bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Guided by numbers: how far should we go?
Authors: Leung Lawrence
Published: December 2013

It would be no exaggeration to say that a clinician cannot spend a day without looking at numerical values for laboratory test results and deciding if any actions are needed. In fact, most, if not all, clinicians in daily practice simply rely on the reference values provided by the laboratory to make clinical decisions. However, how often do we question the validity of these reference intervals and understand how they are derived? When should we take action if the results do not fall within the intervals? How far should we treat? This article attempts to examine the philosophy and definition of normality, the meaning and implications of reference intervals, the concept of the receiver operating characteristic curve and finally, the importance and practicality of decision limits regarding the results of biometric tests in clinical medicine.
Big data and human geography
Authors: Kitchin Rob
Published: December 2013

We are entering an era of big data – data sets that are characterised by high volume, velocity, variety, exhaustivity, resolution and indexicality, relationality and flexibility. Much of these data are spatially and temporally referenced and offer many possibilities for enhancing geographical understanding, including for post-positivist scholars. Big data also, however, poses a number of challenges and risks to geographic scholarship and raises a number of taxing epistemological, methodological and ethical questions. Geographers need to grasp the opportunities whilst at the same time tackling the challenges, ameliorating the risks and thinking critically about big data as well as conducting big data studies. Failing to do so could be quite costly as the discipline gets left behind as others leverage insights from the growing data deluge.
Rethinking empirical social sciences
Authors: Ruppert Evelyn
Published: December 2013

I consider some arguments of social science and humanities researchers about the challenge that big data presents for social science methods. What they suggest is that social scientists need to engage with big data rather than retreat into internal debates about its meaning and implications. Instead, understanding big data requires and provides an opportunity for the interdisciplinary development of methods that innovatively, critically and reflexively engage with new forms of data. Unlike data and methods that social scientists have typically worked with in the past, big data calls for skills and approaches that cut across disciplines. Drawing on work in science and technology studies and understandings of the ‘the social life of methods’, I argue that this is in part due to the fragmentation and redistribution of expertise, knowledge and methods that new data sources engender, including their incipient relations to government and industry and entanglements with social worlds.
Intrathecal Leptin Inhibits Expression of the P2X2/3 Receptors and Alleviates Neuropathic Pain Induced by Chronic Constriction Sciatic Nerve Injury
Authors: Li Xin , Kang Lumei , Li Guilin , Zeng Huihong , Zhang Lei , Ling Xiang , Dong Hui , Liang Shangdong , Chen Hongping
Published: December 2013

Background

Leptin, an adipocytokine produced mainly by white adipose tissue, has a broad role in the regulation of neuronal functions. Accumulating evidence has revealed that leptin plays an important role in influencing neuropathic pain, shown recently by the finding that chronic administration of leptin induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in naïve rats. Chronic constriction sciatic nerve injury (CCI) is a well characterized model used for studying neuropathic pain. The present study was designed to investigate whether leptin plays a role in neuropathic pain in rats induced by CCI by examining particular pain behaviors.

Results

After sciatic nerve injury in rats, endogenous levels of leptin and leptin receptor (OB-Rb) were increased in a time dependent manner within the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Intrathecal administration of leptin once daily for 6 days, beginning 7 days after CCI, alleviated neuropathic pain and decreased the expression of IL-6, TNFα, and the P2X2 and P2X3 receptors. Attenuation of endogenous OB-Rb in the DRG by intrathecal administration of OB-Rb antisense oligonucleotides did not change thermal hyperalgesia or mechanical allodynia induced by CCI.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that exogenous leptin can alleviate the chronic neuropathic pain caused by CCI. The leptin effect may be mediated by attenuated expression of IL-6, TNFα, and the P2X2 and P2X3 receptors in the DRG of CCI rats.
Childhood cancers: what is a possible role of infectious agents?
Authors: Alibek Kenneth , Mussabekova Assel , Kakpenova Ainur , Duisembekova Assem , Baiken Yeldar , Aituov Bauyrzhan , Karatayeva Nargis , Zhussupbekova Samal
Published: December 2013

The etiology of childhood cancers has been studied for more than 40 years. However, most if not all cancers occurring in children are attributed to unknown causes. This review is focused on the role of infections in cancer development and progression in children. The main infectious agents include human herpesviruses, polyoma viruses, and human papilloma viruses. It is known that infections can lead to carcinogenesis through various mechanisms, and most likely act in addition to genetic and environmental factors. Given the importance of the infectious etiology of childhood cancers, clinical implications and possible prevention strategies are discussed.
A novel CLDN16 mutation in a large family with familial hypomagnesaemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis
Authors: Deeb Asma , Abood Salima Atia , Simon Job , Dastoor Hormazdiar , Pearce Simon HS , Sayer John A
Published: December 2013

Background

Familial hypomagnesaemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis is a rare tubulopathy leading to renal calcification and progressive renal failure.

