bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Debates on the Innovative Diversification of European Farms: A Review
Authors: Mc Fadden Terence
Published: May 2014

Although geographers have profound interests in European Union (EU) agricultural policy, significant gaps remain in the literature on identifying innovative diversification and farmers' capacity for it. This literature review paper engages the contemporary debates in the geographical and social science literatures on this issue comparatively based on on‐farm empirical field research findings. Remaining cognisant of farmers' diversity, it implies that while not every farmer is or can be ‘innovative’, affective assumptions about farmers' limitations as innovators and diversifiers and the relationship between both need to be dispelled and meaningful policy issues treated more effectively.
Natural resources and patterns of overtaking
Authors: Böhm Volker , Kikuchi Tomoo , Vachadze George
Published: May 2014

This paper shows how intergenerational trading of non‐depletable natural resources may affect investment in physical capital, implying distinct patterns of overtaking between countries. Specifically, the results indicate that the elasticity of the marginal utility of natural resources plays a crucial role. When the elasticity is less than unity, a resource‐abundant country may be overtaken by a resource‐scarce country. In this case, savings are withdrawn from productive investment to acquire natural resources. Conversely, when it is greater than unity, the reverse pattern of overtaking may occur since investment in natural resources and in physical capital go hand in hand.
Phylogeography and cryptic introduction of the ragworm Hediste diversicolor (Annelida, Nereididae) in the Northwest Atlantic
Authors: Einfeldt Anthony L. , Doucet Jeremy R. , Addison Jason A.
Published: May 2014

Many benthic marine invertebrates show striking range disjunctions across broad spatial scales. Without direct evidence for endemism or introduction, these species remain cryptogenic. The common ragworm Hediste diversicolor plays a pivotal role in sedimentary littoral ecosystems of the North Atlantic as an abundant prey item and ecosystem engineer, but exhibits a restricted dispersal capacity that may limit connectivity at both evolutionary and ecological time scales. In Europe, H. diversicolor is subdivided into cryptic taxa and genetic lineages whose distributions have been modified by recent invasions. Its origin in the northwest Atlantic has not been adequately addressed. To trace the age and origin of North American ragworm populations, we analyzed mtDNA sequence data (COI) from the Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy (n=73 individuals) and compared our findings with published data from the northeast Atlantic. Our results together with previous data indicate that two species of the H. diversicolor complex have independently colonized the northwest Atlantic at least three different times, resulting in two distinct conspecific assemblages in the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine (respectively) that are different from the species found in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. North American populations had significantly lower genetic diversity compared with populations in the northeast Atlantic, and based on patterns of shared identity, populations in the Bay of Fundy originated from the Baltic Sea and North Sea. Populations from the Gulf of Maine were phylogenetically distinct and most likely originated from unsampled European populations. Analyses of the North American populations revealed patterns of post‐colonization gene flow among populations within the Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy. However, we failed to detect shared haplotypes between the two regions, and this pattern of complete isolation corroborates a strong phylogeographic break observed in other species.
Timing the diversification of the Amazonian biota: butterfly divergences are consistent with Pleistocene refugia
Authors: Garzón‐Orduña Ivonne J. , Benetti‐Longhini Jennifer E. , Brower Andrew V. Z.
Published: May 2014

Rejection of the Pleistocene refugium hypothesis (PRH) as an explanation for the high biodiversity of Neotropical forest is based in part on the assertion that biotic elements of these forests evolved during the Neogene. That argument is justified, in turn, by the ages of crown groups (the age of the most recent common ancestor of extant species of a clade). We consider the use of crown ages as a metric to reject the PRH to be an unfair test, because the circumscription of crown groups of interest is arbitrary, and their ages represent overestimates of the time of species formation. We present divergence times between pairs of sister species (131 pairs), and among pairs of sister species and their closest relative (56 triplets), from 35 genera of Neotropical butterflies. Our aim is to refocus the discussion about the timing of diversification of the Neotropical biota on the time of the formation of extant species, a metric that is consistent and comparable across taxa. Our results show that 72% of speciation events leading to the formation of butterfly sister species occurred within the last 2.6 Myr, a result consistent with the temporal predictions of the PRH, suggesting that the PRH cannot be completely discarded as a driver of Neotropical diversification.
The effect of periodontal therapy on glycaemic control in a Hispanic population with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gay Isabel C. , Tran Duong T. , Cavender Adriana C. , Weltman Robin , Chang Jennifer , Luckenbach Estelle , Tribble Gena D.
Published: May 2014

Objective

In the Mexican–American population, the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is as high as 50% of the population. This randomized controlled clinical trial was designed to elucidate how treatment of periodontal disease affects HbA1c values in this population.

Materials and Methods

One hundred and fifty‐four T2DM patients with periodontal disease were enrolled in the study. The test group was treated with scaling and root planing (SRP); the control group received oral hygiene instructions. At baseline and 4–6 weeks after therapy, a complete periodontal examination was performed. Blood was collected at baseline and 4 months later for HbA1c levels.

