bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La regulación europea actual sobre emplazamiento de producto y la propuesta de reforma de la directiva de servicios de comunicación audiovisual = The current European rules governing product placement and the new legislative proposal amending the audiovisual media services directive
Authors: Sánchez Ruiz Mercedes
Published: October 2017

Resumen: La Directiva 2010/13/UE, de Servicios de Comunicación Audiovisual (DSCA) establece la regulación europea vigente sobre emplazamiento de producto. Algunas de sus previsiones son principios que resultan difíciles de aplicar en la práctica (“prominencia indebida”, “influencia que afecta a la independencia editorial del prestador de servicios”). Asimismo, el emplazamiento de producto, por su propia naturaleza, no puede distinguirse con facilidad de la publicidad encubierta. El 25 de mayo de 2016, la Comisión Europea hizo pública una propuesta legislativa para modificar la Directiva de servicios de comunicación audiovisual que incide sobre esta materia. Este artículo examina el régimen de la DSCA sobre emplazamiento de producto y las modificaciones proyectadas. La principal conclusión alcanzada es que la propuesta de Directiva publicada por la Comisión podría dificultar aún más la interpretación y aplicación del régimen jurídico de esta figura.Palabras clave: comunicación comercial audiovisual, emplazamiento de producto, publicidad encubierta, competencia desleal.Abstract: The Directive 2010/13/EU on Audiovisual Media Services (AVMSD) provides the EU current rules on product placement. Some of its provisions are standards, so that they may be difficult to apply (“undue prominence”, “influence that affects the editorial independence of the media service provider”). By its very nature, product placement cannot be clearly distinguished from surreptitious advertising. On 25 May 2016 the European Commission published a legislative proposal for amending the AVMS Directive that affects this issue. The research article examines the rules on product placement under the AVMSD and the proposed amendments. The main conclusion is the proposal published by the EU Commission would not make the rules on product placement clearer and easier to apply.Keywords: audiovisual commercial communication, product placement, surreptitious advertising, unfair competition.
El foro especial en materia delictual o cuasidelictual y la compensación por copia privada: Asunto c-572/14, Austro-Mechana = Jurisdiction in matters relating to tort, delict or quasi-delict and private copying levy Case c-572/14, Austro-Mechana
Authors: Caamiña Domínguez Celia M.
Published: October 2017

Resumen: El presente trabajo analiza la STJUE de 21 de abril de 2016, relativa a un litigio entre Austro-Mechana, sociedad austriaca de gestión de derechos de autor, y la empresa Amazon. La cuestión prejudicial tiene por objeto la interpretación del art. 5.3 del Reglamento 44/2001, en una reclamación del canon por copia privada previsto en el Derecho austriaco.Palabras clave: Reglamento 44/2001, materia delictual o cuasidelictual, compensación por copia privada.Abstract: This article deals with the Judgment of the Court (First Chamber) of 21 April 2016, related to a dispute between a copyright-collecting society (Austro-Mechana) and Amazon. The request for a preliminary ruling concerns the interpretation of Article 5(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 44/2001 in a claim seeking to obtain a private copying levy due by virtue of the Austrian Law.Keywords: Council Regulation (EC) No 44/2001, matters relating to tort, delict or quasi-delict, private copying levy.
Carga de la prueba y estándar mínimo de la prueba por indicios en materia de responsabilidad por los daños ocasionados por un producto farmacéutico defectuoso (a propósito de la STJUE de 21 de junio de 2017) = Burden of proof and circumstantial evidence standard for pharmaceutical product liability: commentary to ECJ judgment of 21 june 2017
Authors: Sánchez López Bárbara
Published: October 2017

Resumen: La Sentencia del TJUE de 21 de junio de 2017 (Sala 2ª), Sanofi Pasteur MSD SNC, C-621/15, aborda la compatibilidad de la llamada «prueba por indicios» con el art. 4 de la Directiva 85/374, sobre responsabilidad por los daños causados por productos defectuosos, en circunstancias en las que el estado de la ciencia no permite demostrar, pero tampoco excluir, la relación entre un producto farmacéutico y los daños. La sentencia examina las condiciones y los límites que debe reunir y respetar para constituirse en un método válido para levantar la carga de la prueba sobre el carácter defectuoso del producto, el daño causado y la relación de causalidad que el artículo 4 de la Directiva arroja sobre el perjudicado.Palabras clave: prueba por indicios, prueba indirecta, carga de la prueba, valoración probatoria judicial, standard probatorio, presunciones legales, responsabilidad por productos defectuosos.Abstract: The ECJ judgment of 21 June 2017 (Second Chamber), Sanofi Pasteur MSD SNC, C-621/15, addresses the compatibility of the so-called “evidence for presumptions or indications” with art. 4 of Directive 85/374 on liability for damage caused by defective products, in circumstances where the state of science does not allow to demonstrate, but does not exclude, the relation between a pharmaceutical product and the damage. The judgment examines the conditions and limits which it must comply with in order to constitute a valid method of lifting the burden of proof on the defectiveness of the product, the damage caused and the causal link which article 4 of the Directive imposes on the injured.Keywords: circumstantial evidence, indirect evidence, burden of proof, evidence standard, legal presumptions, product liability.
MULTI-CRITERIA ANALYSIS APPLIED TO LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY MAPPING
Authors: Madruga de Brito Mariana , Weber Eliseu José , Pinto da Silva Filho Luiz Carlos
Published: October 2017

