bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of Newly-Fabricated Modular Surface Plasmon Resonance (mSPR) Sensor
Authors: Wan Ahamad Wan Mohd Azwady , Kamarun Dzaraini , Abd Rahman Mohd Kamil
Published: May 2016

Performance of modular surface plasmon resonance (mSPR) sensor based on refractive index is discussed in this paper. The sensor was built in house using a polychromatic light source, polarizer to produce a transverse magnetic wave, high refractive index waveguide, gold-coated disk, single channel cell and spectrometer for data analysis. A knob for adjusting the angle of the incident provides a means for ease of angle variation which simplifies the design of the instrument for portability purposes. In conventional SPR, the light source need to be delocalized for search of the resonance angle, making the instrument bulky in size and had to be laboratory-based. The efficiency of the newly designed SPR biosensor was tested using a various percentages of ethanol in deionized water. Observations on the shifts of the resonance wavelength with ethanol strength revealed that the SPR biosensor has a sensitivity of 64 nm/RIU and a resolution of ~102 RIU.
Simultaneous Saccharification and Co-Fermentation (SSCF) Using Banana and Pineapple Waste as Substrate
Authors: Teoh Yi Peng , Zati-Hanani Sharifah
Published: May 2016

Ethanol is the most extensively used fuel in worldwide particularly for transportation sector. Recently, researchers are focusing in producing ethanol from crops and agricultural wastes. This work is aimed to utilize the banana and pineapple waste from processing industry for ethanol production and consequently help to reduce potential environmental issues. Batch enzymatic hydrolysis via simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) technology was carried out using Aspergillus terreus (fungi) and Kluyveromyces marxianus (thermo-tolerant yeast). Results revealed that maximum ethanol concentration of 0.35 g/L and 0.27 g/L could be achieved by utilizing banana and pineapple waste, respectively.
Optimization of Eugenol Ester Using Statistical Approach of Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Mat Radzi Salina , Hanif Muhamad Zakuan , Syamsul K.M.W.
Published: May 2016

In this study, optimization of eugenol caprylate, a type of ester was successfully carried out using statistical approach of Response surface methodology (RSM). The eugenol ester was synthesized via green route of an enzymatic esterification reaction between eugenol and caprylic acid. Four important enzymology parameters were investigated such as reaction time, temperature, molar ratio of substrate and amount of enzyme. High percentage conversion of ester >80 % was achieved at reaction time of 240.40 minute, 25.52 mg of enzyme’s amount, 1.13 molar ratio substrate and temperature of 56.57 °C based on the optimum conditions. The efficiency of a new dual enzymes system consisting of Novozym 435 and Lipozyme TL IM was also evaluated based on the effect of heat and its reusability on the esterification reaction.
Facile Synthesis of Activated Carbon from Swamp Taro Stalk via Single Step ZnCl2 Activation
Authors: Mohammed Yahya Muhammad Safwat Bin , Andas Jeyashelly , Zaidi Ab Ghani
Published: May 2016

In this work, mesoporous activated carbon with high surface area was synthesized from swamp taro stalk by single step ZnCl2 activation. The synthesized activated carbon was characterized by Na2S2O3 volumetric method, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and N2 adsorption-desorption analyses. Under the single step ZnCl2 activation, the registered iodine number, BET surface area, total pore volume and pore diameter were 1087.57 mgg-1, 1242.26 m2g-1, 0.73cm3g-1 and 3.72 nm respectively with yield of 25.34%. SEM analysis evidenced the well-formation of porous structure. Type IV isotherm with H2 loops obtained from N2-sorption studies indicates the ink bottles shape mesoporous network structure. This research proved the successful conversion of plant waste into high grade activated carbon.
Effects of Trace Phosphorus in Sn-Cu-Ni Wave Solder Dross
Authors: Nogita Kazuhiro , Mohd Salleh Mohd Arif Anuar , Xuan Quy Tran , Read Jonathan , Smith Selena , McDonald Stuart D.
Published: May 2016

Phosphorus (P) is often added to wave-solder baths as an anti-oxidation agent for older generation eutectic Sn-37wt%Pb solders. For Pb-free solder alloys trace amounts of germanium (Ge) have been added successfully in Sn-0.7wt%Cu-0.05wt%Ni for anti-oxidation purposes during the wave soldering process. Despite this practice, there is little information on how P and Ge distribute in solder alloys and dross in this alloy system. In this paper, the effects of combinations of trace levels of Ge (< 100ppm) and P (< 100ppm) in Sn-Cu-Ni solder alloys and their dross has been investigated by XRD and SEM/EDS. It was found that the weight fraction of tin oxides in the dross is increased with an addition of less than 100ppm P. The dross consists on SnO oxide with Sn in samples containing Ge and no P, while SnO and SnO2 oxide are both present when P and Ge additions are made. In samples containing P, (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 and Ni-P and/or Ni-Sn-P intermetallics particles were found.
Removal of Iron and Manganese Using Cascade Aerator and Limestone Roughing Filter
Authors: Mohd Sanusi Azrin , Adlan Mohd Nordin , Mohd Arif Zainol Mohd Remy Rozainy , jamil rhahimi
Published: May 2016