Case presentation

We report a consanguineous Arab family (of Qatari origin) with 7 affected siblings with variable phenotypes including hypomagnesaemia, hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis and renal stones. Presenting features included haematuria and recurrent urinary tract infections. As the biochemical and clinical phenotypes of this family resembled familial hypomagnesaemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis, we performed genetic investigation in order to provide a precise molecular diagnosis. We screened all coding regions of the CLDN16 gene and identified a novel mutation (c.G647A, p.R216H) which was found homozygously in the six severely affected cases, who manifested significant nephrocalcinosis, often nephrolithiasis and sometimes reduced GFR. Parents were both heterozygous for the mutation and, together with children carrying the mutation in its heterozygous state, exhibited mild or no biochemical phenotypes.

Conclusion

Mutations in CLDN16 underlie familial hypomagnesaemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis but remain a rare cause of nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis. Management includes reduction of hypercalciuria with thiazide diuretics, correction of serum magnesium and close monitoring of renal function given the significant risk of end stage renal failure with this inherited form of nephrocalcinosis.
Comparative preclinical pharmacokinetics study of 3,3′-diindolylmethane formulations: is personalized treatment and targeted chemoprevention in the horizon?
Authors: Paltsev Mikhail , Kiselev Vsevolod , Muyzhnek Ekaterina , Drukh Vadim , Kuznetsov Igor , Pchelintseva Olga
Published: December 2013

Background

3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) is known as an agent of natural origin that provides protection against different cancers due to the broad spectrum of its biological activities in vivo. However, this substance has a very poor biodistribution and absorption in animal tissues. This preclinical trial was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of various DIM formulations in animal model.

Materials and methods

The pharmacokinetic parameters of one crystalline DIM formulation and one liquid DIM formulation (oil solution) compared to non-formulated crystalline DIM (control) were tested in 200 rats. The formulations were orally administered to animals by gavage at doses of 200 mg/kg per DIM (crystalline DIM formulation and non-formulated crystalline DIM) and 0.1 mg/kg per DIM (DIM in oil solution). DIM plasma elimination was measured using HPLC method; after that, the area under the curve (AUC), relative bioavailability, and absolute bioavailability were estimated for two formulations in relation to non-formulated crystalline DIM.

Results and conclusion

The highest bioavailability was achieved by administering liquid DIM (oil solution), containing cod liver oil and polysorbate. The level of DIM in rat blood plasma was about fivefold higher, though the 2,000-fold lower dose was administered compared to crystalline DIM forms. The novel pharmacological DIM substance with high bioavailability may be considered as a promising targeted antitumor chemopreventive agent. It could be used to prevent breast and ovarian cancer development in patients with heterozygous inherited and sporadic BRCA1 gene mutations. Further preclinical and clinical trials are needed to prove this concept.
“Kawaii” And “Moe” — Gazes, Geeks (Otaku), and Glocalization of Beautiful Girls (Bishōjo) in Hong Kong Youth Culture
Authors: Yiu Wai-hung , Chan Alex Ching-shing
Published: December 2013

The popularity and circulation of Japanese manga bishōjo (“beautiful young girls”) (Japanese teenage girl comics), and its consumptive creations in forms of cosplays (public costume parades in anime characters), toy figures, and animes appropriated by the local media in the Hong Kong popular culture, are concerned with new theoretical development in the global media. We take the operational notion of “thingification of media,” as Scott Lash and Celia Lury proposed in their book Global Cultural Industry (2007), in our core analysis of these transformations of cutie bishōjo, by tracking imported production of manga-maniac gadgets and local media, which complement sexual connotations. The transpositions from the lovable cuties of fancy goods (fanshi guzzu) to the desirable objects as replicas in texts and commodities, and extensions to one's own gaze and fantasy on the parts of recalled body fragments of bishōjo in local media crossovers, have revealed the ambiguity on the cultural proximity of Japanese media with Hong Kong, compared to other East Asian countries except Taiwan, in disseminating and distributing media to different regions in the globe, as Koichi Iwabuchi (2002) asserts and explains. The implication of this ambiguity reminds us of any oversimplification in cultural homogeneity of Japanese media or cultural export to other countries, which blinds us to our detailed examinations of potential and actual inventions of local cultures.
Listening as a Labor of Love: Commerce, Community, and Little Saigon Radio
Authors: Pham Minh-Ha T.
Published: December 2013