This paper presents the application of a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) tool for landslide susceptibility assessment in Porto Alegre municipality, southern Brazil. A knowledge driven approach was used, aiming to ensure an optimal use of the available information. The landslide conditioning factors considered were slope, lithology, flow accumulation and distance from lineaments. Standardization of these factors was done through fuzzy membership functions, and evaluation of their relative importance for landslide predisposition was supported by the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), based on local expert knowledge. Finally, factors were integrated in a GIS environment using the weighted linear combination (WLC) method. For validation, an inventory, including 107 landslide points recorded between 2007 and 2013 was used. Results indicated that 8.2% (39.40 km²) of the study area are highly and very highly susceptible to landslides. An overall accuracy of 95% was found, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.960. Therefore, the resulting map can be regarded as useful for monitoring landslide-prone areas. Based on the findings, it is concluded that the proposed method is effective for susceptibility assessment since it yielded meaningful results and does not require extensive input data.
COMPORTAMENTO DE ANÁLISES EM SUPERFÍCIE PLANIMÉTRICA E MODELADA FRENTE A REPRESENTAÇÕES CARTOGRÁFICAS E ÍNDICES GEOMORFOLÓGICOS - BACIA DO RIO CUIABÁ - PETRÓPOLIS (RJ)
Authors: Fernandes Manoel do Couto , Oliveira Luis Felipe Barreto de , Colares Igor Vieira Vargas , Araújo Rodrigo Sá de , Lima Pedro Henrique Muniz
Published: October 2017

Existe uma série de alternativas para trabalhar com a dimensionalidade dos elementos de uma paisagem, e mesmo assim o geoprocessamento possui uma limitação estabelecida pela não consideração da irregularidade do espaço a ser analisado. Neste sentido, a análise em superfície modelada apresenta uma acuracidade maior no que tange a mensurações na paisagem, como é o caso de análises geomorfológicas. Com o intuito de fornecer mais um subsídio de como as diferentes observações em superfície planimétrica e modelada podem se comportar mediante as mensurações morfológicas, o presente trabalho busca comparar resultados de índices geomorfológicos obtidos a partir destes dois tipos de observações na bacia do rio Cuiabá, localizada no município de Petrópolis (RJ). Todo estudo foi desenvolvido na escala de 1:10.000, compilada das bases topográficas onde foram construídos os índices geomorfológicos em superfície planimétrica, tais como Gradiente topográfico (Gt), Densidade de drenagem (Dd) e Índice de Eficiência de Drenagem (IED). Estes índices foram extraídos para as 41 bacias de segunda ordem que compõem a bacia do Rio Cuiabá. Os índices Dd e IED foram aplicados à superfície modelada a partir de um modelo digital de elevação (MDE), que teve como fonte os dados planialtimétricos da base cartográfica. Além destes dois índices, foi considerado também o eixo de concavidade para estas bacias de segunda ordem, o qual faz parte do sistema de escoamento superficial juntamente com a hidrografia. Resultados mostraram um significando aumento dos valores de área de bacia e comprimento de drenagem para superfície modelada em relação à planimétrica, respectivamente 18,8% e 5,31%. Quando somado o eixo de concavidade à hidrografia, foi obtido um percentual de diferença de 8,19% para a drenagem total. Estes valores foram decisivos para a modificação dos resultados de Densidade de drenagem e do Índice de Eficiência de Drenagem, os quais tiveram um decréscimo médio de respectivamente -9,52% e -9,62%. Com isto, as representações cartográficas geradas a partir das observações em superfície modelada apresentaram diferenciações em relação às elaboradas com observações planimétricas. Além disso, o uso das observações em superfície modelada se apresentou mais representativo quando da análise dos resultados frente aos movimentos de massa investigados na área de estudo. Este quadro aponta para novas possibilidades de análises morfométricas, pois estas observações podem ser utilizadas em outras investigações ou em novas interpretações geomorfológicas, apurando cada vez mais o entendimento das dinâmicas hidrológicas e erosivas de uma paisagem.
CONECTIVIDADE DA PAISAGEM NA BACIA DO RIO SANA (RJ): RELAÇÃO ENTRE ÁREAS DE CAPTAÇÃO EFETIVA E TIPOS DE BLOQUEIOS
Authors: Duarte Nathalia Silva , Marçal Mônica dos Santos
Published: October 2017

