bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The discretionary death penalty for drug couriers in Singapore
Authors: Siyuan Chen
Published: December 2015

In 2012, Singapore amended its Misuse of Drugs to give courts hearing capital drug trafficking cases the discretion to replace the default death penalty with life imprisonment and caning, provided that the accused person can show that he was merely a drug courier and the prosecution certifies that he had substantively assisted the authorities in disrupting drug trafficking activities. The Singapore High Court and Court of Appeal have since made important pronouncements on the 2012 amendments, but several challenges remain: first, whether the privilege against self-incrimination has been further eroded; secondly, whether an accused person can invoke the statutory relief of being a courier only at sentencing; thirdly, whether it is appropriate to leave the certification decision solely to the prosecution; and finally, whether guidelines as to when the death sentence is appropriate should have been prescribed. These challenges ought to be given serious legislative or judicial consideration as the criminal justice system in Singapore continues to evolve in response to changing public perceptions of due process and crime control. The first three challenges, in particular, may have important ramifications for potentially innocent accused persons as it is submitted that the law as it stands may incentivise some of them to plead guilty from the outset to maximise their chances of avoiding the death penalty. As there are still a number of jurisdictions that retain the mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking offences, this article may also be of comparative interest, especially since there appears to be a dearth of literature on the discretionary death penalty for drug offences.
What if the worst happened? Life insurance in London as a two-faced technology
Authors: Ugarte Sofía
Published: December 2015

This article portrays the way life insurance as a consumer device lives through kinship ties of care in London in order to harness the uncertainties and limits of mortality and loss. A life insurance policy is a private contract people subscribe to, along with paying monthly premiums, to get money if the policyholder dies unexpectedly. Based on ethnographic material of the life insurance market in London, this work aims to illustrate life insurance as a social and cultural practice that informs family relations in contemporary western society. For Londoners, taking a life insurance policy is an anticipatory action that helps families cope with the irreducible possibility of early death, controlling and sustaining caring relations across time among intimate kin. Through the transformation of the policyholder into an immortal (monetary) figure that extends relations beyond death, life insurance becomes a ‘technology of care’ that mediates and bonds intimate kin in absence, as well as a ‘technology of governance’ that creates new subjectivities in the form of privatized risk inside the family. As such, this article seeks to address the ethnographic understanding of an everyday consumer practice within a wider scope of neoliberal modes of governance in western society, taking into account the consequences that buying a life insurance has for both the people and their families. In doing so, this study also contributes to the comprehension of the life insurance market and its specific situatedness in a contemporary neoliberal reality.
Cultural Competence Training for Law Enforcement Responding to Domestic Violence Emergencies With the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Authors: Engelman Alina , Deardorff Julianna
Published: December 2015

Objective. To evaluate a training workshop for law enforcement as first responders for the purpose of increasing officers’ cultural competency in working with Deaf and hard-of-hearing people (Deaf/HH) during domestic violence (DV) emergencies. Method. This evaluation assesses the efficacy of a 2-hour training workshop for law enforcement. Thirty-four participants completed questionnaires at pre- and postintervention to assess participants’ (1) satisfaction with training; (2) skills in responding to Deaf/HH individual(s) in a DV emergency; (3) attitudes toward the Deaf/HH, including bias recognition, self-assessment of cultural competency, and perceived self-efficacy; and (4) knowledge of communication. Focus groups (FGs) were also conducted ( n = 6 for FG1, n = 13 for FG2). SPSS software was used to analyze survey data; principal components analysis was conducted on the survey instruments. Results. There were significant differences between pre- and posttests for several targeted outcomes, including knowledge and perceived self-efficacy. Both survey and FG results demonstrated that participants gained cultural competency skills as indicated by changes in attitudes toward the Deaf/HH, both in DV emergencies and in large-scale emergencies. Conclusion. Significant differences were evident between pre and posttest results in terms of knowledge and perceived self-efficacy. Nonetheless, survey participants demonstrated a lack of knowledge about policy and the law. Survey findings also suggest that while a onetime training can improve the perceived self-efficacy of participants, shifting attitudes about the capabilities of the Deaf/HH may require different training strategies. FG participants demonstrated a greater awareness of the complexity of working with this population in a DV emergency.
Towards a World Wide Web of Simulation
Authors: Diallo Saikou Y , Gore Ross , Padilla Jose J , Kavak Hamdi , Lynch Christopher J
Published: December 2015

The process of developing and running simulations needs to become simple and accessible to audiences ranging from middle school students in a learning environment to subject matter experts in order to make the benefits of modeling and simulation commonly available. However, current simulations are for the most part developed and run on platforms that are: (1) demanding in terms of computational resources, (2) difficult for general audiences to use owing to unintuitive interfaces mired in mathematical syntax, (3) expensive to acquire and maintain and (4) hard to interoperate and compose. The result is a four-dimensional expense that makes simulation inaccessible to the general public. In this paper we show that by embracing the web and its standards, the use and development of simulations can become democratized and be part of a Web of Simulation where people of all skill levels are able to build, upload, retrieve, rate, and connect simulations. We show how the Web of Simulation can be built using the three basic principles of service orientation, platform independence, and interoperability. Finally, we present strategies for implementing the Web of Simulation and discuss challenges and possible approaches.
A Literature Review of Health Risks in the Bear Community, a Gay Subculture
Authors: Quidley-Rodriguez Narciso , De Santis Joseph P.
Published: December 2015

