bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Participation in Performance Pay Systems and Employees’ Satisfaction with Job Conditions
Authors: Ismail Arman , Anuar Aimi
Published: November 2017

The aim of this research is to evaluate the association between participation in performance pay systems and employees’ satisfaction with job conditions. A survey method was utilized to collect data from subordinates who serve at disaster management agencies in West Malaysia. The findings of SmartPLS path model analysis display four important outcomes: first, the relationship between participation in pay plans and satisfaction with intrinsic job conditions was not significant. Second, relationship between participation in pay operations and satisfaction with intrinsic job conditions was not significant. Third, the relationship between participation in pay plans and satisfaction with extrinsic job conditions was significance. Finally, the relationship between participation in pay operations and satisfaction with extrinsic job conditions was significance. This finding demonstrates that participation in pay plans and participation in pay operations do not act as important predictors of employees’ satisfaction with intrinsic job conditions. Conversely, participation in pay plans and participation in pay operations do act as important predictors of employees’ satisfaction with extrinsic job conditions. Further, this research delivers discussion, implications and conclusion.
A study of menopausal symptoms and its impact on lives of Nepalese perimenopausal and postmenopausal women
Authors: Shrestha Nira Singh Singh , Pandey Asmita
Published: November 2017

Background: Menopausal health has not been given any consideration till the recent years in developing countries. With the improving status of women in the society, more and more women are seeking help for their menopausal problems.Objectives: The study aimed to find out the prevalence of menopausal symptoms and its impact on life of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women attending gynecology outpatient department at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital.Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was done at Kathmandu medical college teaching hospital among 100 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women attending gynecology outpatient department in the month of August 2016. A pretested questionnaire was administered to the women selected by convenience sampling. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20 and presented in percentage and frequency table.Results: The mean age of the women in the study population was 49.98 years(SD±6.18) and mean age at menopause was48.02 years (SD± 2.12). Ninety four percent of the women had one or more of the menopausal symptoms. The commonest menopausal symptom was mood swings and irritability (80% and 68% respectively) followed by vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes in 42% and night sweats in 24% of the women. These symptoms interfered with the women’s daily work performances in 46% of the cases, affected family life in 28% and affected social life in 32% of the cases.Conclusion: Majority of the women have menopausal symptoms during perimenopause and postmenopausal period. These symptoms have major impact on women’s personal, social, and family lives. Journal of Kathmandu Medical CollegeVol. 6, No. 1, 2017, page: 4-8
Antimicrobial resistance trend of Salmonella typhi and paratyphi from 2011-2013: A descriptive study from tertiary care hospital of Nepal
Authors: Adhikari Arjab , Sapkota Supriya , Bhattarai Utsuk , Raghubanshi Bijendra Raj
Published: November 2017

Background: Enteric fever is a major public health problem in Nepal. Trends of drug resistance help in choosing optimal empiric therapy.Objective: The objective of this study was to determine antibiotic resistance pattern of Salmonella enterica serotype typhi and Salmonella enterica serotype paratyphi isolated from blood cultures.Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted using hospital records at KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Nepal. Isolates from blood cultures between January 2011 and December 2013 were included in this study. Susceptibility to various antimicrobials was determined using modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. A chi-square for trend analysis was done to evaluate change in susceptibility over three years.Results: Out of 216 isolates, 68.05% were Salmonella typhi and 31.48% were Salmonella paratyphi A. In Salmonella typhi, there was significant increase in cefotaxime resistance(X2 = 4.951, p < 0.05) and ciprofloxacin resistance (X2 = 17.506, p < 0.001) whereas there was significant decrease in ampicillin resistance (X2 = 4.830, p < 0.05). No resistance was seen against ceftriaxone in Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi A. Resistance to chloramphenicol and cotrimoxazole was low as well, in both isolates. None of the isolates tested were multidrug resistant.Conclusion: There is emergence of resistance to cefotaxime whereas resistance to ciprofloxacin has made its use as empiric therapy questionable. Full susceptibility of ceftriaxone makes it an excellent antibiotic for empiric therapy. Decrease in resistance to chloramphenicol, cotrimoxazole and ampicillin may again make these agents useful. Journal of Kathmandu Medical College Vol. 6, No. 1, 2017, page: 9-13
Guillain Barré Syndrome in a three year old child under treatment for atypical febrile seizure: A case report
Authors: Basnet Rydam , Subedi Kiran , Bhandari Bikash , Gongal Sonsy
Published: November 2017

Guillain-Barré syndrome is the most common cause of acute fl accid paralysis in healthy infants and children. It has an  annual incidence of 0.6 to 2.4 cases per 100,000 population and occurs at all ages and in both sexes. The incidence is lower in children ranging from 0.38 to 0.91 cases per 100,000 in the studies and most of these cases ranging from four  years to 18 years of age. Hence, the true incidence is even lesser in child younger than four years. We report a case of an early presentation of Guillain-Barré syndrome in child who was also a case of atypical febrile seizure  under sodium valproate. Keeping in mind all the possibilities of acute onset weakness including orthopedic problems, possible side effect of valproate and possible new seizure, treatment was started early solely based on history and physical examination later confirmed by laboratory investigations.Journal of Kathmandu Medical College Vol. 6, No. 1, 2017, page: 35-37
Effects of local vibration with blood flow restriction on muscle activation
Authors: Lin Tsong-Cheng , Cheng Chi-Cheng , Cai Zong-Yan
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND:

Blood flow restriction (BFR) resistance exercise often elicits additive response of muscle activation. It is not clear whether local vibration (LV)-induced involuntary muscle contraction plus BFR would elicit an additive response of muscle activation.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effects of LV exercise with and without BFR on muscle activation.

