bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analytical Model Estimates Flow Rate and Total Discharge in Gas-Well Blowouts
Authors: Wilson Adam
Published: December 2016

This article, written by Special Publications Editor Adam Wilson, contains highlights of paper SPE 170274, “Flow-Rate and Total-Discharge Estimations in Gas-Well Blowouts,” by R. Liu, A.R. Hasan, SPE, and S. Mannan, Texas A&M University, and C.S. Kabir, SPE, Hess, prepared for the 2014 SPE Deepwater Drilling and Completions Conference, Galveston, Texas, USA, 10–11 September. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

Despite multitier safeguards, blowouts occur. When such accidents happen, rate estimation is an important and daunting task. This study presents an analytical model coupling the flow in a reservoir/ wellbore system of a gas well. The model considers flow in the tubing, annulus, and riser and the attendant heat transfer. To gauge safety concerns, plume dispersion is modeled under various wind-speed scenarios when ignition sources are not present. In the event of ignition, the energy of the explosion is estimated with an empirical method.

Introduction

The main purpose of this investigation is to assess the coupled nature of transient fluid flow in the reservoir and the combined fluid and heat flows in the wellbore. To that end, a coupled reservoir/ wellbore analytical model was developed, which was then validated with field examples. In addition, this study attempts to address issues related to dispersion of the blowout plume and the explosion hazard that the gas poses.

Model Development

When a blowout happens, the formation fluid comes into the surroundings through the wellbore without any control and, in the meantime, the reservoir pressure declines because of depletion of the reservoir. To understand the blowout mechanism, the authors split the blowout model into three parts—reservoir, wellbore, and their interaction.

Reservoir Model. In the reservoir model, the material balance in the reservoir is considered to calculate the average reservoir pressure so that the average reservoir properties can be addressed properly.
Phosphate Solubilization from Poorly Crystalline Iron and Aluminum Hydroxides by AVAIL Copolymer
Authors: Doydora Sarah , Hesterberg Dean , Klysubun Wantana
Published: December 2016

Core Ideas

Dissolved P increased with increasing co‐additions of AVAIL and P to metal oxides.

AVAIL dissolved greater P with Al‐hydroxide than with ferrihydrite.

AVAIL had no effect on P bonding distribution between Al(III) and Fe(III) in mixed sorbents.

Less than 40% of fertilizer phosphate applied to soils is generally taken up by crops because of strong retention of P by soil solids. Our objective was to determine mechanisms by which AVAIL, a maleic‐itaconic copolymer used as a fertilizer additive, potentially affects retention of applied phosphate, and consequently plant availability. We measured competitive sorption of AVAIL and orthophosphate in aqueous suspensions of ferrihydrite and poorly crystalline Al hydroxide [pxl‐Al(OH)3] at pH 6.2, and characterized phosphate bonding distribution between Fe(III) and Al(III) in 1:1 (w/w) mixtures of these solids using P K‐edge X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. With increasing co‐additions of AVAIL and P at the levels evaluated, sorption results showed dissolved P increasing up to 0.45 and 1.25 mM for ferrihydrite and pxl‐Al(OH)3, respectively, which represented 18 and 34% of added P. Negative relationships between sorbed P and sorbed AVAIL implied a competitive adsorption mechanism between these two ligands, and solubilization of Fe by AVAIL indicated complexometric dissolution of ferrihydrite. The XANES results showed that 72 to 86% of sorbed P was bonded with Al(III) in the ferrihydrite/pxl‐Al(OH)3 mixtures, with only a minor (<15%) effect of AVAIL apparent when P was applied at the two levels tested in this study. Our results suggest that optimized AVAIL application rates for enhancing crop availability of P would depend on soil sorption characteristics and the soil content of residual P relative to its soil sorption capacity.
Global innovations in tourism
Authors: Sardak Sergii , Dzhyndzhoian Vladimir , Samoilenko Alla
Published: December 2016

The article is devoted to the increasing role of tourism in the world economy. The dynamics of international tourism indicators is investigated. The main global innovations in the tourism industry are identified: the growth of tourism types; the application of qualitatively new solutions of scientific and methodological and applied character; growing of tourism influence on the society; the existence of synergistic effect in the tourist industry as a result of combination of subjects efforts at all management levels; changing of the role of internal and external factors that encourage innovative tourism development. In the article, the interaction of global processes on tourism innovations is defined. These processes are: intellectualization, informatization, cooperation, formation of the global tourism market, liberalization of the national tourism markets, increased competition and the spread of transnationalization.
Keywords: tourism, innovations, globalization, world, type of tourism, innovative factors. JEL Classification: L83, O32
Sustainability assessment of urban water planning using a multi-criteria analytical tool – a case study in Ningbo, China
Authors: Wu Lie , Mao Xianqiang , Yang Xiaoming , Li Zhibo , Fang Songchuan
Published: December 2016

