bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater using a static granular bed reactor (SGBR) coupled with ultrafiltration (UF) membrane system
Authors: Basitere M. , Rinquest Z. , Njoya M. , Sheldon M. S. , Ntwampe S. K. O.
Published: March 2017

The South African poultry industry has grown exponentially in recent years due to an increased demand for their products. As a result, poultry plants consume large volumes of high quality water to ensure that hygienically safe poultry products are produced. Furthermore, poultry industries generate high strength wastewater, which can be treated successfully at low cost using anaerobic digesters. In this study, the performance of a bench-scale mesophilic static granular bed reactor (SGBR) containing fully anaerobic granules coupled with an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane system, as a post-treatment system, was investigated. The poultry slaughterhouse wastewater was characterized by a chemical oxygen demand (COD) range between 1,223 and 9,695mg/L, average biological oxygen demand of 2,375mg/L and average fats, oil and grease (FOG) of 554mg/L. The SGBR anaerobic reactor was operated for 9 weeks at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs), i.e. 55 and 40 h, with an average organic loading rate (OLR) of 1.01 and 3.14g COD/L.day. The SGBR results showed an average COD, total suspended solids (TSS) and FOG removal of 93%, 95% and 90% respectively, for both OLR. The UF post-treatment results showed an average of COD, TSS and FOG removal of 64%, 88% and 48%, respectively. The overall COD, TSS and FOG removal of the system (SGBR and UF membrane) was 98%, 99.8%, and 92.4%, respectively. The results of the combined SGBR reactor coupled with the UF membrane showed a potential to ensure environmentally friendly treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater.
Implementasi pembelajaran anak usia dini berbasis budaya lokal di PAUD full day school
Authors: Muzakki Muzakki , Fauziah Puji Yanti
Published: March 2017

Tujuan dari penelitian ini yaitu mendiskripsikan implementasi pembelajaran anak usia dini berbasis budaya lokal di lembaga PAUD full day school. Jenis penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi kasus tunggal (single-case study). Penelitian ini di Lembaga PAUD full day school Fairuz Aqila Kalasan Sleman yang merupakan salah satu lembaga PAUD di Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta yang menerapkan budaya lokal. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan yaitu observasi, wawancara, dokumentasi dan trianggulasi. Hasil penelitian yang diperoleh yaitu implementasi pembelajaran anak usia dini berbasis bu-daya lokal dimulai dengan mengidentifikasi kebutuhan anak, menentukan tema pembelajar-an, menyusun perencanaan pembelajaran yaitu program kegiatan tahunan, program kegiatan mingguan dan program kegiatan harian. Proses pelaksanaan pembelajaran berbasis budaya lokal terintegrasi dalam kegiatan pijakan, kegiatan inti dan kegiatan pengasuhan. Penilaian pembelajaran yang digunakan yaitu dengan observasi, anekdot dan daftar chek list. Unsur-unsur budaya lokal yang digunakan yaitu tata nilai dalam budaya Jawa, sistem keagamaan, per-mainan tradisional, makanan tradisional, tarian Jawa, bahasa Jawa, sistem mata pencaharian, lagu Jawa, alat musik tradisional dan cerita rakyat.Kata kunci: pembelajaran budaya lokal, anak usia dini, PAUD full day school The Implementation of Learning Process Based on Local Wisdom in Full Day School Early Childhood Abstract The objectives of this study are to describe the implementation of local wisdom in full day early childhood school. This study applies qualitative research with a single-case study approach. This research is done in Fairuz Aqila institution in Kalasan, Sleman which is an early childhood education center in Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta which applies local wisdom. The data of the research were collected through observation, interview, documentation, and triangulation. The results of the study showed that the implementation of full day early childhood school based on local wisdom is applied by identifying the children’s need,  determining the topic of learning, arranging lesson plan which includes program planning of annual,weekly, and daily activity programs, integrating local wisdom into learning process through the basic, main, and day care activity, applying learning assessment by means of observation, anecdote, and check list. The elements of local wisdom which are acknowledged are Javanese culture norms, religious system, traditional games, traditional foods, Javanese traditional dance, Javanese language, livelihood system, Javanese songs, traditional music instruments, and folktales.Keywords: local wisdom learning, early childhood student, full day early childhood school
¿El dios en mosaico? La composición de la imagen de la deidad en los códices adivinatorios
Authors: Mikulska Katarzyna
Published: March 2017

En este artículo se analizan los componentes gráficos en imágenes de las deida­des tal como aparecen en códices adivinatorios (calendárico-religiosos) prehispánicos de Mesoamérica central, eligiendo algunos ejemplos, en su mayoría del Códice Borgia, para saber si estas representaciones gráficas pueden tratarse como imágenes, de alguna manera, “fijas”, o más bien, se trata de una composición dinámica de elementos gráficos que puede “definir” una fuerza divina. Se observa que los diferentes elementos gráficos remiten a un significado o noción particular y que, además, en varios casos tiene más que ver con el nombre o los títulos con los que se suelen denominar a una o a varias deidades. Empero, no se trata de una adscripción fija de un elemento distintivo —ni de un nombre fijo— que está restringido a un solo dios puesto que, hasta los rasgos al parecer más “individuales”, en cierto momento, pueden ser empleados para complementar, enriquecer o precisar la “composición” visual de otra deidad.
Editorial
Authors: Giraldo Díaz Reinaldo
Published: March 2017

