bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entrepreneurship: Solution for Socio-Economic Developments
Authors:   MBA Business Sustainability (TERI University), PG Diploma in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations (Annamalai University), B. Com H (Delhi University), Jha Bhavesh
Published: April 2015

Increasing unemployment in most of the developing countries has become main hindrance behind decreasing livelihood standards and poverty. The per capita income has been decreasing rapidly and the poor are becoming poorer. Even the literates are not able to generate income as per the needs and suffering from underemployment or unemployment. There is a huge skill shortage seen in the qualified graduates as per the industry standards. India has a large population of such literate unemployed pool of labor force which is not able to economically contribute in the society and the nation. The main challenge in front of governments is how to enhance the economic empowerment in the society. The economic empowerment of these excluded literate youths in the country can play a major role in boosting the economy at a local level. There is a need for an entrepreneurial environment which can facilitate entrepreneurs to start their own ventures and develop micro economy. Skill based special trainings and awareness about entrepreneurship among students can be the solution. Information dissemination, financial access, mentoring and business incubation facilities in the education institutions could be few of the steps in this regard. Entrepreneurship attitude among this enormous pool of unemployed literates can increase the trades activities and jobs creation in the local market. Thus an efficient education system pertaining to the industry demands and focused towards empowering the literate youths is need of the hour.
Astronomical Misconceptions Prevalent Among High School Students of Kerala
Authors:   UGC-SRF Research Scholar, School of Pedagogical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam., Radhakrishnan Rakhy
Published: April 2015

Astronomy is the study of celestial bodies. It is basically an observational Science and astronomical objects are always in the sky and hence everybody will get some information from their observations which may or may not be true. These incorrect information forms misconceptions. In order to find astronomical misconceptions prevalent among High school students of Kerala, Survey method was adopted. Astronomy Misconception Inventory (AMI) containing 32 items was prepared and given to a sample of 300 students studying in different high schools of Kerala. The data obtained were subjected to percentage analysis. From the study it was found that majority of the high school students of Kerala have misconceptions related to Astronomy. It is hoped that this study will orient the curriculum planners to give more importance to Astronomy in the school curriculum.
Fostering Barrier Free Access for Children with Special Needs in India
Authors:   Department of Community Education & Disability Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh., Kaur Sukhwinder
Published: April 2015

Barrier Free Access is particularly relevant in the context of children with special needs because they have variety of needs which need to be addressed. The paper will focus on access to the physical environment as well as access to the curriculum and the teaching environment of children with special needs. The various Acts and Policies emphasizing on the provision of barrier free environment would also be discussed. Secondary sources like books, Journals, Articles and websites have been used to collect the information. The adoption of inclusive approaches in education is imperative so that the goal of ‘Education for All’ can be achieved. It serves as the catalyst for smarter practices and broader perspectives and to improve quality of life of special children. The paper will put forward the strategies for the Institutional planners to help them in developing some mechanism for promoting accessibility and full participation of children with special needs.
DVB-S2 Channel Estimation and Decoding in The Presence of Phase Noise for Non-Linear Channels
Authors: Pal Urvashi , KING Horace L
Published: April 2015

In a multipath fading channel of DVB-S2, smallscalevariations occur due to unwanted noise signal, which isdirectly related to the impulse response of a radio channel. Thevarying channel has to be estimated before decoding the signal atthe receiver for proper signal recovery. However, In the presenceof a time varying and correlated phase noise, proper estimation ofthe Channel Impulse Response (CIR) becomes difficult. Toovercome this problem, a pilot-aided joint channel estimation anddecoding method is proposed to obtain the initial estimate of thechannel. This technique is reliable and important for satellitecommunication as the Ku-band capacity is almost over crowdedand more satellite resources are needed. The results show thatIterative Channel Estimation technique results in a lower BER andimproved signal quality for DVB-S2, which fine-tunes the systemfor an efficient use of power and bandwidth of satellite resources.
Impact of forestry practices at a landscape scale on the dynamics of amphibian populations
Authors: Harper Elizabeth B. , Patrick David A. , Gibbs James P.
Published: April 2015

