bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Thermal Conductivity of Soil on Temperature Development and Cracking in Mass Concrete Footings
Authors: Do Tu A. , Lawrence Adrian M. , Tia Mang , Bergin Michael J.
Published: October 2014

This paper presents the findings of an investigation on thermal behavior of mass concrete footings placed directly on soil using finite element analysis. A three-dimensional finite element model was developed to predict temperatures in a mass concrete footing–soil system and to assess cracking potential of the concrete at early age. Two bridge pier footings constructed in Florida were monitored for temperature development, and the measured temperatures were compared with the computed temperatures from the finite element model. The results show that the temperatures predicted by the model closely agree with those measured in the field. Several soils with varying thermal resistances were modeled in this study in order to find out which soils can be used as an insulator for mass concrete footings so that an insulation layer would not be needed at the bottom of the footings. The results suggest that dry sand and dry clay provide good insulation at the bottom of mass concrete footings, and soil with an R-value of 0.072 per m or greater (or thermal conductivity of 0.35 W/m-K or lower) would provide adequate insulation at the bottom of concrete footings to prevent early-age cracking in the concrete.
An Economic Design of a Group Sampling Plan for a Weibull Distribution Using a Bayesian Approach
Authors: Aslam Muhammad , Azam Muhammad , Balamurali Saminathan , Jun Chi-Hyuck
Published: October 2014

In this paper, a cost model for a group sampling scheme is proposed for inspection of the lifetime of a product when the lifetime of the product follows a Weibull distribution. The optimal parameters of the group sampling plan are determined by minimizing the total cost and satisfying both the producer's risk and the consumer's risk simultaneously for the specified values of termination time, number of testers, and median ratio as the quality parameter. The application of the proposed plan is given in metrology for the inspection of chip products. We have conducted a comparative study, and it shows that the use of the proposed plan for testing the chips minimized the cost more than the existing acceptance sampling plan. Tables are provided, along with the total cost required for the life test.
A New Mixed Variable Lot Size Sampling Plan Based on Process Capability Index
Authors: Aslam Muhammad , Balamurali S. , Azam Muhammad , Jun Chi-Hyuck
Published: October 2014

A new mixed sampling plan with a variable lot size plan is developed in this manuscript using the process capability index. The operating characteristic function of the proposed plan is derived and the plan parameters are determined using the non-linear optimization procedure for symmetric and asymmetric fraction non-conforming cases. It is also shown that the proposed plan is more efficient than existing acceptance sampling plans. Industrial data is presented to explain the application of the proposed plan.
Evaluating and Selecting the Best Outsourcing Service Country in East and Southeast Asia: An AHP Approach
Authors: Chen Shieh-Liang , Pham Van Kien , Chen James K. C.
Published: October 2014

Over the last two decades, outsourcing has been considered a key component for business performance through which firms can narrow their business operations and focus on core competencies. Before doing that, it is vital to evaluate and determine the best outsourcing destination. Unfortunately, only a few studies have been done to help firms make decisions in relation to evaluating a potential outsourcing partner. In addition, most existing studies only emphasized a specific field at the company level, so a complete framework in this field has never been done before. This study therefore attempts to address this research gap by constructing an outsourcing hierarchy model with four levels, namely overall goal, criteria, sub-criteria, and alternative for the use of the AHP approach. In here, criteria would include the most important attributes, which are (1) cost competiveness, (2) human resources, (3) business environment, and (4) government policies. Each criterion itself also consists of several-sub criteria. With respect to these criteria, seven typical outsourcing countries in the East and South East Asia (China, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) were selected to serve as alternatives. As a result, the weight of the higher priority, the more important the criterion or the alternative will be. The results show that cost competiveness is the most important factor in the second level of the hierarchy and it results in the dominance of employee salary, taxes, freight prices, and real estate costs respectively in the third level. Corresponding with this, China is the best outsourcing destination. Additionally, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand are emerging as three attractive countries due to the positive change of government policies as well as the improvements of human resources and national infrastructure. Generally, this study not only enriches the existing literature, but also provides readers and decision-makers a comprehensive view toward the given field.
Economic Design of SkSP-R Skip-Lot Sampling Plan
Authors: Balamurali Saminathan , Aslam Muhammad , Jun Chi-Hyuck
Published: October 2014

Skip-lot sampling plans are widely used in industries in order to reduce sampling costs and inspection efforts when products have a good quality history. This type of skip-lot sampling plan is economically advantageous and useful to minimize the cost of the inspection particularly with costly and destructive testing. Recently, a new type of skip-lot sampling plan called SkSP-R was developed. In this paper, an economic design of the SkSP-R plan is proposed for both destructive and non-destructive testing by considering various cost items in order to optimize the plan.
The Effect of Cement–Sodium Silicate Grout Compounds on Void Ratio and the Coefficient of Secondary Compression of Treated Fibrous Peat
Authors: Kazemian Sina , Moayedi Hossein , Mosallanezhad Mansour
Published: October 2014