Sustainable urban water infrastructure planning has become one of the major concerns when facing the growing urbanization pace and challenges in China. The paper aims to integrate the modern decision support tools in urban water supply system (WSS) planning and programing. A case study of Ningbo, China is presented to assess the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the selected WSS. A multi-criteria sustainability analysis (MCSA) approach is adopted for dealing with the trade-off among a spectrum of criteria including those related to life-cycle costing and the triple bottom line concept. The results show that the three options for the WSS have the priority values 0.571, 0.632, and 0.631 and the second option is the best fit, while the first is least preferred owing to the high water–energy nexus. The analysis on the sensitivity is conducted revealing that decision-making is susceptible to the criteria weights and some quantification issues when assessing environmental and social sustainability. The third option might be a reversal of decision, against the second, depending partly on the criticality of relevant criteria weights. Finally, the MCSA approach is demonstrated to be employed not only for planning but for detailed design options' comparison later on and for managerial decision-making during operation.
Application of ELM to predict the coagulant dosing in water treatment plants
Authors: Deng Xiaoyan , Lin Canguang
Published: December 2016

Predicting the coagulant dosage is especially crucial to the purification process in water treatment plants, directly affecting the quality of the purified water. Nowadays, several mathematical methods have been adopted for the purification process, but their predictive precision and speed still need to be improved. This study applies a novel neural network called the extreme learning machine (ELM) to predict the coagulant dosage based on certain signification factors of the raw water. Performances are compared between ELM and back-propagation neural networks in this paper. The results show that both neural network algorithms perform well in this application and ELM can realize online prediction due to its short time consumption.
Initial height and diameter are equally related to survival and growth of hardwood seedlings in first year after field planting
Authors: Ivetić Vladan , Devetaković Jovana , Maksimović Zoran
Published: December 2016

This study compares the relation of initial height and root collar diameter of bareroot hardwoods seedlings to survival and growth in first year after planting. A total of six species used in Serbian reforestation programs were tested (four native: Fagus sylvatica, Ulmus laevis, Fraxinus excelsior, and Acer pseudoplatanus and two exotic: Robinia pseudoacacia, and Quercus rubra), at 6 sites with a wide range of environmental conditions. Initial seedling height and diameter were equally related to field performance and better in forecasting growth than survival. The relation between seedlings initial morphological attributes and survival was species specific, while for all tested species growth was positively correlated to seedling size at planting. Although large seedlings kept their advantage in size, smaller seedlings grew at a higher rate. Both initial H and D should be considered as equally important in operational programs for hardwoods seedling quality testing.
Management and restoration of Italian afforestations under global change
Authors: La Marca Orazio , Mercurio Roberto , Nocentini Leonardo
Published: December 2016

As a consequence of past deforestation, degraded areas in Italy have been subjected to afforestation since the beginning of the XXI century. These afforestations have been done mainly with conifers (Pinus nigra, Pinus pinaster, Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinea), and with the aim to 1) protect the soil and to 2) prevent floods. Exotic forest tree species have been used for the afforestation of selected sites of the Apennine. In the case of Douglas fir, it is possible to state that after ninety years the results are very good in terms of both ecological adaptability and high growth-rate.Nowadays, the lack of silvicultural treatments, the ageing processes, insect and fungi outbreaks have led pine afforestations to a condition of an unsteady biological equilibrium in many sites. Moreover, this condition seems to be due to additional factors related to climate change such as wind storms and dryness. The restoration of these pine afforestations is therefore one of the main aims of the present Italian forest management policy which aims to increase their level of resilience. In particular, the priority of the researchers has been given to the most fragile stands where three possible objectives of restoration measures should be considered:To rehabilitate conifer stands by introducing native broadleaves when these stands are in a very degraded condition, and when the local wood energy chain needs to be started;To conserve the conifer stands in the cases where the cultural, aesthetic and recreational functions, are the prevailing obtainable ecosystem services;To foster the mixed stands, with the conifers of the old cycle and native broadleaves, which could increase resilience to the extreme events.In regards of Douglas-fir stands, new silvicultural models have been developed which aim to a) conserve these stands and to b) combine a higher growth rate with a much improved mechanical tree stability.
Response of rare and endangered species Picea omorika to climate change - The need for speed
Authors: Ivetić Vladan , Aleksić Jelena
Published: December 2016

Serbian spruce (Picea omorika (Pančić) Purk.) is a rare and endangered tertiary relict and endemic species, with restricted and fragmented natural range in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, mainly around the mid-course of the Drina river. Since the middle of the 19th century, its natural range declines constantly, followed by a decline in the number of mature individuals. The decline of this forest species is slow and mainly attributed to poor regeneration and low competing ability. Given the foreseen worsening of the climate in forthcoming decades, this decline can only accelerate. In recent years, dieback related to drought has been observed as response to extreme weather events suggesting that Serbian spruce will face difficulties in adapting to climate change within its natural range. However, successful use of Serbian spruce in Central and Northern Europe indicates potentially large adaptive potential of this species which, along with the high genetic variability, outweigh the limited morphological variation, self-fertilization, and limitations related to the restricted natural range in the first place, and, indicates possible directions of migration in the second place. In this paper, current conservation actions are discussed, and strategies for the species survival in a changing environment are suggested. Since migration and adaptation are the least likely responses of this species to climate change, measures such as assisted migration may be the only strategy which will enable persistence of Serbian spruce. Current conservation programs, limited to in-situ actions, need to be supplemented with ex-situ actions and strategies. In the worst case scenario, i.e. for species such as Serbian spruce which are unable to migrate and/or adapt to changing climate, the most suitable sites should be identified and colonized in order to prevent extinction in the near future.
Durability performance assessment of non-standard cementitious materials for buildings: a general method applied to the French context
Authors: Pimienta Pierre , Albert Blandine , Huet Bruno , Dierkens Michael , Fransisco Philippe , Rougeau Patrick
Published: December 2016

