bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applying the Bass model to pharmaceuticals in emerging markets
Authors: Porath Daniel , Schaefer Christian
Published: August 2014

Albeit the Bass model was not designed for predicting sales of newly launched drugs, pharmaceutical companies commonly use it for this purpose, mainly because of its good predictive power. Empirical experience, however, mainly refers to mature markets and it is unclear how the model behaves in emerging markets. We try to fill this gap in the literature by comparing the estimation results of the Bass model between emerging markets and mature markets in a big dataset including more than 5,000 new launches from different countries. Our results show a good performance of the model in emerging markets. Compared to mature markets the estimated parameters on average are the same, but there is a higher heterogeneity between individual countries. Our findings favour the application of the Bass model in emerging markets, but also highlight the importance of selecting individual parameters for each country and therapeutic class.
‘Who you know and what you have to Say’: An Alternative Look at Knowledge Mobilisation Theory
Authors: Brown Chris
Published: August 2014

The process of ‘knowledge mobilisation’ is defined as the means through which decision makers within organisations digest, accept, then ‘take on board’ research findings. It is argued in Brown (2011), however, that current models designed to explain knowledge mobilisation activity fail to fully account for the complexities that affect its operation. Within this paper, existing frameworks are explored and critiqued, and an alternative approach is presented. It is argued that this alternative conceptualisation provides a more effective explanation of the knowledge mobilisation process and significantly improves on extant work in this area. The work is also augmented by the provision of a suite of qualitatively based strategies that can be used by researchers to better facilitate the knowledge mobilisation process. It is concluded that further quantitative testing of these strategies is required.
Gender Perceptions of Male and Female Teachers in the Arab Education System in Israel
Authors: Asbah Khaled Abu , Nasra Muhammed Abu , Abu-Baker Khawla
Published: August 2014

This study examines gender perceptions and attitudes of Arab male and female teachers in Israel. This quantitative study includes 302 Arab Muslim male and female teachers in the Arab education system. The results show that participants believe that there is no gender equality in Arab society in Israel, a conviction stronger among male teachers. Transition of Arab society from traditional to modern society has not eliminated the patriarchal regime. Improved education of women and their professional promotion have not ensured gender equality. Changes in the status of Arab women and attitudes toward their participation in the labor force are due not to changes in the social structure of Arab society but to economic structural constraints at the national level.
Improving the Transparency of Construction Projects through Visualization Technology
Authors: Khwaja Nabeel , Schmeits Cameron
Published: August 2014

Reconstruction of major metropolitan highway projects is a complex engineering process during which detailed engineering plans and specifications are prepared and the construction operations are performed according to those plans and specifications. Most of these complex projects take years to plan and design and several more years to construct. One major challenge associated with urban and metropolitan highway reconstruction is balancing the mobility needs of the driving public and the construction needs of the contractor. In general, this balance is accomplished through the development of detailed traffic control plans (TCPs). These TCPs are primarily engineering documents. Typically, they are shared between an engineer, owner, and contractor on printed sheets of 11- 3 17-in. paper. On large projects, a TCP document can consist of several thousand sheets. A TCP depicts the sequence of construction and the management of traffic (i.e., spatial information only). Timeline information (i.e., temporal data on the construction sequences) is contained in a separate system for scheduling data. Since the turn of this century and through the availability of powerful personal-computer-based, three-dimensional modeling tools, scheduling software, and their integration, the latest visual modeling techniques have become possible and cost-effective to use in the development and presentation of complex spatial and temporal engineering information to project stakeholders in a user-friendly format. This paper presents a case study of the successful use of this technology on the $2.6 billion Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway reconstruction project in Dallas, Texas.
Construction of Roller-Compacted Concrete Pavement in the Fayetteville Shale Play Area, Arkansas
Authors: Williams Stacy G.
Published: August 2014

In 2012, roller-compacted concrete (RCC) pavement was used to rehabilitate a deteriorated section of roadway in the Fayetteville Shale Play Area (FSPA), Arkansas. As the result of recent heavy truck traffic related to natural gas exploration efforts in Arkansas, the FSPA has experienced significant pavement distresses that typical maintenance activities cannot sufficiently address. RCC pavement was selected as a potential solution to repair failing pavements in this area because that pavement could be constructed more quickly than conventional concrete pavements and could provide adequate structure for truck traffic. Two sections of RCC pavement were constructed on a rural, two-lane highway. The first was a 7-in. section placed on a cement reconstructed base course, and the second was an 8-in. section placed as an overlay. The RCC mixture contained a nominal, maximum aggregate size of ¾ in. and was designed to meet a minimum, 28-day compressive strength of 5,000 psi. Although some difficulties were encountered during the construction process, the final product was considered successful. Low initial strengths in Section 1 were believed to be caused by a combination of low temperatures and the presence of fly ash in the mix. Fly ash was removed from the mix design before the construction of Section 2 began, and the strength characteristics were much improved. Diamond grinding was used to ensure surface smoothness; this treatment resulted in an average International Roughness Index value of 69.5. After 6 months, a distress survey was performed in which minimal cracking was found. Minor surface distresses, including popouts and deterioration at construction joints, were noted.
Field Study of Air Content Stability in the Slipform Paving Process
Authors: Ram Prashant V. , Van Dam Thomas J. , Sutter Larry L. , Anzalone Gerald , Smith Kurt D.
Published: August 2014

