bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fibre reinforcement in earthen construction materials
Authors: Readle Douglas , Coghlan Sarah , Smith Jonathan C. , Corbin Andrew , Augarde Charles E.
Published: July 2016

Earthen construction materials are generally brittle with low tensile strength. To deal with this in practice, it is often proposed that reinforcement be added in the form of fibres of various materials. Construction in earthquake-prone parts of the world is thought to benefit from this form of reinforcement, and indeed fibres (in the form of straw) are a key part of many adobe (unit-based) materials. To remain in harmony with the generally excellent environmental credentials of these materials, the reinforcement should be obtained from a natural material ideally obtained as a waste stream, so natural fibres are often chosen. While some studies have been published on the macroscopic mechanical behaviour of reinforced earthen materials, little is known of what is happening at the interface between the soil matrix and the fibres. In this paper, the authors present laboratory-based studies that attempt to fill this gap, covering pull-out behaviour of natural fibres embedded in earthen construction materials, both stabilised and unstabilised.
Briefing: Low-alkali cements as inhibitors of alkali–silica reaction
Authors: Costa Umberto , Mangialardi Teresa , Paolini Antonio Evangelista
Published: July 2016

In this study, a compositional parameter, such as the maximum allowable total alkali content of cement (Matac) is proposed to identify the non-CEM I cements for their use as inhibitors of alkali–silica reaction in concrete. The Matac values for different types of Italian non-CEM I cements (cement type CEM III and CEM IV) were calculated using the authors' previously published experimental results. The Matac value is found to change significantly with the type of cement considered (blast furnace cement, pozzolanic cement made from coal fly ash or natural pozzolana). For cements of the same type (pozzolanic cements made with different natural pozzolanas), very similar Matac values are obtained. It is also demonstrated that the Matac value calculated for a CEM I cement is congruent with the limit of 0·6% as Na2Oeq commonly specified for the total alkali content of low-alkali Portland cements.
Diagnosis of alkali–aggregate reaction in practice
Authors: de Rooij Mario
Published: July 2016

This is a summary paper focused on the diagnosis of the alkali–aggregate reaction (AAR) in concrete in practice. Rather than broadly attributing a crack to AAR, this paper provides guidance for a practitioner who faces a real concrete structure and must determine whether the crack is being caused by AAR, or drying shrinkage, frost, overloading, sulfate attack or something else. The structure must be allowed to express what has caused its problem. This paper helps to follow a general approach and to look for specific markers to confirm or exclude AAR. Topics covered include first symptoms, desk study, follow-up inspection, structural observations, sample collection, inspection of cores, petrographic examination and additional tests such as scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis and wet-chemical analysis.
Nanomaterials in construction – what is being used, and where?
Authors: Jones Wendy , Gibb Alistair , Goodier Chris , Bust Phil , Song Mo , Jin Jie
Published: July 2016

Identifying where nanomaterials are present in construction materials is challenging. Academic literature reports what nanotechnology can offer construction, but this can differ from the reality of what is currently in use. Furthermore, it is difficult to source accurate information regarding nano-enabled products on the market; under current legislation, the declaration of nano content is voluntary and there is no requirement to provide details within safety data sheets. Although publically available information remains opaque and incomplete, several studies and reports have attempted to clarify this situation. This research builds on this information, presenting an overview of the nano-enabled products currently available for use in construction. This is based on the literature, manufacturers' published information and on discussions with suppliers and end users. Concrete, glass and coatings are the most widely available nano-enabled products, together with insulation and special steels. The precise nanomaterial used in each case however, and the form and quantity involved can be difficult to identify. This makes assessing the risks difficult, which is problematic, as some nanomaterials are considered to be hazardous. More detailed information regarding commercially available products will be important if risks are to be managed, enabling the industry to take full advantage of the benefits of nanotechnology.
The power available to tidal turbines in an open channel flow
Authors: Houlsby Guy Tinmouth , Vogel Christopher Reiner
Published: July 2016

Linear momentum actuator disc theory is extended to address the power available to a tidal turbine array spanning the cross-section of an open channel flow. A generalised formulation is presented, which relaxes constraints in previous models on the Froude number of the flow and the geometry of the turbine array, and also considers the effects of far-wake mixing on the overall power removed from the flow. In the limiting case of no free surface deformation, the rigid lid model is recovered. Blockage, the ratio of turbine frontal area to the cross-sectional area of the surrounding flow passage, has the greatest effect on available power, with the peak power coefficient increasing by 55% from 0·60 to 0·93 as the blockage ratio increases from 0·05 to 0·20. A further 3% increase in peak power coefficient is achieved as the Froude number increases from 0·05 to 0·20. The efficiency of energy extraction may be determined relative to the total power extracted from the flow, comprising the power available to the turbines, and the power dissipated in wake mixing. Higher blockage turbines operating at low thrust coefficients are shown to be more efficient than lower blockage turbines.
Turkish D-light: accentuating heritage values with daylight
Authors: Al-Maiyah Sura , Elkadi Hisham
Published: July 2016

