bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incontinência urinária na gestação: implicações na qualidade de vida
Authors: Moccellin Ana Silvia , Rett Mariana Tirolli , Driusso Patricia
Published: July 2014

Objetivos: comparar a qualidade de vida de gestantes com e sem perda urinaria, identificando os principais fatores que interferem negativamente na qualidade de vida durante essa fase de vida da mulher. Métodos: foram incluídas 15 gestantes com queixa de perda urinaria e presença de sintomas miccionais e 25 gestantes sem queixa miccional, avaliadas em dois momentos, na 24-28" e 34-36" semana gestacional. As avaliações consistiram na aplicação de dois questionários de qualidade de vida (King Health Questionnaire e o World Health Organization Quality of Life). Os dados foram tabulados no Excel e analisados estatisticamente no programa Statistica. Adotou-se um nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: as gestantes sem sintomas miccionais apresentaram melhor qualidade de vida em relação àquelas com sintomas miccionais nos domínios físico, social e ambiental. Para as gestantes com sintomas miccionais ocorreu piora dos escores dos domínios percepção geral de saúde e impacto da incontinência entre a 1" e 2" avaliação. Conclusões: a perda urinária reduz a qualidade de vida das gestantes. Outros fatores como o suporte social e emoções também podem ter impactos negativos na qualidade de vida durante a gestação.
O contexto organizacional do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos segundo profissionais de saúde do nível municipal
Authors: Guimarães Eliete Albano de Azevedo , Carmo Rose Ferraz , Loyola Filho Antônio Ignácio de , Meira Antônio José de , Luz Zélia Maria Profeta
Published: July 2014

Objetivos: compreender o contexto organizacional do Sistema de Informação sobre os Nascidos Vivos (Sinasc), em municípios de Minas Gerais (MG), em 2010. Métodos: pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa realizada em municípios dotados de estabelecimentos de saúde onde ocorriam partos e que tinham o Sinasc descentralizado. Foram entrevistados 30 profissionais de saúde e os depoimentos obtidos, submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática. Resultados: as categorias de análise exploradas foram a importância da informação para a gestão em saúde, a gestão técnica da informação e os atributos organizacionais. Os profissionais entrevistados consideraram o Sinasc como o melhor sistema informacional descentralizado, mas apontaram a pouca valorização e a subutilização das informações produzidas na vigilância em saúde. A baixa qualificação profissional, limitações na infra-estrutura e no processo de produção e gestão das informações sinalizaram a insuficiência da organização do Sinasc. Conclusões: apesar dos avanços obtidos com a descentralização do Sinasc, os serviços municipais vêm enfrentando problemas relacionados à produção e gerenciamento dos dados. É preciso maior apoio institucional, melhoria dos recursos materiais, gestão de pessoas e de recursos processuais, adequados para a realização da prática informacional e para a apropriação do seu produto no monitoramento, avaliação e planejamento de ações e serviços de saúde maternoinfantil.
Indicadores antropométricos na predição de síndrome metabólica em crianças e adolescentes: um estudo de base populacional
Authors: Ribeiro-Silva Rita de Cássia , Florence Thais C. M. , Conceição-Machado Maria Ester Pereira da , Fernandes Gilênio Borges , Couto Ricardo David
Published: July 2014

Objetivos: avaliar a capacidade dos indicadores antropométricos e pontos de corte na predição da síndrome metabólica (SM) em crianças e adolescentes. Métodos: estudo transversal, envolvendo amostra probabilística de 879 crianças e adolescentes de ambos os sexos. Dados metabólicos, antropométricos e sociodemográficos foram coletados. Para diagnóstico da SM, foi utilizada a definição modificada do National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III). A capacidade dos indicadores antropométricos na predição do SM foi avaliada por meio da curva Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC). Resultados: a prevalência de SM foi de 6,6%. Na predição da SM, a área sob a curva ROC foi de 0,79 (0,72; 0,85) para índice de massa corporal (IMC), de 0,79 (0,73; 0,85) para circunferência da cintura (CC) e de 0,83 (0,78; 0,89) para circunferência da cintura corrigida pela estatura (RCE). O ponto de corte identificado para RCE na predição da SM foi de 0,448 (ambos os gêneros). Conclusões: todos os indicadores antropométricos utilizados, com pequena superioridade da RCE, foram bons preditores da SM. O ponto de corte identificado para RCE na predição da SM aproxima-se daquele proposto por alguns autores como universal. Sugere-se o uso deste índice dado a sua simples operacionalidade em estudos clínicos e epidemiológicos como preditor da SM.
Taxonomic composition and feeding habits of Chironomidae in Cerrado streams (Southeast Brazil): impacts of land use changes
Authors: Saito Victor Satoru , Fonseca-Gessner Alaíde Aparecida
Published: July 2014

