bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Origin of unusual sintering phenomena in compacts of chloride-derived 3Y-TZP nanopowders
Authors: Sweeney Sean , Mayo Merrilea
Published: September 2014

After evaluating three alternative possibilities, the present study shows
that seemingly minor amounts (at least as low as 0.06 wt%) of chlorine
impurities are responsible for the poor sintering behavior observed in
chloride-derived 3 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia (3Y-TZP) nanopowders.
Models and quantitative estimates are used to explain the role of evolved HCl
and ZrCl4 gases in such anomalous behaviors as reduced sintered densities for
higher green densities, de-densification, improved sintering in nitrogen over
oxygen, and formation of a dense shell microstructure. Two solutions to
problematic residual chlorides are compared: 1) a thermal treatment composed
of an extended hold at 1000?C to allow HCl gas removal before the onset of
closed porosity, and 2) a chemical treatment performed by washing
bisque-fired samples at room temperature using a concentrated ammonium
hydroxide solution to remove chlorides. The thermal treatment was found to be
superior.
Microwave sintering of nano size powder β-TCP bioceramics
Authors: Mirhadi B.
Published: September 2014

A nano sized beta tricalcium phosphate (?-TCP) powder was conventional
sintered (CS) and microwave sintered (MW), in order to obtain dense ?-TCP
ceramics. In this work the effect of microwave sintering conditions on the
microstructure, phase composition and mechanical properties of materials
based on tricalcium phosphate (TCP) was investigated by SEM (scanning
electron microscopy)and XRD(X-ray diffraction) and then compared with
conventional sintered samples. Nano-size ?-TCP powders with average grain
size of 80 nm were prepared by the wet chemical precipitation method with
calcium nitrate and diammonium hydrogen phosphate as calcium and phosphorus
precursors, respectively. The precipitation process employed was also found
to be suitable for the production of submicrometre ?-TCP powder in situ. The
?-TCP samples microwave (MW) sintered for 15 min at 1100?C, with average
grain size of 3?m, showed better densification, higher density and certainly
higher hardness than samples conventionally sintered for 2 h at the same
temperature. By comparing sintered and MW sintered ?-TCP samples, it was
concluded that MW sintered ?-TCP samples have superior mechanical properties.
Mechanical properties and hardness results of the medium frequency induction sintered iron based powder metal bushings
Authors: Çavdar U. , Atik E. , Ataç A.
Published: September 2014

In this study; iron based powder metal (PM) bushing compacts were sintered
via medium frequency induction heating system. Iron based powders were mixed
with 2 wt.% copper (Cu), 0.3 wt.% carbon (C) and 1 wt.% zinc stearat (Zn-st)
via V-Type mixer. PM compacts were sintered by 2 different sintering
processes. One of them was conventional sintering method other was medium
frequency induction sintering method. In conventional sintering process, PM
bushing compacts were sintered under inert environmental at 1120?C for 30
minutes. In medium frequency induction sintering process, PM bushing
compacts were sintered between 30-50 kHz frequency (Medium frequency) at 2
kW, 1120?C for 1 or 3 minutes under atmospheric environmental. Mechanical
properties, densities and micro hardness? were investigated for all sintered
processes. SEM and micro structural images were taken from polished broken
surface of the sintered PM bushing compacts. 3 minutes induction sintered
compacts were reached the compressive strength, microhardness and density
values of the conventional sintered PM bushing compact.
Briquetting of Egyptian ilmenite ore with different organic binder and reduced its in hydrogen in temperature range 800-1200°C
Authors: Abd El-Gawad , El-Hussiny N.A. , Wassf M.A. , Khalifa M.G. , Iskander B.A. , Shalabi M.E.H.
Published: September 2014

Ilmenite ore fine was briquetted with different amounts of molasses or pitch
pressed under different pressure was studied in this investigation. The
results show at optimum amount of molasses added was 1.5 % and pitch, the
pressure was 294.3 M.Pa.. Also the characterizations of raw materials were
studied by different methods of analyses such as Xray and screen analyses.
The produced briquettes were reduced by different amounts of hydrogen at
different temperatures, and the reduction kinetics was determined.
An urban planning approach to the climatization of space using natural resources based on ceramic clay, zeolite and bentonite clay
Authors: Stojiljkovic S. , Savic I. , Savic I. , Mitkovic P. , Vasic Lj. , Marinkovic A.
Published: September 2014

An advantage of this approach is that tiles made of heterogeneous natural
materials can be built into urban objects of different architecture and
energy profiles. Their right position in a room would enable natural
ventilation based on changes in the air composition that would reduce the
exchange of air with the environment, reduce heating costs during the winter
and provide cooling during the summer while at the same time maintaining
relatively similar air composition. The research showed that sand and ceramic
clay enable quicker drying of the sample in comparison to bentonite clay,
polyphosphate and a plasticizer enable.
Effect of Intensive Diabetes Therapy on the Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: 18 Years of Follow-up in the DCCT/EDIC
Authors:   The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) Research Group
Published: September 2014

