bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge of low organic content in a novel digester
Authors: Wu J. , Jiang Y. , Cao Z. P. , Li Z. H. , Hu Y. Y. , Li H. Z. , Zuo J. E. , Wang K. J.
Published: September 2015

A novel digester, termed an internal circulation anaerobic digester (ICAD), was developed to intensify sludge digestion. It consists of reaction zone, settling zone, thickening zone, riser and downcomer. Internal circulation in the digester is intensified by backflow biogas. The mesophilic ICAD treating thermal pretreated waste activated sludge with volatile suspended solids (VSS)/suspended solids (SS) of 0.45–0.49 was conducted in this study to reduce and stabilize the low organic content sludge. The results showed that the VSS removal rate and biogas rate reached 46.0% and 0.72 m3/kg VSSfed at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 15 days. VSS/SS and soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) of the effluent sludge ranged from 0.39 to 0.41 and 274 mg/L to 473 mg/L, respectively, under various HRTs from 10 to 27 days. The degradation ability of ICAD derived from the improved mass transfer by internal circulation and long solid retention time at short HRT is compared with continuous stirred tank reactor.
Modeling of wastewater quality in an urban area during festival and rainy days
Authors: Obaid H. A. , Shahid S. , Basim K. N. , Chelliapan S.
Published: September 2015

Water pollution during festival periods is a major problem in all festival cities across the world. Reliable prediction of water pollution is essential in festival cities for sewer and wastewater management in order to ensure public health and a clean environment. This article aims to model the biological oxygen demand (BOD5), and total suspended solids (TSS) parameters in wastewater in the sewer networks of Karbala city center during festival and rainy days using structural equation modeling and multiple linear regression analysis methods. For this purpose, 34 years (1980–2014) of rainfall, temperature and sewer flow data during festival periods in the study area were collected, processed, and employed. The results show that the TSS concentration increases by 26–46 mg/l while BOD5 concentration rises by 9–19 mg/l for an increase of rainfall by 1 mm during festival periods. It was also found that BOD5 concentration rises by 4–17 mg/l for each increase of 10,000 population.
A two dimensional fibre reinforced micropolar thermoelastic problem for a half-space subjected to mechanical force
Authors: Ailawalia Praveen , Sachdeva Sunil , Pathania Devinder
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this paper is to study the two dimensional deformation of
fibre reinforced micropolar thermoelastic medium in the context of
Green-Lindsay theory of thermoelasticity. A mechanical force is applied
along the interface of fluid half space and fibre reinforced micropolar
thermoelastic half space. The normal mode analysis has been applied to
obtain the exact expressions for displacement component, force stress,
temperature distribution and tangential couple stress. The effect of
anisotropy and micropolarity on the displacement component, force stress,
temperature distribution and tangential couple stress has been depicted
graphically.
Donor-side morbidity after contralateral C-7 nerve transfer: results at a minimum of 6 months after surgery
Authors: Li Xiang-Ming , Yang Jian-Tao , Hou Yi , Yang Yi , Qin Ben-Gang , Fu Guo , Gu Li-Qiang
Published: September 2015

OBJECT

Donor-side morbidity associated with contralateral C-7 (CC7) nerve transfer remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate functional deficits in the donor limb resulting from prespinal route CC7 nerve transfer.

METHODS

A total of 63 patients were included. Forty-one patients had undergone CC7 nerve transfer surgery at least 6 months previously and were assigned to one of 2 groups based on the duration of postoperative follow-up. Group 1 (n = 21) consisted of patients who had undergone surgery between 6 months and 2 years previously, and Group 2 (n = 20) consisted of patients who had undergone surgery more than 2 years previously. An additional 22 patients who underwent CC7 nerve transfer surgery later than those in Groups 1 and 2 were included as a control group (Group 3). Results of preoperative testing in these patients and postoperative testing in Groups 1 and 2 were compared. Testing included subjective assessments and objective examinations. An additional 3 patients had undergone surgery more than 6 months previously but had severe motor weakness and were therefore evaluated separately; these 3 patients were not included in any of the study groups.

RESULTS

The revised Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2) was the only subjective test that showed a significant difference between Group 3 and the other 2 groups, while no significant differences were found in objective sensory, motor, or dexterity outcomes. The interval from injury to surgery for patients with a normal SF-MPQ-2 score in Groups 1 and 2 was significantly less than for those with abnormal SF-MFQ-2 scores (2.4 ± 1.1 months vs 4.6 ± 2.9 months, p = 0.002). The 3 patients with obvious motor weakness showed a tendency to gradually recover.

