bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Dynamic Vegetation Senescence Indicator for Near-Real-Time Desert Locust Habitat Monitoring with MODIS
Authors: Renier Cécile , Waldner François , Jacques Damien , Babah Ebbe Mohamed , Cressman Keith , Defourny Pierre
Published: June 2015

Desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) represent a major threat for agro-pastoral resources and food security over almost 30 million km2 from northern Africa to the Arabian peninsula and India. Given the differential food preferences of this insect pest and the extent and remoteness of the their distribution area, near-real-time remotely-sensed information on potential habitats support control operations by narrowing down field surveys to areas favorable for their development and prone to gregarization and outbreaks. The development of dynamic greenness maps, which detect the onset of photosynthetic vegetation, allowed national control centers to identify potential habitats to survey, as locusts prefer green and fresh vegetation. Their successful integration into the daily control operations led to a new need: the near-real-time identification of the onset of dryness, a synonym for the loss of habitat attractiveness, likely to be abandoned by locusts. The timely availability of this information would enable control centers to focus their surveys on areas more prone to gregarization, leading to more efficiency in the allocation of resources and in decision making. In this context, this work developed an original method to detect in near-real-time the onset of vegetation senescence. The design of the detection relies on the temporal behavior of two indices: the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, depending on the green vegetation, and the Normalized Difference Tillage Index, sensitive to both green and dry vegetation. The method is demonstrated in Mauritania, an ever-affected country, with 10-day MODIS mean composites for the years 2010 and 2011. The discrimination performance of three classes (“growth”, “density reduction” and “drying”) were analyzed for three classification methods: maximum likelihood (61.4% of overall accuracy), decision tree (71.5%) and support vector machine (72.3%). The classification accuracy is heterogeneous in both time and space and is affected by several factors, such as vegetation density, the north-south climatic gradient and the relief. Smoothing the vegetation time series resulted in an increase of the overall accuracy of about 5% at the expense of a loss in timeliness of ten days. To simulate near-real-time monitoring conditions, the decision tree was applied to the decade of 2010. Overall, the seasonal vegetation cycle appeared clear and consistent. The results obtained pave the way for an operational implementation of the senescence dynamic mapping and, consequently, to further strengthen the capacity of the locust control management.
A Multi-Channel Method for Retrieving Surface Temperature for High-Emissivity Surfaces from Hyperspectral Thermal Infrared Images
Authors: Zhong Xinke , Labed Jelila , Zhou Guoqing , Shao Kun , Li Zhao-Liang
Published: June 2015

The surface temperature (ST) of high-emissivity surfaces is an important parameter in climate systems. The empirical methods for retrieving ST for high-emissivity surfaces from hyperspectral thermal infrared (HypTIR) images require spectrally continuous channel data. This paper aims to develop a multi-channel method for retrieving ST for high-emissivity surfaces from space-borne HypTIR data. With an assumption of land surface emissivity (LSE) of 1, ST is proposed as a function of 10 brightness temperatures measured at the top of atmosphere by a radiometer having a spectral interval of 800–1200 cm−1 and a spectral sampling frequency of 0.25 cm−1. We have analyzed the sensitivity of the proposed method to spectral sampling frequency and instrumental noise, and evaluated the proposed method using satellite data. The results indicated that the parameters in the developed function are dependent on the spectral sampling frequency and that ST of high-emissivity surfaces can be accurately retrieved by the proposed method if appropriate values are used for each spectral sampling frequency. The results also showed that the accuracy of the retrieved ST is of the order of magnitude of the instrumental noise and that the root mean square error (RMSE) of the ST retrieved from satellite data is 0.43 K in comparison with the AVHRR SST product.
Co-Benefits of Household Waste Recycling for Local Community’s Sustainable Waste Management in Thailand
Authors: Challcharoenwattana Amornchai , Pharino Chanathip
Published: June 2015

The study aimed to evaluate co-benefits in term of GHG reduction, and avoided landfill costs by implementing a community-based management (CBM) program for municipal solid waste (MSW). Two towns of peri-urban settlement in Thailand were investigated in case studies to compare eco-performance between the towns with and without implementation of the CBM program. MSW mass flows together with MSW utilization records were analyzed based on data in year 2013. Climate co-benefits from waste utilization activities were examined. Results from the study indicated that waste banks in the CBM program can effectively divert most of recyclables from entering landfills. The performance of “waste bank—recyclable recovery program” recycling rate from the case study with CBM is 172.20 kg per member per year, which is about 926% higher than average CBMs with MSW recycling in Thailand, and the success of CBM can be attributed to its curbside pickup service and fair-pricing of recyclables. The study also found that if the town decided to divert wastes from landfilling, carbon intensity of the MSW system would be 0.47 tons of CO2-eq per ton of collected MSW. The landfilling cost would be approximately 7.41 USD per ton of MSW as landfilling cost. With CBM programs, current MSW reutilization rate has achieved 9.68% of generated waste, and 16.80% of GHG emission has been avoided, along with a reduction in landfill costs of 11.57%. Two scenarios of waste utilization in Thailand were explored and compared, in terms of which scenarios yielded the highest co-benefits. The study demonstrates that by allowing local mechanism and community involvement programs to develop with operational waste banks, the efficiency of collecting recycling wastes increased. A similar system can be applied to other communities in other countries.
Glutathione Transferases Responses Induced by Microcystin-LR in the Gills and Hepatopancreas of the Clam Venerupis philippinarum
Authors: Carneiro Mariana , Reis Bruno , Azevedo Joana , Campos Alexandre , Osório Hugo , Vasconcelos Vítor , Martins José
Published: June 2015

