bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eligibility for palivizumab prophylaxis in a cohort of children with severe bronchiolitis
Authors: Hasegawa Kohei , Mansbach Jonathan M. , Piedra Pedro A. , Dunn Michelle B. , Clark Sunday , Sullivan Ashley F. , Camargo Carlos A.
Published: October 2015

In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their recommendations for palivizumab prophylaxis for children who are at high risk for severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. To investigate the potential impact of the more restrictive 2014 criteria on the eligibility for palivizumab prophylaxis, we applied the 2012 and 2014 AAP recommendations for palivizumab prophylaxis to a multicenter cohort of 2207 US children hospitalized for bronchiolitis. According to the 2012 AAP recommendations, 215 children (9.7%) were eligible for palivizumab prophylaxis, while 140 children (6.3%) would have been eligible based on the 2014 updated recommendations (34.9% relative decrease; 95%CI: 28.5–41.7%). The decrease was largely driven by the restriction of eligibility to preterm infants with gestational age <29 weeks. Further development of and refinement of cost‐effective approaches for the prevention of severe RSV infection are needed.
Spontaneous improvement in a pediatric patient with peripheral T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Kobayashi Ryoji , Suzuki Daisuke , Hori Daiki , Kishimoto Kenji , Sano Hirozumi , Nakazawa Atsuko , Yasuda Kazue , Kobayashi Kunihiko
Published: October 2015

Peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL) is rare in children, and it has a poor prognosis compared with other types of lymphoma. We report the case of a 7‐year‐old boy with spontaneous improvement of PTCL complicated by hemophagocytic syndrome as the initial symptom. He complained of pain and swelling of the right neck and presented with high fever. Pancytopenia, liver dysfunction, elevated ferritin and soluble interleukin 2 receptor were noted on laboratory tests. Peripheral blood plasma and white blood cells were positive for Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) genome but, after several days, the fever abated and laboratory data improved. On histopathology of lymph node biopsy, he was diagnosed as having PTCL not otherwise specified (PTCL‐NOS) with EBV infection. He received no chemotherapy and was disease free at the last follow up, 6 years 8 months after onset. This is probably the first case of spontaneous improvement in PTCL‐NOS. Careful treatment planning is therefore necessary in PTCL‐NOS, given the possibility of spontaneous improvement of symptoms.
Incidence of childhood primary immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Higashigawa Masamune , Maeyama Takatoshi , Yoshino Ayako , Matsuda Kazuyuki , Ito Mitsue , Maji Tomoaki , Ichimi Ryouji
Published: October 2015

There is a discrepancy in the reported incidence of childhood immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) between Europe (2.9–5.3 per 100 000 persons) and Japan (1.91). Ise district is a suitable area in which to conduct epidemiological study because there is little fluctuation in the sociodemographic factors. We performed a retrospective population‐based study to clarify the incidence of primary childhood ITP. We calculated person‐years for children aged <15 years based on the Ise district demographics between 2002 and 2012. The calculated person‐years were 298 533. The number of hospitalized patients in Ise district was 25 (M/F, 14/11) during the study period. The calculated incidence was therefore 8.4 per 100 000 person‐years. It is possible that the difference in incidence between the present calculation and that of the European studies is due to variation in accuracy and/or registration criteria between the studies.
Providers' assessment of transition readiness among adolescent and young adult kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Gilleland Marchak Jordan , Reed‐Knight Bonney , Amaral Sandra , Mee Laura , Blount Ronald L.
Published: October 2015

The Readiness for Transition Questionnaire‐ provider version (RTQ‐Provider) was developed to evaluate adolescent patients' transition readiness and healthcare behaviors from the perspective of the healthcare provider. The RTQ‐Provider is a parallel version of the RTQ‐Teen and RTQ‐Parent completed by patients and parents. This study seeks to evaluate the psychometric properties of the RTQ‐Provider and its utility as a clinical transition planning tool. Participants consisted of 49 kidney transplant recipients between the ages of 15 and 21. The RTQ‐Provider was completed by the pediatric nephrologist and psychologist from the multidisciplinary healthcare team and compared to RTQ data from teens and parents. The RTQ‐Provider demonstrated good‐to‐excellent internal consistency and interrater reliability. Construct validity was supported through significant predictive relationships between providers' perceptions of transition readiness and older patient age, increased patient healthcare responsibility, and decreased parent involvement in health care. By providing parallel teen, parent, and provider forms, the RTQ has the potential to foster open communication between patients, families, and healthcare team members regarding transition readiness. The study provides initial support for the RTQ‐Provider as a clinical tool to assess providers' perceptions of transition readiness; however, future longitudinal research is needed to evaluate predictive validity following patients' transfer to adult care.
Ink, Art and Expression: Philosophical Questions about Tattoos
Authors: Dadlez E.M.
Published: October 2015

This essay offers an overview of the reasons why tattoos are philosophically interesting. Considered here will be a partial survey of potential areas of philosophical interest with respect to tattoos, fortified by a little historical context. Claims about the ethical significance of tattoos and about the significance of tattoos for self‐expression and as expressions of identity will be canvassed in the first two sections, as will questions about what they express or signify, how they might do so, and whose expression we might take it to be. The final sections will address the contention that at least some tattoos are art and will raise various considerations about their closest analogs as well as their authorship. Although it will be argued that analogs can be found between tattoos and works recognized as art, it will also be maintained that tattoos raise unique aesthetic issues for consideration.
How Lay Cognition Constrains Scientific Cognition
Authors: Shtulman Andrew
Published: October 2015