Peats have low shear strength and high deformation characteristics. Peat is a naturally occurring material that is extremely soft with a high moisture content and exists in an unconsolidated state. The conventional binders used are cementitious materials, and the introduction of a new binder, sodium silicate, with other additives gives a better output than the conventional peat treatment. This article describes a laboratory study on the effect of different compounds of cement–sodium silicate grout on void ratio and the coefficient of secondary compression of fibrous peat. It is shown that by increasing the amount of sodium silicate (within 2.5 %), cement, and kaolinite in treated peat, we were able to decrease the mentioned properties of treated peat.
Crack Opening Evaluation and Sustainability Potential of Highly Flowable Strain-Hardening, Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (HF-SHFRC)
Authors: Liao Wen-Cheng , Chao Shih-Ho
Published: October 2014

Highly flowable, strain-hardening fiber-reinforced concrete (HF-SHFRC) has good workability in the fresh state, and it exhibits the strain-hardening and multiple-cracking characteristics of high-performance, fiber-reinforced cementitious composites in the hardened state. HF-SHFRC can be easily manufactured and delivered by ready-mix trucks for cast-on-the-job sites. Structural large-scale test results from several research programs also showed that HF-SHFRC is effective in increasing shear strength, displacement capacity, and damage tolerance in members subjected to large inelastic deformations. The results of two tests, a long prismatic tensile test with continuous reinforcement and an in-plane pure shear panel test, are summarized in this paper. Relative to conventional concrete, HF-SHFRC not only demonstrates much better mechanical performance, but also presents reduced crack potential and excellent crack width control. These characteristics of HF-SHFRC can further diminish the need for repairs, rehabilitation, and maintenance after extreme loading events and give infrastructure a longer service life, which will eventually lower the life-cycle cost.
Three-Dimensional Discrete Element Modeling of Crack Development in Epoxy Asphalt Concrete
Authors: Qian Zhen-Dong , Wang Jiang-Yang , Chen Lei-Lei , Wang Lin-Bing
Published: October 2014

Cracking in epoxy asphalt concrete (EAC) used for a steel bridge wearing course has always been a major cause of structural and functional deterioration of this material, particularly in cold climate. Therefore, it is important to understand the complex fracture behavior of this heterogeneous mixture, which is composed of irregularly shaped and randomly distributed aggregates surrounded by asphalt mastics. A three-dimensional (3D) fracture model independent of laboratory, based on the discrete element method (DEM), is reconstructed using a randomly generating algorithm to investigate the fracture behavior. A bilinear cohesive-softening model is implemented into the DEM framework to simulate the crack initiation and propagation in EAC. Several experimental tests are performed to obtain input parameters of materials for numerical models. The simulation results of a single-edge notched beam test agree well with experimental results and accurately capture the stress distribution and development of fracture zone. The modeling technique herein provides insight into the progressive cracking process; 3D visualization of crack trajectories also demonstrates the influence of heterogeneity on crack path. The 3D user-defined microstructural DEM fracture model is capable of giving a realistic cracking process of quasi-brittle materials such as EAC and can help us better understand various fracture mechanisms through numerical simulations.
Improving Corporate Governance Effects on an Enterprise Crisis Based on a New Hybrid DEMATEL with the MADM Model
Authors: Hu Kuang-Hua , Chen Fu-Hsiang , Tzeng Gwo-Hshiung , Lee Jinn-De
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this study is to set up a new enterprise crisis improvement model for corporate governance based on the hybrid MADM model, which addresses on the main causal factors and amended priorities in order to reduce the occurrence of corporate crises. In this study, we present the use of a new hybrid MADM combined with a DEMATEL technique to construct an influential network relationship map (INRM) and find the influential weights of DANP in criteria from the influential relationship matrix, as well as the modified VIKOR method using influential weights, to evaluate and integrate the criteria performance in the gaps. This study also analyzes how to reduce the gaps to evaluate the decision for improving corporate governance effects based on INRM. This method provides decision-makers with a way to formulate improvement strategies. The results show that the overall average gap of corporate governance is 0.501 (signaling a crisis on the 0 to 1 scale). To remedy this issue, much bigger gaps are needed for improvement in each criterion. The implication is that Taiwan's current financial industry corporate governance system is too weak and needs to be strengthened, reengineered, and transformed.
Joint Selective Encryption of CAVLC and Signs of Motion Vectors for H.264/AVC
Authors: Khlif Naziha , Damak Taheni , Kammoun Fahmi , Masmoudi Nouri
Published: October 2014

Currently, researchers are orienting their effort to selective encryption in order to protect video sequences against attacks during their transmission over a public channel. The reasons for this trend are of great importance. To reduce video data amount, the video compression chain is essential and to ensure their security, while in transmission, an encryption algorithm is evident. Thus, inserting the encryption module in the video compression chain is better than applying compression and encryption separately in terms of computing time. This paper presents a chaos based encryption method inserted in the H.264 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) used for video conferencing applications. The selective encryption was applied on context adaptive variable length coding (CAVLC) and on the signs of motion vectors. The results were deducted according to the values of peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity (SSIM) and the encryption rate (ER). Combining selective encryption of CAVLC (SE-CAVLC) and motion vector sign encryption (MVSE) are interesting in terms of enhancing the encryption and to damage the visual quality of the decoded video for both Intra and Inter predicted frames.
LONGING TO CONNECT
Authors: Scheible Jeff
Published: October 2014