This study evaluated the impacts of construction on the air content and air void system structure of portland cement concrete pavements. The primary intent was to quantify the air content of fresh concrete before and after it had gone through the slipform paver. The air void system parameters of hardened concrete were then assessed with cast cylinders and extracted core specimens. The results of the air content testing on fresh concrete and the concrete cylinder specimens cast in the field suggested that some loss of air (approximately 1%) occurred as the concrete passed through the paver. Laboratory testing performed on cores extracted from the pavement did not provide conclusive evidence that entrained air was lost during the slipform paving process. In fact, many extracted cores had measured air content values that were much higher than those measured in the fresh concrete and even higher than the specification requirement. If excessive, such values could result in increased permeability and low-strength-related issues. The results suggested that the air content testing on fresh concrete did not capture the true air content of the concrete as it was placed with a slipform paver. The fresh concrete air content in general was lower than was the air content measured in the cores.
Influence of Sustainable Recycled Asphalt Technologies on Pavement Construction Cooling Predictions
Authors: Sánchez Miguel Díaz , Timm David H.
Published: August 2014

Adequate control of temperatures during compaction is a critical factor in the achievement of proper densification of asphalt concrete (AC) layers. As the mat cools down, the viscosity of the asphalt binder increases; this increased viscosity reduces the compaction capability of the asphalt mixture. To assist paving contractors in their estimation of the cooling rate of asphalt pavements, the MultiCool program uses a heat transfer model that predicts the time window for successful compaction. Although this program has been validated for a variety of hot- and warm-mix asphalt technologies, further validation is needed on additional sustainable asphalt mixture technology. Pavement sections built in 2012 at the National Center for Asphalt Technology Pavement Test Track were used to perform a validation study to assess the effect of sustainable technologies [e.g., reclaimed asphalt pavements, recycled asphalt shingles (RAS), ground tire rubber (GTR) modified binders, and foamed cold-mix (FCM) bases] on the cooling rate of AC and the time available for compaction. Results revealed that the MultiCool model was a fair predictor of the measured temperatures. However, the use of RAS, GTR-modified binders, and a FCM base had a direct effect on the temperature predictions. This effect warrants further investigation of the possible effects of RAS, GTR-modified binders, and FCM base on the thermal properties of asphalt mixtures.
Measurement of Asphalt Concrete Temperatures during Transport with the use of an Instrumented Probe System
Authors: Howard Isaac L.
Published: August 2014

Recently, so-called warm technologies have provided the paving industry with a considerable amount of versatility by increasing the options available to perform a given project. The ability to mix at traditional hot-mix temperatures and to compact at warm-mix temperatures is one of these options, because doing so can allow for long-haul distances. Warm technologies are fairly new to the United States, and documentation of their use on long-haul-distance projects is not abundant. This paper presents successful full-scale use of an instrumented probe system developed to simultaneously measure temperature at multiple locations within an asphalt mix while it was hauled for an extended period of time (10 h+). The data collected spanned haul distances far beyond those needed for any conceivable conventional application and likely exceeded distances needed for any emergency application. Probe temperature measurements appeared to be as reliable as well-accepted temperature measurement with asphalt thermometers. For representation of most of the mix in a truck with cooler material near the edges, a laboratory short-term aging protocol was recommended for long hauls of 6 h or less that held mixes at 15°C to 20°C below their mixing temperature for all but the last few minutes before they were progressively cooled to the desired compaction temperature. Additional findings illustrated the significant amount of time that most of a truck's asphalt could retain heat and provide temperature gradient measurements from just inside the truck bed to near the center of the truck bed.
Effects of Milling and Other Repairs on Smoothness of Overlays on Asphalt Pavements
Authors: Hung Shawn S. , Rezaei Arash , Harvey John T.
Published: August 2014

