bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy Logic Applications for Performance-Based Design
Authors: Pakdamar Ferhat
Published: February 2017

In this chapter, it is expressed how performance based design criteria are modeled with fuzzy logic and why it needs to be modeled with fuzzy logic. Firstly, a brief information is given about current theories and techniques such as Fuzzy Logic, Chaos, Fractal Geometry, Artificial Neural Networks; and it is mentioned about advantages of applying these techniques to the problems. Then graphical inference deduction technique is expressed by giving a summary info about Fuzzy Set Theory, membership functions, clustering, rule-based systems and defuzzification. Then the divergence of performance based design criteria is set forth by making curvature evaluations for various regulations on a column section as a structure element. Finally, it is shown in detail how to use the fuzzy set theory for solution of this disharmony by using the clustering technique on a univariate sample first and then on a multivariate sample.
Sustainable Parking Planning for Smart Growth of Metropolitan Cities
Authors: Ercoskun Ozge Yalciner , Akunal Ebru Vesile Ocalir
Published: February 2017

This chapter identifies main problems of parking planning in demand-oriented conventional paradigm. Parking planning principles and cost-effective programs in supply-oriented sustainable paradigm are presented in the chapter listing many economic, social and environmental benefits. The chapter describes various parking strategies for developing a sustainable parking plan for smart growth of metropolitan cities, including cases of Istanbul and Vienna. A critical perspective is drawn for the parking planning policies for these city cases. Parking is recognized as an important factor influencing accessibility. Parking planning, parking policies and pricing play a critical role in local government decision making.
A Specific Issue on Sustainability of Transportation Planning in an Urban Region
Authors: Akıncılar Aykan , Akıncılar Ece
Published: February 2017

In this study, ambulance location problem, which is a significant research field in transportation in healthcare, is focused on. It is assumed that travelling time of vehicles between two demand points is uncertain and this uncertainty is represented as a crisp and as well as convex set. In order to deal with this uncertainty, robust counterpart approach, which is capable of providing conservatism, is employed. According to results of the simulation process, which is designed for the sake of benchmarking robust and nominal solutions, it can be easily claimed that conservative robustness is able to be achieved with significantly sufferable costs, even with no costs in most of the scenarios, by the proposed model. Ultimately, since robustness is one of the most important keywords for sustainability, on which discussions can be found in several parts of the text, this chapter is concluded with the claim that, by the proposed model, sustainability of transportation in healthcare is enhanced based on the adopted problem.
Analysis of Data Functionality in Enterprise Service Bus
Authors: Bais Aditya Singh , Mishra Varun
Published: February 2017

For business, big data help drive products, quality, services, and efficient, producing the highest improved levels of customer satisfaction. Information Prior to analysis, the desired info should be gathered up and processed the helpful data. Service oriented architecture is obtaining reality throughout an organization atmosphere. Rather than pure technology enhancements, SOA intends to increase manageability and property of IT system and better to align business technology implementation. Current product of SOA based mostly Enterprise Service Bus will chiefly supply net services instrumentation. An Enterprise Service Bus may be a normal based mostly integration platform that mixes electronic messaging, net services, data transformation, and intelligent routing during an extremely distributed atmosphere. Enterprise Service Bus. Enterprise Service Bus presents a considerable challenge, each to the architect who design the infrastructure in addition on IT professionals who are liable for administration.
Concept of Cloud Computing in ESB
Authors: Bhushan Mayank , Yadav Ankit
Published: February 2017

Cloud computing is evolving as a very important IT service platform with Its advantages of cost effectiveness and international access. To become a wide adopted IT infrastructure and service platform, cloud computing should be integrated with different systems in organizations. In academia, there's terribly restricted study of cloud computing integration. In follow, the industry lacks a comprehensive systems integration design or tools that may integrate any system universally. Built upon Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) as an integration backbone, this text proposes a universal integration design. With this design, any system or service (e.g., ERP and cloud computing) will simply be integrated through the ESB without needing software system renovation. so as to completely support the enterprise-level business operations during a heterogeneous computing setting, this design conjointly introduces a rule-based business method management (BPM) engine to contour business method management across disparate systems.
Aspect of ESB With Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Mittal Mohit , Bhadoria Robin Singh
Published: February 2017

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) devices are designed and deployed in sensing fields for various applications such as weather monitoring, human surveillance, animal tracking etc. for sensing the information from physical world phenomena parametric values to digital world signal information. Now a day's, WSNs are become prime area of research which includes service-oriented architecture (SOA) and Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) depend on the applications. This chapter has discussed the architecture, requirements and implementation issues SOA with WSN.
An Essence of the SOA on Healthcare
Authors: Saxena Kanak , Banodha Umesh
Published: February 2017

