bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Permanganate‐Oxidizable Carbon and Mineralizable Carbon for Assessment of Organic Matter Stabilization and Mineralization
Authors: Hurisso Tunsisa T. , Culman Steve W. , Horwath William R. , Wade Jordon , Cass Deandra , Beniston Joshua W. , Bowles Timothy M. , Grandy A. Stuart , Franzluebbers Alan J. , Schipanski Meagan E. , Lucas Shawn T. , Ugarte Carmen M.
Published: September 2016

Core Ideas

POXC and mineralizable C were evaluated across diverse agroecosystems.

The two are related but differentially influenced by management practices.

POXC better reflected SOM stabilizing practices.

Mineralizable C reflected SOM mineralizing practices.

Both predicted agronomic performance better than other soil C fractions.

Permanganate‐oxidizable C (POXC) and mineralizable C (as determined by short‐term aerobic incubation of rewetted soil) are measures of active organic matter that may provide early indication of soil C stabilization and mineralization processes. To date, the relationship between these two promising active organic matter tests has not been comprehensively evaluated, and little is known about their functional role in the soil ecosystem. Here, we examined the relationship between POXC and mineralizable C across a wide range of soil types, management histories, and geographic locations across the United States (13 studies, 76 total sites; n = 1071) and the ability of POXC and mineralizable C to predict crop yield and total aboveground biomass. Results from this comparative analysis showed that POXC and mineralizable C are related (r2 = 0.15–0.80) but that the relationship was differentially influenced by management practices. Overall, POXC better reflected practices that promote organic matter accumulation or stabilization and therefore can be a useful indicator of long‐term soil C sequestration. Conversely, mineralizable C better reflected practices that promote organic matter mineralization and therefore can be a useful indicator of short‐term soil nutrient availability. Our results also show that both mineralizable C and POXC were better predictors of corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield, aboveground biomass, and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit yield than other soil C fractions evaluated here. Thus, the integrated use of POXC and mineralizable C can provide a complementary framework to assess the relative dynamics of soil C stabilization and nutrient mineralization functions in agroecosystems.
The musical scene in Uganda views from without and within
Authors: Cooke Peter , Kasule Sam
Published: September 2016

This article is a collaborative effort between a Ugandan scholar specialising in theatre studies and currently teaching in the United Kingdom and a British ethnomusicologist who taught in Uganda during the 1960s and has since maintained his musical research interests there. Firstly we present a composite view of musical life in Uganda. Later in the paper we present our own separate ideas (even where they overlap).
The ndongo bowl lyre of the Baganda: an examination of its sonic properties
Authors: Makubuya James
Published: September 2016

The term ndongo refers to the eight-string bowl lyre of the Baganda, a people that live in the south central region of the landlocked East African nation of Uganda (see Fig. 1). In the musical tradition of the Baganda, the ndongo is one of their oldest string musical instruments, second only to the ennanga 8- string arched harp. Owing to the natural passing away of the people who knew how to play it, the steady decline in use of the ennanga as a folk instrument has been noticed. Instead, the ndongo has gradually replaced it; and today it is very widely played during many cultural and social functions throughout the entire kingdom of Buganda.
Gumboots, Bhaca migrants, and Fred Astaire: South African worker dance and musical style
Authors: Muller Carol , Topp-Fargion Janet
Published: September 2016

On Saturday 6 January 1996, gumboot dance team leader Blanket Mkhize threw a party and slaughtered a sheep at his homestead in the southern part of KwaZulu Natal. He had informed his local chief that he and his neighbours would be welcoming to his homestead ourselves, the two white women that he had taught to gumboot dance in Durban in 1985. As with all traditional Zulu celebrations, an animal was slaughtered and its meat shared with the community and guests, utshwala (traditional sorghum beer) was brewed beforehand and competitive song and dance took place. Blanketâ€™s own sons and their friends who lived in Jolivet (near Ixopo) had been rehearsing their gumboot dance team, and a second team arrived in a mini-bus taxi from Creighton, the Bhaca1 2 area in southern KwaZulu Natal. Most of the members of the second team were migrant workers employed by the parastatal company Spoomet that was formerly the state-controlled South African Railways.
Second Language Acquisition and Form-Focused Instruction in Immersion: Teaching for Learning
Authors: Ceallaigh PhD T. J. Ó
Published: September 2016

While research on language immersion education has highlighted a multitude of benefits such as
cognitive skills, academic achievement and language and literacy development, some studies have also
identified challenges to its effective implementation, particularly as they relate to language acquisition.
It has been suggested that the less than optimal levels of students’ immersion language “persist in part
because immersion teachers lack systematic approaches for integrating language into their content
instruction” (Tedick, Christian, & Fortune, 2011, p. 7). Students’ interlanguage has aspects that are
borrowed, transferred and generalised from the mother tongue and differs from both the immersion
language and the mother tongue. After a period of sustained development, interlanguage appears to
stabilise and certain non-target like features tend to fossilise. Research has long suggested that
effective immersion pedagogy needs to counterbalance both form-oriented and meaning-oriented
approaches. This paper reviews the literature in relation to the linguistic deficiencies in immersion
students’ L2 proficiency and form-focused instruction is examined as a viable solution to this
pedagogic puzzle. Key instructional elements of form-focused instruction are unpacked and some
pedagogical possibilities are considered in an attempt to identify and discuss strategies that will enable
immersion learners to refine their grammatical and lexical systems as they proceed.
Obesogenic and Diabetogenic Effects of High-Calorie Nutrition Require Adipocyte BK Channels
Authors: Illison Julia , Tian Lijun , McClafferty Heather , Werno Martin , Chamberlain Luke H. , Leiss Veronika , Sassmann Antonia , Offermanns Stefan , Ruth Peter , Shipston Michael J. , Lukowski Robert
Published: September 2016