Historic buildings have their own cultural identity, which is often related to their aesthetic qualities such as period characteristics (geometry, size, colour, form and shape), materials and construction. Daylight is one of the primary elements contributing to the distinctiveness of the visual environment of many historic buildings, but is rarely considered as one of the components that shape the character of a building when adaptive preservation schemes of historical buildings are planned. Many historic buildings were originally designed to accommodate activities different to their new use and preserving the quality of daylight that originally contributed to their visual identity is a challenging task. Maintaining the ‘day-lit appearance’ of a building can be particularly problematic if the building is to be used as a museum or a gallery owing to the artefacts’ conservation requirements. This work investigated the opportunities of maintaining the original ambient conditions of renovated historical buildings while meeting the required daylight levels of the proposed new use. The study utilised an annual daylight simulation method and hourly weather data to preserve daylight conditions in renovated historic buildings. The model was piloted in a Turkish bathhouse situated in Bursa, Turkey, that is currently under renovation. The simulation model produces 4483 hourly values of daylight illuminance for a period of a whole year using the computer program Radiance. It is concluded that daylight characteristics should be taken into account when developing a renovation scheme. With increasing pressure on valuing historic buildings in many parts of the world, the work reported here should be beneficial to those concerned with the conservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings. The study findings could also be useful to those interested in predicting potential energy savings by combining daylighting and electric lighting in historic buildings.
Civil engineering heritage: country profile – Japan
Authors: Isohata Hiroshi
Published: July 2016

This paper is a review of Japan’s civil engineering heritage, one of the series of national profiles being published by Engineering History and Heritage. It is presented under four headings: Japan’s major civil engineering achievements; national and regional recognition of its engineering heritage; examples of conservation of engineering structures; and information sources for engineering heritage. The paper discusses engineering structures of heritage importance including the national road network constructed in the seventeenth century; the Kintai timber arch bridge near Hiroshima first built in 1673; the first railway in the 1880s including the Rokugo River Bridge built in 1878 and Ousakayama Tunnel built in 1879; as well as the Hashima artificial island in Nagasaki, constructed in 1897–1931, a component of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site Meiji Japan Industrial Heritage. The paper lists organisations in Japan active in helping to conserve its engineering heritage, including a guidance published by the Japanese Society of Civil Engineers, and the paper concludes with a short list of websites and books giving further information about Japanese civil engineering heritage.
Assessing temporal requirements for SHM campaigns
Authors: Farreras-Alcover Isaac , Andersen Jacob Egede , McFadyen Neil
Published: July 2016

In the context of limited funds, continuous long-term monitoring may turn out not to be cost-effective to assess structural assets and estimate their service life. Motivated by this, the authors discuss how much data in terms of strain, pavement temperatures and traffic intensities are required to provide estimates of fatigue lives of an orthotropic steel deck. This is done by quantifying the uncertainty reduction due to increasing monitoring training data sets being available. First, several options for monitoring campaigns are defined in terms of the number, the time and the duration of the different monitoring phases associated with each monitoring option. The monitoring outcomes corresponding to each of the different monitoring options are then used to regress the statistical models for fatigue loading prediction based on daily averaged pavement temperatures and daily aggregated heavy-traffic counts. Fatigue reliability profiles are then calculated following a probabilistic methodology to estimate the remaining fatigue life for each location monitored. Finally, the error in determining the fatigue life of a structure detail is calculated for different monitoring options to determine the optimum duration for short-term monitoring campaigns. The proposed approach is illustrated by considering the field data from the Great Belt Bridge (Denmark).
Briefing: Impact of the Forensic Science Regulator
Authors: Mackay Alexander
Published: July 2016

This briefing paper provides information on the role of the Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) and considers the impact that the quality standards introduced by the regulator will have on the preparation and presentation of expert evidence to be given by forensic engineers in the courts and other tribunals in the UK. In particular, the FSR is aware of the risk of cognitive bias, which can only be managed by the use of procedures that limit the amount of information provided to examiners and testers to that required to carry out any particular investigation. Results and the subsequent technical opinion may otherwise be affected by unconscious cognitive bias.
Building facade failures in the urban environment
Authors: Beasley Kimball J.
Published: July 2016

In the urban environment, building facades can be exposed to conditions that are not present in other environments. These include acid rain, higher atmospheric carbon dioxide and other agents that can deteriorate or attack the facades of city buildings or other urban structures. Sulfurous, sulfuric and nitric acids present in polluted air dissolve calcite minerals in marble and limestone facades or in concrete and mortar aggregates. Harsh cleaning chemicals or methods used to wash away city soil and soot can damage facades. Sealants can degrade and discolour from airborne deposits and contaminants. Facades may suffer impact and abuse from adjacent building construction activities. While failure of building facades or their connections can result from countless causes, the extent and consequences of such failures are often exacerbated by pollutants and chemicals that are commonly present in the urban environment. This paper addresses special considerations, conditions and risks that are associated with building facade failures in cities. The majority of urban facade failure descriptions and cases presented in this paper are based on the author’s experience in the USA.
Briefing: How civil engineers can be better expert witnesses
Authors: Saunders Sarah
Published: July 2016

This article considers the role of civil engineers as expert witnesses from the viewpoint of the courts. The primary duty of the expert witness is to the court, and this article explains some of the key legal and practical points that ensure civil engineer expert witnesses fulfil that duty to the best of their ability.
Challenges in Translating Phraseological Units
Authors: Jafarova Leyla Mirhasan
Published: July 2016