METHODS:

Eight physically inactive males were randomly assigned to a sequence of LV (0.45 mm amplitude, 35 Hz sinusoid, lasting 1 min) treatments on unilateral antagonistic muscle groups, including the upper arm (biceps and triceps), the calf (gastrocnemius, GAS; tibialis anterior, TA) and the thigh (rectus femoris, RF; biceps femoris, BF), in a repeated-measures counterbalanced design, with a 5-min interval separating the treatments. The LV treatments on each of the limbs included one bout of LV and one bout of LV [Formula: see text] BFR (inflated to 200 mmHg) in a counterbalanced order.

RESULTS:

Only the RF and biceps in the measured muscles showed greater electromyography (EMG) values during LV [Formula: see text] BFR than those during LV ([Formula: see text] 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

LV [Formula: see text] BFR elicits an increase in EMG amplitude in some muscles, with obviously greater values in the RF for the thigh and in the biceps for the upper limb.
The relationship between muscle function, lung function and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Authors: Hora Ádrea L. , Guimarães Fernando S. , Menezes Sara L.S. , Soares Mauricio S. , Bunn Priscila S. , Lopes Agnaldo J.
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND:

There is a growing interest in identifying markers of pulmonary function that are predictive of peripheral muscle dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, studies of this relationship have yielded contradictory results in the literature.

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the strength and endurance of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles according to gender and to evaluate the associations between lower limb muscle function and lung function, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and 25-hydroxivitamin D3 (25(OH)D[Formula: see text]) levels in patients with COPD.

METHODS:

Forty-two patients with COPD and 42 matched healthy controls underwent knee isokinetic dynamometry at 75 and 240[Formula: see text]/s as well as isometric handgrip strength testing. All patients underwent pulmonary function tests and measurement of 25(OH)D[Formula: see text]. HRQoL was evaluated using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Saint George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).

RESULTS:

Most isokinetic parameters showed differences between males and females as well as between COPD patients and controls; the greatest differences were observed among females with COPD and their matched controls. The strongest correlations were observed between the isokinetic parameters and the SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) and SGRQ and pulmonary function variables, especially at the higher velocity. At this velocity, the agonist/antagonist ratio was positively correlated with the SF-36 PCS (r [Formula: see text] 0.65), 25(OH)D[Formula: see text] levels (r [Formula: see text] 0.76) and forced expiratory volume in one second (r [Formula: see text] 0.65) and was negatively correlated with the CAT (r [Formula: see text]0.53) and the SGRQ (r [Formula: see text]0.64) ([Formula: see text] 0.001 for all correlations). The associations between the isokinetic parameters and 25(OH)D[Formula: see text] levels were stronger when endurance was tested.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with COPD show a reduction in both strength and endurance, especially in females. The relationships between muscle function, lung function, HRQoL and 25(OH)D[Formula: see text] levels are most striking when endurance and hamstring/quadriceps muscle balance are tested. In COPD, forced expiratory volume in one second is the strongest marker of lung function that predicts muscle dysfunction.
Towards a model for facilitating and enabling co-creation using open government data
Authors: Khayyat Mashael , Bannister Frank
Published: November 2017

In recent years there have been initiatives in many countries which seek to encourage and facilitate co-creation using Open Government Data (OGD). This article describes a research project whose objectives were to investigate the factors that contribute to creating a vibrant co-creation ecosystem built around the use of OGD and to build a model which participants can use as a framework for aiding in co-creation processes. To develop this model multiple case studies are used to investigate the nature of co-creation using OGD in the greater Dublin area. The different dimensions of OGD, as perceived by various stakeholders in co-creation projects, are explored with a view to establishing what facilitates co-creation activities. The stakeholders include the OGD publishers (in this case the four local authorities in the greater Dublin area) and various communities and community groups such as academics, volunteers, voluntary organizations as well as a number of government agencies and commercial organizations. Adopting a modified version of Activity Theory (AT) as a framework, the research uses a wide range of data sources including documents, analysis of web sites, participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Analysis of the latter is carried out using thematic analysis. From these, a model for encouraging, fostering and enabling the development of co-creation projects in local communities is proposed.
Fracture generation in human vertebrae under compression loading: The influence of pedicle preservation and bone mineral density on in vitro fracture behavior
Authors: Kraxenberger Michael , Schröder Christian , Geith Tobias , Büttner Andreas , von Schulze-Pellengahr Christoph , Birkenmaier Christof , Müller Peter E. , Jansson Volkmar , Wegener Bernd
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND:

Fractured vertebral bodies are a common and wide spread health issue.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to develop a standardized method to experimentally generate compression fractures in vertebral bodies. The influence of the pedicles has been investigated with regards to the fracture behavior. The correlation between bone mineral density (BMD), the cause of fractures and the fracture behavior was investigated.

