bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Initial Experience with Renal Denervation for the Treatment of Resistant Hypertension - The Utility of Novel Anesthetics and Metaiodobenzylguanidine Scintigraphy (MIBG)
Authors: Ziakas Antonios , Petroglou Dimitrios , Moralidis Efstratios , Tsioufis Konstantinos , Doumas Mihalis , Argiriadou Elena , Savopoulos Christos , Hadjimiltiades Stavros , Stiliadis Ioannis , Kouparanis Antonios , Katranas Sotirios , Lillis Leonidas , Koutsakis Athanasios , Karvounis Haralambos
Published: August 2016

Background:

The Symplicity-HTN 3 trial failed to show significant difference in blood pressure (BP) lowering between patients undergoing catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) and the sham-procedure arm of the study. However, there is still optimism about the role of RDN in the treatment of resistant hypertension, because identification of patients with increased sympathetic activity thus being good RDN responders, improvements in the RDN procedure and new technology RDN catheters are all expected to lead to better RDN results. We present our initial experience with RDN for the treatment of resistant hypertension, and the utility of novel anesthetics and cardiac123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy (123I-MIBG).

Methods and Results:

Seven patients with resistant hypertension underwent RDN and were followed up for 6 months. MIBG was performed before RDN, in order to estimate sympathetic activity and predict the response to RDN. All patients were sedated with dexmedetomidine and remifentanil during RDN. All patients tolerated the procedure well, were hemodynamically stable and their peri-procedural pain was effectively controlled. A median of 7.6 ± 2.1 and 6 ± 1.4 ablations were delivered in the right and left renal artery respectively, making an average of 6.8 burns per artery. No peri-procedural or late complications - adverse events (local or systematic) occurred. At 6 months, mean reduction in office BP was -26.0/-16.3 mmHg (p=0.004/p=0.02), while mean reduction in ambulatory BP was -12.3/-9.2 mmHg (p=0.118/p=0.045). One patient (14.3%) was a non-responder. None of the cardiac123I-MIBG imaging indexes(early and late heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) count density ratio, washout rate (WR) of the tracer from the myocardium) were different between responders and non-responders.

Conclusion:

Patients with resistant hypertension who underwent RDN in our department had a significant reduction in BP 6 months after the intervention.123I-MIBG was not useful in predicting RDN response. Dexmedetomidine and remifentanil provided sufficient patient comfort during the procedure, allowing an adequate number of ablations per renal artery to be performed, and this could probably lead to improved RDN results.
A VA Perspective: The Expanding Role of the Clinical Health Psychologist in the New Era of Hepatitis C and Advanced Liver Disease Clinical Care
Authors: Gonzalez Rose A. , Watson Erin C. , Denton F. Nicholas , Steinberg Tara C. , Hua William Q.
Published: August 2016

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VHA) is the largest provider of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) care and has made considerable effort in facilitating multidisciplinary medical and mental health care for Veterans with HCV. Those with HCV are at high risk for psychiatric and substance use disorders that often negatively impact selection for and completion of traditional antiviral treatments. Interferon-based treatments, which were difficult to tolerate due to toxicity and the high occurrence of side effects, were the previous standard for HCV treatment. New interferon-free agents with minimal side effect profiles and improved treatment responses have been developed, which results in more patients being treated for HCV. The VHA’s emphasis on multidisciplinary integration and person-centered care highlights the importance of integrating mental health care within HCV clinical care and provides a rich environment for expanding the role of the clinical health psychologist in hepatology settings. This paper will describe the role of the clinical health psychologist in the past and new era of HCV clinical care, with special consideration placed on the expanding role of the clinical health psychologist given the latest advancements in antiviral treatment for HCV. A review of the clinical health psychologist’s role in the following areas will be provided: assessment of treatment candidacy, treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, promotion of adherence, and work with specialty hepatology populations.
The Effect of Educational Intervention Regarding the Knowledge of Mothers on Prevention of Accidents in Childhood
Authors: Silva Elayne Cristina Soares , Fernandes Maria Neyrian de Fátima , Sá Márcia Caroline Nascimento , Mota de Souza Layane , Gordon Ariadne Siqueira de Araújo , Costa Ana Cristina Pereira de Jesus , Silva de Araújo Thábyta , Carvalho Queliane Gomes da Silva , Maia Carlos Colares , Machado Ana Larissa Gomes , Gubert Fabiane do Amaral , Alexandrino da Silva Leonardo , Vieira Neiva Francenely Cunha
Published: August 2016

