bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community-Based Monitoring in Response to Local Concerns: Creating Usable Knowledge for Water Management in Rural Land
Authors: Flores-Díaz Adriana , Quevedo Chacón Alexander , Páez Bistrain Rosaura , Ramírez M. , Larrazábal Alejandra
Published: April 2018

Water resources around the world are being affected by increasing demand for human consumption as well as by industrial and agricultural use. Water quality has an impact on our quality of life, so effective monitoring provides the necessary data to allow decision makers to address critical water-related issues. This study (1) analyzes water knowledge generated by a community-based water monitoring (CBWM) network within a world heritage site; (2) discusses the extent to which monitoring responds to community concerns about water; and (3) indicates challenges in the generation of local usable knowledge. Using information generated over 6.5 years by a local monitoring network, we calculated a water quality index (WQI) and generated a time-series analysis using the breaks for additive season and trend (Bfast) algorithm. Results were grouped by specific community and institutional concerns about water. Springs under good management practices had low pollution levels, while others used for drinking and recreation had high fecal bacterial counts. Monitoring provided data about Escherichia coli counts exceeding legal limits, and about conditions of alkalinity and dissolved oxygen that represent a risk for the freshwater ecosystems. This study demonstrates how CBWM schemes can be a means of generating knowledge of water resources that can enhance the understanding of water dynamics and inform users’ decisions at local–regional levels.
How Unusual Was 2015 in the 1984–2015 Period of the North Cascade Glacier Annual Mass Balance?
Authors: Pelto Mauri S.
Published: April 2018

In 1983, the North Cascade Glacier Climate Project (NCGCP) began the annual monitoring of the mass balance on 10 glaciers throughout the range, in order to identify their response to climate change. Annual mass balance (Ba) measurements have continued on seven original glaciers, with an additional two glaciers being added in 1990. The measurements were discontinued on two glaciers that had disappeared and one was that had separated into several sections. This comparatively long record from nine glaciers in one region, using the same methods, offers some useful comparative data in order to place the impact of the regional climate warmth of 2015 in perspective. The mean annual balance of the NCGCP glaciers is reported to the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS), with two glaciers, Columbia and Rainbow Glacier, being reference glaciers. The mean Ba of the NCGCP glaciers from 1984 to 2015, was −0.54 m w.e.a−1 (water equivalent per year), ranging from −0.44 to −0.67 m w.e.a−1 for individual glaciers. In 2015, the mean Ba of nine North Cascade glaciers was −3.10 m w.e., the most negative result in the 32-year record. The correlation coefficient of Ba was above 0.80 between all North Cascade glaciers, indicating that the response was regional and not controlled by local factors. The probability of achieving the observed 2015 Ba of −3.10 is 0.34%.
Optimizing Re-Chlorination Injection Points for Water Supply Networks Using Harmony Search Algorithm
Authors: Yoo Do Guen , Lee Sang Myoung , Lee Ho Min , Choi Young Hwan , Kim Joong Hoon
Published: April 2018

In order to achieve the required residual chlorine concentration at the end of a water network, the installation of a re-chlorination facility for a high-quality water supply system is necessary. In this study, the optimal re-chlorination facility locations and doses were determined for real water supply systems, which require maintenance in ord3r to ensure proper residual chlorine concentrations at the pipeline under the present and future conditions. The harmony search algorithm (HSA), which is a meta-heuristic optimization technique, was used for the optimization model. This method was applied to two water supply systems in South Korea and was verified through case studies using different numbers of re-chlorination points. The results show that the proposed model can be used as an efficient water quality analysis and decision making tool, which showed the optimal re-chlorination dose and little deviation in the spatial distribution. In addition, the HSA results are superior to those of the genetic algorithm (GA) in terms of the total injection mass with the same number of evaluations.
Simulation of Propagation and Run-Up of Three Dimensional Landslide-Induced Waves Using a Meshless Method
Authors: Hsiao Shih-Chun , Shih Ming-Yang , Wu Nan-Jing
Published: April 2018

In this study, a meshless numerical model for the simulation of tsunamis generated by submerged landslides was developed. The phenomena were treated as free surface potential flows governed by the Laplace equation. By using a predictor-corrector time marching approach, the time dependent problem was transformed to a series of boundary value problems (BVP) while at each time step the BVP was solved by a meshless method which employed local polynomial collocation accompanying the weight-least-squares (WLS) approach. The model was validated by comparing the results with experimental data and other numerical results. Then, simulations were carried out in a widened numerical wave flume for the observation of edge waves along the shore.
Spin-orbital Tidal Dynamics and Tidal Heating in the TRAPPIST-1 Multiplanet System
Authors: Makarov Valeri V. , Berghea Ciprian T. , Efroimsky Michael
Published: April 2018