METHODS:

Twenty-one fresh frozen human lumbar spines were examined for bone mineral density (BMD) by means of quantitative computed tomography (qCT). All soft tissue was removed, vertebrae were carefully separated from each other and the exposed cranial and caudal endplates were covered with a thin layer of resin to generate a plane and homogeneous surface. A total of 80 vertebral bodies were tested until fracture.

RESULTS:

A good positive correlation was found between BMD, fracture compression force and stiffness of the vertebral body. No significant differences were found between the fractures generated in vertebral bodies with and without pedicles, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our model represents a consolidation of already existing testing devices. The comparative measurement of the BMD and the fracture behavior shows validity. In contrast to other authors, the force was applied to the whole vertebral body. Furthermore the upper and lower plates were not parallelized and therefore the natural anatomic shape was imitated. Fracture behavior was not altered by removing the pedicles.
Goos–Hänchen effect in neutron optics and the reflection time of neutron waves
Authors: Bushuev V A , Frank A I
Published: November 2017

The Goos–Hänchen (GH) effect, a longitudinal shift of a wave beam at total internal reflection, is well known in optics and has been repeatedly observed for light, micro-, and ultrasonic waves. We consider the GH effect for a massive particle reflected from a material boundary. A close relation is shown to exist between the longitudinal shift and the time delay of reflection. In the case of a neutron reflected from a planar resonant system, a giant longitudinal shift of either positive or negative sign can occur, corresponding to a large reflection group delay time. This time can also be negative, which does not contradict the causality principle. Prospects of the experimental observation of the GH effect and group delay time for neutron reflection are reviewed.
On the properties of the ‘potential’ neutron dispersion law in a refractive medium
Authors: Frank A I
Published: November 2017

It is known that the so-called potential law of neutron-wave dispersion in matter is distinct from all other dispersion laws in that the normal component of the wave vector in a medium depends only on its vacuum value. There is also an-other feature of the potential dispersion law, formulated as the statement that the neutron group velocity in a medium is equal to the vacuum velocity times the refractive index. Although generally accepted as obvious, this statement turns out to be valid only for the potential dispersion law, for which the neutron effective mass in a medium is equal to the inertial one.
Design and Characterization of a Birefringent-Type Compact Displacement Sensor for Improving Measurement Sensitivity by a Guided-Wave Beam
Authors: Twu Ruey-Ching , Yan Nian-Yang
Published: November 2017

A compact displacement sensor (CDS) fabricated with the combinations of a birefringent KTP and cylindrical lens is proposed to be applied for optical displacement measurements in a common-path interferometer. To overcome the beam distortion issues of an original laser beam (OLB) in the small radius of the lens, a guided-wave beam (GWB) is proposed to demonstrate that the GWB (having better measurement characteristics than the OLB) is essential to achieve the improved sensitivity of displacement measurements performed by the CDS.
Phenolic Composition and Related Properties of Aged Wine Spirits: Influence of Barrel Characteristics. A Review
Authors: Canas Sara
Published: November 2017

The freshly distilled wine spirit has a high concentration of ethanol and many volatile compounds, but is devoid of phenolic compounds other than volatile phenols. Therefore, an ageing period in the wooden barrel is required to attain sensory fullness and high quality. During this process, several phenomena take place, namely the release of low molecular weight phenolic compounds and tannins from the wood into the wine spirit. Research conducted over the last decades shows that they play a decisive role on the physicochemical characteristics and relevant sensory properties of the beverage. Their contribution to the antioxidant activity has also been emphasized. Besides, some studies show the modulating effect of the ageing technology, involving different factors such as the barrel features (including the wood botanical species, those imparted by the cooperage technology, and the barrel size), the cellar conditions, and the operations performed, on the phenolic composition and related properties of the aged wine spirit. This review aims to summarize the main findings on this topic, taking into account two featured barrel characteristics—the botanical species of the wood and the toasting level.
Fe-Doped TiO2 Supported on HY Zeolite for Solar Photocatalytic Treatment of Dye Pollutants
Authors: Foura Ghania , Chouchou Nawel , Soualah Ahcène , Kouachi Kahina , Guidotti Matteo , Robert Didier
Published: November 2017