Results

One hundred and twenty‐six individuals completed the study. Baseline mean ± SD HbA1c for the test and control groups were 9.0 ± 2.3% and 8.4 ± 2.0% respectively. Non‐significant difference in HbA1c reductions (0.6 ± 2.1% and 0.3 ± 1.7%) was found between test and control groups at 4 months. Comparisons of the periodontal clinical parameters between the test and control groups found significant differences with improved results in the test subjects.

Conclusions

No statistically significant differences were found in the changes of HbA1c levels between test and control groups. Non‐surgical periodontal therapy improved the magnitude of change in periodontal parameters as compared to the control subjects.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01128374
A New Device for Dosing Additives in the Food Industry Using Quality Function Deployment
Authors: Alba‐Elías Fernando , Guerra‐Sánchez‐de‐la‐Nieta Álvaro , Las‐Heras‐Casas Jesús , González‐Marcos Ana , Alfonso‐Cendón Javier , Castejón‐Limas Manuel
Published: May 2014

This work presents an application of the quality function deployment method to the development of a new automatic device for supplying food additives for preserved foods, specifically in the form of tablets. The system operates at high speed with no increase in the proportion of improperly dosed containers. In short, this innovative system permits the dosing of additives in solid form with greater productivity than is possible with manual dosing and without the problems of incorporating additives in liquid form. This automatic dry‐dosing method provides safer and better quality end‐products than present dosing methods.

Practical Applications

The development of this new device allows a significant increase in efficiency and productivity in the automatic dosing of food additives. It gives a competitive advantage in an industry where trade margins are becoming narrower. Moreover, it also leads to potential strategies for the application of the quality function deployment method in the food processing industry.
Linear Approaches to Characterization of Delayed Emissions of Methane
Authors: Sevenster Maartje
Published: May 2014

It is becoming more common to include the effects of delayed greenhouse gas emissions as an additional aspect in carbon footprinting. Although full dynamic assessment is the only accurate option to calculate those effects, the linear approach as outlined in, for example, the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook, which is a popular reference. This approach overestimates the benefits of delayed emissions in all cases, but, for methane, the deviation is orders of magnitude. An alternative linear approach is proposed that does not start at t = 0. When using a time horizon of 100 years, an initial no‐accounting period of 75 years is found to be appropriate for delayed emissions of methane, in most cases. The difference between the two approaches, when applying the concept of temporary carbon storage or delayed emissions to landfill, is considerable.
A review on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of plant genus C
aralluma R. Br
Authors: Adnan Muhammad , Jan Saleem , Mussarat Sakina , Tariq Akash , Begum Shaheen , Afroz Anila , Shinwari Zabta Khan
Published: April 2014

Objectives

C aralluma is a xerophytic genus used as traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes, inflammation, leprosy, obesity and rheumatism. Objectives of this review are to establish a relationship between traditional uses and scientific studies by critically evaluating the available fragmented literature on ethnobotany, pharmacology, phytochemistry and toxicology of genus Caralluma.

Key findings

Ethnomedical uses of Caralluma have been recorded from various countries such as China, India, Iran and Pakistan for six major classes of diseases including diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders. This review indicated the efficacy of genus Caralluma in several in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activity. These bioactivity might be due to the presence of certain classes of compounds in genus Caralluma including pregnane glycosides, flavonoid glycosides and flavones.

Traditional uses and scientific evaluation of Caralluma indicates that it is one of the most widely used genus in some parts of the world. Further studies on the structural activity relationship of some of the isolated compound may improve their biological potency as well as scientific exploitation of traditional uses of the genus.
In ovocarbohydrate supplementation modulates growth and immunity‐related genes in broiler chickens
Authors: Bhanja S. K. , Goel A. , Pandey N. , Mehra M. , Majumdar S. , Mandal A. B.
Published: May 2014

A study was undertaken to investigate the role ofin ovoadministrated carbohydrates on the expression pattern of growth and immune‐related genes.In ovoinjections (n = 400) were carried out on the 14th day of incubation into the yolk sac/amnion of the broiler chicken embryos. Expression of growth‐related genes: chicken growth hormone (cGH), insulin‐like growth factor‐I&II(IGF‐I&II) and mucin were studied in hepatic and jejunum tissues of late‐term embryo and early post‐hatch chicks. Expression of candidate immune genes: Interleukin‐2, 6, 10 and 12 (IL‐2,IL‐6,IL‐10 andIL‐12), Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and Interferon gamma (IFN‐γ) were studied in peripheral blood monocyte cells ofin ovo‐injected and control birds following antigenic stimulation with sheepRBC(SRBC) or mitogen concanavalinA(Con‐A). Glucose injection significantly increased the expression ofIGF‐IIgene during embryonic period and both cGHandIGF‐IIin early post‐hatch period, while ribose‐injected chicks had higher expression ofIGF‐IIgene during embryonic stage. Enhanced mucin gene expression was also observed in fructose‐injected chicks during embryonic age. Glucose‐injected chicks had higher expression ofIL‐6 or IL‐10, while those injected with fructose or ribose had higher expression ofIL‐2,IL‐12 andIFNgamma. It is concluded thatin ovosupplementation of carbohydrates might help in improving the growth of late‐term embryos and chicks.In ovoglucose could modulate humoral‐related immunity, while fructose or ribose might help in improving the cellular immunity in broiler chickens.
Retracted: Study of enzyme activities and protein content of beluga (Huso huso) semen before and after cryopreservation
Authors: Aramli M. S.
Published: April 2014

