bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fire Performance of Timber Connections, Part 1: Fire Resistance Tests on Bolted Wood-Steel-Wood and Steel-Wood-Steel Connections
Authors: Peng Lei , Hadjisophocleous George , Mehaffey Jim , Mohammad Mohammad
Published: June 2012

This paper presents the results of a series of fire-resistance tests on bolted wood-steel-wood (WSW) connections and bolted steel-wood-steel (SWS) connections. In total, 16 WSW specimens and 6 SWS specimens were tested in accordance with the provisions of CAN/ULC-S101. All the specimens were subjected to a constant tensile load parallel to grain during the tests. The effects of load level, wood thickness, fastener diameter, number of fasteners, edge distance and protection were studied. The test results show that the fire-resistance ratings of all the tested WSW connections without protection were less than 45 minutes (a target rating for Canadian code compliance) and the fire-resistance ratings of all the tested SWS connections without protection were less than 25 minutes. Specimens with thicker wood side members were found to exhibit better fire resistances. Decreasing the load ratio increased the fire resistance. The test results on protected specimens show that the protection provided by a single-layer of 15.9 mm type X gypsum board increased the fire resistance by more than 30 minutes, whereas a double-layer of 12.7 mm Douglas fir plywood increased the fire resistance by 15 minutes. Furthermore, this research has generated necessary data and knowledge for the validation of a numerical heat transfer model and an analytical structural model.
Fire Performance of Timber Connections, Part 2: Thermal and Structural Modelling
Authors: Peng Lei , Hadjisophocleous George , Mehaffey Jim , Mohammad Mohammad
Published: June 2012

This paper presents models for calculating the fire resistance ratings of bolted timber connections based on fire-resistance test results carried out recently. In the first phase of the work, a three-dimensional finite-element thermal model was employed to analyze heat transfer within bolted Wood-Steel-Wood (WSW) and Steel-Wood-Steel (SWS) connections. The thermal model was found to provide good predictions when comparing the calculated temperatures and residual cross-section dimensions of timber connections with the experiment results. In the next phase, an embedment strength reduction model was used to calculate the load-bearing capacity of WSW and SWS bolted connections by including the temperature profiles generated from the heat transfer model. Different relationships of wood embedding strength as a function of temperatures were used in the structural model. The comparisons with experimental results showed that Noren's approach seemed to predict fire resistances of bolted timber connections in good agreement. The structural model combined with the heat transfer model presented in this paper can be used for the parametric study of the performance of timber connections under fire exposure.
Performance of Axially Restrained Hollow and Concrete Filled Oval Steel Columns Subjected to Hydrocarbon Fire
Authors: Ali F. , Jeffers A. , Goodfellow N. , Nadjai A. , Scullion T. , Gardner J.
Published: June 2012

This paper represents the outcomes of the first research in the world involving experimental and validated theoretical study to investigate the performance of axially restrained steel columns with hollow and concrete filled elliptical sections subjected to fire. The test programme involved 9 hollow and concrete filled columns with 200 × 100 × 8 mm oval section yielding a slenderness λ=51 and tested under the severe hydrocarbon fire curve. The 1800 mm columns were tested under loading ratios = 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 of the ultimate strength. The paper presents the obtained experimental results including measured axial and lateral displacements, restraint forces and failure time. A three-dimensional model was built using the finite element method (FEM) and was validated using the obtained tests results. By using variable with temperature thermal expansion coefficient and the EC3 thermal parameters, the finite element model demonstrated an excellent agreement with test results of failure temperatures, failure modes, axial displacements and generated axial forces. The verified finite element model was used to conduct a parametric analysis involving a range of parameters of loading level and slenderness. The study has shown that the concrete filled sections have demonstrated an improved fire resistance when compared to the hollow sections under low loading ratios. The research indicates that imposing axial restraint has reduced the fire resistance of columns by approximately one third on the time domain. The study has also shown a non-linear relationship between the loading ratio and slenderness of elliptical columns and that the load ratio has more effect on fire resistance of columns with high slenderness.
Investigation of Bubble Growth in Extrusion Expansion of Cornstarch with CFD Method
Authors: Fan Xiaoping , Meng Zhifeng , Zhou Jiahua , Xu Wei , Xiang Hong , Yang Gongming
Published: June 2012

The bubble growth in the extrusion expansion of cornstarch was studied with computational fluid dynamic (CFD) method. The effects of initial temperature, initial moisture content and viscoelasticity on the changes of bubble radius, forces, and temperature during the first 4 seconds of expansion were investigated. WLF equation was employed for the description of viscoelasticity of starch melt during expansion. It was showed that the higher the initial temperature, the higher the expansion ratio. The maximum expansion ratio was achieved when the initial moisture content was 20%.
A Comparative Study on Physicochemical, Rheological and Surface Tension Properties of Tunisian Jujube (Zizyphus lotus L.) Seed and Vegetable Oils
Authors: Chouaibi Moncef , Mahfoudhi Nesrine , Rezig Leila , Donsi Francesco , Ferrari Giovanna , Hamdi Salem
Published: June 2012