Forest loss is a primary cause of worldwide amphibian decline. Timber harvesting in the United States has caused dramatic changes in quality and extent of forest ecosystems, and intensive forest management still occurs. Although numerous studies have documented substantial reductions in amphibian densities related to timber harvest, subsequent extinctions are rare. To better understand the population dynamics that have allowed so many amphibian species to persist in the face of widespread forest disturbance, we developed spatially explicit metapopulation models for four forest‐dependent amphibian species (Lithobates sylvaticus,Ambystoma opacum,A. talpoideum, andA. maculatum) that incorporated demographic and habitat selection data derived from experiments conducted as part of the Land Use Effects on Amphibian Populations Project (LEAP). We projected local and landscape‐scale population persistence under 108 different forestry practice scenarios, varying treatment (partial cut, clear‐cut with coarse woody debris [CWD] removed, and clear‐cut with CWD retained), cut patch size (1, 10, or 50 ha), total area cut (10, 20, or 30%), and initial amphibian population size (5, 50, or 500 adult females per local breeding population). Under these scenarios, landscape‐scale extinction was highly unlikely, occurring in <1% of model runs and for only 2 of the 4 species, because landscape‐scale populations were able to persist via dispersal even despite frequent local extinctions. Yet for all species, population sizes were reduced to ~50% in all clear‐cut scenarios, regardless of the size of harvested patches. These findings suggest that debate over timber harvesting on pool‐breeding amphibian populations in the United States should focus not on questions of landscape‐scale extinction but on the ecological consequences of dramatic reductions in amphibian biomass, including changes in trophic interactions, nutrient cycling, and energy transfer. Additionally, we conclude that amphibian declines and extinctions are far more likely to occur as a result of permanent habitat loss resulting from development than from the temporary degradation of habitat caused by current forestry practices.
Maternal investment mediates offspring life history variation with context‐dependent fitness consequences
Authors: Moore Michael P. , Landberg Tobias , Whiteman Howard H.
Published: April 2015

Maternal effects, such as per capita maternal investment, often interact with environmental conditions to strongly affect traits expressed early in ontogeny. However, their impact on adult life history traits and fitness components is relatively unknown. Theory predicts that lower per capita maternal investment will have strong fitness costs when the offspring develop in unfavorable conditions, yet few studies have experimentally manipulated per capita maternal investment and followed offspring through adulthood. We used a surgical embryonic yolk removal technique to investigate how per capita maternal investment interacted with an important ecological factor, larval density, to mediate offspring life history traits through reproductive maturity in an amphibian,Ambystoma talpoideum. We predicted that increased larval density would reinforce the life history variation induced by differences in per capita investment (i.e., Controls vs. Reduced Yolk), with Reduced larvae ultimately expressing traits associated with lower fitness than Controls when raised at high densities. We found that Reduced individuals were initially smaller and more developed, caught up in size to Controls within the first month of the larval stage, but were smaller at the end of the larval stage in low densities. Reduced individuals also were more likely to undergo metamorphosis at high densities and mature females invested in more eggs for their body sizes than Controls. Together, our results do not support our hypothesis, but instead indicate that Reduced individuals express traits associated with higher fitness when they develop in high‐density environments, but lower fitness in low‐density environments. The observed life history and fitness patterns are consistent with the “maternal match” hypothesis, which predicts that when the maternal environment (e.g., high density) results in phenotypic variation that is transmitted to the offspring (e.g., reduced per capita yolk investment), and offspring face that same environment (e.g., high larval density), the fitness of both mother and offspring is maximized.
Best Practices for Flexible Pipe Integrity: Evolve
Authors: Boschee Pam
Published: April 2015

Operators are increasingly recognizing the need for a systematic assessment and management of flexible pipe integrity, but the identification of critical criteria and the means to best achieve valid and efficient inspection and monitoring (I&M) continues to evolve. Emerging technologies in I&M and operators’ expanding implementation of riskbased management are leading the way toward achieving a comprehensive integrity management approach for flexible pipeline and riser systems worldwide.
Managing Subsurface Uncertainties in Facilities Design
Authors: Boschee Pam
Published: April 2015

Risk is inherent in all field development plans. Much of the risk is related to the uncertainty in the reservoir characterization and its effects on production forecasting and, ultimately, facility design. Improper management of subsurface uncertainty in the field development plan and facility design process is often a reason for project difficulties, including cost and schedule overruns, and the failure of projects to meet their production and economic objectives.
Implementation of a Metric-Driven Statistical Chemical Management Program for Unconventional Plays
Authors: Ismail Huzeifa
Published: April 2015

Oil production in the Eagle Ford play is now more than 600,000 BOPD. Advances in horizontal drilling have made exploration of unconventional hydrocarbon resources commercially viable, and production in Eagle Ford will only continue to increase for years to come. The positive effects of this include potentially decreasing foreign imports of oil, and thousands of new jobs in the area.
Advancements in the Removal of Mercury from Crude Oil
Authors: Boschee Pam
Published: April 2015

Global awareness of the environmental effects of mercury has grown significantly over the past decade. In the oil and gas industry, the presence of mercury in natural gas, condensate, and crude oil has come to the forefront in the development, design, and operation of hydrocarbon processing equipment.
Built-In Bias Jeopardizes Project Success
Authors: Briel Eric , Luan Pete , Westney Richard
Published: April 2015

In spite of massive investments in project management best practices and the organizations to implement them, major oil and gas projects continue to experience painful cost overruns and schedule delays. Although there are many hypotheses as to why this is so, one root cause that has not been sufficiently explored is the built-in bias of owner and contractor organizations toward optimism and overconfidence. This article will explore the sources of this bias, and how techniques, such as using an outside view and improving the understanding of the drivers of risk exposure, can help correct it.
Quantifying Separation Performance Taking Bothamley’s Work to the Next Level
Authors: Arnold Ken
Published: April 2015

