bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gated Silicon Drift Detector Fabricated from a Low-Cost Silicon Wafer
Authors: Matsuura Hideharu , Sakurai Shungo , Oda Yuya , Fukushima Shinya , Ishikawa Shohei , Takeshita Akinobu , Hidaka Atsuki
Published: May 2015

Inexpensive high-resolution silicon (Si) X-ray detectors are required for on-site surveys of traces of hazardous elements in food and soil by measuring the energies and counts of X-ray fluorescence photons radially emitted from these elements. Gated silicon drift detectors (GSDDs) are much cheaper to fabricate than commercial silicon drift detectors (SDDs). However, previous GSDDs were fabricated from \(10\)-k\(\Omega \cdot\)cm Si wafers, which are more expensive than \(2\)-k\(\Omega \cdot\)cm Si wafers used in commercial SDDs. To fabricate cheaper portable X-ray fluorescence instruments, we investigate GSDDs formed from \(2\)-k\(\Omega \cdot\)cm Si wafers. The thicknesses of commercial SDDs are up to \(0.5\) mm, which can detect photons with energies up to \(27\) keV, whereas we describe GSDDs that can detect photons with energies of up to \(35\) keV. We simulate the electric potential distributions in GSDDs with Si thicknesses of \(0.5\) and \(1\) mm at a single high reverse bias. GSDDs with one gate pattern using any resistivity Si wafer can work well for changing the reverse bias that is inversely proportional to the resistivity of the Si wafer.
Highly Sensitive Bacteria Quantification Using Immunomagnetic Separation and Electrochemical Detection of Guanine-Labeled Secondary Beads
Authors: Jayamohan Harikrishnan , Gale Bruce , Minson Bj , Lambert Christopher , Gordon Neil , Sant Himanshu
Published: May 2015

In this paper, we report the ultra-sensitive indirect electrochemical detection of E. coli O157:H7 using antibody functionalized primary (magnetic) beads for capture and polyguanine (polyG) oligonucleotide functionalized secondary (polystyrene) beads as an electrochemical tag. Vacuum filtration in combination with E. coli O157:H7 specific antibody modified magnetic beads were used for extraction of E. coli O157:H7 from 100 mL samples. The magnetic bead conjugated E. coli O157:H7 cells were then attached to polyG functionalized secondary beads to form a sandwich complex (magnetic bead/E. coli secondary bead). While the use of magnetic beads for immuno-based capture is well characterized, the use of oligonucleotide functionalized secondary beads helps combine amplification and potential multiplexing into the system. The antibody functionalized secondary beads can be easily modified with a different antibody to detect other pathogens from the same sample and enable potential multiplexing. The polyGs on the secondary beads enable signal amplification up to 10\(^{8}\) guanine tags per secondary bead (\(7.5\times10^{6}\) biotin-FITC per secondary bead, 20 guanines per oligonucleotide) bound to the target (E. coli). A single-stranded DNA probe functionalized reduced graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode was used to bind the polyGs on the secondary beads. Fluorescent imaging was performed to confirm the hybridization of the complex to the electrode surface. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to quantify the amount of polyG involved in the hybridization event with tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)\(_{3}^{2+}\)) as the mediator. The amount of polyG signal can be correlated to the amount of E. coli O157:H7 in the sample. The method was able to detect concentrations of E. coli O157:H7 down to 3 CFU/100 mL, which is 67 times lower than the most sensitive technique reported in literature. The signal to noise ratio for this work was 3. We also demonstrate the use of the protocol for detection of E. coli O157:H7 seeded in waste water effluent samples.
A Low-Cost Sensing System for Cooperative Air Quality Monitoring in Urban Areas
Authors: Brienza Simone , Galli Andrea , Anastasi Giuseppe , Bruschi Paolo
Published: May 2015

Air quality in urban areas is a very important topic as it closely affects the health of citizens. Recent studies highlight that the exposure to polluted air can increase the incidence of diseases and deteriorate the quality of life. Hence, it is necessary to develop tools for real-time air quality monitoring, so as to allow appropriate and timely decisions. In this paper, we present uSense, a low-cost cooperative monitoring tool that allows knowing, in real-time, the concentrations of polluting gases in various areas of the city. Specifically, users monitor the areas of their interest by deploying low-cost and low-power sensor nodes. In addition, they can share the collected data following a social networking approach. uSense has been tested through an in-field experimentation performed in different areas of a city. The obtained results are in line with those provided by the local environmental control authority and show that uSense can be profitably used for air quality monitoring.
Random and Directed Walk-Based Top- Queries in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Fu Jun-Song , Liu Yun
Published: May 2015

