bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reading Silence
Authors: Jackson Larry
Published: March 2018

Stanley Cavell roams across a wide range of fields in his first book, Must We Mean What We Say? most obviously those of epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics. But nowhere in the book’s ten essays does he advance an explicit political theory. Still, this book, published in 1969 and written over the course of the preceding decade, quietly poses persistent political questions, even in essays on such topics as skepticism and King Lear, Kierkegaard’s Book on Adler and Beckett’s Endgame, atonal music and ordinary language philosophy. Just who is the “we” spoken of in the book’s title (we philosophers? we Americans? we human beings?)? Is there any relationship between democratic equality and the philosophical appeal to our everyday language, as described in the book’s eponymous essay? 1 Does the account that Cavell offers in his piece on Wittgenstein of practices and behaviors shared across cultures—the “whirl of organism” of our forms of life—suggest a nascent theory of human solidarity? Our freedom in language and the responsibility we bear for meaning, topics of the book’s opening essays, raise the question of what we might owe to one another and how we might offer—or withhold—it in our choices of words. Is this the beginning of a theory of justice? The concept of acknowledgment, described in the book’s final essays as a response to the challenge of skepticism, shifts the problem from what I can know to what I might do. Is this a theory of moral or political action (or both)?
Menelusuri karya intelektual Sayyid Usmanbin Yahya dalam bidang fikih
Authors: Noupal Muhammad
Published: March 2018

Sayyid Usman, a Hadrami scholar in the 19th and early 20th century was very controversial. He was themufty of Batavia as well as advisor to the Netherlands East Indies. Especially as a mufty, Sayyid Usmanwas becoming a reference to the people who requested for a ruling of law. Supported by his ownprinting litographyc, Sayyid Usman was able to convey his views dan ideas widely through the publica-tion of books and treatises. The books produced by Sayyid Usman specialized in the field of Islamic lawor fiqh which refers to social jurisprudence. While related to the fiqh of worship, more concise and verysimple. Among his works in the field of law, the book of al-Qawanin al-Shar’iyyah is a very importantwork. This book contains a methodological description on how to take a legal decision (fatwa). Asadmitted, the purpose of writing al-Qawanin is a guide for prince and a judge of religion, especially inlegal decisions based on Ahlu Sunna sect.
Makna jilbab bagi perempuan Muslim Amerika: dinamika perjumpaan Islam dan budaya Amerika
Authors: Thoyibi M.
Published: March 2018

This study deals with how American Muslim women gave meanings to hijab. The data used consistedof the verbal expressions of the subject of the study. The data source included the documents of newsand talks conducted by the National Public Radio (NPR) headquartered at Washington D.C. The data-collecting method was library research. The study concluded that the various views on hijab amongAmerican Muslim were more than the diversity of interpretations of the scriptures. They representedthe encountering dynamics of Islam and American culture. At the economic domain, American cultureaccommodated the hijab as it may represent certain values that helped sell American products. At thesocial, political, and religious domains, however, Americans had a greater prejudice and resistance as theyassociated hijab with fundamentalism, fanaticism, extremism, and even terrorism.
Structural Analisys of CMMI with the Software Development Process, Project Portfolio Management and PMBOK
Authors: Arcos-Medina Gloria , Oñate-Andino Alejandra , Pástor Danilo
Published: March 2018

Abstract. CMMI is one of the most used models in the software industry to certify the quality of its processes and products, reduces or eliminates rework, increases product and process reuse, reduces costs due to multiple evaluations and process improvement programs. On the other hand, companies that develop software apply traditional models or agile models, which manage the software development process. They also apply development standards such as ISO/IEC 12207 as well as project portfolio management standards and project management standards. The purpose of this paper is to relate the traditional and agile software development processes, project portfolio management and PMBOK with the CMMI standard. The results of this work allow us to determine the aspects that are missing from these standards and the best practices to reach a high level of CMMI maturity. It is concluded that for a company it is important to apply both agile processes and traditional processes, as well as all the standards that contribute improving the management of its projects. None of these practices and norms are opposed to the CMMI process areas, but rather are complemented to achieve a high level of quality in the final product and in achieving the objectives of the company.
El obligatorio como instrumento de aprendizaje: la perspectiva académica
Authors: Damiani Jaime , García Carolina
Published: March 2018

