bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of DOM and Removal of DBPs Precursors across O3-BAC Integrated Treatment for the Micro-Polluted Raw Water of the Huangpu River
Authors: Wu Yifeng , Zhu Guangcan , Lu Xiwu
Published: September 2013

The aim of this study is to determine the impact upon dissolved organic matter (DOM) and removal of disinfection by-product (DBP) precursors of adding an ozone-biological activated carbon (O3-BAC) process after the conventional treatment process (CTP) using water from the Huangpu River in Shanghai, east China. Several metrics, including size fractionation, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP), were employed to accomplish this goal. In the raw water collected from the Huangpu River, the low molecular weight (MW) molecules (MW <3 kDa) were absolutely dominant in DOM, accounting for more than 55% of total DOC, and the DOM resulted in a high THMFP level of 472.91 ± 4.63 µg/L after an excessive chlorination. The CTP reduced high MW molecules (MW >10 kDa) by 61% and the low MW molecules (MW <3 kDa) by only 8%. The O3-BAC presented an accumulated DOC removal efficiency of approximately 50%, in particular, showing a high degree of the removal effectiveness of low MW molecules. Samplings from the CTP, ozone and BAC were subjected to excessive chlorination to determine the THMFP, and the measured concentrations were 211.89 ± 4.58 µg/L, 169.52 ± 4.55 µg/L, and 124.42 ± 4.27 µg/L, respectively. Therefore, coupled with the THMFP removal rate of 74%, the addition of the O3-BAC process after an existing CTP improved the water quality of the effluent, particularly, in terms of the improved reduction in the precursors of DBPs.
Neural Stem/Progenitor Cell Transplantation for Cortical Visual Impairment in Neonatal Brain Injured Patients
Authors: Luan Zuo , Qu Suqing , Du Kan , Liu Weipeng , Yang Yinxiang , Wang Zhaoyan , Cui Ying , Du Qingan
Published: September 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of neural stem/progenitor cell (NS/PC) transplantation to treat severe cortical visual impairment (CVI), a sequela of neonatal brain injury. Fifty-two patients with cerebral injury and CVI were randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group ( n = 25, with the median age of 18 months) and the control group ( n = 27, with the median age of 19.5 months). The treatment group received intracerebroventricular transplantation of human NS/PCs and rehabilitation training. The control group received rehabilitation only. The visual function was assessed by Holt's method at various time points after transplantation. One in five patients with fundus abnormalities accompanied by blindness regained light perception. The visual functions of 75% of the patients with normal fundus were improved by one level or more in a 2-year follow-up. The median efficacy appeared 60 days posttransplantation. The total effective rate of cell transplantation on visual improvement was 64% (16 patients of 25), among which one blind patient regained light perception, five (31.2%) CVI patients improved by one level, and 10 (62.5%) improved by more than one level. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a subpopulation of patients showed enhanced signals in the occipital lobe, visual pathway, and apical lobe after transplantation. In the control group, four patients with fundus abnormalities showed no improvement. Nine of 23 CVI patients with normal fundus improved visual function by more than one level. At the 2-year follow-up, no blind patients showed visual improvement. The total effective rate was 33.33% (9 of 27 patients). Among those showing visual improvement in the control group, six patients (66.67%) improved by one level, and three (33.33%) by more than one level. The median efficacy occurred in 365 days. Human NS/PC transplantation is effective to treat patients with severe CVI after neonatal brain injury. Compared with the traditional rehabilitation training, cell transplantation showed not only earlier visual improvement but also higher improvement rates and degrees. This article is published as part of the International Association of Neurorestoratology (IANR) supplement issue of Cell Transplantation.
Design of Formal Languages and Interfaces
Authors: Spichkova Maria
Published: September 2013

This chapter provides an introduction to a work that aims to apply the achievements of engineering psychology to the area of formal methods, focusing on the specification phase of a system development process. Formal methods often assume that only two factors should be satisfied: the method must be sound and give such a representation, which is concise and beautiful from the mathematical point of view, without taking into account any question of readability, usability, or tool support. This leads to the fact that formal methods are treated by most engineers as something that is theoretically important but practically too hard to understand and to use, where even some small changes of a formal method can make it more understandable and usable for an average engineer.
An open innovation and its role in global fish and seafood value chains: beyond the conventional wisdom
Authors: De Silva D A M , Bjondal Trond
Published: September 2013

Fish and seafood is one of the fastest growing segments in the food market. Value chain management aims at linking, assisting and guiding different actors along the value chain, such as fishermen (producers), processors and retailers up to the final consumer, to capture the best value at all stages of production, processing, marketing and consumption while at the same time observing a sustainable use of fishery resources. Open innovation depends on the external environment and bring ideas and solutions into the company. The current research aims at highlighting the relevance of open innovation for global fishery value chains, especially possibilities for value chain actors to participate in innovation processes and explore possible co-innovation avenues. The present study identifies potential open innovation avenues. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jas.v8i3.6093 The Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2013, vol.8, no3 p. 161-173
An exploration of the symbolic world of Proverbs 10:1–15:33 with specific reference to ‘the fear of the Lord’
Authors: Viljoen Anneke , Venter Pieter M.
Published: September 2013

