bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the effect of third party fund, capital adequacy ratio, and loan to deposit ratio on bankâ€Ÿs profitability after the application of IFRS
Authors: Sari You Are Nita , I Mei Murni Nur Suci
Published: February 2017

The objective of this research is to analyze the effect of third party fund, capital adequacy ratio, and loan to deposit ratio on bankâ€™s profitability after the application of IFRS. The bankâ€™s profitability in this study is measured using return on assets (ROA). The samples used are 22 conventional commercial banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the period from 2012 to 2013, which are selected through purposive sam-pling method. The analysis technique used is multiple linear regression analysis. The results of this study indicate that: (1) the variables of third party funds (TPF), capital adequacy ratio (CAR), and loan to deposit ratio (LDR) simultaneously have significant effect on return on assets (ROA); (2) the variable of third party fund (TPF) partially has positive but not significant effect on return on assets (ROA); (3) the variable of capital adequacy ratio (CAR) partially has positive and significant effect on return on assets (ROA); (4) the variable of loan to deposit ratio (LDR) partially has positive but not sig-nificant effect on return on assets (ROA) in conventional commercial banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (after the implementation of IFRS. The ability of the independent variables to explain the dependent variable in this study is 17.8%, while the remaining 82.2% is explained by other variables outside the models studied.
Exploring the courage of accounting students in disclosing fraud
Authors: Wardani Oktaria Nysa , Yuhertiana Indrawati
Published: February 2017

This study aims to explore the courage of accounting students to become a whistleb-lower. The paradigm of this study is qualitative interpretive. The research site is at University of Pembangunan Nasional â€œVeteranâ€ Jawa Timur, with 4 accounting students selected as the informants. The results show that the accounting students have a low level of courage. In addition to individualâ€™s intention and courage, there is no support from the environment, or the so-called negative subjective norms. This spontaneously causes a negative perception on whistle-blowing, thus reducing people's motivation to take action. The informants consider that there are still more important things to do than to perform whistle blowing. National defense philosophy, nationalism and religiosity need to be implemented in the learning process. It requires the support of the entire academic community related to the values of honesty and ethics, especially from the role models of lecturers and college leaders.
Implementation of a functional supportive programme for survivors of cerebro-vascular accidents and their caregivers at home
Authors: Kuugongelwa Suama , Small Louis
Published: February 2017

A cerebro-vascular accident is a devastating experience and those who survive the initial incident often suffer from a variety of physical disabilities. These disabilities frequently result in an adult becoming incapable of, or being limited in, the provision of ongoing effective self-care. In anticipation of improving such situations the researcher developed a supportive-educative programme to be conducted in a home-based setting. This programme formed part of the main study and was implemented over four days. The researcher considered these educative sessions to be an ideal approach for implementing the programme, because adjusting, stabilising and coping can only be facilitated and put into practice through interactive participation. Eight survivors of cerebro-vascular accidents and their caregivers, all of whom had participated in the main study, were selected for the training sessions. During these sessions, the purpose, objectives and content of the programme were presented and discussed. Following the sessions, the participants were encouraged to apply what they had learnt from the training. After two months the researcher and the participants came together to conduct an evaluation of the programme.
Nowa edukacja akademicka. Laboratorium na przecięciu teorii, praktyki badawczej i artystycznej
Authors: Siwiak Agata
Published: February 2017

Tematem tekstu jest nowa metodyka nauczania uniwersyteckiego oparta na pracy badawczej i praktyce artystycznej. Przedstawiam w nim powstałą osiem lat temu w Katedrze Dramatu Teatru i Widowisk Uniwersytetu im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu specjalizację Interdyscyplinarne projekty kuratorskie i wieńczący ją festiwal, jednocześnie nakreślając szeroki kontekst dla przemian w sztukach performatywnych. Specjalizacja jest z jednej strony odpowiedzią na potrzebę, wyrażaną coraz mocniej przez studentów i zdeterminowaną przez system boloński, działań łączących teorię i praktykę na uniwersytetach. Z drugiej strony, jest reakcją na zmiany w sztukach performatywnych, które wykreowały nowe zawody: kuratora i producenta teatralnego.
Rozszerzanie granic
Authors: Grzelka Monika
Published: February 2017

W artykule podjęto zagadnienie kształcenia uniwersyteckiego na styku idei universitas oraz wolnego rynku w kontekście specjalizacji dziennikarstwo i public relations prowadzonej w Instytucie Filologii Polskiej UAM w Poznaniu. Zauważono, że misją współczesnego uniwersytetu jest kształtowanie umiejętności rozpoznawania i analizowania rozmaitych dyskursów oraz formowanie postaw opartych na czynnym uczestnictwie w tych dyskursach. Efektem tego rozpoznania jest podkreślenie rangi specjalizacji i wpływ tego doszacowania na konstruowanie nowych programów uniwersyteckich. Budując program specjalizacji, wykorzystano multigenetyczność dziennikarstwa. Zauważono, że wszystkie działania dziennikarskie i PR-owe podporządkowane są informacji, operacjach na niej oraz jej obróbce, a dominującymi kompetencjami absolwentów powinny być komunikatywność i kreatywność. Z połączenia teorii z praktyką wynikają realne korzyści – wiedza i umiejętności z ćwiczeń i warsztatów cechujących się akademicką swobodą i bezpieczeństwem konfrontują się z autentycznymi potrzebami instytucji funkcjonującej na rynku. Absolwent musi mieć świadomość konieczności uczenia się przez całe życie, samodoskonalenia i rozwijania swoich mocnych stron, pracy nad wzrostem kompetencji twardych i miękkich.
Jak to robią w Nowym Jorku? Polonisty obrazki z podróży do Ameryki
Authors: Bobiński Witold
Published: February 2017

