bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A utilização da modelagem ambiental para sistematização do conhecimento tácito: identificação de corredores preferenciais para linhas de transmissão de energia elétrica
Authors: Campos Pedro Bueno Rocha , Elmiro Marcos Antônio Timbó , Nobrega Rodrigo Affonso De Albuquerque
Published: December 2014

A necessidade de expansão do setor elétrico requer o aprimoramento constante das formas de projetar e executar empreendimentos como linhas de transmissão de energia elétrica. Embora, a disseminação de tecnologias de geoinformação estejam auxiliando a modernização desse processo, um dos grandes desafios é preservar o conhecimento acumulado ao longo dos anos de desenvolvimento de projetos. Os padrões de execução de projetos passados podem ser encontrados nas paisagens em que os mesmos foram executados. A hipótese avaliada neste trabalho é a possibilidade de empregar geotecnologia para extrair o conhecimento tácito através de padrões de execução de projetos lineares desenvolvidos no passado por meio da análise da paisagem, e utilizar tais informações em um processo de analise multicriterial para auxiliar a modelagem novos corredores de transmissão de energia. Este procedimento representa a oportunidade de estabelecer termos comparativos e parametrizados para interfacear às novas tecnologias e ganho de produtividade para modernizar o planejamento do setor de distribuição de energia. A investigação se apóia na análise multitemporal. Para tanto, a elaboração de um modelo espacialmente explícito e dinâmico faz-se necessária visando reconhecer não só o padrão espacial de ocorrência do fenômeno, mas também a sua variação na história. O presente trabalho emprega metodologias robustas, como Peso de Evidências e Least Costly Pathpara estudar o padrão espacial da localização de linhas de transmissão de energia na paisagem. Os resultados demonstram a viabilidade do uso de geoprocessamento e análise da paisagem, bem como a possibilidade de identificação de variáveis de caráter geográfico não consideradas nas tratativas normativas do setor, além de indicarem os locais de preferência para locação destes empreendimentos,
análise dos efeitos ionosféricos de ordem superior no ciclo solar 24 e influência no posicionamento GNSS absoluto
Authors: Marques Haroldo Antonio , Monico João Francisco Galera , Marques Heloísa Alves Silva , Aquino Márcio
Published: December 2014

A aplicação da combinação livre da ionosfera para dados GNSS de dupla frequência permite eliminar matematicamente os efeitos de primeira ordem da ionosfera. Contudo, os efeitos de ordem superior não são eliminados e, geralmente, são negligenciados no processamento dos dados GNSS. Neste trabalho apresentam-se discussões e análises relacionadas ao cálculo dos efeitos de ordem superior da ionosfera, o qual envolve o cálculo do TEC a partir de diferentes combinações, o sistema geomagnético IGRF-11, a combinação linear livre da ionosfera para tripla frequência considerando as três portadoras do GPS (L1, L2 e L5) e outras. A combinação de tripla frequência permite eliminar o efeito de segunda ordem da ionosfera, contudo, a incerteza propagada desta combinação é de pior qualidade do que o próprio valor do efeito. Foram realizados processamentos de dados no modo PPP estático e cinemático visando avaliar a influência dos efeitos de ordem superior no ciclo solar 24. Os dados GPS foram corrigidos dos efeitos ionosféricos utilizando o software "RINEX_HO" disponível no NGS-NOAA-TOOLBOX. Os resultados mostraram que a negligência dos efeitos ionosféricos de ordem superior no PPP pode provocar variações da ordem de milímetros a centímetros considerando períodos com baixa e alta atividade ionosférica, respectivamente.
Orthogonal distance from an ellipsoid
Authors: Bektas Sebahattin
Published: December 2014

Finding the orthogonal (shortest) distance to an ellipsoid corresponds to the ellipsoidal height in Geodesy. Despite that the commonly used Earth reference systems, like WGS-84, are based on rotational ellipsoids, there have also been over the course of the years permanent scientific investigations undertaken into different aspects of the triaxial ellipsoid. Geodetic research has traditionally been motivated by the need to approximate closer and closer the physical reality. Several investigations have shown that the earth is approximated better by a triaxial ellipsoid rather than a rotational one Burša and Šima (1980). The problem of finding the shortest distance is encountered frequently in the Cartesian- Geodetic coordinate transformation, optimization problem, fitting ellipsoid, image processing, face recognition, computer games, and so on. We have chosen a triaxial ellipsoid for the reason that it possesess a general surface. Thus, the minimum distance from rotational ellipsoid and sphere is found with the same algorithm. This study deals with the computation of the shortest distance from a point to a triaxial ellipsoid.
Detecção de formação erosiva (voçoroca) por meio de classificação hierárquica e por árvore de decisão
Authors: Tedesco Andrea , Antunes Alzir Felippe Buffara , Oliani Luiz Octávio
Published: December 2014