Zeolite-supported TiO2 and Fe-doped TiO2/zeolite photocatalysts were synthesized, aiming at improving the adsorption properties of the microporous support towards polluting dyes and the photocatalytic performance of TiO2 in the treatment of the adsorbed organics. The TiO2/HY zeolite catalyst exhibited the best performance in the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue, MB, over 10 wt% TiO2/HY under UV light at 254 nm. The addition of Fe species in the synthesis mixture led to Fe-TiO2/HY catalyst. The combination of adequate zeolite, good titanium dioxide dispersion, and Fe doping led to a remarkable performance in the degradation of the model dye. Over a 10 wt% Fe-doped TiO2/HY catalyst a total removal of MB (>98%) was achieved after 60 min under very mild conditions and simple visible light irradiation.
Polishing of Monolithic Zirconia Crowns—Results of Different Dental Practitioner Groups
Authors: Kozmacs Carla , Hollmann Britta , Arnold Wolfgang , Naumova Ella , Piwowarczyk Andree
Published: November 2017

This pilot study evaluates the surface roughness of monolithic zirconia crowns after chairside polishing by different dental practitioner groups. Four practitioner groups (group I: dental clinical students (n = 6); group II: dentists < 2 years post-qualification experience (n = 6); group III: dentists > 2 years post-qualification experience (n = 6) and group IV: dental technicians (n = 6)) were asked to polish two CAD/CAM-fabricated full-contour zirconia crowns (48 in total). A two-step zirconia polishing kit was used in both trials. The first trial (T1) was conducted without a time limitation. In the second trial (T2), the polish was restricted to 15 seconds for each polisher. Two blinded investigators (I1 and I2) analyzed the surface roughness (Ra) before and after polishing (Alicona measuring system). No statistically significant difference in surface roughness was found between the polishing results of the dental practitioner groups. Major difference in surface finish was achieved by dental technicians, with a median value of 25.4 nm (interquartile range 10.15–35.26 nm) for I1 in T1. The lowest difference was achieved by dental students, with a median value of Ra = 6.72 nm (interquartile range 4.7–17.9 nm) in T1. In T2, experienced dentists showed the highest difference in surface finish, with a median value of 41.35 nm (interquartile range 7.77–54.11). No significant correlation was found between polishing time and polishing results. The polishing of monolithic zirconium dioxide crowns can be performed with the present polishing set directly chairside after occlusal adjustment, regardless of the practitioner’s experience level.
Capacity Bounds on the Downlink of Symmetric, Multi-Relay, Single-Receiver C-RAN Networks
Authors: Saeedi Bidokhti Shirin , Kramer Gerhard , Shamai Shlomo
Published: November 2017

The downlink of symmetric Cloud Radio Access Networks (C-RANs) with multiple relays and a single receiver is studied. Lower and upper bounds are derived on the capacity. The lower bound is achieved by Marton’s coding, which facilitates dependence among the multiple-access channel inputs. The upper bound uses Ozarow’s technique to augment the system with an auxiliary random variable. The bounds are studied over scalar Gaussian C-RANs and are shown to meet and characterize the capacity for interesting regimes of operation.
Is There a Limit to Growth? Comparing the Environmental Cost of an Airport’s Operations with Its Economic Benefit
Authors: Lu Cherie
Published: November 2017

With the growing global awareness of the requirement for sustainable development, economic development is no longer the sole objective of business activities. The need to find a balance between environmental impacts and economic benefits is especially the case for airport operations in or around cities. This study measured the environmental costs and economic benefits and of an airport for a period of 10 years, using Taipei Songshan Airport for the empirical analysis, to examine whether the environmental costs could outweigh the economic benefits. Of all the environmental negative side effects, aircraft engine emissions and noise nuisance are considered the main sources of environmental impacts. The dose-response method and the hedonic price method, respectively, were used for estimating the social costs of these. Income generation from both direct and secondary employment is measured as economic benefits by applying the Garin-Lowry model, originally developed in 1966, for estimation of the employment multiplier. The results show that, in general, the operation of Taipei Songshan Airport brought more economic benefits than environmental costs. The sensitivity analysis of emissions and noise social cost parameters shows that the environmental costs might have exceeded the economic benefits in 2008 and 2009 in certain high emissions and noise social cost cases.
Case Library Construction Technology of Energy Loss in Distribution Networks Considering Regional Differentiation Theory
Authors: Yuan Ze , Wang Weizhou , Peng Jing , Liu Fuchao , Yang Jianhua
Published: November 2017

The grid structures, load levels, and running states of distribution networks in different supply regions are known as the influencing factors of energy loss. In this paper, the case library of energy loss is constructed to differentiate the crucial factors of energy loss in the different supply regions. First of all, the characteristic state values are selected as the representation of the cases based on the analysis of energy loss under various voltage classes and in different types of regions. Then, the methods of Grey Relational Analysis and the K-Nearest Neighbor are utilized to implement the critical technologies of case library construction, including case representation, processing, analysis, and retrieval. Moreover, the analysis software of the case library is designed based on the case library construction technology. Some case studies show that there are many differences and similarities concerning the factors that influence the energy loss in different types of regions. In addition, the most relevant sample case can be retrieved from the case library. Compared with the traditional techniques, constructing a case library provides a new way to find out the characteristics of energy loss in different supply regions and constitutes differentiated loss-reducing programs.
Ice Cover Prediction of a Power Grid Transmission Line Based on Two-Stage Data Processing and Adaptive Support Vector Machine Optimized by Genetic Tabu Search
Authors: Xu Xiaomin , Niu Dongxiao , Zhang Lihui , Wang Yongli , Wang Keke
Published: November 2017