Elevated adipose tissue expression of the Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ (BK) channel was identified in morbidly obese men carrying a BK gene variant, supporting the hypothesis that K+ channels affect the metabolic responses of fat cells to nutrients. To establish the role of endogenous BKs in fat cell maturation, storage of excess dietary fat, and body weight (BW) gain, we studied a gene-targeted mouse model with global ablation of the BK channel (BKL1/L1) and adipocyte-specific BK-deficient (adipoqBKL1/L2) mice. Global BK deficiency afforded protection from BW gain and excessive fat accumulation induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). Expansion of white adipose tissue–derived epididymal BKL1/L1 preadipocytes and their differentiation to lipid-filled mature adipocytes in vitro, however, were improved. Moreover, BW gain and total fat masses of usually superobese ob/ob mice were significantly attenuated in the absence of BK, together supporting a central or peripheral role for BKs in the regulatory system that controls adipose tissue and weight. Accordingly, HFD-fed adipoqBKL1/L2 mutant mice presented with a reduced total BW and overall body fat mass, smaller adipocytes, and reduced leptin levels. Protection from pathological weight gain in the absence of adipocyte BKs was beneficial for glucose handling and related to an increase in body core temperature as a result of higher levels of uncoupling protein 1 and a low abundance of the proinflammatory interleukin-6, a common risk factor for diabetes and metabolic abnormalities. This suggests that adipocyte BK activity is at least partially responsible for excessive BW gain under high-calorie conditions, suggesting that BK channels are promising drug targets for pharmacotherapy of metabolic disorders and obesity.
Impact of Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy on Sinonasal Quality of Life
Authors: Miyake Marcel M. , Gregorio Luciano L. , Freitag Suzanne K. , Lefebvre Daniel R. , Gray Stacey T. , Holbrook Eric H. , Bleier Benjamin S.
Published: September 2016

Background

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is the criterion standard of surgical treatment for complete nasolacrimal obstruction and dacryocystitis. There has been an expansion in the indication of the endonasal DCR (eDCR), but the impact of surgical manipulating an otherwise healthy nasal mucosa on postoperative sinonasal quality of life remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients who underwent eDCR experienced any decrement in sinonasal quality of life.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of 44 patients who underwent eDCR between June 2012 and May 2015. The primary outcome was the total and nasal-specific domain 1 scores of the disease specific validated Sino-Nasal Outcomes Test 22. Preoperative scores were compared with the postoperative scores on days 0-30, 30-90, and 90-180 visits. A subgroup analysis of patients without nasal symptoms who underwent concomitant nasal surgical procedures was also performed.

Results

A statistically significant increase was observed between the preoperative score and the first postoperative score (days 0-30) in both total (7.5 [0-44] to 24 [0-51], median [interquartile range]) and domain 1 (2.5 [0-11] to 9 [0-18]) scores (p = 0.0066 and p = 0.0001, respectively). In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference between the pre- and postoperative scores on days 30-90 or 90-180. Similar results were observed in the subgroup analysis.

Conclusion

Analysis of our findings indicated that, in general, eDCR was well tolerated by patients and nasal symptom scores returned to baseline values within 30-90 days of surgery. The concomitant performance of septoplasty in the setting of asymptomatic septal deviation did not confer any long-term improvement in symptoms of nasal obstruction.
Layered Sellar Reconstruction with Avascular Free Grafts: Acceptable Alternative to the Nasoseptal Flap for repair of Low-Volume Intraoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak
Authors: Roxbury Christopher R. , Saavedra Tiffany , Ramanathan Murugappan , Lim Michael , Ishii Masaru , Gallia Gary L. , Reh Douglas D.
Published: September 2016

Background

Although the nasoseptal flap has become the method of choice for reconstruction of intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak in endoscopic minimally invasive surgery of the skull base, layered avascular graft techniques, including allografts and middle turbinate mucosal autografts, may provide comparable reconstructive success with decreased nasal morbidity.

Objective

To describe a method of reconstruction of intraoperative CSF leak in endoscopic surgery of the sella turcica and analyze its postoperative success rate and associated comorbidities.

Methods

A retrospective review of expanded endonasal sellar tumor resections from 2008-2014 was performed, and cases of layered intraoperative skull base reconstruction with avascular free grafts were identified. Demographic factors and comorbidities that predisposed to reconstruction failure (obstructive sleep apnea, obesity) were determined. Reconstruction-related nasal complications were also identified. Postoperative CSF leak rate was determined, and statistical analysis was performed to identify predictive factors for reconstructive failure.