This article draws together communications and media studies with feminist theory and refugee scholarship to closely consider Vietnamese-American subject and community formations from the reference point of sound and audition. Specifically, it examines the ways in which institutionalized regimes of listening are configurations of power, the effects of which subtly but powerfully impact Vietnamese Americans' ordinary lives. Such regimes of listening operate as technologies that regulate subjects' quotidian modes of conduct and in so doing work to reproduce recognizable forms of ethnic, refugee, and national subjectivities and communities as well as the hegemonic discourses that underwrite them. This essay urges an epistemological shift from the site/sight-specific approaches to race, ethnicity, and nationalism that typically dominate ethnic studies, area studies, anthropology, and refugee studies to sonorous approaches that take into account the subtle and ephemeral configurations and effects of power that constitute this ethno-national community and its subjects. The production and management of national subjectivity, as this article shows, is routinely and often-times unspectacularly undertaken in sites that are ethnically and temporally local.
The Role of Market Orientation in Advertising Spending during Economic Collapse: The Case of Turkey in 2001
Authors: Özturan Peren , Özsomer Ayşegül , Pieters Rik
Published: December 2013

The authors investigate the role of market orientation in advertising spending during economic contraction. They use the 2001 economic collapse in Turkey as the empirical context in which to test hypotheses regarding why some firms increase their advertising spending in a contraction period while the majority of firms cut back. Analyzing market orientation at the level of its intelligence and responsiveness facets, they find the responsiveness facet to be positively associated with increases in advertising spending but observe the intelligence facet to be negatively associated with advertising spending. Importantly, positive shifts in advertising spending during the economic contraction predict better subsequent business performance. The opposing roles of the intelligence and responsiveness facets disappear in a subsequent economic expansion period. These findings have managerial and theoretical implications. Firms that nurture the responsiveness facet of market orientation during economic contractions go against the tide to increase their advertising spending and experience the performance benefits that such countercyclical actions can amass.
Wonderful resolutions and categorical crepant resolutions of singularities
Authors: Abuaf Roland
Published: December 2013

Let X be an algebraic variety with Gorenstein singularities. We define the
notion of a wonderful resolution of singularities of X by analogy
with the theory of wonderful compactifications of semi-simple linear algebraic
groups. We prove that if X has rational singularities and has a wonderful
resolution of singularities, then X admits a categorical crepant resolution of
singularities. As an immediate corollary, we get that all determinantal
varieties defined by the minors of a generic square/symmetric/skew-symmetric
matrix admit categorical crepant resolution of singularities.
Briefing: Electrical energy storage options
Authors: Price Anthony
Published: December 2013

Traditional power systems were based on large centralised generation supplying electricity to consumers through transmission and distribution networks, but a high proportion of renewable generation is now connected at the distribution level, which together with substantially different consumer demand profiles is changing the way that power systems are designed and operated. Electrical energy storage technologies, including battery energy storage, can complement existing generation types as well as new forms of renewable generation, as well as supporting the development of the network infrastructure.
Under niche construction: an operational bridge between ecology, evolution, and ecosystem science
Authors: Matthews Blake , De Meester Luc , Jones Clive G. , Ibelings Bas W. , Bouma Tjeerd J. , Nuutinen Visa , van de Koppel Johan , Odling-Smee John
Published: December 2013

All living organisms modify their biotic and abiotic environment. Niche construction theory posits that organism‐mediated modifications to the environment can change selection pressures and influence the evolutionary trajectories of natural populations. While there is broad support for this proposition in general, there is considerable uncertainty about how niche construction is related to other similar concepts in ecology and evolution. Comparative studies dealing with certain aspects of niche construction are increasingly common, but there is a troubling lack of experimental tests of the core concepts of niche construction theory. Here, we propose an operational framework to evaluate comparative and experimental evidence of the evolutionary consequences of niche construction, and suggest how such research can improve our understanding of ecological and evolutionary dynamics in ecosystems. We advocate for a shift toward explicit experimental tests of how organism‐mediated environmental change can influence the selection pressures underlying evolutionary responses, as well as targeted field‐based comparative research to identify the mode of evolution by niche construction and assess its importance in natural populations.
Factors Affecting Timing of Breeding in the Tawny Owl
Authors: Solonen Tapio
Published: December 2013

Relevant variables characterising factors suspected to affect timing of breeding in birds may be difficult to
measure. Then, easily available proxies, i.e. variables that are expected to vary consistently with some affecting factors,
may be used instead. In the present study on tawny owls, I used besides individual characteristics of parent birds both detailed
measurements of the prey base of territories, local and general indices of vole abundance as well as local and general
weather conditions as explanatory variables. Owls tended to breed the earlier the older and the heavier they were.
Breeding was the earlier the higher the abundance of water voles and the proportion of field voles in the territorial prey
samples. Owls bred earlier when the local abundance of small voles in the preceding autumn was high. Regional vole indices
showed no associations with timing of owls' breeding. Single winter weather variables did not show any significant
associations neither. In combination with the advancing effect of water vole abundance, however, the delaying effect of
the depth of the snow cover in March was significant. Models based on different data sets showed different kinds of associations
between the abundance of small voles and timing of breeding in owls. The best models in which both intrinsic
and extrinsic explanatory variables (characteristics of parent birds and environmental factors, respectively) were included
did not differ considerably from each other. The occurrence of water voles in prey samples governed the best models. The
results suggest, that without detailed knowledge on the prey base of territory, misleading results may emerge and the importance
of small voles in governing breeding of owls may be overemphasised.
Overcoming Obstacles Facing the Contractors Sector in Saudi Arabia Using a Rank Correlation Method
Authors: Jadid Mansour N.
Published: December 2013