Una revista científica es una red académica y de investigación, donde circulan ideas, que unen instituciones e investigadores de diversas partes del mundo, con miradas y perspectivas distintas en un campo del conocimiento; es el espacio de la puesta en escena de diversas formas de habitar el mundo, de comprenderlo y de responder a su complejidad.
Editorial
Authors: Giraldo Díaz Reinaldo
Published: March 2017

Celebramos, con la publicación de este número, tres años de inicio del proyecto editorial de RIAA.
Especies reactivas de oxígeno y la enzima Superóxido Dismutasa como defensa de las plantas al estrés hídrico
Authors: Pulido Pulido Sandra Yamile
Published: March 2017

 El cambio climático a escala global y regional ha influido en la frecuencia e intensidad de fenómenos climáticos extremos como las sequías, incrementado las zonas áridas en el planeta, como consecuencia, los eventos de estrés por sequía han aumentado en las plantas. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo mostrar la habilidad y estrategia de las plantas para responder y adaptarse al estrés por sequía mediante la enzima Superóxido Dismutasa (SOD). Se encontró que las respuestas bioquímicas se constituyen en uno de los principales mecanismos de defensa contra este tipo de estrés, uno de estos mecanismos es la sobreproducciónde especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS) el cual es controlado por sistemas antioxidantes. Dentro de estos sistemas antioxidantes se encuentra la enzima antioxidante Superóxido Dismutasa (SOD). Se concluye que las defensas antioxidantes isoformas de la enzima Superóxido Dismutasa (Mn-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, Fe-SOD), se hallan en diferentes especies vegetales y funcionan como eficientes detoxificadores de ROS. Por esto pueden ser una herramienta valiosa en los programas de mejoramiento genético de plantas buscando aumentar la tolerancia de éstas al déficit hídrico.
Desarrollo de un protocolo para el establecimiento in vitro de Stevia rebaudiana variedad Bertoni Morita II
Authors: Aguilar Marín Sandra Bibiana , Laitón Jiménez Laura Alexandra , Mejía García Fernando Esteban , Felipe Barrera Sánchez Carlos Felipe
Published: March 2017

Debido a la condición alógama de la planta, que ocasiona variación en la composición del edulcorante y en las características morfológicas en cuanto a forma y color de las hojas, la propagación por semilla es limitante para fines comerciales, por lo que es conveniente el uso de sistemas asexuales de propagación. En el presente estudio se desarrolló un protocolo para el establecimiento In Vitro de Stevia rebaudiana, para lo cual se aplicaron ocho tratamientos de desinfección utilizando concentraciones de hipoclorito de sodio (NaClO) al 5% y 4% con diferentes tiempos de exposición 5, 10, 15 y 20 minutos. El mejor porcentaje de desinfección (76.75%) y brotación (58.91 %) se obtuvo utilizando una concentración de NaClO al 5% durante 20 minutos de exposición.
Alternativas de compostaje de aserrín de pino caribe (Pinus caribaea) en la industria maderera Refocosta S.A., municipio de Villanueva, Casanare, Colombia
Authors: Sarmiento Oviedo Mónica Bibiana
Published: March 2017

Debido a la actual acumulación de aserrín, subproducto del proceso del aserrado de la especie Pinus caribaea en la empresa maderera Refocosta S. A., se ensayó el compostaje en tres tratamientos con diferentes fuentes nitrogenadas (urea, lodos industriales de aceite de palma y estiércol bovino) y se comparó con corteza de pino compostada y aserrín expuesto a la intemperie. Para evaluar la posible inhibición de los sustratos, se midió germinación y biomasa fresca en Zea maíz y Acacia mangium. Se trasplantaron plántulas de Pinus caribaea, Eucalyptus pellita y Acacia mangium y a los dos meses se evaluó longitud del tallo, vigor y supervivencia. Se presentaron diferencias entre maíz y Acacia mangium y se observó menor germinación y biomasa en los sustratos aserrín a la intemperie y corteza sin compostar. El vigor y la longitud del tallo fue significativamente mejor en corteza compostada, sustrato actualmente utilizado para la producción de plántulas en el vivero de Refocosta; los sustratos a base de aserrín presentaron deficiencias marcadas (coloraciones rojizas, necrosis y enanismo).
Factores de crecimiento relacionados con la activación de folículos primordiales en bovinos
Authors: Castillo Barón Lidy Viviana
Published: March 2017

Se analizó la presencia y expresión de moléculas denominadas factores de crecimiento, que actúan controlando la dinámica folicular en etapas tempranas; además se describió la naturaleza y mecanismo de acción de los principales factores de crecimiento que intervienen en la activación de los folículos primordiales en bovinos, para mostrar la importancia en el desarrollo de folículos y oocitos de calidad que puedan ser fecundados, aumentando el potencial reproductivo de los animales domésticos.
Situación del menor campesino que estudia y trabaja en el sector agrario en Tuta, Boyacá
Authors: Guzmán Quintero María Elcy
Published: March 2017

