bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DETEKSI MOLEKULER DAN KERAGAMAN VIRUS NEWCASTLE DISEASE PADA AYAM KAMPUNG DI WILAYAH ACEH
Authors: D Darniati , Setiyaningsih Surachmi , Indrawati Agustin
Published: March 2016

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeteksi keberadaan virus Newcastle disease (VND) dan mengkaji keragaman dari virus terisolasi. Sampel penelitian berupa usapan kloaka dan orofaring dari 177 ekor ayam kampung yang diambil dari unggas pekarangan dan pasar unggas di 12 kecamatan dalam wilayah Kabupaten Aceh Besar dan Kota Banda Aceh. Penapisan virus dilakukan pada sampel pool dengan real-time reverse transcriptation-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) dengan target gen matriks. Inokulasi 309 sampel representasi 157 ayam asal pool positif matriks pada telur ayam berembrio spesifik pathogen free (SPF) menghasilkan 69 isolat yang berasal dari 51 ekor ayam. Sebagian besar (45,09%)ayam mengeluarkan virus melalui orofaring, 25,39% melalui kloaka dan orofaring, serta 19,61% melalui kloaka. Karakterisasi keragaman isolat dilakukan dengan uji hemagglutination inhibition (HI) menggunakan serum Komarov dan Hitchner B1, rRT-PCR gen fusi dan uji elusi. Adanya keragaman epitop permukaan virus ditunjukkan dengan titer HI yang bervariasi antar isolat, perbedaan mencapai 4 log dengan serum Komarov, dan 3 log dengan B1. Sebagian besar isolat mempunyai afinitas yang lebih tinggi terhadap serum Komarov yang mengindikasikan kecenderungan kepada galur virulen. Penentuan patogenisitas menggunakan rRT-PCR menunjukkan 73,95% isolat termasuk ke dalam galur virulen (mesogenik/velogenik), sementara dari uji elusi menunjukkan 72,46% isolat termasuk galur velogenik, 20,29% mesogenik dan 7,25% dari galur lentogenik.
E&P Notes (May 2015)
Authors: Jacobs Trent , Rassenfoss Stephen
Published: March 2016

E&P Notes

Lessons From the Aviation Industry on Automation

Trent Jacobs, JPT Senior Technology Writer

One of the defining features of the 21st century will undoubtedly be the changing relationship between humans and automated machines. The aviation industry has long been a champion of automation and in March, three experts from this field offered their insights to oil and gas professionals about how the technology continues to be qualified and adopted.

The presentations were made in London at the SPE’s Drilling Systems Automation Technical Section (DSATS) and IADC Advanced Rig Technology symposium, which is held each year on the eve of the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition.

Faster Recognition

Stephen Rassenfoss, JPT Emerging Technology Senior Editor

A project to predict how much carbon dioxide injected into an oil field is likely to remain there forever set off the US Department of Energy (DOE) on a search for faster data analysis methods.

Speed matters because making projections going out as far as 1,000 years using a probabilistic model (Monte Carlo) will require long computing times, which are costly. DOE is trying to limit the total time by seeking quicker, lower-cost ways to generate the required data inputs by finding reasonably accurate methods that are faster than multiple processing runs of a full-field reservoir simulation model.

Tough Tracers

Stephen Rassenfoss, JPT Emerging Technology Senior Editor

A new miniature pressure/temperature sensor comes packaged inside a tough small ball capable of traveling to the bottom of a well while drilling and returning with data on board.

The outer shell of the ball allows electrical components printed on a circuit board to survive a trip in the drilling mud to the bottom of the well, survive a close encounter with the drill bit, and return with readings along the way that can be wirelessly downloaded.

Creators of the balls are seeking a lower-cost alternative to logging tools located behind the drill bit. The tracer was created by a company started by Mengjiao Yu, an assistant professor of petroleum engineering at the University of Tulsa, with backing from Saudi Aramco.

Corrosion Prediction

Stephen Rassenfoss, JPT Emerging Technology Senior Editor

There are oil fields in Saudi Arabia with many, long-lived wells and not enough inspection equipment to frequently check all the pipes for corrosion damage.

“With a limited number of corrosion logging tools, we cannot cover all of them in 1 or 2 years,” said Mohammed AlAjmi, a production engineer for Saudi Aramco, who estimated that it would take 5 years with the available equipment in a presentation at the SPE Digital Energy Conference and Exhibition in The Woodlands, Texas.