Knowledge gained regarding the biochemical processes that occur during sperm collection, processing and freezing‐thawing might improve current sperm cryopreservation techniques. In our present study, we determined the effect of cryopreservation on the total protein concentration (TP) and the activities of certain enzymes in semen samples from the beluga (Huso huso). The TP content of the seminal plasma of fresh semen was 0.47 ± 0.026 g/l, and the TP after cryopreservation was 1.86 ± 0.6 g/l. The activities of acid phosphatase (0.82 ± 0.042 U/l), lactate dehydrogenase (234.4 ± 19.4 U/l), arylsulfatase (143.1 ± 32.5 U/l) and β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase (58.39 ± 4.14 U/l) in the seminal plasma of fresh semen were significantly lower than those in the supernatant of frozen‐thawed semen samples (7.43 ± 0.64, 3224.6 ± 167.2, 422.6 ± 21.3 and 90.2 ± 5.37 U/l respectively). These parameters may be useful as biomarkers for estimating damage to the cell membrane of spermatozoa caused by freezing‐thawing.
Surgical treatment of a duplicated and ectopic ureter in a dog
Authors: Newman M. , Landon B.
Published: April 2014

An eight‐month old female bull mastiff was referred for evaluation of urinary incontinence. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography identified complete duplication of the left ureter with ectopic insertion of the duplicate ureter into the proximal urethra. Ureteroneocystostomy was performed, which improved but did not resolve urinary continence. To the authors’ knowledge, this report details only the second reported case of duplicated ectopic ureter in the dog and the first documenting surgical reimplantation; thus, double‐system ureteral ectopia should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis for urinary incontinence.
Instrumental Evaluation of Acoustic and Mechanical Texture Properties of Short‐Dough Biscuits with Different Content of Fat and Inulin
Authors: Błońska Arleta , Marzec Agata , Błaszczyk Anika
Published: April 2014

Fat in short‐dough biscuits (74.1, 64.8 and 55.4%) was replaced by inulin (0.9 and 18.3%). Texture properties of the biscuits were performed using instrumental methods (acoustic and mechanical) and sensory analysis. The analysis of relationships between instrumental properties and sensory descriptors of biscuits texture was also performed. The addition of inulin at reduced fat content in the recipe significantly affected the acoustic properties of short‐dough biscuits. In biscuits with 74.1 and 55.6% of fat participation, the addition of inulin did not cause differences in mechanical properties. Only in the case of biscuits with 64.8% fat content inulin addition caused decrease of the force and breaking work. The principal component analysis found that both mechanical and acoustic properties were correlated with sensory descriptors of short‐dough biscuit texture.

Practical Applications

Short‐dough biscuits are one of the most popular bakery items consumed around the world. This kind of biscuit is characterized by high‐fat content (the largest component after flour), so it would be advantageous to decrease the fat content while keeping their textural and sensory properties unchanged and giving them pro‐health functions.
Spatial distribution of surgeonfish and parrotfish in the north sector of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System
Authors: Hernández‐Landa Roberto C. , Acosta‐González Gilberto , Núñez‐Lara Enrique , Arias‐González Jesús E
Published: April 2014

Surgeonfish and parrotfish play an important role in structuring the benthic communities of coral reefs. However, despite their importance, little is known about their distribution patterns in the north sector of the Mesoamerican Reef System. This study evaluated the distribution of these fish in 34 sites in four habitats (lagoon, front, slopes and terrace) along a depth gradient (c 0.5–20 m). These herbivorous fish were assessed by visual censuses. Species dominance was evaluated for each habitat using SIMPER analysis. Habitat characteristics data were collected to determine the relationship between habitat conditions and spatial variations in herbivorous fish (using abundance and biomass as a proxy) via redundancy analysis. The herbivorous fish assemblage had a low density (fish per 100 m2) and biomass (g·100 m−2) in comparison with assemblages in similar studies. In contrast, species richness was high compared with other studies in the Caribbean. Spatial variation of the abundance, biomass and size of herbivorous fish was strongly related to coral and seagrass cover, as well as to depth and rugosity. These four variables were critical in controlling the distribution patterns of the herbivorous fish assemblages. No associations were found between fish and macroalgae or any other benthic group. The present study indicates that the species richness of surgeonfish and parrotfish was not regionally affected by the dominance of macroalgae in the habitats studied. Seagrass beds and the coral reef matrix need to be preserved for the herbivorous fish assemblages to remain healthy and capable of controlling excess macroalgae growth.
Multichannel intraesophageal impedance pattern of children with aerophagia
Authors: Halb C. , Pomerleau M. , Faure C.
Published: May 2014

Background

Childhood aerophagia is defined by the Rome III criteria as two or more of the following symptoms; air swallowing, abdominal distension due to intraluminal air, or repetitive belching and/or flatus. The aim of this study was to determine the multichannel intraesophageal impedance (MII) pattern in children suffering from aerophagia.