A multi-method approach was employed to compare the responses of Glutatione Transferases (GSTs) in the gills and hepatopancreas of Venerupis philippinarum to microcystins (MCs) toxicity. In this way, using the cytosolic fraction, the enzymatic activity of GSTs, superoxide dismutase (SOD), serine/threonine protein phosphatases (PPP2) along with the gene expression levels of four GST isoforms (pi, mu, sigma1, sigma2) were investigated in both organs of the clams exposed for 24 h to 10, 50 and 100 μg L−1 of MC-LR. Cytosolic GSTs (cGSTs) from both organs of the high dose exposed clams were purified by glutathione-agarose affinity chromatography, characterized kinetically and the changes in the expression of cGSTs of the gills identified using a proteomic approach. MC-LR caused an increase in GST enzyme activity, involved in conjugation reactions, in both gills and hepatopancreas (100 μg L−1 exposure). SOD activity, an indicator of oxidative stress, showed signiﬁcantly elevated levels in the hepatopancreas only (50 and 100 μg L−1 exposure). No significant changes were found in PPP2 activity, the main target of MCs, for both organs. Transcription responses revealed an up-regulation of sigma2 in the hepatopancreas at the high dose, but no significant changes were detected in the gills. Kinetic analysis evidenced differences between gills of exposed and non-exposed extracts. Using proteomics, qualitative and quantitative differences were found between the basal and inducible cGSTs. Overall, results suggest a distinct role of GST system in counteracting MCs toxicity between the gills and the hepatopancreas of V. philippinarum, revealing different roles between GST isoforms within and among both organs.
FUZZY MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION MAKING MODEL FOR SUBCONTRACTOR SELECTION IN INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Authors: ULUBEYLI Serdar , KAZAZ Aynur
Published: June 2015

A general contractor’s ability to select proper subcontractors in foreign projects is a key competitive advantage. Toward this aim, a subcontractor selection model (CoSMo) was developed in this study. As a computational approach, the fuzzy sets method was employed because it can model human judgment by means of linguistic values, combining qualitative and quantitative decision criteria into an aggregate measure. Although the algorithm may be complex for easy acceptance by industrial practitioners, this disadvantage was minimized through a computer-supported system. In order to gain a better understanding of the current practice of CoSMo, a real world construction project was conducted. As a result, it was observed that CoSMo has high practical application and can be used as an advisory system by satisfying principal contractor’s requirements to reduce the risk involved in the selection of a subcontractor. Moreover, it gives an initial idea of how subcontractors perform on each decision criterion and allows the main contractor to understand the picture on the strong and weak points of each bidder and thereby to take conscious decisions.
TECHNOLOGICAL ASSIMILATION AND DIVERGENCE IN TIMES OF CRISIS
Authors: ÁLVAREZ Isabel , DI CAPRIO Debora , SANTOS-ARTEAGA Francisco Javier
Published: June 2015

We study an endogenous stochastic growth model whose dynamic evolution is determined by an adaptive learning process defining the accumulation of technological knowledge within countries. Both the assimilation of technological knowledge and the arrival rate of innovations depend on the technological development level of countries. We illustrate how heterogeneous levels of technological development provide laggard countries with insufficient innovation incentives, leading to divergences in total factor productivity and their technological stagnation. The model is simulated numerically using data from the current Innovation Union Scoreboard where the main expected growth patterns of the Baltic States are compared to those of the reference innovators within the European Union area.
Échanges internationaux :
Authors: Le Merrer Pascal
Published: June 2015

Dans le programme des Journées de l’économie 2014, deux conférences portaient sur la question des échanges internationaux aujourd’hui. L’une était axée sur ce que l’on peut appeler une nouvelle étape dans la mondialisation, l’autre traitait des négociations sur les accords commerciaux régionaux (TTIP – TPP) 1 . Notre réflexion aura pour point de départ la première conférence qui s’intitulait : « Après la mondialisation... 2  ». Depuis David Ricardo et sa théorie des avantages comparatifs, l’analyse économique n’a cessé d’étudier les effets attendus de la division internationale du travail. Que peut-on dire sur la situation actuelle à la lumière des faits et des travaux récents ?
Comment étudier l’influence des stéréotypes de genre et de race sur la perception de la parole ?
Authors: Arnold Aron , Candea Maria
Published: June 2015

Cette étude interroge les méthodes expérimentales traditionnellement utilisées en phonétique pour étudier la perception des attitudes/émotions par la voix. Nous avons voulu étudier l’effet des stéréotypes de genre et de race sur la perception, à travers un protocole basé sur les techniques d’ amorçage et du locuteur masqué . Nous avons ainsi testé l’approbation de phrases évaluatives appariées à de courts extraits sonores par deux groupes indépendants de 55 personnes chacun. Chaque phrase contenait un prénom féminin ou masculin, français ou maghrébin pour amorcer les catégories identitaires « femme », « homme », « Français de souche », « d’origine arabe ». Les résultats obtenus ne sont pas toujours conformes à ceux des études antérieures menées surtout aux États-Unis et laissent penser que les réactions des auditrices/eurs face aux stéréotypes de genre sont moins réfléchies que les réactions face aux stéréotypes raciaux. Les conclusions incitent à mieux prendre en compte l’interaction entre chercheurs et enquêtés lors d’expériences perceptives, et à interpréter avec plus de prudence les résultats produits par des méthodes expérimentales purement quantitatives.
La famille selon Bettelheim
Authors: Menéndez Ramón
Published: June 2015