The article investigates the challenges in translating phraseological units.  It states that phraseology has been in the centre of attention of linguists since the beginning of the 20thcentury.  The works regarding phraseology by foreign and Azerbaijani linguists such as V.V.Vinogradov’s,  A.Hajiyeva’s,  N.Ch.Valiyeva’s and others have  been studied by the author and the methods of translating phraseological units suggested by them have been thoroughly considered. The author mentions proverbs, sayings and idioms as branches of phraseological units. They are considered to be the product of a nation’s intelligence.  The author also writes about the importance of the context while translating phraseological units. She claims that depending on the context the translation of the same phraseological units may differ.  The author also explains the differences between proverbs and idioms using various linguistic sources. She comes to the conclusion that the above-mentioned methods are very important while translating phraseological units. The importance of phraseological units, namely proverbs and idioms in the communication process has been stated in the article as well.
Secondary Traumatic Stress for Trauma Researchers: A Mixed Methods Research Design
Authors: Shannonhouse Laura , Barden Sejal , Jones Eric , Gonzalez Laura , Murphy Arthur
Published: July 2016

Forty-nine infants and toddlers were killed and 93 others were injured in the ABC Day Care Center fire disaster in Hermosillo, Mexico. This study describes the experiences of ten mental health professionals who researched the community-scale grief and provided clinical services to the parents and caregivers of the affected children. A concurrent triangulation mixed-methods approach was used to quantitatively measure and qualitatively understand the secondary traumatic stress (STS) of the responding professionals. Results indicated that experiences of STS decreased with time and debriefing, however, the responding professionals who were more directly connected to the trauma and those who worked with parents who lost their children displayed an enduring impact of STS. Coping strategies and gender expectations are considered in a discussion of debriefing in the specific cultural context of Northwestern Mexico.
Assessing and Responding to Threats of Targeted Violence by Adolescents: A Guide for Counselors
Authors: Winer Jeffrey P. , Halgin Richard P.
Published: July 2016

Acts of violence by youth in the United States have prompted mental health professionals to become increasingly attuned to the potential for violence among their clients, particularly adolescents at risk of such behavior. The counseling relationship offers adolescents a space in which they can share their thoughts about and intentions for violence, thereby placing counselors in complicated situations in which they must protect public safety while also attending to the therapeutic needs of the client. In this article we: (1) review literature on adolescent threats of violence, (2) examine leakage style threats of targeted violence, (3) synthesize this work within an evidence-based framework of structured professional/clinical judgment, and (4) provide general recommendations for outpatient and school-based mental health counselors. Three clinical vignettes are presented for the purpose of illustration and pedagogical exploration.
Financial Analysis of an Average Transport Company in the Czech Republic
Authors:   The Institute of Technology and Businesses in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, Vochozka Marek , Rowland Zuzana , Vrbka Jaromír
Published: July 2016

The goal of this summary is to introduce shortly the financial analysis, the features typical for transport companies in general, and determine the financial characteristics of an average transport company in the Czech Republic. Financial analysis is an effective tool for the evaluation of enterprise financial efficiency. It is able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a given enterprise. It is key tool for every transport company to measure and evaluate its efficiency. That will be helped by the balance sheet information, profit and loss statement information or cash flow statement. Ratios of profitability, activity ratios, Liquidity ratios, Debt ratios, absolute indicators, and the method of comprehensive evaluation of enterprise are used mainly. The data analysed in this contribution come from the Albertina database. It is the information of transport companies for the period of 2010 – 2014. Financial analysis of an average transport company is worked out based on the established data, and therefore the state of the future potential of transport in the Czech Republic. It can be claimed that the branch of transport is financially healthy and promising in the Czech Republic. Extension of growth, which has started already in 2011, is expected even further.
Short-term initiatives for enhancing cyber-safety within South African schools
Authors: Kritzinger Elmarie
Published: July 2016

The rate of technological development across the globe is dramatic. The decreasing cost and increasing availability of ICT devices means that its users are no longer exclusively industry or government employees – they are now also home users. Home users integrate ICT in their daily lives for education, socialising and information gathering. However, using ICT is associated with risks and threats, such as identity theft and phishing scams. Most home users of ICT do not have the necessary information technology and Internet skills to protect themselves and their information. School learners, in particular, are not sufficiently educated on how to use technological devices safely, especially in developing countries such as South Africa. The national school curriculum in South Africa currently does not make provision for cyber-safety education, and the availability of supporting material and training for ICT teachers in South Africa is limited, resulting in a lack of knowledge and skills regarding cyber-safety. The research in hand focuses on the situation concerning cyber-safety awareness in schools and has adopted a short-term approach towards cyber-safety among teachers and school learners in South Africa until a formal long-term national approach has been implemented. This study takes a quantitative approach to investigating the current options of teachers to enhance cyber-safety among learners in their schools. The research proposes that short-term initiatives (i.e. posters) can increase learners’ awareness of cyber-safety until formal cyber-safety awareness methods have been introduced.
Publish or Perish – But where?
Authors: Von Solms Rossouw
Published: July 2016

It becomes more and more difficult for young researchers to decide how and where to disseminate their research results. Several factors impact on such decisions – and making the correct ones is important for building a reputable research profile.

This position paper investigates several of those factors that researchers and supervisors need to take into account.