Artykuł jest relacją z pobytu studyjnego w Columbia University Teachers College w Nowym Jorku. Uczelnia ta jest jedną z najbardziej prestiżowych w USA placówek kształcących nauczycieli. Nowy Jork natomiast to ważny ośrodek współczesnej amerykańskiej myśli dydaktycznej, także w dziedzinie nauczania w języku ojczystym. Autor omawia specyfikę studiów nauczycielskich w TC, podkreślając zwłaszcza rolę obszernego komponentu treści filozoficznych i ogólnopedagogicznych oraz dwusemestralnego, mocno angażującego studentów stażu nauczycielskiego. Informacji o merytorycznej zawartości przedmiotów i kursów, prowadzących do uzyskania uprawnień nauczyciela języka angielskiego, towarzyszy refleksja na temat modelu dydaktyki akademickiej realizowanego w TC, w tym zwłaszcza na temat wykorzystania multimediów w procesie kształcenia. Równoległym wątkiem rozważań są relacje z lekcji przedmiotów humanistycznych, głównie ELA (English Language Arts, odpowiednik języka polskiego), odznaczających się przede wszystkim wykorzystaniem różnych technik wywoływania zjawiska autentycznego uczenia się młodych ludzi.
Mitochondrial mass and activity as a function of body composition in individuals with spinal cord injury
Authors: O'Brien Laura C. , Wade Rodney C. , Segal Liron , Chen Qun , Savas Jeannie , Lesnefsky Edward J. , Gorgey Ashraf S.
Published: February 2017

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is accompanied by deterioration in body composition and severe muscle atrophy. These changes put individuals at risk for insulin resistance, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. To determine the relationships between skeletal muscle mitochondrial mass, activity, and body composition, 22 men with motor complete SCI were studied. Body composition assessment was performed using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging. Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle to measure citrate synthase (CS) and complex III (CIII) activity. CS activity was inversely related to %body fat (r = −0.57, P = 0.013), %leg fat (r = −0.52, P = 0.027), %trunk fat (r = −0.54, P = 0.020), and %android fat (r = −0.54, P = 0.017). CIII activity was negatively related to %body fat (r = −0.58, P = 0.022) and %leg fat (r = −0.54, P = 0.037). Increased visceral adipose tissue was associated with decreased CS and CIII activity (r = −0.66, P = 0.004; r = −0.60, P = 0.022). Thigh intramuscular fat was also inversely related to both CS and CIII activity (r = −0.56, P = 0.026; r = −0.60, P = 0.024). Conversely, lean mass (r = 0.75, P = 0.0003; r = 0.65, P = 0.008) and thigh muscle cross‐sectional area (CSA; r = 0.82, P = 0.0001; r = 0.84; P = 0.0001) were positively related to mitochondrial parameters. When normalized to thigh muscle CSA, many body composition measurements remained related to CS and CIII activity, suggesting that %fat and lean mass may predict mitochondrial mass and activity independent of muscle size. Finally, individuals with SCI over age 40 had decreased CS and CIII activity (P = 0.009; P = 0.004), suggesting a decrease in mitochondrial health with advanced age. Collectively, these findings suggest that an increase in adipose tissue and decrease in lean mass results in decreased skeletal muscle mitochondrial activity in individuals with chronic SCI.
Can Catastrophic Long-Term Care Insurance Policies Increase Private Insurance Coverage and Reduce Medicaid Expenditure?
Authors: Ma Guoxuan , Sun Wei
Published: February 2017

Using an inter-temporal optimization model of long-term care insurance purchase decisions, we evaluate catastrophic long-term care insurance policies that cover the tail risk of long-term care costs at affordable premiums. Under our baseline model, we show theoretically that introducing catastrophic policies will induce 11 percent of middle-income men and 3 percent of middle-income women to initiate private insurance coverage. As a result, Medicaid costs will be reduced by 0.20 percent and 0.19 percent for men and women, respectively.
Assessment of EGFR mutation status using cell-free DNA from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
Authors: Park Sojung , Hur Jae Young , Lee Kye Young , Lee Jae Cheol , Rho Jin Kyung , Shin Sun Hwa , Choi Chang-Min
Published: February 2017

Background:

Much attention has been focused on epidermal growth factor receptor (

Methods:

