bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimización del modelado CAD para el análisis del patrimonio histórico molinar
Authors: Castro García Miguel , Rojas Sola José Ignacio , Carranza Cañadas Mª del Pilar
Published: February 2016

The use of CAD techniques (Computer-Aided Design) is a normal practice and is considered a mandatory task in the graphical recovery that involves any study of industrial archaeology: Therefore, it suggests the importance of a successful modelling CAD has in the different studies and analysis, for example, simulation of a physical process by Finite Element Method (FEM). In this sense, the communication is intended to analyze critical issues and meshing surfaces of the 3D model presented in the research work of graphic recovery of any example of heritage industrial, for example, the windmills of the Community of Andalusia (Spain).
Anastylosis virtual de la puerta occidental del Castellum de Tamuda (Tetuan, Marruecos)
Authors: Bermejo Meléndez Javier , Campos Carrasco Juan Manuel , Fernández Sutilo Lucía , Gómez Rodríguez Águeda , Bernal Casasola Darío , Ghottes Mustapha
Published: February 2016

In the following work the results obtained of the analysis expose paramental realized in the western door of Tamuda's castellum (Tetuán, Morocco), in the development of the campaign investigation(research) and putting in value corresponding to 2009. The above mentioned results have allowed to establish an diachronic analysis on the evolution of this door of the Roman camp, in which they could have established different constructive phases from the first foundations moments up to the last moment of use. It has allowed, thanks to the information obtained so much by means of stratigraphic polls as of the study archeoarchitectura of the paraments, the virtual reconstruction of the set along his(her,your) different phases, offering a visual trustworthy enough image.
Metodología y criterios para la reconstrucción virtual del Patrimonio Arquitectónico romano.
Authors: Vico López Lola
Published: February 2016

