bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finansowanie południowokoreańskiego cudu gospodarczego – w świetle rekomendacji konsensusu waszyngtońskiego
Authors: Kightley Marta
Published: April 2017

W artykule podjęty został temat metod finansowania koreańskiego przyspieszonego rozwoju gospodarczego w II poł. XX w. Autorka opisując politykę państwa wobec inwestycji zagranicznych oraz politykę kredytową włącza się do dyskusji, pomiędzy neoklasykami i etatystami, dotyczącej mechanizmów koreańskiego cudu gospodarczego. Analizuje kwestię finansowania rozwoju przemysłu odnosząc się do neoklasycznych rekomendacji zawartych w konsensusie waszyngtońskim. Zauważa, że Korea Południowa nie tylko ich nie spełniała, ale zaprzeczenie ich stanowiło ważny element polityki państwa prorozwojowego. Autorka wykazuje, że decyzja bazująca na rozwoju gospodarczym na lokalnych podmiotach pozwoliła na planowe stworzenie silnej struktury przemysłowej i umożliwiła wysoki poziom wzrostu gospodarczego w kolejnych dekadach. Polityka kredytowa prowadzona za pośrednictwem państwowych banków stanowiła zaś podstawowe narzędzie koordynacji działań prywatnych południowokoreańskich przedsiębiorstw i egzekwowania oczekiwanych wyników.
Antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic and anticholinesterase activities of water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from microalgae Isochrysis galbana and Nannochloropsis oculata
Authors: Ben Hafsa , Ben Ismail , Garrab Mariem , Aly Raies , Gagnon Jonathan , Naghmouchi Karim
Published: April 2017

The present work is carried out to evaluate potential applications of aqueous extracts of two microalgae Isochrysis galbana (PEA) and Nannochloropsis oculata (PEB) containing mainly polysaccharides. The monosaccharide composition of microalgal extracts was determined. GC?MS analyses after derivatization show that glucose is the major compound in both microalgae PEA (56.88 %) and PEB (68.23 %). Mannitol (38.8 %) and inositol (20.32 %) are respectively the second major compounds in PEA and PEB. Silylation of monosaccharides allows the determination of sorbitol that attained 3.38 % in PEB. The determination of antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties were also analyzed. Antioxidant activity was evaluated from the DPPH scavenging activity. PEA and PEB show a concentration dependent DPPH?radical scavenging activity. At concentration of 10 mg/mL, both PEA and PEB exhibit an antioxidant activity of 41.45 and 59.07 %, respectively. PEB and PEA are able to inhibit the growth of Gram-negative bacteria, Grampositive bacteria and three Candida species. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated on human HeLa cervical cancer cells. HeLa cell proliferation was totally inhibited after treatment with PEA and PEB (1 mg/mL) and the inhibition was dose dependent (from 0.031 to 1 mg/mL). Their anticholinesterase activity was also investigated against butyrylcholinesterase enzymes. These polysaccharides possess interesting antimicrobial, anticancer and anticholinesterase activities that could represent an additional value for these microalgal products.
Synergetic effect of additives on the hardness and adhesion of thin electrodeposited copper films
Authors: Mladenovic Ivana , Lamovec Jelena , Jovic Vesna , Radojevic Vesna
Published: April 2017

Thin copper films were electrodeposited on a polycrystalline coldrolled
copper substrate. The composition of the laboratory-made copper sulphate
electrolyte was changed by the addition of various additives. The influence
of chloride ion (Cl-), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and 3-mercapto-1-propane
sulfonic acid (MPSA) on mechanical and adhesion properties of the
electrodeposited copper films was investigated using Vickers microindentation
technique. Calculations of the film hardness and adhesion were carried out
using composite hardness models of Korsunsky and Chen-Gao. The hardness of
the composite system is influenced by the adhesion of the copper film to the
substrate. Increasing adhesion corresponds to increasing values of the
calculated adhesion parameter b, named the critical reduced depth. When
additives are added to a plating solution, the copper deposition mechanism is
changed and fine-grained microstructure without the formation of microscopic
nodules is obtained.
Influence of the shape of soaring particle based on coal-water slurry containing petrochemicals on ignition characteristics
Authors: Valiullin Timur , Strizhak Pavel
Published: April 2017

This paper examines the laws of stable ignition of organic coal-water slurry containing petrochemicals (CWSP). The CWSP is based on the filter cake of coal and scavenge oil. The experiments are performed for individual CWSP particles soaring in a special set-up. The temperature and velocity of an oxidizer flow are varied between 500-1200 K, and 0.5-3 m/s. The dimensions (longitudinal and transverse) of particles range are from 0.5 mm to 5 mm. The study indicates how the shape of a fuel particle (sphere, ellipsoid, and polyhedron) influences its ignition characteristics (delay time, minimum temperature, modes, stages). Based on the experimental results, the paper explains why the surface configuration of particles influences the conditions of heat transfer with an oxidizer. The results obtained for soaring particles are compared with the results for fixed CWSP particles having different surface configurations (sphere, ellipsoid, and polyhedron). In general, the study may contribute to the expansion of the fuel resource base. The experimental data may be used for the development of the technologies of burning CWSP prepared by recycling traditional fuels. As a result of this study, several recommendations for the practical application of research results are made.
Exergy, economic and environmental (3E) analysis of a gas turbine power plant and optimization by MOPSO algorithm
Authors: Shamoushaki Moein , Ehyaei Mehdi
Published: April 2017

