bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gastroduodenal Mucosal Injury Profile in Long-Term Low-Dose Aspirin Users and Its Influencing Factors
Authors: Ari Franciscus , Syam Ari Fahrial , Makmun Dadang , Suhendro Suhendro
Published: April 2017

Background: Low-dose aspirin is the most common drug used for prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Long-term aspirin therapy can induce gastroduodenal mucosal injury, even in a very low dose (10 mg daily). The frequency of gastroduodenal injuries among long-term low-dose aspirin users in Indonesia is currently unknown. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of gastroduodenal mucosal injury, endoscopic findings, and influencing factors among long-term low-dose aspirin users in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital.Method: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta. Subjects were patients aged ≥ 18 years old who had been using low-dose aspirin (75-325 mg) for at least the preceding 28 days. Ninety-five subjects were recruited consecutively in the period of December 2015 – April 2016. History taking, upper endoscopic examination, and histopathology examination for Helicobacter pylori infection were performed in all subjects. Endoscopic findings such as erosions and ulcers were assessed as mucosal injuries. Data were analysed to find prevalence, bivariate analysis (Chi-square test), and multivariate analysis (logistic regression test).Results: Mucosal injury was found in 49 subjects (51.6%; 95% CI: 41.6–61.7%), mucosal erosion in 38 subjects (40%; 95% CI: 30.2–49.9%) and ulcers in 11 subjects (11.6%; 95% CI: 5.2–18.0%). Only 44.9% patients with mucosal injury had dyspepsia symptoms. Double antiplatelet therapy increased the risk of mucosal injury (OR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.3–8.5). However, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) decreased the risk of mucosal injury (OR = 0,2; 95% CI: 0,04 – 0,60).Conclusion: Gastroduodenal mucosal injury was found in more than half of long-term low-dose aspirin users. Double antiplatelet therapy increased the risk of mucosal injury, while PPI effectively reduced the risk.
Inducing and Aggravating Factors of Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms
Authors: Mardhiyah Radhiyatam , Syam Ari Fahrial , Setiati Siti
Published: April 2017

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (subsequently abbreviated as GERD) is a  disease commonly found in the community. Several factors have been recognized as inducing and aggravating factors of GERD symptoms such as older age, female gender, obesity, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, certain diet and poor eating habit like eating fatty, spicy, and acid food.
INNOVATIVE COURSE SCHEDULING AND CURRICULUM DESIGNT
Authors: Akgunduz Ali , Zeng Yong
Published: April 2017

Course scheduling is a challenging operations research problem that involves students, faculty members, availability of classrooms, class sizes and many other factors. As it is the case for most scheduling problems, course scheduling is an NP-Hard problem. Due to its challenging nature, frequently the main objective is only to find a feasible solution that satisfies students, faculty and classroom requirements rather than seeking the optimality which results in most effective teaching environment for most students. Such optimal learning environment requires the satisfaction of additional constraints such as the learning capacity of students and the capacity requirements of courses. In this research we investigate the possibility of quantifying course (curriculum) workload and the acquired capacity and suggest as curriculum and/or schedule design methodology that enables a near optimum learning environment for most students.
Making Informed Decisions: EXPLORE Engineering Design ProgramÌ}ƒ
Authors: Algra Holly , Osgood Libby , MacLean Amanda , Johnston Clifton
Published: April 2017

Decisions must be made at the age of 16 and 17 that can have long-lasting effects. High school students are asked to select a specific degree, a university, and sometimes even a specific discipline with very little basis for making the decision. The EXPLORE program was piloted at Dalhousie University in the Summer of 2014 and 2015 to help girls in high school make an informed decision about whether or not to pursue an engineering degree. 10 students signed up each summer to EXPLORE engineering design in a compressed 2-week schedule where they participated in 3 short design projects, culminating in a major project for a client from the community. The girls developed documentation, presentation, leadership, and teamwork skills. They learned CAD software, practiced 3-D printing, and were exposed to robotic programming. They built and tested a design for a community partner and defended the design to a room of people. The students were introduced to visualization techniques, the engineering design process, log books, and other essential components that they would only otherwise encounter during their first year in an engineering program. This paper will document the elements of the course that help the girls make an informed decision about whether or not to pursue engineering from two perspectives: the instructors' and the student's.
Ethical and legal issues of left against medical advice discharges
Authors: Bohara Tanka Prasad
Published: April 2017

Not available.JSSN 2014; 17 (2), Page: 1-2
Visceral artery aneurysms: an institutional review
Authors: Sapkota Rajan , Ghimire B , Lakhey PJ , Ghimire R K , Shrestha U K
Published: April 2017