This paper discusses virtual reconstructions of roman architectures from a constructive and technical point of view, and presents the results of a study about the contribution of architectural construction applied to virtual "restoration", that allowed reconstructive hypothesis realization using computer graphics for virtual reconstruction of the Villa of Livia. One of the key features regarding the methodology developed is the reliance on knowledge about ancient building techniques to underpin reconstruction hypotheses: as when designing a building, the preparation of a virtual model relies on architectural and engineering criteria, such as structural stability, functionality and correct use of building materials. In this regard, the virtual reconstruction of Roman buildings is eased by the existence of strong codes and principles that have ruled design and on which reconstruction hypotheses can be based. The paper introduces how the methodology is perfectly transparent and repeatable, guarantying a sound and objective final product.
What do correlations tell us about anthropogenic–biogenic interactions and SOA formation in the Sacramento plume during CARES?
Authors: Kleinman L. , Kuang C. , Sedlacek A. , Senum G. , Springston S. , Wang J. , Zhang Q. , Jayne J. , Fast J. , Hubbe J. , Shilling J. , Zaveri R.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. During the Carbonaceous Aerosols and Radiative Effects Study (CARES) the US Department of Energy (DOE) G-1 aircraft was used to sample aerosol and gas phase compounds in the Sacramento, CA, plume and surrounding region. We present data from 66 plume transects obtained during 13 flights in which southwesterly winds transported the plume towards the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Plume transport occurred partly over land with high isoprene emission rates. Our objective is to empirically determine whether organic aerosol (OA) can be attributed to anthropogenic or biogenic sources, and to determine whether there is a synergistic effect whereby OA concentrations are enhanced by the simultaneous presence of high concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and either isoprene, MVK + MACR (sum of methyl vinyl ketone and methacrolein), or methanol, which are taken as tracers of anthropogenic and biogenic emissions, respectively. Linear and bilinear correlations between OA, CO, and each of three biogenic tracers, “Bio”, for individual plume transects indicate that most of the variance in OA over short timescales and distance scales can be explained by CO. For each transect and species a plume perturbation, (i.e., ΔOA, defined as the difference between 90th and 10th percentiles) was defined and regressions done amongst Δ values in order to probe day-to-day and location-dependent variability. Species that predicted the largest fraction of the variance in ΔOA were ΔO3 and ΔCO. Background OA was highly correlated with background methanol and poorly correlated with other tracers. Because background OA was  ∼  60 % of peak OA in the urban plume, peak OA should be primarily biogenic and therefore non-fossil, even though the day-to-day and spatial variability of plume OA is best described by an anthropogenic tracer, CO. Transects were split into subsets according to the percentile rankings of ΔCO and ΔBio, similar to an approach used by Setyan et al. (2012) and Shilling et al. (2013) to determine if anthropogenic–biogenic (A–B) interactions enhance OA production. As found earlier, ΔOA in the data subset having high ΔCO and high ΔBio was several-fold greater than in other subsets. Part of this difference is consistent with a synergistic interaction between anthropogenic and biogenic precursors and part to an independent linear dependence of ΔOA on precursors. The highest values of ΔO3, along with high temperatures, clear skies, and poor ventilation, also occurred in the high ΔCO–high ΔBio data set. A complicated mix of A–B interactions can result. After taking into account linear effects as predicted from low concentration data, an A–B enhancement of OA by a factor of 1.2 to 1.5 is estimated.
A dual-inlet, single detector relaxed eddy accumulation system for long-term measurement of mercury flux
Authors: Osterwalder S. , Fritsche J. , Alewell C. , Schmutz M. , Nilsson M. B. , Jocher G. , Sommar J. , Rinne J. , Bishop K.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The fate of anthropogenic emissions of mercury (Hg) to the atmosphere is influenced by the exchange of elemental Hg with the earth surface. This exchange holds the key to a better understanding of Hg cycling from local to global scales, which has been difficult to quantify. To advance research about land–atmosphere Hg interactions, we developed a dual-inlet, single detector relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) system. REA is an established technique for measuring turbulent fluxes of trace gases and aerosol particles in the atmospheric surface layer. Accurate determination of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) fluxes has proven difficult due to technical challenges presented by extremely small concentration differences (typically < 0.5 ng m−3) between updrafts and downdrafts. We present an advanced REA design that uses two inlets and two pairs of gold cartridges for continuous monitoring of GEM fluxes. This setup reduces the major uncertainty created by the sequential sampling in many previous designs. Additionally, the instrument is equipped with a GEM reference gas generator that monitors drift and recovery rates. These innovations facilitate continuous, autonomous measurement of GEM flux. To demonstrate the system performance, we present results from field campaigns in two contrasting environments: an urban setting with a heterogeneous fetch and a boreal peatland during snowmelt. The observed average emission rates were 15 and 3 ng m−2 h−1, respectively. We believe that this dual-inlet, single detector approach is a significant improvement of the REA system for ultra-trace gases and can help to advance our understanding of long-term land–atmosphere GEM exchange.
Carbon budgets for an irrigated intensively-grazed dairy pasture and an unirrigated winter-grazed pasture
Authors: Hunt John E. , Laubach Johannes , Barthel Matti , Fraser Anitra , Phillips Rebecca L.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Intensification of pastoral agriculture is occurring rapidly across New Zealand, including increasing use of irrigation and fertiliser application in some regions. While this enables greater gross primary production (GPP) and livestock grazing intensity, the consequences for the net ecosystem carbon budget (NECB) of the pastures are poorly known. Here, we determined the NECB over one year for an irrigated, fertilised, and rotationally-grazed dairy pasture and a neighbouring unirrigated, unfertilised, winter-grazed pasture. Primary terms in the NECB calculation were: net ecosystem production (NEP), biomass-carbon removed by grazing cows, and carbon (C) input from their excreta. Annual NEP was measured using the eddy-covariance method. Carbon removal was estimated with plate-meter measurements calibrated against biomass collections, pre- and post-grazing. Excreta deposition was calculated from animal feed intake. The intensively-managed pasture gained C (NECB = 103 ±42 g C m−2 yr−1) but would have been subject to a non-significant C loss if cattle excreta had not been returned to the pasture. The unirrigated pasture was C-neutral (NECB = −13 ±23 g C m−2 yr−1). While annual GPP of the former was almost twice that of the latter (2679 vs. 1372 g C m−2 yr−1), ecosystem respiration differed by only 68 % between the two pastures (2271 vs. 1352 g C m−2 yr−1). The irrigated pasture used the total annual water input 37 % more efficiently than the unirrigated pasture to produce biomass. The NECB results agree qualitatively with those from many other eddy-covariance studies of grazed grasslands, but they seem to be at odds with long-term carbon-stock studies of other New Zealand pastures.
7300 years of vegetation history and climate for NW Malta: a Holocene perspective
Authors: Gambin B. , Andrieu-Ponel V. , Médail F. , Marriner N. , Peyron O. , Montade V. , Gambin T. , Morhange C. , Belkacem D. , Djamali M.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. This paper investigates the Holocene vegetation dynamics for Burmarrad in Northwest Malta and provides a pollen-based quantitative palaeoclimatic reconstruction for this centrally located Mediterranean archipelago. The pollen record from this site provides new insight into the vegetation changes from 7280 to 1730 cal BP which correspond well with other regional records. The climate reconstruction for the area also provides strong correlation with southern (below 40° N) Mediterranean sites. Our interpretation suggests an initially open landscape during the early Neolithic, surrounding a large palaeobay, developing into a dense Pistacia scrubland ca. 6700 cal BP. From about 4450 cal BP the landscape once again becomes open, coinciding with the start of the Bronze Age on the archipelago. This period is concurrent with increased climatic instability (between 4500 and 3700 cal BP) which is followed by a gradual decrease in summer moisture availability in the late Holocene. During the early Roman occupation period (1972–1730 cal BP) the landscape remains generally open with a moderate increase in Olea. This increase corresponds to archaeological evidence for olive oil production in the area, along with increases in cultivated crop taxa and associated ruderal species, as well as a rise in fire events. The Maltese archipelago provides important insight into vegetation, human impacts, and climatic changes in an island context during the Holocene.
Comparison of simulated and reconstructed variations in East African hydroclimate over the last millennium
Authors: Klein François , Goosse Hugues , Graham Nicholas E. , Verschuren Dirk
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The multi-decadal to centennial hydroclimate changes in East Africa over the last millennium are studied by comparing the results of forced transient simulations by six General Circulation Models (GCMs) with published hydroclimate reconstructions from four lakes: Challa and Naivasha in equatorial East Africa, and Masoko and Malawi in southeastern inter-tropical Africa. The GCMs simulate fairly well the unimodal seasonal cycle of precipitation in the Masoko/Malawi region and the bimodal seasonal cycle characterizing the Challa/Naivasha region, except that in the latter the relative magnitude of the two rainy seasons is less well captured. Model results and lake-based hydroclimate reconstructions display very different temporal patterns over the last millennium. Additionally, there is no common signal among the model time series, at least until 1850. This suggests that simulated hydroclimate fluctuations are mostly driven by internal variability rather than by common external forcing. After that, half of the models used simulate a relatively clear response to forcing, but this response is different between the models. Overall, the link between precipitation and tropical sea surface temperatures (SSTs) over the pre-industrial portion of the last millennium is stronger and more robust for the Challa/Naivasha region than for the Masoko/Malawi region. At the inter-annual time scale, last-millennium Challa/Naivasha precipitation is positively (negatively) correlated with western (eastern) Indian Ocean SST, while the influence of the Pacific Ocean appears weak and unclear. Although most often not significant, the same pattern of correlations between the East African rainfall and the Indian Ocean SST is still visible when using the last-millennium time series smoothed to highlight centennial variability, but only in fixed-forcing simulations. This means that, at the centennial time scale, the effect of (natural) climate forcing can overwhelm internal climate variability in large-scale tele-connections.
Solar forced diurnal regulation of cave drip rates via phreatophyte evapotranspiration
Authors: Coleborn Katie , Rau Gabriel C. , Cuthbert Mark O. , Baker Andy , Navarre Owen
Published: February 2016