In wireless sensor networks, filter-based top- query approaches are the state-of-the-art solutions and have been extensively researched in the literature, however, they are very sensitive to the network parameters, including the size of the network, dynamics of the sensors’ readings and declines in the overall range of all the readings. In this work, a random walk-based top- query approach called RWTQ and a directed walk-based top- query approach called DWTQ are proposed. At the beginning of a top- query, one or several tokens are sent to the specific node(s) in the network by the base station. Then, each token walks in the network independently to record and process the readings in a random or directed way. A strategy of choosing the “right” way in DWTQ is carefully designed for the token(s) to arrive at the high-value regions as soon as possible. When designing the walking strategy for DWTQ, the spatial correlations of the readings are also considered. Theoretical analysis and simulation results indicate that RWTQ and DWTQ both are very robust against these parameters discussed previously. In addition, DWTQ outperforms TAG, FILA and EXTOK in transmission cost, energy consumption and network lifetime.
Modeling Battery Behavior on Sensory Operations for Context-Aware Smartphone Sensing
Authors: Yurur Ozgur , Liu Chi , Moreno Wilfrido
Published: May 2015

Energy consumption is a major concern in context-aware smartphone sensing. This paper first studies mobile device-based battery modeling, which adopts the kinetic battery model (KiBaM), under the scope of battery non-linearities with respect to variant loads. Second, this paper models the energy consumption behavior of accelerometers analytically and then provides extensive simulation results and a smartphone application to examine the proposed sensor model. Third, a Markov reward process is integrated to create energy consumption profiles, linking with sensory operations and their effects on battery non-linearity. Energy consumption profiles consist of different pairs of duty cycles and sampling frequencies during sensory operations. Furthermore, the total energy cost by each profile is represented by an accumulated reward in this process. Finally, three different methods are proposed on the evolution of the reward process, to present the linkage between different usage patterns on the accelerometer sensor through a smartphone application and the battery behavior. By doing this, this paper aims at achieving a fine efficiency in power consumption caused by sensory operations, while maintaining the accuracy of smartphone applications based on sensor usages. More importantly, this study intends that modeling the battery non-linearities together with investigating the effects of different usage patterns in sensory operations in terms of the power consumption and the battery discharge may lead to discovering optimal energy reduction strategies to extend the battery lifetime and help a continual improvement in context-aware mobile services.
A New, Effective and Low-Cost Three-Dimensional Approach for the Estimation of Upper-Limb Volume
Authors: Buffa Roberto , Mereu Elena , Lussu Paolo , Succa Valeria , Pisanu Tonino , Buffa Franco , Marini Elisabetta
Published: May 2015

The aim of this research was to validate a new procedure (SkanLab) for the three-dimensional estimation of total arm volume. SkanLab is based on a single structured-light Kinect sensor (Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA) and on Skanect (Occipital, San Francisco, CA, USA) and MeshLab (Visual Computing Lab, Pisa, Italy) software. The volume of twelve plastic cylinders was measured using geometry, as the reference, water displacement and SkanLab techniques (two raters and repetitions). The right total arm volume of thirty adults was measured by water displacement (reference) and SkanLab (two raters and repetitions). The bias and limits of agreement (LOA) between techniques were determined using the Bland–Altman method. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the standard error of measurement. The bias of SkanLab in measuring the cylinders volume was −21.9 mL (−5.7%) (LOA: −62.0 to 18.2 mL; −18.1% to 6.7%) and in measuring the volume of arms’ was −9.9 mL (−0.6%) (LOA: −49.6 to 29.8 mL; −2.6% to 1.4%). SkanLab’s intra- and inter-rater reliabilities were very high (ICC >0.99). In conclusion, SkanLab is a fast, safe and low-cost method for assessing total arm volume, with high levels of accuracy and reliability. SkanLab represents a promising tool in clinical applications.
Investigation of Two Novel Approaches for Detection of Sulfate Ion and Methane Dissolved in Sediment Pore Water Using Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Du Zengfeng , Chen Jing , Ye Wangquan , Guo Jinjia , Zhang Xin , Zheng Ronger
Published: May 2015

The levels of dissolved sulfate and methane are crucial indicators in the geochemical analysis of pore water. Compositional analysis of pore water samples obtained from sea trials was conducted using Raman spectroscopy. It was found that the concentration of SO42− in pore water samples decreases as the depth increases, while the expected Raman signal of methane has not been observed. A possible reason for this is that the methane escaped after sampling and the remaining concentration of methane is too low to be detected. To find more effective ways to analyze the composition of pore water, two novel approaches are proposed. One is based on Liquid Core Optical Fiber (LCOF) for detection of SO42−. The other one is an enrichment process for the detection of CH4. With the aid of LCOF, the Raman signal of SO42− is found to be enhanced over 10 times compared to that obtained by a conventional Raman setup. The enrichment process is also found to be effective in the investigation to the prepared sample of methane dissolved in water. By CCl4 extraction, methane at a concentration below 1.14 mmol/L has been detected by conventional Raman spectroscopy. All the obtained results suggest that the approach proposed in this paper has great potential to be developed as a sensor for SO42− and CH4 detection in pore water.
Real-Time Human Pose Estimation and Gesture Recognition from Depth Images Using Superpixels and SVM Classifier
Authors: Kim Hanguen , Lee Sangwon , Lee Dongsung , Choi Soonmin , Ju Jinsun , Myung Hyun
Published: May 2015

