bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Türk İşaret Dili İncelemesi: İletişim ve Dil Bilgisi
Authors: KARACA Mehmet Fatih , BAYIR Şafak
Published: November 2018

İletişim kaynak ile
hedef arasında mesaj aktarımı, bir kişiden diğer kişi/kişilere bilgi iletimi,
bilgi, fikir, duygu gibi her türlü anlam alışverişi şeklinde tanımlanabilir.
İnsanlar arasında en çok temeli duyma ve konuşma olan sözlü iletişim
kullanılmaktadır. Fakat işitme kaybından kaynaklı olarak işitme engellilerin bu
iletişim yöntemini ya kullanamadıkları ya da sınırlı kullanabildikleri
görülmektedir. İşitme engelli bireyler iletişim ihtiyaçlarını karşılamak üzere
sözlü iletişimden farklı olarak işaret dili, yazma yöntemi ve dudak okuma gibi
tekniklere başvururlar. Kendi aralarında çoğunlukla işaret, parmak alfabesi,
jest ve mimiklerden oluşan işaret dilini kullanırlar. İşiten bireylerle yazarak
iletişim kursalar da bu yöntemin yavaş olması fazla tercih edilmemesine neden
olmaktadır.

Bu çalışmada, Türk İşaret Dili (TİD)’nde kullanılan iletişim yöntemleri ve TİD dil bilgisi konuları ele alınmıştır. İletişimde kullanılan yöntemler olarak işaretler, parmak alfabesi, ağızla söyleme ve jest mimik
konuları incelenmiştir. Dil bilgisi olarak
ise işaret türetme, eş işaretli işaretler, eş anlamlı ve zıt anlamlı işaretler, birleşik işaretler, TİD’de kullanılan ekler ve söz dizimi ele alınmış ve bunlara ilişkin örneklerin üç boyutlu model üzerinden gösterimi yapılmıştır.
A Fresh Perspective on the Human Right to Political Participation and Environmental Decision-Making in Nigeria
Authors: Etemire Uzuazo
Published: November 2018

Accounts of significant environmental pollution and degradation in Nigeria, especially by major actors in the country's extractive industry, are common. The human rights crisis engendered by this phenomenon as it relates to members of the communities whose immediate environment is being degraded is also real and severe. To a large extent, this environmental crisis has been aided and sustained by the inadequacy of extant environmental legal regimes – majorly the Environmental Impact Assessment Act – to properly guarantee the right of the public to participate in environmental decision-making. Hence this article argues, analyses and proposes the human right to political participation as an alternative and viable platform that can support public participatory rights in environmental decision-making in Nigeria, and help to stem the tide of environmental degradation and its negative consequences for human well-being.
Protecting Copyrights and Neighbouring Rights in the Music Industry in Southern Africa: A Need for Regulatory Convergence
Authors: Forere Malebakeng Agnes
Published: November 2018

This article compares the copyright laws of Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe governing music as against the Berne Convention with a view to determine similarities which are necessary in the Internet age. The findings point to divergence in the standards of protection, thereby calling for harmonisation of laws in the Southern African region. In addition, the article recommends the ratification of the WIPO Internet treaties to respond to the new forms of infringement posed by the advent of the Internet and advancements in technology.
A Geospatial Assessment of Small-Scale Hydropower Potential in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Korkovelos Alexandros , Mentis Dimitrios , Siyal Shahid Hussain , Arderne Christopher , Rogner Holger , Bazilian Morgan , Howells Mark , Beck Hylke , De Roo Ad
Published: November 2018

Sub-Saharan Africa has been at the epicenter of an ongoing global dialogue around the issue of energy poverty. More than half of the world’s population without access to modern energy services lives there. It also happens to be a sub-continent with plentiful renewable energy resource potential. Hydropower is one of them, and to a large extent it remains untapped. This study focuses on the technical assessment of small-scale hydropower (0.01–10 MW) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The underlying methodology was based on open source geospatial datasets, whose combination allowed a consistent evaluation of 712,615 km of river network spanning over 44 countries. Environmental, topological, and social constraints were included in the form of constraints in the optimization algorithm. The results are presented on a country and power pool basis.
A Performance Evaluation of a Solar Air Heater Using Different Shaped Ribs Mounted on the Absorber Plate—A Review
Authors: Kumar B. Varun , Manikandan G. , Kanna P. Rajesh , Taler Dawid , Taler Jan , Nowak-Ocłoń Marzena , Mzyk Karol , Toh Hoong Thiam
Published: November 2018

In this paper, the effect of various shapes of ribs used in Solar Air Heaters (SAHs) was discussed. The review is concentrated on the geometry of the rib and its location on the SAH panel. Both numerical and experimental works were considered for discussion with dry air and Nano fluids as a working fluid. The influence of various shapes, such as an L shape, W shape, V shape, Multiple V shape, V shape with a gap, detachable & attachable ribs etc., was analyzed. The common fact observed from this analysis is that the implementation of artificial roughness in the absorber plate results in a considerable increase in the rate of heat transfer. Further, it is observed that ‘Multiple V-shaped with open between the ribs’ results in the maximum thermal enhancement when compared to the other shapes.
Population Connectivity and Traces of Mitochondrial Introgression in New Zealand Black-Billed Gulls (Larus bulleri)
Authors: Mischler Claudia , Veale Andrew , Van Stijn Tracey , Brauning Rudiger , McEwan John C. , Maloney Richard , Robertson Bruce C.
Published: November 2018