To reduce the risk of undetected corrosion damage inside and outside the casing, AlAjmi developed a method to predict which wells were at the highest risk of damage using data-driven models and artificial intelligence methods.
Reconhecimento e notificação de violência pelos profissionais da estratégia de saúde da família
Authors: Garbin Cléa Adas Saliba , Rovida Tânia Adas Saliba , Costa Adriana Alves , Garbin Artênio José Isper
Published: March 2016

A violência tem se apresentado como uma demanda marcante aos setores sanitários.  Objetivou-se verificar se os profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) de um município de São Paulo encontram dificuldades quanto ao processo de reconhecimento e notificação das ocorrências envolvendo violência. Trata-se de um estudo transversal e descritivo. Do total de 135 profissionais, 57 consentiram e responderam um questionário autoaplicado com questões abertas e fechadas. Os dados foram analisados quanti-qualitativamente. 75,4% dos profissionais não conhecem a ficha de notificação de violências; 60% não se sentem responsáveis pela notificação dos casos. O acontecimento da violência intrafamiliar, muitas vezes, está associado ao uso de drogas e/ou álcool e também da condição socioeconômica dos indivíduos envolvidos. Conclui-se que a maioria dos participantes encontra-se despreparada para o reconhecimento e notificação dessas ocorrências. Sugere-se o aprimoramento das estratégias, de modo a capacitar os profissionais para realizar um atendimento adequado às vítimas de violência intrafamiliar.
Descritores: Violência; Saúde Pública; Epidemiologia; Políticas Públicas.
Avaliação neuropsicológica das funções executivas de mulheres em estado de dependência química
Authors: Freitas Edilson Ramiro , Joaquim Rui Mateus , Tabaquim Maria de Lourdes Merighi , Camargo Ana Paula
Published: March 2016

Introdução: O funcionamento executivo preservado para a manutenção de comportamentos adaptativos é condição necessária para obtenção de desfechos clínicos favoráveis no tratamento de sujeitos em dependência química. A confirmação da hipótese de disfunção executiva pode fornecer subsídios ao tratamento comportamental, do sujeito com dependência química. Objetivo: O estudo consistiu na realização de uma avaliação neuropsicológica das funções executivas de mulheres dependentes químicas de cocaína ou crack. Método: A avaliação se deu através de anamnese/exame clínico, entrevistas e testes neuropsicológicos. Para a caracterização da amostra foi utilizado o Protocolo de Anamnese Neuropsicológica. A avaliação neuropsicológica das funções executivas consistiu da aplicação do Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Subteste Dígitos - Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III), Blocos de Corsi, Trail Making Test (TMT), Stroop Test e o Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a fim de investigar oito componentes executivos, a saber: memória operacional, flexibilidade cognitiva, categorização, fluência verbal, atenção seletiva e alternada, rastreamento visuomotor e controle inibitório. Resultados: Os resultados permitiram concluir que mulheres com dependência química, pelo uso de cocaína e crack,apresentam disfunção executiva. Foram encontradas relações clinicamente significativas entre tempo de uso e déficits do funcionamento executivo, indicando que quanto maior o tempo de dependência, mais expressiva a disfunção executiva.
Descritores: Função Executiva; Neuropsicologia; Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias.
Abordagem estética na Odontologia
Authors: Alves Rezende Maria Cristina Rosifini , Fajardo Renato Salviato
Published: March 2016

O desenvolvimento e a popularização, especialmente nos últimos anos, de novas técnicas operatórias e materiais odontológicos abriram importante viés para a estetização da saúde em Odontologia, isto é, para a valorização de padrões estéticos como definidores de condições de saúde bucal, tanto por parte dos profissionais quanto por parte dos pacientes. De um modo geral as culturas ocidentais atribuem grande valor à atratividade física, influenciando assim não só a forma como as pessoas pensam e se comportam diante de outras com variadas qualidades de aparência, como também os valores culturais sobre a atratividade física, valores estes determinantes dos padrões de estética. Gênero, idade, fatores sociodemográficos e condições educacionais modulam os padrões de estética, os quais são internalizados e compõem os ideais pessoais do indivíduo, afetando diretamente, de forma positiva ou adversa, as autoavaliações e a satisfação com a própria aparência física. A beleza cria vantagem, do nascimento à vida adulta, nas relações sociais, profissionais e afetivas. Admite-se que a atração facial represente uma das mais importantes dimensões da aparência física. No entanto, as expectativas de beleza do paciente, fortemente permeadas por valores culturais e emocionais, nem sempre são clinicamente possíveis. Cabe ao profissional motivar o paciente quanto à prioridade da promoção de saúde, esclarecendo e estabelecendo expectativas realísticas no que se refere aos procedimentos cosméticos a serem realizados e seu impacto sobre a harmonia facial e qualidade de vida.
Descritores: Estética; Sorriso; Qualidade de Vida.
Bentonite surface modification and characterization for high selective phosphate adsorption from aqueous media and its application for wastewater treatments
Authors: Yaghoobi-Rahni S. , Rezaei B. , Mirghaffari N.
Published: March 2016

