bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indirect measurement of the flow rate based upon a solution of an inverse coefficient problem
Authors: Rup Kazimierz , Malinowski Lukasz , Sarna Piotr
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend the possibilities of using the earlier developed indirect method of fluid flow rate measurement in circular pipes to the square-section channels with elbows installed.

Design/methodology/approach

The idea of the method is based on selecting such a value of the Reynolds number assumed as a coefficient in fluid flow equations, which fulfills with set accuracy the condition of equality between the measured and computed pressure difference at the end points of the secant of the elbow arch. The numerical calculus takes into consideration the exact geometry of the flow space and the measured temperature of the fluid, on the basis of which its thermo–physical properties are determined. To implement the proposed method in practice, a special test stand was built. The numerical computations were carried out using the software package FLUENT.

Findings

The results of calculations were compared with corresponding results of measurements achieved on the stand, as well as those found in the literature. The comparative analysis of the obtained numerical and experimental results shows a high grade of consistence.

Practical implications

The discussed elbow flow meter, implementing the extended indirect measuring method, can be applied to determine the flow rate of gases, as well as liquids and suspensions.

Originality/value

The indirect method used to measure the volumetric flow rate of the fluid is characterized by high accuracy and repeatability. The high accuracy is possible because of a very realistic mathematical model of the complex flow in the curved duct. The indirect method eliminates the necessity of frequent calibration of the flow meter. The discussed extended indirect measuring method can be applied to determine the flow rate of gases as well as liquids and suspensions. The fluid flow rate measurement based on the method considered in this paper can be particularly useful in newly designed as well as already operated ducts.
Numerical modeling transient response of tubular cross flow heat exchanger
Authors: Taler Dawid , Korzen Anna
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to present the mathematical modeling of plate fin and tube heat exchanger at small Reynolds numbers on the water side. The Reynolds number of the water flowing inside the tubes was varied in the range from 4,000 to 12,000.

Design/methodology/approach

A detailed analysis of transient response was modeled for the following changes in the operating parameters of the heat exchanger: a reduction in the water volume flow, an increase in the water volume flow and an increase in the water volume flow with a simultaneous reduction in the air flow velocity.

Findings

The results of the numerical simulation of a heat exchanger by using experimentally determined water-side heat transfer correlation and theoretical correlation derived for the transition tube flow agree very well. The relationship to calculate the air-side Nusselt number was determined experimentally. The correlation for the air-side Nusselt number was the same for the theoretical and experimental water side correlation.

Research limitations/implications

The correlation for the air-side Nusselt number as a function of the Reynolds and Prandtl numbers is based on the experimental data and was determined using the least squares method.

Originality/value

The form of the relationship that was used to approximate experimentally determined water-side Nusselt numbers is identical to the theoretically derived formula for the transition range. The experiments show that the relationship for the water-side Nusselt number in transition and turbulent flow regime that was obtained using theoretical analysis gives quite satisfactory results.
The solution of a two-dimensional inverse heat transfer problem using two methods
Authors: Maciejewska Beata , Strak Kinga , Piasecka Magdalena
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on flow boiling heat transfer in an asymmetrically heated minichannel. Two-dimensional inverse heat transfer problem was solved using the Trefftz and Beck methods. The primary purpose was to find an enhanced surface that could help intensify heat transfer.

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental set-up and methodology for FC-72 boiling heat transfer in two parallel vertical rectangular minichannels with smooth or enhanced heated surfaces was presented. The heat transfer coefficient was calculated using the Trefftz and Beck methods.

Findings

The results confirm that considerable heat transfer enhancement takes place when selected enhanced heated surface is used in the minichannel flow boiling and that it depends on the type of surface enhancement. The analysis of the experimental data revealed that the values and distributions of the heat transfer coefficient obtained using the Beck and Trefftz methods were similar.

Practical/implications

Many studies have been recently devoted to flow boiling heat transfer in minichannels because of the rapid development of high-performance integrated systems generating large amounts of heat. Highly efficient small-size cooling systems for new-generation compact devices are thus in great demand.

