bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Una mirada a la gestión educativa local en el marco de la descentralización. El caso de dos municipalidades en Perú
Authors: Muñoz Fanni
Published: January 2016

Este artículo, a través del análisis de dos municipalidades en el norte del Perú, examina el funcionamiento del gobierno local y el papel que asigna a la educación, en el marco de la descentralización. Este importante proceso de reforma del Estado se viene implementando hace once años y está posibilitando que gobiernos regionales y locales impulsen iniciativas de gestión descentralizada de la educación. Ello ocurre en un contexto global en el que los gobiernos latinoamericanos vienen promoviendo diferentes iniciativas para mejorar su calidad.  Se muestra cómo se organizan dos municipalidades de la Región Piura (Paita y Morropón) y cómo están desarrollando estrategias para asumir las nuevas competencias y responsabilidades en educación que les asigna la reforma estatal. Con este marco se analiza la existencia de diferentes lógicas, composición y capacidades en sus burocracias al asumir la educación como función en condiciones y entornos específicos. El estudio muestra que existen serias dificultades para instaurar el modelo de gestión gerencial, particularmente porque no se cuenta con una burocracia calificada. Los casos analizados evidencian que, si bien las municipalidades desarrollan acciones efectivas en educación, principalmente dirigidas a la infancia, la educación no constituye una prioridad de la gestión municipal. Estos estudios de casos permiten comprender la complejidad de los cambios en la gestión local en el contexto de descentralización. Las estrategias seguidas ofrecen pistas para la implementación de una gestión educativa descentralizada.
On the track of Artificial Intelligence: Learning with Intelligent Personal Assistants
Authors: Goksel Canbek Nil , Mutlu Mehmet Emin
Published: January 2016

In a technology dominated world, useful and timely information can be accessed quickly via Intelligent Personal Assistants (IPAs).  By the use of these assistants built into mobile operating systems, daily electronic tasks of a user can be accomplished 24/7. Such tasks like taking dictation, getting turn-by-turn directions, vocalizing email messages, reminding daily appointments, setting reminders, responding any factual questions and invoking apps can be completed by  IPAs such as Apple’s Siri, Google Now and Microsoft Cortana. The mentioned assistants programmed within Artificial Intelligence (AI) do create an interaction between human and computer through a natural language used in digital communication. In this regard, the overall purpose of this study is to examine the potential use of IPAs that use advanced cognitive computing technologies and Natural Language Processing (NLP) for learning. To achieve this purpose, the working system of IPAs is reviewed briefly within the scope of AI that has recently become smarter to predict, comprehend and carry out multi-step and complex requests of users.
A review on entrepreneurship education in Turkey
Türkiye’de girişimcilik eğitimi üzerine bir inceleme
Authors: Özdemir Şefik , Yılmaz Nahit , Arsu Talip , Polat Yusuf
Published: January 2016

Entrepreneurship education is one of the fastest growing areas in the world. One of the main reasons is the assumption that entrepreneurship education plays an important role in solving the chronic challenges such as employment, economic growth, poverty via developing entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship education is given to develop entrepreneurship in many countries which are trying to eliminate these problems. It is one of the most curious subject whether entrepreneurial education contributes to entrepreneurial activities. Therefore, in many studies it has been tried to explain the connection between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial activity. In our study, we conducted a literature review on the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial activities. Following the literature review, some proposals have been developed by comparison the studies abroad with the studies in Turkey.

 

Özet

Girişimcilik eğitimi dünya genelinde en hızlı büyüyen alanlardan bir tanesidir. Bunun temel nedenleri arasında girişimcilik eğitiminin girişimciliği geliştirerek istihdam, ekonomik büyüme, yoksulluk gibi kronikleşen önemli sorunların çözümünde önemli rol oynadığı düşüncesidir. Bu problemleri bertaraf etmeye çalışan birçok ülkede girişimciliği geliştirmek için girişimcilik eğitimi verilmektedir. Verilen girişimcilik eğitimlerinin girişimcilik faaliyetlerine katkı verip vermediği en çok merak edilen konulardan birisidir. Bu nedenle yapılan birçok çalışmada, girişimcilik eğitimi ve girişimcilik faaliyetlerinin arasındaki bağlantıyı anlamaya çalışmıştır. Çalışmamızda girişimcilik eğitimi ve girişimcilik faaliyetleri arasındaki bağlantı ile ilgili bir literatür taraması yapılmıştır. Literatür taraması sonucunda, yurt dışında yapılan çalışmalar ile Türkiye’de yapılan çalışmalar kıyaslanarak öneriler geliştirilmiştir.
Corrosion characteristics of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and the role of molecular biology in SRB studies: an overview
Authors: Anandkumar Balakrishnan , George Rani P. , Maruthamuthu Sundaram , Parvathavarthini Natarajan , Mudali Uthandi Kamachi
Published: January 2016

Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), an anaerobic bacterial group, are found in many environments like freshwater, marine sediments, agricultural soil, and oil wells where sulfate is present. SRB derives energy from electron donors such as sulfate, elemental sulfur or metals, and fermenting nitrate. It is the major bacterial group involved in the microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), souring, and biofouling problems in oil-gas-producing facilities as well as transporting and storage facilities. SRB utilizes sulfate ions as an electron acceptor and produce H2S, which is an agent of corrosion, causing severe economic damages. Various theories have been proposed on the direct involvement of H2S and iron sulfides in corrosion; H2S directly attacks and causes corrosion of metals and alloys. Many reviews have been presented on the aforementioned aspects. This review specifically focused on SRB corrosion and the role of molecular biology tools in SRB corrosion studies viz. cathodic and anodic depolarization theories, corrosion characteristics of thermophilic SRB and influence of hydrogenase, temperature, and pressure in thermophilic SRB corrosion, SRB taxonomy, molecular approaches adopted in SRB taxonomical studies, sulfate and citrate metabolism analyses in completed SRB genomes, and comparative studies on SRB’s dissimilatory sulfite reductase structures.
Measurement of moisture-related strain in bonded ash depending on adhesive type and glueline thickness
Authors: Knorz Markus , Niemz Peter , van de Kuilen Jan-Willem
Published: January 2016

Structural wood-adhesive bonds (WAB) have to be durable while subjected to considerable stresses caused by mechanical loads and moisture content changes. To better understand the moisture-related durability of WABs, knowledge is important of how moisture changes generate strain in the bond. In this paper, strain on end-grain surfaces of bonded ash specimens was analyzed by means of digital image correlation. Strains were generated by wood shrinkage, and the evaluation was focused on shear strain (SStr). The bond lines were studied depending on the adhesive type – phenol resorcinol formaldehyde (PRF), melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF), polyurethane (PUR), and emulsion polymer isocyanates (EPI). Moreover, three different glueline (GL) thicknesses of MUF were taken into consideration. Comparing the adhesive types, SStr distributions (SStrD) were strongly influenced by adhesive elasticity. MUF and PRF bonds were quite rigid and were associated with pronounced strain amplitudes in and close to the GL together with strain dissipation reaching deep in the wood. PUR and EPI adhesives were more elastic and therefore allowed for smoother strain transition showing less distinct strain peaks. GL thickness had significant impact on SStrD. A high strain level and direct strain transition between adherends was found for the 0.01 mm GL, whereas a pronounced strain decrease was observed in the 0.1 and 0.2 mm GLs. This indicates different stress levels in the wood-adhesive interface dependent on GL thickness.
Strategic management: A perspective on the development of the field of strategic management and the contribution of the Irish Journal of Management
Authors: Gibbons Patrick , Scott Sharkey , Fhionnlaoich Cormac Mac
Published: January 2016

This paper analyses the progress made in the field of strategic management over the past three decades. One approach to analysing a discipline’s trajectory is to explore its exemplary research. We review the papers awarded the Dan and Mary Lou Schendel, Strategic Management Society (SMS) Best Paper Award of the Strategic Management Journal (SMJ) since 1993, to demonstrate the emergence of strategic management as a specific discipline with a distinct view of how firms generate competitive advantage. Our paper interprets the development of the discipline from its market-based and structural roots to attempts to decipher the ‘black box’ of the organisation in analysing capabilities, particularly dynamic capabilities, and resources. Our study shows how the conceptual breakthroughs of the exemplary papers are further developed by the field through theory testing and extension using increasingly sophisticated methodologies published by journals such as Irish Journal Of Management (IJM). Our review of both journals highlights that despite increasing market, social and cultural instability since these seminal papers were first conceived, their lessons are still relevant and increasingly critical to both theory and practice in establishing the future trajectory for strategic management and a framework for organisations to compete.
Electrospinning: a facile technique for fabricating functional nanofibers for environmental applications
Authors: Wang Su-Xi , Yap Chin Chong , He Jiating , Chen Chao , Wong Siew Yee , Li Xu
Published: January 2016

Over the last few decades, the excess exploitation of our planet and degradation of environment have gone up at an alarming rate. Environmental problems, especially air and water pollution, which takes a huge number of years to recover, have become the major concern affecting the progress of human society. The overwhelming threats have driven global research and innovation in the development of advanced technology and devices toward a cleaner environment. In this context, the generation of functional one-dimensional (1-D) nanomaterials has become an area of intense interest from both academia and industry due to their unique advantages for environmental applications. Electrospinning is recognized as the most powerful technique for producing 1-D composite nanofibers via facile incorporation of active ingredients in the solutions for electrospinning or by some posttreatment process. In this review, we give an overview on the latest research progress in the fabrication and utilization of functional polymer/ceramic/carbon nanofibers generated by electrospinning for air and water purification, as well as their applications as sensors for pollutant monitoring and control. We also present the perspectives and challenges of the current electrospinning technique for environmental applications.
Effect of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets on thermal and heat deflection properties of kenaf polypropylene hybrid nanocomposites
Authors: Idumah Christopher Igwe , Hassan Azman
Published: January 2016