Scientific cognition is a hard‐won achievement, both from a historical point of view and a developmental point of view. Here, I review seven facets of lay cognition that run counter to, and often impede, scientific cognition: incompatible folk theories, missing ontologies, tolerance for shallow explanations, tolerance for contradictory explanations, privileging explanation over empirical data, privileging testimony over empirical data, and misconceiving the nature of science itself. Most of these facets have been investigated independent of the others, and I propose directions for future research that might integrate them so as to explore potential commonalities among seemingly disparate obstacles to science learning, as well as potential strategies for bridging lay cognition and scientific cognition in the context of science education.
Iteration Principles in Epistemology I: Arguments For
Authors: Greco Daniel
Published: October 2015

Epistemic iteration principles are principles according to which some or another epistemic operator automatically iterates‐‐‐e.g., if it is known that P, then it is known that P, or there is evidence that P, then there is evidence that there is evidence that P. This article provides a survey of various arguments for and against epistemic iteration principles, with a focus on arguments relevant to a wide range of such principles.
Etiology/Assessment/Redress: Criminal Bodies and State Impunity
Authors: Polanco Mieka Brand
Published: October 2015

This article develops a theoretical model for analyzing punishment across cultures, with emphasis on its utility for parsing state‐inflicted punishment. I suggest that a tripartite relationship can be observed in justice systems across cultures, and identify an inherent consistency among what a particular culture considers a social breach (etiology), the process of determining the social significance of a breach (assessment), and the array of actions deemed appropriate in response (redress). Drawing on a familiar example from mainstream news—the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal—I demonstrate how the model works, and argue that this example is especially useful for understanding punishment in the context of the state because it highlights how the state deflects criticism (and indeed punishment) by conjuring hegemonic discourse about punishment, the autonomous moral individual, and personal accountability. Americans responding to news about Abu Ghraib generally agree that terrible things happened at this U.S. military facility in Iraq. However, the language used in the media and in the courtroom to describe what crimes were committed (and therefore what punishments should be dispensed) was inherently inadequate to identify breaches—or to coalesce around redressive actions—that transcend individual bodies. [crime and punishment, culpability, individualism, the state, Abu Ghraib]
Insecurity in an Orange Envelope: National Pension System Reform in Sweden
Authors: Nyqvist Anette
Published: October 2015

In this article, I examine the implications of Sweden's reformed national pension system and how this policy reconfigures the state–citizen relationship. By applying the methodological approach of “studying through,” the study depicts a shift in responsibility from a state level to an individual level. More specifically, I here shed light on how politicians, technocrats, and bureaucrats work to educate and foster the general public into responsible, hard working and financially literate citizens. The article further reveals that such attempts are not readily accepted or adopted by the citizens at the receiving end of the pension policy and so, instead of providing stability and security, this social security policy invokes a sense of insecurity in Swedish citizens. [Pension System Reform, Anthropology of Policy, Sweden, Studying Through]
“I'm Not a Leader”: Cynicism and Good Citizenship in a Brazilian Favela
Authors: Savell Stephanie
Published: October 2015

This article analyzes political agency in an environment of everyday urban violence through ethnographic examination of a curious pattern in the civic life of a Rio de Janeiro favela. Residents are cynical about local leaders and civic groups, even as they lead and participate in collective activities to benefit their communities. I argue that in the context of a disappointing democracy, a violent state, and powerful drug trafficking gangs, residents’ cynicism articulates and protects a vision of good citizenship. Conceptions of the “good” are informed by ideas made salient during Brazil's redemocratization; the “good” is also enmeshed in complex ways with trafficker control. [Brazil, favela, violence, democracy, drug traffickers, citizenship, civic life]
Replicate, Facilitate, Disseminate: The Micropolitics of U.S. Democracy Promotion in Bolivia
Authors: Ellison Susan
Published: October 2015

In the wake of a massive 2003 uprising in El Alto, Bolivia, U.S. democracy assistance programs targeted the city, promising to address Alteños’ frustration with democratic institutions and to teach deliberative democratic skills. In this article I examine the position of civic education “replicators.” I use this term to describe people from the city of El Alto—many of them young adults—who were trained by U.S. democracy assistance programs to promote renewed and rehabilitated democratic practices among Alteños. I consider what the position of replicators reveals about the governance technologies, aid ideologies, and objectives of U.S. democracy‐promotion programs. I argue that despite these programs’ emphasis on producing subjects who are “governable,” replicators are engaged in complex negotiations regarding the form and content of democracy assistance programs, and many continue to enact political practices that donor representatives frequently characterize as outmoded, illiberal, and antidemocratic. Through the experiences of replicators, we learn that liberal democratic concepts, practices, and subjectivities are already mediated and refracted through lived histories and sociopolitical affiliations of the very people tasked with their duplication and spread. Attending to the microdynamics of replication exposes how that repetition itself helps create the conditions under which replicators come to question their endeavors and to articulate understandings of democracy that incorporate practices donors would likely reject. [democracy, foreign aid, political subjectivity, NGOs, Bolivia]
Interrupting Rivaling Access‐flow with Nonsurgical Image‐guided ligation: the “IRANI” Procedure
Authors: Cui Jie , Freed Robert , Liu Fengyong , Irani Zubin
Published: October 2015

