bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE DISTANCE TO M51*
Authors: McQuinn Kristen. B. W. , Skillman Evan D. , Dolphin Andrew E. , Berg Danielle , Kennicutt Robert
Published: July 2016

Great investments of observing time have been dedicated to the study of nearby spiral galaxies with diverse goals ranging from understanding the star formation process to characterizing their dark matter distributions. Accurate distances are fundamental to interpreting observations of these galaxies, yet many of the best studied nearby galaxies have distances based on methods with relatively large uncertainties. We have started a program to derive accurate distances to these galaxies. Here we measure the distance to M51—the Whirlpool galaxy—from newly obtained Hubble Space Telescope optical imaging using the tip of the red giant branch method. We measure the distance modulus to be 8.58 ± 0.10 Mpc (statistical), corresponding to a distance modulus of 29.67 ± 0.02 mag. Our distance is an improvement over previous results as we use a well-calibrated, stable distance indicator, precision photometry in a optimally selected field of view, and a Bayesian Maximum Likelihood technique that reduces measurement uncertainties.
THE INFRARED SPECTRAL PROPERTIES OF MAGELLANIC CARBON STARS
Authors: Sloan G. C. , Kraemer K. E. , McDonald I. , Groenewegen M. A. T. , Wood P. R. , Zijlstra A. A. , Lagadec E. , Boyer M. L. , Kemper F. , Matsuura M. , Sahai R. , Sargent B. A. , Srinivasan S. , van Loon J. Th. , Volk K.
Published: July 2016

The Infrared Spectrograph on the Spitzer Space Telescope observed 184 carbon stars in the Magellanic Clouds. This sample reveals that the dust-production rate (DPR) from carbon stars generally increases with the pulsation period of the star. The composition of the dust grains follows two condensation sequences, with more SiC condensing before amorphous carbon in metal-rich stars, and the order reversed in metal-poor stars. MgS dust condenses in optically thicker dust shells, and its condensation is delayed in more metal-poor stars. Metal-poor carbon stars also tend to have stronger absorption from C2H2 at 7.5 μm. The relation between DPR and pulsation period shows significant apparent scatter, which results from the initial mass of the star, with more massive stars occupying a sequence parallel to lower-mass stars, but shifted to longer periods. Accounting for differences in the mass distribution between the carbon stars observed in the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds reveals a hint of a subtle decrease in the DPR at lower metallicities, but it is not statistically significant. The most deeply embedded carbon stars have lower variability amplitudes and show SiC in absorption. In some cases they have bluer colors at shorter wavelengths, suggesting that the central star is becoming visible. These deeply embedded stars may be evolving off of the asymptotic giant branch and/or they may have non-spherical dust geometries.
COLD-MODE ACCRETION: DRIVING THE FUNDAMENTAL MASS–METALLICITY RELATION AT z ∼ 2
Authors: Kacprzak Glenn G. , van de Voort Freeke , Glazebrook Karl , Tran Kim-Vy H. , Yuan Tiantian , Nanayakkara Themiya , Allen Rebecca J. , Alcorn Leo , Cowley Michael , Labbé Ivo , Spitler Lee , Straatman Caroline , Tomczak Adam
Published: July 2016

We investigate the star formation rate (SFR) dependence on the stellar mass and gas-phase metallicity relation at z = 2 with MOSFIRE/Keck as part of the ZFIRE survey. We have identified 117 galaxies (1.98 ≤ z ≤ 2.56), with 8.9 ≤ log(M/M
⊙) ≤ 11.0, for which we can measure gas-phase metallicities. For the first time, we show a discernible difference between the mass–metallicity relation, using individual galaxies, when dividing the sample by low (<10 M
⊙ yr−1) and high (>10 M
⊙ yr−1) SFRs. At fixed mass, low star-forming galaxies tend to have higher metallicity than high star-forming galaxies. Using a few basic assumptions, we further show that the gas masses and metallicities required to produce the fundamental mass–metallicity relation and its intrinsic scatter are consistent with cold-mode accretion predictions obtained from the OWLS hydrodynamical simulations. Our results from both simulations and observations are suggestive that cold-mode accretion is responsible for the fundamental mass–metallicity relation at z = 2 and it demonstrates the direct relationship between cosmological accretion and the fundamental properties of galaxies.
Chronic Mental Illness and Dumping Patients
Authors: Pandey Jyoti Mishra , Mishra Preeti , Garg Shobit , Mshra Bholeshwar Parshad
Published: July 2016

Patients with mental illness don't take care of themselves, are dependent not only for medicine intake but also for their day to day requirements including their personal hygiene. All these issues and many more put a heavy psychological burden on the families. When they become overburdened with these responsibilities and problems they find it easy to dump patients in the mental institutes. There are very few mental health institutes in India but the number of patients with chronic mental illness is very high. The common problems are poor social environment, hostile family environment, unaffordable prices of medicines Few efforts like proper psycho-education, frequent phonic follow-ups from the professionals, proper guidance, family therapy, supportive psychotherapy etc. can be done. The government should also take some steps to manage the chronically ill patients like following strict rules to avoid dumping patients in the mental health institutes. Proper vocational training and job perspective should be planned for these populations so that they can be less dependent on their families.
Advanced Intervention Strategies for Suicide in Patients with Chronic Mental Illness
Authors: Jha Shailesh , Khanna Amit , Khanna Prerna
Published: July 2016