Exfoliated graphite nanoplatelet (GNP) polypropylene (PP)/kenaf fiber (KF) hybrid nanocomposites (PP/KF/MAPP/GNP collectively presented as PKMG) were developed through melt extrusion using a co-rotating screw speed extruder. The loadings of GNPs in nanocomposites were varied from 1–5 phr and characterized for thermal conductivity, stability and behavior, morphology, and heat deflection temperature (HDT). Results revealed increasing effective thermal conductivity with increasing inclusion of GNP. This behavior was attributed to the formation of thermally conductive, interconnected, sheets of GNP which enhanced heat dissipation. Thermal stability analysis revealed high thermal residue content at 3 phr loading attributed to uniform dispersion of GNP sheets in polymer matrix and the formation of enhanced oxygen-barrier due to effective char formation. Results also revealed enhanced HDT (0.46 MPa/1.8 MPa) with increasing incorporation of GNP ascribed to high modulus and thermal stability of GNP sheets. This implies capability of material to sustain loading at high temperatures without losing its rigidity. Thermal behavior revealed increased crystallization temperature and reduced degree of crystallization with slight increase in melting temperature in the range of 2–5°C. Morphological analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed exfoliated and uniform dispersion of graphene in matrix polymer at 3 phr loading.
Connecting mercury science to policy: from sources to seafood
Authors: Chen Celia Y. , Driscoll Charles T. , Lambert Kathleen F. , Mason Robert P. , Sunderland Elsie M.
Published: January 2016

Mercury (Hg) is a global contaminant whose presence in the biosphere has been increased by human activity, particularly coal burning/energy production, mining, especially artisanal scale gold mining, and other industrial activities. Mercury input to the surface ocean has doubled over the past century leading governments and organizations to take actions to protect humans from the harmful effects of this toxic element. Recently, the UN Environmental Program led 128 countries to negotiate and sign a legally binding agreement, the 2013 Minimata Convention, to control Hg emissions and releases to land and water globally. In an effort to communicate science to this emerging international policy, the Dartmouth Superfund Research Program formed the Coastal and Marine Mercury Ecosystem Research Collaborative (C-MERC) in 2010 that brought together more than 70 scientists and policy experts to analyze and synthesize the science on Hg pollution in the marine environment from Hg sources to MeHg in seafood. The synthesis of the science revealed that the sources and inputs of Hg and their pathways to human exposure are largely determined by ecosystem spatial scales and that these spatial scales determine the organizational level of policies. The paper summarizes the four major findings of the report.
E-waste: the growing global problem and next steps
Authors: Heacock Michelle , Kelly Carol Bain , Suk William A.
Published: January 2016

In many low- and middle-income countries, handling and disposal of discarded electrical or electronic equipment (EEE) is frequently unregulated. e-Waste contains hazardous constituents such as lead, mercury, and chromium, certain chemicals in plastics, and flame retardants. There is increasing concern about health effects related to contamination in air, soil, and water for people working and living at or near informal e-waste processing sites, especially to the most vulnerable populations, pregnant women and children. The observed adverse health effects and increasing number of e-waste sites make protecting human health and the environment from e-waste contamination an expanding challenge. Through international cooperation, awareness can be elevated about the harm that e-waste processing poses to human health. Here we discuss how international researchers, public health practitioners, and policymakers can employ solutions to reduce e-waste exposures.
Safety and Immunogenicity of Sequential Rotavirus Vaccine Schedules
Authors: Libster Romina , McNeal Monica , Walter Emmanuel B. , Shane Andi L. , Winokur Patricia , Cress Gretchen , Berry Andrea A. , Kotloff Karen L. , Sarpong Kwabena , Turley Christine B. , Harrison Christopher J. , Pahud Barbara A. , Marbin Jyothi , Dunn John , El-Khorazaty Jill , Barrett Jill , Edwards Kathryn M. ,   for the VTEU Rotavirus Vaccine Study Work Group
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Although both licensed rotavirus vaccines are safe and effective, it is often not possible to complete the schedule by using the same vaccine formulation. The goal of this study was to investigate the noninferiority of the immune responses to the 2 licensed rotavirus vaccines when administered as a mixed schedule compared with administering a single vaccine formulation alone.

METHODS:

Randomized, multicenter, open-label study. Healthy infants (6–14 weeks of age) were randomized to receive rotavirus vaccines in 1 of 5 different schedules (2 using a single vaccine for all doses, and 3 using mixed schedules). The group receiving only the monovalent rotavirus vaccine received 2 doses of vaccine and the other 4 groups received 3 doses of vaccine. Serum for immunogenicity testing was obtained 1 month after the last vaccine dose and the proportion of seropositive children (rotavirus immunoglobulin A ≥20 U/mL) were compared in all the vaccine groups.

