bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Show Must Go On: Aging, Care, and Musical Performance in Quartet
Authors: Chivers Sally
Published: May 2016

This paper explores the imbrication of musical performance, aging, and care in Quartet (2012), a film adapted from Ronald Harwood’s play of the same name (1999). Quartet portrays a group of past opera divas reuniting at a retirement home and deciding, at least momentarily, to set aside the fears and challenges that accompany their aging and go back onstage to reprise their past success as an operatic quartet, drawing attention to what they can still do rather than what they cannot. The film foregrounds their comeback and backgrounds the need for care that has led each quartet member to move into the retirement home. In this paper, I draw attention to the concealment of care’s vital contribution to aging well, as portrayed in the film adaptation of the play. I conclude that the care home portrayed in Quartet, though presented in the film version as a “template” for care, relies on troubling understandings of care work and has room for only the ideal old.
Novel Zinc(II) Complexes [Zn(atc-Et)2] and [Zn(atc-Ph)2]: In Vitro and in Vivo Antiproliferative Studies
Authors: Lopes Erica , Oliveira Carolina , Silva Patricia , Eismann Carlos , Suárez Carlos , Menegário Amauri , Leite Clarice , Deflon Victor , Pavan Fernando
Published: May 2016

Cisplatin and its derivatives are the main metallodrugs used in cancer therapy. However, low selectivity, toxicity and drug resistance are associated with their use. The zinc(II) (ZnII) thiosemicarbazone complexes [Zn(atc-Et)2] (1) and [Zn(atc-Ph)2] (2) (atc-R: monovalent anion of 2-acetylpyridine N4-R-thiosemicarbazone) were synthesized and fully characterized in the solid state and in solution via elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, conductometry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The cytotoxicity of these complexes was evaluated in the HepG2, HeLa, MDA-MB-231, K-562, DU 145 and MRC-5 cancer cell lines. The strongest antiproliferative results were observed in MDA-MB-231 and HepG2 cells, in which these complexes displayed significant selective toxicity (3.1 and 3.6, respectively) compared with their effects on normal MRC-5 cells. In vivo studies were performed using an alternative model (Artemia salina L.) to assure the safety of these complexes, and the results were confirmed using a conventional model (BALB/c mice). Finally, tests of oral bioavailability showed maximum plasma concentrations of 3029.50 µg/L and 1191.95 µg/L for complexes 1 and 2, respectively. According to all obtained results, both compounds could be considered as prospective antiproliferative agents that warrant further research.
Functional and Biochemical Characterization of Three Recombinant Human Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Mutants: Zacatecas, Vanua-Lava and Viangchan
Authors: Gómez-Manzo Saúl , Marcial-Quino Jaime , Vanoye-Carlo America , Serrano-Posada Hugo , González-Valdez Abigail , Martínez-Rosas Víctor , Hernández-Ochoa Beatriz , Sierra-Palacios Edgar , Castillo-Rodríguez Rosa , Cuevas-Cruz Miguel , Rodríguez-Bustamante Eduardo , Arreguin-Espinosa Roberto
Published: May 2016

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in humans causes severe disease, varying from mostly asymptomatic individuals to patients showing neonatal jaundice, acute hemolysis episodes or chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia. In order to understand the effect of the mutations in G6PD gene function and its relation with G6PD deficiency severity, we report the construction, cloning and expression as well as the detailed kinetic and stability characterization of three purified clinical variants of G6PD that present in the Mexican population: G6PD Zacatecas (Class I), Vanua-Lava (Class II) and Viangchan (Class II). For all the G6PD mutants, we obtained low purification yield and altered kinetic parameters compared with Wild Type (WT). Our results show that the mutations, regardless of the distance from the active site where they are located, affect the catalytic properties and structural parameters and that these changes could be associated with the clinical presentation of the deficiency. Specifically, the structural characterization of the G6PD Zacatecas mutant suggests that the R257L mutation have a strong effect on the global stability of G6PD favoring an unstable active site. Using computational analysis, we offer a molecular explanation of the effects of these mutations on the active site.
Metallographic Index-Based Quantification of the Homogenization State in Extrudable Aluminum Alloys
Authors: Sarafoglou Panagiota , Aristeidakis John , Tzini Maria-Ioanna , Haidemenopoulos Gregory
Published: May 2016