From 20 patients with lung adenocarcinoma, we isolated cfDNA from 20 samples of cell-free BAL fluid and 19 cell-free bronchial washing samples. cfDNA was examined for

Results:

We included 17 patients with advanced stage disease and three with non-advanced stage disease. Tumor biopsy detected

Conclusions:

cfDNA from BAL fluid could be used for molecular testing of
Entrenchment and persistence in language change: the Spanish past subjunctive
Authors: Rosemeyer Malte , Schwenter Scott A.
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we demonstrate that, like frequency, morphosyntactic persistence can have a conserving effect on language change. To substantiate this claim, we analyze the alternation between the Spanish past subjunctive forms ending in –ra and –se (as in comiera and comiese ‘had eaten’). Due to the ongoing replacement of –se by –ra, persistence and frequency are the best predictors of the alternation in our data. First, the persistence effect of a prior –se is significantly greater than the persistence effect of a prior –ra. Second, although –se is basically restricted to third person singular morphology in contexts without persistence, when primed by –se this restriction is drastically reduced. Our results also shed light on the relationship between frequency and persistence in language change. Although both result in conservation, the conserving effect of frequency causes irregularity such as the paradigmatic atrophy of Spanish –se forms. In contrast, persistence can temporarily re-establish paradigmatic regularity and consequently strengthen the cognitive representation of obsolescing constructions. However, this resuscitating effect of persistence appears to be restricted to low-frequency –se forms; because they are generally more entrenched, the activation of high-frequency –se forms relies less on persistence effects.
Strukturen der Identität und des Selbstverständnisses von Personen
Authors: Crone Katja
Published: February 2017

The article explores how persons conceive of themselves as individuals. Often, they attribute personality traits to themselves which they exemplify or justify by reference to former life episodes. According to dominant narrative approaches, this biographical self-understanding is entirely constituted by so-called “self-narratives,” that is, the way in which persons construct stories about themselves and their lives. Against this line of thought, it will be argued that the self-understanding of persons is not only characterized by narrative structures but also by certain phenomenal as well as invariant features. This will be shown by analysing a non-narrative sense of self-identity across time, which necessarily grounds biographical self-understanding.
Licht und Schatten der Begriffe
Authors: Bonnemann Jens
Published: February 2017

When we regard Adorno’s philosophy against the background of the current controversy between constructivism and realism, his philosophy cannot be attributed to either side. In contrast to realism, an object is constituted by a concept; on the other hand, in contrast to constructivism, Adorno also considers a concept, in turn, to be constituted by the object. Comparing Adorno to Merleau-Ponty reveals that neither philosopher considers that the knowledge of an object can be gleaned from the subject’s unilateral constitution, but is based rather on reciprocity which becomes possible through the subject’s corporeality. Thus Adorno’s epistemology hints towards a way out of the inferentialistic immanence correlation of concepts, which avoids the myth of the given.
Adorno über Kant und das Verhältnis von Ästhetik und Metaphysik
Authors: Marino Stefano
Published: February 2017

In this article I inquire into the interpretation of Kant’s philosophy provided by Theodor W. Adorno. In particular, I move from a few key concepts of his philosophy (dialectics, aesthetics, non-identity, transcendence, appearance, truth, hope, utopia) and attempt to show that such a conceptual constellation testifies to how much Adorno was theoretically indebted to theCritique of Pure Reasonand theCritique of the Power of Judgment.Specifically, Kant’s conception of aesthetics and dialectics is crucial to Adorno’s conception of those same concepts and problems.
Flüchtlinge als Gäste in Not
Authors: Waldenfels Bernhard
Published: February 2017

The situation of refugees is questioned from the perspective of a phenomenology of the stranger, focusing on the arrival of refugees fleeing from persecution. Taking up Levinas’s ethics of the Other and Derrida’s reflections on hospitality, it will be argued that the un-conditional demand of the Other has to be taken as something arising here and now, exceeding the concrete conditions. Various issues are discussed such as registration in relation to the immigrant’s singularity, the transitional state of waiting, and integration as a process. This leads to a responsive sort of politics.
Quasi-uniform Space
Authors: Coghetto Roland
Published: February 2017

In this article, using mostly Pervin [9], Kunzi [6], [8], [7], Williams [11] and Bourbaki [3] works, we formalize in Mizar [2] the notions of quasiuniform space, semi-uniform space and locally uniform space.

