bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pluronic-PEI Micelles Reverse Multidrug Resistance by Depleting ATP and Inhibiting P-Glycoprotein for Colon Cancer Therapy
Authors: Wang He Bin , Li Yang , Liu Kai Hang , Zhou Jun , Tang Gu Ping
Published: March 2017

We have designed a polymer micelles based on Pluronic P123 and Polyethyleneimine 600 (termed as P123P600). Upon critical micelle concentration the P123P600 unimer formed micelles in water. These micelles not only could simultaneously delivery hydrophobic anticancer drug paclitaxel (PTX) to cancer cells but also could deplete ATP and inhibit P-gp expression in MDR cells. In vitro researches demonstrated that these micelles showed the excellent biocompatibility, high drug loading efficiency, stably controlled releasing behavior, enhanced cellular up-take and improved serum stability. In vivo studies demonstrated that the PTX loaded micelles induced tumor cell apoptosis and inhibited the growth of tumor to overcome drug resistance through a synergistic effect. All these findings suggested that P123P600 for delivery of anticarcinogen provided a promising strategy for reversal of MDR in cancer treatment.
The Effects of Binder on the Release of Nutrient from Matrix-Based Slow Release Fertilizer
Authors: Sitanggang Eva Pramuni Oktaviani , Purnomo Chandra Wahyu
Published: March 2017

Bagasse Fly Ash (BFA) a solid waste from sugar cane industry was used as a matrix for preparing Slow Release Fertilizer (SRF). The matrix is a mixture of the BFA with a specific binder i.e. starch and molasses. Then the matrix was mixed with diluted commercial urea fertilizer in an elevated temperature for increasing the solubility of the urea. The effect of the binder and urea-matrix composition are obvious in changing the pattern of release of the nitrogen content from the matrix during 30 days leaching test. The SRF pellets using molasses tend to have faster release rate than the pellet with starch binder. Then, for the pellets with equal amount of matrix and urea (50:50) the release profiles has two sharp increase during the first 5 days and after 15 days, while for the higher urea composition (70:30), the profile only has one sharp release in the beginning followed by a very slow steady release until the end of the test.
Preliminary Study on Tensile Properties of Electrospun Silica Fibers/Polypropylene Composites
Authors: Wanakamol Panitarn , Boonyaratgalin Wichuda , Supanam Nopmanee
Published: March 2017

Composites based on silica and glass fibers conventionally contain fibers with dimension in the range of a few micrometers to millimeters. Electrospinning technique allows fabrication of fibers in the submicron length scale. With smaller dimension, these fibers when applied as reinforcement in composites may yield interesting composite properties. In this paper, silica fibers fabricated via electrospinning were utilized as reinforcement in polypropylene-matrixed composites. The silica precursor was prepared by sol-gel reaction of tetraethyl orthosilicate, ethyl alcohol, de-ionized water and hydrochloric acid. Viscous silica precursor was made into fibers by electrospinning with electric field of 1 kV/cm. Electrospun non-woven fiber mats were stabilized at 200°C and calcined at 800°C to remove remaining organic residues. The fiber diameter average was 279±40 nm. In the process of making composites, the silica fiber mats were sandwiched between polypropylene sheets, and the layers were compression-molded together. The composite samples with varied silica fiber contents up to 2 wt% were mechanically tested. Tensile tests demonstrate slight increases in tensile modulus, tensile strength with increasing silica fiber content. However, silica fiber content within the experimental range does not have prominent effects on yield strength and strain at break.
The Effect of Alkaline Ratios of NaOH to NH3 on the Formation of Nanostructured Titania
Authors: Kartini Indriana , Khairani Inna Yusnila , Chotimah Chotimah , Mustofa Salim , Santosa Sri Juari , Wang Lian Zhou
Published: March 2017

The effect of alkaline solvent of NaOH and NH3 in the synthesis of nanostructured titania (TiO2) has been studied. Powder of anatase titania as the precursor was mixed with various volume ratios of 10 M of NaOH and 15 M of NH3. The mixture was heated in Teflon-lined autoclave at 150 °C for 24 h. The as-synthesized TiO2 powders were then washed with 0.1 M HCl and calcined at 300 °C. The calcined samples were characterized using TEM (transmission electron microscope), and XRD (X-Ray diffraction). Raman spectroscopy was further used to determine the contributing crystalline phases for the synthesized TiO2. It is shown that varying the solvent ratios of NOH to NH3 resulted in nanotubes, nanosheets, and nanoparticle morphology of TiO2. The TEM images showed the formation of nanotube structure in alkaline ratio NaOH:NH3 of 1:0 and 3:1, with diameter of about 10 nm. At volume ratio of 1:1, the nanosheets and nanotubes both were formed and at volume ratio of NaOH:NH3 of 1:3, nanosheets contributed as its main morphology. While, at fully NH3 solvent, the nanospheres with anatase domain were produced. Raman spectra confirmed that the major contributor for hydrothermal synthesis employing less NaOH for volume ratio of NaOH:NH3 of 3:1 was predominantly anatase with slight presence of titanate. For volume ratio at higher NH3 the presence of titanate is not prominent, but the morphology has already changed into more nanosheet and then nanospheres. The crystallinity of TiO2 anatase crystalline phase was enhanced as more NH3 utilized.
Investigating the Deformation, Breakage and Number on Conductive Particle of Flim-on-Glass Packaging Using Anisotropic Conductive Film Bonding
Authors: Lin Chao Ming , Chiou Yung Chuan , Chu Chun-Yi
Published: March 2017