The presence of collateral veins is one of the most common causes of fistula failure to mature. The traditional approach to eliminate collateral vessel flow is coil embolization under fluoroscopy or surgical cut down and branch vessel ligation. However, both approaches are expensive and time consuming. Here, we described an image‐guided nonsurgical method to ligate collateral veins. The collateral veins were ligated using Hawkins‐Akins needle under ultrasound guidance. The average time for one ligation procedure was 17 minutes. There was a significant increase of blood flow in the venous outflow postligation procedure. Four weeks postprocedure ultrasound demonstrated occlusion of the target vessels. This procedure was well tolerated without major complications. In summary, the novel procedure described here offers an image‐guided nonsurgical approach for collateral vein occlusion.
Negation, Refusal and Co‐Optation: The Frankfurt School and Social Movement Theory
Authors: Schlembach Raphael
Published: October 2015

This article outlines how the critical theory of the Frankfurt School has influenced some key debates within social movement studies. The impact of Jürgen Habermas's sociology is widely acknowledged, especially with regards to our understanding of ‘new social movements’. There have however also been several lesser‐known attempts to bring the concerns of Theodor W. Adorno's negative dialectics and Herbert Marcuse's critique of one‐dimensional society to bear onto social movement research. For this reason it makes sense to outline the relevance of the ‘first generation’ members of the Frankfurt School – something that is often missing from the most authoritative overviews and textbooks on social movement theory. Presenting a body of literature that often appears as fragmented or only on the periphery of social movement theory in this way reveals a number of common themes, such as negation, refusal and co‐optation. To this end, the article provides a comprehensive theoretical overview of the multiple ways of how critical theory has made sense of social movements and argues that its concerns can be brought into a rewarding dialogue with contemporary social movement studies.
Relations Between Alphabetized Name Order and Nomination Counts in Peer Nomination Measures
Authors: Marks Peter E. L. , Cillessen Antonius H. N. , Babcock Ben
Published: October 2015

Peer nominations, a central method for measuring peer relationships in developmental research, typically involve asking children or adolescents to choose peers who fit various criteria from an alphabetized roster of classmates or grade‐mates. Although such measures have been used for decades, very little research has investigated the effects of alphabetical name order on the number of nominations received by peers. This study collected peer nominations for 20 items among 607 eighth grade participants in two schools. Regression analyses showed that earlier name order significantly predicted higher nomination counts for eight of the items, and explained over 5 percent of the variance in four affective variables (friendship, acceptance, acquaintanceship, and received liking). Across variables, name order effects were negatively correlated with internal reliability of nominations, implying that order effects may be related to the consensus of the peer group. Name order also had a minimal effect on inter‐correlations among a subset of variables. Implications and concrete recommendations for controlling and reducing name order effects in future research are discussed.
Ex vivo confocal microscopy: a new diagnostic technique for mucormycosis
Authors: Leclercq A. , Cinotti E. , Labeille B. , Perrot J. L. , Cambazard F.
Published: October 2015

Background

Skin‐dedicated ex vivo confocal microscopy (EVCM) has so far mainly been employed to identify cutaneous tumours on freshly excised samples. We present two cases where EVCM has been used to diagnose cutaneous mucormycosis.

Methods

The skin biopsies were evaluated by the skin‐dedicated ex vivo confocal microscope VivaScope 2500® (MAVIG GmbH, Munich Germany) under both reflectance and fluorescence mode. Conventional direct optical examination on skin scraping and histological examination were later performed.

Results

Mucormycetes observed by EVCM presented as hyper‐reflective elongated 20 μm in diameter structures with perpendicular ramifications. Fungi were found both under reflectance and fluorescence mode and were better visible with acridine orange under fluorescence EVCM. Conventional direct optical examination on skin scraping and histological examination found the same elongated and branching structures confirming the presence of Mucormycetes.

Conclusions

Ex vivo confocal microscopy has both the advantages of being fast as the direct optical examination, and to be able to show the localisation of the fungi in the tissue like the histological examination. In our cases, EVCM allowed to rapidly confirm the clinical diagnosis of mucormycosis, which is essential for the treatment of this fungal infection. Further studies are needed to compare the performance of EVCM with the findings of conventional histological and mycological examinations.
The effects of pig manure type and application timing and frequency on nitrate leaching from a seven‐course arable rotation on a retentive alluvial soil
Authors: Shepherd M. A. , Newell‐Price J. P.
Published: October 2015