We perform numerical simulations of the TRAPPIST-1 system of seven exoplanets orbiting a nearby M dwarf, starting with a previously suggested stable configuration. The long-term stability of this configuration is confirmed, but the motion of planets is found to be chaotic. The eccentricity values are found to vary within finite ranges. The rates of tidal dissipation and tidal evolution of orbits are estimated, assuming an Earth-like rheology for the planets. We find that under this assumption, the planets b, d, and e were captured in the 3:2 or higher spin–orbit resonances during the initial spin-down, but slipped further down into the 1:1 resonance. Depending on its rheology, the innermost planet b may be captured in a stable pseudosynchronous rotation. Nonsynchronous rotation ensures higher levels of tidal dissipation and internal heating. The positive feedback between the viscosity and the dissipation rate—and the ensuing runaway heating—are terminated by a few self-regulation processes. When the temperature is high and the viscosity is low enough, the planet spontaneously leaves the 3:2 resonance. Further heating is stopped either by passing the peak dissipation or by the emergence of partial melt in the mantle. In the post-solidus state, the tidal dissipation is limited to the levels supported by the heat transfer efficiency. The tides on the host star are unlikely to have had a significant dynamical impact. The tides on the synchronized inner planets tend to reduce these planets’ orbital eccentricity, possibly contributing thereby to the system’s stability.
Opacity Limit for Supermassive Protostars
Authors: Becerra Fernando , Marinacci Federico , Inayoshi Kohei , Bromm Volker , Hernquist Lars E.
Published: April 2018

We present a model for the evolution of supermassive protostars from their formation at

until their growth to

. To calculate the initial properties of the object in the optically thick regime, we follow two approaches: one based on idealized thermodynamic considerations, and another based on a more detailed one-zone model. Both methods derive a similar value of

for the density of the object when opacity becomes important, i.e., the opacity limit. The subsequent evolution of the growing protostar is determined by the accretion of gas onto the object and can be described by a mass–radius relation of the form

during the early stages, and of the form

when internal luminosity becomes important. For the case of a supermassive protostar, this implies that the radius of the star grows from

to

during its evolution. Finally, we use this model to construct a subgrid recipe for accreting sink particles in numerical simulations. A prime ingredient thereof is a physically motivated prescription for the accretion radius and the effective temperature of the growing protostar embedded inside it. From the latter, we can conclude that photoionization feedback can be neglected until very late in the assembly process of the supermassive object.
Species conservation profiles of a random sample of world spiders I: Agelenidae to Filistatidae
Authors: Seppälä Sini , Henriques Sérgio , Draney Michael , Foord Stefan , Gibbons Alastair , Gomez Luz , Kariko Sarah , Malumbres-Olarte Jagoba , Milne Marc , Vink Cor , Cardoso Pedro
Published: April 2018

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is the most widely used information source on the extinction risk of species. One of the uses of the Red List is to evaluate and monitor the state of biodiversity and a possible approach for this purpose is the Red List Index (RLI). For many taxa, mainly hyperdiverse groups, it is not possible within available resources to assess all known species. In such cases, a random sample of species might be selected for assessment and the results derived from it extrapolated for the entire group - the Sampled Red List Index (SRLI). With the current contribution and the three following papers, we intend to create the first point in time of a future spider SRLI encompassing 200 species distributed across the world.

A sample of 200 species of spiders were randomly selected from the World Spider Catalogue, an updated global database containing all recognised species names for the group. The 200 selected species where divided taxonomically at the family level and the familes were ordered alphabetically. In this publication, we present the conservation profiles of 46 species belonging to the famillies alphabetically arranged between Agelenidae and Filistatidae, which encompassed Agelenidae, Amaurobiidae, Anyphaenidae, Araneidae, Archaeidae, Barychelidae, Clubionidae, Corinnidae, Ctenidae, Ctenizidae, Cyatholipidae, Dictynidae, Dysderidae, Eresidae and Filistatidae.
What If the USSR Comes Back to Life Once Again?
Authors: Mohammed Khemis
Published: April 2018

The Soviet Union played the role of a great power in the international system for many decades after World War II, and the main sources of Soviet power came from its hard components of power such as large territory, large populations, and solid industrial base. However, the Soviet Union dissolved at the end of the Cold War in 1991 and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as an alternative body of former great power was established. However, the CIS still attempts to overtake the symbolic image of a post-Soviet region to rebuild a powerful multilateral organization in realms of security, trade, and finance. Thus, the question is, What if the Commonwealth of Independent States turns out to a unitary coherent actor able to compete in the international system as a great power? In order to answer this question, this chapter will try to measure the composite index of national capability (CINC) of the CIS combined and compare it with the CINC scores of the United States and China to figure out the main CIS potentials in terms of hard power components such as total population, urban population, steel production, energy consumption, military personnel, and military expenditure.
Sharing Tacit Knowledge
Authors: Khatun Ayesha
Published: April 2018