Alternative approaches to text interpretation have introduced an opportunity to understand the biblical text afresh. One such an alternative approach is a Ricoeurian hermeneutic. Ricoeur’s understanding of the referential intention of poetic texts will be drawn on to explore its interpretive contribution to a reading of Proverbs 10:1–15:33 with specific reference to the phrase ‘the fear of the Lord’. It is suggested that the proposed reading strategy is a most productive effort.
Descriptions of diplostomid metacercariae (Digenea: Diplostomidae) from freshwater fishes in the Tshwane area
Authors: Moema Esmey B.E. , King Pieter H. , Rakgole Johnny N. , Baker Chantélle
Published: September 2013

The metacercarial (larval) stages of diplostomid digeneans are known to inhabit freshwater fish, causing tissue damage in the process. Due to their widespread diversity, little is known about their life cycle. The classification of these parasitic stages to the species level using only the morphology is very challenging due to the lack of genitalia; they are regarded to be the most important structures in the identification of these organisms. In this study, additional morphological information through light and scanning electron microscopy is given for two different diplostomids found in the cranial cavity of Clarias gariepinus and the vitreous chambers of Tilapia sparrmanii and Pseudocrenilabrus philander. The diplostomid metacercaria inhabiting the cranial cavity of Clarias gariepinus was morphologically identified as Diplostomulum (Tylodelphys) mashonenseand an unknown metacercaria of the genus Diplostomumwas found in the vitreous chambers of Pseudocrenilabrus philander and Tilapia sparrmanii. Both parasitic species’ 28S recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid genomic regions were successfully amplified using Dig 125/1500R primer pairs. The assay yielded a product of approximately 1300 base pairs as seen on the gel images. There were 14 nucleotide differences over the entire analysed sequences resulting in a 1.1% (14/1273) nucleotide difference. In line with the morphological characteristics of these parasites, there seemed to be a slight difference in their genetic makeup. The application of molecular techniques on digenetic trematodes seems very promising and may yield great potential in future descriptions of morphologically similar parasitic species.
AERONET-based microphysical and optical properties of smoke-dominated aerosol near source regions and transported over oceans, and implications for satellite retrievals of aerosol optical depth
Authors: Sayer A. M. , Hsu N. C. , Eck T. F. , Smirnov A. , Holben B. N.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Smoke aerosols from biomass burning are an important component of the global aerosol cycle. Analysis of Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) retrievals of size distribution and refractive index reveals variety between biomass burning aerosols in different global source regions, in terms of aerosol particle size and single scatter albedo (SSA). Case studies of smoke transported to coastal/island AERONET sites also mostly lie within the range of variability at near-source sites. Two broad ''families'' of aerosol properties are found, corresponding to sites dominated by boreal forest burning (larger, broader fine mode, with midvisible SSA ∼0.95), and those influenced by grass, shrub, or crop burning with additional forest contributions (smaller, narrower particles with SSA ∼0.88–0.9 in the midvisible). The strongest absorption is seen in southern African savannah at Mongu (Zambia), with average SSA ∼0.85 in the midvisible. These can serve as candidate sets of aerosol microphysical/optical properties for use in satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrieval algorithms. The models presently adopted by these algorithms over ocean are often insufficiently absorbing to represent these biomass burning aerosols. A corollary of this is an underestimate of AOD in smoke outflow regions, which has important consequences for applications of these satellite datasets.
Summertime canopy albedo is sensitive to forest thinning
Authors: Otto J. , Berveiller D. , Bréon F.-M. , Delpierre N. , Geppert G. , Granier A. , Jans W. , Knohl A. , Kuusk A. , Longdoz B. , Moors E. , Mund M. , Pinty B. , Schelhaas M.-J. , Luyssaert S.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Despite an emerging body of literature linking canopy albedo to forest management, understanding of the process is still fragmented. We combined a stand-level forest gap model with a canopy radiation transfer model and satellite-derived model parameters to quantify the effects of forest thinning, that is removing trees at a certain time during the forest rotation, on summertime canopy albedo. The effects of different forest species (pine, beech, oak) and four thinning strategies (light to intense thinning regimes) were examined. During stand establishment, summertime canopy albedo is driven by tree species. In the later stages of stand development, the effect of tree species on summertime canopy albedo decreases in favour of an increasing influence of forest thinning on summertime canopy albedo. These trends continue until the end of the rotation where thinning explains up to 50% of the variance in near-infrared canopy albedo and up to 70% of the variance in visible canopy albedo. More intense thinning lowers the summertime shortwave albedo in the canopy by as much as 0.02 compared to unthinned forest. The structural changes associated with forest thinning can be described by the change in LAI in combination with crown volume. However, forests with identical canopy structure can have different summertime albedo values due to their location: the further north a forest is situated, the more the solar zenith angle increases and thus the higher is the summertime canopy albedo, independent of the wavelength. Despite the increase of absolute summertime canopy albedo values with latitude, the difference in canopy albedo between managed and unmanaged forest decreases with increasing latitude. Forest management thus strongly altered summertime forest albedo.