Gay men’s subcultural identifications may help explain why certain groups of gay men are more at risk than other groups. One such subculture is the Bear community, a group that espouses that large-framed, hirsute men are attractive. To understand current health risks among the Bear community, a literature search was conducted using Medline, Psychinfo, CINAHL, and LGBT Life. A total of eight articles were found addressing health risks in the Bear community. There is a dearth of literature that focuses on the Bear community, but the current literature indicates that Bears are more likely to have a higher body mass index, lower self-esteem, and engage in risky sexual behaviors than other gay men. Suggestions for engaging and conducting research with the Bear community are provided. Last, clinical implications offer guidance for health care providers working with the Bear community to ensure that appropriate care is delivered to these men.
Cost-effectiveness of Different Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Modalities
Authors: Pasquel Francisco J. , Hendrick Andrew M. , Ryan Martha , Cason Emily , Ali Mohammed K. , Narayan K. M. Venkat
Published: December 2015

Current screening strategies aimed at detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR) historically have poor compliance, but advancements in technology can enable improved access to care. Nearly 80% of all persons with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), highlighting the importance of a cost effective screening program. Establishing mechanisms to reach populations with geographic and financial barriers to access is essential to prevent visual disability. Teleretinal programs leverage technology to improve access and reduce cost. The quality of currently employed screening modalities depends on many variables including the instrument used, use of pupillary mydriasis, number of photographic fields, and the qualifications of the photographer and image interpreter. Recent telemedicine and newer technological approaches have been introduced, but data for these technologies is yet limited. We present results of a systematic review of studies evaluating cost-effectiveness of DR screening, and discuss potential relevance for LMICs.
Improving the Glucose Meter Error Grid With the Taguchi Loss Function
Authors: Krouwer Jan S.
Published: December 2015

Glucose meters often have similar performance when compared by error grid analysis. This is one reason that other statistics such as mean absolute relative deviation (MARD) are used to further differentiate performance. The problem with MARD is that too much information is lost. But additional information is available within the A zone of an error grid by using the Taguchi loss function. Applying the Taguchi loss function gives each glucose meter difference from reference a value ranging from 0 (no error) to 1 (error reaches the A zone limit). Values are averaged over all data which provides an indication of risk of an incorrect medical decision. This allows one to differentiate glucose meter performance for the common case where meters have a high percentage of values in the A zone and no values beyond the B zone. Examples are provided using simulated data.
Crushing Candy: The Free-to-Play Game in Its Connective Commodity Form
Authors: Nieborg David B.
Published: December 2015

The goal of this article is to add a complementary perspective to the study of social network sites by surveying how the political economy of social media platforms relates to the structure of free-to-play games in their commodity form. Drawing on the theory of multisided markets and critical political economy, this article surveys the political economy of game apps and investigates how it is symbiotically related to the technological and economic logic underlying connective platforms operated by Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon. These social media platforms operate app stores that sustain the transformation of games as fixed, physically distributed products that follow a transaction logic, into digitally distributed, freely accessible, or “free-to-play” apps. Through a case study of the popular casual game Candy Crush Saga it is contended that the connective properties of social media platforms affect the form and format of game apps as cultural commodities. Candy Crush Saga developer King Digital Entertainment has been able to attract hundreds of millions of players and build a business model that combines the commodification of virtual items, connectivity, user attention, user data, and play. It is argued that the free-to-play commodity form comprises three commodity types: the product commodity, the “prosumer commodity,” and the player commodity. Furthermore, Candy Crush Saga’s commodity form is structured by a platformed modality of cultural production and circulation and therefore embedded in the political economy of its host platform.
Social Media and the Transformation of Public Space
Authors: van Dijck José , Poell Thomas
Published: December 2015

This introduction to the Special Issue of Social Media + Society discusses the key theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches needed to gain insight into how social platforms intervene in public space. It starts by highlighting how in the emerging platform society public and private communication is reshaped by social media’s commercial mechanisms, transforming the political economy of the media landscape. Given the complex character of this society, it is essential to employ different perspectives and approaches to trace the multifaceted forces at work in this new global system. Building on the seven contributions to this Special Issue, we show the need for multidisciplinary scholarship. More specifically, we consider the insights produced through historical–cultural, socio-technical, and techno-commercial inquiries into the evolving relationship between social platforms and public space. The introduction concludes with a reflection on the necessity to combine these perspectives in one analytical model.
Use of Exhaled Nitric Oxide as a Biomarker in Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Arif Ahmed A. , Mitchell Colin
Published: December 2015