Black-billed gulls (Larus bulleri) are endemic to New Zealand and are suspected to be undergoing substantial population declines. They primarily breed on open gravel beds in braided rivers of the South Island—a habitat that is diminishing and becoming increasingly modified. Although management of this species is increasing, little has been published on their movements and demographics. In this study, both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region domain I and nuclear single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were examined to help understand the connectivity and population structure of black-billed gulls across the country and to help inform management decisions. Mitochondrial DNA showed no population structure, with high haplotype and low nucleotide diversity, and analyses highlighted mitochondrial introgression with the closely related red-billed gulls (Larus novaehollandiae scopulinus). Nuclear DNA analyses, however, identified two groups, with Rotorua birds in the North Island being distinct from the rest of New Zealand, and isolation-by-distance evident across the South Island populations. Gene flow primarily occurs between nearby colonies with a stepwise movement across the landscape. The importance from a genetic perspective of the more isolated North Island birds (1.6% of total population) needs to be further evaluated. From our results, we infer that the South Island black-billed gull management should focus on maintaining several populations within each region rather than focusing on single specific colonies or river catchments. Future study is needed to investigate the genetic structure of populations at the northern limit of the species’ range, and identify the mechanisms behind, and extent of, the hybridisation between red-billed and black-billed gulls.
Comparison of Secular Trends in Road Injury Mortality in China and the United States: An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis
Authors: Wang Lu , Yu Chuanhua , Zhang Ganshen , Zhang Yunquan , Luo Lisha
Published: November 2018

This study aimed to identify and compare the mortality trends for road injuries in China and the United States, and evaluate the contributions of age, period, and cohort effects to the trends from 1990 to 2014. Using the 2016 Global Burden of Disease Study database, the mortality trends were analyzed by joinpoint regression and age-period-cohort modeling. Overall, the mortality for road injuries was higher in China than in the United States. The mortality in China increased from 1992 to 2002 (annual percent change [APC] was 1.9%), and then decreased from 2002 to 2015 (APC2002–2009 was 1.5%; APC2009–2015 was 3.5%). For the United States, the mortality decreased from 1990 to 2010 (APC1990–1997 was 1.8%; APC1997–2005 was 0.7%; APC2005–2010 was 4.2%). Age-period-cohort modeling revealed significant period and cohort effects. Compared with the period 2002–2004, the period risk ratios (RRs) in 2010–2014 period declined by 14.62% for China and 18.86% for the United States. Compared with the 1955–1959 birth cohort, the cohort RRs for China and the United States in the 2010–2014 cohort reduced by 47.60% and 75.94%, respectively. Period and cohort effects could not be ignored for reducing road injury mortalities.
Estimation of Neonatal Intestinal Perforation Associated with Necrotizing Enterocolitis by Machine Learning Reveals New Key Factors
Authors: Irles Claudine , González-Pérez Gabriela , Carrera Muiños Sandra , Michel Macias Carolina , Sánchez Gómez César , Martínez-Zepeda Anahid , Cordero González Guadalupe , Laresgoiti Servitje Estibalitz
Published: November 2018

Intestinal perforation (IP) associated with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the leading causes of mortality in premature neonates; with major nutritional and neurodevelopmental sequelae. Since predicting which neonates will develop perforation is still challenging; clinicians might benefit considerably with an early diagnosis tool and the identification of critical factors. The aim of this study was to forecast IP related to NEC and to investigate the predictive quality of variables; based on a machine learning-based technique. The Back-propagation neural network was used to train and test the models with a dataset constructed from medical records of the NICU; with birth and hospitalization maternal and neonatal clinical; feeding and laboratory parameters; as input variables. The outcome of the models was diagnosis: (1) IP associated with NEC; (2) NEC or (3) control (neither IP nor NEC). Models accurately estimated IP with good performances; the regression coefficients between the experimental and predicted data were R2 > 0.97. Critical variables for IP prediction were identified: neonatal platelets and neutrophils; orotracheal intubation; birth weight; sex; arterial blood gas parameters (pCO2 and HCO3); gestational age; use of fortifier; patent ductus arteriosus; maternal age and maternal morbidity. These models may allow quality improvement in medical practice.
Prevalence and Predictors of Food Insecurity among Older People in Canada
Authors: Leroux Janette , Morrison Kathryn , Rosenberg Mark
Published: November 2018