Methods: It is a retrospective review of prospectively kept data of patients treated for visceral artery aneurysms in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital and Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center from 1997 to 2009.Results: Fifteen patients were diagnosed with 16 visceral artery aneurysms. These consisted of 7 splenic (in 6 patients), 4 hepatic, 2 superior mesenteric, 1 gastroduodenal, and 1 renal artery aneurysms. There were 14 symptomatic patients including 4 who presented with rupture. Commonest presenting symptom was pain abdomen (14/15), followed by gastrointestinal bleed (6/15) and mass abdomen (5/15). The diagnosis was made with the help of CECT of abdomen in 13 patients, which was confirmed by conventional angiography in three patients. In two patients with obscure GI bleeding, diagnosis was clinched by conventional angiogram. Eight patients were treated only surgically, with three mortality. Transcatheter embolization alone was used in 5 patients. Two patients were treated with combination of surgical and endovascular therapy. One patient with superior mesenteric artery aneurysm in whom nothing could be done during laparotomy died six months later. Average follow up duration was one year.Conclusion: Splenic artery remains the most commonly afflicted vessel among the visceral artery aneurysms. The VAAs can be treated surgically or with endovascular means with fair success, although the best mode of treatment needs to be individualized.Journal of Society of Surgeons of NepalVol. 17, No. 2, 2014, Page: 3-6
Comparison of below knee cast and elasticated support bandage treatment foe an isolated fracture of the lateral malleolus
Authors: Maharjan Rajram
Published: April 2017

Introduction: Ankle fractures are the most common type of fractures treated in orthopaedics with isolated malleolar fractures, accounting for two-thirds of fractures. The most common injury mechanism is supination external rotation, which accounts for the majority of all ankle fracture patterns. Supination external rotation stage II is the classic short oblique fracture of the distal fibula without a medial side injury, which responds well to non-operative treatment as it is a stable fracture. The purpose of this study is to compare efficacy of elasticated support bandage versus plaster cast in the patient with isolated lateral malleolus fracture (Lauge-Hansen supination- eversion external stage II.)Method: A prospective comparative study was carried out in the Department of Orthopaedics in Bir Hospital from February 2007 to January 2009. Patients with ankle fracture were initially treated by below knee posterior slab for seven days to allow the swelling to subside and on seventh day follow-up they were grouped in two groups. Group A were patients with below knee cast and Group B were elasticated support bandage. Both groups were followed-up in the 5th week for cast or elasticated bandage removal and were evaluated after a week, thereafter, every monthly for 3 months and finally at 6 month.Result: Of the 48 cases enrolled, the mean age of the patients was 38.85 years. The common mode of injury was fall from height followed by road traffic accident. The modified subjective ankle score of Olerud and Molander (1984) was found more in group B in comparison to group A in all follow ups. In initial three successive follow ups at 6 week, 12 week and at 3 month subjective score was found statistically significant (p> 0.05) however, it was not significant at 6 month follow up. The range of motion was significantly improved in group B in all follow ups but the difference between the two groups at 6 weeks and 10 weeks follow ups was statistically significant. Immobilized group required less analgesic but the difference was not significant statistically.Conclusion: Both below knee cast and elasticated support bandage treatment methods are safe, satisfactory and equally effective with a better early result in elasticated support bandage. Supination External Rotation stage II type fracture can be treated conservatively, if there is no medial tenderness.Journal of Society of Surgeons of NepalVol. 17, No. 2, 2014, Page: 7-11
Annular pancreas presenting as gastric outlet obstruction in an adult: a case report
Authors: KC Rabindra , Ghimire B , Singh YP
Published: April 2017

Annular pancreas is a rare congenital abnormality which arises in the embryo by persistence of pancreatic tissue in the track which the ventral pancreatic bud follows in its rotation round the duodenum.  A 21 years old male was admitted because of a non bilious vomiting and epigastric fullness after intake of food. Diagnosis was confirmed with contrast enhanced CT scan of the abdomen. He successfully underwent laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy with uneventful postoperative recovery. Though rare, annular pancreas should be considered as differential diagnosis in patient presenting as gastric outlet obstruction after excluding common causes.Journal of Society of Surgeons of NepalVol. 17, No. 2, 2014, Page: 35-36
Besoins criants, gains modestes : L'accès à des soins de santé mentale en français en Ontario, 1968–1986
Authors: Arsenault Mathieu , Martel Marcel
Published: April 2017

Les gains en matière de soins de santé mentale en français arrivent au compte-goutte entre 1968 et 1986. L'État ontarien agit avec prudence dans ce dossier. Malgré les pressions des individus et de l'Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario, la mise en place de soins de santé mentale en français s'est butée à de nombreux obstacles tels que la pénurie de personnel parlant français, les difficultés à attirer ce personnel et à les inciter à demeurer notamment dans le Nord, les carences du système d'éducation à former des francophones, les hésitations du gouvernement ontarien, mais aussi l'hostilité au fait français.
Traitement des plaintes d'agression sexuelle envers les enfants dans le système de justice criminel québécois
Authors: Alonzo-Proulx Agnès , Cyr Mireille
Published: April 2017