With the increase in energy demand, extreme climates have gained increasing attention. Ice disasters on transmission lines can cause gap discharge and icing flashover electrical failures, which can lead to mechanical failure of the tower, conductor, and insulators, causing significant harm to people’s daily life and work. To address this challenge, an intelligent combinational model is proposed based on improved empirical mode decomposition and support vector machine for short-term forecasting of ice cover thickness. Firstly, in light of the characteristics of ice cover thickness data, fast independent component analysis (FICA) is implemented to smooth the abnormal situation on the curve trend of the original data for prediction. Secondly, ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) decomposes data after denoising it into different components from high frequency to low frequency, and support vector machine (SVM) is introduced to predict the sequence of different components. Then, some modifications are performed on the standard SVM algorithm to accelerate the convergence speed. Combined with the advantages of genetic algorithm and tabu search, the combination algorithm is introduced to optimize the parameters of support vector machine. To improve the prediction accuracy, the kernel function of the support vector machine is adaptively adopted according to the complexity of different sequences. Finally, prediction results for each component series are added to obtain the overall ice cover thickness. A 220 kV DC transmission line in the Hunan Region is taken as the case study to verify the practicability and effectiveness of the proposed method. Meanwhile, we select SVM optimized by genetic algorithm (GA-SVM) and traditional SVM algorithm for comparison, and use the error function of mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) to compare prediction accuracy. Finally, we find that these improvements facilitate the forecasting efficiency and improve the performance of the model. As a result, the proposed model obtains more ideal solutions and has higher accuracy and stronger generalization than other algorithms.
Short-Term Frequency Response of a DFIG-Based Wind Turbine Generator for Rapid Frequency Stabilization
Authors: Yang Dejian , Kang Moses , Muljadi Eduard , Gao Wenzhong , Hong Junhee , Choi Jaeseok , Kang Yong
Published: November 2017

This paper proposes a short-term frequency-response scheme of a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind turbine generator (WTG) for improving rotor speed recovery and frequency nadir. In the energy-releasing period, to improve the frequency nadir and rotor speed convergence by releasing a large amount of kinetic energy stored in the rotating masses in a DFIG-based WTG, the power reference is increased up to the torque limit referred to the power and reduces along with it for a predefined period which is determined based on the occurrence time of the frequency nadir in a power grid. Then, the reference decreases so that the rotor speed is forced to be converged to the preset value in the stable operating region of the rotor speed. In the energy-absorbing period, to quickly recover the rotor speed, the reference smoothly decreases with the rotor speed and time during a predefined period until it intersects with the maximum power point tracking curve. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme successfully achieves rapid frequency stabilization with the improved frequency nadir under various wind conditions based on the IEEE 14-bus system.
A Novel Short-Term Maintenance Strategy for Power Transmission and Transformation Equipment Based on Risk-Cost-Analysis
Authors: Yang Hang , Zhang Zhe , Yin Xianggen , Han Jiexiang , Wang Yong , Chen Guoyan
Published: November 2017

Current studies on preventive condition-based maintenance of power transmission and transformation equipment mainly focus on mid-term or long-term maintenance, and cannot meet the requirements of short-term especially temporary maintenance. In order to solve the defects of the present preventive maintenance strategies, according to the engineering application and based on risk-cost analysis, a short-term maintenance strategy is proposed in this manuscript. For the equipment working in bad health condition, its active maintenance costs and operation risk costs are evaluated, respectively. Then the latest maintenance time is calculated in accordance with the principle that its operation risk costs are no higher than active maintenance costs. Utilizing the latest maintenance time, the best maintenance time is calculated by setting the maximum relative earnings of postponing maintenance as the target, which provides the operation staffs with comprehensive maintenance-decision support. In the end, different cases on the IEEE 24-bus system are simulated. The effectiveness and advantages of the proposed strategy are demonstrated by the simulation results.
Strong Light Localization and a Peculiar Feature of Light Leakage in the Negative Curvature Hollow Core Fibers
Authors: Pryamikov Andrey , Alagashev Grigory
Published: November 2017

