bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transulcal parafascicular minimally invasive approach to deep and subcortical cavernomas: technical note
Authors: Scranton Robert A. , Fung Steve H. , Britz Gavin W.
Published: March 2016

Cavernomas comprise 8%–15% of intracranial vascular lesions, usually supratentorial in location and superficial. Cavernomas in the thalamus or subcortical white matter represent a unique challenge for surgeons in trying to identify and then use a safe corridor to access and resect the pathology. Previous authors have described specific open microsurgical corridors based on pathology location, often with technical difficulty and morbidity. This series presents 2 cavernomas that were resected using a minimally invasive approach that is less technically demanding and has a good safety profile. The authors report 2 cases of cavernoma: one in the thalamus and brainstem with multiple hemorrhages and the other in eloquent subcortical white matter. These lesions were resected through a transulcal parafascicular approach with a port-based minimally invasive technique. In this series there was complete resection with no neurological complications. The transulcal parafascicular minimally invasive approach relies on image interpretation and trajectory planning, intraoperative navigation, cortical cannulation and subcortical space access, high-quality optics, and resection as key elements to minimize exposure and retraction and maximize tissue preservation. The authors applied this technique to 2 patients with cavernomas in eloquent locations with excellent outcomes.
Holzerntekosten und Mindererlöse bei verschiedenen Rückegassenabständen in Fichtenbeständen
Authors: Frutig Fritz , Thees Oliver , Ammann Peter , Lüscher Peter , Rotach Peter
Published: March 2016

Timber harvesting costs and losses for different spacing of skid roads in spruce forests

Skid roads are essential to prevent negative impacts of heavy machines on soil fertility and timber growth. Today, skid roads are frequently laid out with a spacing of 20 m because modern harvesters can reach and cut trees as far as 10 m. Skid roads not only use up space which is no longer available for production, they also have negative effects on the growth of adjacent trees due to soil compaction and root damage caused by the passage of forestry machines. Damaged roots will eventually cause butt rot and reduce the amount of valuable timber. A narrow spacing of skid roads thus leads to reduced volume and value production in the long run. In the short run, on the other hand, wider spacing will result in higher costs of timber harvesting and in a higher number of damaged trees since a number of trees need to be cut and pre-delivered manually. In this paper we calculated the advantages and disadvantages of different spacings of skid roads in a spruce stand for various scenarios of negative impacts of soil compaction, root damage and butt rot frequencies. Our results indicate that the losses due to reduced growth and a lower amount of valuable timber may be quite important if they are calculated over a whole rotation period. So, it may pay off to use wider spacing in the long run and to accept higher harvesting costs in the short run. Optimal distances for skid roads could be in the range of 30 to 50 m.
Duality via Truth for Information Algebras Based on De Morgan Lattices
Authors: Radzikowska Anna Maria
Published: March 2016

Duality via truth is a kind of correspondence between a class of algebras and a class of relational systems (frames). These classes are viewed as two kinds of semantics for some logic: algebraic semantics and Kripke-style semantics, respectively. Having defined the notion of truth, the duality principle states that a sequent/formula is true in one semantics if and only if it is true in the other one. In consequence, the algebras and their corresponding frames express equivalent notion of truth. In this paper we develop duality via truth between modal algebras based on De Morgan lattices and their corresponding frames. Some axiomatic extensions of these algebras are considered. Basing on these results we present duality via truth between some classes of lattice-based information algebras and their corresponding frames.
Accurate Dystrophin Quantification in Mouse Tissue; Identification of New and Evaluation of Existing Methods
Authors: Hulsker Margriet , Verhaart Ingrid , van Vliet Laura , Aartsma-Rus Annemieke , van Putten Maaike
Published: March 2016

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle–wasting disorder primarily affecting males. This disorder is caused by mutations in the DMD gene that abolish dystrophin protein function. Many therapeutic approaches for DMD aim at recovery of the dystrophin protein in muscle fibers of affected patients, rendering accurate dystrophin quantification important. Several methods have been reported to detect and quantify dystrophin restoration in preclinical and clinical trials. We here evaluated the applicability of dystrophin specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and a TaqMan protein assay, benchmarking them against Western blotting analysis. Despite numerous optimization attempts, in our hands the background signals in the ELISA and TaqMan protein assays were too high to allow dystrophin quantification. By contrast, the Western blot approach was able to detect dystrophin levels as low as 0.2% in a reproducible manner. We provide a Western blot protocol that allows sensitive and accurate dystrophin quantification in preclinical studies.
Long term oral Dantrolene Improved Muscular Symptoms in a Malignant Hyperthermia Susceptible Individual
Authors: Butala Brian N. , Kang Audry , Guron Jasmeen , Brandom Barbara W.
Published: March 2016