This letter focuses on the technical assessment of new products or systems in the Building sector before being placed on the market in the French and European context. In particular, it discusses the assessment of the durability aspect of innovative products or systems based on cementitious materials that do not meet specifications of standards. After a brief review of the regulatory context and existing assessment procedures, an example of method of assessment is proposed. There are six successive stages, from describing an invention to choosing relevant testing methods and assessment criteria. Thematic fact sheets describing the different kinds of known alteration for cementitious materials and associated performance assessment methods are presented. An applicant and an assessor are invited to expand the scope of their investigation in case of significant technological leap forward that involve the use of a product/system in a field of application that may not be covered by the current fact sheets.
THE TECHNOLOGY READINESS OR SOCIAL PRESENCE, WHICH ONE COULD EXPLAIN THE TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE BETTER? AN INVESTIGATION ON VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES
Authors: Jubran Said , Sumiyana Sumiyana
Published: December 2016

Internet technology has accelerated the development of communities from face-to-face into computer-mediated communications. Individuals who joined the virtual communities contributed greatly to building their knowledge by sharing their experiences. This study investigates the individuals’ knowledge sharing intentions using two approaches for the research model. The first approach is adopted from Hung & Cheng’s (2013) model that incorporates technology readiness, compatibility and acceptance. The second approach is a new model built specifically for this study which combines the social presence and compatibility into the technology acceptance. Furthermore, this study compared both models to identify their ability to explain the individuals’ knowledge sharing intentions.This study’s results show that the first model is not better than the second. In the first model, the technology readiness, as represented only by the innovative, is the only one having a positive effect on the technology acceptance. Meanwhile, the three other constructs, i.e. optimism, discomfort, and insecurity are not. In the second model, the social presence and compatibility that are integrated into the Technology Acceptance Model could actually positively affect the technology acceptance.In the technology readiness model, the ease of the technology is not the indicator which assesses the usefulness of the technology. Meanwhile, in the social presence model, the ease of use affects the usefulness of the technology. Furthermore, both in the technology readiness and social presence models, the perceived usefulness and ease of use affect the knowledge sharing intentions. The study finds that the social presence is able to explain the knowledge sharingintentions better than the technology readiness does. It implies practically that virtual community providers should make individuals be more active in their virtual communities. Then, the providers could facilitate the improvement of the individuals’ cognitive capabilities and competencies with their high motivation for knowledge sharing.Keywords: technology readiness, social presence, communications medium, compatibility, virtual community, online learning
Augmentation of Demineralized Bone Matrix Post-Tooth Extraction Increases The Density of Gingival Collagen Fiber of Rabbit Mandible
Authors: Tandelilin Regina TC
Published: December 2016

Most cases report that the abnormality of bone defect is engendered by tooth extraction. The powder of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) is required to fill alveolus bone for reconstructing material or preventingtissues defect after tooth extraction. The aim of this study was to determine the density of gingival collagen fiber on wound healing after the augmentation of DBM following the extraction of incisivus tooth. In this study, 36 male rabbits aged 2.5-3 months weighing 900-1,100 grams were randomly divided into two groups: control and treated rabbits. The incisivus teeth of mandibles of treated rabbits were extracted and augmented with the allograft DBM powder. The gingival was sutured with non-absorbable sutures. The same procedures were employed to the control group, except that these rabbits were augmented with DBM powder. Subsequently, the rabbits were sacrificed on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 after surgery, and each observation was represented by three rabbits in the sample. The gingival (ca. 0.5-1cm) was cut and fixed immediately in 10% paraformaldehide. The staining was done using van Geison. In the treated rabbits, the density of gingival collagen fiber significantly increases in all observation days except on first day, indicating that the allograft powder of DBM successfully accelerates the wound healing process.
The Effect of Visible Light Cure (VLC) Exposure to Gingival Tissue’s Sprague dawley Rats
Authors: Murdiastuti Kwartarini , Suryono Suryono , Moeljono Aini , Sari Mefi Priba , Gamawati Rani
Published: December 2016