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive and nonreversible disease, is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Because airway inflammation is a hallmark of COPD, it has been proposed that measuring exhaled nitric oxide, a marker of inflammation, in exhaled breath condensate could prove to be an inexpensive and efficient method to detect COPD in outpatient settings. Methods: This study used secondary data on a sample of 10,214 individuals 30 years and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007 to 2010. Binary and ordinal logistic regression analyses were used to test the association of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) with COPD and COPD severity. Results: The prevalence of COPD was 7.2%, based on self-reported physician diagnoses and 11.4% based on prebronchodilator spirometry analysis. This study found no statistically significant association between eNO, COPD, and COPD severity ( P > .05). Conclusions: The findings of this study do not support use of eNO as a biomarker of inflammation in diagnosis and management of COPD.
The Rotator Interval of the Shoulder
Authors: Frank Rachel M. , Taylor Dean , Verma Nikhil N. , Romeo Anthony A. , Mologne Timothy S. , Provencher Matthew T.
Published: December 2015

Biomechanical studies have shown that repair or plication of rotator interval (RI) ligamentous and capsular structures decreases glenohumeral joint laxity in various directions. Clinical outcomes studies have reported successful outcomes after repair or plication of these structures in patients undergoing shoulder stabilization procedures. Recent studies describing arthroscopic techniques to address these structures have intensified the debate over the potential benefit of these procedures as well as highlighted the differences between open and arthroscopic RI procedures. The purposes of this study were to review the structures of the RI and their contribution to shoulder instability, to discuss the biomechanical and clinical effects of repair or plication of rotator interval structures, and to describe the various surgical techniques used for these procedures and outcomes.
Highly Skilled Immigrant Women’s Labor Market Access
Authors: Killian Caitlin , Manohar Namita N.
Published: December 2015

Applying an intersectionality framework to nuance the concepts of cumulative dis/advantage, this article examines the barriers to and/or pathways by which highly skilled North African and Tamil-Indian immigrant women access professional labor markets in France and the United States, respectively. We find that the cumulative, interactive effects of four mediating mechanisms—interaction of local labor markets and immigration regimes, the education-work experience nexus, social capital in social networks, and racialization—result in divergent labor market outcomes for North African and Tamil women. While for Tamil women, early disadvantage in immigration is converted to contingent advantage enabling them to access highly paid, professional work in the United States, for their North African counterparts, comparative early advantages are eroded to categorical disadvantage and their confinement to feminized, low-wage work in France. We argue that the downward economic mobility associated with skilled immigrant women’s labor market transitions is not as universal as is often theorized.
Chondrogenic induction of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells from Wharton’s jelly embedded in alginate hydrogel and without added growth factor: an alternative stem cell source for cartilage tissue engineering
Authors: Reppel Loïc , Schiavi Jessica , Charif Naceur , Leger Léonore , Yu Hao , Pinzano Astrid , Henrionnet Christel , Stoltz Jean-François , Bensoussan Danièle , Huselstein Céline
Published: December 2015

Background

Due to their intrinsic properties, stem cells are promising tools for new developments in tissue engineering and particularly for cartilage tissue regeneration. Although mesenchymal stromal/stem cells from bone marrow (BM-MSC) have long been the most used stem cell source in cartilage tissue engineering, they have certain limits. Thanks to their properties such as low immunogenicity and particularly chondrogenic differentiation potential, mesenchymal stromal/stem cells from Wharton’s jelly (WJ-MSC) promise to be an interesting source of MSC for cartilage tissue engineering.

Methods

In this study, we propose to evaluate chondrogenic potential of WJ-MSC embedded in alginate/hyaluronic acid hydrogel over 28 days. Hydrogels were constructed by the original spraying method. Our main objective was to evaluate chondrogenic differentiation of WJ-MSC on three-dimensional scaffolds, without adding growth factors, at transcript and protein levels. We compared the results to those obtained from standard BM-MSC.

Results

After 3 days of culture, WJ-MSC seemed to be adapted to their new three-dimensional environment without any detectable damage. From day 14 and up to 28 days, the proportion of WJ-MSC CD73+, CD90+, CD105+ and CD166+ decreased significantly compared to monolayer marker expression. Moreover, WJ-MSC and BM-MSC showed different phenotype profiles. After 28 days of scaffold culture, our results showed strong upregulation of cartilage-specific transcript expression. WJ-MSC exhibited greater type II collagen synthesis than BM-MSC at both transcript and protein levels. Furthermore, our work highlighted a relevant result showing that WJ-MSC expressed Runx2 and type X collagen at lower levels than BM-MSC.