Chronic mental illnesses are common to find in routine clinical practice and suicide is one of the dreaded outcomes. The concept under defining chronic mental illness has evolved in few decades as now the critical elements for defining the chronic mental illness are psychiatric diagnosis, functional disability, and illness duration. There are various studies on prevalence of suicide and especially in patients with CMI. There is rising trend of research on suicide in patient with psychiatric illness in last decade and found ever over thousand published article in year 2014. This chapter will include literature based on various aspect of suicide including neurobiological factors like neurotransmitters, neural circuits, genetic and epigenetic factors, response on pharmacotherapy and newer generation novel treatment strategies and various psychosocial factors.
Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT)
Authors: Bera Tushar Kanti , Nagaraju J.
Published: July 2016

Looking into the human body is very essential not only for studying the anatomy and physiology, but also for diagnosing a disease or illness. Doctors always try to visualize an organ or body part in order to study its physiological and anatomical status for understanding and/or treating its illness. This necessity introduced the diagnostic tool called medical imaging. The era of medical imaging started in 1895, when Roentgen discovered the magical powerful invisible rays called X-rays. Gradually the medical imaging introduced X-Ray CT, Gamma Camera, PET, SPECT, MRI, USG. Recently medical imaging field is enriched with comparatively newer tomographic imaging modalities like Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT), Diffuse Optical Tomography (DOT), Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), and Photoacaustic Tomography (PAT). The EIT has been extensively researched in different fields of science and engineering due to its several advantages. This chapter will present a brief review on the available medical imaging modalities and focus on the need of an alternating method. EIT will be discussed with its physical and mathematical aspects, potentials, and challenges.
Review of fMRI Data Analysis
Authors: Parida Shantipriya , Dehuri Satchidananda
Published: July 2016

Classification of brain states obtained through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) poses a serious challenges for neuroimaging community to uncover discriminating patterns of brain state activity that define independent thought processes. This challenge came into existence because of the large number of voxels in a typical fMRI scan, the classifier is presented with a massive feature set coupled with a relatively small training samples. One of the most popular research topics in last few years is the application of machine learning algorithms for mental states classification, decoding brain activation, and finding the variable of interest from fMRI data. In classification scenario, different algorithms have different biases, in the sequel performances differs across datasets, and for a particular dataset the accuracy varies from classifier to classifier. To overcome the limitations of individual techniques, hybridization or fusion of these machine learning techniques emerged in recent years which have shown promising result and open up new direction of research. This paper reviews the machine learning techniques ranging from individual classifiers, ensemble, and hybrid techniques used in cognitive classification with a well balance treatment of their applications, performance, and limitations. It also discusses many open research challenges for further research.
Automated Text Detection and Recognition in Annotated Biomedical Publication Images
Authors: De Soumya , Stanley R. Joe , Cheng Beibei , Antani Sameer , Long Rodney , Thoma George
Published: July 2016

Images in biomedical publications often convey important information related to an article's content. When referenced properly, these images aid in clinical decision support. Annotations such as text labels and symbols, as provided by medical experts, are used to highlight regions of interest within the images. These annotations, if extracted automatically, could be used in conjunction with either the image caption text or the image citations (mentions) in the articles to improve biomedical information retrieval. In the current study, automatic detection and recognition of text labels in biomedical publication images was investigated. This paper presents both image analysis and feature-based approaches to extract and recognize specific regions of interest (text labels) within images in biomedical publications. Experiments were performed on 6515 characters extracted from text labels present in 200 biomedical publication images. These images are part of the data set from ImageCLEF 2010. Automated character recognition experiments were conducted using geometry-, region-, exemplar-, and profile-based correlation features and Fourier descriptors extracted from the characters. Correct recognition as high as 92.67% was obtained with a support vector machine classifier, compared to a 75.90% correct recognition rate with a benchmark Optical Character Recognition technique.
NoSQL Technologies for Real Time (Patient) Monitoring
Authors: Dobre Ciprian , Xhafa Fatos
Published: July 2016

Today we witness a growing change in how public health administration thinks about medical data. We have slowly moved from paper-based patient records to digitally storing medical data, in support for advanced evidence-based mining and decision support processes. With this change comes great responsibility, among which efficient storing and accessing the health status of the patient is particularly important. In this chapter, the authors analyze current storage technologies for storing medical data. We are witnessing a shift from traditional relational database support to NoSQL technologies capable of offering great availability and scalability options, and back to the mixture between the SQL and NoSQL worlds, and scalable SQL databases. All these alternatives come with their own pros and cons, which the authors carefully analyze. They believe that their survey will help medical practitioners and developers of health applications make a more informed decision when designing medical data storage support.
Computer Assisted Methods for Retinal Image Classification
Authors: Nirmala S. R. , Sharma Purabi
Published: July 2016