Management rules for integrating manure applications into arable crop rotations have generally been developed from short‐term studies. The aim of this experiment was to test whether they would apply to frequent applications across an entire crop rotation. The hypothesis was that by avoiding autumn manure applications and adjusting fertilizer inputs to account for manure nitrogen (N) inputs, frequent manure applications could be made to a rotation without increasing N leaching compared with a control that received inorganic fertilizer according to the recommended rates. Four separate manure management strategies with varying manure types (pig slurry vs. pig farmyard manure), timing (autumn/winter vs. spring) and frequency (4–7 applications in 7 yrs) were superimposed on the rotation and compared with a treatment that received no manure. The rotation comprised cereals, potatoes, sugar beet and fallow and was undertaken on a retentive marine silt soil in Eastern England. The results demonstrated that by reducing fertilizer N inputs (by 14–54%, depending on manure type and application frequency) to account for manure N and by avoiding autumn applications of slurry, applications could be made as regularly as 6 yrs in seven without increasing N leaching, compared with an inorganic fertilizer control. Yields were at least the same as the inorganic fertilizer control from all manure treatments. This result contrasts with previous work which demonstrated that less frequent manure applications were necessary on a sandy soil. Soil type is therefore an important consideration when developing guidelines. The message is generally positive: fertilizer savings, similar or better yields and no extra leaching can be achieved over a rotation by careful manure management.
Strategies to reduce wastage of red blood cell units
Authors: Bots M. , de Grouw E. P. L. M. , van Rooyen‐Schreurs I. H. M. , van den Akker G. J. , Sturk A. , Klinkspoor J. H. , Zeerleder S. S.
Published: October 2015

Background and objectives

Wastage of red blood cell units (RBCs) due to their inappropriate storage at the clinical ward has become both a financial and ethical challenge in the daily hospital practice. This study was aimed at identifying the extent of RBC wastage and evaluating the effects of various interventions in reducing this wastage.

Materials and methods

From January 2011 to March 2011, baseline wastage level was evaluated using temperature‐sensitive labels. Following this initial analysis, various interventions were implemented, including modifying the transfusion practice, intensifying training of and communication with the medical staff and improving the transport conditions. The impact of these interventions on wastage was measured during two periods, and results were compared with baseline wastage level.

Results

Based on the extent of label colouring, 7·5% of the units dispensed by the transfusion laboratory were determined as non‐reusable at baseline. After implementation of the various interventions, wastage decreased to 1% of the units dispensed, potentially leading to an annual saving for our hospital of approximately €208·000/$230·600 on the total number of RBCs dispensed.

Conclusion

Relative straightforward interventions, such as raising awareness among medical staff and particularly improving transport conditions, had a clear impact on the level of RBC wastage, accommodating the financial issue not to waste public money as well as the ethical issue that RBC wastage should be as low as possible.
Elution of Clindamycin and Enrofloxacin From Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate Beads In Vitro
Authors: Phillips Heidi , Boothe Dawn M. , Bennett R. Avery
Published: October 2015

Objective

To compare the in vitro elution characteristics of clindamycin and enrofloxacin from calcium sulfate hemihydrate beads containing a single antibiotic, both antibiotics, and each antibiotic incubated in the same eluent well.

Study Design

Experimental in vitro study.

Methods

Calcium sulfate hemihydrate beads were formed by mixing with clindamycin and/or enrofloxacin to create 4 study groups: (1) 160 mg clindamycin/10 beads; (2) 160 mg enrofloxacin/10 beads; (3) 160 mg clindamycin + 160 mg enrofloxacin/10 beads; and (4) 160 mg clindamycin/5 beads and 160 mg enrofloxacin/5 beads. Chains of beads were formed in triplicate and placed in 5 mL phosphate buffered saline (PBS; pH 7.4 and room temperature) with constant agitation. Antibiotic‐conditioned PBS was sampled at 14 time points from 1 hour to 30 days. Clindamycin and enrofloxacin concentrations in PBS were determined using high‐performance liquid chromatography.

Results

Eluent concentrations from clindamycin‐impregnated beads failed to remain sufficiently above minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for common infecting bacteria over the study period. Enrofloxacin eluent concentrations remained sufficiently above MIC for common wound pathogens of dogs and cats and demonstrated an atypical biphasic release pattern. No significant differences in elution occurred as a result of copolymerization of the antibiotics into a single bead or from individual beads co‐eluting in the same eluent well.

Conclusion

Clindamycin‐impregnated beads cannot be recommended for treatment of infection at the studied doses; however, use of enrofloxacin‐impregnated beads may be justified when susceptible bacteria are cultured.
Highly Comminuted, Articular Fractures of the Distal Antebrachium Managed by Pancarpal Arthrodesis in 8 Dogs
Authors: Brown Gordon , Kalff Stephen , Gemmill Toby J. , Pink Jonathan , Oxley Bill , McKee W. Malcolm , Clarke Stephen P.
Published: October 2015

Objective

To describe the surgical management by pancarpal arthrodesis for highly comminuted articular fractures of the distal antebrachium in 8 dogs.

Study Design

Retrospective clinical case series.

Animals

Eight dogs.

Methods

Medical records (2001–2014) of dogs with antebrachial fractures were reviewed and dogs with highly comminuted distal antebrachial fractures were identified. The nature of the injury, surgical management by pancarpal arthrodesis, outcome, and complications were recorded.