The three-part series about quantifying separation performance in the August, October, and December 2013 Oil and Gas Facilities by Mark Bothamley represents a significant addition to the literature in two-phase separator design. I have been arguing against the misuse of the modified Souders-Brown K factors in selecting the size of separators for 30 years, and for a droplet settling design as proposed by Mark.
Shale Plays: Environmental Issues Related to Surface Facilities
Authors: Boschee Pam
Published: April 2015

As the development of US shale plays expands to undeveloped or underdeveloped areas, the environmental issues related to surface facilities move to front and center. Operators, regulators, politicians, and the general public have become more aware of and concerned about environmental effects than in earlier times when shale plays were in the nascent stages of discovery, exploration, and production.
Bhopal: A Root Cause Analysis of the Deadliest Industrial Accident in History
Authors: Duhon Howard
Published: April 2015

In the 11th century, Raja Bhoj of Dhar founded a city on the shores of a beautiful lake in central India. Today, that city, Bhopal, is a bustling metropolis of 2 million people. The city and surrounding area is home to a large wildlife refuge, a museum of Indian tribal life, a collection of historical palaces and temples, and Stone Age cave paintings.

Almost anywhere else in the world, this city would be a major tourist attraction, but Bhopal is well-known for something else: It is the site of the deadliest industrial accident in history.
Methane Flaring, Venting Draws Attention to Unconventional Plays
Authors: Dunnahoe Tayvis
Published: April 2015

Industry proponents and many leading academic institutions agree that natural gas is the safest, cleanest-burning bridge fuel capable of heralding the alternative energy market of the future. One risk in the development of this resource involves the inevitable leakage of methane. As a greenhouse gas (GHG), methane is considered more detrimental than carbon dioxide (CO2).
Engineering for Decommissioning During Project Design Reduces Costs
Authors: Boschee Pam
Published: April 2015

The decommissioning of offshore structures represents the end of a production life cycle. Wells are plugged and abandoned, structures and infrastructure are removed, and the site is remediated and cleared of debris. Decommissioning operations generally use standard, low-technology methods over relatively short time periods. Because of the hostile ocean environment, offshore decommissioning operations are more uncertain and costly than onshore.
Advances in Electrostatic Treatment of Crude Oil
Authors: Boschee Pam
Published: April 2015

As operators produce more opportunity crude oils, oils that provide a higher refining margin relative to other crudes, dehydration of the oil becomes more difficult. Physical properties of the crude oil, such as API gravity, oil viscosity, and water density, determine the challenges and drive the selection of technologies to be used for effective dehydration.
LLOG’s Delta House - Who Dat Writ Large
Authors: Furlow William
Published: April 2015

LLOG Exploration’s Delta House floating production system (FPS) looms large over Kiewit Offshore Services’ fabrication yard in Ingleside, Texas. This summer, the semisubmersible FPS underwent an incline test as one of the final stages before sailing out to its home in the US Gulf of Mexico’s (GOM) Mississippi Canyon (MC) Block 254, where it will be permanently moored in 4,500 ft of water.
Processing of Sour Natural Gas Reaches New Highs
Authors: Boschee Pam
Published: April 2015

Global demand for natural gas continues to grow because it is favored as an environmentally attractive fuel relative to other hydrocarbon fuels. By 2035, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects global natural gas consumption will have increased from approximately 113.1 Tcf in 2010 to 168.7 Tcf (Fig. 1).
Taking on the Technical Challenges of Sour Gas Processing
Authors: Boschee Pam
Published: April 2015

Developments in the processing of sour gas were the topics of several papers presented at the 2014 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) last month. Sour gas reserves, historically left undeveloped because of the technical challenges and cost involved in their extraction and processing, are being revisited as potential sources of supply in areas with high demand for natural gas. Only in recent years has technology advanced to an extent that makes processing of sour gas with high carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) feasible.
Total Hip Prostheses in Standing, Sitting and Squatting Positions: An Overview of Our 8 Years Practice Using the EOS Imaging Technology
Authors: Lazennec Jean-Yves , Rousseau Marc-Antoine , Brusson Adrien , Folinais Dominique , Amel Maria , Clarke Ian , Pour Aidin Eslam
Published: April 2015

More total hip arthroplasty (THA) is performed worldwide and especially in younger and more active patients compared to earlier decades. One of the focuses of THA research in the future will be on optimizing the radiological follow-up of these patients using 2D and 3D measurements of implants position while reducing the radiation dose delivered.

Low-dose EOS®imaging is an innovative slot-scanning radiograph system providing valuable information in patient functional positions (standing, sitting and even squatting positions). EOS has been proven accurate and reliable without significant inconvenience caused by the metallic artifacts of implants. The ability to obtain precise data on implant orientation according to the patient posture opens new perspectives for a comprehensive analysis of the pelvic frontal and sagittal balance and its potential impact on implants function and failures.

