bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Affecting Health Seeking Behavior of Senior Citizens of Dharan
Authors: Adhikari Dewa , Rijal Dagendra Prasad
Published: March 2014

Objectives: To determine the health status and the factors affecting health seeking behavior of the senior citizens aged 60years and above. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study based on household survey was adapted. The sample consisted 400 senior citizens resident of Dharan. Simple random sampling technique was employed to select the study subject. Individuals were interviewed through selfdeveloped semi-structured pre-tested questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics (chisquire test) were used. Results: Among 400 respondents, the most frequently reported illness were hypertension(29.3%), diabetes mellitus(8.3%), arthritis/joint pain(24.8%), eye problems(19.0%), hearing problems(3.3%), oral health problems(17.5%), digestive system problems(17.8%), respiratory problems(11.0%), heart disease(3.8%), renal problem(5.3%), skin diseases(7.5%), tuberculosis(3.0%), liver disease(3.0%), mental illness(5.75%),fracture(1.0%), Gynecological problems(7.3%) and male genital (6.3%) problems were also noted. Faith healers were the first treatment choice (97.2%) irrespective of age, gender or ethnicity. After that they visited BPKIHS (36.3%), private practitioner (26.3%), self-treatment (11.3%) and self-drug-use (6.8%). Half of the respondents utilized formal health institutions only in major chronic conditions. Poverty emerged as a major determinant of health seeking behavior and treatment was considered waste of money (indirect effect 64%) and lack of money (35 .5%) followed by poor attitude of health worker (41%) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v3i1.10055   Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol.3(1) 2014; 50-57
Knowledge of Urban Population Regarding Diabetes Mellitus and its Complication: A Community Based Study
Authors: Chaurasia Nitendra , Thapa Bijay , Patil Bhimagonda H , Khandekar Sagar , Angolkar Mubashir , Narasannavar Aswini , Wantamutte AS , Karikatti Shobha S
Published: March 2014

Aim: To assess the knowledge on diabetes among diabetic patients of urban poor. Background: Diabetes has been a major threat to public health as 3.2 million deaths are attributed to diabetes every year. The management of diabetes depends on knowledge of patient, self care activities and knowledge on symptoms and complications. Materials and methods: The study was carried out in the Urban Health Center area of Belgaum. The knowledge on diabetes, signs or symptoms and complications was assessed among diabetic patients, by using scoring system. Data were analyzed using percentages, proportions and statistical test (chi-square test) was used for categorical data. Results: The study revealed that 108(56.25%) knew about diabetes out of 192 diabetic patients. More than half, 142 (73.93%) patient knew the impact of diabetes on other organs. Sixteen (11.26%) said kidneys, 13(9.13%) as heart and 45(31.69%) said that diabetes affects multiple organs. Majority 142 (73.95%) of patients had knowledge of complications. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v3i1.10057   Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol.3(1) 2014; 62-65
“A Little History Here, a Little Hollywood There”: (Counter-)Identifying with the Spanish Fantasy in Carlos Morton‘s Rancho Hollywood and Theresa Chavez’s L.A. Real
Authors: Mohler Courtney Elkin
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACT:

Often considered the final conquest and ultimate summation of Manifest Destiny, California holds a unique place in the American imaginary. While the popular mythology of the Spanish fantasy has served to obscure the use of violence and racialized oppression throughout the colonization of the American Southwest, traces of such struggle remain in memories of the colonized as they continue to occupy this contested space. This paper examines Carlos Morton’s ensemble-based political satire, Rancho Hollywood, and Theresa Chavez’s one-woman show, L.A. Real, to navigate the dynamic experience of contemporary Southern Californian racialized identity. These two pieces diverge stylistically but share an inclusive, nuanced approach to making sense of history, exploring the material and epistemological impact of historical representation on Chicana/o identity over time. Rancho Hollywood and L.A. Real counter-identify with the Spanish-fantasy heritage by rejecting stereotyping, questioning sanitized versions of Californian history, and voicing personal narratives that resist dominant regional myths and their associated racial ascriptions. Each play stages alternative versions of history that include personal experience and cultural memory; this transformative, productive approach to identity formation articulates agency over the memory of California.
Humanizing Globalization through Personal Relations in the Light of John Macmurray's Philosophy
Authors: Ogbonnaya Joseph
Published: March 2014

Abstract:

Globalization has a great potential to improve human well-being. At the same time, it creates so much inequality, and many are unable to benefit from the increased economic growth. This article on globalization contributes to the ongoing discussion about how to humanize globalization, calling for a replacement of the mechanistic philosophical backdrop of the current conception of human beings in economic terms as Homo economicus, in the economic growth–based globalization. The new proposal draws on the philosophy of personal relations, which is at the heart of John Macmurray's philosophy.
High-speed in-situ tomography of liquid protein foams
Authors: Eggert Anja , Müller Martina , Nachtrab Frank , Dombrowski Jannika , Rack Alexander , Zabler Simon
Published: March 2014