Background: Food insecurity research has been mainly examined among young people. The root causes of food insecurity are closely linked to poverty, and social policies and income supplements, including public and private pensions, have been shown to sharply curb food insecurity into later life. However, social, economic, and political trends that are closely connected to social and health inequalities threaten to undermine the conditions that have limited food insecurity among older people until now. Exploring the prevalence and predictors of food insecurity among older people across Canada has important implications for domestic policies concerning health, healthcare, and social welfare. Methods: Data come from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2012 Annual Component (n = 14,890). Descriptive statistics and a generalized linear model approach were used to determine prevalence and estimate the associations between food insecurity—as measured by the Household Food Security Survey Module—and social, demographic, geographic, and economic factors. Results: Approximately 2.4% of older Canadians are estimated to be moderately or severely food insecure. Income was by far the strongest predictor of food insecurity (total household income <$20,000 compared to >$60,000, OR: 46.146, 95% CI: 12.523–170.041, p < 0.001). Younger older people, and those with a non-white racial background also had significantly greater odds of food insecurity (ages 75+ compared to 65–74, OR: 0.322, 95% CI: 0.212–0.419, p < 0.001; and OR: 2.429, 95% CI: 1.438–4.102, p < 0.001, respectively). Sex, home ownership, marital status, and living arrangement were all found to confound the relationship between household income and food insecurity. Prevalence of food insecurity varied between provinces and territories, and odds of food insecurity were approximately five times greater for older people living in northern Canada as compared to central Canada (OR: 5.189, 95% CI: 2.329–11.562, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Disaggregating overall prevalence of food insecurity among older people demonstrates how disparities exist among sub-groups of older people. The seemingly negligible existence of food insecurity among older people has obscured the importance, practicality, and timeliness of including this age group in research on food insecurity. The current research underscores the critical importance of an income floor in preventing food insecurity among older people, and contributes a Canadian profile of the prevalence and predictors of food insecurity among older people to the broader international literature.
Hepatitis C Virus Infection at Primary Healthcare Level in Abha City, Southwestern Saudi Arabia: Is Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus an Associated Factor?
Authors: Al Humayed Suliman M. , Mahfouz Ahmed A. , Awadalla Nabil J. , Alsabaani Abdullah A.
Published: November 2018

Background: There is an increasing concern about the relation between hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The present study aims to determine the prevalence of HCV infection among T2DM patients and non-diabetic patients attending primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) in Abha city, southwestern Saudi Arabia, and to explore the possible association between T2DM and HCV infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study targeting a random sample of T2DM and non-diabetic patients attending PHCCs in Abha City was conducted. Patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and screened for HCV infection using fourth-generation ELISA kits. All positive cases were confirmed by qualitative RT-PCR immune assay. Results: The study revealed an overall seroprevalence of HCV infection of 5% (95% CI: 2.9–7.9%). Among T2DM and non-diabetics, a seroprevalence of 8.0% and 2.0% was found, respectively. Using multivariable regression analysis, the only significant associated factor for HCV infection was T2DM (aOR = 4.185, 95% CI: 1.074–16.305). Conclusions: There is strong positive association between T2DM and HCV infection. Yet, the direction of relationship is difficult to establish. Patients with T2DM have higher prevalence of HCV infection than non-diabetic group. It is highly recommended for primary health care providers to screen for HCV infection among T2DM patients and to increase the level of HCV awareness among them.
Excretion of Urinary Metabolites of the Phthalate Esters DEP and DEHP in 16 Volunteers after Inhalation and Dermal Exposure
Authors: Krais Annette M. , Andersen Christina , Eriksson Axel C. , Johnsson Eskil , Nielsen Jörn , Pagels Joakim , Gudmundsson Anders , Lindh Christian H. , Wierzbicka Aneta
Published: November 2018

Phthalate esters are suspected endocrine disruptors that are found in a wide range of applications. The aim of this study was to determine the excretion of urinary metabolites in 16 individuals after inhalation and/or dermal exposure to 100–300 µg/m3 of deuterium-labelled diethyl phthalate (D4-DEP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (D4-DEHP). Dermal exposure in this study represents a case with clean clothing acting as a barrier. After inhalation, D4-DEP and D4-DEHP metabolites were excreted rapidly, though inter-individual variation was high. D4-DEP excretion peaked 3.3 h (T½ of 2.1 h) after combined inhalation and dermal exposure, with total excreted metabolite levels ranging from 0.055 to 2.351 nmol/nmol/m3 (nmol of urinary metabolites per phthalates air concentration in (nmol/m3)). After dermal exposure to D4-DEP, metabolite excretion peaked 4.6 h (T½ of 2.7 h) after exposure, with excreted metabolite levels in between 0.017 and 0.223 nmol/nmol/m3. After combined inhalation and dermal exposure to D4-DEHP, the excretion of all five analysed metabolites peaked after 4.7 h on average (T½ of 4.8 h), and metabolite levels ranged from 0.072 to 1.105 nmol/nmol/m3 between participants. No dermal uptake of particle phase D4-DEHP was observed. In conclusion, the average excreted levels of metabolites after combined inhalation and dermal exposure to D4-DEP was three times higher than after combined exposure to D4-DEHP; and nine times higher than after dermal exposure of D4-DEP. This study was made possible due to the use of novel approaches, i.e., the use of labelled phthalate esters to avoid the background concentration, and innovative technique of phthalate generation, both in the particle and the gas phase.
Low-Power LoRa Signal-Based Outdoor Positioning Using Fingerprint Algorithm
Authors: Choi Wongeun , Chang Yoon-Seop , Jung Yeonuk , Song Junkeun
Published: November 2018