Methods

We compared the MII tracings of five children with aerophagia according to Rome III criteria (three girls, median age 7 years) to five controls (three girls, median age 8 years). Controls underwent MII for symptoms of gastro‐esophageal reflux, and had normal findings. Liquid swallows (LS), air swallows (AS), mixed swallows (MS) and supragastric belching (SGB) were recorded. Meals were excluded from the analysis. All MII parameters were separately analyzed in the upright and recumbent position. All data are reported as median number of events per hour.

Key Results

There was no difference in the total number of LS and MS between the two groups. However, the total number of AS in patients was significantly higher than in controls (26/h vs 5.5/h, p < 0.05) but only in the upright position (46/h vs 8.2 in control group, p < 0.05). SGB was noted only in patients with aerophagia (2.6/h vs 0/h, p < 0.01).

Conclusions & Inferences

Children suffering from aerophagia have a specific MII pattern with an increased frequency of air swallows in the upright position and supragastric belching. MII may be used as a tool to confirm diagnosis of aerophagia in children.
Contact‐Force Recovery Can Predict Cardiac Perforation during Radiofrequency Ablation
Authors: NAZERI ALIREZA , GANAPATHY ANAND , MASSUMI ALI , MASSUMI MEHRAN , CONSTANTINE GARTH , RAZ SHAUL , RAZAVI MEHDI
Published: May 2014

Background

During radiofrequency ablation (RFA), the ability to know whether a steam pop has led to cardiac perforation (CP) would be of profound clinical significance. We aimed to determine whether catheter contact‐force characteristics can predict whether a steam pop during RFA causes CP.

Methods

We used a 7.5F Thermocool® Smarttouch™ force‐sensing catheter (Biosense Webster Inc., Diamond Bar, CA, USA) to perform open‐chest left atrial RFA under direct visualization in four sheep. We measured the contact force and its direction every 50 ms during RFA. At each steam pop, we noted whether CP occurred. We then analyzed the contact‐force signals to determine whether specific features predicted the presence (+) or absence (−) of CP.

Results

A total of 24 steam pops occurred; 10 were CP+ and 14 were CP−. At the time of CP+ and CP− events, the contact force was 50 ± 25 and 40 ± 15 g, respectively (P = 0.146). All steam‐pop events were associated with a rapid drop‐off in contact force, but 10 of the 14 CP– events showed an immediate contact‐force rebound, whereas none of the CP+ events did. This rebound presumably occurred as the catheter tip resumed contact with the left atrial wall. The average contact‐force rebound equaled 80–100% of the contact‐force drop‐off.

Conclusions

The ability to measure catheter contact force during RFA is a valuable asset, as contact‐force recovery may be used to predict CP. Further studies are warranted to validate our findings in the clinical setting.
What New Wave Materialists Can't Say
Authors: Lewtas Patrick Kuehner
Published: May 2014

Most phenomenal concept strategists, or concept dualists, trace the explanatory gap to “thin” phenomenal concepts that fail to represent phenomenal properties as physical entities. New Wave Materialists, a subgroup of concept dualists, claim that our physical and phenomenal concepts each represent experience completely and accurately, but nevertheless so differently that a priori links don't (and can't) hold between them. This paper argues that you can't have two distinct but nevertheless complete and accurate representations of the same thing. One (or both) of the representations must misrepresent, or the two representations must represent different things. The paper then puts its arguments in a wider context. It notes that our phenomenal concepts must be transparent, translucent, mildly opaque, or radically opaque (in senses reviewed in the paper). It canvasses arguments that a posteriori physicalists can't consider our phenomenal concepts opaque. Then it shows how its own arguments against New Wave Materialism have the result that a posteriori physicalists can't consider phenomenal concepts transparent or translucent. The paper thus advances its arguments as part of a broad‐based case against a posteriori physicalism.
Room for caring: patients' experiences of well‐being, relief and hope during serious illness
Authors: Timmermann Connie , Uhrenfeldt Lisbeth , Birkelund Regner
Published: April 2014

Aim

This study explores how seriously ill hospitalized patients' experience and assign meaning to their patient room.

Background

Modern hospitals and the rational underlying care and treatment of today have their emphasis on diagnosis, cure and treatment. Consequently, aesthetics in the patient rooms such as a view of nature or natural light entering the room are often neglected in caring for these patients.