Originality/value

The present results are original and new in the study of cooling liquid boiling in minichannels with enhanced heated surfaces that contribute to heat transfer enhancement. The paper allows the verification of state-of-the-art methods of solving the inverse problem by using empirical data from the experiment. The application of the Trefftz and Beck methods for finding a solution of the inverse heat transfer problem is promising.
Small to large scale mixed turbulent convection: buildings application
Authors: Morsli Souad , Boussoufi Mustapha , Sabeur Amina , El Ganaoui Mohammed , Bennacer Rachid
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The use of natural ventilation by large openings to maintain thermal comfort conditions in the premises is a concept that is perfectly integrated into the traditional architecture of countries in the Mediterranean region or in tropical climates. In a temperate climate where the architecture is not usually designed to respond to the use of natural ventilation is seasonal and is done at the initiative of the occupants by making changes in the design of their doors. The European interest in natural ventilation, as a passive building air-conditioning technology, is increasing and has been the subject of a research program commissioned by the European Community. In this work, the authors consider a part of a housing compound as a refreshing floor. This floor is maintained at a constant cold temperature, the one vertical wall at hot temperature and other surfaces are adiabatic. Various scenarios are considered for this work. Mixed convection for different boundary conditions and different configurations is carried out. In addition, an airflow is injected through a window and extracted on the opposite window. Classical conclusion and transitional value on Richardson number have been completed by the new thermal configuration with nonsymmetric thermal conditions. The complex 3D flow structure is more obvious when one of the two flows (ventilation or natural convection) dominates. However, the induced heat transfer is less sensitive to the added ventilation. In this study, the authors consider a part of a housing compound as a refreshing floor. This floor is maintained at a constant cold temperature, the one vertical wall at hot temperature and other surfaces are adiabatic.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative preliminary study of a 2D–3D flow. The authors examine the competition between the natural convective flow and the added airflow on the flow structure and indoor air quality. The numerical model shows a good agreement with that obtained by researchers analytically and experimentally. To deal with turbulence, the RNG k-ε model has been adopted in this study.

Findings

The transfer is more sensitive between the 2D and 3D cases for the present analyzed case.

Originality/value

The study of ventilation efficiency has shown the competition between the big and small structures and the induced discomfort.
Towards ubiquitous human gestures recognition using wireless networks
Authors: Aljumaily Mustafa S. , Al-Suhail Ghaida A.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Recently, many researches have been devoted to studying the possibility of using wireless signals of the Wi-Fi networks in human-gesture recognition. They focus on classifying gestures despite who is performing them, and only a few of the previous work make use of the wireless channel state information in identifying humans. This paper aims to recognize different humans and their multiple gestures in an indoor environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors designed a gesture recognition system that consists of channel state information data collection, preprocessing, features extraction and classification to guess the human and the gesture in the vicinity of a Wi-Fi-enabled device with modified Wi-Fi-device driver to collect the channel state information, and process it in real time.

Findings

The proposed system proved to work well for different humans and different gestures with an accuracy that ranges from 87 per cent for multiple humans and multiple gestures to 98 per cent for individual humans’ gesture recognition.

Originality/value

This paper used new preprocessing and filtering techniques, proposed new features to be extracted from the data and new classification method that have not been used in this field before.
An advanced forwarding routing protocol for urban scenarios in VANETs
Authors: Kumar Sushil , Verma Anil Kumar
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to give an insight in to the routing protocols in Vehicular ad hoc Network (VANET). In this direction, for the efficient data dissemination in VANETs, a street-based forwarding protocol (SBFP) has been proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

The interferences among different street segments are considered and a unique street-based forwarding concept is introduced to reduce the local maximum problem. In this protocol, the greedy forwarding concept along with the broadcasting mechanism and suppression technique is implemented to minimize the overhead created in the regular beacons forwarding processes. QualNet simulator is used to implement and simulate SBFP. SUMO and MOVE tools are used to create the vehicle’s movement pattern and network topology.

Findings

The simulated results demonstrated improved packet delivery ratio (PDR) with a minimum average number of broadcast by each individual vehicle in the proposed SBFP than in its peer protocols.

Originality/value

This paper will be discussing a unique street-based forwarding technique exploring the advantages of global positioning system to obtain the location of vehicles and streets. This technique results in higher PDR and reduced network overhead.
Enterprise fund transfers and their impact on governmental spending and revenue patterns of georgia municipalities
Authors: Arapis Theodoros
Published: December 2017

Although public owned enterprises have rarely received the attention of the American public, their presence across the nation is widespread and their role in governance fundamental. These business-type activities, which are financed through user charges and fees, represent a great potential revenue source for municipalities as they often generate revenues beyond their costs. This paper examines longitudinally how public enterprises affect governmental spending and revenue patterns by analyzing a panel dataset of 100 Georgia cities between 2005 and 2009. This study used two-step GMM regression (2SGMM) and robust standard errors to estimate the relationship between dependent and independent variables. The findings of this research suggest that net enterprise transfers increase own-source revenues (additive effect) but decrease governmental expenditures (siphoning effect) contradicting findings from earlier studies.
Borrowing for the future: The unintended consequences of build america bonds on low investment grade issuers of municipal bonds
Authors: Levine Helisse , Greaves Paul
Published: December 2017