A regional climate modelling projection ensemble experiment – NARCliM
Authors: Evans J. P. , Ji F. , Lee C. , Smith P. , Argüeso D. , Fita L.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Including the impacts of climate change in decision making and planning processes is a challenge facing many regional governments including the New South Wales (NSW) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) governments in Australia. NARCliM (NSW/ACT Regional Climate Modelling project) is a regional climate modelling project that aims to provide a comprehensive and consistent set of climate projections that can be used by all relevant government departments when considering climate change. To maximise end user engagement and ensure outputs are relevant to the planning process, a series of stakeholder workshops were run to define key aspects of the model experiment including spatial resolution, time slices, and output variables. As with all such experiments, practical considerations limit the number of ensembles members that can be simulated such that choices must be made concerning which Global Climate Models (GCMs) to downscale from, and which Regional Climate Models (RCMs) to downscale with. Here a methodology for making these choices is proposed that aims to sample the uncertainty in both GCMs and RCMs, as well as spanning the range of future climate projections present in the full GCM ensemble. The created ensemble provides a more robust view of future regional climate changes.
Attribution of hydrologic forecast uncertainty within scalable forecast windows
Authors: Yang L. , Tian F. , Sun Y. , Yuan X. , Hu H.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Hindcasts based on the Extended Streamflow Prediction (ESP) approach are carried out in a typical rainfall-dominated basin in China, aiming to examine the roles of initial condition (IC), future atmospheric forcing (FC) and hydrologic model uncertainty (MU) in the streamflow forecast skill. The combined effects of IC and FC are explored within the framework of a forecast window. By implementing virtual numerical simulations without the consideration of MU, it is found that the dominance of IC could last up to 90 days in dry season, while its impact gives way to FC for lead times exceeding 30 days in the wet season. The combined effects of IC and FC on the forecast skill are further investigated by proposing a dimensionless parameter (β) that represents the ratio of the total amount of initial water storage and the incoming rainfall. The forecast skill increases exponentially with β, and varies greatly in different forecast windows. Moreover, the influence of MU on forecast skill is examined by focusing on the uncertainty of model parameters. Two different hydrologic model calibration strategies are carried out. The results indicate that the uncertainty of model parameters exhibits a more significant influence on the forecast skill in the dry season than in the wet season. The ESP approach is more skillful in monthly streamflow forecast during the transition period from wet to dry than otherwise. For the transition period from dry to wet, the low skill of the forecasts could be attributed to the combined effects of IC and FC, but less to the biases in the hydrologic model parameters. For the forecasting in dry season, the usefulness of the ESP approach is heavily dependent on the strategy of the model calibration.
STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF FITTING ACCURACY OF GLOBAL AND LOCAL DIGITAL ELEVATION MODELS IN IRAN
Authors: Alidoost F. , Samadzadegan F.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are one of the most important data for various applications such as hydrological studies, topography mapping and ortho image generation. There are well-known DEMs of the whole world that represent the terrain's surface at variable resolution and they are also freely available for 99% of the globe. However, it is necessary to assess the quality of the global DEMs for the regional scale applications.These models are evaluated by differencing with other reference DEMs or ground control points (GCPs) in order to estimate the quality and accuracy parameters over different land cover types. In this paper, a comparison of ASTER GDEM ver2, SRTM DEM with more than 800 reference GCPs and also with a local elevation model over the area of Iran is presented. This study investigates DEM’s characteristics such as systematic error (bias), vertical accuracy and outliers for DEMs using both the usual (Mean error, Root Mean Square Error, Standard Deviation) and the robust (Median, Normalized Median Absolute Deviation, Sample Quantiles) descriptors. Also, the visual assessment tools are used to illustrate the quality of DEMs, such as normalized histograms and Q-Q plots. The results of the study confirmed that there is a negative elevation bias of approximately 5 meters of GDEM ver2. The measured RMSE and NMAD for elevation differences of GDEM-GCPs are 7.1 m and 3.2 m, respectively, while these values for SRTM and GCPs are 9.0 m and 4.4 m. On the other hand, in comparison with the local DEM, GDEM ver2 exhibits the RMSE of about 6.7 m, a little higher than the RMSE of SRTM (5.1 m).The results of height difference classification and other statistical analysis of GDEM ver2-local DEM and SRTM-local DEM reveal that SRTM is slightly more accurate than GDEM ver2. Accordingly, SRTM has no noticeable bias and shift from Local DEM and they have more consistency to each other, while GDEM ver2 has always a negative bias.
Evaluation of Radar Backscattering Models IEM, OH, and Dubois using L and C-Bands SAR Data over different vegetation canopy covers and soil depths