The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) demonstrated that a mean of 6.5 years of intensive therapy aimed at near-normal glucose levels reduced the risk of development and progression of retinopathy by as much as 76% compared with conventional therapy. The Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study (EDIC) observational follow-up showed that the risk of further progression of retinopathy 4 years after the DCCT ended was also greatly reduced in the former intensive group, despite nearly equivalent levels of HbA1c, a phenomenon termed metabolic memory. Metabolic memory was shown to persist through 10 years of follow-up. We now describe the risk of further progression of retinopathy, progression to proliferative diabetic retinopathy, clinically significant macular edema, and the need for intervention (photocoagulation or anti-VEGF) over 18 years of follow-up in EDIC. The cumulative incidence of each retinal outcome continues to be lower in the former intensive group. However, the year-to-year incidence of these outcomes is now similar, owing in large part to a reduction in risk in the former conventional treatment group.
Rationale and Design of the Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes (D2d) Study: A Diabetes Prevention Trial
Authors: Pittas Anastassios G. , Dawson-Hughes Bess , Sheehan Patricia R. , Rosen Clifford J. , Ware James H. , Knowler William C. , Staten Myrlene A. ,   the D2d Research Group
Published: September 2014

OBJECTIVE

Observational studies suggest that vitamin D may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, data from long-term trials are lacking. The Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes (D2d) study is a randomized clinical trial designed to examine whether a causal relationship exists between vitamin D supplementation and the development of diabetes in people at high risk for type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

D2d was designed with support from a U34 planning grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The final protocol was approved by the D2d Research Group, the data and safety monitoring board, and NIDDK. Key eligibility criteria are age ≥30 years, BMI of 24 (22.5 for Asian Americans) to 42 kg/m2, increased risk for diabetes (defined as meeting two of three glycemic criteria for prediabetes established by the American Diabetes Association [fasting glucose 100–125 mg/dL (5.5–6.9 mmol/L), 2-h postload glucose after 75-g glucose load 140–199 mg/dL (7.7–11.0 mmol/L), hemoglobin A1c 5.7–6.4% (39–46 mmol/mol)]), and no hyperparathyroidism, nephrolithiasis, or hypercalcemia. D2d participants are randomized to once-daily vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol 4,000 IU) or placebo and followed for an average of 3 years. The primary end point is time to incident diabetes as assessed by laboratory criteria during the study or by adjudication if diagnosed outside of D2d. Recruitment was initiated at the end of 2013.

CONCLUSIONS

D2d will test whether vitamin D supplementation is safe and effective at lowering the risk of progression to diabetes in people at high risk for type 2 diabetes.
Does Knowing One’s Elevated Glycemic Status Make a Difference in Macronutrient Intake?
Authors: Bardenheier Barbara H. , Cogswell Mary E. , Gregg Edward W. , Williams Desmond E. , Zhang Zefeng , Geiss Linda S.
Published: September 2014

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether macronutrient intake differs by awareness of glycemic status among people with diabetes and prediabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We used 24-h dietary recall and other data from 3,725 nonpregnant adults with diabetes or prediabetes aged ≥20 years from the morning fasting sample of the 2005–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Diabetes and prediabetes awareness were self-reported; those unaware of diabetes and prediabetes were defined by fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥126 mg/dL or HbA1c ≥6.5% and FPG 100–125 mg/dL or HbA1c of 5.7%–6.4%, respectively. Components of nutrient intake on a given day assessed were total calories, sugar, carbohydrates, fiber, protein, fat, and total cholesterol, stratified by sex and glycemic status awareness. Estimates of nutrient intake were adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, education level, BMI, smoking status, and family history of diabetes.

RESULTS

Men with diagnosed diabetes consumed less sugar (mean 86.8 vs. 116.8 g) and carbohydrates (mean 235.0 vs. 262.1 g) and more protein (mean 92.3 vs. 89.7 g) than men with undiagnosed diabetes. Similarly, women with diagnosed diabetes consumed less sugar (mean 79.1 vs. 95.7 g) and more protein (mean 67.4 vs. 56.6 g) than women with undiagnosed diabetes. No significant differences in macronutrient intake were found by awareness of prediabetes. All participants, regardless of sex or glycemic status, consumed on average less than the American Diabetes Association recommendations for fiber intake (i.e., 14 g/1,000 kcal) and slightly more saturated fat than recommended (>10% of total kcal).