Results

Nine fractures occurred in 8 dogs. Seven dogs were ex‐racing greyhounds (8 fractures) and of these, 6/7 dogs had fractures of the right thoracic limb. Compared with the hospital population of dogs with antebrachial fractures, greyhounds were over‐represented for the antebrachial injury (odds ratio 117, 95% confidence interval 13–1022). Five dogs sustained injury during exertional exercise or with relatively minor trauma. Submitted bone samples (n = 4) showed no evidence of underlying neoplasia. Mean followup was 15.5 months with 11 complications recorded in 7/8 dogs, including 1 catastrophic, 5 major, and 5 minor complications. Pancarpal arthrodesis allowed a full functional outcome in 3 dogs and an acceptable outcome in 3.

Conclusion

Comminuted articular fractures of the distal radius and ulna are complex injuries and have a similar presentation to pathologic fractures. Surgical management by pancarpal arthrodesis is associated with a high risk of complication and a guarded prognosis for a full functional outcome.
SIMULATION OF RICE YIELD UNDER WATER AND SALINITY STRESS IN RASHT AREA USING AQUACROP MODEL
Authors: Ebrahim Amiri , Hamidreza Ahmadzadeh Araji , Aimrun Wayayok , Mojtaba Rezaei
Published: October 2015

Guilan is a north province of Iran in which plays an important role in rice production. Since 78.8% of Giulan farmlands are under cultivation of rice, it is the second province ranking as rice producer in Iran. On the other hand, because of dam construction and neighborhood to the Caspian Sea, the volume of fresh water is declining, and is transformed to saline water. In this study, AquaCrop model version 4.0 with additional salinity module was used for calibration and validation in two successive years at Rasht rice Research Institute that is located nearby Rasht city. Five irrigation levels: full irrigation, alternate wetting and drying (AWD), irrigation at 100, 90 and 80% of field capacity (FC) and Four water salinity treatments: fresh water = S0 (EC = 1 dS m-1) while S1, S2, and S3 are saline water with 2, 4, and 6 dS m-1, respectively, were applied for evaluation of rice yield. Statistical analysis, including root mean square error normalized, coefficient of determination (R2), and paired t-tests showed that simulated and observed values are the same at 95% confidence level. Moreover, the FAO AquaCrop model predicted rice yield with more accuracy in less salinity values (EC = 2 dS m-1 and less). Overall, AquaCrop model represented   acceptability in simulation of rice yield under simultaneously water and salinity stress.
DEVELOPMENT OF MOVIES AS THE TEACHING TOOL ON THE MOVEMENT OF IRRIGATION WATER IN PADDY FIELDS MANAGED UNDER VARIOUS CULTIVATION METHODS
Authors: Kazumasa Nakamura , Miki Sakai , Naoko Koshiyama
Published: October 2015

Hokkaido, the northern most of the four major islands of Japan, is an important rice-producing area. In Hokkaido there are some areas where the numbers of farm households are decreasing and the management scale for one farm household is increasing. In such areas, labor shortage occurs if only the conventional transplant cultivation is used. The necessity for introducing direct-seeding cultivation method has been increasing because by using this method it is possible to save labor. In some of the areas with increasing number of large-scale farm management, the farms employ large lot paddy fields and install underground irrigation facilities, which are useful in direct-seeding cultivation, to improve work efficiency. It is thought that it requires 2 to 3 years for the farmers to learn to effectively use the underground irrigation facilities because use of such facilities is a new experience for many farmers. The authors conducted observation of the groundwater level and depth of ponding in the paddy fields where the above-mentioned improvements were done, and made a movie using the obtained data. The movie is also useful for the authors in understanding the inflow and outflow of the groundwater, which are phenomena occurring underground. At a meeting of local farmers, the authors explained the movement of irrigation water by using this movie. The authors expect that the explanation using the movie will promote the farmers' understanding in effectively using the underground irrigation facilities.
A COMBINED SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF SEVEN POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION MODELS
Authors: Askari Muhamad , Mustafa Mohd Azizi , Setiawan Budi Indra , Mohd Soom Mohd Amin , Harun Sobri , Zainal Abidin Mohamed Roseli , Yusop Zulkifli
Published: October 2015

Graphical and partial derivatives approaches were used to analyse the sensitivity of variables for the seven potential evapotranspiration models (PET). The models, which have different data requirements and structures, are Hamon, Hargreaves-Samani, Jensen-Haise, Makkink, Turc, Priestley-Taylor, and Penman. Julian date based mean imputation was used to fill the missing data. Tukey's outlier detection method was employed before estimating the PET. Partial derivative approach was conducted by combining the absolute values of the error term through a root mean square and changing to the finite difference form. According to partial derivatives analysis, Hamon is the most sensitive model followed by Penman, Priestley-Taylor, Hargreaves-Samani, Jensen-Haise, Turc, and Makkink models. Temperature is more sensitive meteorological input in Jensen-Haise and Makkink models while solar radiation is more sensitive ones in Turc and Priestley-Taylor models. Wind speed and relative humidity are the most and less sensitive ones in Penman model. Graphical analysis showed that Hamon was the most sensitive PET model with respect to the temperature while Priestley-Taylor was the one with respect to the solar radiation. Turc is the less sensitive PET model with respect to temperature and solar radiation. Overall, graphical method gives clearly comparison for sensitivity of PET. However, it does not indicate its sensitivity values compared to partial derivative approach.
THE ROLE OF GROUNDWATER TO MITIGATE THE DROUGHT AND AS AN ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE PHITSANULOK IRRIGATION PROJECT, IN THE NAN BASIN, THAILAND
Authors: Koontanakulvong Sucharit , Suthidhummajit Chokchai
Published: October 2015