Authors: Khabazan S. , Motagh M. , Hosseini M.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Several algorithms have been proposed in the literature to invert radar measurements to estimate surface soil moisture. The objective of this paper is to compare the performance of the most common surface back scattering models including the theoretical integral equation model (IEM) of Fung et al. (1992), and the semi-empirical models of Oh et al. (1992, 1994, 2002 and2004) and Dubois et al. (1995). This analysis uses four AIRSAR data in L and C band together with in situ measurements (soil moisture and surface roughness) over bare soil and vegetation covers area and three different soil depths. The results show that Dubois model tend to over-estimate the radar response in both bands while IEM model and Oh model frequently over-estimate the radar response in L band but under-estimate them in C band. By evaluating of all models in different soil depths, the best results were obtained in 0–3 cm depths. For vegetation area poor correlation between models backscatter simulation and radar response was observed.
Modeling of urban growth using cellular automata (CA) optimized by Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)
Authors: Khalilnia M. H. , Ghaemirad T. , Abbaspour R. A.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. In this paper, two satellite images of Tehran, the capital city of Iran, which were taken by TM and ETM+ for years 1988 and 2010 are used as the base information layers to study the changes in urban patterns of this metropolis. The patterns of urban growth for the city of Tehran are extracted in a period of twelve years using cellular automata setting the logistic regression functions as transition functions. Furthermore, the weighting coefficients of parameters affecting the urban growth, i.e. distance from urban centers, distance from rural centers, distance from agricultural centers, and neighborhood effects were selected using PSO. In order to evaluate the results of the prediction, the percent correct match index is calculated. According to the results, by combining optimization techniques with cellular automata model, the urban growth patterns can be predicted with accuracy up to 75 %.
Fractional Vegetation Cover Estimation In Urban Environments
Authors: Salimi Kouchi H. , Sahebi M. R. , Abkar A. A. , Valadan Zoej M. J.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Quality of life in urban environments is closely related to vegetation cover. The Urban growth and its related environmental problems, planners are forced to implement policies to improve the quality of urban environment. Thus, vegetation mapping for planning and managing urban is critical. Given the spectral complexity of the urban environment and the sparse vegetation in these areas, to generate a reliable map of coverage Vegetation in these areas requires the use of high spatial resolution images. But given the size of cities and the rapid changes in vegetation status, Mapping of vegetation using these images will have cost much. In this study, using a moderate spatial resolution image with the help of a small part of high spatial resolution image vegetation cover in a Metropolitan area is obtained. We make use of Ikonos image to get Fractional vegetation cover (FVC) and used as a vicarious validation of FVC. Then using linear and nonlinear regression and neural network between the FVC derived from the Ikonos image and vegetation indices on Landsat image, the relationship was established. A number of pixels were randomly selected from the images for the model validation. The results show that the neural network, nonlinear regression and linear regression models are more accurate for the estimation of FVC respectively.
INSAR AND FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF GROUND DEFORMATION AT LAKE URMIA CAUSEWAY (LUC), NORTHWEST IRAN
Authors: Shamshiri R. , Motagh M. , Baes M. , Sharifi M. A.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Precise long-term deformation monitoring of causeways and bridges is of vital task for maintenance and management work related to transportation safety. In this study, we analyse the settlement of Lake Urmia Causeway (LUC), northwest Iran, using observations from InSAR and Finite Element Model (FEM) simulation. For InSAR processing, we analyse 58 SAR images of ENVISAT, ALOS and TerraSAR-X (TSX) using the SBAS technique to assess the settlement of embankments in the years 2003–2013. The InSAR results show deflation on both embankments with a peak velocity of > 5 cm/year in the satellite Line Of Sight (LOS) direction. The InSAR observations are then used to construct a settlement compaction model for the cross section at the distance of 4 km from the most western edge of the causeway, using a 2D Finite Element Model. Our FEM results suggest that settlement of the embankments will continue in the future due to consolidation phenomenon.
INTRODUCING AN AGENT-BASED OBJECT RECOGNITION OPERATOR FOR PROXIMITY ANALYSIS
Authors: Behzadi S. , Ali. Alesheikh A.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Object selection is a basic procedure in a Geographic Information System (GIS). Most current methods for doing so, select objects in two phases: create a simple distance-bounded geometric buffer; and intersect it with available features. This paper introduces a novel and intelligent selection operator based on the autonomy of the agent-based approach. The proposed operator recognizes objects around one object only in one step. In the proposed approach, each point object acts as an agent-automata object. It then senses its vicinity and identifies the surrounding objects. To assess the proposed model, the operator is designed, implemented, and evaluated in a case study. Finally, the results are evaluated and presented in details in the paper.
Populism, Law and Order and the Crimes of the 1%
Authors: Hogg Russell
Published: September 2013

