bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Children’s Gender and the Divorce Rate
Authors: Malhotra Chirag , Sarda Siddharth , Wang Guanru
Published: April 2016

In this paper we analyse the impact of the gender of children on the stability of marriage. In order to analyse the issue we have conducted a survey with 40 people as well as utilised various economic theories such as the “father involvement hypothesis” (Morgan at al 1988), and Durkheim’s division of labour theory (1893). We conclude that having a male child can reduce the odds of divorce. DPIBE, Dec 2011 Gender and Divorce 28 1. INTRODUCTION This topic is intriguing primarily because the topic is as old as mankind itself. Previous studies have shown that the gender composition of a family’s children – particularly, the presence of male child – reduces the chances of divorce. Using a survey an d an economic interpretation, we analyse the channels in which this might operate. To explain the findings of our survey we use of the ‘father - involvement’ hypothesis by Morgan et al (1988). The hypothesis suggests that on average, the roles played by a father are greater with their male child and as a result they end up spending more time with their male child than with their female child. In turn the higher the level of a father’s involvement in the marriage, the l ower is the odds of divorce. However the same is not observed in women’s involvement (White 1990) . From an economic point of view the divorce rate is reciprocally associated with the specific investments made in a marriage by both the father and the mothe r. (Becker et al. 1977). A father’s presence and involvement during a child’s raising may result in various types of division of labour amongst the family. Durkheim’s (1893) theory says that fathers who have more presence during a child’s rearing may resul t in the creation of an additional dependence amongst spouses. There will be an increased division of labour within the household, where husband and wife tend to be more reliant on the other to fulfil their economic function. This form of solidarity is cal led ‘organic solidarity’ by Durkheim because individuals with different functions and mentalities are contracting with each other. Taken together with Morgan et al’s hypothesis, we can say that families with boys tend to exercise more organic solidarity (D iekmann & Schmidheiny 2002) . 2. DEMAND FOR CHILDREN Marriage is a market. People transact in it primarily because it can produce a benefit that other markets cannot; for instance, the benefits of having a family, a new life, living with the people you l ove and the development of positive emotions. If people invest and fail to get the expected returns, they may want a divorce. Since children are an important product of the marriage market, we begin the analysis by analysing the difference in the demand fo r
Caracterização do trabalho gerencial na secretaria municipal de educação de santa Maria de Jetibá-ES
Authors: Miertschink Edgar , Junquilho Gelson Silva
Published: April 2016

Esta pesquisa teve a intenção de descrever as características do trabalho gerencial de gestores educacionais a partir de suas percepções sobre ações realizadas junto aos demais membros da comunidade escolar, equipes de gestão e de uma Secretaria Municipal de Educação.  Em primeiro momento, documentos foram analisados para conhecimento e caracterização da estrutura organizacional da Secretaria Municipal de Educação. Para se entender as características dos gestores optou-se pela realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas com objetivo de buscar certo aprofundamento nas ações vivenciadas pelos entrevistados. Os dados obtidos nas entrevistas apresentaram fragmentos que foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo buscando o entendimento das relações vividas no ambiente da gestão educacional, conseguindo retratar algumas características das ações de gerenciamento do grupo estudado. A expectativa é de que esta pesquisa instigue novos diálogos sobre as relações de gestores educacionais, em especial de coordenadores de escolas multisseriadas e de chefias internas de sistemas educacionais.
Bio-plastic (poly-hydroxy-alkanoate) production from municipal sewage sludge in the Netherlands: a technology push or a demand driven process?
Authors: Bluemink E. D. , van Nieuwenhuijzen A. F. , Wypkema E. , Uijterlinde C. A.
Published: April 2016

Valorisation of components from municipal ‘waste’ water and sewage sludge gets more and more attention in order to come to a circular economy by developing an efficient ‘waste’ to value concept. On behalf of the transition team ‘Grondstoffenfabriek’ (‘Resource factory’) a preliminary research was performed for all the Dutch water boards to assess the technical and economical feasibility of poly-hydroxy-alkanoate (PHA)-production from sewage sludge, a valuable product to produce bio-plastics. This study reveals that the production of bio-plastics from sewage sludge is feasible based on technical aspects, but not yet economically interesting, even though the selling price is relatively close to the actual PHA market price. (Selling price is in this particular case the indicative cost effective selling price. The cost effective selling price covers only the total production costs of the product.) Future process optimization (maximizing the volatile fatty acids production, PHA storage capacity, etc.) and market developments are needed and will result in cost reductions of the various sub-processes. PHA-production from sewage sludge at this stage is just a technology; every further research is needed to incorporate the backward integration approach, taking into account the market demand including associated product quality aspects.
TIME - MAKING THE BEST OF IT! A Fieldwork Study Outlining Time in Endoscopy Facilities for Short-Term Stay
Authors: Bundgaard Karin , Sørensen Erik E. , Delmar Charlotte
Published: April 2016

Aim:

This paper focus on nursing and time in endoscopy facilities for short-term stay aiming to explore aspects of time in this setting and how expectations from the healthcare organisation, patients and nurses are expressed and met when managing nursing time.