Abstract. We present results of a detailed study of drip rate variations at 12 drip discharge sites in Glory Hole Cave, New South Wales, Australia. Our novel time series analysis, using the synchrosqueeze transform, reveals pronounced oscillations at daily and sub-daily frequencies occurring in 8 out of the 12 monitored sites. These oscillations were not spatially or temporally homogenous, with different drip sites exhibiting such behaviour at different times of year in different parts of the cave. We test several hypotheses for the cause of the oscillations including variations in pressure gradients between karst and cave due to cave breathing effects or atmospheric and earth tides, variations in hydraulic conductivity due to changes in viscosity of water with daily temperature oscillations, and solar driven daily cycles of vegetative (phreatophytic) transpiration. We conclude that the only hypothesis consistent with the data and hydrologic theory is that daily oscillations are caused by solar driven pumping by phreatophytic trees which are abundant at the site. The daily oscillations are not continuous and occur sporadically in short bursts (2–14 days) throughout the year due to non-linear modification of the solar signal via complex karst architecture. This is the first observation of tree water use in cave drip water and has important implications for karst hydrology in regards to developing a new protocol to determine the relative importance of trends in drip rate at different timescales and to infer karst architecture. Our findings support a growing body of research exploring the impact of trees on speleothem paleoclimate proxies.
Evaluating Hydrological Model Performance using Information Theory-based Metrics
Authors: Pachepsky Yakov A. , Martinez Gonzalo , Pan Feng , Wagener Thorsten , Nicholson Thomas
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The accuracy-based model performance metrics not necessarily reflect the qualitative correspondence between simulated and measured streamflow time series. The objective of this work was to use the information theory-based metrics to see whether they can be used as complementary tool for hydrologic model evaluation and selection. We simulated 10-year streamflow time series in five watersheds located in Texas, North Carolina, Mississippi, and West Virginia. Eight model of different complexity were applied. The information theory based metrics were obtained after representing the time series as strings of symbols where different symbols corresponded to different quantiles of the probability distribution of streamflow. The symbol alphabet was used. Three metrics were computed for those strings – mean information gain that measures the randomness of the signal, effective measure complexity that characterizes predictability and fluctuation complexity that characterizes the presence of a pattern in the signal. The observed streamflow time series has smaller information content and larger complexity metrics than the precipitation time series. Watersheds served as information filters and and streamflow time series were less random and more complex than the ones of precipitation. This is reflected by the fact that the watershed acts as the information filter in the hydrologic conversion process from precipitation to streamflow. The Nash Sutcliffe efficiency metric increased as the complexity of models increased, but in many cases several model had this efficiency values not statistically significant from each other. In such cases, ranking models by the closeness of the information theory based parameters in simulated and measured streamflow time series can provide an additional criterion for the evaluation of hydrologic model performance.
Numerical simulation of mantle convection using a temperature dependent nonlinear viscoelastic model
Authors: Norouzi M. , Sheibi M. , Mahmoodi M.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. In the present article, the mantle convection is simulated numerically using a temperature dependent non-linear viscoelastic model for the first time. The numerical domain of problem is con sidered as a 4000 km*2000 km rectangular box and the CFD simulation is performed using finite volume method. Unlike the previous works which had been investigated the mantle convection using the linear viscoelastic models or simple nonlinear inelastic viscous equations (such as power law or cross equations), it is solved via the nonlinear Giesekus constitutive equation. Because of large-scale creeping flow in geometry and time, it is shown that the results of Giesekus equation are more reliable for this problem. The main innovative aspects of current study is investigation of temperature dependency of rheological properties of mantle including viscosity, normal stress differences and relaxation time using appropriate equations of state. The variation of gravitational acceleration with depth of Earth and the effect of the work of stress field (viscous dissipation) on mantle convection are also simulated for the first time.
Tėvų informuotumas apie rotavirusinę infekciją
Authors: Morač Natalja , Žuravliova Tatjana , Žiliukas Geriuldas , Martinkėnas Arvydas
Published: February 2016