Visible Light Cure (VLC) is a blue light used in dentistry as an activator for restorative material and fixed orthodontic bonding. The wavelength of VLC is between 400-500 nm and considered non-ionizing radiation that can produce free radicals. According to previous research, the light at wavelength < 500 nm could inhibit cells mitosis, cause cells damage, and reduce cells growth and inflammation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of VLC exposure on gingival epithelial thickness, total neutrophil and macrophage count of gingival connective tissue of Sprague dawley rats. The subjects of this study consisted of 20 Sprague dawley rats, in 2-3 months of age and divided into 4 groups. Each group was 5 rats. The rats in each group were sacrificed before (0 day, as group A) and after 1st (group B), 3rd  (group C), 5th  (group D) day of VLC exposure, respectively. The exposure of VLC was done in labial aspect of cervical anterior teeth of mandible. The distance of exposure was as thick as 2 layers of celluloid strip and the histological specimens were stained by Hematoxylin Eosin. Each specimen was measured for its gingival epithelial thickness by using a micrometer and the number of neutrophil and macrophage were counted. The data of gingival epithelial thickness from 4 groups were analyzed by Kruskal Wallis. The number of neutrophil and macrophage were analyzed by u sing one way ANOVA. The results of this study showed that there were significant differences among groups on the thickness of gingival epithelial, the number of neutrophil and macrophage in the gingival connective tissue of Sprague dawley rats. The result of this study indicated that VLC exposure might decrease the thickness of gingival epithelial but increase the number of neutrophil and macrophage of gingival connective tissue of Sprague dawley rats.
Metrological Traceability and Roles of Certified Reference Materials
Authors:   National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Tsukuba-Central 3-9, 1-1-1, Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305–8563, Japan, Hioki Akiharu
Published: December 2016

Metrological traceability to an international reference, the International System of Units (SI) if possible, is important for the reliability of measurements. The international traceability system under the Metre Convention is briefly introduced. The simplest way to secure metrological traceability in chemical analyses is to utilise certified reference materials (CRMs) for calibration and validation. Finally, as examples of CRMs, NMIJ ones are described.
Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan templated Mesoporous Silica: Efficient use of Mesoporous Silica in the removal of Cu(II) from Aqueous Solutions
Authors:   Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Mizoram University, Aizawl–796004, India, puii Lalchhing , Lee Seung-Mok ,   Department of Environmental Engineering, Catholic, Kwandong University, 522 Naegok-dong, Gangneung–210701, Republic of Korea, Tiwari Diwakar ,   Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Mizoram University, Aizawl–796004, India
Published: December 2016

A mesoporous silica was synthesized by annealing (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane grafted chitosan at 800˚C. The mesoporous silica was characterized by the XRD (X-ray diffraction) analysis. The BET specific surface area and pore size of silica was found to be 178.42 m2/g and 4.13 nm. The mesoporous silica was then employed for the efficient remediation of aqueous solutions contaminated with Cu(II) under batch and column reactor operations. The mesoporous silica showed extremely high per cent removal of Cu(II) at wide pH range i.e., pH ~2.0 to 7.0. Relatively a fast uptake of Cu(II) was occurred and high percentage removal was obtained at initial concentrations studied from 1.0 to 15.0 mg/L. The equilibrium state sorption data were utilized for the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm studies. Moreover, the effect of an increase in background electrolyte concentrations from 0.0001 to 0.1 mol/L NaNO3 was assessed for the uptake of Cu(II) by mesoporous silica. The equilibrium sorption was achieved within 240 min of contact and the kinetic data is best fitted to the pseudo-second-order and fractal like pseudo-second-order kinetic models. In addition, the mesoporous silica was used for dynamic studies under column reactor operations. The breakthrough curve was then used for the non-linear fitting of the Thomas equation and the loading capacity of the column for Cu(II) was estimated.
A Review on MOSFET-Like CNTFETs
Authors:   Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering, Assam University, Silchar, India, Prasad Vikash , Das Debaprasad
Published: December 2016

Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistor (CNTFET) is one of the promising devices for future nanoscale technologies. In this paper, we have studied the drain characteristics of MOSFET-like CNTFETs for different device parameters like, channel length, diameter of CNT, and number of tubes. It is shown that these device parameters can be used to make important design decisions while designing nanoelectronic circuits. A buffer and ring oscillator circuits are designed using the MOSFET-like CNTFET and propagation delay, power, and power-delay-product (PDP) values are calculated and compared with the CMOS based designs. Also, the CNTFET technology based SRAM cell is compared with CMOS technology based SRAM in term of power consumption. We have shown that CNTFET can exhibit better performance in the nanoscale regime as compared to its CMOS counterparts.
A Genealogy of Homo-Economicus: Neoliberalism and the Production of Subjectivity
Authors: Read Jason
Published: December 2016

This article examines Michel Foucault’s critical investigation of neoliberalism in the course published as Naissance de la biopolitique: Cours au Collège de France, 1978-1979. Foucault’s lectures are interrogated along two axes. First, examining the way in which neoliberalism can be viewed as a particular production of subjectivity, as a way in which individuals are constituted as subjects of “human capital.” Secondly, Foucault’s analyses is augmented and critically examined in light of other critical work on neoliberalism by Wendy Brown, David Harvey, Christian Laval, Maurizo Lazzarato, and Antonio Negri. Of these various debates and discussions, the paper argues that the discussion of real subsumption in Marx and Negri is most important for understanding the specific politics of neoliberalism. Finally, the paper argues that neoliberalism entails a fundamental reexamination of the tools of critical thought, an examination of how freedom can constitute a form of subjection.
Positive energy unitary irreducible representations of the superalgebra osp(1|8,R)
Authors: Dobrev Vladimir , Salom Igor
Published: December 2016