The physicochemical, rheological, surface tension and emulsifying properties of Tunisian jujube (Zizyphus lotus L.) seed oil were investigated and compared with six edible vegetable oils ( olive, corn, soybean, sunflower, groundnut and rapeseed). These results showed that total phospholipids and total tocopherols contents were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in jujube seed oil than those in edible vegetable oils. It was also shown that all oil samples exhibited Newtonian behaviors at shear rate ranged from 10 to 1000 s-1 and the highest viscosity η was observed in jujube seed oil, followed by olive, rapeseed, groundnut, corn, soybean and sunflower oils. In addition, the interfacial tension value of jujube seed oil was significantly lower (17.56 mN/m) than the corresponding of edible vegetable oils. The emulsions were prepared with different type of oil samples and they were kept for 60 days under 4, 30 and 55 °C for stability test. Our results showed that mean droplet size d4,3 of jujube seed oil emulsion was significantly smaller ( P < 0.05) than those of vegetable oils studied. Moreover, jujube seed oil emulsions were stable for 2 months with an average diameter of 213.34 nm. According to the results, jujube seed oil has rheological, interfacial tension, and emulsifying properties that may become interesting for specific applications in several segments of food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and agrichemical industries.
Modeling and Simulation of a Parabolic Trough Power Plant
Authors: Silva Jo ao P. , Castro Rui
Published: June 2012

In Portugal, the increase in the production of electricity based on renewable energy sources has been achieved based mainly on hydro and wind resources. The sun has been underexploited so far. The Portuguese territory presents high levels of solar radiation, and thus it is urged to find solutions that take advantage of this widely recognized fact. In this context, it is important to come forward with concentrated solar power systems as an option. The most mature of these technologies is the parabolic trough. The purpose of this paper is to report the outcomes of a study concerning a parabolic trough power plant, with thermal storage. This paper aims to present a model of a parabolic trough power plant, including the associated thermal storage system, to validate it against results reported in the literature and to build up a simulator enabling the assessment of the performance of the plant for several locations in the Portuguese territory. Based on the obtained results, some conclusions regarding the behavior of the system are drawn.
On a Submerged Device with Controlled Dynamics for Efficient Wave Energy Conversion
Authors: Korde Umesh A.
Published: June 2012

This paper investigates a fully submerged, symmetric, three-dimensional wave energy device utilizing two phenomena: (i) under certain conditions, a submerged fixed circular disc has the effect of focusing the incident wave field so that considerable energy concentration can occur over a region behind the disc center; and (ii) the dynamic interaction of two stiffness-coupled bodies causes the oscillation amplitude of one of the bodies to be nearly zero in harmonic forcing at a certain frequency. The goal of the paper is to examine whether the combined effect of (i) and (ii) enables high efficiency energy conversion, in particular with the application of active control to extend the effect (ii) to a range of frequencies. The work reported here considers a three-body device where controlled dynamic interaction between two of the bodies holds one nearly fixed, so as (a) to enable the focusing effect in (i), and to provide a stationary reference for energy absorption via oscillations of the third body. The paper also discusses the control approach used, and evaluates performance results based on a simple analytical model. An appreciable enhancement of the `bandwidth' of efficient energy absorption is observed with control.
Fabrication and properties of poly(L-lactide)/hydroxyapatite/chitosan fiber ternary composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Zhao Jianhao , Luo Chunhong , Han Wanqing , Tu Mei , Zeng Rong , Cha Zhengang , Zhou Changren
Published: June 2012

A ternary composite scaffold of poly(L-lactide)/hydroxyapatite/chitosan fibers was fabricated for bone tissue engineering. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that hydroxyapatite particles and chitosan fibers in microscale uniformly distributing in poly(L-lactide) matrix not only increased the mechanical property but also prevented the crack and platelet formation on the pore surface of poly(L-lactide) matrix at cooling. The X-ray diffraction peak intensity of poly(L-lactide) component decrease may be due to the presence of hydroxyapatite particles and chitosan fibers as the crystal nuclei that led to the crystallinity decrease of poly(L-lactide). The in vitro degradation test showed that the degradation of poly(L-lactide) was resisted by enhancing the chitosan fiber content. The bone mesenchymal stem cell culture indicated that the composite scaffolds promoted the attachment and proliferation of cells, which would likely attach to and stretch along the chitosan fibers. Therefore, this ternary composite scaffold will be a promising matrix material for bone tissue engineering.
Influence of X-ray opaque BaSO4 nanoparticles on the mechanical, thermal and rheological properties of polyoxymethylene nanocomposites
Authors: Romero-Ibarra Issis C. , Bonilla-Blancas Elizabeth , Sánchez-Solís Antonio , Manero Octavio
Published: June 2012