Un point qui a été souvent critiqué dans le travail de Bruno Bettelheim est sa position à l’égard des parents et en particulier des mères. Ses détracteurs ont souvent épinglé cet aspect de sa pratique pour discréditer l’ensemble de son œuvre et la psychanalyse. L’article cherche à restituer la complexité de la pensée de Bettelheim en ce qui concerne la famille et les mères. Ses sources viennent de la sociologie, de la pédagogie et en particulier de la philosophie. Sa pensée ne s’inscrit pas dans une discussion sur l’étiologie de l’autisme, mais dans le cadre d’une réflexion plus large sur les enjeux de pouvoir au sein de la famille. Ce travail permet de mieux situer le débat sur ce point, qui n’est pas consensuel, à l’intérieur de la psychanalyse.
Nos voisins sont tellement humains
Authors: Herreria Michel
Published: June 2015

Variations graphiques sur quelques scènes de voisinage. Dessins de Michel Herreria pour la résidence de Script au Molière-Scène d’Aquitaine à Bordeaux : « Les arts mitoyens dans le voisinage du théâtre » (novembre 2014). Sur une proposition de Jean-Paul Rathier.
Les normes de la maternité en France à l’épreuve du recours transnational de l’assistance médicale à la procréation
Authors: Rozée Gomez Virginie
Published: June 2015

L’assistance médicale à la procréation (AMP) permet aujourd’hui aux femmes, aux hommes et aux couples infertiles de réaliser un projet procréatif et parental. En France, cependant, elle est réservée aux couples hétérosexuels en âge de procréer et les techniques proposées privilégient une reproduction intra et bio-conjugale avec une participation exclusive du corps de la mère. En ce sens, l’encadrement de l’AMP est révélateur des normes dominantes d’accession à la maternité en France. Or, en partant à l’étranger pour bénéficier d’une AMP, en transgressant pour certaines les règles juridiques, les femmes interrogées dans le cadre de notre étude, ne réunissant pas toutes les conditions normatives de la maternité, contreviennent à ces normes dominantes. L’article s’intéresse aux caractéristiques de ces femmes et à leur représentation de la maternité, ainsi qu’aux arrangements faits pour se créer des espaces de légitimité. Volontairement ou non, de façon plus ou moins assumée, elles participent de ce fait à la complexification et à la diversification des normes parentales et familiales.
Mariage et société des individus : le mariage pour personne
Authors: Messu Michel
Published: June 2015

Cet article revient sur les événements du printemps 2013 qui avaient vu s’affronter tenants et adversaires du prétendu « mariage pour tous ». Il se propose de clarifier les arguments mobilisés par les uns et les autres au regard de ce que les sciences sociales ont pu établir quant à la manière de comprendre ce que « faire famille » signifie. Il souligne ainsi le poids de l’imaginaire social dans cette signification, singulièrement de notre imaginaire social christianisé. Il entend aussi situer les débats qui ont entouré l’adoption de la loi dite « mariage pour tous » dans le contexte de sociétés qui ont promu l’enfant et l’individu singulier au rang de « personne » dont la socialisation admet une autonomie principielle. Partant, il suggère, en procédant au désempilement du « sexe-genre-personne », qu’on se prononce en faveur d’un « mariage pour personne ».
Femoral Head Stress Fracture: An Unknown Complication Following Sugioka’s Transtrochanteric Rotational Osteotomy
Authors: Chotai Pranit , Shon Won Yong , Suh Dong Hun , Han Seung Beom
Published: June 2015

Sugioka’s transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy, as a treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, has variable success rates. Its known complications include: progressive varus deformity, femoral neck fracture, and femoral head collapse. However, femoral head stress fracture has not been described as a complication of Sugioka’s transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy. This article presents cases of 2 of 64 patients who underwent Sugioka’s transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy between 1994 and 2006 and experienced femoral head stress fractures. Both patients were young and active. They presented with acute inability to bear weight and pain on the operated hip after mountain climbing 1 and a half to 3 years following the index surgery. Diagnosis of femoral head stress fracture was established by the presence of an inferolaterally-directed vertical fracture line from the superolateral aspect of the femoral head on computed tomography scans for both patients. One patient was successfully managed with conservative measures, whereas the other underwent total hip replacement after failed conservative treatment.