We continue the study of positive energy (lowest weight) unitary irreducible
representations of the superalgebras osp(1|2n,R). We present the full list
of these UIRs. We give a proof of the case osp(1|8,R).
Serum Levels of Apolipoproteins and Incident Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Brahimaj Adela , Ligthart Symen , Ikram M. Arfan , Hofman Albert , Franco Oscar H. , Sijbrands Eric J.G. , Kavousi Maryam , Dehghan Abbas
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the role of serum levels of various apolipoproteins on the risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We used data from 971 individuals from the prospective population-based Rotterdam Study. We studied the association of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), apoA1, apoCIII, apoD, and apoE as well as the ratios of apolipoproteins with apoA1 with the risk of T2D. All apolipoproteins, ratios, and HDL-C levels were naturally log-transformed to reach normal distribution. First, their cross-sectional associations with fasting glucose and insulin were investigated by using linear regression. Second, Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine whether apolipoproteins predict the risk for T2D among individuals free of diabetes at baseline. We also studied the apolipoproteins jointly by calculating the apolipoproteinic score from the first step and then performing Cox regression with it.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 13.5 years, diabetes developed in 110 individuals. After adjustment for age, sex, BMI, parental history of diabetes, hypertension, alcohol use, smoking, prevalent cardiovascular disease, and serum lipid–reducing agents, HDL-C (per 1 SD naturally log-transformed hazard ratio 0.74 [95% CI 0.57, 0.97], apoCIII (1.65 [1.42, 1.91]), apoE (1.36 [1.18, 1.55]), apoCIII-to-apoA1 ratio (1.72 [1.51, 1.95]), apoE-to-apoA1 ratio (1.28 [1.13, 1.45]), and apolipoproteinic score (1.60 [1.39, 1.83]) remained significant. Only apoCIII (1.42 [1.03, 1.96]) and apoCIII-to-apoA1 ratio (1.56 [1.04, 2.36]) survived the adjustment for triglycerides in the last model.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum apoCIII levels as well as apoCIII-to-apoA1 ratio are associated with incident T2D. They are associated independent of known risk factors and stronger than HDL-C levels.
Factors Affecting Hospital Length of Stay for Drivers with Traumatic Brain Injuries from Motor Vehicle Crashes: South Carolina Case Study
Authors: Puro Sagar S. , Shen Sijun , Neyens David M.
Published: December 2016

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a major cause of disability and mortality, and many TBIs are caused by motor vehicle crashes. Hospital length of stay (LOS) is often regarded as a representation of consumption of hospital resources and may also represent injury severity. This study investigated the effects of crash factors and driver characteristics on hospital LOS for drivers sustaining a TBI in traffic crashes. The South Carolina Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System for 2005 to 2007 was used to build a zero-inflated negative binomial regression to predict hospital LOS for drivers experiencing a TBI as a result of a crash. Not wearing a seat belt, ejection from the vehicle, and a crash on a roadway with a high speed limit were factors associated with a greater likelihood of being admitted to the hospital and having longer hospital LOS for drivers sustaining TBIs in crashes. Intoxicated drivers were more likely to be admitted to the hospital but tended to have shorter LOS when they sustained a TBI in a crash. Hospital LOS may be a surrogate measurement of injury severity as well as a representation of health care resource consumption. Understanding the effects of crash factors on hospital LOS for drivers sustaining a TBI in crashes can help policy makers, roadway designers, and health care providers develop specific interventions for understanding traffic crash–related health care resource consumption.
Bayesian Latent Class Safety Performance Function for Identifying Motor Vehicle Crash Black Spots
Authors: Afghari Amir Pooyan , Haque M. Mazharul , Washington Simon , Smyth Tanya
Published: December 2016

The state of the practice in black spot identification uses safety performance functions based on total crash counts to identify high-risk crash sites. This paper postulates that total crash count is a result of multiple distinct risk-generating processes (RGPs), including geometric characteristics of the road, spatial features of the surrounding environment, and driver behavior factors. However, these multiple sources are ignored in current modeling methodologies that try to explain or predict crash frequencies across sites. Instead, current practice uses models that imply that a single RGP exists. This misspecification may lead to correlation of crashes with incorrect sources of contributing factors (e.g., concluding a crash is predominately caused by a geometric feature when the cause is a behavioral issue), which may ultimately lead to inefficient use of public funds and misidentification of true black spots. This study proposes a latent class model consistent with a multiple risk process theory and investigates the influence this model has on correctly identifying crash black spots. The paper presents the theoretical and corresponding methodological approach in which a Bayesian latent class model is estimated with the assumption that crashes arise from two distinct RGPs, including engineering and unobserved spatial factors. The methodology was applied to state-controlled roads in Queensland, Australia. The results were compared with an empirical Bayesian negative binomial (EB-NB) model. A comparison of goodness-of-fit measures illustrated superiority of the proposed model compared with the NB model. The detection of black spots was improved compared with the EB-NB model. In addition, modeling crashes as the result of two fundamentally separate RGPs reveals more detailed information about unobserved crash causes.
Seed Protein Percentage and Mineral Concentration Variability and Their Correlation with Other Seed Quality Traits in the U.S. Peanut Mini-Core Collection
Authors: Wang Ming Li , Grusak Michael A. , Chen Charles Y. , Tonnis Brandon , Barkley Noelle A. , Evans Stacie , Pinnow David , Davis Jerry , Phillips Robert D. , Holbrook C. Corley , Pederson Gary A.
Published: December 2016

