bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experiencia de hipertensión arterial en la relación paciente, familia y contexto de ayuda
Authors: Higuera Elkin Crisóstomo , GARZÓN DE LAVERDE DORA ISABEL , ROJAS GIL MARÍA PIEDAD
Published: April 2016

Comprender la forma como se configura narrativa y conversacionalmente la experiencia de hipertensión arterial en la relación que establecen paciente, familia, médicos, e investigadores interventores y su reconfiguración en contextos de ayuda que faciliten la emergencia de relatos generadores de bienestar.

Métodologia Investigación cualitativa, con diseño narrativo-conversacional, reflexivo y contextual. Participaron un paciente con diagnóstico de hipertensión arterial, su familia, una psicóloga y dos médicos. Los métodos de construcción de la información fueron: encuentros conversacionales dialógicos y revisión de literatura. Para la interpretación de los resultados se utilizaron los análisis narrativo y conversacional.

Resultados En la construcción de la experiencia de hipertensión arterial no se tienen en cuenta aspectos importantes como: la solicitud de escucha, la demanda de vinculación afectiva, la vivencia de enfermedad y en este caso la vejez, en relación con la vida cotidiana. En este contexto, se configuran formas de relación que facilitan que los acontecimientos asociados a la enfermedad sean vividos desde el malestar o sufrimiento. La conversación generativa con todos los actores, posibilita la construcción de espacios dialógicos-reflexivos que brindan la oportunidad de reconfigurar las relaciones y la experiencia.

Conclusiones La construcción de contextos de ayuda en los que es posible hablar y escuchar acerca de los aspectos que evitan las familias y que no escuchan los médicos, facilita la reconfiguración de la experiencia de enfermedad.
Calidad nutricional y consumo de forraje de Maíz (Zea mays) y forraje de Estrella Africana (Cynodon nlemfuensis) con o sin alimento balanceado en cabras
Authors: Elizondo-Salazar Jorge Alberto
Published: April 2016

El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar la calidad y consumo del forraje de maíz y estrella africana en cabras ofrecidos de forma fresca, con o sin alimento balanceado. El experimento se llevó a cabo en la Estación Experimental Alfredo Volio Mata de la Universidad de Costa Rica. El forraje cosechado fue suministrado a 12 cabras de las razas Saanen, Toggenburg y LaMancha no lactantes y no gestantes, distribuidas en un diseño irrestricto al azar con un arreglo factorial 2 x 2 y con un peso vivo promedio de 57±2 kg. Los tratamientos experimentales fueron 1) forraje de maíz, 2) forraje de maíz + alimento balanceado, 3) forraje de estrella africana y 4) forraje de estrella africana + alimento balanceado. El forraje de maíz se ofreció a los animales en forma picada y la estrella africana sin picar. Se observó un consumo promedio de materia seca de: 0,49, 0,80, 0,78 y 0,93 kg.animal-1.d-1, para los tratamientos forraje de maíz solo, forraje de maíz + alimento balanceado, forraje de estrella africana y forraje de estrella africana + alimento balanceado, respectivamente. Esto representó 0,86; 1,40; 1,37 y 1,63% del peso vivo. El consumo de proteína cruda fue menor para el forraje de maíz sin alimento y mayor para el forraje de maíz con alimento (70,0 vs. 130,0 g.animal-1.d-1). El consumo de lignina fue en promedio de 3,5 g.animal-1.d-1. Este estudio demuestra que la especie de forraje influye significativamente sobre el consumo voluntario de materia seca en cabras y el contenido de materia seca en los tratamientos utilizados afectó dicho consumo.
The Effect of Physical Environment on Internal Response and Job Satisfaction according to Employee Status in Korean Restaurants
Authors:   The Tourism Sciences Society Of Korea, Kim Hong-Bin , Cha Sukbin
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of physical environment on the internal response and job satisfaction based on employee status in Korean restaurants. The data collected from a survey of 325 restaurant employees in the Seoul metropolitan area was analyzed. Factor analysis revealed that there were four dimensions for physical environment(cleanliness, attractiveness, functionality & convenience), two dimensions for internal response(cognitive response & stable response) and one dimension for job satisfaction. The findings of the study showed that attractiveness, functionality, and convenience had a positive effect on cognitive response while cleanliness and attractiveness had a positive effect on stable response. Both cognitive response and stable response had a positive effect on job satisfaction. The moderating effect of employee status was shown in the effect of cleanliness and attractiveness on stable response for full-time employees and of attractiveness on stable response for temporary employees. The moderating effect of employee status was shown in the effect of stable response on job satisfaction for full-time employees and of cognitive and stable response on job satisfaction for temporary employees.
Morality and religion: a study of moral judgments of orthodox Christians and nonbelievers in Russian culture
Authors: Arutyunova K.R. , Agarkov V.A. , Alexandrov Y.I.
Published: April 2016