The Obama Administration has proposed reinstatement of the BABs program created as part of the 2009 ARRA legislation to put state and local governments on a fiscally sustainable path by supplementing their capacity to access the bond market. However, it is cost prohibitive to issue BABs and purchase municipal bond insurance. The research questions raised in this study are specific to the lower rated municipalities: 1) did they experience an increase in issuance during the BABs program and 2) what is the effect of BABs on the re-emergence of municipal bond insurance in facilitating access to the capital markets? G.O. debt issuance for years 2001-2011 and BABs data provided by Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters are used to develop a comparative analysis. Results suggest 1) highly rated issuers significantly benefitted and 2) G.O. insured debt issued during the BABs program was down 30% for lower rated issuers when compared to the pre-BABs period.
Textile technologies for the manufacture of three-dimensional textile preforms
Authors: Ishmael Natalie , Fernando Anura , Andrew Sonja , Waterton Taylor Lindsey
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an overview of the current manufacturing methods for three-dimensional textile preforms while providing experimental data on the emerging techniques of combining yarn interlocking with yarn interlooping.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the key textile technologies used for composite manufacture: braiding, weaving and knitting. The various textile preforming methods are suited to different applications; their capabilities and end performance characteristics are analysed.

Findings

Such preforms are used in composites in a wide range of industries, from aerospace to medical and automotive to civil engineering. The paper highlights how the use of knitting technology for preform manufacture has gained wider acceptance due to its flexibility in design and shaping capabilities. The tensile properties of glass fibre knit structures containing inlay yarns interlocked between knitted loops are given, highlighting the importance of reinforcement yarns.

Originality/value

The future trends of reinforcement yarns in knitted structures for improved tensile properties are discussed, with initial experimental data.
Metabolomics of tomato xylem sap during bacterial wilt reveals Ralstonia solanacearum produces abundant putrescine, a metabolite that accelerates wilt disease
Authors: Lowe‐Power Tiffany M. , Hendrich Connor G. , von Roepenack‐Lahaye Edda , Li Bin , Wu Dousheng , Mitra Raka , Dalsing Beth L. , Ricca Patrizia , Naidoo Jacinth , Cook David , Jancewicz Amy , Masson Patrick , Thomma Bart , Lahaye Thomas , Michael Anthony J. , Allen Caitilyn
Published: December 2017

Ralstonia solanacearum thrives in plant xylem vessels and causes bacterial wilt disease despite the low nutrient content of xylem sap. We found that R. solanacearum manipulates its host to increase nutrients in tomato xylem sap, enabling it to grow better in sap from infected plants than in sap from healthy plants. Untargeted GC/MS metabolomics identified 22 metabolites enriched in R. solanacearum‐infected sap. Eight of these could serve as sole carbon or nitrogen sources for R. solanacearum. Putrescine, a polyamine that is not a sole carbon or nitrogen source for R. solanacearum, was enriched 76‐fold to 37 µM in R. solanacearum‐infected sap. R. solanacearum synthesized putrescine via a SpeC ornithine decarboxylase. A ΔspeC mutant required ≥ 15 µM exogenous putrescine to grow and could not grow alone in xylem even when plants were treated with putrescine. However, co‐inoculation with wildtype rescued ΔspeC growth, indicating R. solanacearum produced and exported putrescine to xylem sap. Intriguingly, treating plants with putrescine before inoculation accelerated wilt symptom development and R. solanacearum growth and systemic spread. Xylem putrescine concentration was unchanged in putrescine‐treated plants, so the exogenous putrescine likely accelerated disease indirectly by affecting host physiology. These results indicate that putrescine is a pathogen‐produced virulence metabolite.
Family Firm Configurations for High Performance: The Role of Entrepreneurship and Ambidexterity
Authors: Hughes Mathew , Filser Matthias , Harms Rainer , Kraus Sascha , Chang Man‐Ling , Cheng Cheng‐Feng
Published: December 2017

The performance drivers of family firms have spawned considerable research interest. Almost exclusively this research has relied on independent sets of explanatory variables in linear analyses. These analyses mask the complex interdependencies that are likely to exist among key success factors, leading to faulty theory and misspecified implications for practice. As treatment, the authors propose a configuration approach to family firm performance that accounts for complex interdependencies among entrepreneurial, innovation and family influence conditions. Using a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis of a sample of 129 Finnish family firms, the authors identify sufficient conditions with regard to the existence or absence of antecedent conditions to family firm performance. These conditions include entrepreneurial orientation, exploration and exploitation activities that form causal paths towards family firm performance. To enrich the analysis, the authors theorize and empirically analyse how these conditions might differ in family firms with high and low levels of family influence. They deepen the current understanding of configurations that promote the performance of family firms, offer important implications for theory and practice, and set new directions for future research on the strategic management of family firms. The results are also virtually identical and insensitive to change across subjective and objective performance measures.
Job Seekers with Musculoskeletal or Sensory Disabilities: Barriers and Facilitators of Job Search
Authors: Bainbridge Hugh T. J. , Fujimoto Yuka
Published: December 2017