Diabetes maculopathy has become one of the rapidly increasing health threats worldwide. The complication of diabetes associated to retina of the eye is diabetic retinopathy. A patient with the disease has to undergo periodic screening of eye. The ophthalmologists use colour retinal images of a patient acquired from digital fundus camera for disease diagnosis. Limited number of ophthalmology specialists in most of the countries motivates the need for computer based analysis of retinal images using image processing techniques. The results of this process may be used in applications such as, to classify the retinal images into normal and diseased. This could reduce the workload of ophthalmologists, also aid in diagnosis, to make measurements and to look for a change in progression of disease. Some computer based retinal image analysis methods used for the application are briefed in this chapter.
Computer Aided Diagnosis System for Breast Cancer Detection
Authors: Wadhwani Arun Kumar , Wadhwani Sulochana , Singh Tripty
Published: July 2016

Management of breast cancer in elder patients is challenging due to a lack of good quality evidence regarding the role of adjuvant chemotherapy. Mammograms can depict most of the significant changes of breast disease. The primary radiographic signs of breast cancer are masses (its density, site, shape, borders), spicular lesions and calcification content. The basic idea is to convert the mammogram image and convert into 3-D matrix. Obtained matrix is used to convert the mammogram into binary image. Several techniques like detecting cell, filling gaps, dilating gaps, removing border, smoothing the objects, finding structures & extracting large objects have been used. Finally finding the granulometry of tissues in an Image without explicitly segmenting (detecting) each object. Compared to existing multiscale enhancement approaches, images processed with this method appear more familiar to radiologists and naturally close to the original mammogram.
Calcifications Attenuation in Left Coronary Artery CT Images Using FDA Domain
Authors: Kumar PK Mithun , Rahman Mohammad Motiur
Published: July 2016

The calcification plaque is a one kind of artifacts or noises, which is occurred in the Computed Tomography (CT) images as a very high attenuation coefficient. Computed Tomography (CT) images are more helpful than other modalities (e.g. Ultrasonic Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) etc.) for disease diagnosis but unfortunately, CT image is an affected sometime by calcification plaque. Medical image segmentation cannot be optimum because of having calcification in the CT images, which is absolutely unexpected. The calcification plaque is the major problem for optimal organ segmentation and detection. This proposed task is a subjective as well as an effective for calcification alleviation from CT images. In this paper, Firstly, we applied the Fisher's Discriminant Analysis (FDA) for optimal threshold value estimation. Secondly, the proposed optimal threshold value is used for the optimal threshold image extraction. After this, the morphological operation is used for heavy calcification erosion and the XOR operation is used for adjusting the optimal threshold image with the input image. Finally, we implemented the Extra-Energy Reduction (EER) Function to smooth the desired image. Therefore, our investigated method is the most significant and articulate in order to attenuate calcification plaque from CT images.
Comprehensive Survey on Metal Artifact Reduction Methods in Computed Tomography Images
Authors: Desai Shrinivas D. , Kulkarni Linganagouda
Published: July 2016

Over the past few years, medical imaging technology has significantly advanced. Today, medical imaging modalities have been designed with state-of-the-art technology to provide much better in-depth resolution, reduced artifacts, and improved contrast –to – noise ratio. However in many practical situations complete projection data is not acquired leading to incomplete data problem. When the data is incomplete, tomograms may blur, resolution degrades, noise increases and forms artifacts which is the most important factor in degrading the tomography image quality and eventually hinders diagnostic accuracy. Efficient strategies to address this problem and to improve the diagnostic acceptability of CT images are thus invaluable. This review work, presents comprehensive survey of techniques for minimization of streaking artifact due to metallic implant in CT images. Problematic issues and outlook for the future research are discussed too. The major goal of the paper is to provide a comprehensive reference source for the researchers involved in metal artifact reduction methods.
A Study on Automatic Segmentation and Classification of Skin Lesions in Dermoscopic Images
Authors: Al-Mansour Ebtihal Abdullah , Jaffar M. Arfan
Published: July 2016

Malignant Melanoma is one of the rare and the deadliest form of skin cancer if left untreated. Death rate due to this cancer is three times more than all other skin-related malignancies combined. Incidence rates of melanoma have been increasing, especially among young adults, but survival rates are high if detected early. There is a need for an automated system to assess a patient's risk of melanoma using digital dermoscopy, that is, a skin imaging technique widely used for pigmented skin lesion inspection. Although many automated and semi-automated methods are available to diagnose skin cancer but each has its own limitations and there is no final, state-of-the art technique to date which is able to be implemented in real scenario. This survey paper is based on techniques used to segment the skin cancer, analysis of their merits and demerits and their applications on advanced imaging techniques.
Researching the Use of Communication Technologies in Higher Education Institutions in Portugal
Authors: Batista João , Morais Salomé , Ramos Fernando
Published: July 2016