The application of asphalt overlays on existing pavements comprises a significant percentage of the maintenance activities undertaken to restore asphalt pavement condition. The improvement of surface smoothness from overlay construction is gaining increasing attention because smoother overlays are likely to have longer lives as a result of decreased dynamic loading and to provide fuel economy benefits and greater comfort to road users. This paper presents a study in which the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Pavement Condition Survey (PCS) data were used to investigate the effects of repairs, preoverlay condition, and surface and binder type on initial overlay (postoverlay) smoothness. Linear mixed-effect models were used in the analysis to take into account the variation across random-effect variables. The smoothness of overlays was measured in terms of the international roughness index (IRI). The analysis indicated that the pavement preoverlay condition (IRI) was the most important variable to affect overlay smoothness: pavements with lower preoverlay IRIs were smoother than those with higher preoverlay IRIs. An increase in overlay thickness also was found to have a significant effect on the smoothness when the preoverlay condition was poor. In terms of preoverlay repairs, analysis of the Caltrans PCS data showed that pavements with digouts (milling and patching in the wheelpaths) performed better than did pavements whose entire surface was milled before the overlay. The effects of surface type (dense- or gap-graded versus open-graded) and binder type (rubberized or not rubberized) depended on the preexisting pavement condition, other factors, or both. Possible reasons for differences between this study and previous ones are offered.
Performance Testing of Inspectors to Improve the Quality of Nondestructive Testing
Authors: Washer Glenn , Connor Robert , Looten Daniel
Published: August 2014

This paper describes the results of performance testing conducted to improve the quality of nondestructive testing (NDT) used to evaluate the structural integrity of welded-steel bridge components. Common NDT technologies, such as magnetic particle testing (MT) and ultrasonic testing (UT), rely on trained inspectors to implement the proper procedures and interpret the responses to identify and assess indications. High variability in test results can occur between qualified inspectors, who may implement the same procedures with differing levels of thoroughness and care and may interpret responses differently. As a result, the reliability of the implementation of the technology cannot be assumed. Performance testing assesses inspectors, who demonstrate their capability to implement procedures through their detection and analysis of known defects. Such performance testing can improve the quality of NDT inspections by ensuring that inspector capability is adequate. This paper describes the results of performance testing of NDT inspectors at work on the Sherman–Minton Bridge, which carries I-64 and US-150 across the Ohio River and connects Louisville, Kentucky, with New Albany, Indiana. Inspectors assigned to conduct UT and MT on the bridge were first assessed through a performance test program that required them to demonstrate their capabilities. The welded-steel specimens used for performance testing in general included fabricated test plates with embedded flaws of various sizes. The results of the performance tests identified inspectors whose performance was substandard and provided quantitative measures of the variations in the NDT results. This paper describes these variations and the overall results of the performance test program.
Modeling Maintenance Project Selection on a Multimodal Transportation Network
Authors: Khodakarami Mohammadadel , Mitchell Kenneth Ned , Wang Xiubin Bruce
Published: August 2014

The selection of maintenance projects that require funding is essential to the well-being of the waterway transportation system. This paper develops optimization models and heuristics to maximize the benefits of the maintenance projects selected for funding in a multimodal transportation network. This paper includes a mixed linear integer model to maximize the overall network capacity while allowing for partial funding of each project. The model is further extended to account for the random nature of shoaling and subsequent vessel draft restrictions after dredging to maximize the expected capacity over a multiyear study period. In addition, two heuristics are proposed to provide approximate solutions efficiently. All the models and heuristics are tested on real network examples.
Structure of Port Operations Observatory
Authors: Tsamboulas Dimitrios , Karousos Iosif
Published: August 2014

The main objectives of the monitoring strategy of transportation services and infrastructure at the national, regional, and international levels are to learn from experience, to develop alternative management approaches, and to modify policy regulations to optimize the level of service and use of existing infrastructure. The transportation infrastructure observatories are public or private entities devoted not only to generating statistics but also to collecting and harmonizing transportation data in standardized information systems to support performance-based management of transportation services planning and delivery. An observatory can be a web portal for strategic information and up-to-date reports on relevant inquiries, examining one or more transportation modes in a specific geographical area. This paper provides guidelines for developing the basic structure with the static and dynamic contents of an observatory of port operations, as well as its web-based architecture and functioning. The guidelines include the definition and classification of its key features and users, and the technological requirements of the website architecture. For demonstration purposes, an application is presented for a port operations observatory in the Mediterranean Sea.
Transportation Rate Analysis
Authors: Protopapas Annie , Kruse C. James , Olson Leslie E. , Donelan Michael B.
Published: August 2014