Tyrimo tikslas - išanalizuoti tėvų informuotumą apie rotavirusinę infekciją. Rotavirusinė infekcija (RVI) paplitusi visame pasaulyje ir yra dažniausia viduriavimo priežastis. RVI yra aktuali visuomenės sveikatos problema dėl didelio mažamečių vaikų sergamumo. Todėl siekiant veiksmingos RVI profilaktikos būtina suteikti informaciją tėvams. Atliktas tyrimas, naudotas anketinės apklausos metodas. Tyrime dalyvavo tėvai (102 tėvai), auginantys 3-5 metų vaikus, kurie sirgo RVI ir gydėsi x ligoninėje, gastroenterologijos skyriuje. Atlikus tyrimą nustatyta, kad tėvai nėra pakankamai informuoti apie RVI: daugiau nei trečdalis (36,7 proc.) tėvų turi klaidingas žinias arba nežino apie RVI plitimo būdus. Daugumos (65 proc.) tėvų nuomone, pagrindinis rizikos faktorius, kuris lemia susirgimą RVI, yra bendravimas su sergančiais vaikais ir trečdalis (30 proc.) tėvų teigia, kad asmens, rankų higienos nesilaikymas sukelia susirgimą RVI. 60 proc. tėvų mano, kad vieną kartą persirgus RVI nėra įgyjamas atsparumas. Tėvams trūksta žinių apie skiepų nuo RVI: tik 20 proc. tėvų įsitikinę, kad norint išvengti ligos ir jos komplikacijų veiksmingiausia priemonė yra skiepai, ir tik trečdalis tėvų mano, kad vaikus skiepyti nuo RVI būtina. Tyrimo duomenų pagrindu galima teigti, kad tėvai kvalifikuotos ir reikalingos informacijos iš sveikatos priežiūros specialistų gauna nepakankamai. Iškilus neaiškumams dėl vaikų higienos, tėvai nėra linkę kreiptis patarimų į slaugytoją, o pagrindinis šaltinis, iš kurio tėvai sužino apie RVI, yra žiniasklaida ir internetas. Tėvų informuotumas apie rotavirusinę infekciją nepakankamas: 3,7 proc. tėvų nežino arba klaidingai žino apie rotavirusinę infekciją, jos užsikrėtimo ir paplitimo kelius, 60 proc. – apie įgyjamą imunitetą žino nepakankamai, ir 30 proc. – apie higienos svarbą. Tėvai vertina skiepijimą nuo rotavirusinės infekcijos, bet 28,3 proc. tėvų įsitikinę, kad skiepai yra veiksmingi, tačiau kita dalis tėvų nevertina skiepų arba nežino apie tai – 31,7 proc. Tėvai teigiamai vertina švietimo ir informacijos priemones, taip pat slaugytojų ar gydytojų pastangas suteikiant informaciją apie rotavirusinę infekciją ir higienos įgūdžius. Tai pažymi 80 proc. tėvų.
Mokinių sporto traumos kūno kultūros pamokose ir jų prevencija
Authors: Strukčinskienė Birutė , Strazdienė Neringa , Norkienė Sigutė , Strukčinskaitė Vaiva
Published: February 2016

Sportas ir fizinis aktyvumas yra svarbūs veiksniai vaikų sveikatai ir gerovei. Tačiau sportuojant gali būti patiriamos traumos. Jų galima išvengti taikant sporto traumų profilaktikos priemones. Tyrimo tikslas buvo ištirti 3-4 gimnazijos klasių mokinių kūno kultūros pamokose patirtų sporto traumų ypatumus ir numatyti tokių traumų prevencijos būdus. Tyrimo metu atlikta apklausa raštu. Tirti 596 Vakarų Lietuvos 8 gimnazijų trečių ir ketvirtų klasių mokiniai. Tyrimas atkleidė, jog apie trečdalis mokinių buvo patyrę traumą(-as) kūno kultūros pamokų metu, daugiausia - 6-8 klasėse. Traumas dažniau patiria vaikinai nei merginos: vaikinai - žaizdami krepšinį, futbolą, merginos - tinklinio metu ir užsiimdamos kita sportine veikla. Dauguma mokinių patyrė labai lengvas ir lengvas traumas ir 16,3 proc. - vidutinio sunkumo traumas. Dauguma mokinių teigė, jog kūno kultūros mokytojas(-a) jiems aiškino apie saugų elgesį pamokos metu, supažindino juos su judesių atlikimo technika, demonstravo teisingą ir saugų jų atlikimą. Daugiau rajono/kaimo nei miesto mokinių pažymėjo, kad mokytojas kūno kultūros pamokų metu mokinių nepaliko be priežiūros. Ne visi mokytojai suteikė žinių ar pakankamai diskutavo su mokiniais apie sporto traumas. Be to, ne visada sporto įrenginiai yra pakankamai saugūs, mažai mokinių sportuodami dėvi apsaugas. Sporto traumų prevencijai ir saugos stiprinimui mokykloje būtina skirti pakankamai dėmesio.
Reabilitacijos metodai esant veidinio nervo neuropatijai
Authors: Martinkaitytė Paula , Griškevičiūtė Radvilė , Vieversytė Monika , Varžaitytė Lina , Savickas Raimondas
Published: February 2016