Este estudo teve por objetivo verificar a possibilidade de reconhecimento de feições erosivas do tipo voçoroca utilizando análise orientada a objeto (OBIA - Object-Based Image Analysis). A área de estudo está localizada no município de Uberlândia, em Minas Gerais. Em função do objetivo, definiu-se uma rede semântica hierárquica multinível para representação do conhecimento especialista. Foram usados dados espectrais oriundos de imagem IKONOS e dados de intensidade e altimétricos provenientes de perfilamento com ALS (Airborne Laser Scanner). Os objetos foram gerados por meio de segmentação multirresolução (FNEA-Fractal Net Evolution Approach) aplicada aos dados espectrais e altimétricos. O reconhecimento das feições foi realizado por classificação hierárquica e por árvores de decisão (algoritmo CART-Classification And Regression Trees). A metodologia permitiu a identificação da relevância dos dados de entrada, parâmetros de segmentação e atributos a serem usados para classificação das voçorocas. Os resultados obtidos com a classificação hierárquica e com CART foram bastante similares, os quais evidenciaram a possibilidade do uso do método semiautomatizado a partir dos parâmetros previamente identificados e analisados.
A produção dos diferentes letramentos
Authors: Geraldi João Wanderley
Published: December 2014

Neste texto questionamos o conceito de letramento, da "modernidade", observando-o como se fosse a nova teoria que vem para substituir o conceito de "alfabetização" e suas práticas, de modo a construir modos efetivos de inserção do sujeito no mundo da escrita. Utilizando-nos especialmente dos conceitos bakhtinianos de gêneros do discurso e também de ato responsável, a partir de enunciados concretos que exemplificam a prática docente atual, buscamos mostrar que o problema fundamental no ensino não está na mudança de nome de uma prática de ensino, mas tanto na mistura de duas realidades distintas quando se fala em diferentes níveis de letramento ou de diferentes letramentos, quanto na distribuição desigual dos bens culturais na sociedade.
Gêneros discursivos híbridos na era da hipermídia
Authors: Santaella Lucia
Published: December 2014

A pluralidade em devir dos gêneros discursivos foi enfatizada por Bakhtin. Para ele, os gêneros do discurso tendem a crescer à medida que se desenvolvem e se complexificam as esferas da práxis humana. Em função dessa antecipação já anunciada por Bakhtin, o objetivo deste artigo é ampliar a noção de gêneros discursivos para as manifestações que ocorrem nas redes sociais digitais, batizando esse gênero de híbrido, dado o fato de que, nas redes, a discursividade estritamente verbal vaza as fronteiras não só da linearidade típica do verbo, no hipertexto, quanto também da exclusividade do discurso verbal nas misturas que este estabelece com todas as formas das imagens fixas e em movimento e com as linguagens sonoras, do ruído, à oralidade e à música, na multimídia.
Frederico Nietzsche
Authors: Anônimo
Published: December 2014

Artigo publicado em 1900, no diário carioca A imprensa. O autor noticia o recente falecimento do filósofo alemão, discorre sobre sua biografia, destaca algumas de suas obras e as ideias mais conhecidas de sua filosofia, apresentando-a como uma mistura de pessimismo e otimismo.
Quem foi em filosofia o primeiro mestre de Nietzsche? Nietzsche e Petőfi
Authors: A.B.
Published: December 2014

Artigo publicado em 1911, no diário O Paiz. O autor assina o texto com as siglas A.B. Tudo indica tratar-se de um correspondente europeu do diário brasileiro. No artigo, ele procura entender a construção do pensamento do filósofo a partir daquele que considera ser seu mestre em filosofia: o poeta húngaro Petőfi.
Nietzsche e o gênio francês
Authors: Anônimo
Published: December 2014

Artigo publicado em 1916, na Revista da Semana. O autor informa aos leitores o periódico sobre a tradução francesa de Ecce homo. Tendo a Primeira Guerra Mundial como pano de fundo, ele discorre sobre as inclinações culturais de Nietzsche pela França.
O super-homem arrivista
Authors: Anônimo
Published: December 2014

Artigo publicado em 1920, no periódico carioca o A.B.C. Num primeiro momento, o autor volta-se para o contexto brasileiro, mais especificamente para a escola de Recife, em particular para o livro Ensaios de crítica estética, de Álvaro de Carvalho. Num segundo momento, critica enfaticamente a ideia nietzschiana do übermensch, apontando no super-homem (além-do-homem) um tipo de indivíduo ambicioso, que se vale da força para dominar socialmente, como um arrivista.
A mulher na vida e na obra de Nietzsche
Authors: Lima Mario de
Published: December 2014

Artigo publicado em 1922, no periódico A.B.C. Nesse texto, que é um trecho do livro Ideias e Comentários, Mario de Lima aborda o papel exercido pela mulher na vida e na obra de Nietzsche, em particular a relação do filósofo com a mãe, a irmã Elisabeth e a amiga Malwida von Meysenbug.
Meeting report: ICOLD annual meeting, Bali, Indonesia, 1–7 June 2014
Authors: Bridle Rodney
Published: December 2014

This is a report on the activities of the International Committee on Large Dams (ICOLD) Technical Committee on Embankment Dams at the ICOLD annual meeting in Bali. It includes a contribution to the workshop on the new ICOLD bulletin on small dams.
Ant–aphid interactions increase ant floral visitation and reduce plant reproduction via decreased pollinator visitation
Authors: LeVan Katherine E. , Holway David A.
Published: December 2014

