bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Transthoracic Echocardiography: Investigation of Concordance between the Two Methods for Measurement of the Cardiac Chamber
Authors: Gürdoğan Muhammet , Ustabaşıoğlu Fethi Emre , Kula Osman , Korkmaz Selçuk
Published: June 2019

Background and objectives: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is the gold standard method for the detection of ventricular volumes and myocardial edema/scar. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) imaging is primarily used in the evaluation of cardiac functions and chamber dimensions. This study aims to investigate whether the chamber diameter measurements are concordant with each other in the same patient group who underwent TTE and CMR. Materials and Methods: The study included 41 patients who underwent TTE and CMR imaging. Ventricular and atrial diameter measurements from TTE-derived standard parasternal long axis and apical four-chamber views and CMR-derived three- and four-chamber views were recorded. The concordance between the two methods was compared using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland–Altman plots. Results: Of the patients, 25 (61%) were male and the mean age was 48.12 ± 16.79. The mean ICC for LVDD between CMR observers was 0.957 (95% CI: 0.918–0.978), while the mean ICC between CMR and TTE measurements were 0.849 (95% CI: 0.709–0.922) and 0.836 (95% CI: 0.684–0.915), respectively. The mean ICC for the right ventricle between CMR observers was 0.985 (95% CI: 0.971–0.992), while the mean ICC between CMR and TTE measurements were 0.869 (95% CI: 0.755–0.930) and 0.892 (95% CI: 0.799–0.942), respectively. Passing–Bablok Regression and Bland–Altman plots indicated high concordance between the two methods. Conclusions: TTE and CMR indicated high concordance in chamber diameter measurements for which the CMR should be considered in patients for whom optimal evaluation with TTE could not be performed due to their limitations.
Treatment of Unstable Pediatric Tibial Shaft Fractures with Titanium Elastic Nails
Authors: Uludağ Abuzer , Tosun Hacı Bayram
Published: June 2019

Background and objectives: Pediatric tibial shaft fractures often have satisfactory outcomes after closed reduction and casting. However, surgical treatment may be required in unstable or open fractures. Titanium elastic nails (TENs) are a good option for the surgical treatment of pediatric tibial fractures due to their advantages such as short hospitalization periods, easy applicability, early weight bearing, and early union. In this study, we evaluated radiological and functional outcomes in pediatric patients with tibial shaft fractures that underwent fixation with TENs. Materials and methods: A total of twenty tibial shaft fractures that were treated with TENs in our clinic between 2013 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age at injury was 8.9 ± 2.78 (range of 3–14) years. Seven (35%) out of 20 fractures were open fractures, of which one fracture was classified as Grade I and six fractures were classified as Grade II. In each patient, antegrade nailing was performed by inserting a TEN in the medial and another TEN in the lateral side of the proximal metaphysis. Clinical outcomes including union, alignment, leg-length inequality, and complications were evaluated using modified Flynn’s criteria. Results: The mean time to union was 10.85 ± 3.39 (range of 6–20) weeks. No patient had a sagittal or coronal angulation of over 10°. One patient had a leg-length inequality of 10 mm. Among three patients with open fractures, two of them had superficial wound infections and the other patient had a deep wound infection. All the infections were successfully treated with appropriate antibiotic therapies. Four other patients had pin tract irritation that required no intervention. No significant difference was observed between patients with open and closed fractures with regard to the clinical and radiological findings although patients with open fractures had a significantly higher complication rate compared to patients with closed fractures (p < 0.05). No patient had a restricted range of motion of the ankle and knee joints. Twelve (60%) patients had an excellent outcome, and eight (40%) patients had a satisfactory outcome. Conclusions: Intramedullary fixation with TENs provides favorable outcomes and reduced complication rates in the treatment of unstable pediatric tibial shaft fractures that cannot be reduced with conservative treatment modalities or cannot be casted due to the presence of an edema or open wound.
Manganiakasakaite-(La) and Ferriakasakaite-(Ce), Two New Epidote Supergroup Minerals from Piedmont, Italy
Authors: Biagioni Cristian , Bonazzi Paola , Pasero Marco , Zaccarini Federica , Balestra Corrado , Bracco Roberto , Ciriotti Marco E.
Published: June 2019