Results

Seventy-three cases were identified. Layered closure with avascular free grafts was performed. There were five cases of postoperative CSF leak (6.85%). The mean follow-up was 19 months (range, 1-76 months). Intraoperative high-flow CSF leak was a significant predictor of reconstruction failure on univariate (odds ratio 22 [95% confidence interval, 2.26-214]; p = 0.008) and multivariate analysis (odds ratio 33.6 [95% confidence interval, 2.30-492]; p = 0.010). There were no significant differences in postoperative leak rates among bony overlay graft types. There were five patients (7.9%) who experienced persistent crusting after surgery. There were no significant differences in crusting rates between allografts and mucosal grafts. There were no postoperative mucoceles.

Conclusion

In cases of low-volume intraoperative CSF leak, layered skull base repair with avascular free grafts was an acceptable alternative to the nasoseptal flap, which may reduce prolonged sinonasal healing and donor-site morbidities.
Role of Antioxidants on the Clinical Outcome of Patients with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Chauhan Bhushan , Gupta Manish , Chauhan Komal
Published: September 2016

Background

Antioxidants have a preventive or therapeutic role in oxygen free radical-mediated cell and tissue damage. The study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of antioxidants and intranasal steroid fluticasone furoate (FF) on the clinical outcome of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.

Methods

Subjects with perennial allergic rhinitis (n = 61) were randomly divided into two groups, group A (n = 30) received FF and group B(n = 31) received FF with antioxidants for 6 weeks. Nasal and ocular symptoms were evaluated weekly by using a four-point categoric scale. The efficacy of the study drug was assessed based on the mean change from baseline of the total daytime nasal symptom scores, total nighttime nasal symptom scores, and the composite symptom scores.

Results

The combined therapy (FF with antioxidants) resulted in marked improvements (p ≤ 0.05) in the mean total daytime nasal symptom scores, total nighttime nasal symptom scores, and composite symptom scores of subjects compared with ones treated with intranasal steroid (FF) alone, which highlighted the therapeutic effect of antioxidants in allergic rhinitis.

Conclusion

Significant improvement in clinical outcome was observed in subjects who received antioxidants along with FF. However, because this was an open-label study, the results must be interpreted with caution, and further double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging trials supplemented with different antioxidants together with intranasal steroids are suggested.
Descriptive epidemiology of Escherichia coli bacteraemia in England, April 2012 to March 2014
Authors: Bou-Antoun Sabine , Davies John , Guy Rebecca , Johnson Alan P , Sheridan Elizabeth A , Hope Russell J
Published: September 2016

We determined the incidence, risk factors and antimicrobial susceptibility associated with Escherichia coli bacteraemia in England over a 24 month period. Case data were obtained from the national mandatory surveillance database, with susceptibility data linked from LabBase2, a voluntary national microbiology database. Between April 2012 and March 2014, 66,512 E. coli bacteraemia cases were reported. Disease incidence increased by 6% from 60.4 per 100,000 population in 2012–13 to 63.5 per 100,000 population in 2013–14 (p < 0.0001). Rates of E. coli bacteraemia varied with patient age and sex, with 70.5% (46,883/66,512) of cases seen in patients aged ≥ 65 years and 52.4% (33,969/64,846) of cases in females. The most common underlying cause of bacteraemia was infection of the genital/urinary tract (41.1%; 27,328/66,512), of which 98.4% (26,891/27,328) were urinary tract infections (UTIs). The majority of cases (76.1%; 50,617/66,512) had positive blood cultures before or within two days of admission and were classified as community onset cases, however 15.7% (10,468/66,512) occurred in patients who had been hospitalised for over a week. Non-susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, third-generation cephalosporins, piperacillin–tazobactam, gentamicin and carbapenems were 18.4% (8,439/45,829), 10.4% (4,256/40,734), 10.2% (4,694/46,186), 9.7% (4,770/49,114) and 0.2% (91/42,986), respectively. Antibiotic non-susceptibility was higher in hospital-onset cases than for those presenting from the community (e.g. ciprofloxacin non-susceptibility was 22.1% (2,234/10,105) for hospital-onset vs 17.4% (5,920/34,069) for community-onset cases). Interventions to reduce the incidence of E. coli bacteraemia will have to target the community setting and UTIs if substantial reductions are to be realised.
Hepatitis E in blood donors: investigation of the natural course of asymptomatic infection, Germany, 2011
Authors: Vollmer Tanja , Diekmann Juergen , Eberhardt Matthias , Knabbe Cornelius , Dreier Jens
Published: September 2016