Positioning is an essential element in most Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Global Positioning System (GPS) chips have high cost and power consumption, making it unsuitable for long-range (LoRa) and low-power IoT devices. Alternatively, low-power wide-area (LPWA) signals can be used for simultaneous positioning and communication. We summarize previous studies related to LoRa signal-based positioning systems, including those addressing proximity, a path loss model, time difference of arrival (TDoA), and fingerprint positioning methods. We propose a LoRa signal-based positioning method that uses a fingerprint algorithm instead of a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) proximity or TDoA method. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and usability of the fingerprint algorithm for large areas in the real world. We estimated the locations using probabilistic means based on three different algorithms that use interpolated fingerprint RSSI maps. The average accuracy of the three proposed algorithms in our experiments was 28.8 m. Our method also reduced the battery consumption significantly compared with that of existing GPS-based positioning methods.
Structure and Physiological Regulation of AMPK
Authors: Yan Yan , Zhou X. Edward , Xu H. Eric , Melcher Karsten
Published: November 2018

Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a heterotrimeric αβγ complex that functions as a central regulator of energy homeostasis. Energy stress manifests as a drop in the ratio of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to AMP/ADP, which activates AMPK’s kinase activity, allowing it to upregulate ATP-generating catabolic pathways and to reduce energy-consuming catabolic pathways and cellular programs. AMPK senses the cellular energy state by competitive binding of the three adenine nucleotides AMP, ADP, and ATP to three sites in its γ subunit, each, which in turn modulates the activity of AMPK’s kinase domain in its α subunit. Our current understanding of adenine nucleotide binding and the mechanisms by which differential adenine nucleotide occupancies activate or inhibit AMPK activity has been largely informed by crystal structures of AMPK in different activity states. Here we provide an overview of AMPK structures, and how these structures, in combination with biochemical, biophysical, and mutational analyses provide insights into the mechanisms of adenine nucleotide binding and AMPK activity modulation.
Effect of Plasma Treatment and Its Post Process Duration on Shear Bonding Strength and Antibacterial Effect of Dental Zirconia
Authors: Park Chan , Park Sang-Won , Yun Kwi-Dug , Ji Min-Kyung , Kim Sungwoo , Yang Yunzhi , Lim Hyun-Pil
Published: November 2018

We have investigated the effect of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTAPP) treatment and the post process time on the bonding strength and surface sterilization of dental zirconia. Presintered zirconia specimens were manufactured as discs, and then subjected to a 30-min argon treatment (Ar, 99.999%; 10 L/min) using an NTAPP device. Five post-treatment durations were evaluated: control (no treatment), P0 (immediate), P1 (24 h), P2 (48 h), and P3 (72 h). The surface characteristics, shear bonding strength (SBS) with two resin cements, and Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation of these plasma-treated dental zirconia were tested. Plasma did not change the roughness, and caused surface element changes and surface energy increase. Due to this increase in surface energy, SBS increased significantly (p < 0.05) within 48 h when RelyXTM U200 was used. However, the increase of surface oxygen significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the SBS of Panavia F 2.0 when using plasma immediately (P0). S. mutans adhesion decreased significantly (p < 0.05) for the P0, P1, and P2 groups compared to the control. The P0 group exhibited lower biofilm thickness than the other experimental groups due to the increased hydrophilicity (p < 0.05). Our study suggests that there is a suitable time window for the post NTAPP treatment regarding bonding strength and antimicrobial growth persist.
Molecular Modeling and Design Studies of Purine Derivatives as Novel CDK2 Inhibitors
Authors: Zhang Gaomin , Ren Yujie
Published: November 2018

Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) is a potential target for treating cancer. Purine heterocycles have attracted particular attention as the scaffolds for the development of CDK2 inhibitors. To explore the interaction mechanism and the structure–activity relationship (SAR) and to design novel candidate compounds as potential CDK2 inhibitors, a systematic molecular modeling study was conducted on 35 purine derivatives as CDK2 inhibitors by combining three-dimensional quantitative SAR (3D-QSAR), virtual screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The predictive CoMFA model (q2 = 0.743, r pred 2 = 0.991), the CoMSIA model (q2 = 0.808, r pred 2 = 0.990), and the Topomer CoMFA model (q2 = 0.779, r pred 2 = 0.962) were obtained. Contour maps revealed that the electrostatic, hydrophobic, hydrogen bond donor and steric fields played key roles in the QSAR models. Thirty-one novel candidate compounds with suitable predicted activity (predicted pIC50 > 8) were designed by using the results of virtual screening. Molecular docking indicated that residues Asp86, Glu81, Leu83, Lys89, Lys33, and Gln131 formed hydrogen bonds with the ligand, which affected activity of the ligand. Based on the QSAR model prediction and molecular docking, two candidate compounds, I13 and I60 (predicted pIC50 > 8, docking score > 10), with the most potential research value were further screened out. MD simulations of the corresponding complexes of these two candidate compounds further verified their stability. This study provided valuable information for the development of new potential CDK2 inhibitors.
A Process Evaluation of a Multi-Component Intervention in Dutch Dietetic Treatment to Improve Portion Control Behavior and Decrease Body Mass Index in Overweight and Obese Patients
Authors: Kroeze Willemieke , Rongen Frédérique , Eykelenboom Michelle , Heideman Wieke , Bolleurs Claudia , Govers Ellen , Steenhuis Ingrid
Published: November 2018