Combination between oxidation and filtration can be used for removing iron and manganese from groundwater especially when the concentrations of these metals were high. This study focused on the effectiveness of the cascade aerator and the size of the limestone filter media to remove iron and manganese from groundwater. Water samples used for this study were collected from orphanage home, Rumah Nur Kasih, Taiping. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has provided a tube well of 15 m depth and 150 mm diameter for the orphanage home. However, the water cannot be used for domestic consumption due to high amount of iron and manganese at 6.48 and 1.9 mg/L which exceeded the drinking water standard of 0.3 and 0.1 mg/L respectively. Using laboratory physical model, the study has shown that the removals of iron and manganese have reduce the concentration until 0.17 and 0.2 mg/L respectively. Thus, the results from this study which utilize cascade aerator and limestone roughing filter could be implemented on site for the community to use the ground water for domestic purposes.
Kinetics and Isotherm Studies on Nd(III) Adsorption onto Xanthated Chitosan
Authors: Ariff Noorul Farhana Md , Hanafiah Megat Ahmad Kamal Megat , Hussin Zurhana Mat , Ibrahim Shariff Che , Ngah Wan Saime Wan
Published: May 2016

Xanthated chitosan (XC) beads synthesized from the reaction between sulphur and hydroxyl groups were applied to adsorb rare earth metal ion, Nd (III). Adsorption of Nd (III) was found to be a function of pH of initial solution, adsorbent dosage and contact time. The optimum conditions for Nd (III) adsorption were at pH 3 and adsorbent dosage of 0.02 g. Rapid adsorption process was observed as it took only 10 min for reaching the equilibrium state. Chemisorption was identified as the rate limiting step and the kinetics data correlated well with the pseudo-second-order model.
Tin (Sn) Recovery from Wave Soldering Lead Free Solder Dross via Hydrochloric Acid Leaching and Combustion Treatment
Authors: Ismail Syarifah Aminah , Jamil Noorina Hidayu , Kamarudin Hussin , Mohd Salleh Mohd Arif Anuar
Published: May 2016

The pyrometallurgical method of tin extraction from lead free solder dross after leaching treatment is discussed. The solder dross is sieved into 75 μm was used for the experiment. The samples were leached using 0.3 M HCl, 12 hours stirring times and temperature of 60°C was used for the leaching before thermal treatment. The sample was thermally treated at temperature of 650,850 and 1050°C. The increase of heating temperature causes the lowering of the tin extraction. The optimum parameter for heating temperature is 850°C with 98.71% of tin recovery.
Removal of Iron (Fe) in Rice Husk via Citric Acid Leaching Treatment
Authors: Muzni Nur Haslinda Mohamed , Hidayu Jamil Noorina , Yeoh Cheow Keat
Published: May 2016

Rice husk (RH) is an agricultural waste which has been utilized as useful renewable resources to produce energy with high-purity silica (SiO2) contents. With such a large availability of rice husk, it becomes economical to industrial applications. This paper was study about the removal of iron from rice husk in aqueous citric acid by using acid leaching treatment. The parameters chosen were reaction temperature, stirring speed, acid concentration and stirring time. The optimum conditions for the maximum removal of 0.14% of iron with citric acid leaching treatment were observed at solution temperature of 70°C; thermostat magnetic stirrer hotplate, 150 W; acid concentration 0.1M-1.0M; stirring time 6h-12h. This method resulted the removal efficiency of iron increasing considerably with the increasing leach C2H7O8 acid concentration. The optimization of the process conditions of the citric acid leaching treatment under the optimum conditions with 6h of stirring time and acid concentration of 1.0M were conducted to remove the metallic impurities of Fe from husks and shows remarkable result.
Correlation of Brillouin Stokes Signals and Optical-Signal-to-Noise-Ratio in Multi-Wavelength Brillouin Fiber Laser with Additional Fiber Bragg Grating
Authors: Malek A. Zakiah , Ahmad Hambali N.A.M. , Wahid M.H.A. , Shahimin M.M. , Azidin M.A.M.
Published: May 2016

We experimentally demonstrate unidirectional propagation of multi-wavelength Brillouin fiber laser system with additional fiber Bragg grating. The configuration is arranged in a ring resonator by utilizing five different Brillouin gain mediums. In this experiment, the input Brillouin pump power was varied in order to maximize the generated Brillouin Stokes signals based on the respective fiber lengths. The influence of these controllable parameters leads to the correlation between of Brillouin Stokes signals and optical-signal-to-noise-ratio. In this case, at 10 km of single mode fiber the maximum of 38 Brillouin Stokes signals were generated together with 15.07 dB of average optical-signal-to-noise-ratio when the 17 dBm Brillouin pump power was launched into the ring resonator.
Maximal Predicable Time Scale of Gas Emission about Fully Mechanized Mining Face
Authors: He Li Wen , Song Yi , Tan Zheng Hua , Long Hai Yang
Published: May 2016

Aimed at the issue that predicable time scale is neglected about the current gas emission forecast method, the Lyapunov index method in the chaos theory is adopted to research the predicable time scales of gas emission. The measured data of gas emission about a fully mechanized mining face was investgated. The delay time of time series about gas emission was determined by Non-bias multiple autocorrelation method, and the embedding dimension was determined by G-P algorithm is taken to determine. Based on this, the maximal Lyapunov index of ime series was got and the maximal predicable time scale was got. It is avoided that the time scale is too large when making a prediction of gas emission. On the side, the chaotic time series prediction model can make the correct prediction of gas emission based on the calculation of Lyapunov index value.
Numerical Simulation of Pressure Loss in Largesize Annulus of Deepwater Drilling Riser
Authors: Fu Qing Chun
Published: May 2016