The contractors sector is considered to be one of the most important sectors in terms of its effects on economic
development, stabilization, and urbanization. The main objective of this study was to explore and analyze the obstacles
facing the contractors sector in Saudi Arabia from the contractors’ point of view using Spearman’s rank correlation
method, where the dimensionality of ordinal data was reduced by factor analysis. This required a comprehensive investigation
of the obstacles that prevented contractors from completing their jobs on time, or that led to them completing a
lower quality job and losing money. This study only included Saudi contractors involved with building activities and it
was based on data collection using comprehensive questionnaires that defined five main factors: managerial, financial,
expansion, environmental and technical. Contractors who were qualified and registered by the Ministry of Municipal and
Rural Affairs (MOMRA) were considered in this study. The study concentrated on the building sector, specifically the
fields and activities defined by MOMRA. Identifying the obstacles that affect professional and technical activities should
help to improve performance and address various problems. A digital interactive structural questionnaire was designed
and distributed via the internet to collect responses from the participants where a Likert scale-based method was used. The
results obtained using the questionnaires are presented as tables and figures.
Reassessing Tinto's Concepts of Social and Academic Integration in Student Retention
Authors: Davidson Cody , Wilson Kristin
Published: December 2013

The purpose of this article is to trace the development of the Tinto framework for student integration and to critically analyze the application of the framework with nontraditional student populations. Specifically, the terms academic and social integration have become synonymous with student retention and, by extension, categories by which to differentiate certain predicator variables. However, outside the residential 4-year context, commuter, distance and online, community college, and other 2-year institutions, as well as nontraditional, racial, and ethnic minorities have proven that this terminology is not sufficient and even harmful to gaining further clarity to student retention. Future research might clarify the distinctions between academic and social integration for nontraditional students. Nonetheless, the literature is clear that campus relationships matter to student persistence. This replicated finding has important implications for practitioners at institutions with large nontraditional populations. These implications are discussed in the article.
Accounting Informs Investors and Earnings Management is Rife: Two Questionable Beliefs
Authors: Ball Ray
Published: December 2013

SYNOPSIS

This short essay addresses the inordinate amount of attention given in the literature to two seemingly widely-held but questionable beliefs: that a major role of financial reporting is providing new information for equity investors, and that “earnings management” is rampant. In this essay, I discuss these beliefs, indicate why I consider them “most incorrect,” and offer conjectures on why they have not been corrected.
Integrating Information Technology into Accounting Research and Practice
Authors: Geerts Guido L. , Graham Lynford E. , Mauldin Elaine G. , McCarthy William E. , Richardson Vernon J.
Published: December 2013

SYNOPSIS

As information and communication technologies (IT) become more deeply ingrained and inextricably woven into the fabric of organizations, more perplexing research and practice questions emerge. This commentary applies an organizing information systems research framework to accounting. The framework explicitly recognizes that complexities of the accounting value chain define relevant practice issues for research. We demonstrate application of the framework with examples that integrate different accounting disciplines and different research methodologies. Using a select number of prior research studies, we emphasize how design science, archival, and behavioral research paradigms work together to advance theory and inform practice. We also demonstrate how the framework directs future research for both well-established and emerging practice issues.

JEL Classifications: M15; M41.
Internal Audit's Role in GHG Emissions and Energy Reporting: Evidence from Audit Committees, Senior Accountants, and Internal Auditors
Authors: Trotman Andrew J. , Trotman Ken T.
Published: December 2013

Internationally, disclosures related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy usage have increased dramatically due to trends toward increased sustainability reporting, growing concerns about climate change, and the introduction of new legislation and taxes. Audit committees, management, internal auditors, external auditors, and other stakeholders all have a potential role in relation to GHG disclosures. Our study addresses the role of internal auditors. We conducted 29 interviews with senior audit committee members, senior accountants, in-house internal auditors, and partners specializing in internal audit from the major accounting firms. These interviews allowed us to gain insights into the present role of internal auditors in GHG/energy reporting, the factors explaining internal audit's role, and the future role of internal audit. In addition, audit committee members describe their present involvement in GHG/energy reporting. We consider the consistency of our findings with three corporate governance theories (agency theory, institutional theory, and resource dependence theory). Although our results support the importance of effective monitoring consistent with agency theory, no one theory fully explains our results.
An EL-model based passivity control of four-phase interleaved PFC
Authors: Hua-Wu Li , Hong-Xing Ma , Jian-Feng Jiang , Xi-Jun Yang , Xing-Hua Yang
Published: December 2013