Les facteurs influençant le parcours des dossiers d'agression sexuelle (AS) envers les enfants dans le système de justice québécois restent méconnus. Afin de mieux cerner les variables liées à la décision des enquêteurs de fonder le dossier ou des procureurs d'autoriser la plainte, les caractéristiques de l'enfant, de l'AS, du contexte de dévoilement, de la garde, des preuves disponibles et de l'entrevue d'enquête ont été extraites de 169 entrevues et dossiers d'AS. Les résultats des régressions logistiques révèlent certains prédicteurs communs aux deux corps professionnels relativement à la décision d'accepter le dossier, soit l'âge de l'enfant et la corroboration des faits par le suspect. Chez les enquêteurs, plusieurs prédicteurs significatifs s'ajoutent : le fait que le dévoilement soit accidentel, le choix du premier confident et la fréquence des agressions. Chez les procureurs, les autres prédicteurs significatifs mis en évidence sont la protection maternelle, l'adhésion à un guide d'entrevue non suggestif de même que le nombre de faits corroborés par le témoin. Ces résultats montrent l'importance de variables liées à la preuve dans l'acceptation d'un dossier d'AS, mais soulignent également l'importance, dans le parcours judiciaire, des facteurs contextuels tels que le soutien maternel.
Visitor Inflows and Police Use of Force in a Canadian City
Authors: Boivin Rémi , Obartel Patricia
Published: April 2017

Early ethnographic studies suggested that police intervention should be understood within its larger context. Still, the number of studies focused on the ecology of force remains small compared to those of studies on individual and situational factors. Furthermore, Canada remains nearly absent from the academic literature on police use of force. Assuming that force does not occur in a spatially random manner, this article aims to test propositions for the main macrosociological perspectives in the use-of-force literature: social disorganization theory, the minority-threat hypothesis, and the theory of police rigour. Another purpose of this study is to investigate whether, at the level of the census tract (CT), visitor inflows are predictive of police action. Negative binomial regression modelling is used to predict the occurrence of 1,411 self-reported uses of force in 506 CTs. The findings show that social disorganization is the most predictive explanation for the frequency of use-of-force situations in an area. The analysis also supports the proposition that the frequency of use-of-force situations is positively related to the level of crime in the area. While the inclusion of visitor inflows significantly improves the analysis of spatial variations of police use of force, it contributes relatively little relative to other explanations. No support was found for the minority-threat hypothesis, nor for Klinger's theory of police vigour.
Effect of high protein supplementation on growth and nutrient digestibility of broiler
Authors: Hossain MA , Zulkifli I , Soleimani AF
Published: April 2017

This study was undertaken to compare the growth performance and nutrient digestibility (energy, protein and amino acid) of broilers fed diets containing only vegetable protein (soybean) with birds that received Pro-EL as protein supplement in their diets. Day-old male broiler chicks (n=60; Cobb 500) were randomly distributed into 2 dietary treatment groups, namely control (T1) and supplemented (T2) diets, with 5 birds per replication in a CRD. Birds had a free access to iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous starter diets in cages up to 21d.  The results of FI, LW, LWG and FCR of broilers up to 21 days were poorer (P<0.01) on T2 diet than the broilers fed on T1 diet. The ileal nutrient digestibility of GE and CP was identical (P>0.05), but the majority of the AAs digestibility values were influenced (P<0.05; P<0.01) by treatments except for Gly, Thr, Cys, Val, Ile, Leu, and Phe. The digestibility of Asp, His, Arg, Ala, Pro, Ser, Glu, Tyr and Lys was impaired (P<0.05; P<0.01) in the T2 diet compared to T1 diet except for Met, which was improved (P<01) in T2 diet. It can be concluded that the negative response of broilers fed on protein supplemented diet might arise from the reduced nutrient digestibility of the diet.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2017. 46 (1): 44-50
Socio-geographic distribution of livestock and poultry in Bangladesh-A review
Authors: Huque KS , Khan MYA
Published: April 2017

Bangladesh, a country of 147,570 Km2, had a total human population of 144.0 million in 2011 which is estimated as 160 million in 2015.  Livestock that includes cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep and poultry such as, chicken, ducks and pigeons are important to her food and agriculture. Their total population according to Agricultural Census (2008) is 25.67, 0.54, 16.3, 1.29, 97.8, 39.43 and 7.48 million, respectively. The objective of the study was to analyse the concentration of livestock and poultry and their proportional availability to humans of different regions and their distribution to different farm categories. The average distribution range of the above animals and poultry was 19.7 to 361.7, 0.39 to 15.4, 12.4 to 359, 0.3 to 43.0, 105 to 1212, 6 to 746 and 1.5 to 190 per square kilometre, respectively; and that of human population was 86.7 to 8229/Km2. Their distribution, comparing with that of human population, that excludes the use of non-habitable land for them, shows that the average range of each farm animal and poultry available in the country was 21 to 464, 0.28 to 32.3, 8.9 to 412, 1.4 to 46.6, 72.8 to 1875, 24 to 829, and 8.9 to 198 per 1000 people, respectively. The production areas of cattle were classified into four zones (Zone A, Zone B, Zone C and Zone D), and that of each of others into three zones (Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C). They were characterized using the socioeconomic attributes of their respective zone, and the geographic distribution map of each genotype was developed and reported. The Farm household rear 85.6%, 81.0%, 75.6%, 75.8%, 75.5%, 77.5%, and 82.2%, respectively, of the total population of the above animals and poultry, respectively; and the rest is kept by the Non-Farm households. The Non-Farm and the small households together rear 73.9%, 67.1%, 82.6%, 79.9%, 82.2%, 80.2%, and 70.3%, respectively, and this shows that livestock and poultry; in addition to the production of milk, meat and eggs; support livelihood improvement of the land poor farmer in the country. However, the database of animal sourced foods (ASF) produced by them in different regions, their consumptions, wet marketing and the extent of value additions, availability of feeds and fodder, and health problems in addition to regional planning for mitigation of climate pollution of animal origin are utmost concerns for doubling of livestock and poultry production and productivity by 2030.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2017. 46 (1): 65-81
Effect of Moisture Loss on the Hatchability of Chicken, Duck and Quail Eggs
Authors: Hossain T , Hossain ASS , Roy A , Azad MAK , Hawlider MAR
Published: April 2017