In this paper, exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental analysis of a gas turbine cycle and its optimization has been carried out by MOPSO algorithm. Three objective functions, namely, total cost rate, exergy efficiency of cycle, and CO2 emission rate have been considered. The design variables considered are: compressor pressure ratio, combustion chamber inlet temperature, gas turbine inlet temperature, compressor, and gas turbine isentropic efficiency. The impact of change in gas turbine inlet temperature and compressor pressure ratio on CO2 emission rate as well as impact of changes in gas turbine inlet temperature on exergy efficiency of the cycle has been investigated in different compressor pressure ratios. The results showed that with increase in compressor pressure ratio and gas turbine inlet temperature, CO2 emission rate decreases, that is this reduction is carried out with a steeper slope at lower pressure compressor ratio and gas turbine inlet temperature. The results showed that exergy efficiency of the cycle increases with increase in gas turbine inlet temperature and compressor pressure ratio. The sensitivity analysis of fuel cost changes was performed on objective functions. The results showed that at higher exergy efficiencies total cost rate is greater, and sensitivity of fuel cost optimum solutions is greater than Pareto curve with lower total cost rate. Also, the results showed that sensitivity of changes in fuel cost rate per unit of energy on total cost rate is greater than the rate of CO2 emission.
Application of exergoeconomic analysis for power plants
Authors: Unal Fatih , Ozkan Derya
Published: April 2017

Currently, energy resources are rapidly consumed. Therefore, scientists and engi?neers study the effective use of energy. In the present study, a thermodynamic and exergoeconomic analysis was performed in a thermal power plant in Turkey. The study involved determining the thermodynamic properties of 27 node points in a thermal power plant unit, and this was followed by calculating energy and exergy values of every node. Mean exergy costs were calculated by establishing energy and exergy balances of the equipment with respect to the calculated results. Subsequently, lost and damaged energies and exergies were calculated, and exergoeconomic factors were determined. The equipments were compared with each other on a graph based on the obtained results. The maximum rate of exergy loss and cost of exergy destruction corresponded to 79.5% and 886,66 $/h, respectively. The maximum exergy losses in a thermal power plant occurred in the boiler, turbine groups, condenser, heating group, pumps, and auxiliary groups. The highest and second highest law efficiencies of the studied thermal power plant corresponded to 32.3% and 28.5%, respectively. The study also involved presenting suggestions for improvement. Additionally, exergoeconomic analyses were conducted while considering the power plants? investment and equipment maintenance costs. It is expected that the calculation method and the obtained results can be applied to other thermal power plants.
PRASANGKA SOSIAL DALAM PLURALITAS KEBERAGAMAAN DI KECAMATAN CIGUGUR KABUPATEN KUNINGAN JAWA BARAT
Authors: Hernawan Wawan
Published: April 2017

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengungkap lebih mendalam tentang prasangka sosial dalam pluralitas keberagamaan dan upaya meminimalisasi prasangka sosial tersebut sebagai upaya mewujudkan kerukunan hidup dalam pluralitas keberagamaan dari perspektif ilmu komunikasi. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif. Penelitian dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif  berupaya memusatkan perhatian studinya pada realita sebagai produk pikir manusia dengan segala bentuk subyektivitas, emosi dan nilai-nilai yang dianutnya. Melalui pendekatan kualitatif, diharapkan dapat terungkap gambaran mengenai aktualitas, realitas sosial dan persepsi sasaran penelitian yakni prasangka sosial dalam pluralitas keberagamaan.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa prasangka sosial dalam pluralitas keberagamaan terjadi karena kurangnya informasi individu ataupun kelompok dalam memahami berbagai peristiwa keagamaan yang terjadi di wilayahnya dan adanya kekhawatiran akan penguasaan suatu kelompok keagamaan terhadap kelompok keagamaan lainnya. Prasangka sosial yang berkembang antarkelompok keagamaan dapat diminimalisasi melalui pengembangan sikap saling menghargai/toleransi, pengendalian diri, tanggung jawab bersama dalam kegiatan sosial kemasyarakatan dan melalui kerja sama yang saling menguntungkan sehingga konflik secara terbuka antarkelompok keagamaan di Kecamatan Cigugur dapat dihindarkan.Kata kunci: prasangka sosial, pluralitas, keberagamaan
PROSES PENANGKAPAN DAN TINGKAH LAKU IKAN BAGAN PETEPETE MENGGUNAKAN LAMPU LED
Authors: Salman Salman , Sulaiman Muhammad , Alam Sultan , Anwar Anwar , Syarifuddin Syarifuddin
Published: April 2017