This case report describes a female with p.Lys4876Arg amino acid change in the ryanodine receptor type 1 (RYR1) and a sibling who died of malignant hyperthermia (MH) during anesthesia. After her diagnosis as MH susceptible, this patient was administered low-dose dantrolene daily for greater than 25 years for treatment of chronic muscle spasm and pain in her lower extremities and back limiting sleep. Her creatine phosphokinase (CPK) was as high as 2390 IU/L during labor and 900 IU at rest. With 25 mg dantrolene daily, muscle cramps were eliminated, and sleep was improved. Gait instability was noted with dantrolene in the morning, but not when taken at bedtime. There was no evidence of liver injury. This case suggests that low dose dantrolene by mouth could be considered for the treatment of chronic muscle pain in individuals with MH susceptibility.
Evaluating Performance of the DGM(2,1) Model and Its Modified Models
Authors: Huang Ying-Fang , Wang Chia-Nan , Dang Hoang-Sa , Lai Shun-Te
Published: March 2016

The direct grey model (DGM(2,1)) is considered for fluctuation characteristics of the sampling data in Grey system theory. However, its applications are quite uncommon in the past literature. The improvement of the precision of the DGM(2,1) is only presented in few previous researches. Moreover, the evaluation of forecasted performance of the DGM(2,1) model and its applications was not conducted in previous studies. As the results, this study aims to evaluate forecasted performance of the DGM(2,1) and its three modified models, including the Markov direct grey model MDGM(2,1), the Fourier direct grey model FDGM(2,1), and the Fourier Markov direct grey model FMDGM(2,1) in order to determine the application of the DGM(2,1) model in practical applications and academic research. The results demonstrate that the DGM(2,1) model has lower precision than its modified models, while the forecasted precision of the FDGM(2,1) is better than that of MDGM(2,1). Additionally, the FMDGM(2,1) model presents the best performance among all of the modified models of DGM(2,1), which can effectively overcome the fluctuating of the data sample and minimize the predicted error of the DGM(2,1) model. The finding indicated that the FMDGM(2,1) model does not only have advantages with regard to the sample size requirement, but can also be flexibly applied to the large fluctuation and random sequences with a high quality of estimation.
“Way-Centered” versus “Truth-Centered” Epistemologies
Authors: Horsthemke Kai
Published: March 2016

In recent years, a criticism of “indigenous knowledge” has been that this idea makes sense only in terms of acquaintance (or familiarity) type and practical (or skills-type) knowledge (knowledge-how). Understood in terms of theoretical knowledge (or knowledge-that), however, it faces the arguably insurmountable problems of relativism and superstition. The educational implications of this would be that mere beliefs or opinions unanchored by reason(s), such as bald assertions, superstitions, prejudice and bias, should not be included in the curriculum, at least not under the guise of “knowledge”. Worthy of inclusion are skills and practical knowledge, as are traditional music, art, dance and folklore (qua folklore). Moreover, anything that meets the essential requirements for knowledge-that could in principle be included. Against this understanding of knowledge, and its educational implications, it has been contended that indigenous knowledge places no special emphasis on “belief”, “evidence” or “truth”, but that, according to indigenous practitioners, it is rather “the way” that constitutes knowledge, harmonious interaction and appropriate models of conduct. It has been argued, further, that cognitive states are (to be) seen as “maps”, as useful and practical action-guides. This is why (so the argument for “polycentric epistemologies” or “polycentric global epistemology” goes) divination, rain-making, rain-discarding, shamanism, sorcery, ceremony, ritual, mysticism, etc., must be acknowledged as ways of knowing (and as educationally valuable) alongside animal husbandry, botany, medicine, mathematics, tool-making, and the like. The present paper investigates whether the “way-based” epistemological response is a plausible reply to the “truth-based” critique of indigenous knowledge (systems).
Pepper Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Preferences for Specific Pepper Cultivars, Plant Parts, Fruit Colors, Fruit Sizes, and Timing
Authors: Seal Dakshina , Martin Cliff
Published: March 2016

Peppers (Capsicum spp.) are an important crop in the USA, with about 32,000 ha cultivated in 2007, which resulted in $588 million in farm revenue. The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is the most troublesome insect pest of peppers in the southern United States. It is therefore urgent to find different vulnerabilities of pepper cultivars, fruit and plants parts, fruit colors and sizes, and timing to infestation by A. eugenii. Also relevant is testing whether fruit length and infestation state affect fruit numbers, weights, and proportions of fruit that are infested. Counts of A. eugenii adults and marks from oviposition and feeding suggested that C. chinense Jacquin “Habanero” was least susceptible, and C. annuum L. cultivars “SY” and “SR” were most susceptible. Comparison of plant parts and fruit sizes revealed that A. eugenii preferred the peduncle, calyx, and top of pepper fruits over the middle, bottom, leaves, or remainder of flowers. Anthonomus eugenii does not discriminate between green or yellow fruit color nor vary diurnally in numbers. Based on adult counts, medium to extra-large fruits (≥1.5 cm long) attracted more weevils than small fruits (<1.5 cm). However based on proportions of fruit numbers or fruit weights that were infested, there were no differences between large and small fruits. Choice of pepper cultivar can thus be an important part of an IPM cultural control program designed to combat A. eugenii by reduced susceptibility or by synchronous fruit drop of infested fruits. Our results are potentially helpful in developing scouting programs including paying particular attention to the preferred locations of adults and their sites of feeding and oviposition on the fruit. The results also suggested the potential value of spraying when the fruits are still immature to prevent and control infestation.
The Gift that Keeps on Giving—But for How Long?
Authors: Sternberg Robert
Published: March 2016