This article considers a cinematic subgenre of "longing to connect" narratives that explore the theme of romantic connection in the internet age. The release and success of Her (Spike Jonze) and Noah(Patrick Cederberg and Walter Woodman) contemporaneously in 2013, which both romance disembodiment, suggest a tipping point in the circulation of works that index attitudes about the complex affective structures of digital sociality. Pairing Lauren Berlant's notion of "cruel optimism" with Eva Ilouz's discussion of "emotional capitalism," this essay offers a comparative reading of Her and Noah alongside two earlier works, You've Got Mail and I Love Alaska, to interrogate cinema's potential, and potentially unique capability, to intervene in fantasies of computer-mediated love.
THE RIGHT TIME AND PLACE
Authors: Rich B. Ruby
Published: October 2014

Paradigmatic American filmmaker Richard Linklater’s Boyhood has been much praised from the moment of its release (2014). The scope of this twelve-year project is more than a stunt, and the making of the film has become a birthright. This article weighs in on the film and its reception, considers Linklater’s French New Wave influences, and addresses how gender has been so muted, rendered illegible, if not irrelevant in the film’s reception.
LETTERS AND THE UNSEEN WOMAN
Authors: Reynolds Daniel
Published: October 2014

This paper discusses three games that are characterized by what I call “epistolary architecture,” showing how the games use their spatial distribution of communicative acts to subvert the common videogame trope of the unseen woman. In his essay “Game Design as Narrative Architecture,” Henry Jenkins outlines how some games distribute narrative progression across space rather than time, so that arrival at a particular location will trigger an event in the game’s story. Gone Home (2013) and Dear Esther (2012) use similar techniques, but to markedly different effect, by distributing subjective accounts of the past (external to the timeframe of the gameplay) around the game space by way of letters, recordings, and other messages. Bientôt L’été (2013) inverts this scenario. In it, a player walks along a seashore, receiving linguistic fragments brought in by the waves, then later rearticulates these into fractured conversations with another player in a remote location. Each of these games, in its own way, problematizes the trope of the unseen woman, which I argue has been a structuring principle in videogames for decades. In general, the unseen woman has been a destination, the endpoint of a quest and thus fundamentally outside the world of the gameplay. The epistolary architecture of Gone Home, Dear Esther, and Beintôt L’été is fundamental to the games’ ability to subvert this principle. Conversely, each game uses the figure of the unseen woman to complicate the player’s relationship to its story and its setting.
Other Ways of Knowing Food
Authors: Mudry Jessica , Hayes-Conroy Jessica , Chen Nancy , Kimura Aya H.
Published: October 2014

This conversation is part of a special issue on “Critical Nutrition” in which multiple authors weigh in on various themes related to the origins, character, and consequences of contemporary American nutrition discourses and practices, as well as how nutrition might be known and done differently. In this section authors discuss the impoverishment of nutritionism as a way of knowing and engaging with food, highlighting how nourishment is not amenable to either simplification or standardization. Some call for alternate ways of knowing food, through revitalizing tradition and culture, for example, and some emphasize engaging food through the senses. One author is skeptical that these other ways of knowing food can address real nutritional deficiencies.
Nutrition as a Project
Authors: Kimura Aya H. , Biltekoff Charlotte , Mudry Jessica , Hayes-Conroy Jessica
Published: October 2014

This conversation is part of a special issue on “Critical Nutrition” in which multiple authors weigh in on various themes related to the origins, character, and consequences of contemporary American nutrition discourses and practices, as well as how nutrition might be known and done differently. In this section authors discuss the aims and effects of nutrition interventions. In terms of aims, various authors emphasize how such interventions act as pedagogies of citizenship, governmentalize people as metric consumers, or reflect colonial practices. In terms of effects, authors discuss how the project of nutrition works in class/race differentiation, the disempowerment of mothers, or the interest of transnational corporations. All of the authors essentially challenge not only nutrition’s fundamental claims to neutrality and objectivity, but also its claims to benevolence.
Nutrition Troubles
Authors: Broad Garrett , Hite Adele
Published: October 2014

This conversation is part of a special issue on “Critical Nutrition” in which multiple authors weigh in on various themes related to the origins, character, and consequences of contemporary American nutrition discourses and practices, as well as how nutrition might be known and done differently. In this section one author calls into question the validity and efficacy of the 1977 Dietary Goals for the United States that are still widely used in official nutrition information. A second author considers whether official dietary recommendations are commonly known, let alone followed, and therefore questions their effectiveness at shaping actual dietary practice.
The Sounds and Stages of Emerson’s Social Reform
Authors: Gray Nicole H.
Published: October 2014

Nicole H. Gray, “The Sounds and Stages of Emerson’s Social Reform” (pp. 208–232)