The SMARTsize intervention embeds an evidence-based portion control intervention in regular dietetic care. This intervention was evaluated to explore (1) which patients participated, (2) the implementation process, and (3) the outcomes of the intervention. The intervention was evaluated with an observational study design including measures at baseline, and three, six, and nine months after the start of the program. Data concerning the process (participation, dose delivered, dose received, satisfaction) and the outcomes (self-efficacy, intention, portion control strategies, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were collected with forms and questionnaires filled out by dietitians and patients. Descriptive analyses, comparison analyses, and cluster analyses were performed. Patients were mainly obese, moderately to highly educated women of Dutch ethnicity. Use of the intervention components varied from 50% to 100% and satisfaction with the SMARTsize intervention was sufficient to good (grades 7.2–8.0). Statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvements were observed for self-efficacy (+0.5), portion control strategies (+0.7), and BMI (−2.2 kg/m2), with no significant differences between patients with or without counselling. Three clusters of patients with different levels of success were identified. To conclude, implementing an evidence-based portion control intervention in real-life dietetic practice is feasible and likely to result in weight loss.
Bioavailability Study of Maqui Berry Extract in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Schön Christiane , Wacker Roland , Micka Antje , Steudle Jasmin , Lang Stefanie , Bonnländer Bernd
Published: November 2018

Several health promoting effects have been reported for maqui berry, rich in anthocyanins. Direct effects of anthocyanins as well as bioactive metabolites might be involved. Within the study, bioavailability of a proprietary standardized maqui berry extract Delphinol® was investigated based on two selected anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-O-glucoside (DS) + cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside (CS)) and two breakdown products (protocatechuic acid (PCA) + gallic acid (GA)) after a single-dose supplementation in humans. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated from individual concentration time curves. In all 12 subjects a significant increase was noted in plasma values of DG and CS after intake of maqui berry extract. Maximum concentration of DG was observed after 1.0 ± 0.3 h and CS after 2.0 ± 1.1 h. Within 8 h, concentrations nearly returned to baseline levels. The results confirm a fast uptake and metabolism of the two selected key substances. Additionally, the phenolic acids GA and PCA were observed as breakdown products of anthocyanins. In summary, the study clearly confirms the bioavailability of maqui berry extract and its specific anthocyanin compounds and related breakdown products in healthy subjects.
Experimental and Modeling Study of Drug Release from HPMC-Based Erodible Oral Thin Films
Authors: Adrover Alessandra , Varani Gabriele , Paolicelli Patrizia , Petralito Stefania , Di Muzio Laura , Casadei Maria Antonietta , Tho Ingunn
Published: November 2018

In this work hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) fast-dissolving thin films for oral administration are investigated. Furosemide (Class IV of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System) has been used as a model drug for in vitro release tests using three different set-ups: the Franz cell, the millifluidic flow-through device, and the paddle type dissolution apparatus (USP II). In order to enable drug incorporation within HPMC films, a multifunctional excipient, hydroxypropyl- β -cyclodextrin (HP- β -CD) has been included in the formulation, and the influence of HP- β -CD on film swelling, erosion, and release properties has been investigated. Mathematical models capable of describing the swelling and release processes from HPMC erodible thin films in different apparatuses have been developed. In particular, we propose a new model for the description of drug transport and release in a Franz cell that accounts for the effect of the unavoidable imperfect mixing of the receptor chamber.
Collagen-Polyvinyl Alcohol-Indomethacin Biohybrid Matrices as Wound Dressings
Authors: Marin Ștefania , Albu Kaya Mădălina Georgiana , Ghica Mihaela Violeta , Dinu-Pîrvu Cristina , Popa Lăcrămioara , Udeanu Denisa Ioana , Mihai Geanina , Enachescu Marius
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study is to design, develop and evaluate new biohybrid sponges based on polymers (collagen and polyvinyl alcohol) with and without indomethacin as anti-inflammatory drug model to be used for tissue regeneration in wound healing. Type I fibrillar collagen in the form of a gel and different concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol were mixed together to prepare composite gels. Both control samples, without indomethacin and with indomethacin, were obtained. All samples were crosslinked with glutaraldehyde. By freeze-drying of hydrogels, the spongious forms (matrices) were obtained. The matrices were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water absorption, enzymatic degradation and in vitro indomethacin release. The pharmacological effect of the spongious biohybrid matrices was determined on an experimental model of burns induced to Wistar rats. The SEM images showed a porous structure with interconnected pores. Collagen sponges present a structure with pore sizes between 20 and 200 µm, which became more and more compact with polyvinyl alcohol addition. The FT-IR showed interactions between collagen and polyvinyl alcohol. The enzymatic degradation indicated that the most stable matrix is the one with the ratio 75:25 of collagen:polyvinyl alcohol (ACI75), the other ones being degradable in time. The kinetic data of indomethacin release from matrices were fitted with different kinetic models and highlighted a biphasic release of the drug. Such kinetic profiles are targeted in skin wound healing for which important aspects are impaired inflammation and local pain. The treatment with sponges associated with anti-inflammatory drug had beneficial effects on the healing process in experimentally induced burns compared to the corresponding matrices without indomethacin and the classical treated control group.
Cross-Validation of Observations between the GPM Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar and Ground Based Dual-Polarization Radars
Authors: Biswas Sounak Kumar , Chandrasekar V.
Published: November 2018