Large difference exists between largesize annular hydraulics and conventional well's. Using numerical simulation, this article analyze annular pressure loss of deepwater drilling riser with large size, describing how various parameters such as annular mud velocity, drill pipe rotation speed, mud property and annular clearance affect the pressure losses in a well, compared with that of a conventional wellbore as well. Theoretical calculations have shown: As for power law fluid in the largesize annular space, when it comes to laminar flow, an increase in drill pipe rotation speed can result in a decrease of annular pressure losses; In the contrary,under turbulent conditions, this may lead to a rise in annular pressure losses. The pressure drop dramatically along with an increasing in the annular space, in other words, the size of annular clearance is a major factor that affect the pressure losses in the annular space.
The Shielding Materials from EM Radiation for Aircraft Fuselage
Authors: Perdana I.R.W. , Al-Hadi A.A. , Bukhari Mohabbatul Zaman
Published: May 2016

In the last few decades, when travel makes one modest, people prefer air travel instead of car. As such, aircrews and flight passengers are prone to electromagnetic (EM) radiation exposure overtime during flight. Various researches were conducted by the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) and European Union (EU) in order to understand its details. This paper offers reviews of EM radiation effect to human body in altitude of commercial jet and materials that may provide a convince protection for fuselage structure of aircraft. It was found that Polyethylene (PE) is a convincing material that may absorb EM radiation. NASA has found that lower effective dose toward galactic cosmic rays (GCR) was obtained in PE at 0.1 cSv/day compared to aluminum at 0.125 cSv/day at the same thickness which was 20 g/cm2.
Optimization of Output Coupling Ratio for Multi-Wavelength Brillouin Fiber Laser Employing FBG and DCF as Gain Medium
Authors: Malek A. Zakiah , Ariffin S. Nursyamimi , Ahmad Hambali N.A.M. , Wahid M.H.A. , Shahimin M.M. , Azidin M.A.M. , Isa Siti S. Mat
Published: May 2016

A ring-cavity multi-wavelength Brillouin fiber laser by employing a fiber Bragg grating and dispersion compensating fiber was experimentally demonstrated. The multi-wavelength Brillouin fiber laser has been analyzed at different output coupling ratios at 1550 nm of Brillouin pump wavelength. A ring-cavity multi-wavelength Brillouin fiber laser has been designed with a 16 km long of dispersion compensating fiber which acts as gain medium for stimulated Brillouin scattering effect. Dispersion compensating fiber is designed to have small core size and has higher nonlinear coefficient. As a result, 8 Brillouin Stokes signals were produced at maximum Brillouin power of 21 dBm and output coupling ratio of 80%. The best performance of output coupling ratio was determined by 70% with the highest of signal to noise ratio at 38.39 dB.
Solderability and Interfacial Intermetallic Compound (IMC) Growth of Sn-Cu-Ni Solder with Additions of Germanium
Authors: Mohd Sobri Fatin Afeeqa , Mohd Salleh Mohd Arif Anuar , Ghazali Che Mohd Ruzaidi , Narayanan Pavithiran
Published: May 2016

The wettability of Sn-Cu-Ni with Germanium (Ge) additions of 0 ppm, 10 ppm, 60 ppm, 100 ppm and 200 ppm were investigated with Gen3 machine. The range of the wettability shows the lowest and the highest reading of wetting time and maximum force. Three different conditions were investigated which consist of as soldered, reflowed and aged. Further interfacial IMC observation was done for 0 ppm and 60 ppm of Ge to investigate the growth of interfacial IMC after thermal aging. From the measurement, the thickness of IMC for 0 ppm Ge is 2.075μm, 3.936μm and 4.502μm with aging time at 24,120 and 240 hours respectively. While for 60 ppm Ge, the IMC thickness are much lower with 1.8μm, 3.11μm and 4.154μm at the same aging time with 0ppm Ge. The results indicate that 60 ppm of Ge in Sn-Cu-Ni has the lowest wetting time, higher maximum force and slow IMC growth.
Die identiteitsgerigte boodskap van 1 Johannes: Hermeneutiese samehang van teks, situasie en teologie
Authors: Du Rand Jan A.
Published: May 2016

The identity directed message of 1 John: Hermeneutical cohesion of text, situation and theology. A fairly recent stimulating and creative article by Judith Lieu on the hermeneutics of 1 John has prompted the Johannine researchers to react. She analyses 1 John from the viewpoint of a rhetorical reading of the text to exclusively provide the hermeneutical meaning of the text. Her article has merits to stimulate Johannine researchers to react, which did not happen. It is the purpose of this contribution to test her hermeneutical conclusions and rather to propose a multidimensional exegetical approach to unlock the meaning of 1 John. A rhetorical reading is to be combined with a projected reconstruction of the socio-historical situation of the first historical readers as well as an exegetical analysis of the theological content to obtain a balanced hermeneutical result, considering the theological message of 1 John. The presentation of the theological content focuses on the Christian identity of the historically intended believing readers.
Multiple Air Embolism during Coronary Angiography: How do We Deal with it?
Authors: Suastika Luh Oliva Saraswati , Oktaviono Yudi Her
Published: May 2016