This chapter describes a research which main purpose was identifying and characterizing the use of Communication Technologies by Portuguese Public Higher Education Institutions to support learning activities. An analysis model was created and used to develop a nationwide online survey used to collect data from students, teachers and institutional managers. The results show that institutional policies and resources are in place and being used to support learning; learning management systems and interpersonal communication technologies are intensely used and widely adopted; and that there are gender differences as far as the students' use of Communication Technologies is concerned. The results of this study provide a useful insight on the use of Communication Technologies by Portuguese Public Higher Education Institutions and give valuable information for ongoing decision making processes regarding the institutional adoption and development of learning models that take advantage of these technologies.
Cluster Based Medical Image Registration Using Optimized Neural Network
Authors: Hazra Joydev , Chowdhury Aditi Roy , Dutta Paramartha
Published: July 2016

Registration of medical images like CT-MR, MR-MR etc. are challenging area for researchers. This chapter introduces a new cluster based registration technique with help of the supervised optimized neural network. Features are extracted from different cluster of an image obtained from clustering algorithms. To overcome the drawback regarding convergence rate of neural network, an optimized neural network is proposed in this chapter. The weights are optimized to increase the convergence rate as well as to avoid stuck in local minima. Different clustering algorithms are explored to minimize the clustering error of an image and extract features from suitable one. The supervised learning method applied to train the neural network. During this training process an optimization algorithm named Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used to update the weights of a neural network. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, investigation is carried out on MR T1, T2 data sets. The proposed method shows convincing results in comparison with other existing techniques.
Isocenter Verification in Radiotherapy Clinical Practice Using Virtual Simulation
Authors: Matsopoulos George K. , Asvestas Pantelis A. , Markaki Vasiliki , Platoni Kalliopi , Kouloulias Vasilios
Published: July 2016

This chapter presents an overview of the procedures that are used for the verification of the patient position during radiotherapy. Furthermore, a method for the verification of the radiotherapy isocenter prior to treatment delivery is proposed. The method is based on the alignment of two Computed Tomography (CT) scans: a scan, which is acquired for treatment planning, and an additional verification scan, which is acquired prior to the treatment delivery. The proposed method was applied to CT scans, acquired from 20 patients with abdominal tumors and 20 patients with breast/lung cancer. The results of the proposed method were compared with the ones obtained using conventional methods, indicating that the estimated isocenter displacement can be translated into patient setup error inside the treatment room.
T-Scan 8 Recording Dynamics, System Features, and Clinician User Skills
Authors: Kerstein, DMD Robert B. , Anselmi Robert
Published: July 2016

The newly designed T-Scan 8 Computerized Occlusal Analysis system represents the state-of-the-art in occlusal diagnosis. The reliability of the system's high definition recording sensors, the many occlusal analysis timing and force software features, and the modern-day computer hardware electronics that record occlusal function in 0.003 second real-time increments affords a clinician unparalleled occlusal contact timing and force information with which to predictably diagnose and treat many occlusal abnormalities. T-Scan 8 represents the culmination of 30 years of T-Scan technology innovation and development with revised desktop graphics and less toolbar buttons for simpler graphical display designed to shorten the T-Scan learning curve. The chapter also discusses five useful diagnostic occlusal recordings employed when treating commonly observed occlusal problems. Lastly, the chapter outlines the three Learning Levels of T-Scan mastery that must be accomplished for a clinician to become an effective and competent T-Scan user.
Preoperative and Intraoperative Spatial Reasoning Support with 3D Organ and Vascular Models
Authors: Oliveira João Fradinho , Moyano-Cuevas José Luis , Pagador J. Blas , Capote Hugo , Margallo Francisco Miguel Sánchez
Published: July 2016

Different imaging modalities (MRI/CT) are used to analyse/plan complex surgical procedures in order to minimize risks and complications. Although there are numerous computer tools for preoperative assistance (VR/AR simulators, 3D printed implants), intraoperative systems are less common, specifically for soft tissue related interventions. For this reason, this paper is focused on 3D reconstruction. The proposed reconstruction combines a surface approach for organs and a block approach for vascular networks. Layered closed surface(s) represent an organ and stacks of extruded individual contour blocks represent the vascular networks. The authors use IGSTK to show that their approach improves shape and transparency results when compared with other modelling methods and to communicate with trackers. With their method polygon contour correspondence/branching between slices is implicit/automatic, saving time; they show that traditional tiling problems become visually negligible. The authors' novel file format allows polygons segmented by other tools to be reconstructed in their contour annotation tool which uses VTK.
Multimodal Indexing and Information Retrieval System Based on Mammographic Image Analysis
Authors: Sidhom Sahbi , Bourkache Noureddine , Laghrouche Mourad
Published: July 2016