Background:

Former research primarily focuses on the subject of time in the understanding of duration where having more time is closely associated with the ability to deliver better quality nursing care. The main concern is the nurses’ increased number of tasks and the decreased length of time at their disposal. However, few studies describe nursing when time is sparse, and the possibility of providing individualised nursing within a very short span of time.

Design:

Inspired by practical ethnographic principles, a fieldwork study was performed in high technology endoscopy clinics during 2008-2010.

Methods:

Data triangulation included participant observation, participant reports and patients and nurses semi-structured interviews.

Results/Findings:

The issue of time was an interwoven part of life in the productive endoscopy units. The understanding of time related to the main category: ‘Time - making the best of it’, and the sub categories “Responsibility of time”, “Information and preparation”, and “Time wasters”.

Conclusion:

The study underlines the possibility of combining the health care systems, patients and the nurses’ perspectives on and expectations of how to spend nursing time in endoscopy settings. In successful patient pathways nursing maximize patient outcome, support the goals of the healthcare organisations, is reliable, assure, tangible, empathic and responsive, and is individually tailored to the patient’s needs. The study contributes by underlining the importance of discussing not how to get more time in clinical practice but instead how to spend the time in the best way possible.
Role of CO2 laser cutting conditions on anisotropic properties of nanocomposite contain carbon nanotubes
Authors: Karimzad Ghavidel Ayub , Navidfar Amir , Shabgard Mohammadreza , Azdast Taher
Published: April 2016

This study attempts to investigate different CO2 laser conditions on electrical conductivity and surface properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes/poly methyl methacrylate (MWCNT/PMMA) nanocomposite. In order to reach this aim, outputs like morphology of surface, electrical conductivity of laser cut surface, heat affected zone (HAZ), burr, and surface roughness were studied. The nanocomposite, which contains carbon nanotubes, exhibits anisotropic behavior, therefore, the laser cutting outputs are investigated within the in-flow direction and perpendicular to the flow direction. Morphology of the nanocomposites and cut surfaces are investigated using scanning electron microscopy that showed the contacts between nanotubes are increased after laser cutting. Findings obviously show increasing the laser power and decreasing the feed rate improve the electrical conductivity. As a prominent result, the minimum surface electrical resistivity was obtained from over 2 × 1014 to 886 Ω by using a power of 120 W, a cutting velocity of 0.3 m/min for 1.5 wt. % MWCNT into PMMA matrix. In the case of laser cutting outputs, the presence of MWCNTs increased HAZ, surface roughness in two directions, and burr in perpendicular to flow direction, but it decreases the burr in the in-flow directions. By increasing the cutting velocity, HAZ and burr decrease in two studied directions, but it has partial effect on surface roughness.
Lessons learnt to keep Europe polio-free: a review of outbreaks in the European Union, European Economic Area, and candidate countries, 1973 to 2013
Authors: Derrough Tarik , Salekeen Alexandra
Published: April 2016

Between 1973 and 2013, 12 outbreaks of paralytic poliomyelitis with a cumulative total of 660 cases were reported in the European Union, European Economic Area and candidate countries. Outbreaks lasted seven to 90 weeks (median: 24 weeks) and were identified through the diagnosis of cases of acute flaccid paralysis, for which infection with wild poliovirus was subsequently identified. In two countries, environmental surveillance was in place before the outbreaks, but did not detect any wild strain before the occurrence of clinical cases. This surveillance nonetheless provided useful information to monitor the outbreaks and their geographical spread. Outbreaks were predominantly caused by poliovirus type 1 and typically involved unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated groups within highly immunised communities. Oral polio vaccine was primarily used to respond to the outbreaks with catch-up campaigns implemented either nationwide or in restricted geographical areas or age groups. The introduction of supplementary immunisation contained the outbreaks. In 2002, the European region of the World Health Organization was declared polio-free and it has maintained this status since. However, as long as there are non-vaccinated or under-vaccinated groups in European countries and poliomyelitis is not eradicated, countries remain continuously at risk of reintroduction and establishment of the virus. Continued efforts to reach these groups are needed in order to ensure a uniform and high vaccination coverage.
Child birth in the exam centres in Nepal: An overlooked Public Health issue!
Authors: Regmi Pramod Raj , Aryal Nirmal , Teijlingen Edwin Van
Published: April 2016
Effect of Incorporation of Malted Sorghum Flour on Quality of Biscuit
Authors: Adhikari Nischal , Acharya Dev Raj
Published: April 2016