The Phitsanulok Irrigation Project is located in the Nan Basin of the Upper Central Plain of Thailand where farmers depended on both surface water and groundwater. Land use and climate changes are the important factors to determine the runoff from the watershed.  The changes also affected to runoff volume/pattern to the dam operation and may cause flood and drought situations in the downstream area. Sirikit Dam is one of the biggest dams in Thailand which cover about 25 % of the runoff into the Central Plain where the Bangkok Capital is located. Though there is the Sirikit Dams storing water to be used during dry period but water allocation is limited and still caused water shortage during dry season. The study aims to determine the role of groundwater to mitigate the drought situation from the past and to study the groundwater use for adaptation to climate change in The Phitsanulok Irrigation Development Project. In this study, the relationship of recharge rate with climate data was developed in terms of precipitation, evapotranspiration, temperature and soil type under monthly time series data and the study found that there were in good relationship. Groundwater will take an important role to alleviate from the water shortage situations in climate change conditions when compared with the situations based on the existing water use pattern. The limit of ground water to alleviate water shortage will be 80 and 77 MCM/year in average, in near future and far future periods to keep water table drawn down in the safe manner even when the Sirikit’s reservoir operation rule is improved.
ASSESSMENT OF AGROCHEMICALS EFFECT ON SOIL AND GROUNDWATER OF CHANCHAGA IRRIGATION SCHEME IN MINNA, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA
Authors: Peter Aderemi Adeoye, , Che Man Hasfalina , Mohammed Bello Abdulahi
Published: October 2015

A study was conducted to assess the effects of long term usage of agrochemicals on soil and groundwater of Chanchaga Irrigation Scheme. Soil and groundwater samples were collected from the scheme for the period of sixteen months and were analysed for NO3, PO4, Cl, K using UV Spectrophotometer and flame photometer and for some heavy metals, Mn, Zn and Cr using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The data were subjected to regression and correlation analysis and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results show excessive presence of NO3, PO4, Mn, Zn and Cr in both the soil and water samples. It was observed statistically that all the chemical parameters (NO3, PO4, Mn, Zn and Cr) were significantly different at p≤0.05 in both groundwater and soil of Chanchaga Irrigation Scheme. The concentration of Nitrates and Phosphates ranged between 48.45 - 51.63 mg/l and 0.39 - 0.78 mg/l respectively in the water. This could be associated with the used of agrochemicals and fertilizer that are Nitrogen and Phosphorus based by the farmers. Zinc concentration ranged between 0.18-1.84 mg/l in the groundwater. On the average the concentration of manganese and chromium detected differ from one point of collection to the other. However, the concentration ranged between 0.22-0.53 mg/l with the highest concentration of 0.53 mg/l in points 2 and 3 where intensive agricultural practice is being carried out. Chromium concentration ranged between 0.18 - 0.29 mg/l. The chemical residues in the control site for Nitrate, Phosphate, Manganese, Zinc and Chromium were 48.45 mg/l, 0.39 mg/l, 0.21 mg/l, 0.18 mg/l and 0.04 mg/l respectively which were within the permissible limit. A safe depth of 8m was established statistically for future shallow wells that will guarantee potable water on the irrigation scheme. It is recommended that, to forestall further accumulation of these chemical residues in both soil and shallow groundwater of Chanchaga irrigation scheme, relevant regulatory Government agencies should enforce standard Good Agricultural Practice whereby the farmers are compelled to adhere strictly to existing standard for agrochemical and fertilizer application rate. Also future shallow wells to be constructed on the irrigation scheme must be up to 8 m in depth to guarantee nitrate and chloride free water.
FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT IN AGRICULTURAL AREA IN SELANGOR RIVER BASIN
Authors: Muhadi Nur'Atirah , Abdullah Ahmad Fikri
Published: October 2015

Flooding is the major natural hazard that occurs in Malaysia. Flooding causes loss of lives, injuries, property damage and leave economic damage to the country, especially when it occurs in an agricultural area. There is still a lack of information available on floodplain especially on the impact of flooding in the agricultural area. This study focused on flooding and flooding impact in oil palm plantations, fruits and vegetables area. A river modeling is required to study the impact of flooding and to mitigate the floods using one mitigation option.  A flood model was developed using InfoWorks Integrated Catchment Model (ICM) to carry out the analysis for flood damage assessment. With the aim of creating a flood damage map, Geographical Information System (GIS) was combined with the flood model to provide an ideal tool for the analysis of the flood damage and the effect of mitigation to flood damage. The estimated total damage for three different flood event; 10 ARI, 50 ARI and 100 ARI involved millions of ringgits. In order to reduce the flood impact along the Selangor River, a flood mitigation structure which is a retention pond was suggested, modeled and simulated. The effects of the retention ponds were analyzed and evaluated for 10 ARI, 50 ARI and 100 ARI. With this retention pond, flood extents of the flood events in agricultural area were shown capable of reduction significantly by 65.57% for 10 ARI, 76.18% for 50 ARI and 72.51% for 100 ARI.
SELECTING THE BEST COMPOSTING TECHNOLOGY USING ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS (AHP)
Authors: Md Zaini Najah Sofia , Ahmad Basri Noor Ezlin , Md Zain Shahrom , Mat Saad Nur Fatin
Published: October 2015