Konsep aktivitas penelitian dan pengembangan teknologi penangkapan ikan pada masa yang akan datang tidak hanya ditujukan meningkatkan hasil tangkapan tetapi juga ditujukan untuk memperbaiki proses penangkapan (capture process), mengurangi fishing impact terhadap lingkungan dan bio-diversity. Penelitian dilakukan dengan tujuan untuk menganalisis tahapan pengoperasian dan permasalahan dalam mengoperasikan liftnet (bagan petepete) khas masyarakat Sulawesi Selatan khususnya Kabupaten Barru dan masukan terhadap taktik dan metode penangkapan ikan, melalui: analisis tahap proses pengoperasian dan analisis tingkah laku ikan di sekitar pencahayaan pada bagan petepete (boat lift net) yang menggunakan lampu LED. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di perairan Kabupaten Barru-Selat Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan. Pengamatan lapang dilakukan dari bulan Juni sampai Agustus 2014 (20 trip). Analisis deskriptif dilakukan untuk melihat tahapan operasi penangkapan, sedangkan pengamatan tingkah laku ikan diamati dengan menggunakan fish finder. Tahapan pengoperasian bagan petepete adalah: persiapan operasi, menuju fishing ground, proses penyalaan lampu, proses penurunan waring (setting), proses menunggu kawanan ikan (soaking), proses pemadaman lampu, proses pengangkatan waring (hauling), pengambilan hasil tangkapan, dan proses pengangkatan waring ke atas bagan. Analisis tingkah laku ikan memperlihatkan pola pergerakan kawanan ikan mendatangi pencahayaan berada pada kedalaman 5-10 m dan 20-40 m dari segala arah pada saat semua lampu dinyalakan. Pola Kawanan ikan terkonsentrasi di sekitar catchable area pada saat hanya satu lampu yang dinyalakan disetiap sisi dengan jumlah kawanan semakin sedikit tetapi kepadatan kawanan yang besar disebabkan bergabungnya beberapa kawanan ikan sehingga kawanan ikan semakin membesar.
KARAKTERISTIK BIOAKUSTIK DAN TINGKAH LAKU LUMBA-LUMBA JANTAN HIDUNG BOTOL (Tursiops aduncus)
Authors: Lubis Muhammad Zainuddin , Wulandari Pratiwi Dwi , Hestrianoto Totok
Published: April 2017

Bioakustik  adalah  ilmu yang menggabungkan biologi dan akustik yang biasanya merujuk pada penelitian mengenai produksi suara, dispersi melalui media elastis, dan penerimaan pada hewan, termasuk manusia. Penelitian ini mengamati tingkah laku lumba-lumba jantan dengan melakukan pendekatan ilmu bioakustik yang melihat karakteristik dari lumba-lumba tersebut. Lumba-lumba jantan (Tursiops aduncus) yang dipelihara di Taman Safari Indonesia, Cisarua Bogor memiliki nilai intensitas  terendah sebesar 28.03 dB dan tertinggi adalah sebesar 32.01 dB. Rata-rata parameter yang terukur yaitu salinitas sebesar 30 ppm dan suhu  23 °C dengan kedalaman kolam 4,5 meter. Range frekuensi suara klik dengan nilai intensitas tertinggi yaitu sebesar 32 dB dengan suara klik 3 sesudah makan pada hari ke 2 yang terdapat pada range frekuensi yaitu 1400-1600 Hz. Range frekuensi suara klik lumba-lumba jantan (Tursiop aduncus) di Taman Safari yaitu pada frekuensi 1400- 1500 Hz.
Risk of tuberculosis among air passengers estimated by interferon gamma release assay: survey of contact investigations, Japan, 2012 to 2015
Authors: Ota Masaki , Kato Seiya
Published: April 2017

Although the World Health Organization recommends contact investigations around air travel-associated sputum smear-positive tuberculosis (TB) patients, evidence suggests that the information thus obtained may have overestimated the risk of TB infection because it involved some contacts born in countries with high TB burden who were likely to have been infected with TB in the past, or because tuberculin skin tests were used, which are less specific than the interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) particularly in areas where Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination coverage is high. We conducted a questionnaire survey on air travel-associated TB contact investigations in local health offices of Japan from 2012 to 2015, focusing on IGRA positivity. Among 651 air travel-associated TB contacts, average positivity was 3.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.5–5.6) with a statistically significant increasing trend with older age (p < 0.0094). Positivity among 0–34 year-old contacts was 1.0% (95% CI: 0.12–3.5%), suggesting their risk of TB infection is as small as among Japanese young adults with low risk of TB infection (positivity: 0.85–0.90%). Limiting the contact investigation to fewer passengers (within two seats surrounding the index case, rather than two rows) seems reasonable in the case of aircraft with many seats per row.
Boards of Directors: Who Needs Them?
Authors: Adams Philip
Published: April 2017

The statutory requirement for an arts organization to be governed by a group of people who are not required to be artists is an archaic and cumbersome construct that requires redress. This article argues that a new form of governance is required so that practicing theatre artists can create the kind of organization that suits the specific needs of their artistic practices.
Learning through Theatre
Authors: Murray Gail
Published: April 2017

These two books begin a conversation about the complex intersections between theatre and learning. Their focus on drama practices in a wide variety of community settings provides a snapshot of contemporary applied theatre practice.
Bio-Invasions and Bio-Fixes: Mysis Shrimp Introductions in the Twentieth Century
Authors: Fredrickson Leif
Published: April 2017