Sorghum (S. bicolor) collected from Dhankuta district was used for malting. Sorghum was steeped for 12 hours at Relative humidity of 70±5% and germinated at room temperature (28±3°C) with repeated change of water at interval of every 8 hours for 2, 3,4,5,6 and 7 days. The germinated samples of each day were taken for kilning at the temperature scenario of 50-55°C until moisture reaches to 23%; 70-75°C until moisture reaches to 12%; and 90-95% until moisture reaches to 3-5%. The result of enzyme activity determination showed that the sorghum germinated for 3 days has the higher enzyme activity of 27.39 units per gram dry matter. Proximate analysis of malted and unmalted flour showed significant different (p<0.05) in fat, ash, reducing sugar and crude fiber content. Likewise calcium and iron content of malted flour was significantly increased (p<0.05) than that of unmalted one with subsequent decreased (p<0.05) in their binder oxalate and phytate respectively. The sorghum of higher enzyme activity was then used to prepare the biscuit. Malted sorghum and wheat flour was blended in the following ratios: samples A; 30: 70, sample B; 50:50, sample C; 60:40, sample D; 0:100. The organolaptic test shows the significant difference (p<0.05) between these samples in terms of flavor and test. The mean sensory score was found to be higher for sample C. This suggests that the malted sorghum flour can be used for the preparation of biscuit upto 60% (w/w) of wheat flour without alteration in texture, crispiness, appearance and overall acceptability.Sunsari Technical College Journal 2015, 2(1):33-37
Colorants in our Health
Authors: Lamsal Madhab
Published: April 2016

No Abstract.Sunsari Technical College Journal 2015, 2(1)
Effect of indentation conditions on the cracking behavior of a FeCrBSi coating
Authors: Song Ya-nan , Xu Bin-shi , Wang Hai-dou , Liu Ming , Piao Zhong-yu
Published: April 2016

A detector combining indentation method and acoustic emission (AE) technique was developed for evaluating the bonding strengths of sprayed coatings. In order to study the effect of indentation conditions on cracking failure behavior of sprayed coating, FeCrBSi coating was prepared by plasma spraying technique. The AE signals during indentation test were abstracted and investigated. The morphologies of indented samples were observed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that indentation equipment can induce the cracking failure of coating and AE technique can define the critical statues. The test by interior load was feasible and accurate for evaluating the bonding strength. The key influential factor of indenter lied in the contact area between indenter and coating. The loading rate had little effect on AE signal. The loading conditions were optimized to use diamond indenter with interior load and a loading rate of 100 pulses per second.
Research and Application of Wireless Temperature Measurement Device in High Temperature Enclosed Environment
Authors: Liu Q. , Chengtao C. , Huachun Y. , Guocai Z.
Published: April 2016

Rotational molding, which is widely used in furnishing, entertainment facilities, automotive and boats, military industry and other fields, is a forming method used to produce hollow thermoplastic products. Temperature is the most important process parameter in the rotational molding process, so accurate temperature modulation and control are undoubtedly the main way to ensure product quality. During the rotational molding process, temperature in the oven is very high. Current temperature measuring device cannot make real-time measurement and cannot provide the necessary reference for accurate temperature modulation and control. This article provides an analysis of a wireless temperature measurement device which is used in high temperature enclosed environment, researches the structure, the barrier principle of the temperature measurement device. Finally, tests have been done to verify the working performance. Accurate monitoring and control of the temperature parameter during the rotational molding process can not only improve the working efficiency and energy efficiency of the rotational molding machine, but also provide the reference to design the rotational molding device and molds.
Impact Modification of Isotactic Polypropylene with Ethylene-Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber
Authors: Banerjee J. , Soliya P. , Pallavi M. B. , Mukhopadhyay P. , Bandyopadhyay S. , Chakrabarty D. , Dutta K.
Published: April 2016

The present work was done to improve the impact property of isotactic polypropylene (PP), especially at low temperatures, by incorporating ethylene propylene diene monomers (EPDM). This was done by ensuring compatibility between the two polymers with phase modifiers polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) and initiator dicumyl peroxide (DCP). In addition, attempts were also made to understand the fundamentals of impact toughening as well as fracture toughness, and to correlate the results with that of morphological evidences obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. Varying the ratios of all blend composition, mechanical properties were studied. It was observed that as the rubber fraction increased, the impact property as well as fracture toughness increased. All these tests also showed promising results when PE-g-MA was added, leading to more improvement in all the mechanical properties including increase in crystallite size. It had shown plasticization effect on the compositions, which could be further confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) compared to the uncompatibilized ones. But when DCP was added, it behaved like an initiator which directly reacted with the PP matrix, decreasing the molecular weight of the blend with decreasing size of the crystallites.
Prototype System to Study the Effect of Weld Lines on the Performance of Extruded Profiles
Authors: Carneiro O. S. , Mota A. R. , Sitotaw Y. , Nóbrega J. M.
Published: April 2016

In several thermoplastic extrusion based processes the melt flow has to be divided into independent streams that are merged before the flow channel outlet. This promotes the formation of weld lines, usually related to mechanical weak zones and aesthetic imperfections. There is a large amount of scientific publications related to weld lines formed in other processing techniques, e. g. injection molding. However, studies related to extrusion are scarce. This work presents the conception of a new prototype system that allows performing systematic studies aiming a better understanding of the effect of weld lines in extrusion. A case study illustrates the employment of the developed device to study the effect of several process parameters (e. g. spider leg location, processing temperature and flow rate) on the mechanical performance of the extruded profiles.
The Impact of Blue Light Cystoscopy with Hexaminolevulinate (HAL) on Progression of Bladder Cancer – A New Analysis
Authors: Kamat Ashish M. , Cookson Michael , Witjes J. Alfred , Stenzl Arnulf , Grossman H. Barton
Published: April 2016

Background: The International Bladder Cancer Group (IBCG) recently proposed a new definition of disease progression in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), including change in T-stage, change to T2 or higher or change from low to high grade.