This work evaluates the influence of a radiopaque reinforcement, barium sulfate (BaSO4), on the mechanical, rheological and thermal properties of polyoxymethylene (POM). Nanocomposites of POM containing spherical nanoparticles of BaSO4 (0, 1, 2, 3 phr) were obtained by melt extrusion in a twin-screw equipment followed by injection molding. The mechanical, thermal and rheological properties of these nanocomposites and the dispersion state of the particles were investigated. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed the morphology of the products. The main objective of this work is the production of nanocomposites with sulfate concentration enough to acquire radiopaque properties while maintaining the mechanical properties of the matrix. In this regard, mechanical and rheological properties were found similar to those of the polymer matrix, but radiopaque contrast tests revealed the influence of the nanoparticles concentration on the optical properties of the composites. The production of these nanocomposites suggests potential applications in the biomedical sector given their unique radio-opacity properties.
Dielectric and magnetic properties of polyvinylidene fluoride polymer composites highly loaded with nickel
Authors: Sirisathitkul Chitnarong , Jantaratana Pongsakorn , Muensit Nantakan
Published: June 2012

In this work, electroactive polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was a matrix for dispersing 10 wt% ferromagnetic nickel (Ni) particles. The composites were formed into its shape by using a spin coater with varying spinning speeds from 750 to 3750 rpm to obtain the thicknesses between 68 μm and 40 μm on printed circuit board substrates. Magnetic hysteresis loops of the composites were dependent on the spinning speed because the spin regulated the dispersion and size distribution of Ni particles in the PVDF matrix. Owing to the Ni agglomeration, the composites prepared by 750, 1500 and 2250 rpm spinning clearly displayed soft ferromagnetic properties but the capacitance was decreased with the decrease in spinning speed. In every sample, the capacitance was reduced with the increase in frequency from 1 kHz to 100 kHz and remained minimal up to 1 MHz. These changes in capacitance can be explained by the polarization of surface charges of Ni clusters of varying sizes from different spinning speeds. The dissipation factor was, by contrast, sensitive to the frequency and the dispersion of Ni only at frequencies higher than 60 kHz.
The Face of Disorder: a Note on Hos 3,4
Authors: Kruger Paul A.
Published: June 2012

In the history of Hosean exegesis the passage in 3,1–5 has always been problematic for interpreters. The significance of the announcement in Hos 3,4 is typically touched on very briefly and usually an exilic or post-exilic historical context is sought to fit the details. This short note approaches the evidence in v. 4 from an intertextual and intercultural angle. It argues that the declaration should not be taken at face value, as a reference to »historical« conditions, but that it should rather be regarded as a literary topos portraying a scenario of the utmost disorder.

Dans l’histoire de l’interprétation du livre d’Osée, la péricope 3,1–5 a toujours posé problème. On n’a pas assez noté la référence à l’annonce de 3,4, et on suppose habituellement un contexte historique de la fin de l’époque exilique,ou même l’époque post exilique, pour en expliquer les détails. Cette brève étude aborde le v. 4 d’un point de vue intertextuel et interculturel. Il en ressort que l’expression ne peut être prise au premier degré, c-à-d. comme référence à des circonstances »historiques« précises, mais qu’il s’agit d’un topos littéraire destiné à décrire le scénario d’un désordre extrême.

In der Geschichte der Auslegung des Buches Hosea war die Stelle 3,1–5 für die Exegeten immer problematisch. Auf die Bedeutung der Ankündigung in Hos 3,4 wird meist nur kurz eingegangen und üblicherweise wird ein historischer Kontext aus der Zeit des Exils oder nach dem Exil herangezogen, um die Details zu erklären. Dieser kurze Aufsatz betrachtet den Beleg in V. 4 aus einem intertextuellen und interkulturellen Blickwinkel. Es wird dabei argumentiert, daß die Aussage nicht für bare Münze genommen, also als Hinweis auf »geschichtliche « Gegebenheiten, sondern daß sie als literarischer Topos gesehen werden soll, der ein Szenario von äußerster Unordnung beschreibt.
The Lexicon of LXX Canticles and Greco-Roman Papyri
Authors: De Crom Dries
Published: June 2012

This study presents the results of a selective inquiry into the lexicon of LXX Canticles in contrast with papyri from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The aim is both to illustrate how papyrological sources may help our understanding of Greek texts from the Septuagint corpus, and to evaluate earlier findings on the lexicon of LXX Canticles and their implications for the provenance of this translation.

Cette étude présente les résultats d’un sondage sur le lexique du Cantique des Cantiques selon les LXX, par rapport aux sources papyrologiques d’époque ptolémaïque et romaine. Elle se propose d’illustrer combien la compréhension des textes LXX peut profiter des sources papyrologiques, et en même temps d’évaluer d’autres recherches sur le lexique du Cantique grec et leurs implications pour les origines de cette traduction.