Extrudability of aluminum alloys of the 6xxx series is highly dependent on the microstructure of the homogenized billets. It is therefore very important to characterize quantitatively the state of homogenization of the as-cast billets. The quantification of the homogenization state was based on the measurement of specific microstructural indices, which describe the size and shape of the intermetallics and indicate the state of homogenization. The indices evaluated were the following: aspect ratio (AR), which is the ratio of the maximum to the minimum diameter of the particles, feret (F), which is the maximum caliper length, and circularity (C), which is a measure of how closely a particle resembles a circle in a 2D metallographic section. The method included extensive metallographic work and the measurement of a large number of particles, including a statistical analysis, in order to investigate the effect of homogenization time. Among the indices examined, the circularity index exhibited the most consistent variation with homogenization time. The lowest value of the circularity index coincided with the metallographic observation for necklace formation. Shorter homogenization times resulted in intermediate homogenization stages involving rounding of edges or particle pinching. The results indicated that the index-based quantification of the homogenization state could provide a credible method for the selection of homogenization process parameters towards enhanced extrudability.
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Cu(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) Complexes with 8-Ethyl-2-hydroxytricyclo(7.3.1.02,7)tridecan-13-one-thiosemicarbazone: Antimicrobial and in Vitro Antiproliferative Activity
Authors: Pahonțu Elena , Paraschivescu Codruța , Ilieș Diana-Carolina , Poirier Donald , Oprean Camelia , Păunescu Virgil , Gulea Aurelian , Roșu Tudor , Bratu Ovidiu
Published: May 2016

New Cu(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes, (Cu(L)(H2O)2(OAc)) (1), (Cu(HL)(H2O)2(SO4)) (2), (Cu(L)(H2O)2(NO3)) (3), (Cu(L)(H2O)2(ClO4)) (4), (Cu(L)2(H2O)2) (5), (Pd(L)(OAc))H2O (6), and (Pt(L)2) (7) were synthesized from 8-ethyl-2-hydroxytricyclo(7.3.1.02,7)tridecan-13-one thiosemicarbazone (HL). The ligand and its metal complexes were characterized by IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, UV-Vis, FAB, EPR, mass spectroscopy, elemental and thermal analysis, magnetic susceptibility measurements and molar electric conductivity. The free ligand and the metal complexes have been tested for their antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. enteritidis, S. aureus, E. faecalis, C. albicans and cytotoxicity against the NCI-H1573 lung adenocarcinoma, SKBR-3 human breast, MCF-7 human breast, A375 human melanoma and HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cell lines. Copper complex 2 exhibited the best antiproliferative activities against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. A significant inhibition of malignant HL-60 cell growth was observed for copper complex 2, palladium complex 6 and platinum complex 7, with IC50 values of 1.6 µM, 6.5 µM and 6.4 µM, respectively.
Structure Identification and Anti-Cancer Pharmacological Prediction of Triterpenes from Ganoderma lucidum
Authors: Shao Yanyan , Qiao Liansheng , Wu Lingfang , Sun Xuefei , Zhu Dan , Yang Guanghui , Zhang Xiaoxue , Mao Xin , Chen Wenjing , Liang Wenyi , Zhang Yanling , Zhang Lanzhen
Published: May 2016

Ganoderma triterpenes (GTs) are the major secondary metabolites of Ganoderma lucidum, which is a popularly used traditional Chinese medicine for complementary cancer therapy. In the present study, systematic isolation, and in silico pharmacological prediction are implemented to discover potential anti-cancer active GTs from G. lucidum. Nineteen GTs, three steroids, one cerebroside, and one thymidine were isolated from G. lucidum. Six GTs were first isolated from the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum, including 3β,7β,15β-trihydroxy-11,23-dioxo-lanost-8,16-dien-26-oic acid methyl ester (1), 3β,7β,15β-trihydroxy-11,23-dioxo-lanost-8,16-dien-26-oic acid (2), 3β,7β,15α,28-tetrahydroxy-11,23-dioxo-lanost-8,16-dien-26-oic acid (3), ganotropic acid (4), 26-nor-11,23-dioxo-5α-lanost-8-en-3β,7β,15α,25-tetrol (5) and (3β,7α)-dihydroxy-lanosta-8,24-dien- 11-one (6). (4E,8E)-N-d-2′-hydroxypalmitoyl-l-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-9-methyl-4,8-spingodienine (7), and stigmasta-7,22-dien-3β,5α,6α-triol (8) were first reported from the genus Ganodema. By using reverse pharmacophoric profiling of the six GTs, thirty potential anti-cancer therapeutic targets were identified and utilized to construct their ingredient-target interaction network. Then nineteen high frequency targets of GTs were selected from thirty potential targets to construct a protein interaction network (PIN). In order to cluster the pharmacological activity of GTs, twelve function modules were identified by molecular complex detection (MCODE) and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. The results indicated that anti-cancer effect of GTs might be related to histone acetylation and interphase of mitotic cell cycle by regulating general control non-derepressible 5 (GCN5) and cyclin-dependent kinase-2 (CDK2), respectively. This research mode of extraction, isolation, pharmacological prediction, and PIN analysis might be beneficial to rapidly predict and discover pharmacological activities of novel compounds.
Effect of Chocolate and Yerba Mate Phenolic Compounds on Inflammatory and Oxidative Biomarkers in HIV/AIDS Individuals
Authors: Petrilli Aline , Souza Suelen , Teixeira Andrea , Pontilho Patricia , Souza José , Luzia Liania , Rondó Patricia
Published: May 2016