For plant species that depend on animal‐mediated pollination, reproduction hinges on adequate access to pollinators. Even in the presence of intact pollinator assemblages, negative interactions among floral visitors can compromise pollination services. Ants, for example, visit flowers and can discourage visitation by other insects, but usually do not perform pollination themselves. Effects on plant reproduction that result from this type of interaction may be compounded by factors that increase the likelihood or extent of floral visitation by ants. Interactions between ants and honeydew‐producing insects alter the activity and local abundance of ants on plants, but the degree to which these interactions increase floral visitation by ants and in turn disrupt pollination services remains incompletely understood. We manipulated the abundance of cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii) on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) over three years to test how the interaction between honeydew‐producing aphids and the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) affects floral visitation by ants, floral visitation by bees, and seed production. Increasing aphid abundance increased ant abundance on cotton plants, and floral visitation by ants was positively related to ant abundance on leaves. The duration of visits by honey bees, the most common floral visitor aside from ants, declined with both increasing aphid abundance and increasing ant floral visitation. Two measures of seed production declined with increasing aphid abundance and reductions in the duration of bee visits. Aphid herbivory alone, however, did not affect seed production, which was independent of aphid abundance on plants that were manually cross‐pollinated under greenhouse conditions. Our results illustrate that interactions between ants and honeydew‐producing insects can enhance levels of floral visitation by ants and in turn disrupt pollination services enough to have measurable effects on plant reproduction.
Early‐season fires in boreal black spruce forests produce pyrogenic carbon with low intrinsic recalcitrance
Authors: Soucémarianadin Laure N. , Quideau Sylvie A. , Wasylishen Roderick E. , Munson Alison D.
Published: December 2014

Pyrogenic carbon (PyC), a major by‐product of wildfires in boreal forests, plays several critical roles in soil biogeochemical processes. However, PyC properties, including its potential recalcitrance, may vary depending on its formation conditions. Our study aimed to characterize the chemical and physical properties of PyC formed under variable fire severity in Eastern Canada boreal forests; these latter represent an important fraction of fire‐affected circumboreal ecosystems. A total of 267 PyC samples, produced by early‐season wildfires in 2005–2007, were collected ≤5 years after fire from the forest floors of 14 black spruce sites distributed across Quebec, to cover the range of fire severity encountered in these forests. Early‐season fires occur frequently in Eastern Canada, and are predicted to increase in regional and global scenarios of future fire regimes associated with climate change. Selected PyC samples were analyzed using elemental analysis, solid‐state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and surface area analysis. The NMR spectra of the PyC collected on low‐fire‐severity sites were dominated by peaks indicative of cellulose, while those for PyC from higher‐severity sites were dominated by a broad peak assigned to aromatic carbons. Atomic H/C and O/C ratios decreased with increasing fire severity. By comparing field samples to samples produced in the laboratory under controlled formation conditions, we were able to infer that the temperature of formation in the field was low (75°–250°C). In addition, for all PyC samples, the aromatic carbon : total carbon ratio was small, suggesting that PyC produced by early‐season fires in these boreal forests may be susceptible to relatively rapid degradation. Taken together, our data suggest that boreal PyC may not be as recalcitrant as previously assumed, and that its influence on soil biogeochemical processes may be short lived.
The Painful Analgesia of Cotard’s Syndrome
Authors: Dimitriadis Yorgos
Published: December 2014

In the present paper, we look into what is painful psychical analgesia in relation to what 19th century clinicians have named “moral pain” in melancholia, and more particularly in the delusion of negation described by the French psychiatrist Jules Cotard in 1880, a form of delusion that can be seen mostly in cases of chronic anxious melancholia. This condition is characterized by a painful absence of emotions, which occurs when the subject, in the Lacanian sense of the word, ceases to be touched by the signifiers, and consequently ceases to exist as a subject. Hence, these patients often declare themselves to be already dead or incapable of dying. The psychoanalytical approach to this delusion allows an understanding of the ‘’lack of lack’’ concept, as these patients, having lost the lack, affirm that their body’s orifices are clogged, that they have lost their mental vision, that they miss various visceral organs etc. The completeness of their body
– the absence of orifices – can sometimes attain universal dimensions and these patients can thus identify themselves to the universe, which contains everything. The delusion of negation teaches us something important concerning the essence of desire, in relation to what has been named by Lacan area-between-two-deaths. This Lacanian concept refers essentially to the tragic hero, but also, more generally, to the lonely condition where anyone’s desire should be able to exist beyond any narcissistic commitment, which means beyond the pleasure principle as well.
Difference in recurrence frequencies of non-muscle-invasive-bladder tumors depending on optimal usage of intravesical immunotherapy of bacillus Calmette-Guérin
Authors: Milosevic Radovan , Milovic Novak , Aleksic Predrag , Lazic Miodrag , Cerovic Snezana , Bancevic Vladimir , Kosevic Branko , Maric Predrag , Spasic Aleksandar , Simic Dejan , Kovacevic Bozidar
Published: December 2014