Morality and religion represent an important part of human social behaviour. This work is focused on studying whether and how characteristics of moral judgments may differ in individuals who believe or do not believe in god, and what role religious experience and religiosity level may play in the formation of moral judgments. We analysed responses of 266 participants of an internet-based study, who categorised themselves either as Orthodox Christians (n=130), or nonbelievers (n=136). The participants were asked to assess moral permissibility of harmful prosocial actions in a set of moral scenarios. It has been shown that in general individuals, both believers and nonbelievers deliver comparable moral judgments. However, the orthodox participants judged less permissible to sacrifice one person to save more people’s lives, i.e. their judgments were less utilitarian. Religiosity level did not correlate with any of the characteristics of moral judgments. The results are discussed in relation to evolutionary functions of morality and religion as well as the role of religion in the formation of individual experience in the sociocultural environment
The critical role of structural hole in forming trust for Securing Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Xiang Ming , Liu William , Bai Quan , Al-Anbuky Adnan
Published: April 2016

The security issues in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are crucial and the limitation of computing resources and distributed properties of WSN make the traditional security mechanisms no longer feasible in protecting WSN as in the wired networks. There is an emerging research area i.e., trust and reputation mechanisms, has been developed, as an alternative solution to tackle the security issues in WSNs. While the recent studies on trust are mainly focusing on the trust modelling so as to effectively detect and avoid malicious activities. In this paper, we propose to use adaptive network approach to investigate the interplay between the network entities' trust behaviour and their underlying topological connectivity. We have found that the structural hole has its unique position and efficiency on connecting different regional sub-networks, but on the other side, from the security perspective, it has risks of fragile in the network. The extensive simulation studies have confirmed that structure hole plays a critical role on both for securing WSNs and also enable network routing efficiency.
Uma Análise das Motivações para Compra Compulsiva: Baseada nas Dimensões de Preço, de Conspicuidade e de Uso de Crédito
Authors: Barboza Stephanie Ingrid Souza , Medeiros Fabiana Gama de , Costa Francisco José da
Published: April 2016

O estudo analisou a influência do preço, conspicuidade e uso de crédito na compra compulsiva. Foram enunciadas oito hipóteses, testadas a partir de um estudo empírico realizado junto a uma amostra de 150 respondentes. Na análise dos resultados foi efetuada as técnicas de previsão de regressão pelo modelo normal linear e pelo modelo logístico. Assim, pôde-se afirmar que o comportamento de compra compulsiva é influenciado pela percepção do benefício obtido na compra e da sensação de distinção que isto pode lhes garantir. Ademais, os compradores compulsivos são condicionados pelo uso inadvertido do cartão de crédito e pela crença de conhecimento de preços.
Rail Structure Supporting Mechanism Using Foamable Resin for Pillar Expansion, Anchoring, and Fixation
Authors: Fukui Rui ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Kawae Kenta , Kato Yuta , Nakao Masayuki ,   Department of Human and Engineered Environmental Studies, School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo
Published: April 2016

[abstFig src='/00280002/03.jpg' width=""300"" text='Rail structure supporting mechanism' ]Human workforce working at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant face severe health and safety risks owing to the presence of radioactive obstacles and debris caused by the accident and the subsequent shutdown of the plant. Under such circumstances, various robots are deployed to undertake many tasks, however, it is not easy for robots to realize smooth locomotion and efficient operation because radioactive debris and architectural structures such as steps and doors tend to hinder their movement. In addition, installable sensors and actuators are restricted in such an environment. To overcome these difficulties, we propose an automated construction system with modularized rail structure for robot locomotion and operation. The structure is anchored to walls or floors and enables working robots to reach a specific destination. This paper describes the development of a rail structure supporting mechanism. The developed mechanism applies resin foam to three different components: the actuator, adhesive material, and structural material. To our knowledge, these multi-modal applications of resin foam are quite unique and novel. Basic experiments were conducted using the developed prototype. Experimental results verified the feasibility of pillar expansion, anchoring, and fixation motions, and they also revealed the impact of the components' properties on the performance of the supports.
Test Methods for the Evaluation of Manufacturing Mobile Manipulator Safety
Authors: Marvel Jeremy A. ,   National Institute of Standards and Technology, Bostelman Roger ,   IEM, Le2i, Université de Bourgogne
Published: April 2016

[abstFig src='/00280002/11.jpg' width=""280"" text='Arm-on-AGV safety test methods' ]This paper presents a test methodology for evaluating the safety of mobile manipulators (robot arms mounted on mobile bases). This methodology addresses the safety concerns relevant to modern, agile, manufacturing practices in which mobile manipulators will play a significant role. We consider 1) the unique capabilities and anticipated uses of mobile manipulators and 2) the potential exemptions and special cases in which their behavior may be unpredictable or otherwise contrary to the safety requirements. Finally, we define metrics for assessing compliance with functional safety requirements and anticipated performance.
Assessing Effects of Climatic Change, Region and Agronomic Practices on Leaf Spotting of Bread and Durum Wheat in the Western Canadian Prairies, from 2001 to 2012
Authors: Fernandez Myriam R. , Stevenson Craig F. , Hodge Kim , Dokken‐Bouchard Faye , Pearse Penny G. , Waelchli Fred , Brown Amy , Peluola Cecilia
Published: April 2016