CONCLUSIONS

Although some patients suffered from long-term sensory disturbances, resection of the C-7 nerve had little effect on the function of the donor limb. Shortening preoperative delay time can improve sensory recovery of the donor limb.
Factors associated with successful magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound treatment: efficiency of acoustic energy delivery through the skull
Authors: Chang Won Seok , Jung Hyun Ho , Zadicario Eyal , Rachmilevitch Itay , Tlusty Tal , Vitek Shuki , Chang Jin Woo
Published: September 2015

OBJECT

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) was recently introduced as treatment for movement disorders such as essential tremor and advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). Although deep brain target lesions are successfully generated in most patients, the target area temperature fails to increase in some cases. The skull is one of the greatest barriers to ultrasonic energy transmission. The authors analyzed the skull-related factors that may have prevented an increase in target area temperatures in patients who underwent MRgFUS.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed data from clinical trials that involved MRgFUS for essential tremor, idiopathic PD, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Data from 25 patients were included. The relationships between the maximal temperature during treatment and other factors, including sex, age, skull area of the sonication field, number of elements used, skull volume of the sonication field, and skull density ratio (SDR), were determined.

RESULTS

Among the various factors, skull volume and SDR exhibited relationships with the maximum temperature. Skull volume was negatively correlated with maximal temperature (p = 0.023, r2 = 0.206, y = 64.156 − 0.028x, whereas SDR was positively correlated with maximal temperature (p = 0.009, r2 = 0.263, y = 49.643 + 11.832x). The other factors correlate with the maximal temperature, although some factors showed a tendency to correlate.

CONCLUSIONS

Some skull-related factors correlated with the maximal target area temperature. Although the number of patients in the present study was relatively small, the results offer information that could guide the selection of MRgFUS candidates.
The cerebral isthmus: fiber tract anatomy, functional significance, and surgical considerations
Authors: Koutsarnakis Christos , Liakos Faidon , Liouta Evangelia , Themistoklis Konstantinos , Sakas Damianos , Stranjalis George
Published: September 2015

OBJECT

The cerebral isthmus is the white matter area located between the periinsular sulcus and the lateral ventricle. Studies demonstrating the fiber tract and topographic anatomy of this entity are lacking in current neurosurgical literature. Hence, the authors’ primary aim was to describe the microsurgical white matter anatomy of the cerebral isthmus by using the fiber dissection technique, and they discuss its functional significance. In addition, they sought to investigate its possible surgical utility in approaching lesions located in or adjacent to the lateral ventricle.

METHODS

This study was divided into 2 parts and included 30 formalin-fixed cerebral hemispheres, 5 of which were injected with colored silicone. In the first part, 15 uncolored specimens underwent the Klinger’s procedure and were dissected in a lateromedial direction at the level of the superior, inferior, and anterior isthmuses, and 10 were used for coronal and axial cuts. In the second part, the injected specimens were used to investigate the surgical significance of the superior isthmus in accessing the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle.

RESULTS

The microsurgical anatomy of the anterior, superior, and inferior cerebral isthmuses was carefully studied and recorded both in terms of topographic and fiber tract anatomy. In addition, the potential role of the proximal part of the superior isthmus as an alternative safe surgical corridor to the anterior part of the lateral ventricle was investigated.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the fiber dissection technique along with coronal and axial cuts in cadaveric brain specimens remains a cornerstone in the acquisition of thorough anatomical knowledge of narrow white matter areas such as the cerebral isthmus. The surgical significance of the superior isthmus in approaching the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle is stressed, but further studies must be carried out to elucidate its role in ventricular surgery.
Incidence of microbiological contamination of local bone autograft used in posterior lumbar interbody fusion and its association with postoperative spinal infection
Authors: Lee Chong-Suh , Kang Kyung-Chung , Chung Sung-Soo , Kim Ki-Tack , Shin Seong-Kee
Published: September 2015

OBJECT

The aim of this study was to examine the results of microbiological cultures from local bone autografts used in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and to identify their association with postoperative spinal infection.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively evaluated cases involving 328 patients who had no previous spinal surgeries and underwent PLIF for degenerative diseases with a minimum 1-year follow-up. Local bone was obtained during laminectomy, and microbiological culture was performed immediately prior to bone grafting. The associations between culture results from local bone autografts and postoperative spinal infections were evaluated.

RESULTS

The contamination rate of local bone was 4.3% (14 of 328 cases). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (29%) was the most common contaminant isolated, followed by Streptococcus species and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Of 14 patients with positive culture results, 5 (35.7%) had postoperative spinal infections and were treated with intravenous antibiotics for a minimum of 4 weeks. One of these 5 patients also underwent reoperation for debridement during this 4-week period. Regardless of the microbiological culture results, the infection rate after PLIF with local bone autograft was 2.4% (8 of 328 cases), with 5 (62.5%) of 8 patients showing positive results on autograft culture.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of contamination of local bone autograft during PLIF was considerable, and positive culture results were significantly associated with postoperative spinal infection. Special attention focused on the preparation of local bone for autograft and its microbiological culture will be helpful for the control of postoperative spinal infection.
Postoperative posterior lumbar muscle changes and their relationship to segmental motion preservation or restriction: a randomized prospective study
Authors: Strube Patrick , Putzier Michael , Streitparth Florian , Hoff Eike K. , Hartwig Tony
Published: September 2015

OBJECT

To date, it remains unclear whether the preservation of segmental motion by total disc replacement (TDR) or motion restriction by stand-alone anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) have an influence on postoperative degeneration of the posterior paraspinal muscles or the associated clinical results. Therefore, the purpose of the present prospective randomized study was to evaluate the clinical parameters and 3D quantitative radiological changes in the paraspinal muscles of the lumbar spine in surgically treated segments and superior adjacent segments after ALIF and TDR.