This essay argues that Ralph Waldo Emerson’s antislavery reform efforts in the 1850s depended on a theory of transformation and mediation that shares ground with his linguistic and philosophical experiments. I base this claim on a reading of the sounds and citations at work in one political address, delivered in 1854 as part of an extended public reaction to the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law in 1850. This essay takes up three different ways in which the structure of citation and revision (“recitation”) function in relation to this address. First, I discuss recitation in terms of critics’ conceptualization of Emerson’s general approach to language. Second, I consider Emerson’s recitation of a line from “La Marseillaise,” a revolutionary tune that became the French national anthem, in his journals and his speech. Finally, I turn to Emerson’s re-vision of his audience within this address, and in the space of his orations in general.
Rhetorical Expectations and Self-Fashioning in Cicero's Speech for P. Sulla, §§18–19
Authors: Craig Christopher P.
Published: October 2014

Pro Sulla §§18–19 demonstrates a tactic of self-depiction unique in Cicero's speeches; the orator represents an internal dialogue in which his natural kindness towards the Catilinarian Autronius is overcome by arguments that his audience can recognize as the prosecutor's stock tactics of emotional amplification prescribed in De Inventione. By ostentatiously persuading himself to sternness with the stock appeals designed to persuade a normative audience, the orator can justify his actions against the Catilinarians while asserting that his essential nature is kind and compassionate. This tactic is both essential for Cicero's persuasive strategy and useful for his broader self-depiction for the reading audience of the speech.
Rhetoric's ghost at Davos
Authors: Discenna Thomas A.
Published: October 2014

This essay takes up a discussion concerning the 1929 debate between the philosophers Ernst Cassirer and Martin Heidegger by reading it as an instatiation of an ongoing dilemma within the field of rhetoric. I argue that the Davos meeting may be productively read through the lens of rhetorical theory and that such a reading can contribute to a more nuanced understanding of this event. The essay concludes by making a case for Cassirer's philosophy of symbolic forms as a normative ground for a rhetorical theory whose central purpose is to construct a decent, cultured, cosmopolitan, critical humanism.
Ellis Englesberg and the Discovery of Positive Control in Gene Regulation
Authors: Hahn Steven
Published: October 2014

Based on his work with the Escherichia coli  l-arabinose operon, Ellis Englesberg proposed in 1965 that the regulatory gene araC was an “activator gene” required for positive control of the ara operon. This challenged the widely held belief in a universal mechanism of negative regulation proposed earlier by Jacob and Monod. For years, Englesberg’s model was met with deep skepticism. Despite much frustration with complex ad hoc explanations used to challenge his model, Englesberg persisted until the evidence for positive control in ara and other systems became overwhelming. Englesberg’s pioneering work enriched the original operon model and had a lasting impact in opening new and exciting ways of thinking about transcriptional regulation.
A Novel Ribosomopathy Caused by Dysfunction of RPL10 Disrupts Neurodevelopment and Causes X-Linked Microcephaly in Humans
Authors: Brooks Susan S , Wall Alissa L , Golzio Christelle , Reid David W , Kondyles Amalia , Willer Jason R , Botti Christina , Nicchitta Christopher V , Katsanis Nicholas , Davis Erica E
Published: October 2014

Neurodevelopmental defects in humans represent a clinically heterogeneous group of disorders. Here, we report the genetic and functional dissection of a multigenerational pedigree with an X-linked syndromic disorder hallmarked by microcephaly, growth retardation, and seizures. Using an X-linked intellectual disability (XLID) next-generation sequencing diagnostic panel, we identified a novel missense mutation in the gene encoding 60S ribosomal protein L10 (RPL10), a locus associated previously with autism spectrum disorders (ASD); the p.K78E change segregated with disease under an X-linked recessive paradigm while, consistent with causality, carrier females exhibited skewed X inactivation. To examine the functional consequences of the p.K78E change, we modeled RPL10 dysfunction in zebrafish. We show that endogenous rpl10 expression is augmented in anterior structures, and that suppression decreases head size in developing morphant embryos, concomitant with reduced bulk translation and increased apoptosis in the brain. Subsequently, using in vivo complementation, we demonstrate that p.K78E is a loss-of-function variant. Together, our findings suggest that a mutation within the conserved N-terminal end of RPL10, a protein in close proximity to the peptidyl transferase active site of the 60S ribosomal subunit, causes severe defects in brain formation and function.
The Genetic Basis of Natural Variation in Seed Size and Seed Number and Their Trade-Off Using Arabidopsis thaliana MAGIC Lines
Authors: Gnan Sebastian , Priest Anne , Kover Paula X
Published: October 2014