Conclusions

Once seeded in the hydrogel scaffold, WJ-MSC and BM-MSC have different profiles of chondrogenic differentiation at both the phenotypic level and matrix synthesis. After 4 weeks, WJ-MSC, embedded in a three-dimensional environment, were able to adapt to their environment and express specific cartilage-related genes and matrix proteins. Today, WJ-MSC represent a real alternative source of stem cells for cartilage tissue engineering.
Chemokine interaction with synergy-inducing molecules: fine tuning modulation of cell trafficking
Authors: Cecchinato Valentina , D’Agostino Gianluca , Raeli Lorenzo , Uguccioni Mariagrazia
Published: December 2015

Directed migration and arrest of leukocytes during homeostasis, inflammation, and tumor development is mediated by the chemokine system, which governs leukocyte migration and activities. Although we understand well the effects of different chemokines one by one, much less was known about the potential consequences of the concomitant expression of multiple chemokines or of their interaction with inflammatory molecules on leukocyte migration and functions. In the past 10 yr, several studies revealed the existence of additional features of chemokines: they can antagonize chemokine receptors or synergize with other chemokines, also by forming heterocomplexes. Moreover, recent data show that not only chemokines but also the alarmin high-mobility group box 1 can for a complex with CXCL12, enhancing its potency on CXCR4. The molecular mechanism underlying the effect of the heterocomplex has been partially elucidated, whereas its structure is a matter of current investigations. The present review discusses the current knowledge and relevance of the functions of heterocomplexes formed between chemokines or between the chemokine CXCL12 and the alarmin high-mobility group box 1. These studies highlight the importance of taking into account, when approaching innovative therapies targeting the chemokine system, also the fact that some chemokines and molecules released in inflammation, can considerably affect the activity of chemokine receptor agonists.
Human regulatory T cells control TCR signaling and susceptibility to suppression in CD4+ T cells
Authors: Chellappa Stalin , Lieske Nora V , Hagness Morten , Line Pål D , Taskén Kjetil , Aandahl Einar M
Published: December 2015

Human CD4+CD25hiFOXP3+ regulatory T cells maintain immunologic tolerance and prevent autoimmune and inflammatory immune responses. Regulatory T cells undergo a similar activation cycle as conventional CD4+ T cells upon antigen stimulation. Here, we demonstrate that T cell receptors and costimulation are required to activate the regulatory T cell suppressive function. Regulatory T cells suppressed the T cell receptor signaling in effector T cells in a time-dependent manner that corresponded with inhibition of cytokine production and proliferation. Modulation of the activation level and thereby the suppressive capacity of regulatory T cells imposed distinct T cell receptor signaling signatures and hyporesponsiveness in suppressed and proliferating effector T cells and established a threshold for effector T cell proliferation. The immune suppression of effector T cells was completely reversible upon removal of regulatory T cells. However, the strength of prior immune suppression by regulatory T cells and corresponding T cell receptor signaling in effector T cells determined the susceptibility to suppression upon later reexposure to regulatory T cells. These findings demonstrate how the strength of the regulatory T cell suppressive function determines intracellular signaling, immune responsiveness, and the later susceptibility of effector T cells to immune suppression and contribute to unveiling the complex interactions between regulatory T cells and effector T cells.
President's Page
Authors: Liner Christopher
Published: December 2015

SEG finds itself in a very difficult business environment. We have all seen articles in the press about something like 200,000 jobs lost in the oil and gas industry. In 2008, we had the Great Recession and oil prices had a similar drop to now, but we had the shale-gas boom and barely noticed. In 2012 came the natural- gas price crash in North America (NA), but with the NA shale oil boom under way, we barely noticed. Today we have everything stacked against the industry. How can we quantify this situation? One way is to calculate the trailing one-year percentage change in key indicators. By that measure, the NA gas price is down 38%, the oil price is down 50%, and the NA rig count is down 57%. What we have here is a downdraft in all aspects of the oil and gas business, and this impacts everything SEG does, from membership to meetings to publications to short courses.
Obesity Prevalence in Kenyan Children Aged 24 to 59 Months
Authors: Mary Obade , John Reilly
Published: December 2015

Childhood obesity is becoming an alarming global health problem. However, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in most developing countries remain unknown due to limited data. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of childhood obesity and underweight among Kenyan children using the internationally recommended BMI definition and to establish any association between childhood obesity and risk factors. The study addressed the following research questions; what Kenyan data are available to estimate prevalence of childhood obesity and underweight?; how has prevalence changed over time?; what do Kenyan data tell us in terms of prevalence and risk factors for obesity and underweight?; how does prevalence differ between different definitions of obesity. We used both the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) BMI and the UK BMI definitions. Data were derived from the 1993 and 1998 Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys. The Kenya 1993 survey included 2979 subjects aged 24 to 59 months and the 1998 survey had 925 subjects aged 24 to 35 months. Differences between observed and expected prevalence for underweight, overweight and obesity relative to the UK 1990 BMI reference data were tested for significance by Chi-Squared Goodness of–fit–Test. The prevalence of underweight was significantly higher than expected relative to UK 1990 BMI definition for both 1993 and 1998 surveys. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of overweight among Kenyan children for 1993 and 1998 relative to both UK 1990 BMI and IOTF BMI definitions. There was no significant difference in obesity prevalence relative to UK 1990 and IOTF BMI definitions between 1993 and 1998 surveys (Chi-Squared Tests, P > 0.1). Both obesity and underweight co-exist among Kenyan children.
Survey of Sustainable Development to Make Great Man-Made River Producing Energy and Food
Authors: Nasar Mohamed
Published: December 2015