Early guidance emphasizes the provision of information to families about growth and normal development in childhood such as specific information about security at home. This research aimed to analyze mothers' knowledge about the prevention of accidents in childhood before and after an educational intervention. It was conducted as a quasi-experimental study with 155 mothers in a Basic Health Unit in northeastern of Brazil in April and May of 2015. The data were collected in two stages through a self-report questionnaire performed before and after the educational intervention by the subjects. The results revealed a significant increase in knowledge about prevention of accidents in childhood in all the self-applied questions (p<0.05). After the educational intervention, there seemed to be a significant difference with the questions regarding the knowledge on preventing fall (p=0.000), drowning (p=0.000), and intoxication (p=0.007). The authors concluded that the educational intervention performed in this study increased the subjects’ knowledge on prevention of accidents in childhood.
A Numerical Analysis for Optimizing the Gratings Length and Coupling Coefficient for High Reflectivity and Low Cavity Loss in Fiber Grating Fabry-Perot Laser Model
Authors: Hisham Hisham K.
Published: August 2016

The effects of gratings length (kLFG) and amplitude coupling (Co) coefficients on the effective reflectivity (Reff) and the total cavity loss (αtot) of an external cavity laser source (ECLS) based fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are numerically analyzed for designing a laser source operating in strong feedback regime (Regime V). In this study, FBG is used as a wavelength selective element to control the properties of the laser output by controlling the fiber gratings reflectivity level. The study is performed by modifying full analytical expressions for the Reff and the αtot based on laser coupled-wave equations. Results show that Reff is strongly dependent on kLg and Co. Also, it is found that αtot has been reduced significantly with increasing Co, especially at high value for kLG (kLFG> 1.5).
Nurturing Environmental Stewards through Preschool Physical Design
Authors: Shaari Mariam Felani , Sh. Ahmad Sabarinah , Ismail Izaham Shah
Published: August 2016

Environmental stewardship starts with education. This paper aims to discuss how preschools can be used to nurture environmental stewards among Malaysian children. In summary, elements of preschool physical environments can be manipulated to enhance environmental education while landscape elements such as vegetation and topography can be manipulated to maximize interaction with nature. Effective interaction with nature is the most important factor to ensure environmental awareness. Findings are useful for Malaysian designers and policy makers to ensure that preschool’s physical settings support environmental education to respond to climate change and preserve the planet for future generations.© 2016. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creative commons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.Keywords: Malaysian preschool ; Green preschool design ; Children environmental behaviour ; Environmental education
Parental Occupation in Pre and Postnatal among Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Victor Paulraj Smily Jesupriya , Mohamad Salleh Siti Nur Azalia , Vetrayan Jayachandran
Published: August 2016

This study aimed to examine the parental occupation in pre and post-natal among Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and to identify the desired factors to work. The 124 samples ages between 26 to 52 years old including 59 males and 65 females from 5 difference rehabilitation centres were recruited. A self-rated parental occupation questionnaire was used to measure. Finding shows the parent who works in the high professionals and technicals has a high risk of having ASD. The factors which contribute to the desired parents to work in that field are earning more money, knowledge development and satisfying basic needs.
Establishing the Malay Landscape Elements through Islamic Garden Perspective
Authors: Mohd Hussain Nur Huzeima , Hassan Khalilah , Mt Akhir Norizan
Published: August 2016

Beliefs and interpretations from the Islamic concept have influenced the emergence and extensions of many landscape designs including the Malay landscape. This paper reviews the significant relation between the Malay landscape and Islamic garden concept through established references. The main intention is to identify, analyzing and establishing the landscape elements, design characteristic and their functions as the research attributes. This paper uses the imagery evidence from the Quran to support the study analyses and discussions. The conclusions will lead towards all possible dimensions of Islamic Malay landscape in cultural, traditional and sustainability context for future resilient.
The Creation and Conservation of Saint Paul Church, Thailand
Authors: Silapacharanan Siriwan
Published: August 2016

There are very few Catholic churches in Thailand that conserve wooden structures.Take St.Paul in Muang District, Chachoengsao Province located on the east of Bangkok as an example, it was built by Bishop Pallegoix Jean-Baptise the Vicar Apostolic of Siam in 1840. The first church was made of bamboo and the other wood. In 1873, Father Schmidt Francois-Joseph bought a piece of land and built the third one with concrete including wooden structures such as priest quarters, a bell tower, a rest pavilion on the Bang Pakong River, a granary, a school building, all of which were designed by a French priest in colonial architecture and constructed by Chinese workers. As the time passes, heritage buildings have been deteriorating. However, their conservation plans have been launched, and most of them have been implemented. Most of the structures were constructed of teak that can adapt itself to the weather. Another property of wood is that it can be deconstructed and reconstructed with or without changing its former architectural style.
Participatory Agricultural Humanities for the new Ruralism Tea-Community Revitalization In Taiwan
Authors: Chang Shenglin Elijah , Yang Ze-jyun , Duo Ming-yang , Hsiao Ting-hsiun
Published: August 2016

This paper examines the most effective ways of engaging urban citizens to appreciate rural villages and agriculture traditions. Pondering on experiences of rural revitalization experiments in Asian societies, this paper proposes the concept of participatory agricultural humanities. Participatory agricultural humanities are tools and processes engaging citizens into eco-friendly farming and land related works or events. Based on action research and qualitative research methods, we have been working with peri-urban and rural communities in Taiwan since 2009. Only embracing agricultural humanities as our values, we could re-establish eco-friendly rural developments with biodiversity and cultural diversity as a whole.
Back Lanes as Social Spaces in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur
Authors: Wan Ismail Wan Hashimah , Ching Low Hui
Published: August 2016