We hypothesize that the direction alteration of the trabecular system due to proximal femoral segment rotation, varus positioning of the proximal femur, and inadequate placement of the screw into the necrotic femoral head may have caused the femoral head stress fractures after transtrochanteric rotational osteotomies. Stress fracture of the femoral head is a potential complication following Sugioka’s transtrochanteric rotational osteotomy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head, which may be prevented by avoiding heavy exercises such as mountain climbing, until adequate remodeling of the trabecular system is gained and screws can be inserted into the femoral head subchondral bone as deeply as possible with avoidance of the necrotic area.
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis in an Adult with Panhypopituitarism
Authors: Hu Ming-Hsiao , Jian Yu-Ming , Hsueh Yon-Te , Lin Wei-Hsin , Yang Rong-Sen
Published: June 2015

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis usually occurs in children going through a pubertal growth spurt, possibly because the immature proximal femoral physis is unable to bear the shear stress. It commonly occurs in adolescents between 10 and 16 years. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis in adults is uncommon, with only 10 cases reported in the literature. This article presents a case of a 29-year-old man with craniopharyngioma diagnosed when he was 19. He underwent surgery with subtotal tumor excision and postoperative radiotherapy, but received no further treatment for the panhypopituitarism concomitant with the tumor. He reported sudden onset of left hip pain after riding a bicycle and underwent surgical fixation 5 days later. He also underwent hormone replacement therapy, including prednisolone, thyroxin, desmopressin, and testosterone, and regular clinical follow-up. His hip function recovered with a painless gait. At 18-month follow-up, neither osteonecrosis nor contralateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis was noted. Furthermore, bilateral proximal femoral physes were also closed. For stable slippage as in this case, in situ pinning fixation is a commendable method. A high index of suspicion of endocrinal disorder and proper management are essential for successful treatment of adult slipped capital femoral epiphysis.
Intratendinous Tophaceous Gout Imitating Patellar Tendonitis in an Athletic Man
Authors: Gililland Jeremy M. , Webber Nicholas P. , Jones Kevin B. , Randall R. Lor , Aoki Stephen K.
Published: June 2015

Patellar tendon-related pain is common in the athletic patient. When it occurs in skeletally mature patients participating in running, jumping, or kicking sports, the diagnosis of jumper’s knee patellar tendonitis is usually made. If patellar tendon pain is associated with a mass, the differential diagnosis should be broadened to include crystalline arthropathy.

This article presents a case of a highly athletic 45-year-old man with a history of gout, anterior knee pain, and an enlarging mass in the region of the patellar tendon. Conservative management failed, and an excisional biopsy found it to be an intra-tendinous gouty tophus. To our knowledge, only 1 report exists documenting a patellar tendon mass secondary to gout, and no case report exists documenting this problem in an athlete. The interplay between athletics and gout has not been well described. Despite the long-term protective nature of fitness, transient elevations in uric acid associated with athletic endeavors may contribute acutely to manifestations of gout in some athletes. Resultant intra- or extra-articular pathology may present as, and easily be mistaken for, a sports-related injury. Without appropriate medical management, tophaceous deposition may continue to occur and treatment of the resultant mass may require surgical intervention.
Intermediate and Near Visual Acuity of an Aspheric, Bifocal, Diffractive Multifocal Intraocular Lens With +3.25 D Near Addition
Authors: Kretz Florian T. A. , Koss Michael J. , Auffarth Gerd U. ,   for the ZLB00 Study Group
Published: June 2015

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the clinical outcomes after cataract surgery with implantation of a new diffractive multifocal intraocular lens with a lower near addition.

METHODS:

A prospective multicenter clinical study including 44 eyes of 44 patients (age range: 43 to 82 years) that underwent cataract surgery with implantation of the Tecnis ZLB00 multifocal intraocular lens (Abbott Medical Optics, Santa Ana, CA). Changes in uncorrected and corrected distance, intermediate, and near visual acuity, and manifest refraction were evaluated during a 3-month follow-up. Additionally, patients were asked about photic phenomena and spectacle dependence.

RESULTS:

Postoperative spherical equivalent was within 0.50 and ±1.00 diopters of emmetropia in 91.2% and 100% of eyes, respectively. Postoperative monocular uncorrected distance, near, and intermediate visual acuities were 0.10 logMAR (20/25 Snellen) or better in 82.5%, 86.5%, and 68.8% of eyes, respectively. All eyes achieved monocular corrected distance and near visual acuity of 0.10 logMAR (20/25 Snellen) or better. All patients reported to be satisfied with the outcomes of the surgery. Only 6 patients (13.6%) required the use of spectacles for some daily activities postoperatively, and 8 patients (18.2%) reported mild perception of halos.

CONCLUSIONS:

The introduction of low addition multifocal intraocular lenses follows a trend to increase intermediate visual acuity. Still, a near addition of +3.25 diopters reached satisfying near results and led to high patient satisfaction.

[
J Refract Surg.
2015;31(5):295–299.]
LASIK Flap Breakthrough in Nd:YAG Laser Treatment of Epithelial Ingrowth
Authors: Lapid-Gortzak Ruth , Hughes John M. , Nieuwendaal Carla P. , Mourits Maarten P. , van der Meulen Ivanka J. E.
Published: June 2015

PURPOSE:

To present two cases with complications after Nd:YAG laser treatment of epithelial ingrowth.

METHODS:

Case reports.

RESULTS:

Dense central recurrent epithelial ingrowth was treated with a Nd:YAG laser directed at the epithelial nests in the LASIK flap interface in one case. Misalignment of the aiming beam after movement resulted in perforation of the LASIK flap, followed by renewed epithelial ingrowth through the new defect. The epithelial ingrowth receded and became more translucent as a result of the treatment, but the area of the perforation remained irregular. In another case, use of the Nd:YAG laser to treat recurrent epithelial ingrowth adjacent to the flap edge created a cavitation bubble that broke through the flap edge, creating a new epithelial channel through which ingrowth recurred.