Se estudió la situación de menores campesinos del municipio de Tuta en Boyacá que desarrollan actividades de acompañamiento con adultos en la producción agropecuaria, teniendo como parámetro los lineamientos generales que establecen los nuevos conceptos desarrollados por la Ley de infancia y adolescencia, mediante la aplicación de un instrumento estadístico que permitió corroborar la existencia parcial de condiciones anormales para algunos menores campesinos.
Origen de masas de aire en cuatro ciudades de Colombia mediante el modelo HYSPLIT
Authors: Ramírez Hernández Omar Javier
Published: March 2017

El objetivo de esta investigación fue identificar los orígenes de las masas de aire en cuatro ciudades colombianas (Bogotá, Cartagena de Indias, Pasto y Leticia) que tienen el potencial de afectar la calidad del aire urbano al transportar material particulado a largas distancias desde diferentes puntos geográficos. Metodológicamente se utilizó información proporcionada por el modelo HYSPLIT versión 4, con el cual se midieron retro-trayectorias para un periodo de análisis de un año (desde el 01 de enero a 31 de diciembre de 2012). El cálculo de retrotrayectorias es de gran utilidad para determinar la zona de partida de las masas de aire que llegan en un momento determinado, a un lugar concreto y a una altura definida. De esta forma se obtuvieron retro-trayectorias diarias registradas a las 12:00 UTC (tiempo universal coordinado), con cálculos a intervalos de seis horas, representando el transporte realizado por la masa de aire los cinco días anteriores (120 h). Las alturas isentrópicas consideradas fueron de 750, 1500 y 2500 m medidas desde el nivel del suelo. Según los resultados obtenidos, el origen de masas de aire más frecuente en Cartagena de Indias durante 2012 fue Caribe (45%), seguido por Continental (36%). En Bogotá fue Continental (77%), seguido por Atlántico Este (19%). En Pasto fue Pacífico (72%), seguido por Continental (23%). Y en Leticia fue Continental (99%) seguido por el origen Atlántico Este (1%).
POLIGAMI DALAM PERSPEKTIF AL-QUR’AN
Authors: Makrum Makrum
Published: March 2017

This paper is discusion the polygamy is still a controversial problem, although much discussed and examined. The difference of opinion among scholars make this problem continues to potentially raises the agree and disagree. Even though it has been regulated in Act Number 1 of 1974 concerning marriage and the compilation of Islamic law (KHI), this does not necessarily make the problem of polygamy is complete. Not a few perpetrators of polygamy choose married under the hand or by sirri. This research uses qualitative approach by implementing thematic interpretation method (maudhu'i) to obtain a comprehensive understanding about polygamy in the Qur'an. The Data obtained through the study of a library research by sharing the data that comes from the various verse of the Qur'an, hadith, book fiqh, research results, books and the news in various media outlets in order to complete the interpretation of the verses of polygamy. Based on the results of this research it is known that the verses of the Qur'an gives a very tight restrictions for those who want to in polygamy. Justice that the conditions of polygamy is not only were quantitative but also qualitative research. In the context of historical-socio, the command of polygamy is intended as a form of the solution to avoid injustice to orphans women. Even if polygamy still want to do, should the husband marrying the widows who have lighten the orphan.
Is child sexual abuse declining in Canada? Results from
nationally representative retrospective surveys
Authors: Shields M. , Tonmyr L. , Hovdestad W.
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Numerous data sources suggest a decline in child sexual abuse (CSA) in the
United States since the early 1990s. Some evidence also indicates that an earlier period of
higher CSA incidence began following World War II. This study examines prevalence estimates
of sexual abuse reported retrospectively as having occurred in childhood (ChSA) in
two nationally representative surveys of the Canadian population.

Methods

Data are from 13 931 respondents aged 18 to 76 years from the 2004/2005
Canadian Gender, Alcohol, and Culture: An International Study (GENACIS), and from 22 169
household residents aged 18 years or older who participated in the 2012 Canadian
Community Health Survey–Mental Health (CCHS-MH). We present inter- and intrasurvey
comparisons of ChSA prevalence specific to sex and age groups.

Results

Findings from both surveys suggest a decline in CSA since 1993, consistent with
declines observed in the United States. Results also suggest that 1946 to 1992 was a period of
higher risk of CSA, relative to the period before 1946. The evidence was more robust for
women.

Conclusion

Evidence of a decline in CSA in Canada since the early 1990s is encouraging,
given the long-term debilitating effects with which it is associated. Continued monitoring is
critical. The long-term negative effects associated with CSA underscore the importance of
continuing to move from lower risk to zero risk.
FRONTLINE: An innovative direction in academic journalism
Authors: Bacon Wendy
Published: March 2017

The Pacific Media Centre—Te Amokura—which publishes Pacific Journalism Review has always been concerned to link ‘robust and informed journalism’ with media research that contributes to social development both in the broader community, the media industries and inside the academy. The new section Frontline aims to further this by addressing more directly the interface between professional or practice-based journalism and scholarly journalism research practices. This commentary reflects new directions in academic journalism. It is worth charting some of the developments that have brought us to this point.
Physical Context Detection using Wearable Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Quwaider Muhannad , Biswas Subir
Published: March 2017