The back lane is often associated with annoying, disgusting, narrow and dark. This paper concerns the use of the back lanes of the old shop houses in China Town, Kuala Lumpur. The instruments used in collecting data include observation, unstructured interview and literature review. The use and physical characteristics of back lanes were identified. It was found that the back lanes of China Town in Kuala Lumpur showed the success of turning back streets into lively alleys. Thus, the back lane could be considered as part of urban design strategies and not as leftover spaces.
Inmanencia y trascendencia en la sociología del derecho
Authors: Mascareño Aldo
Published: August 2016

Especialmente concepciones filosóficas y teológicas hay pretendido ver la construcción del derecho moderno como una respuesta a condiciones normativas trascendentes que definirían sus forma y alcances. En cambio, la tarea de una sociología del derecho es entender cómo el derecho se constituye de modo inmanente, y cómo en esa constitución inmanente procesa el sentido de trascendencia en el derecho mismo. Por medio de la revisión de teorías no fundacionalistas del derecho (Luhmann, Derrida, Teubner), el artículo reconstruye el modo de operación del sistema jurídico y deriva cinco aprendizajes de estas teorías para la autocomprensión moderna del derecho
O direito à saúde e o critério da possibilidade de universalização aos hipossuficientes da prestação judicialmente pleiteada: uma análise pragmática da jurisprudência do TRF da 5a Região
Authors: Moreira Davi Antônio Gouvêa Costa
Published: August 2016

Este artigo realiza uma análise pragmática da jurisprudência do TRF da 5ª Região com relação ao direito fundamental à saúde, especificamente quanto à aplicação, pelo Tribunal, do critério doutrinário da possibilidade de universalização da medida ou prestação judicialmente pleiteada, apontado por autores como Cláudio Pereira de Souza Neto como um dos parâmetros para a verificação da justiciabilidade dos direitos sociais. Para tanto, utiliza-se o pragmatismo jurídico como método de abordagem e compreensão do direito, afirmando-se ainda a existência de um elo de utilidade entre a categoria pragmática das consequências práticas e a busca neoconstitucionalista pela efetividade dos direitos fundamentais. Após demonstrar a necessidade de observância de parâmetros racionais para a concessão judicial de prestações de saúde, passa-se à abordagem do mencionado parâmetro doutrinário, que se assenta na afirmação de que uma prestação de saúde judicialmente pleiteada somente pode ser concedida caso seja possível a sua universalização a todos os hipossuficientes. Verifica-se que, apesar de terem sido encontrados poucos julgados que satisfizessem os parâmetros estabelecidos, o TRF da 5ª Região vem aplicando aquele critério doutrinário, demonstrando preocupação consistente em evitar que a concessão de uma medida não universalizável obstaculize indiretamente o acesso da coletividade a determinadas prestações de saúde
Como sociólogo se puede hacer de todo, sin quedar encasillado en un ámbito temático
Authors: Rodriguez Dario , Silva Artur Stamford Da
Published: August 2016

Escribir la trayectoria intelectual de Niklas Luhmann es aclarar puntos centrales de una teoría de la sociedad que no tiene clasificación en términos de los modelos teóricos da sociología actual. Así es porque Luhmann no transfiere ideas de autores y teorías a su teoría de la sociedad, pero sí las reformula y revisita para darles lugar en su teoría de la sociedad como sistema de comunicación. Con esto objetivo, presentamos cómo ha sido posible a Luhmann producir la teoría de la sociedad pautada por las novedades de la teoría de sistemas de los años 60. Escribir la trayectoria intelectual de Niklas Luhmann es aclarar puntos centrales de una teoría de la sociedad que no tiene clasificación en términos de los modelos teóricos da sociología actual. Así es porque Luhmann no transfiere ideas de autores y teorías a su teoría de la sociedad, pero sí las reformula y revisita para darles lugar en su teoría de la sociedad como sistema de comunicación. Con esto objetivo, presentamos cómo ha sido posible a Luhmann producir la teoría de la sociedad pautada por las novedades de la teoría de sistemas de los años 60.
Heme-Regulated eIF2α Kinase Modulates Hepatic FGF21 and Is Activated by PPARβ/δ Deficiency
Authors: Zarei Mohammad , Barroso Emma , Leiva Rosana , Barniol-Xicota Marta , Pujol Eugènia , Escolano Carmen , Vázquez Santiago , Palomer Xavier , Pardo Virginia , González-Rodríguez Águeda , Valverde Ángela M. , Quesada-López Tania , Villarroya Francesc , Wahli Walter , Vázquez-Carrera Manuel
Published: August 2016