RESULTS:

Between March 2011 and September 2013, 1393 children were enrolled and randomized. Immune responses to all the sequential mixed vaccine schedules were shown to be noninferior when compared with the 2 single vaccine reference groups. The proportion of children seropositive to at least 1 vaccine antigen at 1 month after vaccination ranged from 77% to 96%, and was not significantly different among all the study groups. All schedules were well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS:

Mixed schedules are safe and induced comparable immune responses when compared with the licensed rotavirus vaccines given alone.
A Life Dedicated to the Science, Philosophy and Romanian Society
Authors: Tecuci Gheorghe
Published: January 2016

With outstanding contributions in Electronics, Informatics, and Philosophy, and as Professor, Researcher, and Manager, Acad. Mihai Drăgănescu is the most important encyclopedic personality of contemporary Romania.
 Educated in the nascent Romanian school of electronics, Acad. Mihai Drăgănescu creates a worldclass school of electronic devices and microelectronics. Envisioning the evolution of the modern society, becomes initiator and promoter of the informatics revolution in Romania, conceptually defining it and coordinating its development. Generalizing the concept of information, creates an original philosophy that leads to the development of a new type of science, called structural-phenomenological, with major implications for the understanding of the world and its future. First president of the Romanian Academy renaissance, he leads both its return to its role and traditional sources, and its renewal and adaptation to the evolution of the civilization. Promoter of the scientific and humanistic culture, brings back the deserved recognition to major personalities of the Romanian spirituality. Mentor and life model, he lightens and encourages many young generations with an extraordinary generosity.
 Any of these achievements would be enough to place Acad. Mihai Drăgănescu among the greatest Romanian personalities. Their combination, impressive through their diversity and unity, creates the image of a personality of a rare complexity and creativity.
Fuzzy Logic Control System Stability Analysis Based on Lyapunov’s Direct Method
Authors: Precup Radu-Emil , Tomescu Marius-Lucian , Preitl Ștefan
Published: January 2016

A stability analysis method for nonlinear processes controlled by Takagi- Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy logic controllers (FLCs) is proposed. The stability analysis of these fuzzy logic control systems is done in terms of Lyapunov’s direct method. The stability theorem presented here ensures sufficient conditions for the stability of the fuzzy logic control systems. The theorem enables the formulation of a new stability analysis algorithm that offers sufficient stability conditions for nonlinear processes controlled by a class of T-S FLCs. In addition, the paper includes an illustrative example that describes one application of this algorithm in the design of a stable fuzzy logic control system.
Predicted Mutation Strength of Nontruncating PKD1 Mutations Aids Genotype-Phenotype Correlations in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Heyer Christina M. , Sundsbak Jamie L. , Abebe Kaleab Z. , Chapman Arlene B. , Torres Vicente E. , Grantham Jared J. , Bae Kyongtae T. , Schrier Robert W. , Perrone Ronald D. , Braun William E. , Steinman Theodore I. , Mrug Michal , Yu Alan S.L. , Brosnahan Godela , Hopp Katharina , Irazabal Maria V. , Bennett William M. , Flessner Michael F. , Moore Charity G. , Landsittel Douglas , Harris Peter C. ,   for the HALT PKD and CRISP Investigators
Published: January 2016

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) often results in ESRD but with a highly variable course. Mutations to PKD1 or PKD2 cause ADPKD; both loci have high levels of allelic heterogeneity. We evaluated genotype-phenotype correlations in 1119 patients (945 families) from the HALT Progression of PKD Study and the Consortium of Radiologic Imaging Study of PKD Study. The population was defined as: 77.7% PKD1, 14.7% PKD2, and 7.6% with no mutation detected (NMD). Phenotypic end points were sex, eGFR, height–adjusted total kidney volume (htTKV), and liver cyst volume. Analysis of the eGFR and htTKV measures showed that the PKD1 group had more severe disease than the PKD2 group, whereas the NMD group had a PKD2-like phenotype. In both the PKD1 and PKD2 populations, men had more severe renal disease, but women had larger liver cyst volumes. Compared with nontruncating PKD1 mutations, truncating PKD1 mutations associated with lower eGFR, but the mutation groups were not differentiated by htTKV. PKD1 nontruncating mutations were evaluated for conservation and chemical change and subdivided into strong (mutation strength group 2 [MSG2]) and weak (MSG3) mutation groups. Analysis of eGFR and htTKV measures showed that patients with MSG3 but not MSG2 mutations had significantly milder disease than patients with truncating cases (MSG1), an association especially evident in extreme decile populations. Overall, we have quantified the contribution of genic and PKD1 allelic effects and sex to the ADPKD phenotype. Intrafamilial correlation analysis showed that other factors shared by families influence htTKV, with these additional genetic/environmental factors significantly affecting the ADPKD phenotype.
Is the Presence of Control Related to Help-Seeking Behavior? A Test of Johnson’s Assumptions Regarding Sex Differences and the Role of Control in Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Bates Elizabeth A. , Graham-Kevan Nicola
Published: January 2016

The aim of this study was to test 2 of Johnson’s (1995) assumptions regarding intimate partner violence (IPV), namely, that there are sex differences in the type of physical aggression men and women use and that controlling aggression is more problematic and requires more outside intervention than noncontrolling aggression. These assumptions were tested using survey data from the 13th cycle of the General Social Survey in Canada, which was a telephone survey that asked crime victimization questions in several areas. There were no sex differences in the use of controlling behavior or physical aggression. Controlling aggression did not have an effect on problem presentation when compared with relationships low in controlling behaviors. There was mixed support for Johnson’s work and the utility of his typology is questioned.
“I Feel Your Pain”: Do Batter Intervention Programs Impact Perpetrators’ Empathy for Victims?
Authors: Zosky Diane L.
Published: January 2016