In this chapter, we propose a new indexing approach on medical “image scanner” databases combining the analysis process of the texture characteristics with the descriptive information. The proposed model is based on the digital image components using the characteristics vector. This vector represents the morphological processing result on image texture. It is linked to image semantic attributes using the annotations of medical professionals. Our application context is based on “Mammographic Image Analysis” (MIAS) in databases. The first aspect concerning the morphology processing on images called the “numerical signature” vector. In this approach, the texture analysis of the image is based on the Gabor Wavelets (or Filters) Theory. In offline processing for each image in MIAS databases, the Gabor Wavelets determine all numerical signatures: image characteristics as multi-index vectors. In online, the query processing by image in real-time defines the query signature (or image-query vectors) and determines all similarities by multi-index matching with images in databases. The similarities are built between the image-query and images in MIAS databases using the same Gabors' algorithms implementation. In order to evaluate the robustness of our system (based on multi-index, semantic attributes, query and information retrieval by image), we experiment with a controlled database of 320 mammographies. The efficient results show a set of successful criteria in image representations based on the Gabor's Wavelets, semantic attributes and significant ratios in the system recall and precision. The objective is to design an intelligent application to assist medical professionals in the decision-making on tumor dignosis based on mammography scanner.
Application of Carbon Nanotubes in Nanomedicine
Authors: Moradi Omid , Sadegh Hamidreza , Shahryari-Ghoshekandi Ramin , Norouzi Mehdi
Published: July 2016

Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) have become a technological field with great potential since they can be applied in almost every aspect of modern life. One of the sectors where CNTs are expected to play a vital role is the field of medical science. This chapter focuses on the latest developments in applications of CNTs for nanomedicine. A brief history of CNTs and a general introduction to the field are presented. Then, the preparation of CNTs that makes them ideal for use in medical applications is highlighted. Examples of common applications, including cell penetration, drug delivery, and gene delivery and imaging are given. Finally, the toxicity of carbon nanotubes is discussed.
SCADA Systems Cyber Security for Critical Infrastructures
Authors: Ismail Suhaila , Sitnikova Elena , Slay Jill
Published: July 2016

Past cyber-attacks on Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems for Critical infrastructures have left these systems compromised and caused financial and economic problems. Deliberate attacks have resulted in denial of services and physical injury to the public in certain cases. This study explores the past attacks on SCADA Systems by examining nine case studies across multiple utility sectors including transport, energy and water and sewage sector. These case studies will be further analysed according to the cyber-terrorist decision-making theories including strategic, organisational and psychological theories based on McCormick (2000). Next, this study will look into cyber-terrorist capabilities in conducting attacks according to Nelson's (1999) approach that includes simple-unstructured, advance-structured and complex-coordinated capabilities. The results of this study will form the basis of a guideline that organisations can use so that they are better prepared in identifying potential future cybersecurity attacks on their SCADA systems.
Design and Fabrication of a Strain Gauge Type 3-axis Milling Tool Dynamometer
Authors: Pathri Bhargav Prajwal , Garg Arpit Kumar , Unune Deepak Rajendra , Mali Harlal Singh , Dhami Sukhdeep S. , Nagar Ravindra
Published: July 2016

This paper presents the design and development of low cost strain gauge type milling tool dynamometer, which is suitable for measuring milling forces. The designed dynamometer contains four octagonal ring members on which strain gauges were bonded. The strain induced on the strain gauges due to milling forces during cutting was measured in terms of voltages using a Wheatstone bridge. A data acquisition system was connected to the dynamometer to acquire the data. The end milling operation was carried out on AISI 1020 steel work pieces of 60 mm x 30mm x 20 mm size using different combination of cutting parameters designed by design of experiments Taguchi approach on CNC milling machine. Machining tests were performed at different cutting parameters and measured cutting forces were compared with those measures by Kistler Dynamometer. The results showed that the dynamometer could be used reliably.
Tool Wear and Surface Integrity Analysis of Machined Heat Treated Selective Laser Melted Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Shunmugavel Manikandakumar , Polishetty Ashwin , Goldberg Moshe , Singh Rajkumar Prasad , Littlefair Guy
Published: July 2016