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission Core Observatory is equipped with a dual-frequency precipitation radar (DPR) with capability of measuring precipitation simultaneously at frequencies of 13.6 GHz (Ku-band) and 35.5 GHz (Ka-band). Since the GPM-DPR cannot use information from polarization diversity, radar reflectivity factor is the most important parameter used in all retrievals. In this study, GPM’s observations of reflectivity at dual-frequency and instantaneous rainfall products are compared quantitatively against dual-polarization ground-based NEXRAD radars from the GPM Validation Network (VN). The ground radars, chosen for this study, are located in the southeastern plains of the U.S.A. with altitudes varying from 5 to 210 m. It is a challenging task to quantitatively compare measurements from space-based and ground-based platforms due to their difference in resolution volumes and viewing geometry. To perform comparisons on a point-to-point basis, radar observations need to be volume matched by averaging data in common volume or by re-sampling data to a common grid system. In this study, a 3-D volume matching technique first proposed by Bolen and Chandrasekar (2003) and later modified by Schwaller and Morris (2011) is applied to both radar data. DPR and ground radar observations and products are cross validated against each other with a large data set. Over 250 GPM overpass cases at 5 NEXRAD locations, starting from April 2014 to June 2018, have been considered. Analysis shows that DPR Ku- and Ka-Band reflectivities are well matched with ground radar with correlation coefficient as high as 0.9 for Ku-band and 0.85 for Ka-band. Ground radar calibration is also checked by observing variation in mean biases of reflectivity between DPR and GR over time. DPR rainfall products are also evaluated. Though DPR underestimates higher rainfall rates in convective cases, its overall performance is found to be satisfactory.
Challenges and Opportunities for UAV-Based Digital Elevation Model Generation for Flood-Risk Management: A Case of Princeville, North Carolina
Authors: Hashemi-Beni Leila , Jones Jeffery , Thompson Gary , Johnson Curt , Gebrehiwot Asmamaw
Published: November 2018

Among the different types of natural disasters, floods are the most devastating, widespread, and frequent. Floods account for approximately 30% of the total loss caused by natural disasters. Accurate flood-risk mapping is critical in reducing such damages by correctly predicting the extent of a flood when coupled with rain and stage gage data, supporting emergency-response planning, developing land use plans and regulations with regard to the construction of structures and infrastructures, and providing damage assessment in both spatial and temporal measurements. The reliability and accuracy of such flood assessment maps is dependent on the quality of the digital elevation model (DEM) in flood conditions. This study investigates the quality of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based DEM for spatial flood assessment mapping and evaluating the extent of a flood event in Princeville, North Carolina during Hurricane Matthew. The challenges and problems of on-demand DEM production during a flooding event were discussed. An accuracy analysis was performed by comparing the water surface extracted from the UAV-derived DEM with the water surface/stage obtained using the nearby US Geologic Survey (USGS) stream gauge station and LiDAR data.
Road Surface Monitoring Using Smartphone Sensors: A Review
Authors: Sattar Shahram , Li Songnian , Chapman Michael
Published: November 2018

Road surface monitoring is a key factor to providing smooth and safe road infrastructure to road users. The key to road surface condition monitoring is to detect road surface anomalies, such as potholes, cracks, and bumps, which affect driving comfort and on-road safety. Road surface anomaly detection is a widely studied problem. Recently, smartphone-based sensing has become increasingly popular with the increased amount of available embedded smartphone sensors. Using smartphones to detect road surface anomalies could change the way government agencies monitor and plan for road maintenance. However, current smartphone sensors operate at a low frequency, and undersampled sensor signals cause low detection accuracy. In this study, current approaches for using smartphones for road surface anomaly detection are reviewed and compared. In addition, further opportunities for research using smartphones in road surface anomaly detection are highlighted.
Temperature-Corrected Fluidic Glucose Sensor Based on Microwave Resonator
Authors: Jang Chorom , Park Jin-Kwan , Lee Hee-Jo , Yun Gi-Ho , Yook Jong-Gwan
Published: November 2018

In this paper, a fluidic glucose sensor that is based on a complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) is proposed for the microwave frequency region. The detection of glucose with different concentrations from 0 mg/dL to 400 mg/dL in a non-invasive manner is possible by introducing a fluidic system. The glucose concentration can be continuously monitored by tracking the transmission coefficient S 21 as a sensing parameter. The variation tendency in S 21 by the glucose concentration is analyzed with equivalent circuit model. In addition, to eradicate the systematic error due to temperature variation, the sensor is tested in two temperature conditions: the constant temperature condition and the time-dependent varying temperature condition. For the varying temperature condition, the temperature correction function was derived between the temperature and the variation in S 21 for DI water. By applying the fitting function to glucose solution, the subsidiary results due to temperature can be completely eliminated. As a result, the S 21 varies by 0.03 dB as the glucose concentration increases from 0 mg/dL to 400 mg/dL.
An Adaptive Prediction Target Search Algorithm for Multi-AUVs in an Unknown 3D Environment
Authors: Li Juan , Zhang Jianxin , Zhang Gengshi , Zhang Bingjian
Published: November 2018