Asmenys, kenčiantys nuo veidinio nervo neuropatijos, dažniausiai skundžiasi veido raumenų tonuso sumažėjimu, nesugebėjimu užmerkti akies, išnykusia nasolabialine raukšle, burnos kampo svirimu. Tai daro žalą ne tik fizinei, bet ir psichosocialinei žmogaus gerovei, todėl labai svarbu užtikrinti tinkamą, efektyvų gydymą ir atgauti prarastas funkcijas. Literatūroje pateikiami įvairūs reabilitacijos metodai ir strategijos, aprašomas jų veiksmingumas, įrodantis reabilitacijos svarbą atgaunant veidinio nervo funkciją. Reabilitacijos metu dažniausiai naudojamas funkcinių pratimų ir masažo derinys, tačiau pastebėtas ir kitų priemonių, tokių kaip botulino toksino injekcijos, teipavimo, elektrostimuliacijos ir akupunktūros veiksmingumas, siekiant paskatinti veidinio nervo regeneraciją. Teigiamas terapinis efektas po reabilitacijos stebimas ne iš karto - tai gali užtrukti nuo kelių savaičių iki kelerių metų, gautas rezultatas pagerina savijautą ir gyvenimo kokybę. Straipsnyje aptariami efektyviausi, moksliniais tyrimais pagrįsti reabilitacijos metodai, taikomi esant veidinio nervo neuropatijai ir su ja susijusiom pasekmėm.
Competition, market structure and market power within the hotel-supplier sector in Antalya, Turkey
Authors: Göçen Sedat , Albeni Mesut , Yirik Şevket , Yildiz Hakan , Akdere Mesut
Published: February 2016

Today’s competitive business environment forces companies of all sorts to strive for a larger market share. Globalization has played a major role in accelerating this trend. This article explores the market structures that apply to hotel suppliers in Antalya, the leading international beachside resort on Turkey’s south-coast region. Focusing on market competitiveness, this article examines eight major product subcategories that are offered by 206 suppliers to 21 hotels across the region. The study examines the market structure of hotel suppliers, the categories of major supplier and the background of supplier firms and the intensity of competitiveness among suppliers within each category in the south coastal region. The study findings report on the competitive advantage of suppliers for each production category and the link between presence in the market and market share. Recommendations on market intensity and the implications for mergers and acquisitions are further discussed.
The effects of modified ultrafiltration on clinical outcomes of adult and pediatric cardiac surgery
Authors: Thapmongkol Siraphop , Masaratana Patarabutr , Subtaweesin Thaworn , Sayasathid Jarun , Thatsakorn Kanthachat , Namchaisiri Jule
Published: February 2016

Background

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can contribute to the development of an inflammatory response and postsurgical morbidity. Conventional ultrafiltration and modified ultrafiltration (MUF) can mitigate the adverse effects of CPB by removing free water and inflammatory mediators, at least in part.

Objectives

To evaluate evidence for the effects of MUF on clinical outcomes of cardiac surgery in pediatric and adult patients.

Methods

A literature review of MEDLINE-indexed articles published between 1990 and June 2014 was conducted on PubMed. A search on the CTS.net website and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was also performed with relevant keywords. The search was limited to English language articles and human studies.

Results

Our primary search identified 84 potential articles, of which 55 articles were relevant to conventional ultrafiltration, modified ultrafiltration, ultrafiltration, cardiopulmonary bypass, extracorporeal circulation, pediatric and adult cardiac surgery. There were 3 meta-analyses, 7 review literatures, 21 randomized controlled trials. The remainder consisted of 18 controlled and 6 observational studies. MUF has been beneficial effects on postoperative bleeding, chest drainage, transfusion requirement, and improvement cardiac function, but effects in adult cardiac surgery inconclusive because data was relatively limited.

Conclusions

MUF may improve post-CPB hemodynamic activity and cardiac function in pediatric cardiac surgery. By contrast, the clinical trials in adults are limited mostly by small sample sizes that preclude an adequately powered assessment of clinically relevant outcomes. The available data are conflicting and several studies show no differential outcomes. Further studies are required to identify patients who will most likely benefit from ultrafiltration and to establish standard protocols.
Comparing goniometric and radiographic measurement of Q angle of the knee
Authors: Chevidikunnan Mohamed Faisal , Al Saif Amer , Pai K Harish , Mathias Lawrence
Published: February 2016

Background

The Q angle is a relevant clinical diagnostic measurement to detect various disorders of the knee. The common method used to measure the Q angle in the routine clinical practice is by radiography. An alternative to radiographic measurement is goniometry, by which exposure to x-rays can be avoided.

Objectives

To compare and correlate the goniometric measurement of Q angle with radiographic measurement of the Q angle in patients with acute knee pain.

Methods

We selected 45 patient participants with a mean age of 32.5 years who satisfied the inclusion criteria for this study. All the patients underwent goniometric measurement of the Q angle followed by x-ray imaging of the entire lower limb. Later the bony prominences were marked on the x-ray image and the Q angle formed was measured using a protractor. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the goniometric and radiographic measurements was determined.