In this paper, we present human pose estimation and gesture recognition algorithms that use only depth information. The proposed methods are designed to be operated with only a CPU (central processing unit), so that the algorithm can be operated on a low-cost platform, such as an embedded board. The human pose estimation method is based on an SVM (support vector machine) and superpixels without prior knowledge of a human body model. In the gesture recognition method, gestures are recognized from the pose information of a human body. To recognize gestures regardless of motion speed, the proposed method utilizes the keyframe extraction method. Gesture recognition is performed by comparing input keyframes with keyframes in registered gestures. The gesture yielding the smallest comparison error is chosen as a recognized gesture. To prevent recognition of gestures when a person performs a gesture that is not registered, we derive the maximum allowable comparison errors by comparing each registered gesture with the other gestures. We evaluated our method using a dataset that we generated. The experiment results show that our method performs fairly well and is applicable in real environments.
Why Include Impacts on Biodiversity from Land Use in LCIA and How to Select Useful Indicators?
Authors: Michelsen Ottar , Lindner Jan
Published: May 2015

Loss of biodiversity is one of the most severe threats to sustainability, and land use and land use changes are still the single most important factor. Still, there is no sign of any consensus on how to include impacts on biodiversity from land use and land use changes in LCIA. In this paper, different characteristics of biodiversity are discussed and related to proposals on how to include land use and land use changes in LCIA. We identify the question of why we should care about biodiversity as a key question, since different motivations will result in different choices for the indicators, and we call for more openness in the motivation for indicator selection. We find a promising trend in combining pressure indicators with geographic weighting and regard this as a promising way ahead. More knowledge on the consequences of different choices, such as the selection of a reference state, is still needed.
Benchmarking Environmental Impacts of Peat Use for Electricity Generation in Ireland—A Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Murphy Fionnuala , Devlin Ger , McDonnell Kevin
Published: May 2015

The combustion of peat for energy generation accounts for approximately 4.1% of Ireland’s overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with current levels of combustion resulting in the emission of 2.8 Mt of CO2 per annum. The aim of this research is to evaluate the life cycle environmental impacts of peat use for energy generation in Ireland, from peatland drainage and industrial extraction, to transportation, combustion, and subsequent after-use of the cutaway area, utilising Irish-specific emission factors. The environmental impacts considered are global warming potential, acidification potential, and eutrophication potential. In addition, the cumulative energy demand of the system is evaluated. Previous studies on the environmental impact of peat for energy in Ireland relied on default Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emission factors (EFs). This research utilises Irish-specific EFs and input data to reduce uncertainty associated with the use of default IPCC EFs, and finds that using default IPCC EFs overestimates the global warming potential when compared to Irish-specific EFs by approximately 2%. The greatest contribution to each of the environmental impacts considered arises from emissions generated during peat combustion, which accounts for approximately 95% of each of the environmental impact categories considered. Other stages of the life-cycle, such as impacts emanating from the peat extraction area, fossil fuel usage in harvesting and transportation machinery, and after-use of the cutaway area have much smaller effects on overall results. The transformation of cutaway peatlands to different after-use alternatives has the potential to mitigate some of the effects of peatland degradation and peat combustion.
The Water Footprint of Food Aid
Authors: Jackson Nicole , Konar Megan , Hoekstra Arjen
Published: May 2015

Food aid is a critical component of the global food system, particularly when emergency situations arise. For the first time, we evaluate the water footprint of food aid. To do this, we draw on food aid data from theWorld Food Programme and virtual water content estimates from WaterStat. We find that the total water footprint of food aid was 10 km3 in 2005, which represents approximately 0.5% of the water footprint of food trade and 2.0% of the water footprint of land grabbing (i.e., water appropriation associated with large agricultural land deals). The United States is by far the largest food aid donor and contributes 82% of the water footprint of food aid. The countries that receive the most water embodied in aid are Ethiopia, Sudan, North Korea, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Notably, we find that there is significant overlap between countries that receive food aid and those that have their land grabbed. Multivariate regression results indicate that donor water footprints are driven by political and environmental variables, whereas recipient water footprints are driven by land grabbing and food indicators.
Social Business, Business as if People Mattered: Variations on a Theme by Schumacher (1973)
Authors: Baker Michael
Published: May 2015

Economic growth is promoted as the solution to enhance the standard of living of the third of the world’s population living below the poverty line. Such growth, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is unsustainable and predicated on increased production/consumption without sufficient consideration of what is consumed by whom. In essence this is because GDP is a mechanistic measure of quantity that ignores individual human welfare or quality-of-life. To rectify this, affluent consumers need to learn that materialism and selfish self-interest are unsustainable, whereas enlightened self-interest, as assumed by Adam Smith when promoting capitalism and free markets, will benefit everyone. “Social Business” and marketing are proposed as practices that will facilitate this transformation.
Design Charrette as Methodology for Post-Disaster Participatory Reconstruction: Observations from a Case Study in Fukushima, Japan
Authors: Zhang Hui , Mao Zijun , Zhang Wei
Published: May 2015