Twenty-first century markets are unstable: technologies rapidly proliferate, competitors multiply, products and services become obsolete almost overnight. It is knowledge that can help the organizations to remain competitive. But as knowledge is the source of competitive advantage for the organization, it is also the source of competitive advantage for individuals. People think that knowledge is power, so sharing the same may lead to losing the power. Moreover, the very nature of tacit knowledge poses many difficulties in sharing the same. But sharing tacit knowledge is a vital part of the knowledge management process because it is tacit knowledge that is inimitable and is unique for the firm and hence provides competitive advantage. Studies found that personal interaction and informal networks work as the most successful means of sharing tacit knowledge. This chapter discusses the concept of tacit knowledge and attempts to discuss and suggest some effective methods of sharing tacit knowledge in organizations.
The Information
Authors: Rascão José Poças
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this chapter is to contribute to a reflection on the emergence and evolution of information science, taking into consideration the context in which it is inserted. The information and knowledge society requires a science that studies the properties of information and the processes of its construction, communication, and use, based on the aggregation of existing literature. This chapter is a descriptive research, with the goal of identifying and characterizing the properties of information as an object of study of information sciences and the processes of its use as an industry. The structure of the chapter synthesizes the existing academic work, seeking to generate new knowledge. The results can be used to integrate the properties of the information in the different properties and/or areas of knowledge. The chapter seeks to firstly identify the properties and the apparent processes and then focuses in greater detail on some of them.
Re-Imagining Data Governance
Authors: Sweeney Kevin J.
Published: April 2018

Contemporary business environments reflect the growing influence of data as a mission-critical resource of relevance across the enterprise, suggesting a need for robust infrastructures to enable good data management practice. This includes data governance, a particularly foundational infrastructure with a crucial role to play. Data governance models in common use however, reflecting traditional top-down, hierarchical structures, and relying on designated governance roles, are not equipped to effectively embed data accountability within dynamic business environments. In response, this chapter offers a new approach designed to foster accountability by cultivating data knowledge and promoting good data management behavior amongst all relevant staff. Drawing from an operational data governance framework developed for New Zealand government, the new model employs a core set of capabilities and a steady states model to map data flow. It provides a deliberately business-centric view of data accountability and offers a means of maturing data thinking to support improved integration across operating scales.
Use of Cloud, Multimedia, and QR Codes to Enhance Print Maps
Authors: Singh Harpinder , Gambhir Dheeraj , Taneja Sagar , Singh Amardeep
Published: April 2018

Quick response (QR) codes are two-dimensional codes. They are machine-readable optical labels which contain information of the object on which they are attached. Due to their large storage capacity and faster readability, they are becoming more popular than one-dimensional bar codes. They are widely used in creation of inventories, product tracking, document management, etc. With the widespread use of smart phones, QR codes are becoming more popular. QR code interpreting apps are freely available and all modern smartphones are equipped with a camera and internet to process and interpret these codes. The value of printed maps can also be enhanced by using QR codes. This chapter reviews how the value of printed or hard copy maps can be enhanced by adding QR codes that have multimedia content placed on the Cloud.
An Efficient Policy for Vertical-Handover-Based Multi-Attribute Utility Theory in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks
Authors: Lahby Mohamed , Sekkaki Abderrahim
Published: April 2018

The rapid evolution of wireless networks over the last decade has allowed users to reach any access network at anytime and anywhere. The main challenge in this heterogeneous network is to determine the best access network for the end user in terms of quality of service (QoS) when the vertical handover process is needed. In this chapter, the authors propose an efficient policy for vertical handover based on multi-attribute utility theory. This theory combines two approaches the utility function and multiple attributes decision making (MADM). Firstly, they apply the utility function to build the utility values which are inputted to the attributes matrix decision of MADM. Then they use the NMMD algorithm which is MADM technique to rank the interfaces according utility values. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed policy can achieve a significant improvement concerning three parameters: the reversal phenomenon, the ping-pong effect, and the number of handoff failures.
A Dynamic Resource Provisioning VNE Algorithm Based on Graph Theory
Authors: Pathak Isha , Vidyarthi Deo Prakash , Tripathi Atul
Published: April 2018

Business has transformed drastically over the years and cloud computing has emerged as an upcoming platform to provide all types of services, especially in the domain of digital business. Virtualization in cloud is a core activity, done at various levels, to support multiple services. Network virtualization is a significant aspect that liberates the users for seamless network access. Virtual network embedding is a process in which the demand of virtual nodes and virtual links are fulfilled by physical/substrate nodes and links while optimizing certain characteristic parameters. This chapter addresses the virtual network embedding problem to optimize parameters such as running time, residual physical network, and embedding cost using graph theory approach. It also minimizes the exhaustion of substrate network resources and still using its resources efficiently. In this chapter, a concept of graph theory has been applied for the virtual network embedding problem. The proposed model has been simulated for its performance study, and results reveal the efficacy of the method.
Deep Learning and Data Balancing Approaches in Mining Hospital Surveillance Data
Authors: Firoze Adnan , Deb Tonmoay , Rahman Rashedur M.
Published: April 2018

