bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Standardization of Mastery Kitab Kuning in Nurul Hakim Islamic Boarding School West Nusa Tenggara
Authors: Taruna Mulyani Mudis
Published: December 2015

The focus of this research is the standardization of mastery “kitab kuning” in the Salaf Boarding School “Nurul Hakim” West Nusa Tenggara. The specific study was conducted at Darul Hikmah Li Ma’had Aly Al Fiqh wa Al-Da’wah. The findings of the research showed that the jargon “al-mukhafadlat ‘ala al-qadim ash-shalih wa al-akhdzu bi al-jadid al-ash- lah” or sticking to the old traditions and opening it up to contemporary phenomena inspired boarding school to follow the development of increasingly complex and global challenges. Ma’had ‘Aly Darul Hikmah Li Al Fiqh wa Al-Da’wah still refers to “kitab kuning” as the standard control by mahasantri. Benchmarking was based on the evaluation conducted each year by MPK-OS and set by the Majlis Kiai. Orientation for the determination was in accordance with the “kitab kuning” or study program taught in the Ma’had. The evaluation model which was developed in Ma’had ‘Aly was not different from the evaluation model which was developed at public universities, namely the evaluation of mid-semester and final semester. Another evaluation was an evaluation of each chapter in each study on the “Kitab Kuning” with sorogan model it was implemented in salaf pesantren students. Nev- ertheless, the standardization of control of the “Kitab Kuning” was in the hand of boarding school authorities as a part of developed formal education program.
Weak and False Hadits in Learning Book of Qur’an and Hadits at Islamic Schools
Authors: Sayadi Wajidi
Published: December 2015

The research goals are to answer some questions related to the materials and the quality of hadits which are taught in Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (Islamic Elementary School) and Madrasah Tsanawiyah (Islamic Junior high School). The text book of Quran and Hadits both schools are based on the curriculum 1988, it refers to the regulation of Ministry of Religious Affairs no 2/2008. The subject of Quran and Hadits is part of the subject of Religious Education in Madrasah Ibtidaiyah and Madrash Tsanawiyah, and the purpose is to enable students to understand Quran and Hadist as the sources of Islamic teaching. The subject of hadits is the hadits which really refer to Prophet Muhammad with the valid (shahih) chain of hadits narators. There are nine textbooks of Quran and Hadits that are learned depending on the numbers of class. There are 31 hadits as main materials to be discussed and other hadits as supporting materials. The data (hadits) is analyzed using criticts of hadits. The finding of the research reveals that not all materials of hadits taught in madrasah are valid (sahih), some hadits are very poor (weak), and its authenticity is doubtful and even some hadits are false (not authentic).
The Potential Clash of Social Relationship between Muslim and Buddhist (Case Study on the Conflict of Buddha Statue in Tanjungbalai City, North Sumatra)
Authors: Irwansyah Irwansyah
Published: December 2015

Socio-religious conflicts that occurred in Tanjungbalai City allegedly caused by the establishment of Buddha Statue. This research aims to reveal how relations between Muslim and Buddhist in Tanjungbalai. This study classified as qualitative research. Fact were obtained through observation, interviews, and document review. The results showed social conflict occurred after the establishment of Buddha Statue. Tanjungbalai as one of “China town”, to trigger the social jealousy. In addition to the economic factors are controlled by China,  Tanjungbalai City the majority of Muslims, did not accept the establishment of 6 metre tall Buddha Statue that was on the fourth floor of the building Vihara Tri Ratna. Muslims aliancy movement asking for removal of the statue. Buddhists being defensive and worried that the Malays (Muslims) think that the Buddhist same with “the Chinese”.
Maridjan Menang Taruhan (Analisis Antropologis terhadap Pertarungan Agama-Budaya Maridjan pada 2006)
Authors: Zaenurrosyid A
Published: December 2015

This research was generally based on an interesting phenomenon in 2006, when Merapi erupted. There was Maridjan’s rebellion as a royal servant to climb down from Merapi when Hamengkubuwono X as the king commanded him. The main questions were what were the factors of Maridjan’s resistances?; what were the forms of Maridjan capitals in this fighting?; and what did Maridjan get from the bet as the winner? The approach of this research was anthropological perspective using participatory observation and analyzed by qualitative method. To get data, researcher lived in Maridjan’s house for several months in Merapi. The findings of the study were there was Maridjan’s resistance which was interpreted as a fighting created by media. The second was Maridjan’s resistance supported by two capital powers; the cultural power as the Merapi’s caretaker and the discourse capital supported by the media. The third was Maridjan won the bet by getting the prestige in his social status either popularities or wealth.
Removal of Disperse Blue 56 and Disperse Red 135 dyes from aqueous dispersions by modified montmorillonite nanoclay
Authors: Ahmadishoar Javad , Bahrami Hajir , Movassagh Barahman , Amirshahi Hosein , Arami Mokhtar
Published: December 2015