With the continuous increase of output power ratings, multi-phase (multichannel) interleaved power factor corrector (IPFC) is gradually employed in domestic and commercial inverter air-conditioners. IPFC can solve several main problems, such as power rating increase, power device selection, input current ripple reduction as well as inductor on-board mounting. But for a multi-phase IPFC, the key problem is that it should show rapid dynamic responds and good current sharing capability, so in this paper the aim is to improve the dynamic performance and current sharing capability by means of passivity control theory. Considering the power circuit topology of a four-phase IPFC, an EL (Euler-Lagrange) mathematical model is established when the IPFC operates in continuous conduction mode (CCM). Then the passivity of the four-phase IPFC is proved, and the passivity-based controller using the state variables feedback and damping injection method is designed. The proposed control scheme, which is easy to control and needs no proportion integral controller, has strong robustness on disturbance from singlephase AC input voltage, the load as well as the parameters of the employed devices. Even in wide-range load condition, the mains current has a fast dynamic response and the average output voltage almost keep unchanged. As a result, the main functions of the four-phase IPFC are implemented including nearly unitary power factor and constant DC output voltage. Meanwhile, the four-phase IPFC acquires an excellent current sharing effect after using passivity-based controller. The above analysis has been proved with simulated results by means of MATLAB/SIMULINK and experimental results, showing that the passivity-based IPFC controller has superior performances and feasibility.
Design and Evaluation of Simple UI for Mobile Healthcare Application
Authors: Ito Atsushi
Published: December 2013

In 2008, the Japanese government enacted a new healthcare law that requires companies to reduce the weight of overweight employees suffering from so-called metabolic syndrome, and the weight of their spouses. In 2013, companies that fail to reduce the weight of their employees and their spouses will be penalized. So, companies aim to introduce tools to support to loose weight. At first, we developed the first version of mobile application, named HIPPO (Healthcare Information Platform Project), to support to loose weight in 2007. This application worked well during two months and 76% of users whose BMI was 25 or over lost their weight. However, this problem was that many users could not continue to use this application and users who could continued to use this application could loose weight. We thought that to develop application that made user continue to use was important. So, in 2008, redesigned the system architecture and application from three view points, (1) Address real user needs, (2) Rethink and streamline the data-entry model for food and exercise, (3) Make the user experience personal and engaging. We designed one simple application with limited functions and use email as a support tool. As the result, 84% of uses could continue to use the second generation application.
A Measure of Real-Time Intelligence
Authors: Gavane Vaibhav
Published: December 2013

We propose a new measure of intelligence for general reinforcement learning agents, based on the notion that an agent’s environment can change at any step of execution of the agent. That is, an agent is considered to be interacting with its environment in real-time. In this sense, the resulting intelligence measure is more general than the universal intelligence measure (Legg and Hutter, 2007) and the anytime universal intelligence test (Hernández-Orallo and Dowe, 2010). A major advantage of the measure is that an agent’s computational complexity is factored into the measure in a natural manner. We show that there exist agents with intelligence arbitrarily close to the theoretical maximum, and that the intelligence of agents depends on their parallel processing capability. We thus believe that the measure can provide a better evaluation of agents and guidance for building practical agents with high intelligence.
A High Pressure Resonator Transducer with a Programmed Correction of Static Characteristics
Authors: Tomczuk Krzysztof
Published: December 2013

A high pressure resonator transducer (0 to 100 MPa) devised by the author has been described. The elastic element of the converter consists of a cylinder with an offset arranged axis hole. Quartz resonators were used for the measurement of deformations of the pipe. Based upon the results of the transducer testing, a new algorithmic method for the minimizalizsation of the temperature error, that eliminates the need for a temperature gauge has been worked out.
Application of Infrared Thermography to Non-Contact Testing of Varistors
Authors: Galla Stanisław , Konczakowska Alicja
Published: December 2013

Testing of varistors using thermography was carried out in order to assess their protective properties against possible overvoltage phenomena in the form of high-level voltage surges. An advantage of the thermography technique is non-contact temperature measurement. It was proposed to assess the properties of varistors working in electronic devices as protective elements, on the basis of estimating temperature increments on varistor surfaces, registered by an infrared camera during surge resistance tests with standard voltage levels. To determine acceptable temperature increments on a tested varistor, preliminary testing was performed of P22Z1 (Littelfuse) and S07K14 (EPCOS) type varistors, working first at a constant load and presently during surge tests,. The thermographic test results were compared with measured varistor capacity values before and after tests. It was found that recording with thermography temperature increments greater than 6°C for both P22Z1 and S07K14 varistor types detects total or partial loss of varistor protective properties. The test results were confirmed by assessment of protective properties of varistors working in output circuits of low nominal voltage devices.
Coupled Energy Measurements in Multi-Core Photonic-Crystal Fibers
Authors: Klimek Jacek
Published: December 2013