A number of classifier models on hospital surveillance data to classify admitted patients according to their critical conditions with an emphasis to deep learning paradigms, namely convolutional neural network, were used in this research. Three class labels were used to distinguish the criticality of the admitted 25,261 patients. The authors have set forth two distinct approaches to address the unbalance nature of data. They used multilayer perceptron (MLP), convolutional neural network (CNN), and multinomial logistic regression classifications and finally compared the performance of our models with the models developed by Firoze, Hasan and Rahman (2013). After comparison, the authors show that one of the models, including convolutional neural network based on deep learning, surpasses most models in terms of classification performance in contingent with training times and epochs. The trade-off is computational power for which—to achieve optimal accuracy—multiple CUDA cores are necessary. The authors achieved stable improvement of classification for their model using CNN.
Breast Cancer Detection Using Hybrid Computational Intelligence Techniques
Authors: Acharjya Debi Prasanna , Chowdhary Chiranji Lal
Published: April 2018

Diagnosis of cancer is of prime concern in recent years. Medical imaging is used to analyze these diseases. But, these images contain uncertainties due to various factors and thus intelligent techniques are essential to process these uncertainties. This chapter highlights two hybridizations pertaining to breast cancer. In one hybridization technique, it hybridizes intuitionistic fuzzy set and rough set in combination with statistical feature extraction methods. In the second case, intuitionistic fuzzy histogram hyperbolization is hybridized with possibilistic fuzzy c-mean clustering algorithm. Both hybridizations are studied to extract the region of interest and then to enhance the edges surrounding it. Experimental analysis is carried out for both models and an exhaustive study on these models is presented in this chapter.
Prescriptive Simulation Scenarios for Hospitals Evacuation Management
Authors: Attia Safa , Boubetra Abdelhak , Saoud Manel Saad
Published: April 2018

The emergence of a large number of vulnerabilities and the growing interdependence of economic and social activities put vital networks in a particularly delicate situation. These networks constitute the critical infrastructures of which the security of one of them depends on the others. Being more and more interdependent, their failure can have catastrophic consequences on the whole. The main objective of this chapter aims to study the problem of the occurrence of an electrical failure in the hospitals and to provide anticipatory solutions as decisions to be taken and submitted to the stakeholders involved in the intervention in such critical situations. To this end, an emergency response management system was proposed and modeled by the creation of prescriptive and adaptive simulation scenarios. This system was realized via a web-mobile application. The latter, thanks to the advantages that offers, facilitates the tasks of the stakeholders, improves the quality of the communications, reduces the time required for evacuation, and therefore, limits the scope of the damage.
The MAMICare Project
Authors: Lavariega Juan C. , Córdova Gustavo A. , Gómez Lorena G. , Avila Alfonso
Published: April 2018

This chapter is an updated version of a previous work about the authors' project on monitoring pregnancy progress in rural areas and/or areas with poor support of medical services. The project is based on an information technology solution based on mobile devices and health sensors such as electrocardiogram, stethoscope, pulse-oximeter, and blood-glucose meter to automatically collect relevant health data for monitoring pregnancy. In this chapter, the authors provide a detailed description of the software architecture of the system. They include a description of the test they have been performing and the difficulties they have faced for the complete implementation of their system.
Customer Relationships and Supply Chain Management in the Fast Fashion Industry
Authors: Arrigo Elisa
Published: April 2018

Since the 1990s, the concept of customer relationship management (CRM) has emerged in the marketing literature by stimulating the interest of the academic community. It involves the integration of supply chain functions in order to achieve a greater efficiency in delivering and improving customer value. This chapter focuses on the fast fashion industry that represents a fascinating domain in which to investigate the management of customer relationships due to its particular features of short life cycle products, volatile demand, and high level of impulse purchase. In order to grow in the long term, fast fashion companies deal with a wide range of information to develop a good understanding of market trends. To date, few studies have examined CRM in the fast fashion industry, and thus, this research is addressed to contribute to filling this gap. The analysis of the key functions of fast fashion supply chains from a CRM perspective has been carried out and findings have highlighted an interesting strategic shift from simply meeting customers' needs to driving customers' behaviors.
A Central Asian View of E-Government Services Adoption
Authors: Ismailova Rita , Muhametjanova Gulshat , Kurambayev Bahtiyar
Published: April 2018

Results of survey from a snowball convenient sample of Kyrgyz respondents (N = 216) showed that employees of private sector are more likely to use government websites than those of government employees themselves and level of knowledge about security issues directly related to intention to use of Kyrgyz government websites. Specifically, higher level of knowledge about security issues leads less likely to use government websites. Factors such as ease of use and usefulness, relative advantage of using web sites, and compatibility with respondents' lifestyle have also great impact on intention to use government web sites. Image, given by using internet technologies to communicate with government also has a direct relation on people's intention. The findings also suggest about the gender role in if and under circumstances men and women tend to use government websites. The findings are explained via the investigation of diffusion of innovation model and technology acceptance model in relation to use of government websites in the context of Kyrgyz Republic.
The “Intensification-Quality Paradox” in ICT Organizations
Authors: Evenstad Solveig Beyza Narli
Published: April 2018