Objective: To establish whether blue light cystoscopy with hexaminolevulinate (HAL) impacts the rate of progression and time to progression using the revised definition.

Methods: An earlier long-term follow-up of a controlled Phase III study reported outcomes following blue light cystoscopy with HAL (255 patients) or white light (WL) cystoscopy (261 patients) in NMIBC patients. The data was re-analysed according to the new definition.

Results: In the original analysis, after 4.5 years (median), eight HAL and 16 WL patients were deemed to have progressed (transition from NMIBC to muscle invasive bladder cancer, (T2-4)).

According to the new definition, additional patients in both groups were found to have progressed: 31 (12.2%) HAL vs 46 (17.6%) WL ( p = 0.085) with four (1.6%) HAL and 11 (4.2%) WL patients progressing from Ta to CIS. Time to progression was longer in the HAL group ( p = 0.05).

Conclusions: Applying the new IBCG definition there was a trend towards a lower rate of progression in HAL patients, particularly in those progressing from Ta to CIS. Time to progression was significantly prolonged. This suggests that patients should receive blue light cystoscopy with HAL rather than WL at resection. Adoption of the new definition could allow more patients at risk of progression to be treated appropriately earlier.
The Role of Influenza in the Delay between Low Temperature and Ischemic Heart Disease: Evidence from Simulation and Mortality Data from Japan
Authors: Imai Chisato , Barnett Adrian , Hashizume Masahiro , Honda Yasushi
Published: April 2016

Many studies have found that cardiovascular deaths mostly occur within a few days of exposure to heat, whereas cold-related deaths can occur up to 30 days after exposure. We investigated whether influenza infection could explain the delayed cold effects on ischemic heart diseases (IHD) as they can trigger IHD. We hypothesized two pathways between cold exposure and IHD: a direct pathway and an indirect pathway through influenza infection. We created a multi-state model of the pathways and simulated incidence data to examine the observed delayed patterns in cases. We conducted cross-correlation and time series analysis with Japanese daily pneumonia and influenza (P&I) mortality data to help validate our model. Simulations showed the IHD incidence through the direct pathway occurred mostly within 10 days, while IHD through influenza infection peaked at 4–6 days, followed by delayed incidences of up to 20–30 days. In the mortality data from Japan, P&I lagged IHD in cross-correlations. Time series analysis showed strong delayed cold effects in the older population. There was also a strong delay on intense days of influenza which was more noticeable in the older population. Influenza can therefore be a plausible explanation for the delayed association between cold exposure and cardiovascular mortality.
A Multi-Element Approach to Location Inference of Twitter: A Case for Emergency Response
Authors: Laylavi Farhad , Rajabifard Abbas , Kalantari Mohsen
Published: April 2016

Since its inception, Twitter has played a major role in real-world events—especially in the aftermath of disasters and catastrophic incidents, and has been increasingly becoming the first point of contact for users wishing to provide or seek information about such situations. The use of Twitter in emergency response and disaster management opens up avenues of research concerning different aspects of Twitter data quality, usefulness and credibility. A real challenge that has attracted substantial attention in the Twitter research community exists in the location inference of twitter data. Considering that less than 2% of tweets are geotagged, finding location inference methods that can go beyond the geotagging capability is undoubtedly the priority research area. This is especially true in terms of emergency response, where spatial aspects of information play an important role. This paper introduces a multi-elemental location inference method that puts the geotagging aside and tries to predict the location of tweets by exploiting the other inherently attached data elements. In this regard, textual content, users’ profile location and place labelling, as the main location-related elements, are taken into account. Location-name classes in three granularity levels are defined and employed to look up the location references from the location-associated elements. The inferred location of the finest granular level is assigned to a tweet, based on a novel location assignment rule. The location assigned by the location inference process is considered to be the inferred location of a tweet, and is compared with the geotagged coordinates as the ground truth of the study. The results show that this method is able to successfully infer the location of 87% of the tweets at the average distance error of 12.2 km and the median distance error of 4.5 km, which is a significant improvement compared with that of the current methods that can predict the location with much larger distance errors or at a city-level resolution at best.
Copper Homeostasis as a Therapeutic Target in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis with SOD1 Mutations
Authors: Tokuda Eiichi , Furukawa Yoshiaki
Published: April 2016