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a peptide hormone with pleiotropic effects on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, is considered a target for the treatment of diabetes. We investigated the role of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR) β/δ deficiency in hepatic FGF21 regulation. Increased Fgf21 expression was observed in the livers of PPARβ/δ-null mice and in mouse primary hepatocytes when this receptor was knocked down by small interfering RNA (siRNA). Increased Fgf21 was associated with enhanced protein levels in the heme-regulated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) kinase (HRI). This increase caused enhanced levels of phosphorylated eIF2α and activating transcription factor (ATF) 4, which is essential for Fgf21-induced expression. siRNA analysis demonstrated that HRI regulates Fgf21 expression in primary hepatocytes. Enhanced Fgf21 expression attenuated tunicamycin-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, as demonstrated by using a neutralizing antibody against FGF21. Of note, increased Fgf21 expression in mice fed a high-fat diet or hepatocytes exposed to palmitate was accompanied by reduced PPARβ/δ and activation of the HRI-eIF2α-ATF4 pathway. Moreover, pharmacological activation of HRI increased Fgf21 expression and reduced lipid-induced hepatic steatosis and glucose intolerance, but these effects were not observed in Fgf21-null mice. Overall, these findings suggest that HRI is a potential target for regulating hepatic FGF21 levels.
Acute Effects of Oral Dehydroepiandrosterone on Counterregulatory Responses During Repeated Hypoglycemia in Healthy Humans
Authors: Mikeladze Maia , Hedrington Maka S. , Joy Nino , Tate Donna B. , Younk Lisa M. , Davis Ian , Davis Stephen N.
Published: August 2016

We tested the hypothesis that acute administration of oral dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) during episodes of repeated hypoglycemia can prevent the development of hypoglycemia-associated neuroendocrine and autonomic failure in healthy humans. Twenty-seven individuals (16 men, 11 women) participated in two separate randomized, single-blind, 2-day protocols. Day 1 consisted of morning and afternoon 2-h hypoglycemic clamps (2.9 mmol/L) with 800 mg of DHEA or placebo administered before each clamp. Day 2 consisted of a single 2-h hypoglycemic clamp (2.9 mmol/L) following either DHEA (1,600 mg) or placebo. A 3-tritiated glucose was used to determine glucose kinetics during hypoglycemia on day 2. Antecedent hypoglycemia with placebo resulted in significant reductions of epinephrine, norepinephrine, glucagon, growth hormone, cortisol, endogenous glucose production, and lipolytic and symptom responses. During hypoglycemia on day 2, DHEA prevented blunting of all neuroendocrine, autonomic nervous system (ANS), metabolic, and symptom counterregulatory responses following hypoglycemia on day 1. In summary, DHEA can acutely preserve a wide range of key neuroendocrine, ANS, and metabolic counterregulatory homeostatic responses during repeated hypoglycemia. We conclude that DHEA may have acute effects to protect against hypoglycemia-associated neuroendocrine and autonomic failure in healthy humans.
Prohibiting Students from Asking Questions during Exams: A Guideline for Promoting Fairness and Preserving Score Validity
Authors: Royal Kenneth D. , Munana Karen R. , Neel Jennifer A.
Published: August 2016

Many medical and professional programs implement policies that prohibit students from asking questions during examinations. The reasoning behind these policies remains unclear to some, as there is a lack of literature addressing this topic. The purpose of this article is to present the rationale behind such policies and to discuss why these policies may help promote fairness and preserve score validity.
Veterinary Student Confidence after Practicing with a New Surgical Training Model for Feline Ovariohysterectomy
Authors: Badman Märit , Tullberg Marja , Höglund Odd V. , Hagman Ragnvi
Published: August 2016

Lack of confidence and self-efficacy are the main causes of negative emotions experienced by veterinary students when performing surgery. A surgical training model (STM) was developed to test the hypothesis that practical training on an STM before performing live surgery would enhance the students' confidence. In addition, low-cost and easily accessible materials were used for the construction. In the STM, neodymium magnets that were detached if too much traction was applied were used to ensure careful tissue handling during ligation of the ovarian pedicles and cervix. A pilot study was performed to evaluate veterinary undergraduate students' confidence when using the STM before performing their first live feline ovariohysterectomy (OHE) as lead surgeon. The results showed that the students rated their confidence level higher after performing feline OHE if they had practiced with the STM before surgery. Voluntary written comments revealed that live surgery as a learning situation could have a very negative emotional impact on some students.
Assessing Professionalism: A Theoretical Framework for Defining Clinical Rotation Assessment Criteria
Authors: Armitage-Chan Elizabeth
Published: August 2016