Diese Studie präsentiert die Ergebnisse einer selektiven Untersuchung zum Wortschatz des Hohenlieds in der LXX im Vergleich mit Papyri aus der Ptolemäer- und Römerzeit. Ziel ist es, sowohl zu zeigen, wie papyrologische Quellen unserem Verständnis griechischer Texte der Septuaginta helfen können, als auch ältere Untersuchungsergebnisse zum Wortschatz des Hohenlieds in der LXX und deren Folgerungen über die Herkunft dieser Übersetzung kritisch zu bewerten.
Memory for Melodies and Lyrics in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Cuddy Lola L. , Duffin Jacalyn M. , Gill Sudeep S. , Brown Cassandra L. , Sikka Ritu , Vanstone Ashley D.
Published: June 2012

this research addressed the question: is musical memory preserved in dementia, specifically, dementia of the Alzheimer type (AD)? Six tests involving different aspects of melody and language processing were administered to each of five groups of participants: 50 younger adults, 100 older adults, and 50 AD older adults classified into three levels of AD severity—mild, moderate and severe. No test was immune to, but not all tests were equally sensitive to, the presence of dementia. Long-term familiarity for melody was preserved across levels of AD, even at the severe stage for a few individuals. Detecting pitch distortions in melodies was possible for mild and some of the moderate AD participants. The ability to sing a melody when prompted by its lyrics was retained at the mild stage and was retained by a few individuals through the severe stages of AD. Long-term familiarity with the lyrics of familiar melodies was also found across levels of AD. In contrast, detection of grammatical distortions in the lyrics of familiar melodies and the ability to complete familiar proverbs were affected even at the mild stage of AD. We conclude that musical semantic memory may be spared through the mild and moderate stages of AD and may be preserved even in some individuals at the severe stage.
Does Pathological Aging Affect Musical Learning and Memory?
Authors: Samson Séverine , Baird Amee , Moussard Aline , Clément Sylvain
Published: June 2012

the effect of pathological aging on explicit memory is very well documented, but relatively few studies have addressed this issue in the musical domain. To examine learning and consolidation of melodies, we designed a melodic recognition task involving immediate and delayed recognition of 16 target melodies (8 familiar and 8 unfamiliar). Seventeen patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 17 age-matched controls were tested. During the initial presentation of the targets, the participant had to decide whether or not the melody was familiar. Recognition was tested after one and three presentations of the target melodies using a yes/no recognition paradigm. Delayed recognition was tested after 24 hours to evaluate consolidation. In keeping with the findings of Bartlett, Halpern, and Dowling (1995), age-matched controls showed better recognition of familiar than unfamiliar melodies. Controls also showed improved performance with multiple presentations for both familiar and unfamiliar melodies, without forgetting after 24-hour delay. In contrast, patients with AD showed impaired learning and recognition of both unfamiliar and familiar melodies with no benefit of familiarity on recognition. Nevertheless, the familiarity decision-based ratings of patients was in keeping with controls. These findings suggest that musical recognition memory is impaired in AD, but the musical lexicon (as assessed by familiarity ratings) is preserved. These findings highlight the need to use both familiar and unfamiliar music in experimental tasks to study the different processes underlying recognition memory.
Episodic and Semantic Memory for Melodies in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Vanstone Ashley D. , Sikka Ritu , Tangness Leila , Sham Rosalind , Garcia Angeles , Cuddy Lola L.
Published: June 2012

the present study addressed episodic and semantic memory for melodies in three groups of participants: 35 younger adults, 40 older adults, and 10 individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). To assess episodic memory, a study list of eight novel target melodies was presented three times, followed by a test trial in which target melodies were mixed with foil (previously unheard) melodies. Both explicit and implicit measures were obtained. Explicit memory was assessed by the accuracy of discrimination of the target melodies from the foils. Younger adults were significantly more accurate than older adults, who in turn had significantly higher scores than AD adults. Implicit memory was assessed by examining the difference in pleasantness ratings between target and foil melodies. Younger adults showed significantly greater differences in pleasantness ratings than older adults and AD adults; scores for the two latter groups did not differ. To assess semantic memory, participants were asked to identify traditional melodies within a series of traditional and novel melodies. In contrast to the episodic memory results, all three groups showed very high scores on the semantic memory task with no significant differences among groups. The results support the notion that, though other forms of musical memory may be compromised, semantic memory for melody may be preserved in normal aging and in AD.
Short and Longer Term Effects of Musical Intervention in Severe Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Clément Sylvain , Tonini Audrey , Khatir Fatiha , Schiaratura Loris , Samson Séverine
Published: June 2012

in this study, we examined short and longer term effects of musical and cooking interventions on emotional well-being of severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. These two pleasurable activities (i.e., listening to music, tasting sweets) that were collectively performed (i.e., playing music together, collaborative preparation of a cake) were compared in two groups of matched patients with AD (N = 14). Each intervention lasted four weeks (two sessions per week) and their effects were regularly assessed up to four weeks after the end of the intervention. We repeatedly evaluated the emotional state of both groups before, during, and after the intervention periods by analyzing discourse content and facial expressions from short filmed interviews as well as caregivers' judgments of mood. The results reveal short-term benefits of both music and cooking interventions on emotional state on all these measures, but long-term benefits were only evident after the music intervention. The present finding suggests that non-pharmacological approaches offer promising methods to improve the quality of life of patients with dementia and that music stimulation is particularly effective to produce long lasting effects on patients' emotional well-being.
Non-invasive respiratory unit in the Hungarian health care system
Authors: Lorx András , Bartusek Dóra , Losonczy György , Gál János
Published: June 2012