The leaf spotting (LS) complex is a widespread wheat (Triticum spp.) disease across the Canadian Prairies. A 12‐yr survey (2001–2012) was conducted in commercial fields across Saskatchewan, Canada to quantify LS and pathogen prevalence by wheat species, soil zone, latitude, longitude, previous crop/tillage, and climate. Leaf spotting severity was greater in durum than bread wheat. Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis had the greatest percentage occurrence and frequency of isolation. Percentage isolation of this pathogen and Cochliobolus sativus was greater in durum than bread wheat, while the reverse was true for Phaeosphaeria nodorum. Responses of wheat species to previous crop/tillage were not consistent. Bread wheat in the Brown soil zone had lower LS, and C. sativus levels, than in the other two soil zones, no other pathogen was significantly affected by soil zone. For bread wheat, going northward and eastward increased LS severity, going eastward decreased P. tritici‐repentis levels, going northward and eastward increased P. nodorum, while going south, and to a lesser extent east, increased C. sativus. Wet and warm conditions, particularly in the last years of this survey, and the presence of P. nodorum and C. sativus, were responsible for greater LS severity. Overall, P. tritici‐repentis was associated with warmer and drier conditions, and could not explain LS severity. Greater precipitation and temperature, especially in the last 3 yr (2010–2012), coincided with greater LS and C. sativus levels. Therefore, under higher precipitation and temperatures, C. sativus can become an important leaf pathogen in the western Prairies, especially in durum wheat.

Long‐term survey assessed climate impacts on leaf spot levels and pathogen prevalence.

Used climate data in a zone around each field for accurate assessment of its effects.

Large‐scale assessment of soil impacts on leaf spot severity and pathogen prevalence.

Identification of leaf spot pathogens most associated with disease severity in wheat.
Moral Values Reflected in “The House on Mango Street” Novel Written by Sandra Cineros
Authors: Ariyanti Ariyanti
Published: April 2016

It is obvious that Literature is an important subject to be studied since it reflects every single aspect of human life such as happyness, sadness, truth, justice, respect, corage, faith, and other urgent elements. In this article, the researcher investigates moral values where it becomes one of the aspects to be analysed in Literature where the novel of “The House on Mango Street” written by Sandra Cineros is chosen by the researcher as the subject of the research with some important considerations. The criteria of moral values used by the researcher is based on the theory proposed by Kinner et.al. that consist of six major parts. In addition, the design of this research is qualitative research since the researcher tries to explore the moral values as reflected in the novel of “The House on Mango Street” descriptively. As the result, the researcher finds that all of the elements of moral values exist in the content of the novel except the point of “respect and caring for others” exactly in the element of “to not hurt others”. Meanwhile, the researcher also explains parts of novel subtitles which consist the facts which oppose with some elements of moral values.
Using Local Drama in Writing and Speaking: EFL Learners’ Creative Expresssion
Authors: Nurhayati Dwi Astuti Wahyu
Published: April 2016

Creating encouragement among students to speak up and to write is not easy. It is seen on their responses of joining speaking and writing class; most students suppose that speaking and writing English are difficult especially to utter and organize their ideas freely. Problems of speaking include inhibition, nothing to say, low participation, mother-tongue use; writing problems include they lack ideas, organizing of ideas, rhetoric or pattern of thought, cohesion and coherence. However to cope with these problems, this study offers the variation performance in delivering ideas or activities through writing a script and conducting a drama. The steps of learning writing are (1) Creative Expression (responding to the ideas that learners produce; (2) Composing Process: planning-writing-reviewing framework using dramatic structure: orientation, complication, sequence of events, resolution and coda; (3) Genre and context of writing (Building Knowledge of Field (BKoF), Modeling of Text (MoT), Joint Construction of Text (JCoT), and Independent Construction of Text (ICoT and Local Drama as their creative expression: Learners use pattern they have developed to write a script). In speaking, before conducting the performance the students are divided into some groups to create the learning community, the steps are: create script based on themes, next consult the script (discuss their creative expreesion), observe the characters play, their characterization, mime, and other aspects, practice the script, and finally perform drama outdoor. As the result they become more self-confidence to utter ideas, expressive including writing a script, drama is considered as an appealing learning strategy which promotes not only goal-oriented learning but also emotional intelligence skills.

Key words:  teaching, writing and speaking, drama
A Return to Fashion: Revisiting the German Model
Authors: Baldi Gregory
Published: April 2016

Stephen Padgett, William E. Paterson, and Reimut Zohlnhöfer, ed. Developments in German Politics 4. 4th Revised edition (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014)

Simon Green and Ed Turner, ed. Understanding the Transformation of Germany’s CDU (London: Routledge, 2014)

Ştefan Sorin Mureşan, Social Market Economy: The Case of Germany (Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2014).
A corpus linguistic study of the situatedness of English pop song lyrics
Authors: Motschenbacher Heiko
Published: April 2016

This study uses corpus linguistic methods to investigate how the situatedness of pop song lyrics may affect their linguistic make-up. For this purpose, I compare a corpus of Eurovision lyrics (ESC-ENG) to a general pop lyrics corpus (G-Charts) which is used as a reference corpus. This is done to detect specificities of the Eurovision lyrics, which can be related to the contextual salience of Europeanness in the Eurovision Song Contest. The major focus is on semantic keyness analyses carried out with the help of Wmatrix. These analyses highlight semantic fields that occur unusually frequently or infrequently in the Eurovision lyrics in comparison to the general charts corpus. The semantic keyness analyses are further complemented by keyword analyses and a closer examination of lexical items within particular semantic fields. The results show that Eurovision lyrics construct a discursive world that differs in various respects from that of commercially successful pop songs.
Non-standard capitalisation and vocal spelling in intercultural computer-mediated communication
Authors: Lin Yen-Liang (Eric)
Published: April 2016