The paper also attempts to provide some guidelines for making decisions on where to publish, in order to attain maximum career benefit from one’s research publications.

This paper focuses on the Computing discipline with reference to some factors specific to the South African context.
Materials for vascular flora of Silesian Upland with particular emphasis on medicinal plants; part 1: The Psarski Stream Valley
Authors: Kowalik Katarzyna , Bacler-Żbikowska Barbara
Published: July 2016

Wstęp

W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań florystycznych, przeprowadzonych w Dolinie Potoku Psarskiego w Będzinie. Opisano florę naczyniową badanego terenu, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem gatunków roślin leczniczych, a także rzadkich, zagrożonych i objętych ochroną prawną.

Materiał i metody

Badania terenowe prowadzono według standardowej metody florystycznej w sezonach wegetacyjnych 2011–2012. Sporządzono listę florystyczną, w której podano informacje o zagrożeniu gatunków oraz o ich ochronie prawnej. Wskazano również możliwości wykorzystania występujących na badanym obszarze roślin.

Wyniki

W latach 2011–2012 w Dolinie Potoku Psarskiego odnotowano 295 gatunków roślin naczyniowych, a wyniki badań terenowych zestawiono z danymi literaturowymi. Na badanym obszarze nie udało się potwierdzić występowania 14 gatunków, podawanych w dwóch starszych publikacjach. 106 gatunków badanej flory uznawanych jest za rośliny lecznicze (36%), a spośród nich Farmakopea Polska X opisuje surowce pozyskiwane z 37 gatunków. Ochronie prawnej podlega 8 gatunków, a 20 uznano za rzadkie i zagrożone w województwie śląskim. Najbardziej interesującym nowym znaleziskiem florystycznym jest Iris sibirica L., uznawany dotąd za wymarły na badanym obszarze.

Wnioski

Badana dolina cechuje się dużą bioróżnorodnością i jest ostoją dla wielu gatunków chronionych oraz roślin regionalnie rzadkich i zagrożonych. Licznie występujące w Dolinie Potoku Psarskiego gatunki lecznicze mogą posłużyć jako naturalny rezerwuar nasion, zwłaszcza roślin rzadkich i chronionych, a także do celów naukowych.
Scientific output of professors and doctors habilitatus from Medical University of Silesia in Katowice – School of Medicine with Division of Dentistry in Zabrze
Authors: Pluskiewicz Wojciech , Drozdzowska Bogna , Adamczyk Piotr , Kuźniewicz Roman
Published: July 2016

Cel pracy

Celem pracy było przedstawienie dorobku naukowego profesorów i doktorów habilitowanych oraz czynników wpływajacych na wielkość Wydziału Lekarskiego z Oddziałem Lekarsko-Dentystycznym w Zabrzu Śląskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Katowicach.

Materiał i metody

Dane dotyczące dorobku naukowego dla publikacji pełnotekstowych zostały zebrane z baz Web of Science i Scopus.

Wyniki

Uzyskano następujące średnie wartości: wiek badanych naukowców 55,7 ± 7,2 lat, wiek uzyskania stopnia doktora 32,7 ± 3,2 lat, wiek uzyskania stopnia doktora habilitowanego 45,8 ± 5,6 lat, wiek uzyskania tytułu profesora 51,2 ± 5,9 lat, czas od doktoratu do habilitacji 13,1 ± 4,9 lat, czas od habilitacji do profesury 7,7 ± 2,7 lat, całkowita liczba publikacji 144,6 ± 124,2, liczba publikacji z Impact Factor 33,8 ± 31,3, całkowita wartość Impact Factor
61,7 ± 73,2, indeks cytacji 387 ± 531 i indeks h 8,6 ± 5,3 wg bazy Web of Science, indeks cytacji 513 ± 756 i indeks h 9,6 ± 6,0 wg bazy Scopus oraz indeks cytacji 411 ± 601 i indeks h 8,6 ± 5,2 wg bazy Scopus po wykluczeniu autocytacji i cytacji współautorów.
Analiza korelacji wykazała, że niższy wiek uzyskania habilitacji (r od -0,29 do -0,36; p < 0,01) i profesury (r od -0,31 do -0,42, p < 0,05) pozytywnie wpływał na wielkość dorobku naukowego. Krótszy czas od doktoratu do habilitacji
(r od -0,25 to -0,34, p < 0,01) oraz od habilitacji do profesury (r od -0,41 to -0,53, p < 0,01) również pozytywnie wpływał na wybrane parametry oceniające dorobek naukowy.