CONCLUSIONS:

Surface breakthrough and renewed epithelial ingrowth is a possible complication of Nd:YAG laser treatment of epithelial ingrowth.

[
J Refract Surg.
2015;31(5):342–345.]
Keep It Simple: Challenges, Solutions, and Best Practices for Global eLearning Initiatives
Authors: Giovanis Kristen
Published: June 2015

Creating effective global eLearning initiatives requires strategic planning and process development to avoid mistakes that can turn off global learners. In order to successfully implement a global training program in a cost effective, efficient way, corporations must consider budget, timing, design, and content relevancy. These factors become more complex when considering lingual, regional and cultural differences across the globe. Preparing to face these complex challenges with stakeholder buy-in, defined procedures, and inter-department collaboration will ensure the success of the global initiative.

This article will explore eLearning best practices and methods when applied to a global audience, and address common pitfalls that can result in inefficiencies and miscommunications.
Engineering Education in an Industrial Context
Authors: Hagenreiner Thomas , Engelmann Grazia , Köhler Peter
Published: June 2015

Learning is a lifelong process, which may not end at the transition from school to work. To exploit modern software systems used in design engineering, in order to increase efficiency and stay competitive, engineers have to keep on gaining knowledge during occupation. Anyhow, employees are usually not or only insufficiently trained, as no working time shall be lost. This paper demonstrates an opportunity to implement a learning-by-doing within the development process by the utilization of a Knowledge Based Engineering System (KBES). The user is supposed to be able to improve efficiency and quality in design engineering without the need of time-consuming trainings. Instead he/she is getting a short introduction (10 to 15 minutes), which can take place anytime during work. Therefore, product- and process-knowledge is saved within a knowledge-base and provided to the user in a way allowing him/her to use the system intuitively as he/she is guided through the process. As each step of the system may be reconstructed in the structure tree of the CA-system, the user understands the basic concepts in an implicit way. An experimental study is conducted to prove the effects of the KBES. The results clearly show that the efficiency and data-quality can be raised by the usage of such a system. Furthermore the study proves that there is a learning effect as the test persons could improve their results on a more complicated task after about four to six weeks past the introduction. The results may be explained with the Cognitive-Load-theory regarding the method of Worked-Out-Examples.
The Role of Roller Speed on Solidification of Al-Mg-Si Alloy during Twin Roll Strip Casting
Authors: Hussain Zuhailawati , Yusof Masyitah Mt. , Anasyida Abu Seman , Almanar Indra Putra , Dhindaw Brij Kumar
Published: June 2015

In the production of aluminum alloy strips for packaging industry twin roll strip casting technique is now being extensively employed. The twin roll caster has advantage of the energy saving, low cost equipment and rapid solidification. The present research aimed to investigate the microstructure and hardness of twin roll strip cast aluminum alloys strips by varying the speed of roller cast. Al-Mg-Si ingot was melt in an induction furnace. Once it melted, the liquid was poured into a crucible attached to a twin roller cast to maintain the liquid temperature at 700°C. Molten alloy was poured in the gap between the copper rollers to produce the strips. The rotational speed of the cast rolls was varied from 60-30 rpm. During this process, the melt solidified to form strips. A specimen of 50 mm length cut from the cast strips was subjected to physical and mechanical characterization. Variation in hardness and microstructure of the produced trip were discussed.
Effect of Si3N4 Addition on the Properties of Sn-1.0Ag-0.7Cu Solder Alloy
Authors: Nasir Norhayanti Mohd , Saud Norainiza , Mohd Salleh Mohd Arif Anuar , Derman Mohd Nazree B. , Izwan Ramli Mohd Izrul , Said Rita Mohd
Published: June 2015

This research has investigated the properties of low-silver Sn-1.0Ag-0.7Cu (SAC107) alloy. Different weight percentages (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 wt. %) of silicon nitride (Si3N4) were used as reinforcement particles. The SAC107 - Si3N4 composite solder was fabricated via powder metallurgy (PM) technique. The results showed that homogeneous distribution of Si3N4 particles along the grain boundaries has increased the hardness of the SAC107 - Si3N4 composite solders compared to monolithic SAC107 solder alloy. The melting temperature is maintained at the SAC107 level, indicating that the novel composite solder is suitable for existing soldering process.
Review on Preparation and Properties of High-K Dielectric Material Based on Lanthanum Doped Barium Titanate
Authors: Abdul Hamid Nur Farahin , Osman Rozana Aina Maulat , Idris Mohd Sobri , Zakaria Mohd Rosydi
Published: June 2015

Lanthanum doped barium titanate (BaTiO3) were studied for high-K dielectric and exhibit a relaxor ferroelectric properties and it can be prepared by using various method. Relaxor ferroelectric offers a wide temperature and frequency range of application for materials with high dielectric constant for microelectronic application. This paper reviews the preparation methods, the important features, advantages and limitation for the lanthanum doped barium titanate. Thus, the phase purity and mixture selected also been review on the second part of the article. The article concludes with a brief discussion of the methods with good dielectric behavior. The objectives of this paper are to determine the selection of suitable preparation methods and the properties of the high-K dielectric based on pure barium titanate and lanthanum doped barium titanate.
Design of Experiment (DOE) Study of Hydroxyapatite-Coated Magnesium by Cold Spray Deposition
Authors: Hasniyati Md Razi , Hussain Zuhailawati , Ramakrishnan Sivakumar , Dhindaw Brij Kumar , Mohd Noor Siti Noor Fazliah
Published: June 2015