Coronary air embolism remains a serious complication of cardiac catheterization despite careful prevention. The complications of coronary air embolism range from clinically insignificant events to acute coronary syndrome, cardiogenic shock, and death. We report here a case of multiple air emboli in both left coronary arteries, complicated by cardiogenic shock and ventricular fibrillation in a 49-year-old male patient undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention. The patient recovered after supportive measures, including oxygen, intravenous dopamine infusion, and cardiac compression, and repeated forceful injection of heparinized saline successfully resolved the air emboli. He then eventually underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention in the left anterior descending artery without any residual stenosis.
Obstetric, Sociodemographic, and Psychosocial Problems of Postpartum Adolescents of Huambo, Angola
Authors: Tavares Hamilton Dos Prazeres , Tavares Suelma Beatriz Marques Prata , Capingana Daniel Pires , Da Gama Silvana Granado Nogueira , Da Silva Luiz Guilherme Pessoa
Published: May 2016

This study aims to establish a profile of teenage pregnancy (<20 years) at a hospital in Huambo, Angola. Subjects were categorized into two age groups, 10–16 and 17–19 years. We interviewed 381 mothers in the postpartum maternity ward of the Central Hospital of Huambo. Statistical analysis then followed two stages, a descriptive analysis of the study population and analysis through a bivariate 2 × 2 table, using a chi-squared test to evaluate the hypothesis of homogeneity of proportions with a significance level of 5%. Comparing the two groups revealed a more frequent occurrence of problems among mothers under 17 years of age, including a higher frequency of involvement with unemployed parents, more often not living with parents, and fewer prenatal consultations.
CMV matrices, a matrix version of Baxter's theorem, scattering and de Branges spaces
Authors: Dym Harry , Kimsey David P.
Published: May 2016

In this survey we establish bijective correspondences between the following classes of objects: (1)

\beta_{-1}

and

\{ \beta_n \}_{n=0}^{\infty}

, with

\beta_n \in \mathbb C^{p \times p}

for

n=-1,0,\ldots

,

\beta_{-1}

unitary,

\| \beta_j \| < 1

for

j \geq 0

and

\sum_{j=0}^{\infty} \| \beta_j \| < \infty

; (2) A unitary matrix

\beta_{-1} \in \mathbb C^{p \times p}

and a spectral density

\Delta

belonging to the Wiener algebra

\mathcal W^{p \times p}

with

\Delta(\zeta) \succ 0

for all

\zeta

on the unit circle

\mathbb T

; (3) CMV matrices based on a unitary matrix

\beta_{-1} \in \mathbb C^{p \times p}

and a spectral density

\Delta

that meets the constraints in (2); (4) scattering matrices that belong to the Wiener algebra

\mathcal W^{p \times p}

; (5) a class of solutions of an associated matricial Nehari problem.

The bijective correspondence between summable sequences of contractions and positive spectral densities in the Wiener algebra

\mathcal W^{p \times p}

(i.e., between class (1) and class (2)) is known as Baxter's theorem and was established by Baxter when

p=1

and Geronimo when

p \geq 1

. The connections between CMV matrices, the solutions of a related Nehari problem and an inverse scattering problem seem to be new when

p > 1

. There is partial overlap of the connection between the considered Nehari problem and a discrete analogue of an inverse scattering problem considered by Krein and Melik-Adamjan. de Branges spaces of vector-valued polynomials are used to ease a number of computations.
Characterizations of hypercyclically embedded subgroups of finite groups
Authors: Yi Xiaolan
Published: May 2016

A normal subgroup

H

of a finite group

G

is said to be

hypercyclically embedded in

G

if every chief factor of

G

below

H

is cyclic. Our main goal here is to give new characterizations of hypercyclically embedded subgroups. In particular, we prove that a normal subgroup

E

of a finite group

G

is hypercyclically embedded in

G

if and only if for every different primes

p

and

q

and every

p

-element

a \in (G' \cap F^{*}(E))E'

,

p'

-element

b \in G

and

q

-element

c \in G'

we have

[a, b^{p-1}]=1=[a^{q-1}, c]

. Some known results are generalized. \end{abstract}
Classification of a class of torsion-free abelian groups
Authors: Solak Ebru
Published: May 2016

The class of almost completely decomposable groups with a critical typeset of type

(2, 2)

and a regulator quotient of exponent

≤ p^2

is shown to have exactly 4 near-isomorphism classes of indecomposable groups. Every group of the class is up to near-isomorphism uniquely a direct sum of these four indecomposable groups.
A Poincaré lemma for Whitney–de Rham complex
Authors: Chen Hou-Yi
Published: May 2016

Let

M

be a real analytic manifold,

Z

a closed subanalytic subset of

M

. We show that the Whitney–de Rham complex over

Z

is quasi-isomorphic to the constant sheaf

\mathbb C_Z

.
Finitely generated modules and chain rings
Authors: Albrecht Ulrich , Scible Gregg
Published: May 2016

This paper investigated finitely generated singular modules over a right chain ring

R

. We show that these modules behave similar to those over valuation rings provided