Offspring number and size are key traits determining an individual’s fitness and a crop’s yield. Yet, extensive natural variation within species is observed for these traits. Such variation is typically explained by trade-offs between fecundity and quality, for which an optimal solution is environmentally dependent. Understanding the genetic basis of seed size and number, as well as any possible genetic constraints preventing the maximization of both, is crucial from both an evolutionary and applied perspective. We investigated the genetic basis of natural variation in seed size and number using a set of Arabidopsis thaliana multiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) lines. We also tested whether life history affects seed size, number, and their trade-off. We found that both seed size and seed number are affected by a large number of mostly nonoverlapping QTL, suggesting that seed size and seed number can evolve independently. The allele that increases seed size at most identified QTL is from the same natural accession, indicating past occurrence of directional selection for seed size. Although a significant trade-off between seed size and number is observed, its expression depends on life-history characteristics, and generally explains little variance. We conclude that the trade-off between seed size and number might have a minor role in explaining the maintenance of variation in seed size and number, and that seed size could be a valid target for selection.
Reducing Mortality and Infections After Congenital Heart Surgery in the Developing World
Authors: Jenkins Kathy J. , Castañeda Aldo R. , Cherian K.M. , Couser Chris A. , Dale Emily K. , Gauvreau Kimberlee , Hickey Patricia A. , Koch Kupiec Jennifer , Morrow Debra Forbes , Novick William M. , Rangel Shawn J. , Zheleva Bistra , Christenson Jan T.
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUND:

There is little information about congenital heart surgery outcomes in developing countries. The International Quality Improvement Collaborative for Congenital Heart Surgery in Developing World Countries uses a registry and quality improvement strategies with nongovernmental organization reinforcement to reduce mortality. Registry data were used to evaluate impact.

METHODS:

Twenty-eight sites in 17 developing world countries submitted congenital heart surgery data to a registry, received annual benchmarking reports, and created quality improvement teams. Webinars targeted 3 key drivers: safe perioperative practice, infection reduction, and team-based practice. Registry data were audited annually; only verified data were included in analyses. Risk-adjusted standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and standardized infection ratios among participating sites were calculated.

RESULTS:

Twenty-seven sites had verified data in at least 1 year, and 1 site withdrew. Among 15 049 cases of pediatric congenital heart surgery, unadjusted mortality was 6.3% and any major infection was 7.0%. SMRs for the overall International Quality Improvement Collaborative for Congenital Heart Surgery in Developing World Countries were 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62–0.81) in 2011 and 0.76 (95% CI 0.69–0.83) in 2012, compared with 2010 baseline. SMRs among 7 sites participating in all 3 years were 0.85 (95% CI 0.71–1.00) in 2011 and 0.80 (95% CI 0.66–0.96) in 2012; among 14 sites participating in 2011 and 2012, the SMR was 0.80 (95% CI 0.70–0.91) in 2012. Standardized infection ratios were similarly reduced.

CONCLUSIONS:

Congenital heart surgery risk-adjusted mortality and infections were reduced in developing world programs participating in the collaborative quality improvement project and registry. Similar strategies might allow rapid reduction in global health care disparities.
Childhood Obesity and Interpersonal Dynamics During Family Meals
Authors: Berge Jerica M. , Rowley Seth , Trofholz Amanda , Hanson Carrie , Rueter Martha , MacLehose Richard F. , Neumark-Sztainer Dianne
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUND:

Family meals have been found to be associated with a number of health benefits for children; however, associations with obesity have been less consistent, which raises questions about the specific characteristics of family meals that may be protective against childhood obesity. The current study examined associations between interpersonal and food-related family dynamics at family meals and childhood obesity status.

METHODS:

The current mixed-methods, cross-sectional study included 120 children (47% girls; mean age: 9 years) and parents (92% women; mean age: 35 years) from low-income and minority communities. Families participated in an 8-day direct observational study in which family meals were video-recorded in their homes. Family meal characteristics (eg, length of the meal, types of foods served) were described and associations between dyadic (eg, parent-child, child-sibling) and family-level interpersonal and food-related dynamics (eg, communication, affect management, parental food control) during family meals and child weight status were examined.

RESULTS:

Significant associations were found between positive family- and parent-level interpersonal dynamics (ie, warmth, group enjoyment, parental positive reinforcement) at family meals and reduced risk of childhood overweight. In addition, significant associations were found between positive family- and parent-level food-related dynamics (ie, food warmth, food communication, parental food positive reinforcement) and reduced risk of childhood obesity.

CONCLUSIONS:

Results extend previous findings on family meals by providing a better understanding of interpersonal and food-related family dynamics at family meals by childhood weight status. Findings suggest the importance of working with families to improve the dyadic and family-level interpersonal and food-related dynamics at family meals.
A new 3D damage model for concrete under monotonic, cyclic and dynamic loadings
Authors: Mazars Jacky , Hamon François , Grange Stéphane
Published: October 2014

Among the “theories” applied to model concrete behavior, damage mechanics has proven to be efficient. One of the first models for concrete introduced into such a framework is Mazars’ damage model. A new formulation of this model, called the “μ model” and based on a coupling of elasticity and damage within an isotropic formulation, is proposed herein for the purpose of 3D cyclic and dynamic loadings. Unilateral behavior (i.e., crack opening and closure) is introduced by use of two internal variables. A threshold surface is then associated with each of these variables. The shape of such surfaces has been chosen to model as accurately as possible concrete behavior under various loadings, i.e., tension, compression, shear, biaxial and triaxial, in the aim of simulating a large number of loading types (monotonic, cyclic, seismic, blast, impact, etc.). Applications of this model are presented on plain or reinforced concrete elements subjected to a range of loadings (e.g., multiaxial, cyclic, dynamic). A comparison with experimental results serves to demonstrate the effectiveness of these various selected options.
Polymer/silver hybrid thin films for anti-pathogenic bacterial applications
Authors: Ben Slama Rihab , Mrabet Bechir , Bakhrouf Amina , Salmi Zakaria , Bakas Idriss , Chehimi Mohamed M.
Published: October 2014