This paper outlines a measurement method of properties of microstructured optical fibers that are useful in sensing applications. Experimental studies of produced photonic-crystal fibers allow for a better understanding of the principles of energy coupling in photonic-crystal fibers. For that purpose, fibers with different filling factors and lattice constants were produced. The measurements demonstrated the influence of the fiber geometry on the coupling level of light between the cores. For a distance between the cores of 15 μm, a very low level (below 2%) of energy coupling was obtained. For a distance of 13 μm, the level of energy transfer to neighboring cores on the order of 2-4% was achieved for a filling factor of 0.29. The elimination of the energycoupling phenomenon between the cores was achieved by duplicating the filling factor of the fiber. The coupling level was as high as 22% in the case of fibers with a distance between the cores of 8.5 μm. Our results can be used for microstructured-fiber sensing applications and for transmission-channel switching in liquid-crystal multi-core photonic fibers.
Low-Loss Connection of Hybrid Fibre Optic Systems with Low Sensitivity to Wavelength
Authors: Skorupski Krzysztof
Published: December 2013

This paper proposes a method for adjusting light waves propagating in systems composed of photonic fibers, light sources and detection elements. The paper presents the properties of these connections in terms of the loss of signal transmission. Different fiber core areas were analyzed, and measurements of the mode-field diameters (MFDs) of selected fiber structures are presented. The study analyzed two types of LMA (Large Mode Area) fiber structures, and the mode-field diameters of these structures were measured on the basis of the radiation distribution obtained under near-field conditions. The results are compared to the values obtained for a SMF-28 single-mode fiber. The LMA structures analyzed in the paper are characterized by low sensitivity of the MFD parameter to the length of transmitted waves, which creates the possibility of their use as intermediate fibers when connecting optical fibers of different diameters. In the wavelength range from 800 nm to 1600 nm, a 3.5% MFD change was observed for the first investigated LMA structure, and a 1% change was observed for the second. In addition, measurements of the mode-field diameters were also made using the transverse offset method for comparison of the results.
Edge effects on understory epiphytic ferns and epiphyllous bryophytes in moist afromontane forests of Ethiopia
Authors: Hylander Kristoffer , Nemomissa Sileshi , Enkosa Woldeyohannes
Published: December 2013

Most studies on edge effects in tropical forests have been conducted in landscapes with low human population density and in situations where the edges have been left unused after logging of the adjacent area. Here we studied forest margins heavily used by local farmers in a forest/agriculture mosaic landscape in Ethiopia. We compared forest structure and plant species composition across 41 forest-agriculture ecotones from 200 m out into the agricultural area to 200 m into the forest. There are strong edge effects from the edge and into the forest on canopy cover and number of stumps and apparently these forest-agricultural edges are intensively used by humans. They are penetrated by paths, beehives are found in the trees, timber of various dimensions is harvested and there is sometimes substantial cover of perennial wild (or semi-wild) crops such as coffee and spices. The number of understory epiphytic fern species as well as number of epiphyllous (i.e., growing on leaves) bryophyte species was lower at 20 m than at 75 m from the edge. The number of fern species was higher in newly created edges and thereafter they declined, which indicates an extinction debt. This pattern was not seen for the epiphyllous bryophytes. It is likely that different human management activities are responsible for many of the found edge effects besides wind and sun effects from the edge. Tropical forest margins provide important resources for people in many landscapes. It is important to understand how such use affects the biota of the forests. This study shows that there are substantial edge effects, but that the edge effects do not seem to become worse over time for epiphyllous bryophytes and only slightly so for ferns.
Rediscovery of the liverwort Frullania fragilifolia in Poland
Authors: Górski Piotr
Published: December 2013

This paper presents a distribution map for Frullania fragilifolia (Taylor) Gottsche, Lindenb. & Nees in Poland and a list of localities established from revised herbarium materials and literature data, and describes the rediscovery of F. fragilifolia in Poland almost 40 years after the last record. This liverwort was considered extinct in Poland. Twenty localities of the plant were catalogued. An attempt was undertaken to find F. fragilifolia in the Tatra Mts and northern Poland at selected localities known from literature data. The threat status of the species and its prospects in Poland are discussed.
Russian Caucasus distribution of fourteen hepatics rare and threatened in Europe
Authors: Konstantinova Nadezhda , Savchenko Anatoliy
Published: December 2013