Paradoxes and system contradictions in organizations may expose employees to tensions and contradictions, which they can only partially resolve, and from which they may only partially escape. Exposure to double-bind situations leads to stress, anxiety, and other symptoms of behavioral, affective, and cognitive disturbances. When employees are caught between paradoxical injunctions and organizational defensive routines hinder metacommunication, some employees develop dysfunctional coping strategies and end up being burned out. During a phenomenological PhD research on the burnout experience of 14 ICT employees in France and Norway, a stress-inducing pathological communication pattern was discovered and named the “intensification-quality paradox.” The research participants had experienced two conflicting demands as a double bind: “do more with less” and “be excellent.” The employees with high standards and ideals spent excessive personal energy to do more with less while keeping the quality constant. They got increasingly exhausted, ineffective, and finally burnt out.
Enterprise Systems, Power and Improvisation
Authors: Wainwright David W. , Waring Teresa S.
Published: April 2018

Enterprise systems (ES) have been extensively procured in large organizations but much research fails to develop sociotechnically informed approaches that facilitate their implementation whilst understanding the impact of integrated technology on professional working practices within complex organizational environments. This chapter takes a critically informed sociotechnical approach to power and improvisation in ES implementation. The contribution is a combined “circuits of power-improvisation” (CPI) framework which can facilitate a better understanding of ES implementation, sociotechnical theory, and practice. Practical lessons learned from the study may potentially be used to avoid some of the problems experienced with the over-zealous and rapid introduction of digital technologies into university organizations where the risk is that they become a student mass production system. It highlights the important role of power and improvisation, enabled and afforded by new digital technologies, in what may be misrepresented as planned strategic and deliberate organizational change.
Diffusion Phenomenon of Precious Metal Electrode Elements into Ceramic Electrolytes after Working Process at SOFC and Sensors
Authors: Liu Man Man , Yan Dong , Feng Ping , Pu Jian , Chi Bo , Li Jian
Published: April 2018

SOFC single cell use the preparation process of precision casting-screen printing-co-sintering and developed a new electrode such as precious metal ceramic electrode. Although SOFC single battery comprehensive performance indicators in our country are currently synchronized with the international advanced technology level, the new precious metal ceramic electrode has not been tested for long-term operation of the full battery. In order to analyze the practicality of the new noble metal ceramic electrode, especially whether the noble metal electrode is one of the factors that cause performance degradation, this paper studies whether the noble metal Pd electrode would diffuse into the YSZ electrolyte during the energization process. The composition and morphology of the electrolytes of 350h half-cell was analyzed by the battery polarization test, SEM, EDX and Electron etching depth analysis of XPS. The result shows that the noble metal Pd element has diffused more than 100 nm into the YSZ electrolyte after 350h constant current.
Synthesis and Photocatalytic Degradation Performance of g-C3N4/ CQDs/SAPO-5 Ternary Composite
Authors: Qiu Ling Fang , Zhou Zhi Wei , Qiu Xiao Bin , Duo Shu Wang
Published: April 2018

Due to the fatal drawback of fast photoreduced electron-hole pair recombination rate of g-C3N4, g-C3N4/CQDs/SAPO-5 ternary composite were prepared. Both of carbon quantum dots and SAPO-5 can form heterojunction with g-C3N4to inhibit the recombination. Their properties were characterized by XRD, SEM, FT-IR, DRS and PL. Data of PL shows a much lower photoreduced electron-hole pair recombination rate of g-C3N4/CQDs/SAPO-5. The effect of CQDs amount loaded on ternary composite on the RhB photodegradation performance under visible light was discussed in detail. The observed RhB degradation performances indicate that the order of photocatalytic activity is: g-C3N4/CQDs/SAPO-5> g-C3N4/ SAPO-5 > g-C3N4. g-C3N4/CQDs/SAPO-5 with CQDs load ratio of 0.25 w.t.% shows the best photodegradation performance. The highest efficiency is about 24.43% higher than g-C3N4/ SAPO-5 and 47.15% higher than pristine g-C3N4, respectively. This work is promising for developing novel g-C3N4-based photocatalysts for environmental purification.
Synthesis and Photocatalytic Properties of the Bi2MoO6 and Bi2WO6 Photocatalysts
Authors: Xia Juan , Zhang Lin , Wang Qi
Published: April 2018