Between 1949 and the 1980s, fisheries managers transplanted the tiny
Mysis relicta
shrimp into hundreds of lakes and reservoirs in North America and Europe. They hoped to create self-sustaining food for fish. However, most of these experiments failed spectacularly, destroying the fisheries they were intended to bolster. The mysid introductions can be viewed as a 'biological fix', or 'bio-fix', akin to technological fixes. Fixes are solutions to complex social or environmental problems, but the solutions are conceived in an unsystematic and partial way. This makes the solutions appear cheaper and easier than they are and can result in failure and unintended consequences. The mysid introductions illustrate the bio-fix concept. Biological solutions to fisheries problems arose because technological solutions (fertilisation, hatcheries) were impractical or inadequate. Self-reproducing organisms appeared to solve those problems. Changing technology, growing ecological knowledge and the apparently successful introduction of mysids in several lakes made mysid introductions seem cheap, easy and enormously beneficial. But the fervour for mysids masked the many uncertainties and contradictions in knowledge about mysids and their role in ecosystems. Mysids were often not edible by the fish they were intended for. More troublingly, they competed for food with those fish, ultimately causing the collapse of fisheries. Fisheries managers subsequently tried to revive, reassess or reinvigorate large technological solutions, such as dams and fertilisation, to save fisheries, but this was not usually successful.
Cerebrovascular Pathology Contributes to the Heterogeneity of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Etiene Dannie , Kraft Joanny , Ganju Neema , Gomez-Isla Teresa , Gemelli Brad , Hyman Bradley T. , Hedley-Whyte E. Tessa , Wands Jack R. , de la Monte Suzanne M.
Published: April 2017

Heterogeneous pathology in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is due to variability in the nature and severity of lesions, overlap with other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, or the co-existence of cerebrovascular disease. In the MGH-ADRC autopsy archives, remote cerebral infarcts (CVA) were reported in 30% of the otherwise uncomplicated AD cases. To determine the potential significance of cerebrovascular lesions in relation to AD, the relative densities (CERAD grading criteria) of Bielschowsky-stained AD lesions and Ab-amyloid immunoreactive plaques were compared among cases of AD+CVA (N = 52), AD (N = 48), aged controls (NC; N = 9), and aged controls with AD lesions (ADC; N = 8). The prevalence of the ApoE e4 allele was also determined for each group. This study demonstrated: 1) higher densities of Bielschowsky-stained plaques in AD, AD+CVA, and ADC than in NC (P < 0.0001); 2) more abundant neurofibrillary tangles in AD relative to all other groups (P < 0.0005), and in AD+CVA and ADC relative to NC (P < 0.05); and 3) increased densities of Aβ-amyloid-immunoreactive plaques in AD relative to AD+CVA (P = 0.0003). In AD+CVA, cerebral vascular lesions consisting of remote microscopic cortical and subcortical white matter infarcts, ischemic lesions, and leukoaraiosis were consistently distributed in structures typically damaged by AD neurodegeneration, as well as in the basal ganglia. The ApoE ε4 allele was more prevalent in the AD+CVA (70%) than in the AD (58%) group (P = 0.05). Since the AD and AD+CVA groups had similar degrees of dementia, the results suggest that cerebral vascular lesions in regions typically destroyed by AD may contribute to the clinical manifestations of AD.
Alzheimer's disease-related synapse loss in the cingulate cortex
Authors: Scheff Stephen W. , Price Douglas A.
Published: April 2017

Synapse loss is considered a profound neuropathology associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). This AD-related change in connectivity can be demonstrated in many regions of the neocortex. The posterior cingulate cortex has been identified as an area involved early in the disease process but has not been well studied. The anterior cingulate cortex, which is morphologically distinct from the posterior cingulate, is also involved in AD. The present study employed ultrastructural techniques to assess synaptic numbers in these two regions of association cortex. Both cingulate areas demonstrated a significant loss in lamina III in AD, while only the posterior cingulate manifested a loss in lamina V. The failure to find a significant change in lamina V of the anterior cingulate may be related to its connectivity with the motor system. The heterogeneity of synaptic change in this cortical region may reflect important information concerning corticocortico connectivity changes in AD.
Phytochemical studies and antibacterial activity of the aerial parts of Physospermum verticillatum
Authors: Boulacel Ibtissem , Djarri Lakhdar , Azzouzi Salima , Medjroubi Kamel , Demirtas Ibrahim , Laouer Hocine , Akkal Salah
Published: April 2017

In this study, we focused on the isolation and identification of the main compounds, triterpene, sterol, phenolic and fatty acid from the aerial parts of Physospermum verticillatum, which has not been previously reported. Dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts led to the isolation  of ß-amyrin (1), 3,11-dihydroxy-12-oleanene (2), pentadecanoic acid (3), spina-sterol (4), spinasterol-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (5) and saikochromic acid (6). These compounds were determined by means of the combined systems with high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-TOF/MS), 1D NMR (1H NMR, 13C NMR) and 2D NMR(COSY, HSQC and HMBC). Further, the extracts demonstrated significant antibacterial activity.
Association of Pre-procedural High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein with In-hospital Outcome of Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Jannat Sufia , Akanda MD Abdul Kader , Khalequzzaman Md , Ullah Mohammad , Monirujjaman Md , Islam MD. Jahidul
Published: April 2017