R

is a right duo ring. We also demonstrate that the duo condition cannot be removed from our discussion.
Global evaluation of runoff from ten state-of-the-art hydrological models
Authors: Beck Hylke E. , van Dijk Albert I. J. M. , de Roo Ad , Dutra Emanuel , Fink Gabriel , Orth Rene , Schellekens Jaap
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Observed runoff data from 966 medium sized catchments (1000 to 5000 km2) around the globe were used to comprehensively evaluate the daily runoff estimates (1979–2012) of six global hydrological models (GHMs) and four land surface models (LSMs) produced as part of Tier-1 of the eartH2Observe project. The models were all driven by the WATCH Forcing Data ERA-Interim (WFDEI) meteorological dataset, but used different datasets for non-meteorologic inputs and were run at various spatial and temporal resolutions, although all data were re-sampled to a common 0.5° spatial and daily temporal resolution. For the evaluation, we used a broad range of performance metrics related to important aspects of the hydrograph. We found pronounced inter-model performance differences, underscoring the importance of hydrological model uncertainty in addition to climate input uncertainty, for example in studies assessing the hydrological impacts of climate change. The (uncalibrated) GHMs were found to perform, on average, better than the (uncalibrated) LSMs in snow-dominated regions, while the ensemble mean was found to perform only slightly worse than the best (calibrated) model. The inclusion of less reliable models did not appreciably degrade the ensemble performance. Overall, more effort should be devoted on calibrating and regionalizing the parameters of macro-scale models. We further found that, despite adjustments using gauge observations, the WFDEI precipitation data still contain substantial biases that propagate into the simulated runoff. The early bias in the spring snowmelt peak exhibited by most models is probably primarily due to the widespread precipitation underestimation at high northern latitudes.
Data Lakes and Data Visualization: An Innovative Approach to Addressing the Many Challenges of Health Workforce Planning
Authors: Krause Denise D.
Published: May 2016

Background: There are a variety of challenges to health workforce planning, but access to data is critical for effective evidence-based decision-making. Many agencies and organizations throughout Mississippi have been collecting quality health data for many years. Those data have historically resided in data silos and have not been readily shared. A strategy was developed to build and coordinate infrastructure, capacity, tools, and resources to facilitate health workforce and population health planning throughout the state.Objective: Realizing data as the foundation upon which to build, the primary objective was to develop the capacity to collect, store, maintain, visualize, and analyze data from a variety of disparate sources -- with the ultimate goal of improving access to health care.Specific aims were to:1)  build a centralized data repository and scalable informatics platform,2)  develop a data management solution for this platform and then,3)  derive value from this platform by facilitating data visualization and analysis.Methods: We designed and constructed a managed data lake for health data from disparate sources throughout the state of Mississippi. A data management application was developed to log and track all data sources, maps and geographies, and data marts.  With this informatics platform as a foundation, we use a variety of tools to visualize and analyze data.Results: Samples of data visualizations that aim to inform health planners and policymakers are presented. Many agencies and organizations throughout the state benefit from this platform.Conclusion: The overarching goal is that by providing timely, reliable information to stakeholders, Mississippians in general will experience improved access to quality care.
Visualizing the quality of partially accruing data for use in decision making
Authors: Eaton Julia , Painter Ian , Olson Donald , Lober William
Published: May 2016

Secondary use of clinical health data for near real-time public health surveillance presents challenges surrounding its utility due to data quality issues. Data used for real-time surveillance must be timely, accurate and complete if it is to be useful; if incomplete data are used for surveillance, understanding the structure of the incompleteness is necessary. Such data are commonly aggregated due to privacy concerns. The Distribute project was a near real-time influenza-like-illness (ILI) surveillance system that relied on aggregated secondary clinical health data. The goal of this work is to disseminate the data quality tools developed to gain insight into the data quality problems associated with these data. These tools apply in general to any system where aggregate data are accrued over time and were created through the end-user-as-developer paradigm. Each tool was developed during the exploratory analysis to gain insight into structural aspects of data quality. Our key finding is that data quality of partially accruing data must be studied in the context of accrual lag—the difference between the time an event occurs and the time data for that event are received, i.e. the time at which data become available to the surveillance system. Our visualization methods therefore revolve around visualizing dimensions of data quality affected by accrual lag, in particular the tradeoff between timeliness and completion, and the effects of accrual lag on accuracy.  Accounting for accrual lag in partially accruing data is necessary to avoid misleading or biased conclusions about trends in indicator values and data quality.
Agent-based computational model of the prevalence of gonococcal infections after the implementation of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis guidelines
Authors: Escobar Erik , Durgham Ryan , Dammann Olaf , Stopka Thomas
Published: May 2016

Recently, the first comprehensive guidelines were published for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the prevention of HIV infection in populations with substantial risk of infection. Guidelines include a daily regimen of emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF/FTC) as well as condom usage during sexual activity.  The relationship between the TDF/FTC intake regimen and condom usage is not yet fully understood. If men who have sex with men (MSM,) engage in high-risk sexual activities without using condoms when prescribed TDF/FTC they might be at an increased risk for other sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Our study focuses on the possible occurrence of behavioral changes among MSM in the United States over time with regard to condom usage. In particular, we were interested in creating a model of how increased uptake of TDF/FTC might cause a decline in condom usage, causing significant increases in non-HIV STD incidence, using gonococcal infection incidence as a biological endpoint. We used the agent-based modeling software NetLogo, building upon an existing model of HIV infection. We found no significant evidence for increased gonorrhea prevalence due to increased PrEP usage at any level of sample-wide usage, with a range of 0-90% PrEP usage. However, we did find significant evidence for decreased prevalence of HIV, with a maximal effect being reached when 5% to 10% of the MSM population used PrEP. Our findings appear to indicate that attitudes of aversion, within the medical community, toward the promotion of PrEP due to the potential risk of increased STD transmission are unfounded.
Characterizing the Access of Clinical Decision Support Offered by Immunization Information System in Minnesota
Authors: Rajamani Sripriya , Bieringer Aaron , Muscoplat Miriam
Published: May 2016