This research effort developed transportation rates ($/net ton) from origin to destination—including transfer and handling fees—for a non–statistically significant sample of 200 waterborne movements and their alternative least-cost all-overland routings (i.e., rail, truck, or both). The sample consisted of originating, terminating, internal, and through movements on three waterways: Gulf Intracoastal Waterway–East (100 movements), Arkansas River (50 movements), and Red River (50 movements) in the United States. Water line-haul rates obtained from two major barge operators and handling rates obtained from terminal operators were compared with the corresponding rates obtained from the barge costing model (BCM). It was found that the BCM underestimated waterborne charges and that its definitions of cost components were inconsistent with real-world barge operations. Terminal operators interviewed were not aware of any—or could not identify any—specific off-river origins or destinations, so none was associated with any of the movements. Line-haul rail rates were obtained from the Surface Transportation Board's Carload Waybill Samples 2009 and 2010 and Uniform Railroad Costing System. Truck rates were obtained from national and interstate motor carriers. In most cases (171 of 200 movements) the least-cost, most practical land-only line-haul alternative to barge was found to be rail. Overall, this research concluded that barge shipment was the least-cost transportation alternative for every commodity group on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway–East and Red River and for the majority of commodity groups on the Arkansas River, with annual savings of $2.85 billion. Additional field data collection efforts based on larger, statistically significant samples are needed to implement improvements in the BCM.
Comparing Manned and Automated Horizontal Handling Equipment at Container Terminals
Authors: Saurí Sergi , Morales-Fusco Pau , Martín Enrique , Benítez Pere
Published: August 2014

The choice to use horizontal handling transport in automated container terminals is not fully consistent in comparison with the automation of stacking cranes at the storage yard. Often the decision of whether to use an automated system between the berth and the yard area is not clear, and terminal operators tend not to use automated systems. The goal of this paper is to provide an economic analysis to determine under which conditions automated horizontal transport is more efficient than a semiautomated system. The study provided several simulation models to calculate the optimal equipment necessary to connect storage and berth subsystems in a maritime container terminal in fully automated and semiautomated scenarios. Data from the semiautomated container terminal at the Port of Barcelona, Spain, were used. In addition to the cost analysis, guidelines on the best alternative, considering labor costs, throughput movements per quay crane and year, and quay crane productivity are provided.
Liner Ship Fleet Deployment with Uncertain Demand
Authors: Wang Shuaian , Wang Tingsong , Qu Xiaobo , Liu Zhiyuan , Jin Sheng
Published: August 2014

This paper points out that the deployment problem of the liner ship fleet with uncertain demand is different from other logistics problems with uncertain demand (e.g., truck transport and airlines) because container ships operate 24 h a day and 7 days a week. This difference is largely ignored in the literature. To address this problem, a multilevel optimization model is developed. In addition to liner ship fleet deployment, the model is applicable to other liner shipping decision problems, such as network design with uncertain demand, and to port operations planning problems, such as berth planning with uncertain ship arrival times.
Impact of Bimodal and Lognormal Distributions in Ocean Transportation Transit Time on Logistics Costs
Authors: Das Lita , Kalkanci Basak , Caplice Chris
Published: August 2014

This paper shows that ignoring bimodality and lognormality in transit time distributions can cause large increases in the logistic costs of maritime transportation. Bimodal and lognormal transit time distributions are observed to be of moderate frequency (approximately 17%) but high impact in the volume of shipment carried (approximately 85%) in these lanes. Ignoring and assuming incorrect distribution of transit time can have dramatic implications on the safety stock levels and reorder points and hence inventory cost incurred by the shipper. To display the incorrectness of such assumptions, the paper compares the typical approach of using a deterministic value (Case 1) for transit time and Hadley–Whitin (1963) with normal approximation (Case 2) to the authors’ simulation and empirical analysis on bimodal and lognormal transit time distributions (Case 3). This paper further explores how the shipper should optimally manage inventory in the parameters of transit time distribution and critical ratio (or the service level of the shipper). Specifically, different regions are defined by the transit time distribution parameters and critical ratios that determine the magnitude of relative cost differences when the three cases are compared.
Data- and Performance-Based Congestion Management Approach for Maryland Highways
Authors: Wolniak Matthew J. , Mahapatra Subrat
Published: August 2014

Across the country, state departments of transportation face challenges because of limited budgets and increased infrastructure needs. These agencies often are required to make and defend difficult decisions on project prioritization. With the increased availability of data, more quantitative measures can be used to assist in defining the most pressing project needs to improve mobility. This paper summarizes the findings of the 2012 Maryland State Highway Mobility Report, which evaluates the roadway transportation system operations and is a tool for assessing the annual progress of the state's roadway network. With a focus on policies, programs, and projects that systematically address both the recurring and nonrecurring nature of congestion, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has adopted a performance-based approach to provide users with a high-quality, reliable highway system. Four key focus areas were identified: mobility and reliability, incident management and traveler information systems, multimodalism and smart growth, and freight. Performance measures included input measures, such as vehicle miles traveled, travel time index, and planning time index; output measures, such as number of incidents cleared; and various analyses, such as the annual user cost savings attributable to congestion management. In addition, major controlled access corridors were evaluated from the standpoints of congestion, reliability, and bottlenecks with a combination of vehicle probe speed data and traffic volume data. Consistent performance monitoring allowed SHA to compare and prioritize projects much more effectively.
Spatially Referenced Probe Data Performance Measures for Infrastructure Investment Decision Makers
Authors: Remias Stephen M. , Brennan Thomas M. , Day Christopher M. , Summers Hayley T. , Horton Deborah K. , Cox Edward D. , Bullock Darcy M.
Published: August 2014

Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, the recently enacted highway bill, challenges transportation professionals to develop a comprehensive set of performance measures for managing most aspects of the transportation system. Historically, performance metrics have been created on an agency-by-agency basis with little consistency between data collection frequency and quality. In recent years, crowdsourced data have become a high -fidelity data source that could be used to develop spatially oriented performance measures that could scale nationwide. This paper summarizes the rapidly evolving literature on probe vehicle data and proposes a series of performance measures to characterize the temporal and spatial aspects of congestion in a graphical manner that decision makers may use to evaluate the impact of past investments and prioritize future investments. The I-80-I-94 corridor in northwest Indiana, near Chicago, Illinois, is used to present the methodologies. The paper concludes with a discussion of how these techniques can be extended on a national scale to characterize corridors such as I-80 from New York to California.
Impacts of Participatory Strategic Planning on Advancing Innovation at the Volpe Center
Authors: Segev Eran , Chen Joyce , English Brendan , Johns Robert C.
Published: August 2014

Strategy and innovation are critical in ensuring the continued success of research organizations in the face of rapid economic, technological, political, and social changes. In 2010, the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe), a fee-for-service research organization in existence for more than 40 years in the U.S. Department of Transportation, embarked on a participatory strategic planning process. This paper presents a case study of this process, which used crowdsourcing as a tool for staff engagement. In addition, the paper evaluates the effectiveness of Volpe's strategic planning efforts through the lens of the literature on strategic planning and innovation. Employing both quantitative and qualitative methods, the paper examines two questions. First, has the participatory strategic planning process strengthened Volpe's ability to carry out its purpose of advancing transportation innovation for the public good? Second, does the employee engagement and crowdsourcing approach used by Volpe offer an effective and successful alternative to the traditional model of conducting strategic planning at the top organizational levels? Strategic planning and innovation literature provided quantitative metrics with which to measure characteristics associated with innovative organizations. Findings indicated that six completed strategic initiatives were perceived by staff as contributing positively to Volpe's purpose of advancing innovation. Differences between managers’ and nonmanagers’ perceptions were found. Findings also indicated that crowdsourcing was an effective tool with high participation rates and positive comments in the qualitative analysis. This research demonstrated the continuing need for further research on the impacts of strategic planning and on the use and effectiveness of crowdsourcing.
Valley Metro Organizational Integration
Authors: Ketcherside Carol L. , Menon Manasvi
Published: August 2014

Seeking efficiencies, the boards of directors of Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority and Valley Metro Rail, Inc., selected a single chief executive officer (CEO), Stephen R. Banta, in February 2012. Charged with creating one integrated agency, Banta embarked on an effort to advance an integrated, robust, and effective transit organization to serve transit riders and communities throughout the region. He began by engaging an expert consultant team to facilitate the effort. This paper describes the integration actions undertaken by Valley Metro leadership and the consultant team, from March 2012 and through fiscal year 2013 to create the organization needed to carry out the new agency's mission and advance the vision of the CEO and the new leadership team. A 15-step organizational integration methodology resulted in a streamlined functional structure with more than $2 million in total salary savings. Two agencies and 10 total divisions were integrated into a single agency with six divisions. Additional efficiencies were achieved through staff reassignments and attrition, which also made it possible to reduce reliance on consultants and contractors in several functional areas of the agency. In addition to the cost savings, benefits included staffing efficiencies, administrative efficiencies through joint contracts, improved service delivery, and elevated visibility of the agency and its efforts within the local community.
Iron status in women using oral contraceptives
Authors: Yeasmin Tahmina , Haque Md. Shahidul , Yeasmin Shahanara , Amin Md. Ruhul
Published: August 2014