Drawing on interviews with job seekers and expert informants, we outline a model of the job search experience of people with disabilities. This model specifies the sequence of events involved in the pursuit of paid work and the contextual features that inhibit or facilitate job search attitudes, behaviours, intermediate search outcomes and employment outcomes. By contrasting the experiences of job seekers with musculoskeletal and sensory disabilities, and outlining the influence of major stakeholders in the form of employment agencies and family members, our model provides the basis for a more nuanced understanding of the job search process. Finally, we recommend points of intervention that are grounded in data for improving job search outcomes for people with disabilities in general, and for job seekers with musculoskeletal or sensory disabilities specifically.
Dapagliflozin as add‐on therapy in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on insulin with or without oral antihyperglycemic drugs: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yang Wenying , Ma Jianhua , Li Yiming , Li Yanbing , Zhou Zhiguang , Kim Jae Hyeon , Zhao June , Ptaszynska Agata
Published: December 2017

Background

This 24‐week Phase 3 double‐blind placebo‐controlled study assessed the safety and efficacy of dapagliflozin as add‐on to insulin, with or without oral antihyperglycemic drugs (OADs), in Asian patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

Adult patients with HbA1c between ≥7.5% and ≤10.5%, body mass index ≤45 kg/m2, and on insulin doses ≥20 IU daily were randomized to dapagliflozin 10 mg (n = 139) or placebo (n = 133) to assess 24‐week changes in HbA1c (primary outcome), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), body weight, total daily dose of insulin (TDDI), and seated systolic blood pressure (SeSBP; exploratory outcome).

Results

Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. At Week 24, compared with placebo, dapagliflozin significantly improved HbA1c (mean [95% confidence interval] 0.03% [−0.11, 0.17] for placebo vs −0.87% [−1.00, −0.74] for dapagliflozin; between‐group difference − 0.90% [−1.09, −0.71], P < 0.0001]), FPG, body weight, TDDI, and SeSBP. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) in the dapagliflozin and placebo groups was 80.5% and 71.2%, respectively, with few patients discontinuing due to AEs (dapagliflozin, 2.2%; placebo, 4.2%). The occurrence of hypoglycemia was similar in the dapagliflozin and placebo groups (23.7% and 22.6%, respectively; no major events). The frequency of urinary tract and genital infections was low; no deaths were reported.

Conclusions

Dapagliflozin as add‐on to insulin, with or without OADs, significantly improved glycemic control and reduced body weight and blood pressure in Asian patients. Dapagliflozin was well tolerated, with a similar frequency of hypoglycemia in both groups. These results support the use of dapagliflozin as add‐on to insulin, with or without OADs, in this population.
Did Recent Tobacco Reforms Change the Cigarette Market?
Authors: Davidson Sinclair , de Silva Ashton
Published: December 2017

The Australian tobacco market is very tightly regulated. Australian governments, like many others, have a long history of enacting various forms of control, including restricting advertising and imposing taxes. Using Australian government data, we investigate the effects of controls on cigarette market characteristics coinciding with Australia's introduction of plain packaging in 2012 (arguably the most innovative form of tobacco control in many years) as well as a subsequent tax increase. Using these data, we find no evidence to suggest that prices and market shares, key market characteristics, changed as a result of plain packaging. Moreover, using a second data set, we find that the introduction of plain packaging had no discernible effect on smoking rates. This finding is not surprising as both domestic and international research shows that government attempts to discourage new consumers, and encourage current consumers to quit, have not been very successful.
Wallace: A flexible platform for reproducible modeling of species niches and distributions built for community expansion
Authors: Kass Jamie M. , Vilela Bruno , Aiello‐Lammens Matthew E. , Muscarella Robert , Merow Cory , Anderson Robert P.
Published: December 2017

Scientific research increasingly calls for open‐source software that is flexible, interactive, and expandable, while providing methodological guidance and reproducibility. Currently, many analyses in ecology are implemented with “black box” graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that lack flexibility or command‐line interfaces that are infrequently used by non‐specialists.

To help remedy this situation in the context of species distribution modeling, we created Wallace, an open and modular application with a richly documented GUI with underlying R scripts that is flexible and highly interactive.

Wallace guides users from acquiring and processing data to building models and examining predictions. Additionally, it is designed to grow via community contributions of new modules to expand functionality. All results are downloadable, along with code to reproduce the analysis.

Wallace provides an example of an innovative platform to increase access to cutting‐edge methods and encourage plurality in science and collaboration in software development.
Conceptual and Operational Definitions for the Nursing Diagnosis “Urinary Retention”
Authors: Costa Juliana Neves da , Botelho Micnéias Lacerda , Duran Erika, Christianne Marocco , Carmona Elenice Valentim , Oliveira‐Kumakura Ana, Railka de Souza , Lopes Maria Helena Baena de Moraes
Published: December 2017

PURPOSE

To develop conceptual and operational definitions for defining characteristics and related factors for nursing diagnosis of urinary retention, as contained in Taxonomy II of NANDA‐I.