The study investigated the effect of moisture loss on the Hatchability of chicken, Duck and Quail eggs. A total of 480 eggs; 120 from Rhode Island Red (RIR) chicken, 60 from Zending duck and 300 from Japanese quail were collected and set in the same incubator with 3 replications to compare hatchability results among the species. Moisture loss percentage was highest (P<0.01) in quail eggs (16.19%), intermediate in chicken eggs (7.76%) and lowest in duck eggs (7.24%). Among 3 genotypes, at all (0, 7 and 14 days) ages, eggs weight was highest (p<0.01) in Zending duck (60.50g), intermediate in RIR chicken (59.188) and lowest in quail (9.55g). Egg weight loss at 7 and 14 days of incubation were highest in quail, intermediate in chicken and lowest in duck. There was no appreciable differences of hatchability on set eggs and fertile eggs among species (p>0.05). Apparently, the hatchability on fertile eggs was similar and higher in chicken (58.3%) and quail (58.9%) and slightly lower in duck (53.7%). However, hatchability on set eggs was highest in quail (58.3%) intermediate in chicken (43.3%) and lowest in duck (40.7%). Chick weight at hatchings was highest (p<0.01) in duck (37.55g), intermediate in chicken (34.56g) and lowest in quail (5.61 g). Chick weight as per cent of egg weight was found highest (p<0.01) in duck (62.07%), intermediate in chicken (58.40%) and lowest in quail (54.24%). There were some relations among the different hatchability results depending on species. There were marked variations in moisture effect among the species. It was clear that hatchability not only affected by species but moisture loss also played an important role on hatchability. It was concluded that under similar environment, hatchability on fertile eggs were similar and higher in quail and chicken and lower in duck. But hatchability on set eggs was highest in quail, intermediate in chicken and lowest in duck. It imply that some losses of moisture with various level may be necessary to enhance egg hatchability is required to support hatching results in different species of poultry.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 9(2): 105-108 2016
A Basic Study on Production Performance of Local Cows under a Typical Village Condition of Mymensingh District
Authors: Hossain MA , Hashem MA , Khan MAS
Published: April 2017

The present piece of research work was conducted to find out the present condition of native cattle rearing, milk production and reproductive parameters and to give important suggestion for production constraints. The experiment was conducted at a nearby village named Boira adjacent to Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh having eighty three local cows and seventeen heifers were taken under this study from 72 farmers selected with direct interview. Data was compiled statistically only for tabular, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Body weight and condition score of the observed value were 173.23 ± 32.03 kg and 2.55 ±0.34, respectively. Average daily intake of feed was 12.5 kg (fresh basis) and 7.72 kg (DM basis). From the results of experiment, it was found that average daily milk yield of the indigenous cows for whole lactation period was 1.43 ± 0.58 kg. The mean value of hemoglobin, packed cell volume and fat percentage was 7.8±1.00 (g 100 ml-1), 52± 52.10 (%) and 57.6±9.1g/kg, respectively. Age at first calving for local cows found 52.8 ± 13.32 months and calving interval was 417.6±109.5 days. Birth weight of the local calves found 14.43±2.56 kg. Average number of eggs of parasite was 53 per gram of feces. From the study it can be concluded that morphometrics, production and reproduction traits of indigenous cows was favorable and profitable practice in selected areas.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 9(2): 115-120 2016
Objective Evaluation Techniques for Pairwise Panning-Based Stereo Upmix Algorithms for Spatial Audio
Authors: Mieth Martin , Zölzer Udo
Published: April 2017

Techniques for generating multichannel audio from stereo audio signals are supposed to enhance and extend the listening experience of the listener. To assess the quality of such upmix algorithms, subjective evaluations have been carried out. In this paper, we propose an objective evaluation test for stereo-to-multichannel upmix algorithms. Based on defined objective criteria and special test signals, an objective comparative evaluation is enabled in order to obtain a quantifiable measure for the quality of stereo-to-multichannel upmix algorithms. Therefore, the basic functional principle of the evaluation test is demonstrated, and it is illustrated how possible results can be visualized. In addition, the proposed issues are introduced for the optimization of upmix algorithms and also for the clarification and illustration of the impacts and influences of different modes and parameters.
Optimization of the Juice Extraction Process and Investigation on Must Fermentation of Overripe Giant Horn Plantains
Authors: Makebe C. , Desobgo Z. , Nso E.
Published: April 2017