For the engineering of foamed food products, knowledge about the foam structure as well as about its dynamics and stability are of critical importance. Using fast tomography in the laboratory as well as ultra-fast phase-contrast synchrotron tomography accurate information about the entire pore distribution in milk protein foams is obtained almost instantaneously. This study displays the four-dimensional structural dynamics of milk-protein foam decay over time with unparalleled temporal and spatial resolution of the measurement data down to 1 s scan time (for 11 μm voxel sampling) and to 2.7 μm voxel sampling (for 2 s scan time). Pore size investigation is applied to a 15 min cine-tomography series monitoring the four-dimensional time decay of β-lactoglobulin foam, providing new insights into the dynamics of liquid protein foams.
Use of the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide and CalME to Mitigate Rutting in Asphalt Overlays of Concrete Pavements
Authors: Khazanovich Lev , Tompkins Derek , Saxena Priyam , Wu Rongzong , Coleri Erdem , Harvey John T.
Published: March 2014

This paper describes the development of an approach for the prediction of rutting of newly constructed composite pavements and asphalt overlays of existing concrete pavements [asphalt concrete over portland cement concrete (AC–PCC)]. The rutting model of the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) and the CalME procedure being developed by the California Department of Transportation and the University of California Pavement Research Center are investigated, and a procedure for incorporating the CalME rutting model into the MEPDG framework is introduced. The goal is to provide pavement engineers with a procedure for rutting in AC–PCC design and analysis that does not require uncommon inputs and does not force the user outside the MEPDG framework. The paper describes the procedure's validation with experimental data from the Pavement Research Center and from the Minnesota Road Research Facility. A brief sensitivity analysis of the procedure for rutting in AC–PCC is presented.
Investigation into Top-Down Cracking of Asphalt Pavements in North Carolina
Authors: Park Hong Joon , Kim Y. Richard
Published: March 2014

Top-down cracking has become a commonly reported cracking mechanism in asphalt pavements worldwide. In top-down cracking, a crack initiates at the surface of an asphalt concrete pavement and propagates to the bottom of the asphalt pavement layer. Because the location and governing state of stress for top-down cracking are different from those for bottom-up cracking, analysis of pavement cracking performance must be robust enough to account for the complex mechanisms that are involved in top-down cracking. This study applies the viscoelastic continuum damage finite element model to the evaluation of two pavement sections in North Carolina where top-down cracking has been identified. Small specimen geometries are used to perform simplified viscoelastic continuum damage testing on individual asphalt layers obtained from field cores. This testing model and the Fourier finite element program are used together for pavement cracking performance simulations, and the joint model uses the structure and layer material properties obtained from the two study pavements. The simulation results clearly support the propensity of these pavements to exhibit top-down cracking. In addition to laboratory testing and analysis, the deflection-based method suggested by Uhlmeyer et al. is applied to the data obtained from pavement sections with known crack initiation locations, and that method's validity is investigated. The Uhlmeyer method uses the AREA parameter, which is determined from falling weight deflectometer deflections, and pavement thicknesses. The analysis results show a clear difference in the AREA versus pavement thickness relationship between the pavement sections with top-down cracking and those with full-depth cracking.
Improvements of Full-Depth Repair Practices for Distresses in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement
Authors: Ryu Sung Woo , Choi Pangil , Choi Seongcheol , Won Moon C.
Published: March 2014

The Texas Department of Transportation has by far the most continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) lane miles in the nation, and sections as old as 50 years are still in service. Having served much longer than intended, some sections are showing distress. Full-depth repair (FDR) is one of the methods used to repair CRCP distresses in Texas. Over the years, various FDR methods have been used, and the effectiveness of each method has varied. In the most widely used FDR method, a full-depth cut is made at a minimum of 1.5 ft (0.46 m) inside the transverse repair boundaries, a partial-depth cut is made at repair boundaries, and the concrete between the cuts is removed to expose longitudinal steel. The method has inherent disadvantages, the longer repair time being the primary one. The full-depth cut FDR method, in which a full-depth cut is made at the repair boundaries and longitudinal tie bars are epoxy grouted into the existing concrete, has advantages over other methods, including a faster operation that minimizes roadway closure time. Because CRCP is normally used in areas with high traffic volume, the maximum time the Texas Department of Transportation allows for the FDR operation is usually 9 h, which makes the full-depth cut method the only acceptable repair method. Factors affecting the effectiveness of the full-depth cut method were investigated with laboratory testing and field evaluations. The method of epoxy injection, keeping the epoxy in the holes after insertion of the tie bars, restoring base support, and the length of the embedded tie bar were the most important variables affecting the performance of FDR. Recommendations were made to revise specifications for FDR and epoxy materials on the basis of these research findings. Implementation of the recommendations should result in improved FDR performance of CRCP.
Speed Harmonization
Authors: Talebpour Alireza , Mahmassani Hani S. , Hamdar Samer H.
Published: March 2014