For a target search of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in a completely unknown three-dimensional (3D) underwater environment, a multi-AUV collaborative target search algorithm based on adaptive prediction is proposed in this paper. The environmental information sensed by the forward-looking sonar is used to judge the current state of view, and the AUV system uses this environmental information to perform the target search task. If there is no target in the field of view, the AUV system will judge whether all sub-regions of the current layer have been searched or not. The next sub-region for searching is determined by the evaluation function and the task assignment strategy. If there are targets in the field of view, the evaluation function and the estimation function of the adaptive predictive optimization algorithm is used to estimate the location of the unknown target. At the same time, the algorithm also can reduce the positioning error caused by the noise of the sonar sensor. In this paper, the simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can not only deal with static targets and random dynamic interference target search tasks, but it can also perform target search tasks under some random AUV failure conditions. In this process, the underwater communication limits are also considered. Finally, simulation experiments indicate the high efficiency and great adaptability of the proposed algorithm.
Virtual Torque Sensor for Low-Cost RC Servo Motors Based on Dynamic System Identification Utilizing Parametric Constraints
Authors: Hwang Yoonkyu , Minami Yuki , Ishikawa Masato
Published: November 2018

We propose a novel virtual torque sensor for commercial low-cost radio-controlled (RC) servo motors. The virtual torque sensor has played an important role for conventional robots. It has been used for torque-required control applications such as human–robot interaction and under-actuated robots. However, most virtual torque sensors are based on the inversion of actuators or robot dynamics with the assumption that entire dynamics are known. This is not applicable to the RC servo motors that have unknown control structures. As RC servo motors enable researchers and hobbyists to create lightweight but high performance robots in an easy and cost-effective manner, the development of a virtual torque sensor for these motors is necessary. In this study, we propose a design method of a virtual torque sensor for RC servo motors. First, the virtual sensor is derived mathematically based on internal dynamic models with parametric constraints and compared to the conventional model. Second, a dedicated system identification method is developed for the proposed virtual sensor to implement the sensor in actual experiments. Finally, we compare experimental results with the measurements obtained by an actual sensor.
“College Material” Structural Care at a New York City Transfer School
Authors: Borck C. Ray
Published: November 2018

Based on ethnographic research at Brooklyn Community High School (BCHS), a transfer high school in New York City I demonstrate that students narrate their educational histories in terms of their experience of care, or lack of care, from teachers. Contributing to research on student-teacher relationships, care, resilience and retention, I develop the concept structural care, arguing that teachers’ ability to demonstrate care for their students, and students’ ability to perceive that care, is enabled or constrained by larger, socio-structural forces such as the national educational policy landscape, widespread cultural beliefs about schools and students, and processes of racialization, criminalization, and marginalization.
Learning to Dispatch Operations with Intentional Delay for Re-Entrant Multiple-Chip Product Assembly Lines
Authors: Huh Jaeseok , Park Inbeom , Lim Seongmin , Paeng Bohyung , Park Jonghun , Kim Kwanho
Published: November 2018

As the demand for small devices with embedded flash memory increases, semiconductor manufacturers have been recently focusing on producing high-capacity multiple-chip products (MCPs). Due to the frequently re-entrant lots between the die attach (DA) and wire bonding (WB) assembly stages in MCP production, increased flow time and decreased resource utilization are unavoidable. In this paper, we propose a dispatcher based on artificial neural networks, which minimizes the flow time while maintaining high utilization of resources at the same time through exploiting the possible intentional delays on DA stage. Specifically, the proposed dispatcher learns the assignment preferences between available lots and DA resources based on assembly line data generated by using a simulator, then the proposed dispatcher performs lot dispatching decisions by considering the intentional delays. The numerical experiments were performed under various configurations of the MCP assembly lines, and the results show that the proposed dispatcher outperformed the existing methods.
Connection Problem for Sums of Finite Products of Chebyshev Polynomials of the Third and Fourth Kinds
Authors: Dolgy Dmitry Victorovich , Kim Dae San , Kim Taekyun , Kwon Jongkyum
Published: November 2018

This paper treats the connection problem of expressing sums of finite products of Chebyshev polynomials of the third and fourth kinds in terms of five classical orthogonal polynomials. In fact, by carrying out explicit computations each of them are expressed as linear combinations of Hermite, generalized Laguerre, Legendre, Gegenbauer, and Jacobi polynomials which involve some terminating hypergeometric functions F 0 2 , F 1 2 , and F 2 3 .
Generalized Q-Neutrosophic Soft Expert Set for Decision under Uncertainty
Authors: Abu Qamar Majdoleen , Hassan Nasruddin
Published: November 2018