Objectives: To assess the iron status of women using oral contraceptive pill (OCP) and compare this status with that of women of non-OCP users. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional comparative study was done in Dhaka Medical College from January 2006 to December 2006. Total 61 apparently healthy women of low socioeconomic class, age ranged 20-40 years were selected from different areas of Dhaka city. Of them 41 women were OCP users (Study group) and 20 women were non-OCP users (for comparison). OCP users again subdivided into subgroups according to duration of OCP use. Serum ferritin and haemoglobin level were taken as parameters of iron status in both groups. Statistical analysis was done by the SPSS 12.0 programme. Results: The mean (±SD) of serum ferritin level were 59.45±24.79ng/ml and 77.36±35.16 ng/ml in non-OCP & OCP users respectively. The difference of mean (±SD) of serum ferritin levels were significant (p:<0.05) between two groups. The mean (±SD) of haemoglobin levels were 11.54±0.76gm/dl and 12.04±0.79gm/dl in non-OCP user and OCP users respectively. The difference of mean (±SD) were significant (p:<0.05) between two groups. Levels of serum ferritin & haemoglobin were 19ng/ml and 10.95gm/dl respectively in women using OCP for 1 year. But their levels became 144 ng/ml and 13.95gm/dl respectively in women using OCP for 12 years. Conclusion: This study suggests that OCP use raises serum ferritin and haemoglobin levels and thus has beneficial effects on iron status of the body. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpp.v26i1-2.19963 Bangladesh J Physiol Pharmacol 2010; 26(1&2) : 25-29
Investigation of the Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Potential of Hypericum mysorense
Authors: Hariharapura Raghu , Srinivasan Ramamurthy , Ashok Godavarthi , Dongre Santoshkumar , Jagani Hitesh , Vijayan Pottekkad
Published: August 2014

Background: Hypericum is a well-known plant genus in herbal medicine. Hypericum mysorense (Family: Hypericaceae), a plant belonging to the same genus, is well known in folklore medicine for its varied therapeutic potential. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the different parts of the plant for antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. Materials and Methods: The methanol extracts of Hypericum mysorense prepared from various parts of the plant were tested in vitro for their free radical scavenging activity against ABTS• (diammonium salt), DPPH• (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), NO•, O2•− and •OH radicals, using standard systems of assays. The total antioxidant capacity, total phenolic and total flavonoid content of the extracts were analyzed. Further, the leaf and flowering top extracts were tested for their in vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities on Wistar rats using a carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury model. Results: The leaf and flowering top extract showed potent antioxidant activity and also possessed highest total phenolic and flavonoid content. The antioxidant activity and the total phenolic and flavonoid content present in these extracts showed a good correlation. The leaf and flowering top extracts at 200 mg/kg restored aspartate amino transferase (ASAT), alanine amino transferase (ALAT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin and protein levels significantly in CCl4-intoxicated rats. The tested extracts also showed a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels with an increase in SOD and CAT levels. The histopathology of liver did not show any toxicity after the treatment with the extracts. The active extracts were standardized using two marker compounds, hyperoside and rutin, which were isolated from the plant by HPLC. HPLC studies revealed that the maximum concentration of hyperoside and rutin is present in the flowering top extract.
Temporal Variability of Atmospheric Total Gaseous Mercury in Windsor, ON, Canada
Authors: Xu Xiaohong , Akhtar Umme , Clark Kyle , Wang Xiaobin
Published: August 2014

Atmospheric Total Gaseous Mercury (TGM) concentrations were monitored in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, during 2007 to 2011, to investigate the temporal variability of TGM. Over five years, the average concentration was 2.0 ± 1.3 ng/m3. A gradual decrease in annual TGM concentrations from 2.0 ng/m3 in year 2007 to 1.7 ng/m3 in 2009 was observed. The seasonal means show the highest TGM concentrations during the summer months (2.4 ± 2.0 ng/m3), followed by winter (1.9 ± 1.4 ng/m3), fall (1.8 ± 0.81 ng/m3), and spring (1.7 ± 0.73 ng/m3). Diurnal patterns in summer, fall, and winter were similar. A different diurnal pattern was observed in spring with an early depletion in the morning. The TGM concentrations were lower on weekends (1.8 ± 0.77 ng/m3) than on weekdays (2.0 ± 1.5 ng/m3), suggesting 10% of TGM in Windsor was attributable to emissions from industrial sectors in the region. Directional TGM concentrations also indicated southwesterly air masses were TGM enriched due to emissions from coal-fired power plants and industrial facilities. Correlation and principal component analysis identified that combustion of fossil fuel, ambient temperature, wind speed, synoptic systems, and O3 concentrations influenced TGM concentrations significantly. Overall, inter-annual, seasonal, day-of-week, and diurnal variability was observed in Windsor. The temporal patterns were affected by anthropogenic and surface emissions, as well as atmospheric mixing and chemistry.
An Economic and Environmental Assessment Model for Selecting the Optimal Implementation Strategy of Fuel Cell Systems—A Focus on Building Energy Policy
Authors: Kim Daeho , Kim Jimin , Koo Choongwan , Hong Taehoon
Published: August 2014