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal neurodegenerative disease affecting both upper and lower motor neurons, and currently, there is no cure or effective treatment. Mutations in a gene encoding a ubiquitous antioxidant enzyme, Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1), have been first identified as a cause of familial forms of ALS. It is widely accepted that mutant SOD1 proteins cause the disease through a gain in toxicity but not through a loss of its physiological function. SOD1 is a major copper-binding protein and regulates copper homeostasis in the cell; therefore, a toxicity of mutant SOD1 could arise from the disruption of copper homeostasis. In this review, we will briefly review recent studies implying roles of copper homeostasis in the pathogenesis of SOD1-ALS and highlight the therapeutic interventions focusing on pharmacological as well as genetic regulations of copper homeostasis to modify the pathological process in SOD1-ALS.
Induction of Lipocalin2 in a Rat Model of Lung Irradiation
Authors: Sultan Sadaf , Ahmad Shakil , Rave-Fränk Margret , Malik Ihtzaz , Hess Clemens , Christiansen Hans , Cameron Silke
Published: April 2016

Previously, we showed that lipocalin2 (LCN2) serum levels increased after liver irradiation and during acute-phase conditions. Here, we evaluate LCN2 expression and serum levels after single-dose lung irradiation with 25 Gy, percutaneously administered to the lung of randomly-paired male Wistar rats. Due to the concave anatomy of the lung recesses, the irradiation field included the upper part of the liver. No rat died due to irradiation. In control tissue, lung immunohistochemistry showed a high constitutive expression of LCN2+ granulocytes. LCN2 mRNA levels in lung tissue increased up to 24 h (9 ± 2.3-fold) after irradiation. However, serum LCN2 levels remained undetectable after lung irradiation. LCN2 expression in the upper part of the liver increased up to 4.2-fold after lung irradiation, but the lower liver showed an early decrease. Acute-phase cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) showed a significant increase on transcript level in both lung and upper liver, whilst the lower liver did not show any considerable increase. In conclusion, constitutive expression of LCN2 in local immune cells demonstrates its local role during stress conditions in the lung. The absence of LCN2 in the serum strengthens our previous findings that the liver is the key player in secreting LCN2 during stress conditions with liver involvement.
Prototype and Chimera-Type Galectins in Placentas with Spontaneous and Recurrent Miscarriages
Authors: Unverdorben Laura , Haufe Thomas , Santoso Laura , Hofmann Simone , Jeschke Udo , Hutter Stefan
Published: April 2016

Galectins are galactose binding proteins and, in addition, factors for a wide range of pathologies in pregnancy. We have analyzed the expression of prototype (gal-1, -2, -7, -10) and chimera-type (gal-3) galectins in the placenta in cases of spontaneous abortions (SPA) and recurrent abortions (RA) in the first trimester. Fifteen placental samples from healthy pregnancies were used as a control group. Nine placentas were examined for spontaneous abortions, and 12 placentas for recurrent abortions. For differentiation and evaluation of different cell types of galectin-expression in the decidua, immunofluorescence was used. For all investigated prototype galectins (gal-1, -2, -7, -10) in SPA and RA placenta trophoblast cells the expression is significantly decreased. In the decidua/extravillous trophoblast only gal-2 expression was significantly lowered, which could be connected to its role in angiogenesis. In trophoblasts in first-trimester placentas and in cases of SPA and RA, prototype galectins are altered in the same way. We suspect prototype galectins have a similar function in placental tissue because of their common biochemical structure. Expression of galectin 3 as a chimera type galectin was not found to be significantly altered in abortive placentas.
Resveratrol and Myopathy
Authors: Bastin Jean , Djouadi Fatima
Published: April 2016

Resveratrol is a natural polyphenolic compound produced by plants under various stress conditions. Resveratrol has been reported to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative properties in mammalian cells and animal models, and might therefore exert pleiotropic beneficial effects in different pathophysiological states. More recently, resveratrol has also been shown to potentially target many mitochondrial metabolic pathways, including fatty acid β-oxidation or oxidative phosphorylation, leading to the up-regulation of the energy metabolism via signaling pathways involving PGC-1α, SIRT1, and/or AMP-kinase, which are not yet fully delineated. Some of resveratrol beneficial effects likely arise from its cellular effects in the skeletal muscle, which, surprisingly, has been given relatively little attention, compared to other target tissues. Here, we review the potential for resveratrol to ameliorate or correct mitochondrial metabolic deficiencies responsible for myopathies, due to inherited fatty acid β-oxidation or to respiratory chain defects, for which no treatment exists to date. We also review recent data supporting therapeutic effects of resveratrol in the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a fatal genetic disease affecting the production of muscle dystrophin, associated to a variety of mitochondrial dysfunctions, which likely contribute to disease pathogenesis.
Thermodynamic Analysis of the Conformational Transition in Aqueous Solutions of Isotactic and Atactic Poly(Methacrylic Acid) and the Hydrophobic Effect
Authors: Kogej Ksenija
Published: April 2016