This article explores the interpersonal dynamic of empathy with intimate partner violence. Given that lack of empathy seems to be related to intimate partner violence and an increase in the capacity for empathy could be a deterrent to future commission of violence, this study examined if there was any change in empathy over a 26-week partner abuse intervention program. In addition, this study examined if increases in empathy correlated with a decrease in aggression.
Understanding Variable Well Performance in a Chalk Reservoir
Authors: Kabir C. S. , Haftbaradaran R.. , Asghari R.. , Sastre J. P.
Published: January 2016

Analyzing well performance is a complex process that increases in difficulty when multiple reservoir-drive mechanisms are in play in the same reservoir. This paper explores an overpressured, compacting chalk reservoir with high porosity and high oil saturation at initial conditions. The diverse drive mechanisms, experienced through the long production history of Valhall Field in Norway, are caused by different degrees of reservoir compaction across the field and the recent waterflood at the crest and northern areas of the field.

The purpose of this study is to illuminate the various drive mechanisms experienced in this field. The underlying objective is to understand widely varying Arps b-factors in decline-curve analysis (DCA) that support production forecasting and project evaluation. The performances of inactive wells with long production histories were used as analogs to analyze active wells. Other analytical tools also were used to augment overall understanding of a type well's performance, including rate-transient analysis (RTA) and capacitance/resistance modeling (CRM).

This study demonstrates that the proposed work flow for reservoir-performance forecasting can be adopted in highly complex reservoirs with different rock-mechanical properties, drive mechanisms, production scheduling, and field-development strategies. Specifically, the work flow entails establishing energy support for individual wells by use of Arps b-factor with DCA; collapsing shut-in periods, if any, and using the cumulative production curve for DCA to retain solution objectivity; performing RTA to gauge pressure/rate coherence and system's linearity; and using CRM to establish injector/producer connectivity.
Integration of soil hydraulic characteristics derived from pedotransfer functions into hydrological models: evaluation of its effects on simulation uncertainty
Authors: Sun Wenchao , Yao Xiaolei , Cao Na , Xu Zongxue , Yu Jingshan
Published: January 2016

Aimed at reducing simulation uncertainty of hydrological models in data-sparse basins where soil hydraulic data are unavailable, a method of estimating soil water parameters of soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) from readily available soil information using pedotransfer functions was introduced. The method was evaluated through a case study of Jinjiang Basin, China and was performed based on comparison between two model calibrations: (1) soil parameters estimated from pedotransfer functions and other parameters obtained from calibration; and (2) all parameters derived from calibration. The generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation (GLUE) was used as a model calibration and uncertainty analysis tool. The results show that information contained in streamflow data is insufficient to derive physically reasonable soil parameter values via calibration. The proposed method can reduce simulation uncertainty, resulting from greater average performance of behavioral parameter sets identified by GLUE. Exploring the parameter space reveals that the means of estimating soil parameters has little influence on other parameters. These facts indicate the decrease in uncertainty most likely results from a more realistic description of soil water characteristics than calibration. Thus, the proposed method is superior to calibration for estimating soil parameters of SWAT model when basin data are sparse.
The effect of microbubbles on gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient and degradation rate of COD in wastewater treatment
Authors: Yao Kangning , Chi Yong , Wang Fei , Yan Jianhua , Ni Mingjiang , Cen Kefa
Published: January 2016

A commonly used aeration device at present has the disadvantages of low mass transfer rate because the generated bubbles are several millimeters in diameter which are much bigger than microbubbles. Therefore, the effect of a microbubble on gas-liquid mass transfer and wastewater treatment process was investigated. To evaluate the effect of each bubble type, the volumetric mass transfer coefficients for microbubbles and conventional bubbles were determined. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient was 0.02905 s−1 and 0.02191 s−1 at a gas flow rate of 0.67 L min−1 in tap water for microbubbles and conventional bubbles, respectively. The degradation rate of simulated municipal wastewater was also investigated, using aerobic activated sludge and ozone. Compared with the conventional bubble generator, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate was 2.04, 5.9, 3.26 times higher than those of the conventional bubble contactor at the same initial COD concentration of COD 200 mg L−1, 400 mg L−1, and 600 mg L−1, while aerobic activated sludge was used. For the ozonation process, the rate of COD removal using microbubble generator was 2.38, 2.51, 2.89 times of those of the conventional bubble generator. Based on the results, the effect of initial COD concentration on the specific COD degradation rate were discussed in different systems. Thus, the results revealed that microbubbles could enhance mass transfer in wastewater treatment and be an effective method to improve the degradation of wastewater.
Enhanced decolorization of dyes by an iron modified clay and thermodynamic parameters
Authors: Contreras Olivares N. , Díaz-Nava M. C. , Solache-Ríos M.
Published: January 2016