This study reports on a corpus analysis of samples of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) on an electronic discussion board among a group of British and Taiwanese adolescents, paying specific attention to the most distinctive cues of CMC: non-standard capitalisation and vocal spelling. I evaluate a newly developed corpus of online discussion, the British and Taiwanese Teenage Intercultural Communication Corpus (BATTICC). I used Python programming to calculate all the instances of non-standard capitalisation (specifically, all upper-case words and the use of lower case instead of upper case) and vocal spelling from the corpus, and I also applied Wmatrix to identify the semantic and part-of-speech fields of all these instances. Moreover, initial quantitative analysis was employed to inform further qualitative analysis to identify the pragmatic functions of cues in this intercultural context. It was evident that the CMC cues perform important interpersonal functions, and the analysis demonstrates different preferences by the participants for different purposes.
One-Dimensional Mass-Spring Chains Supporting Elastic Waves with Non-Conventional Topology
Authors: Deymier Pierre , Runge Keith
Published: April 2016

There are two classes of phononic structures that can support elastic waves with non-conventional topology, namely intrinsic and extrinsic systems. The non-conventional topology of elastic wave results from breaking time reversal symmetry (T-symmetry) of wave propagation. In extrinsic systems, energy is injected into the phononic structure to break T-symmetry. In intrinsic systems symmetry is broken through the medium microstructure that may lead to internal resonances. Mass-spring composite structures are introduced as metaphors for more complex phononic crystals with non-conventional topology. The elastic wave equation of motion of an intrinsic phononic structure composed of two coupled one-dimensional (1D) harmonic chains can be factored into a Dirac-like equation, leading to antisymmetric modes that have spinor character and therefore non-conventional topology in wave number space. The topology of the elastic waves can be further modified by subjecting phononic structures to externally-induced spatio-temporal modulation of their elastic properties. Such modulations can be actuated through photo-elastic effects, magneto-elastic effects, piezo-electric effects or external mechanical effects. We also uncover an analogy between a combined intrinsic-extrinsic systems composed of a simple one-dimensional harmonic chain coupled to a rigid substrate subjected to a spatio-temporal modulation of the side spring stiffness and the Dirac equation in the presence of an electromagnetic field. The modulation is shown to be able to tune the spinor part of the elastic wave function and therefore its topology. This analogy between classical mechanics and quantum phenomena offers new modalities for developing more complex functions of phononic crystals and acoustic metamaterials.
Are Filter-Tipped Cigarettes Still Less Harmful than Non-Filter Cigarettes?—A Laser Spectrometric Particulate Matter Analysis from the Non-Smokers Point of View
Authors: Schulz Maria , Gerber Alexander , Groneberg David
Published: April 2016

Background: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is associated with human morbidity and mortality, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD and lung cancer. Although direct DNA-damage is a leading pathomechanism in active smokers, passive smoking is enough to induce bronchial asthma, especially in children. Particulate matter (PM) demonstrably plays an important role in this ETS-associated human morbidity, constituting a surrogate parameter for ETS exposure. Methods: Using an Automatic Environmental Tobacco Smoke Emitter (AETSE) and an in-house developed, non-standard smoking regime, we tried to imitate the smoking process of human smokers to demonstrate the significance of passive smoking. Mean concentration (Cmean) and area under the curve (AUC) of particulate matter (PM2.5) emitted by 3R4F reference cigarettes and the popular filter-tipped and non-filter brand cigarettes “Roth-Händle” were measured and compared. The cigarettes were not conditioned prior to smoking. The measurements were tested for Gaussian distribution and significant differences. Results: Cmean PM2.5 of the 3R4F reference cigarette: 3911 µg/m3; of the filter-tipped Roth-Händle: 3831 µg/m3; and of the non-filter Roth-Händle: 2053 µg/m3. AUC PM2.5 of the 3R4F reference cigarette: 1,647,006 µg/m3·s; of the filter-tipped Roth-Händle: 1,608,000 µg/m3·s; and of the non-filter Roth-Händle: 858,891 µg/m3·s. Conclusion: The filter-tipped cigarettes (the 3R4F reference cigarette and filter-tipped Roth-Händle) emitted significantly more PM2.5 than the non-filter Roth-Händle. Considering the harmful potential of PM, our findings note that the filter-tipped cigarettes are not a less harmful alternative for passive smokers. Tobacco taxation should be reconsidered and non-smoking legislation enforced.
Chromosome 9p21 and ABCA1 Genetic Variants and Their Interactions on Coronary Heart Disease and Ischemic Stroke in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: Cao Xiao-Li , Yin Rui-Xing , Huang Feng , Wu Jin-Zhen , Chen Wu-Xian
Published: April 2016