METHODS

A total of 50 patients with chronic low-back pain caused by single-level intervertebral disc degeneration (Pfirrmann Grade ≥ III) and/or osteochondrosis (Modic Type ≤ 2) without symptomatic facet joint degeneration (Fujiwara Grade ≤ 2, infiltration test) of the segments L4–5 or L5–S1 were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups. Twenty-five patients were treated with a stand-alone ALIF and the remaining 25 patients underwent TDR. For ALIF and TDR, a retroperitoneal approach was used. At 1 week and at 12 months after surgery, CT was used to analyze paraspinal lumbar muscle tissue volume and relative fat content. Residual muscle tissue volume at 12 months and change in the relative fat content were compared between the groups. In addition, clinical parameters (visual analog scale [VAS] for low-back pain and Oswestry Disability Index [ODI] Questionnaire Version 2 for function) were compared.

RESULTS

Compared with 1 week after surgery, the radiological analysis at 12 months revealed a small decrease in the posterior muscle volume (the mean decrease was < 2.5%), along with a small increase in the relative fat content (the mean increase was < 1.9%), in both groups at the index and superior adjacent segments. At the adjacent segment, the ALIF group presented significantly less muscle tissue volume atrophy and a smaller increase in fat content compared with the TDR group. At final follow-up, the clinical parameters related to pain and function were significantly improved in both groups compared with 1 week postsurgery, but there were no differences between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Motion restriction via stand-alone ALIF and motion preservation via TDR both present small changes in the posterior lumbar paraspinal muscles with regard to volume atrophy or fatty degeneration at the index and superior adjacent segments. Therefore, although the clinical outcome was not affected by the observed muscular changes, the authors concluded that the expected negative influence of motion restriction on the posterior muscles compared with motion preservation does not occur on a clinically relevant level.
What is the risk of a shunt malfunction after elective intradural surgery?
Authors: Venable Garrett T. , Green Cain S. , Smalley Zachary S. , Bedford E. Cydnie , Modica Joseph S. , Klimo Paul
Published: September 2015

OBJECT

Surgery for CSF diversion is the most common procedure performed by pediatric neurosurgeons. The failure rates for shunts remain frustratingly high, resulting in a burden to patients, families, providers, and healthcare systems. The goal of this study was to quantify the risk of a shunt malfunction in patients with an existing shunt who undergo an elective intradural operation.

METHODS

All elective intradural surgeries (cranial and spinal) at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital from January 2010 through June 2014 were reviewed to identify those patients who had a functional ventricular shunt at the time of surgery. Patient records were reviewed to collect demographic, surgical, clinical, radiological, and pathologic data, including all details related to any subsequent shunt revision surgery. The primary outcome was all-cause shunt revision (i.e., malfunction or infection) within 90 days of elective intradural surgery.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty elective intradural surgeries were identified in 109 patients during the study period. There were 14 patients (12.8%, 13 male) who experienced 16 shunt malfunctions (10.7%) within 90 days of elective intradural surgery. These 14 patients underwent 13 craniotomies, 2 endoscopic fenestrations for loculated hydrocephalus, and 1 laminectomy for dorsal rhizotomy. Median time to failure was 9 days, with the shunts in half of our patients failing within 5 postoperative days. Those patients with failed shunts were younger (median 4.2 years [range 0.33–26 years] vs median 10 years [range 0.58–34 years]), had a shorter time interval from their previous shunt surgery (median 11 months [range 0–81 months] vs median 20 months [range 0–238 months]), and were more likely to have had intraventricular surgery (80.0% vs 60.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to quantify the risk of a shunt malfunction after elective intradural surgery. The 90-day all-cause shunt failure rate (per procedure) was 10.7%, with half of the failures occurring within the first 5 postoperative days. Possible risk factors for shunt malfunction after elective intradural surgeries are intraventricular surgical approach, shorter time since last shunt-related surgery, and young age.
‘It Helped Me Sort of Face the End of the World’: The Role of Emotions for Third Sector Climate Change Engagement Initiatives
Authors: Büchs Milena , Hinton Emma , Smith Graham
Published: September 2015

This paper examines the role that attention to emotions around climate change can play for third sector climate change engagement initiatives, an area to which the literature on such initiatives has paid little attention. It focuses on Carbon Conversations, a programme that explicitly acknowledges the role of difficult emotions and underlying values in people's engagement with climate change. While there are limitations to this approach, results show that it can help certain audiences engage more deeply with issues around climate change and carbon reduction. Important lessons can be drawn for other initiatives that aim to engage the public on climate change.
A Novel Function of TET2 in CNS: Sustaining Neuronal Survival
Authors: Mi Yajing , Gao Xingchun , Dai Jinxiang , Ma Yue , Xu Lixian , Jin Weilin
Published: September 2015