The sorption processes of red 5 (R5) and yellow 5 (Y5) dyes by iron modified and sodium bentonite in aqueous solutions was evaluated. The modified clay was prepared, conditioned and characterized. The sodium clay did not remove any of either dye. The sorption kinetics and isotherms of R5 and Y5 dyes by iron modified clay were determined. The maximum removal percentages achieved were 97% and 98% for R5 and Y5, respectively, and a contact time of 72 h; the experimental data were best adjusted to Ho model. The isotherms of both dyes were best adjusted to the Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacities of the modified clay were 11.26 mg/g and 5.28 mg/g for R5 and Y5, respectively. These results indicate that adsorption processes have a high probability to be described as chemisorption on a homogeneous material. Temperature range between 283 and 213 K does not affect the adsorption of Y5 by the iron modified clay, but the adsorption process of R5 was affected, and the thermodynamic parameters could be calculated, which indicate a chemisorption mechanism.
Hard coal as a potential low-cost adsorbent for removal of 4-chlorophenol from water
Authors: Kuśmierek Krzysztof , Zarębska Katarzyna , Świątkowski Andrzej
Published: January 2016

The potential use of raw hard coals as low-cost adsorbents for the removal of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) from aqueous solutions was examined. The effect of experimental parameters such as the pH and salt presence was evaluated. The kinetic studies showed the equilibrium time was found to be 2 h for all of the adsorbents and that the adsorption process followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The adsorption isotherms of the 4-CP on the hard coals were fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich, Langmuir–Freundlich, Sips and Redlich–Peterson equations. Based on the results obtained, hard coals appear to be a promising adsorbent for the removal of some hazardous water pollutants, like 4-CP and related compounds.
Sitagliptin Attenuates the Progression of Carotid Intima-Media Thickening in Insulin-Treated Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: The Sitagliptin Preventive Study of Intima-Media Thickness Evaluation (SPIKE)
Authors: Mita Tomoya , Katakami Naoto , Shiraiwa Toshihiko , Yoshii Hidenori , Onuma Tomio , Kuribayashi Nobuichi , Osonoi Takeshi , Kaneto Hideaki , Kosugi Keisuke , Umayahara Yutaka , Yamamoto Tsunehiko , Matsumoto Kazunari , Yokoyama Hiroki , Tsugawa Mamiko , Gosho Masahiko , Shimomura Iichiro , Watada Hirotaka ,   on behalf of the Collaborators on the Sitagliptin Preventive Study of Intima-Media Thickness Evaluation (SPIKE) Trial
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVE

The effect of additional treatment with oral hypoglycemic agents on the progression of atherosclerosis remains unknown in insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We assessed the effects of sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in T2DM.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end point, multicenter, parallel-group, comparative study included 282 insulin-treated patients with T2DM free of a history of apparent cardiovascular diseases who were recruited at 12 clinical units and randomly allocated to either the sitagliptin group (n = 142) or the control group (n = 140). The primary outcomes were changes in mean and maximum IMT of the common carotid artery measured by echography at the end of a 104-week treatment period.

RESULTS

Sitagliptin had a more potent glucose-lowering effect compared with the conventional treatment (−0.5 ± 1.0% vs. −0.2 ± 0.9%; P = 0.004), without increasing hypoglycemic episodes or body weight. Changes in the mean and left maximum IMT, but not right maximum IMT, of the common carotid arteries were significantly greater after sitagliptin treatment compared with conventional treatment (−0.029 [SE 0.013] vs. 0.024 [0.013] mm [P = 0.005]; −0.065 [0.027] vs. 0.022 [0.026] mm [P = 0.021]; −0.007 [0.031] vs. 0.027 [0.031] mm [P = 0.45], respectively). Over 104 weeks, sitagliptin, but not conventional treatment, significantly reduced the mean IMT and left maximum IMT of common carotid arteries relative to the baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Sitagliptin attenuated the progression of carotid IMT in insulin-treated patients with T2DM free of apparent cardiovascular disease compared with conventional treatment.
Multidrug-resistant organisms detected in refugee patients admitted to a University Hospital, Germany June‒December 2015
Authors: Reinheimer Claudia , Kempf Volkhard A. J. , Göttig Stephan , Hogardt Michael , Wichelhaus Thomas A. , O’Rourke Fiona , Brandt Christian
Published: January 2016

Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR GNB) were found to colonise 60.8% (95% confidence interval: 52.3–68.9) of 143 refugee patients mainly from Syria (47), Afghanistan (29), and Somalia (14) admitted to the University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany, between June and December 2015. This percentage exceeds the prevalence of MDR GNB in resident patients four–fold. Healthcare personnel should be aware of this and the need to implement or adapt adequate infection control measures.
Comparison of Plasma Dynamics in Plasma Focus Devices PF1000 and PF400
Authors: Shakya Amir , Gautam Prakash , Khanal Raju
Published: January 2016

In this work we have simulated two different sizes of plasma focus devices: PF400, a small sub-kJ plasma focus device in operation at the Atomic Energy Commission in Chile and PF1000, a 1 MJ device at the International Centre for Dense Magnetised Plasmas (ICDMP) in Warsaw, Poland. Our aim is to compare the plasma dynamics observed in two different sizes of the devices. We compare the experimentally obtained data with the data predicted from our numerical experiments using the Lee model code. It has been observed that the peak current of the total current waveform, pinch current calculated from total current, and neutron yield agree reasonably well with published experimental data, however, slight differences are found in other parameters.