Although widely accepted as an important graduate competence, professionalism is a challenging outcome to define and assess. Clinical rotations provide an excellent opportunity to develop student professionalism through the use of experiential learning and effective feedback, but without appropriate theoretical frameworks, clinical teachers may find it difficult to identify appropriate learning outcomes. The adage “I know it when I see it” is unhelpful in providing feedback and guidance for student improvement, and criteria that are more specifically defined would help students direct their own development. This study sought first to identify how clinical faculty in one institution currently assess professionalism, using retrospective analysis of material obtained in undergraduate teaching and faculty development sessions. Subsequently, a faculty workshop was held in which a round-table type discussion sought to develop these ideas and identify how professionalism assessment could be improved. The output of this session was a theoretical framework for teaching and assessing professionalism, providing example assessment criteria and ideas for clinical teaching. This includes categories such as client and colleague interaction, respect and trust, recognition of limitations, and understanding of different professional identities. Each category includes detailed descriptions of the knowledge, skills, and behaviors expected of students in these areas. The criteria were determined by engaging faculty in the development of the framework, and therefore they should represent a focused development of criteria already used to assess professionalism, and not a novel and unfamiliar set of assessment guidelines. The faculty-led nature of this framework is expected to facilitate implementation in clinical teaching.
A Guide for Making Valid Interpretations of Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET) Results
Authors: Royal Kenneth
Published: August 2016

Student evaluations of teaching (SETs) are conducted in virtually every veterinary medical school in the world. Results of these evaluations are typically used to evaluate faculty performance and often serve as the primary basis for promotion and tenure decisions. However, given the high-stakes nature of these evaluations, it is critical that stakeholders (faculty, curriculum committees, department chairs, deans, etc.) be able to identify the extent to which the scores are likely to be valid or not. Thus, the purpose of this article was to develop a guide for faculty and administrators to assess the interpretative validity of SET scores given an array of sample size, response rate, and score standard deviation possibilities.
California Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey: Pilot Study Insights
Authors: Jeong Kyungsoo , Tok Andre , Ritchie Stephen G. , Park Junhyeong
Published: August 2016

With the discontinuation of the national Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS) in the United States in 2002, insufficient data have been available for well more than a decade on commercial vehicle activity. The goal of this pilot survey effort was to develop a preliminary design for a proposed California Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (Cal-VIUS) and to test it with a scaled-down sample to provide guidance on the full-scale survey design. The sample was drawn from vehicle records obtained from the California Department of Motor Vehicles and International Registration Plan data sets by using a stratified sampling technique to capture intrastate and Interstate commercial vehicle activity in California. Limitations identified in the 2002 VIUS were addressed in the Cal-VIUS pilot survey questionnaire, which was administered on an online survey platform ( http://surveyanalytics.com ). The questionnaire was designed to collect annual and trip-based activity data through two complementary surveys: a web-based fleet manager survey and a smartphone app-based driver survey (with web-based option). These surveys were conducted between December 29, 2014, and February 28, 2015, and between February 24 and February 26, 2015, respectively. Results from the web-based fleet manager survey showed that the stratification design was adequate to describe the heterogeneous characteristics of vehicle activities between strata with respect to vehicle miles traveled within California. The driver survey was not fully tested because of limited response. Results from the pilot survey are expected to provide valuable insights to those who are developing future truck-related survey studies.
Resolution Agile Remote Sensing for Detection of Hazardous Material Spills
Authors: Bridgelall Raj , Rafert James B. , Tolliver Denver D. , Lee Eunsu
Published: August 2016

Traffic carrying flammable, corrosive, poisonous, and radioactive materials continues to increase in proportion with the growth in their production and consumption. The sustained risk of accidental releases of such hazardous materials poses serious threats to public safety. Early detection of spills will potentially save lives, protect the environment, and thwart the need for expensive cleanup campaigns. Ground patrols and terrestrial sensing equipment cannot scale cost-effectively to cover the entire transportation network. Remote sensing with existing airborne and spaceborne platforms has the capacity to monitor vast areas regularly but often lacks the spatial resolution necessary for high accuracy detections. The emergence of unmanned aircraft systems with lightweight hyperspectral image sensors enables a resolution agile approach that can adapt both spatial and spectral resolutions in real time. Equipment operators can exploit such a capability to enhance the resolution of potential target materials detected within a larger field-of-view to verify their identification or to perform further inspections. However, the complexity of algorithms available to classify hyperspectral scenes limits the potential for real-time target detection to support rapid decision making. This research introduces and benchmarks the performance of a low-complexity method of hyperspectral image classification. The hybrid supervised–unsupervised technique approaches the performance of prevailing methods that are at least 30-fold more computationally complex.
Risk Analysis of Transporting Crude Oil by Rail: Methodology and Decision Support System
Authors: Liu Xiang
Published: August 2016

In 2014, there were around 500,000 carloads of petroleum crude oil on the U.S. railroad network, an 80-fold increase since 2005. A spate of crude oil release incidents has attracted national attention to railroad transportation safety. A practical probabilistic risk analysis model to estimate the in-transit risk of transporting crude oil by rail in unit trains on main lines is described. The goal of the research for the model was to provide methods and tools for optimal safety risk management of rail transport of crude oil and other hazardous materials. The model accounts for track segment specific characteristics, including segment length, FRA track class, method of operation, and annual traffic density; train-specific characteristics such as train length, train speed, and tank car safety design; and population density along each segment. The risk model estimates segment-specific risk that is measured by the expected number of affected persons. Also, the model estimates the average interval between release incidents. The model is implemented into a decision support tool that automates risk calculation, interpretation, and visualization. The methodology and implementation tool developed can be adapted to specific train configurations on any given railroad network.
Exploring Carriers’ Perceptions About City Logistics Initiatives
Authors: Manzano dos Santos Evandro , Sánchez-Díaz Iván
Published: August 2016