Background: Healthy People 2020 aims to improve population health by increasing immunization rates to decrease vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. Amongst the many strategies, role of immunization information systems (IIS) are recognized by studies and taskforce reports. IIS are unique in their offering of clinical decision support for immunizations (CDSi) which are utilized by healthcare providers. Federal initiatives such as Meaningful Use (MU) and Affordable Care Act (ACA) aim to improve immunization rates through use of technology and expanding access to immunization services respectively. MU, the Electronic Health Record (EHR) incentive program includes use of IIS CDSi functionality as part of Stage 3. It is essential to understand access and use patterns of IIS CDSi, so as to utilize it better to improve immunization services.Objectives: To understand the utilization of clinical decision support for immunizations (CDSi) offered by immunization information system in Minnesota and to analyze the variability of its use across providers and EHR implementations.Methods: IIS in Minnesota (Minnesota Immunization Information Connection: MIIC) offers CDSi that is accessed through EHRs and branded as Alternate Access (AA). Data from MIIC and technical documents were reviewed to create details on organizations which implemented AA functionality. Data on EHR adoption in clinics and local health departments was obtained from Minnesota eHealth assessment reports. Data on access were tracked from January 2015 through mid-October 2015 through weekly specialized reports to track the queries by organization, volume and day of the week. Data were analyzed, findings were synthesized and reviewed with subject matter experts.Conclusion: High EHR adoption offers a great opportunity to promote use of IIS CDSi at point of care. Analysis did not track use at individual clinic level and how the queries were being generated. Additional research is needed to understand the provider level use of this CDSi and other organizational and technical factors which influence access to IIS. This is essential for IIS as they execute projects to improve population-level immunization rates, plan provider outreach and prioritize their system enhancements to meet federal requirements.
De Marokkanenpaniek: de sociale constructie van ‘Marokkanen’ als folk devils
Authors: Bouabid Abdessamad
Published: May 2016

The Moroccans panic: The social construction of Moroccans as folk devils

Since the nineties, the ‘Moroccan community’ experiences a negative group-image based on a small group of male youths who ‘stand out’ in social problems such as nuisance, crime and Islamic radicalisation. This negative group image is largely constructed through negative societal reactions in the media on incidents in which Moroccan Dutch youngsters play a prominent role. This article examines such negative societal reactions in the media on three recent incidents: the 2007 Slotervaart riots, the 2008 Gouda ‘bus incident’ and the 2010 Culemborg riots. It concludes that the societal reactions to these incidents in the media, are exaggerated, symbolise ‘the Moroccans’ as folk devils and construct them as moral and cultural Others. Finally, it concludes that these negative societal reactions to ‘Moroccans’ in Dutch media can be seen as a disproportional and misplaced, but natural reaction of a dominant cultural majority to a threat to their cultural and moral hegemony, by ‘the Moroccans’ as a social deviant minority.
Adaptation of the Support Frame of the Cooling Skids System for Use in Maritime Transport
Authors: Flis Leszek
Published: May 2016

The article presents calculations of the strength of a support frame Skid Cooling units used on oil rigs. The complexity of the equipment does not allow for efficient FEM modeling of such structures. It indicates how to the simplify the model so that the calculations can accepted by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).
Estimation of Nakagami Distribution Parameters in Describing a Fading Radio-Communication Channel
Authors: Noga Krystyna Maria , Studański Ryszard
Published: May 2016

This article presents a review of issues related to the estimation of Nakagami distribution parameters. This distribution is often used for modeling transmission in a fading radio-communication channel, and in addition it well approximates other distributions.
Utilization of Cell-Transfer Technique for Molecular Testing on Hematoxylin-Eosin–Stained Sections: A Viable Option for Small Biopsies That Lack Tumor Tissues in Paraffin Block
Authors: Wu Howard H. , Jovonovich Stephen M. , Randolph Melissa , Post Kristin M. , Sen Joyashree D. , Curless Kendra , Cheng Liang
Published: May 2016

Context.—

In some instances the standard method of doing molecular testing from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded block is not possible because of limited tissue. Tumor cell–enriched cell-transfer technique has been proven useful for performing immunocytochemistry and molecular testing on cytologic smears.

Objective.—

To establish the cell-transfer technique as a viable option for isolating tumor cells from hematoxylin-eosin (H&E)–stained slides.

Design.—

Molecular testing was performed by using the cell-transfer technique on 97 archived H&E-stained slides from a variety of different tumors. Results were compared to the conventional method of molecular testing.

Results.—

Polymerase chain reaction–based molecular testing via the cell-transfer technique was successfully performed on 82 of 97 samples (85%). This included 39 of 47 cases for EGFR, 10 of 11 cases for BRAF, and 33 of 39 cases for KRAS mutations. Eighty-one of 82 cell-transfer technique samples (99%) showed agreement with previous standard method results, including 4 mutations and 35 wild-type alleles for EGFR, 4 mutations and 6 wild-type alleles for BRAF, and 11 mutations and 21 wild-type alleles for KRAS. There was only 1 discrepancy: a cell-transfer technique with a false-negative >KRAS result (wild type versus G12C).