Although there has been a growing body of literature on post-disaster participatory reconstruction, a shared understanding on a participatory approach is insufficient. A design charrette is a participatory planning that is particularly suitable for situations in which multidisciplinary professionals and non-professional stakeholders collaborate to accomplish target tasks in a short period of time. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of design charrette as a methodology in the context of post-disaster reconstruction in Japan. This will be achieved through a participatory observation on a design charrette in Minamisoma City, Japan, after the Fukushima accident. The charrette includes the participation of multiple stakeholders in intercultural, intergenerational and interdisciplinary exchanges. The contributions and constraints of the charrette are analyzed on the basis of the authors’ observation, and a strategy to improve post-disaster reconstruction charrette is thereby proposed. This study shows that the charrette is a useful method for communication and collaboration in the post-disaster context. Furthermore, it also demonstrates that assuring the participation of all key stakeholders, improving the training of participants and introducing resource analysis during the charrette’s preparatory stage are the essential conditions for the legitimacy and policy compliance of the final result.
Albanian and UK Consumers’ Perceptions of Farmers’ Markets and Supermarkets as Outlets for Organic Food: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Qendro Athina-Evera
Published: May 2015

The purpose of this paper is to elicit UK and Albanian consumers’ perceptions of food outlets in order to understand their views on supermarkets and farmers’ markets as outlets for organic food. A qualitative research methodology was chosen as the best way to get an in-depth understanding of how consumers of these two different countries understand and evaluate buying organic food from two different food outlets. This exploratory research is a first step to find out how and why organic food is being bought in supermarkets and farmers’ markets. The results show that respondents associated organic with vegetables and fruit, that taste good, are healthy, and are free of pesticides and hormones. The importance of motives varies between the outlets they prefer for buying organic food. An interesting finding is the fact that Albanian respondents refer to the farmers’ markets as the villagers’ market.
Characterization of Novel Transcripts in Pseudorabies Virus
Authors: Tombácz Dóra , Csabai Zsolt , Oláh Péter , Havelda Zoltán , Sharon Donald , Snyder Michael , Boldogkői Zsolt
Published: May 2015

In this study we identified two 3′-coterminal RNA molecules in the pseudorabies virus. The highly abundant short transcript (CTO-S) proved to be encoded between the ul21 and ul22 genes in close vicinity of the replication origin (OriL) of the virus. The less abundant long RNA molecule (CTO-L) is a transcriptional readthrough product of the ul21 gene and overlaps OriL. These polyadenylated RNAs were characterized by ascertaining their nucleotide sequences with the Illumina HiScanSQ and Pacific Biosciences Real-Time (PacBio RSII) sequencing platforms and by analyzing their transcription kinetics through use of multi-time-point Real-Time RT-PCR and the PacBio RSII system. It emerged that transcription of the CTOs is fully dependent on the viral transactivator protein IE180 and CTO-S is not a microRNA precursor. We propose an interaction between the transcription and replication machineries at this genomic location, which might play an important role in the regulation of DNA synthesis.
Seasonal River Discharge Forecasting Using Support Vector Regression: A Case Study in the Italian Alps
Authors: Callegari Mattia , Mazzoli Paolo , De Gregorio Ludovica , Notarnicola Claudia , Pasolli Luca , Petitta Marcello , Pistocchi Alberto
Published: May 2015

In this contribution we analyze the performance of a monthly river discharge forecasting model with a Support Vector Regression (SVR) technique in a European alpine area. We considered as predictors the discharges of the antecedent months, snow-covered area (SCA), and meteorological and climatic variables for 14 catchments in South Tyrol (Northern Italy), as well as the long-term average discharge of the month of prediction, also regarded as a benchmark. Forecasts at a six-month lead time tend to perform no better than the benchmark, with an average 33% relative root mean square error (RMSE%) on test samples. However, at one month lead time, RMSE% was 22%, a non-negligible improvement over the benchmark; moreover, the SVR model reduces the frequency of higher errors associated with anomalous months. Predictions with a lead time of three months show an intermediate performance between those at one and six months lead time. Among the considered predictors, SCA alone reduces RMSE% to 6% and 5% compared to using monthly discharges only, for a lead time equal to one and three months, respectively, whereas meteorological parameters bring only minor improvements. The model also outperformed a simpler linear autoregressive model, and yielded the lowest volume error in forecasting with one month lead time, while at longer lead times the differences compared to the benchmarks are negligible. Our results suggest that although an SVR model may deliver better forecasts than its simpler linear alternatives, long lead-time hydrological forecasting in Alpine catchments remains a challenge. Catchment state variables may play a bigger role than catchment input variables; hence a focus on characterizing seasonal catchment storage—Rather than seasonal weather forecasting—Could be key for improving our predictive capacity.
A Simple Field Test to Evaluate the Maintenance Requirements of Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavements
Authors: Lucke Terry , White Richard , Nichols Peter , Borgwardt Sönke
Published: May 2015