DNA dioxygenases Ten-Eleven Translocation (TET) proteins can catalyze the conversion of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) of DNA to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), and thereby alter the epigenetic state of DNA. The TET family includes TET1, TET2 and TET3 members in mammals. Recently, accumulative research uncovered that TET1–3 occur abundantly in the central nervous system (CNS), and their biological functions have just begun to be investigated. In the present study, we demonstrated that mRNA and protein of TET2 were highly expressed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus along the whole brain-development process. Further studies showed that TET2 was expressed in various types of cells, especially in most neurons. Subcellular distribution pattern implicated that TET2 is localized in both nucleus and cytoplasm of neurons. Down-regulation of TET2 in cultured cortical neurons with RNA interference implied that TET2 was required for cell survival. In all, our results indicate that neuronal TET2 is positively involved in the regulation of cell survival.
Simultaneous Disulfide and Boronic Acid Ester Exchange in Dynamic Combinatorial Libraries
Authors: Diemer Sanna , Kristensen Morten , Rasmussen Brian , Beeren Sophie , Pittelkow Michael
Published: September 2015

Dynamic combinatorial chemistry has emerged as a promising tool for the discovery of complex receptors in supramolecular chemistry. At the heart of dynamic combinatorial chemistry are the reversible reactions that enable the exchange of building blocks between library members in dynamic combinatorial libraries (DCLs) ensuring thermodynamic control over the system. If more than one reversible reaction operates in a single dynamic combinatorial library, the complexity of the system increases dramatically, and so does its possible applications. One can imagine two reversible reactions that operate simultaneously or two reversible reactions that operate independently. Both these scenarios have advantages and disadvantages. In this contribution, we show how disulfide exchange and boronic ester transesterification can function simultaneous in dynamic combinatorial libraries under appropriate conditions. We describe the detailed studies necessary to establish suitable reaction conditions and highlight the analytical techniques appropriate to study this type of system.
Identification of Genes Putatively Involved in Chitin Metabolism and Insecticide Detoxification in the Rice Leaf Folder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) Larvae through Transcriptomic Analysis
Authors: Yu Hai-Zhong , Wen De-Fu , Wang Wan-Lin , Geng Lei , Zhang Yan , Xu Jia-Ping
Published: September 2015

The rice leaf roller (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) is one of the most destructive agricultural pests. Due to its migratory behavior, it is difficult to control worldwide. To date, little is known about major genes of C. medinalis involved in chitin metabolism and insecticide detoxification. In order to obtain a comprehensive genome dataset of C. medinalis, we conducted de novo transcriptome sequencing which focused on the major feeding stage of fourth-instar larvae, and our work revealed useful information on chitin metabolism and insecticide detoxification and target genes of C. medinalis. We acquired 29,367,797 Illumina reads and assembled these reads into 63,174 unigenes with an average length of 753 bp. Among these unigenes, 31,810 were annotated against the National Center for Biotechnology Information non-redundant (NCBI nr) protein database, resulting in 24,246, 8669 and 18,176 assigned to Swiss-Prot, clusters of orthologous group (COG), and gene ontology (GO), respectively. We were able to map 10,043 unigenes into 285 pathways using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway database (KEGG). Specifically, 16 genes, including five chitin deacetylases, two chitin synthases, five chitinases and four other related enzymes, were identified to be putatively involved in chitin biosynthesis and degradation, whereas 360 genes, including cytochrome P450s, glutathione S-transferases, esterases, and acetylcholinesterases, were found to be potentially involved in insecticide detoxification or as insecticide targets. The reliability of the transcriptome data was determined by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) for the selected genes. Our data serves as a new and valuable sequence resource for genomic studies on C. medinalis. The findings should improve our understanding of C. medinalis genetics and contribute to management of this important agricultural pest.
GCN5 Potentiates Glioma Proliferation and Invasion via STAT3 and AKT Signaling Pathways
Authors: Liu Kun , Zhang Qing , Lan Haitao , Wang Liping , Mou Pengfei , Shao Wei , Liu Dan , Yang Wensheng , Lin Zhen , Lin Qingyuan , Ji Tianhai
Published: September 2015

The general control of nucleotide synthesis 5 (GCN5), which is one kind of lysine acetyltransferases, regulates a number of cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, cell cycle and DNA damage repair. However, its biological role in human glioma development remains elusive. In the present study, we firstly reported that GCN5 was frequently overexpressed in human glioma tissues and GCN5 was positively correlated with proliferation of cell nuclear antigen PCNA and matrix metallopeptidase MMP9. Meanwhile, down-regulation of GCN5 by siRNA interfering inhibited glioma cell proliferation and invasion. In addition, GCN5 knockdown reduced expression of p-STAT3, p-AKT, PCNA and MMP9 and increased the expression of p21 in glioma cells. In conclusion, GCN5 exhibited critical roles in glioma development by regulating cell proliferation and invasion, which suggested that GCN5 might be a potential molecular target for glioma treatment.
Accelerated Degradation Test and Predictive Failure Analysis of B10 Copper-Nickel Alloy under Marine Environmental Conditions
Authors: Sun Bo , Ye Tianyuan , Feng Qiang , Yao Jinghua , Wei Mumeng
Published: September 2015