In this study modified montmorillonite was used as an adsorbent for the removal of two selected disperse dyes i.e., Disperse Blue 56 (DB) and Disperse Red 135 (DR) from dye dispersions. The adsorption equilibrium data of dyes adsorption were investigated by using Nernst, Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The adsorption kinetics was analyzed by using different models including pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and Intraparticle diffusion model. The Freundlich isotherm was found to be the most appropriate model for describing the sorption of the dyes on modified nanoclay. The best fit to the experimental results was obtained by using the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation, which satisfactorily described the process of dye adsorption. Although different kinetic models may control the rate of the adsorption process, the results indicated that the main rate limiting step was the intraparticle diffusion. The results showed that the proposed modified montmorillonite could be used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of disperse dyes even from highly concentrated dispersions.
On triply diffusive convection in completely confined fluids
Authors: Prakash Jyoti , Manan Shweta , Singh Virender
Published: December 2015

The present paper carries forward Prakash et al. [21] analysis for triple diffusive convection problem in completely confined fluids and derives upper bounds for the complex growth rate of an arbitrary oscillatory disturbance which may be neutral or unstable through the use of some non-trivial integral estimates obtained from the coupled system of governing equations of the problem.
Charging-discharging characteristics of macro-encapsulated phase change materials in an active thermal energy storage system for a solar drying kiln
Authors: Kumar Shailendra , Kumar Kishan
Published: December 2015

The present study explores suitability of two phase change materials (PCM) for development of an active thermal storage system for a solar drying kiln by studying their melting and solidification behaviors. A double glass glazing prototype solar kiln was used in the study. The storage system consisted of a water storage tank with PCM placed inside the water in high density polyethylene containers. The water in the tank was heated with help of solar energy using an evacuated tube collector array. The melting and solidification temperature curves of PCM were obtained by charging and discharging the water tank. The study illustrated the utility of the PCM in using the stored thermal energy during their discharge to enhance the temperature inside the kiln. The rate of temperature reduction was found to be higher for paraffin wax as compared to a fatty acid based PCM. The water temperature during the discharge of the PCM showed dependence on the discharge characteristics of each PCM suggesting their suitability in designing active thermal storage systems.
Helium production technology based on natural gas combustion and beneficial use of thermal energy
Authors: Nakoryakov Vladimir , Vitovsky Oleg , Seryapin Andrey
Published: December 2015

Helium is widely used in all industries, including power plant engineering.
In recent years, helium is used in plants operating by the Brayton cycle, for
example, in the nuclear industry. Using helium-xenon mixture in nuclear
reactors has a number of advantages, and this area is rapidly developing. The
hydrodynamics and mass transfer processes in single tubes with various
cross-sections as well as in inter-channel space of heating tube bundle were
studied at the Institute of Thermophysics, Siberian Branch of the Russian
Academy of Sciences. Currently, there is a strongest shortage in helium
production. The main helium production method consists in the liquefaction of
the natural gas and subsequent separation of helium from remaining gas with
its further purification using membranes.
Use of a diffractive optic for high power laser cutting
Authors: Hilton Paul A. , Lloyd Daniel , Tyrer John R.
Published: December 2015

There is a current interest in using laser cutting for nuclear decommissioning applications. The benefits of using lasers for this application include the high speeds available, the tolerance of the process, the lightness of the cutting head, the lack of a reaction force with the part being cut, and the ease of automation of the laser cutting process. Of course laser cutting is a thermal process and a potential detriment, is that the residual laser beam, passing through the kerf, might damage or indeed set fire to something positioned behind the part being cut. This paper describes the use of a diffractive optical element in the laser beam forming optics, designed to extend the depth of focus of the system, without increasing the focal length of the focusing optic. In this way, for cutting thick materials, the goal is to achieve the cutting performance of a long focal length lens, with the beam divergence of a short focal length lens. A design of diffractive optical element is presented, which when used with a 5 kW fiber laser, in conjunction with a set of conventional beam forming optics, including a 250 mm focal length focusing lens, is able to cut 40 mm thickness C-Mn steel plate at 50 mm/min, while varying the nozzle tip to plate stand-off distance by 100 mm. For the same laser power in the focusing beam, this performance is equaled by removing the diffractive optic and 250 mm lens and replacing these with just a 500 mm lens. However, the power density in the residual beam, when using the diffractive optical element, has been reduced by a factor four when compared to that from the optical arrangement using the 500 mm lens.
Plasma interleukin-6 concentration in Standardbred racehorses determined by means of a novel validated ELISA
Authors: Chen Jin-Wen , Uboh Cornelius E. , Robinson Mary A. , Jiang Zibin , Soma Lawrence R.
Published: December 2015

OBJECTIVE To evaluate plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentration in Standardbred racehorses by means of a novel ELISA following validation of the assay for use with equine plasma samples.

SAMPLE Plasma samples obtained from 25 Thoroughbreds for use in assay validation and from 319 Standardbred racehorses at rest 2 to 2.5 hours prior to warm-up and racing.

