bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient complaints in healthcare services in Vietnam’s health system
Authors: Thi Thu Ha Bui , Mirzoev Tolib , Morgan Rosemary
Published: October 2015

Background:

There is growing recognition of patient rights in health sectors around the world. Patients’ right to complain in hospitals, often visible in legislative and regulatory protocols, can be an important information source for service quality improvement and achievement of better health outcomes. However, empirical evidence on complaint processes is scarce, particularly in the developing countries. To contribute in addressing this gap, we investigated patients’ complaint handling processes and the main influences on their implementation in public hospitals in Vietnam.

Methods:

The study was conducted in two provinces of Vietnam. We focused specifically on the implementation of the Law on Complaints and Denunciations and the Ministry of Health regulation on resolving complaints in the health sector. The data were collected using document review and in-depth interviews with key respondents. Framework approach was used for data analysis, guided by a conceptual framework and aided by qualitative data analysis software.

Results:

Five steps of complaint handling were implemented, which varied in practice between the provinces. Four groups of factors influenced the procedures: (1) insufficient investment in complaint handling procedures; (2) limited monitoring of complaint processes; (3) patients’ low awareness of, and perceived lack of power to change, complaint procedures and (4) autonomization pressures on local health facilities. While the existence of complaint handling processes is evident in the health system in Vietnam, their utilization was often limited. Different factors which constrained the implementation and use of complaint regulations included health system–related issues as well as social and cultural influences.

Conclusion:

The study aimed to contribute to improved understanding of complaint handling processes and the key factors influencing these processes in public hospitals in Vietnam. Specific policy implications for improving these processes were proposed, which include improving accountability of service providers and better utilization of information on complaints.
Endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration in the staging of lung cancer patients
Authors: Dziedzic Dariusz , Peryt Adam , Szolkowska Malgorzata , Langfort Renata , Orlowski Tadeusz
Published: October 2015

Objective:

Mediastinoscopy as diagnostic procedure for evaluation of mediastinum in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer has long been considered the reference standard. However, less invasive method has occurred. Endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration came into widespread use and has resulted in controversy as to whether it is a good replacement for mediastinoscopy. We chose to demonstrate the usefulness of endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration in evaluating the mediastinum in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

Material and methods:

Over a 48-month period, 1841 patients underwent endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration at our healthcare centre. In all patients, 2964 biopsies from the lymph node group N2 and 783 from group N1 were taken. The mean short axis of the lymph nodes biopsied was 2.0 (range: 0.6–2.6). The mean number of lymph node stations biopsied per patient was 2.6. Patients with a negative result of endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration underwent mediastinoscopy. All patients with a negative result in endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration and mediastinoscopy underwent surgical resection with lymph node sampling.

Results:

The metastases to lymph nodes N2/N3 and N1 were found in 1111 (60.3%) and 199 (9.3%), respectively. Mediastinoscopy was performed in 730 patients with a positive result in 83 (11.4%) patients. In the group of operated patients, metastatic N1 disease was found in 264 (14.1%). In the group of the operated patients, mediastinal involvement of disease (N2) was found in 30 patients (4.5%). The sensitivity, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy for hilar lymph node staging for endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration were 57%, 96% and 96%, respectively. The sensitivity, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy per patient for mediastinal lymph node staging for endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration and mediastinoscopy were 91%, 85%, 93% and 73%, 95.5%, 97%, respectively. The specificity and positive predictive value of both tests were 100%.

Conclusion:

The clinical usefulness of endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration is undeniable according to diagnostic performance data. Endobronchial ultrasound–guided transbronchial needle aspiration should be considered complementary to mediastinoscopy in the evaluation of patients with radiographically abnormal mediastinum.
The (Big) Data-security assemblage: Knowledge and critique
Authors: Aradau Claudia , Blanke Tobias
Published: October 2015

The Snowden revelations and the emergence of ‘Big Data’ have rekindled questions about how security practices are deployed in a digital age and with what political effects. While critical scholars have drawn attention to the social, political and legal challenges to these practices, the debates in computer and information science have received less analytical attention. This paper proposes to take seriously the critical knowledge developed in information and computer science and reinterpret their debates to develop a critical intervention into the public controversies concerning data-driven security and digital surveillance. The paper offers a two-pronged contribution: on the one hand, we challenge the credibility of security professionals’ discourses in light of the knowledge that they supposedly mobilize; on the other, we argue for a series of conceptual moves around data, human–computer relations, and algorithms to address some of the limitations of existing engagements with the Big Data-security assemblage.
Is Motor Simulation Involved During Foreign Language Learning? A Virtual Reality Experiment
Authors: Repetto Claudia , Colombo Barbara , Riva Giuseppe
Published: October 2015