Ya en 1993, Peter Drucker al hacer referencia a la sociedad del conocimiento, afirmaba que uno de los retos más importantes que afrontan las organizaciones es el de construir prácticas sistemáticas para gestionar su propia transformación, estar preparadas para abandonar el conocimiento devenido obsoleto y aprender a crearlo a través de la mejora continua de sus actividades, del desarrollo de nuevas aplicaciones a partir de sus propios éxitos y de la innovación continua entendida como un proceso organizacional. Naturalmente, todo ello sólo es posible mediante la conducción y el liderazgo de personas con las competencias, capacidades y habilidades adecuadas. Las propias instituciones que forman profesionales destinados a actuar en el mundo de los negocios deben tomar nota de estas demandas y actuar en consecuencia.Tradicionalmente, las universidades han sido más o menos eficaces en la transmisión de información y en el manejo del conocimiento explícito, pero las demandas actuales exigen en forma imperativa que lo sean cada vez más también en materia de conocimiento tácito. Esto significa cuestionar continuamente los paradigmas, cambiar las perspectivas, revisar los modelos educativos aplicados y realizar los diagnósticos correctos, pero sobre todo, ser capaces de proponer nuevas estrategias de enseñanza, diseñando las herramientas pedagógicas que posibiliten desarrollar el potencial de aprendizaje de cada individuo con vistas a afrontar las exigencias profesionales que el mercado laboral le impondrá.El presente trabajo se enmarca en el propósito de compartir la experiencia de la Universidad ORT Uruguay en relación con un instrumento específico ampliamente utilizado en sus cursos superiores, analizando sus características y los resultados de su aplicación. Dado el contexto en que estaba prevista su presentación, el estudio se centró en el caso de la carrera de Contador Público.
Una comparación de pruebas de igualdad de dos riesgos competitivos
Authors: Molina Blanco Liliana Carolina , Lopera Gómez Carlos Mario
Published: March 2018

En este artículo se abordó la problemática de dos riesgos que están compitiendo para causar la falla de un sujeto; en particular determinar si los riesgos o probabilidad de falla asociada a cada tipo de falla son igualmente importantes o si un riesgo es más serio que el otro. Para este fin se hizo un estudio de la prueba de hipótesis para la igualdad de las dos funciones de incidencia acumulada asociadas a los riesgos. Se realizó un estudio de simulación donde se comparan algunos de los procedimientos de prueba que han sido propuestos para este fin; y así, poder determinar el comportamiento de estos procedimientos de prueba bajo varios escenarios que permitan evaluar el desempeño de los mismos. Se incluyen los procedimientos de prueba usando datos reales de pacientes con linfoma.
Influencing factors on effective width of compressed zone in joint column - cylindrical shell of steel silo
Authors: Zdravkov Lyubomir
Published: March 2018

In order to ensure unloading of whole amount of stored product by gravity, steel silos are often placed on supporting structure. The simplest way to design these complicated facilities is to divide cylindrical shell on two parts in our minds - discretely supported ring beam and continuously supported shell above it. Obviously, to ensure continuously support of shell, bending stiffness of ring beam should be high. In European standard EN 1993-4-1, that concept is recognized but it keeps silence about recommended stiffness of ring beam. Another way to design is to know law of distribution of compressive axial stresses due to discrete column reactions R, by height of shell. Knowing it, we could calculate the effective width leff of distribution of compressive stresses on every level. Where effective width is equal to distance between discrete supports, there critical height of shell ends and above it cylindrical body is continuously supported. Unfortunately the above quoted standard EN 1993-4-1 does not give an information how to calculate leff. The questions here are; should we accept linear distribution of compressive forces by height? In addition, could we use directly the results of Whitmore (1952), where angle of distribution α = 30°? Or, even to accept a far more brave opinion that α = 45°, used by many of the elder designers? Moreover, is value of angle α constant or does it depend on various influencing factors?
Some Functions and Contexts of Traditional Pottery in Northern Ghana
Authors: Iddrisu Yussif , Adu-Gyamfi Vesta E. , Agyenan Kafui Kwesi
Published: March 2018

The aim of this paper is to identify and document some functions and contextsof traditional pottery within northern Ghana. The descriptive approach of the qualitative research methodology was employed. Interview and observation methods were employed as the data collection methods. They were used to ascertain reasons why some potteryare engaged in certain contexts andfor certainfunctions. The data was tabulated to include the traditional name of the pot, the function and the context. The data were then analyzed and the indications were that, the potters make interesting forms of traditional pottery for different purposes; and the local name given to each pot perfectly defines their functions and contexts within northern Ghana. On the flipside of the coin, the function and context of every pot can also be dictated by its end user. Base on this, the researchers were able to discover some functions and contexts of the indigenous pottery which were put into some groups. On the first hand, the researchers classified the functions into five groups of purpose. These included: domestic purposes, religious purposes, agricultural purposes, rites of passage purposes and traditional herbal medicinal purposes. On other hand, seven groups of contexts were also discovered at the time of the study. These included: courtyards, bedrooms, bathrooms, graveyards, kitchens, shrines, and hencoops as places where these pots can be found among the people of the Northern Ghana.
The Firm as a Common. Non-divided Capital Ownership, Patrimonial Stability and Longevity of Co-operative Enterprises
Authors: Tortia Ermanno C.
Published: March 2018

Contemporary literature dealing with the governance and exploitation of common-pool natural resources was initiated by Elinor Ostrom in 1990, and has been growing fast ever since. On the contrary, within the same research stream, the study of the presence and economic role of common resources in entrepreneurial organizations is, to date, under-researched. This work endeavors to fill some gaps in this research perspective by: (i) spelling out a new-institutionalist framework for the analysis of the accumulation and governance of common capital resources within organizational boundaries; (ii) considering co-operative enterprises as the organizational form that, on the basis of historical record, and of behavioral and institutional characteristics, demonstrated to be most compatible with a substantial role for common and non-divided asset-ownership and with its governance thereof; (iii) evidencing and explaining the strong connection between cooperative longevity and the presence of non-divided asset ownership. The economic forces influencing the optimal level of self-financed common capital resources in co-operatives are enquired. Conclusions to the paper evidence the main reasons why the new approach can better explain than preceding ones the economic sustainability and longevity of cooperative enterprises.
Tratamiento dietético con fructosa en una niña de 5 años con acidosis D-láctica recurrente
Authors: Travieso Suárez Lourdes , Quijada Fraile Pilar , Pedrón Giner Consuelo
Published: March 2018