Two new monoclinic (P21/m) epidote supergroup minerals manganiakasakaite-(La) and ferriakasakaite-(Ce) were found in the small Mn ore deposit of Monte Maniglia, Bellino, Varaita Valley, Cuneo Province, Piedmont, Italy. Manganiakasakaite-(La) occurs as subhedral grains embedded in pyroxmangite. Its empirical formula is A(1)(Ca0.62Mn2+0.38) A(2)(La0.52Nd0.08Pr0.07Ce0.07Y0.01Ca0.25) M(1)(Mn3+0.52Fe3+0.28Al0.18V3+0.01) M(2)Al1.00 M(3)(Mn2+0.60Mn3+0.27Mg0.13) T(1−3)(Si2.99Al0.01) O12 (OH), corresponding to the end-member formula CaLaMn3+AlMn2+(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH). Unit-cell parameters are a = 8.9057(10), b = 5.7294(6), c = 10.1134(11) Å, β = 113.713(5)°, V = 472.46(9) Å3, Z = 2. The crystal structure of manganiakasakaite-(La) was refined to a final R1 = 0.0262 for 2119 reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo) and 125 refined parameters. Ferriakasakaite-(Ce) occurs as small homogeneous domains within strongly inhomogeneous prismatic crystals, where other epidote supergroup minerals coexist [manganiandrosite-(Ce), “androsite-(Ce)”, and epidote]. Associated minerals are calcite and hematite. Its empirical formula is A(1)(Ca0.64Mn2+0.36) A(2)(Ce0.37La0.17Nd0.06Pr0.03Ca0.35□0.02) M(1)(Fe3+0.61Al0.39) M(2)Al1.00 M(3)(Mn2+0.64Mn3+0.33Fe3+0.02Mg0.01) T(1−3)Si3.01 O12 (OH), the end-member formula being CaCeFe3+AlMn2+(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH). Unit-cell parameters are a = 8.9033(3), b = 5.7066(2), c = 10.1363(3) Å, β = 114.222(2)°, V = 469.66(3) Å3, Z = 2. The crystal structure of ferriakasakaite-(Ce) was refined to a final R1 = 0.0196 for 1960 unique reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo) and 124 refined parameters.
CYP450s-Activity Relations of Celastrol to Interact with Triptolide Reveal the Reasons of Hepatotoxicity of Tripterygium wilfordii
Authors: Jin Chunhuan , Wu Zijun , Wang Lili , Kanai Yoshikatsu , He Xin
Published: June 2019

Celastrol and triptolide, as the two main bio-activity ingredients in Tripterygium wilfordii, have wide anticancer pharmacological potency, as well as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppression effects. However, they have potential hepatotoxicity and underlying mechanisms of them-induced toxicity mediated by hepatic CYP450s have not been well delineated. In the present study, we accessed the toxic effects and possible mechanism of celastrol and triptolide on primary rat hepatocytes. Models of subdued/enhanced activity of CYP450 enzymes in primary rat hepatocytes were also constructed to evaluate the relationship between the two ingredients and CYP450s. LC-MS/MS was used to establish a detection method of the amount of triptolide in rat hepatocytes. As the results, cell viability, biochemical index, and mitochondrial membrane potential indicated that celastrol and triptolide had toxic potencies on hepatocytes. Moreover, the toxic effects were enhanced when the compounds combined with 1-aminobenzotriazole (enzyme inhibitor) while they were mitigated when combined with phenobarbital (an enzyme inducer). Meanwhile, celastrol could affect the amount of triptolide in the cell. We therefore put forward that increase of triptolide in the cell might be one of the main causes of hepatotoxicity caused by Tripterygium wilfordii.
Measurement of Diffusion and Segregation in Semiconductor Quantum Dots and Quantum Wells by Transmission Electron Microscopy: A Guide
Authors: Walther Thomas
Published: June 2019

Strategies are discussed to distinguish interdiffusion and segregation and to measure key parameters such as diffusivities and segregation lengths in semiconductor quantum dots and quantum wells by electron microscopy methods. Spectroscopic methods are usually necessary when the materials systems are complex while imaging methods may suffice for binary or simple ternary compounds where atomic intermixing is restricted to one type of sub-lattice. The emphasis on methodology should assist microscopists in evaluating and quantifying signals from electron micrographs and related spectroscopic data. Examples presented include CdS/ZnS core/shell particles and SiGe, InGaAs and InGaN quantum wells.
Degradation Behavior In Vitro of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs)/Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) Composite Suture
Authors: Liu Shuqiang , Wu Gaihong , Chen Xiaogang , Zhang Xiaofang , Yu Juanjuan , Liu Mingfang , Zhang Yao , Wang Peng
Published: June 2019

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) suture can be absorbed by the human body, and so have wide applications in modern surgery operations. The degradation period of PLA suture is expected to meet with the healing time of different types of wounds. In order to control the degradation period of the PLA suture, the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were composited with PLA suture, and the degradation experiment in vitro was performed on sutures. The structure and properties of sutures during degradation, such as surface morphology, breaking strength, elongation, mass and chemical structure, were tracked and analyzed. The results indicated that the degradation brought about surface defects and resulted in 13.5 weeks for the strength valid time of the original PLA suture. By contrast, the strength valid time of the CNTs/PLA suture was increased to 26.6 weeks. Whilst the toughness of both the pure PLA and CNTs/PLA sutures decreased rapidly and almost disappeared after 3 to 4 weeks of degradation. The mass loss demonstrated that the time required for complete degradation of the two sutures was obviously different, the pure PLA suture 49 weeks, while CNTs/PLA sutures 63 to 73 weeks. The research proved that CNTs delayed PLA degradation and prolonged its strength valid time in degradation.
The Mechanism of the Propagation in the Anionic Polymerization of Polystyryllithium in Non-Polar Solvents Elucidated by Density Functional Theory Calculations. A Study of the Negligible Part Played by Dimeric Ion-Pairs under Usual Polymerization Conditions
Authors: Morita Hideo , Van Beylen Marcel
Published: June 2019