This article presents a study performed to investigate the role of simulation in second language learning while using a virtual environment. Participants were asked to explore a virtual park while learning 15 new Czech verbs (action verbs that describe movements performed with either the hand or the foot, and abstract verbs). This learning condition was compared with a baseline condition, where movements (either virtual or real) were not allowed. The goal was to investigate whether the virtual action (performed with the feet) would promote or interfere with the learning of verbs describing actions that were performed with the same or a different effector. The number of verbs correctly remembered in a free recall task was computed, along with reaction times and number of errors during a recognition task. Results show that the simulation per se has no effect in verbal learning, but the features of the virtual experience mediate it.
Ocular Straylight
Authors: Mueller-Schotte Sigrid , van der Schouw Yvonne T. , Schuurmans Marieke J.
Published: October 2015

Intra-ocular straylight can cause decreased visual functioning, and it may cause diminished vision-related quality of life (VRQOL). This cross-sectional population-based study investigates the association between straylight and VRQOL in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to assess the association between straylight modeled continuously and cutoff at the recommended fitness-to-drive value, straylight ≥ 1.4 log(s), and VRQOL. The study showed that participants with normal straylight values, straylight ≤ 1.4 log(s), rated their VRQOL slightly better than those with high straylight values (straylight ≥ 1.4 log(s)). Furthermore, multivariable regression analysis revealed a borderline statistical significant association ( p = .06) between intra-ocular straylight and self-reported VRQOL in middle-aged and elderly individuals. The association between straylight and self-reported VRQOL was not influenced by the status of the intra-ocular lens (natural vs. artificial intra-ocular lens after cataract extraction) or the number of (instrumental) activities of daily living that were reported as difficult for the elderly individuals.
Comparison Among Commonly Available Infant Formula Milks in the Iraqi Market
Authors: Mikhael Ehab Mudher
Published: October 2015

Breast-feeding is the best method of feeding infants. In some cases, formula milk can be a suitable alternative, so this study aimed to compare the safety and nutritional adequacy of commonly available formula milks in the Iraqi market. An observational study for the commonly available formula milks was conducted in the largest supermarkets of Baghdad, Iraq, during January-March 2015. The macronutrient and micronutrient contents as presented in the label of each type of formula milk was compared with the standard requirement of formula milk according to the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) guidelines. Dielac formula milk is the commonest formula milk in the Iraqi market, with the lowest price when compared with other formula milks. All infant formula milks (Similac, Guigoz, and S-26 Gold) except Dielac have the mandatory contents within the specified ranges, according to the ESPGHAN guidelines. Dielac lacks more than 1 of the major mandatory contents besides lacking all optional contents in its formula. Guigoz formula milk lacks the optional ingredients arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and nucleotides. Similac milk was supplemented with a higher-than-specified level of nucleotides, and its l-carnitine contents were not declared. Only S26 Gold formula milk contained all mandatory and optional ingredients within the specified range, according to the ESPGHAN guidelines. In conclusion, no formula milk can resemble breast milk; however, S26 Gold formula milk is the most acceptable formula, and Dielac formula milk is the worst. Therefore, it is recommended that Dielac be withdrawn from the Iraqi market.
Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kale-Pradhan Pramodini B. , Mariani Nicholas P. , Wilhelm Sheila M. , Johnson Leonard B.
Published: October 2015

Background: Vancomycin is used to treat serious infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It is unclear whether MRSA isolates with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 1.5 to 2 µg/mL are successfully treated with vancomycin. Objective: Evaluate vancomycin failure rates in MRSA bacteremia with an MIC <1.5 versus ≥1.5 µg/mL, and MIC ≤1 versus ≥2 µg/mL. Methods: A literature search was conducted using MESH terms vancomycin, MRSA, bacteremia, MIC, treatment and vancomycin failure to identify human studies published in English. All studies of patients with MRSA bacteremia treated with vancomycin were included if they evaluated vancomycin failures, defined as mortality, and reported associated MICs determined by E-test. Study sample size, vancomycin failure rates, and corresponding MIC values were extracted and analyzed using RevMan 5.2.5. Results: Thirteen studies including 2955 patients met all criteria. Twelve studies including 2861 patients evaluated outcomes using an MIC cutoff of 1.5 µg/mL. A total of 413 of 1186 (34.8%) patients with an MIC <1.5 and 531 of 1675 (31.7%) patients with an MIC of ≥1.5 µg/mL experienced treatment failure (odds ratio = 0.72, 95% confidence interval = 0.49-1.04, P = .08). Six studies evaluated 728 patients using the cutoffs of ≤1 and ≥2 µg/mL. A total of 384 patients had isolates with MIC ≤1 µg/mL, 344 had an MIC ≥2 µg/mL. Therapeutic failure occurred in 87 and 102 patients, respectively (odds ratio = 0.61, 95% confidence interval = 0.34-1.10, P = .10). As heterogeneity between the studies was high, a random-effects model was used. Conclusion: Vancomycin MIC may not be an optimal sole indicator of vancomycin treatment failure in MRSA bacteremia.
Inter- vs intra-individual variation and temporal repeatability of escape responses in the coral reef fishAmblyglyphidodon curacao
Authors: Jornod Maïwenn , Roche Dominique G.
Published: October 2015