Flavonoids in cocoa and yerba mate have a beneficial role on inflammation and oxidative disorders. Their effect on HIV individuals has not been studied yet, despite the high cardiovascular risk of this population. This study investigated the role of cocoa and yerba mate consumption on oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers in HIV+ individuals. A cross-over, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted in 92 individuals on antiretroviral therapy for at least six months and at viral suppression. Participants were randomized to receive either 65 g of chocolate or chocolate-placebo or 3 g of yerba mate or mate-placebo for 15 days each, alternating by a washout period of 15 days. At baseline, and at the end of each intervention regimen, data regarding anthropometry, inflammatory, oxidative and immunological parameters were collected. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, lipid profile, white blood cell profile and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were assessed. There was a difference between mean concentrations of HDL-c (ANOVA; p ≤ 0.05) among the different regimens: dark chocolate, chocolate-placebo, yerba mate and mate-placebo. When a paired Student t-test was used for comparisons between mean HDL-c at baseline and after each regimen, the mean concentration of HDL-c was higher after supplementation with dark chocolate (p = 0.008).
Improving Convergence of Binomial Schemes and the Edgeworth Expansion
Authors: Bock Alona , Korn Ralf
Published: May 2016

Binomial trees are very popular in both theory and applications of option pricing. As they often suffer from an irregular convergence behavior, improving this is an important task. We build upon a new version of the Edgeworth expansion for lattice models to construct new and quickly converging binomial schemes with a particular application to barrier options.
Wireless Sensor Array Network DoA Estimation from Compressed Array Data via Joint Sparse Representation
Authors: Yu Kai , Yin Ming , Luo Ji-An , Wang Yingguan , Bao Ming , Hu Yu-Hen , Wang Zhi
Published: May 2016

A compressive sensing joint sparse representation direction of arrival estimation (CSJSR-DoA) approach is proposed for wireless sensor array networks (WSAN). By exploiting the joint spatial and spectral correlations of acoustic sensor array data, the CSJSR-DoA approach provides reliable DoA estimation using randomly-sampled acoustic sensor data. Since random sampling is performed at remote sensor arrays, less data need to be transmitted over lossy wireless channels to the fusion center (FC), and the expensive source coding operation at sensor nodes can be avoided. To investigate the spatial sparsity, an upper bound of the coherence of incoming sensor signals is derived assuming a linear sensor array configuration. This bound provides a theoretical constraint on the angular separation of acoustic sources to ensure the spatial sparsity of the received acoustic sensor array signals. The Cram e ´ r–Rao bound of the CSJSR-DoA estimator that quantifies the theoretical DoA estimation performance is also derived. The potential performance of the CSJSR-DoA approach is validated using both simulations and field experiments on a prototype WSAN platform. Compared to existing compressive sensing-based DoA estimation methods, the CSJSR-DoA approach shows significant performance improvement.
Self-Oscillation-Based Frequency Tracking for the Drive and Detection of Resonance Magnetometers
Authors: Tian Zheng , Ren Dahai , You Zheng
Published: May 2016

This paper reports a drive and detection method for Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS)-based Lorentz-force resonance magnetometers. Based on the proposed MEMS magnetometer, a drive and detection method was developed by using self-oscillation to adjust the mismatch between the mechanical resonance frequency and the coil drive frequency as affected by temperature fluctuations and vibration amplitude changes. Not only was the signal-to-noise ratio enhanced by the proposed method compared to the traditional method, but the test system automatically reached resonance frequency very rapidly when powered on. Moreover, the linearity and the measurement range were improved by the magnetic feedback generated by the coil. Test results indicated that the sensitivity of the proposed magnetometer is 59.6 mV/μT and its noise level is 0.25 μT. When operating in ±65 μT, its nonlinearity is 2.5‰—only one-tenth of the former prototype. Its power consumption is only about 250 mW and its size is only 28 mm × 28 mm × 10 mm, or about one-eighth of the original sensor; further, unlike the former device, it can distinguish both positive and negative magnetic fields. The proposed method can also be applied in other MEMS sensors such as gyroscopes and micromirrors to enhance their frequency tracking ability.
A Review of Distributed Optical Fiber Sensors for Civil Engineering Applications
Authors: Barrias António , Casas Joan , Villalba Sergi
Published: May 2016

The application of structural health monitoring (SHM) systems to civil engineering structures has been a developing studied and practiced topic, that has allowed for a better understanding of structures’ conditions and increasingly lead to a more cost-effective management of those infrastructures. In this field, the use of fiber optic sensors has been studied, discussed and practiced with encouraging results. The possibility of understanding and monitor the distributed behavior of extensive stretches of critical structures it’s an enormous advantage that distributed fiber optic sensing provides to SHM systems. In the past decade, several R & D studies have been performed with the goal of improving the knowledge and developing new techniques associated with the application of distributed optical fiber sensors (DOFS) in order to widen the range of applications of these sensors and also to obtain more correct and reliable data. This paper presents, after a brief introduction to the theoretical background of DOFS, the latest developments related with the improvement of these products by presenting a wide range of laboratory experiments as well as an extended review of their diverse applications in civil engineering structures.
Integrated Navigation System Design for Micro Planetary Rovers: Comparison of Absolute Heading Estimation Algorithms and Nonlinear Filtering
Authors: Ilyas Muhammad , Hong Beomjin , Cho Kuk , Baeg Seung-Ho , Park Sangdeok
Published: May 2016