The affinity of amphiphilic compounds for water is important in various processes, e.g., in conformational transitions of biopolymers, protein folding/unfolding, partitioning of drugs in the living systems, and many others. Herein, we study the conformational transition of two isomer forms of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA), isotactic (iPMA) and atactic (aPMA), in water. These isomers are chemically equivalent and differ only in the arrangement of functional groups along the chain. A complete thermodynamic analysis of the transition of the PMA chains from the compact to the extended form (comprising the conformational transition) in water in the presence of three alkali chlorides is conducted by determining the free energy, enthalpy, and entropy changes of the process as a function of temperature, and therefrom also the heat capacity change. The heat capacity change of the transition is positive (+20 J/K mol) for aPMA and negative (−50 J/K mol) for iPMA. This result suggests a different affinity of PMA isomers for water. The conformational transition of iPMA is parallel to the transfer of polar solutes into water, whereas that of aPMA agrees with the transfer of nonpolar solutes into water.
Land Cover Characterization in West Sudanian Savannas Using Seasonal Features from Annual Landsat Time Series
Authors: Liu Jinxiu , Heiskanen Janne , Aynekulu Ermias , Maeda Eduardo , Pellikka Petri
Published: April 2016

With the increasing temporal resolution of medium spatial resolution data, seasonal features are becoming more readily available for land cover characterization. However, in the tropical regions, images can be severely contaminated by clouds during the rainy season and fires during the dry season, with possible effects to seasonal features. In this study, we evaluated the performance of seasonal features based on an annual Landsat time series (LTS) of 35 images for land cover characterization in West Sudanian savanna woodlands. First, the burnt areas were detected and removed. Second, the reflectance seasonality was modelled using a harmonic model, and model parameters were used as inputs for land cover classification and tree crown cover prediction using the random forest algorithm. Furthermore, to study the sensitivity of the approach to the burnt areas, we repeated the analyses without the first step. Our results showed that seasonal features improved classification accuracy significantly from 68.7% and 66.1% to 76.2%, and decreased root mean square error (RMSE) of tree crown cover predictions from 11.7% and 11.4% to 10.4%, in comparison to the dry and rainy season single date images, respectively. The burnt areas biased the seasonal parameters in near-infrared and shortwave infrared bands, and decreased the accuracy of classification and tree crown cover prediction, suggesting that burnt areas should be removed before fitting the harmonic model. We conclude that seasonal features from annual LTS improved land cover characterization performance, and the harmonic model, provided a simple method for computing annual seasonal features with burnt area removal.
Assessment of the Impact of Reservoirs in the Upper Mekong River Using Satellite Radar Altimetry and Remote Sensing Imageries
Authors: Liu Kuan-Ting , Tseng Kuo-Hsin , Shum C. , Liu Chian-Yi , Kuo Chung-Yen , Liu Ganming , Jia Yuanyuan , Shang Kun
Published: April 2016

Water level (WL) and water volume (WV) of surface-water bodies are among the most crucial variables used in water-resources assessment and management. They fluctuate as a result of climatic forcing, and they are considered as indicators of climatic impacts on water resources. Quantifying riverine WL and WV, however, usually requires the availability of timely and continuous in situ data, which could be a challenge for rivers in remote regions, including the Mekong River basin. As one of the most developed rivers in the world, with more than 20 dams built or under construction, Mekong River is in need of a monitoring system that could facilitate basin-scale management of water resources facing future climate change. This study used spaceborne sensors to investigate two dams in the upper Mekong River, Xiaowan and Jinghong Dams within China, to examine river flow dynamics after these dams became operational. We integrated multi-mission satellite radar altimetry (RA, Envisat and Jason-2) and Landsat-5/-7/-8 Thematic Mapper (TM)/Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM+)/Operational Land Imager (OLI) optical remote sensing (RS) imageries to construct composite WL time series with enhanced spatial resolutions and substantially extended WL data records. An empirical relationship between WL variation and water extent was first established for each dam, and then the combined long-term WL time series from Landsat images are reconstructed for the dams. The R2 between altimetry WL and Landsat water area measurements is >0.95. Next, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) data were used to diagnose and determine water variation caused by the precipitation anomaly within the basin. Finally, the impact of hydrologic dynamics caused by the impoundment of the dams is assessed. The discrepancy between satellite-derived WL and available in situ gauge data, in term of root-mean-square error (RMSE) is at 2–5 m level. The estimated WV variations derived from combined RA/RS imageries and digital elevation model (DEM) are consistent with results from in situ data with a difference at about 3%. We concluded that the river level downstream is affected by a combined operation of these two dams after 2009, which has decreased WL by 0.20 m·year−1 in wet seasons and increased WL by 0.35 m·year−1 in dry seasons.
Traffic Congestion Detection System through Connected Vehicles and Big Data
Authors: Cárdenas-Benítez Néstor , Aquino-Santos Raúl , Magaña-Espinoza Pedro , Aguilar-Velazco José , Edwards-Block Arthur , Medina Cass Aldo
Published: April 2016