A transferência de água e sedimentos em um sistema fluvial é influenciada, dentre outros aspectos, por bloqueios que interrompem o transporte desses materiais e diminuem a conectividade da paisagem em bacias hidrográficas. O estudo identifica a natureza desses bloqueios e sua influência na área de captação efetiva e conectividade da Bacia do rio Sana, afluente do rio Macaé, localizado na região norte do estado do Rio de Janeiro. A metodologia estabelece a declividade das encostas como principal fator controlador do processo, determina especificações para o mapeamento dos bloqueios e da área de captação efetiva, e, ainda, indica parâmetros para classificação do grau de conectividade de bacias hidrográficas. Foram identificados seis tipos de bloqueios, classificados como Zona Tampão (impedem a conectividade encosta-canal) ou Barreiras (interferem no fluxo de água e sedimentos entre tributários e canal principal), incorporados separadamente à modelagem da área de captação efetiva, devido às suas particularidades na influência do aporte de sedimento e água ao sistema fluvial. Neste contexto, a Bacia do rio Sana apresentou-se conectada quando considerados os bloqueios do tipo Zona Tampão e desconectada, quando adicionados os bloqueios do tipo Barreiras. Considerando os resultados alcançados, pode-se dizer que a utilização da abordagem de conectividade na escala de análise de bacia hidrográfica demonstrou-se adequada, pois contempla os processos naturais e antrópicos na evolução da paisagem.
MAPEAMENTO GEOMORFOLÓGICO DO ESTADO DO RIO GRANDE DO NORTE
Authors: Diniz Marco Túlio Mendonça , Oliveira George Pereira de , Maia Rúbson Pinehiro , Ferreira Bruno
Published: October 2017

O mapeamento geomorfológico do estado do Rio Grande do Norte procurou seguir em grande parte a metodologia adotada por Santos et. al. (2006) para o estado do Paraná, a fim de atualizar os conhecimentos da cartografia geomorfológica regional. A escala adotada foi 1:250.000, que permitiu a utilização dos três primeiros taxons, ou seja, representação cartográfica das Unidades Morfoestruturais, Unidades Morfoesculturais e Sub-unidades Morfoesculturais. No 1º taxon foram identificadas as unidades morfoestruturais: Cinturão Orogênico Brasiliano; Bacias Sedimentares Marginais; Vulcanismo e/ou Plutonismo Cenozoico; e Coberturas Sedimentares Quaternárias. No 2º taxon foram identificadas as unidades morfoesculturais: Depressão Sertaneja; Planalto da Borborema; Maciços e Planaltos Interiores; Planaltos e Tabuleiros Costeiros;   Relevos Tectônicos nas Bacias Marginais; Relevos Associados ao Vulcanismo/Plutonismo Neógeno; e Planícies Costeiras e Fluviais. No 3º taxon foram trinta e quatro subunidades morfoesculturais. Este trabalho objetiva deve servir de subsídio ao planejamento e ordenamento do território do estado do Rio Grande do Norte.
Study the effect of stable magnetic field on the inhibition activity of Saccharomyces boulardii against pathogenic bacteria isolated from urinary tract infection
Authors: Razouqi Nada Sabah , Abdulla Sajood Hamood
Published: October 2017

An increasing trend to use probiotic and study their effects on the pathogens has been conductor where they are defined as live micro-organisms that give a health benefit to the host when ingested in sufficient quantities, including the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii In addition research show that a magnetic field (MF) has a biological effect. This study aims to investigate the effects of magnetic field on the inhibitory action of Saccharomyces boulardii against bacteria isolated from urinary tract infection, Study the sensitivity of bacterial isolates to antibiotics after diagnosis by microscopic, Cultural and biochemical examinations as well as Api20 E examinations were used gram negative bacteria , Most isolates were resistant to antibiotics elected, using Well diffusion method to investigate the inhibitory action of suspension and supernatant of the yeast with and without magnetic field in four different intensities (200-300-400-500) milli Tesla. The results show that inhibitory efficacy of each was higher wish increasing the magnetic field strength and differed in their impact depending on the type of bacteria and the isolate of K.pneumoniea was the most sensitive in all experiments, and suspension was more effective.
Keys for Isolation suborders and Families and genera and species of Book and Bark lice in Baghdad and Babylon [Order PSOCOPTERA]
Authors: Hamodi Awatif Abul-fatah , Qasim Asel Adnan
Published: October 2017

A taxonomic keys was established of book and bark lice Order Psocoptera to isolated insects in Iraq from different localities of Baghdad and Babylon provinces. Thirteen species belong to eight genera and five families have been studied and described in details, these species were recorded for the first time in Iraq. These species are:
Belaphopsocus badonneli New, 1971; Belaphotroctes oculeris Bodonnel, 1973; Embodopsocosis newi Bodonnel, 1973; Epipsocus stigamaticus Mockeord, 1991; Lepinotus huoni Schmidt and New, 2008; Liposcelies decolor Peramane 1925 Liposcelies paeta Pearman 1942 Liposclies bostrychphila Badonnel 1931; Liposclies brunnea Mostchulsky 1852; Liposclies entoophila Enderlein 1907; Neopsocopsis minuscule Li 2002 ; Nonapsocus oceanicus Pearman 1928.;
Identification key to suborders, families, genera and species were designed according to differences of morphological characters. Adults were described in details and all body parts were pictured and some of them drawn by Camera Lucid
Detection, purification and characterization of a bacteriocin produced by Bacillus subtilis NK16 exhibits a significant antimicrobial activity against clinical Staphylococcus spp.
Authors: Abd Fouad Najm , Luti Khalid Jaber Kadhum
Published: October 2017