The article examines the evidence of endemic financial crime in the global financial crisis (GFC), the legal impunity surrounding these crimes and the popular revolt against these abuses in the financial, political and legal systems. This is set against a consideration of the development since the 1970s of a conservative politics championing de-regulation, unfettered markets, welfare cuts and harsh law and order policies. On the one hand, this led to massively increased inequality and concentrations of wealth and political power in the hands of the super-rich, effectively placing them above the law, as the GFC revealed. On the other, a greatly enlarged, more punitive criminal justice system was directed at poor and minority communities. Explanations in terms of the rise of penal populism are helpful in explaining these developments, but it is argued they adopt a limited and reductionist view of populism, failing to see the prospects for a progressive populist politics to re-direct political attention to issues of inequality and corporate and white collar criminality.
On Fictions and Wicked Problems: Towards a Social Democratic Criminology Project in the Age of Neo-liberalism
Authors: Watts Rob
Published: September 2013

If it is true, as Pat Carlen (2010) claims, that contemporary ‘justice’ policies are exhibiting all the signs of ‘penal populism’ and ‘risk crazed governance’, then social democratic criminologists face the dual challenge of explaining why these policies are not only not working but also how this fact continues to be explained away. At stake here are two central questions: firstly, what grounds are available to secure the intellectual legitimacy of criminology; and, secondly, what ways of knowing could secure the legitimacy of a social-democratic criminology. The paper begins by exploring what is at stake when what appears to be a very large number of criminologists claim that theirs is an ‘empirical scientific’ discipline. The paper argues that neither mainstream criminology nor social democratic criminology can base any claims to intellectual legitimacy by relying on an ‘empirical scientific’ frame. The paper draws on Spencer (1987) to advance the ‘unpalatable thesis’ that, as far as the actual practice by conventional criminologists of their kind of social science goes, ‘they do not know what they are doing’ (Spencer 1987: 333) and that their ignorance of this fact has serious consequences for the progress of their field. The paper shows that there is a gap between the actual practice of conventional criminology and its claims to ‘scientific empiricism’: what is actually on offer is an ‘imperfect empiricism’.The long-forgotten work of Bentham, adumbrated by Vaihinger (1935) and Fuller (1967), is then traced and some of the implications of this theory of fictions for contemporary representations of crime are noted. One implication briefly charted here is that any social democratic criminology needs to rehabilitate the proper role played by fictions as they grapple with the ‘wicked problems’ that currently populate this field. The long-standing affectation of ‘scientific empiricism’ by many practicing criminologists has long camouflaged the inability of conventional criminologists to address what are properly ‘wicked problems’.
Malloch, Margaret and McIvor, Gill (eds), 2013 Women, Punishment and Social Justice: Human Rights and Penal Practices. London, UK: Routledge. Reviewer: Molly Dragiewicz
Authors: Dragiewicz Molly
Published: September 2013

Not applicable
El producto distribucional entre la parte finita de (formula) en (formula) y (formula) de la derivada k- ésima de la delta de Dirac en un hipercono
Authors: Aguirre Manuel A
Published: September 2013

No disponibleDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/nexo.v25i2.1024
Estudio de la Microestructura y de las propiedades reológicas de geles de concentrado proteico de sabalo (prochilodus platensis ) en relación a la etapa de lavado con soluciones de H3PO4 y NaHCO
Authors: Reinheimer María Agustina , Medina José R. , Beresvil Luciana , Pérez Gustavo A.
Published: September 2013

El concentrado de proteínas de pescado (CPP) es el músculo del pescado desmenuzado y exento de huesos, piel,carne oscura y de espinas, que es lavado varias veces con agua y escurrido hasta la proporción de agua original.Aquí se estudió el efecto en la composición físico-química,  sobre la microestructura y las propiedades reológicas degeles de CPP utilizando diferentes soluciones de agua de lavado en la obtención de CPP de sábalo (Prochilodusplatensis). Al mismo tiempo se evaluó la extracción de proteínas durante el lavado, y el análisis de las propiedadesreológicas de los geles obtenidos. Los  geles de CPP de sábalo obtenidos mediante el método de lavado (0.05%H3PO4, 0.2% NaHCO3 y 0.2% NaCl) presentaron un contenido aceptable de proteínas, el menor contenido demateria grasa, y la textura más aceptable, confirmada por la reología y la microestructura, mostrando mejorasrespecto de los obtenidos por el método convencional.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/nexo.v26i1.1210
Oportunidades de energía renovable en Nicaragua para el desarrollo sostenible
Authors: Negri Mauro
Published: September 2013

Este trabajo se originó a partir de la colaboración entre la Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería en Managua (UNI),Università Politecnico di Milano (PM) y el Instituto Nicaragüense de Turismo (INTUR). Nicaragua tiene un enormepotencial en recursos naturales para la producción de energía renovable. Actualmente, el sector energético siguedependiendo en gran medida de los combustibles fósiles, pero el plan del gobierno es hacer que el país irá avanzar haciael 94% de energía renovable para el 2017. Principal objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar una evaluación de los recursosenergéticos renovables de Nicaragua, junto con la descripción de las políticas gubernamentales y de desarrolloeconómico. En segundo lugar describir algunos recursos energéticos estratégicos en los que proyectos de fortalecimientopueden conducir al desarrollo local. La investigación se ha desarrollada en Nicaragua, donde entrevistas, conferencias yvisita a las plantas de energía fueron organizadas gracias a la contribución de la UNI. El análisis del mercado energéticoreveló un gran potencial de energía hidráulica, geotérmica y eólica. En particular, el sector de la pequeña energíahidroeléctrica ofrece buenas perspectivas de desarrollo, sobre todo en aquellas áreas donde no llega la red nacional, comola Costa Caribe. Se identificó centrales hidroeléctricas en el rango de 100 kW y 5 MW como la alternativa tecnológicapara satisfacer la demanda de electricidad de las zonas rurales sin acceso. La abundancia de agua disponible, los esfuerzospolíticos hacia las tecnologías respetuosas con el medio ambiente y la motivación de la gente dieron un fondo prometedorpara un desarrollo energético sostenible de la región.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/nexo.v26i1.1211
Effect of Moisture Content on Selected Physical and Mechanical Properties of Two Varieties of Tigernut (Cyperus spp)
Authors: Oyerinde A. S. , Olalusi A. P.
Published: September 2013