Treating patients with acute or chronic respiratory insufficiency still poses a major load on the healthcare system. Though there is evidence that treating these patients in high dependency respiratory units results in a shortening of hospital stay, reduces the need of intubation, and decreases mortality. In the Hungarian routine these patients are treated in general wards until the development of global respiratory insufficiency, when they are transferred to intensive care units. The authors present their first year experience on their novel Non-invasive Respiratory Unit established at Semmelweis University. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 918–921.
The Mystery of the Syamantaka Jewel
Authors: Austin Christopher
Published: June 2012

This paper examines the Harivamsa’s presentation of the story of the Syamantaka jewel, which marks what appears to be an abrupt and awkward transition between the poem’s genealogical (vamsa) and biographical (carita) genres. I argue in this paper that the Syamantaka episode should be understood within its genealogical context, and that the story’s apparent displacement from Krsna’s actual biography, far from representing an instance of poor editing, tells us a great deal about the importance of genealogy in early Indian thought.
Before Genealogy? Marking Descent in the Inscriptions of Early Historic India
Authors: Visvanathan Meera
Published: June 2012

This paper examines the forms of descent recorded in the Brahmi inscriptions of early historic India (c. 300 bce–300 ce). I will argue that they afford us the possibility of viewing how non-noble groups traced kinship, lineage and ancestry. We see this in the development of kin networks; in the articulation of descent and proprietal control among landed and mercantile groups; in the patriarchal norms laid down for women; and in the use of metronymics and gotras. Finally, by tracing the slow emergence of genealogies in the inscriptional record, I show that they must be linked to changes in socio-economic, literary and political domains.
Poetic Pasts
Authors: Roy Kumkum
Published: June 2012

The paper sets out to explore the ways in which genealogies, and other literary devices, are used to constitute the identity of Harsavardhana in the Harsacarita authored by Banabhatta. I argue that it is important not only to focus on the avowed subject of the text, but also to examine the ways in which the author represents himself—given that both poet and patron may not have had strong claims to the positions they occupied, this intertwining is possibly significant. Finally, I turn to the ways in which other men (and women) are represented in order to contextualize the depiction of the poet and his patron. I suggest that while viewing the text solely as an instrument of legitimation may seem somewhat reductionist, the ways in which the author deploys a range of aesthetic and other resources (including explicit and implicit parallels and connections with deities and legendary figures) indicate that such texts were integral to complex political and cultural processes.
Ravivarman Kulasekhara the Yadava and Sagara the Son of Yadavi
Authors: Vielle Christophe
Published: June 2012

This paper deals with the historical figure of Ravivarman Kulasekhara (c. 1266–1317 ce), a king of southern Kerala and for a while emperor of South India, who claims in his inscriptions to be a yadupati like his father, and at the same time appears to be genetically a Yadava by his mother, according to the matrilineal system of inheritance through the sister’s son (marumakkattayam) that was prevalent in pre-modern Kerala among non-brahmins. Moreover, in taking over the Cera imperial heritage in accordance with the solar aspects of his kuladevata (Visnu Padmanabha), Ravivarman pretends to assume a solar dimension compatible with his lunar-family origin by claiming to be namantara-karna Karna being son of the solar god through the Yadavi Kunti). The Jaiminiyasamhita of the Brahmanda Purana, an epic probably composed in Kerala under the reign of the same Kulasekhara (there is an obvious reference to this text in one of his inscriptions), tells a unique story about the brahmin (first) wife of King Sagara, and also emphasizes the role of Sagara’s mother who is a Yadavi queen, as if the famous solar king Sagara served as a model for Ravivarman. The paper compares and discusses the genealogical narratives of the epigraphic testimonies and the Puranic accounts, and analyses their symbolic value in order to understand the royal ideology expressed according to the Brahmanical tradition within the peculiar socio-cultural context of Kerala.
Etymology, Genealogy and History in Early South Asia
Authors: Hegarty James M.
Published: June 2012

This paper explores the relationship between etymology, genealogy and the literary exploration of the past in early South Asia. By means of a close reading of a range of materials drawn from the Atharvaveda, Brahmanas and Upanisads, as well as the Nirukta, the Brhaddevata and the Mahabharata, I will demonstrate that there is a progression from etymology, to expanded etymology, by which I refer to narratives spun from the details of etymologies, to full accounts of birth and descent, that is to say, genealogy, and, from there, to larger-scale historical accounts. I will thus show that etymology played an important part in the formation of consensus understandings of the past in early South Asia.
Flexibility and uncertainty in agribusiness projects: investing in a cogeneration plant
Authors: Dias Augusto Cesar Arenaro e Mello , Bastian-Pinto Carlos de Lamare , Brandão Luiz Eduardo Teixeira , Gomes Leonardo Lima
Published: June 2012