Fast-start escape responses are critical behaviours used by fishes during predator-prey encounters and some interactions with hetero- and conspecifics. In experimental studies, escape responses are often measured once per individual and considered representative of maximum performance. However, few studies have compared variability and repeatability in escape performances within and among individuals. Using the tropical damselfish Amblyglyphidodon curacao, we quantified inter- and intra-individual variation in behavioural and kinematic components of escape performance during repeated presentations of a stimulus at 15 min intervals. Individual maximum escape performance was repeatable through time, but there was considerable variation in the magnitude of responses both among and within fish. We found no evidence of habituation or fatigue due to repeated stimulations, suggesting that fish can be stimulated multiple times to ensure that an accurate estimate of maximum escape performance is obtained.
Cellular population dynamics control the robustness of the stem cell niche
Authors: MacLean Adam L. , Kirk Paul D. W. , Stumpf Michael P. H.
Published: October 2015

Within populations of cells, fate decisions are controlled by an indeterminate combination of cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic factors. In the case of stem cells, the stem cell niche is believed to maintain ‘stemness’ through communication and interactions between the stem cells and one or more other cell-types that contribute to the niche conditions. To investigate the robustness of cell fate decisions in the stem cell hierarchy and the role that the niche plays, we introduce simple mathematical models of stem and progenitor cells, their progeny and their interplay in the niche. These models capture the fundamental processes of proliferation and differentiation and allow us to consider alternative possibilities regarding how niche-mediated signalling feedback regulates the niche dynamics. Generalised stability analysis of these stem cell niche systems enables us to describe the stability properties of each model. We find that although the number of feasible states depends on the model, their probabilities of stability in general do not: stem cell–niche models are stable across a wide range of parameters. We demonstrate that niche-mediated feedback increases the number of stable steady states, and show how distinct cell states have distinct branching characteristics. The ecological feedback and interactions mediated by the stem cell niche thus lend (surprisingly) high levels of robustness to the stem and progenitor cell population dynamics. Furthermore, cell–cell interactions are sufficient for populations of stem cells and their progeny to achieve stability and maintain homeostasis. We show that the robustness of the niche – and hence of the stem cell pool in the niche – depends only weakly, if at all, on the complexity of the niche make-up: simple as well as complicated niche systems are capable of supporting robust and stable stem cell dynamics.
Sexual dimorphism in an animal model of Sjögren's syndrome: a potential role for Th17 cells
Authors: Voigt Alexandria , Esfandiary Lida , Nguyen Cuong Q.
Published: October 2015

Sjögren's syndrome is a complex autoimmune disease with an array of diverse immunological, genetic and environmental etiologies, making identification of the precise autoimmune mechanism difficult to define. One of the most distinctive aspects of Sjögren's syndrome is the high sexual dimorphism with women affected 10-20 times more than men. It is nearly impossible to study the sexual dimorphic development of Sjögren's syndrome in human patients; therefore it is pertinent to develop an appropriate animal model which resembles human disease. The data indicated that female C57BL/6.NOD-Aec1Aec2 mice developed an earlier onset of sialadenitis with a higher composition of CD3+ T cells and a 10-fold increase in glandular infiltration of Th17 cells at the onset of clinical disease compared to male mice. Inflammatory Th17 cells of female mice exhibited a stronger proliferation in response to disease-specific antigen than their male counterpart. At the clinical disease stage, altered autoantibody patterns can be detected in females whereas they are seldom observed in male C57BL/6.NOD-Aec1Aec2 mice. Interestingly, male C57BL/6.NOD-Aec1Aec2 mice developed an earlier loss of secretory function, despite the fact that female C57BL/6.NOD-Aec1Aec2 mice exhibited a more rapid secretory loss. This data indicates the strong sexual dimorphism in the SjS-susceptible C57BL/6.NOD-Aec1Aec2 animal model, making it an appropriate animal model to examine human disease.
E-cadherin cytoplasmic domain inhibits cell surface localization of endogenous cadherins and fusion of C2C12 myoblasts
Authors: Ozawa Masayuki
Published: October 2015