Background/Aim. The therapy with intravesical instillation of bacillus
Calmette-Gu?rin (BCG) after transurethral resection (TUR) of the tumor is the
gold standard of treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The
aim of this study was to compare the frequencies of reccurence between a
group of patients submitted to TUR + BCG therapy (group I) and a group of
patients submitted only to TUR (group II). Methods. The patients with NMIBC,
a total of 899, treated in our Institution from January 1, 2007 to March,
2013, were included in this study and divided into two groups: group I and
group II. These two groups were divided into three subgroups: solitary first
diagnosed tumor ? 3 cm (SFDGT), solitary first diagnosed tumor > 3 cm and
multiple first diagnosed tumors (MFDGT), and recedive tumors (RCT).
Statistical analysis was performed by using ?2-test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov
test. Results: In the group I a total of 133 cases had reccurence contrary to
75 in the group II, making a statistically highly significant difference.
Analysis of recurrences through the subgroups revealed: in the group I SFDGT
recurrence occured in 27 of the cases vs 9 cases in the group II; in the
group I MFDGT recurrence occured in 49 of the cases vs 31 in the group II (p
< 0.001), and finally, in the group I RCT recurrence occured in 57 cases vs
35 cases in the group II (p < 0.001). Conclusion. The obtained results
indicate no difference in the frequency of reccurence between the group I and
group II regarding SFDGT, but a very high significant difference regarding
those with MFDGT and RCT. These results should be taken into consideration in
everyday clinical practise.
Retention of sealants during orthodontic treatment: An in vitro comparison of two etching protocols
Authors: Chau Christopher , Campbell Phillip M. , Deljavan Nima , Taylor Reginald W. , Buschang Peter H.
Published: December 2014

Objective: 

To test the retention of smooth-surface sealants bonded with different etching protocols against toothbrushing and, secondarily, to characterize the type and location of sealant loss.

Materials and Methods: 

Eighty-nine extracted human teeth were randomly assigned one of two etching protocols: 37% phosphoric acid etch (ETCH) or self-etching primer (SEP). Six specimens at a time were placed in a toothbrushing machine to simulate 4, 8, 12, and 24 months of toothbrush abrasion. Using black-light photographs of each specimen taken before and after brushing, four blinded coinvestigators determined new sealant loss, loss along the edge of an initial defect, and the location of sealant loss.

Results: 

Overall, there were significantly (P < .05) more teeth with sealant loss in the SEP group (38.6%) than in the ETCH group (15.5%). New loss of sealant was significantly (P < .05) more likely in the SEP group (27.2%) than in the ETCH group (2.2%). Of the teeth with new loss of sealant, all (100%) had loss at the edge, and 23% had progressive loss. There was no significant group difference in sealant loss from initial defects. Of the teeth that showed enlargement of initial defects, 91% had loss at the edge and 91% had progressive loss.

Conclusions: 

Using SEP to apply facial sealants results in lower retention rates than using ETCH. The vast majority of sealant loss occurs at the edges. Loss of sealant due to enlargement of an initial defect is highly progressive over time.
3D Nonlinear Analysis of a Composite Steel/Concrete Viaduct
Authors: Pinheiro Rui , Matos José
Published: December 2014

In this paper it is studied the nonlinear behaviour of the composite steel-concrete Sousa river viaduct, located in A43 highway, Portugal. Used software to model such viaduct is ATENA®, which is a nonlinear structural analysis software that incorporates interface models. A 3D numerical model, that considers torsional effects, is developed. In order to validate this model, obtained data from developed load test as well as the results from a 2D model, developed in the same software ATENA®, will be used. Once the model is developed and calibrated, it is intended to process all obtained results, namely, overall deformation, maximum displacements, strengths and strains in all directions. The potentialities of a nonlinear 3D numerical model are therefore elicited.
Seismic Performance of the High-Pier Long-Span Continuous Rigid Frame Bridges Composed of the Ultra-High Performance Concrete
Authors: Li Lifeng , Wu Wenpeng , Shao Xudong
Published: December 2014

Structural overweight is a significant defect to limit the development of the traditional long span rigid frame bridges. Thus, an alternative ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), named as reactive power concrete (RPC), has been proposed to improve this problem. The previous researches mainly focused on the material experiment of RPC component and some meaningful conclusions were obtained from the experiment. However, on the one hand, the weight loses of the RPC superstructure can apparently increase the span of the bridge and decrease the seismic force of the high-pier; on the other hand, the high performance of the RPC can strengthen the seismic capacity of the RPC piers to promote the seismic behavior of the whole bridge. Therefore, in this study, three contrastive schemes are designed to compare with the original design scheme which is a typical high-pier long-span (HPLS) continuous rigid frame bridge composed of normal concrete (NC). In addition, a simple economic analysis is conducted to select the optimum scheme. It is concluded that it is more efficient and effective to choose the UHPC as the main material for the HPLS bridges. Even though the UHPC can be applied to all components of the bridge which performs the best seismic behavior, it is more economic and appropriate for using UHPC only on the superstructure.
Three-dimensional Parabolic Cable Element for Cable-Supported Structures
Authors: Choi Dong-Ho , Gwon Sun-Gil , Nassif Hani
Published: December 2014

This paper presents a three-dimensional parabolic cable element for cable structures. The formulas of the diagonal and off-diagonal terms in the stiffness matrix are derived by using the assumption that the derivative of the total length of the cable is equal to that of the elastic elongation and the relationship between the nodal forces. Then, the proposed element is verified by using finite element analysis for several numerical examples. Since the verification results show that the proposed element offers a high degree of accuracy and computational efficiency relative to the catenary element, the proposed element is expected to be used not only in research but also for the practical design of cable-supported structures such as suspension bridges and cable-stayed bridges.
The impact of the evolution of structural analysis methods on built forms
Authors: Rey Juan
Published: December 2014

Over the last decades, the new technical means and methods, and in particular computing technology, have become more and more popular and efficient and their capabilities evolved exponentially in due time. This development has led to the present situation, where structural analysis has stopped being a hindrance to the development of projects with geometrical and construction complexity.