This paper provides algorithms to fuse relative and absolute microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) navigation sensors, suitable for micro planetary rovers, to provide a more accurate estimation of navigation information, specifically, attitude and position. Planetary rovers have extremely slow speed (~1 cm/s) and lack conventional navigation sensors/systems, hence the general methods of terrestrial navigation may not be applicable to these applications. While relative attitude and position can be tracked in a way similar to those for ground robots, absolute navigation information is hard to achieve on a remote celestial body, like Moon or Mars, in contrast to terrestrial applications. In this study, two absolute attitude estimation algorithms were developed and compared for accuracy and robustness. The estimated absolute attitude was fused with the relative attitude sensors in a framework of nonlinear filters. The nonlinear Extended Kalman filter (EKF) and Unscented Kalman filter (UKF) were compared in pursuit of better accuracy and reliability in this nonlinear estimation problem, using only on-board low cost MEMS sensors. Experimental results confirmed the viability of the proposed algorithms and the sensor suite, for low cost and low weight micro planetary rovers. It is demonstrated that integrating the relative and absolute navigation MEMS sensors reduces the navigation errors to the desired level.
Using Envision to Assess the Sustainability of Groundwater Infrastructure: A Case Study of the Twin Oaks Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project
Authors: Saville Cody , Miller Gretchen , Brumbelow Kelly
Published: May 2016

The ISI (Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure) Envision rating system is designed to be a comprehensive sustainability assessment that can be applied to a wide range of infrastructure projects, including water supply. With water supply resiliency, a prominent concern in many arid and semi-arid regions, the implementation of a water sustainability metric would be beneficial to both regulators and planners. This review seeks to assess the merit of applying Envision to water infrastructure projects specifically designed to enhance supply resiliency by retroactively rating the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) Twin Oaks Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project. In this review, we find that the novelty and innovation inherent in ASR is largely overlooked by Envision, which often does not evaluate sector-specific concepts. Furthermore, the project-oriented focus of Envision does not analyze water supply systems, or any infrastructure system, as a whole. This paper proposes that a water specific sustainability index be used in conjunction with Envision, to more specifically address concerns for water supply.
A Preliminary Assessment of the Initial Compression Power Requirement in CO2 Pipeline “Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Technologies”
Authors: El-Suleiman Abdussalam , Anosike Nnamdi , Pilidis Pericles
Published: May 2016

CO2 captured from fossil-fueled power generation plants is said to be economically transported via pipelines over long distances. The CO2 must be compressed to pipeline specifications using compressors and pumps that are driven by gas turbine (GT) or other prime movers. This paper presents the evaluation of actual work transfer or required prime power by modeling the governing equations of compression using the Peng–Robinson equation of state (PR-EOS). A computer code was developed to carry out the modeling and subsequent simulation of the compression power requirement. The simulation of prime mover power was carried out for different technology (head per stage) of the compressor ranging from 10-staged compression to double stage compression. The results show that the current technology of the centrifugal compressor could require as much as 23MW of prime mover power to compress 1.5 million tonnes per year of CO2—a projected equivalent CO2 released from a 530MW combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power generation plant.
A NEUTRON STAR–WHITE DWARF BINARY MODEL FOR REPEATING FAST RADIO BURST 121102
Authors: Gu Wei-Min , Dong Yi-Ze , Liu Tong , Ma Renyi , Wang Junfeng
Published: May 2016

We propose a compact binary model for the fast radio burst (FRB) repeaters, where the system consists of a magnetic white dwarf (WD) and a neutron star (NS) with strong bipolar magnetic fields. When the WD fills its Roche lobe, mass transfer will occur from the WD to the NS through the inner Lagrange point. The accreted magnetized materials may trigger magnetic reconnection when they approach the NS surface, and therefore the electrons can be accelerated to an ultra-relativistic speed. In this scenario, the curvature radiation of the electrons moving along the NS magnetic field lines can account for the characteristic frequency and the timescale of an FRB. Owing to the conservation of angular momentum, the WD may be kicked away after a burst, and the next burst may appear when the system becomes semi-detached again through the gravitational radiation. By comparing our analyses with the observations, we show that such an intermittent Roche-lobe overflow mechanism can be responsible for the observed repeating behavior of FRB 121102.
Tibiofemoral Rotation During Sit-to-Stand Activity After TKA
Authors: Sanford Brooke A. , Williams John L. , Huffman Kyle D. , Zucker-Levin Audrey R. , Mihalko William M.
Published: May 2016