Conclusions.—

Molecular testing performed on H&E-stained sections via cell-transfer technique is useful when tissue from cell blocks and small surgical biopsy samples is exhausted and the only available material for testing is on H&E-stained slides.
Outcomes of Primary Unilateral Cheiloplasty in Same-Day Surgical Settings
Authors: Khan Mansoor , Ullah Hidayat , Aziz Asif , Tahir Muhammad
Published: May 2016

Background Financial, clinical, and psychological considerations have made same-day surgery an attractive option for a variety of procedures. This article aimed to analyse the postoperative results of same-day primary unilateral cleft nasolabial repair.

Methods This study was performed from 2011 to 2014. Unilateral cleft lip patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were preoperatively classified as mild, moderate, and severe. All patients underwent same-day surgery and were discharged after satisfying the appropriate clinical criteria, receiving thorough counselling, and the establishment of a means of communication by phone. Postoperative outcomes were assessed and stratified according to preoperative severity and the type of repair.

Results A total of 423 primary unilateral cleft lip patients were included. Fisher's anatomical subunit approximation technique was the most common procedure, followed by Noordhoff's technique. The postoperative outcome was good in 89.8% of cases, fair in 9.9% of cases, and poor in 0.2% of cases. The complication rate was 1.18% (n=5), and no instances of mortality were observed. The average hospital stay was 7.5 hours, leading to a cost reduction of 19% in comparison with patients who stayed overnight for observation.

Conclusions Mild unilateral cleft lip was the most common deformity for which Fisher's anatomical subunit approximation technique was performed in most of the cases, with satisfactory postoperative outcomes. Refinements in the cleft rhinoplasty techniques over the course of the study improved the results regarding cleft nasal symmetry. Single-day primary unilateral cleft cheiloplasty was found to be a cost-effective procedure that did not pose an additional risk of complications.
Orofacial Soft Tissue Reconstruction with Locoregional Flaps in a Health Resource-Depleted Environment: Experiences from Nigeria
Authors: Agbara Rowland , Obiadazie Athanasius Chukwudi , Fomete Benjamin , Omeje Kelvin Uchenna
Published: May 2016

Background Reconstruction of orofacial soft tissue defects is often challenging due to functional and aesthetic demands. Despite advances in orofacial soft tissue defect reconstruction using free flaps, locoregional flaps still remain an important option, especially in health resource-depleted environments. This retrospective study highlights our experiences in oral and maxillofacial soft tissue reconstruction using locoregional flaps.

Methods A twenty-three years retrospective analysis of all patients managed in our department was undertaken. Information was sourced from patients' case notes and operating theater records. Data was analyzed using SPSS ver. 16 (SPSS Inc.) and Microsoft Excel 2007 (Microsoft).

Results A total of 77 patients underwent orofacial soft tissue defect reconstruction within the years reviewed. Males accounted for 55 (71.4%) cases and trauma was the main etiological factor in 45 (58.4%) of the patients treated. When sites of defect were considered, the lip, 27 (32.1%), was the most frequent site followed by the nose, 17 (20.2%). Forehead flap, 51 (59.3%), was the most commonly used flap. Complications noted were tumor recurrences at the recipient bed in 3 (3.9%) cases, tumor occurrence at the donor site in 1 (1.3%) case and postoperative infection in 11 (14.3%) cases.

Conclusions Locoregional flaps still have an important role in the rehabilitation of patients with orofacial soft tissue defects. They remain a vital tool in the armamentarium of the reconstructive surgeon, especially in health resource-depleted environments where advanced reconstructive techniques may not be feasible.
A Rare Case of Pulmonary Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma Presenting with Skin Metastasis
Authors: Ro Hyung-Suk , Shin Jin Yong , Roh Si-Gyun , Lee Nae-Ho , Yang Kyung-Moo , Moon Woo-Sung
Published: May 2016

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a well-differentiated and rare vascular tumor. Systemic metastases are uncommon. Herein, we present a patient with skin metastasis of pulmonary EHE (PEH) that was treated by wide excision. A 76-year-old male was evaluated due to pulmonary thromboembolism and a solitary pulmonary nodule. A biopsy was performed and pathological examination of the mass confirmed EHE. No metastasis was observed. The patient returned to care approximately two years later due to a painful nodule in the right lower leg. A skin biopsy showed metastatic EHE from the lung. We used a safety margin of 1 cm based on clinical experience, because no prior case had been reported regarding the resection margin appropriate for primary cutaneous EHE and skin metastases of PEH. At four months after surgery, the patient recovered without complications or recurrence. Skin metastasis of PEH is extremely rare, and only two cases have been reported in the literature. In this case, we report a rare case of PEH with histologically diagnosed skin metastasis that was successfully treated by curative resection. It is expected that this case report will provide a helpful contribution to the extant data regarding PEH metastases.
Electrostatic-field-enhanced photoexfoliation of bilayer benzene: A first-principles study
Authors: Uchida Kazuki , Silaeva Elena P. , Watanabe Kazuyuki
Published: May 2016