La acidosis D-láctica es una patología infrecuente, habitualmente descrita en pacientes con síndrome de intestino corto. Se caracteriza por episodios recurrentes de encefalopatía con D-lactato sérico elevado y, generalmente, acidosis metabólica. Para su desarrollo es necesario el sobrecrecimiento de bacterias productoras de D-lactato en el colon. Otros factores, como la ingesta abundante de carbohidratos o la disminución de la motilidad intestinal, pueden favorecer una acidosis D-láctica. Presentamos un caso clínico de acidosis D-láctica recurrente en una niña de 5 años con síndrome de intestino corto secundario a un vólvulo de intestino medio. Recibió tratamiento antibiótico para el sobrecrecimiento bacteriano y restricción de carbohidratos enterales, pese a lo que presentó recurrencias. Posteriormente se sustituyó un 25% de su fórmula de nutrición enteral por otra con aporte exclusivo de fructosa, y se restringieron los aportes de otros azúcares fermentables. La evolución a los 16 años ha sido satisfactoria, sin presentar nuevas recurrencias.
A Comparative Study of Work-Life Balance and Job Satisfaction of the Employees Working in Business Process Outsourcing Sector
Authors: Yusuf Subooh
Published: March 2018

This paper provides an insight into the Work life balance and job satisfaction of individuals working in business process outsourcing. In the present fast growing scenario, people don‘t have time for themselves or for their families. It is difficult to balance both work and personal life at a time, especially for the employees working in Business process outsourcing (BPO’s).The Work life balance of an individual is one of the factors, which affect their satisfaction or happiness with life as a whole.. Data was obtained from 200 employees, 120 male and 80 female. Work life balance was measured by the 15-item scale developed by Fisher-McAuley (2003), consist of three dimensions - work interference with personal life (WIPL), personal life interference with work (PLIW), work/personal life enhancement (WPLE) and job satisfaction was measured by using scale Khan and Sheeba (2002).Data comparison of work life balance, its three dimensions work interference with personal life, work/personal life enhancement, personal life interference with work and job satisfaction between male and female t-test was found suitable. All the analysis was carried out with the help of the computer using SPSS 16.0 version.
Maternal Diets Deficient in Vitamin D Increase the Risk of Kyphosis in Offspring
Authors: Halanski Matthew A. , Hildahl Blake , Amundson Laura A. , Leiferman Ellen , Gendron-Fitzpatrick Annette , Chaudhary Rajeev , Hartwig-Stokes Heather M. , McCabe Ronald , Lenhart Rachel , Chin Matthew , Birstler Jennifer , Crenshaw Thomas D.
Published: March 2018

Background:

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of perinatal vitamin-D intake on the development and characterization of hyperkyphosis in a porcine model.

Methods:

The spines of 16 pigs were assessed at 9, 13, and 17 weeks of age with radiography and at 17 weeks with computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histology, and bone-density testing. An additional 169 pigs exposed to 1 of 3 maternal dietary vitamin-D levels from conception through the entire lactation period were fed 1 of 4 nursery diets supplying different levels of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus. When the animals were 13 weeks of age, upright lateral spinal radiography was performed with use of a custom porcine lift and sagittal Cobb angles were measured in triplicate to determine the degree of kyphosis in each pig.

Results:

The experimental animals had significantly greater kyphotic sagittal Cobb angles at all time points when compared with the control animals. These hyperkyphotic deformities demonstrated no significant differences in Hounsfield units, contained a slightly lower ash content (46.7% ± 1.1% compared with 50.9% ± 1.6%; p < 0.001), and demonstrated more physeal irregularities. Linear mixed model analysis of the measured kyphosis demonstrated that maternal diet had a greater effect on sagittal Cobb angle than did nursery diet and that postnatal supplementation did not completely eliminate the risk of hyperkyphosis.

Conclusions:

Maternal diets deficient in vitamin D increased the development of hyperkyphosis in offspring in this model.

Clinical Relevance:

This study demonstrates that decreased maternal dietary vitamin-D intake during pregnancy increases the risk of spinal deformity in offspring. In addition, these data show the feasibility of generating a large-animal spinal-deformity model through dietary manipulation alone.
Patient-Reported Outcomes in Orthopaedics
Authors:   MOTION Group
Published: March 2018

➤ Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) assess a patient’s perspective of health, function, and quality of life associated with health conditions and medical interventions.

➤ Health-care value is the ratio of health outcomes achieved relative to the total cost of care for a medical condition.

➤ Common PRO designs assess general quality of life, system or region-specific conditions, disease-specific conditions, or mixed outcome measure designs.

➤ Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures domains of health (e.g., fatigue, physical function, and depressive symptoms), not disease or injury-specific outcomes, allowing for comparability across conditions and normative scoring.