Anisotropic conductive film (ACF), is a lead-free material that is commonly used in fine-pitch interconnect manufacturing to make and maintain the electrical and mechanical connections between the micro-electrodes. A key issue about the circuit conductivity is the deformation, breakage, and number of conductive particles in the ACF packaging. For the field of vision, the Film-On-Glass (FOG) assembly on the glass-side is used to obtain excellent images in experimental observation. This paper utilizes the microscope technology to investigate the bonding properties of the conductive particles, and consider the electrical resistance effects after packaging. The results show the deformation shape, breakage type, and number of conductive particles will be quantitatively affect the electrical performances, and one can measure the area, diameter, and roundness of the deformed particles’ projection in the glass-side view to evaluate the ACF packaging quality.
Effect of 4% Cu Addition to Commercially Pure Aluminum Grain Refined by 0.15% V on its Ductility and Surface Roughness
Authors: Al-Qawabah Safwan M. , Zaid Adnan I.O. , Alshabatat Nabeel
Published: March 2017

In this paper, the effect of addition of 4%wt. copper to commercially pure aluminum grain refined by 0.15% vanadium on its grain size, hardness, ultimate tensile strength, UTS, ductility and surface roughness is investigated. It is found that when they are added individually or together causes pronounced reduction in grain size, i.e., effective refiners. Similarly, they increase its hardness and ultimate tensile strength but reduce its ductility. Regarding their effect on the surface quality, they enhance the surface quality if added individually. However, they reduce it if added together, i.e. they increase its surface roughness.
Evaluation of the Effect of Infill Pattern on Mechanical Stregnth of Additively Manufactured Specimen
Authors: Khan Shaheryar Atta , Siddiqui Bilal Ahmed , Fahad Muhammad , Khan Maqsood Ahmed
Published: March 2017

Additive manufacturing has stepped down from the world of Sci-Fi into reality. Since its conception in the 1980s the technology has come a long way. May variants of the technology are now available to the consumer. With the advent of custom built (open source) Fused Deposition Modeling based printing technology Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), FDM/FFF has become the most used Additive Manufacturing technology. The effects of the different infill patterns of FDM/FFF on the mechanical properties of a specimen made from ABS are studied in this paper. It is shown that due to changes in internal structures, the tensile strength of the specimen changes. The study also investigate the effect of infill pattern on the build time of the specimen. Extensive testing yielded the optimal infill pattern for FDM/FFF. An open source Arduino based RepRap printer was used for the preparation of specimen and showed promising results for rapid prototyping of custom built parts to bear high loads. The study can help with the increase in the use of additive manufacturing for the manufacturing of mechanically functioning parts such as prosthetics
Analysis of Stresses and Displacements of Thin Coating Structures
Authors: Sima Elena , Bălan George
Published: March 2017

This paper addresses the problem of open thin coatings of constant thickness made from Kevlar composite material.
Kevlar is an organic polymer fiber 5 times stronger than steel taken at the same weight. Therefore, this fiber has been used successfully in producing composite materials. In this paper, the generic name of Kevlar designates the composite material having the following characteristics: E=7,6×104MPa; θ=0,34; ρ=1700kgcm3.
The program COSMOS/M with which the study was conducted and broadcasted was The Structural Research and Analysis Corp.
The analysis was carried out by the finite element method.
Stress and Coping of Critical Care Nurses After Unsuccessful Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Authors: McMeekin Dawn E. , Hickman Ronald L. , Douglas Sara L. , Kelley Carol G.
Published: March 2017

Background

Participation by a critical care nurse in an unsuccessful resuscitation can create a unique heightened level of psychological stress referred to as postcode stress, activation of coping behaviors, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Objectives

To explore the relationships among postcode stress, coping behaviors, and PTSD symptom severity in critical care nurses after experiencing unsuccessful cardiopulmonary resuscitations and to see whether institutional support attenuates these repeated psychological traumas.

Methods

A national sample of 490 critical care nurses was recruited from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses’ eNewsline and social media. Participants completed the Post-Code Stress Scale, the Brief COPE (abbreviated), and the Impact of Event Scale–Revised, which were administered through an online survey.

Results

Postcode stress and PTSD symptom severity were weakly associated (r = 0.20, P = .01). No significant associations between coping behaviors and postcode stress were found. Four coping behaviors (denial, self-distraction, self-blame, and behavioral disengagement) were significant predictors of PTSD symptom severity. Severity of postcode stress and PTSD symptoms varied with the availability of institutional support.