PROCEDURES A sandwich ELISA was developed with equine anti–IL-6 polyclonal antibody and the biotin-streptavidin chemical interaction to enhance sensitivity. The assay was validated for specificity, sensitivity, precision, and accuracy by use of both recombinant and endogenous proteins.

RESULTS For the assay, cross-reactivity with other human and equine cytokines was very low or absent. Serial dilution of plasma samples resulted in proportional decreases in reactivity, indicating high specificity of the method. Partial replacement of detection antibody with capture antibody or pretreatment of samples with capture antibody caused assay signals to significantly decrease by 55%. The inter- and intra-assay precisions were ≤ 13.6% and ≤ 9.3%, respectively; inter- and intra-assay accuracies were within ranges of ± 14.1% and ± 8.6%, respectively, at concentrations from 78 to 5,000 pg/mL, and the sensitivity was 18 pg/mL. Plasma IL-6 concentration varied widely among the 319 Standardbreds at rest (range, 0 to 193,630 pg/mL; mean, 6,153 pg/mL; median, 376 pg/mL).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE This ELISA method proved suitable for quantification of IL-6 concentration in equine plasma samples. Plasma IL-6 concentration was high (> 10,000 pg/mL) in 9.1% of the Standardbred racehorses, which warrants further investigation.
Veterinary applications of infrared thermography
Authors: Rekant Steven I. , Lyons Mark A. , Pacheco Juan M. , Arzt Jonathan , Rodriguez Luis L.
Published: December 2015

Abnormal body temperature is a major indicator of disease; infrared thermography (IRT) can assess changes in body surface temperature quickly and remotely. This technology can be applied to a myriad of diseases of various etiologies across a wide range of host species in veterinary medicine. It is used to monitor the physiologic status of individual animals, such as measuring feed efficiency or diagnosing pregnancy. Infrared thermography has applications in the assessment of animal welfare, and has been used to detect soring in horses and monitor stress responses. This review addresses the variety of uses for IRT in veterinary medicine, including disease detection, physiologic monitoring, welfare assessment, and potential future applications.
Turning the game around for conservation: using traditional hunting knowledge to improve the capture efficiency of Amazon lowland pacas
Authors: Bizri Hani Rocha El , Araújo Luiz Washington da Silva , Araújo Wigson da Silva , Maranhão Louise , Valsecchi João
Published: December 2015

The lowland paca Cuniculus paca is a large rodent and is one of the most hunted mammal species in the Neotropics. Conservation strategies for the lowland paca that depend on data from live captures have been hampered due to the elusive behavior of the species. Here, we introduce a scientifically standardized version of a traditional method used by hunters in the Amazon to capture pacas and compare its cost‐effectiveness with conventional scientific methods. First, we used each of these methods at 11 sites in the Brazilian Amazon. The hunting technique captured 12 pacas, whereas the conventional methods captured none, and the hunting technique proved to be as inexpensive as the least‐costly conventional method. Second, we analyzed the cost‐effectiveness of the methods by comparing the results obtained in the field with data from previous paca studies. The hunting method was four‐fold more efficient than the study with the highest paca capture rates achieved to date. This study shows that the use of a hunting technique to capture paca is an efficient and safe procedure that may be applied at different sites in the Amazon and represents an example of how traditional knowledge can be used in partnership with science to enhance the development of successful conservation efforts.
Development of a system for remotely monitoring vaginal implant transmitters and fawn survival
Authors: Rice Clifford G.
Published: December 2015

Vaginal implant transmitters (VITs) are commonly used to determine the time of birth for ungulates to enable the capture and marking of their offspring. However, the use of VITs requires frequent monitoring and hence, high manpower and/or aviation costs. Similarly, offspring equipped with traditional telemetry transmitters necessitate large efforts for effective monitoring. The alternative described here uses communication between the VIT or offspring's transmitter and the parent's collar to monitor the status of the VIT or offspring's transmitter (Vectronic Aerospace, Berlin, Germany). The parent's collar uses its satellite communication capabilities to forward this information to the investigator when appropriate. I describe the development and successful deployment of this system in a study of black‐tailed deer Odocoileus hemionus columbianus.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction using Bone Patellar Tendon Bone autograft in ACL deficient Knee
Authors: Karn Navin Kumar , Jha Rajiv Kumar , Ranjan Nashit
Published: December 2015