The effect of moisture content on some physical and mechanical properties of two varieties of tigernuts (Cyperus esculentus) was investigated. These properties include: geometric dimensions, linear dimensions, 1000 tuber weight, bulk density, tuber size, sphericity, angle of repose, porosity, coefficient of static friction and compressive strength. The moisture content levels used were 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40% wet basis (wb), and the two tigernut varieties used were yellow and brown types. The linear dimension, geometric diameter, sphericity, 1000- tuber weight, bulk density and angle of repose in both varieties increased with increasing moisture content. The average length, width and thickness of the yellow variety increases more than the brown variety at the determined moisture contents. True density of the yellow variety increased while the brown variety decreased with increase in moisture content. The porosity of the yellow variety reduces with increase in moisture content from 45.95 at 20% mc to 42.4 at 40% mc, while the brown variety decreased from 42.72 at 20% mc to 30.77 at 40% moisture content. The yellow variety had bigger size tubers than the brown variety and this has serious implications in packing, handling and transportation issues.
Maintenance Well Asset Management Increases Service Life
Authors: Reece Ray , Prehoda Bill , Moore Randy
Published: September 2013

Most wells eventually lose capacity and experience lower pumping water levels, resulting in increased pumping costs. Implementing a time‐based maintenance program can avoid potential problems. Ongoing performance monitoring can signal when it's time for rehabilitation to maintain or restore performance.
Streaming Current Monitor Optimizes Utility Processes
Authors: Engelhardt Terry , Leininger Greg
Published: September 2013

Online measurements provide operators instant knowledge of source water changes so they can respond to any situation that may require chemical dosing adjustments.
Disinfectant Residual Provides Water Quality Information
Authors: Martin Barb , Ries Tom
Published: September 2013

The June 2013 Getting Optimized column (Distribution System Optimization Starts with Data) focused on identifying, collecting, and ensuring the accuracy of information required to enable data‐driven decisions to optimize distribution system performance. This month's column provides a more detailed look at data related to distribution system disinfectant residual and how it can be used as a water quality performance indicator.
Influence of Manual Therapy on Functional Mobility After Joint Injury in a Rat Model
Authors: Ruhlen Rachel L. , Snider Eric J. , Sargentini Neil J. , Worthington Bart D. , Singh Vineet K. , Pazdernik Vanessa K. , Johnson Jane C. , Degenhardt Brian F.
Published: September 2013

Context: Animal models can be used to investigate manual therapy mechanisms, but testing manipulation in animal models is problematic because animals cannot directly report their pain.

Objective: To develop a rat model of inflammatory joint injury to test the efficacy of manual therapy in reducing nociception and restoring function.

Methods: The authors induced acute inflammatory joint injury in rats by injecting carrageenan into the ankle and then measured voluntary running wheel activity in treated and untreated rats. Treatments included manual therapy applied to the ankle and knee of the injured limb and several analgesic medications (eg, morphine, ketorolac, prednisone).

Results: Intra-articular injection of carrageenan to the ankle produced significant swelling (diameter of the ankle increased by 64% after injection; P=.004) and a robust reduction in voluntary running wheel activity (running distance reduced by 91% compared with controls; P<.001). Injured rats gradually returned to running levels equal to controls over 10 days. Neither manual therapy nor analgesic medications increased running wheel activity relative to untreated rats.

Conclusion: Voluntary running wheel activity appears to be an appropriate functional measure to evaluate the impact of an acute inflammatory joint injury. However, efforts to treat the injury did not restore running relative to untreated rats.
Evaluation of MAGE‐D4 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma in Japanese patients
Authors: Takami Hideki , Kanda Mitsuro , Oya Hisaharu , Hibino Soki , Sugimoto Hiroyuki , Suenaga Masaya , Yamada Suguru , Nishikawa Yoko , Asai Mikako , Fujii Tsutomu , Nomoto Shuji , Kodera Yasuhiro
Published: September 2013

Background and Objectives

Though Melanoma‐associated antigen (MAGE) family genes have received lots of attention as cancer‐related genes and targets for immunotherapy, MAGE‐D4 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been evaluated.

Methods

MAGE‐D4 mRNA expression was assayed in nine HCC cell lines and 94 HCC surgical specimens obtained from Japanese patients by quantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and the correlations between MAGE‐D4 mRNA expression and clinicopathological factors were evaluated. The expression and distribution of MAGE‐D4b protein were evaluated immunohistochemically.