The Chironomidae family is the most abundant and diverse member of the benthic community in streams, yet their identification is still neglected in many papers. It is considered a family tolerant to environmental impacts and with homogeneous feeding habit. AIM: To compare the richness, abundance and taxonomic composition of Chironomidae in Cerrado streams under different land uses as well as the feeding habit differences between genera of reference areas, sugar cane culture and pasture. METHODS: We selected seven streams in each land use and sampled six units using Surber sampler. The material was transported live for laboratory processing. RESULTS: Our results showed no significant differences in abundance and richness of Chironomidae among different land use, but we observed greater average values of abundance and richness in streams impacted by pasture. We found a distinct taxonomic composition between reference streams and impacted streams, both sugar cane and pasture. Stenochironomus was the most representative genus in reference areas, while Parametriocnemus was in sugar cane culture and Tanytarsus in pastures. The only statistically different feeding pattern found were between Cerrado streams and sugar cane for plant tissues, reflecting the greater abundance of Stenochironomus in Cerrado and among Cerrado streams and pasture for microalgae. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the conversion of natural areas in monocultures and pastures directly impact streams by modifying the taxonomic structure of Chironomidae. In contrast we did not observe a clear change in feeding patterns, because in all streams the diet pattern was mostly detritivorous.
Limnological characteristics of a reservoir in semiarid Northeastern Brazil subject to intensive tilapia farming (Orechromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Bezerra Luis Artur Valões , Paulino Walt Disney , Garcez Danielle Sequeira , Becker Helena , Sánchez-Botero Jorge Iván
Published: July 2014

AIM: There is currently no consensus regarding the physical and chemical variability of tropical reservoirs. In semiarid Northeastern Brazil, reservoirs are among other things used for human consumption, industrial water supply and intensive fish farming, all of which can impact water quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical variability of the water in Sítios Novos, a reservoir in semiarid Northeastern Brazil, comparing samples collected in areas of intensive tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) farming to samples from areas not directly impacted by aquaculture, in both the dry and the rainy season. METHODS: Between October 2010 and July 2011, data were collected on temperature, conductivity, pH, turbidity, salinity, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen, oxygen demand, total phosphorus and total nitrogen levels in the water column using a multiparametric probe at four different sampling locations. Physical and chemical differences between the four locations were evaluated with the Kruskal-Wallis (KW) test and Dunn's post test, while the t test, followed by Welchʼs correction, was used to compare samples collected in different seasons. RESULTS: No influence of intensive aquaculture was detected when comparing sampling locations near fish farms (180C and 300C) to locations not directly impacted by aquaculture (LIMN1, near the dam, and LIMN2, near the debouch of the São Gonçalo river). However, the sampling locations differed significantly (p<0.05) with regard to conductivity, pH, turbidity and chlorophyll a levels. CONCLUSIONS: The physical and chemical variability was greater between seasons than between locations when the data were analyzed with the t test. That analysis showed significant differences for 22 of 40 comparisons between the 10 physical and chemical parameters in the two seasons at the four sampling locations. In conclusion, the physical and chemical variability registered for the Sítios Novos reservoir throughout the study period indicates morphometric, meteorological and hydrological heterogeneity, with emphasis on the differences between LIMN2 and the other three sampling locations and between the rainy season and the dry season. According to the calculated trophic status index, the reservoir is supereutrophic in the rainy season and supereutrophic to hypereutrophic in the dry season.
Real Time Continuous Reservoir Strength Prediction from Grain Size Distribution Information Using Neural Network
Authors: Oluyemi Gbenga , Oyeneyin Babs , Macleod Chris
Published: July 2014

More than 70% of the world oil and gas are domiciled in unconsolidated reservoir rocks with a high risk of sand production. The nature of these rocks imposes limitation on production rate from highly productive fields, and makes development of marginal fields uneconomic. This, coupled with the harsh business environments which necessitate an agitation for quick returns on investments, poses a great threat to the World economy and particularly Nigerian economy, which is solely dependent on petroleum resources. It is therefore imperative that an intelligent approach be adopted in analysing the potential of a reservoir rock to produce sand at any stage of its life in order to face this challenge headlong.

Intelligent sanding potential analysis requires continuous real-time prediction of Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and versatility of prediction techniques. Most of the widely used models for predicting UCS have been reviewed and analysed and found deficient in these regards: they either under-predict or over-predict UCS and are not capable of predicting UCS in real time. The review and analysis was based on the number of parameters, already established as having great influence on UCS, that the selected models account for, and the real time measurability of the parameters.

As a solution to this problem, a new neural network model has been developed. The model is based on five input parameters of bulk compressibility, stress path, porosity, median grain size, and sorting; which, on the basis of the review and analysis carried out, have greater influence on UCS, the output parameter. The parameters considered are also measurable and can be obtained easily from logs or empirical relations.

The model has been tested and found to perform better; the results of comparison studies are included in this paper as a proof. The model can be used to predict UCS on a continuous basis in real time for the evaluation of sanding potential in any reservoir rock.
Prediction of Directional Grain Size Distribution: An Integrated Approach
Authors: Oluyemi Gbenga , Oyeneyin Babs , Macleod Chris
Published: July 2014

Recent advances in grain size distribution modelling have tended to de-emphasize the conventional method of carrying out grain size distribution analysis. This is a direct result of the difficulties surrounding core acquisition, preparation and analysis. Huge rig time spent acquiring cores and additional time spent in the laboratory is also a major discouraging factor.