The study was initiated to optimize the enzymabtic extraction process of plantain pulp using response surface methodology. Weight loss of plantain decreased until it became stable at an over-ripe stage. The significant regression model describing the changes of extraction yield and Brix with respect to hydrolysis parameters was established. Temperature contributed to reducing the yield from 53.52% down to 49.43%, and the dilution factor increased the yield from 53.52% to 92.97%. On the contrary, the dilution factor significantly reduced Brix from 21.74 °Bx down to 0.15 °Bx, while the enzyme concentration increased Brix from 21.73 °Bx to 26.16 °Bx. The optimum conditions for juice extraction from plantain pulp were: temperature: 25 °C; enzyme concentration: 5%; dilution ratio: 1.10; and extraction time: 24 h. The implementation of these conditions led to (resulted in obtaining) obtaining a must yield of more than 70% and Brix between 10 °Bx and 15 °Bx. The total polyphenols and flavonoids were 7.70 ± 0.99 mg GAE /100 g and 0.4 ± 0.01 µg rutin/g for must and 17.01 ± 0.34 mg GAE/100 g and 4 ± 0.12 µg rutin/g and 7.70 ± 0.99 for wine, indicated the presence of antioxidant activity in the produced wine. On the other hand, the total soluble solids were between 16.06 ± 0.58 °Bx and 1.5 ± 0.10 °Bx, which permitted obtaining a wine with low alcohol content.
Hippocampal Neuronal Loss in Infant Macaques Orally Infected with Virulent Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV)
Authors: Carryl Heather , Van Rompay Koen , De Paris Kristina , Burke Mark
Published: April 2017

The neurological impact of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) on children includes loss of brain growth, motor abnormalities and cognitive dysfunction. Despite early antiretroviral treatment (ART) intervention to suppress viral load, neurological consequences of perinatal HIV-1 infection persist. Utilizing the pediatric simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection model, we tested the hypothesis that early-life SIV infection depletes neuronal population in the hippocampus. A total of 22 ART-naïve infant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) from previous studies were retrospectively analyzed. Infant macaques were either intravenously (IV) inoculated with highly virulent SIVmac251 at ~1 week of age and monitored for 6–10 weeks, or orally challenged with SIVmac251 from week 9 of age onwards with a monitoring period of 10–23 weeks post-infection (19–34 weeks of age), and SIV-uninfected controls were euthanized at 16–17 weeks of age. We have previously reported that the IV SIVmac251-infected neonatal macaques (Group 1) displayed a 42% neuronal reduction throughout the hippocampal cornu ammonis (CA) fields. The orally-infected infant macaques displayed a 75% neuronal reduction in the CA1 region compared to controls and 54% fewer neurons than IV SIV infants. The CA2 region showed a similar pattern, with a 67% reduction between orally-infected SIV subjects and controls and a 40% difference between IV-and orally-infected SIV groups. In the CA3 region, there were no significant differences between these groups, however both SIV-infected groups had significantly fewer pyramidal neurons than control subjects. There was no correlation between plasma viral load and neuronal populations in any of the CA fields. The loss of hippocampal neurons may contribute to the rapid neurocognitive decline associated with pediatric HIV infection. While each subfield showed vulnerability to SIV infection, the CA1 and CA2 subregions demonstrated a potentially enhanced vulnerability to pediatric SIV infection. These data underscore the need for early diagnosis and treatment, including therapeutics targeting the central nervous system (CNS).
Preparation of Metal Coatings on Steel Balls Using Mechanical Coating Technique and Its Process Analysis
Authors: Hao Liang , Yoshida Hiroyuki , Itoi Takaomi , Lu Yun
Published: April 2017

We successfully applied mechanical coating technique to prepare Ti coatings on the substrates of steel balls and stainless steel balls. The prepared samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The weight increase of the ball substrates and the average thickness of Ti coatings were also monitored. The results show that continuous Ti coatings were prepared at different revolution speeds after different durations. Higher revolution speed can accelerate the formation of continuous Ti coatings. Substrate hardness also markedly affected the formation of Ti coatings. Specifically, the substance with lower surface hardness was more suitable as the substrate on which to prepare Ti coatings. The substrate material plays a key role in the formation of Ti coatings. Specifically, Ti coatings formed more easily on metal/alloy balls than ceramic balls. The above conclusion can also be applied to other metal or alloy coatings on metal/alloy and ceramic substrates.
Epoxy-Based Composites Embedded with High Performance BZT-0.5BCT Piezoelectric Nanoparticles Powders for Damping Vibration Absorber Application
Authors: Wang Zengmei , Wang Huanhuan , Zhao Wenyan , Kimura Hideo
Published: April 2017