Results

MAGE‐D4 mRNA was overexpressed in five of nine HCC cell lines and 34 of 94 primary HCCs (36.2%). Median overall survival (14.8 vs. 118 months, P < 0.001) and relapse‐free survival (2.7 vs. 18.3 months, P < 0.001) were significantly shorter in patients with high than with low‐moderate MAGE‐D4 expression. Multivariate analysis for overall survival showed that MAGE‐D4 overexpression was independently prognostic for survival (hazard ratio 2.88, P = 0.009) and significantly associated with high alpha‐fetoprotein concentration (P < 0.001), poor tumor differentiation (P = 0.003) and vascular invasion (P = 0.021). MAGE‐D4b protein expression patterns were consistent with those of MAGE‐D4 mRNA.

Conclusions

Overexpression of MAGE‐D4 may be a predictive marker of early recurrence and mortality in patients with HCC. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013; 108:557–562. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging can distinguish remodeling mechanisms after acute myocardial infarction based on the severity of ischemic insult
Authors: Ghugre Nilesh R. , Pop Mihaela , Barry Jennifer , Connelly Kim A. , Wright Graham A.
Published: September 2013

The type and extent of myocardial infarction encountered clinically is primarily determined by the severity of the initial ischemic insult. The purpose of the study was to differentiate longitudinal fluctuations in remodeling mechanisms in porcine myocardium following different ischemic insult durations. Animals (N = 8) were subjected to coronary balloon occlusion for either 90 or 45 min, followed by reperfusion. Imaging was performed on a 3 T MRI scanner between day‐2 and week‐6 postinfarction with edema quantified by T2, hemorrhage by T2*, vasodilatory function by blood‐oxygenation‐level‐dependent T2 alterations and infarction/microvascular obstruction by contrast‐enhanced imaging. The 90‐min model produced large transmural infarcts with hemorrhage and microvascular obstruction, while the 45 min produced small nontransmural and nonhemorrhagic infarction. In the 90‐min group, elevation of end‐diastolic‐volume, reduced cardiac function, persistence of edema, and prolonged vasodilatory dysfunction were all indicative of adverse remodeling; in contrast, the 45‐min group showed no signs of adverse remodeling. The 45‐ and 90‐min porcine models seem to be ideal for representing the low‐ and high‐risk patient groups, respectively, commonly encountered in the clinic. Such in vivo characterization will be a key in predicting functional recovery and may potentially allow evaluation of novel therapies targeted to alleviate ischemic injury and prevent microvascular obstruction/hemorrhage. Magn Reson Med, 70:1095–1105, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In Situ Monitoring of Laser‐Assisted Hydrothermal Growth of ZnO Nanowires: Thermally Deactivating Growth Kinetics
Authors: In Jung Bin , Kwon Hyuk‐Jun , Lee Daeho , Ko Seung Hwan , Grigoropoulos Costas P.
Published: September 2013

The laser‐assisted hydrothermal growth kinetics of a cluster of ZnO nanowires are studied based on optical in situ growth monitoring. The growth yields are orders of magnitude higher than those of conventional hydrothermal methods that use bulk heating. This remarkable improvement is attributed to suppression of precursor depletion occurring by homogeneous growth reactions, as well as to enhanced mass transport. The obtained in situ data show gradually decaying growth kinetics even with negligible precursor consumption. It is revealed that the growth deceleration is caused by thermal deactivation resulting from heat dissipation through the growing nanowires. Finally, it is demonstrated that the tailored temporal modulation of the input power enables sustained growth to extended dimensions. These results provide a key to highly efficient use of growth precursors that has been pursued for industrial use of this functional metal oxide semiconductor.
Probabilistic wind power forecasts with an inverse power curve transformation and censored regression
Authors: Messner Jakob W. , Zeileis Achim , Broecker Jochen , Mayr Georg J.
Published: September 2013

Forecasting wind power is an important part of a successful integration of wind power into the power grid. Forecasts with lead times longer than 6 h are generally made by using statistical methods to post‐process forecasts from numerical weather prediction systems. Two major problems that complicate this approach are the non‐linear relationship between wind speed and power production and the limited range of power production between zero and nominal power of the turbine. In practice, these problems are often tackled by using non‐linear non‐parametric regression models. However, such an approach ignores valuable and readily available information: the power curve of the turbine's manufacturer. Much of the non‐linearity can be directly accounted for by transforming the observed power production into wind speed via the inverse power curve so that simpler linear regression models can be used. Furthermore, the fact that the transformed power production has a limited range can be taken care of by employing censored regression models.

In this study, we evaluate quantile forecasts from a range of methods: (i) using parametric and non‐parametric models, (ii) with and without the proposed inverse power curve transformation and (iii) with and without censoring. The results show that with our inverse (power‐to‐wind) transformation, simpler linear regression models with censoring perform equally or better than non‐linear models with or without the frequently used wind‐to‐power transformation. © 2013 The Authors. Wind Energy published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Evaluating the Incidence, Clinical Significance and Predictors for Vocal Cord Palsy and Incidental Laryngopharyngeal Conditions before Elective Thyroidectomy: Is There a Case for Routine Laryngoscopic Examination?
Authors: Lang Brian Hung‐Hin , Chu Kevin Ka‐Wan , Tsang Raymond King‐Yin , Wong Kai Pun , Wong Birgitta Yee‐Hang
Published: September 2013

Background

Routine preoperative laryngeal examination remains controversial. We aimed to assess the utility of preoperative routine flexible laryngoscopy (FL) by looking at the incidence, clinical significance and predictors for preoperative vocal cord paresis (VCP) and incidental laryngopharyngeal conditions (LPC) in our consecutive cohort.