In response to this trend, researchers have come up with models capable of grain size distribution analysis without any need to acquire cores and carry out analysis on them. This work is a sort of response to this new trend and a contribution to the research drive in this core area.

A new technique for grain size distribution estimation has been developed. The new technique integrates both statistical and neural network methods. Statistical methods were used to developsets of equations for estimating some percentile grain sizes such as d1, d2, d16, d84, d98 and d99. Each equation relates one of these percentile sizes with d50 and standard deviation or sorting. Neural network method was used to predict the median grain size (d50). Krumbein and Monk and Bergs equations were transposed and used to estimate the standard deviation.

The technique also has the functionality of resolving grain size distribution into horizontaland vertical components for sand failure analysis The technique is simple and is dependent on only petrophysical and textural information of porosity, permeability, irreducible water saturation and pack structure coefficient which are readily available from well logs and/or empirical models.
Integration of Shale-Gas-Production Data and Microseismic for Fracture and Reservoir Properties With the Fast Marching Method
Authors: Xie Jiang , Yang Changdong , Gupta Neha , King Michael J. , Datta-Gupta Akhil
Published: July 2014

We present a novel approach to calculate drainage volume and well performance in shale gas reservoirs by use of the fast marching method (FMM) combined with a geometric pressure approximation. Our approach can fully account for complex fracture-network geometries associated with multistage hydraulic fractures and their impact on the well pressure and rates. The major advantages of our proposed approach are its simplicity, intuitive appeal, and computational efficiency. For example, we can compute and visualize the time evolution of the well-drainage volume for multimillion-cell geologic models in seconds without resorting to reservoir simulation. A geometric approximation of the drainage volume is then used to compute the well rates and the reservoir pressure.

The speed and versatility of our proposed approach make it ideally suited for parameter estimation by means of the inverse modeling of shale-gas performance data. We use experimental design to perform the sensitivity analysis to identify the “heavy hitters” and a genetic algorithm (GA) to calibrate the relevant fracture and matrix parameters in shale-gas reservoirs by history matching of production data. In addition to the production data, microseismic information is used to help us constrain the fracture extent and orientation and to estimate the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV). The proposed approach is applied to a fractured shale-gas well. The results clearly show reduced ranges in the estimated fracture parameters and SRV, leading to improved forecasting and reserves estimation.
Enhanced Oil Recovery in Gasflooded Carbonate Reservoirs by Wettability-Altering Surfactants
Authors: Wang Leizheng , Mohanty Kishore
Published: July 2014

Gas-aided gravity drainage is a common oil-recovery technique in anticline-shaped oil reservoirs. If the permeability is low and the reservoir is oil-wet, the remaining oil saturation can be quite high. The goal of this work is to mobilize a part of this oil by surfactant injection. An anionic-surfactant formulation was developed to alter wettability and lower interfacial tension (IFT) for a gasflooded, carbonate reservoir. Different coreflood strategies, including gas/water/surfactant/water (GWSW), gas/surfactant/gas (GSG), gas/surfactant/water (GSW), and gas/surfactant/water/gas (GSWG) floods, were investigated. GSG, GWSW, and GSWG corefloods conducted in limestone cores recovered an additional 40–50% of the original oil in place (OOIP) because of the injection of surfactant. GSW corefloods conducted in a vuggy dolomite recovered less: an approximately 20%-of-OOIP incremental recovery. Numerical simulation was used to match GSG and GSW corefloods and estimate multiphase-flow functions. A 2D conceptual simulation model using these functions was built for an anticline reservoir for gas and surfactant-solution injection. GSG flooding using wettability-altering surfactant exhibited high oil recovery at the field scale. IFT reduction, wettability alteration, and foam formation contributed to enhanced oil recovery (EOR).
Microscopic Dynamics of Water and Hydrocarbon in Shale-Kerogen Pores of Potentially Mixed Wettability
Authors: Hu Yinan , Devegowda Deepak , Striolo Alberto , Van Phan Anh Thi , Ho Tuan A. , Civan Faruk , Sigal Richard
Published: July 2014

Distribution of alkanes and water in organic pores of shale, referred to as kerogen, is essential information required for the estimation of shale-reservoir oil and gas in place, adsorption of hydrocarbon, and fate of hydraulic-fracture water. A practical modeling approach is presented for the proper description of the kerogen pore systems with different mixed wettability, surface roughness, tortuous paths, and material disorder. Three kerogen models—activated kerogen, kerogen free of activated sites, and graphite-slit pore—with proper surface-oxidized functional groups and high-temperature and pressure maturation are constructed by simulation. Distribution of octane and water in the organic pores of these models is predicted by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The results from our studies underscore the need for accurate characterization of kerogen pore systems in terms of the pore morphology, level of surface activation, and pore size.