Abstract: Lead-free, high piezoelectric performance, Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3-0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BZT-0.5BCT) sub-micron powders with perovskite structure were fabricated using the sol-gel process. A 0-3 type composite was obtained by choosing epoxy resin as matrix and BZT-0.5BCT, acetylene black as functional phases. Particular attention was paid to the damping behavior of composite with different content of BZT-0.5BCT powders, the influence of frequency and loading force on the damping properties were also analyzed. A mathematical model was developed to characterize the damping properties of the composites. It found that the piezoelectric effects and interfacial friction play a key role in damping behavior of composites, and a large dissipated loss factor of tanδ was found at the BZT-0.5BCT content of 20 vol %.
Open Access Article Processing Charges (OA APC) Longitudinal Study 2016 Dataset
Authors: Morrison Heather , Brutus Widlyne , Dumais-Desrosiers Myriam , Kakou Tanoh , Laprade Katherine , Merhi Salah , Ouerghi Arbia , Salhab Jihane , Volkanova Victoria , Wheatley Sara
Published: April 2017

This article documents Open access article processing charges (OA APC) Main 2016. This dataset was developed as part of a longitudinal study of the minority (about a third) of the fully open access journals that use the APC business model. APC data for 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013 are primarily obtained from publishers’ websites, a process that requires analytic skill as many publishers offer a diverse range of pricing options, including multiple currencies and/or differential pricing by article type, length or work involved and/or discounts for author contributions to editing or the society publisher or based on perceived ability to pay. This version of the dataset draws heavily from the work of Walt Crawford, and includes his entire 2011–2015 dataset; in particular Crawford’s work has made it possible to confirm “no publication fee” status for a large number of journals. DOAJ metadata for 2016 and 2014 and a 2010 APC sample provided by Solomon and Björk are part of the dataset. Inclusion of DOAJ metadata and article counts by Crawford and Solomon and Björk provide a basis for studies of factors such as journal size, subject, or country of publication that might be worth testing for correlation with business model and/or APC size.
An Online SOC and SOH Estimation Model for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Huang Shyh-Chin , Tseng Kuo-Hsin , Liang Jin-Wei , Chang Chung-Liang , Pecht Michael
Published: April 2017

The monitoring and prognosis of cell degradation in lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are essential for assuring the reliability and safety of electric and hybrid vehicles. This paper aims to develop a reliable and accurate model for online, simultaneous state-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH) estimations of Li-ion batteries. Through the analysis of battery cycle-life test data, the instantaneous discharging voltage (V) and its unit time voltage drop, V′, are proposed as the model parameters for the SOC equation. The SOH equation is found to have a linear relationship with 1/V′ times the modification factor, which is a function of SOC. Four batteries are tested in the laboratory, and the data are regressed for the model coefficients. The results show that the model built upon the data from one single cell is able to estimate the SOC and SOH of the three other cells within a 5% error bound. The derived model is also proven to be robust. A random sampling test to simulate the online real-time SOC and SOH estimation proves that this model is accurate and can be potentially used in an electric vehicle battery management system (BMS).
Predictive Control of Power Electronics Converters in Renewable Energy Systems
Authors: Hu Jiefeng , Cheng Ka Wai Eric
Published: April 2017

Predictive control has attracted much attention and has been widely used in power electronics and electric drives. However, further developments for applications in the field of renewable energy systems are still under investigation. In this paper, the principles of predictive control are studied with a focus on model predictive control (MPC) and vector-sequence-based predictive control (VPC). Based on these techniques, two control strategies for flexible power supply are developed. They are implemented in the most promising renewable energy systems, namely solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and wind generators, respectively. The experimental results based on a laboratory prototype show that the active and reactive powers supplied by the PV and wind generator can be controlled flexibly with excellent steady-state and transient performance. As the penetration level of the renewable energy sources in electricity network continues to rise, predictive control tends to be an attractive and powerful technique for power electronics converters in renewable energy systems.
Estimating Carbon Dynamics in an Intact Lowland Mixed Dipterocarp Forest Using a Forest Carbon Model
Authors: Lee Jongyeol , Lee Sohye , Han Seung Hyun , Kim Seongjun , Roh Yujin , Salim Kamariah Abu , Pietsch Stephan A. , Son Yowhan
Published: April 2017

Intact dipterocarp forests in Asia act as crucial carbon (C) reservoirs, and it is therefore important to investigate the C dynamics in these forests. We estimated C dynamics, together with net ecosystem production (NEP), in an intact tropical dipterocarp forest of Brunei Darussalam. Fifty-four simulation units (plots; 20 m × 20 m) were established and initial C stocks were determined via direct field measurement. The C dynamics were annually simulated with a regression model and the Forest Biomass and Dead organic matter Carbon (FBDC) model. The initial C stock (Mg C·ha−1) of biomass, litter, dead wood and mineral soil were 213.1 ± 104.8, 2.0 ± 0.8, 31.3 ± 38.8, and 80.7 ± 15.5, respectively. Their annual changes (Mg C·ha−1·year−1) were 3.2 ± 1.1, 0.2 ± 0.2, −3.7 ± 6.1, and −0.3 ± 1.1, respectively. NEP was −0.6 ± 6.1 Mg C·ha−1·year−1, showing large heterogeneity among the plots. The initial C stocks of biomass and dead wood, biomass turnover rates and dead wood decay rates were elucidated as dominant factors determining NEP in a sensitivity analysis. Accordingly, investigation on those input data can constrain an uncertainty in determining NEP in the intact tropical forests.
The Plight of Migrant Birds Wintering in the Caribbean: Rainfall Effects in the Annual Cycle
Authors: Wunderle, Jr. Joseph , Arendt Wayne
Published: April 2017