We define the topology induced by a quasi-uniform space. Finally we formalize from the sets of the form ((X \ Ω) × X) ∪ (X × Ω), the Csaszar-Pervin quasi-uniform space induced by a topological space.
Process intensification for continuous synthesis of performic acid using Corning advanced-flow reactors
Authors: Gaikwad Shekar M. , Jolhe Prashant D. , Bhanvase Bharat A. , Kulkarni Abhijeet , Patil Vilas S. , Pimplapure Makarand S. , Suranani Srinath , Potoroko Irina , Sonawane Shirish H. , Sonawane Shriram S.
Published: February 2017

The present paper reports the experimental details for the synthesis of performic acid (PFA) using Corning advanced-flow reactors (AFRs) using formic acid and H2O2 as reactants, and sulfuric acid as homogeneous catalyst. The effect of different operating parameters on PFA concentration such as reactant flow rates (residence time), temperature, reactant and catalyst concentration were studied. The experimental results indicate that the heart-shaped pellet structure in AFR provides better mixing, and hence more conversion with less residence time achieved. Moreover, AFR technology offers the possibility to conduct chemical reactions in a more sustainable way due to miniaturization and increased safety. Reactions show optimum results at 30°C with a feed flow rate of 80 ml/h in the presence of 1 w/w % H2SO4 as catalyst. The optimized results demonstrated the capability of AFR technology for enhancement in the formation of PFA (time equal to 1 min) with high conversion (95.85%). Further, it has been found that the concentration of PFA was reached at maximum value within 1 min of time. Therefore, the production of PFA is very fast in a microreactor, which saves our time and energy and in turn it saves the environment on fuel requirement and therefore this process is green.
Occurrence of endoparasites in Ramphastidae (Aves: Piciformes) in São Paulo Zoo
Authors: Fernandes Chagas C. R. , Lima Gonzalez I. H. , Borges Salgado P. A. , Grosse Rossi Ontivero C. R. , Locosque Ramos P.
Published: February 2017

Ramphastidae (Aves: Piciformes) are animals recognized for their exuberant colours and long bill, with distribution range from south Mexico to north Argentina. They are important seed dispersers eating little vertebrates eventually. When in captivity, animals usually live in limited spaces, with high density and near by species that do not share a evolution history, facilitating the occurrence of infectious diseases for what they may not have a competent immune system against, including the parasitic ones. This study analyzed the endoparasites that occur in captive Ramphastidae at São Paulo Zoo in the period January 2009 to September 2011. Seven species of toucans and toucanets had parasitological results positive for Trichuridae nematodes, Eimeria sp., Giardia sp., non sporulated coccidian oocists and unidentified nematode eggs, and microfilarie was the only hemoparasite found.
Mathematical Modeling on Deformation Behavior of Solidified Shell in Continuous Slab Casting with Soft Reduction
Authors: Cheng Changgui , Zhang Feng , Li Yang , Chen Ying , Jin Yan
Published: February 2017

Based on the calculation results of the two-dimensional unsteady heat transfer model for continuous slab casting with soft reduction process, a coupled thermo-elastic-plastic mathematical model has been developed to study the effects of the reduction amount and solid phase fraction in slab centerline on the deformation behavior of solidification shell in this paper. The calculated results show that the displacement along thickness direction of slab changes little in width center region of slab when the reduction amount keeps constant, then it increases and a peak of displacement appears in 0.075 m whose distance is far from the slab narrow face, finally, it decreases severely near the narrow face of slab. When the solid phase fraction is the same, the displacement of solidification shell toward to the width and thickness direction of slab increases with the increasing of reduction amount. When the solid phase fraction is 0.3, the reduction amount in reduction subzone is 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm, respectively, the effective reduction efficiency decreases from 0.463 to 0.436. When the total reduction amount is 5 mm, the solid phase fraction varies from 0.3 to 0.7, the accumulated displacement of solidification front increases from 0.238 mm to 0.805 mm, the reduction efficiency decreases from 0.46 to 0.32.
On Stratified Adjusted Tests by Binomial Trials
Authors: Shimokawa Asanao , Miyaoka Etsuo
Published: February 2017

To estimate or test the treatment effect in randomized clinical trials, it is important to adjust for the potential influence of covariates that are likely to affect the association between the treatment or control group and the response. If these covariates are known at the start of the trial, random assignment of the treatment within each stratum would be considered. On the other hand, if these covariates are not clear at the start of the trial, or if it is difficult to allocate the treatment within each stratum, completely randomized assignment of the treatment would be performed. In both sampling structures, the use of a stratified adjusted test is a useful way to evaluate the significance of the overall treatment effect by reducing the variance and/or bias of the result. If the trial has a binary endpoint, the Cochran and Mantel-Haenszel tests are generally used. These tests are constructed based on the assumption that the number of patients within a stratum is fixed. However, in practice, the stratum sizes are not fixed at the start of the trial in many situations, and are instead allowed to vary. Therefore, there is a risk that using these tests under such situations would result in an error in the estimated variation of the test statistics. To handle the problem, we propose new test statistics under both sampling structures based on multinomial distributions. Our proposed approach is based on the Cochran test, and the difference between the two tests tends to have similar values in the case of a large number of patients. When the total number of patients is small, our approach yields a more conservative result. Through simulation studies, we show that the new approach could correctly maintain the type I error better than the traditional approach.
High frequent total station measurements for the monitoring of bridge vibrations
Authors: Lienhart Werner , Ehrhart Matthias , Grick Magdalena
Published: February 2017