Background & Objectives: Injury to Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction has increased because of increased interest in sports. There are various grafts used for reconstruction of ACL, for example, Bone Patellar Tendon Bone, Hamstring etc. The study was conducted to evaluate the results of Bone Patellar Tendon Bone graft used for reconstruction of Anterior Cruciate Ligament.Materials & Methods: 40 patients with chronic ACL deficient knee presenting to Neuro Hospital from July 2011 to June 2013 were included in the study. The patients with intraarticular fracture of knee, severe OA knee, local active or suspected infection and systemic disease that might influence the study results were excluded from the study. Bone patellar tendon bone graft was harvested from ipsilateral knee in all the cases. The patient was followed till 2 year with specified programme of rehabilitation. The pain was assessed using VAS and the function of the knee was assessed using Modified WOMAC knee index.Results: The long term satisfactory results in terms of functional stability, symptom relief and return to preinjury level of activity was seen in 32 cases (80%). Two knees got infected out of which one required arthroscopic debridement. Mean visual analogue scale was 8 and modified WOMAC knee score was 3 at 2 year follow up.Conclusion: Bone patellar tendon bone graft is useful in high demand patients and cost effective option with high patient satisfaction rate for reconstruction of ACL.JCMS Nepal. 2015;11(3):12-15.
Longitudinal Analysis of Rural Interstate Fatalities in Relation to Speed Limit Policies
Authors: Davis Amelia , Hacker Elizabeth , Savolainen Peter T. , Gates Timothy J.
Published: December 2015

Existing research literature has shown that traffic fatalities increase at higher speed limits. A related issue is the establishment of maximum speed limits for trucks and buses. As of 2014, eight states have a differential speed limit in place that establishes a higher limit for passenger vehicles than for trucks and buses. This study aimed to inform the continuing debate regarding the safety impacts of speed limits by comparing states with various speed limit policies. The study included a longitudinal comparison of state-level rural Interstate fatalities in the United States from 1999 through 2011. In addition to an examination of differences in traffic fatalities as a function of maximum speed limits, comparisons were also made between states with differential limits for truck and buses. Random parameter negative binomial models were estimated for annual total and truck-involved fatalities. A random parameter framework allowed for consideration of temporal correlation in annual fatality counts within states as well as for unobserved heterogeneity across states. The results of this study provided further evidence that both overall and truck-involved fatalities increased with maximum speed limits. States with differential speed limits were found to have marginal differences in total fatalities as compared with states with uniform speed limits. However, truck-involved fatalities were significantly lower in states where differential limits were in place. The effects of speed limit policies as well as other covariates were found to vary significantly across states. The random parameter models demonstrated significantly improved goodness of fit as compared with standard Poisson and negative binomial models.
Validation of Crash Modification Factors Derived from Cross-Sectional Studies with Regression Models
Authors: Wu Lingtao , Lord Dominique , Zou Yajie
Published: December 2015

Crash modification factors (CMFs) can be used to capture the safety effects of countermeasures and play a significant role in traffic safety management. As an alternative to the before-and-after study, the regression model method has been widely used for estimating CMFs. Although before-and-after studies are considered to be superior, the use of regression models for estimating CMFs has never been fully investigated. Consequently, the conditions in which regression models could be used for such a purpose were examined. CMFs for three variables—lane width, curve density, and pavement friction—were assumed and used for generating random crash counts. Then CMFs were derived from regression models by using the simulated crash data for three different scenarios. The results were then compared with the assumed true values. The study results showed that (a) when all factors affecting traffic safety are identical in all segments except those of interest, CMFs derived from regression models should be unbiased; (b) if some factors having minor safety effects are omitted from the models, the accuracy of estimated CMFs can still be acceptable; and (c) if some factors already known to have significant effects on crash risk are omitted, CMFs derived from the regression models are generally unreliable. Thus, depending on missing variables not included in the model, the transportation safety analyst can decide whether CMFs developed from regression models should be used for highway safety applications.
Predicting Driver Injury Severity in Single-Vehicle and Two-Vehicle Crashes with Boosted Regression Trees
Authors: Lee Chris , Li Xuancheng
Published: December 2015

The boosted regression tree model is an emerging nonparametric tree-based model that can capture nonlinear effects of both discrete and continuous variables without preprocessing data. The model is particularly advantageous to predict severe injuries, which are more difficult to classify because of their small amount compared with nonsevere injuries. The objectives of this study were to investigate driver injury severity with the boosted regression tree model and other nonparametric models—the classification and regression tree and Random Forests—and to evaluate performance of the boosted regression tree model in comparison with the classification and regression tree model. The study identified important factors affecting injury severity by using 5-year crash records for provincial highways in Ontario, Canada. The results of the boosted regression tree model showed that ejection from a vehicle and head-on collisions commonly had a strong association with driver injury severity. Results also showed that marginal effects of continuous variables including truck percentage, annual average daily traffic (AADT), driver age, and vehicle age on injury severity were nonlinear. In particular, their effects on the injuries of heavy-truck drivers had different patterns compared with the effects on passenger-car and light-truck drivers; the risk of severe injury to heavy-truck drivers increased as the truck percentage and AADT increased and the driver's age decreased. The boosted regression tree model predicted driver injury severity more accurately than the classification and regression tree model for both single-vehicle and two-vehicle crashes. Thus, it is recommended that the boosted regression tree model be applied with separate data sets for single-vehicle crashes and different types of two-vehicle crashes for more accurate prediction of crash injury severity.
Evaluation of Signalized-Intersection Crash Screening Methods Based on Distance from Intersection
Authors: Avelar Raul E. , Dixon Karen K. , Escobar Patricia
Published: December 2015