The objective of this study was to explore the impacts of early shock wave detection on breakdown formation and driving hazards (safety) and the possible corresponding improvements from the use of speed harmonization as a control strategy. Several efforts have been made to evaluate speed harmonization systems by means of various traffic microsimulation models. However, further related behavioral-based studies are needed, especially in light of the development of connected-vehicle technology. The adopted approach relies on a cognitive risk-based microscopic simulation model capable of endogenously accounting for incidents to study the effects of speed harmonization strategies on traffic flow characteristics and safety. An algorithm based on wavelet transform—to detect shock wave formation—was combined with a reactive speed limit selection algorithm to implement speed harmonization within the microscopic simulation model. Three sets of scenarios were simulated. The results showed significant improvement in traffic flow characteristics through the implementation of the speed harmonization control strategy under congested conditions. Analysis of a fundamental diagram revealed the existence of an optimal location to implement the speed limit changes upstream of the point of shock wave detection. The analysis also revealed the role of speed limit compliance for the success of a speed harmonization system.
One-pot Synthesis of Highly Functionalised 1-tosylpyrazolidines
Authors: Mohebat Razieh , Naseri Samira , Hassanabadi Alireza
Published: March 2014

The reactive intermediate produced in the reaction between alkyl isocyanides and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates has been trapped by (4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl hydrazide to yield highly functionalised 1-tosylpyrazolidines in high yields.
Estimation of ice thickness using surface velocities and slope: case study at Gangotri Glacier, India
Authors: Gantayat Prateek , Kulkarni Anil V. , Srinivasan J.
Published: March 2014

We estimate the distribution of ice thickness for a Himalayan glacier using surface velocities, slope and the ice flow law. Surface velocities over Gangotri Glacier were estimated using sub-pixel correlation of Landsat TM and ETM+ imagery. Velocities range from ˜14–85 m a–1 in the accumulation region to ˜20–30 m a–1 near the snout. Depth profiles were calculated using the equation of laminar flow. Thickness varies from ˜540 m in the upper reaches to ˜50–60 m near the snout. The volume of the glacier is estimated to be 23.2 ± 4.2 km3.
Isolation of Circulating Tumor Cells by Dielectrophoresis
Authors: Gascoyne Peter , Shim Sangjo
Published: March 2014

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is an electrokinetic method that allows intrinsic dielectric properties of suspended cells to be exploited for discrimination and separation. It has emerged as a promising method for isolating circulation tumor cells (CTCs) from blood. DEP-isolation of CTCs is independent of cell surface markers. Furthermore, isolated CTCs are viable and can be maintained in culture, suggesting that DEP methods should be more generally applicable than antibody-based approaches. The aim of this article is to review and synthesize for both oncologists and biomedical engineers interested in CTC isolation the pertinent characteristics of DEP and CTCs. The aim is to promote an understanding of the factors involved in realizing DEP-based instruments having both sufficient discrimination and throughput to allow routine analysis of CTCs in clinical practice. The article brings together: (a) the principles of DEP; (b) the biological basis for the dielectric differences between CTCs and blood cells; (c) why such differences are expected to be present for all types of tumors; and (d) instrumentation requirements to process 10 mL blood specimens in less than 1 h to enable routine clinical analysis. The force equilibrium method of dielectrophoretic field-flow fractionation (DEP-FFF) is shown to offer higher discrimination and throughput than earlier DEP trapping methods and to be applicable to clinical studies.
Impact of Neuro-Psychological Factors on Smoking-Associated Lung Cancer
Authors: Schuller Hildegard
Published: March 2014

Smoking has been extensively documented as a risk factor for all histological types of lung cancer and tobacco-specific nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons reproducibly cause lung cancer in laboratory rodents. However, the most common lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), frequently develops in never smokers and is particularly common in women and African Americans, suggesting that factors unrelated to smoking significantly impact this cancer. Recent experimental investigations in vitro and in animal models have shown that chronic psychological stress and the associated hyperactive signaling of stress neurotransmitters via β-adrenergic receptors significantly promote the growth and metastatic potential of NSCLC. These responses were caused by modulation in the expression and sensitization state of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) that regulate the production of stress neurotransmitters and the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Similar changes in nAChR-mediated neurotransmitter production were identified as the cause of NSCLC stimulation in vitro and in xenograft models by chronic nicotine. Collectively, these data suggest that hyperactivity of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system caused by chronic psychological stress or chronic exposure to nicotinic agonists in cigarette smoke significantly contribute to the development and progression of NSCLC. A recent clinical study that reported improved survival outcomes with the incidental use of β-blockers among patients with NSCLC supports this interpretation.
Bias-Correction in Vector Autoregressive Models: A Simulation Study
Authors: Engsted Tom , Pedersen Thomas
Published: March 2014