Robotic total stations (RTS) are frequently used for the measurement of temperature induced bridge deformations or during load testing of bridges. In experimental setups, total stations have also been used for the measurement of dynamic bridge deformations. However, with standard configurations the measurement rate is not constant and on average an update rate of 7–10Hz can be achieved. This is not sufficient for the vibration monitoring of bridges considering their natural frequencies which are also in the same range. In this paper, we present different approaches to overcome these problems. In the first two approaches we demonstrate how the measurement rate to prisms can be increased to 20Hz to determine vertical deformations of bridges. Critical aspects like the measurement resolution of the automated target tracking and the correct sequence of steering commands are discussed. In another approach we demonstrate how vertical bridge vibrations can be measured using an image assisted total station (IATS) and corresponding processing techniques. The advantage of image-based methods is that structural features of a bridge like bolts can be used as targets. Therefore, no expensive prisms have to be mounted and access to the bridge is not required. All approaches are verified by laboratory investigations and their suitability is proven in a field experiment on a 74m long footbridge. In this field experiment the natural frequencies derived from the total station measurements are compared to the results of accelerometer measurements.
Choosing the optimal number of B-spline control points (Part 2: Approximation of surfaces and applications)
Authors: Harmening Corinna , Neuner Hans
Published: February 2017

Freeform surfaces like B-splines have proven to be a suitable tool to model laser scanner point clouds and to form the basis for an areal data analysis, for example an areal deformation analysis.

A variety of parameters determine the B-spline's appearance, the B-spline's complexity being mostly determined by the number of control points. Usually, this parameter type is chosen by intuitive trial-and-error-procedures.

In [10] the problem of finding an alternative to these trial-and-error-procedures was addressed for the case of B-spline curves: The task of choosing the optimal number of control points was interpreted as a model selection problem. Two model selection criteria, the Akaike and the Bayesian Information Criterion, were used to identify the B-spline curve with the optimal number of control points from a set of candidate B-spline models. In order to overcome the drawbacks of the information criteria, an alternative approach based on statistical learning theory was developed. The criteria were evaluated by means of simulated data sets.

The present paper continues these investigations. If necessary, the methods proposed in [10] are extended to areal approaches so that they can be used to determine the optimal number of B-spline surface control points. Furthermore, the methods are evaluated by means of real laser scanner data sets rather than by simulated ones.

The application of those methods to B-spline surfaces reveals the datum problem of those surfaces, meaning that location and number of control points of two B-splines surfaces are only comparable if they are based on the same parameterization. First investigations to solve this problem are presented.
Berberis vulgaris L. effects on oxidative stress and liver injury in lead-intoxicated mice
Authors: Laamech Jawhar , El-Hilaly Jaouad , Fetoui Hamadi , Chtourou Yassine , Gouitaa Hanane , Tahraoui Adel , Lyoussi Badiaa
Published: February 2017

Background

Berberis vulgaris L. (BV), commonly known as “Aghriss” in Moroccan pharmacopoeia, is used to cure liver disorders and other diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of BV aqueous extract against lead-induced toxicity in mice liver.

Methods

Sixty IOPS mice were divided into six groups and were treated as follows: group 1 (normal control) received double distilled water; group 2 (toxic control) received lead acetate (5 mg/kg body weight/day) in double distilled water for 40 days; groups 3–6 received BV aqueous extract at doses of 25, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight , respectively, once daily for 30 days from 11 day after beginning of lead acetate exposure to the end of the experiment.

Results

Toxic control group showed a significant alteration of serum alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), total bilirubin (TB), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Histological assessment of lead-intoxicated mice liver revealed alterations in hepatocytes and focal necrosis. BV treatment significantly prevented lead accumulation, increased ALT, AST, TC, and TB, inhibited lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls(PCO) formation. Additionally, BV extract normalized the antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD and GPx), GSH and architecture of liver tissues.

Conclusions

BV aqueous extract exerts significant hepatoprotective effects against lead-induced oxidative stress and liver dysfunction. The BV effect may be mediated through the enhancement of antioxidant status, lead-chelating abilities and free radicals quenching.
Naturopaths in Ontario, Canada: geographic patterns in intermediately-sized metropolitan areas and integration implications
Authors: Meyer Stephen P.
Published: February 2017

Evaluating conventional medicine (CM) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with respect to integration opportunities (such as patient referrals and professional knowledge sharing) and possible geographic implications is novel. This research utilizes nearest neighbour and local spatial autocorrelation statistical analyses and surveys directed towards Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine (NDs) and their patients to better understand the geographic patterns of NDs and potential integration qualities. While the statistical tests reveal that the offices of NDs and Doctors of Medicine (MDs) display clustered patterns in intermediately-sized census metropolitan areas in Ontario and that the majority of NDs are near MDs, proximity is not manifesting in discernible integration tendencies between NDs and MDs. The NDs polled were strongly in favour of greater integration with the CM sector (as were their patients) to: achieve better patient health outcomes and to gain efficiencies within the health care system. Yet, both surveys also indicate that the barriers to integration are substantial and, generally speaking, centre on the perception that many MDs lack respect for, and/or knowledge about, naturopathic approaches. It is speculated that as students in conventional medical schools are increasingly exposed to CAM approaches, perhaps more MDs in the future will be receptive to greater integration with CAM. Should this occur, then it is also possible that geographic proximity may be a catalyst for deeper CAM-CM integration; as it has been for CAM–CAM relationships.
Pressure-robust analysis of divergence-free and conforming FEM for evolutionary incompressible Navier–Stokes flows
Authors: Schroeder Philipp W. , Lube Gert
Published: February 2017

