bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Combined Batteryless Radio and WiFi Indoor Positioning for Hospital Nursing
Authors: Kanan Riad , Elhassan Obaidallah
Published: March 2017

This paper proposes a design of an efficient hospital nurse calling system which combines two types of indoor localization systems. The purpose of the first system is to locate patients while the second is to locate nurses equipped with their smart phones. The main goal of developing such system is to decrease the time taking for nurses to provide healthcare for patients. Patients' positioning system is RF based. Indeed, each patient is equipped with a wireless and battery-free call button. When the switch is pressed, a wireless telegram is sent to reference nodes that act like Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). The positioning of patient is performed using trilateration method with the help of Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) values. Hence, beacons will forward the received signal from patient’s call button to a central receiver module connected to a computer. A dedicated program has been developed to calculate the position of the call button and post it on an online database. On the other hand, the nurses’ localization system is WiFi-based. Nurses' positioning is done by determining the Time of Arrival (ToA) and the Angle of Arrival (AoA) between the mobile phone and the WiFi router. The mobile phone locations are posted to the online database as well. Our program performs a comparison between the nurses' and the patient's coordinates. The nearest nurse gets an alarm. As consequence, a patient gets care from the nearest available nurse in an efficient way and with less time. The proposed system is user-friendly and Internet of Things (IoT) based architecture integrating two heterogeneous localization systems seamlessly.
Border surveillance monitoring using Quadcopter UAV-Aided Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Berrahal Sarra , Kim Jong-Hoon , Rekhis Slim , Boudriga Noureddine , Wilkins Deon , Acevedo Jaime
Published: March 2017

In this paper we propose a novel cooperative bordersurveillance solution, composed of a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) deployed terrestrially to detect and track trespassers, and a set of lightweight unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) in the form of quadcopters that interact with the deployed WSN to improve the border surveillance, the detection and investigation of network failures, the maintenance of the sensor network, the tracking of trespasser, the capture and transmission of realtime video of the intrusion scene, and the response to hostage situations. A heuristic-based scheduling algorithm is described to optimize the tracking mission by increasing the rate of detected trespassers spotted by the quadcopters. Together with the design of the electrical, mechanical and software architecture of the proposed VTail quadcopter, we develop in this paper powerless techniques to accurately localize terrestrial sensors using RFID technology, compute the optimal positions of the new sensors to drop, relay data between isolated islands of nodes, and wake up sensors to track intruders. The developed VTail prototype is tested to provide valid and accurate parameters’ values to the simulation. The latter is conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed WSN-based surveillance solution.
El concepto social de la violencia contra las mujeres en España: Aproximaciones a los imaginarios de jóvenes estudiantes
Authors: Zurbano Berenguer Belén , Liberia Vayá Irene , Barredo Ibáñez Daniel
Published: March 2017

La violencia contra las mujeres es todavía un problema por resolver en España y su incidencia en la juventud (desde el prisma tanto de la prevención como del abordaje de los casos) es uno de los grandes retos actuales. Diferentes actuaciones gubernamentales se han dirigido en este sentido, sin embargo aún subsiste un concepto social reduccionista en el que la violencia es presentada públicamente como de tipo físico y que acontece sólo en parejas con cierta madurez, dificultando a los jóvenes identificarla en sus relaciones. En este trabajo se ha abordado, mediante la técnica de la encuesta, de qué manera desarrollan conceptualmente los jóvenes estudiantes el problema de la violencia contra las mujeres. Los resultados indican que frente a una gran identificación de la violencia física como forma de violencia generalizada, algunas prácticas culturales —como el acoso sexual en la calle— no son reconocidas como agresiones de género, o algunas formas de violencia como la económica. Además, los jóvenes presentan unas percepciones negativas con respecto a la posible erradicación de la violencia contra las mujeres en la sociedad.
¿Niña o niño? la incertidumbre del sexo y el género en la infancia
Authors: Alcántara Eva
Published: March 2017

Es notable la creciente inquietud en torno a la incertidumbre del sexo y género en los primeros años de vida. Mediante el análisis de tres casos atravesados por el tema de la infancia y por los discursos modernos del sexo y el género, en este artículo se discute sobre las transformaciones que estos factores introducen en las condiciones de producción de la identidad sexuada. Las indagaciones científicas sobre el sexo, las teorías psicológicas del desarrollo del género, la política de gradual apertura a espacios posibles de ciudadanía, los movimientos de derechos humanos y la difusión de nuevas narrativas en medios masivos de comunicación, son algunos elementos que reconfiguran en la actualidad las preguntasy las respuestas acerca de quién y qué es un niño o una niña.
La lucha contra el androcentrismo en el desarrollo socioeconómico: la agenda internacional de las mujeres
Authors: Jiménez Almirante Libertad
Published: March 2017