We analyze the properties of various methods for bias-correcting parameter estimates in both stationary and non-stationary vector autoregressive models. First, we show that two analytical bias formulas from the existing literature are in fact identical. Next, based on a detailed simulation study, we show that when the model is stationary this simple bias formula compares very favorably to bootstrap bias-correction, both in terms of bias and mean squared error. In non-stationary models, the analytical bias formula performs noticeably worse than bootstrapping. Both methods yield a notable improvement over ordinary least squares. We pay special attention to the risk of pushing an otherwise stationary model into the non-stationary region of the parameter space when correcting for bias. Finally, we consider a recently proposed reduced-bias weighted least squares estimator, and we find that it compares very favorably in non-stationary models.
Critical Factors Controlling Pd and Pt Potential in Porphyry Cu–Au Deposits: Evidence from the Balkan Peninsula
Authors: Eliopoulos Demetrios , Economou-Eliopoulos Maria , Zelyaskova-Panayiotova Maria
Published: March 2014

Porphyry Cu–Au–Pd±Pt deposits are significant Au resources, but their Pd and Pt potential is still unknown. Elevated Pd, Pt (hundreds of ppb) and Au contents are associated with typical stockwork magnetite-bornite-chalcopyrite assemblages, at the central parts of certain porphyry deposits. Unexpected high grade Cu–(Pd+Pt) (up to 6 ppm) mineralization with high Pd/Pt ratios at the Elatsite porphyry deposit, which is found in a spatial association with the Chelopech epithermal deposit (Bulgaria) and the Skouries porphyry deposit, may have formed during late stages of an evolved hydrothermal system. Estimated Pd, Pt and Au potential for porphyry deposits is consistent with literature model calculations demonstrating the capacity of aqueous vapor and brine to scavenge sufficient quantities of Pt and Pd, and could contribute to the global platinum-group element (PGE) production. Critical requirements controlling potential of porphyry deposits may be from the metals contained in magma (metasomatized asthenospheric mantle wedge as indicated by significant Cr, Co, Ni and Re contents). The Cr content may be an indicator for the mantle input.
Use of Neuroenhancement Drugs: Prevalence, Frequency and Use Expectations in Switzerland
Authors: Deline Stéphane , Baggio Stéphanie , Studer Joseph , N'Goran Alexandra , Dupuis Marc , Henchoz Yves , Mohler-Kuo Meichun , Daeppen Jean-Bernard , Gmel Gerhard
Published: March 2014

Objective: The present study investigates the use expectations, prevalence and frequency of neuroenhancement drug (ND) use among the Swiss male population, separating college students from others. Methods: Young Swiss men were invited to participate in the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors. A total of 5,967 participants responded to questions on six types of NDs (wakefulness medication, antidepressants, Alzheimer’s disease medication, Parkinson’s disease medication, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication, and beta-blockers). The frequency of use depending on five expectations (to enhance wakefulness, attention, memory, concentration and stress reduction) was analyzed for a twelve-month period. Results: (1) About 3% of the sample indicated use of at least one ND; (2) ADHD medication was the most prevalent; (3) The type of ND preferred differed depending on academic status (4). Quantitatively, over the year, college student users used ND much less frequently than other users. Conclusions: Prevalence of ND use is low in Switzerland relative to other countries such as the United States. Patterns of ND use differed depending on academic status, suggesting that while college student ND users tended to do so rarely (probably to enhance cognitive abilities for exams), non-college male users used other NDs more frequently (probably to “get high”).
Preserving the Picturesque: Perceptions of Landscape, Landscape Art, and Land Protection in the United States and China
Authors: Ellison Aaron
Published: March 2014

The predominant environmental consciousness in both the United States and China reflects an underlying sense of separation of people from nature. Likewise, traditional landscape paintings in the United States and China share a common underlying aesthetic—i.e., the “picturesque”. Together, these similarities appear to have led to the preservation of similar types of landscapes in both countries. Because decisions regarding landscape preservation and subsequent management of preserved areas in both countries reflect aesthetic preferences more than they reflect economic values placed on ecosystem services, contemporary artists have an opportunity to help shape future societal decisions regarding what natural areas to conserve and protect.
A Review on Resistive Switching in High-k Dielectrics: A Nanoscale Point of View Using Conductive Atomic Force Microscope
Authors: Lanza Mario
Published: March 2014

Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) structures have raised as the most promising configuration for next generation information storage, leading to great performance and fabrication-friendly Resistive Random Access Memories (RRAM). In these cells, the memory concept is no more based on the charge storage, but on tuning the electrical resistance of the insulating layer by applying electrical stresses to reach a high resistive state (HRS or “0”) and a low resistive state (LRS or “1”), which makes the memory point. Some high-k dielectrics show this unusual property and in the last years high-k based RRAM have been extensively analyzed, especially at the device level. However, as resistance switching (in the most promising cells) is a local phenomenon that takes place in areas of ~100 nm2, the use of characterization tools with high lateral spatial resolution is necessary. In this paper the status of resistive switching in high-k materials is reviewed from a nanoscale point of view by means of conductive atomic force microscope analyses.
Heme, an Essential Nutrient from Dietary Proteins, Critically Impacts Diverse Physiological and Pathological Processes
Authors: Hooda Jagmohan , Shah Ajit , Zhang Li
Published: March 2014