Wnioski

Na dorobek naukowy pozytywnie wpływa niższy wiek uzyskania habilitacji i profesury, a także krótszy czas od doktoratu do habilitacji oraz czas od habilitacji do profesury. Uzyskane wyniki mogą być przydatne w celu modyfikacji polityki rozwoju naukowego kadry, zwiększając dorobek naukowy jednostek naukowych.
Does Childbirth Education Make a Difference?
Authors: Lothian Judith
Published: July 2016

Childbirth education is designed to help women access accurate and up to date information about childbirth and make informed decisions about their care. Exposure to evidence based information about maternity care practices should assist women to make informed decisions that are based on that evidence. Evidence based childbirth education should ultimately affect outcomes but there is a dearth of research that looks at the outcomes of childbirth education. This editorial suggests that this research is long overdue.
Cultura Organizacional: Um Estudo de Caso a partir da Perspectiva dos Gestores da Empresa EQS Engenharia
Authors: Ramos Flávio , Souza Sabrina De Oliveira , Wehrle Alex Fabiano
Published: July 2016

A pesquisa contemplou a percepção dos gestores de uma empresa localizada em São José – SC, a partir das respectivas manifestações, envolvendo valores, aspectos comportamentais, simbólicos e culturais. Este estudo de caso foi realizado na Empresa EQS Engenharia, no período de 2010/2011, com o objetivo de identificar como esses gestores percebem as diferenças culturais na empresa em que desempenham atividades profissionais. O procedimento metodológico adotado foi o estudo de caso com pesquisa bibliográfica e entrevistas baseadas em roteiros semiestruturados. Os resultados do estudo apontam a perspectiva da diversidade quando se fala de como as pessoas veem a empresa e de como a empresa percebe seus funcionários.
Análisis pragmático-cognitivo de tres versiones en español de The Tell-Tale Heart de Edgar Allan Poe
Authors: VILLA JIMÉNEZ ROSALÍA
Published: July 2016

En el presente trabajo se van a analizar cuatro fragmentos extraídos de tres versiones en español de The Tell-Tale Heart bajo el prisma pragmático-cognitivo de la traducción propuesto por Ernst-August Gutt (1989). Este enfoque se fundamenta en las propuestas de la comunicación cognitiva de Dan Sperber y Deirdre Wilson (1986) y su Teoría de la Relevancia. De este modo, E. A. Gutt concibe el fenómeno de la traducción como un ejemplo de “semejanza interpretativa”, que ocurre en el acto de comunicación ostensivo-inferencial. De forma más concreta, en este artículo se van a plasmar los recursos interpretativos que el traductor como receptor de una obra literaria pone en funcionamiento cuando infiere los contenidos implícitos del texto origen (mismas proposiciones y semejantes implicaturas) y después los transmite al lector del texto meta.
El corpus Iberia como recurso para la traducción especializada
Authors: AHUMADA LARA Ignacio
Published: July 2016

El corpus Iberia es una herramienta informática creada entre 2008 y 2009 en el seno del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas para los estudios sobre el español, lengua de la ciencia en la sociedad del conocimiento. Se trata de un corpus textual panhispánico sobre el discurso científico-técnico del español (1985-hoy). La cuidada selección de los textos, tanto por su calidad como por su representatividad, avalan sobradamente las conclusiones a las que puedan llegar en el estudio de estos materiales tanto lingüistas como traductores de lenguas especializadas.
Does cat attachment have an effect on human health? A comparison between owners and volunteers
Authors: Dinis Filipa A.B.S.G. , Martins Thais Lima Fernandes
Published: July 2016

Cat owners and volunteers from a rehoming centre were given the Lexington Attachment to Pet Scale (LAPS) questionnaire to assess their level of attachment to their own or rescue cats. In addition, heart rate and blood pressure were measured 10 minutes before, during, and after spending time with the cats. Consistent with other studies, the results here show that spending time with a cat can reduce heart rate and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and that this reduction is generally more pronounced in the cats’ owners rather than in volunteers from a cat rehoming centre. For owners, levels of attachment as measured by the LAPS scale were positively associated with this reduction in metabolic measurements before and during pet presence; i.e. the difference (B-D) was positively correlated with the level of attachment. This was not observed for volunteers. Interestingly, however, reported levels of attachment were not significantly different between owners and volunteers. For owners, duration of ownership had a positive effect on the level of attachment reported and this effect increased sharply after two plus years of ownership. This contribution to Human Animal Interaction (HAI) research suggests that attachment is an important factor in promoting health benefits to owners.
The Lights are on but Nobody's Home: the Future of Academic Libraries?
Authors: McGillis Louise
Published: July 2016

This viewpoint article looks at the challenges facing academic libraries and argues that collaboration and engagement are vital to their survival. Cet article d’opinion examine des défis auxquels des bibliothèques académiques font face, et soutient que la collaboration et l’engagement sont indispensables pour leur survie.
Early‐Season Classification of Corn and Soybean Using Bayesian Discriminant Analysis on Satellite Images
Authors: Varmaghani A. , Eichinger W. E.
Published: July 2016

There are numerous applications that require crop classification as early as possible in the growing season. However, information about land cover from official land cover maps of the United States (cropland data layer [CDL] maps by the National Agricultural Statistics Service) are generally not available until after harvest. In the Upper Midwest, the primary rotating crops are corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (covering ∼63% of Iowa) with an irregular annual rotation. This study investigated the feasibility of early‐season classification of corn and soybean fields in Iowa by comparing the current and previous years’ 30‐m 16‐d Landsat 8 images during the growing season to produce normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) maps, along with the last‐updated CDL land cover, to construct “agricultural units.” We assigned a geometric weight to each unit by performing Bayesian discriminant analysis using the concept of a sliding threshold to categorize pixels. An examination of 8 yr of 250‐m 16‐d NDVI measurements from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) over Iowa showed that late June is the most promising time for categorization. The geometrical model was tested on a 24‐ by 28‐km2 region in southwestern Iowa on 1 July 2014 (Day of the Year 182). There was an 86% agreement with the CDL data set (88 and 83% for corn and soybean, respectively, in the confusion matrix). This demonstrates that in spite of the complexity of crop behavior, a geometrical approach integrating probabilistic methods, previous statistical records, and map disaggregation into agricultural units can be a promising method for early‐season crop classification.