CONCLUSIONS

Screening and subsequent knowledge of glycemic status may favorably affect some dietary patterns for people with diabetes.
What is the role of cyclic di-GMP signaling within the human gut microbiome?
Authors: Rudlaff Rachel M. , Waters Christopher M.
Published: September 2014

There is currently little understanding of the role of the bacterial second messenger cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) in the human gut microbiome. C-di-GMP is synthesized by highly conserved diguanylate cyclase (DGC) enzymes and degraded by highly conserved phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes. To begin to assess the prevalence of c-di-GMP signaling in the gut microbiome, we found on average 1.0 DGC and 0.8 PDE enzymes per million base pairs of metagenomic DNA derived from stool samples. Specific species encoding substantial numbers of GGDEF and EAL domains were the commensal species
Managing Customer Participation and Customer Interactions in Service Delivery: the Case of Museums and Educational Services
Authors: Amorim Marlene , Rosa Maria João , Santos Sandra
Published: September 2014

Background and Purpose – In this study we investigate determinants of customers’ quality perceptions in service processes which involve customer participation and customer to customer interaction (CCI). Building on existing multidimensional approaches to service quality we explore relevant quality aspects for related to the performance customer participation and CCI.

Design/Methodology/Approach – The study builds on focus groups conduct with employees and customers of a leading provider of educational and science services, which offered a portfolio of service activities requiring very diverse levels of customer participation and CCI, to characterize service quality dimensions.

Results – The study distinguishes three dimensions of service delivery quality: a dimension related to the providers’ direct performance; a second dimension relative to the performance of customers’ own participation in service activities, and a third dimension relative to the interaction with other customers. The work extends service quality literature by identifying new dimensions which affect service quality in service settings with active customer involvement.

Conclusion – Service providers have been developing very diverse delivery processes, frequently inviting customers to have active roles in service production. Often, customers also interact with other costumers in service delivery. The paper provides a contribution to foster the debate about service quality frameworks, and aims to inform the design and the management of services where customer participation and CCI have a key role.
The Concept of Communities of Practice on the Example of IT Sector
Authors: Sztangret Izabela
Published: September 2014

Background: A growing interest in the concept of communities of practice (CoP) has been recently observed in several academic fields. They include organizational studies (the topics of knowledge management and organizational learning in particular) and education. However, the notion is used in various contexts. It is sometimes perceived as a social construct, but at some other times as a virtual community or informal group sponsored by an organization for the purpose of making it easier to share knowledge or learn.

Objectives: The main aims of the paper are: 1) to identify the main characteristics of the CoP in IT sector, 2) to identify and describe the knowledge management tools used by CoP, 3) and to identify and analyse customer knowledge of CoP.

Method: The research assumed an exploratory character. The case study and survey methods with application of structured questionnaire were used.

Results: The CoP is little effective form of stimulating business processes and market, despite application of a broad range of activities undertaken for the purpose of creation of the so-called knowledge communities by the entities of IT sector and internet activity declared by respondents.

Conclusion: Poor knowledge of CoP as well as the awareness of participation in its structures among the recipients, who are additionally active users of new technologies including mostly the Internet, may also be caused by the lack of experience in the sphere of studied knowledge-based relationships or priority character of ventures of directly measurable business results. Determinants of CoP creation and directions of its development may constitute an interesting area for further studies.
Long-Distance Work and Leisure Travel Frequencies
Authors: LaMondia Jeffrey J. , Aultman-Hall Lisa , Greene Elizabeth
Published: September 2014

The objective of this research was to isolate the factors influencing non–distance-based definitions of long-distance travel to help long-distance survey makers know which demographic factors they should query about in their surveys. Instead of the use of a distance-based threshold to define long-distance travel, this study included variations in purpose (e.g., work travel or leisure or personal travel), durations (e.g., overnight trips), modes (e.g., intercity rail or bus), and destinations (e.g., inter national travel) to consider which demographic, employment, commute, household, and geographic factors affected the frequency of longdistance travel. The data were from self-reported retrospective surveys collected from approximately 1,200 participants. Results from ordered probit analysis revealed that education and income generally increased most types of long-distance travel, whereas having a spouse or children decreased some types of long-distance travel. In general, limited factors had the same impact on the work and non–work travel and modes used. Factors also varied by trip type. Commute and employment factors were valuable even for non–work trip frequency estimation. The findings suggest that future data collection for long-distance travel can be tailored to address the specific definition being studied.
Analysis of Car Usage Time Frontiers Incorporating Both Inter- and Intraindividual Variation with GPS Data
Authors: Li Dawei , Miwa Tomio , Morikawa Takayuki
Published: September 2014

This paper incorporates both interindividual variation and intra-individual variation into the modeling of car usage time frontiers (CUTFs). A CUTF is defined as the unobserved maximum amount of time that an individual private car user is willing to spend driving and is derived from the concept of a travel time budget. Long-term GPS data collected from private cars in Toyota, Japan, were used. To deal with the panel data, a stochastic frontier model with random parameters was applied as the modeling methodology. The fit of the data for the estimation results demonstrated that models with random coefficients were preferable. Drivers’ CUTFs on workdays were significantly affected by the departure time of the first trip, temperature, home location, gender, age, and occupation. All those explanatory variables except temperature also significantly affected CUTFs on holidays. When the intraindividual variations were ignored, only a few explanatory variables had a significant effect on CUTFs. Predictions made with the estimated parameters showed that the expected CUTFs were about double the corresponding actual times of car usage (expenditures). Therefore, CUTFs are underestimated when intraindividual variations are ignored.
Joint Model of Weekend Discretionary Activity Participation and Episode Duration
Authors: Born Kathryn , Yasmin Shamsunnahar , You Daehyun , Eluru Naveen , Bhat Chandra R. , Pendyala Ram M.
Published: September 2014