Conclusions

Critical care nurses show moderate levels of postcode stress and PTSD symptoms when asked to recall an unsuccessful resuscitation and the coping behaviors used. Identifying the critical care nurses most at risk for PTSD will inform the development of interventional research to promote critical care nurses’ psychological well-being and reduce their attrition from the profession.
Politics without morality and accountability: The Nkandla case from a deontological perspective
Authors: Koenane Mojalefa L.J.
Published: March 2017

The Nkandla controversy has long dominated South African politics and has seemingly been endless. This article revisits the Nkandla issue from the perspective that it fails the Kantian categorical imperative (i.e. CI) and attempts to explain the problem of individual as well as organisational or structural corruption, in which the author contends the Nkandla controversy to be grounded. This article opens a discussion on the relevance of Kantian theory in confronting the matter of Nkandla. The author argues that Kant’s moral theory should not be viewed simplistically but from a rational position of internalised moral maxims or precepts. The Nkandla project is interrogated in relation to the former Public Protector’s and Minister of Police’s reports on the Nkandla ‘security upgrades’. It is the author’s view that South Africans are demanding accountability insofar as the Nkandla project is concerned, since moral attitudes are an integral and necessary part of our everyday lives. It is the author’s contention that the President and the executive have no desire to be accountable and transparent in the Nkandla matter. The aftermath of Nkandla controversy has changed the face of South Africa’s political environment completely. The author further argues that holding political elites accountable should not be regarded as hostility towards those held responsible and the African National Congress as political organisation. The author also looks at the Constitutional Court ruling on this matter.
Electromagnetic Compatibility Measurement Procedure for Vehicle Components--Part 13: Immunity to Electrostatic Discharge
Authors:   Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Standards
Published: March 2017

This SAE Standard specifies the test methods and procedures
necessary to evaluate electrical components intended for automotive
use to the threat of Electrostatic Discharges (ESDs). It describes
test procedures for evaluating electrical components on the bench
in the powered mode and for the packaging and handling non-powered
mode.

A procedure for calibrating the simulator that is used for
electrostatic discharges is given in Appendix A.

Functional Performance Status Classifications for immunity to
ESD are given in Appendix B.

Sensitivity classifications for ESD sensitive devices are given
in Appendix B.
Standard Metrology for Vehicular Displays
Authors:   Vehicular Flat Panel Display Standards Committee
Published: March 2017

The scope of this SAE Standard is to provide methods to determine display optical performance in all typical automotive ambient light illumination - with focus on High Ambient Contrast Ratio, which is critical for display legibility in a sunshine environment. It covers indoor measurements and simulated outdoor lighting.

It is not the scope of this document to set threshold values for automotive compliance, however some recommended values are presented for reference.
Self-Propelled Sweepers--Air Flow Performance--Part 2: Suction/Blower Fan Performance
Authors:   MTC2, Sweeper, Cleaner, and Machinery
Published: March 2017

This SAE Standard establishes a test method and definition for disclosing the performance of suction/blower fans when applied to self-propelled sweepers that solely use a pneumatic conveyance means for the collection and transfer of "sweepings" into a collection hopper.
Materials for Plastic Check Valves for Vacuum Booster Systems
Authors:   Hydraulic Brake Components Standards Committee
Published: March 2017

The materials defined by this SAE Standard are unreinforced thermoplastic acetal and thermoplastic 6/6 heat stabilized nylon, as both materials will function in this application.

The specific material chosen will depend on the final application's surroundings and heat requirements. They are for use in vacuum booster check valves for hydraulic brake systems.
Method for the Determination of Expansion and Water Absorption in Automotive Sealers
Authors:   Materials, Processes and Parts Council
Published: March 2017

This SAE Recommended Practice sets forth methods for determining total expansion gravimetrically and volumetrically, calculating vertical expansion and measuring the water absorption of cut and uncut sealer beads.
Data Link Layer
Authors:   Truck Bus Control and Communications Network Committee
Published: March 2017

The SAE J1939 documents are intended for light, medium, and
heavy-duty vehicles used on or off road as well as appropriate
stationary applications which use vehicle derived components (e.g.
generator sets). Vehicles of interest include, but are not limited
to, on- and off-highway trucks and their trailers, construction
equipment, and agricultural equipment and implements.

The purpose of these documents is to provide an open
interconnect system for electronic systems. It is the intention of
these documents to allow Electronic Control Units to communicate
with each other by providing a standard architecture.

This particular document, SAE J1939-21, describes the data link
layer using the CAN protocol with 29-bit Identifiers. For SAE J1939
no alternative data link layers are permitted.
Coolant Hose (Supplement to SAE J20 for Government Use Replacing Part of Ms52130)
Authors:   Non-Hydraulic Hose Committee
Published: March 2017

This SAE Standard provides ordering information for any SAE 20R1 through SAE 20R4 hose type (such as EC, HT, LT, or combination thereof.) It is a supplement for Government use but may be used by others.
Connections for Fluid Power and High Pressure Use-Ports, Stud Ends, and Plugs With Iso 261 Threads and O-Rings Sealing-Part 3: Port Plug Requirements, Dimensions, Design, and Test Methods
Authors:   Hydraulic Tube Fittings Committee
Published: March 2017

Purpose
This part of SAE J2337 specifies dimensions, design, and performance requirements for eight plugs using a conical seal to insure leak proof performance with a design factor of 4 to 1.