En el presente artículo se hace, por un lado, un análisis teórico sobre la lucha contra el androcentrismo en la concepción del desarrollo socioeconómico pretendido por algunas agencias internacionales y, por el otro, desde un punto de vista socioeconómico, se aborda la influencia de los feminismos a través de la incorporación de la perspectiva de género como herramienta de análisis e intervención indispensable en el desarrollo propuesto por algunos organismos internacionales. En este sentido, la agenda internacional de las mujeres en el desarrollo ha sido determinada por una serie de enfoques diferenciados que han sido definidos desde una perspectiva asistencialista, como es el caso del “enfoque de bienestar”; desde una óptica economicista, como es el caso del “enfoque de mujeres en el desarrollo”; o desde un punto de vista analítico y transformador, como es el caso del “enfoque de género en el desarrollo” y del “enfoque de género y desarrollo humano”.
Etnografía móvil: una posibilidad metodológica para el análisis de las identidades de género en Facebook
Authors: Gutiérrez Ana Paulina
Published: March 2017

A partir de una investigación con personas trans femeninas de la ciudad de México, en este artículo reflexiono sobre la etnografía móvil como una posibilidad metodológica para el análisis socio-antropológico del género, las identidades, internet y los tránsitos que los caracterizan. Internet y las redes sociales cobran cada vez mayor importancia en la vida cotidiana de las personas, de manera que la virtualidad ha dejado de ser un escenario de ciencia ficción y se ha convertido en instrumento de comunicación cotidiana y en espacio social. Las redes sociales en internet no son espacios fijos sino que se distinguen por los tránsitos continuos de los usuarios dentro y fuera de línea, mismos en los que se define el papel de la identidad de las personas.
Estigma, subjetividad y ciudadanía sexual en mujeres mexicanas bailarinas de table dance
Authors: Salinas Boldo Claudia
Published: March 2017

El presente escrito es el resultado de una investigación basada en el método de la observación participante, que tuvo como objetivo el visibilizar y analizar cómo las condiciones de vida y de trabajo de mujeres bailarinas de table dance, obstaculizan e impiden el reconocimiento y el ejercicio de la ciudadanía sexual. Las mujeres bailarinas de table dance, debido a los prejuicios que rodean su actividad laboral, no se perciben a sí mismas como sujetos de derecho, susceptibles a acceder a una ciudadanía sexual plena desde la cual gocen del respeto, el reconocimiento, la protección y las condiciones de vida dignas a las que cualquier persona debería tener acceso.
Prácticas políticas identitarias de hombres gay de la Ciudad de México: entre la tensión y la heteronormalización
Authors: Lozano-Verduzco Ignacio
Published: March 2017

En este trabajo se analiza el discurso, obtenido a partir de entrevistas a profundidad, de 15 hombres que se identifican como “gay”, residentes de la Ciudad de México, con la intención de comprender la manera en que usan su deseo homoerótico y su identidad sexual para llevar a cabo prácticas políticas. Los resultados indican que el acercamiento al activismo gay, feminista y de izquierda permite que los hombres lleven a cabo un proceso de reflexión política con mayor ahínco y conciencia de sus actos. La investigación hizo también evidente la carga emocional que implica el asumir un deseo homoerótico y cómo esta apropiación permite a los hombres cuestionar normas sociales que regulan su deseo y su identidad.
El narcotráfico como dispositivo de poder sexo-genérico: crimen organizado, masculinidad y teoría queer
Authors: Núñez Noriega Guillermo , Espinoza Cid Claudia Esthela
Published: March 2017

El artículo revisa la distinción entre crimen y delincuencia organizada, así como la manera en que ésta ha sido estudiada en su relación con los hombres, la masculinidad y la sexualidad en México. Se propone que, a partir de una serie de referencias empíricas y con apoyo de la teoría queer, consideremos al narcotráfico, en tanto ejemplo destacado del crimen organizado, y a la “narcocultura”, como un dispositivo de poder sexogenérico cuyo quehacer es fundamental para la reproducción de su capital económico y simbólico.
Exclusión y violencia simbólica en la experiencia educativa de las estudiantes de ingeniería
Authors: Ortmann Cecilia
Published: March 2017

Tomando como problemática inicial la brecha de género en la matrícula de las carreras de ingeniería, el trabajo analiza la vinculación entre la atribución de masculinidad a la ciencia y la tecnología, y la percepción de la violencia simbólica en la experiencia cotidiana de las mujeres que intentan transitar académicamente estos espacios. A partir de testimonios y relatos, exploro las experiencias de las estudiantes a fin de identificar los presupuestos acerca de cómo son y deben ser las y los sujetos que se forman en estos ámbitos, así como las posibilidades, capacidades y limitaciones que se les asignan, aportando desde la empiria a una conceptualización de los modos de exclusión y deslegitimación que sostienen la conformación de un espacio fuertemente masculinizado.
Las prácticas pedagógicas de los instructores en el SENA
Authors: Malagón Patiño María Rocío
Published: March 2017

En el presente artículo se recogen algunos textos institucionales relacionados con las prácticas pedagógicas y con otros referentes teóricos que aportan en su interpretación y análisis. Este es un tema fundamental en el devenir del SENA, pues guarda relación directa con el desempeño y el desarrollo de las competencias de los aprendices en su formación profesional. Como resultado, se espera disponer de información que sirva para la discusión en los colectivos de instructores, asesores y formadores, responsables de su valoración y posible transformación.
ANALISIS LEARNING CONTINUUM TINGKAT SD SAMPAI SMP PADA TEMA SISTEM PENCERNAAN MANUSIA
Authors: Situmorang Risya Pramana
Published: March 2017