Adequate infiltration through Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavements (PICPs) is critical to their hydraulic and stormwater treatment performance. Infiltration is affected by clogging caused by the trapping of fines in the PICP surface, which, over time, reduces treatment performance. Clogging can be reduced by periodic maintenance such as vacuum sweeping and/or pressure washing. Maintenance requirements can be indicated by measuring reduced infiltration rates. This paper compared infiltration results using the standard test (C1781M-14a) with the results of a new stormwater infiltration field test (SWIFT) developed in Australia to evaluate the maintenance requirements of PICPs. A strong correlation (Pearson’s r = −0.714) was found between results using the two methods. This study found that the SWIFT was a reliable method for estimating the degree of clogging of PICPs while successfully overcoming some of the problems with the more technical existing test methodology such as horizontal water leakage (use of sealant), unrealistic pressure heads, speed of test, and portability. The SWIFT test is a simple, fast and inexpensive way for asset managers and local government employees to quickly assess the maintenance requirements of PICP installations in the field.
Irrigations antiques dans le Yémen aride : champs et sédiments (Antique irrigation systems in arid Yemen : fields and sediments)
Authors: Coque Brigitte , Gentelle Pierre
Published: May 2015

Abstract. - Among several other ones, two wâdîs in the desert of Yemen have been studied. One can find, along the dry waterbeds, remains of ancient irrigated fields, belonging to the "southarabic culture", 1200 BC to 600 AD. Empirical observations and sedimentological analyses reinforce each other and display a kind of model in the construction of antique irrigations systems using a "flood- controlled sedimentation ". We can now better understand how an old civilisation has been able to live in an arid region during almost two millenium, using "the water to create the field".
Le développement du télétravail aux Etats-Unis (Telework development in the U.S.)
Authors: Boquet Yves
Published: May 2015

Résumé. - Si les réseaux de télécommunication permettent aujourd'hui une troisième vague d'exurbanisation des entreprises, le télétravail constitue désormais un bon moyen de réduction des déplacements pendulaires. Initiatives privées, initiatives des Etats et initiatives de l'Etat fédéral commencent à mettre en place une nouvelle géographie du travail.
Les mouvements migratoires: un révélateur des rééquilibrages de l'Est de l'Allemagne après l'unification (1980-1993) (Migrations, sign of the east german rebalancing after unification)
Authors: Dufaux F.
Published: May 2015

Résumé. - Les migrations sont un indicateur immédiat et rigoureux des modifications dans l'attractivité et le rôle des pôles urbains est-allemands depuis 1990 : un mouvement de périurbanisation qui rompt avec la ville socialiste compacte ; un nouveau rôle de Berlin à l'échelle des nouveaux Länder.
PERCEPTIONS OF TURKISH CONSTRUCTION FIRMS ABOUT THE MARKETING CONCEPTS
Authors: ERDIS Ercan , COSKUN Hilmi , DEMİRCİ Mustafa
Published: May 2015

Competitive marketing environment requires construction companies to come up with the right strategies to progress. This only becomes possible by preparing rigorous preconstruction feasibility studies. Additionally, the effectiveness of promotion activities of the company is important to acquire a market share which can be realized by having systematic marketing concept. In this study, the perception and application level of marketing concept of construction firms are investigated. The promotion strategies which enable the companies to have systematic applications of marketing concepts in order to compete with other companies in the sector are discussed. To evaluate the marketing attitudes as applied by the companies, a questionnaire was performed with forty nine Turkish construction firms. The perception and application of the marketing are discussed based on the organizational structure and key interest areas of construction companies. The overall result deduced is that the construction companies do not have a systematic approach to marketing. The companies have primarily adopted the approaches to keep their current places in the sector.
INTERDEPENDENCE BETWEEN HUMAN CAPITAL AND THE POWER OF A SHADOW ECONOMY: LITHUANIAN CASE STUDY
Authors: ČIUTIENĖ Rūta , MEILIENĖ Evelina , SAVANEVIČIENĖ Asta , VAITKEVIČIUS Sigitas
Published: May 2015