Classification of corn and soybeans in Iowa is important early in the season.

Bayesian discriminant analysis and field geometry were combined with a sliding threshold.

This geometrical approach is a promising method for early‐season crop classification.
Genetic Diversity of Seven Representative Germplasm Populations in Chinese Maize Breeding Programs
Authors: Zhang Xiaocong , Yong HongJun , Zhang Lin , Liu Xianjun , Hua Jinge , Zhang Chaoshu , Zhou Zhiqiang , Weng Jianfeng , Hao Zhuanfang , Zhang Degui , Li Mingshun , Zhang Shihuang , Wang Zhenhua , Li Xinhai
Published: July 2016

Knowledge of the genetic diversity of elite germplasm is of fundamental importance for crop improvement. The objectives of this study were to examine molecular genetic diversity within and among seven representative germplasm populations in China, and identify valuable allelic variation that may be used in maize (Zea mays L.) improvement. Thirty individuals from each of the populations were genotyped using 61 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers that are uniformly distributed across the entire maize genome. A total of 308 alleles were detected in the 210 genotypes assayed. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that 72.1% of the variation was found within populations, and only 27.9% among populations. Gene diversity within each population ranged from 0.34 to 0.53, with a mean of 0.41. Rogers’ pairwise distances between populations averaged 0.44 and ranged from 0.34 to 0.54. Alleles that occur uniquely within each population or those that occur at highly different frequencies among populations can be used to distinguish these populations and allow their efficient utilization in maize improvement. Results from this study may provide useful information for future maize improvement and breeding programs.

Core Ideas

Molecular genetic diversity within and among seven representative germplasm populations in Chinese maize breeding programs.

Alleles unique within each population or those at highly different frequencies among populations can be used to distinguish the seven maize populations and allow their efficient utilization in germplasm improvement.

Molecular characterization of the seven diverse maize populations will contribute to their efficient management and effective utilization in maize improvement.
Prácticas pedagógicas innovadoras en la enseñanza del Diseño Arquitectónico. El Diseño como Metadiscurso
Authors: Loredo Cansino Reina , Martín Gutiérrez Juan Rafael , Durán Rodríguez Heladio
Published: July 2016

Introducción: Este artículo presenta los resultados parciales de un proyecto de investigación, aceptado enla IV y V Convocatoria de Investigación dela Universidad DeLa Salle Bajío, que tiene como objetivo específico más importante la reflexión de los modelos de enseñanza contemporáneos en el Área del Diseño Arquitectónico y la distancia que guardan con el modelo de formación tradicional en los talleres de diseño de las Escuelas de Arquitectura.Como proyecto pedagógico se pretende crear un espacio de reflexión para los estudiantes sobre sus prácticas y procesos y para los profesores sobre la importancia de las prácticas pedagógicas utilizadas en la enseñanza del Diseño.Por lo que, bajo la perspectiva cualitativa, se plantea antes que nada acercarse a la complejidad de la situación que viven los estudiantes en los Talleres de Diseño Arquitectónico  para describirla e interpretarla a través de la observación etnográfica. Con la intención de evitar cualquier sesgo en la interpretación de los datos se propone una reflexión interdisciplinar, estableciendo como Metadiscurso al Diseño y como observador a una disciplina alternativa, el Diseño Industrial, que ayudará a establecer un modelo holístico y contemporáneo para los procesos de Diseño que sirva de fundamento de discusión en la próxima revisión curricular dela Facultadde Arquitectura dela UDLSB.Ahora bien, transformar la mentalidad en la forma de enseñanza del Diseño Arquitectónico implica dos cambios fundamentales: primero, que los responsables de la misma renuncien a  entenderla Arquitecturacomo una disciplina absoluta, valorando las relaciones multidisciplinares, y segundo, asumir que en el aula nos enfrentamos a un estudiante que debe responder a problemas complejos producto de una sociedad compleja, lo que implica prácticas pedagógicas innovadoras.
El Modelo para la Conceptualización del Diseño Arquitectónico (MCDA) presente en los mejores estudiantes de arquitectura y diseño industrial. Estudio longitudinal del 2004 al 2006
Authors: Cantú Hinojosa Irma Laura
Published: July 2016

El presente artículo corresponde a un informe de investigación cuyo propósito fue  observar el comportamiento de las variables –fases o componentes estructurales- que conforman el Modelo parala Conceptualizacióndel Diseño Arquitectónico (MCDA) de Cantú Hinojosa (2004) y determinar en qué medida están presentes en el proceso cognitivo para el desarrollo de las propuestas de diseño que realizan los que son considerados los mejores estudiantes de arquitectura y diseño industrial que participaron en los eventos académicos anuales ENEA y CONEDI respectivamente.Se identifica como una investigación empírica, cuantitativa, descriptiva, explicativa, correlacional y longitudinal (3 años) ya que se realizó durante dichos eventos académicos en los años 2004 al 2006. Se utilizó un instrumento realizado ex profeso para esta investigación, en la versión para cada una de las disciplinas, mismo que tiene una confiablidad observada por la consistencia interna medida como un coeficiente alpha cuyo promedio es de .8940.  Esta investigación fue financiada por el CONACYT en el período 2007-2008.
Formalismo de cálculo de la movilidad de portadores en un pozo cuántico delta dopado δ-DQW
Authors: Rodríguez Coppola Huberto , Mora-Ramos Miguel Eduardo , Gaggero-Sager Luis M.
Published: July 2016