Hasil analisis yang dilakukan dalam kajian ini adalah tema sistem pencernaan manusia dalam ruang lingkup Makhluk Hidup dan Proses Kehidupan untuk tingkat Sekolah Dasar dengan Standar Kompetensi 1.Mengidentifikasi fungsi organ tubuh manusia dan hewan, dan Kompetensi Dasar 1.3 Mengidentifikasi fungsi organ pencernaan manusia dan hubungannya dengan makanan dan kesehatan. Pencapaian pembelajaran tingkat Sekolah Dasar sampai pada mengenal dan mengidentifikasi struktur sistem pencernaan manusia (mulut, kerongkongan, lambung, usus halus, usus besar, rektum dan anus) (C1: Faktual), Memahami struktur sistem pencernaan manusia (mulut, kerongkongan, lambung, usus halus, usus besar, rektum dan anus (C2: Konseptual); Mengaitkan hubungan antara organ pencernaan, makanan dan kesehatan) (C3: Konseptual). Sementara untuk tingkat Sekolah Menengah Pertama tema pembahasan pada KD 1.4 mendeskripsikan sistem pencernaan pada manusia dan hubungannya dengan kesehatan dengan masing-masing indikator terdiri atas mengetahui gangguan pencernaan makanan (C1: Faktual), mengetahuai proses pencernaan makanan dari mulut hingga anus (C2: Konseptual), menjelaskan proses pencernaan makanan dari mulut hingga anus (C3: Konseptual), menganalisis Menganalisis hubungan antara organ-organ sistem pencernaan dan makanan serta kesehatan (misal: mulut: gigi (memecah makanan), lidah (membantu menelan), usus halus: menyerap makanan, anus (mengeluarkan sisa makanan) (C4: Prosedural), Menyimpulkan proses pencernaan makanan dari mulut hingga anus serta hubungannya dengan kesehatan (C5: Konseptual).
PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS PROYEK MEMBUAT ENSIKLOPEDIA ILMU PENGETAHUAN ALAM (IPA) UNTUK MENINGKATKAN ACADEMIC SKILL PADA MAHASISWA
Authors: Purbosari Para Mitta
Published: March 2017

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk: 1). Mengetahui bagaimana hasil media pembelajaran ensiklopedia IPA dengan menggunakan Pembelajaran Berbasis Proyek (Projek-Based Leraning) berdasar penilaian Dosen, 2). Mengetahui apakah media pembelajaran ensiklopedia IPA yang dihasilkan oleh mahasiswa dengan menggunakan Pembelajaran Berbasis Proyek (Projek-Based Leraning)   dapat meningkatkan academic skill. Jenis penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif yaitu Penelitian Tindakan Kelas (PTK) dengan menggunakan model Pembelajaran Berbasis Proyek (Projek-Based Leraning) untuk medapatkan ensiklopedia IPA sehingga academik skill meningkat. Penelitian PTK ini dilaksanakan minimal 2 siklus utuk meningkatkan academic skill mahasiswa. Subjek penelitian ini adalah mahasiswa semester 2 PGSD Univet Bantara Sukoharjo mulai dari kelas A sampai F secara berkelompok untuk mengerjakan proyek dengan bantuan dosen. Teknik pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan tes dan non tes. Analisis data menggunakan diskriptif kualitatis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan nilai academic skill pada siklus I dalam kategori kurang lengkap dan pada siklus II menjadi kategori lengkap. Sedangkan nilai ensiklopedia pada siklus I terdapat 67% memiliki nilai 75 dan 33% memiliki nilai 80. Pada siklus II 67% memiliki nilai 85 dan 33% memiliki nilai 90. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian tindakan kelas yang dilakukan maka didapatkan kesimpulan bahwa, pembelajaran berbasis proyek membuat ensiklopedia Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam (IPA) dapat meningkatkan Academic Skill pada mahasiswa S1 PGSD Semester 2 Tahun Akademik 2015/2016.
Surface and Subsurface Transport of Nitrate Loss from the Selected Bioenergy Crop Fields: Systematic Review, Analysis and Future Directions
Authors: Sharma Suresh , Chaubey Indrajeet
Published: March 2017