➤ PROs offer a unique format to the clinician for understanding the impact of medical conditions or interventions and, as a result, may improve the care provided.
Microalgae Chlorella Vulgaris Harvesting Via Co-Pelletization with Filamentous Fungus
Authors: Alrubaie Ghaidaa , Al-Shammari Rana H. H.
Published: March 2018

The objective of this study was to progress another method for coagulation/flocculation of the microalga Chlorella vulgaris via pellet-forming of the fungal species Aspergillus niger which was isolated from municipal wastewater mud and the facultative heterotrophic microalga "C.vulgaris was used. The main factors studies were spore inoculums, organic carbon concentration in medium as well as pH variation which had considerably positive effects on microalgae/fungi co-pelletization formation. The process parameters are an inoculum1×104 spores/ML, 15 g/l sucrose as carbon source and pH ranged from 5 - 7.0 were found optimal for efficient microalgae/fungi co-pelletization formation. For autotrophic growth, when pH of culture broth was adjusted to 5.0 -7.0 with organic carbon addition (15 g/L sucrose), almost complete harvesting efficiency of the microalga was achieved. Furthermore, it was observed that diameter and the concentration of microalgae/fungi pellets were pretentious by the shaker rotation. The new harvesting technology established in this study will decrease the microalga harvesting cost and will be possible to adapt this technique to all microalgal species as an alternative to other old-style harvesting approaches.
Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Activates Studies of some New Derivatives From 2-aminoo-5-mercapto-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole
Authors: Al-Zubiady Shetha F. , Al-Khafaji Zainab H. Kadhim , Mohamed Iman M , Adday Sahar T
Published: March 2018

In this work, thiadiazole derivatives were prepared by taking advantage of active sites in (2-amino-5-mercapto-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole) as a starting material base. The main heterocyclic compounds (1, 3, 4-thiadiazole, oxazole) etc, 2-amino-5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole compound (1) was prepared by cyclic closure of thiosemicarbazide compound with anhydrous sodium carbonate and carbon disulfide. Oxidation of (1) via hydrogen peroxide, to have (2) which was treated with chloro acetyl chloride to get (3). Preparation of thiazole ring (4) was from reacting of (3) with thiourea. Synthesis of diazonium salts (5) from compound (4) using sodium nitrite and HCl. Compound (5) reacted with different ester compounds to prepare a new azo compounds (6–8).Compound (3) reacts with viruses secondary amine to prepare compound (9–11). Full characterization of the synthesized compounds was done by using spectroscopic analysis such as FT-IR, 1H-NMR and C.H.N.S. technique.
Propuesta de un Modelo Financiero para la Evaluación de la Inversión en un Aeropuerto Bajo Asociación Público-Privada
Authors: González-Ruiz Juan David , Echeverri-Gaviria Sebastián , Ospina-Rendón Diego Alejandro
Published: March 2018

La administración de un aeropuerto implica cierto nivel de complejidad, para lo cual los Estados hacen uso de Alianzas Público-Privadas para delegar esta responsabilidad a entidades concesionarias especializadas. En este trabajo se propone, desde la academia, un modelo financiero para evaluar la inversión en un proyecto aeroportuario concesionado. Con la información de entrada se calcula el Estado de Resultados y el Flujo de Caja Libre utilizando simulaciones determinísticas y estocásticas, se elabora también un análisis de sensibilidad y finalmente se presentan los criterios de evaluación de proyectos: valor presente neto y tasa interna de retorno para apoyar la decisión de inversión por parte del analista.
Investigar para que Siga la Fiesta
Authors: Toro-Rendón Andrés Darío
Published: March 2018

Por lo anterior, las universidades deberían incentivar mucho más las investigaciones relacionadas con los servicios públicos, utilizando como referencia la regulación actual, con el fin de cuestionarla y mejorarla. Lejos de un afán de negocio, el objetivo sería garantizar su sostenibilidad por varias generaciones y ojalá por siempre. Esta debería ser reconocida como la principal responsabilidad de las universidades, investigar para que siga la fiesta.
Ingeniería Analítica a la Convivencia Pacífica de la Naturaleza, el Átomo y el Hombre
Authors: Fields Roger Siberman
Published: March 2018

La revolución científico-técnica transforma a la ciencia en una fuerza productiva directa, convierte en realidad lo que no hace mucho pertenecía al mundo de lo fantástico. Pero la inmensa y creciente actividad del hombre reviste también consecuencias negativas. Con alarma e inquietudobservamos que un río, antaño caudaloso, se secó de súbito; que el pinar suburbano dejó de ser atractivo, que el ruido urbano se intensifica. El hombre y la naturaleza, dos palabras que saltan con frecuencia a las páginas de diarios y libros, las pronuncian en la radio y la televisión o simplemente en conversaciones. Y hay que señalar que hasta hace poco el término "ecología" lo conocía sólo un reducido grupo de especialistas. Preservar la naturaleza y además no reducir sino elevar su fecundidad a fin de que no sólo nosotros sino también las generaciones venideras puedan disfrutar de sus riquezas, es una de las tareas más importantes. Una tarea que no puede dejar a nadie indiferente. En este artículo se hace un análisis ingenieril a la relación naturaleza, átomo y hombre, con el objeto de esclarecer y, de cierta forma colaborar, para que los seres humanos comprendan que es una simbiosis necesaria para el futuro de la humanidad.
Australian Stock Exchange and sub-variants of price momentum strategies
Authors: Ejaz Abdullah , Polak Petr
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study is to examine the sub-variants of price momentum strategies. The paper recommends which sub-variants post above average returns for Australian Stock Exchange. It also analyzes the return behavior of short-term momentum effect among sub-variants of price momentum strategies. It has been found that monthly price momentum strategies result in above average abnormal returns, whereas weekly price momentum strategies should be used in combination with monthly price momentum strategies. Trading volume-based momentum investment strategies should not be used at all.
BAT Algorithm Based Beamformer for Interference Suppression by Controlling the Complex Weight
Authors: Luyen Tong Van , Vu Bang Giang Truong
Published: March 2018