The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) has been used widely to solve multi-criteria selection problem. It is a technique that allows the decision makers to set their priorities and help make the best selection when both tangible and intangible aspects need to be considered. This study uses the AHP to select the best composting technology for the UKM composting centre where the accumulation of organic wastes are generated daily from the cafeteria and landscape activities within the UKM campus. Experts who are familiar and who have some years of experience on solid waste management at UKM were interviewed to do the pair wise comparisons which are structured with four criteria namely environmental, economy, social and technical aspects. These criteria then expanded into a few more sub-criteria. The alternatives for the composting technology are windrow composting and in-vessel composting. The analysis is done using the Super Decisions software. The result shows that technical factor is the most important factor with (0.5000), followed by environmental (0.2517), economy (0.1941) and social (0.0542) factors. The end result shows that windrow composting is the best composting technology according to these four factors with the priority of 0.6236 while composting in—vessel has the priority of 0.3765.
OPTIMISATION AND VALIDATION OF HPLC METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS QUANTIFICATION OF RIFAMPICIN, ISONIAZID, PYRAZINAMIDE, AND ETHAMBUTOL HYDROCHLORIDE IN ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS 4-FDC TABLET
Authors: Khoiri Sholihul , Martono Sudibyo , Rohman Abdul
Published: October 2015

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of four components, namely rifampicin (RIF), isoniazid (INH), pyrazinamide (PYR), and ethambutol hydrochloride (ETM), contained in anti-tuberculosis drugs in fixed dose combination tablet (4-FDC). In order to increase the sensitivity of EMB, the pre-column derivatization technique with phenethyl isocyanate (PEIC) was carried out. The separation was accomplished using Waters Symmetry C8 (250× 4.6 mm i.d.; 5 μm) at 30oC. The mobile phase used was a mixture of acetonitrile and 20 mM phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.8) containing triethylamine and delivered at 1.5 mL/minute using gradient elution. TheUV detector was set at 210 nm. The method was validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, detection limit, quantification limit, and robustness according to International Conference on Harmanization (ICH). The optimized method is succcesfully used for quantitative analysis of RIF, INH, PYR and ETM in 4-FDC tablets. The level of these drugs in 4-FDC tablets were in accordance to that specified in Indonesian pharmacopeia.
SURFACE MODIFICATION OF POLYANILINE ONTO PVDF MEMBRANE VIA RADIATION INDUCED GRAFTING
Authors: Zaman Nadiah Khairul , Rohani Rosiah , Mohamad Abdul Wahab
Published: October 2015

A conductive polymer, polyaniline (PANI) has been grafted onto a poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) based polymer using simultaneous radiation induced grafting (RIG), which is a new approached in introducing the conductive properties into a preformed polymer for potential selective separation ability during filtration process. The possibility of coating PVDF membrane with PANI was investigated by looking at the effect of monomer concentration, radiation dose, and aniline in emulsion form on the degree of grafting (DOG). The DOG were obtained at 4.44 and 5.43 % for aniline concentration and its emulsion respectively, and increases with the increase in concentration. The PANI-grafted-PVDF membrane was also characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. The FTIR and SEM results show that PANI was successfully grafted onto PVDF membrane. EDX analysis also confirmed the grafting by the presence of NH2 representing aniline in the PANI-grafted-PVDF membranes. The modification was found to have not change the overall properties of PVDF, still retaining its intrinsic properties.
Experimental Investigation of Flow Over a Transversely Oscillating Square Cylinder at Intermediate Reynolds Number
Authors: Kumar Chauhan Manish , Dutta Sushanta , Kumar Gandhi Bhupendra , Singh More Bhupendra
Published: October 2015

This paper presents an experimental study of flow over a square cylinder oscillating in transverse direction. The Reynolds number selected for present study is 485. Limited study has also been made for two other Reynolds numbers, namely, 295 and 775. The objective of the present study is to modify the near-wake flow structure using actuation of the cylinder for possible reduction in drag force. Transverse oscillations to the cylinder are provided using electromagnetic actuators. The flow field is investigated using two-dimensional (2D)-particle image velocimetry (PIV) system, hotwire anemometer (HWA), as well as flow visualization techniques. The effect of oscillation frequency and the amplitude on parameters like Strouhal number, drag coefficient, recirculation length, power spectrum, and Reynolds stress are studied. It is observed that the recirculation length is reduced significantly with increase in forcing frequency, and consequently drag coefficient is also reduced. For a constant forcing frequency, the vortex strength is reduced with the increase in the amplitude. Further, variation of instantaneous spanwise vorticity shows that separated shear length decreases with increase in forcing frequency. As a result, vortices are moved closer to the cylinder. These phenomena affect the forces acting on the cylinder. Lock-on is also observed at a frequency close to the vortex shedding frequency of the stationary cylinder.
Numerical Modeling of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuation
Authors: Shan Hua , Lee Yu-Tai
Published: October 2015