Protein percentage and mineral concentrations are important parameters for determining the seed nutrition quality. Although the U.S. peanut mini-core collection is the important genetic resources for peanut breeding programs, the variability in protein percentage and mineral concentrations for this mini-core has not been well evaluated. The lack of information may hinder its optimum utilization. The seeds from this mini-core were collected from two field seasons. Their protein percentage and mineral concentrations of 95 accessions were determined by nitrogen analysis and inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry, respectively. Significant variability in the seed protein percentage among accessions was revealed, ranging from 20.6 to 30.4%, with an average of 26.2%. Significantly higher variability in plant micronutrient mineral concentrations (more than two-fold for B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, and Zn) than in macronutrient mineral concentrations (less than two-fold for K, Mg, P, and S) was also identified among accessions. Calcium however was an exception, demonstrating 3.7-fold variability among the accessions evaluated. Three accessions (PI 497517, PI 493547, and PI 429429) were identified as lines containing high seed levels of both Fe and Zn. Correlation coefficients were also determined among 28 investigated seed chemical composition traits, using data from a previous study with the same samples. Protein percentage was significantly negatively correlated with seed weight, oil, and oleate percentage. Several mineral elements (Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn) were also significantly negatively correlated with oleate percentage. The results from this study will be useful for peanut nutrition breeding and food product development.
Indian Cheilanthoid fern - A numerical taxonomic approach
Authors: Sen Kakali , Mukhopadhyay Radhanath
Published: December 2016

Twenty one species belonging to five genera (viz. Aleuritopteris F?e, Cheilanthes Sw., Doryopteris J. Sm., Notholaena R. Brown, Pellaea Link.) of the Indian cheilanthoid ferns were studied to develop the new data set of micromorphological details viz. epidermal cells, stomatal morphotypes, venation pattern and spore ultrastructre. Cluster analysis was performed by using the two- state of multiple characters that separate the genus Aleuritopteris from Cheilanthes at the Eucladian distance of 5.1, though completely linked with other closely related genera, viz. Doryopteris, Notholaena and Pellaea. The taxonomic conundrum lies within these genera was resolved with numerical taxonomic study.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 23(2): 133-142, 2016 (December)
Genetic diversity and phenetic relationships of five Trifolium L. species (Fabaceae) by inter simple sequence repeats markers
Authors: Hwang Yourang , Huh Man Kyu
Published: December 2016

Five species of Trifolium L. (T. repens L., T. pretense L., T. hybridum L., T. campestre Schreb., and T. dubium Sibth.) were analyzed used to evaluate the genetic diversity and their phenetic relationships using inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers. Overall, T. pratense exhibited higher variation than other species. 114 amplicons were produced by ISSR markers, of which 77 (67.5%) bands were polymorphic. T. dubium showed the low genetic variation. Total genetic diversity values (HT) varied between 0.333 and 0.487, for an average over all polymorphic loci of 0.282. On a perlocus basis, the proportion of total genetic variation due to differences among species (GST) was 0.380. This indicated that about 38.0% of the total variation was among species. The estimate of gene flow, based on GST, was very low among species of genus Trifolium (Nm = 0.816). An assessment of the proportion of diversity present within species, HPOP/HSP, indicated that about 95.8% the total genetic diversity was within species. T. pratense and T. hybridum were grouped together and this clade was sister with T. repens. Two remainder species with yellow flowers were grouped together. Information on genetic diversity for Trifolium is valued for the management of germplasm and for evolving conservation strategies.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 23(2): 167-173, 2016 (December)
Ephedra yangthangensis (Ephedraceae), a new species from Himachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Sharma Prabha , Singh Rita
Published: December 2016

A new species Ephedra yangthangensis Prabha Sharma & Rita Singh is described, and illustrated from Himachal Pradesh, India. This new species is most similar to E. intermedia Schr. & Meyer, from which it is distinguishable by its smaller male strobili, shorter length and curved synangiophore, yellowish orange fleshy bracts of bigger female strobili, fade orange scale leaves and light green robust stem as compared to the other flourishing species E. intermedia.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 23(2): 195-198, 2016 (December)
Molecular systematics of some bifurcate hairy sections in Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) as inferred from nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences
Authors: Sheikhakbari-Mehr Reza , Maassoumi Ali Asghar , Osaloo Shahrokh Kazempour
Published: December 2016