In this study, hydroxyapatite powder was sprayed onto pure magnesium plate using a simple modified cold spray process. The effects of process parameters (i.e.standoff distance, surface roughness, substrate, substrate heating temperature and number of spray) were studied using 2k-1 factorial design.Analysis of variant (ANOVA) were used to determine the significant of process parameters on the coating. Thickness of coating, nanohardness and elastic modulus were chosen as the responses for assessing the most significant parameters that affected the hydroxyapatite coated onto pure magnesium plate. HAP particles have found to be bonded well in sample of run 11 while sample of run 4 show poor bonding between HAP particles and magnesium substrate. The effect of individual variables on the response was briefly discussed.
Effects of Surface Treatment on Titanium Alloys Substrate by Acid Etching for Dental Implant
Authors: Jemat Afida , Ghazali Mariyam Jameelah , Razali Masfueh , Otsuka Yuichi
Published: June 2015

Many studies were carried out to investigate the ability of titanium alloys for dental implant. Surface treatment is one of the famous methods to increase the titanium surface properties. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of acid etching on the surface topography and roughness of titanium alloys (Ti6Al4V ASTM 1472-99). Acid etchings were carried out by using different type of acids with same time exposures. All etched surface were characterized by using an X-ray diffraction (XRD), a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a roughness tester. Acid etched and pure surface were comparatively analysed. Results obtained show that the type of acids influenced the surface topography as well as roughness properties. The microstructure of the surface is highly modified after acid etching. Further we can confirm that, the experimental etched titanium alloys had features of a roughened surface with micro-roughness. In general, the experimental surface (0.137 μm – 3.986 μm) was significantly rougher than control surface (0.124 μm).
Influence of Recycled Wastes on Slag Foaming during EAF Steelmaking
Authors: Ismail Anis Nadhirah , Yunos Nur Farhana Mohd , Jamaludin Shamsul Baharin , Asri Idris Muhammad
Published: June 2015

The potential converting the end-life product into a renewable source and replaced the conventional material found in iron and steelmaking production next tackled the world’s most problematic waste stream. Generally, integrating the waste material becomes wealth only available to certain wastes industries due to high temperature application. Recycling waste materials were introduced in order to control slag foaming in EAF steelmaking. The present paper reviews about slag foaming behaviour focused on slag droplet volume (Vt/V0 ratio), their transformation and morphology during carbon/slag interaction using sessile-drop technique at 1550°C on polymeric (HDPE), agricultural waste (palm shell), rubber tyres and metallurgical coke as the potential carbonaceous materials in EAF steelmaking. These results indicate that partial replacement of conventional materials with recycled waste materials is efficient due to improved interactions with EAF slag.
Simulation Study on Failure of Constant Force Spring (CFS) Fitted in a Counter Balancinglinkage Mechanism
Authors: Khairul H. Kamarudin , Ahmad Mujahid Ahmad Zaidi , Shohaimi Abdullah , Koslan Md. Fuad Shah , Suresh Thanakodi , Wan Ali Wan Mat , Firdaus Husain , Hariz Jamil , Mohd Zaid Othman
Published: June 2015

A failure characteristic investigation is carried out on a constant forcespring (CFS) (also known as flat spiral spring) fitted in a counterweight balancingmechanism. A SolidWorksSimulation Softwarewas used to performed the static and fatigue test. Based on the simulation results, the maximum Von Mises stress obtained is 455.6 MPa which is less thanthe yield stress, Sy of the material which is520 MPa. The minimum life of the CFS obtained from simulation and analytical fatigue analysis are 4,991cycles and 4,185 cycles respectively. The maximum operating torque applied to the CFS is 62.672 Nmm which corresponds to the position when the CFS is fully deflected. These is much lower than maximum design torque, which is calculated to be 1,335,496.2 Nmm. This shows that the torque applied to the CFS in the counterweight balancing mechanism is acceptable.
Effect of Filler Metals on the Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Dissimilar Low Carbon Steel and 316L Stainless Steel Welded Joints
Authors: Mamat M.F. , Hamzah E. , Ibrahim Z. , Majid Rohah A. , Bahador A.
Published: June 2015

In this paper, dissimilar joining of 316L stainless steel to low carbon steel was carried out using gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). Samples were welded using AWS: ER309L welding electrode for GMAW and AWS: ER316L welding electrode for GTAW process. Determination of mechanical properties and material characterization on the welded joints were carried out using the Instron tensile test machine and an optical microscope respectively. The cross section area of the welded joint consists of three main areas namely the base metal (BM), heat affected zone (HAZ), and weld metal (WM). It was found that, the yield and tensile strengths of welded samples using ER316L filler metal were slightly higher than the welded sample using ER309L welding electrode. All welded samples fractured at low carbon steel base metal indicating that the regions of ER316L stainless steel base metal, ER316L filler metal and heat affected zone (HAZ) have a higher strength than low carbon steel base metal. It was also found that ER316L welding electrode was the best filler to be used for welding two dissimilar metals between carbon and stainless steel.
Effect of Complexing Agent in Ni-P Coating on Cu Substrate
Authors: Nur Ariffah M.S. , Mohd Sharif Nurulakmal , Anasyida Abu Seman , Shiu E.K.
Published: June 2015