In this paper we would like to continue a discussion started in our previous work and devoted to the mechanism of light localization in hollow core microstructured fibers with a noncircular core-cladding boundary. It has been shown in many works that, for waveguide microstructures with different types of core-cladding boundary shape, the positions of the transmission bands’ edges can be predicted by applying the well-known anti–resonant reflecting optical waveguide (ARROW) model. At the same time, the ARROW model cannot explain the strong light localization and guiding at high material loss inside the transmission bands which are observed in negative curvature hollow core fibers, for example. In this paper we want to clarify our previous findings and consider the light localization process from another point of view, namely, by comparing the light leakage process in waveguide microstructures with different shapes of the core-cladding boundary. The results are discussed based on the ARROW model and a new approach associated with the consideration of spatial dispersion occurring under the interaction of the air core mode with the core-cladding boundary.
Establishing Smoke-Free Homes in the Indigenous Populations of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Stevenson Leah , Campbell Sandy , Bohanna India , Gould Gillian , Robertson Jan , Clough Alan
Published: November 2017

A smoke-free home can have multiple benefits by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS), supporting quit attempts among active smokers, and discouraging adolescents from taking up smoking. The aim of this review was to summarize the literature on the establishment of smoke-free homes in Indigenous populations and identify the supporting influences and barriers, using the Social Cognitive Theory lens. A search of the Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Collaboration and PyscINFO databases and manual searches of relevant peer-reviewed literature was completed, focusing on Indigenous populations in developed economies of North America and Oceania. Of 2567 articles identified, 15 studies were included. Ten studies included Indigenous participants only, and of these just three focused entirely on SHS in the home. Knowledge of the harms associated with SHS was the most common theme represented in all the studies. This knowledge fueled parents’ motivation to protect their children from SHS by establishing smoke-free homes. Individuals who approached implementation with confidence, coupled with clear communication about smoke-free home rules were more successful. Barriers included challenges for families with multiple smokers living in the same dwelling. There is limited research regarding managing smoking behaviors in the home among Indigenous populations, even though this approach is a successful catalyst for smoking prevention and cessation. Research to understand the influences that support the establishment of smoke-free homes is required for better-informed intervention studies.
Comparison of Ground-Based and Satellite-Derived Solar UV Index Levels at Six South African Sites
Authors: Cadet Jean-Maurice , Bencherif Hassan , Portafaix Thierry , Lamy Kévin , Ncongwane Katlego , Coetzee Gerrie , Wright Caradee
Published: November 2017

South Africa has been measuring the ground-based solar UV index for more than two decades at six sites to raise awareness about the impacts of the solar UV index on human health. This paper is an exploratory study based on comparison with satellite UV index measurements from the OMI/AURA experiment. Relative UV index differences between ground-based and satellite-derived data ranged from 0 to 45% depending on the site and year. Most of time, these differences appear in winter. Some ground-based stations’ data had closer agreement with satellite-derived data. While the ground-based instruments are not intended for long-term trend analysis, they provide UV index information for public awareness instead, with some weak signs suggesting such long-term trends may exist in the ground-based data. The annual cycle, altitude, and latitude effects clearly appear in the UV index data measured in South Africa. This variability must be taken into account for the development of an excess solar UV exposure prevention strategy.
A Study of Perfect Hedges
Authors: Ivanov Stoyu
Published: November 2017

In this study, we attempt to identify the asset which has the best hedging characteristics against inflation. We study stock, bond, commodity, real estate and oil indexes. We also study these indexes tracking exchange traded funds (ETFs) to determine the most beneficial tradable asset in addition to the more theoretical index for inflation hedging. We find that, in our sample, oil is the best hedge against inflation, even though three in total are a good hedge—oil, gold and corn—with corn and oil being complete hedges, while gold is a partial hedge. Two assets have conflicting results depending on whether we examine the index or the ETF: the real estate index is a hedge, whereas real estate ETF is the opposite of a hedge. Similarly, the bond index is not related to inflation, whereas bond ETF is the opposite of a hedge. We find that stocks, soy and beef are not hedges against inflation.
UltraPse: A Universal and Extensible Software Platform for Representing Biological Sequences
Authors: Du Pu-Feng , Zhao Wei , Miao Yang-Yang , Wei Le-Yi , Wang Likun
Published: November 2017

With the avalanche of biological sequences in public databases, one of the most challenging problems in computational biology is to predict their biological functions and cellular attributes. Most of the existing prediction algorithms can only handle fixed-length numerical vectors. Therefore, it is important to be able to represent biological sequences with various lengths using fixed-length numerical vectors. Although several algorithms, as well as software implementations, have been developed to address this problem, these existing programs can only provide a fixed number of representation modes. Every time a new sequence representation mode is developed, a new program will be needed. In this paper, we propose the UltraPse as a universal software platform for this problem. The function of the UltraPse is not only to generate various existing sequence representation modes, but also to simplify all future programming works in developing novel representation modes. The extensibility of UltraPse is particularly enhanced. It allows the users to define their own representation mode, their own physicochemical properties, or even their own types of biological sequences. Moreover, UltraPse is also the fastest software of its kind. The source code package, as well as the executables for both Linux and Windows platforms, can be downloaded from the GitHub repository.
The Impact of Synaptic Zn2+ Dynamics on Cognition and Its Decline
Authors: Takeda Atsushi , Tamano Hanuna
Published: November 2017