This article focusses on the analysis of a conforming finite element method for the time-dependent incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. For divergence-free approximations, in a semi-discrete formulation, we prove error estimates for the velocity that hold independently of both pressure and Reynolds number. Here, a key aspect is the use of the discrete Stokes projection for the error splitting. Optionally, edge-stabilisation can be included in the case of dominant convection. Emphasising the importance of conservation properties, the theoretical results are complemented with numerical simulations of vortex dynamics and laminar boundary layer flows.
Fresh frozen plasma transfusion – a risk factor for pulmonary hemorrhage in extremely low birth weight infants?
Authors: Usemann Jakob , Garten Lars , Bührer Christoph , Dame Christof , Cremer Malte
Published: February 2017

Aim:

To evaluate risk factors for pulmonary hemorrhage (PH) in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBW) taking into consideration coagulation screens, platelet counts, transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and platelet concentrates prior to PH.

Patients and methods:

A retrospective case-control study consisting of 20 ELBW infants with PH and 40 matched controls. Coagulation screens, platelet counts at birth and at onset of PH, and transfusion frequencies prior to PH were compared to case-controls at birth and 24–96 h after birth.

Results:

While the initial platelet counts, fibrinogen concentrations, and international normalized ratios were similar in PH infants and controls, the activated partial prothrombin time was prolonged (P=0.05). Compared to 28% of case controls (P<0.05), 55% of infants with later PH received FFP prior to PH. Platelet counts were significantly lower at onset of PH (median 81/nL; range: 37–236/nL) compared to controls (166/nL; 27–460/nL; P<0.005). Multivariate analysis indicated a lack of antenatal steroids, supplemental oxygen, and transfusion of FFP as independent risk factors for PH.

Conclusion:

Prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) might be associated with PH. PH does not primarily depend upon severe thrombocytopenia. A developmental mismatch in hemostasis by transfusion of adult donor plasma should be considered a risk factor for PH.
DC conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of nonstoichiometric MgCuZn ferrites
Authors: Madhuri W. , Kiran S. Roopas , Reddy M. Penchal , Reddy N. Ramamanohar , Kumar K.V. Siva
Published: February 2017

Nonstoichiometric series of Mg0.5−xCuxZn0.5Fe1.9O4−δ where x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 and 0.25 has been synthesized by conventional solid state reaction route. The single phase spinel structure of the double sintered ferrites was confirmed by X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD). The ferrite series was studied in terms of DC electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power in the temperature ranging from room temperature to 300 °C and 400 °C, respectively. It was observed that DC electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient α decreased with the increase in x. DC electrical conductivity was found to decrease by about 4 orders. All the compositions showed a negative Seebeck coefficient exhibiting n-type semiconducting nature. From the above experimental results, activation energy and mobility of all the samples were estimated. Small polaron hopping conduction mechanism was suggested for the series of ferrites. Owing to their low conductivity the nonstoichiometric MgCuZn ferrites are the best materials for transformer core and high definition television deflection yokes.
Gardening for Therapeutic People-Plant Interactions during Long-Duration Space Missions
Authors: Odeh Raymond , Guy Charles L.
Published: February 2017

Plants provide people with vital resources necessary to sustain life. Nutrition, vitamins, calories, oxygen, fuel, and medicinal phytochemicals are just a few of the life-supporting plant products, but does our relationship with plants transcend these physical and biochemical products? This review synthesizes some of the extant literature on people-plant interactions, and relates key findings relevant to space exploration and the psychosocial and neurocognitive benefits of plants and nature in daily life. Here, a case is made in support of utilizing plant-mediated therapeutic benefits to mitigate potential psychosocial and neurocognitive decrements associated with long-duration space missions, especially for missions that seek to explore increasingly distant places where ground-based support is limited.
Agriculture for Space: People and Places Paving the Way
Authors: Wheeler Raymond M.
Published: February 2017