This paper studies the corrosion behavior of B10 copper-nickel alloy in marine environment. Accelerated degradation test under marine environmental conditions was designed and performed based on the accelerated testing principle and the corrosion degradation mechanism. With the prolongation of marine corrosion time, the thickness of Cu2O film increased gradually. Its corrosion product was Cu2(OH)3Cl, which increased in quantity over time. Cl− was the major factor responsible for the marine corrosion of copper and copper alloy. Through the nonlinear fitting of corrosion rate and corrosion quantity (corrosion weight loss), degradation data of different corrosion cycles, the quantitative effects of two major factors, i.e., dissolved oxygen (DO) and corrosion medium temperature, on corrosion behavior of copper alloy were analyzed. The corrosion failure prediction models under different ambient conditions were built. One-day corrosion weight loss under oxygenated stirring conditions was equivalent to 1.31-day weight loss under stationary conditions, and the corrosion rate under oxygenated conditions was 1.31 times higher than that under stationary conditions. In addition, corrosion medium temperature had a significant effect on the corrosion of B10 copper sheet.
Synthesis and Pharmacochemistry of New Pleiotropic Pyrrolyl Derivatives
Authors: Konstantinidou Markella , Gkermani Alice , Hadjipavlou-Litina Dimitra
Published: September 2015

Within the framework of our attempts to synthesize pleiotropic anti-inflammatory agents, we have synthesized some chalcones and their corresponding 3,4-pyrrolyl derivatives. Chalcones constitute a class of compounds with high biological impact. They are known for a number of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activities. They inhibit several enzymes implicated in the inflammatory process, such as lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase (COX) and lysozymes. The synthesized pyrroles have been studied for: (1) their in vitro inhibition of lipoxygenase; (2) their in vitro inhibition of COX; (3) their in vitro inhibition of lipid peroxidation; (4) their interaction with the stable, N-centered, free radical, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH); (5) their inhibition on interleukin-6 (IL-6); (6) their anti-proteolytic activity; and (7) their in vivo anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. Their physicochemical properties were determined to explain the biological results. Lipophilicity was experimentally determined. 2i and 2v were found to be promising multifunctional molecules with high antiproteolytic and anti-inflammatory activities in combination with anti-interleukin-6 activity.
Separation and Identification of Four New Compounds with Antibacterial Activity from Portulaca oleracea L.
Authors: Lei Xia , Li Jianmin , Liu Bin , Zhang Ning , Liu Haiyang
Published: September 2015

The Portulaca oleracea L. (P. oleracea) has been used to treat bacillary dysentery for thousands of years in China. Pharmacology studies on P. oleracea have also showed its significant antibacterial effects on the enteropathogenic bacteria, which might reveal the treatment of P. oleracea in cases of bacillary dysentery to some extent. To date, however, the therapeutic basis of P. oleracea treating on bacillary dysentery remains unknown. We determined the antibacterial effective fraction of P. oleracea in a previous study. The current study, which is based on our previous study, was first designed to isolate, identify and screen antibacterial active constituents from P. oleracea. As a result, four new compounds (1–4), portulacerebroside B (1), portulacerebroside C (2), portulacerebroside D (3) and portulaceramide A (4) along with five known compounds (5–9) were isolated, and structures were established by their physico-chemical constants and spectroscopic analysis. The antibacterial activities against common enteropathogenic bacteria were evaluated for all compounds and the new compounds 1–4 showed significant antibacterial effect on enteropathogenic bacteria in vitro, which might contribute to revealing the treatment of P. oleracea in cases of bacillary dysentery.
Push-Broom-Type Very High-Resolution Satellite Sensor Data Correction Using Combined Wavelet-Fourier and Multiscale Non-Local Means Filtering
Authors: Kang Wonseok , Yu Soohwan , Seo Doochun , Jeong Jaeheon , Paik Joonki
Published: September 2015

In very high-resolution (VHR) push-broom-type satellite sensor data, both destriping and denoising methods have become chronic problems and attracted major research advances in the remote sensing fields. Since the estimation of the original image from a noisy input is an ill-posed problem, a simple noise removal algorithm cannot preserve the radiometric integrity of satellite data. To solve these problems, we present a novel method to correct VHR data acquired by a push-broom-type sensor by combining wavelet-Fourier and multiscale non-local means (NLM) filters. After the wavelet-Fourier filter separates the stripe noise from the mixed noise in the wavelet low- and selected high-frequency sub-bands, random noise is removed using the multiscale NLM filter in both low- and high-frequency sub-bands without loss of image detail. The performance of the proposed method is compared to various existing methods on a set of push-broom-type sensor data acquired by Korean Multi-Purpose Satellite 3 (KOMPSAT-3) with severe stripe and random noise, and the results of the proposed method show significantly improved enhancement results over existing state-of-the-art methods in terms of both qualitative and quantitative assessments.
Experiential Knowledge Complements an LCA-Based Decision Support Framework
Authors: Teah Heng , Fukushima Yasuhiro , Onuki Motoharu
Published: September 2015