A probability sample of signalized intersections was collected from Oregon to review the performance of various strategies for identifying intersection-related crashes. Data from 73 intersections were collected with satellite imagery and databases from the Oregon Department of Transportation. Crashes from 2010 to 2012 were identified and manually classified as either intersection-related or not on the basis of geolocation, field codes in the crash databases, and geometric characteristics. This evaluation identified two sets of crashes: one with 964 intersection-related and another with 571 non-intersection-related crashes. The authors then studied how the probability of a crash's being intersection-related changes with the distance to the intersection and other relevant variables. Statistical model development used 55 intersections; the remaining 18 were left for comparison of various classification methods. Findings of this comparison were confirmed with data from all 73 intersections. Results indicated that regression models yielded results comparable with those from simpler methods based on distance only. The popular method of selecting crashes that are within a 250-ft radius tends to identify fewer intersection-related crashes than actually exist. A threshold of 250 ft, therefore, would result in underprediction of intersection crashes when safety performance functions are developed. This research found that a threshold of 300 ft potentially minimized such a risk of underestimation; however, using 250 ft might still be appropriate if minimizing the frequency of false positive identifications was of interest.
Understanding Platform Overcrowding at Bus Rapid Transit Stations
Authors: Duduta Nicolae , Subedi Asis
Published: December 2015

Platform overcrowding is a very common but relatively poorly understood occurrence at most bus rapid transit (BRT) systems in cities in the developing world. Most literature on BRT capacity focuses on vehicle throughput for different types of lane and station configurations; relatively little is known about how different station layouts handle specific volumes of boarding and alighting passengers. In this paper, this gap in knowledge was addressed by building a microscopic simulation model to test the ability of a typical Latin American BRT station (median, high-platform, one bus bay per direction) to handle various volumes of passengers under different scenarios. With this modeling exercise, areas in a station most likely to experience overcrowding were first identified: the median refuge island at the main entrance and the turnstiles. The station performance at those critical points was then evaluated for different passenger volumes, with mainly pedestrian density (persons/m2) as an indicator. Results indicated a pedestrian capacity range for a typical BRT station and also quantified the effect of friction between pedestrians entering and leaving the station. Finally, a regression based on the simulation results was estimated and used to develop a predictive equation for crowding as a function of passenger volumes and direction. The results can help BRT planners better adapt their station designs to forecast passenger volumes and ensure that they provide an adequate level of service.
Improving Veterans’ Mobility in Small Urban and Rural Areas
Authors: Peterson Del
Published: December 2015

The need for veterans’ transportation is growing rapidly because of the increasing number of older veterans as well as the many injured servicemen and -women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Thirty percent of veterans live in rural areas that often present transportation challenges. Many veterans in rural areas must travel extremely long distances to receive medical care, and veterans living in rural areas are reported to be in poorer health than veterans living in urban areas. The objective of this study was to identify veterans with mobility needs living in rural Minnesota, Montana, and North Dakota and to quantify the cost of feasible transportation options for meeting veterans’ mobility needs. This study included a survey of veterans and a simulation of their health care transportation costs. Online and paper surveys were distributed to veterans throughout Minnesota, Montana, and North Dakota. More than 80% of respondents classified themselves as disabled with nearly three-fourths of these indicating that their veteran disability rating was greater than 30%. The most common disability reported by survey respondents was having a mobility impairment, followed by hearing impairment and mental health issues. When a coordination effort between U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care centers and rural public transit agencies was simulated with @Risk risk analysis software, results varied by state and region because of varying operating costs and fare recovery rates. Overall, most simulations indicated that a coordination effort between VA health care centers and rural public transit agencies would be feasible if estimated ridership levels could be attained.
A Study on Diagnostic Importance of Fiber Optic Laryngoscopy (FOL) in Patients with Upper Airway Disorders
Authors: Mahbub Shawhely , Al Amin Ali Zaheer , Biswas Sudhangshu Shekhar , Jamal Mohammad Shah
Published: December 2015