The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to both coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic stroke (IS) in Chinese individuals have not been identified definitely. This study was developed to evaluate the genetic susceptibility to CHD and IS on the chromosome 9p21 and the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporter A1 genes (ABCA1) in a Chinese Han population. Genotypes of the rs1333040, rs1333042, rs4977574, rs2066715 and rs2740483 SNPs were determined in 1134 unrelated patients (CHD, 565 and IS, 569) and 541 controls. The frequencies of the rs4977574 genotypes and alleles between CHD and control groups, and the rs2740483 genotypes and alleles between IS and control groups were different (p = 0.006–0.001). The subjects with rs1333042GG genotype and the carriers of the rs4977574G allele were associated with increased risk of CHD. The carriers of the rs4977574G allele were associated with increased risk of IS. However, the carriers of the rs2740483C allele had lower risk of IS than the non-carriers of the rs2740483C allele after controlling for potential confounders. The rs4977574GG-age (>60 year) interaction increased the risk of CHD (p = 0.022), whereas the rs2740483CG/CC-body mass index (>24 kg/m2) interaction decreased the risk of IS (p = 0.035). The interactions of rs1333040-rs1333042 on the risk of CHD and IS were relatively strong, whereas the interactions of rs1333040-rs1333042-rs2066715 and rs1333040-rs1333042-rs2066715-rs2740483 on the risk of CHD, and rs1333040-rs1333042-rs4977574 and rs1333040-rs1333042-rs4977574-rs2740483 on the risk of IS were relatively weak. These findings suggest that some common variants on the chromosome 9p21 and ABCA1 and their interactions may significantly modify the risk of CHD and IS independent of effects on serum lipid levels.
Preparation of Metallic Iron Powder from Pyrite Cinder by Carbothermic Reduction and Magnetic Separation
Authors: Long Hongming , Chun Tiejun , Di Zhanxia , Wang Ping , Meng Qingmin , Li Jiaxin
Published: April 2016

The reduction and magnetic separation procedure of pyrite cinder in the presence of a borax additive was performed for the preparation of reduced powder. The effects of borax dosage, reduction temperature, reduction time and grinding fineness were investigated. The results show that when pyrite cinder briquettes with 5% borax were pre-oxidized at 1050 °C for 10 min, and reduced at 1050 °C for 80 min, with the grinding fineness (<0.44 mm) passing 81%, the iron recovery was 91.71% and the iron grade of the magnetic concentrate was 92.98%. In addition, the microstructures of the products were analyzed by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and mineralography, and the products were also studied by the X-ray powder diffraction technique (XRD) to investigate the mechanism; the results show that the borax additive was approved as a good additive to improve the separation of iron and gangue.
Development and Characterization of a Metal Injection Molding Bio Sourced Inconel 718 Feedstock Based on Polyhydroxyalkanoates
Authors: Royer Alexandre , Barrière Thierry , Gelin Jean-Claude
Published: April 2016

The binder plays the most important role in the metal injection molding (MIM) process. It provides fluidity of the feedstock mixture and adhesion of the powder to keep the molded shape during injection molding. The binder must provide strength and cohesion for the molded part and must be easy to remove from the molded part. Moreover, it must be recyclable, environmentally friendly and economical. Also, the miscibility between polymers affects the homogeneity of the injected parts. The goal of this study is to develop a feedstock of superalloy Inconel 718 that is environmentally friendly. For these different binders, formulations based on polyethylene glycol (PEG), because of his water solubility property, and bio sourced polymers were studied. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) were investigated as a bio sourced polymer due to its miscibility with the PEG. The result is compared to a standard formulation using polypropylene (PP). The chemical and rheological behavior of the binder formulation during mixing, injection and debinding process were investigated. The feedstock was characterized in the same way as the binders and the interactions between the powder and the binders were also studied. The results show the well adapted formulation of polymer binder to produce a superalloy Inconel 718 feedstock.
LC-MS/MS Analysis and Pharmacokinetics of Sodium (±)-5-Bromo-2-(α-hydroxypentyl) Benzoate (BZP), an Innovative Potent Anti-Ischemic Stroke Agent in Rats
Authors: Tian Xin , Liu Bingjie , Zhang Yuhai , Li Hongmeng , Wei Jingyao , Wang Gaoju , Chang Junbiao , Qiao Hailing
Published: April 2016

A rapid, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of sodium (±)-5-Bromo-2-(α-hydroxypentyl) benzoate (BZP) and its active metabolite 3-butyl-6-bromo-1(3H)-isobenzofuranone (Br-NBP) in rat plasma using potassium 2-(1-hydroxypentyl)-benzoate (PHPB) and l-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) as internal standards (IS). Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Hypersil GOLD C18 column using a gradient elution of ammonium acetate and methanol at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. Good linearity was achieved within the wide concentration range of 5–10,000 ng/mL. The intra-day and inter-day precision was less than 8.71% and the accuracy was within −8.53% and 6.38% in quality control and the lower limit of quantitation samples. BZP and Br-NBP were stable during the analysis and the storage period. The method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of BZP in Sprague-Dawley rats for the first time. After a single intravenous administration of BZP at the dose of 0.75 mg/kg, the plasma concentration of BZP and Br-NBP declined rapidly and the AUC0-t of BZP was significantly greater in female rats compared to male rats (p < 0.05). The data presented in this study serve as a firm basis for further investigation of BZP in both preclinical and clinical phases.
Progress in Rapidly-Tunable External Cavity Quantum Cascade Lasers with a Frequency-Shifted Feedback
Authors: Lyakh Arkadiy , Barron-Jimenez Rodolfo , Dunayevskiy Ilya , Go Rowel , Tsvid Eugene , Patel C.
Published: April 2016