Research on travel demand modeling has primarily focused on weekday activity–travel patterns. However, weekend activities and travel constitute a major component of individuals’ overall weekly activity–travel participation. This paper describes a modeling effort that focuses on weekend activity–travel demand for discretionary events. This study bridges the gap in the literature by modeling participation in discretionary types of events, the duration of participation, and accompaniment type jointly in a simultaneous equations model system. A joint discrete–continuous modeling framework is formulated for analysis of these dimensions as a choice bundle. Specifically, the combination of event type and accompaniment type constitutes the discrete component, whereas the duration of participation constitutes the continuous component. The model uses a copula-based sample selection approach that ties the discrete choice error component with the duration error component in a flexible manner. The data used in the paper are drawn from the 2008–2009 National Household Travel Survey sample of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area in Arizona. The results from the estimation process highlight the presence of sample selection in the joint modeling context. Furthermore, the results also highlight the flexibility of copula models in capturing such sample selection. The best copula model results are used to generate hazard profiles for various alternative related duration intervals. The generated profiles highlight the inaccurate predictions obtained by the use of approaches that ignore the presence of sample selection.
Life Events and Travel Behavior
Authors: Clark Ben , Chatterjee Kiron , Melia Steve , Knies Gundi , Laurie Heather
Published: September 2014

Recent research has indicated that changes in travel behavior are more likely at the time of major life events. However, much remains to be learned about the extent to which different life events trigger behavioral change and the conditions under which life events are more likely to trigger change. The UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) offers a previously unavailable opportunity to investigate this topic for a large, representative sample of the UK population. UKHLS data were also linked to local spatial data drawn from the census and other sources to elucidate the effect of the spatial context on changes to travel behavior in association with life events. Findings from an exploratory analysis of data from UKHLS Waves 1 and 2 are presented first. Transition tables demonstrate a strong association between changes in car ownership and commute mode and the following life events: employment changes, residential relocation, retirement, the birth of children, and changes in household structure. The results of logit models that relate the probability of an increase and a decrease in the number of cars owned to the occurrence of life events and that control for individual and household characteristics and spatial context are then shown. These models show, for example, that moves to urban and rural areas have contrasting effects on travel behavior and that having a new child in itself is not a significant influence on car ownership in the short term.
How Drivers Adapt to Traffic Accidents and Dynamic Travel Information
Authors: Jiang Ying , Zhang Junyi
Published: September 2014

This study investigated how drivers adapted their behavior to traffic congestion caused by accidents on expressways with the help of dynamic travel information. A large-scale stated preference (SP) survey of 2,500 expressway users in western Japan was conducted in 2012. The SP survey was designed on the basis of information on the trip-making experience and preference for travel information for each respondent captured in a revealed preference survey. The targeted context-dependent real-time travel information included information on accident conditions and the impact of the accident, the amount of time predicted to be needed to clear the congestion presented as a single time point and a time interval, and the alternative travel modes available, for three scenarios based on one of the following decision-making times: before departure, on the way to the expressway, and on the expressway. Analyses based on nested logit models found that the predicted clearance time given as a time interval (rather than a specific time point) influenced adaptation behavior considerably more than did the other information and that the influence became greater as the time of the availability of the information moved from before departure to on the way to the expressway and on the expressway. Other factors common across the three decision-making scenarios were distance to the accident site, information that the accident did not involve fatalities, queue length, information that no traffic regulation was in place, the accuracy of the clearance time, and a trend for a decrease in the queue length. The influences of information on fatalities in the accident, clearance time, trip purpose, and clearance time interval were significantly different across the three decision-making scenarios (i.e., they were context dependent).
Travel to Common Destinations
Authors: Dill Jennifer , Broach Joseph
Published: September 2014

Decisions involving common travel patterns over time, such as traveling to and from the same destination multiple times per week or month, are likely different from decisions involving unique circumstances. Understanding of travel decisions involving common destinations could help with the development of programs, services, and infrastructure aimed at changing travel behavior. This paper explores how common travel destinations can be defined through the use of stated and revealed data (a 5-day GPS trip log). Revealed common destinations were identified through hierarchical agglomerative clustering. A 200-m maximum threshold for defining clusters was found to be appropriate in this context. Three ways of defining “common” were explored through the use of the revealed GPS data on the basis of the number of trips that ended at the cluster or the number of days that trips ended at the cluster. The analysis of travel to and from the revealed common destinations identified some potential for variability that depended on the definition. Common destinations defined by stated data (participant survey data collected before the GPS data were collected) were linked to 46% of all nonhome trip ends. The availability of these stated common destinations will reduce the need to collect information on trip purpose through the use of follow-up surveys or through the imputation of trip purpose with land use data when GPS travel surveys are processed. The analysis also provided insight into the usefulness of multiday data, thus confirming other research.
Modeling Mobility Tool Ownership of Youth in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Fatmi Mahmudur Rahman , Habib Muhammad Ahsanul , Salloum Stephanie A.
Published: September 2014