Asymptomatic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections have been found in blood donors from various European countries, but the natural course is rarely specified. Here, we compared the progression of HEV viraemia, serostatus and liver-specific enzymes in 10 blood donors with clinically asymptomatic genotype 3 HEV infection, measuring HEV RNA concentrations, plasma concentrations of alanine/aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase and bilirubin and anti-HEV IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies. RNA concentrations ranged from 77.2 to 2.19×105 IU/mL, with viraemia lasting from less than 10 to 52 days. Donors showed a typical progression of a recent HEV infection but differed in the first detection of anti-HEV IgA, IgM and IgG and seropositivity of the antibody classes. The diagnostic window between HEV RNA detection and first occurrence of anti-HEV antibodies ranged from eight to 48 days, depending on the serological assay used. The progression of laboratory parameters of asymptomatic HEV infection was largely comparable to the progression of symptomatic HEV infection, but only four of 10 donors showed elevated liver-specific parameters. Our results help elucidate the risk of transfusion-associated HEV infection and provide a basis for development of screening strategies. The diagnostic window illustrates that infectious blood donors can be efficiently identified only by RNA screening.
Culex mosquitoes are experimentally unable to transmit Zika virus
Authors: Amraoui Fadila , Atyame-Nten Célestine , Vega-Rúa Anubis , Lourenço-de-Oliveira Ricardo , Vazeille Marie , Failloux Anna Bella
Published: September 2016

We report that two laboratory colonies of Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex pipiens mosquitoes were experimentally unable to transmit ZIKV either up to 21 days post an infectious blood meal or up to 14 days post intrathoracic inoculation. Infectious viral particles were detected in bodies, heads or saliva by a plaque forming unit assay on Vero cells. We therefore consider it unlikely that Culex mosquitoes are involved in the rapid spread of ZIKV.
Just Another Gibbs Sampler (JAGS)
Authors: Depaoli Sarah , Clifton James P. , Cobb Patrice R.
Published: September 2016

A review of the software Just Another Gibbs Sampler (JAGS) is provided. We cover aspects related to history and development and the elements a user needs to know to get started with the program, including (a) definition of the data, (b) definition of the model, (c) compilation of the model, and (d) initialization of the model. An example using a latent class model with large-scale education data is provided to illustrate how easily JAGS can be implemented in R. We also cover details surrounding the many programs implementing JAGS. We conclude with a discussion of the newest features and upcoming developments. JAGS is constantly evolving and is developing into a flexible, user-friendly program with many benefits for Bayesian inference.
Yoga and Canadian Armed Forces members' well-being: an analysis based on select physiological and psychological measures
Authors: Groll Dianne , Charbonneau Danielle , Bélanger Stéphanie , Senyshyn Samantha
Published: September 2016

Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric illness that may develop following a traumatic event or a situation involving the threat of death or serious injury to oneself or others. PTSD is often comorbid with other mental and physical health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. Several therapeutic, pharmaceutical, and non-traditional interventions are being investigated to eliminate or reduce the severity of these comorbidities in those who suffer from PTSD. The current study investigated the effect of yoga on individuals who did, or did not, screen positively for PTSD on their self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and anger. We also examined perceived physical pain, sleep disturbances, and mental and physical health–related quality of life. Methods: Participants ( n=45) were active or retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces; there were 35 males and 10 females, who self-identified as having experienced at least one traumatic operational event. Participants were screened for PTSD and completed a series of questionnaires before and after 12 weekly yoga sessions. Results: There were statistically significant improvements in levels of anger, anxiety, and pain and in quality of sleep in post-yoga scores compared to baseline. Individuals who met the PTSD screening criteria showed significantly greater improvement than those who did not. Discussion: Although future research is needed, this study supports previous findings that weekly yoga sessions may contribute significantly to reducing the severity of some physical and psychological conditions. Our study also shows that yoga may be particularly effective in individuals with PTSD.
Tapping into Delay: Assessing Rail Transit Passenger Delay with Data from a Tap-In, Tap-Out Fare System
Authors: Antos Justin , Eichler Michael D.
Published: September 2016

How should customer delay on a rail transit system be measured? Research into quantifying reliability and passenger delay often defines “delay” as when speeds or travel times fall above or below a fixed threshold. When applied to a rail transit system, however, this technique may not fully capture the impacts on all transit riders. This paper proposes a new way to assess passenger delay by leveraging the power and richness of transaction-level fare system data not always available in other contexts. This method enables a true understanding of the full spectrum of the impact on transit passengers by an analysis of the entire distribution of passenger travel times rather than by a simple tally of individuals with travel times above a threshold. This method—comparing the cumulative distribution of travel times—combines concepts from traffic queueing theory and travel time reliability research in both the transit and the highway arenas. The proposed method was applied to fare system data from the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Metrorail system to evaluate the delays that arose from using different strategies for providing continued service during rail system rehabilitation.
Study of Standing Passenger Density in Subway Cars Based on Passengers’ Spatial Comfort: Case Study of Beijing Subway Line 4
Authors: Chen Feng , Fang Jiping , Wu Qibing
Published: September 2016