The elementary processes occurring in the anionic polymerization of styrene with dimerically associated polystyryllithium (propagation during the anionic polymerization of dimeric polystyryllithium) in the gas phase and cyclohexane were studied using MX062X/6-31+G(d), a recently developed density functional theory (DFT) method and compared with the polymerization of styrene with non-associated polystyryllithium, which was described in a previous study. The most stable transition state in the reaction of styrene with dimeric polystyryllithium has a structure in which the side chains of styrene and the two chain end units of polystyryllithium are located in the same direction around the Li atom near the reactive site. The relative enthalpy for this transition state in cyclohexane is 28 kJ·mol−1, which is much lower than that for the reaction of non-associated polystyryllithium (51 kJ·mol−1). However, the relative free energy (which determines the rate constant) for the former is 93 kJ·mol−1, which is greater than that for the latter by 7 kJ·mol−1, indicating that the latter reaction (reaction with non-associated polystyryllithium) is advantageous over the former (reaction with dimeric polystyrylllithium). Their rates of reaction are also affected by initiator concentrations; in the case of reactions with low initiator concentrations, from which high molecular weight polymers are usually obtained, the rate of reaction corresponding to non-associated polystyryllithium is much larger than that corresponding to dimeric polystyryllithium.
UAV-Based Remote Sensing Technique to Detect Citrus Canker Disease Utilizing Hyperspectral Imaging and Machine Learning
Authors: Abdulridha Jaafar , Batuman Ozgur , Ampatzidis Yiannis
Published: June 2019

A remote sensing technique was developed to detect citrus canker in laboratory conditions and was verified in the grove by utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In the laboratory, a hyperspectral (400–1000 nm) imaging system was utilized for the detection of citrus canker in several disease development stages (i.e., asymptomatic, early, and late symptoms) on Sugar Belle leaves and immature (green) fruit by using two classification methods: (i) radial basis function (RBF) and (ii) K nearest neighbor (KNN). The same imaging system mounted on an UAV was used to detect citrus canker on tree canopies in the orchard. The overall classification accuracy of the RBF was higher (94%, 96%, and 100%) than the KNN method (94%, 95%, and 96%) for detecting canker in leaves. Among the 31 studied vegetation indices, the water index (WI) and the Modified Chlorophyll Absorption in Reflectance Index (ARI and TCARI 1) more accurately detected canker in laboratory and in orchard conditions, respectively. Immature fruit was not a reliable tissue for early detection of canker. However, the proposed technique successfully distinguished the late stage canker-infected fruit with 92% classification accuracy. The UAV-based technique achieved 100% classification accuracy for identifying healthy and canker-infected trees.
Automatic Detection of Track and Fields in China from High-Resolution Satellite Images Using Multi-Scale-Fused Single Shot MultiBox Detector
Authors: Chen Zhengchao , Lu Kaixuan , Gao Lianru , Li Baipeng , Gao Jianwei , Yang Xuan , Yao Mufeng , Zhang Bing
Published: June 2019

Object detection is facing various challenges as an important aspect in the field of remote sensing—especially in large scenes due to the increase of satellite image resolution and the complexity of land covers. Because of the diversity of the appearance of track and fields, the complexity of the background and the variety between satellite images, even superior deep learning methods have difficulty extracting accurate characteristics of track and field from large complex scenes, such as the whole of China. Taking track and field as a study case, we propose a stable and accurate method for target detection. Firstly, we add the “deconvolution” and “concat” module to the structure of the original Single Shot MultiBox Detector (SSD), where Visual Geometry Group 16 (VGG16) is served as a basic network, followed by multiple convolution layers. The two modules are used to sample the high-level feature map and connect it with the low-level feature map to form a new network structure multi-scale-fused SSD (abbreviated as MSF_SSD). MSF-SSD can enrich the semantic information of the low-level feature, which is especially effective for small targets in large scenes. In addition, a large number of track and fields are collected as samples for the whole China and a series of parameters are designed to optimize the MSF_SSD network through the deep analysis of sample characteristics. Finally, by using MSF_SSD network, we achieve the rapid and automatic detection of meter-level track and fields in the country for the first time. The proposed MSF_SSD model achieves 97.9% mean average precision (mAP) on validation set which is superior to the 88.4% mAP of the original SSD. Apart from this, the model can achieve an accuracy of 94.3% while keeping the recall rate in a high level (98.8%) in the nationally distributed test set, outperforming the original SSD method.
Collaborative Representation Using Non-Negative Samples for Image Classification
Authors: Zhou Jianhang , Zhang Bob
Published: June 2019

Collaborative representation based classification (CRC) is an efficient classifier in image classification. By using l 2 regularization, the collaborative representation based classifier holds competitive performances compared with the sparse representation based classifier using less computational time. However, each of the elements calculated from the training samples are utilized for representation without selection, which can lead to poor performances in some classification tasks. To resolve this issue, in this paper, we propose a novel collaborative representation by directly using non-negative representations to represent a test sample collaboratively, termed Non-negative Collaborative Representation-based Classifier (NCRC). To collect all non-negative collaborative representations, we introduce a Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) function to perform filtering on the coefficients obtained by l 2 minimization according to CRC’s objective function. Next, we represent the test sample by using a linear combination of these representations. Lastly, the nearest subspace classifier is used to perform classification on the test samples. The experiments performed on four different databases including face and palmprint showed the promising results of the proposed method. Accuracy comparisons with other state-of-art sparse representation-based classifiers demonstrated the effectiveness of NCRC at image classification. In addition, the proposed NCRC consumes less computational time, further illustrating the efficiency of NCRC.
A Feature-Based Model for the Identification of Electrical Devices in Smart Environments
Authors: Tundis Andrea , Faizan Ali , Mühlhäuser Max
Published: June 2019