In this study, an adaptive beamformer for pattern nulling of Uniformly Spaced Linear Array (ULA) antennas, which utilized BAT algorithm (BA) to suppress interferences, has been proposed. This pattern nulling has been obtained by controlling the complex weight (both the phase and the amplitude) of each array element. So as to verify the proposal, a number of scenarios of ULA pattern imposed the pre-set nulls have been carried out and compared with those of accelerated particle swarm optimization (APSO). The proposed beamformer has demonstrated the capability to place with precise single, multiple, and broad nulls at arbitrary interference directions, suppress side lobes, and maintain a predefined beamwidth. Moreover, the beamformer shows faster convergence and higher efficiency regarding null steering and side lobe suppression in pattern synthesis, as compared with an APSO based beamformer.
FPGA Implementation of Channel Mismatch Calibration in TIADCs for Signals in Any Nyquist Bands
Authors: Le Duc Han , Hoang Van-Phuc , Nguyen Duc-Minh
Published: March 2018

This paper presents a fully digital background calibration technique of the gain and timing mismatches in undersampling Time-Interleaved Analog-to-Digital Converters for the wideband bandlimited input signal at any Nyquist bands. The proposed technique does not require an additional reference channel nor a pilot input. The channel mismatch parameters are estimated based on the mismatch frequency band. The experimental results shows the efficiency of the proposed mitigation technique with the SNDR improvement of 16dB for 4-channel 60dB SNR TIADC clocked at 2.7GHz given a multi-tone input occupied at the third Nyquist band. The hardware architecture of the proposed technique is designed and validated on Altera FPGA DE4 board. The synthesized design utilizes a very little amount of the hardware resource in the FPGA chip and works correctly on a Hardware-In-the-Loop emulation framework.
Improved input to distributed hydrologic model in areas with sparse subdaily rainfall data using multivariate daily rainfall disaggregation
Authors: Ivković Marija , Todorović Andrijana , Plavšić Jasna
Published: March 2018

Flood forecasting relies on good quality of observed and forecasted rainfall. In Serbia, the recording rain gauge network is sparse and rainfall data mainly come from dense non-recording rain gauges. This is not beneficial for flood forecasting in smaller catchments and short-duration events, when hydrologic models operating on subdaily scale are applied. Moreover, differences in rainfall amounts from two types of gauges can be considerable, which is common in operational hydrological practice. This paper examines the possibility of including daily rainfall data from dense observation networks in flood forecasting based on subdaily data, using the extreme flood event in the Kolubara catchment in May 2014 as a case study. Daily rainfall from a dense observation network is disaggregated to hourly scale using the MuDRain multivariate disaggregation software. The disaggregation procedure results in well-reproduced rainfall dynamics and adjusts rainfall volume to the values from the non-recording gauges. The fully distributed wflow_hbv model, which is under development as a forecasting tool for the Kolubara catchment, is used for flood simulations with two alternative hourly rainfall data. The results show an improvement when the disaggregated rainfall from denser network is used, thus indicating the significance of better representation of rainfall temporal and spatial variability for flood forecasting.
Residual chlorine behavior in a distribution network of a small water supply system
Authors: Araya Andrés , Sánchez Luis D.
Published: March 2018

This study presents the behavior of residual chlorine using computer modeling for a small water supply system located in La Sirena, Cali, Colombia. The study included field work to calibrate and validate the model together with lab determinations. Results show that the kinetics of first and second order together with the kinetics of mixed order can adequately describe the behavior of residual chlorine in this type of network. The research showed the variables that influence the behavior of residual chlorine in the network are: the quality of the input water, chlorine dosing, the effect of storage that increases the water age, and the presence of dead zones in the tanks. The study revealed that 95% of the reaction occurs in the storage tanks due to the small variation in the water level and the negligible reactions at the pipe walls. This study proved that the residual chlorine modeling in this small network in particular is a valuable tool for monitoring the water quality in the distribution network, which is useful to comply with water quality guidelines.
Quantitative impact of precipitation and human activity on runoff in the upper and middle Taoer River basin
Authors: Sun Ying , Liang Xiujuan , Xiao Changlai , Fang Zhang
Published: March 2018