Agricultural systems for space have been discussed since the works of Tsiolkovsky in the early 20thcentury. Central to the concept is the use of photosynthetic organisms and light to generate oxygen and food. Research in the area started in 1950s and 60s through the works of Jack Myers and others, who studied algae for O2production and CO2removal for the US Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Studies on algal production and controlled environment agriculture were also carried out by Russian researchers in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia beginning in 1960s including tests with human crews whose air, water, and much of their food were provided by wheat and other crops. NASA initiated its Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS) Program ca. 1980 with testing focused on controlled environment production of wheat, soybean, potato, lettuce, and sweetpotato. Findings from these studies were then used to conduct tests in a 20 m2, atmospherically closed chamber located at Kennedy Space Center. Related tests with humans and crops were conducted at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in the 1990s. About this same time, Japanese researchers developed a Controlled Ecological Experiment Facility (CEEF) in Aomori Prefecture to conduct closed system studies with plants, humans, animals, and waste recycling systems. CEEF had 150 m2of plant growth area, which provided a near-complete diet along with air and water regeneration for two humans and two goats. The European Space Agency MELiSSA Project began in the late 1980s and pursued ecological approaches for providing gas, water and materials recycling for space life support, and later expanded to include plant testing. A Canadian research team at the University of Guelph developed a research facility ca. 1994 for space crop research. The Canadian team eventually developed sophisticated canopy-scale hypobaric plant production chambers ca. 2000 for testing crops for space, and have since expanded their testing for a wide range of controlled environment agriculture topics. Most recently, a group at Beihang University in Beijing designed, built and tested a closed life support facility (Lunar Palace 1), which included a 69-m2agricultural module for air, water, and food production for three humans. As a result of these studies for space agriculture, novel technologies and findings have been produced; this includes the first use of light emitting diodes for growing crops, one of the first demonstrations of vertical agriculture, use of hydroponic approaches for subterranean crops like potato and sweetpotato, crop yields that surpassed reported record field yields, the ability to quantify volatile organic compound production (e.g., ethylene) from whole crop stands, innovative approaches for controlling water delivery, approaches for processing and recycling wastes back to crop production systems, and more. The theme of agriculture for space has contributed to, and benefited from terrestrial, controlled environment agriculture and will continue to do so into the future.
Paremiography in Spain Since the End of the
19th Century: Problems, Methods and Results
Authors: Sevilla-Muñoz Julia
Published: February 2017

Paroemias, or brief and sententious statements, constitute a linguistic treasure trove which is
not always easy to compile. This is particularly so for paroemias of popular use, such as proverbs, due
to their complex nature (metaphorical meaning, frequent suppression of lexical elements, use of archaic
expressions and words, employment of rhetorical figures and so on). They are also expressions of popular
wisdom handed down through oral tradition from generation to generation within a largely rural culture.
Moreover, since many of these popular proverbs have fallen into disuse, they have become less understood,
and therefore, less used. Despite the problems posed by paroemiographical work, there exist many
collections dedicated to recording proverbs in popular use, in particular sayings, for their linguistic, didactic
and ethnolinguistic value. This paper addresses the paremiographical work on proverbs carried out in Spain
in order to take stock of the said work from the end of the 19th century to the present. Then it analyses the
paroemigraphical approaches used, the results obtained and their usefulness in paroemiological research.
Furthermore, the application of new technologies to paroemiography and the enhancements which they
have contributed, are also examined.
Experimental Investigation on Oil Enhancement Mechanism of Hot Water Injection in tight reservoirs
Authors: Yongmao Hao , Mingjing Lu , Chengshun Dong , Jianpeng Jia , Yuliang Su , Guanglong Sheng
Published: February 2017

Aimed at enhancing the oil recovery of tight reservoirs, the mechanism of hot water flooding was studied in this paper. Experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of hot water injection on oil properties, and the interaction between rock and fluid, petrophysical property of the reservoirs. Results show that with the injected water temperature increasing, the oil/water viscosity ratio falls slightly in a tight reservoir which has little effect on oil recovery. Further it shows that the volume factor of oil increases significantly which can increase the formation energy and thus raise the formation pressure. At the same time, oil/water interfacial tension decreases slightly which has a positive effect on production though the reduction is not obvious. Meanwhile, the irreducible water saturation and the residual oil saturation are both reduced, the common percolation area of two phases is widened and the general shape of the curve improves. The threshold pressure gradient that crude oil starts to flow also decreases. It relates the power function to the temperature, which means it will be easier for oil production and water injection. Further the pore characteristics of reservoir rocks improves which leads to better water displacement. Based on the experimental results and influence of temperature on different aspects of hot water injection, the flow velocity expression of two-phase of oil and water after hot water injection in tight reservoirs is obtained.
The calculation of the optical gap energy of ZnXO (X = Bi, Sn and Fe)
Authors: Benramache Said , Benhaoua Boubaker
Published: February 2017