DATA SOURCES

Integrative literature review and elaboration of terms related to urinary retention.

DATA SYNTHESIS

It includes operational and conceptual definitions of the nursing diagnosis urinary retention.

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to review the definition of this nursing diagnosis and most of its defining characteristics and related factors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

The use of internationally known terms for various disciplines in areas of common knowledge helps to standardize the language used by professionals.
CEO power, product market competition and the acquisition motive for going public
Authors: Huang Jian , Jain Bharat A. , Shao Yingying
Published: December 2017

This study finds that CEO power and product market competition differentially influence post‐IPO growth strategy and its economic consequences. Powerful CEOs are more likely to prefer acquisition growth over internal investment. Further, while CEO power is positively related to the likelihood, frequency and size of post‐IPO acquisitions, it is unrelated to the post‐IPO performance of acquisitive firms. In contrast, product market rivalry does not increase post‐IPO acquisitiveness but is positively related to the performance of acquirers. Finally, CEO power enhances the performance of acquisitive IPO firms only when faced with intense competitive rivalry.
Urban–rural differences in health literacy and its determinants in Iran: A community‐based study
Authors: Golboni Farzaneh , Nadrian Haidar , Najafi Sarisa , Shirzadi Shayesteh , Mahmoodi Hassan
Published: December 2017

Objective

Previous studies have shown a remarkable difference in functional health literacy among residents of urban and rural areas which may be attributed to socioeconomic inequalities between these areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences (if any) in the level of functional health literacy and its determinants between urban and rural areas in Sanandaj, Iran.

Design

A descriptive analytical cross‐sectional study.

Participants

A multistage clustered random sample of 1000 respondents older than 18 years. In total, 892 respondents (response rate = 89.2%) completed test of functional health literacy in adults questionnaire through personal home‐based interviews. Applying SPSS v. 16, a series of anova, t‐test and logistic regression tests were conducted.

Main outcome measures

Inadequate/marginal functional health literacy.

Results

Respondents residing in rural areas having a diploma education and lower, with no history of hospitalisation, with monthly income <US$ 165 and being diagnosed with a chronic disease had significantly higher rates of inadequate/marginal functional health literacy. Among rural, but not urban, residents having a history of hospitalisation, a university education and a higher monthly income increased the odds of adequate functional health literacy by 1.84, 2.29 and 1.95 times, respectively.

Conclusions

The rural area residents suffered more from low functional health literacy, compared with their urban counterparts. Health literacy as a determinant of health and social welfare should be focused on with more detail by health decision‐makers.
Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens as an atypical form of cystic fibrosis: reproductive implications and genetic counseling
Authors: de Souza D. A. S. , Faucz F. R. , Pereira‐Ferrari L. , Sotomaior V. S. , Raskin S.
Published: December 2017

Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) is found in 1% to 2% of males with infertility and is present in 6% of obstructive azoospermia cases. Nearly 95% of men with cystic fibrosis (CF, an autosomal recessive disorder) have CBAVD. There are genetic links between CBAVD and CF. Some mutations in the gene encoding cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) can lead to CBAVD as a monosymptomatic form of CF. With the use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART), especially testicular or epididymal sperm aspiration, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and in vitro fertilization, it is possible that men with CBAVD can produce offspring. Therefore, genetic counseling should be offered to couples undergoing ART to discuss the probability of having offspring that carry CFTR gene mutations. The aim of this review was to present the main cause of CBAVD, to call attention to its implications for assisted reproduction, and to show the importance of genetic counseling for couples where men have CBAVD, as they can have offspring with a lethal disease.
Globalisation is not spelt with a zed: Geography texts for and from Oceania
Authors: Murray Warwick E. , Overton John
Published: December 2017

Writing on a subject as all‐encompassing as globalisation from “down here” (Oceania) in a way that is relevant “up there” (Anglo‐America), while retaining the “Antipodean” perspectives we seek to represent and embody, presents significant tensions. How does a textbook on globalisation written from our viewpoint negotiate the very system it aims to critique? We reflect on writing Geographies of globalization in the context of the fraught politics and challenging logistics of writing human geographies in New Zealand and the Antipodes generally.
Case of idiopathic and complete appendiceal intussusception
Authors: Tsukamoto Ryoichi , Sakamoto Kazuhiro , Honjo Kumpei , Niwa Koichiro , Sugimoto Kiichi , Ishiyama Shun , Kamiyama Hirohiko , Takahashi Makoto , Okuzawa Atsushi
Published: December 2017