The objective of this study was to describe how tibiofemoral internal/external rotation varies in patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) when compared with control participants during a sit-to-stand (STS) maneuver. Motion analysis was used to measure internal/external knee rotation during STS in the control and TKA groups. Fourteen participants were included in the study. Six patients with 7 TKA knees (6 posterior stabilized and 1 cruciate-retaining TKA) were compared with 8 control participants with 8 knees from the current authors' laboratory database. Participants performed 3 STS maneuvers, and the average internal/external rotation of the femur with respect to the tibia was compared. All control participants and 2 TKA participants had internal rotation of the femur with respect to the tibia, whereas 4 TKA participants had external rotation, and 1 had no rotation during STS. Further investigation into the surgical and patient- and implant-related factors that affect this resulting reverse kinematic profile seems to be warranted. [
Orthopedics
. 2016; 39(3):S41–S44.]
Total Knee Post-Cam Design Variations and Their Effects on Kinematics and Wear Patterns
Authors: Mihalko William M. , Lowell Julie , Higgs Genymphas , Kurtz Steven
Published: May 2016

Post-cam designs for posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasy (TKA) implants have evolved over the last 2 decades. These designs have evolved from symmetric post and cam to asymmetric designs that include anterior post interactions to affect a kinematic change in full extension. All design changes have consequences on the resulting femorotibial contact kinematics and, depending on the amount of constraint built into the design, these changes may have significant consequences on the wear patterns on the tibial polyethylene insert. The current authors review the kinematic effects of symmetric and asymmetric cam designs and use a retrieval database of TKA implants obtained at the time of necropsy to show how different design variables may affect polyethylene wear patterns after 10 or more years of implantation or from modeled wear in simulators. More modern designs seem to have moved the post posteriorly and sloped the anterior aspect to avoid impingement of the anterior post in terminal flexion on the inferior aspect of the patella button. [
Orthopedics
. 2016; 39(3):S45–S49.]
Design and Application of Micro-video Course Recording in "General City Planning" Course
Authors: YU Kanhua
Published: May 2016

as information technology flourishes, use ratio of network and mobile terminal devices keeps rising. Microlecture as a new course resource and learning style jumps into people's vision. This paper introduces a microlecture platform which is applied to teach General City Planning. The platform includes the oflowing functions: microlecture making device, classroom live broadcasting and real-time video recording device, microlecture question and answer device, microlecture labeling device and microlecture searching device etc. Based on fully expounding the research background, domestic and overseas situations, this paper analyzes design thought, overall structure and teaching advantage of the platform. The experimental study shows that the microlecture platform is quick and convenient to use. Therefore, it is the optimal platform for both teachers and students.
Three-Dimensional Virtual Environment and NPC
Authors: Herpich Fabricio , Nunes Felipe Becker , Voss Gleizer Bierhalz , Medina Roseclea Duarte
Published: May 2016

The use of intelligent agents aware of the individual characteristics and context of students, allow to offer a suitable support to the real requirements. Allied to this, the implementation of these agents in the three-dimensional virtual environments, tend to transcend the existing potential in the interactions with the learning objects it contains and also to expand the alternatives of building the students' knowledge. Throughout this chapter it will be presented the development of intelligent agent called ELAI, by using the NPC strategy on the virtual world platform OpenSimulator. The ELAI provides support for teaching Computer Networking (CN), being sensitive to the context of learners to their level of expertise. In order to maximize the flexibility of interactions between the student, through the student's avatar and the NPC, an interconnection with a chatterbot was established, whose knowledge base was increased by files in AIML inherent to the topic of CN.
Leadership Skills in Complex Collegial Adult Groups
Authors: Kaweesi Muhamadi
Published: May 2016

Collegial groups of professional people have been shown to produce high adult achievement and performance and therefore learning the skills of working with groups to solve instructional problems is a critical task of supervision. This paper covers knowledge, skills, and procedures for developing productive instructional improvement groups in the complex school environment characterized by turbulence and chaos emanating from dysfunctional group members. Throughout this paper, the importance of these methods in developing group leadership skills has been explained: using group observations, changing group leadership styles, dealing with dysfunctional members, and preparing for meetings. The paper also demonstrates how development supervision can be applied to professional groups by showing how a developmental supervisor matches the supervisory approaches to the group's characteristics.
Cloud Computing as the Useful Resource for Application of the Medical Information System for Quality Assurance Purposes
Authors: Kldiashvili Ekaterina
Published: May 2016

The eHealth is a rapidly evolving and changing field. The different models and protocols of medical information system (MIS) are now available. The MIS and its everyday usage is extremely beneficial for the healthcare sector, but its introduction in everyday practice is slow. Cloud computing is perspective field and it differs from the conventional distributed computing by its focus on large-scale sharing, innovative applications, and high-performance orientation. This paper defines “cloud computing” as flexible, secure, coordinated resource for data sharing among dynamic collections of individuals, institutions, and etc. It should be emphasized, that cloud computing can be reviewed as a useful tool for sharing of computing resources and services. The author expects that this technology has huge potential in health care and can improve health care services, as well as provide benefits for health care research. It is proposed that the solution is the widespread and routine implementation of the medical information system. The present article will discuss the application of cloud computing for the medical information system practical usage. The goal in the information age must be to create knowledge from medical information with less time managing medical information and data. The availability of adaptable technology and possibility of improvement of the infrastructure conditions is the basis for medical informatics applications. The routine application of MIS by healthcare organization holds the potential to improve, develop and realize medical service in the effective and comprehensive mode.
Physician Engagement with Health Information Technology
Authors: Carlton Erik L. , Holsinger Jr. James W. , Anunobi Nnamdi
Published: May 2016