In this study, 38 species belonging to some bifurcate hairy sections of Astragalus L. were analyzed phylogenetically, using nuclear and plastid DNA sequences. Based on our results, Astragalus sect. Dissitiflori DC. with the inclusion of the members of section Erioceras Bunge, formed a monophyletic group. The members of sect. Ornithopodium Bunge and Onobrychoidei DC. were located together within a highly supported monophyletic clade, apart from other sections studied, on the basis of the present molecular data.The positioning of the enigmatic, recently established species, A. juladakensis Maassoumi, within the sect. Dissitiflori was verified. In addition, our results showed that A. pravitzii Podl., which had been already transferred to sect. Ornithopodium, belongs to the section Dissitiflori.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 23(2): 223-235, 2016 (December)
Phylogeny of Galium L. (Rubiaceae) from Korea and Japan based on chloroplast DNA sequence
Authors: Jeong Keum Seon , Shin Jae Kwon , Maki Masayuki , Pak Jae-Hong
Published: December 2016

The present paper deals with the phylogeny and inter-and intragenic relationships using four chloroplast DNA sequences within 19 Galium L. species from Korea and Japan. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses were conducted to clarify the relationships among the section and species. The strict consensus tree had three main clades. Clade I comprises of the only individuals of G. paradoxum Maximowicz (sect. Cymogalia), which is distinguished by opposite leaves in the genus, supported by the 100% bootstrap value (PP: 0.98); Clade II consists of members of eight sections (sect. Galium, sect. Hylaea, sect. Kolgyda, sect. Trachygalium, sect. Leptogalium, sect. Orientigalium, sect. Aparine, and sect. Leiogalium); Clade III comprises members of eight sections (sect. Baccogalium, sect. Lophogalium, sect. Platygalium, sect. Relbunium, sect. Depauperata, sect. Aparinoides, sect. Leiogalium and Trachygalium). The sect. Leptogalium which includes two taxa namely G. tokyoense Makino and G. dahuricum var. lasiocarpum (Makino) Nakai is paraphyletic. Four taxa of Trachygalium group (G. trachyspermum A. Gray, G. gracilens (A. Gray) Makino, G. pogonanthum Franch. & Sav., G. koreanum Nakai) were placed from sect. Cymogalia to sect. Platygalium based on molecular and morphological data.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 23(2): 237-246, 2016 (December)
Emergency Obstetric Hysterectomy: A Review of 40 cases in Faridpur Medical College Hospital
Authors: Mahbuba - , Fatema Kaneez , Das Shila Rani , Alam Irin Pervin , Parvin Zebunnessa
Published: December 2016

Emergency obstetric hysterectomy is removal of part or whole of the uterus done to save the life of a mother in complications in the intra partum or post-partum period. This study was done to assess the cases of emergency obstetric hysterectomy (EOH) in view to find out the indications, the patient profile, the risk factors, the morbidity and mortality associated with the procedure. It was a retrospective analysis of 40 cases of obstetric hysterectomy performed in Faridpur Medical College Hospital (FMCH) during the period of August 2012 to July 2014. Patients were evaluated from history and clinical observation records regarding maternal age, parity, indication of operation, associated risk factors, surgical procedure and complications during hospital stay. In maximum patient with EOH the overall incidence is in the age group of 25-29 years (42.5%) and parity of 2nd-3rd. The most common complication was ruptured uterus 50% and PPH 12.5%. Among the risk factors the most common was previous caesarean section (55%) then grand multipara (15%). Out of 40 cases 40% needed total hysterectomy and 60% was managed by subtotal hysterectomy. In most cases complications were hemorrhage and 100% patient needed blood transfusion among which 50% in the post-operative period. All the patients were discharged after treatment with no history of maternal death or referral to higher centers. Emergency obstetric hysterectomy is a lifesaving procedure when decision is taken at proper time, done rapidly by expert surgeon along with availability of blood and safe anesthesia. Thus it can play a vital role to reduce and prevent maternal death.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. Jan 2016;11(1): 2-5
Renal Function Evaluation of Hypertensive Patients by Renogram in a Teaching Hospital
Authors: Saha Jayanta Kumar , Ekram ARM Saifuddin , Hossain Mohammed Shahadat , Rahman ATM Ataur , Biswas Prodip Kumar , Islam MM Shahin Ul , Mohammad Arif Khan , Mondal Swapan Kumar
Published: December 2016