The Great Man-Made River (GMR) is the world largest irrigation project, consisting of a network of pipes that supplies water from Libyan desert in the south to the coastal areas in the north. This paper studies the possibility of taking advantage of GMR to generate energy and produce food through agriculture. Hydro-kinetic power generation would be carried out by generating energy from water movements across Great Man-Made River pipelines using appropriate sizes of turbines. It's known that the length of the GMR pipeline is about 4000 km with a diameter of 4 m. Pipeline of such magnitude with great water flow rate would make a turbine to produce hundreds of Kilowatts of clean energy. The most significant reasons that force us to take advantage of GMR to generate energy are: a) The needs to sustainable environmental energy source; b) Power System uses energy of flowing water to provide a consistent, controllable, non-weather-dependent source of electricity, such as other types of renewable energy, which are depend on the weather. The conversion of GMR, from supplying freshwater to coastal cities, to huge agricultural project after the establishment of many seawater desalination plants (solar powered) would cover the needs of cities for fresh water. Thus it would become possible to convert thousands of desert hectares around the pipelines to huge agricultural project irrigated from GMR.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Microelement Removal in the South Tertiary Wastewater Plant, Riyadh KSA
Authors: Bousiakou Leda G , Qindeel Rabia , Almuzaini A. S , Alghamdi Hosham A , Tawfik Walid , Farooq W. A , Kalkani H , Manzou E
Published: December 2015

This work focuses on the monitoring of trace element removal from the Riyadh South Tertiary Wastewater Treatment plant using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Considering that the final effluent originating from the plant is directed for irrigation purposes towards the farms of Al- Dirayia, Dirab and Wadi Hanifa it is important to consider the possible presence of elevated microelement concentrations that could pose potential threats to the human health. All samples were collected from the initial entrance to the plant representing the raw influent as well as the final exit after chlorination, i.e. the final effluent used for irrigation purposes. Results showed that the concentration of aluminium (Al), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) were initially elevated at their entrance to the plant compared to the recommended values by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), while zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co), uranium ( U), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) were within permissible levels. All microelements showed significant reduction of concentration with values well below the maximum recommendations. The observed results are important for assessing the functions and effectiveness of the treatment methods of the plant as well as ensuring that the final effluent is appropriate for agricultural use.
Assessment of the Quality of Water in Sulaimaniyah City, Kurdistan Region– Iraq
Authors: Salih Faisal A , Othman Nasih , Muhidin Faridon , Kasem Attallah
Published: December 2015

Good drinking water quality is essential for the well being of all population. The object of this study was to assess the quality of drinking water in the city of Sulaimaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan. A total of 2342 water samples from various sources providing water to the city collected during 2014 were analyzed for physiochemical and biological parameters using standard methods. Fifty percent of the samples were from, Dukan project after treatment, 26% from Dukan project before treatment, 8% from Sarchinar, 6% from city storage tanks and networks and 10% were brought by citizens from various sources.The total hardness of the city water at source after treatment was 186.3 (95% CI 179.6, 192.8), TDS was 150.6 (95% CI 149.5, 151.7), and PH was 7.74(95% CI 7.36, 8.12). The total hardness, TDS, turbidity and Calcium were considerably higher in Sarchinar than Dukan (231 vs. 161, 242 vs. 147, 2.7 vs. 1.8 and 72.9 vs. 44.5 mg/l respectively), while Sodium and Potassium were higher in Dukan than Sarchinar (3.4 vs. 1.4 and 1.4 vs. 0.08 mg/l respectively). Samples from the two supply lines from filtrated Dukan water project were compared in relation to physic-chemical characteristics and there were no significant differences in any of the parameters except PH, TDS and turbidity which were different. TDS of Dukan 1 project was slightly higher than Dukan 2 (148.9 vs. 145.9 respectively). Similarly turbidity of Dukan 1 was twice that of Dukan 2 (2.4 vs. 1.2). Overall, the parameter values were within standard ranges except Cl1- which was 19.8 (Iraqi standard 10 ppm) and dissolved oxygen which was 9 ppm (Iraqi standard 7-8 ppm). Microbiological results showed that 973 of the samples (91%) had an MPN of zero, 61 (5.7%) had an MPN of 2.2 and 35 (3.3%) had a higher MPN. The mean chlorination level for all samples was 1.12 (SD 0.44) .We can conclude that both Sarchinar and Dukan waters are acceptable for drinking purposes according to the parameters evaluated. We recommend to include monitoring heavy metals like Hg, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd, Ag in the future; to consolidate the existing reporting system and to included samples from household tap water for analysis.
Assessing Environmental Sensitivity Areas to Desertification in North of Iran
Authors: Sobhani Ameneh , Khosravi Hassan
Published: December 2015