Energy generation from biomass has become a source of increasing interest due to growing environmental concerns and the depletion of the world's fossil fuel reserves. In this paper we analyze a sugar and ethanol producing plant in Brazil which has both the option to expand and to add a cogeneration unit to allow the sale of surplus energy, generated by burning sugar cane bagasse, where the existence of the second option is conditional to the exercise of the first option. We model sugar, ethanol, and electricity prices as geometric mean reverting processes and apply the real options approach to determine the value of these managerial flexibilities, considering that these options have three distinct underlying assets. The option to expand production is a function of the expected future prices of sugar and ethanol, while, on the other hand, the decision to invest in the cogeneration plant will depend on the future prices of energy. Both decisions are modeled as American Compound Options over their respective underlying assets. The model is then solved using the non-censored binomial mean reverting lattice proposed by Bastian-Pinto, Brandão, and Hahn (2010) using the software DPL TM. The results indicate that a significant value can be derived from the flexibility to choose the optimal timing of investment in both options: the investment in the cogeneration unit adds an amount equivalent to the value of the expanding sugar and ethanol production, and represents up to 44% of the project's static NPV of R$ 195.9 million. We conclude that given that only half of the sugar cane crushing mills currently have cogeneration units installed and given the increasing demand for clean and renewable sources of energy, this may indicate there is a significant potential for investment and further development of bioelectricity cogeneration power plants, and even in the retrofit of older cogeneration units, and that government incentives have been effective in contributing to this development.
Gene-expression programming to predict pier scour depth using laboratory data
Authors: Khan Mujahid , Azamathulla H. Md. , Tufail M.
Published: June 2012

Prediction of bridge pier scour depth is essential for safe and economical bridge design. Keeping in mind the complex nature of bridge scour phenomenon, there is a need to properly address the methods and techniques used to predict bridge pier scour. Up to the present, extensive research has been carried out for pier scour depth prediction. Different modeling techniques have been applied to achieve better prediction. This paper presents a new soft computing technique called gene-expression programming (GEP) for pier scour depth prediction using laboratory data. A functional relationship has been established using GEP and its performance is compared with other artificial intelligence (AI)-based techniques such as artificial neural networks (ANNs) and conventional regression-based techniques. Laboratory data containing 529 datasets was divided into calibration and validation sets. The performance of GEP was found to be highly satisfactory and encouraging when compared to regression equations but was slightly inferior to ANN. This slightly inferior performance of GEP compared to ANN is offset by its capability to provide compact and explicit mathematical expression for bridge scour. This advantage of GEP over ANN is the main motivation for this work. The resulting GEP models will add to the existing literature of AI-based inductive models for bridge scour modeling.
Computational decision analysis for flood risk management in an uncertain future
Authors: Harvey Hamish , Hall Jim , Peppé Roger
Published: June 2012

Flood risk management is in many countries a major expense, and while the returns on this investment, in terms of risk reduction, are also high, the process of developing and choosing between management options is of critical importance. New sources of data and the falling cost of computation have made possible new approaches to options appraisal. The state of the art has a number of limitations, however. We present a comprehensive but parsimonious framework for computational decision analysis in flood risk management that addresses these issues. At its core is a simple but flexible model of change on the decadal time scale of typical option appraisals, including the management interventions that are the subject of decision along with influences, such as climate change, that are independent of the processes of flood risk management. A fully integrated performance model is developed, estimating both costs and benefits. Uncertainty analysis can thereby be applied to performance metrics of direct interest to stakeholders. We illustrate the framework with an implementation for a hypothetical flood risk management decision. We discuss possible variants of the framework that could be extended to fields other than flood risk management.
Lattice Boltzmann method for 2D flows in curvilinear coordinates
Authors: Budinski Ljubomir
Published: June 2012

In order to improve efficiency and accuracy, while maintaining an ease of modeling flows with the lattice Boltzmann approach in domains having complex geometry, a method for modeling equations of 2D flow in curvilinear coordinates has been developed. Both the transformed shallow water equations and the transformed 2D Navier-Stokes equations in the horizontal plane were synchronized with the equilibrium distribution function and the force term in the rectangular lattice. Since the solution of these equations takes place in the classical rectangular lattice environment, boundary conditions are modeled in the standard form of already existing simple methods (bounce-back), not requiring any additional functions. Owing to this and to the fact that the proposed method ensures a more accurate fitting of equations, even to domains of interest having complex geometry, the accuracy of solution is significantly increased, while the simplicity of the standard lattice Boltzmann approach is maintained. For the shallow water equations transformed in curvilinear coordinates, the proposed procedure is verified in three different hydraulic problems, all characterized by complex geometry.
Diversity of a Chlorine‐Resistant Bacillus Population Isolated from a Wastewater Treatment Station
Authors: Paes Fernanda A. , Hissa Denise C. , Angelim Alysson L. , Pinto Natasha W. , Grangeiro Thalles B. , Melo Vânia M.M.
Published: June 2012

