effects of a triple second line therapy including of Rabeprazole, Amoxicilin và Levofloxacin in patients who have failed first-line Helicobacter pylory (H.Pylori) therapy. Methods: By descriptive cross-sectional study, the authors have examined 101 gastro-duodenitis patients, who had failed first treatment with standard triple therapy, received 10-days therapy including Rabeprazole (20mg b.d), Levofloxacin (500mg b.d) and Amoxycillin (1g b.d). Eradication is confirmed with by the C13-urea breat h test after 4 weeks from completing of treatment. Results: 100% of patients are initially included and noboby is lost for follow-up. Mean age was 44 yr, 38% were male, 68,3% had duodenitis, 20,7% gastritis, 11% gastro-duodenitis. All patients took medications correctly. Per-protocol and intention to treat eradication rates were both 83,3% (95% CI=75,4-91,3). Mild adverse effects were reported overall in 8% of the patients, mainly including rash 2%, myalgias 2% and diarrhea 5%, none of them were severe. Conclusion: This ten-days levofloxacin-base therapy represents an alternative to standard quadruple therapy in patents with previous PPI-Clarithromycin-Amoxicillin failure, being effective, safe and simple.
BETULINIC ACID, A SUBSTANCE MUCH PROSPECTS IN MEDICINE
Authors: Nguyen Thi Hoai , Le Thi Ni Na
Published: March 2020

Betulinic acid compounds derived from medicinal plants are attracting the attention of scientists with many important biological activities. Summary of the study showed that this compound and some of its derivatives work well in various in vitro and in vivo in the treatment of cancer, HIV, malaria and diabetes type II. The structural changes based on natural triterpen also noted the desire to find compounds that have powerful effects and safety.
¿QUÉ TIPO DE NORMAS ÉTICAS REQUIERE NUESTRA PROFESIÓN?
Authors: Romano Pastor Juan Pablo
Published: March 2020

El presente trabajo tiene por objetivo dar a conocer la situación que la profesión contable argentina en general presenta sobre la ética profesional y los Códigos de Ética, en un marco de creciente integración internacional. Las acciones coordinadas debieran partir del cumplimiento de la “intención” manifestada en el Acta de Catamarca de lograr unificación de normas profesionales en todas las jurisdicciones, cumplida respecto de las normas contables y de auditoría, de las normas éticas, bajo la propuesta de unificación de normativa en un solo cuerpo integrado vigente en todo el país. La posibilidad de adopción del Código de Ética de IFAC nos plantea el interrogante respecto del tipo de normativa que requerimos: ¿basado en reglas o basado en principios?
ALTERNATIVAS VIGENTES EN INVESTIGACIÓN CONTABLE: UNA INTRODUCCIÓN A SU ESTUDIO.
Authors: Aquel Sandra Silvana , Cicerchia Lucía
Published: March 2020

En el ámbito de la investigación contable conviven actualmente distintas miradas sobre la contabilidad y lo que ella representa: la Teoría Contable Positiva, y agrupadas bajo el nombre de corriente Crítico-Interpretativa: la perspectiva interpretativa y la crítica. Estas visiones encuentran su correlato en las diferentes manifestaciones de la Teoría social moderna. A partir del análisis de las mencionadas posturas se concluye que, heredera del positivismo como teoría social, la teoría positiva presentará a la contabilidad como una práctica que se puede explicar y predecir, y que buscará en la empiria la validez de sus enunciados como vía para construir teorías sólidas. La corriente crítica interpretativa, en cambio, hunde sus bases en la hermeneútica y en la escuela crítica, y presenta a la contabilidad como un conjunto de prácticas con significación que afectan el mundo y la realidad social, como consecuencia de ello se está frente a una tecnología vital para el desarrollo de las relaciones sociales e institucionales de la sociedad contemporánea. El conocimiento de estas alternativas, se hace imprescindible para quienes deseen investigar en materia contable, ya que permite ejercer el derecho a optar por aquella que mejor se adapte a la problemática objeto de estudio.
El Agroturismo desde el paradigma del Trabajo en Red y la Coopetencia. Estudio de caso en Pymes del partido de Cnel. Suárez, Buenos Aires
Authors: Cordisco Marina , Scoponi Liliana , Durán Regina
Published: March 2020

El presente artículo identifica el tipo de trabajo en red que realizan los establecimientos del Grupo Cambio Rural (INTA) “Cortaderas II” dedicados al agroturismo en el partido de Cnel. Suárez, provincia de Buenos Aires. Persigue analizar si dicha interacción puede encuadrarse bajo el concepto de coopetición, evaluando la presencia de actitudes de cooperación o de conflicto. Se trata de un estudio de caso, para el cual se relevó información a través de entrevistas, encuestas y observación directa. Se advirtió que el grupo constituye una red empresarial horizontal de carácter local, integrada por agentes de un mismo nivel dentro de la cadena de valor, que procuran principalmente dar soluciones a cuestiones de acceso al mercado. Predominan actitudes de cooperación y solidaridad. Sin embargo, conforme evolucione la red en el tiempo, es dable esperar que surjan fisuras que conduzcan hacia un comportamiento competitivo entre los integrantes, producto de sus simetrías como competidores y a partir del conocimiento adquirido en conjunto.
Variaciones regionales en la mortalidad por cáncer de mama en la provincia de Santa Fe. Georreferenciamiento en base a modelos estadísticos.
Authors: Hachuel Leticia , Boggio Gabriela , Arnesi Nora
Published: March 2020