The sensitivity map to desertification of Chehel-chai basin (North of Iran) has been elaborated by the crossing of fives criteria including climate, water erosion, soil, vegetation, and management, which have the main impact on the evolutionary process of desertification. The methodology is resulted from the desertification model of MEDALUS, which use qualitative index to define the land sensitive area to desertification. According to the factorial scaling technique, score-ranging from 1(good condition) to 2(deteriorated condition) is assigned to each indicator. Each index was assessed based on selected indicators, which resulted in qualitative mapping of each index based on geometric average of the indicators. Thematic databases, with a 1:50000 scale resolution, were integrated and elaborated in GIS software based on arc view3.2, Ilwis3.1 and ArcGIS9.3. The obtained results indicate that 39.39% of Chehel-chai basin is highly sensitive to desertification, 2.13 % has moderate sensitivity, only 2.43% has low sensitivity and 56.05% is non-sensitive. Studying the mean weight of numerical value, it is distinguished that the intensity of desertification for the total area is 1.32 which is classified as fragile (2).
An Evaluation of Economic Impact on Juvenile Landings of Cephalopods in Mumbai Waters, Northwest Coast of India
Authors: Sugumar Ramkumar , Sundaram Sujit , Jaiswar Ashok , Lakshmanan Ranjith , Chakraborty Sushant , Kavungal Vinod
Published: December 2015

Economic assessment of juvenile landings of 5 dominant cephalopods at New Ferry Wharf (NFW) landing centre, Mumbai was carried out during January to December, 2013. Dominant cephalopod fishery recorded include one species of squid, Uroteuthis (P) duvaucelii, three species of cuttlefishes, Sepia elliptica, Sepia pharaonis, Sepiella inermis and a species of octopus, Cistopus indicus together contributing 98% of total cephalopod landings. Estimated total annual economic gain calculated using bioeconomic model was Rs. 33.22 crores with estimated biomass gain of 4995 t per annum, if juveniles are allowed to grow up to length at first maturity (Lm)/Lmean. Among five species, C. indicus contribute maximum with 64.07 % of average juvenile catch followed by U. (P) duvaucelii (26 %), S. elliptica (23.63 %), S. inermis (23.27 %), and S. pharaonis (12.85 %). On these resources, while in S. inermis, both LM equals Lmean indicates breakeven point for the species. The study revealed that peak spawning season of these species coincides with peak juvenile landings which may result in reduction of overall size range thus will lead to loss of fishery in economic as well as ecosystem regime. The study indicates the improvement of harvest biomass by 2.95 times which would result in generating additional revenue to the fishers by a margin of 3.71 times; if juveniles are allowed to grow up to Lm/ Lmean whichever is greater.
Biomass Accumulation and Carbon Stocks in 13 Different Clones of Teak (Tectona Grandis Linn. F.) in Odisha, India
Authors: Behera Manoj , Priyadarshini Nilima
Published: December 2015

The rate of biomass accumulation and carbon stocks of 13 different clones of Teak in Odisha were studied to identify the promising genotypes suitable for massive clonal plantations in Odisha. ORANP2 produced highest biomass among the 13 clones of teak i.e. 223.72m3/ha, while ORANP1 registered lowest value of 64.05m3/ha in regards to biomass accumulation. The total carbon stock values were found in the range of 32.02-111.86t/ha for 13 different clones of teak. The Mean Annual Increment (MAI) value for total tree biomass lies between 1.91t/ha to 4.76t/ha in different clones of teak studied. Similarly the total CO2 content was evinced to be varied from 128.77 to 440.21t/ha among the clones studied. The Current Annual Increment (CAI) values for total carbon stock and carbon content varied from 0.95-2.38t/ha and 3.50-8.73t/ha with the net annual carbon storage was found to be within 2.91-8.16t/ha. ORANP2 was found to be superior one in terms of net biomass and carbon content. It was ascertained that selection of suitable teak clone is highly required to meet both economic and environmental obligations.
Physico-Chemical Analysis of Groundwater Quality of Adjoining Areas of Sambhar Lake, A Ramsar Wetland of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Bhat A. H , Sharma K. C
Published: December 2015

Water is not only essential for drinking but also needed for agriculture and industrial use. However, for safe and sustainable use of water for any sector, its quality is to be ensured. Therefore, the study was carried out for water quality of samples collected from different sites in the Lake periphery as well as in the catchment areas. Groundwater samples were collected from different locations of Sambhar Lake city and its adjoining area for their physico-chemical studies. The standard methods of APHA were used to analysis 8 samples collected from hand pumps, bore wells and tube wells of the specified area. The analytical results show pH varies between 7.4-8.6, Electrical conductivity between 1723 µs/cm-23400 µs/cm, Total hardness between 402.0 mg/l-3657.0 mg/l, Calcium between 103.21 mg/l-943.43 mg/l, Alkalinity between 309.69 mg/l-496.92 mg/l, Chloride between 543.0 mg/l-9926.0 mg/l, Magnesium 35.11 mg/l-316.0 mg/l, Total dissolved solids between 1175 mg/l-14900 mg/l, Sulphate between 117.6 mg/l-943.98 mg/l, Fluoride between 0.69 mg/l-2.01 mg/l, Nitrate between 7.69 mg/l-28.45 mg/l, Iron between 0.19 mg/l-0.42 mg/l, Boron between 0.76 mg/l-1.98 mg/l, Zinc between 0.01 mg/l-0.97 mg/l, Chromium between 0.012 mg/l -0.033 mg/l, Copper between 0.037 mg/l -0.065 mg/l, Manganese between 0.11 mg/l-0.97 mg/l, Lead 0.011 mg/l-0.12 mg/l, Sodium 67.0 mg/l -2312.0 mg/l, Potassium 3.40 mg/l -18.90 mg/l.
Environmental Impact of Cage Culture on Poondi Reservoir, Tamil Nadu
Authors: Devi P , Padmavathy P , Srinivasan A , Jawahar P
Published: December 2015