The chapter designates to choose the software architecture which must be so sound to handle the variations & for development on several competing specialists' theories existing in the era for the same symptoms and disease. It initiates the architecture of medical process with reusability. It represented as an instance of UML class diagram based on service-oriented architectural style. The reusable process helped to improve understanding of the components of Medical Process Model. The design pattern illuminates the conception of design which addresses reusable and recurrent design problems and solutions. It uses the Service-oriented architecture style that provides the communication between various medical processes with reusable components and the usability of various design patterns in a medical process reusable model in order to increase the reusability of the components. The SOA for MPM used five design patterns (DP) namely Façade Mediator, Proxy, Observer, and Visitor.
Towards a Middleware Based on SOA for Ubiquitous Care of Non-Communicable Diseases
Authors: Vianna Henrique Damasceno , Pittoli Fábio , Marques Emerson Butzen , Barbosa Jorge Luis Victoria
Published: February 2017

According to World Health Organization, the treatment of non-communicable diseases needs more than patient engagement to help control the diseases. Community and health organizations support is also desirable for controlling them. This work details the UDuctor middleware, which was designed for supporting ubiquitous non-communicable disease care, and so, helping the integration between patient and community resources. The UDuctor middleware gives a step forward in relation to other architectures for ubiquitous applications by integrating patients, community resources and community members through a peer-to-peer network. Each peer runs a RESTFul based middleware, which enables messaging, resource sharing, context subscription and notification, and location between other UDuctor peers. The middleware implementation was employed in two solutions and tested in three experiments. The results are promising and show feasibility for the application of the middleware in real life situations.
An Innovative Multi-Stage Multi-Dimensional Multiple-Inhomogeneous Melody Search Algorithm
Authors: Kiani-Moghaddam Mohammad , Shivaie Mojtaba
Published: February 2017

In this book chapter, the authors present an innovative strategy to enhance performance of the music-inspired algorithms. In this strategy, by using multiple-inhomogeneous music players and three different well-organized stages for improvisation, an innovative symphony orchestra search algorithm (SOSA) is proposed to solve large-scale non-linear non-convex optimization problems. Using multiple-inhomogeneous music players with different tastes, ideas, experiences can conduct players to choose better pitches, and increase the probability of playing a better melody. The strength of the newly proposed algorithm can enhance its superiority in comparison with other music-inspired algorithms, when feasible area of the solution space, and or dimensions of the optimization problem increases. Network expansion planning (NEP) problem has been employed to evaluate the performance of the newly proposed SOSA, compared with other existing optimization algorithms. The NEP problem is a large-scale non-convex optimization problem having a non-linear, mixed-integer nature.
Educação infantil para crianças de quatro e cinco anos: entre a obrigatoriedade, o direito e a imposição
Authors: Mesomo Lira Aliandra Cristina , Siebert Sapelli Marlene Lucia , De Abreu Drewinski Jane Maria
Published: February 2017

O objetivo deste artigo é problematizar o disposto na Lei n. 12.796 (2013), que estendeu a obrigatoriedade do ensino para as crianças de quatro e cinco anos, ou seja, para uma parte da educação infantil. A pesquisa foi realizada por meio de análise de bibliografia específica. Busca-se retomar o debate da educação infantil como um direito da criança e sua família, apontando questionamentos acerca da imposição da obrigatoriedade da matrícula escolar para as crianças pequenas, o que incorre em obrigações aos adultos responsáveis por elas. Nesse sentido, o artigo está organizado em cinco partes que buscam refletir acerca da educação infantil considerando a inter-relação entre obrigatoriedade, garantia do direito e imposição. Nas duas primeiras partes trata-se sobre a obrigatoriedade de as crianças de seis anos frequentarem o ensino fundamental e depois a obrigatoriedade de matrícula na educação infantil para as crianças de quatro anos; na terceira parte problematizam-se as questões estruturais, o quadro docente e as práticas pedagógicas necessárias para garantir a qualidade na educação infantil; a seguir, indicam-se elementos da questão curricular e, para finalizar, explicita-se um caso especial no processo de implantação da obrigatoriedade da matrícula na escola a partir de quatro anos, ou seja, a situação das crianças dessa faixa etária que vivem no campo.
Avaliação na aula de literatura: a coerência docente entre suas perspectivas e práticas
Authors: De Mello Sanfelici Aline , Bendlin Calzavara Rosemari
Published: February 2017

O presente artigo tem como objetivo central estabelecer reflexões críticas na área de ensino da disciplina de literatura no Ensino Médio, especialmente no que se refere aos processos de avaliação da aprendizagem dos estudantes. Dentre os objetivos específicos, investigamos a coerência entre o que uma docente da área acredita ser ensinar a disciplina de literatura e o que a mesma efetivamente avalia em seus alunos. Os materiais coletados para análise incluíram um questionário escrito respondido pela docente e três avaliações de aprendizagem elaboradas e aplicadas por essa mesma docente aos seus alunos. A partir do cruzamento desses dados, e à luz de referencial teórico embasado em Cereja (2005), Showalter (2003), entre outros, concluímos que o discurso da professora se reflete efetivamente em suas práticas de avaliação, uma vez que sua concepção de ensino aberta e comunicativa aos alunos é reiterada pelos tipos de exercícios propostos nas avaliações. Ainda a partir da análise dos dados e do referencial teórico adotado, tecemos comentários sobre processos de ensino e de avaliação na disciplina de literatura, buscando contribuir com a temática específica de avaliação na referida disciplina, que carece de maiores investigações.
Do jogo teatral ao teatro como criação
Authors: Schneider Cristiane , Vier Munhoz Angélica , Bedin da Costa Cristiano
Published: February 2017