In an era of healthcare reform and health information technology (HIT), physicians' roles in delivering healthcare are rapidly involving. New technologies present exciting opportunities and challenges to physicians to enhance medical practice, reduce costs, and improve patient experiences, as well as opportunities to develop new competencies and standards of professionalism. The Dreyfus model for skills acquisition may provide a helpful framework. Understanding and leveraging motivations and barriers to adoption within the context of competency can promote a learning culture that can more readily evolve to include new HIT. Involving physicians in designing and implementing HIT systems could result in increasing physician satisfaction. Supportive staffing and technical assistance may aid physicians to successfully implement the systems without increasing workload or decreasing professional satisfaction. Understanding the needs of 21st century physicians related to HIT solutions should greatly increase the successful integration of HIT into the 21st century healthcare work place.
Implementation of Model to Analyse the Performance of Microturbine as in Microgrid Comparison with Fuel Cell
Authors: Roy Subhajit
Published: May 2016

As it is known Microgrid is a miniature grid consist of one or more numbers of same or by different conventional or non-conventional generation sources. Here one can consider Microturbine (MT) as the main source of generation and it may or may not be connected with the main grid. The author discussed modeling of different types of Micro turbine during implementation of mathematical modeling of split-shaft type with the help of MATLAB® Simulink®. From developed models can be describe behavior of a MicroGrid (MG) under islanded mode as MT and SOFC as the sources. SOFC can change its electrical output power (30%) high or low, but take more time to response than MT (2-3 times more). It is demonstrated that Microturbines and fuel-cells are capable of providing a load-following service in the distributed generation system. Results prove the effectiveness of the two developed models in the studying and analysis of the transient dynamic response of MG.
A Review of Incentive Based Demand Response Methods in Smart Electricity Grids
Authors: Chrysikou Vasiliki , Alamaniotis Miltiadis , Tsoukalas Lefteri H.
Published: May 2016

Smart electricity grid is a complex system being the outcome of the marriage of power systems with computing technologies and information networks. The information transmitted in the network is utilized for controlling the power flow in the electricity distribution grid. Thus smart grid facilitates a demand response approach, where grid participants monitor and respond to information signals with their electricity demand. This review paper focuses on a subclass of demand response methods and more particularly in incentive based demand response. It aims at providing a review of the existing and proposed methods while briefly explaining their main points and outcomes. In the current approach, the plethora of methods on incentive based demand response is grouped according to the tools adopted to implement the incentives. The overall goal is to provide a comprehensive list of incentive design tools and be a point of inspiration for researchers in the field of incentive based demand response in smart grids.
A Case Study of Progressive Formation of Accounting Cloud Service in Japan
Authors: Mizuno Yutaka , Odake Nobutaka
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this study is to clarify the best practice of marketing strategy in Japanese accounting cloud services. The authors examine platform development and ecosystem formation of an accounting cloud service in the second stage. As the results, the authors obtain three findings. First, the best accounting cloud service has been driving a spiral model of marketing strategy consistently. Second, customer groups of the cloud service, which are connected by chain composition with path dependence, constitute multiplex markets structure. Associated service groups, which are also connected chain composition, constitute multi-dimensions service structure. Third, the service provider has started new Open & Close strategy that involves formulating closure of network structure of associated services. These strategies realized its sustainable growth. Therefore, cloud service providers not only adopt Open & Close strategy, but also build up a spiral model of marketing strategy to formulate two chain compositions with path dependence for customer groups and associated service groups.
Towards Effective Structure-Based Assessment of Proposals and Arguments in Online Deliberation
Authors: Tanasijevic Sanja , Böhm Klemens
Published: May 2016

Deliberation, i.e., discussing and ranking different proposals and making decisions, is an important issue for many communities, be they political, be they boards of experts for a scientific issue. Online deliberation however has issues, such as unorganized content, off-topic or repetition postings, or aggressive and conflicting behavior of participants. To address these issues, based on a relatively simple argumentation model and on feedback of different type, the authors propose to weight community members in an elaborate manner; this in turn is used to score arguments and proposals. Given such a scoring scheme, it is important to examine to which extent individuals have understood and accepted the approach, to identify characteristics of ‘good' discussants and of strong arguments and proposals, and to study the robustness of the approach with regard to minor changes. To this end, the authors have carried out an experiment with a real-world community which had to make subjective decisions on issues relevant to them, and they have analyzed the data generated by it systematically, covering the different layers of their approach. The authors' takeaway is that the approach proposed here is promising to improve deliberation in many settings.
Tracking Comet ISON through the Twittersphere
Authors: Palmer Stuart
Published: May 2016