This paper explores the impact of the available design tools, especially in the field of structural analysis, on the built forms in each historical period. This process is studied through a detailed time-line, relating the evolution of built forms with the historical developments in the fields of construction materials, structural analysis methods, etc.
Wheat Production under Long-term Application of Inorganic and Organic Fertilizers in Rice-Wheat System under Rainfed Conditions
Authors: Rai Suresh K. , Khadka Yajna G.
Published: December 2014

Under rainfed rice-wheat cropping system, experiments were conducted on wheat variety Annapurna-2 from 1998 to 2002 to study the effect of continuous application of inorganic and organic fertilizers in longer run on wheat production and soil properties in alluvial soil of Khumaltar, Lalitpur at 1365 msal. Eleven different fertilizers combinations comprised of inorganic  and organic fertilizers were used. The results of the five-year experiment  indicate that the applications of optimal level of inorganic fertilizers could  supply the plant nutrients to wheat crop to produce sustainable yield. On the other hand, organic fertilizers could help to increase the crop yield and maintain soil fertility at the same time. Residual effect of available  phosphorus applied in previous rice crop had significant response on wheat yield. For maintaining soil fertility, application of FYM and incorporation of  crop residue into soil are worth practicable.Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 9, 2009, pp. 40-48DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v9i0.11640
Response of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis) to the Application of Boron and Phosphorus in the Soils of Rupandehi District
Authors: Dhakal Dhruba , Shah Shree C. , Gautam Durga M. , Yadav Rama N.
Published: December 2014

A field experiment was conducted at Paklihawa Campus of the Institute of  Agriculture and Animal Science, Rupandehi, Nepal, during Oct 2004 to Feb  2005 to study the effects of boron and phosphorus on the soil nutrient status,  nutrient uptake by plant and yield of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var.  botrytis L.) variety Snowball-16. Sixteen treatment combinations, including  four levels of boron (0, 0.65, 1.3, 1.95 kg boron ha-1) and four levels of  phosphorus (0, 30, 60, 90kg P2O5 ha-1) were included. The soil was loamy  with very low in boron. Curd yield, harvest index, boron and phosphorus  uptake by plant and available boron in soil were significantly increased by  the application of boron and phosphorus in soils. Available phosphorus in  soils after the crop harvest was significantly increased by phosphorus  application. The highest curd yield, boron and phosphorus uptake by plant as  well as available boron and phosphorus in soils after the crop harvest were  obtained from the application of 1.3 kg boron with 60 kg P2O5 ha-1. The  boron uptake by plant was decreased by the application of more than 1.3kg  boron ha-1 while the phosphorus uptake was increased with increased  application of phosphorus upto 90 kg P2O5 ha-1. There were quadratic  responses of curd yield, harvest index and plant boron uptake to the applied  boron; quadratic response of plant phosphorus uptake to the applied  phosphorus, while responses of curd yield, and harvest index to the applied  phosphorus were linear. Highly significant positive correlations between  curd yield and leaf boron content (r = 0.68**) as well as curd yield and plant  phosphorus content (r = 0.79**) were observed. In conclusion, the combined  application of 1.3 kg boron and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 was found to be the best for  cauliflower production under Paklihawa soil conditions of Rupandehi district  and can be recommended to the growers of this region.Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 9, 2009, pp. 56-66DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v9i0.11642
An Empirical Analysis of Resource Productivity of Wheat in Eastern Tarai Region of Nepal
Authors: Bhujel Ram B. , Jha Ram N. , Yadav Bindeshwar
Published: December 2014

Different types of resource conservation technology (RCT) in wheat cultivation have been recently introduced and use of seed cum fertilizer zero till drill machine is one of them which was used in eastern terai region in wheat season of 2006/2007. A survey was carried out to study the productivity of wheat and compare the production between traditional and RCT method of cultivation. Altogether 31 farmers were interviewed with semi-structured questionnaires. Model used to estimate the productivity for both the methods was significant (p < 0.01) which explained 96 and 97 per cent variation due to independent variables under study in wheat production of traditional and RCT method, respectively. Farmers used 160 kg seed/ha in traditional method while in RCT method it was 122 kg/ha. Similarly, they applied 148 and 137 kg nutrients as a total of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash in traditional and RCT method, respectively. Average production of wheat grain in traditional and RCT method was 2456 and 2714 kg/ha giving average gross margin of Rs 16750.00 and Rs 23301.00/ha, respectively. This revealed 10 per cent reduction in total costs and 29 per cent increase in return by RCT method.Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 9, 2009, pp. 99-108DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v9i0.11647
Former Temporary Foreign Workers and International Students as Sources of Permanent Immigration
Authors: Sweetman Arthur , Warman Casey
Published: December 2014