The present investigation was carried out in Poondi reservoir, Tamil Nadu, for a period of 8 months from September, 2014 to April, 2015 where the cage culture has been already initiated by the state fisheries department. The water and sediment samples were collected from the reservoir at point and non- point sources of the cage culture units and were analyzed for their physico-chemical parameters. The total microbial load, E. coli and feacal streptococci population were also assessed from the reservoir. During the study period, pH, sulphate, nitrate and BOD values were found within the permissible range for drinking water quality. The alkalinity values were found optimum in the reservoir water. The sediment characteristics such as pH, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon and available phosphorus values were also found to be within the standard limit. The optimum water and sediment quality characteristics and the absence of E. coli and feacal streptococci observed in the cage culture unit clearly showed that the small cage farming in the reservoir does not have major environmental impacts on the water and sediment quality.
Front Matter: Volume 1 (Proceedings of CBU)
Authors: Hájek Petr , Zemková Marie
Published: December 2015

This PDF file contains the front matter associated with CBU Proceedings Volume 1 including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction, and Conference Committee listing.
Front Matter: Volume 2 (Proceedings of CBU)
Authors: Hájek Petr , Mumanachit Pete
Published: December 2015

This PDF file contains the front matter associated with CBU Proceedings Volume 2 including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction, and Conference Committee listing.
Front Matter: Volume 3 (Proceedings of CBU)
Authors: Hájek Petr , Mumanachit Pete , Jones Mary-Anne
Published: December 2015

This PDF file contains the front matter associated with CBU Proceedings Volume 3 including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction, and Conference Committee listing.
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT AND COMPETITIVE STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT OF STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES IN CHINA
Authors: Zheng Xiaosong
Published: December 2015

In the increasingly competitive market, the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in China, which dominate the national economy, have to take actions to enhance their competitive advantages in response to the competition. On one hand, competitive advantage of a company has impacts on its performance. On the other hand, the enterprise needs to develop competitive strategies related to its goals. Therefore, the two elements interact with each other. However, most scholars only focus on one aspect to do research, which resulted in incomplete findings. This article summarizes the development process of performance measurement in China and Western countries, based on performance measurement theory, and points out the disadvantages of the performance measurement system of state-owned enterprises in China. In addition, competitive strategies of company are sorted out. On the basis of existing research results, the article built a performance measurement index system which is used as a theoretical tool for case study. Then, through theoretical analysis and case studies of the two state-owned enterprises in the civil airline industry (China Eastern Airlines Corporation and China Southern Airlines Corporation), this article comprehensively analyzes and compares performance measurement of the two companies and the industry environment, suggests relevant competitive strategies for both companies. Finally, this article sums up the research results and makes suggestions for performance improvement.
THE SCOPE OF DUE DILIGENCE IN CROSS-BORDER ACQUISITIONS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
Authors: Sacek Alen
Published: December 2015

Cross-border acquisitions play an important role in the corporate strategic development and international expansion. The paper summarizes the results of the dissertation, which intends to establish vital link between research and practice, deeply exploring the risk assessment methods and the scope of due diligence audit in the pre-acquisition phase. The central hypothesis of the comprehensive model stated that thorough due diligence in the pre-acquisition phase is necessary to make successful cross-border acquisition. The empirical evidence has been drawn on data sample of acquisitions made by automotive firms in cross-border acquisitions in the Central and Eastern Europe. The main results support the proposition that the thorough due diligence audit is necessary pre-requisite for successful acquisition. The findings further support the clear trend: In the past few years, several big automotive leaders strategically gain more control over their supply chains by acquiring technology specialists. From a practical standpoint, the research results provide acquisition management with a simple method of performing the pre-acquisition evaluation of potential acquisition candidates.
CHARACTERIZATION OF VEGETATIVE CHANGES IN BRONCHIAL ASTHMA OF VARIOUS SEVERITIES IN CHILDREN
Authors: Khankeldieva Hurmatoy , Alimjanov Ibrohim , Negmatshaeva Habiba , Abdullaeva Mavjuda , Tojiboev Temur , Ganieva Marifat
Published: December 2015