Los mapas para mostrar la distribución geográfica de ocurrencia de enfermedades tales como el cáncer en una región o país particular generalmente utilizan las denominadas Razones de Mortalidad Estandarizadas (RME). Las RME se construyen comparando el número observado de casos en la población bajo estudio con su valor esperado y se expresan en porcentaje. En este trabajo el valor esperado se calcula mediante el ajuste de un modelo de regresión marginal Poisson que considera efectos de los diferentes grupos de edad en cada región. Las RME por edad así obtenidas para cada área posteriormente se fortalecen mediante el ajuste de un modelo mixto de manera de obtener estimaciones más estables. Este procedimiento se utiliza para el estudio de la mortalidad por cáncer de mama en la provincia de Santa Fe para los trienios 2000-2002, 2003-2005 y 2006-2008. La metodología estadística propuesta permite la estimación de este indicador de mortalidad a nivel departamental, controlando no sólo el impacto que pueden producir las diferencias en las estructuras por edad de las poblaciones de cada departamento sino también haciendo uso de la información conjunta de todos ellos.
Contratación de obra versus Concesión de obra pública. Un análisis de los esquemas de incentivos
Authors: Beltrán Carlos , Dutto Martín
Published: March 2020

. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar los incentivos existentes en los contratos de construcción de obras y de concesión de obra pública, a los fines de disminuir los costos de transacción. Para ello, se describen las soluciones contractuales a los problemas propios de esta actividad originados en el riesgo moral. La cuestión clave aquí es que mecanismos o cláusulas se incorporan en los contratos de manera que el “agente” se comporte en el modo deseado por el “principal”. Se recurre para este estudio a la evidencia de un caso de contratación de obra y de un caso de concesión de obra pública. Las conclusiones sugieren que mientras más pequeñas sean las empresas, y como consecuencia de ello, más reticentes a asumir riesgos, no se recomienda un contrato a precio fijo puro – o con price-caps en el caso de la concesión, sino más bien uno intermedio entre éste y un contrato a precio fijo–o de regulación por costos en el caso de la concesión de obra pública-. Esta solución permite una distribución más eficiente del riesgo, sin sacrificar por completo los incentivos para el esfuerzo.
La Responsabilidad Social Empresaria en la relación “empresa-cliente”
Authors: Arriaga María Cristina , Oviedo Raúl Ricardo , Camandona María Rosa
Published: March 2020

Este trabajo está referido a la Responsabilidad Social Empresaria (RSE) y a la influencia que deben ejercer los consumidores para que las empresas cumplan con los procesos y las prácticas socialmente responsables para el diseño, fabricación, y distribución de productos/servicios compatibles con el medioambiente, con su preservación y con la optimización de la calidad de vida.

En primer término, se exponen los fundamentos de la RSE y se contextualiza el concepto dentro de los órdenes – social, económico, político, cultural – que lo sustentan.

Luego se describen las características de la relación empresa-cliente en una sociedad capitalista globalizada y se resaltan las ventajas y desventajas que atañen a cada parte dentro de dicha relación contractual para describir posteriormente los basamentos teóricos predominantes en los que se asienta el proceso de decisión de compra del cliente.

Finalmente, se presenta una relación entre las prácticas de la RSE por parte de las empresas y el comportamiento de los consumidores. De ella emerge el concepto de Consumo Responsable, el cual, una vez descripto y caracterizado, se lo propone como una herramienta de control de los consumidores sobre las empresas; para que estas contemplen los valores éticos al momento de definir sus políticas y procesos.
Factores determinantes de la oferta exportadora láctea santafesina
Authors: García Arancibia Rodrigo , Depetris Guiguet Edith , Vicentin Masaro Jimena , Rossini Gustavo
Published: March 2020

El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer el impacto de algunos determinantes de la oferta exportadora de productos lácteos de la provincia de Santa Fe en el período 2000-2012. Para ello se propone un sistema de ecuaciones de oferta, modelando las exportaciones y el destino doméstico simultáneamente. Los resultados empíricos muestran que los precios de exportación, los precios mayoristas, la disponibilidad de leche cruda y variables coyunturales y estacionales resultan estadísticamente significativos para explicar la oferta externa e interna. Se concluye que las exportaciones son más inelásticas a sus propios precios que a los precios mayoristas internos, siendo muy elástica a la producción primaria.