Economic outcomes of former Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) and former international students (ISs) are compared to those of Skilled Worker Principal Applicants who have no Canadian experience at the time of landing. Controlling for only variables from the immigration points system, former TFWs have both higher earnings and employment rates, while ISs are no lower. When models are estimated separately by gender, male immigrants who were former TFWs have superior outcomes. Overall, the evidence provides support for the Canadian Experience Class in that former TFW, and to a lesser extent IS, status provides signals regarding immigrants' labour market integration.
Four Flavours of Health Expenditures: A Discussion of the Potential Implications of the Distribution of Health Expenditures for Financing Health Care
Authors: Deber Raisa B. , Lam Kenneth C.K. , Roos Leslie L.
Published: December 2014

Different categories of services present different policy issues for financing health care. This conceptual paper suggests four categories: (1) public health services for the entire population; (2) basic health care to individuals, where anticipated costs are small and relatively homogeneous; (3) potentially catastrophically expensive services to individuals, where costs are skewed but not predictable; and (4) potentially catastrophically expensive services to individuals, where anticipated costs are both skewed and predictable. Using Canadian and Manitoba data to illustrate some implications of the distribution of health expenditures, we suggest policies suitable for one category of services may not necessarily work for others. The small proportion responsible for incurring high health expenditures are not attractive candidates for voluntary risk pools, particularly in competitive markets.
Quantification of roping in aluminium sheet alloys for car body applications by combining 3D surface measurements with Fourier analysis
Authors: Schäfer Carmen , Brinkman Henk-Jan , Engler Olaf , Nitzsche Gernot
Published: December 2014

The present study introduces a new method to characterise and evaluate the roping behaviour of aluminium sheet alloys of the AA 6xxx series for car body applications. The new approach combines two known methods into a novel powerful tool, (i) the measurement of a 3D surface topography with a white-light interferometer and (ii) the subsequent data analysis by means of Fourier analysis. Use of the white-light interferometer allows analysing roping of deformed samples without the need of additional surface preparation steps, e.g. inking, stoning, etc., which may falsify the surface appearance. The use of data analysis by means of fast Fourier transform allows differentiating between different surface phenomena, e.g. unidirectional component versus isotropic components. It was found that the new approach is capable of giving reliable and reproducible data, which qualifies this method to study roping in aluminium car body sheets in an objective manner.
Time dependent synthesis of crystalline Bi2S3 and its application as a sensitizer in SnO2 based solar cells
Authors: Kulkarni Anil N. , Arote Sandeep A. , Pathan Habib M. , Patil Rajendra S.
Published: December 2014

In the present study, thin films of Bi2S3 with hollow morphology were deposited by chemical bath deposition at room temperature. The structural, morphological and optical properties of Bi2S3 films were investigated as a function of deposition time. To study the photovoltaic properties, sensitization of SnO2 photoanode with Bi2S3 was achieved successfully via chemical bath deposition. The solar cell fabricated using SnO2–Bi2S3 photoanode showed an open circuit voltage (V
OC) of 357 mV, short circuit current density of (J
SC) 740.16 μA cm−2 and fill factor (F.F.) of 31%.
Ethical and Animal Welfare Considerations in Relation to Species Selection for Animal Experimentation
Authors: Webster John
Published: December 2014

Ethical principles governing the conduct of experiments with animals are reviewed, especially those relating to the choice of species. Legislation requires that the potential harm to animals arising from any procedure should be assessed in advance and justified in terms of its possible benefit to society. Potential harms may arise both from the procedures and the quality of the animals’ lifetime experience. The conventional approach to species selection is to use animals with the “lowest degree of neurophysiological sensitivity”. However; this concept should be applied with extreme caution in the light of new knowledge. The capacity to experience pain may be similar in mammals, birds and fish. The capacity to suffer from fear is governed more by sentience than cognitive ability, so it cannot be assumed that rodents or farm animals suffer less than dogs or primates. I suggest that it is unethical to base the choice of species for animal experimentation simply on the basis that it will cause less distress within society. A set of responsibilities is outlined for each category of moral agent. These include regulators, operators directly concerned with the conduct of scientific experiments and toxicology trials, veterinarians and animal care staff; and society at large.
Loading and Unloading Weaned Pigs: Effects of Bedding Types, Ramp Angle, and Bedding Moisture
Authors: Garcia Arlene , McGlone John
Published: December 2014