This article discusses the simulation and evaluation of a traffic congestion detection system which combines inter-vehicular communications, fixed roadside infrastructure and infrastructure-to-infrastructure connectivity and big data. The system discussed in this article permits drivers to identify traffic congestion and change their routes accordingly, thus reducing the total emissions of CO2 and decreasing travel time. This system monitors, processes and stores large amounts of data, which can detect traffic congestion in a precise way by means of a series of algorithms that reduces localized vehicular emission by rerouting vehicles. To simulate and evaluate the proposed system, a big data cluster was developed based on Cassandra, which was used in tandem with the OMNeT++ discreet event network simulator, coupled with the SUMO (Simulation of Urban MObility) traffic simulator and the Veins vehicular network framework. The results validate the efficiency of the traffic detection system and its positive impact in detecting, reporting and rerouting traffic when traffic events occur.
Quaternion-Based Gesture Recognition Using Wireless Wearable Motion Capture Sensors
Authors: Alavi Shamir , Arsenault Dennis , Whitehead Anthony
Published: April 2016

This work presents the development and implementation of a unified multi-sensor human motion capture and gesture recognition system that can distinguish between and classify six different gestures. Data was collected from eleven participants using a subset of five wireless motion sensors (inertial measurement units) attached to their arms and upper body from a complete motion capture system. We compare Support Vector Machines and Artificial Neural Networks on the same dataset under two different scenarios and evaluate the results. Our study indicates that near perfect classification accuracies are achievable for small gestures and that the speed of classification is sufficient to allow interactivity. However, such accuracies are more difficult to obtain when a participant does not participate in training, indicating that more work needs to be done in this area to create a system that can be used by the general population.
Logarithmic Laplacian Prior Based Bayesian Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar Imaging
Authors: Zhang Shuanghui , Liu Yongxiang , Li Xiang , Bi Guoan
Published: April 2016

This paper presents a novel Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar Imaging (ISAR) algorithm based on a new sparse prior, known as the logarithmic Laplacian prior. The newly proposed logarithmic Laplacian prior has a narrower main lobe with higher tail values than the Laplacian prior, which helps to achieve performance improvement on sparse representation. The logarithmic Laplacian prior is used for ISAR imaging within the Bayesian framework to achieve better focused radar image. In the proposed method of ISAR imaging, the phase errors are jointly estimated based on the minimum entropy criterion to accomplish autofocusing. The maximum a posterior (MAP) estimation and the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) are utilized to estimate the model parameters to avoid manually tuning process. Additionally, the fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Hadamard product are used to minimize the required computational efficiency. Experimental results based on both simulated and measured data validate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the traditional sparse ISAR imaging algorithms in terms of resolution improvement and noise suppression.
Self-Sensing Composites: In-Situ Detection of Fibre Fracture
Authors: Malik Shoaib , Wang Liwei , Curtis Paul , Fernando Gerard
Published: April 2016

The primary load-bearing component in a composite material is the reinforcing fibres. This paper reports on a technique to study the fracture of individual reinforcing fibres or filaments in real-time. Custom-made small-diameter optical fibres with a diameter of 12 (±2) micrometres were used to detect the fracture of individual filaments during tensile loading of unreinforced bundles and composites. The unimpregnated bundles were end-tabbed and tensile tested to failure. A simple technique based on resin-infusion was developed to manufacture composites with a negligible void content. In both cases, optical fibre connectors were attached to the ends of the small-diameter optical fibre bundles to enable light to be coupled into the bundle via one end whilst the opposite end was photographed using a high-speed camera. The feasibility of detecting the fracture of each of the filaments in the bundle and composite was demonstrated. The in-situ damage detection technique was also applied to E-glass bundles and composites; this will be reported in a subsequent publication.
BIM-BASED RISK IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM IN TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION
Authors: ZHANG Limao , WU Xianguo , DING Lieyun , SKIBNIEWSKI Miroslaw J. , LU Yujie
Published: April 2016

This paper presents an innovative approach of integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) and expert systems to address deficiencies in traditional safety risk identification process in tunnel construction. A BIM-based Risk Identification Expert System (B-RIES) composed of three main built-in subsystems: BIM extraction, knowledge base management, and risk identification subsystems, is proposed. The engineering parameter information related to risk fac­tors is first extracted from BIM of a specific project where the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard plays a bridge role between the BIM data and tunnel construction safety risks. An integrated knowledge base, consisting of fact base, rule base and case base, is then established to systematize the fragmented explicit and tacit knowledge. Finally, a hybrid inference approach, with case-based reasoning and rule-based reasoning combined, is developed to improve the flexibil­ity and comprehensiveness of the system reasoning capacity. B-RIES is used to overcome low-efficiency in traditional information extraction, reduce the dependence on domain experts, and facilitate knowledge sharing and communication among dispersed clients and domain experts. The identification of a safety hazard regarding the water gushing in one metro station of China is presented in a case study. The results demonstrate the feasibility of B-RIES and its application effectiveness.
HIV Viral Suppression in TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database Enrolled Adults on Antiretroviral Therapy at the Social Health Clinic, the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology & STDs, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Authors: Boettiger David C , Khol Vohith , Durier Nicolas , Law Matthew , Sun Ly Penh
Published: April 2016