Emerging evidence links an elevated baseline inflammatory status to adverse outcome among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Baseline inflammation measured by high sensitivity C-reactive protein hsCRP may prove useful for identification of high risk patients requiring adjunctive therapies. This prospective study was carried out in the department of cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Dhaka, during October 2012 to September 2013.Two hundred consecutive patients with CSA and UA undergoing PCI were included in the study. Study patients were divided into two groups on the basis of hsCRP levels. In Group I hsCRP levels were elevated, that is ?3 mg/L and in Group II hsCRP levels were normal, that is < 3 mg/L, with 100 patients in each group. Fol-lowing the procedure in-hospital outcome of study patients were observed. Increased inci-dence (44%) of adverse in-hospital outcome was found in Group I (44% Vs. 11%). Higher incidence of post procedural angina (17%), peri-procedural myocardial infarction (6%) and peri-procedural myocardial injury (10%) was observed in this group. Nonsignificant rate of acute myocardial infarction, significant arrhythmia, acute LVF, cardiogenic shock and death were found in elevated hsCRP Group. Overall Major Adverse Cardiac Events (6% Vs. 0%) were found in pre-procedural elevated hsCRP group. High sensitivity C-reactive protein remained independently predictive of adverse in-hospital outcome, with 95% CI of RR 1.4  4.4 and p<001. The present study concludes that the hsCRP is an important and independent predictor of adverse in hospital outcome.
Morphometric Study of Spleen in Iranian Cadavers from Razavi-Khorasan Province
Authors: Mohammadi Shabnam , Hedjazi Arya , Sajjadian Maryam , Kebriaei Seyed Mohammad Mehdi , Moghadam Maliheh Dadgar , Ghrobi Naser , Yaghmaei Asadollah , Mohammadi Maryam
Published: April 2017

Anthropologic parameters of the spleen are important because many diseases present with reduction or enlargement of the spleen. No data exists about the standard dimensions of the normal spleen in Iranian population. Therefore, the objective of the study was to investigate anthropologic parameters of the spleen in Iranian cadavers.  In 2014-2015, this cross sectional study was undertaken from the Razavi Khorasan Province of Iran. Iranian cadavers (n=693, 152 female/541 male) with no history of poisoning, drug or alcohol addiction, no gross abnormality and injury of the spleen were included in the study. The length, width and thickness of spleen were measured using a Vernier caliper. The mean values of the demographic data were age= 40.28 ± 20.97 years; weight = 63.68 ± 17.40 kg; height = 160.03 ± 28.45 cm and BMI = 25.03 ± 20.46 kg/m2. The mean values of the spleen length, width, thickness, notch, weight and index in the cadavers were 11.32 ± 3.10 cm, 8.05 ± 2.35 cm, 20.12 ± 9.21 mm, 0.84 ± 1.35, 123.87 ± 82.46 g, and 2.01 ± 1.40, respectively. Accessory spleen was found in five cadavers. The anthropologic parameters of the spleen showed significant difference between males and females except for index of the spleen.  Having standard data on the spleen is useful for radiologists, surgeons, anatomists and anthropologists. The results of the study may provide valuable data in the standardization of the anthropologic parameters of the spleen in the Iranian population.
Efficacy of Acrylic Splint in Management of Internal Derangement of Temperomandibular Joint
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed Ayaz , Rahman Quazi Billur , Uddin Md. Wares , Asaduzzaman Md.
Published: April 2017

Occlusal splint plays a great role in the treatment of internal derangement of temporomandibular joint. Temporomandibular disorders affect 25 % of the population of the world. The purpose of the study was to elucidate the effectiveness of occlusal splint in reduction of pain, increase mouth opening, elimination of clicking sound. This randomized controlled clinical trial was done on 26 patients in two groups. Group A received occlusal splint and Group B received medications with supportive care.    Monthly follow-up was done for a period of four months. In Group A and Group B, preoperative mean of mouth opening were 36.31 mm; and 39.77 mm. pain score 4.54 cm, clicking in 76.9% and 84.6% patients respectively. After 4 months of follow- up mouth opening 50.69 mm and 43.15 mm, pain score 0.154 cm and 0.69 cm, clicking 30.8% and 76.9% patients in both groups respectively. It may be conclude that the occlusal splint is highly efficient than medication and supportive care for managing of internal derangement of temporomandibular joint.
Association of Thyroid Hormone Levels Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Khan Nadia Zebin , Muttalib M A , Sultana Gazi Sharmin
Published: April 2017

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and thyroid disorders (TD) are the two most common endocrine disorders in clinical practice. They show mutually influence on each other. Unrecognized thyroid disorders may adversely affect the metabolic control and add more risk to an already predisposing type 2 diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to find out the association of thyroid hormone levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This cross sectional study was conducted in the department of Biochemistry and outpatient department of Endocrinology of Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, Dhaka, Bangladesh (BIRDEM) General Hospital, Bangladesh from July 2014 to June 2015. A Total of 200 patients were selected by applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of them, 115 were type 2 diabetic subjects and 85 were non diabetic. Diabetic patients were diagnosed according to WHO criteria from their previous medical records. All patients were underwent thyroid function tests; free thyroxine (FT4), free tri-iodothyronine (FT3) and serum TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). Presence of TD in T2DM and non-DM patients were estimated. Comparison of all demographic characteristics and biochemical parameters were done among the groups. The percentage of TD in type 2 diabetic patients was 23.5% and in non diabetic subjects was 12%. Serum FT3 and serum FT4 did not show any significant difference among the groups. Type 2 diabetic patients with thyroid disorders had more elevated level of serum TSH level than those who were non diabetic subjects with TD. Thyroid disorders were significantly higher in female, overweight and obese subjects. Patients with TD had strong association with family history of TD. This study showed that the presence of TD in type 2 diabetes mellitus was very high. Regular screening for thyroid disorders in type 2 diabetic patients specially serum TSH level is recommended.
Symbolism of the Goat and Its Presence in Picasso’s Work
Authors: Macías Villalobos Cristóbal , Macías Fuentes Delia
Published: April 2017