The improved kerogen models constructed to structurally resemble real organic materials have the potential to enable a better understanding of the placement, distribution, and trapping mechanisms of hydraulic-fracture water in shales. We demonstrate that depending on the maturity of the kerogen within organic-rich shales, organic pore systems may have mixed-wet characteristics and may create opportunities for water entrapment. The differences in the uptake of water are shown to be a function of the existence of oxygenated functional groups. In addition, the adsorption characteristics of alkanes in pores characterized by surface roughness are shown to be significantly different from those observed in the graphite-slit pore model. Our results indicate that careful consideration of the pore morphology is merited when estimating hydrocarbons in place with the Langmuir monolayer-adsorption theory.
Increasing Lubricity of Downhole Fluids for Coiled-Tubing Operations
Authors: Livescu Silviu , Craig Steven
Published: July 2014

The requirement for intervention operations in long-reach lateral wells continues to grow. In the US, it is not uncommon to be asked to run coiled tubing (CT) in 10,000-ft laterals. In general terms, a 2-in. CT typically has enough weight reserves to perform work to approximately half such a lateral. Even though increasing the CT diameter remains a theoretical option to improve reach, practically, it creates logistical challenges with both road transport and offshore crane-lifting/deck-loading limitations. Although fluid-hammer tools and downhole tractors have extended the reasonable operational range of CT significantly, they also increase circulating pressures and operational complexity. To reach a 10,000-ft lateral, the use of metal-on-metal lubricants will be required to work in conjunction with the other systems.

Obviously, the use of lubricants is not new. Typical real-life results of current systems are approximately a 15 to 20% reduction in the coefficient of friction (CoF) from a generic 0.24 to 0.19. Occasionally, one could obtain smaller CoF values in the field. However, these actual results compare poorly to laboratory testing with a high-pressure rotational friction test.

An extensive set of laboratory measurements was carried out with a linear-friction measuring device to understand and quantify the mechanical, chemical, and thermal metal-on-metal wet frictional effects. Particular attention was paid to the synergy between lubricants and the other commonly circulated brines and fluid friction reducers. Other tests, such as regained-permeability and aging tests were also performed.

Arising from the trials is a new lubricant that reduced the linear CoF by approximately 40 to 60% (0.10 to 0.12) under downhole conditions. Friction reduction of this magnitude is expected to make it feasible to run CT in 10,000-ft laterals without the use of fluid-hammer tools or tractors.

The paper details the new testing method, technical background of frictional drag, existing lubricant case histories, the new laboratory data, details of compatibility tests, and two new-lubricant case histories.
H33: A Wheat Gene Providing Hessian Fly Resistance for the Southeastern United States
Authors: McDonald Melissa J. , Ohm Herbert W. , Rinehart Kristen D. , Giovanini Marcelo P. , Williams Christie E.
Published: July 2014

Hessian fly populations adapt to overcome newly deployed resistance genes within a few years of release. Although more than 34 genes have been identified that confer resistance against Hessian fly [Mayetiola destructor (Say)] attack in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), only five genes currently provide resistance against fly populations in the southeastern United States. But even these genes are not 100% effective, leaving Georgia and North and South Carolina with between one and three effective genes for cultivar development. With the goal of providing much needed resistance for this region in a wheat line suitable for use with marker‐assisted selection, we identified a durum wheat line that confers resistance to Hessian fly populations from Maryland, Delaware, North and South Carolina, and Georgia in 100% of the plants tested. Resistance from this tetraploid durum line, PI 134942, was introgressed into hexaploid common wheat to generate the line 97211. Segregating populations of F2:3 families were constructed with the durum donor and with the common wheat recipient to identify resistance genes and provide flanking markers. Although the resistance of the durum donor appeared to involve more than one gene, one partially dominant but very effective gene, H33, was successfully transferred and identified in the hexaploid recipient. This gene was mapped to the short arm of wheat chromosome 3A and is flanked by single sequence repeat markers xgwm218 and hbg284.
Effect of High‐Oleic Acid Soybean on Seed Oil, Protein Concentration, and Yield
Authors: La Thang C. , Pathan Safiullah M. , Vuong Tri , Lee Jeong‐Dong , Scaboo Andrew M. , Smith James R. , Gillen Anne M. , Gillman Jason , Ellersieck Mark R. , Nguyen Henry T. , Shannon J. Grover
Published: July 2014

Soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] with high‐oleic acid content are desired by oil processors because of their improved oxidative stability for broader use in food, fuel, and other products. However, non‐genetically modified organism (GMO), high‐oleic soybeans have tended to have low seed yield. The objective of this study was to test non‐GMO, high‐oleic soybean lines derived from new gene combinations for seed yield and seed composition traits. Soybean lines with ∼750 to 800 g kg–1 oleic acid concentration were generated by combining mutant allele S117N FAD2‐1A from 17D and mutant allele P137R FAD2‐1B from PI 283327. Also, lines were developed by crossing M23 with a different FAD2‐1A mutation ⋅ (Jake ⋅ PI 283327) and used for comparative purposes. Forty F4:7 high‐oleic lines with these mutant FAD2‐1A and FAD2‐1B genes were compared with forty F4:7 normal oleic acid lines (∼200–250 g kg–1) for seed yield, five fatty acids, total oil, and protein concentration from six crosses grown in six environments. The high‐oleic genotypes averaged >790 g kg–1 oleic acid and concentrations of palmitic and linolenic acids were significantly lower (∼30% lower) in high‐oleic acid lines than in their normal oleic acid counterparts in each environment. When averaged across all locations and populations, seed yield of the high‐oleic lines derived from 17D were within 2% of the normal oleic lines but yield between high and normal oleic lines varied among populations. The high‐oleic lines averaged significantly higher in protein than normal oleic lines in all six populations. Oil was also higher in the high‐oleic lines than normal oleic lines from the 17D populations but was lower in the high‐oleic lines derived from M23. Thus, high‐oleic soybeans derived by combining mutant allele S117N FAD2‐1A allele with mutant P137R FAD2‐1B allele can have comparable yields with the potential to generate more oil with greater functionality and a higher protein meal than soybeans with normal oleic acid content.
Abnormal Repolarization in the Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients: A Frequency-Based Characterization
Authors: Giuliani Corrado , Agostinelli Angela , Fioretti Sandro , Nardo Francesco D , Burattini Laura B
Published: July 2014

Despite ST elevation having poor sensitivity for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), it remains the main electrocardiographic (ECG) repolarization index for AMI diagnosis. Aim of the present study was to propose a new f99 index, defined as the frequency at which the repolarization normalized cumulative energy reaches 99%, for ECG AMI discrimination from health with good sensitivity and good specificity. Evaluation of such f99 index was performed on 12-standard-lead (I, II, III, aV1, aVr, aVf, V1 to V6) ECG recordings of 47 healthy controls and 108 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. Repolarization dispersion caused f99 distributions to be significantly lead dependent. In most leads (leads I, II, aVl, aVr, V2-V6), f99 median value was lower in the healthy controls (10-17 Hz) than in the AMI patients (12-38 Hz) indicating higher frequency components (i.e. a more fragmented repolarization) in the latter population. AMI patients from healthy controls discrimination by f99, evaluated in terms of sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp), was also lead dependent. Single-lead analysis indicated leads I (Se=80%, Sp=77%) and aVl (Se=84%, Sp=74%) as optimal. Instead, lead-system analysis, performed to overcome dispersion issues, provided the best results when averaging over the 6 precordial leads (Se= 81% and Sp=74%). In conclusion, our new f99 index appears as a promising tool for non-invasively and reliably discriminate AMI patients from healthy subjects.
Development and validation of LC-MS/MS method with multiple reactions monitoring mode for quantification of vanillin and syringaldehyde in plum brandies
Authors: Tesevic Vele , Aljancic Ivana , Vajs Vlatka , Zivkovic Marijana , Nikicevic Ninoslav , Urosevic Ivan , Vujisic Ljubodrag
Published: July 2014

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass
spectrometry (UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) method with multiple reactions monitoring mode
(MRM) has been developed and validated for quantification of vanillin and
syringaldehyde in plum brandy. The method showed good linearity (0.05 to 10
mgL?1) and low limits of detection and quantification (LOD and LOQ were 11.6
?gL?1 and 38.2 ?gL?1 for vanillin, and 12.7 ?gL?1 and 42.0 ?gL?1 for
syringaldehyde, respectively). The overall intra-day and inter-day variations
were less than 4.21%, and the overall recovery over 93.0%. The correlation
coefficients (R2) of the calibration curves were higher than 0.9999. In order
to evaluate if the method is suitable for use as a routine analytical tool,
in 31 Serbian plum brandy samples vanillin and syringaldehide were
determined.
Hydro- and solvothermally-prepared ZnO and its catalytic effect on photodegradation of reactive orange 16 dye
Authors: Simovic Bojana , Golubovic Aleksandar , Veljkovic Ivana , Poleti Dejan , Zdravkovic Jelena , Mijin Dusan , Bjelajac Andjelika
Published: July 2014

In this work, zinc oxide powders were obtained by two different techniques:
hydro- and solvothermal synthesis starting from Zn(NO3)2 and Zn(CH3COO)2,
respectively. The influence of synthetic procedure on the structural,
microstructural, thermal and photocatalytic properties of the prepared ZnO
powders was investigated. Both ZnO samples were further annealed at moderate
conditions (300?C) to avoid grain growth and to remove traces of impurities.
In all four cases a single-phase hexagonal ZnO was confirmed by X-ray powder
diffraction. The morphology of prepared ZnO powders was different and it
varied from rounded nanograins to microrods. All prepared samples showed
higher photocatalytic efficiency in degradation of textile azo-dye Reactive
Orange 16(RO16) than the commercial ZnO. In addition, the non-annealed
samples had better photocatalytic properties than the commercial Degussa P25
TiO2 powder.
The significance of the topographic element of hill in the modern urban context: Crkvina and Jablanica
Authors: Karan Isidora
Published: July 2014