Results

We found a significant relationship between Q angles obtained using a goniometer and x-ray imaging in the supine position (r = 0.91, P = 0.001). The mean difference between the goniometric measurement of Q angle and the radiographic measurement was 0.1°, which is not significant.

Conclusions

Goniometry can be used to measure Q angle as accurately as radiography, and can be used as an inexpensive and radiation free alternative.
Prevalence and risk factors for inappropriate birth weight for gestational age
Authors: Boriboonhirunsarn Dittakarn
Published: February 2016

Background

Infants with an inappropriate birth weight for their gestational age are more likely to develop complications during pregnancy and postpartum, and have increased long-term health risks.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence and risk factors for infants with inappropriate birth weight for their gestational age.

Methods

We enrolled 820 women with uncomplicated, singleton pregnancies who gave birth to a live born infant at term. Prepregnancy baseline and obstetric information were extracted from medical records, including body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, and infant birth weight. Prevalence of small-for-gestational age (SGA) and large-for-gestational age (LGA) infants was determined. We compared variables between groups to identify associated factors.

Results

Prevalence of SGA was 2.6% and LGA was 10.5%. Prepregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain were significantly higher in the LGA than in the SGA group (P = 0.041 and < 0.001, respectively). The birth weight and gestational weight gain, but not the prepregnancy BMI, were significantly different (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis determined that inadequate gestational weight gain significantly increased the risk of SGA (adjusted OR 3.20, 95%CI 1.06 to 9.64, P = 0.039), and significantly reduced the risk of LGA (adjusted OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.91, P = 0.028). Excessive gestational weight gain significantly increased the risk of LGA (adjusted OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.21 to 3.30, P = 0.006). There was no significant association with prepregnancy BMI.

Conclusions

Controlling gestational weight gain may improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Investigation of the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis in infertile Turkish women
Authors: Kaya Özlem Aycan , Silfeler Dilek Benk , Kurt Raziye Keskin , Gözükarad Ilay , Yengil Erhan , Bayramoǧlu Neslihan
Published: February 2016

Background

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted vaginal infection caused by a protozoan called Trichomonas vaginalis. Its prevalence ranges between 3–40% among randomly tested women.

Objectives

To investigate the presence of T. vaginalis in infertile women presenting to a Turkish gynecology outpatient clinic using parasitological methods.

Methods

The study population comprised 51 patient participants who attended the gynecology clinic of Mustafa Kemal University Hospital between March and August 2013. The women were divided into those presenting with infertility (n = 22) and a patient control group (n = 29). Women in the control group had complaints other than infertility. Microscopic examination, Giemsa staining, and cysteine-peptone-liver-maltose culture were performed on samples taken from posterior fornix tested for T. vaginalis.

Results

T. vaginalis was observed in 18% (n = 4) of infertile patients and in none of the control group (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Asymptomatic infertile women should be examined for T. vaginalis infection, which may play a role as a cause or contributing factor in infertility.
Incidencia del crédito de FUNDEMUJER en el desarrollo económico de MIPYMES en Estelí
Authors: Rocha Galeano Karen Alicia , Valdivia Acuña Cristhiam Belén , Zeledón Lanuza Francis Elieth
Published: February 2016

El presente trabajo determina la incidencia del crédito facilitado a mujeres, para el desarrollo económico de Micro, Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas en la ciudad de Estelí en el año 2013. El desarrollo de este estudio se hizo tomando en cuenta el enfoque cuantitativo. El universo de estudio fue de 434 mujeres empresarias que trabajan con crédito otorgados por la fundación con un tipo de muestreo probabilístico aleatorio simple, los instrumentos utilizados en el estudio fueron la encuesta y entrevista semi estructurada. Una limitante para el desarrollo económico de las empresarias es la falta de empleo existente en el país, esto hace que las mujeres recurran a solicitar créditos en entidades financieras, para poder crear sus negocios o mejorarlos.Es fundamental que FUNDEMUJER realice capacitaciones sobre la importancia de establecer un sistema de registro contable en los negocios para conocer las utilidades que éste presenta y la importancia de invertir en publicidad para dar a conocer lo que se oferta, también promover el ahorro en las empresarias de tal forma que tengan un soporte para utilizarlo para algún imprevisto o bien para la inversión del negocio, y motivar a las empresarias a tener una visión positiva para el éxito del negocio.
The Presence of a Revolution Load and Its Rotational Speed of Half the Speed of the Journal Are Necessary Conditions for the Half-Frequency Whirl of Radial Bearings
Authors: Li Jingyuan , Li Zifeng
Published: February 2016

In the radial sliding bearing lubrication theory, the half-frequency whirl phenomena are commonly introduced. However, the correlation of the half-frequency whirl theory with the measured resonance phenomenon is low. This paper studies the establishment of the half-frequency whirl theory, and finds that while researchers are aware of the half-frequency whirl, they disregard the necessary conditions of its occurrence. If there is no revolution load, then the half-frequency whirl does not comply with the principle of minimum potential energy. If it does not conform to the principle of minimum energy dissipation, then the half-frequency whirl does not exist. Only when the revolution load exists and its speed is half the speed of the journal will the half frequency whirl occur. Engineering oil whip results from the vibration of the rotating system. A precise radial sliding bearing lubrication theory should use cylindrical coordinates, consider the compressibility of the liquid, and consider the surface shear stress in the journal bearing capacity calculations.
Applying Sight Translation as a Means to Enhance Reading Ability of Iranian EFL Students
Authors: Fatollahi Moslem
Published: February 2016