A shrimp farmer in Taiwan practices innovation through trial-and-error for better income and a better environment, but such farmer-based innovation sometimes fails because the biological mechanism is unclear. Systematic field experimentation and laboratory research are often too costly, and simulating ground conditions is often too challenging. To solve this dilemma, we propose a decision support framework that explicitly utilizes farmer experiential knowledge through a participatory approach to alternatively estimate prospective change in shrimp farming productivity, and to co-design options for improvement. Data obtained from the farmer enable us to quantitatively analyze the production cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission with a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. We used semi-quantitative graphical representations of indifference curves and mixing triangles to compare and show better options for the farmer. Our results empower the farmer to make decisions more systematically and reliably based on the frequency of heterotrophic bacteria application and the revision of feed input. We argue that experiential knowledge may be less accurate due to its dependence on varying levels of farmer experience, but this knowledge is a reasonable alternative for immediate decision-making. More importantly, our developed framework advances the scope of LCA application to support practically important yet scientifically uncertain cases.
Visualization of a City Sustainability Index (CSI): Towards Transdisciplinary Approaches Involving Multiple Stakeholders
Authors: Mori Koichiro , Fujii Toyonobu , Yamashita Tsuguta , Mimura Yutaka , Uchiyama Yuta , Hayashi Kengo
Published: September 2015

We have developed a visualized 3-D model of a City Sustainability Index (CSI) based on our original concept of city sustainability in which a sustainable city is defined as one that maximizes socio-economic benefits while meeting constraint conditions of the environment and socio-economic equity on a permanent basis. The CSI is based on constraint and maximization indicators. Constraint indicators assess whether a city meets the necessary minimum conditions for city sustainability. Maximization indicators measure the benefits that a city generates in socio-economic aspects. When used in the policy-making process, the choice of constraint indicators should be implemented using a top-down approach. In contrast, a bottom-up approach is more suitable for defining maximization indicators because this technique involves multiple stakeholders (in a transdisciplinary approach). Using different materials of various colors, shapes, sizes, we designed and constructed the visualized physical model of the CSI to help people evaluate and compare the performance of different cities in terms of sustainability. The visualized model of the CSI can convey complicated information in a simple and straightforward manner to diverse stakeholders so that the sustainability analysis can be understood intuitively by ordinary citizens as well as experts. Thus, the CSI model helps stakeholders to develop critical thinking about city sustainability and enables policymakers to make informed decisions for sustainability through a transdisciplinary approach.
LITHUANIAN ACHIEVEMENTS IN TERMS OF CO2 EMISSIONS BASED ON PRODUCTION SIDE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EU-27
Authors: LIOBIKIENĖ Genovaitė , MANDRAVICKAITĖ Justina , KREPŠTULIENĖ Danguolė , BERNATONIENĖ Jurga , SAVICKAS Arūnas
Published: September 2015

The production perspective is actual seeking regarding the CO2 emissions management policy; however, there is a lack of studies taking the latter approach. Thus referring to air emissions accounts, the aim of this analysis is to evaluate changes in CO2 equivalent emissions from the production-based perspective in Lithuania and the EU-27 and their determinants during 2000– 2012. Using the coefficient of elasticity, it was observed that in Lithuanian the economy grew three times faster than emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). Meanwhile in the EU-27, GHG decreased with economic growth. In the EU-27 absolute decoupling was observed for agriculture, forestry and fishing, public administration, defence economic activities, real estate activities, and education. Meanwhile, in Lithuania for these activities a relative or negative decoupling occurred. With regard to technological contributions to changes in CO2 equivalent emissions, the most problematic economic activities in Lithuania are financial and insurance activities, education, post and telecommunications, other service activities. In the EU-27 members the most problematic sectors are mining and quarrying, construction, transport and storage sector. Thus, the successful implementation of GHG emissions management policy is very important in Lithuania and in all the EU countries.
Mobile Robot Path Planning using Voronoi Diagram and Fast Marching
Authors: Garrido S. , Moreno L.
Published: September 2015

This chapter presents a new sensor-based path planner, which gives a fast local or global motion plan capable to incorporate new obstacles data. Within the first step, the safest areas in the environment are extracted by means of a Voronoi Diagram. Within the second step, the fast marching method is applied to the Voronoi extracted areas so as to get the trail. This strategy combines map-based and sensor-based designing operations to supply a reliable motion plan, whereas it operates at the frequency of the sensor. The most interesting characteristics are high speed and reliability, as the map dimensions are reduced to a virtually one-dimensional map and this map represents the safest areas within the environment.
Becoming ‘Multi-Racial'
Authors: Higgs Eleanor Tiplady
Published: September 2015

This chapter addresses issues of identity and racial exclusion by looking at Christianity and whiteness at the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) in the context of late colonial Kenya. Between 1955 and 1965, Kenya YWCA rejected its identity as an organization for white/European women, and became inclusive of African women for the first time. The history of Kenya YWCA written by its last white leader, Vera Harley, is an important source of information about this period in Kenya YWCA's history. The narrative Harley constructs is an important part of the identity of the organization in the present day. Studying this narrative of ‘race' and inclusion yields two key insights; firstly, that in late colonial Kenya racial and religious identity were strongly connected, even mutually constitutive. Secondly, women in African contexts have historically been excluded from (some) Christian organisations.
Building the Multidimensional Semantic Index of Webpages for Facet Extraction
Authors: Wei Xiao , Qin Chenglei , Xu Zheng
Published: September 2015