People are increasingly turning to the Internet and social media for science-related information and communication. Online social media systems are a convenient source of timely and rapid information, including science-related information; however it is argued that the emergence of social media systems is a fundamentally new development in science communication. A distinguishing characteristic of social media systems is their support for ‘democratic,' user-generated content, and for the public debate and contestation of scientific ideas. The emergence of the online environment as an important source of science information is still comparatively new, as is research to understand how people find and use science information in this setting. This study investigates how information about comet ISON was communicated on the Twitter social media platform. Tweet time sequence visualization and network visualization were found to offer complementary insights into the Twitter data, and to offer a productive methodological approach for future research work.
Bioactive Compounds Diffusion from Grapes to Wines under High Frequency Electromagnetic Field Treatments
Authors: Bandici Livia , Vicas Simona Ioana , Bandici Gheorghe Emil , Teusdea Alin Cristian , Cavalu Simona
Published: May 2016

In this paper, grapes were processed by using high frequency electromagnetic field in order to obtain a high quality wine in terms of bioactive compounds content with antioxidant activity. The experimental setup comprise an applicator with adjustable power between 100-1000 W, software assisted, in order to process three varieties of grapes (Muscat Ottonel, Merlot, Pinot Noir), that were harvested in 2014 in the Crişana-Sântimreu vineyard. The total polyphenol compounds were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu spectrophotometric method, and the antioxidant capacity was determined by the FRAP method. The results have shown that the use of high frequency electromagnetic field in grape processing leads to the diffusion of the bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity in the final product. In the same time, it is also an effective method in terms of energy consumption.
KNN-Sb Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics Synthesized by Hydrothermal Method
Authors: Ma Wen Xin , Fu Xing Hua , Tao Wen Hong , Yang Lei , Cheng Guo Yuan , Zhao Li Ping
Published: May 2016

K1-xNaxNb1-ySbyO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramic powders were prepared by hydrothermal route. The samples were sintered under normal pressure at 1060 °C for 2 h. The structure of piezoelectric ceramics is perovskite and crystalline grain shows a block shape. With the different ceramics component and microstructure, piezoelectric constant d33 varies from 20 to 73. When x=0.54, y=0.04, reached the maximum.
Determinants of operational and maintenance costs of condominiums
Authors: Perera B.A.K.S. , Chethana I.M. , Illankoon S. , Perera W.A.N.
Published: May 2016

It is important to determine the factors which affect the operational and maintenance costs of condominiums in order to minimize them. Furthermore this would assist the building managers in preparing realistic maintenance budgets in respect of each operational and maintenance activities in the appropriate time. Therefore, this study proposes a framework to control the operational and maintenance costs of condominiums built in Sri Lanka by identifying their determinants.A preliminary survey was initially carried out among six experienced professionals from the industry and it was followed by distributing 35 questionnaires also among professionals from the industry. The Analytical Hierarchical Process and the Relative Importance Index were used to analyze the data gathered.The findings of the study show that the dominant factors which affect the operational and maintenance costs of condominiums were ‘Expectations of Tenants’, ‘Building Services’ and ‘Building Finishes’. It was found that ‘Including maintenance standards in the Tenancy Agreement’ and ‘Finding means of increasing service efficiency’ are the main important actions that control the seven determinants that have been identified as the most important.The framework developed through this research enables the identification of the determinants which govern the maintenance and operational costs of condominiums and the actions that control them.
A Priori Error Estimate of Splitting Positive Definite Mixed Finite Element Method for Parabolic Optimal Control Problems
Authors: Fu Hongfei , Rui Hongxing , Zhang Jiansong , Guo Hui
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we propose a splitting positive definite mixed finite element method for the approximation of convex optimal control problems governed by linear parabolic equations, where the primal state variable y and its flux σ are approximated simultaneously. By using the first order necessary and sufficient optimality conditions for the optimization problem, we derive another pair of adjoint state variables z and ω, and also a variational inequality for the control variable u is derived. As we can see the two resulting systems for the unknown state variable y and its flux σ are splitting, and both symmetric and positive definite. Besides, the corresponding adjoint states z and ω are also decoupled, and they both lead to symmetric and positive definite linear systems. We give some a priori error estimates for the discretization of the states, adjoint states and control, where Ladyzhenkaya-Babuska-Brezzi consistency condition is not necessary for the approximation of the state variable y and its flux σ. Finally, numerical experiments are given to show the efficiency and reliability of the splitting positive definite mixed finite element method.
Comparison of Some Preconditioners for the Incompressible Navier-Stokes Equations
Authors: He X. , Vuik C.
Published: May 2016

In this paper we explore the performance of the SIMPLER, augmented Lagrangian, ‘grad-div’ preconditioners and their new variants for the two-by-two block systems arising in the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The lid-driven cavity and flow over a finite flat plate are chosen as the benchmark problems. For each problem the Reynolds number varies from a low to the limiting number for a laminar flow.
One-Bit Compressed Sensing by Greedy Algorithms
Authors: Liu Wenhui , Gong Da , Xu Zhiqiang
Published: May 2016

Sign truncated matching pursuit (STrMP) algorithm is presented in this paper. STrMP is a new greedy algorithm for the recovery of sparse signals from the sign measurement, which combines the principle of consistent reconstruction with orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP). The main part of STrMP is as concise as OMP and hence STrMP is simple to implement. In contrast to previous greedy algorithms for one-bit compressed sensing, STrMP only need to solve a convex and unconstrained subproblem at each iteration. Numerical experiments show that STrMP is fast and accurate for one-bit compressed sensing compared with other algorithms.
Moral Distress Scale for Occupational Therapists: Part 1. Instrument Development and Content Validity
Authors: Penny Neil H. , Bires Samantha J. , Bonn Elizabeth A. , Dockery Alisha N. , Pettit Nicole L.
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE. We describe the development of an instrument to measure moral distress experienced by occupational therapists and show how its content validity was established.