The distribution in the Russian part of the Caucasus of 14 hepatic species rare and threatened in Europe is discussed and mapped based on literature records and specimens collected by the authors. Solenostoma caucasicum (Váňa) Konstant. is recorded as new for the Russian part of the Caucasus. New localities for Clevea spathysii (Lindenb.) Müll. Frib., Frullania parvistipula Steph., Frullania bolanderi Austin, Scapania carinthiaca J. B. Jack ex Lindb., S. verrucosa Heeg. and Lophozia ascendens (Warnst.) R. M. Schust. are reported. Their ecology, phytogeography and mode of dispersal in the Caucasus are discussed.
Fissidens grandifrons: a possible explanation for the rarity of sporophytes
Authors: Pursell Ronald A. , Shevock James R.
Published: December 2013

Perigonia are described for the first time in Fissidens grandifrons Brid. A possible explanation for the rarity of sporophytes in this species, the result of perigonial and perichaetial plants separated in different mats, is presented. Sexual reproduction in F. grandifrons is compared with that of F. perdecurrens Besch. and F. ventricosus Lesq. The peristome of F. perdecurrens is described for the first time.
Integrated IT environment for people with disabilities: a new concept
Authors: Mikołajewska Emilia , Mikołajewski Dariusz
Published: December 2013

This article evaluates the authors’ own concept of integrated IT environments for people with disabilities. Increasing numbers of disabled people and elderly people are affected by shortages of medical specialists and limited funding for medical care. Integrated IT environments for people with disabilities — through integration of various technical and medical solutions into one flexible system — are one way to provide increased independence and improved quality of life for disabled, elderly and severely ill people. The aim of this paper is to assess the extent to which the available possibilities in this area are being utilized, including the authors’ own concept. The implications of technological developments are discussed to lay the groundwork for further research.
Katena gleb mułowo-madowych w okolicy Suraża w Dolinie Górnej Narwi / Muddy-alluvial soils catena near Suraż in the Upper Narew Valley
Authors: Roj-Rojewski Sławomir , Walasek Marek
Published: December 2013

The aim of the study was the recognition of profile structure and main physical properties of humus-rich endogley soils, which form muddy-alluvial habitats, and soils appearing together with them in a catena developed in the Upper Narew Valley near Sura¿. Plant communities growing on these soils were also recognized. Typological development of the analysed soils is clearly connected with microrelief of flood terrace, water conditions and vegetation cover. The most moisture positions taken by humus-rich endogley soils are overgrown by Glycerietum maximae community. Typic czernozemic alluvial and mucky-like soils with Phalaridetum arundinaceae community are found slightly higher. In the highest and the most dried parts of the analysed terrain mucky soils overgrown by plant community with domination of Alopecurus pratensis appears. Due to lower ash content physical properties of humus-rich endogley soils and peaty-like deposits considerably distinguish from properties of the other soils and deposits founded on the study area.
Characterization of Surface Defects on Pulse-Electrodeposited Nickel Tubes
Authors: Klement U. , Yao Y. , Mortazavi S. N. , Hibbard G.
Published: December 2013

Electroplated thin-walled tubes were tested in compression. Most cracks were found at defects, i. e. protrusions on the surface of the tubes. The study focusses on the characterization of these defects. Optical microscopy revealed that the defects were already present in the metallization layer and occurred during the metallization process. When electrodepositing a Nickel coating on top, grains grow perpendicular to the surface of the metallization layer creating local orientation changes. Thus, protrusions occur on the surface of the tube where imperfections are located in the metallization layer.

The results will be valuable for improving the deformation characteristics of the electrodeposited tubes; they can also be used to design new types of electrodeposits by patterning the substrate.
Formalized Process for Performance Assessment of Work Zone Transportation Management Plans in Virginia
Authors: Gallo Anthony A. , Dougald Lance E. , Demetsky Michael J.
Published: December 2013

FHWA's Final Rule on Work Zone Safety and Mobility, which is part of the Code of Federal Regulations, requires transportation management plans (TMPs) for all federally funded roadway construction projects. These plans are a documented combination of traffic control, public relations, and transportation demand operations strategies designed to mitigate the impacts that work zones can have on safety and mobility. A key component in TMPs is monitoring and assessing traffic impacts to incorporate lessons learned into future TMPs. The Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) sought to formalize a process to assess individual TMPs and TMPs at an agencywide level. This paper summarizes the rationale and steps taken to develop this TMP assessment process. This process, which has been developed in the form of Virginia DOT's new TMP performance assessment guidelines and postconstruction report form, is outlined for various project complexities.
Investigation of Longitudinal Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity and Safety
Authors: Carlson Paul J. , Park Eun Sug , Kang Dong Hun
Published: December 2013