Smart Homes (SHs) represent the human side of a Smart Grid (SG). Data mining and analysis of energy data of electrical devices in SHs, e.g., for the dynamic load management, is of fundamental importance for the decision-making process of energy management both from the consumer perspective by saving money and also in terms of energy redistribution and reduction of the carbon dioxide emission, by knowing how the energy demand of a building is composed in the SG. Advanced monitoring and control mechanisms are necessary to deal with the identification of appliances. In this paper, a model for their automatic identification is proposed. It is based on a set of 19 features that are extracted by analyzing energy consumption, time usage and location from a set of device profiles. Then, machine learning approaches are employed by experimenting different classifiers based on such model for the identification of appliances and, finally, an analysis on the feature importance is provided.
Near Room Temperature Light-Activated WS2-Decorated rGO as NO2 Gas Sensor
Authors: Paolucci Valentina , Emamjomeh Seyed Mahmoud , Ottaviano Luca , Cantalini Carlo
Published: June 2019

The NO2 response in the range of 200 ppb to 1 ppm of a chemoresistive WS2-decorated rGO sensor has been investigated at operating temperatures of 25 °C and 50 °C in dry and humid air (40% RH) under dark and Purple Blue (PB) light conditions (λ = 430 nm). Few-layers WS2, exfoliated by ball milling and sonication technique, with average dimensions of 200 nm, have been mixed with rGO flakes (average dimension 700 nm) to yield WS2-decorated rGO, deposited on Si3N4 substrates, provided with platinum (30 μm gap distance) finger-type electrodes. TEM analysis showed the formation of homogeneous and well-dispersed WS2 flakes distributed over a thin, continuous and uniform underlying layer of interconnected rGO flakes. XPS and STEM revealed a partial oxidation of WS2 flakes leading to the formation of 18% amorphous WO3 over the WS2 flakes. PB-light irradiation and mild heating of the sensor at 50 °C substantially enhanced the baseline recovery yielding improved adsorption/desorption rates, with detection limit of 400 ppb NO2 and reproducible gas responses. Cross sensitivity tests with humid air interfering vapor highlighted a negligible influence of water vapor on the NO2 response. A charge carrier mechanism between WS2 and rGO is proposed and discussed to explain the overall NO2 and H2O response of the WS2–rGO hybrids.
Image Fusion for High-Resolution Optical Satellites Based on Panchromatic Spectral Decomposition
Authors: He Luxiao , Wang Mi , Zhu Ying , Chang Xueli , Feng Xiaoxiao
Published: June 2019

Ratio transformation methods are widely used for image fusion of high-resolution optical satellites. The premise for the use the ratio transformation is that there is a zero-bias linear relationship between the panchromatic band and the corresponding multi-spectral bands. However, there are bias terms and residual terms with large values in reality, depending on the sensors, the response spectral ranges, and the land-cover types. To address this problem, this paper proposes a panchromatic and multi-spectral image fusion method based on the panchromatic spectral decomposition (PSD). The low-resolution panchromatic and multi-spectral images are used to solve the proportionality coefficients, the bias coefficients, and the residual matrixes. These coefficients are substituted into the high-resolution panchromatic band and decompose it into the high-resolution multi-spectral bands. The experiments show that this method can make the fused image acquire high color fidelity and sharpness, it is robust to different sensors and features, and it can be applied to the panchromatic and multi-spectral fusion of high-resolution optical satellites.
Design of UAV Downwash Airflow Field Detection System Based on Strain Effect Principle
Authors: Wu Yalei , Qi Lijun , Zhang Hao , Musiu Elizabeth M. , Yang Zepeng , Wang Pei
Published: June 2019

Accurate measurement of the downwash flow field of plant protection unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is essential for analyzing the spatial distribution of droplets. To realize on-line rapid detection of the downwash flow field of a multi-rotor UAV, a flexible polypropylene detection device based on the principle of full bridge strain effect was proposed. Its performance principle was based on the physical deformation caused by wind pressure. The Fluid Flow and Static Structural modules of ANSYS 16.0 finite element software were used to simulate one-way fluid-solid coupling interaction. The surface of the resistive strain gauge embedded in the flexible detecting structure responded well to wind speed variation, hence it was suitable for downwash airflow wind field detection. By solving the strain force on the surface of the flexible detection structure, the length and layout of the grating wire of the strain gauge on the surface of the flexible detection structure were optimized. Meanwhile at 4 m·s−1 wind speed, the output voltage at varied bridge flexible acquisition systems in the acquisition card was measured. Results indicated coefficient of variation of 3.67%, 1.63% and 1.5%, respectively, which proved the good data acquisition consistency of the system. Through calibration test, the regression equation for the relationship between output voltage and wind speed for three unique sensor signal measuring circuits was established. The determination coefficients R2 for single bridge, half bridge and full bridge circuits were 0.9885, 0.9866 and 0.9959, respectively. In conclusion, by applying the multi-rotor plant protection UAV test platform, the results indicated the maximum relative error of the wind speed at each sampling point of the system at 1.0 m altitude was below 5.61%. Simulated and measured value had an RMSE maximum error of 0.1246 m·s−1. Moreover, downwash airflow detection not only has high accuracy but also has high sensitivity. Thus, there is convenience and practicability in the plant protection offered by this approach. The rapid measurement of UAV wind field and the established two-dimensional wind field model can provide a basis for precise application of agricultural aviation.
Miniaturized Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion for the Analysis of Ultraviolet Filters and Other Cosmetic Ingredients in Personal Care Products
Authors: Celeiro Maria , Vazquez Lua , Lamas J. Pablo , Vila Marlene , Garcia-Jares Carmen , Llompart Maria
Published: June 2019