The recent demonstration of external cavity quantum cascade lasers with optical feedback, controlled by an acousto-optic modulator, paves the way to ruggedized infrared laser systems with the capability of tuning the emission wavelength on a microsecond scale. Such systems are of great importance for various critical applications requiring ultra-rapid wavelength tuning, including combustion and explosion diagnostics and standoff detection. In this paper, recent research results on these devices are summarized and the advantages of the new configuration are analyzed in the context of practical applications.
Patterns of Growth Costs and Nitrogen Acquisition in Cytisus striatus (Hill) Rothm. and Cytisus balansae (Boiss.) Ball are Mediated by Sources of Inorganic N
Authors: Pérez-Fernández María , Calvo-Magro Elena , Ramírez-Rojas Irene , Moreno-Gallardo Laura , Alexander Valentine
Published: April 2016

Nitrogen-fixing shrubby legumes in the Mediterranean area partly overcome nutrient limitations by making use of soil N and atmospheric N2 sources. Their ability to switch between different sources lets them adjust to the carbon costs pertaining to N acquisition throughout the year. We investigated the utilization of different inorganic N sources by Cytisus balansae and Cytisus striatus, shrubby legumes under low and a sufficient (5 and 500 µM P, respectively) levels of P. Plants grew in sterile sand, supplied with N-free nutrient solution and inoculated with effective Bradyrhizobium strains; other treatments consisted of plants treated with (i) 500 µM NH4NO3; and (ii) 500 µM NH4NO3 and inoculation with effective rhizobial strains. The application of NH4NO3 always resulted in greater dry biomass production. Carbon construction costs were higher in plants that were supplied with mineral and symbiotic N sources and always greater in the endemic C. striatus. Photosynthetic rates were similar in plants treated with different sources of N although differences were observed between the two species. Non-fertilized inoculated plants showed a neat dependence on N2 fixation and had more effective root nodules. Results accounted for the distribution of the two species with regards to their ability to use different N sources.
European Pesticide Tax Schemes in Comparison: An Analysis of Experiences and Developments
Authors: Böcker Thomas , Finger Robert
Published: April 2016

Policy measures are needed to reduce the risks associated with pesticides’ application in agriculture, resulting in more sustainable agricultural systems. Pesticide taxes can be an important tool in the toolkit of policy-makers and are of increasing importance in European agriculture. However, little is known about the effects of such tax solutions and their impacts on the environment, farmers, and human health. We aim to fill this gap and synthesize experiences made in the European countries that have introduced pesticide taxes, i.e., France, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The major findings of our analysis are: (1) overall, the effectiveness of pesticide taxes is limited, but if a tax on a specific pesticide is high enough, the application and the associated risks will be reduced significantly; (2) in all countries, hoarding activities have been observed before a tax introduction or increase. Therefore, short-term effects of taxes are substantially smaller than long-term effects; (3) differentiated taxes are superior to undifferentiated taxes because fewer accompanying measures are required to reach policy goals; (4) tax scheme designs are not always in line with the National Action Plan targets. Low tax levels do not necessarily lead to a reduction of pesticide input and differentiated taxes do not necessarily lead to fewer violations of water residue limits.
Examining the Relationships between Watershed Urban Land Use and Stream Water Quality Using Linear and Generalized Additive Models
Authors: Hwang Sun-Ah , Hwang Soon-Jin , Park Se-Rin , Lee Sang-Woo
Published: April 2016

Although close relationships between the water quality of streams and the types of land use within their watersheds have been well-documented in previous studies, many aspects of these relationships remain unclear. We examined the relationships between urban land use and water quality using data collected from 527 sample points in five major rivers in Korea—the Han, Geum, Nakdong, Younsan, and Seomjin Rivers. Water quality data were derived from samples collected and analyzed under the guidelines of the Korean National Aquatic Ecological Monitoring Program, and land use was quantified using products provided by the Korean Ministry of the Environment, which were used to create a Geographic Information System. Linear models (LMs) and generalized additive models were developed to describe the relationships between urban land use and stream water quality, including biological oxygen demand (BOD), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorous (TP). A comparison between LMs and non-linear models (in terms of R2 and Akaike’s information criterion values) indicated that the general additive models had a better fit and suggested a non-linear relationship between urban land use and water quality. Non-linear models for BOD, TN, and TP showed that each parameter had a similar relationship with urban land use, which had two breakpoints. The non-linear models suggested that the relationships between urban land use and water quality could be categorized into three regions, based on the proportion of urban land use. In moderate urban land use conditions, negative impacts of urban land use on water quality were observed, which confirmed the findings of previous studies. However, the relationships were different in very low urbanization or very high urbanization conditions. Our results could be used to develop strategies for more efficient stream restoration and management, which would enhance water quality based on the degree of urbanization in watersheds. In particular, land use management for enhancing stream water quality might be more effective when urban land use is in the range of 1.1%–31.5% of a watershed. If urban land use exceeds 31.5% in a watershed, a more comprehensive approach would be required because water quality would not respond as rapidly as expected.
Le transport transalpin des marchandises par rail et par route : préoccupations écologiques et politique européenne des transports
Authors: Sohnle Jochen
Published: April 2016