Photoexfoliation of bilayer benzene in an external electrostatic (dc) field is studied using time-dependent density functional theory combined with molecular dynamics. We find that the dc-field-induced force on the upper benzene in addition to the repulsive interaction between the positively charged benzene molecules induced by the laser field leads to fast athermal exfoliation. Thus, we conclude that the dc field enhances the photoexfoliation due to dc-field emission in addition to laser-assisted photoemission. The athermal exfoliation process is shown to depend crucially on the charge state of benzene molecules rather than on the excitation energy supplied by the laser.
The durability of building materials under a changing climate
Authors: Phillipson Mark C. , Emmanuel Rohinton , Baker Paul H
Published: May 2016

Weathering of materials leads to degradation of the fabric of buildings which if left unchecked will lead to an increase in the rate, and possibly severity, of degradation. Adjustments to maintenance regimes could accommodate marginal changes to degradation rate. However, for significant increases in degradation rate, adaptations may be required. Globally, any new deterioration mechanisms are unlikely. However, in the future previously insignificant problems may start to become significant at a local level, for which there is a lack of local knowledge or experience. Adaptation in the context of existing buildings is a means to further protect the existing fabric, to consolidate performance and control the rate of deterioration. This adaptation goes beyond the scope of enhanced maintenance. For historic buildings, there will be tension between the need to conserve the building and simultaneously adapt in the face of increased climate change driven weathering. Impact studies are needed to identify priorities for adaptation by identifying the scale and impact of degradation‐related defects for the future building stock. Such studies need to be integrated with authoritative information on projected future climate. Adaptation of building design is needed to ensure new buildings consider performance in both current and future climates. A whole‐life approach to building design is needed. To achieve this building standards, building codes need to be developed which consider future climate design. Traditional vernacular styles may offer an opportunity for learning design lessons and adapting design practices that could help facilitate appropriate climate protection. WIREs Clim Change 2016, 7:590–599. doi: 10.1002/wcc.398

This article is categorized under:

Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Evaluating Future Impacts of Climate Change
Testing a four-dimensional variational data assimilation method using an improved intermediate coupled model for ENSO analysis and prediction
Authors: Gao Chuan , Wu Xinrong , Zhang Rong-Hua
Published: May 2016

A four-dimensional variational (4D-Var) data assimilation method is implemented in an improved intermediate coupled model (ICM) of the tropical Pacific. A twin experiment is designed to evaluate the impact of the 4D-Var data assimilation algorithm on ENSO analysis and prediction based on the ICM. The model error is assumed to arise only from the parameter uncertainty. The “observation” of the SST anomaly, which is sampled from a “truth” model simulation that takes default parameter values and has Gaussian noise added, is directly assimilated into the assimilation model with its parameters set erroneously. Results show that 4D-Var effectively reduces the error of ENSO analysis and therefore improves the prediction skill of ENSO events compared with the non-assimilation case. These results provide a promising way for the ICM to achieve better real-time ENSO prediction.
Nano-electro-mechanical pump: Giant pumping of water in carbon nanotubes
Authors: Farimani Amir Barati , Heiranian Mohammad , Aluru Narayana R.
Published: May 2016

A fully controllable nano-electro-mechanical device that can pump fluids at nanoscale is proposed. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we show that an applied electric field to an ion@C60 inside a water-filled carbon nanotube can pump water with excellent efficiency. The key physical mechanism governing the fluid pumping is the conversion of electrical energy into hydrodynamic flow with efficiencies as high as 64%. Our results show that water can be compressed up to 7% higher than its bulk value by applying electric fields. High flux of water (up to 13,000 molecules/ns) is obtained by the electro-mechanical, piston-cylinder-like moving mechanism of the ion@C60 in the CNT. This large flux results from the piston-like mechanism, compressibility of water (increase in density of water due to molecular ordering), orienting dipole along the electric field and efficient electrical to mechanical energy conversion. Our findings can pave the way towards efficient energy conversion, pumping of fluids at nanoscale, and drug delivery.
Dissemination of original NMR data enhances reproducibility and integrity in chemical research
Authors: Bisson Jonathan , Simmler Charlotte , Chen Shao-Nong , Friesen J. Brent , Lankin David C. , McAlpine James B. , Pauli Guido F.
Published: May 2016

Discusses the relevance of freely accessible raw NMR data, published with articles and/or in unified databases, as part of good research practices promoting accuracy, transparency, and reproducibility of bio-chemical outcomes.
Defining “Protein” Foods
Authors: Hess Julie , Slavin Joanne
Published: May 2016

Changing the name of the “protein foods” group on the US Department of Agriculture’s visual food guide, MyPlate, back to the “meat & beans” group would provide important clarification regarding US Department of Agriculture recommendations for a balanced diet. Previous iterations of the food guide named the protein group after its constituent foods (ie, the “meat & beans” group on the 2005 MyPyramid), and the reasons for renaming the entire group with MyPlate are unclear. The exclusion of dairy foods from the “protein foods” group of the 2010 MyPlate illustrates the shortcomings of this group’s name. Dairy foods contain high-quality, affordable protein and constitute a significant portion of the protein intake among the US population but are not listed as “protein foods” on MyPlate. Dairy products and other high-calcium foods do have their own section of MyPlate; however, having this separate group does not mitigate the disingenuousness of having a “protein group” that excludes an important protein source. In addition, because consumers tend to understand food-based terms better than nutrient-based terms, a change to “meat & beans” group would also provide clarification for consumers and for educators regarding the content and role of this group.