To ancient men, goats, and all that was related to them, were associated with a burning sexuality, even with lasciviousness and lust, and connected with the deities Venus and Bacchus. In this case, this connection occurs through mythological creatures, like fauns and satyrs, all of them representations of an unbridled sexuality. On the other hand, goats were also considered as whimsical and unstable animals, whose behavior was very changeable, and in some contexts, as a symbol of Christ. This paper will show how many of these symbols are repeated in the representations of this animal in Picasso’s works.
A Novel Hybrid Mental Spelling Application Based on Eye Tracking and SSVEP-Based BCI
Authors: Stawicki Piotr , Gembler Felix , Rezeika Aya , Volosyak Ivan
Published: April 2017

Steady state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs)-based Brain-Computer interfaces (BCIs), as well as eyetracking devices, provide a pathway for re-establishing communication for people with severe disabilities. We fused these control techniques into a novel eyetracking/SSVEP hybrid system, which utilizes eye tracking for initial rough selection and the SSVEP technology for fine target activation. Based on our previous studies, only four stimuli were used for the SSVEP aspect, granting sufficient control for most BCI users. As Eye tracking data is not used for activation of letters, false positives due to inappropriate dwell times are avoided. This novel approach combines the high speed of eye tracking systems and the high classification accuracies of low target SSVEP-based BCIs, leading to an optimal combination of both methods. We evaluated accuracy and speed of the proposed hybrid system with a 30-target spelling application implementing all three control approaches (pure eye tracking, SSVEP and the hybrid system) with 32 participants. Although the highest information transfer rates (ITRs) were achieved with pure eye tracking, a considerable amount of subjects was not able to gain sufficient control over the stand-alone eye-tracking device or the pure SSVEP system (78.13% and 75% of the participants reached reliable control, respectively). In this respect, the proposed hybrid was most universal (over 90% of users achieved reliable control), and outperformed the pure SSVEP system in terms of speed and user friendliness. The presented hybrid system might offer communication to a wider range of users in comparison to the standard techniques.
Brief Report: Using the Internet to Identify Persons with Cognitive Impairment for Participation in Clinical Trials
Authors: Morra Lindsay , Brandt Jason
Published: April 2017

Identifying, recruiting, and enrolling persons in clinical trials of dementia treatments is extremely difficult. One approach to first-wave screening of potential participants is the use of online assessment tools. Initial studies using the Dementia Risk Assessment (DRA)—which includes a previously validated recognition memory test—support the use of this self-administered assessment to identify individuals with “suspected MCI” or “suspected dementia.” In this study, we identified between 71 and 622 persons with suspected dementia and between 128 and 1653 persons with suspected mild cognitive impairment (depending on specific criteria) over the course of 22 months. Assessment tools that can inexpensively and easily identify individuals with higher than average risk for cognitive impairment can facilitate recruitment for large-scale clinical trials for dementia treatments.
Environmental Benign Synthesis of Lithium Silicates and Mg-Al Layered Double Hydroxide from Vermiculite Mineral for CO2 Capture
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhou Tuantuan , Louis Benoit , Yu Feng , Dan Jianming , Wang Qiang
Published: April 2017

This research introduces a completely new environmental benign synthesis route for obtaining two kinds of inter-mediate and high temperature CO2 sorbents, Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) and Li4SiO4, from vermiculite. The mineral vermiculite was leached with acid, from which the obtained SiO2 was used for the synthesis of Li4SiO4 and the leaching waste water was used for the synthesis of Mg-Al LDH. Therefore, no waste was produced during the whole process. Both Li4SiO4 and Mg-Al LDH sorbents were carefully characterized using XRD, SEM, and BET analyses. The CO2 capturing performance of these two sorbents was comprehensively evaluated. The influence of the Li/Si ratio, calcination temperature, calcination time, and sorption temperature on the CO2 sorption capacity of Li4SiO4, and the sorption temperature on the CO2 sorption capacity of LDH, were investigated. The optimal leaching acid concentration for vermiculite and the CO2 sorption/desorption cycling performance of both the Li4SiO4 and Mg-Al LDH sorbents were determined. In sum, this demonstrated a unique and environment-friendly scheme for obtaining two CO2 sorbents from cheap raw materials, and this idea is applicable to the efficient utilization of other minerals.
Morphology of Spherulites in Rapidly Solidified Ni3Ge Droplets
Authors: Haque Nafisul , Cochrane Robert , Mullis Andrew
Published: April 2017