Appendiceal intussusception is a rare disease in which the appendix invaginates into the cecum. It is often caused by organic diseases. The present case involved an appendiceal intussusception without an organic disease, and laparoscopic resection of part of the cecum was performed. Appendiceal intussusception has various causes, including malignant diseases. Therefore, diagnosis and selection of operative method are complex and could potentially lead to an excessively invasive option. By performing SILS with a multiuse single‐site port, we were able to provide an appropriate, non‐invasive treatment that had a good esthetic outcome.
Environmental influences on skilled worker migration from Bangladesh to Canada
Authors: McLeman Robert , Moniruzzaman Mohammad , Akter Nasima
Published: December 2017

We conducted focus groups in Toronto with 44 recent skilled worker immigrants from Bangladesh to explore whether their decisions to migrate to Canada may have been influenced by environmental problems. Previous research has documented how floods, cyclones, droughts, and seasonal precipitation variations affect rural‐urban migration patterns within Bangladesh, and to its neighbours. Most participants had not experienced such environmental hazards, having lived in Dhaka prior to migrating. However, Dhaka's ongoing problems with air and water pollution, sanitation, lack of green space, and food adulteration were cited by 70% as being relevant considerations for the decision to migrate. The degree of influence varied considerably among participants. Roughly 16% said pollution was their primary motivation for leaving, household members having suffered from illnesses traceable to air pollution or poor sanitation. Another 54% stated that Dhaka's environmental problems were part of a wider range of quality‐of‐life concerns that had some influence on their decision. The findings suggest that current migration to Canada is not connected with environmental migration that takes place within Bangladesh, but that urban environmental problems combined with other social, economic, and political factors can help drive migration.
Financial Literacy, Debt Burden and Impulsivity: A Mediation Analysis
Authors: Ottaviani Cristina , Vandone Daniela
Published: December 2017

After the 2008 crisis, EU regulatory authorities and policy makers started to devote resources to improve households’ financial literacy, considered as a key element of debt decisions. However, the role of another crucial determinant of debt burden has been neglected in such financial education programmes. The present study examines the role of impulsivity and financial literacy as predictors of debt burden in a sample of 445 individuals. An ad‐hoc built indicator of financial literacy and scores on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale were used as regressors. The debt service to income ratio, a proxy of debt burden, served as the dependent variable. Both predictors resulted associated with debt burden; however, impulsivity fully mediated the impact of financial literacy on debt, even after controlling for financial wealth. Findings are discussed in terms of policy implications and means to formulate more effective financial education programmes.
Thematic micro‐maps of soil components using high‐resolution spatially referenced mosaics from whole soil thin sections and image analysis
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Castorena Ma. C. , Gutiérrez‐Castorena E. V. , González‐Vargas T. , Ortiz‐Solorio C. A. , Suástegui‐Méndez E. , Cajuste‐Bontemps L. , Rodríguez‐Mendoza M. N.
Published: December 2017

In the quantification and analysis of the distribution of soil basic components, factors such as spatial resolution, scales of observation and analytical techniques used to interpret digital images of microscopic platforms are critical to obtain reproducible results. In addition, individual or discrete images, sometimes with high spatial resolution, distort features or basic components when zooming in or out, which limits their classification. This research proposes the use of micromorphological tools, spatially referenced mosaics with high resolution, image analysis and composite images to elaborate thematic maps of soil components. Therefore, we created mosaics with sequential digital images from soil thin sections (up to 3850 mm2) of different diagnostic horizons, with different magnifications (2×, 10× and 20×) and light sources. The mosaics (between 0.25 and 2.6 μm2 per pixel, and between 2 and 8 GB file size) were processed by image analysis (segmentation, supervised classification and accuracy assessments) for delimiting their basic soil components from composite images and with spatial operators to elaborate thematic maps at the microscopic level. The RGB (red, green, blue) brightness values of each soil component with different light sources enabled us to identify and quantify size classes of aggregates, voids, pedofeatures and organic matter with different degrees of decomposition at a high level of precision (up to 99% overall accuracy). It was also possible to develop good‐quality thematic maps of such components from high‐resolution spatially referenced mosaics and composite images Thematic maps of soil components can be explored without losing their spatial reference and analysed on multiple scales from a whole soil thin section.

Highlights

Micromorphology and digital cartography to develop thematic maps of soil components

High spatial resolution mosaics from thin sections and image analysis were used for mapping

RGB brightness values of different light sources facilitated mapping of soil features

Accurate maps enabled quantification and analysis of spatial relations of soil components
Electroencephalography and behavior patterns during experimental status epilepticus
Authors: Lewczuk Ewa , Joshi Suchitra , Williamson John , Penmetsa Mouna , Shan Sarah , Kapur Jaideep
Published: December 2017

Objective

To characterize the evolution of behavioral and electrographic seizures in an experimental electrical stimulation‐based model of status epilepticus (SE) in C57Bl/6 mice, and to relate SE to various outcomes, including death and epileptogenesis.