Field of Application
These connectors are intended for general and hydraulic systems on industrial equipment and commercial products, where elastomeric seals are acceptable to overcome leakage and variations in assembly procedures. These connectors are capable of providing leak proof full flow connections in hydraulic systems operating from 95 kPa vacuum to the working pressures shown in Table 1. Since many factors influence the pressure at which hydraulic systems will or will not perform satisfactorily, these values should not be construed as guaranteed minimums. For any application, it is recommended that sufficient testing be conducted and reviewed by both the user and manufacturer to ensure that the required performance levels are met.

For use of these connectors in conditions outside the pressure and temperature limits specified, contact the manufacturer.
ITS Data Bus—Application Message Layer
Authors:   ITS Council
Published: March 2017

NOTE— SAE J2366-7LX—ITS Data Bus Application Message Layer Lexicon is now combined (as an appendix) with SAE J2366-7 to provide for a quicker revision process in the future.

This SAE Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice defines an Application Message Layer, which may be used as part of a complete protocol stack with the other protocol layers in the SAE J2366 family.

The Application Message Layer provides application message support for devices that are interconnected via a bus or network. Design of the messages and headers has stressed flexibility, expandability, economy (in terms of octets on the bus), and reusability.

The Application Message Layer is independent of the underlying network used, and may be used on any network. Sections of this document make specific reference to the use of SAE J2366-7 with other layers of the SAE J2366 family of protocols, and may not apply when SAE J2366-7 is used with other networks.

In addition, this document defines an audio arbitration scheme that may be used with the SAE J2366-1L Low Impedance Stereo Audio (LISA) bus, or any other comparable analog audio bus.
Cartridge Cavity
Authors:   Air Brake Tubing and Tube Ftg Committee
Published: March 2017

This SAE Standard covers complete general and dimensional data for the manufacture of, T6061-T6 Aluminum cavities designed to receive Push To Connect threadless fittings known as "cartridges", for air brake applications. This document is not intended to specify or recommend any style or manufacture of such cartridges but to establish uniform cavity dimensions for interchangeability purposes.
PMODE for In-Vehicle Networks
Authors:   ITS Council
Published: March 2017

This SAE Recommended Practice describes the power mode requirements for in-vehicle networks that conform to the Automotive Multimedia Interface Collaboration (AMI-C) specifications. These networks include, but are not limited to, the IDB-C (SAE J2366), IDB-1394, and MOST.

This version of the document covers primarily IDB-C and may be revised when the PMODE requirements for the other networks are more fully developed by AMI-C.
Standard Rainflow File Format
Authors:   Materials, Processes and Parts Council
Published: March 2017

This SAE Standard provides a definition of a rainflow file format. This type of simple text file would contain all relevant information about the rainflow cycle content of a time history. Included information are Comments, Signal Range, Signal Mean, Number of Cycles, Signal Maximum, Signal Minimum.

Rainflow cycle counting has become the most accepted procedure for identifying material fatigue relevant cycles in complex variable amplitude load time histories. The cycle counting methods account for the effects of material plasticity and material memory of prior deformation, and the resulting compressed history information is used by durability analysts to estimate the effects of a given service or test history. Standardization of the rainflow counting methods output files, which is the format addressed by the present standard, is important for reliable information transfer between test and design groups, or different calculation software packages, and thus forms a critical step in the evaluation of components and vehicles. Further background information can be found in the SAE publication AE-10 cited in 2.1.1.
Brake Test Code--Inertia Dynamometer
Authors:   Brake Dynamometer Standards Committee
Published: March 2017

This SAE Recommended Practice establishes a uniform laboratory procedure for evaluating performance and wear of automotive brakes and brake drums by an inertial dynamometer simulation of vehicle test and operating conditions. The code is applicable to hydraulic, air, or electrically actuated brakes. For electric brakes, 'ampere' values are substituted for 'line pressure' where specified in the procedure or on data and curve sheets. The procedure includes the following tests: 1. Torque output and deceleration (various speeds and brake input). 2. Evaluation of lining life (wear tests). 3. Brake characteristics (fade and recovery tests, noise, chatter, grabbiness). 4. Drum evaluation (wear, heat checking, scoring).
Production and Analytical Comparison of Atomization Characteristics for Ternary Blends of Biodiesel
Authors: Sudalaiyandi K. , Amirthagadeswaran K.S. , Selvan P.
Published: March 2017