Complexing agent in the electroless nickel coating (Ni-P) solution plays an important role to maintain the coating deposition rate during the coating process. This paper studies the effect of two complexing agent; sodium citrate and sodium acetate in Ni-P coating. Ni-P coating was prepared in bath containing: NiSO4·6H2O, NaPO2H2·H2O, C2H5NO2, and Pb (NO3)2. Ni-P coating was coated on polished Cu substrate. Morphology, thickness and surface roughness of Ni-P coating were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM)/electron dispersive x-ray (EDX), optical microscope (OM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The result showed that sodium acetate have higher deposition rate up to 12 μm/h, whereas sodium citrate provided better surface morphology with lower surface roughness.
Canada, Plant Hardiness Zones
Authors:   Natural Resources Canada,   Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Published: June 2015

The Plant Hardiness Zones map outlines the different zones in Canada where various types of trees, shrubs and flowers will most likely survive. It is based on the average climatic conditions of each area. The first such map for North America, released by the
United States Department of Agriculture in 1960, was based only on minimum winter temperatures.
In 1967, Agriculture Canada scientists created a plant hardiness map for Canada using plant survival data and a wide range of climatic variables, including minimum winter temperatures, length of the frost-free period, summer rainfall, maximum temperatures, snow cover, January rainfall and maximum
wind speed.
Évolution temporelle de la composition du lixiviat d’une décharge à ciel ouvert: Effets des précipitations
Authors: Khattabi Hicham , Aleya Lotfi , Mania Jacky , Grisey Hervé
Published: June 2015

This study is based on monthly (1998-1999) sampling of domestic landfill leachates situated in Etueffont (Belfort, France). The results show that rain flows and water flows are not correlated. Overall, the measurements carried out monthly on leachates demonstrated a seasonal evolution of some chemical parameters all over the year. During summer, the rise of the ambient temperature resulted in an increase of the overall bacterial activity as shown by the decrease of the BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand), COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) parameters and a rise of pH (8). Therefore, the BOD/COD ratio which describes the biodegradability of the medium reaches 0.18. Chloride concentrations are high (700 mg. l-1) and concentrations of total nitogen (NT) and ammonia (NNH4+) increase. During winter, the dilution induced by the rain flow points out a reversed pattern. This resulted in a decrease of the chloride concentrations (100 mg. l-1) and that of NT (198 mg. l-1). Consequently, the BOD and the zinc concentrations increase. The variation of zinc concentrations are well correlated with precipitations. This is mainly due to the heterogenous distribution of the zinc in the landfill.

L’examen des analyses du lixiviat d’une décharge d’ordures ménagères broyées située à Etueffont (Territoire de Belfort, France) selon un pas d’échantillonnage mensuel sur un cycle hydrologique montre l’impact saisonnier des précipitations et de la température sur la composition du lixiviat. L’évolution saisonnière met en évidence la présence de deux facteurs physiques qui gèrent la composition des lixiviats (la température et les pluies). Les épisodes estivaux mettent en évidence une diminution de la DBO en raison du développement du compartiment bactérien. Ce phénomène s’inverse en hiver, et c’est la dilution par les pluies qui provoque des fluctuations importantes dans la composition du lixiviat.
Évaluation de l’impact des lixiviats d’une décharge d’ordures ménagères sur la qualité physico-chimique et bactériologique des eaux d’un ruisseau de Franche-Comté
Authors: Khattabi Hicham , Aleyai Lotfi , Lovy Christiane , Mania Jacky
Published: June 2015

To evaluate the landfill leachate impact on the stream water quality, we assessed the spatial evolution of several abiotic and biotic parameters in Etueffont domestic landfill (Belfort, France). The samples were taken in 13 June 1999 with a Van-Dorn bottle from upstream to downstream. The study showed that leachate rejection resulted in an increase of the pH, NO3 -, Cl- and COD concentrations in the first meters after rejection. In downstream, however the reverse was quoted. Bacterial abundance increased from upstream to downstream with no relationship between this biological compartment and leachate rejection. Finally, it seems likely that the abilities of self regulation of brook were higher to the leachate-induced pollution.

Dans le cadre de l’étude de l’impact du lixiviat de la décharge d’Etueffont (NE de Belfort, France), préalablement traité par lagunage naturel, sur un ruisseau récepteur avoisinant, nous avons suivi l’évolution spatiale du pH, du Eh, d’O2, du NO3 -, du Cl-, de la DCO et de l’abondance bactérienne de l’amont du ruisseau jusqu’à 500 m en aval. Les échantillons d’eau ont été prélevés le 13 juin 1999 à l’aide d’une bouteille Van-Dorn. Il apparaît que le rejet des lixiviats dans le ruisseau provoque une augmentation des teneurs en chlorures, nitrates, matières organiques et une diminution des teneurs en oxygène dissous. Ces phénomènes s’inversent en aval (à 500 m de la zone d’influence). Le ruisseau retrouve, par le biais d’une auto-épuration naturelle, sa composition physico-chimique initiale. La densité bactérienne augmente de l’amont à l’aval et sa distribution spatiale semble indépendante du rejet. Enfin, il semble que la pollution engendrée par le lixiviat dans le ruisseau ne dépasse pas son pouvoir auto-épuratoire.
Revue de divers aspects liés à la stabilité géotechnique des ouvrages de retenue de résidus miniers: Partie I – Mise en contexte et caractéristiques générales
Authors: Aubertin Michel , Bussière Bruno , James M. , Mbonimpa M. , Chapuis R.P.
Published: June 2015