Journal of Nepal Physical Society Vol.3(1) 2015: 55-59
Proposed mechanism of antibacterial mode of action of Caesalpinia bonducella seed oil against food-borne pathogens
Authors: Shukla Shruti , Majumder Rajib , Ahirwal Laxmi , Mehta Archana
Published: January 2016

The antibacterial mechanism of action of Caesalpinia bonducella seed oil on membrane permeability of Listeria monocytogenes NCIM 24563 (MIC: 2 mg/mL) and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (MIC: 4 mg/mL) was determined by measuring the extracellular ATP concentration, release of 260-nm absorbing materials, leakage of potassium ions and measurement of relative electrical conductivity of the bacterial cells treated at MIC concentration. Its mode of action on membrane integrity was confirmed by release of extracellular ATP (1.42 and 1.33 pg/mL), loss of 260-nm absorbing materials (4.36 and 4.19 optical density), leakage of potassium ions (950 and 1000 mmol/L) and increase in relative electrical conductivity (12.6 and 10.5%) against food-borne pathogenic bacteria L. monocytogenes and E. coli, respectively. These findings propose that C. bonducella oil compromised its mode of action on membrane integrity, suggesting its enormous food and pharmacological potential.

 
Integrating Pareto Optimization into Dynamic Programming
Authors: Gatter Thomas , Giegerich Robert , Saule Cédric
Published: January 2016

Pareto optimization combines independent objectives by computing the Pareto front of the search space, yielding a set of optima where none scores better on all objectives than any other. Recently, it was shown that Pareto optimization seamlessly integrates with algebraic dynamic programming: when scoring schemes A and B can correctly evaluate the search space via dynamic programming, then so can Pareto optimization with respect to A and B. However, the integration of Pareto optimization into dynamic programming opens a wide range of algorithmic alternatives, which we study in substantial detail in this article, using real-world applications in biosequence analysis, a field where dynamic programming is ubiquitous. Our results are two-fold: (1) We introduce the operation of a “Pareto algebra product” in the dynamic programming framework of Bellman’s GAP. Users of this framework can now ask for Pareto optimization with a single keystroke. Careful evaluation of the implementation alternatives by means of an extended Bellman’s GAP compiler demonstrates the dependence of the best implementation choice on the application at hand. (2) We extract from our experiments several pieces of advice to programmers who do not use a system such as Bellman’s GAP, but who choose to hand-craft their dynamic programming recurrences, incorporating Pareto optimization from scratch.
A Microwave-Assisted Simultaneous Distillation and Extraction Method for the Separation of Polysaccharides and Essential Oil from the Leaves of Taxus chinensis Var. mairei
Authors: Zhao Chunjian , He Xin , Li Chunying , Yang Lei , Fu Yujie , Wang Kaiting , Zhang Yukun , Ni Yujiao
Published: January 2016

An efficient microwave-assisted simultaneous distillation and extraction (MA-SDE) method has been developed for the separation of polysaccharides and essential oil from Taxus chinensis var. mairei. The key operating parameters for MA-SDE were optimized by single factor and central composite design experiments, and the optimal conditions were found to include a particle size of 60–80 mesh, liquid/solid ratio of 22.5 mL/g, extraction time of 17.5 min, microwave power of 547 W, and dichloromethane was used as the extraction solvent of the essential oil. The yields obtained for polysaccharides and essential oil under the optimized conditions were 6.39% ± 0.12% and 0.27% ± 0.03%, respectively. The MA-SDE method was also compared with conventional heat reflux extraction (HRE) and hydrodistillation extraction (HDE). The MA-SDE method not only allowed for the simultaneous extraction of polysaccharides and essential oil, but also completed the task with a much shorter extraction time of 17.5 min (HRE and HDE required 3 and 6 h, respectively). Furthermore, the MA-SDE method gave increased extraction yields for polysaccharides (1.14-fold higher than HRE) and essential oil (1.23-fold higher than HDE). Based on these results, this MA-SDE method represents a rapid and efficient technique for the simultaneous extraction of polysaccharides and essential oil.
Distributed Global Function Model Finding for Wireless Sensor Network Data
Authors: Deng Song , Yang Le-Chan , Yue Dong , Fu Xiong , Ma Zhuo
Published: January 2016