The use of non-slip surfaces during loading and unloading of weaned pigs plays an important role in animal welfare and economics of the pork industry. Currently, the guidelines available only suggest the use of ramps below 20° to load and unload pigs. Three ramp angles (0°, 10° or 20°), five bedding materials (nothing, sand, feed, wood shavings or wheat straw hay), two moistures (dry or wet bedding; >50% moisture) over two seasons (>23.9 °C summer, <23.9 °C winter) were assessed for slips/falls/vocalizations (n = 6,000 pig observations). "Score" was calculated by the sum of slips, falls, and vocalizations. With the exception of using feed as a bedding, all beddings provided some protection against elevated slips, falls, and vocalizations (P < 0.01). Providing bedding reduced (P < 0.05) scores regardless of whether the bedding was dry or wet. Scores increased as the slope increased (P < 0.01). Provision of bedding, other than feed, at slopes greater than zero, decreased slips, falls and vocalizations. The total time it took to load and unload pigs was affected by bedding type, ramp angle, and season (P < 0.05). Minimizing slips, falls, and vocalizations when loading and unloading pigs improved animal welfare.
Biocatalytic Synthesis of Fluorescent Conjugated Indole Oligomers
Authors: Bouldin Ryan , Singh Ankita , Magaletta Michael , Connor Sean , Kumar Jayant , Nagarajan Ramaswamy
Published: December 2014

Fluorescent conjugated materials exhibiting reasonable biocompatibility that are capable of interacting with biological molecules are of interest for bio-sensing and imaging applications. Traditional approaches do not allow for the synthesis of conjugated materials in the presence of biologically relevant substrates. Further conjugated polymers synthesized using conventional methods are doped and not fluorescent. Here we explore the possibility of synthesizing fluorescent oligomers of indole using enzymes as catalyst under mild conditions. The peroxidase catalyzed coupling reaction presented here creates a photoluminescent material that allows for direct utilization (without purification and separation of the dopant) in biosensing applications. The polymerization reaction proceeds smoothly in just deionized water and ethanol. Monitoring of the absorption and fluorescence spectra over one hour shows that the concentration of both absorbing and emitting species grows steadily over time. The presence of anionic buffers and templates is shown to effectively retard the development of light emitting species and instead leads to the formation of an electrically doped conjugated polymer. Structural characterization through FTIR and 1H-NMR analysis suggests that the oligomer is coupled through the 2 and 3 positions on the indole ring.
Lung Injury Induced by TiO2 Nanoparticles Depends on Their Structural Features: Size, Shape, Crystal Phases, and Surface Coating
Authors: Wang Jiangxue , Fan Yubo
Published: December 2014

With the rapid development of nanotechnology, a variety of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) are being produced. Nanotoxicology has become a hot topic in many fields, as researchers attempt to elucidate the potential adverse health effects of NPs. The biological activity of NPs strongly depends on physicochemical parameters but these are not routinely considered in toxicity screening, such as dose metrics. In this work, nanoscale titanium dioxide (TiO2), one of the most commonly produced and widely used NPs, is put forth as a representative. The correlation between the lung toxicity and pulmonary cell impairment related to TiO2 NPs and its unusual structural features, including size, shape, crystal phases, and surface coating, is reviewed in detail. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in pulmonary inflammation in response to the properties of TiO2 NPs is also briefly described. To fully understand the potential biological effects of NPs in toxicity screening, we highly recommend that the size, crystal phase, dispersion and agglomeration status, surface coating, and chemical composition should be most appropriately characterized.
A Genetic Polymorphism in RBP4 Is Associated with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Wan Ke , Zhao Jianxun , Deng Ying , Chen Xi , Zhang Qing , Zeng Zhi , Zhang Li , Chen Yucheng
Published: December 2014

Insulin resistance and obesity is influenced by the retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) adipokine. This study aims to determine if genetic polymorphisms in RBP4 are associated with the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Chinese patients. RBP4 polymorphisms were analyzed by high resolution melting (HRM) analysis in a case-control study of 392 unrelated CAD patients and 368 controls from China. The Gensini score was used to determine the severity of CAD. The genotypic and allelic frequencies of RBP4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were evaluated for associations with CAD and severity of disease. The A allele frequency was significantly higher in CAD case groups compared to control groups (16.7% vs. 8.8%) at the RBP4 rs7094671 locus. Compared to the G allele, this allele was associated with a higher risk of CAD (OR = 2.07 (1.50–2.84)). Polymorphisms at rs7094671 were found to associate with CAD using either a dominant or recessive model (OR, 95% CI: 1.97, 1.38–2.81; 3.81, 1.53–9.51, respectively). Adjusting for sex, history of smoking, serum TC, TG, LDL-c, and HDL-c, the risk of CAD for carriers remained signiﬁcantly higher in both dominant and recessive models (OR, 95% CI: 1.68, 1.12–2.51; 2.74, 1.00–7.52, respectively). However, this SNP was not significantly associated with severity of CAD using angiographic scores in multivariable linear regression models (p = 0.373). The RBP4 rs7094671 SNP is associated with CAD; however, our results do not indicate that this locus is associated with clinical severity of CAD or the extent of coronary lesions.
Design of Programmable LED Controller with a Variable Current Source for 3D Image Display
Authors: Lee Kyung-Ryang , Yeo Sung-Dae , Cho Seung-Il , Kim Seong-Kweon
Published: December 2014