Here, we summarize results of migrant bird research in the Caribbean as part of a 75th Anniversary Symposium on research of the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF). The fate of migratory birds has been a concern stimulating research over the past 40 years in response to population declines documented in long-term studies including those of the IITF and collaborators in Puerto Rico’s Guánica dry forest. Various studies indicate that in addition to forest loss or fragmentation, some migrant declines may be due to rainfall variation, the consequences of which may carry over from one stage of a migrant’s annual cycle to another. For example, the Guánica studies indicate that rainfall extremes on either the temperate breeding or tropical wintering grounds affect migrant abundance and survival differently depending on the species. In contrast, IITF’s collaborative studies of the migrant Kirtland’s Warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii) in the Bahamas found that late winter droughts affect its annual survival and breeding success in Michigan. We review these IITF migrant studies and relate them to other studies, which have improved our understanding of migrant ecology of relevance to conservation. Particularly important is the advent of the full annual cycle (FAC) approach. The FAC will facilitate future identification and mitigation of limiting factors contributing to migrant population declines, which for some species, may be exacerbated by global climate change.
Multicriteria Decision Analysis and Participatory Decision Support Systems in Forest Management
Authors: Acosta Montserrat , Corral Serafín
Published: April 2017

Growing concern about issues such as environmental quality or the sustainability of natural resources has led to the use of the Decision Support System (DSS), which originated in the business field, and is now part of environmental decision-making processes. The presence of environmental, social, or economic dimensions has helped decision support systems to evolve to be able to tackle investigations that can contemplate all these variables, such as in the case of multicriteria decision analyses. In addition, new lifestyles, in which society recognizes more and more the contribution of forests to its welfare, have led to the need to involve stakeholders in decision-making processes. This article presents a review of different Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and participatory decision support systems applied to forest environments. This last point is presented from the perspective of stakeholder participation in the processes and from the point of view of procedures or tools used. To do this, some of the research performed in forest environments within this current century is reviewed.
Mineralogy of Paleocene Petrified Wood from Cherokee Ranch Fossil Forest, Central Colorado, USA
Authors: Mustoe George , Viney Mike
Published: April 2017

An extensive fossil forest discovered in 2010 on private property in central Colorado, USA, has not previously been described in scientific literature. Horizontal partial logs originated as fluvially transported driftwood. A preliminary study of petrified wood specimens reveals evidence of a complex mineralization sequence that involved multiple episodes of mineral deposition, combined with diagenetic transformation of silica minerals. Specimens from two logs have opalized cell walls. However, minerals filling the cell interiors of these specimens vary. Vessel lumina are filled with chalcedony or crystalline quartz; tracheid lumina may contain opal or chalcedony. Specimens from 5 other logs contain quartz/chalcedony, but relict textures suggest cell walls were originally mineralized with opal that was later converted to microcrystalline silica. Pyrite, calcite, and iron oxides were observed as minor constituents in some specimens, providing additional evidence that fossilization occurred in multiple stages, with temporal and spatial variations in physical and chemical conditions causing episodic precipitation of various minerals within the buried wood. Trace element analyses suggest that Fe is the main source of fossil wood color.
Characteristics of Microbial Coalbed Gas during Production; Example from Pennsylvanian Coals in Indiana, USA
Authors: Mastalerz Maria , Drobniak Agnieszka , Schimmelmann Arndt
Published: April 2017

Coalbed gases from 11 wells producing from the Springfield and Seelyville Coal Members (Pennsylvanian) were analyzed for composition and carbon and hydrogen stable isotope ratios in four sampling events to investigate short-term variation trends. Nine wells in the Seelyville Coal Member produce coalbed gases from the virgin seam, whereas two wells in the Springfield Coal Member produce gas from mine voids. Methane dominates gas composition in all wells, and its content ranges from ~94% to almost 98%, with ethane typically accounting for less than 0.01%. Carbon dioxide content in most samples is below 1%, whereas N2 content ranges from less than 2% to 4.8%. Methane δ13C values range from −55.3‰ to −61.1‰, and δ2H values range from −201‰ to −219‰. Isotopic values of methane and C1/(C2 + C3) ratios indicate a biogenic origin along the CO2-reduction pathway, consistent with previous studies in this area. Our results demonstrate that gas properties may change significantly during a period of one year of production history. Compositional trends (e.g., C1/(C2 + C3), CH4/CO2 ratios) are specific for each well and often irregular. These changes result from a combined influence of numerous factors and, therefore, are difficult to predict.
Literary Autozoographies: Contextualizing Species Life in German Animal Autobiography
Authors: Middelhoff Frederike
Published: April 2017