Considerable effort is being made to reduce the primary energy consumption in buildings. As part of this effort, fuel cell systems are attracting attention as a new/renewable energy systems for several reasons: (i) distributed generation system; (ii) combined heat and power system; and (iii) availability of various sources of hydrogen in the future. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an economic and environmental assessment model for selecting the optimal implementation strategy of the fuel cell system, focusing on building energy policy. This study selected two types of buildings (i.e., residential buildings and non-residential buildings) as the target buildings and considered two types of building energy policies (i.e., the standard of energy cost calculation and the standard of a government subsidy). This study established the optimal implementation strategy of the fuel cell system in terms of the life cycle cost and life cycle CO2 emissions. For the residential building, it is recommended that the subsidy level and the system marginal price level be increased. For the non-residential building, it is recommended that gas energy cost be decreased and the system marginal price level be increased. The developed model could be applied to any other country or any other type of building according to building energy policy.
Silver Nanoparticles/Ibuprofen-Loaded Poly(l-lactide) Fibrous Membrane: Anti-Infection and Anti-Adhesion Effects
Authors: Chen Shuai , Wang Guangda , Wu Tianyi , Zhao Xin , Liu Shen , Li Gang , Cui Wenguo , Fan Cunyi
Published: August 2014

Infection caused by bacteria is one of the crucial risk factors for tendon adhesion formation. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP)-loaded physical barriers were reported to be effective in anti-infection and anti-adhesion. However, high silver load may lead to kidney and liver damages. This study was designed for Ibuprofen (IBU)-loaded poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) electrospun fibrous membranes containing a low dosage of Ag to evaluate its potential in maintaining suitable anti-infection and good anti-adhesion effects. The in vitro drug release study showed a sustained release of Ag ions and IBU from the membrane. Inferior adherence and proliferation of fibroblasts were found on the Ag4%–IBU4%-loaded PLLA electrospun fibrous membranes in comparison with pure PLLA and 4% Ag-loaded PLLA membranes. In the antibacterial test, all Ag-loaded PLLA electrospun fibrous membranes prevented the adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Ibuprofen is effective in enhancing the anti-adhesion and anti-proliferation effects of 4% Ag-loaded PLLA fibrous membrane. The medical potential of infection reduction and adhesion prevention of Ag4%–IBU4%-loaded PLLA electrospun fibrous membrane deserves to be further studied.
Remote Sensing Open Access Journal: Increasing Impact through Quality Publications
Authors: Thenkabail Prasad
Published: August 2014

Remote Sensing, an open access journal (http://www.mdpi.com/journal/remotesensing) has grown at rapid pace since its first publication five years ago, and has acquired a strong reputation. It is a “pathfinder” being the first open access journal in remote sensing. For those academics who were used to waiting a year or two for their peer-reviewed scientific work to be reviewed, revised, edited, and published, Remote Sensing offers a publication time frame that is unheard of (in most cases, less than four months). However, we do this after multiple peer-reviews, multiple revisions, much editorial scrutiny and decision-making, and professional editing by an editorial office before a paper is published online in our tight time frame, bringing a paradigm shift in scientific publication. As a result, there has been a swift increase in submissions of higher and higher quality manuscripts from the best authors and institutes working on Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), GIScience, and all related geospatial science and technologies from around the world. The purpose of this editorial is to update everyone interested in Remote Sensing on the progress made over the last year, and provide an outline of our vision for the immediate future. [...]
Development of a PET Scanner for Simultaneously Imaging Small Animals with MRI and PET
Authors: Thompson Christopher , Goertzen Andrew , Thiessen Jonathan , Bishop Daryl , Stortz Greg , Kozlowski Piotr , Retière Fabrice , Zhang Xuezhu , Sossi Vesna
Published: August 2014

Recently, positron emission tomography (PET) is playing an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and staging of cancer. Combined PET and X-ray computed tomography (PET-CT) scanners are now the modality of choice in cancer treatment planning. More recently, the combination of PET and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is being explored in many sites. Combining PET and MRI has presented many challenges since the photo-multiplier tubes (PMT) in PET do not function in high magnetic fields, and conventional PET detectors distort MRI images. Solid state light sensors like avalanche photo-diodes (APDs) and more recently silicon photo-multipliers (SiPMs) are much less sensitive to magnetic fields thus easing the compatibility issues. This paper presents the results of a group of Canadian scientists who are developing a PET detector ring which fits inside a high field small animal MRI scanner with the goal of providing simultaneous PET and MRI images of small rodents used in pre-clinical medical research. We discuss the evolution of both the crystal blocks (which detect annihilation photons from positron decay) and the SiPM array performance in the last four years which together combine to deliver significant system performance in terms of speed, energy and timing resolution.
Development of an ELISA and Immunochromatographic Strip for Highly Sensitive Detection of Microcystin-LR
Authors: Liu Liqiang , Xing Changrui , Yan Huijuan , Kuang Hua , Xu Chuanlai
Published: August 2014