Background

The Social Health Clinic at the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology & STDs (SHC-NCHADS) in Phnom Penh is a major provider of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Cambodia. However, patient access to viral load monitoring is uncommon. We conducted a cross-sectional evaluation of HIV viral load in SHC-NCHADS patients on ART to determine the proportion experiencing virological failure and to identify factors associated with virological failure in this population.

Methods

Patients who had been using their current first-or second-line ART regimen for ≥6 months were eligible. Virological failure was defined as a viral load >1,000 copies/ml, death, lost-to-follow-up or the absence of viral load testing despite presenting for care. Factors associated with virological failure were evaluated using logistic regression.

Results

Overall, 463 patients (53.1% male, median age 42.1 years) were included in the investigation. At the time of current regimen initiation, median CD4+ T-cell count was 101 cells/mm3 and 89.0% of patients had experienced a WHO stage III/IV event. At the time of testing/ last clinic visit, 28 (6.0%) patients met our definition of virological failure. Median viral load among those failing was 9,633 copies/ml. Shorter time on current ART regimen, low CD4+ T-cell count at the time of viral load testing/last clinic visit and a record of suboptimal adherence were the strongest predictors of virological failure.

Conclusions

This work demonstrates the high rate of viral suppression being achieved by the treatment programme at SHC-NCHADS and the need for future work to phase-in routine viral load monitoring in Cambodia.
Adherence to SATS antibiotic recommendations in patients with community acquired pneumonia in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Mukansi Murimisi , Chetty Anastacia , Feldman Charles
Published: April 2016

Introduction: Antibiotic guidelines have been published by various societies indicating the optimal empiric antibiotic treatment of patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP); however, no studies have been undertaken in South Africa investigating whether the most recent South African Thoracic Society (SATS) antibiotic CAP guideline, published in 2007, is being adhered to, or whether adherence is associated with improved patient outcomes. Methodology: This was a retrospective record review over a one-year period undertaken to document levels of adherence to the 2007 SATS guideline for CAP management in adults at an academic teaching hospital. Results: A total of 181 patients with CAP were included in the study, of whom 101 were female, and 109 were known to be HIV-seropositive. The majority (66%) of the patients received antibiotic treatment that was guideline-adherent. In those patients who received treatment that was non-adherent to the guideline recommendations, rather than receiving inadequate cover, they actually had received treatment that was in excess of what was recommended.  There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay among the two patient groups; however, a significantly longer time to clinical stability was found in patients who had received guideline-adherent treatment.  Only one CAP patient died and therefore it was not possible to determine the impact of guideline adherence on patient mortality. Conclusion: Results of this study indicated a relatively high level of SATS guideline adherence. Guideline adherence was not associated with improved patient outcomes.
Prevalence of Neisseria meningitidis carriage: a small-scale survey in Istanbul, Turkey
Authors: Kepenekli Kadayifci Eda , Güneşer Merdan Deniz , Soysal Ahmet , Karaaslan Ayşe , Atıcı Serkan , Durmaz Rıza , Boran Perran , Turan İhsan , Söyletir Güner , Bakır Mustafa
Published: April 2016

Introduction: The human nasopharynx is the main reservoir of Neisseria meningitidis, and asymptomatic carriage is common. N. meningitidis one of the common causes of bacterial meningitis in Turkey, especially after the implementation of the national immunization program that includes conjugated pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of meningococcal carriage and determine the leading serogroup, which may help authorities to adapt appropriate meningococal vaccine into the national immunization programme. Methodology: The prevalence of oropharyngeal carriage of N. meningitidis in 1,000 healthy subjects, 0–79 years of age, was investigated. Oropharyngeal swabs were collected during an 18-month period. Samples obtained were inoculated onto Thayer-Martin agar. The API-NH test and VITEK-MS system were used for identification of colonies. Multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay was used to determine serogroups with serogroup-specific genes. Results: N. meningitidis was isolated from 6 of 1,000 subjects (0.6%). Meningoccocal carriers were between 21 and 40 years of age. All isolates were serogrouped as B, except one that did not survive on subculture. N. lactamica was isolated from 13 of 1,000 subjects (1.3%). Conclusions: Carriage rate of meningococci in our study was relatively low. However, we detected that serogroup B was the leading strain in meningococcal carriage in Istanbul; choosing an appropriate meningococcal vaccine containing serogroup B should therefore be considered. High absolute humidity throughout the year in Istanbul may explain the low prevalence of carriage in our study. This should be verified with a multicenter national survey.