The standard for standing passenger density in subway cars greatly influences passenger congestion during operation and therefore affects passengers’ spatial comfort and safety. However, in China during the subway planning and design stage, passengers’ spatial comfort is rarely considered when the standard for standing passenger density is determined for new subway lines. Furthermore, methods for evaluating passengers’ spatial comfort by standing passenger density are lacking. In this study, results from field investigations of passenger flow characteristics and passengers’ spatial requirements and distributions in subway cars of Line 4 of the Beijing subway led to use of the bubble theory of individual space for developing a classification for the individual space of Chinese standing passengers. Results of an analysis of passengers’ behavior when they are on board the subway car were used to develop a model of interactions of standing passengers’ individual space in a subway car by using the discrete element method. In this model, each passenger’s individual space was considered as a discrete particle. This model was used to evaluate quantitatively passengers’ spatial comfort by standing passenger density through a dynamic computer simulation. The simulation results suggest that the standard for standing passenger density in subway cars should be 4.0 to 5.0 passengers per square meter when new subway lines are being planning and designed.
Time-Expanded Network Model of Train-Level Subway Ridership Flows Using Actual Train Movement Data
Authors: Stasko Timon , Levine Brian , Reddy Alla
Published: September 2016

Subway ridership estimates are important to transit operators for both internal applications (e.g., setting service frequencies, prioritizing station upgrades) and external reporting (e.g., to the National Transit Database). New York City Transit (NYCT) is developing a new model that will accomplish three primary objectives: ( a) estimating subway ridership at a train level for the first time, ( b) basing path choice on actual train movements rather than on schedules so that uneven loadings can be accurately captured, and ( c) running fast enough to be used daily and being sufficiently automated to run with minimal human intervention. The model integrates entry data from fare cards with actual train movement data from a wide range of electronic systems and schedules. The model assigns riders to trains by using a Frank–Wolfe approach, including Dijkstra’s algorithm for shortest paths, with customizations designed for transit. These customizations improve speed, enable the algorithm to model delays better, and allow for multiple types of riders with different preferences for transfers and crowding. The size and the complexity of the NYCT system make for a challenging test case computationally. Approximately 6 million trips are made on a busy weekday, and these are assigned to a time-expanded network containing more than 3 million nodes and 7 million arcs. The model is automated and runs fast enough that it can be used daily. Validation against manual counts indicates strong results, with the R2 for max load point volumes for the morning peak hour equal to .91.
Impact of Platform Edge Doors on Passengers’ Boarding and Alighting Time and Platform Behavior
Authors: de Ana Rodríguez Gonzalo , Seriani Sebastián , Holloway Catherine
Published: September 2016

Platform edge doors (PEDs) are becoming an international benchmark for metro systems because of their potential to facilitate the transition to fully automated train operation and to reduce the social and operating costs of accidents and obstacles on the platform–train interface. However, there are concerns that the presence of PEDs may lengthen the dwell time; this result could severely hinder service reliability in high-frequency services such as those operated by the London Underground. This paper explores the impact of PEDs on boarding and alighting time and on passenger behavior from two perspectives: through laboratory experiments under controlled conditions and through the analysis of video footage recorded on the London Underground network. Both approaches led to similar conclusions, showing that the presence of PEDs does not have a detrimental impact on the boarding and alighting time and does affect passenger behavior at the platform, inducing a more organized boarding and alighting process in which boarders wait beside the doors rather than in front of them and give way to alighters more often than without PEDs.
Tram Safety in Mixed Traffic: Best Practices from Switzerland
Authors: Marti Christian M. , Kupferschmid Jonas , Schwertner Michael , Nash Andrew , Weidmann Ulrich
Published: September 2016

This paper presents an analysis of tram safety in Switzerland and best practices for operating trams in mixed traffic developed by Swiss tram operators and authorities. Operating trams in mixed traffic can create safety problems because trams have differing operating characteristics from other roadway traffic. It is not always feasible to provide complete separation of tramways from other road users in crowded cities. Therefore, improving tram safety in mixed traffic has gained significant attention in recent years. In Switzerland, the majority of tram collisions occur with cars, but the most severe consequences stem from collisions with pedestrians and bicycles. The location of tram collisions is linked to the likelihood of interactions and, therefore, to the amount of tram service and traffic levels. Unfortunately, the possibilities for quantitatively assessing the safety of specific street configurations are limited because of missing secondary data on context, the small number of tram accidents, and the large number of potentially important variables. Therefore, this research supplemented available quantitative data with qualitative data. The most pertinent safety issues operators face are conflicts with turning vehicles (left-turn issue), disrespect of traffic signals, confusing or ambiguous layouts, distracted pedestrians, pedestrians unaware that trams have priority, missing physical separation in semiexclusive running sections, and lack of visibility. Although many measures have been successfully applied to mitigate these issues, it is not possible to achieve absolute safety, particularly where people’s behavior is a main source of accidents.
Alternative Methods for the Calculation of Pedestrian Catchment Areas for Public Transit
Authors: Macias Karina
Published: September 2016