Method

A phenomenological‐hermeneutic study design was applied and data was collected through multiple qualitative interviews combined with observations at a teaching hospital in Denmark. Twelve patients participated.

Findings

The findings show that a view of nature and natural light in the form of sunlight or daylight in the patient room play a significant role in creating positive and supportive thoughts and emotions in the seriously ill patients. Three themes were identified: (i) Experiencing inner peace and an escape from negative thoughts, (ii) Experiencing a positive mood and hope and (iii) Experiencing good memories.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight aesthetic sensory impressions in the form of nature sights and natural light in the patient room as a powerful source of well‐being, relief and hope for the patients during serious illness. Therefore, these sensory impressions should be thought of as holding palliative potential and should be included as a part of caring for the seriously ill patients.
Tax Enforcement Policy and the Provision of Public Goods with the Presence of Tax Havens
Authors: Chu Hsun
Published: May 2014

A tax competition model is presented to investigate the effects of tax havens on the public good provision. We show that when countries facing a rise in tax havens change their tax enforcement strategies in response, the existence of tax havens may result in a higher level of equilibrium public good provision as compared to the case with no tax havens. Accordingly, tax havens could be welfare enhancing for non‐haven countries. This result offers a possible explanation for the recent empirical evidence that the corporate tax revenues in high‐tax countries have actually increased with the growth in the flow of foreign direct investment to tax havens.
Babbage's Legacy: The Origins of Microeconomics in On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures
Authors: Ozgur Mustafa Erdem
Published: May 2014

British mathematician Charles Babbage (1791–1871) spent immense energy to build mechanical calculating engines. Hoping that it might help him in designing and building his engines, he visited numerous workshops and factories in both England and Continental Europe. One of the consequences of these visits was his On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures, published in 1832. Through his observations, Babbage grasped the advantages of machinery and economies of scale. In micro terms, he acknowledged the cost‐reducing features of economies of location, vertical integration, and division of labor – beyond Adam Smith's analysis – as well as the efficacy of clustering. He also pointed out the relationship between firm size, economic crisis, and innovation.
Mediators of the Daily Hassles–Suicidal Ideation Link in African American Women
Authors: Lamis Dorian A. , Kaslow Nadine J.
Published: May 2014

Depressive symptoms and hopelessness as mediators of the daily hassles–suicidal ideation link in low‐income African American women exposed to intimate partner violence (n = 100) were investigated. As hypothesized, daily hassles, depressive symptoms, and hopelessness were each significantly and positively associated with suicidal ideation. Moreover, the relation between daily hassles and suicidal ideation was, in part, accounted for by depressive symptoms and hopelessness. This study demonstrates the importance of assessing for the presence of these risk factors when determining the likelihood that an abused African American woman will consider suicide. The findings further highlight the value of designing and implementing interventions that target the reduction in depressive symptoms and hopelessness in abused African American women exposed to daily hassles to reduce their suicide risk.
Breed‐specific hematologic reference intervals in healthy adult Dogues de Bordeaux
Authors: Lavoué R. , Geffré A. , Braun J.P. , Peeters D. , Granat F. , Bourgès‐Abella N. , Trumel C.
Published: May 2014

Background

There is an increasing interest for breed‐specific reference intervals in veterinary medicine. In a previous study, breed‐specific biochemical reference intervals (RIs) have been established for Dogues de Bordeaux (DDBs). This breed is predisposed to familial juvenile glomerulonephropathy and hypothyroidism, and would benefit from hematologicRI.

Objective

The purpose was de novo establishment of breed‐specific hematologicRIs for theDDBin accordance with the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.

Methods

One hundred and twentyDDBs from France and Belgium were recruited.CBCs were determined with the SysmexXT‐2000iV analyzer within 12 hours of blood collection.RIs were determined using the nonparametric method. Effects of sex, age, and face mask color were studied.

Results

RIs were determined in 58 healthy dogs.DDBs had higherRIs forHGB,HCT,MCV,MCHC, and mean platelet volume, and lowerRIs for reticulocytes counts, platelets by impedance (PLT‐I) and optical count (PLT‐O), and plateletcrit when compared with generic canineRIs. Age significantly affectedRIs forHGB,HCT,MCHC,WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts.