We report our 8 years experience on our first 300 THA patients using this technology routinely for pre and post op evaluation. Our results will be compared and confronted with the actual literature about this innovative technology. We shall especially emphasize our experience about patients with abnormal posture and the evolution of the subject over time, because the phenomenon of an aging spine is frequently associated with the process of aging hips.
Test-Retest Reliability and Convergent Validity of a Computer Based Hand Function Test Protocol in People with Arthritis
Authors: Srikesavan Cynthia S. , Shay Barbara , Szturm Tony
Published: April 2015

Objectives: A computer based hand function assessment tool has been developed to provide a standardized method for quantifying task performance during manipulations of common objects/tools/utensils with diverse physical properties and grip/grasp requirements for handling. The study objectives were to determine test-retest reliability and convergent validity of the test protocol in people with arthritis.

Methods: Three different object manipulation tasks were evaluated twice in forty people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or hand osteoarthritis (HOA). Each object was instrumented with a motion sensor and moved in concert with a computer generated visual target. Self-reported joint pain and stiffness levels were recorded before and after each task. Task performance was determined by comparing the object movement with the computer target motion. This was correlated with grip strength, nine hole peg test, Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores.

Results: The test protocol indicated moderate to high test-retest reliability of performance measures for three manipulation tasks, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranging between 0.5 to 0.84,p<0.05. Strength of association between task performance measures with self- reported activity/participation composite scores was low to moderate (Spearman rho <0.7). Low correlations (Spearman rho < 0.4) were observed between task performance measures and grip strength; and between three objects’ performance measures. Significant reduction in pain and joint stiffness (p<0.05) was observed after performing each task.

Conclusion: The study presents initial evidence on the test retest reliability and convergent validity of a computer based hand function assessment protocol in people with rheumatoid arthritis or hand osteoarthritis. The novel tool objectively measures overall task performance during a variety of object manipulation tasks done by tracking a computer based visual target. This allows an innovative method of assessing performance than considering the time taken to complete a task or relying on subjective measures of self-reports on a limited range of objects and tasks covered. In addition, joint pain and stiffness levels before and after a manipulation task are tracked, which is lacking in other hand outcome measures. Performance measures during a broad range of object manipulation tasks relate to many activities relevant to life role participation. Therefore, task performance evaluation of common objects, utensils, or tools would be more valuable to gauge the difficulties encountered in daily life by people with arthritis. Future studies should consider a few revisions of the present protocol and evaluate a number of different objects targeting strength, fine, and gross dexterity based tasks for a broader application of the tool in arthritis populations.
Surgical Management of the Forefoot in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis - A Review Article
Authors: Nash W.J. , Al-Nammari S. , Khan W.S. , Pengas I.P.
Published: April 2015

Foot and ankle pathologies cause a significant disease burden on rheumatoid patients. Forefoot pathologies causes pain, callosities and possibly ulceration, and can cause problems with footwear. Forefoot correction in rheumatoid patients has historically comprised of excision of diseased joints. While satisfaction was high with this procedure, complications, changing expectations and improvement in medical therapy have raised expectation of patients, physicians and surgeons alike. This review assesses the role of joint preserving osteotomies and arthrodesis, as well as associated complications. It also describes the role of the multidisciplinary team in the management of these patients.
Creating Shared Values Between National Team Identity and Global Event Brand Equity
Authors: Kwon Woong , Lee Hyun-Woo , Kim YuKyoum
Published: April 2015

We proposed and empirically examined a social identity-brand equity model for global sporting events. In the model, we focused on the functional organization of mutual benefits between fans' identification with a national team and global event brand equity. We applied a 2-step approach
to assess the simultaneous equation models and utilized the bootstrapping method to examine the direct, indirect, and total effects. Participants were 280 students of diverse nationalities (102 women, 178 men; Mage = 23.84 years, age range: 18–37 years). The results
indicated that attributes of local experience and global phenomena are intertwined in the formation of positive local identification with national teams and the brand equity of a global sporting event. Managers and researchers should further identify and elaborate on ways and means of creating
value in order to foster the universal sport market.
Motivations and Gratification in an Online Game: Relationships Among Players' Self-Esteem, Self-Concept, and Interpersonal Relationships
Authors: Huang Chiao-Ling , Yang Shu Ching , Chen An-Sing
Published: April 2015

We applied uses and gratifications (U & G) theory to investigate how and why people satisfy their needs through playing games online. In this study, conducted with a group of young people aged from 11 to 18 years, we examined the relationships among the psychological traits of self-esteem
and self-concept, their interpersonal relationships, and playing a Facebook game called Happy Farm. The results support the assumption in U & G theory that if a specific medium fulfills the expected gratifications initially sought, then individuals will have greater motivation to continue
to use the medium. Male players had a significantly greater need for friendship than did females. We also found a positive association among use intensity, self-esteem, self-concept, and interpersonal relationships. Finally, the results showed that recreational motivation, recreational gratification,
peer relationships, and caring are all strong predictors of adolescents' usage intensity.
Upconversion and infrared emission of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped SiO2-Gd2O3 obtained by sol-gel process
Authors: Rocha Leonardo , Ribeiro Sidney , Pereira Arnaldo , Schiavon Marco , Ferrari Jefferson
Published: April 2015