An attitudinal study conducted in Brasilia, the Federal District of Brazil, is presented. Carrier managers were asked about their operational characteristics, problems faced on urban freight distribution, and a set of city logistics initiatives (CLI). The respondents were also asked about external factors affecting the implementation of these initiatives. The methodology used a Likert-scale scheme to evaluate the responses and to implement nonparametric tests to explore relationships between opinions and carriers’ attributes. The results show that finding parking is considered the main obstacle for efficient urban distribution, followed by traffic congestion and long delivery times. In regard to the CLI, vehicle parking reservation systems and off-hour deliveries are supported by all the carriers interviewed. Local pickup points and unassisted deliveries produce the highest opposition, mainly because these CLI are suitable for specific types of customers and commodities. The results shed light on the factors influencing the implementation of CLI from the point of view of carriers and suggest segments with common operational attributes that could be targeted for each initiative.
Freight in a Bicycle-Friendly City: Exploratory Analysis with New York City Open Data
Authors: Conway Alison , Tavernier Nathan , Leal-Tavares Victor , Gharamani Niloofar , Chauvet Lisa , Chiu Medwin , Bing Yeap Xue
Published: August 2016

This project employs a variety of open data sets to examine how New York City’s growing bicycle infrastructure has had an impact on travel and parking conditions for commercial vehicles (CVs), and to investigate the interactions that occur between CVs and bicycles on multimodal urban streets. The project was conducted in three stages. First, a spatial analysis of the city’s dedicated bicycle and local truck routes was performed to quantify the extent of network overlap and changes that have occurred since 2000. Next, a spatial and statistical analysis of bicycle collisions extracted from the New York Police Department’s motor vehicle collision database was conducted to explore infrastructure and demand characteristics indicative of freight–bicycle conflicts. Finally, CV–bicycle lane parking violations were extracted from a New York City Department of Finance’s parking violation database to examine parking challenges in bicycle-friendly areas; field data were also collection in three critical locations. The project identified several challenges for CV operations. Potential future research efforts to address emerging questions requiring further investigation are also discussed.
Developing a Port Energy Management Plan: Issues, Challenges, and Prospects
Authors: Boile Maria , Theofanis Sotirios , Sdoukopoulos Eleftherios , Plytas Nikiforos
Published: August 2016

Raising the environmental profile of European ports and promoting excellence in port environmental management and performance are key priorities for European ports policy. The need for well-connected port infrastructure, efficient and reliable port services, and transparent port funding is significant. Reducing energy consumption in ports has become a major concern for all port community stakeholders and ranks third in the top 10 environmental priorities of the European port sector for 2013. This concern has led 57% of European ports to develop energy efficiency programs and 20% of them to adopt measures for directly producing energy from renewable sources. This paper presents a structured approach for developing a port energy management plan (EMP) that highlights the main issues, challenges, and prospects that should be taken into account. The role of European ports in changing energy policy is discussed, and the value of a port EMP, either at the port authority level or at the terminal operator level, is highlighted. Pertinent issues for developing such a plan are described and analyzed. Insight gained from the implementation of the approach in six Mediterranean ports, within the context of the Greenberth project, is reported, and targeted recommendations and conclusions are provided about how this diverse experience can contribute to a robust port EMP.
Using Open Source Data to Quantify the Impact of Supply Chain Disruptions at Niche Ports: Scenario Involving Canada’s Largest Oil Refinery
Authors: Hanson Trevor R.
Published: August 2016

Niche ports typically are smaller marine ports that specialize in handling specific commodities and can be the interface between import and export of bulk commodities from landside facilities, such as oil refineries. Specialization can make port-dependent industries and their customers particularly vulnerable to disruptions of port operations because the specialized handling facilities may be unique to the port. Industries may not be able to shift their supply to other modes, such as rail. This paper outlines the use of automatic identification system transponder data from oceangoing vessels, in concert with open source data, to quantify first-order impacts of a supply chain disruption at a niche port. Results are presented from a study of a Canadian niche port where a worst-reasonable-case scenario of a 1-week disruption to oil imports and exports would delay delivery of an estimated 246 million L of fuel to New England for at least a week; Boston, Massachusetts, and Portland, Maine, would be most affected. The approach used in this study could be a valuable screening tool for public safety agencies wanting a better understanding of vulnerabilities and interdependencies at niche ports in situations in which detailed simulations and modeling are impractical.
Payback Period for Emissions Abatement Alternatives: Role of Regulation and Fuel Prices
Authors: Zis Thalis , Angeloudis Panagiotis , Bell Michael G. H. , Psaraftis Harilaos N.
Published: August 2016