Myoblast fusion is a highly regulated process that is essential for skeletal muscle formation during muscle development and regeneration in mammals. Much remains to be elucidated about the molecular mechanism of myoblast fusion although cadherins, which are Ca2+-dependent cell–cell adhesion molecules, are thought to play a critical role in this process. Mouse myoblasts lacking either N-cadherin or M-cadherin can still fuse to form myotubes, indicating that they have no specific function in this process and may be functionally replaced by either M-cadherin or N-cadherin, respectively. In this study, we show that expressing the E-cadherin cytoplasmic domain ectopically in C2C12 myoblasts inhibits cell surface localization of endogenous M-cadherin and N-cadherin, as well as cell–cell fusion. This domain, however, does not inhibit myoblast differentiation according to microarray-based gene expression analysis. In contrast, expressing a dominant-negative β-catenin mutant ectopically, which suppresses Wnt/β-catenin signaling, did not inhibit cell–cell fusion. Therefore, the E-cadherin cytoplasmic domain inhibits cell–cell fusion by inhibiting cell surface localization of endogenous cadherins and not by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
Systems-Wide High-Dimensional Data Acquisition and Informatics Using Structural Mass Spectrometry Strategies
Authors: Sherrod Stacy D , McLean John A
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Untargeted multiomics data sets are obtained for samples in systems, synthetic, and chemical biology by integrating chromatographic separations with ion mobility–mass spectrometry (IM-MS) analysis. The data sets are interrogated using bioinformatics strategies to organize the data for identification prioritization.

CONTENT

The use of big data approaches for data mining of massive data sets in systems-wide analyses is presented. Untargeted biological data across multiomics dimensions are obtained using a variety of chromatography strategies with structural MS. Separation timescales for different techniques and the resulting data deluge when combined with IM-MS are presented. Data mining self-organizing map strategies are used to rapidly filter the data, highlighting those features describing uniqueness to the query. Examples are provided in longitudinal analyses in synthetic biology and human liver exposure to acetaminophen, and in chemical biology for natural product discovery from bacterial biomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Matching the separation timescales of different forms of chromatography with IM-MS provides sufficient multiomics selectivity to perform untargeted systems-wide analyses. New data mining strategies provide a means for rapidly interrogating these data sets for feature prioritization and discovery in a range of applications in systems, synthetic, and chemical biology.
Measurement by a Novel LC-MS/MS Methodology Reveals Similar Serum Concentrations of Vitamin D–Binding Protein in Blacks and Whites
Authors: Henderson Clark M , Lutsey Pamela L , Misialek Jeffrey R , Laha Thomas J , Selvin Elizabeth , Eckfeldt John H , Hoofnagle Andrew N
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with poor bone health and other adverse health outcomes; however, the associations are greatly attenuated in black vs white individuals. One possible explanation for this attenuation is different concentrations of bioavailable vitamin D metabolites in plasma, which are estimated with equations that include the total concentration of vitamin D binding globulin (VDBG) and haplotype-specific dissociation constants.

METHODS

We developed a method to quantify VDBG with LC-MS/MS that could also identify the haplotypes/isoforms of VDBG present. We validated the method according to recent recommendations for publications of biomarker studies. We determined serum VDBG concentrations in samples from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities cohort and compared the results with a widely used monoclonal immunoassay.

RESULTS

With 10 μL of serum or plasma, the lower limit of quantification for the assay (<20% CV) was 71 μg/mL. The assay was linear from 62 to 434 μg/mL, with total imprecision of 7.3–9.0% CV at approximately 250 μg/mL. Significant hemolysis interfered with quantification. The identification of isoforms was 97% concordant with genotyping (κ coefficient). Method comparison with immunoassay revealed significant isoform-specific effects in the immunoassay. Mean concentrations (SD) of VDBG by mass spectrometry were similar in whites and blacks [262 (25) vs 266 (35) μg/mL, respectively; P = 0.43].

CONCLUSIONS

Validated mass spectrometric methods for the quantification of proteins in human samples can provide additional information beyond immunoassay. Counter to prior observations by immunoassay, VDBG concentrations did not vary by race.
Translations in practice: The multiple roles of the researcher in arts-based knowledge exchange
Authors: Crawshaw Julie , Rowe Frances , Hudson Martyn
Published: October 2015

This article is the product of a one-year AHRC experimental pilot project to understand Knowledge Exchange (KE) relationships around the arts in rural Northumberland. There were three strands to the work; Art, Music and Rural Economy with a Research Associate leading on each strand. There were multiple fields in this project; the actual fields of Northumberland and the landscapes in which art and music were practised, the disciplinary fields of the researchers, and the invisible, intangible fields of KE practice. This article reflects on our ‘field’ work – those interactions in fields of landscape, fields of discipline, and fields of social relations, which provided the context for our interventions. Specifically, this article reflects an experimental and experiential relationship with our ‘fields’ most potently around the process of entering and leaving those fields and the multiple interaction between ourselves as researchers and our material and cultural landscape. The article concludes with some of the implications of our ‘field’ practices for future experimental research and the co-production and elaboration of new fields of intervention.
Addressing engagement issues for interactive music technologies through a participatory design approach with ‘SoundField’
Authors: Deweppe Alexander , Diniz Nuno , Coussement Pieter , Leman Marc
Published: October 2015