Nitrate loss from bioenergy crop fields has attracted considerable attention during the last few years because of its potential negative impact on aquatic and human health. Both controllable and uncontrollable factors for nitrate loss have been the subject of several previous studies. Due to differences in climate, biophysical dissimilarities and land management characteristics in different parts of the world the factors affecting nitrate loss are often inconsistent and hence difficult to generalize. Therefore, reanalyzing the experimental field or plot scale studies to understand the nitrate loss factors in crop fields is useful and necessary in developing management strategies for reducing nitrate loss. This research synthesized and investigated 36 peer reviewed scientific journal articles related to selected bioenergy crop fields that included: continuous corn, corn in rotation with soybean, switchgrass and Miscanthus to conduct a meta-analysis of the available research. In this study, factors such as drain tile spacing, tillage practices, type and timing of the fertilization rate, irrigation and various other factors, which are challenging to represent in regression equations, were also systematically analyzed. In addition, various other agronomic characteristics that are attributed too nitrate loss are caused by perennially planted bio energized crops such as Miscanthus and switchgrass. Results indicated that 49% of nitrate loss through surface runoff from corn fields is directly related to the annual precipitation and fertilization rate. Multiple linear regression equations were developed to estimate the annual subsurface nitrate loss for the continuous corn fields with a R2 value of 0.65, 0.58 and 0.26 for sandy loam, silty loam and clay loam, respectively. Our analysis resulted in the conclusion that corn has a 2 to 3 times higher nitrate loss in surface runoff compared to switchgrass. Likewise, continuous corn and corn in rotation with soybean contributed more than 9 times the subsurface loss of nitrate compared to the established subsurface loss attributed to the Miscanthus and switchgrass.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for Time-Resolved Imaging of Alveolar Dynamics in Mechanically Ventilated Rats
Authors: Schnabel Christian , Gaertner Maria , Koch Edmund
Published: March 2017

Though artificial ventilation is an essential life-saving treatment, the mechanical behavior of lung tissue at the alveolar level is still unknown. Therefore, we need to understand the tissue response during artificial ventilation at this microscale in order to develop new and more protective ventilation methods. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) combined with intravital microscopy (IVM) is a promising tool for visualizing lung tissue dynamics with a high spatial and temporal resolution in uninterruptedly ventilated rats. We present a measurement setup using a custom-made animal ventilator and a gating technique for data acquisition of time-resolved sequences.
Green Tea and Its Extracts in Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Authors: Schulze Johannes , Melzer Lena , Smith Lisa , Teschke Rolf
Published: March 2017

Green tea (GT) and green tea extracts (GTE) have been postulated to decrease cancer incidence. In vitro results indicate a possible effect; however, epidemiological data do not support cancer chemoprevention. We have performed a PubMED literature search for green tea consumption and the correlation to the common tumor types lung, colorectal, breast, prostate, esophageal and gastric cancer, with cohorts from both Western and Asian countries. We additionally included selected mechanistical studies for a possible mode of action. The comparability between studies was limited due to major differences in study outlines; a meta analysis was thus not possible and studies were evaluated individually. Only for breast cancer could a possible small protective effect be seen in Asian and Western cohorts, whereas for esophagus and stomach cancer, green tea increased the cancer incidence, possibly due to heat stress. No effect was found for colonic/colorectal and prostatic cancer in any country, for lung cancer Chinese studies found a protective effect, but not studies from outside China. Epidemiological studies thus do not support a cancer protective effect. GT as an indicator of as yet undefined parameters in lifestyle, environment and/or ethnicity may explain some of the observed differences between China and other countries.
Specific Emitter Identification Based on the Natural Measure
Authors: Jia Yongqiang , Zhu Shengli , Gan Lu
Published: March 2017

Specific emitter identification (SEI) techniques are often used in civilian and military spectrum-management operations, and they are also applied to support the security and authentication of wireless communication. In this letter, a new SEI method based on the natural measure of the one-dimensional component of the chaotic system is proposed. We find that the natural measures of the one-dimensional components of higher dimensional systems exist and that they are quite diverse for different systems. Based on this principle, the natural measure is used as an RF fingerprint in this letter. The natural measure can solve the problems caused by a small amount of data and a low sample rate. The Kullback–Leibler divergence is used to quantify the difference between the natural measures obtained from diverse emitters and classify them. The data obtained from real application are exploited to test the validity of the proposed method. Experimental results show that the proposed method is not only easy to operate, but also quite effective, even though the amount of data is small and the sample rate is low.
Impact of Silicon Carbide Devices on the Dynamic Performance of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drive Systems for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Ding Xiaofeng , Du Min , Cheng Jiawei , Chen Feida , Ren Suping , Guo Hong
Published: March 2017

This paper investigates the impact of silicon carbide (SiC) metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) on the dynamic performance of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive systems. The characteristics of SiC MOSFETs are evaluated experimentally taking into account temperature variations. Then the switching characteristics are firstly introduced into the transfer function of a SiC-inverter fed PMSM drive system. The main contribution of this paper is the investigation of the dynamic control performance features such as the fast response, the stability and the robustness of the drive system considering the characteristics of SiC MOSFETs. All the results of the SiC-drive system are compared to the silicon-(Si) insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) drive system counterpart, and the SiC-drive system manifests a higher dynamic performance than the Si-drive system. The analytical results have been effectively validated by experiments on a test bench.
Potential of Utilizing Different Natural Cooling Sources to Reduce the Building Cooling Load and Cooling Energy Consumption: A Case Study in Urumqi
Authors: Shen Chong , Li Xianting
Published: March 2017