Conclusion

The generic canineRIs established in the same laboratory with analogous preanalytical and analytical variations did not differ significantly from breed‐specificRIs, and thus have no significant impact on clinical decision making; however, breed‐specificRIs are advised for someRBCand all platelet‐related variables to avoid erroneous suspicion of polycythemia and thrombocytopenia when using general canineRIs for evaluation ofDDB.
A New Improved Walsh Function Algorithm for Active and Reactive Power Measurement
Authors: Aliyu Garba , Abd. Khalid Saifulnizam , Usman Jafaru , A. Aziz Ahmad Fuad , Shareef Hussein
Published: April 2014

This paper present improved Walsh function (IWF) algorithm as an alternative approach for active and reactive power measurement in linear and nonlinear, balanced and unbalanced sinusoidal three phase load system. It takes advantage of Walsh function unified approach and its intrinsic high level accuracy as a result of coefficient characteristics and energy behaviour representation. The developed algorithm was modeled on the Matlab Simulink software; different types of load, linear and nonlinear were also modeled based on practical voltage and current waveforms and tested with the proposed improved Walsh algorithm. The IEEE standard 1459-2000 which is based on fast Fourier transform FFT approach was used as benchmark for the linear load system while a laboratory experiment using Fluke 435 power quality analyzer PQA which complies with IEC/EN61010-1-2001standards was used to validate the improved algorithm for nonlinear load measurement. The results showed that the algorithm has the potential to effectively measure three phase power components under different load conditions.
Isolation and Characterization of Vanillin from Coconut Husk Lignin via Alkaline Nitrobenzene Oxidation
Authors: Ngadi Norzita , Abdul Halim Noor Amirah , Mohamad Ibrahim Mohammad Nasir
Published: April 2014

Isolation of vanillin from lignin extracted from coconut husk is presented in this study. Phosphoric acid (20%) is employed to precipitate the lignin from the black liquor produced by cooking the mixture of coconut husk and 1M NaOH in steam autoclave at 121ºC for one hour. Separation of vanillin from lignin was carried out via oxidation by adding 0.1 g of coconut husk lignin into a mixture of 2M NaOH (10 ml) and nitrobenzene (0.4 ml) in steel capillary bomb heated at 160ºC for 2.5 hours. Detection and quantification of vanillin presents in the lignin oxidized mixture was performed by liquid and gas chromatography. The recovery of vanillin from the mixture was done via crystallization process by dissolving the mixture in acetone and heats up to 60ºC with periodic stirring. Vanillin crystal appeared by rapidly cooled the heated mixture in the ice bath. The vanillin obtained was characterized by Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for component verification. Component isolation by HPLC and GC-FID denoted the retention time of vanillin appeared around 18.852 minutes and 16.913 minutes respectively. A yield of 2.83 % vanillin was isolated from 0.1 g lignin sample and the result of FTIR characterization has suggested that the isolated compound is vanillin.
Robust Helicopter Stabilization with Wind Disturbance Elimination
Authors: A. Danapalasingam Kumeresan
Published: April 2014

When a helicopter is required to hover with minimum deviations from a desired position without measurements of a persistent wind disturbance, a robustly stabilizing control action is vital. In this paper, the stabilization of the position and translational velocity of a nonlinear helicopter model affected by a wind disturbance is addressed. An estimate of the disturbance is introduced to be adapted using state measurements for control purposes. A nonlinear controller is then designed based on nonlinear adaptive output regulation and robust stabilization of a chain of integrators by a saturated feedback. While in the control synthesis the wind disturbance is assumed to be a sum of a fixed number of sinusoids with unknown amplitudes, frequencies and phases, a practical turbulence model is presented to the helicopter model in the control test. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the control design in the stabilization of helicopter motion and the built-in robustness of the controller in handling parameter and model uncertainties.
System Identification of Electro-Hydraulic Actuator System using ANFIS Approach
Authors: Ling T. G. , Rahmat M. F. , Husain A. R.
Published: April 2014

Precise control of an electro-hydraulic actuator (EHA) system has been an interesting subject due to its nonlinearities and uncertainties characteristics. Suitable controller can be designed when the precise model of the system is available. Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) modeling technique has proven can model various nonlinear systems at high accuracy. The objective of this paper is to obtain an ANFIS model from EHA system stimulus-response data with less complicated model structure and fewer system parameters. The validation of ANFIS model is done using various data sets which contain different operating region and limited data set, where data set is reduced to small operating region. Results show that ANFIS model can estimate the response nonlinear EHA system with more than 97% high best-fitting accuracy, with simple structure, under different operating region condition.
The Value of the One Health Approach: Shifting from Emergency Response to Prevention of Zoonotic Disease Threats at Their Source
Authors: Heymann David L. , Dixon Matthew
Published: April 2014