Sight translation is the oral translation of a written text and is a mixture of translation and interpreting. Sight translation is a widely-used activity in translation training programs. Yet, this mode of translation has rarely been applied as a reading instruction technique in Iranian EFL instruction context in spite of the growing interest in using sight translation in language teaching and learning. This study aims at investigating the effect of sight translation on the reading comprehension ability of Iranian undergraduate EFL students. This is a quasi-experimental study involving treatment. To this end, four reading comprehension classes involving 70 learners were divided into two groups, with the experimental one receiving reading instruction with sight translation exercises and the control group receiving reading instruction without sight translation exercises. The posttest results revealed that the experimental group performing sight translation exercises in classroom outperformed the control group who had not engaged in sight translation. This study has implications for ELT instructors and learners in an Iranian context as they can use sight translation exercises as an effective technique for improving the reading comprehension ability of their learners.
Explaining the Informal Economy: an Exploratory Evaluation of Competing Perspectives
Authors: Williams Colin C.
Published: February 2016

The aim of this paper is to conduct an exploratory analysis of the wider economic and social conditions associated with larger informal economies. To do this, three competing perspectives are evaluated critically which variously assert that cross-national variations in the size of the informal economy are associated with: under-development (modernization perspective); high taxes, corruption and state interference (neo-liberal perspective), or inadequate state intervention to protect workers (political economy perspective). Analyzing the variable size of the informal economy across 33 developed and transition economies, namely 28 European countries and five other OECD nations (Australia, Canada, Japan, New zealand and the USA), the finding is that larger informal economies are associated with under-development as measured by lower levels of GNI per capita, employment participation rates, average wages and the institutional strength and quality of the bureaucracy, higher levels of perceived public sector corruption, lower levels of expenditure on social protection and labour market intervention to protect vulnerable groups, but also restrictions on the use of temporary employment contracts and TWAs. The outcome is a tentative call to combine a range of tenets from all three perspectives in a new more nuanced and finer-grained understanding of how the cross-national variations in the size of the informal economy are associated with broader economic and social conditions. The paper concludes by discussing the implications for theory and policy, including the need for further analysis of the different impacts on the size of the informal economy of a wider range of indicators of modernization, corruption, taxation and types of state intervention.
Closer to 90–90–90. The cascade of care after 10 years of ART scale‐up in rural Malawi: a population study
Authors: Maman David , Chilima Benson , Masiku Charles , Ayouba Ahidjo , Masson Sophie , Szumilin Elisabeth , Peeters Martine , Ford Nathan , Heinzelmann Annette , Riche Benjamin , Etard Jean‐François
Published: February 2016

Introduction

The antiretroviral therapy (ART) programme supported by Médecins Sans Frontières in the rural Malawian district of Chiradzulu was one of the first in sub‐Saharan Africa to scale up ART delivery in 2002. After more than a decade of continuous involvement, we conducted a population survey to evaluate the cascade of care, including population viral load, in the district.

Methods

A cross‐sectional household‐based survey was conducted between February and May 2013. Using a multistage cluster sampling method, we recruited all individuals aged 15 to 59 years living in 4125 randomly selected households. Each consenting individual was interviewed and tested for HIV at home. All participants who tested positive had their CD4 count and viral load measured. The LAg‐Avidity assay was used to distinguish recent from long‐term infections. Viral suppression was defined as a viral load below 1000 copies/mL.

Results

Of 8271 individuals eligible for the study, 7269 agreed to participate and were tested for HIV (94.1% inclusion for women and 80.3% for men). Overall HIV prevalence and incidence were 17.0% (95% CI 16.1 to 17.9) and 0.39 new cases per 100 person‐years (95% CI 0.0 to 0.77), respectively. Coverage at the other steps along the HIV care cascade was as follows: 76.7% (95% CI 74.4 to 79.1) had been previously diagnosed, 71.2% (95% CI 68.6 to 73.6) were under care and 65.8% (95% CI 62.8 to 68.2) were receiving ART. Finally, the proportion of participants who were HIV positive with a viral load ≤1000 copies/mL reached 61.8% (95% CI 59.0 to 64.5).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that a high level of population viral suppression and low incidence can be achieved in high HIV prevalence and resource‐limited settings.
Involvement of the Acyl-CoA binding domain containing 7 in the control of food intake and energy expenditure in mice
Authors: Lanfray Damien , Caron Alexandre , Roy Marie-Claude , Laplante Mathieu , Morin Fabrice , Leprince Jérôme , Tonon Marie-Christine , Richard Denis
Published: February 2016