Background: Upper airway symptoms are quite common. Many of these symptoms underlie serious upper airway pathologies which should be diagnosed at an early stage so that optimum treatment can be given. Often it seems to be difficult to diagnose upper air way pathology by conventional indirect laryngoscopy (I/L), especially when the lesion is at an early stage. In this situation fiber optic laryngoscopy (FOL) is very helpful.Objective: To identify lesions in the larynx in patients with persistent upper airway disorders and to compare the diagnostic yield of FOL over I/L.Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted partly in department of ENT and Head & neck surgery, BIRDEM General Hospital and partly at the same department of BSMMU during the period of July to December 2012. 100 adult patients were taken having upper airway symptoms. Study subjects were evaluated by history, physical examinations, and ENT examinations. All patients underwent indirect laryngoscopy and FOL. Data were recorded and analyzed.Results: Age of the respondents was between 18-72 years. The mean ± SD was 54 ±11.79 years. Common symptoms among the participants were hoarseness, sore throat, neck swelling, breathless ness, cough, odynophagia, earache etc. On I/L examinations 30% were vocal cord polyps, 14% v. cord edema, 17% v. cord growths, 11% v. cord nodules, 6 % v. cord palsy, 4% ulcerated lesions, 13 % poor vision and 5% were normal. On FOL examinations, 30% were vocal cord polyp, 18% v. cord edema, 21% v. cord growth, 14% v. cord nodule, 8 % v. cord palsy, 5% ulcerated lesion, 2% laryngeal web, 2 % were normal study and there were no poor vision. A comparison was made between the findings of I/L and FOL which showed that FOL is superior to I/L in diagnosing upper airway disorders as evidenced by findings of 2% lesions among 5% patients having normal I/L findings. Chi-square test was done between I/L and FOL findings which was statistically significant; (P value was .002) i.e. FOL procedure is valuable diagnostically in comparison to I/L.Conclusion: In many occasions I/L findings are inconclusive in daily ENT practice. Moreover, in some cases there is poor vision to identify the lesion. Therefore, Routine FOL evaluation is valuable in patients with significant, chronic and progressive upper airway symptoms. It should always be considered in patients with persisting and progressive symptoms even though I/L appeared normal.J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2014; 32: 200-205
Angiomyxoma Presenting as an Unusual Vaginal Mass
Authors: Alam Irin Parveen , Pervin Zebunnesa , Monayem Farhana Binte
Published: December 2015

Angiomyxoma is a rare tumour which arises from pelvis. A case of an Angiomyxoma of vagina in a 35year old lady is reported. The patient was presented with a mass about 7×8 cm coming down through introitus and urinary discomfort. Mass was dissected out and Histopathological examination revealed angiomyxoma. Though it is a rare tumour it is clinically misdiagnosed with vaginal polyp, vaginal cyst or inversion of uterus.J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2014; 32: 229-230
Correction of Skeletal Discrepancy and Facial Aesthetics by Combination of Orthodontic Management and Orthognathic Surgery
Authors: Hasan Md Nazmul , Alam Md Badiul , Khan Mohammad Sayedur Rahman
Published: December 2015

Clinical management of non-growing adult patients with dentofacial deformity could be provided with better outcome when approach in-combined with orthodontic and orthognathic surgery than that of single approach alone. This study describes a case of a 26years old Bangladeshi female presented with bimaxillary protrusion treated with the combination of orthodontic and orthognathic surgery.J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2014; 32: 235-240
Letter to the Editor 32(4)
Authors: Begum Nazneen , Islam Ferdousi
Published: December 2015

Abstract not availableJ Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2014; 32: 244-245
Embolization of Atrial Septal Defect Occluder Device into the Left Ventricle- Emergency Surgical Removal
Authors: Raha Sanjay Kumar , Sarker Swadesh Ranjan , Ahmed ATS , Islam Md Zahidul , Karim Md Rezaul , Hasan Md Kamrul
Published: December 2015

With the introduction of technological improvements, invasive cardiologic interventions have become increasingly used alternatives to surgery. Despite its numerous benefits, serious and potentially life-threatening complications of invasive cardiology interventions may occur. We presented a case of attempted percutaneous transcatheter closure of a large ASD in 6 years old boy, complicated by device embolization to the left ventricle necessitating emergency surgical retrieval in the department of cardiac surgery, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka.University Heart Journal Vol. 10, No. 2, July 2014; 95-96
The Dilemma of Incumbents in Sustainability Transitions: A Narrative Approach
Authors: Augenstein Karoline , Palzkill Alexandra
Published: December 2015

In the context of the larger sustainability discourse, “sufficiency” is beginning to emerge as a new value throughout Western societies, and the question asked in this article is: Can we observe and conceptually identify opportunities to link successful business strategies of incumbents to principles of sufficiency? Thus, how feasible is sustainable entrepreneurship for incumbents? In this paper, a conceptual approach is developed combining insights from sociology, transition research, management and sustainable entrepreneurship research with a focus on narratives as a translation mechanism in situations where tensions emerge between corporate narratives and unexpected societal trends, e.g., the emergence of sufficient lifestyles. It will be shown that even though these are still a niche phenomenon, a focus on corporate narratives is an important element in understanding the role of incumbents in transitions to sustainability.
Natural and Unnatural Parity Resonance States in the Positron-Hydrogen System with Screened Coulomb Interactions
Authors: Ning Ye , Yan Zong-Chao , Ho Yew
Published: December 2015

In the present work, we report calculations of resonances in the positron-hydrogen system interacting with screened Coulomb potentials using the method of complex scaling together with employing correlated Hylleraas wave functions. Resonances with natural and unnatural parities are investigated. For the natural parity case, resonance parameters (energy and width) for D-wave resonance states with even parity lying below various positronium and hydrogen thresholds up to the H(N = 4) level are determined. For the unnatural parity case, results for P-even and D-odd resonance states with various screened Coulomb interaction strengths are located below different lower-lying Ps and H thresholds.
13C-Metabolic Flux Analysis: An Accurate Approach to Demystify Microbial Metabolism for Biochemical Production
Authors: Guo Weihua , Sheng Jiayuan , Feng Xueyang
Published: December 2015