Some gifts keep on giving.[...]
Experimental Study on Conductivity Anisotropy of Limestone Considering the Bedding Directional Effect in the Whole Process of Uniaxial Compression
Authors: Xu Xinji , Liu Bin , Li Shucai , Yang Lei , Song Jie , Li Ming , Mei Jie
Published: March 2016

Experimental studies were conducted on the changes of the potential differences in different directions during the uniaxial compression on limestone samples parallel and normal to the bedding plane. In the test, electric current was supplied at both ends of the samples, and concurrent measurement was conducted in four measuring lines at a 45-degree angle to each other. First, the change laws of the potential differences in different directions and the similarities and differences of rock samples were summarized. In regards to the uniaxial compression properties and crack growth, the above-mentioned similarities and differences were further analyzed. Then, the anisotropy factor was introduced to further explore the response characteristics. It was found that the anisotropic changes of rock samples went through three stages during the uniaxial compression process, providing a reference for describing the properties in different failure stages of rock samples and obtaining precursory information about the fracture. Besides, the relationship between the peak stress and initial potential difference in a direction normal to the current direction was obtained by means of data fitting, providing a new method of predicting the uniaxial compressive strength of rock samples. According to the preceding analysis, this paper studied rock anisotropy by considering the bedding directional effect in terms of conductivity and provided a reference for subsequent study on rock materials’ properties and engineering practices.
Experimental and Numerical Simulations of the Solidification Process in Continuous Casting of Slab
Authors: Bai Liang , Wang Bo , Zhong Honggang , Ni Jie , Zhai Qijie , Zhang Jieyu
Published: March 2016

Thermal simulation equipment (TSE) was recently developed to simulate the solidification process in the industrial continuous casting of slab. The grain growth, solid-liquid interface movement, and columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET) in the continuous casting process can be reproduced using this equipment. The current study is focused on the effects of different cooling rates and superheat conditions on the grain growth in the solidification process of chromium-saving ferritic stainless steel (B425). The temperature distribution and microstructure evolution are simulated by a Cellular Automaton-Finite Element (CAFE) model. The experimental results demonstrate that the temperature gradient and the grain growth rate of the sample can be effectively controlled by the equipment. It is observed from optical micrographs of the microstructure that the average equiaxed grain ratio increases when the superheat temperature decreases. The average equiaxed grain ratio is approximately 26% and 42% under superheat conditions of 40 °C and 30 °C, respectively, and no apparent columnar grain generation in the samples occurs under superheat conditions of 10 °C and 20 °C, as the result of a large thermal resistance at the copper-sample interface and low superheat inside the sample. A lower cooling rate results in a higher equiaxed crystal ratio in the sample. As the cooling rate decreases, the equiaxed crystal ratio becomes 14%, 23%, and 42%. Comparing the simulation results with the experimental observations, a reasonable qualitative agreement is achieved for the chilled layer thickness, grain morphology, and CET in the sample. Thus, the CAFE model in the current study can accurately predict the grain growth under different superheating and cooling rate conditions.
Synthesis of Isoxazole and 1,2,3-Triazole Isoindole Derivatives via Silver- and Copper-Catalyzed 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reaction
Authors: Rammah Mohamed , Gati Wafa , Mtiraoui Hasan , Rammah Mohamed , Ciamala Kabula , Knorr Michael , Rousselin Yoann , Kubicki Marek
Published: March 2016

The CuI- or Ag2CO3-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of propargyl-substituted dihydroisoindolin-1-one (3) with arylnitrile oxides 1a–d (Ar = Ph, p-MeC6H4, p-MeOC6H4, p-ClC6H4) produces in good yields novel 3,5-disubstituted isoxazoles 4 of the ethyl-2-benzyl-3-oxo-1-((3-arylisoxazol-5yl)methyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindole-1-carboxylate type. With aryl azides 2a–d (Ar = Ph, p-MeC6H4, p-OMeC6H4, p-ClC6H4), a series of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles 6 (ethyl-2-benzyl-3-oxo-1-((1-aryl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindole-1-carboxylates) was obtained. The reactions proceed in a regioselective manner affording exclusively racemic adducts 4 and 6. Compared to the uncatalyzed cycloaddition, the yields are significantly improved in the presence of CuI as catalyst, without alteration of the selectivity. The regio- and stereochemistry of the cycloadducts has been corroborated by an X-ray diffraction study of 4a, and in the case of 6a by XH-correlation and HMBC spectra.
Anti-Metastatic Properties of a Marine Bacterial Exopolysaccharide-Based Derivative Designed to Mimic Glycosaminoglycans
Authors: Heymann Dominique , Ruiz-Velasco Carmen , Chesneau Julie , Ratiskol Jacqueline , Sinquin Corinne , Colliec-Jouault Sylvia
Published: March 2016