By the plenty usage of diesel fuel in automobiles, it is necessary to switch over to the alternate fuel such as biodiesel. Generally non edible oils are blended with diesel after the esterification process. But here ternary biodiesel blends with diesel fuel produce almost equal drop size when compared with some binary blends with large quantities of diesel. The ternary biodiesel blends give less amount exhaust emission than the binary blends with diesel. In this work, biodiesel is produced from linseed and rubber seed oil by trans-esterification process and then the fuel atomization characteristics have been determined, The sauter mean diameter of atomization is also computed by analytically. The ternary blends having 90% diesel and 5% linseed biodiesel, 5% rubber seed biodiesel and also 80% diesel, 10% linseed biodiesel and 10% rubber seed biodiesel are observed to give comparatively similar atomization characteristics of diesel.
Comparative Study of Joining Processes of High Conductivity Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper used in Automotive Industries
Authors: Amarnath V. , Karuppuswamy P. , Balasubramanian V.
Published: March 2017

In this paper the effects of conventional Gas Tungsten Art Welding (GTAW) process with constant current and pulsed current and Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process on Electrolytic Tough Pitch (ETP) copper which is used as bus bars and rotors in automotive industries are investigated. Autogenous welding was carried out on 4mm thick 99.9% pure ETP copper using GTAW process with constant and pulsed current. Another set of plates of size 300mmï‚´75mmï‚´4mm were welded using FSW process. The tensile strength, micro hardness and micro structure of the joints were studied. The studies indicated that FSW joints were having better strength and hardness than GTAW joints with constant current and pulsed current due to the formation of fire equalled grains.
Electronic Alerts Improve Immunization Rates in Two-month-old Premature Infants Hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Ernst Kimberly
Published: March 2017

Objective: To determine if an electronic alert improves 2 month immunization rates in infants remaining hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods: Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective chart review of 261 infants with birth weights <2 kg and still hospitalized at58 days. Charts were reviewed between 2009 and 2013, before and after the 2011 electronic alert was instituted in the electronic medical record from days 56 to 67 to remind providers that immunizations were due. Order and administration dates of two-month vaccine components (Diphtheria, Haemophilus influenza B, Hepatitis B Pertussis, Pneumococcal, Polio, Tetanus) were determined, and infants were considered fully immunized, partially immunized, or unimmunized by day 90 or discharge, whichever came first.

Results: After the alert, the timing of vaccine orders decreased from day 67 to day 61 (p<0.0001) and vaccine administration decreased from day 71 to day 64 (p<0.0001). Missing vaccine orders decreased from 14% [17/121] to 3% [4/140] (p=0.001) with missing administrations decreasing from 21% [26/121] to 4% [6/140] (p<0.0001). Fully immunized rates increased from 71% [86/121] to 94% [132/140] (p<0.0001).

Conclusions: A significant improvement in immunization rates in two-month-old infants in the neonatal intensive care unit occurred by 90 days after implementing an alert in the electronic medical record.
La animación experimental en el territorio de los afectos
Authors: Traslaviña Cecilia
Published: March 2017

Este artículo surgió de mi gran interés por la animación experimental desde hace ya varios años. Ha sido el foco de interés en mis clases en la facultad de Artes de la Universidad Javeriana en Bogotá, ya que ha abierto la puerta para entender las múltiples posibilidades expresivas de la animación en relación con las artes. De igual forma, ha sido muy enriquecedor en mi práctica como docente y animadora, haber conocido a muchos animadores de diferentes rincones del mundo tanto en festivales como los invitados que hemos tenido en la universidad para discutir y estimular la creación desde los márgenes. En la serie documental de tres capítulos Perpetuum Mobile, que realicé con mi colega Mauricio Durán, recogemos algunos de estas discusiones, explorando las múltiples posibilidades de creación que tiene la animación, y a la vez, se ha configurado como un punto de partida para varias investigaciones como la que abordo en el presente texto. Es esta una reflexión sobre la animación experimental desde la perspectiva del afecto y de la sensación, en contraste, con las maneras tradicionales de ver que se enfocan especialmente en la trama de las películas buscando entenderlas racionalmente, dejando a un lado aspectos de carácter sensorial que pueden enriquecer nuestra relación con el mundo. Es una invitación a dejarse llevar por aspectos como el color, los materiales, el sonido, el ritmo y el movimiento en el momento de ver este tipo de animaciones.
Comment on Can assimilation of crowdsourced data in
hydrological modelling improve flood prediction? by Mazzoleni et
al. (2017)
Authors: Viero Daniele P.
Published: March 2017