The basal levels of extracellular Zn2+ are in the range of low nanomolar concentrations and less attention has been paid to Zn2+, compared to Ca2+, for synaptic activity. However, extracellular Zn2+ is necessary for synaptic activity. The basal levels of extracellular zinc are age-dependently increased in the rat hippocampus, implying that the basal levels of extracellular Zn2+ are also increased age-dependently and that extracellular Zn2+ dynamics are linked with age-related cognitive function and dysfunction. In the hippocampus, the influx of extracellular Zn2+ into postsynaptic neurons, which is often linked with Zn2+ release from neuron terminals, is critical for cognitive activity via long-term potentiation (LTP). In contrast, the excess influx of extracellular Zn2+ into postsynaptic neurons induces cognitive decline. Interestingly, the excess influx of extracellular Zn2+ more readily occurs in aged dentate granule cells and intracellular Zn2+-buffering, which is assessed with ZnAF-2DA, is weakened in the aged dentate granule cells. Characteristics (easiness) of extracellular Zn2+ influx seem to be linked with the weakened intracellular Zn2+-buffering in the aged dentate gyrus. This paper deals with the impact of synaptic Zn2+ signaling on cognition and its decline in comparison with synaptic Ca2+ signaling.
Extracts of Crataegus oxyacantha and Rosmarinus officinalis Attenuate Ischemic Myocardial Damage by Decreasing Oxidative Stress and Regulating the Production of Cardiac Vasoactive Agents
Authors: Cuevas-Durán Raúl , Medrano-Rodríguez Juan , Sánchez-Aguilar María , Soria-Castro Elizabeth , Rubio-Ruíz María , Del Valle-Mondragón Leonardo , Sánchez-Mendoza Alicia , Torres-Narvaéz Juan , Pastelín-Hernández Gustavo , Ibarra-Lara Luz
Published: November 2017

Numerous studies have supported a role for oxidative stress in the development of ischemic damage and endothelial dysfunction. Crataegus oxyacantha (Co) and Rosmarinus officinalis (Ro) extracts are polyphenolic-rich compounds that have proven to be efficient in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. We studied the effect of extracts from Co and Ro on the myocardial damage associated with the oxidative status and to the production of different vasoactive agents. Rats were assigned to the following groups: (a) sham; (b) vehicle-treated myocardial infarction (MI) (MI-V); (c) Ro extract-treated myocardial infarction (MI-Ro); (d) Co extract-treated myocardial infarction (MI-Co); or (e) Ro+Co-treated myocardial infarction (MI-Ro+Co). Ro and Co treatments increased total antioxidant capacity, the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-Cu2+/Zn2+, SOD-Mn2+, and catalase, with the subsequent decline of malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine levels. The extracts diminished vasoconstrictor peptide levels (angiotensin II and endothelin-1), increased vasodilators agents (angiotensin 1–7 and bradikinin) and improved nitric oxide metabolism. Polyphenol treatment restored the left intraventricular pressure and cardiac mechanical work. We conclude that Ro and Co treatment attenuate morphological and functional ischemic-related changes by both an oxidant load reduction and improvement of the balance between vasoconstrictors and vasodilators.
Relax, Cool Down and Scaffold: How to Restore Surface Expression of Folding-Deficient Mutant GPCRs and SLC6 Transporters
Authors: Asjad H.M. , Nasrollahi-Shirazi Shahrooz , Sucic Sonja , Freissmuth Michael , Nanoff Christian
Published: November 2017

Many diseases arise from mutations, which impair protein folding. The study of folding-deficient variants of G protein-coupled receptors and solute carrier 6 (SLC6) transporters has shed light on the folding trajectory, how it is monitored and how misfolding can be remedied. Reducing the temperature lowers the energy barrier between folding intermediates and thereby eliminates stalling along the folding trajectory. For obvious reasons, cooling down is not a therapeutic option. One approach to rescue misfolded variants is to use membrane-permeable orthosteric ligands. Antagonists of GPCRs are—in many instances—effective pharmacochaperones: they restore cell surface expression provided that they enter cells and bind to folding intermediates. Pharmacochaperoning of SLC6 transporters is less readily achieved because the ionic conditions in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are not conducive to binding of typical inhibitors. The second approach is to target the heat-shock protein (HSP) relay, which monitors the folding trajectory on the cytosolic side. Importantly, orthosteric ligands and HSP-inhibitors are not mutually exclusive. In fact, pharmacochaperones and HSP-inhibitors can act in an additive or synergistic manner. This was exemplified by rescuing disease-causing, folding-deficient variants of the human dopamine transporters with the HSP70 inhibitor pifithrin-μ and the pharmacochaperone noribogaine in Drosophila melanogaster.
Recovering Historical Inflation Data from Postage Stamps Prices
Authors: Franses Philip Hans , Janssens Eva
Published: November 2017