Osteosarcoma is the most frequent malignant primary bone tumor characterized by a high potency to form lung metastases. In this study, the effect of three oversulfated low molecular weight marine bacterial exopolysaccharides (OS-EPS) with different molecular weights (4, 8 and 15 kDa) were first evaluated in vitro on human and murine osteosarcoma cell lines. Different biological activities were studied: cell proliferation, cell adhesion and migration, matrix metalloproteinase expression. This in vitro study showed that only the OS-EPS 15 kDa derivative could inhibit the invasiveness of osteosarcoma cells with an inhibition rate close to 90%. Moreover, this derivative was potent to inhibit both migration and invasiveness of osteosarcoma cell lines; had no significant effect on their cell cycle; and increased slightly the expression of MMP-9, and more highly the expression of its physiological specific tissue inhibitor TIMP-1. Then, the in vivo experiments showed that the OS-EPS 15 kDa derivative had no effect on the primary osteosarcoma tumor induced by osteosarcoma cell lines but was very efficient to inhibit the establishment of lung metastases in vivo. These results can help to better understand the mechanisms of GAGs and GAG-like derivatives in the biology of the tumor cells and their interactions with the bone environment to develop new therapeutic strategies.
Phylloquinone and Menaquinone-4 Tissue Distribution at Different Life Stages in Male and Female Sprague–Dawley Rats Fed Different VK Levels Since Weaning or Subjected to a 40% Calorie Restriction since Adulthood
Authors: Ferland Guylaine , Doucet Isabelle , Mainville Dominique
Published: March 2016

Whether through the vitamin K-dependent proteins or the individual K vitamers, vitamin K (VK) is associated with a number of age-related conditions (e.g., osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, cognitive decline). In light of this, we investigated the influence of lifetime dietary VK exposure on the tissue distribution of phylloquinone (K1) and menaquinone-4 (MK-4) vitamers in 3-, 12- and 22-month-old male and female rats fed different K1 diets since weaning or subjected to a 40% calorie restricted diet (CR) since adulthood. Dietary K1 intakes around the minimal amount required for normal blood coagulation had no significant influence on body weights of both male and female rats at different life stages. Tissue contents of the K vitamers differed according to organs, were generally higher in females than in males, and increased with K1 intake. The MK-4/total VK ratios tended to be increased in old age possibly reflecting an increased physiological demand for MK-4 during aging. Our study also confirmed the greater susceptibility of male rats to low VK containing diet, notably at a younger age. Despite lifelong higher K1 intakes per unit body weight, tissue K1 and MK-4 contents at 20 months were generally lower in CR rats compared to their ad libitum (AL) counterparts. Whether the lower tissue MK-4 content is the result of lower synthesis from K1 or greater tissue utilization remains to be determined. However, the more youthful coagulation profile observed in old CR rats (vs. AL rats) tends to support the notion that CR is associated with greater utilization of the K vitamers to sustain physiological functions.
Piezoresistive Soft Condensed Matter Sensor for Body-Mounted Vital Function Applications
Authors: Melnykowycz Mark , Tschudin Michael , Clemens Frank
Published: March 2016

A soft condensed matter sensor (SCMS) designed to measure strains on the human body is presented. The hybrid material based on carbon black (CB) and a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) was bonded to a textile elastic band and used as a sensor on the human wrist to measure hand motion by detecting the movement of tendons in the wrist. Additionally it was able to track the blood pulse wave of a person, allowing for the determination of pulse wave peaks corresponding to the systole and diastole blood pressures in order to calculate the heart rate. Sensor characterization was done using mechanical cycle testing, and the band sensor achieved a gauge factor of 4–6.3 while displaying low signal relaxation when held at a strain levels. Near-linear signal performance was displayed when loading to successively higher strain levels up to 50% strain.
Developing an Ear Prosthesis Fabricated in Polyvinylidene Fluoride by a 3D Printer with Sensory Intrinsic Properties of Pressure and Temperature
Authors: Suaste-Gómez Ernesto , Rodríguez-Roldán Grissel , Reyes-Cruz Héctor , Terán-Jiménez Omar
Published: March 2016