Conventional fluorescent light sources, as well as incandescent light sources are gradually being replaced by Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for reducing power consumption in the image display area for multimedia application. An LED light source requires a controller with a low-power operation. In this paper, a low-power technique using adiabatic operation is applied for the implementation of LED controller with a stable constant-current, a low-power and low-heat function. From the simulation result, the power consumption of the proposed LED controller using adiabatic operation was reduced to about 87% in comparison with conventional operation with a constant VDD. The proposed circuit is expected to be an alternative LED controller which is sensitive to external conditions such as heat.
Two New N-Oxide Alkaloids from Stemona cochinchinensis
Authors: Lin Ligen , Bao Han , Wang Anqi , Tang Chunping , Dien Pham-Huu , Ye Yang
Published: December 2014

Two new N-oxide alkaloids with pyrrolo[1,2-α]azepine skeleton, namely isoneostemocochinine-N-oxide (1) and neostemocochinine-N-oxide (2), as well as three known alkaloids with pyrido[1,2-α]azepine skeletons, were isolated and identified from the roots of Stemona cochinchinensis (Stemonaceae). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra and other spectroscopic studies. Additionally, the 1H- and 13C-NMR characteristic of N-oxide Stemona alkaloids was summarized. Stemokerrin showed potent anti-tussive activity on citric acid-induced guinea pig model.
The Role of Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth in Obesity-Related Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Ferolla Silvia , Armiliato Geyza , Couto Cláudia , Ferrari Teresa
Published: December 2014

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. It is a progressive disorder involving a spectrum of conditions that include pure steatosis without inflammation, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis and cirrhosis. The key factor in the pathophysiology of NAFLD is insulin resistance that determines lipid accumulation in the hepatocytes, which may be followed by lipid peroxidation, production of reactive oxygen species and consequent inflammation. Recent studies suggest that the characteristics of the gut microbiota are altered in NAFLD, and also, that small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) contributes to the pathogenesis of this condition. This review presents the chief findings from all the controlled studies that evaluated SIBO, gut permeability and endotoxemia in human NAFLD. We also discuss the possible mechanisms involving SIBO, lipid accumulation and development of NASH. The understanding of these mechanisms may allow the development of new targets for NASH treatment in the future.
First Results of Estimating Surface Soil Moisture in the Vegetated Areas Using ASAR and Hyperion Data: The Chinese Heihe River Basin Case Study
Authors: Song Xiaoning , Ma Jianwei , Li Xiaotao , Leng Pei , Zhou Fangcheng , Li Shuang
Published: December 2014

This study introduces a new approach to estimate surface soil moisture in vegetated areas using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and hyperspectral data. To achieve this, the Michigan Microwave Canopy Scattering (MIMICS) model was initially used to simulate backscatter from vegetated surfaces containing various canopy water contents, across three frequency bands (i.e., L, S, and C). Using this simulated dataset, the influence of the canopy water content on the backscattered signals was further analyzed. In addition, we developed a modified Water-Cloud model which adds in the crown-ground interaction term. Finally, a soil moisture retrieval model for an agricultural region was developed. Alternating polarization data with ASAR and Hyperion hyperspectral data were used to retrieve soil moisture and validate the feasibility of the retrieval model. The field measured data from the Heihe river basin was used to confirm the proposed model. Results revealed an average absolute deviation (AAD) and average absolute relative deviation (AARD) of 0.051 cm3∙cm−3 and 19.7%, respectively, between the estimated soil moisture and the field measurements.
A New Crank Arm-Based Load Cell for the 3D Analysis of the Force Applied by a Cyclist
Authors: Balbinot Alexandre , Milani Cleiton , Nascimento Jussan
Published: December 2014

This report describes a new crank arm-based force platform designed to evaluate the three-dimensional force applied to the pedals by cyclists in real conditions. The force platform was designed to be fitted on a conventional competition bicycle crankset while data is transmitted wirelessly through a BluetoothTM module and also stored on a SD card. A 3D solid model is created in the SolidWorks (Dassault Systèmes SOLIDWORKS Corp.) to analyze the static and dynamic characteristics of the crank arm by using the finite elements technique. Each crankset arm is used as a load cell based on strain gauges configured as three Wheatstone bridges. The signals are conditioned on a printed circuit board attached directly to the structure. The load cell showed a maximum nonlinearity error between 0.36% and 0.61% and a maximum uncertainty of 2.3% referred to the sensitivity of each channel. A roller trainer equipped with an optical encoder was also developed, allowing the measurement of the wheel’s instantaneous velocity.
Is Romanian Rural Tourism Sustainable? Revealing Particularities
Authors: Andrei Daniela , Gogonea Rodica-Manuela , Zaharia Marian , Andrei Jean-Vasile
Published: December 2014

Research on sustainable tourism involves developing an appropriate framework to highlight the interdependences of economic, social and environmental systems. The interdependence is based on the entropy of the system while respecting the principle of holism and diversity of rural tourism sustainability. In this context, sustainability in general and rural tourism in particular can be considered a complex system of development, which in some ways can be studied by statistical and econometric methods that allow the analysis of the interdependences between the variables of rural tourism at county level and at the level of rural communities. Conducting such studies involves identifying the rural communities where rural tourism has reached significant levels. Based on this consideration, this paper aims to identify the development regions and counties of Romania where the trends of development of rural tourism are significantly above the average recorded at country level, as a first step towards particular studies of sustainability in rural communities.