Generally, Central Asia is typical for regions with strong solar radiation and various natural cooling sources. The heat gain from the building envelope accounts for a large part of the cooling load there. Thus, the pipe-embedded envelope is receiving attention as a semi-active system of utilizing natural energy for cooling. In this study, the performance of the pipe-embedded envelope used in Urumqi is numerically investigated. The energy saving potential regarding evaporative cooling and a ground-source heat exchanger (GSHE) is evaluated over a complete summer. The results show that the built-in pipes can reduce 80% of the solar heat gain through windows, with an effectiveness of around 60%. External windows rather than internal windows should be insulated because the air cavity is cool. With respect to the pipe-embedded wall, it becomes a radiant cooling panel absorbing the heat from the room, with an effectiveness around 83%. The seasonal cooling energy is decreased by 25%–50% in a typical office with a pipe-embedded envelope. Offices with a large window-to-wall ratio are acceptable because natural cooling is employed. GSHE performs the best among the selected sources. The effectiveness of evaporative cooling is also satisfactory, with an energy saving rate of 27%. Overall, the pipe-embedded system is suitable for climatic regions like Urumqi.
Microbial Remobilisation on Riverbed Sediment Disturbance in Experimental Flumes and a Human-Impacted River: Implication for Water Resource Management and Public Health in Developing Sub-Saharan African Countries
Authors: Abia Akebe , James Chris , Ubomba-Jaswa Eunice , Benteke Momba Maggy
Published: March 2017

Resuspension of sediment-borne microorganisms (including pathogens) into the water column could increase the health risk for those using river water for different purposes. In the present work, we (1) investigated the effect of sediment disturbance on microbial resuspension from riverbed sediments in laboratory flow-chambers and in the Apies River, Gauteng, South Africa; and (2) estimated flow conditions for sediment-borne microorganism entrainment/resuspension in the river. For mechanical disturbance, the top 2 cm of the sediment in flow-chambers was manually stirred. Simulating sudden discharge into the river, water (3 L) was poured within 30 s into the chambers at a 45° angle to the chamber width. In the field, sediment was disturbed by raking the riverbed and by cows crossing in the river. Water samples before and after sediment disturbance were analysed for Escherichia coli. Sediment disturbance caused an increase in water E. coli counts by up to 7.9–35.8 times original values. Using Shields criterion, river-flow of 0.15–0.69 m3/s could cause bed particle entrainment; while ~1.57–7.23 m3/s would cause resuspension. Thus, sediment disturbance in the Apies River would resuspend E. coli (and pathogens), with possible negative health implications for communities using such water. Therefore, monitoring surface water bodies should include microbial sediment quality.
The Social Norms of Suicidal and Self-Harming Behaviours in Scottish Adolescents
Authors: Quigley Jody , Rasmussen Susan , McAlaney John
Published: March 2017

Although the suicidal and self-harming behaviour of individuals is often associated with similar behaviours in people they know, little is known about the impact of perceived social norms on those behaviours. In a range of other behavioural domains (e.g., alcohol consumption, smoking, eating behaviours) perceived social norms have been found to strongly predict individuals’ engagement in those behaviours, although discrepancies often exist between perceived and reported norms. Interventions which align perceived norms more closely with reported norms have been effective in reducing damaging behaviours. The current study aimed to explore whether the Social Norms Approach is applicable to suicidal and self-harming behaviours in adolescents. Participants were 456 pupils from five Scottish high-schools (53% female, mean age = 14.98 years), who completed anonymous, cross-sectional surveys examining reported and perceived norms around suicidal and self-harming behaviour. Friedman’s ANOVA with post-hoc Wilcoxen signed-ranks tests indicated that proximal groups were perceived as less likely to engage in or be permissive of suicidal and self-harming behaviours than participants’ reported themselves, whilst distal groups tended towards being perceived as more likely to do so. Binary logistic regression analyses identified a number of perceived norms associated with reported norms, with close friends’ norms positively associated with all outcome variables. The Social Norms Approach may be applicable to suicidal and self-harming behaviour, but associations between perceived and reported norms and predictors of reported norms differ to those found in other behavioural domains. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are considered.
Economic Burden for Lung Cancer Survivors in Urban China
Authors: Zhang Xin , Liu Shuai , Liu Yang , Du Jian , Fu Wenqi , Zhao Xiaowen , Huang Weidong , Zhao Xianming , Liu Guoxiang , Mao Zhengzhong , Hu Teh-wei
Published: March 2017

Background: With the rapid increase in the incidence and mortality of lung cancer, a growing number of lung cancer patients and their families are faced with a tremendous economic burden because of the high cost of treatment in China. This study was conducted to estimate the economic burden and patient responsibility of lung cancer patients and the impact of this burden on family income. Methods: This study uses data from a retrospective questionnaire survey conducted in 10 communities in urban China and includes 195 surviving lung cancer patients diagnosed over the previous five years. The calculation of direct economic burden included both direct medical and direct nonmedical costs. Indirect costs were calculated using the human capital approach, which measures the productivity lost for both patients and family caregivers. The price index was applied for the cost calculation. Results: The average economic burden from lung cancer was $43,336 per patient, of which the direct cost per capita was $42,540 (98.16%) and the indirect cost per capita was $795 (1.84%). Of the total direct medical costs, 35.66% was paid by the insurer and 9.84% was not covered by insurance. The economic burden for diagnosed lung cancer patients in the first year following diagnosis was $30,277 per capita, which accounted for 171% of the household annual income, a percentage that fell to 107% after subtracting the compensation from medical insurance. Conclusions: The economic burden for lung cancer patients is substantial in the urban areas of China, and an effective control strategy to lower the cost is urgently needed.
A Dynamic Data Structure to Efficiently Find the Points below a Line and Estimate Their Number
Authors: Kuijpers Bart , Revesz Peter
Published: March 2017