This paper presents the architecture of a wearable sensor network and a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) processingframework for stochastic identification of body postures andphysical contexts. The key idea is to collect multi-modal sensor data from strategically placed wireless sensors over a human subject’s body segments, and to process that using HMM in order to identify the subject’s instantaneous physical context. The key contribution of the proposed multi-modal approach is a significant extension of traditional uni-modal accelerometry in which only the individual body segment movements, without their relative proximities and orientation modalities, is used for physical context identification. Through real-life experiments with body mounted sensors it is demonstrated that while the unimodal accelerometry can be used for differentiating activityintensive postures such as walking and running, they are not effective for identification and differentiation between lowactivity postures such as sitting, standing, lying down, etc. In the proposed system, three sensor modalities namely acceleration, relative proximity and orientation are used for context identification through Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based stochastic processing. Controlled experiments using human subjects are carried out for evaluating the accuracy of the HMMidentified postures compared to a naïve threshold based mechanism over different human subjects.
Performance Analysis of Preamble-Based TDMA Protocol for Wireless Body Area Network
Authors: Ullah Sana , Islam Riazul , Nessa Ahasanun , Zhong Yingji , Kwak Kyung Sup
Published: March 2017

A wireless body area network (WBAN) allows the integration of low power, invasive or non-invasive miniaturized sensors around a human body. Each intelligent sensor has enough capability to analyze and process the physiological parameters and to forward all the information to a central intelligent node for disease management, diagnosis and prescription. The data transmission rate of various biosensors is heterogeneous. Furthermore, the limited energy resources and computational power of these sensors have urged the development of low power energy efficient medium access control (MAC) protocol. This paper studies the performance of Preamble-Based time division multiple access (PB-TDMA) protocol for a heterogeneous non-invasive WBAN. Simulation results show that the performance of PB-TDMA protocol outperforms S-MAC and IEEE 802.11 DCF in terms of throughput and power consumption.
Tinggalan Perang Dunia II Dan Konseptualisasi Museum di Morotai
Authors: Mansyur Syahruddin
Published: March 2017

Morotai Island is one of the locations which left many traces of World War II in Indonesia. This suggests that Morotai Island has a strategic geographical position for the two military forces involved at the time. In this context, the legacy of World War II in Morotai has important historical value to be preserved, one of them through the establishment of a museum. This study aimed to develop appropriate thematic concept for presentation of the museum. Literature study and field observations conducted to obtain data related to the historical and archaeological remains exist in the study area. The results of this study, obtained information about the actual condition of archaeological remains exist in Morotai, as well as the formulation of the concept of thematic presentation of the exhibition. Thus, early studies of this thematic concepts can provide the storyline, so as to give weight to the information of the existing archaeological remains in the Morotai.Pulau Morotai merupakan salah satu lokasi yang banyak meninggalkan jejak Perang Dunia II di Indonesia. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa Pulau Morotai memiliki posisi geografis yang strategis bagi dua kekuatan militer yang terlibat saat itu. Dalam konteks inilah, peninggalan Perang Dunia II yang ada di Morotai memiliki nilai sejarah yang penting untuk dilestarikan, salah satunya melalui pendirian sebuah museum. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menyusun konsep tematik yang tepat bagi penyajian museum. Studi pustaka dan observasi lapangan dilakukan untuk memperoleh data terkait dengan sejarah dan tinggalan arkeologi yang ada di lokasi penelitian. Hasil kajian ini, diperoleh informasi tentang kondisi aktual tinggalan arkeologi yang ada di Morotai, serta rumusan tentang konsep tematik penyajian pameran. Dengan demikian, studi awal konsep tematik ini dapat memberikan alur cerita atau storyline, sehingga mampu memberikan bobot informasi tinggalan arkeologi yang ada di Morotai.
Font Attributes based Text Steganographic algorithm (FATS) for communicating images: A nuclear power plant perspective
Authors: Krishnan R. B. , Thandra P. K. , Murty S. A. V. Satya , Thiyagarajan P.
Published: March 2017

Today even sensitive organizations like nuclear power plants are connected to the internet. As information security is of utmost priority to such organizations, achieving the same is a challenging task while using the public network like the internet. Though cryptography could be used to enhance the information security, it cannot hide its own presence from the attackers. This drawback lead security professionals to look for an alternate technique like steganography. Steganography hides the secret information, stealthily, inside another innocent looking cover medium like text, image, audio and video. Considering these, this paper proposes a novel text steganographic algorithm that embeds images as codes in the font attributes such as color, character spacing and kerning. The procedure of representing an image as codes makes the proposed method independent from the resolution of the image. Experiments were conducted by embedding diverse categories of images. A comparison with the best existing method depicted that the embedding capacity attained by the proposed method is higher at 1.59-bits/character, which suits best for low bandwidth environments. Various security aspects of the proposed method have also been discussed.
Conflict forecasting and its limits
Authors: Chadefaux Thomas
Published: March 2017