Two different Bi-based semiconductor photocatalysts Bi2MoO6 and Bi2WO6 were synthesized by a simple one-pot hydrothermal reaction at 453 K for 10 h. The properties of the photocatalysts, including structures, morphology, light-absorption band and photoluminescence, etc were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum and fluorescence spectrum. Further, their photocatalytic properties were compared by the degradation of two different organic dyes: Rhodamine B and methylene blue. It is important to note that the Bi2WO6 nanoplate structure exhibited better photocatalytic activity than the Bi2MoO6 nanowires aggregates due to its high surface area, higher light absorption and lower recombination of electron-hole pairs.
Prediction of Fracture Toughness of Magnesia-Carbon Bricks Based on Fractography
Authors: Tang Hai , Guo Guang Wei , Zhu Qing You , Yuan Wen Jie
Published: April 2018

The introduction of carbon greatly improves the high temperature performance of magnesia bricks. In order to explore the influence of carbon content on the fracture toughness and the fracture mechanism of magnesia-carbon bricks, two different carbon content (10wt% and 14wt%) magnesia-carbon bricks were investigated in this work. The fracture toughness and microstructure were characterized by fractal analysis of fracture surface and scanning electron microscope respectively. The results indicated that the strength of magnesia-carbon bricks was strengthened with the carbon content increasing. It was demonstrated that magnesia-carbon bricks with the higher carbon content presented higher fracture toughness as a consequence of lower apparent porosity and compact bonding between matrix and magnesia aggregates.
Evaluation of Measurement Uncertainty for the Determination of MgO in Magnesia Refractories by XRF
Authors: Yuan Qing Dan , Liu Shi Hua , Li Qian Nan , Han Wei
Published: April 2018

The method of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) for the determination of MgO in magnesia refractories was introduced. The uncertainty of the MgO in refractory materials was analyzed by melting method of XRF. The measurement uncertainty was evaluated, and the related mathematical models was established. The uncertainty of synthetic standard was calculated by the evaluation of the uncertainty of each component standard. And eventually converted to the measurement results to expand the uncertainty. The effects of two melting methods on the uncertainty of magnesium oxide content were compared.
Test of Corrosion Resistance of Heat Insulating Materials to Cryolite Vapor
Authors: Wang Gang , Zhang Qi , Han Jian Shen , Yuan Bo , Li Hong Xia
Published: April 2018

Heating insulating materials were often eroded by cryolite vapor when they were used outside the wall of energy saving aluminum electrolysis cell. Insulating effect of aluminum electrolytic cell became worse with the time of extension. According to service environment of the aluminum electrolytic cell, a set of test methods was put forward. The physical properties, phase compositions and microstructures of the heating insulating materials under the different test conditions were studied by self-made test device. The results showed that test and characterization the corrosion resistance to cryolite vapor was of great significance for evaluating the performance decline and exploring the mechanism of corrosion resistance in the service process of materials. It provided a guidance to develop and choose the appropriate insulating materials.
Repeatability in Rheological Measurements of Epoxy Resin
Authors: Huang Liu Ying , Wang Hong Yu , Cheng Xuan , Zhang Ying
Published: April 2018

Shear stress-shear strain rate and shear stress-shear time curves of epoxy resin samples with the number average molecular weight of 283 g/mol were measured at 50 °C under the modes of steady test and transient test, respectively. Effects of dealy time (t1) and measurement time (t2) on the shear stress-shear responses of the epoxy resin oligomer material were studied. It was found that the repeatability of the test results at small shear rates was significantly influenced by the delay time and the measurement time. The values of t1 and t2 parameters to be used for the steady test of epoxy resin oligomer material could be optimized based upon the transient test. The measurement repeatablity at shear rates smaller than 7 s-1 was apparently improved by setting the delay time and the measurement time longer than 20 s seperately (t1 ³ 20 s, t2 ³ 20 s) with the total delay time and the measurement time shorter than 80 s (t1 + t2 £ 80s).
Determination of Heavy Metal Oxide in Cement by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer
Authors: Lu Juan Juan , Liu Yu Bing , Han Wei , Dai Ping
Published: April 2018