Function model finding has become an important tool for analysis of data collected from wireless sensor networks (WSNs). With the development of WSNs, a large number of sensors have been widely deployed so that the collected data show the characteristics of distribution and mass. For distributed and massive sensor data, traditional centralized function model finding algorithms would lead to a significant decrease in performance. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a distributed global function model finding algorithm for wireless sensor network data (DGFMF-WSND). In DGFMF-WSND, on the basis of gene expression programming (GEP), an adaptive population generation strategy based on sub-population associated evolution is applied to improve the convergence speed of GEP. Secondly, to solve the generation of global function model in distributed wireless sensor networks data, this paper provides a global model generation algorithm based on unconstrained nonlinear least squares. Four representative datasets are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. The comparative results show that the improved GEP with adaptive population generation strategy outperforms all other algorithms on the average convergence speed, time-consumption, value of R-square, and prediction accuracy. Meanwhile, experimental results also show that DGFMF-WSND has a clear advantage in terms of time-consumption and error of fitting. Moreover, with increasing of dataset size, DGFMF-WSND also demonstrates good speed-up ratio and scale-up ratio.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Biomolecules in 2015
Authors:   Biomolecules Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Biomolecules would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
Competition of CO and H2 for Active Oxygen Species during the Preferential CO Oxidation (PROX) on Au/TiO2 Catalysts
Authors: Hartadi Yeusy , Behm R. , Widmann Daniel
Published: January 2016

Aiming at an improved mechanistic understanding of the preferential oxidation of CO on supported Au catalysts, we have investigated the competition between CO and H2 for stable, active oxygen (Oact) species on a Au/TiO2 catalyst during the simultaneous exposure to CO and H2 with various CO/H2 ratios at 80 °C and 400 °C by quantitative temporal analysis of products (TAP) reactor measurements. It is demonstrated that, at both higher and lower temperature, the maximum amount of active oxygen removal is (i) independent of the CO/H2 ratio and (ii) identical to the amount of active oxygen removal by CO or H2 alone. Hence, under preferential CO oxidation (PROX) reaction conditions, in the simultaneous presence of CO and H2, CO and H2 compete for the same active oxygen species. In addition, also the dependency of the selectivity towards CO oxidation on the CO/H2 ratio was evaluated from these measurements. Consequences of these findings on the mechanistic understanding of the PROX reaction on Au/TiO2 will be discussed.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Children in 2015
Authors:   Children Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Children would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
Surface Treatments and Functional Coatings for Biocompatibility Improvement and Bacterial Adhesion Reduction in Dental Implantology
Authors: Mandracci Pietro , Mussano Federico , Rivolo Paola , Carossa Stefano
Published: January 2016

Surface modification of dental implants is a key process in the production of these medical devices, and especially titanium implants used in the dental practice are commonly subjected to surface modification processes before their clinical use. A wide range of treatments, such as sand blasting, acid etching, plasma etching, plasma spray deposition, sputtering deposition and cathodic arc deposition, have been studied over the years in order to improve the performance of dental implants. Improving or accelerating the osseointegration process is usually the main goal of these surface processes, but the improvement of biocompatibility and the prevention of bacterial adhesion are also of considerable importance. In this review, we report on the research of the recent years in the field of surface treatments and coatings deposition for the improvement of dental implants performance, with a main focus on the osseointegration acceleration, the reduction of bacterial adhesion and the improvement of biocompatibility.
Feature Selection of Power Quality Disturbance Signals with an Entropy-Importance-Based Random Forest
Authors: Huang Nantian , Lu Guobo , Cai Guowei , Xu Dianguo , Xu Jiafeng , Li Fuqing , Zhang Liying
Published: January 2016

Power quality signal feature selection is an effective method to improve the accuracy and efficiency of power quality (PQ) disturbance classification. In this paper, an entropy-importance (EnI)-based random forest (RF) model for PQ feature selection and disturbance classification is proposed. Firstly, 35 kinds of signal features extracted from S-transform (ST) with random noise are used as the original input feature vector of RF classifier to recognize 15 kinds of PQ signals with six kinds of complex disturbance. During the RF training process, the classification ability of different features is quantified by EnI. Secondly, without considering the features with zero EnI, the optimal perturbation feature subset is obtained by applying the sequential forward search (SFS) method which considers the classification accuracy and feature dimension. Then, the reconstructed RF classifier is applied to identify disturbances. According to the simulation results, the classification accuracy is higher than that of other classifiers, and the feature selection effect of the new approach is better than SFS and sequential backward search (SBS) without EnI. With the same feature subset, the new method can maintain a classification accuracy above 99.7% under the condition of 30 dB or above, and the accuracy under 20 dB is 96.8%.
Entropy-Weighted Instance Matching Between Different Sourcing Points of Interest
Authors: Li Lin , Xing Xiaoyu , Xia Hui , Huang Xiaoying
Published: January 2016

The crucial problem for integrating geospatial data is finding the corresponding objects (the counterpart) from different sources. Most current studies focus on object matching with individual attributes such as spatial, name, or other attributes, which avoids the difficulty of integrating those attributes, but at the cost of an ineffective matching. In this study, we propose an approach for matching instances by integrating heterogeneous attributes with the allocation of suitable attribute weights via information entropy. First, a normalized similarity formula is developed, which can simplify the calculation of spatial attribute similarity. Second, sound-based and word segmentation-based methods are adopted to eliminate the semantic ambiguity when there is a lack of a normative coding standard in geospatial data to express the name attribute. Third, category mapping is established to address the heterogeneity among different classifications. Finally, to address the non-linear characteristic of attribute similarity, the weights of the attributes are calculated by the entropy of the attributes. Experiments demonstrate that the Entropy-Weighted Approach (EWA) has good performance both in terms of precision and recall for instance matching from different data sets.