Heme constitutes 95% of functional iron in the human body, as well as two-thirds of the average person’s iron intake in developed countries. Hence, a wide range of epidemiological studies have focused on examining the association of dietary heme intake, mainly from red meat, with the risks of common diseases. High heme intake is associated with increased risk of several cancers, including colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and lung cancer. Likewise, the evidence for increased risks of type-2 diabetes and coronary heart disease associated with high heme intake is compelling. Furthermore, recent comparative metabolic and molecular studies of lung cancer cells showed that cancer cells require increased intracellular heme biosynthesis and uptake to meet the increased demand for oxygen-utilizing hemoproteins. Increased levels of hemoproteins in turn lead to intensified oxygen consumption and cellular energy generation, thereby fueling cancer cell progression. Together, both epidemiological and molecular studies support the idea that heme positively impacts cancer progression. However, it is also worth noting that heme deficiency can cause serious diseases in humans, such as anemia, porphyrias, and Alzheimer’s disease. This review attempts to summarize the latest literature in understanding the role of dietary heme intake and heme function in diverse diseases.
The Possible Role of Stem Cells in Acupuncture Treatment for Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Literature Review of Basic Studies
Authors: Ho Tsung-Jung , Chan Tzu-Min , Ho Li-Ing , Lai Ching-Yuan , Lin Chia-Hsien , Macdonald Iona , Harn Horng-Jyh , Lin Jaung-Geng , Lin Shinn-Zong , Chen Yi-Hung
Published: March 2014

This review reports on recent findings concerning the effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA) on stem cell mobilization and differentiation, in particular with regard to neurogenesis. Traditional Chinese acupuncture has a history of over 2,500 years and is becoming more popular worldwide. Evidence has demonstrated that acupuncture may be of benefit in stroke rehabilitation, parkinsonism, dementia, and depression. This article reviews recent studies concerning the effects of acupuncture/EA on stem cell mobilization and on progenitor cell proliferation in the CNS. The reviewed evidence indicates that acupuncture/EA has beneficial effects in several neurodegenerative diseases, and it may prove to be a nondrug method for mobilizing stem cells in the CNS.
Combined Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cell and Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Transplantation Promotes Neural Repair Associated with CNTF Expression in Traumatic Brain-Injured Rats
Authors: Fu Xue-Mei , Liu Su-Juan , Dan Qi-Qin , Wang Yan-Ping , Lin Na , Lv Long-Yun , Zou Yu , Liu Su , Zhou Xue , Wang Ting-Hua
Published: March 2014

This study examined the role of bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) and olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) cografting on neural function and underlying molecular mechanisms in acute stage of traumatic brain injury (TBI) rats. Eighty Sprague-Dawley (SD) female rats were randomly divided into five groups ( n = 16 per category): sham operated group (Sham), weight-drop-induced TBI group (TBI), BMSC transplantation group (BMSC), OEC transplantation group (OEC), and cotransplantation group (CO). Eight rats were randomly selected from each group for behavioral and morphological assessment. Another category ( n = 8 rats) was employed in the genetic expression detection. BMSCs were isolated from GFP mice and identified by CD44 antibody. OECs were isolated from the SD rats, identified by P75 antibody and labeled by Hoechst 33342. They were then transplanted into the surrounding tissue of the epicenter of TBI rats. The result of neurological severity scores revealed that BMSC or OEC transplantation alone and BMSC and OEC cografting significantly ameliorated the neurological deficits of TBI rats. Quantitative immunohistochemical analysis showed that graft-recipient animals possessed dramatically more neurons and regenerated axons and smaller amounts of astrocytes than controls 14 days posttransplantation ( p <0.05). However, the expressional level of ciliary neurotrophic factor significantly decreased in the cografting group as determined by RT-PCR ( p <0.05), and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway was significantly activated at 7 days after cell transplantation ( p <0.05). This study is the first to report the role of cotransplantation of BMSCs and OECs in the therapy of TBI and explore its potential molecular mechanisms, therefore providing the important morphological and molecular biological evidence for the clinical application of BMSC and/or OEC transplantation in TBI.
Molecular characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae in a Saudi Arabian tertiary hospital
Authors: Hassan Hoda , Abdalhamid Baha
Published: March 2014