O artigo apresenta um estudo sobre o teatro na escola, com foco no processo colaborativo de criação, percebendo-o como uma experiência que ultrapassa as fronteiras da aprendizagem do fazer teatral. A fim de se aproximar do processo colaborativo de criação, buscou-se o diário de campo, as imagens e filmagens para registrar e analisar as observações realizadas nos encontros com um grupo de jovens que participa de oficinas de teatro numa escola de ensino privado de Lajeado, RS. Ao finalizar o estudo, avalia-se que o teatro na escola assume a função de formador e provocador de experiências que envolvem a reflexão acerca das múltiplas tramas históricas, políticas e sociais que constituíram e constituem o teatro, a criação de diferentes práticas teatrais, bem como a possibilidade de afirmação das potencialidades artísticas dos envolvidos no fazer teatral. O texto é um recorte da dissertação Corpos encena: o teatro como processo colaborativo de criação, apresentada ao Programa de Mestrado em Ensino, no Centro Universitário Univates, em 2015.
O Ensino Religioso em face da aprendizagem significativa: questões epistemológicas e pedagógicas
Authors: Brito Jorge Maurício da Silva , Chagas Joezer Rezende das
Published: February 2017

Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar uma análise das questões epistemológicas e pedagógicas do Ensino Religioso (ER)em face da aprendizagem significativa. Para tanto se utilizou, principalmente, das contribuições de Piaget (1979), Vygotski (1991), Ausubel (1973) e Morin (2000), além de alguns autores contemporâneos, o que permitiu conceber uma interface entre a construção do conhecimento do fenômeno religioso e a sua sistematização para a prática docente no âmbito da educação escolar. Como resultado principal verificou-se que o ER precisa se ajustar a um modelo de pensamento mais holístico e reflexivo, oportunizando uma boa articulação entre teoria, prática e experiência. Isso, em consequência, revelou que o fenômeno religioso ainda continua hostilizado às abstrações puramente academicistas e racionalistas, reduzindo a experiência religiosa à conjecturas teórico-conceituais.
‛Proposições para o ensino do futuro’: contribuições de Pierre Bourdieu a uma ‘pedagogia racional’
Authors: Lenardão Elsio , Lenardão Edmilson , Karpinski André Luis
Published: February 2017

Este artigo apresenta algumas das contribuições de Pierre Bourdieu à constituição de uma possível ‘pedagogia racional’, expostas no documento Proposições para o ensino do futuro. As Proposições, relatório elaborado sob solicitação do governo francês em 1985, embora seja um documento fundamental de intervenção que contou com a participação de Bourdieu, é pouco explorado no Brasil. Coerente com suas críticas ao papel da escola de contribuição à reprodução da desigualdade social por meio da reprodução das desigualdades culturais, Bourdieu elencará, nas Proposições, uma série de sugestões de procedimentos pedagógicos mirando atenuar os efeitos dos processos de seleção e discriminação presentes na organização escolar e geradores de fracasso escolar dos alunos oriundos das classes populares. As indicações de ação pedagógica apontadas nas Proposições podem contribuir para uma postura mais atenta e democrática junto às práticas pedagógicas em voga no Brasil.
Hugo de Saint-Victor: considerações de um clássico sobre questões educacionais
Authors: Perin Conceição Solange Bution , Santiago Viviane Paes
Published: February 2017

Este estudo analisa a importância da escrita e da leitura e suas relações com questões educacionais no contexto da primeira metade do século XII, destacando a influência que exerceram na formação social dos homens. O propósito é refletir sobre o fato de que, nesse período, devido às alterações ocorridas no medievo, relacionadas ao renascimento das cidades e do comércio, o homem buscava um entendimento de mundo não mais se pautado somente nos ensinamentos religiosos, mas, na razão. Dessa forma, objetiva-se entender o pensamento de Hugo de São Vitor (1096-1141), mestre vitorino que discorria sobre a importância do estudo, da  leitura e da ética na conduta humana para se alcançar a sabedoria. Para ele, pela prática do ato de ler e refletir, o homem usa a inteligência e, assim, desenvolve o conhecimento necessário para a formação moral e intelectual. Consideramos que o estudo de autores clássicos nos conduz à compreensão do passado, bem como de questões sobre a História da Educação, possibilitando uma reflexão sobre os valores que independem do período histórico para serem considerados essenciais para a formação humana.
IL-6 Regulates M2 Polarization and Local Proliferation of Adipose Tissue Macrophages in Obesity
Authors: Braune Julia , Weyer Ulrike , Hobusch Constance , Mauer Jan , Brüning Jens C. , Bechmann Ingo , Gericke Martin
Published: February 2017

Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation of adipose tissue (AT) and an increase of AT macrophages (ATMs) that is linked to the onset of type 2 diabetes. We have recently shown that focal sites of inflammation around dying adipocytes, so-called crown-like structures, exhibit a unique microenvironment for macrophage proliferation. Interestingly, locally proliferating macrophages were not classically activated (M1), but they exhibited a rather alternatively activated (M2) immune phenotype. In this study, we established organotypic cell cultures of AT explants to study the impact of cytokine treatment on local ATM proliferation, without the bias of early monocyte recruitment. We show that exposure of AT to Th2 cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-13, and GM-CSF, stimulates ATM proliferation, whereas Th1 cytokines, such as TNF-α, inhibit local ATM proliferation. Furthermore, AT from obese mice exhibits an increased sensitivity to IL-4 stimulation, indicated by an increased phosphorylation of STAT6. In line with this, gene expression of the IL-4 receptor (Il4ra) and its ligand IL-13 are elevated in AT of obese C57BL/6 mice. Most importantly, Il4ra expression and susceptibility to IL-4 or IL-13 treatment depend on IL-6 signaling, which seems to be the underlying mechanism of local ATM proliferation in obesity. We conclude that IL-6 acts as a Th2 cytokine in obesity by stimulating M2 polarization and local ATM proliferation, presumably due to upregulation of the IL-4 receptor α.
Soluble CD83 Inhibits T Cell Activation by Binding to the TLR4/MD-2 Complex on CD14+ Monocytes
Authors: Horvatinovich Joe M. , Grogan Elizabeth W. , Norris Marcus , Steinkasserer Alexander , Lemos Henrique , Mellor Andrew L. , Tcherepanova Irina Y. , Nicolette Charles A. , DeBenedette Mark A.
Published: February 2017

The transmembrane protein CD83, expressed on APCs, B cells, and T cells, can be expressed as a soluble form generated by alternative splice variants and/or by shedding. Soluble CD83 (sCD83) was shown to be involved in negatively regulating the immune response. sCD83 inhibits T cell proliferation in vitro, supports allograft survival in vivo, prevents corneal transplant rejection, and attenuates the progression and severity of autoimmune diseases and experimental colitis. Although sCD83 binds to human PBMCs, the specific molecules that bind sCD83 have not been identified. In this article, we identify myeloid differentiation factor-2 (MD-2), the coreceptor within the TLR4/MD-2 receptor complex, as the high-affinity sCD83 binding partner. TLR4/MD-2 mediates proinflammatory signal delivery following recognition of bacterial LPSs. However, altering TLR4 signaling can attenuate the proinflammatory cascade, leading to LPS tolerance. Our data show that binding of sCD83 to MD-2 alters this signaling cascade by rapidly degrading IL-1R–associated kinase-1, leading to induction of the anti-inflammatory mediators IDO, IL-10, and PGE2 in a COX-2–dependent manner. sCD83 inhibited T cell proliferation, blocked IL-2 secretion, and rendered T cells unresponsive to further downstream differentiation signals mediated by IL-2. Therefore, we propose the tolerogenic mechanism of action of sCD83 to be dependent on initial interaction with APCs, altering early cytokine signal pathways and leading to T cell unresponsiveness.
Monocyte Subsets Coregulate Inflammatory Responses by Integrated Signaling through TNF and IL-6 at the Endothelial Cell Interface
Authors: Chimen Myriam , Yates Clara M. , McGettrick Helen M. , Ward Lewis S. C. , Harrison Matthew J. , Apta Bonita , Dib Lea H. , Imhof Beat A. , Harrison Paul , Nash Gerard B. , Rainger G. Ed
Published: February 2017

Two major monocyte subsets, CD14+CD16− (classical) and CD14+/dimCD16+ (nonclassical/intermediate), have been described. Each has different functions ascribed in its interactions with vascular endothelial cells (EC), including migration and promoting inflammation. Although monocyte subpopulations have been studied in isolated systems, their influence on EC and on the course of inflammation has been ignored. In this study, using unstimulated or cytokine-activated EC, we observed significant differences in the recruitment, migration, and reverse migration of human monocyte subsets. Associated with this, and based on their patterns of cytokine secretion, there was a difference in their capacity to activate EC and support the secondary recruitment of flowing neutrophils. High levels of TNF were detected in cocultures with nonclassical/intermediate monocytes, the blockade of which significantly reduced neutrophil recruitment. In contrast, classical monocytes secreted high levels of IL-6, the blockade of which resulted in increased neutrophil recruitment. When cocultures contained both monocyte subsets, or when conditioned supernatant from classical monocytes cocultures (IL-6hi) was added to nonclassical/intermediate monocyte cocultures (TNFhi), the activating effects of TNF were dramatically reduced, implying that when present, the anti-inflammatory activities of IL-6 were dominant over the proinflammatory activities of TNF. These changes in neutrophil recruitment could be explained by regulation of E-selectin on the cocultured EC. This study suggests that recruited human monocyte subsets trigger a regulatory pathway of cytokine-mediated signaling at the EC interface, and we propose that this is a mechanism for limiting the phlogistic activity of newly recruited monocytes.
Epigenetic Component p66a Modulates Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells by Modifying STAT3
Authors: Xin Jiaxuan , Zhang Zhiqian , Su Xiaomin , Wang Liyang , Zhang Yuan , Yang Rongcun
Published: February 2017