Metabolic engineering of various industrial microorganisms to produce chemicals, fuels, and drugs has raised interest since it is environmentally friendly, sustainable, and independent of nonrenewable resources. However, microbial metabolism is so complex that only a few metabolic engineering efforts have been able to achieve a satisfactory yield, titer or productivity of the target chemicals for industrial commercialization. In order to overcome this challenge, 13C Metabolic Flux Analysis (13C-MFA) has been continuously developed and widely applied to rigorously investigate cell metabolism and quantify the carbon flux distribution in central metabolic pathways. In the past decade, many 13C-MFA studies have been performed in academic labs and biotechnology industries to pinpoint key issues related to microbe-based chemical production. Insightful information about the metabolic rewiring has been provided to guide the development of the appropriate metabolic engineering strategies for improving the biochemical production. In this review, we will introduce the basics of 13C-MFA and illustrate how 13C-MFA has been applied via integration with metabolic engineering to identify and tackle the rate-limiting steps in biochemical production for various host microorganisms
Information-Theoretic Neuro-Correlates Boost Evolution of Cognitive Systems
Authors: Schossau Jory , Adami Christoph , Hintze Arend
Published: December 2015

Genetic Algorithms (GA) are a powerful set of tools for search and optimization that mimic the process of natural selection, and have been used successfully in a wide variety of problems, including evolving neural networks to solve cognitive tasks. Despite their success, GAs sometimes fail to locate the highest peaks of the fitness landscape, in particular if the landscape is rugged and contains multiple peaks. Reaching distant and higher peaks is difficult because valleys need to be crossed, in a process that (at least temporarily) runs against the fitness maximization objective. Here we propose and test a number of information-theoretic (as well as network-based) measures that can be used in conjunction with a fitness maximization objective (so-called “neuro-correlates”) to evolve neural controllers for two widely different tasks: a behavioral task that requires information integration, and a cognitive task that requires memory and logic. We find that judiciously chosen neuro-correlates can significantly aid GAs to find the highest peaks.
How Credible Are Shrinking Wage Elasticities of Married Women Labour Supply?
Authors: Qin Duo , Van Huellen Sophie , Wang Qing-Chao
Published: December 2015

This paper delves into the well-known phenomenon of shrinking wage elasticities for married women in the US over recent decades. The results of a novel model experimental approach via sample data ordering unveil considerable heterogeneity across different wage groups. Yet, surprisingly constant wage elasticity estimates are maintained within certain wage groups over time. In addition to those constant wage elasticity estimates, we find that the composition of working women into different wage groups has changed considerably, resulting in shrinking wage elasticity estimates at the aggregate level. These findings would be impossible to obtain had we not dismantled and discarded the instrumental variable estimation route.
Performance Characteristics of a Modularized and Integrated PTC Heating System for an Electric Vehicle
Authors: Shin Yoon , Sim Seungkyu , Kim Sung
Published: December 2015

A modularized positive temperature coefficient heating system has controller-integrated heater modules. Such a heating system that uses a high-voltage power of 330 V was developed in the present study for use in electric vehicles. Four heater modules and one controller with an input power of 5.6 kW were integrated in the modularized system, which was designed for improved heating power density and light weight compared to the conventional heating system, in which the controller is separated. We experimentally investigated the performance characteristics, namely, the heating capacity, energy efficiency, and pressure drop, of a prototype of the developed heating system and found it to have satisfactory performance. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of heating systems for electric vehicles.
Modeling Ecohydrological Processes and Spatial Patterns in the Upper Heihe Basin in China
Authors: Gao Bing , Qin Yue , Wang Yuhan , Yang Dawen , Zheng Yuanrun
Published: December 2015

The Heihe River is the second largest inland basin in China; runoff in the upper reach greatly affects the socio-economic development in the downstream area. The relationship between spatial vegetation patterns and catchment hydrological processes in the upper Heihe basin has remained unclear to date. In this study, a distributed ecohydrological model is developed to simulate the hydrological processes with vegetation dynamics in the upper Heihe basin. The model is validated by hydrological observations at three locations and soil moisture observations at a watershed scale. Based on the simulated results, the basin water balance characteristics and their relationship with the vegetation patterns are analyzed. The mean annual precipitation and runoff increase with the elevation in a similar pattern. Spatial patterns of the actual evapotranspiration is mainly controlled by the precipitation and air temperature. At the same time, vegetation distribution enhances the spatial variability of the actual evapotranspiration. The highest actual evapotranspiration is around elevations of 3000–3600 m, where shrub and alpine meadow are the two dominant vegetation types. The results show the mutual interaction between vegetation dynamics and hydrological processes. Alpine sparse vegetation and alpine meadow dominate the high-altitude regions, which contribute most to the river runoff, and forests and shrub contribute relatively small amounts of water yield.
Physical and Antimicrobial Properties of Starch-PVA Blend Films as Affected by the Incorporation of Natural Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Cano Amalia , Cháfer Maite , Chiralt Amparo , González-Martínez Chelo
Published: December 2015