When the MLD method is used to determine the main chemical composition in the cement, it is assumed that the sum of the measured chemical composition is 100%. When the trace amount of heavy metal oxide is present in the cement sample without measuring, a positive error will be caused for main chemical composition results. On the other hand, according to the national standards GB/T 30760-2014 "technical specification for coprocessing of solid waste in cement kiln", also need to determine the heavy metals in cement. In this work, vanadium pentoxide, chromium oxide, copper oxide, zinc oxide, strontium oxide and barium oxide were measured by using melt beads for the determination of the main chemical components in cement. The calibration sample was calibrated using the standard addition – fusion method, using the theoretical MLD coefficient to calculate the standard dilution ratio. The method has been applied to the determination of heavy metal oxides in cement samples and achieved good results.
The Increased Risk of Flooding in Hampton Roads: On the Roles of Sea Level Rise, Storm Surges, Hurricanes, and the Gulf Stream
Authors: Ezer Tal
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe impact of sea level rise on increased tidal flooding and storm surges in the Hampton Roads region is demonstrated, using ~90 years of water level measurements in Norfolk, Virginia. Impacts from offshore storms and variations in the Gulf Stream (GS) are discussed
as well, in view of recent studies that show that weakening in the flow of the GS (daily, interannually, or decadal) is often related to elevated water levels along the U.S. East Coast. Two types of impacts from hurricanes on flooding in Hampton Roads are demonstrated here. One type is when
a hurricane like Isabel (2003) makes a landfall and passes near the Chesapeake Bay, causing a large but short-term (hours to a day) storm surge. The second type is when Atlantic hurricanes like Joaquin (2015) or Matthew (2016) stay offshore for a relatively long time, disrupting the flow of
the GS and leading to a longer period (several days or more) of higher water levels and tidal flooding. Analysis of the statistics of tropical storms and hurricanes since the 1970s shows that, since the 1990s, there is an increase in the number of days when intense hurricanes (Categories 3‐5)
are found in the subtropical western North Atlantic. The observed Florida Current transport since the 1980s often shows less transport and elevated water levels when tropical storms and hurricanes pass near the GS. Better understanding of the remote influence of the GS and offshore storms
will improve future prediction of flooding and help mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Role of Complement in a Rat Model of Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Xu Jijun , Zhang Lingjun , Xie Mian , Li Yan , Huang Ping , Saunders Thomas L. , Fox David A. , Rosenquist Richard , Lin Feng
Published: April 2018

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a painful and debilitating side effect of cancer chemotherapy with an unclear pathogenesis. Consequently, the available therapies for this neuropathic pain syndrome are inadequate, leading to a significantly reduced quality of life in many patients. Complement, a key component of the innate immune system, has been associated with neuroinflammation, a potentially important trigger of some types of neuropathic pain. However, the role of complement in CIPN remains unclear. To address this issue, we developed a C3 knockout (KO) rat model and induced CIPN in these KO rats and wild-type littermates via the i.p. administration of paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic agent associated with CIPN. We then compared the severity of mechanical allodynia, complement activation, and intradermal nerve fiber loss between the groups. We found that 1) i.p. paclitaxel administration activated complement in wild-type rats, 2) paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia was significantly reduced in C3 KO rats, and 3) the paclitaxel-induced loss of intradermal nerve fibers was markedly attenuated in C3 KO rats. In in vitro studies, we found that paclitaxel-treated rat neuronal cells activated complement, leading to cellular injury. Our findings demonstrate a previously unknown but pivotal role of complement in CIPN and suggest that complement may be a new target for the development of novel therapeutics to manage this painful disease.
Landing Kinematics in Elite Male Youth Soccer Players of Different Chronologic Ages and Stages of Maturation
Authors: Read Paul J. , Oliver Jon L. , De Ste Croix Mark B. A. , Myer Gregory D. , Lloyd Rhodri S.
Published: April 2018

Context: 

Despite the high frequency of knee injuries in athletes, few researchers have studied the effects of chronologic age and stage of maturation on knee-joint kinematics in male youth soccer players.

Objective: 

To use a coach-friendly screening tool to examine knee-valgus scores for players of different ages and at different stages of maturation.

Design: 

Cross-sectional study.

Setting: 

Academy soccer clubs.

Patients or Other Participants: 

A total of 400 elite male youth soccer players aged 10 to 18 years categorized by chronologic age and stage of maturation based on their years from peak height velocity (PHV).

Main Outcome Measure(s): 

Knee valgus was evaluated during the tuck-jump assessment via 2-dimensional analysis. Frontal-plane projection angles were subjectively classified as minor (<10°), moderate (10°–20°), or severe (>20°), and using these classifications, we scored knee valgus in the tuck jump as 0 (no valgus), 1 (minor), 2 (moderate), or 3 (severe).

Results: 

A trend toward higher valgus scores was observed in the younger age groups and the pre-PHV group. The lowest frequency of no valgus occurred in the U18 and post-PHV groups. The highest percentages of severe scores were in the U13 and pre-PHV groups for the right limb. Knee-valgus scores were lower for both lower extremities in the U18 group than in all other age groups (P < .001) except the U16 group. Scores were lower for the post-PHV than the pre-PHV group for the right limb (P < .001) and both pre-PHV and circa-PHV groups for the left limb (P < .001). Noteworthy interlimb asymmetries were evident in the U14, U15, and circa-PHV groups.