In this paper, a new mathematical model has been developed to calculate the optical properties of nano materials a function of their size and structure. ZnO has good characterizatics in optical, electrical, and structural crystallisation; We will demonstrate that the direct optical gap energy of ZnO films grown by US and SP spray deposition can be calculated by investigating the correlation between solution molarity, doping levels of doped films and their Urbache energy. A simulation model has been developed to calculate the optical band gap energy of undoped and Bi, Sn and Fe doped ZnO thin films. The measurements by thus proposed models are in agreement with experimental data, with high correlation coefficients in the range 0.94-0.99. The maximum calculated enhancement of the optical gap energy of Sn doped ZnO thin films is always higher than the enhancement attainable with an Fe doped film, where the minimum error was found for Bi and Sn doped ZnO thin films to be 2,345 and 3,072%, respectively. The decrease in the relative errors from undoped to doped films can be explained by the good optical properties which can be observed in the fewer number of defects as well as less disorder.
Deterministic and stochastic stability of an SIRS epidemic model with a saturated incidence rate
Authors: N’zi Modeste , Tano Jacques
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we formulate an epidemic model for the spread of an infectious disease in a population of varying size. The total population is divided into three distinct epidemiological subclass of individuals (susceptible, infectious and recovered) and we study a deterministic and stochastic models with saturated incidence rate. The stochastic model is obtained by incorporating a random noise into the deterministic model. In the deterministic case, we briefly discuss the global asymptotic stability of the disease free equilibrium by using a Lyapunov function. For the stochastic version, we study the global existence and positivity of the solution. Under suitable conditions on the intensity of the white noise perturbation, we prove that there are a p-th moment exponential stability and almost sure exponential stability of the disease free equilibrium. Furthermore, sufficient conditions for the extinction of the disease are obtained and the asymptotic behavior around the endemic equilibrium is studied. Finally, we give some numerical simulations to illustrate our theoretical results.
Laboratory-Scale Model of Reinforced Alkali-Activated Agro-Waste for Clayey Soil Stabilization
Authors: Pourakbar S. , Huat B. B. K.
Published: February 2017

This study assessed the laboratory model investigation to evaluate the feasibility of using reinforced alkali-activated binder for the purpose of soil stabilization. This paper consisted of two stages. The first stage investigated the efficacy of incorporating alkali-activated binder in conjunction with reinforcement inclusion, which improves satisfactory mechanical properties in treated soil. As such, in the first stage, palm oil fuel ash (POFA) and wollastonite microfibers were incorporated in the form of precursor and dispersed discrete reinforcement, respectively. In this stage, the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) was used as a practical indicator to investigate strength development. In the second stage of this study, a model procedure of interaction between a strip footing model and stabilized clayey soil by column technique was examined. From the perspective of strength development, alkali-activated agro-waste showed, undoubtedly, a very effective method to enhance the peak strength of investigated soil. Besides, the inclusion of the reinforcement material in alkali-activated samples increased the peak stress and improved the post-peak behavior, namely by modifying the original brittle response of the stabilized soil into a more ductile one. Depending on the replacement area ratio, results of the second phase showed that a considerable bearing capacity increase of up to 197 % of treated columns could be achieved.
Estimation of Population Standard Deviation for Post-Crack Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Bernard E. S. , Xu G. G.
Published: February 2017

The post-crack performance of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) is widely reported to exhibit a high degree of variability. Several reasons exist to explain this problem, most notably the small area of crack surface involved in most beam tests. Of less widely recognized significance to variability is the relationship between the sample standard deviation and the population standard deviation for this material. Standard statistical theory can be used to estimate the relationship between the variance in a sample of observations and the variance in the population from which the observations are drawn, but this critically depends on the observations being drawn from a population displaying a normal distribution. Moreover, the observations must also exhibit covariant stationary characteristics. In this investigation, it is shown that neither of these assumptions are necessarily true for FRC specimens produced using standard mixing procedures. Instead, the distribution of post-crack performance parameters obtained from standard beam and panel-based tests exhibit inconsistent characteristics that possibly require an empirical approach to effective estimation of the population standard deviation.
Quantitative Description of Microstructural Banding in Steels
Authors: Kazakov Alexander , Kiselev Daniil , Kazakova Elena , Vander Voort George F. , Chigintsev Lev
Published: February 2017

Banding describes a segregation of structural constituents in rolled steel—more exactly, the degree to which these structural constituents separate into distinctly expressed layers that have been formed via stretching of micro-segregation areas along the deformation direction. Our experiments have shown that neither of the stereological structural parameters used in ASTM E1268 can adequately describe microstructural banding. As stated in paragraph 13.9 in the standard's text, “The verbal description of the nature of the banding or alignment is qualitative and somewhat subjective.” It is shown in this article that the banding rate (BR) as a ratio of the standard deviations of the fraction of features on the test lines that are parallel and perpendicular to the deformation direction, earlier described by S. A. Saltykov as a method of directed secants, adequately describes microstructural banding. This newly developed BR can be used to estimate a microstructure from random to oriented up to banded according to GOST 5640-68 banding grades. The banding grades are separated by critical values of banding rate; For example, BR < 1.3—no banding, BR [mt]1.9—one or two solid bands across the whole field of view and several broken bands, BR [mt]2.48—several solid bands intersecting the whole field of view, BR [mt]4 and BR [mt]5—uniform and nonuniform solid bands alternately intersecting the whole field of view. A technique of quantitative description of microstructural banding revealed by a method of directed secants on a panoramic image has been developed and realized as a Thixomet Image Analyzer plug-in. Estimation of banding will be demonstrated with examples of ferrite-pearlite and ferrite-bainite steel microstructures.