An ear prosthesis was designed in 3D computer graphics software and fabricated using a 3D printing process of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) for use as a hearing aid. In addition, the prosthesis response to pressure and temperature was observed. Pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties of this ear prosthesis were investigated using an astable multivibrator circuit, as changes in PVDF permittivity were observed according to variations of pressure and temperature. The results show that this prosthesis is reliable for use under different conditions of pressure (0 Pa to 16,350 Pa) and temperature (2 °C to 90 °C). The experimental results show an almost linear and inversely proportional behavior between the stimuli of pressure and temperature with the frequency response. This 3D-printed ear prosthesis is a promising tool and has a great potentiality in the biomedical engineering field because of its ability to generate an electrical potential proportional to pressure and temperature, and it is the first time that such a device has been processed by the additive manufacturing process (3D printing). More work needs to be carried out to improve the performance, such as electrical stimulation of the nervous system, thereby extending the purpose of a prosthesis to the area of sensory perception.
The Age in Swimming of Champions in World Championships (1994–2013) and Olympic Games (1992–2012): A Cross-Sectional Data Analysis
Authors: Knechtle Beat , Bragazzi Nicola , König Stefan , Nikolaidis Pantelis , Wild Stefanie , Rosemann Thomas , Rüst Christoph
Published: March 2016

(1) Background: We investigated the age of swimming champions in all strokes and race distances in World Championships (1994–2013) and Olympic Games (1992–2012); (2) Methods: Changes in age and swimming performance across calendar years for 412 Olympic and world champions were analysed using linear, non-linear, multi-level regression analyses and MultiLayer Perceptron (MLP); (3) Results: The age of peak swimming performance remained stable in most of all race distances for world champions and in all race distances for Olympic champions. Longer (i.e., 200 m and more) race distances were completed by younger (-20 years old for women and -22 years old for men) champions than shorter (i.e., 50 m and 100 m) race distances (-22 years old for women and -24 years old for men). There was a sex difference in the age of champions of -2 years with a mean age of -21 and -23 years for women and men, respectively. Swimming performance improved in most race distances for world and Olympic champions with a larger trend of increase in Olympic champions; (4) Conclusion: Swimmers at younger ages (<20 years) may benefit from training and competing in longer race distances (i.e., 200 m and longer) before they change to shorter distances (i.e., 50 m and 100 m) when they become older (>22 years).
Computing Economies of Scope Using Robust Partial Frontier Nonparametric Methods
Authors: Carvalho Pedro , Cunha Marques Rui
Published: March 2016

This paper proposes a methodology to examine economies of scope using the recent order-α nonparametric method. It allows us to investigate economies of scope by comparing the efficient order-α frontiers of firms that produce two or more goods with the efficient order-α frontiers of firms that produce only one good. To accomplish this, and because the order-α frontiers are irregular, we suggest to linearize them by the DEA estimator. The proposed methodology uses partial frontier nonparametric methods that are more robust than the traditional full frontier methods. By using a sample of 67 Portuguese water utilities for the period 2002–2008 and, also, a simulated sample, we prove the usefulness of the approach adopted and show that if only the full frontier methods were used, they would lead to different results. We found evidence of economies of scope in the provision of water supply and wastewater services simultaneously by water utilities in Portugal.
Water Use Patterns in Vietnamese Hotels: Modeling Toilet and Shower Usage
Authors: Toyosada Kanako , Otani Takayuki , Shimizu Yasutoshi
Published: March 2016

Water saving is a key issue in rapidly developing countries, such as Vietnam, that face various water resource management challenges. This study investigated water-use patterns in a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. It aimed to quantify the efficiency of water-saving devices through modeling toilet and shower usage patterns, including water consumption. The shift in hourly consumption of cold and hot water was also identified. Analysis revealed that, on average, a full toilet flush occurs 3.3 times/day, a half flush 3.0 times/day, water consumption due to shower usage is 48.1 L/day, showering time is 7.3 min/day and the shower water temperature is 37.7 °C. Shifting levels of hot and cold water use revealed high activity in the morning time and that there are two peaks, occurring in the morning and at night.
PARSEC-SCALE ACCRETION AND WINDS IRRADIATED BY A QUASAR
Authors: Dorodnitsyn A. , Kallman T. , Proga D.
Published: March 2016

We present numerical simulations of properties of a parsec-scale torus exposed to illumination by the central black hole in an active galactic nucleus (AGN). Our physical model allows to investigate the balance between the formation of winds and accretion simultaneously. Radiation-driven winds are allowed by taking into account radiation pressure due to UV and IR radiation along with X-ray heating and dust sublimation. Accretion is allowed through angular momentum transport and the solution of the equations of radiative, viscous radiation hydrodynamics. Our methods adopt flux-limited diffusion radiation hydrodynamics for the dusty, infrared pressure driven part of the flow, along with X-ray heating and cooling. Angular momentum transport in the accreting part of the flow is modeled using effective viscosity. Our results demonstrate that radiation pressure on dust can play an important role in shaping AGN obscuration. For example, when the luminosity illuminating the torus exceeds

, where L
Edd is the Eddington luminosity, we find no episodes of sustained disk accretion because radiation pressure does not allow a disk to form. Despite the absence of the disk accretion, the flow of gas to smaller radii still proceeds at a rate 10−4–10−1

through the capturing of the gas from the hot evaporative flow, thus providing a mechanism to deliver gas from a radiation–pressure dominated torus to the inner accretion disk. As

increases, larger radiation input leads to larger torus aspect ratios and increased obscuration of the central black hole. We also find the important role of the X-ray heated gas in shaping the obscuring torus.
CSR in Hospitality Industry
Authors: Goklaney Sumit
Published: March 2016