The position of the first settlements was determined by geography, which
defined their form and set the basis for building the identity of modern
urban environments. Although the correlation between the natural and man-made
components of towns was changing under the influence of cultural
circumstances and the manner of social production of space, primarily in the
20th century, the natural elements still appear as primary urban elements.
The paper analyses the significance of Crkvina hill in the socio-spatial
context of the town of Trebinje, as well as the significance of Jablanica
hill in the socio-spatial context of the town of Novi Grad. It examines the
influence of the topography and hill element on the genesis of urban
structures, as well as the ways in which the hill is incorporated into the
urban tissues and activities of these towns today. It also analyses the
symbolic character of the hill, its role in transmitting socio-cultural
processes and in creating collective identity. It further determines the
potentials of the element of the hill, which can help increase the quality of
urban space and highlight the identity of Trebinje and Novi Grad.
What is the threshold in urban regeneration projects in the context of urban identity? The case of Turkey
Authors: Eren İmre
Published: July 2014

Cities are trying to adapt to the rapidly changing global trends by
regenerating themselves. Approaches and practices of this regeneration are
different in several countries. In big Turkish cities, particularly in the
past decade, urban regeneration practices, processes and consequences have
sparked several debates. The ?new? gained or converted spaces in the city are
also significant in terms of their impacts on urban identity. In this
context, this study aims to identify the impacts of urban regeneration, which
occurred in historical city centres, on urban identity in the case of Turkey.
The study determines general framework of urban regeneration and then defines
a conceptual framework of urban identity. It focuses on urban regeneration
projects in the case of Turkey. Then, the topic is explored through two case
studies which are selected from Turkey, Istanbul and Bursa. The findings of
the study indicate that there are several problematic aspects of urban
regeneration. The findings also show that urban identity was ignored in urban
regeneration projects, which caused significant breaks in the context of
physical, cultural, historical and semantic continuity.
The territorial cooperation policy of the EU with the countries of South East Europe: An interim evaluation
Authors: Kotios Angelos , Roukanas Spyridon , Galanos George
Published: July 2014

During the programming period 2007-2013 the Cohesion Policy of the EU was
adopted and the policy of territorial cooperation with third countries was
implemented. Within this framework, the EU co-finances (through the European
Regional Development Fund, the pre-accession instrument and the instrument of
European Neighbourhood Policy) a series of cross-border, interregional and
transnational cooperation programmes in Southeast Europe. The South East
European countries are eligible for all these programmes, but the only
programme that includes all countries in the region is the South East Europe
Programme 2007-2013. The aim of this study is to conduct an interim
evaluation of these programmes and present suggestions for the new
programming period for the Cohesion Policy 2014-2020. Section 2 describes the
EU policy of territorial cooperation with non-EU countries. Section 3 reviews
the framework of EU policies and programmes fostering regional integration
and territorial cohesion in Southeast Europe. Section 4 presents the area,
aim, objectives and priority axes of the programme, while Section 5 offers an
assessment of the implementation and effectiveness of the programme. Section
6 also includes some critical observations and policy proposals.
Regional characteristics of individual housing units in Serbia from the aspect of applied building technologies
Authors: Jovanovic-Popovic Milica , Stankovic Bojana , Pajkic Milica
Published: July 2014

Individual housing units in Serbia have been studied from the aspect of
applied technical solutions. Analyzed data have been collected during a field
research in accordance with the current administrative regional division, and
they represent a basis for definition of regional typology of individual
housing units. Characteristic types of objects of each region?s typology have
been further analyzed. Upon these analyses regional characteristics of
individual housing units regarding applied construction types, building
technologies and materials have been defined and presented.
Assessment of the capacity of the national ecological network elements for road construction and operation
Authors: Kicosev Vesna , Galambos Laslo , Cizmic Ivan , Mitrovic Djordje
Published: July 2014

Road construction and usage have a wide range of direct and indirect negative
effects on protected areas. The impact of state roads on protected areas in
Vojvodina was reviewed in this article, based on the orientation values of
habitat loss and secondary negative effects originating from traffic
functioning. Results of the assessment indicate that the use of existing
roads constructed on habitats within the national ecological network exceeded
the capacity of individual PA-protected areas (e.g., in case of Straza
Natural Monument). Recorded capacity overflow on other PAs occurs solely as a
consequence of overlapping between protected areas and areas of influence of
roads routed along the borders of protected areas (which is the case with
Slano Kopovo Special Nature Reserve and Selevenjske pustare Special Nature
Reserve). The aim of this article is to show that even with the smallest
values of the parameters related to the width of roads and critical distance
from the habitat, the vulnerability of certain core areas of the national
ecological network is evident.
Modelling shape of architectural structure: Elliptic hyperboloid of one sheet
Authors: Dragovic Magdalena , Cucakovic Aleksandar , Lazarevic Luka
Published: July 2014