Research on international conflict has mostly focused on explaining events such as the onset or termination of wars, rather than on trying to predict them. Recently, however, forecasts of political phenomena have received growing attention. Predictions of violent events, in particular, have been increasingly accurate using various methods ranging from expert knowledge to quantitative methods and formal modeling. Yet, we know little about the limits of these approaches, even though information about these limits has critical implications for both future research and policy-making. In particular, are our predictive inaccuracies due to limitations of our models, data, or assumptions, in which case improvements should occur incrementally. Or are there aspects of conflicts that will always remain fundamentally unpredictable? After reviewing some of the current approaches to forecasting conflict, I suggest avenues of research that could disentangle the causes of our current predictive failures.
Simulation of Permanent Deformation in High-Modulus Asphalt Pavement with Sloped and Horizontally Curved Alignment
Authors: Zheng Mulian , Han Lili , Wang Chongtao , Xu Zhanlei , Li Hongyin , Ma Qinglei
Published: March 2017

This study aims to evaluate the permanent deformation of high-modulus asphalt pavement in special road using viscoelastic theory. Based on the creep test, the Prony series representation of Burgers model parameters for different asphalt mixtures were obtained and used in the deformation simulation of a high-modulus asphalt pavement situated in a horizontally curved ramp. The orthogonal design method was used to show the effect of different factors on the deformation. Results reveal that rutting in curved ramp was greater than in straightaway. Further, evident upheaval was found on the downhill pavement surface and outer pavement parts of the curve due to longitudinal friction force and sideway force. In addition, the upper and middle asphalt courses in such road seemed more crucial to pavement anti-rutting performance, since inclusion of shear force changed pavement deformation characteristic and the potential rutting area tended to move up. Finally, a preliminary equation to predict rutting in sloped and curved road with widely accepted pavement structure in China was proposed.
Analysis of Measures for Managing Issues in Post-Disaster Housing Reconstruction
Authors: Bilau Abdulquadri Ade , Witt Emlyn , Lill Irene
Published: March 2017

After large scale disasters, reconstruction is often initiated by stakeholders to minimize disaster impacts and to mitigate a recurrence. For most reconstruction programmes, priority is given to reconstruction of permanent housing in consideration of the multiplying effects of housing reconstruction on social and economic recovery and the development of community resilience. However, numerous challenges arise during implementation which have reportedly been poorly managed and this has resulted in the ineffectiveness of housing reconstruction programmes and the failure of housing interventions to achieve their intended goals. In previous, related research, the issues affecting the implementation of housing reconstruction programmes were identified and a conceptual framework proposed. This study systematically reviews the academic literature, case studies and working papers in order to identify measures that have been applied by managers of reconstruction programmes to overcome these previously identified issues. The measures identified will be used to develop the previously proposed conceptual framework and thus to enable data collection through an experts’ opinion survey. Findings from the experts’ opinion survey will, in turn, be used to deduce best practice measures for managing permanent housing reconstruction programmes. This study is intended to aid policy making by providing stakeholders with good practice measures for managing issues in post-disaster housing reconstruction. In addition, it improves the knowledge base by presenting current housing reconstruction management practices and recommending how they can be improved for better community recovery and resilience building after large-scale disasters.
Forest Cover Changes in Lao Tropical Forests: Physical and Socio-Economic Factors are the Most Important Drivers
Authors: Phompila Chittana , Lewis Megan , Ostendorf Bertram , Clarke Kenneth
Published: March 2017

Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) has been experiencing significant forest depletion since the 1980s, but there is little evidence to demonstrate the major causes and underlying drivers for the forest cover changes. In this study, we investigated the relationship between forest cover decrease and increase in the south of Lao PDR between 2006 and 2012 and selected physical and socio-economic factors. We used a map of forest cover changes derived from analysis of Landsat ETM+ imagery in 2006 and 2012, together with socio-economic and physical environmental data from the national authorities. The study area has experienced noticeable forest cover changes: both forest decreases and increases were unevenly distributed throughout the region. Logistic regression models were used to test relationships between forest cover decrease or increase and selected physical and socio-economic factors. Forest clearance was associated strongly with elevation, distance to main roads and shifting cultivation practices. Meanwhile, forest cover increase was more likely to correlate with rubber plantations. Native forest and shifting cultivation lands were vulnerable to being converted into rubber plantations. This research provides much-needed information on which to base forestry policy and decision making to minimize and prevent current deforestation, as well as manage potential risks in the future.
Corrosion Prediction with Parallel Finite Element Modeling for Coupled Hygro-Chemo Transport into Concrete under Chloride-Rich Environment
Authors: Na Okpin , Cai Xiao-Chuan , Xi Yunping
Published: March 2017

The prediction of the chloride-induced corrosion is very important because of the durable life of concrete structure. To simulate more realistic durability performance of concrete structures, complex scientific methods and more accurate material models are needed. In order to predict the robust results of corrosion initiation time and to describe the thin layer from concrete surface to reinforcement, a large number of fine meshes are also used. The purpose of this study is to suggest more realistic physical model regarding coupled hygro-chemo transport and to implement the model with parallel finite element algorithm. Furthermore, microclimate model with environmental humidity and seasonal temperature is adopted. As a result, the prediction model of chloride diffusion under unsaturated condition was developed with parallel algorithms and was applied to the existing bridge to validate the model with multi-boundary condition. As the number of processors increased, the computational time decreased until the number of processors became optimized. Then, the computational time increased because the communication time between the processors increased. The framework of present model can be extended to simulate the multi-species de-icing salts ingress into non-saturated concrete structures in future work.
Graphene Oxide: A Perfect Material for Spatial Light Modulation Based on Plasma Channels
Authors: Tan Chao , Wu Xinghua , Wang Qinkai , Tang Pinghua , Shi Xiaohui , Zhan Shiping , Xi Zaifang , Fu Xiquan
Published: March 2017