This work reports on the preparation of materials based on Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped
SiO2-Gd2O3 via sol-gel process. The 0.4mol%of Er3+ ions was fixed and the
amount of Yb3+ ions changed as 1.8, 5 and 9mol%in order to evaluate the
photoluminescence properties as a function of the Yb3+ ions concentration.
The prepared xerogels were heat-treated at 900, 1000 and 1100?C for 8 h.
X-ray diffraction analyses of the heat-treated materials confirmed the
formation of the Gd2O3 cubic phase embedded in the SiO2 host, demonstrating
the effective incorporation of RE3+ ions in the structure. The Scherrer?s
equation verified that the sizes of Gd2O3 nanocrystallite are between 31 and
69 nm and directly dependent on the heat-treatment temperature. Under
excitation at 980 nm all materials showed upconversion phenomena, and the
intensities of the emissions in the green and red regions showed to be
directly dependent on power pump of laser, quantity of Yb3+ ions and
heat-treatment temperature. The materials also showed emission in the
infrared region with the maximum around 1530 nm, assigned to the transition
of 4I13/2 ? 4I15/2 of the Er3+ ions, region known as technological C-telecom
band used in optical amplification.
Synthesis of iron doped titanium dioxide by sol-gel method for magnetic applications
Authors: Oganisian Karen , Hreniak Agnieszka , Sikora Andrzej , Gaworska-Koniarek Dominika , Iwan Agnieszka
Published: April 2015

In this paper magnetic properties of six TiO2 powders doped with 1, 5 and
10mol% Fe and prepared by sol-gel method in two different ways were analysed.
The size of the obtained TiO2:Fe particles was in the range 200-350 nm as it
was confirmed by SEM and AFM techniques. The magnetization of nanopowders was
measured as a function of temperature (1.8-300K) and applied magnetic field.
The samples with low Fe content manifest superparamagnetic dependence of
magnetization. Whereas, the other compounds exhibit the paramagnetic
behaviour with the negative Curie temperature, that suggests the
antiferromagnetic ordering. Mass susceptibility decreased with the increase
of Fe content as an effect of reduction of the mobility and number of charge
carriers. The measurements showed that magnetic properties are correlated
much stronger with the synthesis method than with the grain size.
Structural, electrical and magnetic behaviour of undoped and nickel doped nanocrystalline bismuth ferrite by solution combustion route
Authors: Sarkar Kakali , Mukherjee Soumya , Mukherjee Siddhartha
Published: April 2015

Multiferroic bismuth ferrite (BFO) and Ni-doped bismuth ferrites, with
perovskite structure, were synthesized by chemical route at the temperatures
ranging from 500 to 600 ?C in controlled atmosphere. The structural phase
analysis of materials was identified by XRD and crystallite size was
calculated from the half width measurement of the well defined major XRD
diffraction peak. Average crystallite size was calculated by applying
Scherrer?s formula and found to have values in the range from 14 to 35 nm.
FESEM was used to evaluate the morphology and structural formation of
nanocrystallite grains, while EDX confirmed elemental composition including
the presence of dopant in the matrix. Dielectric properties and effect of
electric field on polarization behaviour were studied for both undoped and
Ni-doped BFO. Doping shows a clear change in ferroelectric behaviour.
Antiferromagnetic nature of bulk bismuth ferrite transforms to
superparamagnetic strong ferroelectric nature for both undoped and nickel
doped nanocrystalline bismuth ferrite due to its close dimension of
crystallite size with magnetic domains leading to break-down of frustrated
spin cycloidal moment. The superparamagnetism behaviour is more pronounced
for the nickel doped BFO though magnetic saturation is slightly higher for
the undoped nanocrystalline bismuth ferrite.
Urine protein-to-creatinine concentration ratio in samples collected by means of cystocentesis versus manual compression in cats
Authors: Vilhena Hugo C. R. , Santos Raquel R. , Sargo Teresa J. , Lima Tatiana B. , Dias Sofia S. , Pastorinho M. Ramiro , Queiroga Felisbina L. , Silvestre-Ferreira Ana C.
Published: April 2015

Objective—To compare urine protein-to-creatinine concentration (UPC) ratios in samples collected by means of cystocentesis versus manual compression in cats.

Design—Evaluation study.

Animals—43 client-owned cats requiring urinalysis.

Procedures—In all cats, 5 mL of urine from the midstream phase of micturition was collected by means of manual compression and, subsequently, an additional 5 mL of urine was obtained by means of ultrasound-guided cystocentesis. A complete urinalysis was performed on all samples, and UPC ratios were determined.