As of January 2015, the new maximum limit of fuel sulfur content for ships sailing within emission control areas has been reduced to 0.1%. A critical decision for ship owners in advance of the new limits was the selection of an abatement method that complies with the regulations. Two main options exist: investing in scrubber systems that remove sulfur dioxide emissions from the exhaust and switching to low-sulfur fuel when sailing in regulated waters. The first option would involve significant capital costs, while the latter would lead to operating cost increases because of the higher price of the fuel used. This paper presents a literature review of emissions abatement options and relevant research in the field. A cost–benefit methodology to assess emission reduction investments from ship owners is also presented. A study examined the effects of recent drops in bunker fuel price to the payback period of a potential scrubber investment. The results show that lower prices would significantly delay the payback period of such investments, up to two times in some cases. The case studies present the emissions generation through each option for representative short sea shipping routes. The repercussions of low-sulfur policies on large emission reduction investments including cold ironing are examined, along with implications of slow steaming for their respective payback periods. Recommendations are made for research in anticipation of future regulations and technological improvements.
Minimax Regret Model for Liner Shipping Fleet Deployment with Uncertain Demand
Authors: Wang Shuaian , Liu Zhiyuan , Qu Xiaobo
Published: August 2016

This paper proposes a minimax regret model for liner shipping fleet deployment with uncertain demand. The minimax regret model does not need the probability distribution function of the demand, and the model is consistent with how network planners are evaluated. However, the model is large because of the incorporation of all possible demand scenarios. A dynamic scenario inclusion method is proposed for efficiently solving the minimax model with only a small subset of the demand scenarios. A case study based on an Asia–Europe–Oceania liner shipping network demonstrates the applicability of the proposed model and method.
Study on Economic Evaluation of the Northern Sea Route: Taking the Voyage of Yong Sheng as an Example
Authors: Zhao Hui , Hu Hao
Published: August 2016

Global warming and the retreat of the ice cover in the Arctic region have made it possible to navigate by the Northern Sea Route (NSR), a new passage in the international shipping network that will change the maritime industry. However, few commercial vessels use the NSR because of the variability in ice conditions and the uncertain economic feasibility. To evaluate the potential and feasibility of the NSR, this paper presents an account of a real voyage of the vessel Yong Sheng, which passed through the NSR in 2013. The navigation conditions, administration, and icebreaker escorting service of the route are analyzed. The voyage of the Yong Sheng is then evaluated and compared with the conventional Suez Canal Route for cost and environmental benefits. It is concluded that both the total cost and the carbon emissions of a single voyage are reduced by use of the NSR. Although the limited navigable time and uncertain conditions may undermine the advantage of the NSR, it is reasonable to consider the NSR as an alternative route to save navigation time and cost. The primary conclusion of this paper can help ship owners or operators to determine strategies for NSR service.
Lessons from Zika virus (ZIKV) Epidemics and Upcoming Olympic 2016
Authors: Islam Quazi Tarikul , Amin Md Robed
Published: August 2016

Abstract not availableBangladesh J Medicine Jul 2016; 27(2) : 44-46
Testing the Glucose Hypothesis among Capuchin Monkeys: Does Glucose Boost Self-Control?
Authors: Parrish Audrey , Emerson Ishara , Rossettie Mattea , Beran Michael
Published: August 2016

The ego-depletion hypothesis states that self-control diminishes over time and with exertion. Accordingly, the glucose hypothesis attributes this depletion of self-control resources to decreases in blood glucose levels. Research has led to mixed findings among humans and nonhuman animals, with limited evidence for such a link between glucose and self-control among closely-related nonhuman primate species, but some evidence from more distantly related species (e.g., honeybees and dogs). We tested this hypothesis in capuchin monkeys by manipulating the sugar content of a calorie-matched breakfast meal following a nocturnal fast, and then presenting each monkey with the accumulation self-control task. Monkeys were presented with food items one-by-one until the subject retrieved and ate the accumulating items, which required continual inhibition of food retrieval in the face of an increasingly desirable reward. Results indicated no relationship between self-control performance on the accumulation task and glucose ingestion levels following a fast. These results do not provide support for the glucose hypothesis of self-control among capuchin monkeys within the presented paradigm. Further research assessing self-control and its physiological correlates among closely- and distantly-related species is warranted to shed light on the mechanisms underlying self-control behavior.
Highly Crystallized C-Doped Mesoporous Anatase TiO2 with Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Xie Chong , Yang Shenghui , Shi Jianwen , Niu Chunming
Published: August 2016

Highly crystallized C-doped mesoporous anatase TiO2 is prepared using a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) mat as both a “rigid” pore template and a carbon doping source. SEM and TEM characterization shows that the MWCNT template imposed a pore structure in reverse of that of the MWCNT mat. The pore walls are formed by chain-like interconnected TiO2 nanocrystals with an average diameter about 10 nm, and pores are derived from spaces occupied by MWCNTs before removal. XRD characterization shows that TiO2 is crystallized with a pure anatase phase. XPS characterization reveals that the relative carbon content in the TiO2 is related to the duration of TiO2/MWCNT composite annealing before removal of MWCNT template. Three samples prepared contain 2.3%, 2.8% and 3.9% carbon; show a ~30 nm red shift and a plateau of adsorption from 450–800 nm in UV–Vis spectra in comparison to that of P25; and display visible light photocatalytic activity for decomposition of methyl orange (MO) in relationship with the carbon content and crystallinity of the anatase TiO2.
Traceability Analyses between Features and Assets in Software Product Lines
Authors: Narwane Ganesh , Galindo José , Krishna Shankara , Benavides David , Millo Jean-Vivien , Ramesh S.
Published: August 2016