This research was initiated to determine whether a correlation between pavement marking retroreflectivity and safety could be established. Previous research on this topic provided mixed results and sometimes counterintuitive findings. Using data from Michigan, the researchers evaluated relationships between crashes and longitudinal pavement marking retroreflectivity. The retroreflectivity data consisted of pavement marking measurements representing white edge lines, white lane lines, yellow edge lines, and yellow centerlines. The data included crashes and retroreflectivity measurements from 2002 to 2008. Only nighttime crashes that occurred at nonintersection and noninterchange segments during the nonwinter months (between April and October) were considered (wet crashes were also excluded). The following specific types of crashes were initially identified as target crashes for this study: nighttime, single vehicle nighttime, fatal plus injury nighttime, and single vehicle nighttime fatal plus injury. The findings lend support to the positive safety effects of maintaining retroreflectivity of pavement markings.
Repeatability and Reproducibility of Mobile Retroreflectivity Units for Measurement of Pavement Markings
Authors: Choubane Bouzid , Sevearance Joshua , Lee Hyung Suk , Upshaw Patrick , Fletcher James
Published: December 2013

The Florida Department of Transportation has historically used a combination of handheld devices and visual surveys to evaluate the retroreflectivity of pavement markings. However, visual surveys have the inherent limitations of operator bias, while the use of a handheld device is slow and labor intensive and presents safety hazards. Many highway agencies have recognized that a mobile retroreflectivity unit (MRU) may be a safer and more efficient alternative to the handheld retroreflectometers. Because the measurement process relies on the operator-driven instrument, a level of uncertainty is always a concern in evaluating pavement markings with the MRU. This research was aimed at assessing the precision and bias of the MRU while using the handheld retroreflectometer as a reference device. Ten 1.0-mi-long field sites were selected to include various pavement surface types and pavement marking materials (paints and thermoplastics). The results indicated that, when compared with the handheld retroreflectometers, the MRU demonstrated no statistical differences or bias at a 95% confidence level for the retroreflectivity values ranging between 200 and 800 mcd/m2/lux. In addition, it was determined that the retroreflectivity values from two properly conducted tests using a single MRU on the same pavement marking should not differ by more than 7.8%, and when different MRUs were used on the same pavement marking, the retroreflectivity values should not differ by more than 13.3%. This paper presents a description of the testing program, the data collection effort, and the subsequent analyses and findings.
Optimal Averaging and Localized Weak Spot Identification of Traffic Speed Deflectometer Measurements
Authors: Katicha Samer W. , Flintsch Gerardo W. , Ferne Brian
Published: December 2013

One of the main difficulties that arise during the analysis of continuous deflection measurements is the reduction of measurement variability (noise) without smoothing out important features or adversely affecting the true spatial variability, and no objective method has been available. The use of the smoothing spline determined through minimization of the generalized cross-validation criteria is proposed for denoising traffic speed deflectometer (TSD) deflection slope measurements. The generalized cross-validation criteria find the optimal trade-off between variance and bias so that the estimated smoothing spline gives the best smoothing fit (weighted moving average fit) for minimum mean square error with respect to the true deflection slope values. The smoothing spline fit allows the construction of a confidence interval for the true deflection slope as well as the use of outlier detection methods for identifying localized weak spots, such as those caused by cracks or weak joints in jointed concrete sections. In each case, the distribution and standard deviation of the measurement error is needed. It is shown that TSD measurement error distribution is well represented by a normal distribution, and an outlier robust method is used to evaluate the standard deviation. Example data analysis uses computer-generated data to simulate a smoothly varying deflection slope profile as well as a homogeneous profile with localized weak spots and uses actual TSD deflection slope measurements. The results show that smoothing spline denoising can significantly improve the interpretation of TSD deflection slope measurements.
Case Study for Evaluating Benefits of Pavement Research
Authors: du Plessis L. , Nokes W. A. , Mahdavi M. , Burmas N. , Holland T. J. , Harvey J. , Liebenberg L.
Published: December 2013

Heavy-duty pavement innovations developed through research for a major rehabilitation project in California were evaluated. The performance benefits of the innovations were examined, and the economic benefits from implementation of the pavement designs were analyzed. Benefits are presented through descriptions of the rehabilitation project, background on the development of long-life pavement rehabilitation innovations, and design requirements that limit permanent deformation (rutting) within the first 5 years of service. Results from field measurements confirmed that the innovative pavements met the performance criterion. The final results of a pilot study to quantify direct benefits stemming from accelerated pavement testing are presented. Cost–benefit analysis that included agency costs with and without road user costs was used, and the influence of the discount rate in net present value calculations is given. Road user costs had a significant influence on cost–benefit calculations, especially in the case of a heavily congested freeway. This influence led to cost savings ranging from $1.128 million to $121.570 million, which emphasized the importance of performing a sensitivity analysis instead of reporting a single estimate of savings and benefit–cost ratio. The final results showed clear field performance benefits of the pavement innovations and indicated positive economic benefits from the research that led to innovations.