In this work, active films based on starch and PVA (S:PVA ratio of 2:1) were developed by incorporating neem (NO) and oregano essential oils (OEO). First, a screening of the antifungal effectiveness of different natural extracts (echinacea, horsetail extract, liquid smoke and neem seed oil) against two fungus (P. expansum and A. niger) was carried out. The effect of NO and OEO incorporation on the films’ physical and antimicrobial properties was analyzed. Only composite films containing OEO exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activity. Antibacterial activity occurred at low OEO concentration (6.7%), while antifungal effect required higher doses of OEO in the films. Incorporation of oils did not notably affect the water sorption capacity and water vapor barrier properties of S-PVA films, but reduced their transparency and gloss, especially at the highest concentrations. The mechanical response of the S-PVA films was also negatively affected by oil incorporation but this was only relevant at the highest oil ratio (22%). S-PVA films with 6.7% of OEO exhibited the best physical properties, without significant differences with respect to the S-PVA matrix, while exhibiting antibacterial activity. Thus, the use of OEO as a natural antimicrobial incorporated into starch-PVA films represents a good and novel alternative in food packaging applications.
Thick Description beyond the Digital Space
Authors: Beyen Marnix
Published: December 2015

The arrival and rapid spread of digital media can help the humanities better discern general patterns in human societies and cultures, and single out instances or moments which need an in-depth analysis. However, the process of digitization also poses certain threats to the humanities: it introduces new and possibly distorting filters between ourselves and our object of research, it can make us blind to the social, political and cultural situatedness of the sources, and it can cause us to forget that certain aspects of human life are simply too complex to be digitally understood. Briefly elaborating on the case of parliamentary irony in Belgian history, I try to demonstrate the need to combine “flat” digital searches with multilayered hermeneutic approaches based on traditional philological research.
On Sound: Reconstructing a Zhuangzian Perspective of Music
Authors: Park So
Published: December 2015

A devotion to music in Chinese classical texts is worth noticing. Early Chinese thinkers saw music as a significant part of human experience and a core practice for philosophy. While Confucian endorsement of ritual and music has been discussed in the field, Daoist understanding of music was hardly explored. This paper will make a careful reading of the Xiánchí 咸池 music story in the Zhuangzi, one of the most interesting, but least noticed texts, and reconstruct a Zhuangzian perspective from it. While sounds had been regarded as mere building blocks of music and thus depreciated in the hierarchical understanding of music in the mainstream discourse of early China, sound is the alpha and omega of music in the Zhuangzian perspective. All kinds of sounds, both human and natural, are invited into musical discourse. Sound is regarded as the real source of our being moved by music, and therefore, musical consummation is depicted as embodiment through sound.
Prevalence and Correlates of Prehypertension and Hypertension among Adults in Northeastern China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yang Guang , Ma Yue , Wang Shibin , Su Yingying , Rao Wenwang , Fu Yingli , Yu Yaqin , Kou Changgui
Published: December 2015

Background: Prehypertension is a category between normotension and hypertension that is becoming increasingly common in China. However, limited data are available on the prevalence and correlates of prehypertension in northeastern China. Methods: A cross-sectional study using stratified, clustered multistage, and random sampling methods was performed on 17,584 participants. Results: The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 36.0% and 30.8% in northeastern China, respectively. As age increased, the prevalence of prehypertension in males declined (p-trend < 0.001), in parallel to an increase in the prevalence of hypertension (p-trend < 0.001). The prevalence of hypertension for females increased as age increased (p-trend < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that age, gender, location, drinking, Body Mass Index (BMI), abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia correlated with prehypertension and hypertension (p-trend < 0.05). Conclusions: This study revealed a high prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension in an adult population of northeastern China and some correlates of prehypertension and hypertension.
First-Principles Study of Mo Segregation in MoNi(111): Effects of Chemisorbed Atomic Oxygen
Authors: Yu Yanlin , Xiao Wei , Wang Jianwei , Wang Ligen
Published: December 2015

Segregation at metal alloy surfaces is an important issue because many electrochemical and catalytic properties are directly correlated to the surface composition. We have performed density functional theory calculations for Mo segregation in MoNi(111) in the presence of chemisorbed atomic oxygen. In particular, the coverage dependence and possible adsorption-induced segregation phenomena are addressed by investigating segregation energies of the Mo atom in MoNi(111). The theoretical calculated results show that the Mo atom prefers to be embedded in the bulk for the clean MoNi(111), while it segregates to the top-most layer when the oxygen coverage is thicker than 1/9 monolayer (ML). Furthermore, we analyze the densities of states for the clean and oxygen-chemisorbed MoNi(111), and see a strong covalent bonding between Mo d-band states and O p-states. The present study provides valuable insight for exploring practical applications of Ni-based alloys as hydrogen evolution electrodes.