Federal and local transportation policy aims to reduce vehicle emissions, improve air quality, and promote active lifestyles by investing in sustainable transportation alternatives. Investments in public transportation can be maximized by improving pedestrian connections to transit stops and stations. For pedestrian access to public transportation to be improved, enhancements must be within the pedestrian catchment area of a transit stop or station. This study explored three new approaches for identifying pedestrian catchment areas that incorporate topography, pedestrian facilities, and energy expenditure estimates: the network grade, pedestrian speed, and pedestrian energy methods. This paper includes a description of how to conduct the three spatial analyses and a comparison of results from these methods with the results from two methods widely used in practice: the Euclidian distance and network distance methods. The comparison was carried out by analyzing spatial data from the light rail Expo Line and its surrounding environment in Los Angeles County, California. The results demonstrate significant differences in the size, land use diversity, and transportation facilities captured by the new methods compared with those from the two existing methods.
Synthesis of several new quinazolin-4-amines containing p-toluenesulfonate moiety
Authors: Cai Zhi-qiang , Jin Zheng-sheng , Zheng De-qiang , Hou Ling , Huang Guan-wang , Tian Jun-qiang , Wang Guo-jiang
Published: September 2016

A series of novel quinazolin-4-amine derivatives containing p-toluenesulfonate moiety have been synthesised through the reaction of 4-chloro-7-methoxyquinazolin-6-yl acetate with substituted anilines in toluene solution at 90 °C. Further treatment of the synthesised compound with ammonium hydroxide gave the corresponding substituted quinazoline derivatives which were subsequently processed through the sulfonyl reaction into quinazolin-4-amines containing p-toluenesulfonate moiety in DMF. Their structures were established by elemental analysis, IR and 1H NMR spectra.
Synthesis of 4-aryl-1-ethyl-7-methyl-1,9-dihydropyrano[4,3-b]pyrazolo[4,3-e] pyridin-5(4H)-one via a three-component condensation
Authors: Hassanabadi Alireza , Khandan-Barani Khatereh , Saffari Jilla
Published: September 2016

An efficient synthesis of a series of 4-aryl-1-ethyl-7-methyl-1,9-dihydropyrano[4,3- b]pyrazolo[4,3- e]pyridin-5(4 H)-one is reported by condensation of aryl aldehydes, 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2 H-pyran-2-one and 1-ethylpyrazol-5-amine in the presence of 10 mol% molecular I2 in ethanol under reflux conditions through a one-pot reaction. The present method offers several advantages such as use of a metal-free catalyst, being inexpensive, high yielding and environmental acceptability.
Effect of stretching program in an industrial workplace on hamstring flexibility and sagittal spinal posture of adult women workers: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Muyor José M. , López-Miñarro Pedro A. , Casimiro Antonio J.
Published: September 2016

Objectives:

To determine the effect of a stretching program performed in the workplace on the hamstring muscle extensibility and sagittal spinal posture of adult women.

Material and methods:

Fifty-eight adult women volunteers (mean age of 44.23 ± 8.87 years) from a private fruit and vegetable company were randomly assigned to experimental (n=27) or control (n=31) groups. The experimental group performed three exercises of hamstrings stretching of 20 seconds per exercise, three sessions a week for a period of 12 weeks. The control group did not participate in any hamstring stretching program. Hamstring flexibility was evaluated through the passive straight leg raise test and toe-touch test, performed both before and after the stretching program. Thoracic and lumbar curvatures and pelvic inclination were measured in relaxed standing and toe-touch test with a Spinal Mouse.

Results:

Significant increases (p < 0.01) in toe-touch score and straight leg raise angle (in both legs) were found in the experimental group during post-test, while the control group showed a non-significant decrease for both toe-touch score and straight leg raise test. A significant decrease in thoracic curve and significant increase in pelvic inclination were found in the toe-touch test for the experimental group (p <0.05). However, no significant changes were found in standing posture for any group.

Conclusions:

Hamstring stretching exercises performed in the working place are effective for increasing hamstring muscle extensibility. This increase generates a more aligned thoracic curve and more anterior pelvic inclination when maximal trunk flexion is performed.
Multiplying linear dimension techniques may predict the cross-sectional area of multifidus muscle at all levels of lumbar spine
Authors: Larrie-Baghal Maryamsadat , Bakhtiary Amir H. , Rezasoltani Asghar , Hedayati Rozita , Ghorbani Raheb
Published: September 2016

Objective:

This study was designed to find out the relationship between the multiplied linear dimensions (MLD) measurement and the cross-sectional area (CSA) measurement of the lumbar multifidus muscle.

Methods:

Sixty healthy female subjects participated in this study. The CSA of the lumbar multifidus muscle from L2 to L5 was bilaterally measured by tracing around the muscle margins with an on- screen cursor. The linear dimensions including lateral dimension (LD), anteroposterior dimension (APD) and MLD of the muscles were also calculated at the same levels of lumbar vertebrae.

Results:

The linear regression between CSA and MLD for each vertebral level was significant (r=0.89 to 0.97, p<0.0001). In addition, there was significant correlation between CSA and APD (r=0.69 to 0.87, p<0.05).