The majority of emerging infectious diseases have their source in animals, and emergence occurs at the human-animal interface, when infections in animals breach the species barrier to infect humans, the population in which they are often first identified. The response is often a series of emergency activities to contain and manage the infection in human populations, and at the same time to identify the source of the infection in nature. If an infection is found to have a source in animals, and if animals cause a continuous threat of human infection, culling is often recommended, with severe economic impact. Currently the animal and human medicine sectors are working toward interacting more closely at the animal-human interface through joint surveillance and risk assessment, and research is under way in geographic areas where emergence at the animal-human interface has occurred in the past. The goal of this research is to identify infectious organisms in tropical and other wild animals, to genetically sequence these organisms, and to attempt to predict which organisms have the potential to emerge in human populations. It may be more cost-effective, however, to learn from past emergence events and to shift the paradigm from disease surveillance, detection, and response in humans to prevention of emergence at the source by understanding and mitigating the factors, or determinants, that influence animal infection. These determinants are clearly understood from the study of previous emergence events and include human-induced changes in natural environments, urban areas, and agricultural systems; raising and processing of animal-based foods; and the roles of global trade, migration, and climate change. Better understanding of these factors gained from epidemiological investigation of past and present emergence events, and modeling and study of the cost-effectiveness of interventions that could result in their mitigation, could provide evidence necessary to better address the political and economic barriers to prevention of infections in animals. Such economically convincing arguments for change and mitigation are required because of the basic difference in animal health, driven by the need for profit, and human health, driven by the need to save lives.
Genomic and Metagenomic Approaches for Predicting Pathogen Evolution
Authors: Casas Veronica , Maloy Stanley
Published: April 2014

Global climate change can alter the distribution of microbial pathogens and vectors that transmit infectious diseases, exposing humans to newly emerging or reemerging diseases. Early detection of potential pathogens and vectors in the environment can facilitate upstream interventions that limit the spread of infectious disease. Metagenomics is the analysis of DNA sequences from a population of microorganisms in a particular environment, followed by the computational reconstruction of the data to determine what organisms are present and predict their role in the environment. Defining the microbial populations associated with humans, animals, and their environment provides insight into the structure of microbial communities in any particular niche, including the abundance, diversity, and composition of the microbes and viruses present. It can also reveal the distribution of virulence genes within that niche. These data can be used to identify reservoirs of pathogens in an environment and predict environments with a high probability for evolution of new pathogens or outbreaks caused by known pathogens, thereby facilitating approaches to prevent infections of animals or humans before serious outbreaks of infectious disease.
A quality improvement project to improve the effectiveness and patient-centredness of management of people with mild-to-moderate kidney disease in primary care
Authors: Thomas Nicola , Gallagher Hugh , Jain Neerja
Published: April 2014

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3 to 5, affects 6-7% of the adult population and is an important risk factor for both advanced kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. This paper describes a quality improvement project that aimed to establish consistent implementation of best practice in people with stage 3-5 kidney disease who were managed in primary care.

The intervention was a Care Bundle for CKD. The bundle included three evidence-based, high impact interventions based on National Institute for Care Excellence (NICE, 2008) guidance, with an additional and novel self-management element.

29 GP Practices in England and Wales began the study. They undertook training in clinical management of CKD and in facilitation of self-management, with the self-management content designed and led by patients. Practices were asked to report baseline and then monthly outcome data extracted from practice computer systems. The project team provided implementation and ongoing quality improvement support for participating Practices.

Ten Practices dropped out of the study following the training. Data submissions were incomplete in six Practices who continued to apply the care bundle. At the project end, a decision was taken by the study team to perform the final analysis on those thirteen Practices which completed the project and submitted at least six sets of monthly Practice-level outcome data. In these Practices the Care Bundle was applied to under 20% of the registered CKD stage 3 to 5 population in 5 Practices, 20-29% in 3 Practices, 30-49% in 2 Practices and ≥50% in 3 Practices (998 patients in total). Of these, 671 patients (75%) agreed to the self-management component of the intervention.

The reliability (at project end) in those who received the Bundle was 100%. The Bundle was applied to an additional 315 patients in the six Practices who completed the project but did not submit regular practice-level monthly data.

In the thirteen remaining Practices, the achievement of NICE (2008) blood pressure targets at the start of the project was 74.8% in people with CKD stage 3-5 and no diabetes and 48% in people with CKD stage 3-5 and diabetes. At the project end these figures in the same Practices were 76.7% and 49.2% respectively. These improvements were achieved in spite of Practices increasing their recording of prevalence rate (that is, identifying and recording more patients with CKD on the Practice CKD Register).

In conclusion, a care bundle can be implemented in primary care. However, maintaining engagement with primary care health care professionals and maximising exposure to an intervention in patients seen infrequently are significant challenges to generalisation and sustainability.
Unseen but present danger: improving the safe prescribing of anti-embolism stockings (AES)
Authors: Bradley Alison
Published: April 2014

A strong evidence base exists supporting thromboprophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in surgical patients. Given the ageing population, obesity epidemic, and rise in type 2 diabetes, VTE and peripheral vascular disease (PAD) are likely to become an escalating problem. PAD is a contraindication to the use of anti-embolism stockings (AES). Half of those patients diagnosed with PAD report no symptoms, potentially underestimating its prevalence. Implementation of guidelines for thromboprophylaxis, including the safe prescribing of AES, is therefore imperative.

The aims of this project were to establish whether thromboprophylaxis was being prescribed correctly, and appropriately, to all surgical inpatients. This included documented evidence that peripheral pulses had been examined – and, in the case of diabetic patients, that there was documentation of full peripheral neurovascular examination – before AES were prescribed. Data were collected from case notes of all surgical inpatients. Foundation year 1 doctors (FY1s) completed a questionnaire assessing their knowledge of local guidelines. Teaching sessions and posters summarising local guidelines were delivered to FY1s.