The combination of straight lines of constructive elements and curved
contours of structural shapes is always challenging in the engineering
practice. The 2nd order surface - elliptic hyperboloid of one sheet (ELHY)
provides such combination. Given that in the architectural surroundings,
arts, or other scientific fields ELHY is less common, than the other
representatives of the same family of ruled surfaces, it is worth of
attention and research. Here presented constructive geometry approach
resulted in Auto CAD application for generating 3D wire-frame and
triangulated net model of ELHY surface and some examples of structures -
prototypes of structural shapes, designed by using ELHY fragments.
Biomass Modeling of Alnus nepalensis D. Don at Juvenile Stage
Authors: Bhandari Shes Kanta , Neupane Himlal
Published: July 2014

Juvenile stage plants contribute significant proportion of forest biomass and carbon depending on successional stage. Thus, the juvenile plants play a significant role in forest ecosystem and they cannot be neglected while estimating the total carbon stocks of the forest. Therefore this study was carried out develop juvenile biomass models. We measured diameter at 10 cm above ground level (D), total height (H) and total biomass (W) of Alnus nepalensis juveniles. We used least square regression technique to develop biomass models. The models were estimated using “library(minpack. lm)” in R. The estimated models were evaluated by using numerical fit statistics and graphical analyses. Among 136 different models tested, the model of the form: Wi= β0+β1(D2H) with explanatory variable D2H accounted for the largest proportion of biomass variations (R2adj = 0.97; RMSE = 42.34g; AIC=406.8.7) for individual Alnus nepalensis juveniles, and showed relatively better graphical appearance and biological logic. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ctbijis.v2i1.10812 Crossing the Border: International Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Vol.2(1) 2014: 47-60
Grading Controversies in the Assessment of University Graduates in Bangladesh
Authors: Karim Ziaul , Hossain Jamal
Published: July 2014

Tertiary education has undergone several changes in the past few decades in Bangladesh. And one of the important alterations seems to be the introduction of letter grade system instead of numeric marking for assessment. Though letter grading as part of assessment is now an integral component of all the universities in Bangladesh, surprisingly this method of assessment is not consistent, even though the University Grants Commission (UGC) has provided a uniform grading scale to follow. This study attempts to find out the purposes of grading, problems with current grading practices and the impact of such discrete grading system on the learners and teachers. Finally, it suggests some ways out in order to bring harmony to the overall grading process. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ctbijis.v2i1.10813 Crossing the Border: International Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Vol.2(1) 2014: 61-74
RETRACTED: Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies on Tourism in Nepal
Authors: Bhandari Lekha Nath
Published: July 2014

Retraction Notice: The editors have retracted this article "Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies on Tourism in Nepal" due to a high level of plagiarism from the article Nyaupane, Gyan P. and Chhetri, Netra (2009) 'Vulnerability to Climate Change of Nature-Based Tourism in the Nepalese Himalayas', Tourism Geographies, 11: 1, 95-119. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616680802643359
Modeling of a Dielectric Elastomer Bender Actuator
Authors: White Paul , Latscha Stella , Yim Mark
Published: July 2014

The current smallest self-contained modular robot uses a shape memory alloy, which is inherently inefficient, slow and difficult to control. We present the design, fabrication and demonstration of a module based on dielectric elastomer actuation. The module uses a pair of bowtie dielectric elastomer actuators in an agonist-antagonist configuration and is seven times smaller than previously demonstrated. In addition, we present an intuitive model for the bowtie configuration that predicts the performance with experimental verification. Based on this model and the experimental analysis, we address the theoretical limitations and advantages of this antagonistic bender design relative to other dielectric elastomer actuators.
Combinatorial Optimization with Information Geometry: The Newton Method
Authors: Malagò Luigi , Pistone Giovanni
Published: July 2014

We discuss the use of the Newton method in the computation of max(p → Εp [f]), where p belongs to a statistical exponential family on a finite state space. In a number of papers, the authors have applied first order search methods based on information geometry. Second order methods have been widely used in optimization on manifolds, e.g., matrix manifolds, but appear to be new in statistical manifolds. These methods require the computation of the Riemannian Hessian in a statistical manifold. We use a non-parametric formulation of information geometry in view of further applications in the continuous state space cases, where the construction of a proper Riemannian structure is still an open problem.
Potential for Integrating Community-Based Monitoring into REDD+
Authors: Torres Arturo
Published: July 2014

Countries at the United Nations Framework on the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have decided to engage local communities and indigenous groups into the activities for the monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of the program to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and increase carbon removals (REDD+). Previous research and projects have shown that communities can produce reliable data on forest area and carbon estimates through field measurements. The objective of this article is to describe the framework that is being created for REDD+ under the UNFCCC to identify the potential inclusion of local information produced through community-based monitoring (CBM) into monitoring systems for REDD+. National systems could use different sources of information from CBM: first, local information can be produced as part of public programs by increasing sample size of national or regional inventories; second, government can collect information to produce carbon estimates from on-going management practices implemented at local level driven by access to local direct benefits (e.g., forest management plans, watershed conservation); third, national data systems could include information from projects participating in carbon markets and other certification schemes; and finally information will be produced as part of the activities associated to the implementation of social and environmental safeguards. Locally generated data on carbon and areas under different forms of management can be dovetailed into national systems and be used to describe management practices, complement existing information or replace Tier 1/2 values with more detailed local data produced by CBM.
Distinct Roles of Soluble and Transmembrane Adenylyl Cyclases in the Regulation of Flagellar Motility in Ciona Sperm
Authors: Shiba Kogiku , Inaba Kazuo
Published: July 2014