Results—Cats were classified on the basis of the International Renal Interest Society substaging system as being free from proteinuria (UPC ratio, < 0.2; n = 19) or as having borderline proteinuria (UPC ratio, 0.2 to 0.4; 7) or proteinuria (UPC ratio, > 0.4; 17). None of the cats had postrenal proteinuria. A significant linear correlation was identified between UPC ratios in urine samples obtained by means of manual compression and ratios in samples obtained by means of cystocentesis. For all cats, UPC ratios for samples obtained by the 2 collection methods resulted in classification in the same IRIS substage.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that collection of a urine sample from the midstream phase of micturition by manual compression would be a reliable alternative to cystocentesis for the determination of UPC ratio in cats, provided that postrenal proteinuria was excluded by means of urine sediment analysis. Once postrenal proteinuria was ruled out, the method used to collect urine samples did not appear to influence the quantification of urine protein concentration.
Comparison of laparoscopic versus conventional open cryptorchidectomies on intraoperative and postoperative complications and duration of surgery, anesthesia, and hospital stay in horses
Authors: Cribb Nicola C. , Koenig Judith , Sorge Ulrike
Published: April 2015

Objective—To compare surgical preparation time, surgery and anesthesia times, hospitalization duration, and intra- and postoperative complications between laparoscopic and conventional open cryptorchidectomy in horses.

Design—Retrospective cohort study.

Animals—60 horses that underwent cryptorchidectomy.

Procedures—Medical records were reviewed to identify horses that had undergone cryptorchidectomy from 1991 to 2012. Thirty horses that underwent laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy (case horses) were matched with 30 control horses that had undergone open cryptorchidectomy (ie, inguinal and parainguinal surgical approaches). Horses were matched according to history of previous surgery, testicle location, and type of closure following removal of an undescended unilateral testicle. Duration of surgery, surgical preparation and anesthesia times, hospitalization duration, and number of intra- and postoperative complications were compared between horses that underwent laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy versus open cryptorchidectomy. Comparisons were also made between horses in terms of whether there was a history of previous failed cryptorchidectomy or unknown location of testicle prior to surgery.

Results—Horses that underwent laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy had significantly longer surgery and anesthesia times overall, compared with horses that underwent open cryptorchidectomy. No difference in surgery time was found between case and control horses that had a previous surgical attempt to remove an undescended testicle or in which the testicle location was unknown prior to surgery. Overall, horses undergoing laparoscopy had a nonsignificant increase in intraoperative complications, compared with control horses, and had significantly more postoperative complications.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Horses undergoing laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy had increased surgical preparation time, increased surgery and anesthesia times, and more postoperative complications, compared with horses undergoing open cryptorchictomy. Laparoscopy may be advantageous for a second attempt at cryptorchidectomy or if the testicle location is unknown prior to surgery.
Definition and Measure of the Sound Quality of the Machine
Authors: Pleban Dariusz
Published: April 2015

The analysis of available literature indicates that tests of products sound quality, which would not involve participation of groups of listeners supposed to evaluate the sounds emitted by these products, are neither carried out in Poland, nor in the world. That results in the fact that the products sound quality is determined on the basis of psychoacoustic information and comprises both objective and subjective factors of sound perception. With reference to those factors and to different life cycles of the machine, an original definition of the “sound quality of the machine” has been developed and presented in this article. The global index of the acoustic quality of the machine, accounting for the relations between the noise level at the workstation and the selected parameters characterising both the machine's sound activity and the working environment, was adopted as the measure of the sound quality of the machine. The experiments that followed confirmed the appropriateness of the assessment made with the use of the global index of acoustic quality.
Type a Standard Uncertainty of Long-Term Noise Indicators
Authors: Batko Wojciech Michał , Stępień Bartłomiej
Published: April 2015

The problem of estimation of the long-term environmental noise hazard indicators and their uncertainty is presented in the present paper. The type A standard uncertainty is defined by the standard deviation of the mean. The rules given in the ISO/IEC Guide 98 are used in the calculations. It is usually determined by means of the classic variance estimators, under the following assumptions: the normality of measurements results, adequate sample size, lack of correlation between elements of the sample and observation equivalence. However, such assumptions in relation to the acoustic measurements are rather questionable. This is the reason why the authors indicated the necessity of implementation of non-classical statistical solutions. An estimation idea of seeking density function of long-term noise indicators distribution by the kernel density estimation, bootstrap method and Bayesian inference have been formulated. These methods do not generate limitations for form and properties of analyzed statistics. The theoretical basis of the proposed methods is presented in this paper as well as an example of calculation process of expected value and variance of long-term noise indicators LDEN and LN. The illustration of indicated solutions and their usefulness analysis were constant due to monitoring results of traffic noise recorded in Cracow, Poland.
Annoyance Related to Wind Turbine Noise
Authors: Pawlaczyk-łuszczyńska Małgorzata , Dudarewicz Adam , Zaborowski Kamil , Zamojska-Daniszewska Małgorzata , Waszkowska Małgorzata
Published: April 2015

A questionnaire inquiry on response to wind turbine noise was carried out on 361 subjects living in the vicinity of 8 wind farms. Current mental health status of respondents was assessed using Goldberg General Health Questionnaire GHQ-12. For areas where respondents lived, A-weighted sound pressure levels (SPLs) were calculated as the sum of the contributions from the wind power plants in the specific area.