A method based on micro-matrix solid-phase dispersion (μ-MSPD) followed by gas-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) was developed to analyze UV filters in personal care products. It is the first time that MSPD is employed to extract UV filters from cosmetics samples. This technique provides efficient and low-cost extractions, and allows performing extraction and clean-up in one step, which is one of their main advantages. The amount of sample employed was only 0.1 g and the extraction procedure was performed preparing the sample-sorbent column in a glass Pasteur pipette instead of the classic plastic columns in order to avoid plastizicer contamination. Factors affecting the process such as type of sorbent, and amount and type of elution solvent were studied by a factorial design. The method was validated and extended to other families of cosmetic ingredients such as fragrance allergens, preservatives, plasticizers and synthetic musks, including a total of 78 target analytes. Recovery studies in real sample at several concentration levels were also performed. Finally, the green extraction methodology was applied to the analysis of real cosmetic samples of different nature.
Nature–Based Interventions for Improving Health and Wellbeing: The Purpose, the People and the Outcomes
Authors: Shanahan Danielle , Astell–Burt Thomas , Barber Elizabeth , Brymer Eric , Cox Daniel , Dean Julie , Depledge Michael , Fuller Richard , Hartig Terry , Irvine Katherine , Jones Andy , Kikillus Heidy , Lovell Rebecca , Mitchell Richard , Niemelä Jari , Nieuwenhuijsen Mark , Pretty Jules , Townsend Mardie , van Heezik Yolanda , Warber Sara , Gaston Kevin
Published: June 2019

Engagement with nature is an important part of many people’s lives, and the health and wellbeing benefits of nature–based activities are becoming increasingly recognised across disciplines from city planning to medicine. Despite this, urbanisation, challenges of modern life and environmental degradation are leading to a reduction in both the quantity and the quality of nature experiences. Nature–based health interventions (NBIs) can facilitate behavioural change through a somewhat structured promotion of nature–based experiences and, in doing so, promote improved physical, mental and social health and wellbeing. We conducted a Delphi expert elicitation process with 19 experts from seven countries (all named authors on this paper) to identify the different forms that such interventions take, the potential health outcomes and the target beneficiaries. In total, 27 NBIs were identified, aiming to prevent illness, promote wellbeing and treat specific physical, mental or social health and wellbeing conditions. These interventions were broadly categorized into those that change the environment in which people live, work, learn, recreate or heal (for example, the provision of gardens in hospitals or parks in cities) and those that change behaviour (for example, engaging people through organized programmes or other activities). We also noted the range of factors (such as socioeconomic variation) that will inevitably influence the extent to which these interventions succeed. We conclude with a call for research to identify the drivers influencing the effectiveness of NBIs in enhancing health and wellbeing.
Impact of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic in Coastal Kenya
Authors: Andayi Fred , Chaves Sandra S. , Widdowson Marc-Alain
Published: June 2019

The 1918 influenza pandemic was the most significant pandemic recorded in human history. Worldwide, an estimated half billion persons were infected and 20 to 100 million people died in three waves during 1918 to 1919. Yet the impact of this pandemic has been poorly documented in many countries especially those in Africa. We used colonial-era records to describe the impact of 1918 influenza pandemic in the Coast Province of Kenya. We gathered quantitative data on facility use and all-cause mortality from 1912 to 1925, and pandemic-specific data from active reporting from September 1918 to March 1919. We also extracted quotes from correspondence to complement the quantitative data and describe the societal impact of the pandemic. We found that crude mortality rates and healthcare utilization increased six- and three-fold, respectively, in 1918, and estimated a pandemic mortality rate of 25.3 deaths/1000 people/year. Impact to society and the health care system was dramatic as evidenced by correspondence. In conclusion, the 1918 pandemic profoundly affected Coastal Kenya. Preparation for the next pandemic requires continued improvement in surveillance, education about influenza vaccines, and efforts to prevent, detect and respond to novel influenza outbreaks.
Flat Connection for Rotating Vacuum Spacetimes in Extended Teleparallel Gravity Theories
Authors: Järv Laur , Hohmann Manuel , Krššák Martin , Pfeifer Christian
Published: June 2019

Teleparallel geometry utilizes Weitzenböck connection which has nontrivial torsion but no curvature and does not directly follow from the metric like Levi–Civita connection. In extended teleparallel theories, for instance in f ( T ) or scalar-torsion gravity, the connection must obey its antisymmetric field equations. Thus far, only a few analytic solutions were known. In this note, we solve the f ( T , ϕ ) gravity antisymmetric vacuum field equations for a generic rotating tetrad ansatz in Weyl canonical coordinates, and find the corresponding spin connection coefficients. By a coordinate transformation, we present the solution also in Boyer–Lindquist coordinates, often used to study rotating solutions in general relativity. The result hints for the existence of another branch of rotating solutions besides the Kerr family in extended teleparallel gravities.
Effects of Cemented Porous Media on Temporal Mixing Behavior of Conservative Solute Transport
Authors: Dou Zhi , Zhang Xueyi , Chen Zhou , Yang Yun , Zhuang Chao , Wang Chenxi
Published: June 2019