Adenylyl cyclase (AC) is a key enzyme that synthesizes cyclic AMP (cAMP) at the onset of the signaling pathway to activate sperm motility. Here, we showed that both transmembrane AC (tmAC) and soluble AC (sAC) are distinctly involved in the regulation of sperm motility in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. A tmAC inhibitor blocked both cAMP synthesis and the activation of sperm motility induced by the egg factor sperm activating and attracting factor (SAAF), as well as those induced by theophylline, an inhibitor of phoshodiesterase. It also significantly inhibited cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of a set of proteins at motility activation. On the other hand, a sAC inhibitor does not affect on SAAF-induced transient increase of cAMP, motility activation or protein phosphorylation, but it reduced swimming velocity to half in theophylline-induced sperm. A sAC inhibitor KH-7 induced circular swimming trajectory with smaller diameter and significantly suppressed chemotaxis of sperm to SAAF. These results suggest that tmAC is involved in the basic mechanism for motility activation through cAMP-dependent protein phosphorylation, whereas sAC plays distinct roles in increase of flagellar beat frequency and in the Ca2+-dependent chemotactic movement of sperm.
Rubus Fruticosus L.: Constituents, Biological Activities and Health Related Uses
Authors: Zia-Ul-Haq Muhammad , Riaz Muhammad , De Feo Vincenzo , Jaafar Hawa , Moga Marius
Published: July 2014

Rubus fruticosus L. is a shrub famous for its fruit called blackberry fruit or more commonly blackberry. The fruit has medicinal, cosmetic and nutritive value. It is a concentrated source of valuable nutrients, as well as bioactive constituents of therapeutic interest highlighting its importance as a functional food. Besides use as a fresh fruit, it is also used as ingredient in cooked dishes, salads and bakery products like jams, snacks, desserts, and fruit preserves. R. fruticosus contains vitamins, steroids and lipids in seed oil and minerals, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenes, acids and tannins in aerial parts that possess diverse pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial anti-diabetic, anti-diarrheal, and antiviral. Various agrogeoclimatological factors like cultivar, environmental conditions of the area, agronomic practices employed, harvest time, post-harvest storage and processing techniques all influence the nutritional composition of blackberry fruit. This review focuses on the nutrients and chemical constituents as well as medicinal properties of different parts of R. fruticosus. Various cultivars and their physicochemical characteristics, polyphenolic content and ascorbic acid content are also discussed. The information in the present work will serve as baseline data and may lead to new biomedical applications of R. fruticosus as functional food.
Association between Intake of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Circulating 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration among Premenopausal Women
Authors: Duchaine Caroline , Diorio Caroline
Published: July 2014

Intake of sugar-sweetened beverages has increased in North America and seems to have several adverse health effects possibly through decreased circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the association between sugar-sweetened beverages intake and 25(OH)D concentrations among premenopausal women. Intake of sugar-sweetened beverages including colas, other carbonated beverages and sweet fruit drinks was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire among 741 premenopausal women. Plasma concentrations of 25(OH)D were quantified by radioimmunoassay. The association between sugar-sweetened beverages intake and 25(OH)D concentrations was evaluated using multivariate generalized linear models and Spearman correlations. A higher intake of colas was associated with lower mean 25(OH)D levels (67.0, 63.7, 64.7 and 58.5 nmol/L for never, <1, 1–3 and >3 servings/week, respectively; r = −0.11 (p = 0.004)). A correlation was observed between intake of other carbonated beverages and 25(OH)D concentrations but was not statistically significant (r = −0.06 (p = 0.10)). No association was observed between intake of sweet fruit drinks and 25(OH)D concentrations. This study suggests that high intake of colas may decrease 25(OH)D levels in premenopausal women. Considering the high consumption of these drinks in the general population and the possible consequences of vitamin D deficiency on health, this finding needs further investigation.
Detecting the Visible: The Discursive Construction of Health Threats in a Syndromic Surveillance System Design
Authors: Cakici Baki , Sanches Pedro
Published: July 2014

Information and communication technologies are not value-neutral tools that reflect reality; they privilege some forms of action, and they limit others. We analyze reports describing the design, development, testing and evaluation of a European Commission co-funded syndromic surveillance project called SIDARTHa (System for Information on Detection and Analysis of Risks and Threats to Health). We show that the reports construct the concept of a health threat as a sudden, unexpected event with the potential to cause severe harm and one that requires a public health response aided by surveillance. Based on our analysis, we state that when creating surveillance technologies, design choices have consequences for what can be seen and for what remains invisible. Finally, we argue that syndromic surveillance discourse privileges expertise in developing, maintaining and using software within public health practice, and it prioritizes standardized and transportable knowledge over local and context-dependent knowledge. We conclude that syndromic surveillance contributes to a shift in broader public health practice, with consequences for fairness if design choices and prioritizations remain invisible and unchallenged.