This article presents a project that applies a collaborative design and an integrated evaluation approach to the bottom-up development of an immersive installation. In the inception of the set-up, user-related concerns for artistic technology-based applications were addressed in order to identify creative opportunities for the implemented multimodal technologies. For this purpose, an interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers from the arts, computer science and systematic musicology was established. Throughout a six-month project, a participatory and iterative design methodology was applied to the development of an augmented reality-based artistic installation. The project aimed at testing the flexibility of the technological platform, the artistic opportunities latent in the immersive installation domain, how users’ cultural aspirations could be accommodated within the installation, how subjects with a standard media literacy were to engage with the technology at hand, and whether the quality of the experience could be improved by meeting the stated aesthetic requirements. The employed design strategy resulted in a user-inspired and use case-driven development process, in which gesturally controlled audio-visual features were tested, evaluated and improved for the entire duration of the project. Results include the delivery of 22 operational use cases in six different artistic application domains and the assessment of the applied methodology by means of the user-centred evaluation. In summary, SoundField’s strategy of in-situ stakeholder involvement within the creative process allowed for following three: (1) successful implementations in a variety of cultural practices to be distilled, (2) limitations of the platform’s interactive nature to be identified and (3) the rendition of guidelines for establishing user acceptance towards multimediated embodied interactive technologies.
Improving Early Age Strength of Very High Moisture Content Fine Grained Soil via Specialty Ground Portland Cement
Authors: Howard Isaac L. , Carruth William D. , Tim Cost V.
Published: October 2015

This paper explores the possibility of stabilizing very high moisture content fine grained soils (VHMS) for disaster recovery purposes using “on demand” portland cement. This effort investigates feasible modifications to portland cement properties that could occur within hours at full scale facilities and improve early strength (7 days or less) properties of cemented VHMS. Two portland cement plants produced four specialty grind, or “on demand,” cements for purposes of this research that were tested as part of a program with 1195 unconfined compression tests. The “on demand” cements had varying Blaine fineness and sulfur trioxide (SO3) contents, since these are feasible modifications that can occur rapidly. Discussion is provided herein regarding current marketplace cement properties and feasible modifications to those properties for disaster recovery purposes. The overall conclusion of this effort was that modest shear strength improvements could be gained through “on demand” cements that may or may not be sufficient to warrant their use relative to current marketplace cements for any given set of conditions. “On demand” cements with ASTM C150/C150M-15 Type III fineness levels and reduced SO3 showed decreasing benefit with increasing soil liquid limit, whereas above typical fineness and reduced SO3 followed the opposite trend.
Superabsorbent Polymers as a Means of Improving Frost Resistance of Concrete
Authors: Hasholt Marianne T. , Jensen Ole M. , Laustsen Sara
Published: October 2015

Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) was introduced in cementitious materials about 15 years ago. Since then, several studies on the frost resistance of concrete with SAP have been published. However, an up-to-date review across the different studies is missing. This paper presented a literature review on how SAP influences concrete frost resistance. Moreover, it also presented a larger experimental study on the topic. The conclusions that were drawn from the experimental study were in line with the extract of the pool of results from the literature, first of all that SAP addition can improve frost resistance of concrete. The improvement was attributed to voids created by SAP. As was clearly demonstrated in the paper, it was crucial to document the void structure of the hardened concrete. Other factors than SAP could lead to void formation. For example, residue of surfactant on SAP particles, originating from the production of suspension polymerized SAP, can have an air entraining effect in concrete. Therefore, assuming that SAP generated voids are the only voids may lead to erroneous conclusions. When SAP is used, it is, in principle, possible to produce concrete with a pre-defined void structure as regards total void volume and void size. However, the optimum SAP void structure in relation to frost resistance is not known, and as long as the target is not clear, it is hard to use the design option of controlled void structure in a constructive way.
A Comprehensive Study on Crack Tip Parameters of Modified Ring Specimen for Mixed-Mode Fracture Toughness Tests on Brittle Materials
Authors: Pakzad R. , Ayatollahi M. R.
Published: October 2015

Modified ring (MR) specimen was suggested for investigating the mixed-mode (I/II) fracture behavior of brittle materials by rotating the crack orientation with respect to the loading direction. Crack tip fracture parameters (KI, KII, and T stress) of MR were calculated for different geometric dimensions. To verify the numerical modeling procedure, two sets of comparisons were drawn between the results of prior studies on MR Mode I fracture behavior and those of this study, showing good agreement between the results. Through some graphs, the effects of geometric parameters on YI, YII, and T* (dimensionless crack tip parameters) and also on βII (pure Mode II crack angle) were studied. In addition, the biaxiality ratio (B), as an influential factor in the generalized maximum tangential stress (GMTS) criterion, was calculated for the whole range of mode mixity in the MR specimens. Next, fracture behavior of the specimen was discussed by means of the GMTS criterion in terms of the results obtained for the biaxiality ratio (B). At the end, as an appendix, the entire results obtained for YI, YII, T*, and βII were presented.
A New Extension of the ELECTRE Method Based Upon Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets for Green Logistic Service Providers Evaluation
Authors: Celik Erkan , Gumus Alev Taskin , Erdogan Melike
Published: October 2015