Generally, 33.0% of respondents were annoyed outdoors by wind turbine noise at the calculated A-weighted SPL of 31-50 dB, while indoors the noise was annoying to 21.3% of them. The proportion of subjects evaluating the noise produced by operative wind turbines as annoying decreased with increasing the distance from the nearest wind turbine (27.6% at the distance of 400-800 m vs 14.3% at the distance above 800 m, p < 0.016). On the other hand, the higher was the noise level, the greater was the percentage of annoyed respondents (14.0% at SPL up to 40 dB vs 28.1% at SPL of 40-45 dB, p < 0.016). Besides noise and distance categories, subjective factors, such as general attitude to wind turbines, sensitivity to landscape littering and current mental health status, were found to have significant impact on the perceived annoyance. About 50% of variance in annoyance rating might be explained by the aforesaid subjective factors.
In Memoriam. Elżbieta Maria Walerian, Ph.D., D.Sc.
Authors: Meissner Mirosław
Published: April 2015

Elżbieta M. Walerian, Ph.D., D.Sc., a retired employee of the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IPPT PAN), passed away after a serious illness, on the 26th December 2013. She was one of the scientific leaders in the Section of Environmental Acoustics of IPPT PAN and her career, educational and organizational activities were inseparably linked with the acoustics. Elżbieta Walerian was born on August 9th 1950 in Poznań. She graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry of the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, receiving her Master of Science degree in the environmental acoustics in 1973. Five years later, under the supervision of Professor Ignacy Malecki, she obtained her PhD title, in the physical acoustics, in IPPT PAN in Warsaw. In 1979 she began working at the Section of Environmental Acoustics of IPPT PAN, where she dealt with the diffraction of acoustic waves and a description of the sound field produced by vehicles moving in an urban area.
Magnitude Modelling of HRTF Using Principal Component Analysis Applied to Complex Values
Authors: Ramos Oscar Alberto , Tommasini Fabián Carlos
Published: April 2015

Principal components analysis (PCA) is frequently used for modelling the magnitude of the head-related transfer functions (HRTFs). Assuming that the HRTFs are minimum phase systems, the phase is obtained from the Hilbert transform of the log-magnitude. In recent years, the PCA applied to HRTFs is also used to model individual HRTFs relating the PCA weights with anthropometric measurements of the head, torso and pinnae. The HRTF log-magnitude is the most used format of input data to the PCA, but it has been shown that if the input data is HRTF linear magnitude, the cumulative variance converges faster, and the mean square error (MSE) is smaller. This study demonstrates that PCA applied directly on HRTF complex values is even better than the two formats mentioned above, that is, the MSE is the smallest and the cumulative variance converges faster after the 8th principal component. Different objective experiments around all the median plane put in evidence the differences which, although small, seem to be perceptually detectable. To elucidate this point, psychoacoustic discrimination tests are done between measured and reconstructed HRTFs from the three types of input data mentioned, in the median plane between -45°. and +9°.
Chinese Syllable and Phoneme Identification in Noise and Reverberation
Authors: Peng Jianxin
Published: April 2015

Chinese is a tonal language, which differentiates it from non-tonal languages in the Western countries. A Chinese character consists of an initial, a final, and a tone. In the present study, the effects of noise and reverberation on the Chinese syllable, initial, final, and tone identification in rooms were investigated by using simulated binaural impulse responses through auralization method. The results show that the syllable identification score is the lowest, the tone identification score is the highest, and the initial identification scores are lower than those of the final identification under the same reverberation time and signal-to-noise ratio condition. The Chinese syllable, initial, and final identification scores increase with the increase of signal-to-noise ratio and decrease of the reverberation time. The noise and reverberation have insignificant effects on the Chinese tone identification scores under most room acoustical environments. The statistical relationship between the Chinese syllable articulation and phoneme articulation had been experimentally proved under different noise and reverberation conditions in simulated rooms.
Optimal Design of Piezoelectric Actuators for Shunt Damping Techniques
Authors: Neubauer Marcus
Published: April 2015

In vibration control with piezoceramics, a high coupling of the piezoelement with the structure is desired. A high coupling improves the damping performance of passive techniques like shunt damping. The coupling can be influenced by a the material properties of the piezoceramics, but also by the placement within the structure and the size of the transducer. Detailed knowlegde about the vibration behavior of the structure is required for this. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the optimal shape of piezoelectric elements. General results for one-dimensional, but inhomogeneos strain distribution are provided. These results are applied to the case of a longitudinal transducer and a bending bimorph. It is obtained that for maximum coupling, only a certain fracture of the volume should be made of piezoelectric material&
FEM Analysis of Active Reduction of Torsional Vibrations of Clamped-Free Beam by Piezoelectric Elements for Separated Modes
Authors: Augustyn Elżbieta , Kozień Marek S. , Pracik Michał
Published: April 2015