The graphene oxide (GO) is successfully prepared from a purified natural graphite through a pressurized oxidation method. We experimentally demonstrate that GO as an optical media can be used for spatial light modulation based on plasma channels induced by femtosecond pulses. The modulated beam exhibits good propagation properties in free space. It is easy to realize the spatial modulation on the probe beam at a high concentration of GO dispersion solutions, high power and smaller pulse width of the pump beam. We also find that the spatial modulation on the probe beam can be conveniently adjusted through the power and pulse width of pump lasers, dispersion solution concentration.
RGDC Peptide-Induced Biomimetic Calcium Phosphate Coating Formed on AZ31 Magnesium Alloy
Authors: Cao Lin , Wang Lina , Fan Lingying , Xiao Wenjun , Lin Bingpeng , Xu Yimeng , Liang Jun , Cao Baocheng
Published: March 2017

Magnesium alloys as biodegradable metal implants have received a lot of interest in biomedical applications. However, magnesium alloys have extremely high corrosion rates a in physiological environment, which have limited their application in the orthopedic field. In this study, calcium phosphate compounds (Ca–P) coating was prepared by arginine–glycine–aspartic acid–cysteine (RGDC) peptide-induced mineralization in 1.5 simulated body fluid (SBF) to improve the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of the AZ31 magnesium alloys. The adhesion of Ca–P coating to the AZ31 substrates was evaluated by a scratch test. Corrosion resistance and cytocompatibility of the Ca–P coating were investigated. The results showed that the RGDC could effectively promote the nucleation and crystallization of the Ca–P coating and the Ca–P coating had poor adhesion to the AZ31 substrates. The corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of the biomimetic Ca–P coating Mg alloys were greatly improved compared with that of the uncoated sample.
Performance of Hybrid Photocatalytic-Ceramic Membrane System for the Treatment of Secondary Effluent
Authors: Song Lili , Zhu Bo , Gray Stephen , Duke Mikel , Muthukumaran Shobha
Published: March 2017

Evaluation of an advanced wastewater treatment system that combines photocatalysis with ceramic membrane filtration for the treatment of secondary effluent was undertaken. The results showed that, after photocatalysis and ceramic membrane filtration, the removal of dissolved organic carbon and UV254 was 60% and 54%, respectively, at a concentration of 4 g/L of TiO2. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) present in the secondary effluent was characterised with a liquid chromatography-organic carbon detector (LC-OCD) technique. The results showed low removal of humics, building blocks, the other oxidation by-products and no removal of biopolymers after TiO2/UV photocatalytic treatment. This suggested that the radical non-selective oxidation mechanisms of TiO2/UV process resulted in secondary effluent in which all of the DOM fractions were present. However, the hybrid system was effective for removing biopolymers with the exception of low molecular weight (LMW) compounds acids, which accumulated from the beginning of the reaction. In addition, monitoring of the DOM fractions with LC-OCD analysis demonstrated that the reduction of the effluent aromaticity was not firmly correlated with the removal of humic substances for the combined processes.
Novel Sulfamethoxazole Ureas and Oxalamide as Potential Antimycobacterial Agents
Authors: Krátký Martin , Stolaříková Jiřina , Vinšová Jarmila
Published: March 2017

Infections caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb.) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are considered to be a global health problem; current therapeutic options are limited. Sulfonamides have exhibited a wide range of biological activities including those against mycobacteria. Based on the activity of 4-(3-heptylureido)-N-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)benzenesulfonamide against NTM, we designed a series of homologous sulfamethoxazole-based n-alkyl ureas (C1–C12), as well as several related ureas and an oxalamide. Fifteen ureas and one oxalamide were synthesized by five synthetic procedures and characterized. They were screened for their activity against Mtb. and three NTM strains (M. avium, M. kansasii). All of them share antimycobacterial properties with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values starting from 2 µM. The highest activity showed 4,4′-[carbonylbis(azanediyl)]bis[N-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)benzenesulfonamide] with MIC of 2–62.5 µM (i.e., 1.07–33.28 µg/mL). Among n-alkyl ureas, methyl group is optimal for the inhibition of both Mtb. and NTM. Generally, longer alkyls led to increased MIC values, heptyl being an exception for NTM. Some of the novel derivatives are superior to parent sulfamethoxazole. Several urea and oxalamide derivatives are promising antimycobacterial agents with low micromolar MIC values.
3,4-Dihydroxybenzalactone Suppresses Human Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Cells Metastasis via Suppression of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, ROS-Mediated PI3K/AKT/MAPK/MMP and NFκB Signaling Pathways
Authors: Chao Wei , Deng Jeng-Shyan , Li Pei-Ying , Liang Yu-Chia , Huang Guan-Jhong
Published: March 2017