STAT3 plays a critical role in myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) accumulation and activation. Most studies have probed underlying mechanisms of STAT3 activation. However, epigenetic events involved in STAT3 activation are poorly understood. In this study, we identified several epigenetic-associated proteins such as p66a (Gatad2a), a novel protein transcriptional repressor that might interact with STAT3 in functional MDSCs, by using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. p66a could regulate the phosphorylation and ubiquitination of STAT3. Silencing p66a promoted not only phosphorylation but also K63 ubiquitination of STAT3 in the activated MDSCs. Interestingly, p66a expression was significantly suppressed by IL-6 both in vitro and in vivo during MDSC activation, suggesting that p66a is involved in IL-6–mediated differentiation of MDSCs. Indeed, silencing p66a could promote MDSC accumulation, differentiation, and activation. Tumors in mice injected with p66a small interfering RNA–transfected MDSCs also grew faster, whereas tumors in mice injected with p66a-transfected MDSCs were smaller as compared with the control. Thus, our data demonstrate that p66a may physically interact with STAT3 to suppress its activity through posttranslational modification, which reveals a novel regulatory mechanism controlling STAT3 activation during myeloid cell differentiation.
Lectin-like, oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1-deficient mice show resistance to age-related knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Hashimoto Kazuhiko , Oda Yutaka , Nakamura Fumihisa , Kakinoki Ryosuke , Akagi Masao
Published: February 2017

The lectin-like, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) receptor-1 (LOX-1)/ox-LDL system contributes to atherosclerosis and may be involved in cartilage degeneration. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the LOX-1/ox-LDL system contributes to age-related osteoarthritis (OA) in vivo, using LOX-1 knockout (LOX-1 KO) mice. Knee cartilage from 6, 12, and 18-month old (n = 10/group) C57Bl/6 wild-type (WT) and LOX-1 KO mice was evaluated by determining the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) score of Safranin-O stained samples. The prevalence of knee OA in both mouse strains was also investigated. Expression levels of LOX-1, ox-LDL, runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2), type-X collagen (COL X), and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) in the articular chondrocytes were analyzed immunohistologically. No significant difference was observed in the mean scores of WT (2.00Â±0.61) and LOX-1 KO mice (2.00Â±0.49) at 6 months of age (P=1.00, n=10). At 12 and 18 months of age, the mean scores of LOX-1 KO mice (3.75Â±0.93 and 5.50Â±0.78) were significantly lower than those of WT mice (5.25Â±1.14 and 9.00Â±1.01; P<0.001 in both cases; n=10). The prevalence of OA in LOX-1 KO mice was lower than that in WT mice at 12 and 18 months of age (40 vs 70%, 70 vs 90%, respectively; n=10). The expression levels of Runx2, COL X, and MMP-13 in articular chondrocytes significantly decreased in LOX-1 KO, mice compared with those in WT mice. The study indicated that the LOX-1/ox-LDL system in chondrocytes plays a role in the pathogenesis of age-related knee OA, which is potentially a target for preventing OA progression.
Seasonality of chrysophyte cyst and diatom assemblages in varved Lake Nautajärvi – implications for palaeolimnological studies
Authors: Korkonen Sanna T. , Ojala Antti E.K. , Kosonen Emilia , Weckström Jan
Published: February 2017

Phytoplankton species composition is strongly affected by seasons, which should be taken into account in palaeolimnological studies. Although chrysophyte cysts and diatoms are widely used as palaeobioindicators in palaeolimnological studies, only recently have attempts been made to use their modern deposition from sediment trap data to provide more detailed, seasonal-based environmental reconstructions. In this study sediment traps were used to record seasonality of chrysophyte cysts and diatoms during two climatically different years 2009 and 2010 in an annually laminated Lake Nautajärvi, Finland, and this seasonal data was then compared with the fossil record derived from the surface sediment of the lake. The overall changes in cyst and diatom assemblages between years and seasons are subtle. For both groups, no clear connection to any particular season could be detected in the sediment surface. Despite the climatological differences between the study years, the inter-annual accumulation rates of both algal groups were surprisingly similar, whereas the intra-annual accumulation rates differed substantially. This and the high amount of taxa occurring during all seasons in the trap samples implies that primary producers are more dependent on prevailing seasonal limnological conditions than on rapid, shortly lived episodes. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that chrysophyte cyst assemblages from the spring sediment trap are mainly controlled by the spring discharge intensity, a surrogate variable of spring weather conditions, whereas precipitation and air temperature have the strongest impact on the summer assemblages. However, only discharge explains statistically significantly the variance in the cyst data. Precipitation and air temperature have the strongest impact on the diatom summer samples, whereas the spring sediment trap sample of the snowy and harsh winter of 2010 was strongly correlated with the spring discharge. However, none of the measured environmental variables explains the variance in the diatom data statistically significantly. The similarity between the algae found in the sediment traps and surface sediment sample suggests that within small and shallow lakes without any extreme environmental settings the surface sediment sample represents well the lake´s overall algal composition and can thus be used in palaeolimnological studies.
One supervisor, two students: Experiences and anxieties of PhD journeys
Authors: Hove Muchativugwa L. , Nkamta Paul N.
Published: February 2017