There is no universally accepted definition of CSR, but most of the definitions have to do with business having a positive impact on the community. Society and business are dependent on each other. Business provides jobs, products, and taxes while society provides workers, consumers, and policies. Neither can survive without the other so it makes sense for business and society to work together for the benefit of both rather than to continue at odds. Business decisions and social policies must be aligned for this to happen. So the present paper will cover and compare the various types and aspects of CSR done by various hotels in hospitality industry. Corporate Social Responsibility involves “achieving commercial success in ways that honor ethical values and respect people, communities, and the natural environment” (Clark, 2006; Porter & Kramer, 2006). There is no universally accepted definition of CSR, but most of the definitions have to do with business having a positive impact on the community (Redford, 2005). Society and business are dependent on each other. Business provides jobs, products, and taxes while society provides workers, consumers, and policies. Neither can survive without the other so it makes sense for business and society to work together for the benefit of both rather than to continue at odds. Business decisions and social policies must be aligned for this to happen (Porter & Kramer, 2006). So the present paper will cover and compare the various types and aspects of CSR done by various hotels in hospitality industry.
Social Responsibility as Form of Governance in Tourism
Authors: González-Morales Olga , Álvarez-González José Antonio , Armas-Cruz Yaiza , Sanfiel-Fumero María Ángeles , Santana-Talavera Agustín
Published: March 2016

This work is the result of an exploratory study of introduction to a research conducted by a group of professors from the University of La Laguna, entitled: Design of optimal scenarios of tourism governance in Biosphere Reserves (GOBTUR) (CSO2012-38729-C02-01). This project is funded by the Directorate General of Research and Management of the National R+D+i (Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness), led by Agustin Santana Talavera. The objective is to analyze the role of Corporate Social Responsibility as form of governance in the tourism sector and collects a set of empirical studies about business cooperation and Corporate Social Responsibility. It analyzes public-private cooperation in the tourism sector and the role that the agents involved can play, as well as their strategies and their limitations. Afterwards, it focuses on the characterization of the Canary island of Fuerteventura (Spain). An example of actions cooperative public-private and the general format of the survey that shall complete the responsibles of tourist accommodations are also disclosed.
LS3D
Authors: Pascoal Pedro B. , Mendes Daniel , Henriques Diogo , Trancoso Isabel , Ferreira Alfredo
Published: March 2016

The number of available 3D digital objects has been increasing considerably. As such, searching in large collections has been subject of vast research. However, the main focus has been on algorithms and techniques for classification, indexing and retrieval. While some works have been done on query interfaces and results visualization, they do not explore natural interactions. The authors propose a speech interface for 3D object retrieval in immersive virtual environments. As a proof of concept, they developed the LS3D prototype, using the context of LEGO blocks to understand how people naturally describe such objects. Through a preliminary study, it was found that participants mainly resorted to verbal descriptions. Considering these descriptions and using a low cost visualization device, the authors developed their solution. They compared it with a commercial application through a user evaluation. Results suggest that LS3D can outperform its contestant, and ensures better performance and results perception than traditional approaches for 3D object retrieval.
Procedural Generation of Road Paths for Driving Simulation
Authors: Campos Carlos , Leitão João Miguel , Coelho António Fernando
Published: March 2016

Virtual environments for driving simulation aimed to scientific purposes require realistic three-dimensional models of roads. The creation of road models for these purposes, is usually preceded by the design of road paths which fulfill all the desired specific characteristics. Traditionally, the design of road paths is performed by road engineering specialists, resulting in a very time-consuming task. This paper presents a method that allows the procedural generation of road paths aimed to driving simulation experiments (e.g., ergonomics, psychology and traffic engineering). This method is inspired in methods used in roadways engineering, producing roads according to the design standards and similar to those found in the real world. This significantly reduces the need of specialists to prepare the road paths and generate road models suitable for conducting scientific work in driving simulators.
A Systems Theory of Organizational Information
Authors: Nguyen Tuan Manh
Published: March 2016

Standing on both the Peircean pragmatism semiotics and the Churchmanian systems thinking, this paper is an empirically grounded conceptualization of the phenomena of organizational information in terms of the nature and the formulation process of information in organizations. Four organizational cases in consulting industries were conducted for field data to firmly ground the resultant emergent theory. Two research findings were gained: organizational information as system, and organizational information formulation as habit production. By the author's systems based conception, organizational information would present itself as a unity that comprises nonexclusive six aspects: structure, function, process, context, time and epistemology. From the relational perspective, organizational information would better manifest itself as a dynamically triadic process in the form of the Peircean semiosis that comprises three states of mind (i.e. surprise, doubt, and belief) and three relations, or human activities (i.e. experience, abduction, and inquiry). Further, the findings also suggest paradigmatic distinction among three common information categories (i.e. data, knowledge, information), where ‘data' was found to be monadic, ‘knowledge' dyadic, and ‘information' triadic. The author's grounded systems model of organizational information introduces a sketch of a semiotics based framework for both information and organization domains, which offers that information and organization constitute each other. The author also posits that the grounded systems model of organizational information would imply an information paradigm for, and hence, a theory native to the information systems (IS) and knowledge management (KM) field.
Analysis of Double Layer Cross Strips with Chiral Configuration Exhibiting Negative Refractive Index
Authors: Rahim Tariq , Xu Jia Dong
Published: March 2016