In a Software Product Line (SPL), the central notion of implementability provides the requisite connection between specifications and their implementations, leading to the definition of products. While it appears to be a simple extension of the traceability relation between components and features, it involves several subtle issues that were overlooked in the existing literature. In this paper, we have introduced a precise and formal definition of implementability over a fairly expressive traceability relation. The consequent definition of products in the given SPL naturally entails a set of useful analysis problems that are either refinements of known problems or are completely novel. We also propose a new approach to solve these analysis problems by encoding them as Quantified Boolean Formulae (QBF) and solving them through Quantified Satisfiability (QSAT) solvers. QBF can represent more complex analysis operations, which cannot be represented by using propositional formulae. The methodology scales much better than the SAT-based solutions hinted in the literature and were demonstrated through a tool called SPLAnE (SPL Analysis Engine) on a large set of SPL models.
Numerical Study of the Aerodynamic Loads on Offshore Wind Turbines under Typhoon with Full Wind Direction
Authors: Lian Jijian , Jia Yaya , Wang Haijun , Liu Fang
Published: August 2016

Super typhoon activity is likely to make the electric power network fail, or blow the wind-measuring device off, which all lead to the yaw control system of wind turbine being inactive. Under this condition, blades can be blown by the violent side wind from unfavorable directions, and the aerodynamic loads on the wind turbine will be increased by a large amount, which can lead to low-cycle fatigue damage and other catastrophic collapses. So far, not enough consideration has been given to the above problems in wind turbine design. Using the transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD), this study investigates the wind load characteristics of offshore wind turbines under typhoon condition with 360-degree full wind directions. Two primary influence factors of the aerodynamic characteristics of wind turbines are clarified: variation of the wind direction and different parking positions of the wind rotor. Using 3D-numerical simulation results, this study provides detailed references for the ultimate strength and fatigue life in wind turbine design, and presents the best parking position of the wind turbine with a free yawing strategy.
Estimates of Wildfire Emissions in Boreal Forests of China
Authors: Yi Kunpeng , Bao Yulong
Published: August 2016

Wildfire emissions in the boreal forests yield an important contribution to the chemical budget of the troposphere. To assess the contribution of wildfire to the emissions of atmospheric trace species in the Great Xing’an Mountains (GXM), which is also the most severe fire-prone boreal forest region in China, we estimated various wildfire activities by combining explicit spatio-temporal remote sensing data with fire-induced emission models. We observed 9998 fire scars with 46,096 km2 in the GXM between the years 1986 and 2010. The years 1987 and 2003 contributed 33.2% and 22.9%, respectively, in burned area during the 25 years. Fire activity is the strongest in May. Most large fires occurred in the north region of the GXM between 50° N and 54° N latitude due to much drier weather and higher fire danger in the northern region than in the southern region of the study domain. Evergreen and deciduous needleleaf forest and deciduous broadleaf forest are the main sources of emissions, accounting for 84%, 81%, 84%, 87%, 89%, 86%, 85% and 74% of the total annual CO2, CH4, CO, PM10, PM2.5, SO2, BC and NOx emissions, respectively. Wildfire emissions from shrub, grassland and cropland only account for a small fraction of the total emissions level (approximately 4%–11%). Comparisons of our results with other published estimates of wildfire emissions show reasonable agreement.
Transcultural Literary Interpretation: Theoretical Reflections with Examples from the Works of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing and Johann Wolfgang Goethe
Authors: Martinson Steven
Published: August 2016

The present contribution explores the topic of literary interpretation from a transcultural perspective. We employ two dramas by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (Die Juden and Nathan der Weise) and one by Johann Wolfgang Goethe (Iphigenie auf Tauris) as models for the investigation of intercultural and transcultural readings of literary texts. We first consider the epistemologies of Johann Martin Chladenius and Johann Gottfried Herder in order to distinguish between intercultural and transcultural studies. As a field of inquiry, transcultural literary studies does not employ one particular approach or advocate one specific method since it seeks to create new knowledge by opening up literary texts. For the first time, the article differentiates clearly between intercultural and transcultural studies and offers a clearer definition of transcultural spheres or spaces than has been advanced before. The critique of Karl-Josef Kuschel’s reading of Lessing’s Nathan der Weise opens up the literary-dramatic text to new possibilities. The field does not focus on what cultures do with human beings but with what different human beings do with culture. In sum, the transcultural dimensions of literary texts foster transcultural mentalities. They also have the potential to identify shared experiences and to develop common understandings while respecting the authenticity of difference.