A basic question in computational geometry is how to find the relationship between a set of points and a line in a real plane. In this paper, we present multidimensional data structures for N points that allow answering the following queries for any given input line: (1) estimate in O ( log N ) time the number of points below the line; (2) return in O ( log N + k ) time the k ≤ N points that are below the line; and (3) return in O ( log N ) time the point that is closest to the line. We illustrate the utility of this computational question with GIS applications in air defense and traffic control.
A GIS-Based Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Spatial Coverage of Public Transport Networks in Tourist Destinations
Authors: Domènech Antoni , Gutiérrez Aaron
Published: March 2017

This article develops a methodology for evaluating the effectiveness and spatial coverage of public transport in tourist cities. The proposed methodology is applied and validated in Cambrils municipality, in the central part of the Costa Daurada in Catalonia, a coastal destination characterised by the concentration of tourism flows during summer. The application of GIS spatial analysis tools allows for the development of a system of territorial indicators that spatially correlate the public transport network and the distribution of the population. The main novelty of our work is that this analysis not only includes the registered resident population, but also incorporates the population that temporarily inhabits the municipality (tourists). The results of the study firstly permit the detection of unequal spatial accessibility and coverage in terms of public transport in the municipality, with significant differences between central neighbourhoods and peripheral urban areas of lower population density. Secondly, they allow observation of how the degree of public transport coverage differs significantly in areas with a higher concentration of tourist accommodation establishments.
The Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Arterial Stiffness of Pediatric Mucopolysaccharidosis Patients Are Increased Compared to Both Pediatric and Adult Controls
Authors: Wang Raymond , Rudser Kyle , Dengel Donald , Braunlin Elizabeth , Steinberger Julia , Jacobs David , Sinaiko Alan , Kelly Aaron
Published: March 2017

Treatments for mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) have increased longevity, but cardiovascular disease causes mortality in a significant percentage of survivors. Markers must be developed to predict MPS cardiac risk and monitor efficacy of investigational therapies.MPS patients underwent carotid artery ultrasonography from which carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and three measures of arterial stiffness were calculated: carotid artery distensibility (cCSD), compliance (cCSC), and incremental elastic modulus (cIEM). MPS carotid measurements were compared to corresponding data from pediatric and adult healthy cohorts. 33 MPS patients (17 MPS I, 9 MPS II, 4 MPS IIIA, and 3 MPS VI; mean age 12.5 ± 4.7 years), 560 pediatric controls (age 13.1 ± 4.0 years), and 554 adult controls (age 39.2 ± 2.2 years) were studied. Age and sex-adjusted aggregate MPS cIMT (0.56 ± 0.05 mm) was significantly greater than both pediatric (+0.12 mm; 95% CI +0.10 to +0.14 mm) and adult (+0.10 mm; 95% CI +0.06 to +0.14 mm) control cohorts; similar findings were observed for all MPS subtypes. Mean MPS cIMT approximated the 80th percentile of the adult cohort cIMT. MPS patients also demonstrated significantly increased adjusted arterial stiffness measurements, evidenced by reduced cCSD, cCSC, and increased cIEM, compared to pediatric and adult control cohorts. Regardless of treatment, MPS patients demonstrate increased cIMT and arterial stiffness compared to healthy pediatric and adult controls. These data suggest that relatively young MPS patients demonstrate a “structural vascular age” of at least 40 years old.
Moving to the Field: Plant Innate Immunity in Crop Protection
Authors: Iriti Marcello , Varoni Elena M.
Published: March 2017

In natural ecosystems, disease is not the rule, but a rare outcome in the spectrum of plant–microbe interaction, since plants have developed, during their evolutionary history, various defence strategies to face pathogens.[...]
Novel Adaptive Transmission Protocol for Mobile Sensors that Improves Energy Efficiency and Removes the Limitation of State Based Adaptive Power Control Protocol (SAPC)
Authors: Basu Debraj , Sen Gupta Gourab , Moretti Giovanni , Gui Xiang
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we have presented a novel transmission protocol which is suited for battery-powered sensors that are worn by a patient when under medical treatment, and allow constant monitoring of health indices. These body-wearable sensors log data from the patient and transmit the data to a base-station or gateway, via a wireless link at specific intervals. The signal link quality varies because the distance between the patient and the gateway is not fixed. This may lead to packet drops that increase the energy consumption due to repeated retransmission. The proposed novel transmission power control protocol combines a state based adaptive power control (SAPC) algorithm and an intelligent adaptive drop-off algorithm, to track the changes in the link quality, in order to maintain an acceptable Packet success rate (PSR)(~99%). This removes the limitation of the SAPC by making the drop-off rate adaptive. Simulations were conducted to emulate a subject’s movement in different physical scenarios—an indoor office environment and an outdoor running track. The simulation results were validated through experiments in which the transmitter, together with the sensor mounted on the subject, and the subject themselves were made to move freely within the communicable range. Results showed that the proposed protocol performs at par with the best performing SAPC corresponding to a fixed drop-off rate value.
Effects of Nitrogen and Tensile Direction on Stress Corrosion Cracking Susceptibility of Ni-Free FeCrMnC-Based Duplex Stainless Steels
Authors: Ha Heon-Young , Lee Chang-Hoon , Lee Tae-Ho , Kim Sangshik
Published: March 2017