The cementation of porous media leads to the variation of the pore space and heterogeneity of the porous media. In this study, four porous media (PM1, PM2, PM3, and PM4) with the different radii of solid grains were generated to represent the different cementation degrees of the porous media. The direct simulations of flow and conservative solute transport in PM1–4 were conducted to investigate the influence of the cemented porous media and Peclet number (Pe) on the temporal mixing behavior. Two metrics, scalar dissipation rates (SDR) and dilution index, were employed to quantify the temporal mixing behavior. It was found that the spatial velocity variability of the flow field was enhanced as cementation degree increased. The results of the coefficient of velocity variation ( C V U ) increased from 0.943 to 2.319 for PM1–4. A network consisted of several preferential flow paths was observed in PM1–4. The preferential flow enhanced the mixing of the conservative solute but had a negative influence on the mixing of the solute plume when the cemented solid grains formed several groups, and there were some stagnant regions where the flow was almost immobile. As the Pe increased, for PM1–3, the exponent of the best-fitting power law of the global SDR decreased. At the case of Pe = 400, the slope of the global SDR reduced to around −1.9. In PM4 where the preferential flow was enhanced by the cemented solid grains, the slope of the global SDR increased as the Pe increased. The global SDR results indicated that the temporal mixing behavior followed a Fickian scaling ( S D R ∝ p v − 1.5 ) in the early stage (Pv < 0.05), while the mixing behavior turned to be non-Fickian in the late stage. The transition time from the Fickian scaling to the non-Fickian scaling was found to be sensitive to the cementation degree of the porous media.
Research on Regenerative Braking of Pure Electric Mining Dump Truck
Authors: Zhang Wei , Yang Jue , Zhang Wenming , Ma Fei
Published: June 2019

When the pure electric mining dump truck is working, it mainly ascends the slope at full load and descends the slope at no load. The loading state of the vehicle and the slope of the road will directly affect its axle load distribution and braking force distribution. In this paper, the slope dynamics analysis of the pure electric double-axle four-wheel drive mining dump truck was carried out. Based on the regenerative braking priority strategy, four regenerative braking control methods were developed based on the Matlab/Simulink platform and ADVISOR 2002 vehicle simulation software to study the ability of regenerative braking energy recovery and its impact on vehicle economic performance. The simulation results show that the regenerative braking priority control strategy used can maximize the regenerative braking force of the vehicle; the regenerative energy recovery capability of pure electric mining dump truck is proportional to the regenerative braking force that can be provided during braking; the two-axis braking strategy based on the I curve and the β line can make full use of the front and rear axle regenerative braking force when the braking intensity is large, and recover more braking energy; under road drive cycle, the single-axis braking force required to the braking strategy based on the maximized front axle braking force is the largest among all strategies, the motor braking efficiency is the highest, and the recovered braking energy is the most. For the studied drive cycle, the regenerative braking technology can reduce the vehicle energy consumption by 1.06%–1.56%. If appropriate measures are taken to improve the road surface condition and reduce the rolling resistance coefficient from f = 0.04 to f = 0.02, the regenerative braking technology can further reduce the vehicle energy consumption to 4.76%–5.73%. The economic performance of the vehicle is improved compared to no regenerative braking. In addition, the vehicle loading state and the driving motor working efficiency also directly affect the regenerative braking energy recovery capability of the pure electric mining truck.
Geopark Bodoquena-Pantanal: análise da inserção do Núcleo de Nioaque, Mato Grosso do Sul
Authors: Trotta Alessandra , Grechi Dores Cristina , Carvalho Emerson Machado de
Published: June 2019

A criação do Geopark Bodoquena-Pantanal se deu em dezembro de 2009, com publicação no Diário Oficial nº 7.610. A região sudoeste do Estado é propícia para o desenvolvimento do geoturismo. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho busca discutir e apresentar a relação do Geopark Bodoquena Pantanal com o desenvolvimento do geoturismo, destacando as suas potencialidades e limitações como elementos que podem compor à oferta turística do Núcleo de Nioaque, em Mato Grosso do Sul. Entretanto, a justificativa principal para desenvolver a pesquisa se baseou na criação do Núcleo de Nioaque acerca do Geopark Bodoquena Pantanal, portanto, faz-se necessário analisar este novo contexto que se apresenta para o município. Faz-se necessário analisar este novo contexto que se apresenta para o município. Para realizar a análise será utilizada a matriz SWOT (Streghts, Weaknesses, Opportunities e Threads), que significa força, fraqueza, oportunidades e ameaças. Assim, identificou-se quais os pontos fortes a serem explorados, e quais pontos fracos que são necessários trabalhar para eliminar os riscos na gestão do negócio. Esse recurso possibilitou enxergar a situação atual do empreendimento, antecipando o futuro, visualizando as oportunidades e prevenindo as ameaças.