Abstract. In their recent contribution, Mazzoleni et al. (2017) investigated the integration of crowdsourced data (CSD) in hydrological models to improve the accuracy of real-time flood forecast. They showed that assimilation of CSD improves the overall model performance in all the considered case studies. The impact of irregular frequency of available crowdsourced data, and that of data uncertainty, were also deeply assessed. However, it has to be remarked that, in their work, the Authors used synthetic (i.e., not actually measured) crowdsourced data, because actual crowdsourced data were not available at the moment of the study. This point, briefly mentioned by the authors, deserves further discussion. In most real-world applications, rainfall-runoff models are calibrated using data from traditional sensors. Typically, CSD are collected at different locations, where semi-distributed models are not calibrated. In a context of equifinality and of poor identifiability of model parameters, the model internal states can hardly mimic the actual system states away from calibration points, thus reducing the chances of success in assimilating real (i.e., not synthetic) CSD. Additional criteria are given that are useful for the a-priori evaluation of crowdsourced data for real-time flood forecasting and, hopefully, to plan apt design strategies for both model calibration and collection of crowdsourced data.
The importance of parameterization when simulating the hydrologic
response of vegetative land-use change
Authors: White Jeremy , Stengel Victoria , Rendon Samuel , Banta John
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Computer models of hydrologic systems are frequently used to investigate the hydrologic response of land-use change. If the modeling results are used to inform resource-management decisions, then providing robust estimates of uncertainty in the simulated response is an important consideration. Here we examine the importance of parameterization, a necessarily subjective process, on uncertainty estimates of the simulated hydrologic response of land-use change. Specifically, we apply the soil water assessment tool (SWAT) model to a 1.4 km2 watershed in south Texas to investigate the simulated hydrologic response of brush management (the mechanical removal of woody plants), a discrete land-use change. The watershed was previously instrumented before and after brush-management activities were undertaken and estimates of precipitation, streamflow, and evapotranspiration (ET) are available; these data were used to condition and verify the model. The role of parameterization in brush-management simulation was evaluated by constructing two models, one with 12 adjustable parameters (reduced parameterization) and one with 1,305 adjustable parameters (full parameterization). Both models were subjected to global sensitivity analysis, Monte Carlo and generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation (GLUE) conditioning to identify important model inputs and to estimate uncertainty in several quantities of interest related to brush management. Many realizations from both parameterizations were identified as behavorial in that they reproduce daily streamflow acceptably well according to Nash-Sutcliffe, percent bias and coefficient of determination. However, the total volumetric ET difference resulting from simulated brush management remains highly uncertain after conditioning to daily streamflow, indicating that streamflow data alone are not sufficient to inform the model inputs that most influence the simulated outcomes of brush management. Additionally, the reduced-parameterization model grossly underestimates uncertainty in the total volumetric ET difference compared to the full-parameterization model; total volumetric ET difference is a primary metric for evaluating the outcomes of brush management. The failure of the reduced-parameterization model to provide robust uncertainty estimates demonstrates the importance of parameterization when attempting to quantify uncertainty in land-use change simulations.
Promoting students’ ownership of their own education through critical dialogue and democratic self-governance
Authors: Matusov Eugene , Marjanovic-Shane Ana
Published: March 2017

We define genuine education as students’ active leisurely pursuit of critical examination of the self, life, society and the world. It is driven by the person’s interests, inquiries, needs, tensions, and puzzlements. Thus, it is based on the students’ ownership of their own education, rather than on the society’s needs and impositions on the students. Hence, genuine education cannot be forced on the students, but rather the students need to be supported and guided to find and pursue their own education as their existential need. We view genuine education as students’ authorship based on the students’ learning activism. In our opinion, the primary condition for the students’ ownership of their education is the students’ freedom to participate in making decisions about their education. In our paper, we discuss pedagogical experimentation aimed at promoting learning activism and ownership of their own education through critical dialogue and democratic self-governance.However, to our surprise, we found out that merely engaging students in decision making about their own education does not work for many students. After several years of practicing the Open Syllabus pedagogical regime in our undergraduate and graduate classes, we have experienced and abstracted two major mutually related problems: a problem of “culture” and a problem of “self-failure.” The issue of “culture” involved a tension between building a new democratic educational culture while practicing it. We also found that our undergraduate and graduate education students do not follow their own freely chosen educational commitments, and thus they feel betrayed by themselves. Analyzing students’ reflections on the self-failures, we found that they felt pressured by life and institutional survival and necessities. Because of that, they did not have the luxury of prioritizing their own educational self-commitments. In response to this and other concerns, we developed a hybrid pedagogical regime, called Opening Syllabus. We focus on tensions within this new, hybrid pedagogical regime, by analyzing students’ reflections and contributions in class.
O uso do Aloe sp (aloe vera) em feridas agudas e crônicas: revisão integrativa
Authors: Chini Lucélia Terra , Mendes Roberta Aparecida , Siqueira Lais Reis , Silva Sandreli Pereira , Silva Patrícia Costa dos Santos , Dázio Eliza Maria Rezende , Fava Silvana Maria Coelho Leite
Published: March 2017