A monoclonal antibody for microcystin–leucine–arginine (MC-LR) was produced by cell fusion. The immunogen was synthesized in two steps. First, ovalbumin/ bovine serum albumin was conjugated with 6-acetylthiohexanoic acid using a carbodiimide EDC (1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride)/ NHS (N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide) reaction. After dialysis, the protein was reacted with MC-LR based on a free radical reaction under basic solution conditions. The protein conjugate was used for immunization based on low volume. The antibodies were identified by indirect competitive (ic)ELISA and were subjected to tap water and lake water analysis. The concentration causing 50% inhibition of binding of MC-LR (IC50) by the competitive indirect ELISA was 0.27 ng/mL. Cross-reactivity to the MC-RR, MC-YR and MC-WR was good. The tap water and lake water matrices had no effect on the detection limit. The analytical recovery of MC-LR in the water samples in the icELISA was 94%–110%. Based on this antibody, an immunochromatographic biosensor was developed with a cut-off value of 1 ng/mL, which could satisfy the requirement of the World Health Organization for MC-LR detection in drinking water. This biosensor could be therefore be used as a fast screening tool in the field detection of MC-LR.
A Wireless Portable High Temperature Data Monitor for Tunnel Ovens
Authors: Bayón Ricardo , Suárez Víctor , Martín Felipe , Lopera Ronda Juan , Antón Juan
Published: August 2014

Tunnel ovens are widely used in the food industry to produce biscuits and pastries. In order to obtain a high quality product, it is very important to control the heat transferred to each piece of dough during baking. This paper proposes an innovative, non-distorting, low cost wireless temperature measurement system, called “eBiscuit”, which, due to its size, format and location in the metal rack conveyor belt in the oven, is able to measure the temperature a real biscuit experience while baking. The temperature conditions inside the oven are over 200 °C for several minutes, which could damage the “eBiscuit” electronics. This paper compares several thermal insulating materials that can be used in order to avoid exceeding the maximum operational conditions (80 °C) in the interior of the “eBiscuit. The data registered is then transmitted to a base station where information can be processed to obtain an oven model. The experimental results with real tunnel ovens confirm its good performance, which allows detecting production anomalies early on.
Active In-Database Processing to Support Ambient Assisted Living Systems
Authors: De Morais Wagner , Lundström Jens , Wickström Nicholas
Published: August 2014

As an alternative to the existing software architectures that underpin the development of smart homes and ambient assisted living (AAL) systems, this work presents a database-centric architecture that takes advantage of active databases and in-database processing. Current platforms supporting AAL systems use database management systems (DBMSs) exclusively for data storage. Active databases employ database triggers to detect and react to events taking place inside or outside of the database. DBMSs can be extended with stored procedures and functions that enable in-database processing. This means that the data processing is integrated and performed within the DBMS. The feasibility and flexibility of the proposed approach were demonstrated with the implementation of three distinct AAL services. The active database was used to detect bed-exits and to discover common room transitions and deviations during the night. In-database machine learning methods were used to model early night behaviors. Consequently, active in-database processing avoids transferring sensitive data outside the database, and this improves performance, security and privacy. Furthermore, centralizing the computation into the DBMS facilitates code reuse, adaptation and maintenance. These are important system properties that take into account the evolving heterogeneity of users, their needs and the devices that are characteristic of smart homes and AAL systems. Therefore, DBMSs can provide capabilities to address requirements for scalability, security, privacy, dependability and personalization in applications of smart environments in healthcare.
Extending Statistical Boosting
Authors: Binder H. , Gefeller O. , Schmid M. , Mayr A.
Published: August 2014

Background: Boosting algorithms to simultaneously estimate and select predictor effects in statistical models have gained substantial interest during the last decade.

Objectives: This review highlights recent methodological developments regarding boosting algorithms for statistical modelling especially focusing on topics relevant for biomedical research.

Methods: We suggest a unified framework for gradient boosting and likelihood-based boosting (statistical boosting) which have been addressed separately in the literature up to now.

Results: The methodological developments on statistical boosting during the last ten years can be grouped into three different lines of research: i) efforts to ensure variable selection leading to sparser models, ii) developments regarding different types of predictor effects and how to choose them, iii) approaches to extend the statistical boosting framework to new regression settings.

Conclusions: Statistical boosting algorithms have been adapted to carry out unbiased variable selection and automated model choice during the fitting process and can nowadays be applied in almost any regression setting in combination with a large amount of different types of predictor effects.