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), and Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis). In addition, different methods for detection of these enzymes, including the newly introduced CHROMagar ESBL, were evaluated. Methodology: A total of 382 Enterobacteriaceae clinical isolates were obtained from King Fahad Specialist Hospital – Dammam, during 2011 and screened for production of ESBL using advanced expert system of Vitek 2, CHROMagar and ESBL-E-strips. PCR assay was used to detect blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M genes. Susceptibility to a panel of antibiotics was determined. Results: The overall proportion of ESBL-producing enterobacterial isolates was 30.6%, which was higher in E. coli (35.8%) than in K. pneumoniae (25.7%). ESBL genotypes showed remarkable increase in the CTX-M (97.4%) compared to SHV (23.1%). The predominant ESBL was CTX-M- 15 (92.1 %). No TEM ESBL was detected in this study. The Vitek2 showed the highest sensitivity (100%), and the CHROMagar had the lowest specificity (97.3%) compared to the molecular method. All isolates were susceptible to imipenem and meropenem. Conclusions: This study confirms a high level of blaCTX-M positive ESBL isolates are circulating in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The trend of a multidrug-resistant profile associated with the recovery of the blaCTX-M gene is alarming.
Evaluation of pediatric patients with hepatitis A
Authors: Cetinkaya Bilge , Tezer Hasan , Özkaya Parlakay Aslinur , Revide Sayli Tulin
Published: March 2014

Introduction: Hepatitis A is the most common form of acute viral hepatitis worldwide, especially in children. The clinical severity of the hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection varies from an asymptomatic infection to a fulminant disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate characteristics of pediatric patients diagnosed with HAV infection. Methodology: Patients younger than 18 years of age admitted between January 1, 2006 and January 1, 2011 to our hospital, an important reference center located in the middle part of Turkey, diagnosed as having hepatitis A were evaluated. Results: Of 427 patients, 49.4% were female and 50.6% were male. Hospitalization rate of the patients was 28.3%. The reason for hospitalization was vomitting in 58.7% of the patients and abdominal pain in 28%. The mean time of hospitalization was 5.2 ± 4.5 (1–40) days. There was no significant difference in hospitalization time by age. Vomiting and abdominal pain were significantly more common, and PT and aPTT levels were significantly elevated in patients with elevated AST and ALT levels over 1000 IU/L (p < 0.001). PT elevation was present in 15.2% of the patients, aPTT elevation in 11.9%, leukopenia in 16.6%, and thrombocytopenia in 2.6%. In terms of atypical course, four patients (0.9%) had cholestatic hepatitis, one had recurrent hepatitis, and one had fulminant hepatitis, yet no mortality was observed. Conclusions: Atypical courses of hepatitis A were more scarce in pediatric patients, but careful follow-up of patients with AST and ALT levels > 1000 IU/L is necessary.
Durability and compressive strength of blast furnace slag-based cement grout for special geotechnical applications
Authors: Ortega J. M. , Pastor J. L. , Albaladejo A. , Sánchez I. , Climent M. A.
Published: March 2014

Special foundations, most prominently micropiles and soil anchors, are frequently used in construction today. In Spain, the grout for these special technical applications is generally prepared with portland cement, although the codes and standards in place stipulate only the minimum compressive strength required, with no mention of cement type. Those texts also establish a range of acceptable water:cement ratios. In the present study, durability and compressive strength in cement grout prepared with blast furnace slag cement at different w/c ratios are characterised and compared to the findings for a reference portland cement grout. The results show that slag grout exhibits greater durability than the portland cement material and complies with the compressive strength requirements laid down in the respective codes.
The Optical Wonder of the Age
Authors: Taylor Roger
Published: March 2014

The birth of three-dimensional photography was highly controversial with much heated debate and rivalry from its proponents who competed to be first. This chapter highlights the historical background of 3-D by quoting The Great Exhibition of 1850 and the birth of commercial stereoscopic photography. For the first time audiences were introduced to Brewster's stereoscope, allied to Daguerre's photographic images and so successful was public reaction that by 1852 the system had become a commercial triumph with much to be gained. During the following decade the new steam railway network rapidly engulfed much of the British Isles and Europe, making the distribution of mass replicated stereo-views within easy reach for many. Indeed entrepreneurs, such as John Nottage, commissioned sets of stereo-views and built a catalogue of more than 10,000 stereo image pairs that are still highly sought after in todays auction houses. Public interest peaked around 1870 and thereafter began to decline, due in part to the stereo photograph, or pair, becoming ubiquitous. Roger Taylor offers a glimpse into that period of history when enthusiasm for the stereo photograph has never been surpassed.
Principles of Binocular Stereoscopic Imaging
Authors: Ogram Geoff
Published: March 2014

The relation between visual perception and the recorded image is discussed in this chapter, emphasising the historical growth of the understanding of depth perception and its visual cues. The stereoscopic principle is explained in detail, and figures are given for comfortable viewing of stereoscopic images.
Perspectives on Cognitive Computers and Knowledge Processors
Authors: Wang Yingxu , Fariello Gabriele , Gavrilova Marina L. , Kinsner Witold , Mizoguchi Fumio , Patel Shushma , Patel Dilip , Pelayo Fernando L. , Raskin Victor , Shell Duane F. , Tsumoto Shusaku
Published: March 2014