Beams with rectangular cross-section, with large length-to-width ratio, can be excited to torsional vibrations. If the piezoelectric elements are mounted to the beam in pairs at the same cross-section with two separated elements positioned on the same side of the beam, and the voltages applied to them are in the opposite phase, they produce twisting moments which can be applied to reduce the torsional vibrations. Results of FEM simulations are presented and analysed in the paper. All analyses are performed for a steel free-clamped beam. The piezoelectric elements made of PZT material are mounted in pairs on one side of the beam. The analyses are done for separated natural modes.
Technical Note. Optimization of Parameters for a Damped Oscillator Excited by a Sequence of Random Pulses
Authors: Ozga Agnieszka
Published: April 2015

The paper is another step in discussion concerning the method of determining the distributions of pulses forcing vibrations of a system. Solving a stochastic problem for systems subjected to random series of pulses requires determining the distribution for a linear oscillator with damping. The goal of the study is to minimize the error issuing from the finite time interval. The applied model of investigations is supposed to answer the question how to select the parameters of a vibrating system so that the difference between the actual distribution of random pulses and that determined from the waveform is as small as possible.
Other-initiated repair in Lao
Authors: Enfield N. J.
Published: April 2015

This article describes the interactional patterns and linguistic structures associated with otherinitiated repair, as observed in a corpus of video-recorded conversation in the Lao language (a Southwestern Tai language spoken in Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia). The article reports findings specific to the Lao language from the comparative project that is the topic of this special issue. While the scope is general to the overall pattern of other-initiated repair as a set of practices and a system of semiotic resources, special attention is given to (1) the range of repair operations that are elicited by open other-initiators of repair in Lao, especially the subtle changes made when problem turns are repeated, and (2) the use of phrase-final particles—a characteristic feature of Lao grammar—in the marking of both other-initiations of repair and repair solution turns.
Modelling Water: A Lifetime Enigma
Authors: Ouyang John F. , Bettens Ryan P. A.
Published: April 2015

The first attempt to describe water dates back to 1933 with the Bernal–Fowler model and it would take another forty years before the first computer simulation of liquid water by Barker and Watts in 1969. Since then, over a hundred different water models have been proposed. Despite
being widely studied, water remains poorly understood. Examining the evolution of water models, we identified three distinct philosophies in water modelling, namely the employment of effective point charges in pioneering empirical models, the incorporation of polarization to describe many-body
inductive effects and the extensive use of ab initio calculations to describe short-range effects. In doing so, we can appraise the current understanding of water and identify attributes that a water model should possess to capture the intricate interactions between water molecules.
Exposure to Metals Can Be Therapeutic
Authors: Davey Curt A.
Published: April 2015

Because of the widespread epigenetic changes ensuing from carcinogenesis, structural and chemical features of chromatin provide unique targets for developing safer and more effective anticancer drugs. Metal-based agents have a potential advantage over other small molecular species in
that characteristics of coordination geometry, redox state and ligand exchange allow one to fine-tune reactivity and affinity properties in a distinct fashion. This intersection of chromatin biology and bioinorganic medicinal chemistry is the subject of multiple collaborations in and between Switzerland and Singapore.
The need to Include Psychiatry subject separately in the MBBS Curriculum
Authors: Subedi S
Published: April 2015

N/AJ Psychiatric Association of Nepal Vol .3, No.2, 2014, pp: 1-2DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpan.v3i2.12377
Cannabis, Lord Shiva and Holy Men: Cannabis Use Among Sadhus in Nepal
Authors: Acharya S L , Howard J , Panta S B , Mahatma S S , Copeland J
Published: April 2015

Background:  Despite being illegal in Nepal, cannabis grows wild, is cultivated, readily available and often consumed during religious festivals, such as those in honour of the Hindu god Shiva. Holy men (sadhus) also consume cannabis to aid meditation, and many are believed to suggest that as a substance favoured by Lord Shiva, and, as such, should be used. However, there are concerns that all cannabis use in Nepal is not benign, and that there are negative health and social consequences from its use for some consumers.  Objectives: This study sought the views of sadhus in Nepal.Method: During the major Shiva festival at Pashupathinath temple complex in Kathmandu, Nepal, 200 sadhus were surveyed. Results: Most used cannabis daily, a quarter believed cannabis and its use to be legal in Nepal, and a further ten percent were unsure, about one third believed cannabis should be used by Hindus, but only fourteen believed Lord Shiva promoted its use. Those less educated and from the Naga sect were more likely to hold such views, and provide cannabis to devotees. Conclusions: Sadhus with evidence-based information about cannabis and its potential harms can play an important role in assisting to reduce harm and facilitate engagement in treatment. J Psychiatric Association of Nepal Vol .3, No.2, 2014, pp:9-14DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpan.v3i2.12379