Increase in environmental pollution makes companies give more importance to this issue, and as such, there is a need to take into account the necessary precautions. In particular, logistics service providers who are interwoven with the environment should apply some policies to increase environmental awareness. In this paper, we extended the ELECTRE method and proposed a new methodology for handling fuzzy multi criteria decision making problems based upon interval type-2 fuzzy sets. Interval type-2 fuzzy sets provided more df to reflect the uncertainty and the fuzziness of the real applications. An empirical study was presented in order to evaluate the green logistics service providers. A sensitivity analysis was applied to discuss and evaluate the greenness of the logistic service providers.
Interface Behavior Between Carbon-Fiber Polymer and Sand
Authors: Toufigh Vahab , Ouria Ahad , Desai Chandrakant S. , Javid Navid , Toufigh Vahid , Saadatmanesh Hamid
Published: October 2015

Interface shear strength between soil and structural materials is dependent on the confining pressure. To increase the confining pressure, different methods of reinforcement and materials, such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) can be used. The shear strength of CFRP-improved soil is dependent on the interface properties of the soil and CFRP. The objective of this study is to investigate the interface properties (friction angle and adhesion) of sand and FRP experimentally using the direct shear test apparatus. To increase the surface roughness to improve the interface properties, a layer of sand was placed on saturated carbon fiber during the curing period [spark plasma sintering CFRP (SPSCFRP)] and normal stress was applied on the sand. More than 60 interface shear tests were conducted with different curing times, shear rates, and normal stresses on SPSCFRP during curing time. Tests showed that as normal stress on SPSCFRP during curing time increased, the friction angle increased; however, increasing the curing times and the rate of shearing had a small influence on interface properties.
The Hybrid Artificial Intelligence Model for Analyzing the Default Risk of Non-Profit Financial Intermediation
Authors: Kang Chien-Min , Lin Sin-Jin , Lin Lin
Published: October 2015

This study proposed a novel hybrid artificial intelligence (HAI) model that integrated the unique advantages of the synthetic minority over-sampling technique with borderline schema (Borderline-SMOTE), fuzzy rough set theory (FRST), and support vector machine (SVM), in order to predict the default probability of non-profit financial institutes (credit unions) under an imbalanced data structure. We utilized Borderline-SMOTE to overcome the class imbalance problem and employ FRST to select the important features of credit unions, feeding these representative characteristics into SVM to construct the risk assessment model. The result showed that no specific risk assessment model presented the best performance under different criteria and dissimilar environment factors. Thus, we handled model selection through a statistical examination that systematically determined a more appropriate one. The study further tackled the obscure nature of the SVM-based hybrid model and generated interpretable rules, which helped develop an interactive rule format so that decision makers can use condition attributes to predict the status of credit unions, as well as to follow the model's directions to improve their organization's capital structure. Finally, the study compared the ex-ante and ex-post decision rules established in relation to the 2007–2008 global financial crisis. The comparison could be useful for central bank governors in assessing policy implications and in formulating future policy that will ensure stability in a credit union environment.
Analysis for the Relationship Between Concentrations of Air Pollutants and Meteorological Parameters in Xi'an, China
Authors: Gao Chanjuan , Deng Shunxi , Jiang Xue , Guo Yansheng
Published: October 2015

The current study was based on annual ambient air quality monitoring data and corresponding meteorological observation data of Xi'an in 2011. Distribution models on hourly concentrations of PM10, SO2, and NO2 were studied, and the results showed that statistical distribution functions varied from seasons and from pollutants. The optimal distribution models of PM10 concentrations in the four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) were generalized extreme value distribution (GEVD), Weibull, Weibull, and GEVD, respectively; those of SO2 were lognormal, log-logistic, log-logistic, and GEVD, respectively; and those of NO2 were Weibull, lognormal, GEVD, and GEVD, respectively. The concentrations ranges were 0.03 ∼ 0.20 mg/m3 for PM10, 0.008 ∼ 0.17 mg/m3 for SO2, and 0.01 ∼ 0.12 mg/m3 for NO2, and the probabilities of concentrations in the ranges for accordingly pollutants were up to 85 %. Effects of the meteorological parameters on concentrations of PM10, SO2, and NO2 were studied with linear correlation analysis method for Xi'an city. The results indicated that pollutant concentrations had a negative correlation with wind speed, temperature, and mixing height (MH), whereas it had a positive correlation with atmospheric pressure and atmospheric stability. Both temperature and atmospheric pressure were the most obvious correlation with SO2 concentration with r value of −0.7916 and 0.7032, respectively. Wind speed and MH had the most obvious correlation with NO2 concentration with r value of −0.4423 and −0.3997, respectively. SO2 had the best correlation with meteorological parameters. Analyzing the statistical characteristics of urban air pollution concentration and their relationships with meteorological parameters are of great importance to study urban air pollution problems and corresponding prevention measure.
Operation of PV System With dc–dc Boost-Fed Shunt Active Filter to Mitigate Current Harmonics and Energy Conservation
Authors: Ravi V. , Vijayakumar G. , Karthikeyan C.
Published: October 2015