In this study, the tool wear and surface integrity during machining of wrought and Selective Laser Melted (SLM) titanium alloy (after heat treatment) are studied. Face turning trails were carried out on both the materials at different cutting speeds of 60,120 and 180 m/min. Cutting tools and machined specimens collected are characterized using scanning electron microscope, surface profiler and optical microscope to study the tool wear, machined surface quality and machining induced microstructural alterations. It was found that high cutting speeds lead to rapid tool wear during machining of SLM Ti-6Al-4V materials. Rapid tool wear observed at high cutting speeds in machining SLM Ti-6Al-4V resulted in damaging the surface integrity by 1) Deposition of chip/work material on the machined surface giving rise to higher surface roughness and 2) Increasing the depth of plastic deformation on the machined sub surface.
Multi-instrument comparison and compilation of non-methane organic gas emissions from biomass burning and implications for smoke-derived secondary organic aerosol precursors
Authors: Hatch Lindsay E. , Yokelson Robert J. , Stockwell Chelsea E. , Veres Patrick R. , Simpson Isobel J. , Blake Donald R. , Orlando John J. , Barsanti Kelley C.
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Multiple trace-gas instruments were deployed during the fourth Fire Lab at Missoula Experiment (FLAME-4), including the first application of proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-TOFMS) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS) for laboratory biomass burning (BB) measurements. Open-path Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (OP-FTIR) was also deployed, as well as whole air sampling (WAS) with one-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. This combination of instruments provided an unprecedented level of detection and chemical speciation. The chemical composition and emission factors (EFs) determined by these four analytical techniques were compared for four representative fuels. The results demonstrate that the instruments are highly complementary, with each covering some unique and important ranges of compositional space, thus demonstrating the need for multi-instrument approaches to adequately characterize BB smoke emissions. Emission factors for overlapping compounds generally compared within experimental uncertainty, despite some outliers, including monoterpenes. Data from all measurements were synthesized into a single EF database that includes over 500 non-methane organic gases (NMOGs) to provide a comprehensive picture of speciated, gaseous BB emissions. The identified compounds were assessed as a function of volatility; 6–11 % of the total NMOG EF was associated with intermediate volatility organic compounds (IVOCs). These atmospherically relevant compounds historically have been unresolved in BB smoke measurements and thus are largely missing from emissions inventories. Additionally, the identified compounds were screened for published secondary organic aerosol (SOA) yields. Of the total reactive carbon (defined as EF scaled by the OH rate constant and carbon number of each compound) in the BB emissions, 55–77 % was associated with compounds for which SOA yields are unknown or understudied. The best candidates for future smog chamber experiments were identified based on the relative abundance and ubiquity of the understudied compounds, and included furfural, 2-methyl furan, 2-furan methanol, and 1,3-cyclopentadiene. Laboratory study of these compounds will facilitate future modeling efforts.
Assata Shakur, Mamphela Ramphele, and the Developing of Resistant Imaginations
Authors: Paris William Michael
Published: July 2016

This article will continue Jose Medina's work on “resistant imaginations” by developing the concepts of “internal resistant imagination” and “external resistant imagination” through readings of Assata Shakur's and Mamphela Ramphele's autobiographies. By introducing the problem of location and its relation to race it will show that one's geographical location affects their location in relation to hegemonic imaginations. This in turn requires different strategies of resistance. Using Medina's work this article will argue that Shakur and Ramphele explore these two different avenues for undoing harmful truths within racist and sexist hegemonic imaginaries.
Transatlantic Knowledge Politics of Sexuality
Authors: McEwen Haley
Published: July 2016

Contestations over the rights of sexual minorities and gender-nonconforming people in Africa are profoundly shaped by two discourses that both emerge from polarized domestic political debates in the United States: a human rights–centered discourse of “LGBT*I” identity politics that promotes visibility and equal protections and privileges for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, and intersex individuals; and a Christonormative “family values” agenda that promotes the heterosexual nuclear family as the foundation of civilization. Analysis considers these contemporary discourses in relation to entangled colonial constructions of white supremacy and heteropatriarchy used to justify the conquest and exploitation of Africa. This article takes particular interest in the power relations that are (re)constituted through these discourses so as to uncover the underlying interests at stake within them. Through consultation with critiques advanced within critical race and critical queer theory, and critical philosophical arguments on the epistemic dimensions of racialized, sexed, and gendered oppressions, it is argued that these discourses advance U.S. hegemonic interests and reinscribe Western hegemony. It is concluded that struggles for equality among sexual minorities and gender-nonconforming people must be approached as part-and-parcel of decolonial struggles to dismantle white supremacist and Western structures of oppression.
CUIDADOS, ACOLHIMENTO E FLORES: AS MULHERES NA POLÍTICA E DESENVOLVIMENTO LOCAL NO RIO GRANDE DO SUL
Authors: Barcellos Olinda , Ghelen Ivaldo
Published: July 2016

Neste artigo objetivou-se identificar e analisar trajetórias de empoderamento político de mulheres que exercem funções de representatividade e suas compreensões sobre desenvolvimento local. O recorte analítico é qualitativo e fundamentou-se nos conceitos de empoderamento, chances de vida e capacitações. O universo de pesquisa foram mulheres que assumiram cargos de prefeitas, vice-prefeitas e vereadoras no Rio Grande do Sul, nas eleições de 2012. Também, buscou-se conhecimentos sobre o assuntocom informantes qualificados, totalizando trinta e quatro pessoas entrevistadas por meio de um roteiro que abrangeu os seguintes aspectos: a trajetória familiar, educacional e profissional; a trajetória política, a participação em organizações de grupo; atuação na política, o estilo de fazer política; os significados e os compromissos com o desenvolvimento local; e a participação política da mulher. Os resultados demonstraram que a mulher ingressa na política por três vias: pela qualificação profissional, pela participaçãoem movimentos sociais e para ajudar amigos e família; atua na política com especificidades da esfera privada, e sua compreensão de desenvolvimento local não distancia de seu entendimento de bem-estar em casa; não separa sua vivência em família com a atuação na política, dobrando sua carga de compromissos e atividades. Não somam um número que representa uma massa crítica capaz de alterar relação de poder, mas quando estão no poder compreendem o desenvolvimento local como processo de construção de bem estar às pessoas.
Editorial
Authors: Sacchet Teresa
Published: July 2016