3,4-Dihydroxybenzalactone (DBL) was isolated from Phellinus linteus (PL), which is a folk medicine possessing various physiological effects. In this study, we used highly metastatic A549 cells to investigate efficacy of DBL inhibition of cancer metastasis and possible mechanisms. The results revealed DBL inhibited migratory and invasive abilities of cancer cells at noncytotoxic concentrations. We found DBL suppressed enzymatic activities, protein expression, and RNA levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. Western blot results showed DBL decreased phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT, phosphorylation status of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/paxillin, which correlated with cell migratory ability. DBL also affected epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related biomarkers. In addition, DBL enhanced cytoprotective effects through elevated antioxidant enzymes including heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Moreover, DBL influenced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NFκB), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Snail, and Slug in A549 cells. Taken together, these results suggested that treatment with DBL may act as a potential candidate to inhibit lung cancer metastasis by inhibiting MMP-2 and -9 via affecting PI3K/AKT, MAPKs, FAK/paxillin, EMT/Snail and Slug, Nrf2/antioxidant enzymes, and NFκB signaling pathways.
Bioactive Constituents Obtained from the Seeds of Lepidium apetalum Willd
Authors: Wang Sijian , Shi Pingping , Qu Lu , Ruan Jingya , Yang Shengcai , Yu Haiyang , Zhang Yi , Wang Tao
Published: March 2017

Three new compounds, apetalumosides C1 (1), D (2), and 1-thio--d-glucopyranosyl(1→1)-1-thio-α-d-glucopyranoside (3), together with twenty-two known ones (4–25) were obtained from the seeds of Lepidium apetalum Willd. Among the known isolates, 5–8, 10–13, 16–20, and 25 were obtained from the genus for the first time; 4, 14, 15, and 21–24 were isolated from the species for the first time. Meanwhile, the NMR data of 16 was first reported here. Their structures were determined by means of chemical and spectroscopic methods. On the other hand, their inhibitory effects on sodium oleate-induced triglyceride (TG) overloading in HepG2 cells were evaluated. As a result, two new compounds (1 and 2), together with known isolates 7–11, 13, 14, 16–18, 20, 21, and 25 possessed significant inhibitory effects in the cells.
Renewable Polymeric Adhesives
Authors: Pizzi Antonio
Published: March 2017

The ﬁeld of renewable polymeric adhesives has become a very active ﬁeld of research in the last few years [...]
Twenty First Century Global Goal-Setting Addressing Global Inequality: An Interdisciplinary Ethical Analysis
Authors: O’Sullivan James
Published: March 2017

This paper employs an interdisciplinary ethical analysis to evaluate how global inequality has been addressed by recent so-called “global goal-setting” initiatives. It seeks to contextualize these initiatives within theoretical paradigms of human rights and human development, and to utilize these paradigms in evaluating the successes and shortcomings of the goal-setting initiatives. It concludes that while these initiatives have achieved some success in addressing global inequality, much still remains to be done.
A New Combined Vision Technique for Micro Aerial Vehicle Pose Estimation
Authors: Yuan Haiwen , Xiao Changshi , Xiu Supu , Wen Yuanqiao , Zhou Chunhui , Li Qiliang
Published: March 2017

In this work, a new combined vision technique (CVT) is proposed, comprehensively developed, and experimentally tested for stable, precise unmanned micro aerial vehicle (MAV) pose estimation. The CVT combines two measurement methods (multi- and mono-view) based on different constraint conditions. These constraints are considered simultaneously by the particle filter framework to improve the accuracy of visual positioning. The framework, which is driven by an onboard inertial module, takes the positioning results from the visual system as measurements and updates the vehicle state. Moreover, experimental testing and data analysis have been carried out to verify the proposed algorithm, including multi-camera configuration, design and assembly of MAV systems, and the marker detection and matching between different views. Our results indicated that the combined vision technique is very attractive for high-performance MAV pose estimation.
Loess Landslide Inventory Map Based on GF-1 Satellite Imagery
Authors: Sun Wenyi , Tian Yuansheng , Mu Xingmin , Zhai Jun , Gao Peng , Zhao Guangju
Published: March 2017

Rainfall-induced landslides are a major threat in the hilly and gully regions of the Loess Plateau. Landslide mapping via field investigations is challenging and impractical in this complex region because of its numerous gullies. In this paper, an algorithm based on an object-oriented method (OOA) has been developed to recognize loess landslides by combining spectral, textural, and morphometric information with auxiliary topographic parameters based on high-resolution multispectral satellite data (GF-1, 2 m) and a high-precision DEM (5 m). The quality percentage (QP) values were all greater than 0.80, and the kappa indices were all higher than 0.85, indicating good landslide detection with the proposed approach. We quantitatively analyze the spectral, textural, morphometric, and topographic properties of loess landslides. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is useful for discriminating landslides from vegetation cover and water areas. Morphometric parameters, such as elongation and roundness, can potentially improve the recognition capacity and facilitate the identification of roads. The combination of spectral properties in near-infrared regions, the textural variance from a grey level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), and topographic elevation data can be used to effectively discriminate terraces and buildings. Furthermore, loess flows are separated from landslides based on topographic position data. This approach shows great potential for quickly producing accurate results for loess landslides that are induced by extreme rainfall events in the hilly and gully regions of the Loess Plateau, which will help decision makers improve landslide risk assessment, reduce the risk from landslide hazards and facilitate the application of more reliable disaster management strategies.
Improving Transfer in the Food Sector by Applying a Target Audience-Centered Approach—The Development of a Nonprofit Marketing Campaign Guide Based on a Case Study of the LAV Platform
Authors: Strotmann Christina , Niepagenkemper Linda , Göbel Christine , Flügge Fara , Friedrich Silke , Kreyenschmidt Judith , Ritter Guido
Published: March 2017