Dikes constructed for tailings impoundment must be designed to support critical loads during mining operation and after closure. Various incidents that occurred over the last few years around the globe have shown that ensuring the geotechnical stability of such retaining works still raises numerous challenges. Many organisations are reviewing their guidelines for the design criteria and methods of analysis to evaluate the stability of tailings dikes. In this first article, the general nature of the problem is reviewed, together with typical properties of tailings from hard rock mines and characteristics of dikes. The second article will address the main factors that affect their geotechnical stability.

Les digues construites pour les parcs à résidus miniers doivent être conçues de façon à pouvoir supporter les charges critiques anticipées durant l’opération de la mine et après sa fermeture. Divers incidents survenus au cours des dernières années autour du globe montrent qu’assurer la stabilité géotechnique de ces ouvrages de retenue soulève encore de nombreux défis. Plusieurs organisations revoient présentement leurs lignes directrices relativement aux critères de conception et aux méthodes d’analyse pour évaluer la stabilité des ouvrages de retenue et de confinement des rejets miniers. Dans ce premier article, on revoit la problématique générale, les propriétés usuelles des résidus de mines en roches dures, ainsi que les caractéristiques des digues de retenue. Le deuxième article abordera les principaux facteurs qui affectent la stabilité géotechnique des ouvrages.
Développement durable de la gestion des ordures ménagères et financements carbone : les conditions d’une mise en œuvre conjointe dans les pays en développement
Authors: Delarue Jocelyne , Flipon Baptiste , Morizot Georges , Tiberghien Matthieu
Published: June 2015

The urban waste management is an issue with both local and global implications. In developing countries, municipalities must manage large quantities of waste in exponential growth, with limited financial means.Under which conditions carbon finance, regulatory or voluntary, can complete local funding to ensure adequate management of urban waste in developing countries?This is to try to answer this question that Gevalor GoodPlanet joined in the Africompost project. It aims to study the conditions of transfer of know-how acquired in a composting operation in the city of Mahajanga in Madagascar (MORIZOT and al., 2011) in six other African cities, including Beira in Mozambique, Lome in Togo, and Dschang in Cameroon.The first result of the Africompost project was to develop for the studied sites, in consultation with the local teams, a method for rapid assessment of the feasibility of access to carbon finance.This paper presents this method, detailing the various points of the diagnosis to be made on factors that are potentially favorable or unfavorable to the development of a composting unit with access to carbon finance.

La gestion des déchets urbains est une problématique aux implications à la fois locales et globales. Dans les pays en développement, les municipalités doivent gérer des quantités de déchets en croissance exponentielle, avec des moyens financiers limités.A quelle condition les financements carbone, d’origine réglementaire ou volontaire, peuvent-ils compléter les financements locaux pour assurer une gestion satisfaisante des ordures ménagères dans les pays en développement ? C’est pour s’efforcer de répondre à cette question que Gevalor et GoodPlanet se sont associés dans le cadre du projet Africompost. Celui-ci vise à étudier les conditions de transfert d’un savoir-faire acquis sur une opération de compostage dans la ville de Mahajanga à Madagascar (MORIZOT et al., 2011) dans six autres villes africaines, dont Beira au Mozambique, Lomé au Togo et Dschang au Cameroun.Le premier résultat du projet Africompost a été de développer pour les sites, objet des recherches, et en concertation avec les équipes locales, une méthode d’évaluation rapide de la faisabilité de l’accès à la finance carbone Cet article présente cette méthode, en détaillant les différents points du diagnostic à réaliser sur les facteurs potentiellement favorables ou défavorables au développement d’une unité de compostage avec accès à la finance carbone.
Patterns and Risk Factors of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis Among Orang Asli Subgroups in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Ngui Romano , Aziz Shafie , Chua Kek Heng , Aidil Roslan Muhammad , Lee Soo Ching , Tan Tiong Kai , Sani Mistam Mohd , Arine Ahmad Fadzlun , Rohela Mahmud , Lim Yvonne A. L.
Published: June 2015

A cross-sectional study was conducted to provide comprehensive data on the patterns and associated risk factors of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections among five Orang Asli subgroups in Peninsular Malaysia. The overall prevalence of STH infections was 59.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 56.1–63.7%). Trichuris trichiura (54.3%; 95% CI = 50.4–58.2%) was the predominant species followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (26.7%; 95% CI = 23.3–30.1%) and hookworm (9.1%; 95% CI = 6.9–11.3%). This study showed diversity for STH infections by subgroup with poverty and personal sanitary behavior as important risk factors for infection. Risk profile analyses indicating that Orang Kuala subgroup who has a generally well-developed infrastructure and better quality of life had a low rate of infection. There is a need for poverty reduction and promotion of deworming programs along with mass scale campaigns to create awareness about health and hygiene to reduce STH infections.