Objetivos: buscar evidencias disponibles en la literatura acerca del uso de Aloe sp (sábila) en la cicatrización de heridas agudas y crónicas. Materiales y método: se trata de una revisión integradora realizada en las bases de datos LILACS, PubMed y Scopus, en el periodo de febrero a marzo del 2015. La búsqueda resultó en 178 publicaciones. Resultados: siete estudios constituyeron la revisión, los cuales involucraron personas con heridas de cesárea, heridas de episiotomía, quemaduras, área donadora de injerto, heridas posthemorroidectomía y heridas fisuarias anales crónicas. Se evidenció que la sábila promueve la cicatrización de heridas, además de disminuir el dolor en fisuras anales crónicas y quemaduras. Conclusiones: la sábila representa una nueva terapéutica en el tratamiento de heridas; sin embargo, las evidencias disponibles sobre su eficacia y seguridad son ineficientes para legitimar su uso en la cicatrización de heridas agudas y crónicas; por lo tanto, no se pueden generalizar.
Fatores que influenciam o desmame precoce
Authors: Alvarenga Sandra Cristina , Castro Denise Silveira de , Costa Leite Franciéle Marabotti , Gomes Brandão Marcos Antônio , Zandonade Eliana , Caniçali Primo Cândida
Published: March 2017

Objetivos: identificar en la literatura científica los principales factores asociados al destete temprano. Materiales y método: se trata de una revisión sistemática realizada en las bases de datos LILACS y MEDLINE con artículos completos del periodo de 2004 a 2013, en inglés, español y portugués, desde la pregunta orientadora: “¿Cuáles son los factores que influyen el destete temprano?”. Resultados: se identificaron 1.481 artículos y 39 atendieron a los criterios de inclusión. Entre los principales factores que influyen el destete temprano, se encontraron trabajo materno (33,3 %); uso de chupo de entretención (30,8 %); leche materna débil (17,9 %); trauma y dolor mamilar (17,9 %); introducción de otros tipos de leche (15,4 %) y nivel educacional de la madre o del padre (15,4 %). Conclusiones: diversos factores están relacionados al destete temprano, lo que apunta fuerte determinación sociocultural e histórica que se puede evidenciar por la comparación de los estándares de lactancia entre diferentes poblaciones y a través de los tiempos.
Small Car Wash Business in Botswana and the Desperate Youth: Entrepreneurs or Employment Seekers? A case study of Gaborone
Authors: Marobela Motsomi Ndala , Mebratu Hanna , Shunda John Peter Waziri
Published: March 2017

In recent years Botswana has witnessed an unprecedented boom in small business informal car washers. This paper explores the emergence and spread of this phenomenon, with specific attention to the capital city, Gaborone, where there is a high concentration of small car washers. Relying on critical realist philosophy and the entrepreneurial ecosystem conceptual model, we explore the issue of youth self-entrepreneurship against the critical factor of employability. Our findings reveal a number of pointers to socio-economic needs and vulnerable livelihoods. While Botswana economy has been largely characterised by growth, however the economy is not creating jobs, hence the unemployment crisis, which pushes many young people to seek alternative means of survival. In this context car wash entrepreneurship becomes appealing as it is relatively simple to start and requires little start-up capital. Car wash businesses provide hope to desperate youth in search for jobs, as well as contributing to the economy. However, in the long term this option is not sustainable and profitable in its present form. This calls for robust policy intervention to formalise it to SMME status.
Are Temporary Foreign Workers Filling only Labor Shortages? The Case of Canada
Authors: Gross Dominique M.
Published: March 2017

A temporary foreign worker (TFW) program is meant to fill short-term labor shortages and, constraints are imposed on employers for resident workers not to be affected in getting jobs. Often, employers consider that such a program imposes time-consuming administrative barriers and they pressure the government to obtain easier and faster access to TFWs. The Canadian policy was modified in two Western provinces from a required high time-consuming labor market test for all occupations to prove labor shortages to an immediate hiring of TFWs for occupations in a given list. Using DDD, it is tested whether priority to local workers was ensured under the new program. The analysis shows that much faster access to TFWs accelerated rises in unemployment in some high- and low-skill occupations and, impacts were quite different across the two provinces and industries. Thus, some domestic workers have been negatively affected. The main cause was a lack of clear information about local occupational labor shortages and political supports to employers for cheaper labor.
English partitives in Functional Discourse Grammar: types and constraints
Authors: Keizer Evelien
Published: March 2017

The aim of this paper is to provide a unified analysis of partitive constructions like one/some of the boxes which, unlike previous accounts, succeeds in accounting for (i) both their internal structure and the constraints on the embedded NP, and (ii) the relation between their internal structure and any such constraints. First, it is argued that four types of partitive can be distinguished, on the basis of two parameters: (1) the kind of entity denoted by the matrix NP (±set) and (2) the relation between the heads of the matrix and embedded NP (±co-denotational). Using authentic data, the paper subsequently shows that any constraints on the embedded NP apply to only two of these subtypes; it is further argued that these constraints follow directly from the specific properties of these partitives. This, in turn, is taken as evidence that partitives of this kind can be regarded simply as a subtype of the larger group of NPs with the structure N+PP. Finally, it is argued that Functional Discourse Grammar with its different levels and layers of analysis, allows us to capture all the relevant pragmatic, semantic and morphosyntactic properties of the different types of partitives in a systematic and insightful manner.
3D printing of beta-amyloid protein deposits along capillary walls
Authors: Blue China , Horowitz Seth S. , Snyder Peter J.
Published: March 2017