According to economic theory, economic growth is related to Human Capital (HC). Lithuania is associated with countries where a high level of shadow economy exists. This paper examines the issues of human capital development under conditions of shadow economy. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the power and effects of the Lithuanian shadow economy in the context of human capital and to assess the inter-dependence between the power of the shadow economy and human capital. The theoretical justification for research on the inter-dependence between the power of the shadow economy and human capital is based on the analysis of how changes in the human capital structure and indicators reflect the power of the shadow economy and vice versa. Theoretical analysis has been made on the main features and factors of shadow economy and possible tools of human capital evaluation. On the basis of theoretical findings, the model of shadow economy power has been created and using the linear regression method, the dependence of shadow economy power on human capital has been evaluated. The power of the shadow economy has been calculated as a function of population, GDP, trade, unemployment and the labor force. Variables of social development, such as demographic changes and risk of poverty, indicators of HC economic development and indicators of HC economic potential have been used for the research. For the evaluation of the interdependence of the variables, the years 2005–2012 were used. In evaluating human capital under the conditions of the shadow economy, a few periods have been identified and distinguished. Firstly, the results showed that the level of human capital education and unemployment can be described as the most important indicators that reflect the economic environment and shadow economy. Secondly, the increasing level of the shadow economy increases shadow unemployment, and this in turn influences the attraction of direct foreign investment. And finally, research on the influence of separate factors of the shadow economy on variables of human capital could disclose a deeper understanding of the impact of the shadow economy on human capital.
CULTURAL HERITAGE AND MODERN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: FILIP Florin Gheorghe , CIUREA Cristian , DRAGOMIRESCU Horaţiu , IVAN Ion
Published: May 2015

The paper presents an up-to-date view of entities of the cultural heritage sector and their relationships with other domains of human activity as well as the corresponding business models facilitated by modern information and communication technologies. The economic impact of the interactions established between various actors of the cultural economy landscape, such as cultural heritage institutions, digital “facilitators” and public, is described by using a cybernetic representation and a corresponding mathematical model. A particular emphasis is put on mobile technology-based approach to the cultural heritage sector and an example of a practical online virtual exhibition is provided.
Surgically Induced Astigmatism Assessment: Comparison Between Three Corneal Measuring Devices
Authors: Ofir Shay , Abulafia Adi , Kleinmann Guy , Reitblat Olga , Assia Ehud I.
Published: May 2015

PURPOSE:

To compare the findings of three corneal measuring devices for calculating surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) during cataract extraction.

METHODS:

Patients’ records were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients who had corneal astigmatism measurements before and at least 1 month after cataract surgery through 2.4-mm corneal incisions by all three tested devices (Lenstar LS900, Haag-Streit, Koeniz, Switzerland; IOLMaster 500, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA; and Atlas topographer, Carl Zeiss Meditec). Vector analysis was used to calculate the SIA for each measuring device.

RESULTS:

Seventy eyes of 49 patients were included. All three measuring devices had similar SIA results: the median SIAs were 0.45 diopters (D) for the Lenstar, 0.41 D for the IOLMaster, and 0.47 D for the Atlas topographer (
P
= .884).

CONCLUSIONS:

The three evaluated anterior corneal measuring devices produced similar results in measuring SIA.

[
J Refract Surg.
2015;31(4):244–247.]
Role of Percent Tissue Altered on Ectasia After LASIK in Eyes With Suspicious Topography
Authors: Santhiago Marcony R. , Smadja David , Wilson Steven E. , Krueger Ronald R. , Monteiro Mario L. R. , Randleman J. Bradley
Published: May 2015

PURPOSE:

To investigate the association of the percent tissue altered (PTA) with the occurrence of ectasia after LASIK in eyes with suspicious preoperative corneal topography.

METHODS:

This retrospective comparative case–control study compared associations of reported ectasia risk factors in 129 eyes, including 57 eyes with suspicious preoperative Placido-based corneal topography that developed ectasia after LASIK (suspect ectasia group), 32 eyes with suspicious topography that remained stable for at least 3 years after LASIK (suspect control group), and 30 eyes that developed ectasia with bilateral normal topography (normal topography ectasia group). Groups were subdivided based on topographic asymmetry into high- or low-suspect groups. The PTA, preoperative central corneal thickness (CCT), residual stromal bed (RSB), and age (years) were evaluated in univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS:

Average PTA values for normal topography ectasia (45), low-suspect ectasia (39), high-suspect ectasia (36), low-suspect control (32), and high-suspect control (29) were significantly different from one another in all comparisons (
P
< .003) except high- and low-suspect ectasia groups (
P
= .033), and presented the highest discriminative capability of all variables evaluated. Age was only significantly different between the high-suspect ectasia and normal topography ectasia groups, and CCT was not significantly different between any groups. Stepwise logistic regression revealed the PTA as the most significant independent variable (
P
< .0001), with RSB the next most significant parameter.

CONCLUSIONS:

There remains a significant correlation between PTA values and ectasia risk after LASIK, even in eyes with suspicious corneal topography. Less tissue alteration, or a lower PTA value, was necessary to induce ectasia in eyes with more remarkable signs of topographic abnormality, and PTA provided better discriminative capabilities than RSB for all study populations.

[
J Refract Surg.
2015:31(4):258–265.]
Examination of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Acetylcholine Receptors in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients
Authors: Marshall-Gradisnik Sonya , Smith Peter , Nilius Bernd , Staines Donald R.
Published: May 2015

Objective

Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a disorder characterized by debilitating fatigue accompanied by pain and impairments in memory, cognition, and concentration. Acetylcholine (ACh) has a plethora of roles in neuronal and neuromuscular transmission. There are two types of ACh receptors, muscarinic and nicotinic, comprising 17 different subunits of the nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) and five different subtypes of the muscarinic receptor (mAChR) that have been identified in humans. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of ACh receptor (nAChRs and mAChRs) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CFS/ME patients.