Today, colleges and universities offer master’s and doctoral degrees in increasing numbers. Many students enrol in these programmes and, in many cases, such students are without appropriate guidance and support in conceptualising, conducting and writing original research. The lack of support and guidance during the M&D journey results in students taking more than the required duration for the programme, withdrawal or abandonment and, consequently, a drop in the number of completed theses and dissertations at colleges and universities. This article adopts a diaristic approach to document and examine the experiences of two PhD students at an institution of higher learning in South Africa. It seeks to demystify the notion that PhD studies are for a select few and proffers to chart some ways towards the successful completion of M&D studies.
Delays and Pathways to Final Tuberculosis Diagnosis in Patients from a Referral Hospital in Urban China
Authors: Martinez Leonardo , Xu Lin , Chen Cheng , Sekandi Juliet N. , Zhu Yongzhong , Zhang Changsheng , Whalen Christopher C. , Zhu Limei
Published: February 2017

China is among the countries with the largest epidemic of drug susceptible and resistant tuberculosis globally. We investigated the locations tuberculosis patients visited before being diagnosed, total diagnostic delay, and risk factors associated with total delay from a large tuberculosis referral hospital in Nanjing, China. We conducted a retrospective cohort study among tuberculosis patients who initiated anti-tuberculosis treatment within 3 months prior to the study date. Patient information regarding time and locations visited while seeking care for tuberculosis-related symptoms was collected through face-to-face interviews. Crude and adjusted Cox proportional hazard ratios of factors associated with time to diagnosis were calculated. Of 179 bacteriologically confirmed patients, 37% were women and median age was 41 (interquartile range [IQR], 26–62). Public hospitals were the most commonly visited health-care institution and repeated visits to them were common. The mean days to tuberculosis diagnosis were 50.3. Female patients (hazard ratio [HR], 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–1.48) or patients who contacted a health-care provider 2 weeks after becoming symptomatic (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.43–1.70) were significantly less likely to have a timely diagnosis. In a referral hospital in urban China, we found that female tuberculosis patients took significantly more time to reach diagnosis than males and patients often cycled in public hospitals for multiple visits before reaching final diagnosis. Health professionals at public hospitals in Nanjing should be encouraged to refer potential tuberculosis patients as soon as possible to avoid nosocomial transmission.
Coinfection of Leishmania guyanensis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: Report of a Case of Disseminated Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Ecuador
Authors: Calvopina Manuel , Aguirre Cristina , Cevallos William , Castillo Alberto , Abbasi Ibrahim , Warburg Alon
Published: February 2017

Reported herein is the first case of Leishmania–human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection in Ecuador. In Ecuador, HIV infections overlap endemic areas of leishmaniasis. Immunosuppression is a well-established risk factor for developing severe disease. This is a severe case of a 32-year-old man presenting with disseminated pleomorphic ulcers, papules, and cutaneous plaque-like lesions over his whole body. Numerous amastigotes were observed in both skin scrapings and biopsies. The sequence of the cytochrome b gene confirmed the presence of Leishmania guyanensis. The patient was treated but failed to respond to meglumine antimoniate and amphotericin B. Six months later, the patient died due to bacterial septic shock.
Clarithromycin-Based Triple Therapy is Still Useful as an Initial Treatment for Helicobacter pylori Infection in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Miftahussurur Muhammad , Cruz Modesto , Subsomwong Phawinee , Jiménez Abreu José A. , Hosking Celso , Nagashima Hiroyuki , Akada Junko , Yamaoka Yoshio
Published: February 2017

Helicobacter pylori antibiotic susceptibility in the Dominican Republic has not been monitored. We assessed H. pylori antibiotic susceptibility in the Dominican Republic, and analyzed H. pylori mutations associated with antibiotic resistance. We recruited 158 dyspeptic patients in Santo Domingo and used agar dilution to test susceptibility to five antibiotics. Polymerase chain reaction–based sequencing was used to assess gyrA, gyrB, rdxA, frxA, and 23S rRNA mutations; next-generation sequencing was used to identify other metronidazole resistance–associated genes. Among 64 H. pylori strains isolated, we identified two (3.1%), one (1.6%), and no strains with clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and tetracycline resistance, respectively. Moreover, high frequency of metronidazole resistance (53/64, 82.8%) was observed, whereas levofloxacin resistance is emerging (23/64, 35.9%). We identified many rdxA and frxA mutations in metronidazole-resistant strains, but no synergistic effect was apparent. We revealed novel mutations in dppA, dppB, fdxA, and fdxB, irrespective of rdxA and frxA mutations. Novel mutations at Ser-14 of trx1 and Arg-221 of dapF were associated with different levels of metronidazole resistance. Most levofloxacin-resistant strains had a substitution at Asn-87 of gyrA, including the strain with the highest levofloxacin resistance, whereas only three substitutions were found at Ser-479 of gyrB with no synergistic effect. Besides the 23S rRNA A2142G mutation, we observed another mutation at T1958G in both clarithromycin-resistant strains. We confirmed high metronidazole and levofloxacin resistance associated with genetic mutations in the Dominican Republic. However, prevalence of clarithromycin resistance was low, suggesting that standard clarithromycin-based triple therapy remains useful as initial treatment of H. pylori infection.
CDIF - Integrated Meta-model Data Modeling Subject Area
Authors:   Systems Management Council
Published: February 2017