Editorial do Dossiê Mulheres e Política
Genre-Based Approach: What and How to Teach and to Learn Writing
Authors: Dirgeyasa I Wy.
Published: July 2016

In Indonesian education context, recently the word ‘genre’ seems to gain its most popular and hot issue to teaching and learning English, particularly writing skill. However, many of them the students, teachers, or university students, or even lecturers in universities apparently are not good at understanding and are not truly well informed about the genre itself. It could be said that the word ‘genre’ is still a kind of mystery to uncover. This paper is an attempt to present the nature of genre, genre writing, genre as a product of writing, and genre as an approach to teaching and learning writing.
Effect of N Fertigation Rates and Humic Acid on The Productivity of Crisphead Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Grown in Sandy Soil
Authors: Mirdad Zohair Mahmoud
Published: July 2016

Lettuce is a slow-growing plant, which often accumulates 70:80% of it is head biomass and N uptake just during the last three to five weeks before the harvest. As well, add humic acid (HA) with N fertilizers is helping reduce the loss of N via leaching, especially in sandy soil. Therefore, the doses of N fertilizer and HA preferably add them in harmony with the requirements of different lettuce growth stages. This investigation aimed to study effect of three N fertigation rates; 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1 and four rates of humic acid (HA); control, 400, 800 and 1600 mg l-1 as well as their interaction on the growth, head characters and mineral uptake (N, P and K) of crisphead lettuce. The results showed that lettuce plants receiving N fertigation rate up to 150 kg ha-1 were achieved the highest fresh and dry weight of outer leaves and head as well as total yield ha-1. Furthermore, the total chlorophyll content, T.S.S. and mineral uptake were improved with increase N fertigation rate up to 150 kg ha-1. Crisphead lettuce plants that treated by 800 mg l-1 HA as drench gave the highest mean values of total yield per hectare (65.81 ton ha-1), fresh and dry weight of outer leaves and head and N, P and K uptake as well as chlorophyll content and T.S.S. Whereas, the ratio of outer leaves: head as the dry weight base was a significant increase with an increase in HA rate up to 1600 mg l-1. Generally, the results showed that lettuce plants receiving N fertigation up rate 150 kg ha-1 + 800 mg l-1 HA achieved the highest mean values of fresh and dry weight of outer leaves and head as well as total yield ha-1 and chlorophyll content of crisphead lettuce plants.
Performance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fed Diets Containing Blood Meal as a Replacement of Fish Meal
Authors: Kirimi James G. , Musalia Levi M. , Magana Adiel , Munguti Jonathan M.
Published: July 2016

A 100 days experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding blood meal (BM) as a replacement of fish meal (FM), as the main source of animal protein, on growth rate and economic performance of Nile tilapia in fertilized pond. Three isonitrogenous diets (35% crude protein) were formulated using either FM as the main source of animal protein (Diet 1); 50% replacement of FM with blood meal (Diet 2); or 100% replacement of FM with BM (Diet 3). Three hundred Nile tilapia fingerlings (12±3 g) were randomly distributed into three groups of four replicates of 25 fingerlings per cage. The groups were randomly assigned the 3 diets which were fed at 2% of their biomass at 10 am and 4 pm every day. Percentage daily weight gain (DWG), relative growth rate (RGR), specific growth rate (SGR), survival rate and feed utilisation efficiency were measured. Fish fed diet 1 were larger (50.69 g) (P < 0.05) than those fed diet 2 (48.47 g) and 3 (40.37 g). Replacement of FM with 50% and 100% BM reduced the incidence cost (45.55, 37.83 and 31.88, respectively). The profit index was highest with 100% (9.42) replacement of FM, compared to 50% (7.95) and 0% (6.69). Although replacing FM with BM was associated with reduced growth, the economic return was better (P < 0.05). Based on the present results, it was economical to use BM as a major protein source instead of FM in formulating fish feed.
The Study of Internet Use and Academic Achievement of Elementary Students in Bangkok
Authors: Suphasawat Aouyporn , Hongsanguansri Sirichai , Seree Patcharin , Rotjananirunkit Ouaychai
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between internet usage behavior and academic achievement among elementary school students from grade 4-6 in Bangkok. The researcher employed Multi-stage Sampling to recruit 297 samples. The data was gathered via the following tests: 1) Intelligence tests, namely Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM) for students aged 5-11 year old or Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) for 12 year old and above, and 2) Academic achievement test, namely Wide Range Achievement Test Thai Edition: WRAT-Thai. The findings revealed that time spent on the internet is negatively correlated to student’s reading achievement (r = -.24, p < .001), spelling achievement (r = -.26, p < .001), and math achievement (r = -.20, p = .001). More surprisingly, academic related internet usage was also found to be negatively correlated to math achievement (r = -.20, p < 0.05). Meanwhile, internet usage for social media has a correlation with academic achievement in math and reading, (r = -.20, p = .001) and (r = -.13, p < .05), respectively. Moreover, internet usage for entertainment was found to have a negative correlation with academic achievement in reading, spelling and math, (r = -.25, p < .001), (r = -.27, p < .001) and (r = -.21, p < .001), respectively. Internet usage for online business, however, yielded no correlation to academic achievement. The study concluded that daily internet usage does have an effect on academic achievement in math. Moreover, when used for entertainment and social media, internet usage can pose a negative effect on academic achievement in reading and writing.
Characterizing the HIV risks and potential pathways to HIV infection among transgender women in Côte d'Ivoire, Togo and Burkina Faso
Authors: Stahlman Shauna , Liestman Benjamin , Ketende Sosthenes , Kouanda Seni , Ky‐Zerbo Odette , Lougue Marcel , Diouf Daouda , Anato Simplice , Tchalla Jules , Bamba Amara , Drame Fatou Maria , Ezouatchi Rebecca , Kouamé Abo , Baral Stefan D
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Transgender women are at high risk for the acquisition and transmission of HIV. However, there are limited empiric data characterizing HIV‐related risks among transgender women in sub‐Saharan Africa. The objective of these analyses is to determine what factors, including sexual behaviour stigma, condom use and engagement in sex work, contribute to risk for HIV infection among transgender women across three West African nations.