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of Ni-free duplex stainless steels containing N and C (Febalance-19Cr-8Mn-0.25C-(0.03, 0.21)N, in wt %) was investigated by using a slow strain rate test (SSRT) in air and aqueous NaCl solution with different tensile directions, including parallel (longitudinal) and perpendicular (transverse) to the rolling direction. It was found that alloying N was effective in increasing the resistance to SCC, while it was higher along the longitudinal direction than the transverse direction. The SCC susceptibility of the two alloys was assessed based on the electrochemical resistance to pitting corrosion, the corrosion morphology, and the fractographic analysis.
In Situ Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles on Wool Powder and Their Catalytic Application
Authors: Tang Bin , Zhou Xu , Zeng Tian , Lin Xia , Zhou Ji , Ye Yong , Wang Xungai
Published: March 2017

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized in situ on wool powder (WP) under heating conditions. Wool powder not only reduced Au ions to AuNPs, but also provided a support for as-synthesized AuNPs. WPs were treated under different concentrations of Au ions, and corresponding optical features and morphologies of the treated WPs were investigated by UV-VIS diffuse reflectance absorption spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were also employed to characterize the WP treated with AuNPs. The results demonstrate that AuNPs were produced in the presence of WP and distributed over the wool particles. The porous structure led to the synthesis of AuNPs in the internal parts of WP. Acid conditions and high temperature facilitated the synthesis of AuNPs by WP in aqueous solution. The reducibility of wool was improved after being converted to powder from fibers, due to exposure of more active groups. Moreover, the obtained AuNP-WP complexes showed significant catalytic activity to accelerate the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by sodium borohydride (NaBH4).
Fabrication of Polymeric Antireflection Film Manufactured by Anodic Aluminum Oxide Template on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Tsai Jenn-Kai , Tu Yu-Shin
Published: March 2017

In this study, high energy conversion efficient dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were successfully fabricated by attaching a double anti-reflection (AR) layer, which is composed of a subwavelength moth-eye structured polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) film and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film. An efficiency of up to 6.79% was achieved. The moth-eye structured PMMA film was fabricated by using an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template which is simple, low-cost and scalable. The nano-pattern of the AAO template was precisely reproduced onto the PMMA film. The photoanode was composed of Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) with a diameter of 25 nm deposited on the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate and the sensitizer N3. The double AR layer was proved to effectively improve the short-circuit current density (JSC) and conversion efficiency from 14.77 to 15.79 mA/cm2 and from 6.26% to 6.79%, respectively.
Modeling Sound Propagation Using the Corrective Smoothed Particle Method with an Acoustic Boundary Treatment Technique
Authors: Zhang Yong , Li Xu , Zhang Tao
Published: March 2017

The development of computational acoustics allows the simulation of sound generation and propagation in a complex environment. In particular, meshfree methods are widely used to solve acoustics problems through arbitrarily distributed field points and approximation smoothness flexibility. As a Lagrangian meshfree method, the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method reduces the difficulty in solving problems with deformable boundaries, complex topologies, or multiphase medium. The traditional SPH method has been applied in acoustic simulation. This study presents the corrective smoothed particle method (CSPM), which is a combination of the SPH kernel estimate and Taylor series expansion. The CSPM is introduced as a Lagrangian approach to improve the accuracy when solving acoustic wave equations in the time domain. Moreover, a boundary treatment technique based on the hybrid meshfree and finite difference time domain (FDTD) method is proposed, to represent different acoustic boundaries with particles. To model sound propagation in pipes with different boundaries, soft, rigid, and absorbing boundary conditions are built with this technique. Numerical results show that the CSPM algorithm is consistent and demonstrates convergence with exact solutions. The main computational parameters are discussed, and different boundary conditions are validated as being effective for benchmark problems in computational acoustics.
Ganoderma spp.: A Promising Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer
Authors: Suárez-Arroyo Ivette , Loperena-Alvarez Yaliz , Rosario-Acevedo Raysa , Martínez-Montemayor Michelle
Published: March 2017