This paper presents the findings of the modeling of mobility tool ownership of the youth population in the greater Toronto and Hamilton area (GTHA) in Ontario, Canada. Research on mobility tool ownership is limited. The key contribution of the research is to enhance the understanding of how neighborhood characteristics and accessibility affect mobility tool ownership among GTHA youth. The study exclusively considered youth between the ages of 17 and 19 years; at this age the subjects passed through a transitional stage in the GTHA because of opportunities for ownership of types of mobility tools. This study used data from the 2006 Transportation Tomorrow Survey, a household-based travel survey of the GTHA. The study used a latent class choice modeling approach to account for unobserved heterogeneity, which was often ignored in traditional choice modeling. The results suggest that the latent class logit model outperforms the conventional multinomial logit model according to model fit and its ability to evaluate various parameters across latent classes. Several sociodemographic characteristics, trip attributes, accessibility measures, and neighborhood characteristics were found to explain different types of mobility tool ownership of the youth population. Finally, the results revealed that latent heterogeneity existed in the sampled population. The research offers important behavioral insights into the formation of travel habits of youth that could be useful in shaping the travel behavior of Toronto's young adults.
Choice, Frequency, and Engagement
Authors: Asgari Hamidreza , Jin Xia , Mohseni Ali
Published: September 2014

This paper presents a multistage approach to the examination of telecommuting behavior to establish a better framework for prediction of the likelihood and frequency of telecommuting. The approach took into account three main aspects of telecommuting behavior: (a) telecommuting choice, which considered whether the respondents telecommuted on a regular basis; (b) telecommuting frequency, which measured the intensity of telecommuting on the basis of the number of hours that respondents telecommuted weekly; and (c) telecommuting engagement, which focused on individuals’ daily behavior. The hypothesis was that decisions on telecommuting frequency were made as part of the household mobility arrangement beyond the daily choice framework and that once the frequency was known, the choice to engage in telecommuting could be estimated with greater accuracy. A general framework was developed to reflect the various telecommuting arrangements. Cluster analysis was applied to the data to identify proper frequency categories. Probit models were developed to estimate individuals’ choices at the three stages. The model also considered the actual behavior of nonregular telecommuters on a random day. This paper contributes to the literature by not only providing a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to telecommuting choices at various stages but also exploring the relationships between telecommuting frequency as a lifestyle arrangement and engagement in telecommuting as a short-term daily choice.
Optimal Dredge Fleet Scheduling within Environmental Work Windows
Authors: Nachtmann Heather , Mitchell Kenneth N. , Rainwater Chase E. , Gedik Ridvan , Pohl Edward A.
Published: September 2014

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oversees dredging in hundreds of navigation projects annually, through its fleet of government equipment and through individual contracts with private industry. The research presented here sought to examine the decision to allocate dredge resources to projects systemwide under necessary constraints. These constraints included environmental restrictions on when dredging could take place in response to the migration patterns of turtles, birds, fish, and other wildlife; dredge equipment resource availability; and varying equipment productivity rates that affected project completion times. The paper discusses problem definition and model formulation of optimal dredge fleet scheduling within environmental work windows. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to provide decision makers with quantitative insights into dredging program efficiency gains that could be realized systemwide if environmental restrictions were relaxed. Opportunities exist to provide decision makers with quantitative insights into how efficiencies might be obtained if targeted research were to show that particular restricted periods could be relaxed without adverse consequences to sensitive and endangered species.
Waterway Performance Monitoring with Automatic Identification System Data
Authors: Mitchell Kenneth N. , Scully Brandan
Published: September 2014

Fiscal constraints at the federal level drive the need for more robust and objective performance evaluation methodologies for use by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as it carries out its civil works mission in support of the nation's water resources infrastructure. One specific area of need concerns functional performance evaluation of dredged navigation channels at the local level as well as performance evaluation of systems of navigation projects. The nationwide automatic identification system (NAIS) for vessels that operate in coastal waters was instituted after the terrorist attacks of September 2001 and is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. The system constitutes an enabling technology to provide the data required for quantitative performance assessments of corps-maintained navigation infrastructure. In this paper, several applications are presented of archival NAIS data toward waterway performance evaluation. An assessment and comparison also are presented of several deep-draft coastal ports with respect to the sensitivity of vessel transit timing to tidal elevations. The NAIS data archive is applied toward a point-to-point transit time monitoring strategy at the local and regional levels. The corps confronts an uncertain fiscal outlook and constrained budgets for annual operations and maintenance activities. These metrics, as well as other potential applications of archival NAIS data, can play a valuable role in the provision of objective, quantitative assessments of waterway performance.
Analysis with Automatic Identification System Data of Vessel Traffic Characteristics in the Singapore Strait
Authors: Meng Qiang , Weng Jinxian , Li Suyi
Published: September 2014