Metamaterials composed of metallic strips on both side of the substrate are analyzed at microwave frequencies. The rectangular shaped metallic foils are rotated by 90o with respect to their adjacent metal strip on each side of the substrate. The twist angle between the cross strips on opposite sides of substrate is 40o. The proposed structure exhibits the properties of chiral medium such as optical activity and circular dichroism due to their cross coupling between the electric and magnetic fields. The rectangular shaped chiral objects can be easily fabricated on double side substrate. Both transmission and reflection resonances are illustrated. The chiral configuration of this metamaterial structure is analyzed in commercial software Computer Simulation Technology (CST) microwave studio and negative refractive index is observed. Moreover, other electromagnetic structural parameters such as chirality, optical activity and polarization effect are discussed.
Data Compression Analysis of Rocket Engines with Vector Quantization Based on FCM Algorithm
Authors: Sobya D.
Published: March 2016

Data compression is the process of reducing the number of bits required to represent a data. Vector quantization is a method to deal with this operation of compression and is used to compresses the data which arise in wide range of applications and it can achieve better compression performance than any conventional coding techniques which is based on the encoding of scalar quantities. This article presents a test data that will be produced on testing the rocket engines in Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre using Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) based vector quantization. In this proposed vector quantization technique, Fuzzy C Means algorithm used to generate a fine initial codebook and then compress the data without loss. Experimental analyses were carried out and the final result concluded that the data compressed successfully without loss when 300 data were applied.
Container Ports Throughput Analysis: A Comparative Evaluation of China and Five West African Countries' Seaports Efficiencies
Authors: Tetteh Evans Ago , Yang Hua Long , Gomina Mama Fousséni
Published: March 2016

The measurement of the container port throughput and efficiency of China and 5 West African ports was the objective of this study. The DEA model, which is a non-parametric methodology, was applied to a number of inputs of port production and a single output. The results show that although China’s ports are the largest in terms of throughput and size, they are relatively inefficient due to over-capacity. In West Africa, it was revealed that the Tema port in Ghana was the most efficient although it displayed some operational inefficiencies with the Cotonou port in Benin been the least efficient. The results will therefore, add value to future port planning and management and performance ratings.
Optimization of Process Parameters in EDM Using Taguchi Method with Grey Relational Analysis and Topsis for Ceramic Composites
Authors: Kalayarasan M. , Murali M.
Published: March 2016

Silicon Nitride-Titanium Nitride ceramic composites are newly advanced material having the properties of high hardness, strength, toughness and low density. These kinds of materials are challenging to machine by conventional machining process because it causes severe tool wear due to its properties. Since the materials can be machined by non-conventional machining process like laser cutting and water jet, but these processes are limited. Electric discharge machining shows higher capability for cutting complex shapes with high accuracy. The present work focuses to optimize the process parameter for maximum material removal rate and minimum electrode wear rate. The experimental studies were conducted under varying pulse on time, pulse off time, dielectric pressure and discharge current. Taguchi L9 orthogonal array was used to design the experiments. Grey relational analysis and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was used to optimize the process parameter and the results were validated by the confirmation tests. Thus the machining parameter for electric discharge machine was optimized to achieve higher material removal rate and lower rate on electrode. The result shows that the proposed technique is being effective to optimize the machining parameter for electric discharge machining process.
The Effect of PbO on the Physical and Structural Properties of Borate Glass System
Authors: Abdullah Mardhiah , Shafieza S.N.E. , Kasim Azman , Hashim Azhan
Published: March 2016

Borate is one of the most popular oxide glass being used in glass research world wide. Due to good reputation, therefore lead sodium borate glasses with compositions (90 - x) B2O3 + 10ZnO + xPbO (where = 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 mol %) have been prepared by using melt-quenching method. In this work, their physical and structural properties with respect to PbO content has been investigated. The densities of these glass samples were increased from 3946.2 kg/m3 to 5107.2 kg/m3 with an increase in PbO concentration. The molar volume are found to vary from 23.78 × 10-6 m3mol-1 to 24.39 × 10-6 m3mol-1 with respect to PbO content as well. The density and molar volume show inversed result respectively. The FTIR spectral analysis indicates that with the addition of PbO contents in the glass network, structural units of BO3 are transformed in BO4. There are no sharp peaks were observed in XRD patterns of the glass samples which confirmed the amorphous nature of the glass. Meanwhile, the micro hardness of these glass samples were also increased from 189 Pa to 355 Pa with increases on PbO content. The results will be discussed and presented in details.
Composition Effect of Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(Styrene Sulphonic Acid) and Polyaniline to Dispersion and Optical Properties of Polymer Blends
Authors: Sahapini N.F.M. , Alias Ahmad Nazib , Zabidi Z.M. , Yahya Mohd Ashmir
Published: March 2016