Conclusions:

MLD method can be used to predict the CSA of the lumbar multifidus muscle. The method described for assessing the multifidus muscle is a potentially valuable, quick and easy way to evaluate muscle size at different levels of the lumbar vertebrae in clinical practice.
Comparing the efficacy of mature mud pack and hot pack treatments for knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Sarsan Ayşe , Akkaya Nuray , Özgen Merih , Yildiz Necmettin , Atalay Nilgun Simsir , Ardic Fusun
Published: September 2016

Objective:

The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of mature mud pack and hot pack therapies on patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Design:

This study was designed as a prospective, randomized-controlled, and single-blinded clinical trial. Twenty-seven patients with clinical and radiologic evidence of knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned into two groups and were treated with mature mud packs (n 15) or hot packs (n=12). Patients were evaluated for pain [based on the visual analog scale (VAS)], function (WOMAC, 6 min walking distance), quality of life [Short Form–36 (SF-36)], and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNF- α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and insulin-like growth factor–1 (IGF-1) at baseline, post-treatment, and 3 and 6 months after treatment.

Results:

The mud pack group shows a significant improvement in VAS, pain, stifness, and physical function domains of WOMAC. The difference between groups of pain and physical activity domains is significant at post-treatment in favor of mud pack. For a 6 min walking distance, mud pack shows significant improvement, and the difference is significant between groups in favor of mud pack at post-treatment and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Mud pack shows significant improvement in the pain subscale of SF-36 at the third month continuing until the sixth month after the treatment. Significant improvements are found for the social function, vitality/energy, physical role disability, and general health subscales of SF-36 in favor of the mud pack compared with the hot pack group at post-treatment. A significant increase is detected for IGF-1 in the mud pack group 3 months after treatment compared with the baseline, and the difference is significant between groups 3 months after the treatment.

Conclusion:

Mud pack is a favorable option compared with hotpack for pain relief and for the improvement of functional conditions in treating patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Translation and validation of the Arab version of the fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire
Authors: Laufer Yocheved , Elheiga-Na'amne Badira Abu , Rozen Nimrod
Published: September 2016

Objective:

Determine the reliability and validity of the fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ) translated into Arabic.

Methods:

The FABQ work and physical activity subscales (FABQ-W and FABQ-PA) were translated and culturally adapted into Arabic using the back-translation procedure. Forty-eight subjects with acute low back pain (LBP) and 63 subjects with chronic LBP, whose native language was Arabic, completed a demographic questionnaire, the FABQ, a pain intensity numerical scale, the Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MOSW), and the SF-36 questionnaire. Thirty patients completed the FABQ a second time 3–7 days later.

Results:

FABQ-W and FABQ-PA showed good internal consistencies ( α=0.90 and 0.81 respectively). Test-retest reliability was moderate to high (ICC (1,1) of 0.63 and 0.83 for the FABQ-W and FABQ-PA, respectively). Pain intensity correlated with FABQ-W only for subjects with acute pain (rho 0.41), and with the FABQ-PA only for subjects with chronic pain (rho 0.47). Significant differences between patients with acute and chronic pain were found. Correlations between the FABQ and the MOSW were moderate (rho between 0.40–0.42). Correlations between the FABQ subscales and the SF-36 questionnaire were stronger for subjects with chronic pain. A high ceiling effect was demonstrated for the FABQ-PA, in particular for patients with chronic LBP.

Conclusions:

The Arabic version of the FABQ has acceptable psychometric properties. However, the results of the physical activity subscale should be interpreted with caution due to a strong ceiling effect.
Reliability of upper limb tension test 1 in normal subjects and patients with carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Talebi Ghadam Ali , Oskouei Ali E. , Shakori Seyed Kazem
Published: September 2016

Background and objective:

Tension tests or neurodynamic techniques assess the mobility of the peripheral nerves and provide a guide for planning and managing physiotherapy treatments of entrapment syndromes such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). One of the upper limb tension tests (ULTT) is ULTT1 that evaluates the efficacy of physiotherapy treatment. It has been shown to be a valid test but its reliability has not been investigated for CTS. Therefore, it is not known if the ULTT1 helps in diagnosing CTS and assessing CTS treatments. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of the ULTT1 in CTS.

Material and methods:

In order to determine the reliability of the ULTT1, we tested 23 healthy subjects and 12 subjects with CTS on two separate test days. Outcome measure for this study was elbow extension.

Results:

Inter subject elbow extensions were not significantly different between the two test days. Also, the coefficient of correlation ± SEM in healthy and CTS subjects were 0.89 ± 1.23 degrees and 0.84 ± 3.67 degrees, respectively.

Conclusion:

From the above results, we conclude that the ULTT1 is highly reliable and can be used in diagnosis as well as the management of CTS.
Noncircular Sources-Based Sparse Representation Algorithm for Direction of Arrival Estimation in MIMO Radar with Mutual Coupling
Authors: Zhou Weidong , Liu Jing , Zhu Pengxiang , Gong Wenhe , Hou Jiaxin
Published: September 2016