The study reported in this paper aimed to analyze vessel traffic characteristics in the Singapore Strait. Real-time vessel automatic identification system (AIS) data, with about 4 million records, were collected from Lloyd's Marine Intelligence Unit database for analysis. The results showed that containerships made up the largest proportion (36.36%) of vessel traffic in the Singapore Strait, while roll-on-roll-off and passenger ships made up only a small percentage (4.77%). The analysis of the vessel characteristics suggested that special attention should be paid to tankers, bulk carriers, and ships that transport liquefied natural gas and petroleum gas, because of their bigger gross tonnage and draught. It was also found that vessels in traffic headed eastbound usually sailed at slightly higher speeds than those in the westbound traffic. The spatial distribution of vessel traffic flow indicated that the area between longitudes 103°48'E and 104°05'E had a larger traffic flow, with the highest traffic density. The ship density of the westbound traffic was higher than it was for the eastbound traffic. The AIS data collected between longitudes 104°10'E and 104°35'E were incomplete so that the corresponding traffic flow was underestimated. The advantages and limitations of AIS data were considered in detail in this study.
A peripheral area of historical monument protection – the community approach to heritage protection in contemporary Spanish architecture
Authors: Vukoszávlyev Zorán
Published: September 2014

In the first decade of the millennium, the need for the reconsideration of the concept of value has intensified. The intention that had already been expressed in the value approach of modern architecture required the defining of the relationship to historicity in the approach of the architectural and art theorists at the beginning of the 20th century. [13] This imagined the relationship of old and new through a heritage that can be excavated from the deep layers of culture and denied the continuity in respect of the form. The major social and political changes occurring in the 20th century virtually forced the definition of the concept of “value”. Carthas closely related to the fields of monument protection ascertained the paraphrase of definitions and the basic requirements of an ethic-expectable creative behaviour. The heroic age of monument protection – being the 50s-70s both in international and domestic aspects – was followed by some decades when civil initiatives, developed and strengthened along the approach of the protection of cultural heritage, represented a broader social need. However, for the clarification of the concept of value, even today, there are only experiments – especially regarding monument protection that goes through an organizational transformation. Now, instead of individual historic value, heritage can be mentioned in a wider context; with official communications also emphasising the socially broader community value protection instead of authority protection.
Antimicrobial Sensitivity Pattern of Helicobacter pylori Isolates among Subgroup of Bangladeshi Patients
Authors: Islam MMSU , Nahar Shamsun , Sarker Mst Naznin , Salimullah ASM , Rahman Mohammad Asadur , Ahmed Dewan Saifuddin , Hasan Mohammad Quamrul , Raihan ASMA , Bhuiyan Mujibur Rahman , Sarker Shafiqul Alam
Published: September 2014

This cross sectional study was carried out at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) from July 2008 to September 2009. Aim of the study was to find out the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Helicobacter pylori isolates from dyspeptic patients. Total 224 dyspeptic patients from Out Patient Department (OPD) of BSMMU were initially enrolled after informed written consent. After upper GI endoscopy 157 patients were finally included who had erosions, ulcers or atrophic changes in the stomach or duodenum. Two biopsy samples were taken from each of them. Samples were incubated at 37°C in a double gas incubator with 5%O2, 10%CO2 and 85%N2. Total 82 (52.23%) samples were found positive for H. pylori. Isolated organisms were then tested for sensitivity to Amoxicillin, Clarithromycin, Tetracycline, Levofloxacin and Metronidazole by Agar dilution method. Among 82 patients 51(62.2%) were male and 31(37.8) were female with a male:female ratio 1.6:1. Patients were categorized into two groups one having gastric or duodenal ulcer (30.5%) and other having no ulcer (69.5%). Among these isolates 92.7% were sensitive to Amoxicillin, 89% to Clarithromycin, 81.7% to Tetracycline, 80.5% to Levofloxacin and only 26.8% to Metronidazole. Beside these, 81.7% isolates were sensitive to both Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin, 74.4% to Amoxicillin and Tetracycline, 73.2% to Amoxicillin and Levofloxacin, 72% to Clarithromycin and Tetracycline, 59% to Clarithromycin and Levofloxacin and 51% to Tetracycline and Levofloxacin DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v8i2.20280 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2013;8(2): 49-52
Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy: A Case Control Comparative Study with Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
Authors: Zesmin Fahmida , Ara Begum Hosne , Begum Fatema , Fatima Nusrat
Published: September 2014