La problématique du trafic transalpin a permis d'intégrer des préoccupations écologiques dans la politique européenne des transports. Ces préoccupations s'articulent différemment dans le Protocole « transports » de la Convention alpine, prohibant la construction de nouvelles autoroutes transalpines, et en droit de l'Union européenne, en raison du régime dérogatoire s'appli- quant au transit en Autriche (système d'écopoints) et suite aux accords bilatéraux conclus avec la Suisse. Toutefois, ces différentes catégories de normes internationales se rejoignent pour promouvoir une politique de transport plus respectueuse de l'environnement, à savoir le transport des marchandises par rail et combiné (variante route-rail) et le développement d'un système de tarification routière équitable.
Les limites de la décentralisation en matière d'environnement
Authors: Romi Raphaël
Published: April 2016

The law on decentralization would not have brought about much to environmental law. Shily, carrying on with a trend towards decentralization - initiated to a large extent since 1995 and endorsed in 2002 - it acknowledges the permanency of a great timidy concerning the administration of the environment. As a consequence, the development of this administration is secured through others texts, such as texts on « civil protection ». Consequently, to timidy may be added a risk of losing eligibility.
Contractualisation, réglementation : quelle articulation entre les outils de gestion des sites Natura 2000 ?
Authors: Truilhé-Marengo Eve
Published: April 2016

Entre recherche d'une meilleure efficacité, volonté d'associer les acteurs locaux et réalisme politique, les autorités françaises ont opté pour la voie contractuelle afin de mettre en oeuvre la directive n° 92/43 CEE, dite directive « Natura 2000 ». Contre toute attente, ce choix est loin d'exclure toute réglementation et la relation contractualisation/réglementation doit ici se penser en terme d'articulation plutôt que d'exclusion. D'une part, les contrats Natura 2000 ne sont pas le fruit de la déréglementation et constituent, au contraire, le parfait exemple de contractualisation réglementée. D'autre part, les limites à l'objectif de protection poursuivi par la directive sont précisément liées à la nature contractuelle de l'outil utilisé et obligent à envisager les différentes possibilités de « glissement » de la contractualisation à la réglementation.
De la protection intégrée de l'environnement à l'intégration du droit international de l'environnement. Chronique internationale 2001 -2004
Authors: Kiss Alexandre Charles
Published: April 2016

L'évolution qu'a connue le droit international de l'environnement au cours des cinq dernières années était dominée par un important développement de ses concepts. Des notions telles que le développement durable et la gouvernance environnementale ont favorisé l'intégration du droit de l'environnement dans des problématiques plus larges ayant des dimensions mondiales. Pendant cette même période, la communauté internationale est devenue consciente de la priorité qui désormais doit être accordée à la mise en œuvre des obligations internationales existantes, même si la création de nouveaux instruments doit connaître un ralentissement. Il n'en reste pas moins que l'adoption d'un certain nombre de nouveaux traités peut être signalée dans les secteurs traditionnels, en même temps que celle de conventions relatives à la protection d'écosystèmes dont les dimensions spatiales peuvent être considérables. Il convient de signaler également des progrès dans le domaine de la responsabilité internationale pour détérioration de l'environnement ainsi que plusieurs décisions judiciaires qui renforcent les relations entre la protection des droits de l'homme et celle de l'environnement.
Les préoccupations environnementales en droit positif camerounais
Authors: Tcheuwa Jean-Claude
Published: April 2016

L'ordre juridique camerounais accorde aujourd'hui une part belle aux préoccupations environnementales. C'est le résultat d'une prise de conscience née à partir du sommet de Rio de juin 1992. L'analyse de la place qu'occupe l'environnement et celle de la problématique de sa protection passent par deux voies. D'abord le constituant de 1996 a constitutionnalisé le droit à un environnement sain qui ouvre très largement la voie à la réception des normes et principes relatifs à la préservation de l'environnement. Il a en outre, compte tenu de la dynamique du droit de l'environnement, accordé une place de choix au législateur dans ce domaine.

Ensuite cette prise en compte de la dimension internationale donne à la mise en œuvre des normes environnementales au Cameroun un relief particulier. Cette particularité découle non seulement des structures chargées du contrôle des engagements pris mais aussi des procédures mises en place en vue de parvenir à la réalisation de ce droit fondamental à un environnement sain. La protection de l'environnement reste cependant le parent pauvre de la pratique juridique camerounaise car les actions en justice restent limitées et les juges, dans certains cas, manquent d'audace, aidés en cela par la fébrilité des acteurs.
DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTIGATION OF THERMAL INSULATION FROM HEMP-POLYLACTIDE FIBRES
Authors: Stapulionienė Rūta , Tupčiauskas Ramūnas , Vaitkus Saulius , Vėjelis Sigitas
Published: April 2016

In the last two decades intensive grow of industry of building materials from renewable resources is observed. Such situation is related to some aspects: global warming, environmental pollution, impact on human health, environmental impact of materials at their end-of-life.