Methods

Data were collected via respondent‐driven sampling from men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women during three‐ to five‐month intervals from December 2012 to October 2015 across a total of six study sites in Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire. During the study visit, participants completed a questionnaire and were tested for HIV. Chi‐square tests were used to compare the prevalence of variables of interest between transgender women and MSM. A multilevel generalized structural equation model (GSEM) was used to account for clustering of observations within study sites in the multivariable analysis, as well as to estimate mediated associations between sexual behaviour stigma and HIV infection among transgender women.

Results

In total, 2456 participants meeting eligibility criteria were recruited, of which 453 individuals identified as being female/transgender. Transgender women were more likely than MSM to report selling sex to a male partner within the past 12 months (p<0.01), to be living with HIV (p<0.01) and to report greater levels of sexual behaviour stigma as compared with MSM (p<0.05). In the GSEM, sexual behaviour stigma from broader social groups was positively associated with condomless anal sex (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.09, 1.62) and with selling sex (AOR=1.23, 95% CI=1.02, 1.50). Stigma from family/friends was also associated with selling sex (AOR=1.42, 95% CI=1.13, 1.79), although no significant associations were identified with prevalent HIV infection.

Conclusions

These data suggest that transgender women have distinct behaviours from those of MSM and that stigma perpetuated against transgender women is impacting HIV‐related behaviours. Furthermore, given these differences, interventions developed for MSM will likely be less effective among transgender women. This situation necessitates dedicated responses for this population, which has been underserved in the context of both HIV surveillance and existing responses.
Prevalence and associated factors of condomless receptive anal intercourse with male clients among transgender women sex workers in Shenyang, China
Authors: Cai Yong , Wang Zixin , Lau Joseph TF , Li Jinghua , Ma Tiecheng , Liu Yan
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Globally, transgender women sex workers have a high prevalence of HIV and condomless receptive anal intercourse with male clients (CRAIMC). We investigated the prevalence of CRAIMC and factors associated with CRAIMC among transgender women sex workers in China.

Methods

In 2014, we anonymously interviewed 220 transgender women sex workers face to face in Shenyang, China. Those who self‐reported as HIV negative or as having unknown HIV serostatus were invited to take up free, anonymous HIV rapid testing (n=183); 90 did so. Using CRAIMC in the last month as the dependent variable, three types of associated factors were investigated, in addition to background factors: feminizing medical interventions, sex work and perceptions related to condom use. Univariate and multiple logistic regression models were fitted.

Results

Of the participants, 16.8% self‐reported as HIV positive and 9.1% were detected to be HIV positive through free HIV testing; 26.8% had had CRAIMC in the last month, 45.5% had performed sex work in other Chinese cities (last year), and 23.2% had had condomless anal intercourse with men who were non‐clients. In the adjusted analysis, significant factors associated with CRAIMC (last month) included the following: 1) any feminizing medical intervention performed (adjusted odds ratio, AOR: 2.22); 2) sex‐work‐related factors, including recruitment of male clients most often at hotels (AOR: 5.02) and charge per episode of transactional sex (201 to 400 RMB, AOR: 0.27; reference group: ≤100 RMB); and 3) perceptions related to condom use, including perceived transgender identity's impact on condomless sex such as wearing feminine attire, concern about exposing their status as a transgender woman to male clients (AOR: 1.20) and perceived self‐efficacy of consistent condom use with male clients (AOR: 0.56). Perceived self‐efficacy of consistent condom use with male clients fully mediated the association between perceived transgender identity's impact on condomless sex and CRAIMC.

Conclusions

HIV prevalence among transgender women sex workers was high but probably underestimated. The high prevalence of condomless anal intercourse with male non‐clients and high mobility in sex work among this population in China are causes for concern. Risk factors for CRAIMC were multidimensional and should be considered when designing interventions targeting transgender women sex workers. Such interventions are urgently needed.