This case control study was conducted in the department of Gynae & Obstetrics, Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital (SSMC & MH), Dhaka, during the period of January 2008 to December 2008 to compare the length of operation, blood loss, length of hospital stay, drug requirements for pain and post-operative pain and activity levels between Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH) & Total Abdominal Hysterectomy (TAH). A total of 50 patients who met some eligibility criteria were consecutively included in the study and matched in a case control manner for age, weight, diagnosis & uterine size. The procedures were performed by the same surgeon. On average, LAVH operations took significantly longer than TAH operations (P<0.001). Equal number of patients of both groups (40%) needed blood transfusion. No significant difference about haemoglobin level compared to TAH group on 3rd POD (P=0.246). However total amount of analgesics needed was much higher in the TAH group than that of the LAVH group (243.7 ± 40.3VS 182.1 ± 69.6 mg; P= 0.005) and the total cost of operation was significantly less in the TAH group (4500 ± 500 takas) than in the LAVH group (6500 ± 500 taka) (P<0.001). It was observed that LAVH group produced earlier relief from pain in terms of pain VAS on 3rd POD, (P<0.001). LAVH is less painful, has a shorter length of hospital stay and quicker return to work than TAH. Moreover LAVH does not increase intra or postoperative complications. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v8i2.20370 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2013;8(2): 59-62
Primary Repair of Traumatic Gut Injury Without Diversion in Casualty Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital
Authors: Matubber Md Mahiuddin , Billah Syed Muhammad Baqui , Huq ASM Nazmul , Ahmed Akhter , Saha Ratan Kumar , Hossain SM Amjad
Published: September 2014

Colon is one of the most commonly injured viscera followed by small gut and liver in abdomen for which management becomes complicated had the type and severity of injury not been assessed properly. With improved facilities in patient care and proper use of antibiotics the inclination is directed towards primary repair of colon without diversion. This study was aimed to assess the efficacy of primary repair in a tertiary hospital. A number of 50 patients of traumatic gut injury from 15-50 years (31.18 ± 9.38 years) mainly presenting with RTA with blunt trauma abdomen (54.0%) and different types of stab injury (40.0%) were managed with primary repair in the department of casualty in Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka between the period of January to June 2009. On admission more than half (52.0%) had hypotension, 70.0% distended abdomen, 84.0% tender abdomen, 58.0% presented with abdominal rigidity while 80% of them had perforation of the small and 20% had the same in large gut. After primary repair, only 6% developed chest infection and 4% developed wound infection. The findings suggest that primary repair without diversion in the treatment of traumatic gut injury can be performed among patients admitted in our hospitals. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v8i2.20390 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2013;8(2): 77-79
Cornual Pregnancy: A Case Report
Authors: Alam Irin Parveen
Published: September 2014

Ectopic pregnancy is a condition where gestation sac is located outside the uterine cavity; it is a major life threatening situation in early pregnancy. A cornual pregnancy is an ectopic pregnancy that develops in the interstitial portion of the fallopian tube invading through the uterine wall. As myometrium is more distensible fallopian tube cornual pregnancies often rupture later than other tubal pregnancies. Cornual pregnancy is rare and carries grave consequences to both mother and fetus. Here a case report has been presented where the patient was admitted in Faridpur Medical College Hospital. The case was presented with intra-abdominal haemorrhage at second trimester. In this cases investigation missed the diagnosis, final diagnosis was only made after laparotomy. The need for clinical suspicion and role of ultrasonography, resuscitation and laparotomy is necessary to prevent catastrophe. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v8i2.20397 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2013;8(2): 102-104
Transplanted Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Progenitor Cells Do Not Promote Functional Recovery of Pharmacologically Immunosuppressed Mice with Contusion Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Pomeshchik Yuriy , Puttonen Katja A. , Kidin Iurii , Ruponen Marika , Lehtonen Sarka , Malm Tarja , Åkesson Elisabet , Hovatta Outi , Koistinaho Jari
Published: September 2014

Improved functional recovery after spinal cord injury by transplantation of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem/progenitor cells (iPSC-NPCs) has been reported. However, beneficial effects of iPSC-based therapy have so far been produced mostly using genetically immunodeficient rodents. Because of the long time required for generation and characterization of iPSCs, the use of autologous iPSCs for treating patients with acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is not feasible. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to investigate the effect of iPSC-based therapy on functional recovery after SCI using pharmacologically immunosuppressed, immunocompetent animal models. Here we studied the functional outcome following subacute transplantation of human iPSC-derived NPCs into contused mouse spinal cord when tacrolimus was used as an immunosuppressive agent. We show that human iPSC-derived NPCs transplanted into pharmacologically immunosuppressed C57BL/6J mice exhibited poor long-term survival and failed to improve functional recovery after SCI as measured by Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) for locomotion and CatWalk gait analysis when compared to vehicle-treated animals. The scarce effect of iPSC-based therapy observed in the current study may be attributable to insufficient immunosuppressive effect, provided by monotherapy with tacrolimus in combination with immunogenicity of transplanted cells and complex microenvironment of the injured spinal cord. Our results highlight the importance of extensive preclinical studies of transplanted cells before the clinical application of iPSC-based cell therapy is achieved.
Male sleeping aggregation of multiple Eucerini bee genera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Mahlmann Thiago , Hipólito Juliana , de Oliveira Favízia
Published: September 2014