Methods

A total of 302 patients underwent laryngeal examination by an independent otorhinolaryngologist and were specifically asked about voice/swallowing symptoms suggestive of VCP 1 day before surgery. As well as vocal cord (VC) mobility, the naso‐pharynx and larynx were examined using FL. Any VCP and/or LPC was recorded. VCP was defined as reduced or absent movement in one or more VC. An LPC was considered clinically significant if the ensuing thyroidectomy was changed or deferred.

Results

Seven (2.3 %) patients had preoperative VCP, while an additional seven patients had an incidental LPC. Of the seven VCPs, five were caused by previous thyroidectomy, while two were caused by a benign goitre. The incidence of asymptomatic VCP in a previously non‐operated cohort was 1/245 (0.41 %). Voice/swallowing symptoms (p = 0.033) and previous thyroidectomy (p < 0.001) were the two significant predictors for VCP. The seven incidental LPCs were vallecular cyst (n = 1), VC scar and polyp (n = 2), nasopharyngeal cyst and polyp (n = 3) and redundant arytenoid mucosa (n = 1); however, as they were benign, all seven patients proceeded to thyroidectomy as planned.

Conclusions

Given the low incidence (0.41 %) of asymptomatic VCP in a previously non‐operated cohort and that none of the seven LPCs were considered clinically significant, routine preoperative laryngoscopic examination should be reserved for those with previous thyroidectomy and/or voice/swallowing symptoms.
Dendroclimatic signals deduced from riparian versus upland forest interior pines in North Karelia, Finland
Authors: Helama Samuli , Arentoft Birgitte W. , Collin‐Haubensak Olivier , Hyslop Michael D. , Brandstrup Charlotte K. , Mäkelä Hanna M. , Tian QinHua , Wilson Rob
Published: September 2013

Radial growth of boreal tree species is only rarely studied in riparian habitats. Here we investigated chronologies of earlywood, latewood, and annual ring widths and blue intensity (BI; a surrogate to latewood density) from riparian lake shore and upland forest interior pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing in boreal forest in eastern Finland. Riparian and upland chronologies were compared to examine differences in the pine growth variability and growth response to climatic variation in the two habitats. It was found that the climatic variables showing statistically significant correlations with the tree‐ring chronologies were related to snow conditions at the start of the growing season. Deeper snowpack led to reduced upland pine growth, possibly due to delayed snowmelt and thus postponed onset of the growing season. Warm late winters were followed by increased riparian pine growth because of earlier start of the snow‐melt season and thus a lower maximum early summer lake level. Moreover, riparian pines reacted negatively to increased rainfall in June, whereas the upland pines showed a positive response. Latewood growth reacted significantly to summer temperatures. The BI chronology showed a strong correlation with warm‐season temperatures, indicating an encouraging possibility of summer temperature reconstruction using middle/south boreal pine tree‐ring archives.
Religion and Attitudes toward Family Planning Issues among US Adults
Authors: Barrett Jennifer B. , DaVanzo Julie , Ellison Christopher G. , Grammich Clifford
Published: September 2013

Although religion is an important influence on a variety of social attitudes, the relationship between religion and views on family planning remains underexplored, especially in terms of attitudes relating to public policy. Using data from a nationally-representative survey (N = 1,500) fielded in 1998, we examine the influence of religious affiliation, subcultural identification, and attendance on three aspects of attitudes toward contraception in the public sphere. Specifically, we explore opinions regarding the public consequences of contraception and the responsibility for making contraception available as part of health care services in the United States. More frequent religious attendance is linked to less-approving opinions about contraception and less support for its provision by the US government and health insurers. Catholic affiliation is not consistently associated with the examined opinions, and we find mixed results for conservative Protestants. Including religious subcultural identities yields additional information, with born-again Christians reporting less positive opinions about the consequences of contraceptive availability, while evangelical identity is linked to negative views on policy aimed at increasing access to family planning services. These findings contribute to knowledge about the relationship between religion and attitudes toward policy-relevant aspects of contraception, as well as the broader social influences of religious subcultural identification.
Clinical Issues‐October 2013
Authors: Wood Amber
Published: September 2013

This Month

Covering lead aprons during operative or other invasive procedures

Key words: lead apron, radiological exposure, personal protective equipment, PPE, gown.

Terminal cleaning of sterile processing areas

Key words: terminal cleaning, cleaning, sterile processing.

Preventing transmission of carbapenem‐resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)

Key words: carbapenem‐resistant Enterobacteriaceae, CRE, Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase, KPC, carbapenem, multidrug‐resistant organism, MDRO, isolation, contact precautions, cleaning.