Neutrosophic triplet structure yields a symmetric property of truth membership on the left, indeterminacy membership in the centre and false membership on the right, as do points of object, centre and image of reflection. As an extension of a neutrosophic set, the Q-neutrosophic set was introduced to handle two-dimensional uncertain and inconsistent situations. We extend the soft expert set to generalized Q-neutrosophic soft expert set by incorporating the idea of soft expert set to the concept of Q-neutrosophic set and attaching the parameter of fuzzy set while defining a Q-neutrosophic soft expert set. This pattern carries the benefits of Q-neutrosophic sets and soft sets, enabling decision makers to recognize the views of specialists with no requirement for extra lumbering tasks, thus making it exceedingly reasonable for use in decision-making issues that include imprecise, indeterminate and inconsistent two-dimensional data. Some essential operations namely subset, equal, complement, union, intersection, AND and OR operations and additionally several properties relating to the notion of generalized Q-neutrosophic soft expert set are characterized. Finally, an algorithm on generalized Q-neutrosophic soft expert set is proposed and applied to a real-life example to show the efficiency of this notion in handling such problems.
Water Footprint for Pulse, Cereal, and Oilseed Crops in Saskatchewan, Canada
Authors: Ding Dianyuan , Zhao Ying , Guo Hui , Li Xueyan , Schoenau Jeff , Si Bingcheng
Published: November 2018

The water footprint (WF) of crop production is a friendly approach for the analysis of water resource consumption in agricultural production systems. This study assessed the inter-annual variability of the total WF of three types of main crops, namely, cereal (i.e., spring wheat and barley), oilseed (i.e., canola and sunflower) and pulse (i.e., lentils and chickpea), from the perspective of yield and protein. It also determined the major factors that influence the WFs in Saskatchewan province of Canada. Over the period of 1965–2014, the annual precipitation in Saskatchewan fluctuated considerably but increased slightly with time. The grain yield-based WF ranged between 1.08 and 1.80, 0.90 and 1.38, 1.71 and 2.58, 1.94 and 4.28, 1.47 and 2.37, and 1.39 and 1.79 m3 kg−1; whereas the protein yield-based WF ranged between 7.69 and 10.44, 8.27 and 16.47, 3.79 and 7.75, 4.86 and 11.17, 5.09 and 7.42, and 5.51 and 10.69 m3 kg−1 for spring wheat, barley, canola, sunflower, lentils, and chickpea, respectively. All the WFs of crops generally decreased with time, which could be attributed to precipitation factors. In addition, the scientific and technological progress and agricultural inputs also evidently influenced the grain yield-based WFs of all crops. Pulse crops had a higher grain yield-based WF (an average of 1.59 m3 kg−1 for pulse crops and 1.18 m3 kg−1 for cereal crops) but a lower protein yield-based WF (an average of 6.58 m3 kg−1 for pulse crops and 9.25 m3 kg−1 for cereal crops) than cereal crops. Under conditions of improved protein consumption and healthy living in the future, pulse crops may be a preferred crop.
Analysis of the Dynamic Changes of the Baiyangdian Lake Surface Based on a Complex Water Extraction Method
Authors: Wang Xiaoya , Wang Wenjie , Jiang Weiguo , Jia Kai , Rao Pinzeng , Lv Jinxia
Published: November 2018

Lakes have an important role in human life and the ecological environment, but they are easily affected by human activity and climate change, especially around urban areas. Hence, it is critical to extract water with a high precision method and monitor long-term sequence dynamic changes in lakes. As the greatest natural lake of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Baiyangdian Lake has a significant function in human life, socio-economic development, and regional ecological balance. This lake area has shown large changes due to human activity and climate change. The change monitoring process of the water surface is of great significance in providing support for the management and protection of the lake. The Spectrum Matching based on Discrete Particle Swarm Optimization (SMDPSO) method is a new, robust, and low-cost method for water extraction, that has obvious advantages in extracting complex water surfaces. In this paper, the SMDPSO method was used to extract the water surface of Baiyangdian Lake by Landsat images from 1984 to 2018. This method has a good effect on complex water surface extraction with vegetation, shadows, and so forth, and the Landsat images have higher resolution and longer time series. The main contents and results of this paper are as follows: (1) We verified the applicability of the SMDPSO method in the Baiyangdian Lake using visual interpretation and correlation analysis. The relative errors between observed and extracted results were all less than 5% in spring, summer, and fall, and the correlation coefficient between the water area and water level was 0.96. (2) According to seasonal verification and comparison of the extraction results, the SMDPSO method was used to extract the water surface area of Baiyangdian Lake during spring of the years 1984–2018. Water area changes of Baiyangdian Lake can be divided into four periods: Dry period (1984–1988), degraded period (1989–2000), stable period (2000–2008), and recovery period (2008–2018). The water area reached a maximum of 280 km2 in 1989 and a minimum of 44 km2 in 2002. (3) The possible causes of the changes in the water area of Baiyangdian Lake were also analyzed. The changes were caused by climate and human activities during the first and second periods, but mainly human activities during the third and fourth periods. In fact, effective policies combined with water conservancy projects were directly conducive to improving or even recovering the water and ecological environment of Baiyangdian Lake. Considering its importance for the benign development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region and the construction of the Xiong’an New Area, a policy is necessary to ensure that the lake’s ecological environment will not be destroyed under the premise of economic development.