Faceted search is an efficient search method to use the big data and one of its key issues is to extract facets from unstructured webpages automatically. It is still a problem to extract facets from massive unstructured webpages exactly and automatically. To solve the problem, this paper first proposed a novel index structure of webpages, the Multidimensional Semantic Index (MDSI), which holds rich semantics and are helpful to extract facets. In MDSI, the differently dimensional semantic indexes are bridged by mining the semantic mapping between them. Then, an automatic facet extraction method is proposed by analysing semantic mapping relations in MDSI. At last, to validate the effect of the proposed method, two datasets are constructed and the experimental results show that the proposed method is feasible and comparatively precise.
Improved Encryption Algorithm of Images Based on Three-Dimensional Chaos
Authors: Wang Kefeng , Ye FeiYue
Published: September 2015

It describes an improved encryption algorithm of a three-dimensional image based on multiple chaotic systems. The algorithm uses a variety of chaotic encryption system to cut the image into three-dimensional matrix systems, in three-dimensional space do the image scrambling transformation, three-dimensional chaotic sequence output by multiple chaotic systems achieved three color pixel substitution transformation of the spatial color image. Finally, according to the theoretical analysis and simulation results it shows that the encryption algorithm with large key space, good confidentiality, and the pixel values of the encryption image has a random uniform distribution features and zero correlation of the neighboring pixel values, verifies the proposed scheme has high security.
Cloud Computing and IT Infrastructure Outsourcing
Authors: Choudhary Praveen K. , Mital Monika , Sharma Rajeev , Pani Ashis K.
Published: September 2015

Cloud Computing has caught the imagination of the CIOs across the world with rapid scalability being the most important feature of Cloud Computing, with very high degree of provisioning capability from the Cloud vendors in comparison to on premise IT infrastructure. It provides for the shift of spend from capital expenditure in IT budgets to a more flexible and manageable operating expenditure for the CIOs. However, as an emergent technology, there are initial adoption level concerns that are associated with Cloud Computing in most of the companies. Infrastructure as a Service or (IaaS) adoptions have not been high especially in the large companies which continue to opt for traditional IT Infrastructure Outsourcing. This paper compares Cloud Computing (Infrastructure as a Service - IaaS) adoption, outlined through two cases of Cloud (IaaS), with traditional IT Infrastructure Outsourcing outlined through four cases studies of traditional IT Outsourcing.
E-Healthcare Disparities Across Cultures
Authors: Biswas Seema , Mazuz Keren , Mendes Rui Amaral
Published: September 2015

As e-healthcare becomes a reality for healthcare service provision across the world, challenges in acceptance, implementation, usage and effectiveness have begun to emerge. The infrastructure, readiness and literacy levels required for the effective delivery of e-healthcare services may be prohibitive in providing access to those most in need. As research brings to light the real effectiveness of e-healthcare programmes across the globe, this paper explores how e-healthcare has been implemented worldwide and how populations have been served by an innovation in Information Technology and healthcare that has sought to bring health services to remote areas, improve access to healthcare and narrow the divide between healthcare providers and patients. While notable achievements have seen real time clinical data captured and medical records digitalised, the very determinants responsible for actual health and social disparities are equally responsible for disparities is access to e-healthcare.
Free Resources for Conducting Learning Sessions for Undergraduate Medical Students About Pharmaceutical Promotion
Authors: Shankar P Ravi
Published: September 2015

Pharmaceutical promotion has been shown in various studies to be an important influence on the prescribing behavior of doctors. Undergraduate students should be aware of promotion, be introduced to various tactics adopted by the industry and be able to respond to promotion. A survey conducted in 2004 showed most medical schools devoted only one to two hours of curriculum time to this topic. A number of free internet resources are available for faculty members interested in conducting sessions on this topic for students. This article discusses selected resources including the Ethical criteria for medicinal drug promotion, Understanding and responding to pharmaceutical promotion a practical guide, Healthy Skepticism website, Pharmedout website, No free lunch website, the website of the Citizen's Commission for Human Rights, the book Drug promotion: What we know, what we have yet to learn and resources dealing with disease mongering.
Application of Radiology Techniques and Technologies in Forensic Investigations
Authors: Vidua Raghvendra Kumar
Published: September 2015

Forensic radiology is a specialized area of medical imaging which is used for the purpose of evaluation by the forensic experts, physicians, pathologists and anthropologists in cases related with the law. The imaging technologies and techniques can be potential and powerful tools in solving the medico legal cases in the field of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. Here Forensic experts evaluate the medico legal cases by effectively utilizing their knowledge and experience of recent radiological techniques and technologies. In this article along with the brief history, different modalities of Radiology which have various applications in medico legal investigations with certain advantages and disadvantages, record keeping of data produced, the safety aspects of these technologies, economical aspect of using them along with its current status in a global perspective and its future role and challenges have been discussed.
Anisotropic Mechanical Properties of Pure Magnesium Analyzed by In Situ Nanoindentation
Authors: Bočan Jiří , Maňák Jan , Jäger Aleš
Published: September 2015