Abnormally high levels of neocortical beta-amyloid protein (A+) reflect Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology in persons with clinical evidence of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The abnormal aggregation of beta-amyloid protein in the brain neuropil may lead to either diffuse plaques and/or concentrated neuritic plaques, with the latter form of deposits often present in the vicinity of the cerebral microvasculature. The A protein, with its crystalline molecular structure, infiltrates the vessel walls and compromises the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The physical basis for this was elegantly shown by Meyer and colleagues, in a 2008 publication showing two-dimensional (2D) confocal laser scanning microscopic imaging of vascular A protein deposits in APP23 transgenic mice. These investigators showed accumulations of “tuft-life structures”, also referred to as “pompons” with protruding spikes on – and embedded within – microvessels. These pompons of beta-amyloid protein “consist of fibrillar structures, [and] can encircle and constrict capillaries, and are often associated with distortion of capillaries”.We were struck by both the heuristic value of the imaging of Meyer and colleagues, in explaining the root cause of both the amyloid-related alterations in the vascular bed, and depicting minute protein deposits that are both geometrically complex, seemingly delicate and fragile, and yet tenacious in their embedding within small vessel walls. We re-created these images with standard 3D printing technology (extruded plastic) for both educational/teaching and artistic purposes.
The Values of Multicultural Education in Munanese Traditional Culture
Authors: Basri La Ode Ali , Aso La , Momo Abdul Halim , Mudana I Wayan , Taena La , Salniwati Salniwati , Janu La , Aswati Aswati
Published: March 2017

This study aims to reveal elements of multicultural education in traditional culture of Muna, one of ethnic groups in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, by employing a descriptive qualitative research method. Main informants of the study included maestros of tradition preservation, traditional prominent figures, main figures of the society, and youth figures. Data were collected by conducting participatory observations, in-depth interviews, and focused group discussions. The data were then analyzed by performing data reduction, data presentation, and conclusions drawing. Findings of the study showed that Munanese traditional culture contains values of multicultural education such as appreciation of others’ services and creations, harmoniously living with others, awareness of a fundamental nature of human as a creature subject to weaknesses, advocating the need to exhibit noble characters, recognition and respect of others’ right, high work ethic, and gender neutrality. These values of multicultural education are embedded in taboo tradition, traditional sayings, folklores, and traditional riddles.
A Legitimate End to Illegitimate Beginning: A Critical Analysis of Mariam’s Character in A Thousand Splendid Suns
Authors: Akhtar Samina , Rauf Muhammad , Ikram Saima , Raees Gulrukh
Published: March 2017

This paper is an attempt to portray the plight of Mariam that she undergoes due to her illegitimate social status. The study focuses on the critical societal attitude towards the illegitimate unfortunate women. Mariam begins her life with a “harami” status; continues her struggle for personal identity, suffer and endures as a battered woman and leave this world as a woman of consequences by digging herself out of the lower social status that society attached to her. The study analyzes Mariam’s endurance, struggles and resistance in her strenuous journey to attain legitimate ending. The researcher used feminist literary criticism to interpret the text as a research methodology and adopted close textual analysis of the text by Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Hiperuricemia assintomática - tratar ou não tratar? - Uma revisão baseada na evidência
Authors: Fernandes Helena Maria Ribeiro , Peixoto Ana Catarina Andrade , Maia Bruno Santos , Melo Filipe Ribeiro , Miranda Pedro Nuno Rego
Published: March 2017

Introdução: A avaliação dos níveis séricos de ácido úrico é realizada com frequência nos Cuidados de Saúde Primários, porém sem evidência científica que a justifique. A abordagem terapêutica subsequente constitui frequentemente um desafio clínico, particularmente no caso da hiperuricemia assintomática (HA). O objetivo desta revisão foi rever a evidência sobre a pertinência do tratamento da HA. Métodos: Pesquisa de normas de orientação clínica (NOC), revisões sistemáticas (RS), meta-análises (MA) e estudos originais (EO) no Medline e outros sítios de Medicina Baseada na Evidência, publicados desde abril de 2012 até abril de 2016, em inglês, espanhol e português. Termos MeSH: “hyperuricemia” e ”asymptomatic conditions”. Resultados: Cinco estudos cumpriam os critérios de inclusão: uma MA, três RS e um EO. A MA e o EO recomendam o tratamento da HA, para a prevenção da disfunção renal e para prevenção de eventos cardiovasculares (CV), respetivamente. Duas RS não recomendam o tratamento da HA e uma recomenda uma decisão individualizada para valores de uricemia acima de 9mg/dL, particularmente para a prevenção da gota. Conclusões: A evidência científica disponível é escassa, com limitações, e controversa no que diz respeito à instituição de tratamento farmacológico. O significado clínico da HA e sua relação causal com ocorrência de crises agudas de gota, disfunção renal e doença cardiovascular ainda são incertos. Não existe evidência científica que justifique o tratamento farmacológico da HA em doentes assintomáticos (SOR B). São, por isso, necessários mais estudos, metodologicamente robustos e orientados para o paciente.