This paper describes the phenotypic and genotypic diversity of a Gram‐positive, aerobic bacterial population isolated from the chlorine tank of a wastewater treatment plant. A total of 12 spore‐forming, rod‐shaped isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and biochemical tests. Pairwise genetic comparisons revealed the identity among sequences obtained from isolates varied from 92.6 to 100%. Similarity searches on GenBank showed that five strains were closely related (99 to 100% identity) to Bacillus subtilis and two were almost identical (99%) to B. megaterium and B. licheniformis. Because the five remaining strains were either closely related (97 to 99% identity) or identical to B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, and B. anthracis, they were classified as belonging to the B. cereus group. Apart from one strain, all clades in the phylogenetic tree were identical to clusters formed in the dendrogram based on biochemical tests results. According to the biochemical profiles, all isolates were characterized as different strains. In addition to chlorine resistance, all isolates were found to be resistant to at least one of five antibiotics tested. These results identify the potential risk of spreading antibiotic resistance genes in the environment by chlorine‐resistant strains of Bacillus.
Field Characterization of External Grease Abatement Devices
Authors: Aziz Tarek N. , Holt Leon M. , Keener Kevin M. , Groninger John W. , Ducoste Joel J.
Published: June 2012

This study characterized some of the physical and chemical features of large outside field grease abatement devices (GADs). 24‐hour measurements of several food service establishments' (FSEs') influent GAD flowrates indicated highly intermittent conditions with hydraulic retention times (HRTs) that exceeded the common recommendation (30 minutes) by two to five times. Investigation into the chemical characteristics of GADs indicated highly variable influent and effluent fat, oil, and grease (FOG) concentrations. Low pH and dissolved oxygen values were measured throughout the GAD, indicating the likely occurrence of anaerobic microbial processes. Detailed spatial and temporal observations of the accumulation of FOG and food solids were also discussed. Though the FOG layer remained relatively constant for all GAD configurations investigated, results indicated that commonly‐used GAD configurations with a straight submerged inlet tee or no‐inlet tee configuration may result in the transport of food solids into the second compartment. The present research showed increased accumulation of food solids in the first compartment with a retro‐fit flow distributive inlet. This retro‐fit displays promise for potentially improving the separation characteristics of existing GADs.
Isoconversional kinetic analysis of the alkyd/melamine resins curing
Authors: Jovicic Mirjana , Radicevic Radmila , Pavlicevic Jelena , Bera Oskar
Published: June 2012

The curing reaction for the mixtures of alkyd resins based on ricinoleic
acid, phthalic anhydride and three polyols (glycerin, trimethylolpropane or
ethoxylated pentaerythritol) with two different commercial melamine resins
was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The curing
kinetics analysis was performed using the isoconversional methods
(Ozawa-Flynn-Wall, Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose and Friedman). Isoconversional
methods were carried out with three heating rates (5, 10 and 20?C/min) in a
scanning temperature range from 40 to 250?C. It was found that the curing
activation energy of resin mixtures is influenced by alkyd and melamine resin
type due to the catalytic effect of hydroxyl group on the reactions. The
dependence of apparent curing degree on time, which was obtained by
mathematical transformations of dynamic DSC data using Ozawa-Flynn-Wall
method, describes well the isothermal DSC experiments.
The Association of Histologic Placental Inflammation with Category II Fetal Heart Tracings
Authors: Robinson Barrett K. , Su Emily , Grobman William , Huang Michael , Ernst Linda M.
Published: June 2012

The present study assessed whether placentas in women delivered by cesarean for category II fetal heart tracings (FHT) exhibit a higher incidence of acute inflammation than those of women delivered by cesarean for labor arrest. This case control study included singleton pregnancies ≥36 weeks of gestation delivered by cesarean for an FHT indication (cases) or because of labor arrest (controls) 2005–2009 at Prentice Women's Hospital. Exclusions were maternal diabetes, hypertension, known thrombophilia, connective tissue disorders, clinical evidence of chorioamnionitis, placental abruption, fetal anomalies, stillbirth, or an infant with a birth weight less than the 10th percentile. Women were included in the case group if the indication for cesarean delivery was based on the FHT and review of the FHT determined that they were designated as category II prior to delivery. A perinatal pathologist, unaware of indications for delivery, assessed placental inflammation in maternal and fetal compartments. Stage and grade of acute inflammation, from none to severe (scored 0–3), in the membranes, chorionic plate, chorionic vessels, and umbilical cord were assessed, and overall maternal and fetal inflammatory stages were assigned. Findings indicative of chronic inflammation were also noted. Other than lower umbilical artery cord gases in women with category II FHT, cases ( n = 51) and controls ( n = 27) had similar baseline characteristics and newborn outcomes, as well as similar placental pathologic findings. In uncomplicated patients, the presence or extent of placental inflammation does not appear to differ between women delivered for category II FHT and labor arrest.
Climate influence on radial increment of oak (Quercus SP.) in central Poland
Authors: Bronisz Agnieszka , Bijak Szymon , Bronisz Karol , Zasada Michał
Published: June 2012

The study investigates the influence of climate conditions on radial increment of oak, with special concern to the situations when analysed trees formed conspicuously wider or narrower tree-rings. The research material was collected in four locations in central Poland within natural range of pedunculate and sessile oaks. The elaborated residual chronologies were correlated with CRUTS 2.1 climate data. The analyses included thermal and pluvial conditions spanning from April of the year prior to ring formation to September of the current growth year. Special interest was paid to simple water ability index that combined both temperature and precipitation during the vegetation season. Additionally, pointer year analysis was carried out to determine situations when conspicuously smaller or larger increment was formed.