Improved analysis and usage of water resources in the Taoer River basin requires an evaluation of the contributions of precipitation and human activities to runoff. In this study, we apply an integrated method combining the non-parametric Mann–Kendall trend test and the double-mass curve to analyze runoff data from 1961 to 2010. The major findings are as follows. (1) Annual runoff showed a statistically significant decrease, while precipitation showed no significant trend. (2) An abrupt change point was identified in 1998 at four representative stations, resulting in the study period being divided into pre-change and post-change periods for subsequent analysis. The double-mass curves were approximately linear in the pre-change periods, indicating that the dominant factor was probably climate change. Annual precipitation–runoff curves showed a decreasing trend from 1998, probably because of human activity. (3) The contributions of human activity to runoff in the post-change period for the four selected stations were 58.31%, 17.81%, 37.17%, and 47.66%, and the influence of human activity increased after the abrupt change point.
Sulphate removal from mine water with chemical, biological and membrane technologies
Authors: Kinnunen Päivi , Kyllönen Hanna , Kaartinen Tommi , Mäkinen Jarno , Heikkinen Juha , Miettinen Ville
Published: March 2018

Chemical, physical and biological technologies for removal of sulphate from mine tailings pond water (8 g SO42−/L) were investigated. Sulphate concentrations of approximately 1,400, 700, 350 and 20 mg/L were obtained using gypsum precipitation, and ettringite precipitation, biological sulphate reduction or reverse osmosis (RO) after gypsum pre-treatment, respectively. Gypsum precipitation can be widely utilized as a pre-treatment method, as was shown in this study. Clearly the lowest sulphate concentrations were obtained using RO. However, RO cannot be the only water purification technology, because the concentrate needs to be treated. There would be advantages using biological sulphate reduction, when elemental sulphur could be produced as a sellable end product. Reagent and energy costs for 200 m3/h tailings pond water feed based on laboratory studies and process modelling were 1.1, 3.1, 1.2 and 2.7 MEur/year for gypsum precipitation, ettringite precipitation, RO and biological treatment after gypsum precipitation, respectively. The most appropriate technology or combination of technologies should be selected for every industrial site case by case.
Novel Optical Techniques for Imaging Microcirculation in the Diabetic Foot
Authors: Mennes Onno A. , van Netten Jaap J. , Slart Riemer H.J.A. , Steenbergen Wiendelt
Published: March 2018

Background:

The most severe diabetic foot ulcers are those related with critical ischemia, which is
primarily diagnosed with non-invasive diagnostics. However, these diagnostics have several disadvantages. For
example, they only provide global indications of the (macro)level of ischemia. A potential solution can be found
in novel optical imaging techniques for local assessment of the microcirculation in diabetic foot ulcers. This review
provides an overview of these imaging techniques (Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging, Laser Speckle Contrast
Imaging, Photoacoustic Imaging and Hyperspectral Imaging) and their applicability for the diagnostic assessment
of microcirculation in diabetic foot ulcers.

Method: For each technique, the following parts are described: a) their technical background; b) general clinical
applications; and, c) its application for microcirculation assessment in diabetic foot ulcers. Parts a-b are based on
a narrative review of the literature, part c on a systematic review that was performed in the database Scopus,
covering the period from January 1, 2000 to November 31, 2017.

Results: Each of these techniques has specific advantages and disadvantages for imaging microcirculation. Potential
clinical use depends on measurement aims, and clinical relevance. However, none of the techniques has a
strongly established clinical relevance yet: we found a limited number of publications describing clinical outcomes.
Future research is needed to determine which technique is the most clinically relevant for the assessment
of microcirculation in diabetic foot ulcers.

Conclusion:

Although promising, the currently available novel optical techniques need to be further improved
technically and prospective trials are necessary to evaluate their clinical value.
Relevance of CYP2C9 Function in Valproate Therapy
Authors: Monostory Katalin , Nagy Andrea , Tóth Katalin , Bűdi Tamás , Kiss Ádám , Déri Máté , Csukly Gábor
Published: March 2018

Background:

Genetic polymorphisms of drug metabolizing enzymes can substantially modify the pharmacokinetics of a drug and eventually its efficacy or toxicity; however, inferring a patient’s drug metabolizing capacity merely from his or her genotype can lead to false prediction. Non-genetic host factors (age, sex, disease states) and environmental factors (nutrition, comedication) can transiently alter the enzyme expression and activities resulting in genotypephenotype mismatch. Although valproic acid is a well-tolerated anticonvulsant, pediatric patients are particularly vulnerable to valproate injury that can be partly attributed to the age-related differences in metabolic pathways.  Methods: CYP2C9 mediated oxidation of valproate, which is the minor metabolic pathway in adults, appears to become the principal route in children. Genetic and non-genetic variations in CYP2C9 activity can result in significant inter- and intra-individual differences in valproate pharmacokinetics and valproate induced adverse reactions.  Results: The loss-of-function alleles, CYP2C9*2 or CYP2C9*3, display significant reduction in valproate metabolism in children; furthermore, low CYP2C9 expression in patients with CYP2C9*1/*1 genotype also leads to a decrease in valproate metabolizing capacity. Due to phenoconversion, the homozygous wild genotype, expected to be translated to CYP2C9 enzyme with normal activity, is transiently switched into poor (or extensive) metabolizer phenotype.