The congruently melting, single phase, L12 intermetallic β-Ni3Ge has been subject to rapid solidification via drop-tube processing. Four different cooling rates are used in this process, at very low cooling rates (≥850 μm diameter particles, ≥700 K s−1) and slightly higher cooling rates (850–500 μm diameter particles, 700–1386 K s−1) the dominant solidification morphology, revealed after etching, is that of isolated spherulites in an otherwise featureless matrix. At higher cooling rates, (500–300 μm diameter particles, 1386–2790 K s−1 and (300–212 μm diameter particles, 2790–4600 K s−1) mixed spherulite and dendritic morphologies are observed. Indeed, at the higher cooling rate dendrites with side-branches composed of numerous small spherulites are observed. Selected area diffraction analysis in the TEM indicate that the formation of spherulites is due to an order-disorder transformation. Dark-field TEM imaging has confirmed that the spherulites appear to consist of lamellae of the ordered phase, with disordered material in the space between the lamellae. The lamellar width within a given spherulite is constant, but the width is a function of cooling rate, with higher cooling rates giving finer lamellae. As such, there are many parallels with spherulite growth in polymers.
Crystallographic Characteristics of Hydroxylapatite in Hard Tissues of Cololabis saira
Authors: Wang Hejing , Yuan Lei , An Jiali
Published: April 2017

X-ray micro diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, environmental scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared were employed to investigate the crystallographic characteristics of the inorganic mineral existing in bones of Cololabis saira. The results show that the crystal phase in hard tissues of Cololabis saira is hydroxylapatite (HAP). Chemical composition analysis reveals that the HAP in hard tissues lacks P and is rich in Ca. Refined lattice parameters of HAP show that a = 0.93622–0.93787 nm and c = 0.68549–0.69011 nm. The domain sizes calculated from the Scherrer equation are 18.9–20.7 nm long along the c-axis and about 6.2 nm thick perpendicular to the c-axis, and is well evidenced by TEM data. The crystallinity of HAP is poor compared with natural HAP. In situ X-ray micro diffraction patterns measured from raw hard tissue show a very strong reflection from the (002) and (004) lattice planes on the cross-section of bone and nearly no reflection from the (002) and (004) lattice planes on elongation surface of bone. Compared with the XRD pattern of standard HAP data and from the textural index R values, it indicates that the HAP in the hard tissues of Cololabis saira has a strong preferring orientation along the crystallographic c-axis. This is verified by Fourier transform infrared on the elongation surface of bone and by selected area electron diffraction of HRTEM on the section perpendicular to elongation of bone. A quantitative textural degree index DR is proposed. The crystallographic characteristics of bio-hydroxylapatites (particle size, crystallinity and preferring orientation) are designed by tissue function and controlled by organic matrix to provide a good mechanical performance.
An Approach to the Evaluation of the Quality of Accounting Information Based on Relative Entropy in Fuzzy Linguistic Environments
Authors: Li Ming , Ning Xiaoli , Li Mingzhu , Xu Yingcheng
Published: April 2017

There is a risk when company stakeholders make decisions using accounting information with varied qualities in the same way. In order to evaluate the accounting information quality, this paper proposed an approach to the evaluation of the quality of accounting information based on relative entropy in fuzzy linguistic environments. Firstly, the accounting information quality evaluation criteria are constructed not only from the quality of the accounting information content but also from the accounting information generation environment. Considering that the rating values with respect to the criteria are in linguistic forms with different granularities, the method to deal with the linguistic rating values is given. In the method, the linguistic terms are modeled with the 2-tuple linguistic model. Relative entropy is used to calculate the information consistency, which is used to derive the weight of experts and criteria. Finally, the example is given to illustrate the feasibility and practicability of the proposed method.
The Coupling of Treeline Elevation and Temperature is Mediated by Non-Thermal Factors on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wang Yafeng , Liang Eryuan , Sigdel Shalik , Liu Bo , Camarero J.
Published: April 2017

Little is known about the relationships between treeline elevation and climate at regional and local scales. It is compelling to fill this research gap with data from the Tibetan Plateau where some of the highest alpine treelines in the world are found. This research question partially results from the lack of in situ temperature data at treeline sites. Herein, treeline variables (e.g., elevation, topography, tree species) and temperature data were collected from published investigations performed during this decade on the Tibetan Plateau. Temperature conditions near treeline sites were estimated using global databases and these estimates were corrected by using in situ air temperature measurements. Correlation analyses and generalized linear models were used to evaluate the effects of different variables on treeline elevation including thermal (growing-season air temperatures) and non-thermal (latitude, longitude, elevation, tree species, precipitation, radiation) factors. The commonality analysis model was applied to explore how several variables (July mean temperature, elevation of mountain peak, latitude) were related to treeline elevation. July mean temperature was the most significant predictor of treeline elevation, explaining 55% of the variance in treeline elevation across the Tibetan Plateau, whereas latitude, tree species, and mountain elevation (mass-elevation effect) explained 30% of the variance in treeline elevation. After considering the multicollinearity among predictors, July mean temperature (largely due to the influence of minimum temperature) still showed the strongest association with treeline elevation. We conclude that the coupling of treeline elevation and July temperature at a regional scale is modulated by non-thermal factors probably acting at local scales. Our results contribute towards explaining the decoupling between climate warming and treeline dynamics.
Combined Use of C- and X-Band SAR Data for Subsidence Monitoring in an Urban Area
Authors: Solari Lorenzo , Ciampalini Andrea , Raspini Federico , Bianchini Silvia , Zinno Ivana , Bonano Manuela , Manunta Michele , Moretti Sandro , Casagli Nicola
Published: April 2017