Bacteriocin is an important antimicrobial peptide that can be used in industrial and medical fields due to its characteristics of antibacterial, food preservation and anticancer activities. Fifty isolates of Bacillus sp were collected from different soil samples which were already recognized via morphological and biochemical identification process. The isolates were screened for bacteriocin production effective against Staphylococcus spp in order to select the highest producing isolate. The isolate NK16 showed the maximum bacteriocin production (80 AU/ml) which was further characterized as Bacillus subtilis NK 16 through using API identification system (API 20E and API 50CHB). Then, next step was to detect the optimal conditions for maximum bacteriocin production which were found to be brain-heart infusion broth as the best production medium with pH 6, 30oCand 2% inoculum size. Bacteriocin was partially purified by precipitation with ammonium sulphate and then separation with sephadex G-150 gel filtration. The specific activity of the resulted partial purified bacteriocin was increased to 853.33 AU/mg with 38 fold purification and 24% yield. The study of bacteriocin characterization revealed that the activity of bacteriocin was stable after 10 min at 20, 30, 40oC whereas 50% of the bacteriocin activity was lost after exposure to 50oC and decreased to approximately 20 AU/ml at 60,70 and 80 Co. In addition, bacteriocin activity showed stability at pH 6 and 7 for 30 min while it was decreased by approximately 50% at pH 5 and 8, and completely inhibited at pH 4 and 9. On the other hand, the investigation of mode of action showed that bacteriocin has a bactericidal activity. Antimicrobial activity tests of the partial purified bacteriocin displayed a significant activity against most clinical Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates, whereas it was less effective against Staphylococcus saprophyticus isolates.
Measurement and purification of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme activity in patients with celiac disease
Authors: Mohammed Taghreed U. , Murtadha Jinan Hussein , Razzaq Iman Hashim Abdul
Published: October 2017

Celiac disease (CD) is the most common genetically - based disease in correlation with food intolerance. The aim of this study is to measure the activity of ALT enzyme and purify enzyme from sera women with celiac disease. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity has been assayed in (30) women serum samples with celiac disease, age range between (20-40) year and (30) serum of healthy women as control group, age range between (22-38) year. In the present study, the mean value of ALT activity was significantly higher in patients with celiac disease than healthy group (p
Polymorphism study of MTHFR 677C?T and its correlation with oxidative stress and their influence on female infertility in Erbil – Iraq
Authors: Thabit Muthanna A. , Abdullah Gaylany H. , AL-Rawi Khalid F.
Published: October 2017

This research includes a study of Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene’s allele 677C?T and its correlation with oxidative stress and their impact on female infertility. Fifty infertile women with the range age (23-42) years and twenty five fertile women with the range age (22-39) years as control group living in Erbil city were selected. The serum level of Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), prolactin hormone (PRL), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Triiodothyronine hormone (T3), and Thyroxine hormone (T4) were measured, also a body mass index (BMI) was calculated. A restriction enzyme (Hinf1) was used to improve the mutation in DNA bands of infertile women. The results showed significant increases in MDA level, SOD activity, BMI, PRL, LH, TSH, and T4 in patients women compared with the control group. The results show non-significant differences in T3 hormone levels. The results also show a mutation in DNA bands of infertile women compared with fertile control group.
Specific Activities of Natural Radionuclides and Annual Effective Dose Due to the Intake of Some Types of Children Powdered Milk Available in Baghdad Markets
Authors: Rejah Basim Khalaf
Published: October 2017

In this research the specific activity of natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were determined by sodium iodide enhanced by thallium NaI(TI) detector and assessed the annual effective dose in Dielac 1 and 2 and Nactalia 1 and 2 for children of less than 1 year which are available in Baghdad markets. The specific activity of 40K has the greater value in all the types which is in the range of allowed levels globally that suggested by UNSCEAR. The mean value of annual effective doses were 2.92, 4.005 and 1.6325 mSv/y for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K respectively.
Yield, Nutritive Value, and Profitability of Direct‐Seeded Annual Forages following Spring‐Terminated Alfalfa
Authors: Noland Reagan L. , Sheaffer Craig C. , Coulter Jeffrey A. , Becker Roger L. , Wells M. Scott
Published: October 2017

Core Ideas

Forage yield increased with fertilizer N only when conditions were cool and wet.

Weed biomass was frequently increased with the addition of fertilizer N.

Fertilizer N did not increase economic net return in 2 of 3 site‐years.

Annual ryegrass often resulted in consistent establishment and greatest economic return.

Winter‐kill of alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) causes substantial yield losses in northern environments, requiring alternative forages to meet livestock needs. This study explores the forage yield, nutritive value, and N response of seven annual forage species and one grass–legume biculture, no‐till planted into spring‐terminated alfalfa. Forages were planted in late May at Rosemount, MN, in 2014 and 2015 and at Waseca, MN, in 2015 with split‐plot factors of three N fertilizer rates (0, 56, and 112 kg N ha−1) and were harvested on approximately 30‐d intervals. When successfully established, teff [Eragrotis tef(Zuccagni) ‘Summer Lovegrass’] and sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor(L.) subsp.drummondii(Nees ex Steud.) ‘PCS 3010’] were among the highest‐yielding species, with yields ranging from 4.2 to 9.9 Mg DM ha−1and 6.8 to 8.9 Mg DM ha−1, respectively. Fertilizer N increased yields of all species at Rosemount in 2014; however, N needs were met by terminated alfalfa at both locations in 2015. Weed biomass increased with added fertilizer N in site‐years when weeds were present. Nitrogen fertilization improved forage nutritive value through decreased neutral detergent fiber concentration and increased crude protein concentration and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (48‐h in‐vitro) in all site‐years. However, N fertilization had no effect on economic net return in 2 of 3 site‐years. Annual ryegrass [Lolium multiflorum(Lam.) ‘Jumbo’] most consistently resulted in the greatest net return. No‐till planting annual forages into terminated alfalfa can provide forage to offset losses and utilize alfalfa N in situations of alfalfa winter‐kill.
Evaluation of nitrogen fertilizer additives for enhanced efficiency in corn on Iowa soils
Authors: Barker Daniel , Sawyer John
Published: October 2017

Recent years of high rainfall and prolonged wet soil conditions in Iowa have renewed interest to protect losses of fertilizer nitrogen (N) in corn. This study evaluated effect of N additives and a slow‐release urea product on the soil NO3–N fraction of total inorganic N, mid–vegetative growth N stress, grain yield, and corn nitrogen use efficiency. Earn 1 CEU in Nutrient Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/516.
Three‐Dimensional Simulation of Land Drains as a Preferential Pathway for Vapor Intrusion into Buildings
Authors: Yao Yijun , Mao Fang , Ma Shuaishuai , Yao Yihong , Suuberg Eric M. , Tang Xianjin
Published: October 2017

Preferential pathways can be significant vapor intrusion (VI) contributors, causing potentially higher inhalation risk to residents of affected buildings than that arising through traditional intrusion pathways. To assess land drains as a preferential pathway, a three‐dimensional model, validated using data from a 4‐yr field study, was used to study the roles of subfoundation soil permeability on soil gas flow and indoor depressurization. Results indicated that it is almost impossible for an indirect preferential pathway like a land drain ending in subfoundation soils with a permeability <10−11 m2 to affect indoor air quality if the land drain connects to a source with the same vapor concentration as that of the groundwater source beneath the building. An equation was developed to estimate the threshold permeability. We also found that even after the preferential pathway was identified using indoor depressurization (also known as controlled pressure method [CPM]) and then turned off, the influence of the preferential pathway and indoor depressurization on indoor concentration might last for months, although it may not be significant (i.e., may not exceed one order of magnitude, in this study). In the absence of such a preferential VI pathway, CPM may actually reduce indoor air concentrations of contaminants below those present under natural indoor pressure conditions, due to the emission rate limit determined by the upward diffusion rate from the vapor source. Our study highlights the role of measuring subfoundation soil permeability to soil gas flow in site investigations and warns practitioners about the possible mischaracterization of indoor air concentration after applying CPM in the absence of a preferential pathway.

Core Ideas

The influences of land drain depend on subfoundation soil permeability.

An equation was developed to estimate the threshold soil permeability.

The influences on indoor air may last for months after the pathway is turned off.

CPM might cause lower instead of higher indoor concentration.
Factors Controlling Temporal Stability of Surface Soil Moisture: A Watershed‐Scale Modeling Study
Authors: Wei Lingna , Dong Jianzhi , Gao Man , Chen Xi
Published: October 2017

Core Ideas

Soil moisture data at a watershed scale can be derived from distributed land surface modeling.

Factors controlling soil moisture temporal stability can be studied using model simulations.

Soil moisture estimation accuracy is improved when dominant factors are considered a priori.

The minimum number of sampling points and the shortest sampling periods were investigated.

The spatial variability of soil moisture makes it difficult to represent watershed‐scale soil moisture using traditional point‐scale soil moisture sensors. In the temporal stability method, the spatial pattern of soil moisture is assumed to persist with time. Hence, measurements at a representative point can be used to represent the mean soil moisture. We investigated the factors that determine temporal stability and attempted to locate these representative points. Long‐term simulated high‐resolution soil moisture data, at a watershed scale, were used. Results showed that locations with a dominant vegetation cover and a low topographic wetness index (TI) can provide reasonable mean soil moisture estimates. Using vegetation cover and TI information, we minimized the number of the sampling locations needed for identifying the best estimate of the true watershed‐scale mean. The sampling period duration is also a key factor. Using random combination tests, the minimum number of required sampling points and shortest sampling time were estimated. When 10 sampling points were used, a sampling period of 10 mo was required for accurately determining the representative point. Our study results will help apply the temporal stability method to the estimation of areal soil moisture and the calibration and validation of remote sensing data.
Resolving Infiltration‐Induced Water Content Profiles by Inversion of Dispersive Ground‐Penetrating Radar Data
Authors: Mangel Adam R. , Moysey Stephen M.J. , van der Kruk Jan
Published: October 2017

Core Ideas

Dispersive GPR data can resolve 1D water content distributions in waveguide layers.

Blocky‐layer model inversions of the data provide good data fit.

Blocky‐layer model inversions are unrealistic in a hydrologic framework.

Independent piecewise‐linear model inversions provide improved data fit.

Piecewise‐linear models honor smooth distributions of water content.

Ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) data were collected before, during, and after a 24‐min‐long forced infiltration event in a large sand tank. High spatial and temporal resolution were achieved by automation of the radar system, thereby allowing these data to be collected during the course of the experiment while continuously changing the distance between the antennas through offsets ranging between 0.17 and 2.17 m. These multi‐offset data showed evidence of a phenomenon known as waveguide dispersion during early infiltration times (5–10 min), indicating that a shallow layer of high water content was present. The GPR data exhibiting this dispersive behavior were used to fit water content profiles for the wetting front, i.e., the waveguide, with time using either a blocky‐layer model or a piecewise linear function. Results from the separate inversions showed good agreement with in situ soil moisture measurements and a calibrated unsaturated flow model. The piecewise linear model, however, was able to honor the gradational nature of the hydrologically induced waveguide and was in better agreement with the observed soil moisture data. Furthermore, the piecewise linear model returned a water content profile that showed a consistent progression of the wetting front with time, whereas a less consistent progression of the wetting front was observed for the blocky‐layer model.
Comparison of Three Methods for Vertical Extrapolation of Soil Moisture in Oklahoma
Authors: Zhang Ning , Quiring Steven , Ochsner Tyson , Ford Trent
Published: October 2017

Core Ideas

Exponential filter performs better than LR and ANN for SWI vertical extrapolation.

Adding meteorological variables does not improve model accuracy.

Soil properties can improve the linear regression model.

ExpF and general LR are two potential general methods for SWI extrapolation.

Soil moisture monitoring networks can provide real‐time and accurate soil moisture measurements; however, missing values and the lack of unified measurement depths across different networks impedes soil moisture applications at regional and national scales. Therefore, methods for vertical extrapolation of soil moisture, i.e., using shallow soil moisture measurements to estimate deeper soil moisture, are needed for standardizing measurements to a set of common depths. This study compared three methods, artificial neural network (ANN), linear regression (LR), and exponential filter (ExpF), for vertical extrapolation of soil moisture using data from the Oklahoma Mesonet. Based on our analysis of intra‐annual variations in soil moisture, we divided each year into two seasons, warm and cool. Our results demonstrate that all methods perform better in the warm season than in the cool season, especially at deeper depths. The Kling–Gupta efficiency was used to assess the performance of each method. All methods had similar performance for near‐surface extrapolation of soil moisture (top 25 cm). Although the accuracy of all models tended to decrease with depth, the ExpF outperformed the other methods at deeper depths. The soil water index (SWI) is preferred over volumetric water content as input to the ExpF. Incorporating air temperature and an antecedent precipitation index into the ANN and LR methods did not significantly improve their accuracy. We demonstrated that both ExpF and general LR can be used for SWI extrapolation at sites where only surface soil moisture data are available. Soil properties may be useful for further improving the accuracy of the general LR method.
Alternativas para la Adquisición de Datos Colaborativos Necesarios en la Construcción de Mapas de Ruido de Trafico Automotor
Authors: Marulanda Jhon Sergio , Ochoa Villegas Jonathan , Tafur Jiménez Luis Alberto
Published: October 2017

La construcción de mapas de ruido por métodos de cálculo requiere el levantamiento de datos geográficos para conformar las bases datos geográficas, involucrando personal y equipo técnico especializado. Actualmente,existen iniciativas colaborativas de las tecnologías de la información y de la comunicación que permiten compartir y editar geodatos para potenciar proyectos ambientales de gestión de ruido. De igual forma, las ciudades integran sistemas de seguridad y movilidad con datos colaborativos, permitiendo caracterizar los geodatos asociados al modelado del ruido. Por ello, en este artículo se presentan una iniciativa para la recolección de geodatos y estrategias para la estimación de atributos asociados a fuentes de ruido para generar mapas de ruido. Además, se presenta un caso de estudio del proceso para validar las iniciativas y las estrategiaspropuestas.
Diseño e Implementación de un Sistema de Regulación de Carga de Batería en una Planta de Microgeneración Hidráulica
Authors: Hernández Arroyo Emil , Pinzón Arcila Omar , Santos Jaimes Alfonso
Published: October 2017

En este proyecto se diseña y construye un sistema de regulación de carga de batería en una planta de microgeneración hidráulica que usa una turbina de reacción tipo Francis. Para regular la carga de la batería se adaptó un controlador MPPT [Maximum Power Point Tracker] el cual se utiliza en sistemas fotovoltaicos. La turbina convierte la energía hidráulica en energía mecánica y el generador transforma la energía mecánica en energía eléctrica, la cual se rectifica a 12 V DC [Direct Current]  para alimentar el controlador que regula la carga de la batería. La energía hidráulica se genera con una bomba centrifuga de 5.5 Hp y proporciona una altura o cabeza equivalente a 28 m. Se utiliza una batería de 12 V / 100 Ah y es cargada por el sistema en 23 h, la eficiencia del generador fue aproximadamente 75%.
An integrated water-conveyance system based on Web GIS
Authors: Nan Zhang , Sheng Jin , Congfang Ai , Weiye Ding
Published: October 2017

To provide support for scientific decision-making about scheduling to keep a water-conveyance project running safely in Beijing, China, a Web geographic information system (GIS)-based conveyance system (WGCS) is proposed. The development of WGCS involves three primary modules. First, the pipe-channel hydrodynamic model with various types of hydraulic structure (reservoir, sluice, and inverted siphon) control equations is established as the engine to simulate a variety of flow regimes and hydraulic responses for different conveyance scenarios. Then, a relatively lightweight Web GIS platform without expensive mature GIS packages is implemented through rendering vector map layers based on Silverlight painting technology for model setting, simulation and data visualization. Furthermore, the employment of an asynchronous refresh mechanism facilitates the performance of particle motion animation. Finally, the database platform is used to record initial information, configuration parameters, hydraulic structure parameters converted to the hydrodynamic model for computation, result data received from the hydrodynamic model for analysis, attribute data and spatial data for map publishing and visualization. WGCS represents an effective attempt to integrate large-scale hydrodynamic numerical calculations on the web. The functionality of WGCS is illustrated through two case studies on conveyance progress. Currently, this system is successfully operating in Beijing.
Application of digital image processing in slope surface runoff velocity analysis under simulated rainfall conditions
Authors: Gong Tiexiong , Zhu Yuanjun
Published: October 2017

To have accurate runoff velocity, there is need to improve dye tracer method for estimating surface runoff velocity. This can enhance the calculations of relevant hydrologic parameters that will lead to a better understanding of hydrological processes and soil erosion. In this study, an integrated dye tracer and image processing method (IPV) and dye tracer method (AOV), respectively, were used to estimate runoff velocity under three slope gradients (5°, 10°, and 15°) and three slope positions (up-slope, mid-slope, and down-slope). The results showed more variation in runoff velocity under IPV than AOV. Both IPV and AOV were positively correlated with slope gradient. IPV values were close to AOV ones for slope gradients ≤5°, but were significantly different for slope gradients ≥10°. The mean AOV value was 10.6% higher than that of IPV. Regression analysis showed that compared with AOV, IPV overestimated and underestimated runoff under low and high runoff velocity conditions, respectively. The use of image processing in IPV was advantageous because of its ease of use with fewer artificial errors and its suitability for lateral diffusion of runoff. Irrespectively, additional studies are needed to verify and/or improve further the use of this method in runoff velocity analysis.
Psychoactive effects and toxic reactions associated with the use of mephedrone and methylone (review)
Authors: Antsyborov Andrey Viktorovich , Asadulin Azat Railevich
Published: October 2017

One of the most common classes among new psychoactive substances are substituted cathinones. The most popular substances among consumers, representatives of this class, are mephedrone and methylone. In this review, the accumulated scientific data on clinical effects, side effects, mechanisms of action associated with the use of methylone and mephedrone are systematized. When writing the review, two representative databases were used to find the scientific sources of PubMed and Google Scholar. The authors also used data from the site Erowid Center (non-profit educational organization in the United States, which provides information on psychoactive plants and chemicals). The literature search was conducted between 2005 and 2015.
Legal regulation of the purchase and sale agreement in Russia and in China
Authors: Chernus Nadezhda Yuleyvna , Huang Xueying
Published: October 2017

The article analyzes Russian and Chinese legislation on the contract of sale of goods, which contains many general provisions, but there are peculiarities due to the difference between the legal systems of Russia and China. Consistently the authors compare the legal regulation of defining the purchase and sale agreement elements which are the parties to the contract, subject, price, term, form and content of the contract. The provisions of Russian and Chinese legislation on liability for non-performance or improper performance of the purchase and sale agreement are noted.
Gaps and Controversies of New Treatment Recommendations in Recent Pulmonary Hypertension Guidelines: What We Know and What We Don't
Authors: Ruopp Nicole F. , Farber Harrison W.
Published: October 2017

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, severe disease of the small pulmonary arteries that is characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and ultimately progression to right heart failure.1 Broadly categorized as World Health Organization (WHO) Group 1 PAH, it encompasses a heterogeneous group of underlying disorders.2–4 Despite the development of new treatment options and strategies over the past 2 decades, survival rates in newly diagnosed patients at 5 years are only 61.2%, and are even poorer in patients with advanced disease.5

New European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) pulmonary hypertension guidelines were released in 2015, with redesigned treatment algorithms aimed at addressing the recent advances in PAH medications, treatment initiation strategies, and treatment goals.3 Though much progress has been made, many areas of uncertainty remain, and some aspects of the 2015 ESC/ERS recommendations are still controversial. Herein, we will discuss some of the gaps and controversies within the recommendations for treatment-naïve WHO Group 1 PAH patients.
Study of Consumer Acceptance by Means of Questionnaire Survey Towards Newly Developed Yogurts with Functional Ingredients
Authors: de Pinho Ferreira Guiné Raquel
Published: October 2017

Background:

Presently, consumers are becoming very much aware of the benefits of allying
the concepts of pleasant food with health promoting properties. Hence, the market for healthier
foods, functional foods or even nutraceuticals has risen in the past decades.

Objective:

This work was designed to assess the consumers’ possible acceptance of newly developed
yogurts with functional ingredients.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken on a non-probabilistic sample of 347
participants. The data were collected from October to December 2015 in the Central Region of Portugal.
The questionnaires were applied by direct interview after verbally informed consent only to participants
aged 18 or over.

Results:

The results obtained showed that more than 90% of the participants liked yogurts and consumed
yogurts regularly (∼73%), either in the solid or liquid forms. The participants consumed functional
yogurts, specifically for regulation of intestinal transit (∼46%) and for weight control (∼44%).
When asked about the new yogurts with functional and detox properties, the participants indicated that
they might be potential consumers of yogurts with the ability to eliminate toxins from the body
(∼69%). In spite of recognizing the importance of adding ingredients with certain functionalities, like
parsley, watercress or celery, the consumers manifested some doubts that those ingredients might
combine well in yogurts. A regression model was deduced relating the possible consumption of detox
yogurts with some behavioural aspects like physical exercise, consumption of functional foods and detox
products.

Conclusion:

This work showed that selling yogurts with detox properties might be a good strategy because
there might be a market for that type of product. However, without trying the samples and verifying
the real taste of the products, the possible consumers have some doubts about the incorporation
of certain ingredients, even though recognizing their roles as important.
Effects of Nannochloropsis Fed on Serum and Tissue Lipids Metabolism in Obese Offspring of Overfed Dams
Authors: Bendimerad-Benmokhtar Soraya , Bouanane Samira , Merzouk Hafida , Baba Ahmed Fatima Zohra , Bendaoud Asme
Published: October 2017

Background: The present work aims at determining the effects of maternal-diet-induced obesity on offspring metabolism. The short-term of a marine microalgae diet and its effects on lipids metabolism was investigated.  Method: Before gestation, some rats are fed control diet and others cafeteria diet. Moreover, two groups of dams were fed standard and cafeteria diets, and two other groups were fed the same diets but containing 10% of microalgae. This feeding started at gestation, and continued throughout parturition, lactation until their offspring's weaning age.  Results: Cafeteria diet was shown to increase the body weight and visceral obesity, with aberration in lipid metabolism. The results obtained show that the microalgae diet supplement induces a significant decrease in the maternal body weight and relative adipose tissue weight, plasma glucose and lipid levels, liver-triglyceride (TG) and adipose tissue-TG at parturition and at the end of lactation. Also, the addition of the microalgae in both males and female offspring fed dams at birth and weaning showed significant decrease in body weight, liver-TG whereas significant increase in TG-HDL.  Conclusion: In the end, it was noted that the incorporation of 10% of microalgae has a beneficial effect on body weight and lipid metabolism.
Impact of Post-Exodontia Bleeding in Cardiovascular Patients: A New Classification Proposal
Authors: Lillis T. , Didagelos M. , Lillis L. , Theodoridis C. , Karvounis H. , Ziakas A.
Published: October 2017

Background:

Exodontia (dental extraction), being the most frequent minor surgical procedure in the general population, inevitably involves a large number of patients on antithrombotic medication. Current experience shows that there is a degree of confusion in managing these patients.

Description:

Post-exodontia bleeding, a natural consequence of every dental extraction with no or minor clinical significance in the vast majority of cases, often appears to be of major concern to both patients and healthcare practitioners (dentists or physicians), either because of the alarming nature of oral bleeding itself or because of the distorted perception about its importance. These concerns are enhanced by the lack of a universal standardized definition of post-exodontia bleeding and by the fact that all currently available post-exodontia bleeding definitions bear intrinsic limitations and tend to overestimate its clinical significance.

Conclusion:

In order to overcome the aforementioned issues, this article presents an overview of post-extraction bleeding and proposes a classification, based on the well-recognized Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) bleeding definition, aiming at reducing heterogeneity in this field.
Wikipedia as Informal Self-Education for Clinical Decision-Making in Medical Practice
Authors: Matheson David , Matheson-Monnet Catherine
Published: October 2017

Background:

For almost any topic, a Wikipedia page will appear among the first ten items of a search online. Wikipedia is also a site whose quality and reliability has been called into question.

Methods:

In this paper, we aim to discuss medical practitioners’ use of Wikipedia, what this consists of and what it might be. We consider the context and history of Wikipedia before discussing the relationship between Wikipedia and the medical profession. In so doing, we will consider Wikipedia as a means of informal self-education and the extent to which it might inform clinical decision-making. We compare with the existing literature results from our two small-scale empirical studies of Wikipedia and clinical decision-making.

Results:

Notwithstanding issues over quality and reliability, Wikipedia’s rules on verifiability are such that its articles are very heavily referenced, and this is just as true of health-related articles. The Cochrane/Wikipedia Initiative in improving the quality and reliability of medical and health pages in Wikipedia is significant in increasing reliability. Our respondents largely concurred with the results from earlier studies on the use of Wikipedia by medical practitioners.

Conclusion:

Perhaps the very doubt over Wikipedia’s accuracy is its greatest strength as a means of informal education of doctors. That medical and health articles on Wikipedia can be so fully referenced and still be doubted is arguably a good thing and one whose effects may be spread into other, more trusted, publications. Hence, one might envisage a future where no one source is taken automatically on trust.