Conclusion:

Novel strategy for valproate therapy adjusted to CYP2C9-status (CYP2C9 genotype and CYP2C9 expression) is strongly recommended in childhood. The early knowledge of pediatric patients’ CYP2C9-status facilitates the optimization of valproate dosing which contributes to the avoidance of misdosing induced adverse reactions, such as abnormal blood levels of ammonia and alkaline phosphatase, and improves the safety of children’s anticonvulsant therapy.
Insight Into the Emerging Role of Striatal Neurotransmitters in the Pathophysiology of Parkinson’s Disease and Huntington’s Disease: A Review
Authors: Jamwal Sumit , Kumar Puneet
Published: March 2018

Alteration in neurotransmitters signaling in basal ganglia has been consistently shown to
significantly contribute to the pathophysiological basis of Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s
disease. Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter which plays a critical role in coordinated body
movements. Alteration in the level of brain dopamine and receptor radically contributes to irregular
movements, glutamate mediated excitotoxic neuronal death and further leads to imbalance in the
levels of other neurotransmitters viz. GABA, adenosine, acetylcholine and endocannabinoids. This
review is based upon the data from clinical and preclinical studies to characterize the role of various
striatal neurotransmitters in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. Further,
we have collected data of altered level of various neurotransmitters and their metabolites and
receptor density in basal ganglia region. Although the exact mechanisms underlying neuropathology
of movement disorders are not fully understood, but several mechanisms related to neurotransmitters
alteration, excitotoxic neuronal death, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation
are being put forward. Restoring neurotransmitters level and downstream signaling has
been considered to be beneficial in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease.
Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify more specific drugs and drug targets that can restore
the altered neurotransmitters level in brain and prevent/delay neurodegeneration.
Effects of Intensive Blood Pressure Control in Patients with Evident Cardiovascular Disease: An Investigation Using the SPRINT Study Data
Authors: Vlachopoulos Charalambos , Terentes-Printzios Dimitrios , Aznaouridis Konstantinos , Ioakeimidis Nikolaos , Xaplanteris Panagiotis , Lazaros Georgios , Tousoulis Dimitrios
Published: March 2018

Background: Recent data advocate adoption of a more intensive treatment strategy for management
of blood pressure (BP).

Objective: We investigated whether the overall effects of the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial
(SPRINT) are applicable to cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients.

Methods: In a post hoc analysis we analyzed data from SPRINT that randomly assigned 9361 individuals
to a systolic BP (SBP) target of <120 mmHg (intensive treatment) or <140 mmHg (standard treatment).
1562 patients had clinically evident CVD (age=70.3±9.3 years, 24% females) at study entry and were
followed for 3.1 years. Further, we assessed the effect of low (<150 mmHg) baseline SBP on outcome.

Results: In CVD patients, there was no benefit from the intensive treatment regarding all endpoints,
except for a marginally significant benefit on all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.67; 95% confidence
interval [CI], 0.45 to 1.00; p=0.0509). Further, while there was no increase in serious adverse
events (SAE) in the intensive group, there was increased risk for study-related SAE, acute renal failure
and electrolyte abnormalities. In patients with low baseline SBP there was a beneficial effect on allcause
mortality (HR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.96; p=0.033), but with greater stroke incidence (HR: 2.94;
95% CI: 1.04 to 8.29; p=0.042).

Conclusion: We confirm the beneficial effect of the intensive strategy in SPRINT study on all-cause
mortality and the harmful effect on specific adverse outcomes in patients with CVD. However, in patients
with low baseline SBP stroke may increase.
Fast Method to Evaluate Payload Effect on In-Train Forces of Freight Trains
Authors: Arcidiacono Gabriele , Berni Rossella , Cantone Luciano , Nikiforova Nedka D. , Placidoli Pierpaolo
Published: March 2018

Introduction:

This paper introduces a fast method to evaluate the effect of payload distribution on in-train forces.

Methods:

The method is based on Strong Orthogonal Arrays (SOA) and the excellent space-filling properties of Latin Hypercube Design (LHD): SOA-based-LHD is proved to be very efficient in spanning the range of in-train forces for different types of trains (also considering distributed power/braking) and trains operations.

Results:

The distribution of the percentage of braked mass is used to consider the effect of payload distribution on in-train forces. Because of its computational efficiency, the method proposed here can be satisfactorily employed to perform an optimization analysis of train composition.
Divergent Principles of Politeness in Verbal and Non-Verbal Directive Speech Act
Authors: Lindayana - , Arifuddin - , Mandala Halus
Published: March 2018

This study was conducted aiming at examining: (1) the divergent principles of politeness in students’ directive speech act (2) factors affecting politeness and impoliteness in verbal and non-verbal directive speech act produced by students at grade X in Senior High School 1 Mataram in the learning process. The subject of this study are teachers teaching Bahasa Indonesia, English, Economy, History, Math, Religion, Civic, and Science, and all students at Grade X of Science 1, Science 3 and Social 2 in Senior High School 1 Mataram. This study is a descriptive qualitative research. The data source in this study is the number of utterances produced by students and teachers in the learning process. The data were collected through observation. This study revealed that: (1) there were divergent principles of politeness in participants’ directive speech act namely single and multiple divergent principles of politeness affected by speaker intentionally accused addressees, intentionally uttered by neglecting the context, was protective to other arguments, showed emotional feeling, given critiques in impolite words and mocked at other; and (2) there were factors affecting politeness and impoliteness in verbal and non-verbal directive speech act produced by students in learning process namely linguistic factor and non-linguistic factor.
Café editorial “Ciencia y Mujer”
Authors: Pataquiva Mateus Alis
Published: March 2018