This article presents a marketing campaign guide to support nonprofit and governmental organizations, such as academic research institutes or governmental agencies, that wish to develop support tools for the food industry. It offers a systematic and target audience-centered approach which guides nonprofits through the various steps of a marketing campaign, from defining the required values of a new product or service to ultimately launching it. The text also explains how a target audience-centered marketing approach was applied in a case study of developing and transferring the LAV platform (LAV—Avoiding Food Waste, from the German “Lebensmittel Abfall Vermeiden”), a website that has been specifically set up and targeted to small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs) in the German food sector that wish to reduce food waste in their operations. Currently, there are more than 500 tools available in the English or German language which attempt to support companies in the food sector in their food waste reduction efforts. However, so far there has been no platform that could gather all these tools to facilitate SMEs’ access to them. The LAV platform compiles various relevant tools from academia as well as from industry and makes the most suitable tools available in a toolbox published on the Internet platform. Here, the tools are structured by topic and market segment; its user-friendliness was tested applying participatory methods which involved SMEs and industry organizations. The LAV platform, as well as target audience-centered marketing approaches more generally, could act as role models for other international projects that also have the goal of setting up and promoting tool-gathering systems.
A Parametric Flood Control Method for Dams with Gate-Controlled Spillways
Authors: Sordo-Ward Alvaro , Gabriel-Martin Ivan , Bianucci Paola , Garrote Luis
Published: March 2017

The study presents a method which can be used to define real-time operation rules for gated spillways (named the K-Method). The K-Method is defined to improve the performance of the Volumetric Evaluation Method (VEM), by adapting it to the particular conditions of the basin, the reservoir, or the spillway. The VEM was proposed by the Spanish engineer Fernando Girón in 1988 and is largely used for the specification of dam management rules during floods in Spain. This method states that outflows are lower than or equal to antecedent inflows, outflows increase when inflows increase, and the higher the reservoir level, the higher the percentage of outflow increase. The K-Method was developed by modifying the VEM and by including a K parameter which affects the released flows. A Monte Carlo environment was developed to evaluate the method under a wide range of inflow conditions (100,000 hydrographs) and with return periods ranging from one to 10,000 years. The methodology was applied to the Talave reservoir, located in the South-East of Spain. The results show that K-values higher than one always reduce the maximum reservoir levels reached in the dam. For K-values ranging from one to ten, and for inflow hydrographs with return periods higher than 100 years, we found a decrease in the maximum levels and outflows, when compared to the VEM. Finally, by carrying out a dam risk analysis, a K-value of 5.25 reduced the expected annual damage by 8.4% compared to the VEM, which represents a lowering of 17.3% of the maximum possible reduction, determined by the application of an optimizer based on mixed integer linear programming (MILP method).
Trends in the diagnosis and management of hypertension: repeated primary care survey in South West England
Authors: Mejzner Natasha , Clark Christopher E , Smith Lindsay FP , Campbell John L
Published: March 2017

Background

Previous surveys identified a shift to nurse-led care in hypertension in 2010. In 2011 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended ambulatory (ABPM) or home (HBPM) blood pressure (BP) monitoring for diagnosis of hypertension.

Aim

To survey the organisation of hypertension care in 2016 to identify changes, and to assess uptake of NICE diagnostic guidelines.

Design and setting

Questionnaires were distributed to all 305 general practices in South West England.

Method

Responses were compared with previous rounds (2007 and 2010). Data from the 2015 Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) were used to compare responders with non-responders, and to explore associations of care organisation with QOF achievement.

Results

One-hundred-and-seventeen practices (38%) responded. Responders had larger list sizes and greater achievement of the QOF target BP ≤150/90 mmHg. Healthcare assistants (HCAs) now monitor BP in 70% of practices, compared with 37% in 2010 and 19% in 2007 (P<0.001). Nurse prescribers alter BP medication in 26% of practices (11% in 2010, none in 2007;P<0.001). Of the practices, 89% have access to ABPM, but only 71% report confidence in interpreting results. Also, 87% offer HBPM, with 93% of these confident in interpreting results.

Conclusion

In primary care BP monitoring has devolved from GPs and nurses to HCAs. One in 10 practices are not implementing NICE guidelines on ABPM and HBPM for diagnosis of hypertension. Most practices express confidence interpreting HBPM results but less so with ABPM. The need for education and quality assurance for allied health professionals is highlighted, and for training in ABPM interpretation for GPs.