A Polymer blends compose of Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly (styrene sulphonic acid)(PEDOT:PSS) and Polyaniline (PANi) have been prepared using drop casting technique. Optical parameters such as refractive index (n), extinction coefficient (k), reflectance, and optical dielectric were determined in this study. It is found that reflectance spectra increase as the PANi concentration decreases in the sample of small photon energy. The refractive index of the sample shows significant effect with the PEDOT:PSS concentration. As the concentration of PEDOT:PSS increases, the refractive index shows a normal dispersion behavior. Extinction coefficient decrease as the wavelength increase within the range of 300 nm to 350 nm that may contribute to the loss fraction of light due to scattering and the decreasing of absorbance at this range. However, the extinction coefficient increases from 350 nm to the maximum wavelength of 800 nm since the absorbance is also increasing. Both the real and imaginary part of the dielectric constant decreases when the photon energy increases. This revealed that the compositions of PEDOT:PSS influence the optical properties of hybrid PEDOT-PSS:PANi thin film.
Optimization of Silicon-Based Fabrication Process Modeling for Optical Modulator
Authors: Haroon Hazura , Abdul Razak Hanim , Zain Anis Suhaila Mohd , Mohamad Najimiah Radiah
Published: March 2016

Silicon-based photonic devices have emerged as a high demand technology for a wide range of applications. Most of these devices can be realized by optical waveguides where it forms the basic structure for device construction. This project involved the optimization of silicon waveguide fabrication process modeling using Silvaco. The optimized silicon-based waveguide components are aimed to be implemented in future photonic devices such as optical modulators. The Taguchi methods are employed to study the influence of fabrication parameters variations on the fabrication performance such as etch rate and waveguide structure. Four fabrication parameters are investigated includes the diffusion temperature of the N - type channel, diffusion temperature of the P - type channel, silicon orientation and oxide thickness. The result shows that the temperature during the diffusion on an N - type channel has the most influence on the performance of the modulation efficiency of the silicon optical waveguide.
Optical Characterization of Zinc Selenide Compound Prepared through Hydrothermal Method
Authors: Ashari Fakhrurrazi , Chyi Josephine Liew Ying , Talib Zainal Abdib , Wan Yunus W. Wahmood , Yong Jian Leong , Kee Lee Han
Published: March 2016

ZnSe which show a potential application in electronic devices such as photovoltaic devices, light emitting devices and photodetector have been synthesized through a hydrothermal method using ZnCl2 and Se powder as the source. In a typical synthesis, Zn2+ and Se2- ion have been prepared separately and charged into a Teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave. The hydrothermal reaction was conducted at 180 °C for 32 hours. Structural properties of ZnSe are studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) while the optical properties of ZnSe compound are characterized through ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). From the XRD result, pure ZnSe with main XRD peak at 2θ = 27.29°, 45.30°, 53.62°, 65.88°, 72.68° has been observed. The result have been supported by the optical results where absoprtion peak at 460 nm with optical band gap energy (Eg) at 2.5 eV.
Mixture of Zinc Oxide Microrod and Poly(3-Dodecylthiophene) with Melastoma malabathricum Dye for Hybrid Solar Cell
Authors: Salleh Hasiah , Nik Ali Nik Aziz , Mohd Sinin Azhar , Engku Ali Engku Abdul Ghapur , Firdaus Muhammad Afiq
Published: March 2016

A single hybrid solar cell (SHSC) which consist of zinc oxide (ZnO) micro-rod and Poly (3-dodecylthiophene)(P3DDT) materials with nature dye from Melastomamalabathricum fruit (Mm) were fabricated to determine it electrical properties and power conversion efficiency (PCE). The ZnO microrod was growth by thermal method. P3DT was synthesis by oxidation polymerization method. Nature dye was extracted from Mm fruit in purplecolor.The fabrication of a SHSC started with growth ZnO microrodon the Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) in thin filmform, followed with P3DT layers and finally layered with Mm in 5 layers and 10 layers respectively.The SHSC wascharacterized the electrical conductivity and PCE also compared under dark condition and various light intensity. The conductivity of the samples is increase within the increment of light intensity and the efficiency of SHSC increase within the increment of layer of Mm. The highest electrical conductivity was for 10 layers of dye which is 2.678 + 0.002 Scm-1. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the ITO/ZnO/P3DDT/10 layers dye achieved was the highest which is 0.0011% under radiation of 200 Wm-2 intensity of light. As a conclusion, it can say that the amount of Mm can affect the performance of hybrid solar cell, where the dye is increased, the electrical conductivity and the PCE also increase. Thus, the Mm is a good dye and can be potential to apply in the solar cell.