Methods

SE was induced by continuous hippocampal stimulation and was evaluated by review of electroencephalographic recordings, spectral display, and behavior.

Results

Seizures were initially locked to the electrical trains but later became independent of them. Following the end of stimulation, autonomous seizures continued for >5 minutes in 85% of the animals. There was ongoing 2‐3‐Hz rhythmic, high‐amplitude, slow spike‐wave discharges (HASDs) associated with purposeless, repetitive, continuously circling and exploratory behavior. There were high‐amplitude fast discharges (HAFDs) associated with worsening of behavioral seizures that were interspersed with the ongoing HASDs. Death during SE occurred in 23% of the animals, and it was preceded by a stage 5 behavioral seizure. In the waning stage of SE, severe seizures and HAFDs dissipated, HASDs slowed down, and normal behavior was restored in most animals. Epilepsy developed in 33% of the animals monitored after SE.

Significance

The electrical stimulation model of SE can be used to study mechanisms of SE and its adverse consequences, including death and epileptogenesis.
Multiplex PCR for rapid detection of thermophilic Moorella thermoaceticaand Geobacillus stearothermophilus from canned foods and beverages
Authors: Nakano Miyo
Published: December 2017

A multiplex PCR assay was developed to simultaneously detect the thermophilic spore‐forming bacteria Geobacillus stearothermophilus and Moorella thermoacetica, which are major sources of spoilage in the canned food and beverage industries because of their thermophilic persistence. A total of 294 samples were examined, and none of the samples demonstrated signs of spoilage. Culture‐based assays showed that forty‐five M. thermoacetica isolates were obtained, which was confirmed by multiplex PCR, and G. stearothermophilus was not detected in any of the canned food and beverage, but multiplex PCR analysis identified this species in almost all of the samples. Meanwhile, twelve Bacillus subtilis isolates were found under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Multiplex PCR may allow selective detection of species that are present at low levels in complex matrices, or those that cannot be detected by culture‐based methods. Screening for spoilage‐causing micro‐organisms in ingredients and samples from processing lines, together with traditional culture methods, will help risk management and improve hygiene control.
Characterization and modeling of microstructural stresses in alumina
Authors: Teague Melissa C. , Rodgers Theron , Grutzik Scott , Meserole Stephen
Published: December 2017

Brittle failure is often influenced by difficult to measure and variable microstructure‐scale stresses. Recent advances in photoluminescence spectroscopy (PLS), including improved confocal laser measurement and rapid spectroscopic data collection have established the potential to map stresses with microscale spatial resolution (< 2 μm). Advanced PLS was successfully used to investigate both residual and externally applied stresses in polycrystalline alumina at the microstructure scale. The measured average stresses matched those estimated from beam theory to within one standard deviation, validating the technique. Modeling the residual stresses within the microstructure produced qualitative agreement in comparison with the experimentally measured results. Microstructure scale modeling is primed to take advantage of advanced PLS to enable its refinement and validation, eventually enabling microstructure modeling to become a predictive tool for brittle materials.
Biofilm formation of Enterococcus faecium on stainless steel surfaces: Modeling and control by disinfection agents
Authors: Santos Rosado Castro Marcília , da Silva Fernandes Meg , Kabuki Dirce Yorika , Kuaye Arnaldo Yoshiteru
Published: December 2017

The objective of this study was to evaluate the biofilm formation by Enterococcus faecium, isolated from coalho cheese, on stainless steel and its control by disinfection agents. The biofilms formation on stainless steel 304#4 was modeled as a function of time (0, 1.2, 4, 6.8, and 8 days) and temperature (4.5, 10.5, 25.0, 39.5, and 45.5 °C) using response surface methodology. Analysis of variance revealed a significant (p < .05) fit of the model, allowing to build a mathematical model capable of predicting adhesion as a function of time and temperature. Optimum time–temperature combinations for biofilm formation were found to involve contact times from 3 to 7.5 days and temperatures between 22 and 43 °C (counts > 5 log cfu/cm2). E. faecium was not eliminated by the sodium hypochlorite at 100 mg/L and peracetic acid at 300 mg/L demonstrating the difficulty of disinfection stainless steel surfaces after the onset of biofilm formation.