In this paper, a reweighted sparse representation algorithm based on noncircular sources is proposed, and the problem of the direction of arrival (DOA) estimation for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar with mutual coupling is addressed. Making full use of the special structure of banded symmetric Toeplitz mutual coupling matrices (MCM), the proposed algorithm firstly eliminates the effect of mutual coupling by linear transformation. Then, a reduced dimensional transformation is exploited to reduce the computational complexity of the proposed algorithm. Furthermore, by utilizing the noncircular feature of signals, the new extended received data matrix is formulated to enlarge the array aperture. Finally, based on the new received data, a reweighted matrix is constructed, and the proposed method further designs the joint reweighted sparse representation scheme to achieve the DOA estimation by solving the l 1 -norm constraint minimization problem. The proposed method enlarges the array aperture due to the application of signal noncircularity, and in the presence of mutual coupling, the proposed algorithm provides higher resolution and better angle estimation performance than ESPRIT-like, l 1 -SVD and l 1 -SRDML (sparse representation deterministic maximum likelihood) algorithms. Numerical experiment results verify the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed method.
Local Oxidation Nanolithography on Metallic Transition Metal Dichalcogenides Surfaces
Authors: Pinilla-Cienfuegos Elena , Mañas-Valero Samuel , Navarro-Moratalla Efrén , Tatay Sergio , Forment-Aliaga Alicia , Coronado Eugenio
Published: September 2016

The integration of atomically-thin layers of two dimensional (2D) materials in nanodevices demands for precise techniques at the nanoscale permitting their local modification, structuration or resettlement. Here, we present the use of Local Oxidation Nanolithography (LON) performed with an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) for the patterning of nanometric motifs on different metallic Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDCs). We show the results of a systematic study of the parameters that affect the LON process as well as the use of two different modes of lithographic operation: dynamic and static. The application of this kind of lithography in different types of TMDCs demonstrates the versatility of the LON for the creation of accurate and reproducible nanopatterns in exfoliated 2D-crystals and reveals the influence of the chemical composition and crystalline structure of the systems on the morphology of the resultant oxide motifs.
Temperature Change of Shanghai and Its Response to Global Warming and Urbanization
Authors: Chu Wenchao , Qiu Sijing , Xu Jianhua
Published: September 2016

Shanghai is the biggest metropolis in China, and its local temperature change is affected not only by global warming but also by urbanization. Integrating the Mann-Kendall test, EMD (Empirical Mode Decomposition), Cross Wavelet Analysis and statistical methods, we studied the response of the local temperature change in Shanghai to global warming and urbanization. The results indicate that the local temperature at Shanghai present a significant warming trend under the background of global warming over the past 135 years. The local temperature at Shanghai displays 2-year, 6-year, 15-year, 23-year and 68-year periodic fluctuation, whereas global temperature shows 4-year, 9-year, 15-year, 23-year and 68-year cyclic variation. Although the two cycles are not exactly the same, they show some comparability. Urbanization facilitated the warming process of Shanghai. In the most recent 50 years, temperature difference between urban and suburban Shanghai has increased nearly 0.4 °C. The related indicators of urban development, such as population, built-up area, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), energy consumption and number of vehicles show significantly positive correlation with the temperature difference between urban and suburban area. In addition, the frequency of extreme high temperature has become higher, whereas the frequency of extreme low temperature has become lower over the most recent 55 years.
Symmetry-Induced Light Confinement in a Photonic Quasicrystal-Based Mirrorless Cavity
Authors: Zito Gianluigi , Rusciano Giulia , Sasso Antonio , De Nicola Sergio
Published: September 2016

We numerically investigate the electromagnetic field localization in a two-dimensional photonic quasicrystal generated with a holographic tiling. We demonstrate that light confinement can be induced into an air mirrorless cavity by the inherent symmetry of the spatial distribution of the dielectric scatterers forming the side walls of the open cavity. Furthermore, the propagation direction can be controlled by suitable designs of the structure. This opens up new avenues for designing photonic materials and devices.
A Comparative Study Based on the Least Square Parameter Identification Method for State of Charge Estimation of a LiFePO4 Battery Pack Using Three Model-Based Algorithms for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Zahid Taimoor , Li Weimin
Published: September 2016

Battery energy storage management for electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid EV is the most critical and enabling technology since the dawn of electric vehicle commercialization. A battery system is a complex electrochemical phenomenon whose performance degrades with age and the existence of varying material design. Moreover, it is very tedious and computationally very complex to monitor and control the internal state of a battery’s electrochemical systems. For Thevenin battery model we established a state-space model which had the advantage of simplicity and could be easily implemented and then applied the least square method to identify the battery model parameters. However, accurate state of charge (SoC) estimation of a battery, which depends not only on the battery model but also on highly accurate and efficient algorithms, is considered one of the most vital and critical issue for the energy management and power distribution control of EV. In this paper three different estimation methods, i.e., extended Kalman filter (EKF), particle filter (PF) and unscented Kalman Filter (UKF), are presented to estimate the SoC of LiFePO4 batteries for an electric vehicle. Battery’s experimental data, current and voltage, are analyzed to identify the Thevenin equivalent model parameters. Using different open circuit voltages the SoC is estimated and compared with respect to the estimation accuracy and initialization error recovery. The experimental results showed that these online SoC estimation methods in combination with different open circuit voltage-state of charge (OCV-SoC) curves can effectively limit the error, thus guaranteeing the accuracy and robustness.