In this work, correlation between nanomechanical properties and crystallographic orientation of grains in 99.9 % magnesium is presented. Crystallographic orientation of individual grains was obtained by scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) detector. Hardness and elastic modulus of grains with known orientation were subsequently determined by in situ nanoindentation in SEM. We show that hardness decreases with increasing angle between the direction of indentation and thec-axis of grains, while elastic modulus varies non-monotonically.
Local Mechanical Properties of Highly Porous Si3N4 for Trabecular Bone Replacement
Authors: Pramuková Vilčeková Zuzana , Kašiarová Monika , Precnerová Domanická Magdaléna , Hnatko Miroslav , Šajgalík Pavol
Published: September 2015

The study deals with the development of highly porous undegradable ceramics based on silicon nitride as potential replacement of trabecular bone. These materials were produced using replication method with polyurethane foams as pore-forming agents to achieve similar porous structure to trabecular bone. Prepared porous ceramics had a bimodal pore structure with macro-pores larger than 200 μm and micro-pores smaller than 1 μm in diameter, which are necessary for tissue ingrowths, cell adhesion, adsorption of biological metabolites and nutrition delivery in organism. The microstructure and local mechanical properties (Young’s modulus and Yield strength) were evaluated and compared with human trabecular bone. Results showed that studied porous materials have satisfactory porosity and pore sizes for trabecular bone replacement. Young’s modulus of bone was 12.6 ± 2.23 GPa and porous silicon nitride samples ranged from 10.9 ± 3.38 GPa to 12.9 ± 1.13 GPa. The values of Yield strength of trabecular bone was determined as 493 ± 30.7 MPa and the values of porous samples varied from 250 ± 19.3 MPa to 558 ± 36.5 MPa. Young’s modulus and Yield strength increase with increasing of the pre-sintering temperature and multiple infiltrations.
Estimation of the Plastic Zone Size from the Multi-Parameter/Generalized Form of Fracture Criteria on Various Mode I Geometries
Authors: Malíková Lucie
Published: September 2015

Three cracked geometries loaded in mode I are investigated and the plastic zone size calculated. For estimation of the plastic zone size, two fracture criteria are used (Rankine and von Mises). Whereas the classical criteria give the same results (the stress intensity factor being identical for each geometry), the data from numerical simulations exhibit differences for various geometries. It is shown that the multi-parameter form of the criteria enables to obtain results that agree better to the numerical ones. Particularly, the Williams expansion is utilized for approximation of the stress components that serve as inputs for the fracture criteria. It is concluded that taking into account several more initial terms of the series can help to predict the plastic zone size more accurately.
Local Notch Toughness of Slab Surface Zone in ULC/IF and HSLA Steels
Authors: Longauerová Margita , Hurakova Maria , Bekeč Pavel , Longauer Svätoboj , Fedorová Mária , Konrádyová Jana
Published: September 2015

The aim of this work was to analyze changes in local toughness KCV using Charpy V-notch impact tests in the slab surface zone in relation to the microstructure in ULC/ IF steel and TiNb HSLA steel. Marked heterogeneity in KCV values was confirmed in the surface zone across the width of transitional slabs. Distinct local differences in notch toughness across the slab width were found to be linked primarily with changes in ferrite grain size. Low KCV values in the analyzed steels were linked with coarse grain structure, while much finer ferrite structure was identified in tough samples. The heterogeneity of KCV vales in the analyzed steels may be influenced by differences in thickness of the fine-grain slab surface zone, and by the presence of tertial cementite and (in HSLA steel) of pearlite as well.
Influence of Nanoparticle Size on Strain at the Core-Shell Interface
Authors: Milkovič Ondrej , Michaliková Jana , Bednarčík Jozef , Michalik Štefan
Published: September 2015

This work deals with the strain at the core-shell interface of Fe nanoparticles. Series of Fe nanoparticles with various mean diameters were prepared by precipitation in solid state in binary Cu-Fe alloy. Further, nanoparticles were isolated by dissolution of Cu matrix. High-energy X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to probe structure of nanoparticles. XRD measurements suggest presence of the core-shell structure, where core and shell of the nanoparticles are formed of α-Fe and CuFe2O4 phase, respectively. Strains in core and shell were estimated as a function of nanoparticles size by Williamson-Hall method.
Evaluation of Influence of Carbon Nanotubes on the Mechanical Properties and Morphology of the Thermoplastic Polymer Matrix
Authors: Vácha Jan
Published: September 2015

This paper examines the mechanical properties of the composite of thermoplastic polymer matrix with carbon nanotubes. As the basic polymer matrix polyamide (PA) was used to which the nanoparticles in a given percentage by weight in the form of nanotubes were added. Composite was injected into the Arburg injection molding machine. Different mechanical properties were measured for evaluation. These tests are compared with polymeric materials without added nanofiller. In conclusion influence on the mechanical properties of polymer matrix with carbon nanotubes and without fillers is evaluated.