METHOD. Written comments (n = 78) from a previous survey using the Moral Distress Scale–Revised–Other Health Provider Adult were used to modify that instrument and create the Moral Distress Scale–Revised–Occupational Therapy–Adult Settings (MDS–R–OT[A]). The MDS–R–OT[A] was distributed to a nationwide random sample of 400 occupational therapists who rated the relevance of each item to their clinical practice.

RESULTS. A scale content validity index of 81.8% was found (geriatric = 81.5%, physical disability = 80.8%, combination of the two = 85.7%).

CONCLUSION. The MDS–R–OT[A] possesses acceptable content validity and is appropriate for use with occupational therapists working in geriatric or physical disability settings.
Dealing With Major Life Events and Transitions: A Systematic Literature Review on and Occupational Analysis of Spirituality
Authors: Maley Christine M. , Pagana Nicole K. , Velenger Christa A. , Humbert Tamera Keiter
Published: May 2016

This systematic literature review analyzed the construct of spirituality as perceived by people who have experienced or are experiencing a major life event or transition. The researchers investigated studies that used narrative analysis or a phenomenological methodology related to the topic. Thematic analysis resulted in three major themes: (1) avenues to and through spirituality, (2) the experience of spirituality, and (3) the meaning of spirituality. The results provide insights into the intersection of spirituality, meaning, and occupational engagement as understood by people experiencing a major life event or transition and suggest further research that addresses spirituality in occupational therapy and interdisciplinary intervention.
Network design for quantifying urban CO2 emissions: Assessing trade-offs between precision and network density
Authors: Turner Alexander J. , Shusterman Alexis A. , McDonald Brian C. , Teige Virginia , Harley Robert A , Cohen Ronald C.
Published: May 2016

Abstract. The majority of anthropogenic CO2 emissions are attributable to urban areas. While the emissions from urban electricity generation often occur in locations remote from consumption, many of the other emissions occur within the city limits. Evaluating the effectiveness of strategies for controlling these emissions depends on our ability to observe urban CO2 emissions and attribute them to specific activities. Cost effective strategies for doing so have yet to be described. Here we characterize the ability of a prototype measurement network, modeled after the BEACO2N network, in combination with an inverse model based on WRF-STILT to improve our understanding of urban emissions. The pseudo-measurement network includes 34 sites at roughly 2 km spacing covering an area of roughly 400 km2. The model uses an hourly 1 × 1 km2 emission inventory and 1 × 1 km2 meteorological calculations. We perform an ensemble of Bayesian atmospheric inversions to sample the combined effects of uncertainties of the pseudo-measurements and the model. We vary the estimates of the combined uncertainty of the pseudo-observations and model over a range of 20 ppm to 0.005 ppm and vary the number of sites from 1 to 34. We use these inversions to develop statistical models that estimate the efficacy of the combined model-observing system at reducing uncertainty in CO2 emissions. We examine uncertainty in estimated CO2 fluxes at the urban scale, as well as for sources embedded within the city such as a line source (e.g., a highway) or a point source (e.g., emissions from the stacks of small industrial facilities). We find that a dense network with moderate precision is the preferred setup for estimating area, line, and point sources from a combined uncertainty and cost perspective. The dense network considered here could estimate weekly CO2 emissions from an urban region with less than 5 % error, given our characterization of the combined observation and model uncertainty.
Buenas prácticas y arte inclusivo en la universidad: la figura del artista-pedagogo y metodologías innovadorasBuenas prácticas y arte inclusivo en la universidad: la figura del artista-pedagogo y metodologías innovadoras
Authors: Navajas Seco Rosaura
Published: May 2016

El arte como transformador del individuo cuyo objetivo tiene múltiples vertientes que dan sentido de mejora y crecimiento en el ser humano. Desde la universidad se plantea la necesidad de que nuestro alumnado de Grado de Educación Primaria e Infantil, forme parte de ese proceso de transformación social donde sienta la necesidad de ayudar en la comunidad a sus miembros cuando estos están en riesgo de exclusión social. El arte como medio, como herramienta, como propósito en la renovación acompañado del guía artista-pedagogo. Y la universidad como foco de compromiso desarrollando buenas prácticas y siendo permeable e innovador a cualquier tipo de cambio que tenga como objetivo el vivir en una sociedad en armonía y más justa.