Cognitive Informatics (CI) is a contemporary multidisciplinary field spanning across computer science, information science, cognitive science, brain science, intelligence science, knowledge science, cognitive linguistics, and cognitive philosophy. CI aims to investigate the internal information processing mechanisms and processes of the brain, the underlying abstract intelligence theories and denotational mathematics, and their engineering applications in cognitive computing and computational intelligence. This paper reports a set of eleven position statements presented in the plenary panel of IEEE ICCI*CC’13 on Cognitive Computers and Knowledge Processors contributed from invited panelists who are part of the world’s renowned researchers and scholars in the field of cognitive informatics and cognitive computing.
CTSA
Authors: Pereira Óscar Mortágua , Aguiar Rui L. , Santos Maribel Yasmina
Published: March 2014

Call Level Interfaces (CLI) provide a set of functionalities to ease the connection between client applications and relational databases. Among them, the management of data retrieved from databases is emphasized. The retrieved data is kept in local memory structures (LMS) that allow client applications to read it and modify it through protocols. They are row (tuple) oriented and, while being executed, they cannot be preempted to start another protocol. This restriction leads to several difficulties when applications need to deal with several tuples at a time, namely in concurrent environments where several threads need to access to the same LMS instance, each one pointing to a different tuple and executing its particular protocol. To overcome this drawback, a Concurrent Tuple Set Architecture (CTSA) is proposed for LMS. A performance assessment is also carried out. The outcome is the evidence that in concurrent environments, the CTSA significantly improve the overall performance.
A Comparative Analysis of Reliability Assessment Methods for Web-based Software
Authors: Park Jinhee , Seo Yeong-Seok , Baik Jongmoon
Published: March 2014

As web technology has advanced, many business software applications are built on the web. In such web environment, it has become very important to ensure the reliability of web-based software systems such as Software as a Service (SaaS) or Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) based systems because service failures in those systems may have an effect on extensive users. With the comparison to the reliability studies on traditional software, there are only a few studies on the reliability of web-based software. The dynamic environment of the web makes it much more complicated to assess the reliability of web-based software. In this paper, the authors investigate the characteristics of reliability assessment methods for web-based software such as SaaS and SOA based software systems. The authors also evaluate those methods based on hypothetical execution scenarios to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each method. This analysis helps the authors identify remaining problems on the reliability research in the web environment and provides insight into possible solutions.
Formal Specification and Implementation of Priority Queue using Stream Functions
Authors: Hu Gongzhu , Zhang Jin , Lee Roger
Published: March 2014

Formal specification of software components, as a core research area in software engineering, has been widely studied for decades. Although quite a few formal models have been proposed for this purpose, specification of concrete software components is still a challenging task due to the complexity of the functionalities of the components. In this paper, the authors use the stream function model to specify the behavior of priority queue, a commonly used software component. This specification formally defines the regular behavior and fault tolerance behavior of priority queue. In particular, a priority-concatenation operator is defined to handle the ordering of data items to ensure the highest-priority item is removed first. A finite state machine is built based on this specification as an implementation of priority queue. In addition, the authors also discuss a priority upgrading approach to handle possible starvation situation of low-priority data items in the priority queue.
Exploring Human Dynamics in Global Information System Implementations
Authors: van Egmond Marielle , Patel Shushma , Patel Dilip
Published: March 2014

Global information systems (IS) are often designed and implemented without due consideration or management of the human aspect of information systems. The lack of acknowledgement of human factors generates cost overruns, time delays and may ultimately lead to a partial failure of the system or even an aborted implementation. In this paper the authors present the concept of the information system implementation transformation (ISIT) cloud that covers dynamics of global information system implementations. The authors have depicted these dynamics as interpretative readiness curves in relation to IS implementation phases. The authors argue that human elements are impacting the overall level of implementation readiness. The authors support their argument by discussing the role of attitudes towards IS implementations, after which the authors break it down into a focus on the role of culture and finally link our ISIT concept to the layered reference model of the brain (LRMB) to understand the role of cognitive elements within IS implementations. The results of their approach provide improved understanding of the human elements of global information system implementations and its organizational readiness.
Design and Control of a Waterproof Robot Arm Applying the Gravity Compensator
Authors: Choi Hyeung Sik , Kim Dong Hee , Joo Young Do , Ha Ji Hoon
Published: March 2014

This study is about the design and control of waterproof 4-axis robot arm that allows underwater operation. To enhance the load capacity of the robot arm, a module-type gravity compensator (GC) is designed and applied to each joint. The dynamic equation of the robot arm was set up and analyzed by including frictional force of waterproof apparatus and compensating force of the GC. A SMC was designed and its performance was tested through simulation to track a target trajectory despite disturbance such as friction in joints.
Improvement of Polymers by UV Irradiation: The Research in Ageing and Solidification - Take Polysiloxane-Modified-Polyacrylates and Asphalt as an Example
Authors: Shi Hong
Published: March 2014