Acyl-CoA binding domain-containing 7 (Acbd7) is a paralog gene of the diazepam-binding inhibitor/Acyl-CoA binding protein in which single nucleotide polymorphism has recently been associated with obesity in humans. In this report, we provide converging evidence indicating that a splice variant isoform of the Acbd7 mRNA is expressed and translated by some POMC and GABAergic-neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC). We have demonstrated that the ARC ACBD7 isoform was produced and processed into a bioactive peptide referred to as nonadecaneuropeptide (NDN) in response to catabolic signals. We have characterized NDN as a potent anorexigenic signal acting through an uncharacterized endozepine G protein-coupled receptor and subsequently via the melanocortin system. Our results suggest that ACBD7-producing neurons participate in the hypothalamic leptin signalling pathway. Taken together, these data suggest that ACBD7-producing neurons are involved in the hypothalamic control exerted on food intake and energy expenditure by the leptin-melanocortin pathway.
Neuronal processing of noxious thermal stimuli mediated by dendritic Ca2+ influx in Drosophila somatosensory neurons
Authors: Terada Shin-Ichiro , Matsubara Daisuke , Onodera Koun , Matsuzaki Masanori , Uemura Tadashi , Usui Tadao
Published: February 2016

Adequate responses to noxious stimuli causing tissue damages are essential for organismal survival. Class IV neurons in Drosophila larvae are polymodal nociceptors responsible for thermal, mechanical, and light sensation. Importantly, activation of Class IV provoked distinct avoidance behaviors, depending on the inputs. We found that noxious thermal stimuli, but not blue light stimulation, caused a unique pattern of Class IV, which were composed of pauses after high-frequency spike trains and a large Ca2+ rise in the dendrite (the Ca2+ transient). Both these responses depended on two TRPA channels and the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel (L-VGCC), showing that the thermosensation provokes Ca2+ influx. The precipitous fluctuation of firing rate in Class IV neurons enhanced the robust heat avoidance. We hypothesize that the Ca2+ influx can be a key signal encoding a specific modality.
A circuit mechanism for the propagation of waves of muscle contraction in Drosophila
Authors: Fushiki Akira , Zwart Maarten F , Kohsaka Hiroshi , Fetter Richard D , Cardona Albert , Nose Akinao
Published: February 2016

Animals move by adaptively coordinating the sequential activation of muscles. The circuit mechanisms underlying coordinated locomotion are poorly understood. Here, we report on a novel circuit for the propagation of waves of muscle contraction, using the peristaltic locomotion of Drosophila larvae as a model system. We found an intersegmental chain of synaptically connected neurons, alternating excitatory and inhibitory, necessary for wave propagation and active in phase with the wave. The excitatory neurons (A27h) are premotor and necessary only for forward locomotion, and are modulated by stretch receptors and descending inputs. The inhibitory neurons (GDL) are necessary for both forward and backward locomotion, suggestive of different yet coupled central pattern generators, and its inhibition is necessary for wave propagation. The circuit structure and functional imaging indicated that the commands to contract one segment promote the relaxation of the next segment, revealing a mechanism for wave propagation in peristaltic locomotion.
How the zebrafish got its stripes
Authors: McGowan Kelly A , Barsh Gregory S
Published: February 2016

Live-cell imaging and genetic tools reveal a new way in which pigment cells communicate in zebrafish
Structural, morphological, electrical, and optical properties of silver thin films of varying thickness deposited on cupric oxide
Authors: Hajakbari Fatemeh , Shafieinejad Farzaneh
Published: February 2016

In this investigation, silver (Ag) films of varying thickness (25–100 nm) were grown on cupric oxide (CuO) on silicon and quartz. The CuO preparation was carried out by the thermal oxidation annealing of copper (Cu) thin films deposited by DC magnetron sputtering. The physical properties of the prepared films were studied by different techniques. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) analysis indicated that the Ag film thickness was about 25–100 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that by increasing Ag thickness, the film crystallinity was improved. Also, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results demonstrated that the surface morphology and the grain size were affected by the Ag film thickness. Furthermore, the electrical resistivity of films determined by four-point probe measurements versus the Ag film thickness was discussed. A reduction in the optical band gap energy of CuO is observed from 1.51 to 1.42 eV with an increase in Ag film thickness to 40 nm in Ag/CuO films.
RNA-Seq of the Caribbean reef-building coralOrbicella faveolata(Scleractinia-Merulinidae) under bleaching and disease stress expands models of coral innate immunity
Authors: Anderson David A. , Walz Marcus E. , Weil Ernesto , Tonellato Peter , Smith Matthew C.
Published: February 2016

Climate change-driven coral disease outbreaks have led to widespread declines in coral populations. Early work on coral genomics established that corals have a complex innate immune system, and whole-transcriptome gene expression studies have revealed mechanisms by which the coral immune system responds to stress and disease. The present investigation expands bioinformatic data available to study coral molecular physiology through the assembly and annotation of a reference transcriptome of the Caribbean reef-building coral,Orbicella faveolata. Samples were collected during a warm water thermal anomaly, coral bleaching event and Caribbean yellow band disease outbreak in 2010 in Puerto Rico. Multiplex sequencing of RNA on the Illumina GAIIx platform and de novo transcriptome assembly by Trinity produced 70,745,177 raw short-sequence reads and 32,463O. faveolatatranscripts, respectively. The reference transcriptome was annotated with gene ontologies, mapped to KEGG pathways, and a predicted proteome of 20,488 sequences was generated. Protein families and signaling pathways that are essential in the regulation of innate immunity across Phyla were investigated in-depth. Results were used to develop models of evolutionarily conserved Wnt, Notch, Rig-like receptor, Nod-like receptor, and Dicer signaling.O. faveolatais a coral species that has been studied widely under climate-driven stress and disease, and the present investigation provides new data on the genes that putatively regulate its immune system.