Methods

One-hundred and fifteen CFS/ME patients (age = 48.68 ± 1.06 years) and 90 nonfatigued controls (age = 46.48 ± 1.22 years) participated in this study, where CFS/ME patients were defined according to the 1994 Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) criteria. A total of 464 SNPs for nine mammalian ACh receptor genes ( M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, alpha 2, 5, 7, and 10) were examined via the Agena Biosciences iPLEX Gold assay. Statistical analysis was performed using the PLINK analysis software.

Results

Seventeen SNPs were significantly associated with CFS/ME patients compared with the controls. Nine of these SNPs were associated with mAChRM3 (rs4463655; P = 0.00281, rs589962; P = 0.00348, rs1072320; P = 0.00371, rs7543259; P = 0.00513, rs6661621; P = 0.00536 rs7520974; P = 0.0167, rs726169; P = 0.02349, rsrs6669810; P = 0.02361, rsrs6429157; P = 0.0375), while the remainder were associated with nAChR alpha 10 (rs2672211; P = 0.0107, rs2672214; P = 0.0108, rs2741868; P = 0.01185, rs2741870; P = 0.01281, rs2741862; P = 0.03043), alpha 5 (rs951266; P = 0.01153; rs7180002, P = 0.03682), and alpha 2 (rs2565048; P = 0.01403).

Conclusion

The data from this pilot study suggest an association between ACh receptors, predominantly M3 and CFS. ACh receptor SNPs may contribute to the pathomechanism of CFS/ME.
Estimates on front propagation for nonlinear higher-order parabolic equations: An algorithmic approach
Authors: Fischer Julian
Published: May 2015

We present an algorithm for the derivation of lower bounds on support propagation for a certain class of nonlinear parabolic equations. We proceed by combining the ideas in some recent papers by the author with the algorithmic construction of entropies due to Jüngel and Matthes, reducing the problem to a quantifier elimination problem. Due to its complexity, the quantifier elimination problem cannot be solved by present exact algorithms. However, by tackling the quantifier elimination problem numerically, in the case of the thin-film equation we are able to improve recent results by the author in the regime of strong slippage

n \in (1,2)

. For certain second-order doubly nonlinear parabolic equations, we are able to extend the known lower bounds on free boundary propagation to the case of irregular oscillatory initial data. Finally, we apply our method to a sixth-order quantum drift-diffusion equation, resulting in an upper bound on the time which it takes for the support to reach every point in the domain.
Model Orthopaedic Surgical Skills Curriculum for Fourth Year Medical Students
Authors: Wooster Benjamin Matthew , Carstensen Samuel Evan , Johnson James E , Stubbs Allston Julius
Published: May 2015

Musculoskeletal education in medical schools throughout the United States is inconsistent. Furthermore, formal surgical skill training in medical school is often lacking. Consequently, orthopaedic surgery residents in the United States are faced with a unique challenge as they transition from medical student to house officer in comparison to their peers pursuing more generalized specialties. In response, we designed and successfully implemented an innovative month long elective at Wake Forest University School of Medicine for fourth year medical students who were in the process of applying to ortho paedic surgery residency programs. This course provides medical students with an introduction to the basic skills and common surgical approaches that are commonly utilized early in orthopaedic surgery residency and beyond. While longi tudinal data are needed, we believe this novel month long elective will allow the transition from medical student to house officer to be a smoother and more seamless process.

Wooster BM, Carstensen SE, Johnson JE, Stubbs AJ. Model Orthopaedic Surgical Skills Curriculum for Fourth Year Medical Students. The Duke Orthop J 2015;5(1):15.

All other authors report no declarations of interest.
Wound Issues after Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Dennis Douglas A
Published: May 2015

Wound healing problems following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are infrequent, but if present may lead to devastating results. Occurrence may be minimized by modifying patient risk factors, proper selection of skin incisions, and using operative techniques that protect soft tissues. When wound complications arise, prompt management is imperative to assure the best outcome after TKA.

Jennings JM, Dennis DA. Wound Issues after Total Knee Arthroplasty. The Duke Orthop J 2015;5(1):10-13.
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome and Back Pain Patients: Medications They use and How They relate to Their Emotional and Physical Functioning
Authors: Blizzard Daniel J , Gallizzi Michael A , Gagnon Christine M , Stanos Steven P
Published: May 2015

Study Design

Retrospective analysis.

Objective

To test the hypothesis that failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) patients and nonsurgical back pain (NSBP) patients respond differently on psychological measures and differ in pain medication usage.

Summary of background data

The study was part of an inter disciplinary outpatient functional restoration program. There were 121 participants—42 with FBSS and 79 with NSBP—who participated in a multidisciplinary pain evaluation.