In current study development of thermal insulation materials from hemp and polylactide fibres are analysed. While main parameter for thermal insulation materials is thermal conductivity, rational density of composite 40 kg/m3 was chosen. For experiments 11 compositions were prepared. One composition was prepared just with hemp and polylactide fibres, five compositions with different amount of hydrophobic agent and 5 compositions with different amount of fire retardant. Experimentally thermal conductivity, sound absorption coefficient, short-term water absorption, fire resistance, water vapour transfer properties and compressive strength were determined. Rational amount of hydrophobic agent and fire retardants was chosen.
SUPPORTING BUILDING ADMINISTRATOR’S DECISIONS IN DETERMINING MAINTENANCE COSTS OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
Authors: Bucoń Robert , Tomczak Michał
Published: April 2016

Maintenance of multi-family buildings is a difficult and complex task, which requires a proper (multi-criteria) assessment of a building’s condition as well as determining and planning maintenance costs. It requires from a building administrator to be well experienced and have skills in making decisions, which include a proper investment of limited funds allocated for maintenance. This task is usually preceded by the analysis of cost-effectiveness and validity to perform certain repairs. Taking into account the above the authors proposed a model supporting an administrator in making decisions while determining a scope of building renovation. The system algorithm proposed comprises a few stages including: building condition and its proposed repair evaluation and the choice of renovation variant. It is based on tools such as multicriteria methods to support decisions and linear programming. Calculations conducted using the suggested model allow an administrator to obtain key information for appropriate maintenance of a building, i.e. to determine a renovation variant and its cost as well as a monthly renovation contribution (at assumed number of years) to achieve assumed condition of a building.
INVESTIGATION OF MAGNETIC VIBRO-ISOLATING SUPPORT / MAGNETINĖS VIBROIZOLIACINĖS ATRAMOS TYRIMAI
Authors: Gedvila Andrius , Mokšin Vadim
Published: April 2016

The load carrying capacity of designed self-centring permanent magnet based vibro-isolating support is analysed in the article. COMSOL MultiphysicsÒ modelling software was used for nu-merical simulation. Results are presented as repulsion force ver-sus support cap displacement graph as well as magnetic flux density distribution graphs. Repulsion force was also measured experimentally. It is established that differences between numeri-cally and experimentally obtained force values are only about 2–8%. It is established that maximum normal load force of the support can’t exceed 150 N. It is also established that near-zero stiffness of the support is achieved in case of approximately 70 N normal load force.
Straipsnyje pateikiami suprojektuotos savaime centruojančios vibroizoliacinės atramos su pastoviais magnetais apkrovimo gebos eksperimentinių ir skaitmeninių tyrimų rezultatai. Skaitmeninis atramos modeliavimas buvo atliktas naudojant COMSOL Multiphysics@ programinę įrangą. Modeliavimo rezultatai pateikti kaip stūmos jėgos priklausomybės nuo atramos dangčio poslinkio grafikai, taip pat kaip magnetinio srauto tankio pasiskirstymo atramoje grafikai. Stūmos jėga buvo taip pat matuojama eksperimentiškai. Nustatyta, kad skirtumai tarp stūmos jėgos reikšmių, gautų modeliuojant ir matuojant, sudaro tik 2–8 %. Nustatyta, kad magnetinė atrama gali būti apkrauta ne didesne kaip 150 N jėga. Taip pat nustatyta, kad nulinis sistemos standumas pasiekiamas tuo atveju, kai atramos apkrovimo jėga sudaro apie 70 N.
THE INVESTIGATON OF PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF NI-P COATINGS / NI-P DANGŲ FIZIKINIŲ IR MECHANINIŲ SAVYBIŲ TYRIMAS
Authors: Chayevski Vadim , Zhylinski Valerij
Published: April 2016

The parameters of electrolytic synthesis of Ni-P coatings on steel surface from sulfate-chloride electrolyte have been determinated. The Ni-P alloys consist of separate phases of Ni and Ni3P and solid solution of implementation on the basis of the FCC Ni lattice, when it was deposited from the electrolyte at current density to be more than 7 A/dm2. The coating was formed with continuous globular surface at current density of 5 A/dm2. The globular formations are the Ni3P phase. The obtained at current density of 9 A/dm2 coatings have maximum value of micro¬hardness 430 HV.
Darbe buvo nustatyti Ni-P dangų ant plieno paviršiaus elektrolitinės sintezės (iš sulfatinio-chloridinio elektrolito) parametrai. Ni-P lydinių mikrostruktūrą sudaro atskiros Ni ir Ni3P fazės arba nikelio kietasis įterpimo tirpalas, turintis kubinę paviršiaus centruotą gardelę, kai dangos yra nusodinamos iš elektrolito, esant srovės tankiui daugiau negu 7 A/dm2. Kai srovės tankis yra daugiau negu 5 A/dm2, formuojasi ištisinis, rutulinio pobūdžio dangos paviršius. Rutulio formos darinius sudaro Ni3P fazė. Dangos, turinčios didžiausią mikrokietumo reikšmę 430 HV, gautos esant srovės tankiui 9 A/dm2.
Inferomedial or Inferolateral Intra-articular Injections of the Knee to Minimize Pain Intensity
Authors: Pierce Todd P. , Elmallah Randa K. , Jauregui Julio J. , Cherian Jeffrey J. , Harwin Steven F. , Mont Michael A.
Published: April 2016

Pain levels of 3 knee intra-articular corticosteroid injection sites were assessed to determine if an optimal site exists. Patients were stratified by site, demographic, and disease characteristics. All injections were performed by 1 surgeon using a uniform technique. Pain severity was assessed before, 1 minute after, and 5 minutes after injection using a visual analog scale. Mean visual analog scale scores for the lateral suprapatellar, medial infrapatellar, and lateral infrapatellar injection sites were 7, 4, and 2 points, respectively, but this was not statistically significant. These results suggest intra-articular injections should be administered from an inferomedial or inferolateral site to minimize pain intensity. [
Orthopedics.
2016; 39(3):e578–e581.]