For the past several decades, cancer patients in the U.S. have chosen the use of natural products as an alternative or complimentary medicine approach to treat or improve their quality of life via reduction or prevention of the side effects during or after cancer treatment. The genus Ganoderma includes about 80 species of mushrooms, of which several have been used for centuries in traditional Asian medicine for their medicinal properties, including anticancer and immunoregulatory effects. Numerous bioactive compounds seem to be responsible for their healing effects. Among the approximately 400 compounds produced by Ganoderma spp., triterpenes, peptidoglycans and polysaccharides are the major physiologically-active constituents. Ganoderma anticancer effects are attributed to its efficacy in reducing cancer cell survival and growth, as well as by its chemosensitizing role. In vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted in various cancer cells and animal models; however, in this review, we focus on Ganoderma’s efficacy on breast cancers. Evidence shows that some species of Ganoderma have great potential as a natural therapeutic for breast cancer. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to investigate their potential in the clinical setting and to translate our basic scientific findings into therapeutic interventions for cancer patients.
On the Emerging Role of the Taste Receptor Type 1 (T1R) Family of Nutrient-Sensors in the Musculoskeletal System
Authors: Kokabu Shoichiro , Lowery Jonathan , Toyono Takashi , Sato Tsuyoshi , Yoda Tetsuya
Published: March 2017

The special sense of taste guides and guards food intake and is essential for body maintenance. Salty and sour tastes are sensed via ion channels or gated ion channels while G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) of the taste receptor type 1 (T1R) family sense sweet and umami tastes and GPCRs of the taste receptor type 2 (T2R) family sense bitter tastes. T1R and T2R receptors share similar downstream signaling pathways that result in the stimulation of phospholipase-C-β2. The T1R family includes three members that form heterodimeric complexes to recognize either amino acids or sweet molecules such as glucose. Although these functions were originally described in gustatory tissue, T1R family members are expressed in numerous non-gustatory tissues and are now viewed as nutrient sensors that play important roles in monitoring global glucose and amino acid status. Here, we highlight emerging evidence detailing the function of T1R family members in the musculoskeletal system and review these findings in the context of the musculoskeletal diseases sarcopenia and osteoporosis, which are major public health problems among the elderly that affect locomotion, activities of daily living, and quality of life. These studies raise the possibility that T1R family member function may be modulated for therapeutic benefit.
Nanoemulsified D-Limonene Reduces the Heat Resistance of Salmonella Senftenberg over 50 Times
Authors: Ros-Chumillas María , Garre Alberto , Maté Javier , Palop Alfredo , Periago Paula
Published: March 2017

Salmonella Senftenberg is a pathogen agent causative of foodborne disease and it is considered the most heat-resistant serovar within this genus. Food industries use heat treatment and chemical antimicrobials in order to eliminate this microorganism in food, but consumers prefer natural antimicrobials as essential oils and their components. This study evaluates the combined effect of thermal treatments and different concentrations of D-limonene nanoemulsion on the inactivation of Salmonella (S.) Senftenberg. The results showed an important effect of the nanoemulsified D-limonene on the heat resistance of S. Senftenberg. The δ50 °C value was reduced by 85%, 96% and 98% when 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mM of nanoemulsified D-limonene was added to the heating medium. The effect was kept along all the heating temperatures researched and the shape of the survival curves did not change with the addition of the antimicrobial. The results obtained in this research could be very useful for food industries for optimizing or improving heat treatments applied to food.
Nutrients and the Pancreas: An Epigenetic Perspective
Authors: Weisbeck Andee , Jansen Rick
Published: March 2017

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths with a dismal average five-year survival rate of six percent. Substitutional progress has been made in understanding how pancreatic cancer develops and progresses. Evidence is mounting which demonstrates that diet and nutrition are key factors in carcinogenesis. In particular, diets low in folate and high in fruits, vegetables, red/processed meat, and saturated fat have been identified as pancreatic cancer risk factors with a proposed mechanism involving epigenetic modifications or gene regulation. We review the current literature assessing the correlation between diet, epigenetics, and pancreatic cancer.
A Comparison of Stand-Level Volume Estimates from Image-Based Canopy Height Models of Different Spatial Resolutions
Authors: Balenović Ivan , Simic Milas Anita , Marjanović Hrvoje
Published: March 2017

Digital aerial photogrammetry has recently attracted great attention in forest inventory studies, particularly in countries where airborne laser scanning (ALS) technology is not available. Further research, however, is required to prove its practical applicability in deriving three-dimensional (3D) point clouds and canopy surface and height models (CSMs and CHMs, respectively) over different forest types. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the applicability of image-based CHMs at different spatial resolutions (1 m, 2 m, 5 m) for use in stand-level forest inventory, with a special focus on estimation of stand-level merchantable volume of even-aged pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) forests. CHMs are generated by subtracting digital terrain models (DTMs), derived from the national digital terrain database, from corresponding digital surface models (DSMs), derived by the process of image matching of digital aerial images. Two types of stand-level volume regression models are developed for each CHM resolution. The first model is based solely on stand-level CHM metrics, whereas in the second model, easily obtainable variables from forest management databases are included in addition to CHM metrics. The estimation accuracies of the stand volume estimates based on stand-level metrics (relative root mean square error RMSE% = 12.53%–13.28%) are similar or slightly higher than those obtained from previous studies in which stand volume estimates were based on plot-level metrics. The inclusion of stand age as an independent variable in addition to CHM metrics improves the accuracy of the stand volume estimates. Improvements are notable for young and middle-aged stands, and negligible for mature and old stands. Results show that CHMs at the three different resolutions are capable of providing reasonably accurate volume estimates at the stand level.