Practical applications

In the present study it was defined, through mathematical modeling, the optimal combination of time and temperature of E. faecium biofilm formation isolated from coalho cheese. These results can be used to elucidate the biofilm formation process of this microorganism under conditions of time and temperature normally used in food industry. In addition, the understanding of this behavior helps to improve the procedures of cleaning and disinfection of equipment and utensils in food industry. The present study also showed that the main disinfectants used in the food industry were not efficient in the elimination of formed biofilms.
Potentially toxigenic fungi from selected grains and grain products
Authors: Tournas Vasiliki H. , Niazi Nicholas S.
Published: December 2017

A total of 85 grain and grain product samples (including corn meal, corn muffin mix, popcorn, various types of rice, and self‐rising, all‐purpose unbleached and whole wheat flour) from U.S. retail were tested for fungal contamination levels and profiles using conventional plating as well as molecular methods. The results of this study showed that over 90% of wheat flour and corn product samples and 73% of rice samples tested carried live fungi. Popcorn carried the highest fungal levels reaching 5.45 log10 colony forming units (cfu) per gram followed by corn meal (reaching 5.38 log10 cfu/g). Mold and yeast counts in rice and wheat flour reached 3.30 log10 and 3.28 log10 cfu/g, respectively. The predominant molds in wheat flour were aspergilli and fusaria found in 50 and 46% of samples, respectively; Fusarium spp. were the most frequent contaminants of corn‐based products found in 74% of the samples followed by penicillia (present in 44% of tested samples). Rice, conversely, contained mainly Aspergillus, Fusarium, and yeasts (each found in 21% of the samples).

Practical applications

Toxigenic molds are often contaminating stored grains and grain products and under improper storage conditions could cause spoilage of these commodities accompanied with production of toxic secondary metabolites, mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are known to cause illnesses in humans and animals. Therefore, monitoring the presence and inhibiting the growth of these organisms is critical for achieving and maintaining high quality products, suitable for human and animal consumption, and free of health hazards. Establishing toxigenic mold profiles in stored grains and their derivatives can point to correct storage management and thus reduction/elimination of spoilage and mycotoxin production in these products. In this study we tested several corn, rice, and wheat flour commodities for live potentially toxigenic fungal species. Our findings can help select proper storage management techniques for these commodities.
Preference ranking procedure proposal for dogs: A preliminary study
Authors: Li H. , Smith S. , Aldrich G. , Koppel K.
Published: December 2017

In the pet food industry, single‐bowl or two‐bowl methods traditionally are used to determine food acceptance or preference by pets. To increase efficiency of preference testing, and to provide more options for preference testing, a preference ranking procedure is proposed. The ranking procedure includes simultaneous presentation of five samples of edible treats. This increases the efficiency and reduces the time of preference testing. A preliminary test of the procedure with 12 beagle dogs was conducted. Each animal was presented with five treats, in an identical, coded rubber puzzle toy, or “Kong.” Five phases were included in the test, each lasted 5 days. Phase 1 included training with commercial treats. Phases 2–4 used lab‐baked treats with five different ingredients in each category (fats, starches, and proteins, respectively) of a base recipe. Phase 5 included testing with commercial foods. The order and time of treat selection by dogs was recorded. Results showed this small sample of animals generally ranked 1–2 flavors above others, indicating that this procedure could be a more efficient method to determine preference than traditional test methods since more samples can be evaluated simultaneously. More research is needed to verify the method.

Practical applications

The pet food industry could benefit from this preference method in terms of gaining better insights into “liking” and maximizing outcomes with fewer resources than traditional methods require. Instead of evaluating one or two types of food in each test, this method can evaluate up to five different samples, increasing test efficiency. Further, the preference ranking procedure allows for insight into preference information based on direct multiple comparisons of single ingredient aromatics and flavor. These advantages make it imperative to further test the method with larger sets of animals with actual developmental products to determine its helpfulness for decision making in practice during the research and development of products.
Steep converse Bergmann's cline in a carrion beetle: between‐ and within‐population variation in body size along an elevational gradient
Authors: Baranovská E. , Knapp M.
Published: December 2017

Body size is an integrative trait with substantial fitness consequences in animals. Geographical clines in body size have fascinated biologists because of their potential to provide insight into the mechanisms governing local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity. In this complex study, we focused on variation in body size of Silpha carinata (Coleoptera: Silphidae) along elevation gradients in Central Europe. Altitudinal clines were investigated separately for males and females as sex‐specific responses to environmental conditions are documented for a variety of insect species. To identify potential underlying mechanisms responsible for observed patterns, a common garden experiment and investigation of within‐population variation in body size were performed. Body size of S. carinata recorded in nature sharply decreased with increasing altitude in both genders, whereas sexual size dimorphism did not change with altitude. The degree of within‐population variation in body size recorded in nature did not change with altitude. Under standardized laboratory conditions, higher altitude females produced smaller eggs than those from lower altitude. This size difference persisted to the very end of the larval period. Unfortunately, only few offspring survived till adulthood in the laboratory and thus precise analysis of offspring adult sizes was unfeasible, but between‐population differences in body size seems to persist to adulthood. The observed converse Bergmann's cline in S. carinata fits well with what has been predicted for large, carnivorous, univoltine insect species. Until now, investigation of within‐population variation in body size is rare in insects, and future complementary studies focused on this issue are highly needed as within‐population variation could explain body size patterns observed at between‐population level.