Gold (Au)- and indium-tin-oxide (ITO)-coated glass plates grafted with polymer/silver nanoparticle (Ag NP) hybrid coatings were prepared and served as biocidal surfaces directed against two biofilm-positive bacteria, namely Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. The polymer films were prepared by surface-initiated radical photopolymerisation of methacrylic acid (MAA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) in the presence of Au or ITO surfaces grafted with photoinitiator groups from diazotised benzophenone or N,N-dimethylaminobenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate (N2C6H4N(CH3)2BF4). The Ag NPs were generated in situ on the polymer surfaces by reduction of silver nitrate. The degree of biofilm formation by L. monocytogenes ATCC 19115 and S. aureus ATCC 25923 strains on these surfaces was evaluated. Viable attached cells were quantified using a colorimetric method based on the ability of viable attached cells to metabolically reduce 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide to a formazan dye. This study shows that diazonium salts permit to anchor robust hydrophilic coatings with immobilised Ag NPs of remarkable antifouling properties against pathogenic S. aureus and L. monocytogenes bacteria: antifouling due to both hydrophilic MAA and/or HEMA repeat units, and bactericidal due to the Ag NPs complexed by the COOH groups from MAA repeat units.
Elisabeth Bing Is a Treasure: Personal Reflections on a Life in Birth
Authors: Podgurski Mary Jo
Published: October 2014

Celebrating Elisabeth Bing’s 100th birthday is an honor and a joy. Elisabeth’s life is an inspiration to all who continue her mission of birth and women’s advocacy. Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski strives to capture the indomitable spirit of the founder of American Society for Psychoprophylaxis in Obstetrics (ASPO)/Lamaze (now Lamaze International) through a personal reflection. Elisabeth Bing lived with valor. She is a role model to women everywhere, the mother of childbirth education, and a woman of great courage and wisdom. Thank you, Elisabeth, for the huge gift of your life.
Robyn’s Birthing Story
Authors: Murgio Mariam Noel
Published: October 2014

This “Celebrate Birth!” column describes the experience of a long-time childbirth educator who attended the birth of her granddaughter Cora, her daughter Robyn’s second hospital birth. She discusses how Robyn’s instincts and confidence helped to overcome institutional issues to provide a good and safe birthing experience.
Correction of the Vimoke–Taylor Concept Representing Drains in a Numerical Simulation Model
Authors: Heinen Marius
Published: October 2014

Drains are special internal or boundary conditions in numerical simulation models. Instead of approximating them by a hole surrounded by a very dense grid of finite elements, the single node or single element approach based on the theory of Vimoke and Taylor proposed in 1962 offers a good alternative. Several authors have suggested that the Vimoke and Taylor constant to adapt the hydraulic conductivity of the element representing the drain should be changed by a certain factor. However, different correction factors have been given. Here this correction factor is derived for a control volume finite element numerical simulation model for different ratios of the size of the control volume representing the drain and the effective drain radius. It is shown that this relationship is dependent on the way the hydraulic conductivity is averaged at the interfaces between the neighboring control volumes. The relationships were obtained by optimization against an analytical solution for a steady‐state, saturated situation. By applying the additional correction to a hypothetical transient situation for four soil types it was shown that the application of the additional correction factor resulted in 3 to 13% lower drain discharges compared to uncorrected simulations. Consequently, higher groundwater levels of on average 2 to 4 cm were obtained when applying the additional correction. For situations where exact predictions of drain discharge are needed, typically when solute transport is considered, it is advised to make use of the additional correction. Model specific correction factors may be required.
XML schema metrics for quality evaluation
Authors: Pusnik Maja , Hericko Marjan , Budimac Zoran , Sumak Bostjan
Published: October 2014

In XML Schema development, the quality of XML Schemas is a crucial issue for
further steps in the life cycle of an application, closely correlated with
the structure of XML Schemas and different building blocks. Current research
focuses on measuring complexity of XML Schemas and mainly do not consider
other quality aspects. This paper proposes a novel quality measuring
approach, based on existing software engineering metrics, additionally
defining quality aspect of XML Schemas in the following steps: (1) definition
of six schema quality aspects, (2) adoption of 25 directly measurable XML
Schema variables, (3) proposition of six composite metrics, applying 25
measured variables and (4) composite metrics validation. An experiment using
250 standard XML Schemas collected from available e-business information
systems was conducted. The results illustrate influence of XML Schema
characteristics on its quality and evaluate applicability of metrics in the
measurement process, a useful tool for software developers while building or
adopting XML Schemas.
‘While I'm Retraining, I Get the Full Whack’: Illuminating Narratives of Career Change
Authors: Mulvey Rachel
Published: October 2014