Este artículo ofrece un esquema para el cálculo de la movilidad de electrones en una estructura de pozo delta dopado, a bajas temperaturas y para campos eléctricos aplicados no muy intensos. El análisis se hace para un sistema dopado tipo n, considerando una lámina de impurezas de silicio en una muestra de GaAs. Se tiene en cuanta explícitamente el carácter tridimensional de los estados electrónicos y de las magnitudes que se miden –en lugar de realizar aproximaciones en que se reduzcan las dimensiones del sistema–, lo que facilita la ejecución del cálculo. Se exponen los resultados de otros esquemas utilizados y se dan las fórmulas que se emplearán para comprobar y comparar nuestros cálculos con los reportados previamente. En la actualidad, se está en el proceso de implementación del cálculo numérico, del que se expone el algoritmo que se tiene en ejecución.
Application of discordancy and significance statistical tests for the comparison of dacitic volcanism from the central part of the Mexican Volcanic Belt
Authors: Díaz-González Lorena , Cruz-Huicochea René
Published: July 2016

Our aim is to show a statistical procedure along with two new computer programs (DODESSYS and UDASYS). For this task we compiled a database of 249 samples of dacite coming from four closely located Mexican Volcanic Belt (MVB) areas: monogenetic volcanoes from the Sierra de Chichinautzin and Valle de México, the Nevado de Toluca stratovolcano, the Iztaccíhuatl stratovolcano and the Popocatépetl stratovolcano. The discordancy and significance (ANOVA –ANalysis Of Variance–, Fishers´ F and Student´s t) statistical tests were applied at 99% confidence level. The final statistical was calculated for 98 geochemical parameters, these include major oxides, rare earth elements, trace elements and additional parameters, as well as log-ratio parameters used in new tectonic discrimination diagrams. These geochemical parameters were treated as univariate statistical samples and were classified according with the four MVB regions. Discordancy statistical tests detected discordant outliers in 124 (amount to about 35%) statistical samples. ANOVA tests showed significant differences among all groups in 32 parameters. The similarities and differences between the log-ratios parameters elements may eventually be useful in future to propose tectonic discrimination diagrams from a representative database.
Desarrollo local y dotación de capital. Un análisis empírico
Authors: Díaz Guillermo
Published: July 2016

Este artículo analiza la relación entre dotación de capital y desarrollo local en cuatro municipios de la región oriente de Guatemala. Los cuatro municipios analizados comparten la característica de haber experimentado una significativa reducción en el nivel de pobreza.   Los datos utilizados provienen de encuestas de condiciones de vida realizadas en los cuatro municipios de la región, así como de encuestas de condiciones de vida a nivel nacional. En tal sentido se compara la dotación de capital, en diversas formas, de los cuatro municipios con el promedio nacional. Dicha comparación evidencia que los cuatro municipios tienen una mayor dotación de capital, aspecto que favoreció su desarrollo local.  La principal conclusión que se extrae es que el desarrollo local requiere contar con una dotación importante de capital en sus diversas formas
Influencia de las condiciones meteorológicas sobre el nivel de radón a corto plazo en un laboratorio subterráneo
Authors: García-Tobar Javier
Published: July 2016

El objetivo de este artículo es investigar la influencia de la meteorología en el nivel de radón a corto plazo en un laboratorio subterráneo. La concentración de radón y los parámetros ambientales se midieron cada hora en la misma época del año entre 2011 y 2013. Simultáneamente, los datos meteorológicos se obtuvieron de la estación meteorológica más cercana. Se calcularon los coeficientes de Pearson entre el radón y el resto de variables. Los resultados muestran que hay una correlación lineal débil entre la concentración de radón y variables individuales como la presión, temperatura y humedad. Lo mismo ocurre con parámetros formados por las diferencias entre los valores del interior y al aire libre. Por estas razones, se utilizó un modelo de regresión lineal múltiple para explicar la variabilidad del radón en función de parámetros meteorológicos. Por otro lado, las series de datos fueron analizadas usando el método de Lomb-Scargle. Se han encontrado periodicidades en los datos de radón que también aparecen en las series meteorológicas.
Ganancia de peso predestete en corderos Pelibuey y sus cruces con Blackbelly, Dorper y Katahdin
Authors: Ríos-Utrera Ángel , Calderón-Robles René , Lagunes-Lagunes Juvencio , Oliva-Hernández Jorge
Published: July 2016