El jueves 30 de abril de 2015 en el marco de la versión 28 de la Feria Internacional del Libro de Bogotá, siete investigadoras se reunieron alrededor del tema Ciencia y Mujer en el estand de la Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano.
Características energéticas de combustibles densificados de residuos de la uva isabella (viti labrusca L.)
Authors: Rojas González Andrés Felipe , Ruales Salcedo Ángela Viviana
Published: March 2018

Los procesos de densificación son utilizados para mejorar las características fisicoquímicas de biomasa, con la finalidad de que esta sea empleada como combustible. En este trabajo se muestran los resultados de las características energéticas que presentan los residuos provenientes del cultivo (sarmientos) y producción de jugo de uva (hollejos, escobajos y semillas), al ser densificados. Para evaluar las características energéticas, tanto los residuos como las briquetas se caracterizaron respecto a su análisis próximo, análisis último y se determinó el índice de reactividad por medio de la relación materia volátil/carbono fio (MV/CF). Se encontró no fue posible densificar las semillas por la presencia de aceite en su composición, pero es el residuo de mayor HHV. También se encontró que el proceso de densificación favorece la concentración de energía y se recomienda elaborar briquetas con la mezcla de los residuos tal cual se obtienen en el cultivo y procesamiento de la uva.
Los ecosistemas semisecos del altiplano cundiboyacense, bioma azonal singular de Colombia, en gran riesgo de desaparición
Authors: Calvachi Zambrano Byron
Published: March 2018

Los ambientes xerófilos o áridos colombianos, naturales de la costa Caribe, tienen condiciones climáticas exclusivas poco características en un país como Colombia. Originalmente cubiertos en su mayor parte por vegetación exuberante, estos ecosistemas presentan hacia el interior del país, dunas costeras, desiertos y matorrales xéricos donde ocupan enclaves secos como los de la Tatacoa, Chicamocha, Patía y algunos en el altiplano cundiboyacense. Estos ecosistemas semiáridos, son junto con los ecosistemas de humedales, los únicos centros de endemismo del referido altiplano, manteniendo hasta la actualidad importantes elementos biológicos endémicos y característicos, de aves y plantas, algunos de ellos de reciente descripción para la ciencia. Desafortunadamente todos ellos en grave riesgo de extinción por destrucción generalizada del hábitat. Este ecosistema constituye un tipo de bioma azonal, una isla biogeográfica denominada como Orobioma azonal andino del altiplano cundiboyacense. El presente trabajo, estudia los elementos de este particular altiplano para puntualizar en su importancia como centros de endemismo y, por estar en riesgo de extinción, como área obligada de conservación de la biodiversidad.
Caracterización de los lepidópteros fitófagos asociados a la herbivoría de frailejones en la microcuenca de la quebrada Calostros del Parque Nacional Natural Chingaza
Authors: Salinas Cristian , Fuentes Luz Stella , Hernández Linda
Published: March 2018

El ecosistema de páramo es uno de los más sensibles al cambio climático y a la alteración en el uso de suelo. Estos cambios generan modificaciones fisiológicas en las especies y en sus ciclos de vida; aumentan la posibilidad de las plantas de ser atacadas por organismos patógenos y de perder la oportunidad de colonizar nuevos nichos. Recientemente se ha reportado sobre Espeletia sp. herbivoría a causa de insectos fitófagos y hongos que la llevan a la mortalidad. El conocimiento de la biología y el efecto sobre las plantas de estos insectos, contribuirá a la toma de decisiones relacionadas con la gestión ambiental, monitoreo, manejo sostenible y preservación del ecosistema. Este estudio fue realizado en la microcuenca de la quebrada Calostros del Parque Nacional Natural Chingaza, con el fin de determinar los insectos del orden lepidóptera asociados con el daño en las estructuras vegetativas de los individuos del género Espeletia sp., así mismo caracterizar la sintomatología vinculada con el daño que pueden producir estos insectos sobre las plantas de frailejón en diferentes alturas. Esto mediante la colecta manual de larvas y el seguimiento en 30 frailejones durante un periodo de seis meses. Se observaron tres larvas de orden lepidóptera afiliadas al daño sobre Espeletia sp., no obstante, solo una se encuentra ampliamente distribuida y ocasiona deterioro severo sobre los frailejones. Esta fue identificada como Hellinsia sp. (especie no reportada) responsable de la mayor lesión al meristemo apical de las plantas. Entre los perjuicios que ocasiona el insecto Hellinsia sp., se resalta la pérdida de tejidos, clorosis severa y deformación de las hojas. Ahora bien, se observó que los individuos de Espeletia sp. pueden tener la capacidad de continuar con su desarrollo normal después de ser hospederos de las larvas de Hellinsia sp.