Preliminary analysis of the insertion the first center Geopark Bodoquena Pantanal in the city of Nioaque (MS, Brazil)

ABSTRACT

The creation of the Bodoquena-Pantanal geopark occurred in December 2009, with publication in the Official Gazette No. 7,610. The state's southwestern region is conducive to the development of geotourism. Thus, this paper aims to discuss and present the Geopark Bodoquena Pantanal's relationship with the development of geotourism, highlighting their potentials and limitations as elements that compose the tourist offer of Nioaque Center in Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil). However, the main justification for developing the research was based on the creation of Nioaque Center about Geopark Bodoquena Pantanal, therefore, it is necessary to review this new context which is presented to the council. To perform the analysis shall include a SWOT matrix (Streghts, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threads). Thus, we identified the strengths to be explored and what weaknesses we need to work to eliminate the risks in the management of the business. This feature made it possible to see the current situation of the enterprise, anticipating the future, see the opportunities and preventing the threats.

KEYWORDS: Geopark; Analysis; Tourism; Wetland.
Práticas de gestão ambiental nos meios de hospedagem de Guaratuba (PR) na visão de seus gestores
Authors: Kushano Elizabete Sayuri , Meira Celso Maciel de
Published: June 2019

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar o conhecimento dos gestores de meios de hospedagem do município de Guaratuba, litoral paranaense, quanto à Gestão Ambiental; assim como verificar, a partir da concepção dos mesmos, quais as práticas de sustentabilidade ambiental desenvolvidas nos empreendimentos em que atuam. Para delimitação do estudo, foram considerados os meios de hospedagem cadastrados junto ao Sistema de Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas e Jurídicas atuantes no setor do turismo (CADASTUR). Referente à metodologia, utilizou a pesquisa exploratória, do tipo qualitativa, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, aplicadas a dez gestores. Os resultados apontaram que seus conhecimentos são relativos quanto ao tema e que são desenvolvidas algumas ações basilares, tais como a separação de resíduos sólidos e a utilização de lâmpadas LED. Em sua maioria, não receberam algum tipo de capacitação quanto ao referido assunto e parte considerável dos gestores não concebeu que as ações de GA podem ser diferenciais nas tomadas de decisões dos hóspedes, deixando de estabelecer relações com as vantagens competitivas que emergem a partir delas.

Management practices in lodging facilities from Guaratuba (PR, Brazil) through their managers' perspectives

ABSTRACT

This study aims to analyze the knowledge of the management department from lodging facilities in the city of Guaratuba, Parana, Brazil on Environmental Management and evaluate, from their point of view, which ambiental sustainable practices they have developed in the projects they work on. For delimitation of the study, we considered only the registered lodging facilities on CADASTUR (a registry system for both individuals and companies that work in the tourism industry).The methodology used was an exploratory research focusing on qualitative study, through semi-structured interviews, applied to 10 managers. The results showed that their knowledge is relative on the subject and that some basic actions are developed. In most cases, they have not received some kind of training on that subject and a considerable part of the managers did not conceive that Environmental Management actions can be advantageous for guests decisions, failing to establish relations with the competitive advantages that emerge from the decisions.

KEYWORDS: Environmental Management; Lodging Facilities; Sustainability; Guaratuba (PR, Brazil).
Estudo da capacidade de carga em trilha no Parque Estadual da Mata do Limoeiro, Itabira (MG)
Authors: Oliveira Amanda Costa de , Paula Ana Cecília Gomes de , Miranda Clarisse Carvalho , Almeida Gabriel Henrique Soares , Ferrari Edson Maurício Marques , Caldeira Bianca Cabral
Published: June 2019

As Unidades de Conservação (UCs) detêm papel fundamental na proteção e preservação do meio ambiente e da biodiversidade local. Para a conservação destas áreas, é necessário adequar os atrativos e atividades promovidas à gestão dos recursos nas unidades, principalmente àquelas voltadas ao uso público. Com o presente trabalho, visa-se elaborar o estudo de capacidade da trilha da Gruta do Limoeiro, adequando a gestão de recursos locais às atividades de uso público, sem comprometer a capacidade da trilha. O presente artigo determinou a capacidade de carga da trilha da Gruta do Limoeiro pertencente ao Parque Estadual Mata do Limoeiro (PEML), a fim de garantir o manejo adequado da trilha, evitando o seu comprometimento físico. A partir da capacidade de carga, foi determinado a quantidade de visitantes ideal para a trilha por meio de cálculos baseados na metodologia descrita por Cifuentes (1992) e na adaptação feita por Cordeiro, Körössy e Selva (2013). Foi obtido o limite total de 1056 visitantes de maneira a não acarretar maiores impactos sobre a trilha da Gruta do Limoeiro.

Study of the Carrying Capacity on track in the State Park of Mata do Limoeiro, Itabira (MG, Brazil)

ABSTRACT

Protect Areas have an important role in protecting and preserving the environment and local biodiversity. For the conservation of these areas, it is necessary to adjust the attractions and activities promoted to the management of resources, especially those aimed at public use. This article aims to develop the ability to study the Gruta do Limoeiro track, adapting the management of local resources to public use activities without compromising the track capacity. This article has determined the carrying capacity of Gruta do Limoeiro track belonging to the Mata do Limoeiro State Park in order to ensure proper management of the track, avoiding their physical impairment. The charge capacity it was determined the number of visitors to the ideal path by calculation based on the method described by Cifuentes (1992) and adaptation made by Cordeiro, Körössy and Selva (2013). It was obtained a total limit of 1056 visitors in order to not cause major impacts on the Gruta do Limoeiro track.