For many developing countries, historical inflation figures are rarely available. We propose a simple method that aims to recover such figures of inflation using prices of postage stamps issued in earlier years. We illustrate our method for Suriname, where annual inflation rates are available for 1961 until 2015, and where fluctuations in inflation rates are prominent. We estimate the inflation rates for the sample 1873 to 1960. Our main finding is that high inflation periods usually last no longer than 2 or 3 years. An Exponential Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (EGARCH) model for the recent sample and for the full sample with the recovered inflation rates shows the relevance of adding the recovered data.
A Statistical Study on the Effect of Hydrostatic Pressure on Metastable Pitting Corrosion of X70 Pipeline Steel
Authors: Yang Zixuan , Kan Bo , Li Jinxu , Qiao Lijie , Volinsky Alex A. , Su Yanjing
Published: November 2017

Hydrostatic pressure effects on pitting initiation and propagation in X70 steel are investigated by evaluating metastable pitting probability using electrochemical methods and immersion corrosion tests in containing chlorine ion solution. Potentiodynamic tests indicated that hydrostatic pressure can decrease the breakdown potential and lead to a reduced transpassivity region. Metastable test results revealed that hydrostatic pressure can increase metastable pitting formation frequency and promote stabilization of metastable pitting growth. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results indicate that Hydrostatic pressure decreases the charge transfer resistance and increases the dissolution rate within the cavities. Corrosion test results also indicated that pitting initiation and propagation are accelerated by hydrostatic pressure. Result validity was verified by evaluating metastable pitting to predict pitting corrosion resistance.
Multi-Quanta Spin-Locking Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxation Measurements: An Analysis of the Long-Time Dynamical Properties of Ions and Water Molecules Confined within Dense Clay Sediments
Authors: Porion Patrice , Delville Alfred
Published: November 2017

Solid/liquid interfaces are exploited in various industrial applications because confinement strongly modifies the physico-chemical properties of bulk fluids. In that context, investigating the dynamical properties of confined fluids is crucial to identify and better understand the key factors responsible for their behavior and to optimize their structural and dynamical properties. For that purpose, we have developed multi-quanta spin-locking nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry of quadrupolar nuclei in order to fill the gap between the time-scales accessible by classical procedures (like dielectric relaxation, inelastic and quasi-elastic neutron scattering) and obtain otherwise unattainable dynamical information. This work focuses on the use of quadrupolar nuclei (like 2H, 7Li and 133Cs), because quadrupolar isotopes are the most abundant NMR probes in the periodic table. Clay sediments are the confining media selected for this study because they are ubiquitous materials implied in numerous industrial applications (ionic exchange, pollutant absorption, drilling, waste storing, cracking and heterogeneous catalysis).
Asperlin Inhibits LPS-Evoked Foam Cell Formation and Prevents Atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− Mice
Authors: Zhou Yue , Chen Ran , Liu Dong , Wu Chongming , Guo Peng , Lin Wenhan
Published: November 2017

Asperlin is a marine-derived natural product with antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro. In the present study, we isolated asperlin from a marine Aspergillus versicolor LZD4403 fungus and investigated its anti-atherosclerotic effects in vitro and in vivo. Asperlin significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharides (LPS)- but not oxidated low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-evoked foam cell formation and promoted cholesterol efflux in RAW264.7 macrophages. Supplementation with asperlin also suppressed LPS-elicited production of pro-inflammatory factors in RAW264.7 macrophages, decreased the expression levels of iNOS, IL-1β and TNFα, and increased the expression of IL-10 and IL-4, indicating a remarkable shift in M1/M2 macrophages polarization. In vivo experiments in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed ApoE−/− mice showed that oral administration of asperlin for 12 weeks remarkably suppressed atherosclerotic plaque formation in the aorta, as revealed by the reduced aortic dilatation and decreased atherosclerotic lesion area. Asperlin also decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory factors but showed little impact on blood lipids in ApoE−/− atherosclerotic mice. These results suggested that asperlin is adequate to prevent atherosclerosis in vivo. It may exert atheroprotective function through suppressing inflammation rather than ameliorating dyslipidemia.
Effects of Matte Grade on the Distribution of Minor Elements (Pb, Zn, As, Sb, and Bi) in the Bottom Blown Copper Smelting Process
Authors: Wang Qinmeng , Guo Xueyi , Tian Qinghua , Jiang Tao , Chen Mao , Zhao Baojun
Published: November 2017

With increasing impurity contents in concentrates, the control of the minor elements is an important issue for the oxygen bottom blown copper smelting process (Shuikoushan process or SKS process). In this work, the distribution behaviors of the minor elements (such as Pb, Zn, As, Sb, and Bi) among the matte, slag, and gas phases as a function of matte grades was investigated by adjusting the ratios of oxygen/ore in the SKS process. With a matte grade around 70%, about 82% As and 70% Bi enters the gas phase, and about 70% Sb and 64% Zn reports to the slag phase, while 55% lead enters the matte phase. The tendency of changes in the distribution of the minor elements in the SKS process is different from that in the Isasmelt process and the Flash smelting process. It may be concluded from this study that the distributions of the minor elements could be optimized to reduce adverse effects in the SKS process by regulating the matte grade.