In this study, we present the detection and characterization of ground displacements in the urban area of Pisa (Central Italy) using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) products. Thirty RADARSAT-2 and twenty-nine COSMO-SkyMed images have been analyzed with the Small BAseline Subset (SBAS) algorithm, in order to quantify the ground subsidence and its temporal evolution in the three-year time interval from 2011 to 2014. A borehole database was reclassified in stratigraphical and geotechnical homogeneous units, providing the geological background needed for the local scale analysis of the recorded displacements. Moreover, the interferometric outputs were compared with the last 30 years’ urban evolution of selected parts of the city. Two deformation patterns were recorded by the InSAR data: very slow vertical movements within the defined stability threshold (±2.5 mm/yr) and areas with subsidence rates down to −5 to −7 mm/yr, associated with high peak velocities (−15 to −20 mm/yr) registered by single buildings or small groups of buildings. Some of these structures are used to demonstrate that the high subsidence rates are related to the recent urbanization, which is the trigger for the accelerated consolidation process of highly compressible layers. Finally, this urban area was a valuable test site for demonstrating the different results of the C- and X-band data processing, in terms of the density of points and the quality of the time series of deformation.
Television Viewing and Its Association with Sedentary Behaviors, Self-Rated Health and Academic Performance among Secondary School Students in Peru
Authors: Sharma Bimala , Cosme Chavez Rosemary , Jeong Ae , Nam Eun
Published: April 2017

The study assessed television viewing >2 h a day and its association with sedentary behaviors, self-rated health, and academic performance among secondary school adolescents. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among randomly selected students in Lima in 2015. We measured self-reported responses of students using a standard questionnaire, and conducted in-depth interviews with 10 parents and 10 teachers. Chi-square test, correlation and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed among 1234 students, and thematic analysis technique was used for qualitative information. A total of 23.1% adolescents reported watching television >2 h a day. Qualitative findings also show that adolescents spend most of their leisure time watching television, playing video games or using the Internet. Television viewing had a significant positive correlation with video game use in males and older adolescents, with Internet use in both sexes, and a negative correlation with self-rated health and academic performance in females. Multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that television viewing >2 h a day, independent of physical activity was associated with video games use >2 h a day, Internet use >2 h a day, poor/fair self-rated health and poor self-reported academic performance. Television viewing time and sex had a significant interaction effect on both video game use >2 h a day and Internet use >2 h a day. Reducing television viewing time may be an effective strategy for improving health and academic performance in adolescents.
Towards Understanding Location Privacy Awareness on Geo-Social Networks
Authors: Abdelmoty Alia I. , Alrayes Fatma
Published: April 2017

Users' awareness of the extent of information implicit in their geo-profiles on social networks is limited. This questions the validity of their consent to the collection, storage and use of their data. Tools for location privacy awareness are needed that provide users with accessible means for understanding the implicit content in their location information as well as a view of the level of risk to their privacy as a consequence of disclosing this information. Towards this goal, an abstract model of location privacy threat levels is first derived from a user study involving 186 users. This is then used to inform the design of a prototype privacy feedback tool for a location-based social network. Another user study involving 338 users of this network is carried out to test the effectiveness of the proposed design. Findings confirm the strong need of users for more transparent access to and control over their location profiles and guide the proposal of recommendations to the design of more privacy-sensitive geo-social networks.
Attribute Learning for SAR Image Classification
Authors: He Chu , Liu Xinlong , Kang Chenyao , Chen Dong , Liao Mingsheng
Published: April 2017

This paper presents a classification approach based on attribute learning for high spatial resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images. To explore the representative and discriminative attributes of SAR images, first, an iterative unsupervised algorithm is designed to cluster in the low-level feature space, where the maximum edge response and the ratio of mean-to-variance are included; a cross-validation step is applied to prevent overfitting. Second, the most discriminative clustering centers are sorted out to construct an attribute dictionary. By resorting to the attribute dictionary, a representation vector describing certain categories in the SAR image can be generated, which in turn is used to perform the classifying task. The experiments conducted on TerraSAR-X images indicate that those learned attributes have strong visual semantics, which are characterized by bright and dark spots, stripes, or their combinations. The classification method based on these learned attributes achieves better results.
Exome Sequencing Identified a Novel FBN2 Mutation in a Chinese Family with Congenital Contractural Arachnodactyly
Authors: You Guoling , Zu Bailing , Wang Bo , Wang Zhigang , Xu Yunlan , Fu Qihua
Published: April 2017

Congenital contractural arachnodactyly (CCA) is an autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue. CCA is characterized by arachnodactyly, camptodactyly, contrature of major joints, scoliosis, pectus deformities, and crumpled ears. The present study aimed to identify the genetic cause of a three-generation Chinese family with CCA. We successfully identified a novel missense mutation p.G1145D in the fibrillin-2 (FBN2) gene as the pathogenic mutation by whole exome sequencing (WES). The p.G1145D mutation occurs in the 12th calcium-binding epidermal growth factor-like (cbEGF) domain. The p.G1145D mutation caused a hydrophobic to hydrophilic substitution, altering the amino acid property from neutral to acidic. Three-dimensional structural analysis showed that this mutation could alter the conformation of the residue side chain, thereby producing steric clashes with spatially adjacent residues, disrupting the formation of H bonds and causing folding destabilization. Therefore, this amino acid appears to play an important role in the structure and function of FBN2. Our results may also provide new insights into the cause and diagnosis of CCA and may have implications for genetic counseling and clinical management.