A computational method has been developed to couple the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) body forces induced by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) actuation with unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) model or large eddy simulation (LES) for incompressible flows. The EHD body force model is based on solving the electrostatic equations for electric potential and net charge density. The boundary condition for net charge density on the dielectric surface is obtained from a space–time lumped-element (STLE) circuit model or an empirical model. The DBD–URANS/LES coupled solver has been implemented using a multiple-domain approach and a multiple subcycle technique. The DBD plasma-induced flow in a quiescent environment is used to validate the coupled solver, evaluate different EHD body force models, and compare the performance of the actuator driven by voltage with various waveforms and amplitudes.
Effects of Junction Angle and Viscosity Ratio on Droplet Formation in Microfluidic Cross-Junction
Authors: Ngo Ich-Long , Woo Joo Sang , Byon Chan
Published: October 2015

This study describes the dynamic behaviors of droplet formation in microfluidic cross-junction devices (MFCDs) based on a two-dimensional numerical model using the volume of fluid (VOF) method. The effects of the junction angle (ϕ = 30 to 90 deg) between the main and side channels and the viscosity ratios (β = 10−5 to 2.0) are considered. The numerical results indicate that the active area for droplet formation in the alternating digitized pattern formation (ADPF) generally increases with the decrease of ϕ at the same water fraction (wf). A junction angle of around 60 deg was predicted as the most efficient angle at which alternating droplets are still formed at lower capillary numbers (Ca). In addition, the droplet size in ADPF decreases as ϕ increases with the same flow conditions. When ϕ is less than 90 deg and prior to approaching the equilibrium state, there always exists a periodic deviation in the relative distance between droplets. The frequency of droplet generation in ADPF decreases as ϕ decreases, and it decreases more quickly when ϕ is less than 60 deg. In addition, the throughput of MFCDs can be controlled effectively as a function of ϕ, wf, and Ca. The droplet formation in MFCDs depends significantly on the viscosity ratio β, and the ADPF becomes a jetting formation (JF) when β is greater than unity. Furthermore, the droplet size in ADPF decreases with the increase of β. The understanding of droplet formation in MFCDs is very useful for many applications, such as nanoparticle synthesis with different concentrations, hydrogel bead generation, or cell transplantation in biomedical therapy.
Enhanced Flow Boiling of Ethanol in Open Microchannels With Tapered Manifolds in a Gravity-Driven Flow
Authors: Buchling Philipp , Kandlikar Satish
Published: October 2015

There is a clear need for cooling high heat flux generating electronic devices using a dielectric fluid without using a pump. This paper explores the feasibility of employing ethanol as a dielectric fluid in a horizontal, open microchannel heat sink configuration with a tapered gap manifold to yield very low pressure head requirements. The paper presents experimental results for such a system utilizing ethanol as a working fluid under gravity-driven flow. A heat flux of 217 W/cm2 was dissipated with a pressure drop of only 9 kPa. The paper further presents parametric trends regarding flow rate and pressure drop characteristics that provide basic insight into designing high heat flux systems under a given gravity head requirement. Based on the results, interrelationships and design guidelines are developed for the taper, ethanol flow rate and imposed heat flux on heat transfer coefficient and gravity head requirement for electronics cooling. Reducing flow instability, reducing pressure drop, and enhancing heat transfer performance for a dielectric fluid will enable the development of pumpless cooling solutions in a variety of electronics cooling applications.
On the resolution of phonological constraints in spoken production: Acoustic and response time evidence
Authors: Bürki Audrey , Frauenfelder Ulrich H. , Alario F.-Xavier
Published: October 2015

This study examines the production of words the pronunciation of which depends on the phonological context. Participants produced adjective-noun phrases starting with the French determiner un. The pronunciation of this determiner requires a liaison consonant before vowels. Naming latencies and determiner acoustic durations were shorter when the adjective and the noun both started with vowels or both with consonants, than when they had different onsets. These results suggest that the liaison process is not governed by the application of a local contextual phonological rule; they rather favor the hypothesis that pronunciation variants with and without the liaison consonant are stored in memory.
Ubiquitin-dependent endocytosis of NKG2D-DAP10 receptor complexes activates signaling and functions in human NK cells
Authors: Quatrini Linda , Molfetta Rosa , Zitti Beatrice , Peruzzi Giovanna , Fionda Cinzia , Capuano Cristina , Galandrini Ricciarda , Cippitelli Marco , Santoni Angela , Paolini Rossella
Published: October 2015

Signaling by an internalized natural killer cell receptor is required for the secretion of cytolytic granules and interferon-γ.
Glucocorticoid signaling drives epigenetic and transcription factors to induce key regulators of human parturition
Authors: Zannas Anthony S. , Chrousos George P.
Published: October 2015

Glucocorticoids stimulate transcription pathways in the placenta and amnion that contribute to labor.
Eclipsing multiple sclerosis
Authors: Colmone Angela
Published: October 2015

GM-CSF–producing B cells contribute to multiple sclerosis pathogenesis and the therapeutic action of B cell depletion.