This article considers four interviews conducted with French citizens by a team of researchers as part of the research project ‘Learning for Career and Labour Market Transitions: individual biographies’. Funded by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), this study sought to contribute to the development of a comprehensive model that would accommodate the different ways in which learning can support labour market transitions. The research approach drew on what can be depicted broadly as narrative and or biographical methods modified through the lens of relevant career theory, the better to focus on career-relevant episodes rather than the individual's entire lifespan. Drawing on relevant theory of career adaptability and of personal agency within a changing European labour market, this article shares four distinct life stories, and depicts a French quartet making use of active labour market policy through individual application to their unique set of circumstances.
Dental arch response to Haas-type rapid maxillary expansion anchored to deciduous vs permanent molars: A multicentric randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ugolini Alessandro , Cerruto Carmen , Di Vece Luca , Ghislanzoni Luis Huanca , Sforza Chiarella , Doldo Tiziana , Silvestrini-Biavati Armando , Caprioglio Alberto
Published: October 2014

Objective: 

To assess maxilla and mandibular arch widths' response to Haas-type rapid maxillary expansion (RME) anchored to deciduous vs permanent molars on children with unilateral posterior crossbite.

Materials and Methods: 

Seventy patients with unilateral posterior crossbite recruited at the Universities of Genova, Siena, and Insubria (Varese) were randomly located into GrE (RME on second deciduous molars) or Gr6 (RME on first permanent molars) and compared.

Results: 

Upper intermolar distance and permanent molar angulation increased significantly in Gr6 vs GrE at T1. Upper intercanine distance increased significantly in GrE vs Gr6 at T1 and T2. GrE showed significant increases for upper intermolar and upper intercanine widths. Gr6 showed statistically significant increases for upper intermolar widths, for upper and lower intercanine widths, and for increases of angulation of upper and lower permanent molars.

Conclusions: 

GrE showed reduced molar angulation increases at T1 and reduced molar angulation decreases at T2 when compared with Gr6. At T2, the net increase of the upper intercanine distance in GrE was still significant compared with Gr6, indicating a more stable expansion in the anterior area.
Comparison of perioperative morbidity and mortality rates in dogs with noninvasive adrenocortical masses undergoing laparoscopic versus open adrenalectomy
Authors: Mayhew Philipp D. , Culp William T. N. , Hunt Geraldine B. , Steffey Michele A. , Mayhew Kelli N. , Fuller Mark , Della-Maggiore Ann , Nelson Richard W.
Published: October 2014

Objective—To describe the clinicopathologic features of a cohort of dogs with adrenocortical masses that underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy and to compare perioperative morbidity and mortality rates in these dogs with rates for dogs that underwent open adrenalectomy for resection of similarly sized (maximal diameter, ≤ 5 cm) adrenocortical masses.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—48 client-owned dogs that underwent laparoscopic (n = 23) or open (25) adrenalectomy for noninvasive tumors (ie, tumors that did not invade the vena cava or other surrounding organs).

Procedures—Medical records were reviewed. History, clinical signs, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic findings, imaging results, and surgical variables were recorded. A 3- or 4-port approach was used for laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Surgical time, perioperative complications, postoperative and overall hospitalization times, and perioperative deaths were recorded and compared between groups.

Results—The surgical method for 1 dog was converted from a laparoscopic to an open approach. Perioperative death occurred in no dogs in the laparoscopic group and 2 dogs in the open adrenalectomy group. Surgical time was shorter for laparoscopic (median, 90 minutes; range, 40 to 150 minutes) than for open (median, 120 minutes; range, 75 to 195 minutes) adrenalectomy. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was associated with shorter hospitalization time and more rapid discharge from the hospital after surgery, compared with the open procedure.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—With careful patient selection, laparoscopic adrenalectomy was associated with a low complication rate and low conversion rate for resection of adrenocortical masses as well as shorter surgical and hospitalization times, compared with open adrenalectomy.
Mapping the Spatial Variability of Soil Acidity in Zambia
Authors: Chabala Lydia , Mulolwa Augustine , Lungu Obed
Published: October 2014

A common strategy for ameliorating soil acidity is the application of agricultural lime. However, this measure is hampered by the lack of high resolution soil maps that can enable lime application according to the spatial variability of soil pH in an area. Therefore, this study was carried out to map soil acidity in South Eastern Zambia. The objective of the study was to apply geostatistical procedures to mapping soil acidity in the country. Ordinary kriging was performed on a set of 119 soil samples collected from the 0–20 cm soil layer whose pH was determined by the electrometric method. The kriging model that was developed was found to be satisfactory with low prediction errors (root mean square error 0.36). Thus, the map produced could be used to draw up strategies for management of soil acidity in the area.
Cullin E3 Ligases and Their Rewiring by Viral Factors
Authors: Mahon Cathal , Krogan Nevan , Craik Charles , Pick Elah
Published: October 2014