This article presents a study of the state of vegetative balance and prognostic possibilities of quantitative parameters of functional activity of VNS to estimate a state of bodily adaptive reserves in children with severe BA. Bronchial asthma, being one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood, requires further research into predisposing and causally-significant factors, mechanisms of pathogenesis and peculiarities of a clinical course, improvement of methods of diagnostics, treatment, and prevention. Great importance in the development of bronchial asthma in children is given to genetically-fixed functional insufficiency of barrier tissues of the respiratory system, increased ability to synthesize allergic antibodies and produce certain cytokines, high bronchopulmonary sensitivity to mediators of allergic inflammation, lowered sensitivity of 3g-adrenoreceptors to endogenous catecholamins, changes in immunologic responsiveness, and disorder of neuroendocrinal regulation of immune responses. Implementation of genetic predisposition to bronchial asthma development is promoted by influence of adverse environmental factors.
THE PREVALENCE OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AND ITS RISK FACTORS TOWARD HIV-POSITIVE PERSONS IN FERGANA VALLEY
Authors: Mirsaydullaev Mirzoulugbek , Mamasaliev Nematjon
Published: December 2015

Background: The data on the prevalence of arterial hypertension (AH) in patients with HIV/AIDS vary. Even though some authors have reported higher prevalence of high blood pressure  and systemic arterial hypertension in this group, compared to the prevalence of AH in subjects without infection, other studies have found similar prevalence of AH between men and women with HIV and individuals without the infection. In Uzbekistan such researches were not conducted yet.Objective: Evaluate the prevalence of prevalence of arterial hypertension and its risk factors at the HIV-positive persons of Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan.Methods:  A cross-sectional study aligned to a cohort of patients with HIV/AIDS. The study considered hypertension at levels ≥ 140/90 mmHg or use of antihypertensive drugs and pre-hypertension at levels > 120/80 mmHg.Results: Out of this total, 138 patients (48%) were male and 149 were female (52%); 65% of them were 40 years-old or younger, and other 35% were over 40 years of age. Among the individuals evaluated, 184 (64.1%) had blood pressure within the normal range, 62 (21.6%) were considered prehypertensive, and 41 (14.3%) were considered hypertensive. Twenty five patients (61%) knew they had hypertension, and 9 of them (36.0%) used antihypertensive medication on a continuous basis. The blood pressure levels were controlled in only 5 (20.0%) patients that knew that they were hypertensive.Conclusion: Among HIV-infected persons, 21.6% were considered prehypertensive, and 14.3% were considered hypertensive. It is important to warn clinicians who provide care to HIV/AIDS patients that such patients are not only individuals infected with a potentially fatal virus, but, despite the benefit of new antiretroviral therapies, they are also patients whose prognosis may be affected by comorbidities, such as hypertension.
ASSESSMENT OF EFFICACY OF TREATMENT FOR SUPRATENTORIAL BRAIN TUMORS IN CHILDREN
Authors: Ashrapov Jamshid Raufovich
Published: December 2015

The analysis of data of 97 children with brain tumors of supratentorial localization was carried out. To estimate treatment efficacy was used a rating scale of quality of life. It was determined that the quality of life of patients with brain gliomas depends on localization of neoplastic process, histological properties of tumor, preoperative neurologic deficit and the patient’s compensated condition.
COMPARATIVE DYNAMICS OF UTERINE ECHO DIMENTIONS IN HEALTH AND SECONDARY AMENORRHEA
Authors: Kasym-Hojaev Ibragim , Kamalova Gulnora , Negmatshaeva Habiba , Khankeldieva Hurmatoy
Published: December 2015

Protection of reproductive health of adolescents and youth, i.e., individuals aged 15 to 24 years, is a primary goal of a family planning service as according to WHO estimations (1995), the youth aged 15 to 24 years makes over 14% of the overall population in developed countries.Disorders of a menstrual cycle take a leading place among gynaecologic pathologies of adolescent girls. At the same time, according to WHO data, about 30% of schoolchildren suffer from iron deficiency anemia, which takes one of the first places in the structure of somatic pathologies. On the basis of maternity welfare centre No. 2, 2,456 girls aged 15 to 18 years were examined, and the frequency of occurrence and structure of disorders of a menstrual cycle was studied. In addition to standard methods of examination, all patients undertook USI of small pelvis organs; indicators of a hormonal status, complete blood test, transport fund, and iron stocks were investigated. The study included 285 girls, with various disorders of a menstrual cycle, who had no history of iron deficiency states and exacerbation of chronic diseases. The control group included 69 adolescent girls with a regular menstrual cycle. The most common type of disorder of a menstrual cycle in subjects examined was dysmenorrhea I. Iron deficiency anaemia was found in 5.3% of the subjects examined. The frequency of occurrence of moderate anaemia and latent deficiency of iron of 46.7% and 11.9%, respectively, attracts our attention. Well-timed diagnostics of the states mentioned in adolescent girls can prevent subsequent development of reproductive and somatic pathologies.