The CDIF Family of Standards is primarily designed to be used as a description of a mechanism for transferring information between CASE tools. It facilitates a successful transfer when the authors of the importing and exporting tools have nothing in common except an agreement to conform to CDIF. The language that is defined for the Transfer Format also has applicability as a general language for Import/Export from repositories. The CDIF Integrated Meta-model defined for CASE also has applicability as the basis of standard definitions for use in repositories.

The standards that form the complete family of CDIF Standards are documented in EIA/IS-106 CDIF - CASE Data Interchange Format - Overview. These standards cover the overall framework, the transfer format and the CDIF Integrated Meta-model.

The diagram in Figure 1 depicts the various standards that comprise the CDIF Family of Standards. The shaded box depicts this Standard and its position in the CDIF Family of Standards.

This standard, EIA/IS-114 CDIF - Integrated Meta-model - Data Modeling Subject Area, defines the portion of the CDIF Integrated Meta-model that supports general Data Modeling. This includes Entity-Relationship-Attribute Modeling as well as Logical Database Design.
SAE Fuel Consumption Test Procedure (Engineering Method)
Authors:   Truck and Bus Aerodynamics and Fuel Economy Committee
Published: February 2017

This document describes a fuel-consumption test procedure that utilizes industry accepted data collection and statistical analysis methods to determine the difference in fuel consumption between vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds. This test procedure can be used for an evaluation of two or more different vehicles but is not to be used to evaluate a component change. Although on-road testing is allowed, track testing is the preferred method because it has the greatest opportunity to minimize weather and traffic influences on the variability of the results. All tests shall be conducted in accordance with the weather constraints described within this procedure and shall be supported by collected data and analysis. This document provides information that may be used in concert with SAE Recommended Practices J1264, J1252, J1321, and J2966 as well as additional current and future aerodynamic and vehicle performance SAE standards.
Hose Assemblies, Rubber, Hydraulic, Steel Wire Reinforced -Part 2: Ordering Information
Authors:   Hydraulic Hose and Hose Fittings Committee
Published: February 2017

This SAE Standard covers ordering information for steel wire reinforced rubber hose assemblies using connectors specified in SAE Standard J516 or all parts of ISO 12151 for use in hydraulic systems using petroleum based hydraulic fluids with maximum working pressures of 1.7 to 42 MPa. See SAE J1754-2, Table 8 for hose operating temperature ranges and identification codes.

NOTE: Working pressure is defined as maximum system pressure.
Self-Propelled Sweepers - Air Flow Performance - Part 2: Suction/Blower Fan Performance
Authors:   MTC2, Sweeper, Cleaner, and Machinery
Published: February 2017

This SAE Standard establishes a test method and a definition for disclosing the performance of suction/blower fans when applied to self-propelled sweepers that solely use a pneumatic conveyance means for the collection and transfer of “sweepings” into a collection hopper.
Data Link Layer
Authors:   Truck Bus Control and Communications Network Committee
Published: February 2017

The SAE J1939 documents are intended for light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles used on or off road as well as appropriate stationary applications which use vehicle derived components (e.g., generator sets). Vehicles of interest include, but are not limited to, on- and off-highway trucks and their trailers, construction equipment, and agricultural equipment and implements.

The purpose of these documents is to provide an open interconnect system for electronic systems. It is the intention of these documents to allow Electronic Control Units to communicate with each other by providing a standard architecture.

This particular document, SAE J1939-21, describes the data link layer using the CAN protocol with 29-bit Identifiers. For SAE J1939 no alternative data link layers are permitted.
Welded and Cold-Drawn, SAE 1021 Carbon Steel Tubing Normalized for Bending and Flaring
Authors:   Metallic Tubing Committee
Published: February 2017

The SAE Standard covers normalized electric resistance welded, cold-drawn, single-wall, SAE 1021 carbon steel pressure tubing intended for use as pressure lines and in other applications requiring tubing of a quality suitable for bending, flaring, forming, and brazing.

The grade of material produced to this specification is higher in carbon content and manganese content than the grade of material specified in SAE J525 and is intended to service higher pressure applications than equivalent sizes of SAE J525. Due to the higher carbon and manganese content the forming characteristics of the finished tube are diminished versus the SAE J525 product. Special attention to the overall forming requirements of the finished assembly shall be taken into consideration when specifying material produced to this specification.