Methods

A chart review was performed and interventions were not applicable. The outcome measures for the study include: the beck depression inventory (BDI), pain disability index (PDI), statetrait anxiety inventory (STAI), multidimen sional pain inventory pain severity (MPIPS) subscale and medication quantification scale III (MQS-III).

Results

Pearson's correlation analyses of all patients com bined (28 FBSS and 39 NSBP) revealed significant relationships between MQS-III and BDI (r = 0.388, p < 0.01) and STAI (r = 0.323, p < 0.05). A significant correlation was found between MQS-III and STAI (r = 0.536, p < 0.05) among the NSBP patients. The MQS-III was significantly correlated with BDI (r = 0.536, p < 0.05) and MPI-PS t-scores (r = 0.356, p < 0.05) among the 40 NSBP patients. Independent ttests of mean BDI, PDI, STAI, MPIPS, and MQS-III scores revealed no significant group differences.

Conclusion

Results suggest that while there is differing cor relation between FBSS and NSBP groups in pain medication use and psychometrics, the mean difference of quantity of pain medications used and scores on psychometric measure ments in these groups are not different. While presurgical psychometrics and pain medication usage were not available for our FBSS patients, our results support that medication quantification with psychological prescreening before surgical intervention for back pain patients may help to limit the number of failed back surgeries. Thus, future research including pre and postsurgical psychological functioning, physical functioning, and pain medication usage is suggested.

Gallizzi MA, Gagnon CM, Blizzard DJ, Stanos SP. Failed Back Surgery Syndrome and Back Pain Patients: Medications They use and How They relate to Their Emotional and Physical Functioning. The Duke Orthop J 2015;5(1):53-57.
Current Trends in the Management of Lumbar Spine Injuries in Athletes
Authors: Blizzard Daniel J , Gallizzi Michael A , Kleeman Lindsay T , Erickson Melissa M
Published: May 2015

Lumbar spine injuries are prevalent among athletes and are likely to increase with the rising popularity of extreme sports. It is important for physicians to understand the basic anatomy of the lumbar spine along with the injury patterns that can occur with axial loading, hyperflexion and flexion-distraction forces. The majority of low back injuries in athletes are due to muscle strains and rarely need further treatment. Athletes that are subjected to repetitive hyperextension forces are at risk for spondylolysis with or without spondylolisthesis which requires further imaging to determine need for surgical intervention. Lumbar disk herniations are usually from axial forces and can be result in surgical emergencies, if they cause compression on the spinal cord or conus. Lumbar spine fractures can vary from stress fractures of the endplates to burst fractures or fracture-dislocations which require surgical intervention, if associated with neurologic deficit or instability. Similar to the management of cervical spine injuries, patients with a suspected lumbar injury should be evaluated systematically with full spine precautions and careful neurologic examination to determine need for transfer to higher care center.

Gallizzi MA, Kleeman LT, Blizzard DJ, Erickson MM. Current Trends in the Management of Lumbar Spine Injuries in Athletes. The Duke Orthop J 2015;5(1):63-67.
Lipoma in Thenar Region
Authors: Peswani Rahul , Chandrakar BL , Thakkar Rakesh , Desai Ankit Arunbhai
Published: May 2015

Lipomas can be found anywhere in the body, with the majority being located in the head and neck region, as well as the back and abdomen. Lipomas are one of the most common benign, mesenchymal neoplasms. They may progress in size overtime and they may or may not be painful. They may be superficial or deep. Deep soft-tissue lipomas of the hand are rare. Among them, thenar intramuscular lipomas are very rare. We are reporting case of thenar intramuscular lipoma.

Desai AA, Chandrakar BL, Thakkar R, Peswani R. Lipoma in Thenar Region. The Duke Orthop J 2015;5(1):68-69.
Modeling study of PM2.5 pollutant transport across cities in China's Jing–Jin–Ji region during a severe haze episode in December 2013
Authors: Jiang C. , Wang H. , Zhao T. , Li T. , Che H.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. To study the influence of particulate matter (PM) transported from surrounding regions on the high PM2.5 pollution levels in Beijing, the GRAPES-CUACE model was used to simulate a serious haze episode that occurred on 6–7~December 2013. The results demonstrate the model's suitability for describing haze episodes throughout China, especially in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (Jing–Jin–Ji) region. A very close positive correlation was found between the southerly wind speed over the plain to the south of Beijing and changes in PM2.5 in Beijing, both reaching maximum values at about 900 hPa, suggesting that the lower atmosphere was the principal layer for pollutant PM transport from its southern neighbouring region to Beijing. During haze episodes, and dependent upon the period, Beijing was either a pollution source or sink for its surrounding area. PM input from Beijing's environs was much higher than the output from the city, resulting in the most serious pollution episode, with the highest PM2.5 values occurring from 00:00 to 10:00 UTC (08:00 to 18:00 LT), 7 December 2013. PM pollutants from the environs of the city accounted for over 50 % of the maximum PM2.5 values reached in Beijing. At other times, the Beijing area was a net contributor to pollution in its environs.