Conclusions: 

Reductions in knee valgus with incremental age and during the later stages of maturation indicated that this risk factor was more prevalent in younger players. Interlimb asymmetry may also emerge around the time of the peak growth spurt and early adolescence, potentially increasing the risk of traumatic injury.
Modelling average maximum daily temperature using r largest order statistics: An application to South African data
Authors: Nemukula Murendeni M. , Sigauke Caston
Published: April 2018

Natural hazards (events that may cause actual disasters) are established in the literature as major causes of various massive and destructive problems worldwide. The occurrences of earthquakes, floods and heat waves affect millions of people through several impacts. These include cases of hospitalisation, loss of lives and economic challenges. The focus of this study was on the risk reduction of the disasters that occur because of extremely high temperatures and heat waves. Modelling average maximum daily temperature (AMDT) guards against the disaster risk and may also help countries towards preparing for extreme heat. This study discusses the use of the r largest order statistics approach of extreme value theory towards modelling AMDT over the period of 11 years, that is, 2000–2010. A generalised extreme value distribution for r largest order statistics is fitted to the annual maxima. This is performed in an effort to study the behaviour of the r largest order statistics. The method of maximum likelihood is used in estimating the target parameters and the frequency of occurrences of the hottest days is assessed. The study presents a case study of South Africa in which the data for the non-winter season (September–April of each year) are used. The meteorological data used are the AMDT that are collected by the South African Weather Service and provided by Eskom. The estimation of the shape parameter reveals evidence of a Weibull class as an appropriate distribution for modelling AMDT in South Africa. The extreme quantiles for specified return periods are estimated using the quantile function and the best model is chosen through the use of the deviance statistic with the support of the graphical diagnostic tools. The Entropy Difference Test (EDT) is used as a specification test for diagnosing the fit of the models to the data.
The extent of logistics outsourcing among small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in Nairobi
Authors: Mageto Joash , Prinsloo Gerrie , Luke Rose
Published: April 2018

Background: Small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (manufacturing SMEs) can facilitate economic growth and development by creating employment and spurring economic activities at low levels of the economy. The performance of SMEs in Kenya has, however, been poor, despite their significance. This poor performance is attributed to the high costs of logistics operations in the country. Manufacturing SMEs can, however, improve the performance of their logistics operations by adopting appropriate logistics outsourcing strategies.Aim: The purpose of this study is to determine the extent of logistics outsourcing among manufacturing SMEs in Nairobi.Setting: Manufacturing SMEs in Nairobi operate from the industrial zones of the Nairobi City County. The enterprises’ logistics operations are characterised by long cycle times, high transportation costs and limited resources. The high operational costs experienced by the SMEs threaten their survival, and they are therefore required, among other things, to manage their logistics more efficiently to improve overall performance.Method: A quantitative research design was used in this study. Data were collected from 163 manufacturing SMEs using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and (a one-way analysis of variance) ANOVA were used to analyse the data.Results: Most (94%) of the manufacturing SMEs opted to outsource their logistics operations, although the extent of outsourcing was limited (1% – 50% of logistics operations were outsourced). Logistics outsourcing by the SMEs is intended to reduce logistics costs and supplement the limited in-house capabilities. In addition, there were significant differences in the extent of outsourcing of operational, information processing and value-added categories of logistics activities.Conclusion: The results motivate SME owners and managers to acquire logistics resources and capabilities that are lacking in-house through logistics outsourcing to achieve the required efficiencies. Although the majority of SMEs have embraced logistics outsourcing, the low extent of its usage within the enterprises might have limited the ability to achieve high efficiencies.
Evaluation of the correlation of magnetic resonance imaging and electrodiagnostic findings in chronic low backache patients
Authors: Singh Roop , Yadav Sushil , Sood Sushma , Yadav Rohtas , Rohilla Ravi
Published: April 2018

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common medical complaints and leading cause of workforce loss in many countries. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a highly sensitive method for the detection of lesions in the spine because of its excellent imaging of anatomical detail. However, MRI does not provide information about physiological nerve function and has relatively low specificity. Electrodiagnostic (EDX) study, including needle electromyography (EMG), is a specific test to assess the physiological functions of nerve roots or peripheral nerves. The aim of the present study was to correlate the electrophysiological and MRI findings in chronic low backache patients. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients (26 males and 24 females) with mean age 33.54 ± 8.33 years with a history of LBP of minimum 3 consecutive months were evaluated with MRI and EDX (bilateral nerve conduction study of three nerves [tibial, peroneal, and sural nerve] and bilateral EMG of three muscles [paraspinal, tibialis anterior, vastus medialis]) studies. Results: Twenty-seven patients showed disc involvement on MRI and 23 MRI were normal. Mean conduction velocity was mildly decreased in tibial and sural nerves in all the patients either with normal MRI or disc involvement on MRI. In disc involvement conduction velocity, decrease was more as compared to normal MRI. About 39% patients with normal MRI and 78% patients with disc involvement showed abnormal EMG. This data represented statistically significant association of EDX study with MRI (P < 0.05). Conclusions: In patients with LBP, EDX studies are significantly more correlated with clinical data than MRI. Therefore, EMG may be a useful diagnostic tool to establish management protocols and prevent unnecessary interventions. EDX gives a better representation of physiological status of nerve and muscle, a supra added benefit which MRI lacks. However, MRI gives better visualization of anatomic parameters and structural details which may or may not be associated with chronic LBP.