En la región tropical de México, el estudio del comportamiento predestete y postdestete de corderos generados por medio de cruzamientos, requiere ser abordado para determinar la conveniencia productiva y económica del uso de razas cárnicas especializadas (como razas paternas) en las fincas comerciales ovinas. El impacto sobre la ganancia de peso predestete de corderos provenientes de cruzamiento entre ovejas Pelibuey y Blackbelly y carneros de razas cárnicas especializadas (Dorper y Katahdin) se estudió mediante el análisis de datos provenientes de registros de producción (n=727) de un rebaño ovino localizado en la región tropical húmeda de Puebla, México. Además del grupo racial, el modelo incluyó los efectos sexo del cordero (macho y hembra), año de nacimiento (2010, 2011 y 2012), época climática de nacimiento (alta y baja precipitación pluvial), tipo de nacimiento (simple, doble y triple) y número de parto (primípara y multípara). Las variables evaluadas fueron peso al nacimiento (PN), peso al destete (PD) y ganancia diaria de peso predestete (GDP). El peso al destete y la ganancia diaria de peso predestete fueron ajustados a 90 días de edad. El PN fue influido por todos los factores ambientales (P<0.01). La época climática de nacimiento no afecto (P>0.05) PD y GDP. No obstante, el resto de los factores ambientales en los modelos tuvieron influencia (P<0.05) sobre PD y GDP. Con respecto al comportamiento productivo predestete que muestran los corderos Pelibuey, la incorporación de las razas paternas Dorper y Katahdin en cruzamiento con razas maternas Blackbelly y Pelibuey permitió incrementar la ganancia diaria de peso predestete de corderos F1.
Modelo matemático para la descripción de la transferencia de calor para tierra vertida
Authors: Suárez-Domínguez Edgardo Jonathan , Aranda-Jiménez Yolanda Guadalupe , Palacio-Pérez Arturo , Izquierdo-Kulich Elena
Published: July 2016

La arquitectura de tierra implica procesos constructivos sustentables ya que utiliza materiales vernáculos duraderos cuyos residuos son de bajo impacto al ambiente. La tierra vertida es una técnica a partir de la cual pueden tenerse muros resistentes dentro de la edificación de viviendas pero cuyas propiedades han sido poco evaluadas y representadas a partir de modelos. La transferencia de calor es una de las características más importantes cuando se edifica en zonas calurosas pues implica ciertos niveles de confort para los usuarios. El presente trabajo propone un modelo para determinar la difusividad térmica de tierra vertida con uso potencial para otras determinaciones a diversas temperaturas, algunas implicaciones también son presentadas. Se encontró que el coeficiente de difusividad térmica de muestras de tierra vertida fue de α = 4.319 x 10-8m2s-1, mientras que su calor específico es de 1.1030 kJkg-1K-1.
Espacio público y colectivo social
Authors: De la Torre Vázquez Marina Inés
Published: July 2016

Tradicionalmente los espacios públicos se entienden como parte del dominio público que mantiene un uso colectivo, por ser accesibles, ser utilizados de múltiples formas, facilitar la intensidad de los contactos sociales y favorecer la creación de identidad social y el sentido de comunidad. Sin embargo, la comunicación, la información, y la creciente velocidad de la vida contemporánea, proponen otras formas de apropiación y diálogo entre los ciudadanos y, por lo tanto, nuevas y diversas representaciones. ¿Cómo impactan estas nuevas formas de apropiación en la conformación del colectivo social? ¿Qué implicaciones tienen en la construcción de ciudadanía? Se intenta dar respuestas a estos interrogantes, a partir de diversas entradas teóricas al problema planteado, enunciando un conjunto de categorías espaciales definidas ad hoc.
Modelo estadístico que permite observar el impacto de los factores que inciden en el rendimiento de combustible
Authors: Alcántar Ruiz Rosa Amelia , Treviño Treviño Francisco Edmundo , Martínez Flores José Luis
Published: July 2016

El presente trabajo propone un modelo estadístico de regresión lineal múltiple para la toma de decisiones sobre el rendimiento de combustible con aplicación a la industria del autotransporte en México considerando los factores con mayor incidencia en el consumo. El modelo aplicado tiene significancia estadística, así como las variables explicativas: tipo de ruta, antigüedad y cantidad de diésel consumido en baja, esto con un nivel de confianza del 95%, lográndose explicar un 94% del efecto de interés modelado. La contribución fundamental de este artículo es proponer un modelo estadístico como una nueva herramienta de gestión para los tomadores de decisiones del sector, en relación  al establecimiento de estándares de combustible y la administración en general de este insumo, puesto que fue determinado a partir de las condiciones operativas de la industria del transporte y no bajo condiciones experimentales (difíciles de replicar) empleadas por el fabricante del automotor.
Arthroscopic Debridement for Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears
Authors: Hawi N. , Schmiddem U. , Omar M. , Stuebig T. , Krettek C. , Petri M. , Meller R.
Published: July 2016

Background:

Arthroscopic debridement represents a salvage procedure for irreparable rotator cuff tears. It is important to accurately diagnose the patient for irreparable rotator cuff tears. The diagnosis and the therapeutic options must be explained to the patient. It is mandatory that the patient understands the primary goal of the arthroscopic debridement being reduction of pain, not improving strength or function.

Methods:

The procedure consists of 7 distinct steps to debride the soft tissues and alleviate pain.

Results:

Even though there is a lack of evidence that this procedure is superior to other therapeutic options, it has shown good results in patients with the main complaint of pain.

Conclusion:

The results reported in some studies should, however, be interpreted with caution, taking into consideration the substantial structural damage in irreparable defects.