In this article, UV effect onto polysiloxane-modified-polyacrylates and asphalt were researched. For polysiloxane-modified-polyacrylates, it was found that the by adding photosensitive monomers UV can enhance the cross link between molecules, and there is an optimum ratio. For the asphalts, UV will make the materials ageing, because it will break the large molecules into smaller ones. And addition of anti-UV ageing agents may but not necessarily help the anti-ageing process. There is a specific corresponding relationship between them.
Specificity of Crack Initiation under Equibiaxial Fatigue: Development of a New Experimental Device
Authors: Bradaï Soumaya , Gourdin Cédric , Courtin Stephan , Leroux Jean Christophe , Gardin Catherine
Published: March 2014

Fatigue lifetime assessment is essential in the design of structures. Under-estimated predictions may result in unnecessary in-service inspections. Conversely, over-estimated predictions may have serious consequences on the integrity of structures. In some nuclear power plant components, the fatigue loading may be equibiaxial because of thermal fatigue. So the potential impact of multiaxial loading on the fatigue life of components is a major concern. Meanwhile, few experimental data are available on austenitic stainless steels. It is essential to improve the fatigue assessment methodologies to take into account the potential equibiaxial fatigue damage. Hence this requires obtaining experimental data on the considered material and with a strain tensor in equibiaxial tension. This paper describes an experimental program on austenitic stainless steel carried out on the new experimental fatigue device FABIME2 developed in the LISN in collaboration with EDF and AREVA. This new device allows accurate quantification of the effects of both equibiaxial strain state as well as structural parameters (such as mean stress) on the fatigue life. It also allows studying the complexity of combinations between potential detrimental effects like surface roughness, mean stress and equibiaxial loading. Different load ratios can be tested by adjusting the loading conditions. A Finite Element Modeling is performed in order to obtain a precise description of the strain state in the specimen. The results of the on-going test campaign will be presented.
Analysis and Design of Offshore Pile Foundation
Authors: Basack Sudip
Published: March 2014

The ocean environment necessitates the pile foundation supporting the offshore structures to be designed against cyclic load, moments and torques initiated by a combined action of waves, wind, tides, currents, etc. Such a complex loading condition induces progressive degradation in the pile-soil interactive performance introducing significant reduction in bearing capacity with increased settlement and displacements. The Author has carried out extensive experimental (laboratory model tests) and theoretical investigations (boundary element analysis) to study the salient features of this degradation and developed a design methodology for offshore pile foundation. The works conducted and the major conclusions drawn are highlighted in this paper.
Standardized Test Method for Corrosion Pit-to-Fatigue Crack Transition for AA7075-T651 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Mantha Divakar , Fawaz Scott A.
Published: March 2014

Corrosion damage (pit) is a stress raiser that can have deleterious effects on the fatigue life of airframe structural components. A better understanding and method for modeling the corrosion pit to fatigue crack transition would advance the fidelity of aircraft structural integrity estimates and fleet management decision making. Here, the focus is on developing a standardized fatigue test method for investigating the transition of a corrosion pit to fatigue crack in aluminum alloy AA 7075-T651 specimens. The standardized test method requires the development and validation of two sub-protocols (1) a pitting protocol to create a corrosion pit less than 200 μm diameter at the intersection of the central hole bore and planar surface of sheet and (2) a spot welding protocol for attaching the direct current potential drop (dcPD) probes on either side of the corrosion pit for fatigue crack growth measurement. A dcPD fatigue test method coupled with a unique 10-4-6 marker load sequence is used to measure the fatigue crack growth. The crack shape evolution and crack growth life are predicted using AFGROW.
Effects of Waveform and Cycle Period on Corrosion-Fatigue Crack Growth in Cathodically Protected High-Strength Steels
Authors: Knop Mark , Birbilis Nick , Lynch Stan
Published: March 2014

The processes involved in corrosion fatigue in general are briefly outlined, followed by a brief review of recent studies on the effects of cycle frequency (rise times) and electrode potential on crack-growth rates at intermediate ΔK levels for cathodically protected high-strength steels. New studies concerning the effects of fall times and hold times at maximum and minimum loads on crack-growth rates (for Kmax values below the sustained-load SCC threshold) are presented and discussed. Fractographic observations and the data indicate that corrosion-fatigue crack-growth rates in aqueous environments depend on the concentration of hydrogen adsorbed at crack tips and at tips of nanovoids ahead of cracks. Potential-dependent electrochemical reaction rates, crack-tip strain rates, and hydrogen transport to nanovoids are therefore critical parameters. The observations are best explained by an adsorption-induced dislocation-emission (AIDE) mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement.