bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upgrading secondary wastewater plant effluent by modified coagulation and flocculation, for water reuse in irrigation
Authors: Ghaneian Mohammad Taghi , Ehrampoush Mohammad Hassan , Ehsanzadeh Eghbal , Nikoonahad Ali , Miri Mohammad
Published: July 2016

In this study, the feasibility of using coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation (CF-S) for advanced treatment of secondary effluent released from the Yazd Intermittent Cycle Extended Aeration System was investigated. Four coagulants including ferric chloride (FeCl3), polyaluminum chloride (PAC), ferrous sulfate (FeSo4), and potassium ferrate (K2FeSo4) along with Gflog C-150 as flocculant polymer were used. In this study, returned chemical sludge was considered as a modification. Preliminary CF-S processes showed that FeSO4 and K2FeO4 had low removal efficiencies. Thus, these two coagulants were abandoned and CF-S processes were continued only with PAC and FeCl3 coagulants which had higher efficiencies in the removal of biological oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), and turbidity. Removal efficiency was higher when half of the chemical producing sludge was returned as compared with using both coagulants simultaneously along with 2 mg L−1 of C-150 as flocculant. In the optimum dosage, when half of PAC and FeCl3 sludge were returned, the volume of produced sludge was reduced by 40% and 28%, respectively, as compared without returned sludge. For the PAC coagulant in the optimum dosage with half of the sludge returned, all 2012 EPA standards of irrigation were met for both ‘processed and non-processed type’ agricultural crops.
The Role of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Other Biologics for Rotator Cuff Repair
Authors: Greenspoon Joshua A. , Moulton Samuel G. , Millett Peter J. , Petri Maximilian
Published: July 2016

Background:

Surgical treatment of rotator cuff tears has consistently demonstrated good clinical and functional outcomes. However, in some cases, the rotator cuff fails to heal. While improvements in rotator cuff constructs and biomechanics have been made, the role of biologics to aid healing is currently being investigated.

Methods:

A selective literature search was performed and personal surgical experiences are reported.

Results:

Biologic augmentation of rotator cuff repairs can for example be performed wtableith platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Clinical results on PRP application have been controversial. Application of MSCs has shown promise in animal studies, but clinical data on its effectiveness is presently lacking. The role of Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors is another interesting field for potential targeted drug therapy after rotator cuff repair.

Conclusions:

Large randomized clinical studies need to confirm the benefit of these approaches, in order to eventually lower retear rates and improve clinical outcomes after rotator cuff repair.
Summary of Meta-Analyses Dealing with Single-Row versus Double-Row Repair Techniques for Rotator Cuff Tears
Authors: Spiegl U.J. , Euler S.A. , Millett P.J. , Hepp P.
Published: July 2016

Background:

Several meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials have been performed to analyze whether double-row (DR) rotator cuff repair (RCR) provides superior clinical outcomes and structural healing compared to single-row (SR) repair. The purpose of this study was to sum up the results of meta-analysis comparing SR and DR repair with respect on clinical outcomes and re-tear rates.

Methods:

A literature search was undertaken to identify all meta-analyses dealing with randomized controlled trials comparing clinical und structural outcomes after SR versus DR RCR.

Results:

Eight meta-analyses met the eligibility criteria: two including Level I studies only, five including both Level I and Level II studies, and one including additional Level III studies. Four meta-analyses found no differences between SR and DR RCR for patient outcomes, whereas four favored DR RCR for tears greater than 3 cm. Two meta-analyses found no structural healing differences between SR and DR RCR, whereas six found DR repair to be superior for tears greater than 3 cm tears.

Conclusion:

No clinical differences are seen between single-row and double-row repair for small and medium rotator cuff tears after a short-term follow-up period with a higher re-tear rate following single-row repairs. There seems to be a trend to superior results with double-row repair in large to massive tear sizes.
Prognosis Driven Rehabilitation After Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery
Authors: Kokmeyer Dirk , Dube Eric , Millett, Peter J.
Published: July 2016

Background:

Rehabilitation after rotator cuff repair surgery has been the focus of several clinical trials in the past decade. Many illuminate new evidence with regard to the prognosis of structural and functional success after surgery.

Methods:

A selective literature search was performed and personal physiotherapeutic and surgical experiences are reported.

Results:

Post-operative rehabilitation parameters, namely the decision to delay or allow early range of motion after surgery, play a large role in the overall success after surgery. Using a prognosis driven rehabilitation program offers clinicians a means of prescribing optimal rehabilitation parameters while ensuring structural and functional success. This commentary aims to synthesize the evidence in a spectrum of prognostic factors to guide post-operative rehabilitation.

Conclusion:

The optimal rehabilitation program after rotator cuff repair surgery is debatable; therefore, we suggest using a spectrum of prognostic factors to determine a rehabilitation program suited to ensure structural and functional success, quickly and safely.
Franciaország és Magyarország kultúrafinanszírozásának összehasonlító elemzése
Authors: Tóth Ákos
Published: July 2016

Franciaország és Magyarország egyaránt az úgynevezett koordinált kultúrafinanszírozási modellt alkalmazza, mely előnyben részesíti az állam aktív szerepvállalását. A két ország kulturális szektorának GDP-hez való hozzájárulása a hasonló szemlélet alkalmazása ellenére jelentős eltérést mutat. A tanulmányazt vizsgálja, mi lehet az oka az eltérő növekedésnek, milyen szerepe van a történelmi gyökerekre épülő intézményrendszernek, annak kikényszerítő erejének a vizsgált országok kulturális szektorának bővülésére. Elemzi, hogy az intézmények, azon belül a formális és az informális intézmények összhangja elősegíti-e akulturális szektor hozzájárulását a GDP-hez. Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) kód: Z10, Z11
Tranzakciós költségek a mobilpiaci szabványosításban – japán mobilszabványok esete
Authors: Kovács István
Published: July 2016

A tranzakciós költségek már korábban is felbukkantak a szabványosítással foglalkozó írásokban, ám ezek azt vizsgálták, hogy a szabványok alkalmazásával a tranzakciós költségek miként csökkenthetők. Jelen tanulmányban ezzel szemben arra világítok rá, hogy a tranzakciós költségek a szabványosítás során is megjelennek. Ha a szabvány megalkotását egy olyan tranzakcióként értelmezzük, amelynek során a résztvevő felek átadják egymásnak explicit és hallgatólagos tudásukat, akkor a tranzakciós költségek elméletének kereteiben elemezhetővé válik a szabványosítás folyamata. Mivel az egyének tudása specifikus eszköz – aminek az átadása is komoly tranzakciós költségekkel jár –, a szabványosítás során többféleképpen is megjelenhet az opportunizmus. A cikkben amellett érvelek, hogy a mobilpiaci szabványosítás elemezhető a Teece (1986) által felvázolt keretben, ami segít rámutatni, hogy a különböző esetekben milyen megoldással lehet a tranzakciós költségeket mérsékelni. Mindehhez a japán másodikgenerációs szabványosítás tapasztalatait hozom példaként, s ezen keresztül illusztrálom az elméleti rész megállapításait. Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) kód: D23, O31, L96
A tér és a közgazdaság-tudomány kapcsolatának korlátai a határ menti területek kutatásában
Authors: Pásztor Szabolcs
Published: July 2016

A tanulmány az ismert közgazdasági elméletekből kiindulva közelíti meg a továbbfolytatódó kereskedelmi liberalizációnak, integrációnak és a határok eltűnésének lehetséges következményeit. A kérdések, hipotézisek megfogalmazása után a szerző azt mutatja be, hogy a különböző közgazdasági elméletekhogyan látják az integrációt és a határok eltűnését a határ menti területek fejlődését illetően. A közgazdasági elméletek eredményein keresztül felvázolja azon téregységek fejlődési pályáját, melyek életében jelentős befolyásoló szerepet tölt be az államhatár, majd az elméletek legfontosabb eredményeit összegezvearra a következtetésre jut, hogy egyelőre a csökkenő kereskedelmi költségekhez kapcsolódó regionális átrendeződés domborodik ki az integráció területi hatásával kapcsolatosan. Felhívja a figyelmet arra is, hogy az elméletek nem adnak egyértelmű és tiszta válaszokat, ezért a határ menti területek fejlődésénekkutatásában a kizárólagos közgazdasági megközelítés túlzottan leegyszerűsítő lehet, tehát leginkább empirikus kutatás vezethet az integráció hatásainak pontos feltérképezéséhez.

Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) kód: F15, O18, R12
Állampolgári Érdek Mutató
Authors: Rosta Miklós
Published: July 2016

A jelen tanulmány egy olyan mutatót kíván bevezetni, amellyel lehetővé válik az új közszolgálati menedzsment átfogó, makroszintű eredményességének értékelése. A szerző amutató megalkotása során a közösségi döntések elméletéből indul ki, mivel az új közszolgálati menedzsment politikaelméleti ésközgazdaság-tudományi alapjai szorosan köthetőek ezen elmélethez. A megalkotott kompozit indexet nem csak elméletben mutatja be, hanem tartalmilag és módszertanilag is ismerteti. Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) kód: H83, D70, D23
Varieties of development paths in post communist countries with special regard to the transition in Hungary
Authors: Szanyi Miklós
Published: July 2016

Transition in Central and Eastern Europe was carried out in various ways. However, the different countries’ current economic structure, institutions and main economic performance measures are rather similar. The question asked is whether these countries follow a specific kind of development model? What seems likely is that they differ substantially from CIS countries in many aspects. But they also seem to differ from existing models of capitalism more than they do from each-other. Based on this information, the varieties of capitalism literature assumes that such a model does indeed exist. However, no comprehensive positive description of the model has so far been provided. This paper tries to define the main elements of the CEE capitalist models. These are small open economies, with close integration into the world economy through foreign investments, a relatively limited and declining role of state redistribution, the problems of dual economic structure and insufficient job creation, a relatively large shadow economy and “business capture”-type cronyism. Further research is required to properly describe the elements and interactions among them. Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) classifications: D72, E65, P31
Az elszegényedés térökonómiai vizsgálata Dél-Alföldön
Authors: Síposné Nándori Eszter
Published: July 2016

A tanulmány a gazdasági válságnak és az azzal együtt járó negatív gazdasági jelenségeknek a hatását vizsgálja a Dél-Alföld régióban élők jövedelmi szegénységére. A jövedelmi szegénység regionális alakulását a keresőtevékenységből élők jövedelmi adataiból képzett szegénységi mérőszámok segítségével mutatja be. Ezt követően azt vizsgálja, hogy a gazdasági teljesítmény változása miként befolyásolja a szegénységi mutatókat. A számítások során beigazolódik, hogy nemcsak adott megye gazdasági növekedése, hanem a környező megyék gazdasági teljesítménye is jelentős hatást gyakorol a szegénységi ráta alakulására. A gazdasági növekedés azonban nem elegendő a szegénység mélységének csökkentésére, tehát a szegénységben élők helyzetének javítására más eszközöket is igénybe kell venni. Végül a területiautokorreláció meglétét, illetve hiányát vizsgálja meg a régióban.

Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) kód: I32, R12
Ethnic Differences in Incidence and Outcomes of Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Banh Tonny H.M. , Hussain-Shamsy Neesha , Patel Viral , Vasilevska-Ristovska Jovanka , Borges Karlota , Sibbald Cathryn , Lipszyc Deborah , Brooke Josefina , Geary Denis , Langlois Valerie , Reddon Michele , Pearl Rachel , Levin Leo , Piekut Monica , Licht Christoph P.B. , Radhakrishnan Seetha , Aitken-Menezes Kimberly , Harvey Elizabeth , Hebert Diane , Piscione Tino D. , Parekh Rulan S.
Published: July 2016

Background and objectives

Ethnic differences in outcomes among children with nephrotic syndrome are unknown.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

We conducted a longitudinal study at a single regional pediatric center comparing ethnic differences in incidence from 2001 to 2011 census data and longitudinal outcomes, including relapse rates, time to first relapse, frequently relapsing disease, and use of cyclophosphamide. Among 711 children, 24% were European, 33% were South Asian, 10% were East/Southeast Asian, and 33% were of other origins.

Results

Over 10 years, the overall incidence increased from 1.99/100,000 to 4.71/100,000 among children ages 1–18 years old. In 2011, South Asians had a higher incidence rate ratio of 6.61 (95% confidence interval, 3.16 to 15.1) compared with Europeans. East/Southeast Asians had a similar incidence rate ratio (0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.13 to 2.94) to Europeans. We determined outcomes in 455 children from the three largest ethnic groups with steroid-sensitive disease over a median of 4 years. South Asian and East/Southeast Asian children had significantly lower odds of frequently relapsing disease at 12 months (South Asian: adjusted odds ratio; 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.39 to 0.77; East/Southeast Asian: adjusted odds ratio; 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.34 to 0.51), fewer subsequent relapses (South Asian: adjusted odds ratio; 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.50 to 0.81; East/Southeast Asian: adjusted odds ratio; 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.24 to 0.91), lower risk of a first relapse (South Asian: adjusted hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.67 to 0.83; East/Southeast Asian: adjusted hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.68), and lower use of cyclophosphamide (South Asian: adjusted hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.53 to 1.28; East/Southeast Asian: adjusted hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.41 to 0.71) compared with European children.

Conclusions

Despite the higher incidence among South Asians, South and East/Southeast Asian children have significantly less complicated clinical outcomes compared with Europeans.
Implications of Impairment Decisions and Assets' Cash-Flow Horizons for Conservatism Research
Authors: Banker Rajiv D. , Basu Sudipta , Byzalov Dmitri
Published: July 2016

Accountants examine multiple indicators when assessing whether individual assets are impaired. Different indicators predict cash flows over varying time horizons, and their importance varies with how far into the future individual assets are expected to generate cash flows. We predict that earnings exhibits asymmetric timeliness with respect to multiple indicators, including stock return, sales change, and operating cash flow change, which differentially explain write-downs of current assets, long-lived tangible assets, and indefinite-lived goodwill. We predict an interaction effect between indicators, such that the total impact of several consistent indicators is greater than the sum of their individual impacts. Empirical estimates for U.S. firms are consistent with our predictions and yield new insights about the effects of multiple indicators for both conservatism and impairment research. Our multi-indicator asymmetric models also change inferences about the relative explanatory power of economic factors versus reporting incentives in asset impairments.

JEL Classifications: G32; L25; M41; M42.
Synergy between Accounting Disclosures and Forward-Looking Information in Stock Prices
Authors: Arya Anil , Mittendorf Brian , Ramanan Ram N. V.
Published: July 2016

It is well recognized that stock prices provide relevant feedback that can guide future firm decisions. This paper develops a model to examine how accounting disclosures affect the decision-usefulness of such stock market reactions. We demonstrate that information in accounting reports can prove useful because it helps observers better interpret and isolate the decision-relevant information embedded in the ensuing stock price reaction. This leads to natural synergies between accounting reports and stock prices in directing firm strategies—the more forward-looking information that can potentially be gleaned from stock prices, the more the firm will invest in improving precision of accounting disclosures even when such disclosures pertain to unrelated current activities.
Operational and Safety Trade-Offs: Reducing Freeway Lane and Shoulder Width to Permit an Additional Lane
Authors: Dixon Karen , Fitzpatrick Kay , Avelar Raul
Published: July 2016

This research effort identified the operational and safety implications of the use of reduced lane and shoulder widths for a variety of urban freeway configurations. The study used speed, crash, and geometric data for freeways in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, Texas. The operational analysis identified an increase of about 2.2 mph in speed for a 12-ft lane compared with an 11-ft lane. The shoulder width is significant when the adjacent lane is 11 ft wide, but not when it is 12 ft wide. These findings suggest that the width of the left shoulder is more important with a reduced lane width. Operating speeds on Texas freeways are 2 mph lower during nighttime (with roadside lighting present) than during the day. Speeds were higher (by 1.5 mph) on the weekends (Saturday) than on the weekday studied (Wednesday). The safety analysis determined a crash difference when freeways with 12- to 11-ft lanes were compared. There was a reduction in fatal and injury crashes that ranged from 5% for two-lane freeways up to 12% for five-lane freeways. Similarly, some crash reductions were associated with each additional lane, increased left shoulder widths, and increased right shoulder widths. This paper concludes with a series of sample problem scenarios that collectively demonstrate how the resulting operating speed and crash prediction models allow practitioners to assess the trade-offs that can be expected when urban freeway lane and shoulder widths are modified.
Development of Crash Modification Factors for Installation of High-Tension Cable Median Barriers
Authors: Russo Brendan J. , Savolainen Peter T. , Gates Timothy J.
Published: July 2016

Cross-median crashes are among the most hazardous collision types on freeways. The primary countermeasure to reduce such crashes is the installation of a median barrier, with a cable barrier being a widely used alternative. As of 2014, approximately 317 mi of cable median barriers had been installed on freeways throughout Michigan. To assess the safety impacts of this installation program, a comprehensive before-and-after crash analysis was conducted; this analysis included a manual crash report review to identify all median-related crashes. Safety performance functions were developed for roadway segments before and after cable barrier installation, as well as for similar control segments where no barrier had been installed. The empirical Bayes (EB) method was used to develop crash modification factors as a function of median width. To explore the effects of regression to the mean (RTM), the EB results were compared with those from a naïve before–after analysis. The results showed that cable barriers significantly reduced the frequency of fatal and severe injury crashes, although substantial increases in less severe crashes were also observed. The cable barrier was found to have greater impacts on crashes across nearly all severity levels when used on narrow medians (i.e., 26 to 50 ft) compared with wider medians (50 to 94 ft). In addition, reductions in fatal and serious injuries were less pronounced when compared with prior research (especially for wider medians), which was largely attributed to RTM effects. Ultimately, this study provides important guidance to deal with the expected safety impacts (and related costs) associated with cable median barrier installation.
Upper Bound of Pier Scour in Laboratory and Field Data
Authors: Benedict Stephen T. , Caldwell Andral W.
Published: July 2016

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, conducted several field investigations of pier scour in South Carolina and used the data to develop envelope curves defining the upper bound of pier scour. To expand on this previous work, an additional cooperative investigation was initiated to combine the South Carolina data with pier scour data from other sources and to evaluate upper-bound relations with this larger data set. To facilitate this analysis, 569 laboratory and 1,858 field measurements of pier scour were compiled to form the 2014 USGS Pier Scour Database. This extensive database was used to develop an envelope curve for the potential maximum pier scour depth encompassing the laboratory and field data. The envelope curve provides a simple but useful tool for assessing the potential maximum pier scour depth for effective pier widths of about 30 ft or less.
Implementing a Successful Risk-Based, Data-Driven Scour Program
Authors: Krolak Joe , Henderson Dave
Published: July 2016

The adoption of risk-based and data-driven (risk–data) approaches is leading to a successful FHWA Scour Program for highway bridges. FHWA, which has oversight for 463,000 bridges spanning waterways, estimates that 60% of bridge failures have hydraulic-related components. Prominent scour failures led to the FHWA Scour Program’s use of legal authority under the National Bridge Inspection Standards. The fundamentals of the FHWA Scour Program include scour evaluations and development of action plans. Quandaries for bridge owners include prioritization and the appropriate level of effort for these fundamentals. In 2011, FHWA implemented a risk–data approach for oversight of the National Bridge Inspection Program. Specific to scour, bridge owners compare the consequence of failure (risk) against facility operational characteristics (data). The risk–data approach prioritizes and applies resources toward bridges posing the greatest threat to public safety or disruption of vital services. The keys to the program’s success are outreach to facilitate progress; comprehensive enhancements to publications and training; and promotion of risk–data within policy, programmatic, stewardship, deployment, and research initiatives.
Spinal cord anomalies in patients with anorectal malformations without severe sacral abnormalities or meningomyelocele: outcomes after expectant, conservative management
Authors: Kyrklund Kristiina , Pakarinen Mikko P. , Taskinen Seppo , Kivisaari Reetta , Rintala Risto J.
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to determine the significance of spinal cord anomalies (SCAs) in patients with anorectal malformations (ARMs) by comparing the outcomes for bowel function, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and lower-limb neurological abnormalities to these outcomes in patients with similar ARMs and a normal spinal cord.

METHODS

The spinal cord MRI records of female patients treated for vestibular and perineal fistula (VF/PF) and male patients with rectourethral fistula (RUF) at a single center between 1983 and 2006 were reviewed. Bowel function and LUTS were assessed by questionnaire. Patients with extensive sacral anomalies or meningomyelocele were excluded.

RESULTS

Of 89 patients (median age 15 years, range 5–29 years), MRI was available in 90% (n = 80; 40 male patients with RUF), and 80% of patients returned the questionnaire (n = 64; 31 male patients with RUF). Spinal cord anomalies were found in 34%, comprising a filum terminale lipoma in 30%, low conus medullaris in 10%, and thoracolumbar syrinx in 6%. Bowel functional outcomes between patients with SCAs (n = 23) and those with a normal spinal cord (n = 41) were not significantly different for soiling (70% vs 63%), fecal accidents (43% vs 34%), and constipation (57% vs 39%; p = not significant for all). The LUTS, including urge (65% vs 54%), urge incontinence (39% vs 24%), stress incontinence (17% vs 22%), and straining (32% vs 29%) were also comparable between groups (p = not significant for all). No patients developed lower-limb neurological abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the long-term functional outcomes for patients with SCAs who had VF/PF and RUF may not differ significantly from patients with the same type of ARMs and a normal spinal cord. The results favor a conservative approach to their management in the absence of abnormal neurological findings in the lower limbs.
Venous air embolus during prone cervical spine fusion: case report
Authors: Cruz Aurora S. , Moisi Marc , Page Jeni , Shane Tubbs R. , Paulson David , Zwillman Michael , Oskouian Rod , Lam Arthur , Newell David W.
Published: July 2016

Venous air embolism (VAE) is a known neurosurgical complication classically and most frequently occurring in patients undergoing posterior cranial fossa or cervical spine surgery in a sitting or semi-sitting position. The authors present a case of VAE that occurred during posterior cervical spine surgery in a patient in the prone position, a rare intraoperative complication. The patient was a 65-year-old man who was undergoing a C1–2 fusion for a nonunion of a Type II dens fracture and developed a VAE. While VAE in the prone position is uncommon, it is a neurosurgical complication that may have significant clinical implications both intraoperatively and postoperatively. The aim of this review is 2-fold: 1) to improve the general knowledge of this complication among surgeons and anesthesiologists who may not otherwise suspect air embolism in patients positioned prone for posterior cervical spine operations, and 2) to formulate preventive measures as well as a plan for prompt diagnosis and treatment should this complication occur.
Impact of Land Use on Surface Water Quality: A Case Study in the Gin River Basin, Sri Lanka
Authors: Amarathunga A.A.D. , Kazama F.
Published: July 2016

There has been a considerable amount of research investigating suspended sediment (SS) and water quality in river basins. However, there has been less attention to the suspended sediment behaviour in tropical river basins, especially in Sri Lanka. The Gin river basin is one of the major river basins in Sri Lanka and catchments consist of multi-land use systems. The behaviour of water quality, and suspended sediment with land use pattern is still not well studied in tropical river basin. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate land use effects on suspended sediment and water quality in multi-land use tropical river basins. Elevated nitrate nitrogen concentrations were observed in the upper catchment and greater ammonia nitrogen concentrations were recorded in the lower catchment sampling locations. Also, higher fluxes of nitrate nitrogen and dissolved phosphate were observed during April to June and June to July, respectively.

The major land use systems in the upper catchment portion consist of activities related to forest management while the lower catchment region has a higher percentage of agriculture and other land use related functions. Different land use pattern from forest to agriculture was increasing the suspended matter in the river water. Also, there was a very low concentration of suspended sediment and turbidity in the highly forested catchments in upper parts of the basin. This was expected since turbidity and suspended sediments increase with increasing amounts of agriculture and other land use activity. Also, statistical results prove that major physical and chemical water quality parameter means are different with three sub basins. In conclusion, the suspended sediment flux and discharge fits well with the linear regression model ( R2 = 0.97) and would imply that the discharge can be used to predict the SS load from runoff.
Analysis of Spatially and Temporally Varying Precipitation in Bangladesh
Authors: Nury Ahmad Hasan , Hasan Khairul , Mohammed Erfan Kazi , Chandra Dey Debashis
Published: July 2016

Nowadays, time series analysis of rainfall data is a major tool to explore rainfall variability pattern. In this study, rainfall data at 28 stations of Bangladesh has been evaluated using trend test, spatial analysis and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model. From the Mann-Kendall’s (M-K) trend test, it was observed that the value of Sen’s slope for the maximum increase of rainfall was 1.813 mm per month in Cox’s Bazar and the maximum decrease of rainfall was -0.896 mm per month in Bhola. Rainfall time series were smoothed using wavelet transformation and then wavelet denoised signals were used for fitting Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model. The predictive capability of ANN model was assessed by PBIAS (Percent of bias), index of agreement ( d) and R-squared approach. Finally, a forecast for five years (January 2010-December 2014) was carried out to evaluate the predictive capability. The values of normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) ranges between 0.07% and 0.17% for calibration and 0.07%-0.32% for validation which indicate the fitness of the model. The findings derived from the study are to understand the nature of possible rainfall variations in 28 stations of Bangladesh, which will help the hydrologists as well as the policy makers to make decisions.
Evaluation of Suitability of River Water for Multipurposes by Assessing Various Indices
Authors: Sultana Mahfuz S. , Rana S. , Imam T. , Aktaruzzaman M. , Yoshida S.
Published: July 2016

The present research has evaluated the suitability of river water near industrial area of Dhaka for multi uses by calculating various indices. A considerable variation in the content of physicochemical and toxic elements in the studied river water suggests input of pollution from different sources. Further, excess concentration of Fe, Al and K compared to WHO standard was observed in Turag, Pb, Fe, Al, Cr and K in Buriganga, Cd, Fe, K, Al and Cr in Shitalakhya, Fe, Al and K in Bongshi and As in Dhaleswari river water. Moreover, all the river water is found to be safe for irrigation with respect to pH, TDS, SAR and MR. However, the metal pollution indices PF, PD, PLI and irrigation indices Na% and KI indicates that Buriganga river water is no longer suitable for the use of any purposes. But water of Turag, Shitalakhya and Bangshi River still can be used by controlling the source of pollution through proper treatment of waste or by preventing any further discharge of waste into the river. On the other hand Dhaleswari river water can be used for all purposes. Moreover, from the toxicity distribution pattern, it is seen that Buriganga > Shitalakhya > Bangshi > Turag > Dhaleswari. Therefore, proper management plan is necessary to protect this invaluable resource for multi use.
Assessment of Water Quality of Tung Dhab Drain—An International Water Channel—Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques
Authors: Kaur Rajbir , Dua Anish
Published: July 2016

Different multivariate statistical techniques were applied to interpret the temporal variations in water quality of Tung Dhab drain, Amritsar, India and further to identify water pollution sources. Data was collected seasonally for a period of two years (2012-2013) using 34 water quality parameters. The recorded values for variables like turbidity, total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, oil & grease, nitrate as N, lead, chromium, nickel and zinc were much higher than the recommended permissible discharge limits into inland waters. Significant correlations were found in between different physicochemical parameters ( p ≤ 0.05; p ≤ 0.01). Cluster Analysis (CA) grouped four sampling seasons into two clusters. CA confirmed that the water quality of rainy season was different from other three seasons in terms of similarity and distance indices. Principal Component Analysis/Factor Analysis (PCA/FA) explained minerals, organic, agricultural and industrial pollutants responsible for deterioration of drain water quality. The present study will help environmental agencies to make and enforce decisions regarding improvement of water quality of Tung Dhab drain.
Variation on the Physical Parameters of Rice Husk Depending on the Texture of Quality of Different Types of Soil on Odisha
Authors: Parida U. , Bastia T.K. , Kar B.B.
Published: July 2016

Rice husk generated during rice cultivation is generally used as an alternative source for fuel. Rice husk provides a vital natural source for silica. It mostly constitutes SiO2 as the major product along with oxides such as Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO etc. As the major constituent, the predominance of silica primarily depends on the types of soil on which the grain is generated. The availability of various mineral and metal oxides in the soil sources are responsible for constituting the rice husk. In the present study an attempt has been made to collect rice husk released from the rice grain cultivated in different types of soil. The study includes the analysis and comparison of various physical composition and mineralogical texture changes for different rice husk samples generated from various soils. Also trial has been made to optimize and identify a particular type of rice husk that can be utilized adequately for the generation of metallurgical grade silica.
Study on the relation between tissues pathologies and traditional chinese medicine syndromes in knee osteoarthritis: Medical image diagnostics by preoperative X-ray and surgical arthroscopy
Authors: Tian Xiangdong , Zhu Guangyu , Wang Jian , Wang Qingfu , Guan Lei , Tan Yetong , Xue Zhipeng , Qin Lina , Zhang Jing
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate whether integration of traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine has advantage in achieving the improved diagnosis and treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

METHODS: 90 patients with knee osteoarthritis were selected from The Department of Minimal Invasive Joint of The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from June 2013 to June 2015. They were divided into 3 groups with 30 cases per group in accordance to the syndrome differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine. The patients underwent arthroscopic surgery, and we categorized the patients having the same characterization in each group, and those having distinct difference into the three groups. Based on the arthroscopic analysis, we performed analysis of statistical data in order to analyze the relation between knee osteoarthritis under arthroscope and traditional Chinese medicine syndromes.

RESULTS: There are three syndromes according to traditional Chinese medicine that can be categorized into various different groups. The synovial proliferation can be seen mostly in the syndrome of stagnation of blood stasis. The slight damage of knee joint cartilage can be seen in the syndrome of yang deficiency and cold stagnation, the severe one in the syndrome of kidney-marrow deficiency. We found that there are different pathological expressions with the various degree of the tissues damage at the knee and we categorized the knee according to their syndrome.

CONCLUSION: For knee osteoarthritis, different syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine presents different tissues pathological changes at the knee joint under arthroscopy, which will provide objective basis for the diagnosis of this medical condition.
Analysis of the setup errors of medical image registration-based cone-beam CT for lung cancer
Authors: Li Jun , Tang Xiao-Bin , Zhang Xi-Zhi , Zhang Xian-Wen , Ge Yun , Chen Da , Chai Lei
Published: July 2016

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of efficiently using a rigid image registration (RIR) algorithm or a deformable image registration (DIR) algorithm to match medical images and evaluate the impact of setup errors on intensity modulated radiation therapy of lung cancer patients.

METHODS: Ten lung cancer patients were chosen randomly each day and were subjected to image-guided radiotherapy. The clinical registration between cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and treatment planning system CT images was performed by applying both RIR and DIR; the clinical registration was evaluated on the basis of the contour index, including dice similarity coefficient, sensitivity, and positive predictive value; the optimal scheme of image registration was selected to ensure that the actual irradiation isocenter was consistent with the treatment planning isocenter. In each patient, the translational errors in the right-left (x), superior-inferior (y), and anterior-posterior (z) directions and the rotational errors in the u, υ, and w directions formed by the x, y, and z directions were calculated and analyzed daily in the whole course of treatment; margins were calculated according to this equation: M = 2.5∑+ 0.7 δ.

RESULTS: The tumors and the surrounding soft tissues of the patients are shown more clearly in the CBCT images than in the CT images. DIR can be applied more efficiently than RIR to determine the morphological and positional changes in the organs shown in the images with the same or different modalities in the different period. The setup errors in translation in the x, y and z axes were 0.05±0.16, 0.09±0.32 and –0.02±0.13 cm, respectively; by contrast, the setup errors in rotation in u, υ and w directions were (0.41±0.64)°, (–0.08±0.57)° and (–0.03±0.62)°, respectively. The setup errors in the x, y and z axes of the patients indicated that the margins expansions were 0.82, 1.15 and 0.72 cm, respectively.

CONCLUSION: CBCT with DIR can measure and correct the setup errors online; as a result, setup errors in lung cancer treatments can be significantly reduced and the accuracy of radiotherapy can be enhanced.
Bortezomib sensitizes esophageal squamous cancer cells to radiotherapy by suppressing the expression of HIF-1α and apoptosis proteins
Authors: Wang Di , Qin Qin , Jiang Qin-Juan , Wang Da-Fei
Published: July 2016

Radiation therapy is a typical treatment for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), especially middle and upper segment esophagus, and inoperable patients. However, how to promote radiation sensitivity in radio-resistant cancer cells is a conundrum. Here, our study investigated the radiosensitizing effect of bortezomib, a specific and reversible dipeptide boronic acid analog, in ESCC cells. Human esophageal squamous carcinoma cell lines Eca109 and TE-13 were exposed to hypoxia and/or ionizing radiation (IR) with or without treatment of bortezomib. Cell proliferation assay was performed with CCK8. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle assay were performed with flow cytometry. The radiosensitization effect of was assessed by clonogenic survival and progression of tumor xenograft. The expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and apoptosis proteins was evaluated by Western blot. Radiation-induced DNA double strand break and homologous recombination repair were assessed by immunofluorescence. Our results show that bortezomib efficiently radiosensitizes ESCC cells by decreasing the expression of HIF- 1α and VEGF, inducing apoptosis by activating caspase, and delaying DNA damage repair after radiation.
Interactive high-quality visualization of color volume datasets using GPU-based refinements of segmentation data
Authors: Lee Byeonghun , Kwon Koojoo , Shin Byeong-Seok
Published: July 2016

Data sets containing colored anatomical images of the human body, such as Visible Human or Visible Korean, show realistic internal organ structures. However, imperfect segmentations of these color images, which are typically generated manually or semi-automatically, produces poor-quality rendering results. We propose an interactive high-quality visualization method using GPU-based refinements to aid in the study of anatomical structures. In order to represent the boundaries of a region-of-interest (ROI) smoothly, we apply Gaussian filtering to the opacity values of the color volume. Morphological grayscale erosion operations are performed to reduce the region size, which is expanded by Gaussian filtering. Pseudo-coloring and color blending are also applied to the color volume in order to give more informative rendering results. We implement these operations on GPUs to speed up the refinements. As a result, our method delivered high-quality result images with smooth boundaries and provided considerably faster refinements. The speed of these refinements is sufficient to be used with interactive renderings as the ROI changes, especially compared to CPU-based methods. Moreover, the pseudo-coloring methods used presented anatomical structures clearly.
Modelling the penumbra in Computed Tomography
Authors: Kueh Audrey , Warnett Jason M. , Gibbons Gregory J. , Brettschneider Julia , Nichols Thomas E. , Williams Mark A. , Kendall Wilfrid S.
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUND: In computed tomography (CT), the spot geometry is one of the main sources of error in CT images. Since X-rays do not arise from a point source, artefacts are produced. In particular there is a penumbra effect, leading to poorly defined edges within a reconstructed volume. Penumbra models can be simulated given a fixed spot geometry and the known experimental setup.

OBJECTIVE: This paper proposes to use a penumbra model, derived from Beer’s law, both to confirm spot geometry from penumbra data, and to quantify blurring in the image.

METHODS: Two models for the spot geometry are considered; one consists of a single Gaussian spot, the other is a mixture model consisting of a Gaussian spot together with a larger uniform spot.

RESULTS: The model consisting of a single Gaussian spot has a poor fit at the boundary. The mixture model (which adds a larger uniform spot) exhibits a much improved fit. The parameters corresponding to the uniform spot are similar across all powers, and further experiments suggest that the uniform spot produces only soft X-rays of relatively low-energy.

CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the precision of radiographs can be estimated from the penumbra effect in the image. The use of a thin copper filter reduces the size of the effective penumbra.
A motion algorithm to extract physical and motion parameters of mobile targets from cone-beam computed tomographic images
Authors: Alsbou Nesreen , Ahmad Salahuddin , Ali Imad
Published: July 2016

PURPOSE: A motion algorithm has been developed to extract length, CT number level and motion amplitude of a mobile target from cone-beam CT (CBCT) images.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The algorithm uses three measurable parameters: Apparent length and blurred CT number distribution of a mobile target obtained from CBCT images to determine length, CT-number value of the stationary target, and motion amplitude. The predictions of this algorithm are tested with mobile targets having different well-known sizes that are made from tissue-equivalent gel which is inserted into a thorax phantom. The phantom moves sinusoidally in one-direction to simulate respiratory motion using eight amplitudes ranging 0–20 mm.

RESULTS: Using this motion algorithm, three unknown parameters are extracted that include: Length of the target, CT number level, speed or motion amplitude for the mobile targets from CBCT images. The motion algorithm solves for the three unknown parameters using measured length, CT number level and gradient for a well-defined mobile target obtained from CBCT images. The motion model agrees with the measured lengths which are dependent on the target length and motion amplitude. The gradient of the CT number distribution of the mobile target is dependent on the stationary CT number level, the target length and motion amplitude. Motion frequency and phase do not affect the elongation and CT number distribution of the mobile target and could not be determined.

CONCLUSION: A motion algorithm has been developed to extract three parameters that include length, CT number level and motion amplitude or speed of mobile targets directly from reconstructed CBCT images without prior knowledge of the stationary target parameters. This algorithm provides alternative to 4D-CBCT without requirement of motion tracking and sorting of the images into different breathing phases. The motion model developed here works well for tumors that have simple shapes, high contrast relative to surrounding tissues and move nearly in regular motion pattern that can be approximated with a simple sinusoidal function. This algorithm has potential applications in diagnostic CT imaging and radiotherapy in terms of motion management.
Semi-Supervised Classification Based on Low Rank Representation
Authors: Hou Xuan , Yao Guangjun , Wang Jun
Published: July 2016

Graph-based semi-supervised classification uses a graph to capture the relationship between samples and exploits label propagation techniques on the graph to predict the labels of unlabeled samples. However, it is difficult to construct a graph that faithfully describes the relationship between high-dimensional samples. Recently, low-rank representation has been introduced to construct a graph, which can preserve the global structure of high-dimensional samples and help to train accurate transductive classifiers. In this paper, we take advantage of low-rank representation for graph construction and propose an inductive semi-supervised classifier called Semi-Supervised Classification based on Low-Rank Representation (SSC-LRR). SSC-LRR first utilizes a linearized alternating direction method with adaptive penalty to compute the coefficient matrix of low-rank representation of samples. Then, the coefficient matrix is adopted to define a graph. Finally, SSC-LRR incorporates this graph into a graph-based semi-supervised linear classifier to classify unlabeled samples. Experiments are conducted on four widely used facial datasets to validate the effectiveness of the proposed SSC-LRR and the results demonstrate that SSC-LRR achieves higher accuracy than other related methods.
PCR-Independent Detection of Bacterial Species-Specific 16S rRNA at 10 fM by a Pore-Blockage Sensor
Authors: Esfandiari Leyla , Wang Siqing , Wang Siqi , Banda Anisha , Lorenzini Michael , Kocharyan Gayane , Monbouquette Harold , Schmidt Jacob
Published: July 2016

A PCR-free, optics-free device is used for the detection of Escherichia coli (E. coli) 16S rRNA at 10 fM, which corresponds to ~100–1000 colony forming units/mL (CFU/mL) depending on cellular rRNA levels. The development of a rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective nucleic acid detection platform is sought for the detection of pathogenic microbes in food, water and body fluids. Since 16S rRNA sequences are species specific and are present at high copy number in viable cells, these nucleic acids offer an attractive target for microbial pathogen detection schemes. Here, target 16S rRNA of E. coli at 10 fM concentration was detected against a total RNA background using a conceptually simple approach based on electromechanical signal transduction, whereby a step change reduction in ionic current through a pore indicates blockage by an electrophoretically mobilized bead-peptide nucleic acid probe conjugate hybridized to target nucleic acid. We investigated the concentration detection limit for bacterial species-specific 16S rRNA at 1 pM to 1 fM and found a limit of detection of 10 fM for our device, which is consistent with our previous finding with single-stranded DNA of similar length. In addition, no false positive responses were obtained with control RNA and no false negatives with target 16S rRNA present down to the limit of detection (LOD) of 10 fM. Thus, this detection scheme shows promise for integration into portable, low-cost systems for rapid detection of pathogenic microbes in food, water and body fluids.