A three-phase four-wire shunt active filter (SAF) with photovoltaic (PV) array operated dc–dc converter is proposed in this paper. When the PV system generates excessive or equal power required to the load demand, then the coordinating logic disconnects the service grid from the load and reduces panel tariff. The PV array is connected to the dc side of SAF through the dc–dc converter with fuzzy-based perturb and observe (P&O) maximum power-point tracking (MPPT) algorithm to eliminate the drawback in the conventional PV system. The reference currents extracted by the fuzzy logic controller-based p-q control strategy. This proposed PV-SAF, if connected at the terminals of a small industry or a home, or a small, lighted institution, can avoid the use of an interruptible power supply and individual stabilizer. A MATLAB simulink is presented to validate the advantage of the proposed system.
Selection of the Most Significant Variables of Air Pollutants Using Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Azid Azman , Juahir Hafizan , Toriman Mohd Ekhwan , Endut Azizah , Abdul Rahman Mohd Nordin , Amri Kamarudin Mohd Khairul , Latif Mohd Talib , Mohd Saudi Ahmad Shakir , Che Hasnam Che Noraini , Yunus Kamaruzzaman
Published: October 2015

This study was conducted to determine the most significant parameters for the air-pollutant index (API) prediction in Malaysia using data covering a 7-year period (2006–2012) obtained from the Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE). The sensitivity analysis method coupled with the artificial neural network (ANN) was applied. Nine models (ANN-API-AP, ANN-API-LCO, ANN-API-LO3, ANN-API-LPM10, ANN-API-LSO2, ANN-API-LNO2, ANN-API-LCH4, ANN-API-LNmHC and ANN-API-LTHC) were carried out in the sensitivity analysis test. From the findings, PM10 and CO were identified as the most significant parameters in Malaysia. Three artificial neural network models (ANN-API-AP, ANN-API-LO, and ANN-API-DOE) were compared based on the performance criterion [R2, root-mean-square error (RMSE), and squared sum of all errors (SSE)] for the best prediction model selection. The ANN-API-AP, ANN-API-LO, and ANN-API-DOE models have R2 values of 0.733, 0.578, and 0.742, respectively; RMSE values of 8.689, 10.858, and 8.357, respectively; SSE values of 762,767.22, 1,191,280.60, and 705,600.05, respectively. The findings exhibit the ANN-API-LO model has a lower value in R2 and higher values in RMSE and SSE than others. ANN-API-LO model was considered as the best model of prediction because of fewer variables was utilized as input and far less complex than others. Hence, the use of fewer parameters of the API prediction has been highly practicable for air resource management because of its time and cost efficiency.
Concrete Stress Intensity Factor Evaluation With a Digital Image Correlation Approach
Authors: Dai Shuhong , Dai Liming , Pan Yishan , Liu Xiaoli
Published: October 2015

A method for determining mode I and mixed-mode I-II stress intensity factors of concrete material was developed in this research on the basis of the displacement fields obtained through a digital image correlation (DIC) approach. Single-edge notched (SEN) concrete beams subjected to three points bending and four points shearing exertions were implemented for conducting the experiments to evaluate the mode I and mixed-mode I-II fracture propagations. The dynamically varying displacement fields around the crack tip are determined by the DIC approach corresponding to the crack propagation. The instant positions of the crack tip and the corresponding stress intensity factors were determined with utilization of the displacement fields around the crack tip. The results of the research showed that the mode I and mixed-mode I-II stress intensity factors and crack tip positions of concrete materials can be accurately and effectively determined with the method developed. More significantly, the displacement field and the fracture parameters of the concert material can all be quantitatively determined for any instance corresponding to the processes of the crack propagations.
Robust Test of the Flatbed Scanner for Air-Void Characterization in Hardened Concrete
Authors: Peterson Karl W. , Anzalone Gerald C. , Nezami Sona , Oh Claire Yea Sol , Lu Haizhu
Published: October 2015

In the province of Ontario, Canada, the Ministry of Transportation administers a quality assurance testing program for all new concrete construction where air content and spacing factor are measured. Testing is performed by qualified operators in accordance with ASTM C457/C457M-12. In this study, 324 routine samples that had been tested by qualified operators were obtained and analyzed for air-void parameters by an alternative automated flatbed scanner method. A strong correlation was found between the manual and automated methods. This research explored the premise that summary statistics from a small set of training samples could be used to define a set of global threshold levels to measure air-void parameters from a much larger population. Two different methods for setting the global thresholds were tested: one based on arithmetic means, and another based on modal location parameters derived from type I extreme value distributions. The frequency of false-negative errors (failure to detect a defect) was used as a criterion to assess the different threshold methods. Automated test results derived using global thresholds based on arithmetic means minimized the occurrence of false-negative events.
Examination of Short-Term Aging Temperature for Modified WMA Mixtures Based on High-Temperature Properties
Authors: Kwon Ohsun , Kim Sungun , Kim Hyungbae , Han Joong Hyun , Kim Kwang W.
Published: October 2015