Arterial Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease and is a major public health problem in both developed and developing countries. The aim of the study was to assess renal involvement in hypertensive patient by renogram, which is not detected by conventional biochemical test. This was a cross sectional observational study. Consecutive 30 hypertensive patients admitted in the medicine wards from March, 2006 to April, 2007 in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh were taken as case. Informed consent was taken from all the study patients or from their attendants. Detail history was taken from each patient or from their attendants' then clinical examination and relevant investigations were done. Emphasis was laid to find out renal involvement in long standing hypertensive patients by renogram. After initial selection; laboratory investigations like Urine for R/M/E, Blood Sugar 2ABF, S. Creatinine, USG of KUB, ECG and Hb% were done for every patients. All patients included in this study renogram were done. Majority of the patient (40%) were between the age of 41-50 years and Male: Female ratio was 3:2. Most of the patient lead a moderately active life (66.67%). Serum Creatinine was raised in 23.33% patient whereas renal parenchymal insufficiency evidenced by renogram was found in 50% case. In this study, we found that a significant number of cases (26.67%) having renal parenchymal insufficiency were not detected by S. Creatinine level, but detected by renogram. Renogram is superior to conventional biochemical renal function test for early detection of hypertensive nephropathy.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. Jan 2016;11(1): 11-14
Clinical Presentation and Risk Factors of Stroke-A Study of 100 Hospitalized Stroke Patients in Bangladesh
Authors: Saha Radheshyam , Islam MM Shahin Ul , Hossain Ahmed Manadir , Kabir Mohammad Rafiqul , Mamun Abdullah Al , Saha Suranjit Kumar , Mondal Swapan Kumar , Alam Md Jahangir
Published: December 2016

Stroke is one of the most common medical emergency. A total number of 100 randomly selected clinically and CT proven acute stroke patients were studied at medicine and neurology ward of Faridpur Medical College Hospital (FMCH), Faridpur from January to July, 2014 with a view to study the clinical features and risk factors of Stroke. Among 100 patients, stroke was found most commonly in 59-70 years age group. Ischaemic stroke was 56%, haemorrhagic stroke was 39% and haemorrhagic infarct was 5%. Most of the patients were male with male-female ratio was 1.6:1. The commonest risk factor was hypertension found in 60%, diabetes mellitus found in 17%, smoking was present in 54% patients and dyslipidaemia was present in 22% cases. History of heart disease (Myocardial infarction was present in 2% patients, valvular heart disease was present in 4% patients) was present in 6% patients. The commonest presentation in both ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke was hemiplegia (61%). Headache (14%) and vomiting (10%) were found to be more common accompaniment in haemorrhagic stroke. Loss of consciousness was present in 34% patients. Alcohol intake was not found in any patient.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. Jan 2016;11(1): 23-25
The Role of HbA1C for Diagnosis of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus - A Review
Authors: Zabeen Shahana , Akhter Sultana Rehana
Published: December 2016

For many years, the diagnosis of diabetes has been made through the laboratory- based measurement of fasting or random blood glucose levels or using OGTT. In the case of diabetes, the major outcome of interest is long term micro vascular complications for which a large body of data has been accumulated leading to the endorsement of HbA1C for diagnosis in many countries worldwide, with some variations in cut-offs and testing strategies.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. Jan 2016;11(1): 30-32
MHD boundary layer slip flow of a casson fluid over an exponentially stretching surface in the presence of thermal radiation and chemical reaction
Authors: Bala Anki Reddy P.
Published: December 2016

An analysis is carried out to investigate the steady two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic boundary layer flow of a Casson fluid over an exponentially stretching surface in the presence of thermal radiation and chemical reaction. Velocity, thermal and solutal slips are considered instead of no-slip conditions at the boundary. Stretching velocity, wall temperature and wall concentration are considered in the exponential forms. The non-linear partial differential equations are converted into a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations by similarity transformations. The resultant non-linear ordinary differential equations are solved numerically by fourth order Runge-Kutta method along with shooting technique. The influence of various parameters on the fluid velocity, temperature, concentration, wall skin friction coefficient, the heat transfer coefficient and the Sherwood number have been computed and the results are presented graphically and discussed quantitatively. Comparisons with previously published works are performed on various special cases and are found to be in excellent agreement.
Estimation of inventory for deteriorating items with non-linear demand considering discount and without discount policy
Authors: Mondol Manik , Uddin M. Forhad , Hossain M. S.
Published: December 2016

This paper develops an inventory model for deteriorating items consisting the ordering cost, unit cost, opportunity cost, deterioration cost and shortage cost. In this inventory model instead of linear demand function nonlinear exponential function of time for deteriorating items with deterioration rate has been considered. The effects of inflation and cash flow are also taken into account under a trade-credit policy of discount and without discount with time. In order to validate the model, numerical examples have been solved by bisection method deploying Matlab.  Further, in order to estimate the cash flow the sensitivity of different parameters is considered.
Stress distribution in CNT-Aluminum matrix composite by changing distances between CNT bundles
Authors: Chowdhury H. T. , Masud A K M
Published: December 2016

Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are identified as exceptional in terms of mechanical, electrical, magnetic and optical properties. CNT based composites are also playing a vital role in several fields of science.  In this research, four bundles of CNTs with square Representative Volume Element (RVE) is used and ANSYS Multiphysics 11.0 software is used for simulation purpose. In this study, stress distribution of CNT based Aluminum composite is noticed by changing distances of CNT bundles. Stress distribution and transverse Youngs Modulus are investigated by changing different parameters. From this study it can be known how CNT bundles can be formed together to increase or decrease stress. The brief result is that, if the distance of CNT center from reference point is increased then the stress is decreased.