Investigated chronologies cover the period of 1927–1992 (Łochów), 1845–1992 (Płońsk), 1868–1992 (Pułtusk), and 1796–1992 (Sokołów). The analysed oaks from sites in central Poland exhibit growth patterns comparable with those known form previous studies concerning that species, where influence of precipitation (higher and positive) and temperature (negative) have been observed. Extreme growth reactions expressed by negative and positive pointer years turned to present high dependence of analysed oak’ growth on water availability during vegetation season.
The Hospital Pharmacist: An Important Contributor to Improved Patient Safety in the Hospital
Authors: Berthouzoz Stéphanie , Berger Lina , Bonnabry Pascal , Pannatier André
Published: June 2012

Injectable drugs are high-risk products and their reconstitution in hospital wards is a potential source of errors. Thus, in order to secure the reconstitution process and thereby improve safety, the pharmacy department of Lausanne University Hospital is focusing on developing ready-to-use
forms (CIVAS). These preparations are compounded in controlled clean rooms and are analyzed prior to release. In the intensive care unit, amiodarone 12.5 mg/mL in glucose 5% is one of the high-risk preparations, which has led the pharmacy to develop a ready-to-use solution. To this end, a
one-year stability study was initiated, and the preliminary results (after six months) are illustrated here. A stability-indicating HPLC method was developed and validated for monitoring the concentration of amiodarone. Batches were stored at 5 °C and 30 °C, which were analyzed immediately
after preparation, after one, two, four and six months of storage. The pH and osmolality values were monitored at the respective time intervals. It was observed that after six months, all the results were within specifications. However, the pH values started to decrease after two months when
amiodarone was stored at 30 °C. After six months, a degradation peak appeared on the chromatogram of these solutions, which suggested that amiodarone is more stable at 5 °C. The preliminary results obtained in this study indicated that injectable amiodarone solutions are stable for
six months under refrigerated storage conditions. The study is ongoing.
Evaluation of non-HDL-c and total cholesterol: HDL-c Ratio as Cumulative Marker of Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Aryal M , Poudel A , Satyal B , Gyawali P , Pokheral B R , Raut B K , Adhikari R K , Koju R
Published: June 2012

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD), is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes and have approximately - two to four times higher CVD rate than adult without diabetes. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is primarily used as the marker of cardiovascular risk in diabetes despite its several limitations. Although several newer markers of CVD are emerging, no marker has been established in Nepal. Objectives The study was designed to evaluate the non-high-density-lipoprotein- cholesterol(Non-HDL-C) and Total Cholesterol to High density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC:HDL-C ratio) as CVD risk marker in diabetes mellitus. Methods The study was conducted in the Department of Bbiochemistry, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences. The study comprised of 76 diabetic subjects and 60 non-diabetic subjects. The anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured. The Non-HDL-C and TC:HDL-C ratio were also calculated employing their respective formula. Results Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure and lipid parameters were significantly different between diabetic subjects and non-diabetic subjects. There was increased non-HDL-C and TC:HDL-C ratio in subjects with diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, statistically significant correlations of non-HDL-C and TC:HDL-C ratio were obtained with BMI, WC, total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C in diabetic subjects. Conclusions The present study observation revealed that the Non-HDL-C and TC: HDL-C strongly correlate with established independent risk factors such as obesity(WC), elevated blood pressure, HDL-C and LDL-C in diabetes. Thus, the evaluation of Non-HDL-C and TC: HDL-C ratio can be used as the simple, cost-effective and cumulative marker of cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus.http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v8i4.6239 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2010;8(4):398-404
Anomalous Superior Thyroid Artery
Authors: Mehta Vandana , Suri Rajesh K. , Arora Jyoti , Rath Gayatri , Das Srijit
Published: June 2012

The variations in the pattern of distribution of superior thyroid artery assume paramount importance for neck surgeons, in view of its vital topographical relationship to the external laryngeal nerve. In this study, we report an unusual variation in the arterial supply of the thyroid gland, which was detected during a routine dissection of an adult male cadaver. The right superior thyroid artery was absent whereas the left superior thyroid artery took origin from the left common carotid artery and showed a dominant pattern of distribution supplying the superior aspect of both the left and right lobes of the thyroid gland. It exhibited a usual relationship with the left external laryngeal nerve. The inferior thyroid arteries did not show any unusual distribution. Knowledge of such arterial variations related to the thyroid gland is immensely helpful for surgeons in order to put ligature on anomalous artery and to avoid damage to vital structures in this area, such as the external laryngeal nerve.http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v8i4.6246 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2010;8(4):429-31