When a polymer is used in warm-mix asphalt (WMA) technology, the materials should be heated to a level high enough to maintain its workability because of the high stiffness of the polymer. The styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS)-modified hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures are produced at approximately 20°C–30°C higher than normal (unmodified) mixtures. If a modified WMA mixture is produced at a lower temperature, the modified WMA mixture will be weaker than the HMA because of the excessive stiffness of the binder at warm temperature. Therefore, using an adequate production temperature [short-term aging (STA) temperature in laboratory] is important for modified WMA mixtures. This study examined STA temperatures of SBS-modified WMA mixtures based on two high-temperature properties [wheel tracking (WT), and deformation strength (SD)], and one ambient-temperature property [indirect tensile strength (ITS)], using four SBS brands. Modified WMA mixtures were prepared in three different STA temperatures (125°C, 135°C, and 145°C). Statistical analyses showed that the three properties of the mixes produced by the STA temperature of 125°C were significantly lower than those of other STA temperatures, at an α = 0.05 level. The STA temperature of 145°C was acceptable for some SBSs, but not for all. Therefore, properties of SBS-modified WMA mixtures were highly dependent upon STA temperatures that significantly affect the workability and compactability. Because modified WMA mixes showed significantly different properties because of the STA temperature, use of proper STA temperatures is very important for WMA mixes to perform properly at high temperature.
Performance Evaluation of Geogrid-Confined Beam-Column Joints With Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Under Cyclic Loading
Authors: Chidambaram R. Siva , Agarwal Pankaj
Published: October 2015

Cyclic performance of beam-column joint specimens was evaluated under conventional confinement and geogrid confinement with and without steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC). The efficacy of these specimens was compared on the basis of hysteresis behavior, load-deformation envelope curve, energy dissipation, strength and stiffness degradation, moment-rotation relationship, and failure pattern with damage index. The test results indicated that the additional geogrid confinement at the joint improved the performance significantly, and the use of SFRC further helped to increase the shear resistance capacity of the joint. The damage index of geogrid-confined specimens was reduced to at least one level lower on the same deformation range as compared to the conventional specimens.
Using the Fuzzy TODIM Method as a Decision Making Support Methodology for House Purchasing
Authors: Lin Chin-Tsai , Lee Chuan , Lin Jun-Kun
Published: October 2015

This paper provided a model for housing prices based on a seller solving the optimal time on the market problem. House-purchasing involves activities such as making rankings, comparisons, and trade-offs among various housing characteristics. In the process of selling a house, brokerages serve an important role in coordinating between the seller and buyer. This study attempted to develop a dynamic price recommendation method for housing purchases, in which the multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) technique was applied to support the housing quality and evaluation. Based on the prospect theory of the loss aversion effect, this study used the Fuzzy TODIM method to aid the real estate broker coordinating the seller and buyer. The methods not only analyzed this phenomenon but also provided an objective view of the evaluation matrix. The results empirically analyzed the pricing strategy to map price versus quality and improve brokerage intermediation effects and then provided recommendations regarding a suitable price, decisions about negotiation strategies to reach an agreement, and the settlement of an acceptable price.
Using RAP Material in High Modulus Asphalt Mixture
Authors: Ma Tao , Zhao Yongli , Huang Xiaoming , Zhang Yao
Published: October 2015

With the purpose of improving the high temperature rutting resistance of recycling asphalt mixture, the design concept of high modulus asphalt mixture (HMAM) was adopted to design recycling asphalt mixture in this study. Control HMAM was designed to prepare recycling high modulus asphalt mixtures (RHMAMs) with different contents of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). Performance tests including simple performance test (SPT) test, wheel tracking test, low-temperature bending beam test, immersion Marshall test, freeze–thaw splitting test, and bending beam fatigue test were conducted to evaluate the dynamic modulus, high temperature rutting resistance, low-temperature cracking resistance, moisture stability, and anti-fatigue performance of RHMAMs. This paper proves that the addition of RAP can improve the high temperature rutting resistance of HMAM while jeopardizing its low temperature cracking resistance, moisture stability, and anti-fatigue property. With RAP content increasing, the dynamic modulus and dynamic stability of RHMAMs increase while the failure strain, tensile strength ratio, and fatigue life of RHMAMs decrease. With 20 %–30 % of RAP, RHMAMs have similar performances to HMAM without RAP. With 40 %–50 % of RAP, while the dynamic stability and moisture stability of RHMAMs can meet the requirements by Chinese specification, the low-temperature failure strain of RHMAMs was already lower than the requirements by Chinese specification and the fatigue life of RHMAMs degraded obviously compared to that of the HMAM. It is indicated that RHMAMs can provide satisfied high temperature rutting resistance and moisture stability while its low-temperature cracking resistance and anti-fatigue property needs to be paid attention to.