In an effort to standardize within a global marketplace and ensuring that companies can remain competitive in an international market it is the intent to convert to metric tube sizes which will:

Lead to one global system

Guide users to preferred system

Reduce complexity

Eliminate inventory duplications
Measurement of Noise Emitted by Accelerating Road Vehicles
Authors:   Light Vehicle Exterior Sound Level Standards Committee
Published: February 2017

This SAE Standard is equivalent to ISO 362-1:2015 and specifies an engineering method for measuring the noise emitted by road vehicles of categories M and N under typical urban traffic conditions. It excludes vehicles of category L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5.

The specifications are intended to reproduce the level of noise generated by the principal noise sources during normal driving in urban traffic. The method is designed to meet the requirements of simplicity as far as they are consistent with reproducibility of results under the operating conditions of the vehicle.

The test method requires an acoustical environment that is obtained only in an extensive open space. Such conditions are usually provided for during:

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measurements of vehicles for regulatory certification and/or type approval

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measurements at the manufacturing stage, and

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measurements at official testing stations

NOTE 1: The results obtained by this method give an objective measure of the noise emitted under the specified conditions of test. It is necessary to consider the fact that the subjective appraisal of the noise annoyance of different classes of motor vehicles is not simply related to the indications of a sound measurement system. As annoyance is strongly related to personal human perception, physiological human conditions, culture, and environmental conditions there is a large variation and it is therefore not useful as a parameter to describe a specific vehicle condition.

NOTE 2: Spot checks of vehicles chosen at random are rarely made in an ideal acoustical environment. If measurements are carried out on the road in an acoustical environment that does not fulfill the requirements stated in this document, the results obtained may deviate appreciably from the results obtained using the specified conditions.
Automotive Refrigerant Recovery/Recycling/Recharging Equipment Intended for use with Both R-1234yf and R-134a
Authors:   Interior Climate Control Service Committee
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this SAE Standard is to establish the specific minimum equipment requirements for recovery/recycling/recharge equipment intended for use with both R-1234yf and R-134a in a common refrigerant circuit that has been directly removed from, and is intended for reuse in, mobile air-conditioning (A/C) systems. This document does not apply to equipment used for R-1234yf and R-134a having a common enclosure with separate circuits for each refrigerant, although some amount of separate circuitry for each refrigerant could be used.
Measuring Properties of Li-Battery Electrolyte
Authors:   Battery Materials Testing Committee
Published: February 2017

This SAE RP provides a set of test methods and practices for the characterization of the properties of Li-battery electrolyte.

It is not within the scope of this document to establish criteria for the test results, as this is usually established between the vendor and customer.
Recommendation for Acceptable Operating Parameters of Heated Automobile Seats in Order to Mitigate Occupant Injury
Authors:   Heated Seats Standards Committee
Published: February 2017

This recommended practice will promote a temperature and duration guideline that mitigates the risk of thermal injuries to the heated seat user. In addition, recommendations are established to indicate to the user when the heater is operating, and warnings that should be included in the vehicle literature.
TP1.6 Vehicle DIAGNOSTIC Protocol
Authors:   Vehicle E E System Diagnostic Standards Committee
Published: February 2017

This Technical Information Report defines the diagnostic communication protocol TP1.6. This document should be used in conjunction with SAE J2534-2 in order to fully implement the communication protocol in an SAE J2534 interface.

Some Volkswagen of America and Audi of America vehicles are equipped with ECU(s), in which a TP1.6 proprietary diagnostic communication protocol is implemented. The purpose of this document is to specify the requirements necessary to implement the communication protocol in an SAE J2534 interface.

This Technical Information Report describes how a tester can be connected to a vehicle to perform diagnostics using the TP1.6 protocol. Details regarding ECU to ECU communication have been left out.
Heavy Vehicle Controls Prioritization and Conflict Resolution
Authors:   Truck and Bus Brake Systems Committee
Published: February 2017

This document is written to address acceleration and deceleration control issues related to Heavy Duty Trucks and Buses greater than 10 000 GVW.
Hydraulic Flange Clamps, 2-Screw Flange Connection to be used with SAE J518-1 (Code 61) Connections where Only Low Pressure is Required
Authors:   Hydraulic Hose and Hose Fittings Committee
Published: February 2017

This SAE standard outlines general and dimensional specifications for Code 61 flange clamps for use in low pressure applications with J518-1 connections. For port dimensions, port design considerations, and flange head dimensions, please refer to SAE J518-1.

The rated working pressure of an assembly shall not exceed the least of all the component working pressure rated values.

The following general specifications supplement the dimensional data contained in the tables with respect to all unspecified detail. Parts manufactured to this standard are also compatible with ISO 6162-1 port connections and flange heads.
Vehicle Electromagnetic Immunity - Power Line Magnetic Fields
Authors:   Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Standards
Published: February 2017

This SAE Standard specifies the test methods and procedures for testing passenger cars and commercial vehicles to magnetic fields generated by power transmission lines and generating stations.

SAE J551-1 specifies general information, definitions, practical use, and basic principles of the test procedure.