Appropriate pharmacological prescribing improved from 57.69% to 100%. AES were appropriately prescribed for 65.38% of patients. Post intervention this increased to 79.17%. 0% had documented peripheral neurovascular examination. This increased to 50% post intervention.
Improving the documentation of the daily review of patients in general intensive care
Authors: Zucco Liana , Webb Carly
Published: April 2014

Following the daily review of patients on the general intensive care unit (GICU), ongoing issues are addressed and a management plan formulated. Within our unit, the documentation of this daily review is freehand and should include all items covered within the local GICU daily review checklist. However, an initial audit of the daily review demonstrated an average completion rate of only 57%, with several aspects of care consistently missed, most notably: eye and mouth care in ventilated patients (44% and 40%, respectively), glucose control (33%), stress ulcer prophylaxis (54%), and inspection and need for peripheral and central lines (24%). The current system relied on doctors learning the requirements for the clerking and remembering to document them all. It is known that there is a low level of reliability in successfully applying proven medical evidence; this is partly explained by dependence on vigilance and hard work by the clinician, and absence of checklists and protocols to reduce the impact of human factors on results. The majority of doctors on the unit believe they consistently record all items of this checklist, highlighting the gap between the ideal that clinicians strive towards and the outcome. An abbreviated daily review checklist was therefore implemented in the form of a laminated bookmark into the medical notes, to act as a reminder of the items that should be considered in the daily review and prompt subsequent documentation. Bookmarks were implemented over two PDSA cycles and medical notes re-audited. Post-intervention, the documentation of the daily review improved to an overall completion rate of >77%, with notable improvements in eye and mouth care in ventilated patients (89%, 95% respectively), glucose control (67%), stress ulcer prophylaxis (100%), and inspection and need for peripheral and central lines (43%). The daily review checklist concisely summarised onto bookmarks were cheap and simple to create, durable and easy to use, and improved the overall documentation of the daily review. The effect of this outcome remains untested.
Efficacy of amitraz plus inactivated parapoxvirus ovis in the treatment of canine generalised demodicosis
Authors: Pekmezci D. , Pekmezci G. Z. , Guzel M. , Cenesiz S. , Gurler A. T. , Gokalp G.
Published: April 2014

Canine generalised demodicosis (CGD) is a challenging disease to treat effectively. Inactivated parapoxvirus ovis (iPPVO) could help to accelerate treatment with acaricidial therapy by altering the immune response. This study was designed to investigate the effects of treating CGD with amitraz plus iPPVO in terms of clinical outcomes and blood parameters. The study involved 16 dogs ranging in age from eight months to six years and weighing between 10 and 40 kg. Eight dogs were treated with amitraz and eight with amitraz plus iPPVO. Biochemical analysis of whole blood and serum, including serum C reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA), was performed. Skin scrapings were conducted on days 0, 10, 40, 80 and 120 of treatment, and mite numbers were recorded. Clinical remission was determined according to mite numbers and clinical scores. The difference in mean whole remission days between the amitraz group (104.3 days) and the amitraz+iPPVO group (84.5 days) was statistically significant (P<0.05). Mean clinical scores were also significantly better in the amitraz+iPPVO (5.60) group when compared with the amitraz group (7.65). No adverse reactions were observed in either group. In view of these findings, the use of iPPVO in conjunction with amitraz can be recommended for treating CGD.
The response of root and microbial respiration to the experimental warming of a boreal black spruce forest
Authors: Vogel Jason G. , Bronson Dustin , Gower Stith T. , Schuur Edward A.G.
Published: May 2014

We investigated the effects of a 5 °C soil + air experimental heating on root and microbial respiration in a boreal black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) forest in northern Manitoba, Canada, that was warmed between 2004 and 2007. In 2007, the 14C/12C signatures of soil CO2 efflux and root and soil microbial respiration were used in a two-pool mixing model to estimate their proportional contributions to soil CO2 efflux and to examine how each changed in response to the warming treatments. In laboratory incubations, we examined whether warming had altered microbial respiration rates or microbial temperature sensitivity. The 14C/12C signature of soil CO2 efflux and microbial respiration in the heating treatments were both significantly (p < 0.05) enriched relative to the control treatment, suggesting that C deposited nearer the atmospheric bomb peak in 1963 contributed more to microbial respiration in heated than control treatments. Soil CO2 efflux was significantly greater in the heated than control treatments, suggesting the acclimation to temperature of either root or microbial respiration was not occurring in 2007. Microbial respiration in laboratory incubations was similar in heated and control soils. This study shows that microbial respiration rates still responded to temperature even after 4 years of warming, highlighting that ecosystem warming can cause a prolonged release of soil organic matter from these soils.