KEYWORDS: Carrying Capacity; Mata do Limoeiro State Park; Public Use; Natural Resource Management; Sustainable Tourism.
Necessidades formativas de condutores de visitantes em Parques Nacionais
Authors: Cotes Marcial , Salles William das Neves , Schiavetti Alexandre , Nascimento Juarez Vieira do
Published: June 2019

Este estudo descritivo, exploratório e quanti-qualitativo teve como objetivo identificar as necessidades formativas de 79 condutores de visitantes dos Parques Nacionais (PARNA) do Caparaó (PNC) e Serra da Capivara (PNSC). As informações foram coletadas a partir de entrevista semiestruturada, cujo tema gerador contemplou as necessidades formativas apontadas pelos próprios condutores. Os resultados revelam que os condutores investigados têm preferência por cursos de capacitação predominantemente práticos e que contemplem mais a realidade específica de cada PARNA investigado. Neste sentido, os profissionais apontam as necessidades de que os cursos possuam caráter prático e sejam ministrados no interior dos PARNAS, contemplando tanto os conhecimentos instrumentais necessários à atividade de condução quanto as características ecológicas específicas do parque, região, bioma e ecossistema em que as atividades ocorrem. Os cursos mais reivindicados pelos condutores investigados foram os de primeiros socorros, os de segundo idioma e os de características ecológicas do parque, da região, do bioma e do ecossistema.

Educational needs of visitors’ instructors in National Parks

ABSTRACT

This descriptive, exploratory, and quantitative-qualitative study had the objective of identifying the educational needs of 79 instructors of visitors from the Caparaó (PNC) and Serra da Capivara (PNSC) National Parks (PARNA). Information was collected from semi-structured interviews, whose generating theme contemplated the educational needs pointed out by the instructors themselves. Results show that the investigated instructors have a preference for predominantly practical training courses that more closely reflect the specific reality of each PARNA investigated. In this sense, professionals point out the need for the courses to be practical and delivered within the PARNAs, taking into account both the instrumental knowledge required for the professional activity and the specific ecological characteristics of the park, region, biome and ecosystem in which the activities take place. The most claimed courses by the investigated instructors were first aid, second language, and ecological features of the park, region, biome, and ecosystem.

KEYWORDS: Ecotourism; National Parks; Visitor Instructors; Formative Needs.
Potencialidade turística no Lago do Robertinho (RR): apontamentos para Educação Ambiental
Authors: Bezerra Suelen Santos , Tomé Djenane Lima , Ferko Georgia Patrícia da Silva
Published: June 2019

Este artigo tem como objetivo identificar os potenciais turísticos do Lago do Robertinho, localizado a 50 quilômetros de Boa Vista-RR, na zona Rural, o que será feito por meio da aplicação de instrumentos que avaliem o potencial turístico de localidades receptoras. Esse espaço tem sido recorrentemente utilizado como opção de lazer e turismo para várias pessoas da região. O intuito é avaliar a situação atual da atividade turística, com a finalidade de conhecer quais as perspectivas referentes a este empreendimento, pela ótica dos visitantes e do gestor. Para tanto, foram realizadas revisão bibliográfica, utilizados dados obtidos de fontes secundárias e primárias e pesquisa in loco. Por intermédio da pesquisa foram identificados alguns potenciais turísticos, que podem ser caracterizados como naturais e gastronômicos. Por outro lado, resultados apontaram uma incorreta atuação dos pesquisados sobre a inter-relação existente entre a atividade turística e o meio ambiente. Como conclusão, observou-se a necessidade de realizar um plano de educação ambiental, para que se promova uma mudança na conduta turística vigente, o que poderá tornar esse espaço mais bem conservado como potencial turístico e seja possível aproveitá-lo de forma sustentável, garantindo benefício a todos os atores do processo. Para que essa proposta seja alcançada, foram elaboradas sugestões pertinentes à reversão das deficiências encontradas neste destino turístico.

Tourist potential in Robertinho Lake (RR, Brazil): indications for Environmental Education

ABSTRACT

This article aims to identify the sights of Robertinho Lake potential, located 50 kilometers from Boa Vista-RR, in rural area, which will be done through the application of tools to assess the tourism potential receiving locations. This space has been repeatedly used as leisure and tourism option for many people in the region. The aim is to assess the current situation of tourism, in order to know what are the prospects regarding this project, from the perspective of visitors and manager. To this end, we carried out a literature review used data obtained from secondary and primary sources and research on the spot. Through the research we identified some tourist potential, which can be characterized as natural and gastronomic. On the other hand, results showed an incorrect performance of those surveyed about the interrelationship between tourism and the environment. In conclusion, the need for an Environmental Education plan is observed, in order to promote a change in the current tourist conduct, which could make this best preserved space as tourist potential and it is possible to enjoy it in a sustainable way, ensuring benefit to all actors in the process. For this proposal is reached, suggestions were prepared relevant to the reversal of the deficiencies found in this tourist destination.

KEYWORDS: Leisure; Tourism; Destiny; Potential; Environmental Education.