The ability of viruses to subvert host pathways is central in disease pathogenesis. Over the past decade, a critical role for the Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) in counteracting host immune factors during viral infection has emerged. This counteraction is commonly achieved by the expression of viral proteins capable of sequestering host ubiquitin E3 ligases and their regulators. In particular, many viruses hijack members of the Cullin-RING E3 Ligase (CRL) family. Viruses interact in many ways with CRLs in order to impact their ligase activity; one key recurring interaction involves re-directing CRL complexes to degrade host targets that are otherwise not degraded within host cells. Removal of host immune factors by this mechanism creates a more amenable cellular environment for viral propagation. To date, a small number of target host factors have been identified, many of which are degraded via a CRL-proteasome pathway. Substantial effort within the field is ongoing to uncover the identities of further host proteins targeted in this fashion and the underlying mechanisms driving their turnover by the UPS. Elucidation of these targets and mechanisms will provide appealing anti-viral therapeutic opportunities. This review is focused on the many methods used by viruses to perturb host CRLs, focusing on substrate sequestration and viral regulation of E3 activity.
Inhibitory Effect of b-AP15 on the 20S Proteasome
Authors: Huang Li , Jung Katherine , Chen Chin
Published: October 2014

The 26S proteasome is a cellular proteolytic complex containing 19S regulatory particles and the 20S core proteasome. It was reported that the small molecule b-AP15 targets the proteasome by inhibiting deubiquitination of the 19S regulatory particles of the proteasome complex. An investigation of b-AP15 on the 20S proteasome core suggested that this compound can also inhibit the 20S proteasome with a potency equivalent to that found to inhibit the 19S regulatory particles.
Studies on Properties of Rice Straw/Polymer Nanocomposites Based on Polycaprolactone and Fe3O4 Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Khandanlou Roshanak , Ahmad Mansor , Shameli Kamyar , Saki Elnaz , Kalantari Katayoon
Published: October 2014

Modified rice straw/Fe3O4/polycaprolactone nanocomposites (ORS/Fe3O4/ PCL-NCs) have been prepared for the first time using a solution casting method. The RS/Fe3O4-NCs were modified with octadecylamine (ODA) as an organic modifier. The prepared NCs were characterized by using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The XRD results showed that as the intensity of the peaks decreased with the increase of ORS/Fe3O4-NCs content in comparison with PCL peaks, the Fe3O4-NPs peaks increased from 1.0 to 60.0 wt. %. The TEM and SEM results showed a good dispersion of ORS/Fe3O4-NCs in the PCL matrix and the spherical shape of the NPs. The TGA analysis indicated thermal stability of ORS/Fe3O4-NCs increased after incorporation with PCL but the thermal stability of ORS/Fe3O4/PCL-NCs decreased with the increase of ORS/Fe3O4-NCs content. Tensile strength was improved with the addition of 5.0 wt. % of ORS/Fe3O4-NCs. The antibacterial activities of the ORS/Fe3O4/PCL-NC films were examined against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) by diffusion method using nutrient agar. The results indicated that ORS/Fe3O4/PCL-NC films possessed a strong antibacterial activity with the increase in the percentage of ORS/Fe3O4-NCs in the PCL.
Processing of Pheromone Information in Related Species of Heliothine Moths
Authors: Berg Bente , Zhao Xin-Cheng , Wang Guirong
Published: October 2014

In heliothine moths, the male-specific olfactory system is activated by a few odor molecules, each of which is associated with an easily identifiable glomerulus in the primary olfactory center of the brain. This arrangement is linked to two well-defined behavioral responses, one ensuring attraction and mating behavior by carrying information about pheromones released by conspecific females and the other inhibition of attraction via signal information emitted from heterospecifics. The chance of comparing the characteristic properties of pheromone receptor proteins, male-specific sensory neurons and macroglomerular complex (MGC)-units in closely-related species is especially intriguing. Here, we review studies on the male-specific olfactory system of heliothine moths with particular emphasis on five closely related species, i.e., Heliothis virescens, Heliothis subflexa, Helicoverpa zea, Helicoverpa assulta and Helicoverpa armigera.
Mud Volcanoes of Trinidad as Astrobiological Analogs for Martian Environments
Authors: Hosein Riad , Haque Shirin , Beckles Denise
Published: October 2014

Eleven onshore mud volcanoes in the southern region of Trinidad have been studied as analog habitats for possible microbial life on Mars. The profiles of the 11 mud volcanoes are presented in terms of their physical, chemical, mineralogical, and soil properties. The mud volcanoes sampled all emitted methane gas consistently at 3% volume. The average pH for the mud volcanic soil was 7.98. The average Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) was found to be 2.16 kg/mol, and the average Percentage Water Content was 34.5%. Samples from three of the volcanoes, (i) Digity; (ii) Piparo and (iii) Devil’s Woodyard were used to culture bacterial colonies under anaerobic conditions indicating possible presence of methanogenic microorganisms. The Trinidad mud volcanoes can serve as analogs for the Martian environment due to similar geological features found extensively on Mars in Acidalia Planitia and the Arabia Terra region.