What does it mean to take animal autobiography seriously and how can we account for the representation of life-narrating animals? The article investigates animal autobiographies as ‘literary autozoographies’, drawing attention to both the generic contexts and the epistemological premises of these texts. Adopting a double-bind approach stemming from autobiographical research as well as cultural animal studies, the article focuses on early nineteenth-century equine autozoographies from the German-speaking tradition. These texts are discussed exemplarily in relation to the parameters of fictional autobiographies, before they are contextualized with historical discourses regarding horses in natural history and so-called ‘horse-science’. Due to the fact that the poetics and aesthetics of the genre are modeled on the templates of factual autobiographies, the article argues that literary autozoographies can be read as fictional autobiographies as well as meta-auto/biographical discourse undermining autobiographical conventions. Furthermore, it shows that literary autozoography and zoology share a common historical and ideological epistemology accounting for the representation of animals in both fields. Literary autozoographies thus participate in the negotiation and production of species-specific knowledge. Reading Life of the Mecklenburg Mare Amante (1804), Life of a Job Horse (1807) and Life of a Worn-Out Hack (1819) alongside equine-centric discourses around 1800, the article demonstrates in what ways these texts can be regarded as part of a regime of knowledge attributing emotions and cognitive capacities to horses, while simultaneously arguing for humane treatment on the basis of interspecies homologies.
Vitamin D Deficiency among Adults with History of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Korea Based on a Nationwide Survey
Authors: Joo Mi , Han Mi , Park Sun , Shin Hwan
Published: April 2017

We investigated the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among individuals who have a history of tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in Korea. Using the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we selected 805 individuals with a history of TB diagnosis and 16,049 controls without a history of TB. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a 25(OH)D level less than 20 ng/mL. Vitamin D deficiency was revealed in 71.7% of the individuals with a history of TB diagnosis and in 72.1% of the controls. Vitamin D deficiency was more likely in women than in men, in people who engaged in other jobs or were unemployed than in people who engaged in skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery jobs, and in people who walked 3–5 days per week than in people who walked 6–7 days per week. Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent in the TB group. Regular examination and strategies to increase vitamin D levels in individuals with a history of TB are needed, as vitamin D is associated with TB conditions and bone disease.
Sodium p-Aminosalicylic Acid Reverses Sub-Chronic Manganese-Induced Impairments of Spatial Learning and Memory Abilities in Rats, but Fails to Restore γ-Aminobutyric Acid Levels
Authors: Li Shao-Jun , Ou Chao-Yan , He Sheng-Nan , Huang Xiao-Wei , Luo Hai-Lan , Meng Hao-Yang , Lu Guo-Dong , Jiang Yue-Ming , Vieira Peres Tanara , Luo Yi-Ni , Deng Xiang-Fa
Published: April 2017

Excessive manganese (Mn) exposure is not only a health risk for occupational workers, but also for the general population. Sodium para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS-Na) has been successfully used in the treatment of manganism, but the involved molecular mechanisms have yet to be determined. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of PAS-Na on sub-chronic Mn exposure-induced impairments of spatial learning and memory, and determine the possible involvements of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism in vivo. Sprague-Dawley male rats received daily intraperitoneal injections MnCl2 (as 6.55 mg/kg Mn body weight, five days per week for 12 weeks), followed by daily subcutaneous injections of 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg PAS-Na for an additional six weeks. Mn exposure significantly impaired spatial learning and memory ability, as noted in the Morris water maze test, and the following PAS-Na treatment successfully restored these adverse effects to levels indistinguishable from controls. Unexpectedly, PAS-Na failed to recover the Mn-induced decrease in the overall GABA levels, although PAS-Na treatment reversed Mn-induced alterations in the enzyme activities directly responsible for the synthesis and degradation of GABA (glutamate decarboxylase and GABA-transaminase, respectively). Moreover, Mn exposure caused an increase of GABA transporter 1 (GAT-1) and decrease of GABA A receptor (GABAA) in transcriptional levels, which could be reverted by the highest dose of 300 mg/kg PAS-Na treatment. In conclusion, the GABA metabolism was interrupted by sub-chronic Mn exposure. However, the PAS-Na treatment mediated protection from sub-chronic Mn exposure-induced neurotoxicity, which may not be dependent on the GABA metabolism.
Lunch Salad Bars in New Orleans’ Middle and High Schools: Student Intake of Fruit and Vegetables
Authors: Johnson Carolyn , Myers Leann , Mundorf Adrienne , O’Malley Keelia , Spruance Lori , Harris Diane
Published: April 2017

The school lunch salad bar (SB) is a recommended food environmental strategy to increase access to, and consumption of fruit and vegetables (F/V). In a study to examine use of school lunch SBs, middle and high school students provided data via the Automated Self-Administered 24-h dietary recall (24HDR) tool for kids (ASA24-Kids-2012), a web-based data collection platform. Kilocalories were computed, food groups were assigned and F/V sources were obtained. Students (n = 718) from 12 schools with SBs and nine schools without SBs were approximately 87% African American, over 64% female and most were 7th and 8th graders. SB school students had higher median energy consumption at lunch but a higher percent of non-SB students reported eating fruit at lunch compared to SB students. Most students reporting eating F/V at lunch obtained F/V from the cafeteria main line; only 19.6% reported eating F/V exclusively from the SB. In SB schools median intake of cups F/V was higher among students using the SB (0.92) compared to those not using the SB (0.53). Results of this study are mixed, but encouraging. Additional factors, e.g., nutrition education, marketing, and kinds of foods offered on the SB need to be examined for potential influence on SB use.