Males of some groups of bees have to find a place outside the nests to sleep, sometimes forming “male sleeping aggregations”. Here we report the first record of “dense” male sleeping aggregation of two different genera of Eucerini bees observed in Bahia, Brazil. We discuss the possible aim of this kind of aggregation as well the plant utilized on aggregate.
Refractive Versus Diffractive Multifocal Intraocular Lenses in Cataract Surgery: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Xu Xian , Zhu Ming-Ming , Zou Hai-Dong
Published: September 2014

PURPOSE:

To compare the effectiveness of refractive multifocal intraocular lenses (MIOLs [refractive MIOL group]) versus diffractive MIOLs (diffractive MIOL group) in bilateral cataract surgery.

METHODS:

Data sources, including PubMed, Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, were used to identify potentially relevant randomized controlled trials. Eight qualified studies incorporating 1,242 eyes of 621 patients were analyzed using Rev-Manager version 5.2 software (The Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, England). The primary measures included uncorrected distance, intermediate, and near visual acuity. Reading ability, spectacle independence, and occurrence of photic phenomena were also addressed.

RESULTS:

The refractive MIOL group exhibited better uncorrected distance visual acuity than the diffractive MIOL group (weighted mean difference [WMD] = −0.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.06 to −0.02,
P
< .01). However, the diffractive MIOL group performed better than the refractive MIOL group in uncorrected near visual acuity, reading acuity, reading speed, smallest print size, spectacle independence, halo, and glare rate (WMD = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.17,
P
< .01; WMD = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.19,
P
< .01; WMD = −24.14, 95% CI: −43.56 to −4.72,
P
= .01; WMD = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.43 to 0.69,
P
< .01; WMD = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.45 to 0.70,
P
< .01; WMD = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.93,
P
= .002; WMD = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.75,
P
= .006, respectively). There was no significant difference between the two groups in uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (WMD = −0.04, 95% CI: −0.09 to 0.00,
P
= .05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Refractive MIOLs can provide better distance vision, whereas diffractive MIOLs provide better near vision, reading ability, and equivalent intermediate vision, reduce unwanted photic phenomena, and allow greater spectacle independence.

[
J Refract Surg.
2014;30(9):634–644.]
Electronic Cigarettes: Health Risks and Workplace Policy
Authors: Phillips Jennan A.
Published: September 2014

Electronic cigarettes are advertised as “harmless” replacements for tobacco use. Reports of adverse public health outcomes suggest regulatory restrictions over electronic cigarette manufacturing, marketing, and use are needed along with research to determine their health effects.
Composición isotópica (δ¹⁸ O y δD) de espeleotemas silíceos en las cuevas volcánicas de Algar do Carvão y Branca Opala (Isla Terceira, Azores, Portugal)
Authors: Daza D. , Bustillo M. A. , Recio C. , Carvalho M. R. , Nunes J. C.
Published: September 2014

Las cuevas de Algar do Carvão (una sima volcánica de génesis compleja) y Branca Opala (un tubo volcánico) se diferencian de otras cuevas de la isla de Terceira por tener espeleotemas formados sólo por ópalo. Esta composición, y el hecho de ser cuevas volcánicas, hacen pensar que el origen de la sílice pueda estar ligado a la actividad hidrotermal. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la composición isotópica en δ¹⁸OSMOW, y en δDSMOW de los espeleotemas de sílice, para determinar su impronta geoquímica y las condiciones de formación.
Las muestras estudiadas de la sima de Algar do Carvão son estalactitas y revestimientos de paredes, que se han formado en ambiente subaéreo, mientras que, las estudiadas en el tubo volcánico de Branca Opala, han sido definidas como estromatolitos silíceos subacuáticos.
Los datos de δD de los espeleotemas de ambas cuevas son relativamente parecidos (−102,0 ± 10,5‰ en Branca Opala y −103,7 ± 11,1‰ en Algar do Carvão) y se puede asumir que los fluidos involucrados en su formación puedan ser similares. Por otra parte, los datos del δ¹⁸OSMOW revelan que los espeleotemas de Algar do Carvão presentan valores relativamente más altos (δ¹⁸OSMOW 39,4 ± 0,3‰) que los estromatolitos opalinos de Branca Opala (δ¹⁸OSMOW 35,2 ± 0,8‰). La diagénesis que sufre el ópalo A puede explicar, en parte, las diferencias observadas, pero, otros factores genéticos también están influyendo, como pueda ser el hecho de que las estalactitas de Algar do Carvão se formaran en condiciones subaéreas, con la influencia de la evaporación, mientras que los espeleotemas de Branca Opala fueran subacuáticos, o bien, que las aguas de precipitación de los espeleotemas de Branca Opala fueran hasta 10,7 °C más calientes que las de Algar do Carvão.