Raw and modified bentonite has been used to develop effective sorbents to remove phosphate from aqueous solution. Acid thermoactivation, Rewoquate, Irasoft, calcium, Fe and Al were employed to treat the bentonite. Results show that samples adsorption capacity for phosphate is in the order of, unmodified bentonite = acid thermoactivation < Rewoquate < calcium ≅ Irasoft < Fe < Al ≅ Fe-Al. The phosphate adsorption with Fe-Al-bentonite (FAB) modification was more than 99% and the phosphate removal reached the peak value in the initial 30 min. The phosphate adsorption of FAB was pH independent in the range of 2–10. The common coexisting ions in wastewater have no effect on the phosphate adsorption. The phosphate adsorption results were very well fitted in the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm model and the maximum adsorption capacity was 8.33 mg P/g at pH 6.5 for 1 hour, which was better than similar modified bentonite with low time and Fe-Al consumption. FAB was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared. Therefore, the results confirm that FAB is a selective phosphate sorbent and environmentally friendly for its potential application for phosphate removal from wastewater.
Parkinson’s disease - the hardship at old age
Authors: Mucibabic Marija , Canters Gerard , Aartsma Thijs
Published: March 2016

nema
Comparative Efficacy of Different Tactics for the Management of Okra Shoot and Fruit Borer, Earias Vittella (Fab.) under Field Condition
Authors: Rahman M.A. , Uddin M.M. , Haque M.A. , Rahman M.M.
Published: March 2016

Comparative field efficacy of different control measures of okra shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella were evaluated in the Entomology Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University during February to May, 2014. Field efficacy of two selected chemical insecticides (Decis 2.5EC, Agritaf 50SP), three botanicals (Neem oil, Pitraj oil and Mahogany oil), one parasitoid (Trichogramma chilonis), Light trap along with Hand picking and Trap crop (Maize) were evaluated by analyzing percent shoot and fruit infestations. BARI-1 (okra variety) was used as a test crop in the experiment. Among the tactics, the minimum shoot (4.72%) and fruit infestations (6.77%) were observed in the plots treated with Decis 2.5EC followed by Neem oil treated plots (4.83% in shoot and 7.56% in fruit). The highest reduction of percent shoot infestation (79.89%) and fruit infestation (64.97%) over untreated control plots was found in the Decis 2.5EC sprayed plots followed by Neem oil while the lowest percent reduction of shoot infestation (29.86%) and fruit infestation (29.43%) were recorded in case of Light trap + hand picking.  Neem oil and Decis 2.5EC were found very effective in managing E. vittella up to 7 days after each spraying. Agritaf 50SP, Pitraj oil, Mahogany oil, T. chilonis and trap crop were also found effective over untreated control plots although were significantly lower than Decis 2.5EC and Neem oil. Therefore, application of Decis 2.5EC and Neem oil were mostly effective and Light trap + hand picking was the least effective measures in controlling E. vittella.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(1): 74-78
Detection of Genetic Diversity in Four Candidate Genes by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) Analysis of Goats in Sri Lanka
Authors: Ariyarathne H.B.P.C. , Lokugalappatti LGS , Ariyaratne H.B.S. , Munasinghe D.M.S.
Published: March 2016

Genetic diversity of Sri Lankan goats (Capra hircus) was evaluated using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) method to detect polymophism in four candidate genes (LALBA, k-CSN3, GnRHR and BMP4) in a sample of 219 goats representing three phenotypic groups. All studied loci were polymorphic, having three morphs for BMP4, LALBA and two morphs for k-CSN3 and GnRHR in the study population. A significant difference between genotypic frequencies for BMP4 and GnRHR genes was found while PIC criterion revealed an intermediate polymorphism for all analyzed phenotypic groups except for k-CSN3 and GnRHR genes. Cross-bred animals for BMP4 gene and nondescript animals for LALBA gene were comparatively more polymorphic according to the effective allele number criterion. This study provides insight into the genetic diversity of Sri Lankan goats, which can be utilized to develop single nucleotide polymorphism markers to be used in association studies, and marker assisted selection.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(1): 133-138
Understanding significance and p-values
Authors: Bangdiwala Shrikant I
Published: March 2016

Since the p-value is a single index, following the ASA’s statement, we strongly support that it cannot and should not be considered as the sole basis for scientific reasoning. Given the misuses and misconceptions concerning p-values, the recommendation is to present the estimate of the effect, provide a measure of uncertainty of the estimation (e.g. confidence interval), and interpret the results in terms of scientific importance. 
Implication of Air pollution on health effects in Nepal: Lessons from global research
Authors: Kurmi Om , Regmi Pramod R , Pant Puspa Raj
Published: March 2016

The Nepal Health Research Council and recent National Health Policy of Nepal (2015/16) have included ‘air pollution’ as a priority research/public health agenda that is guaranteed by the Constitution. There is an urgent need to organise the future policies and actions to ensure the commitments to reduce air pollution.
Factors Related to Intention to Undergo Female Sterilization Among Married Women in Rural Kathmandu, Nepal
Authors: Dhungana Adhish , Nanthamongkolchai Sutham , Pitikultang Supachai
Published: March 2016

Background: Sterilization is most widely used fertility regulation method in Nepal. However, prevalence of uptake of female sterilization in central hilly region is less than the national average. The objective of the study was to explore the number and factors related to intention of married women to undergo female sterilization in rural Kathmandu which lies within central hilly region. 

Materials and Methods: This is a community based cross-sectional survey research conducted in rural area of Kathmandu valley. Two hundred and forty currently married women with at least one child of any age were interviewed using a structured pre-tested questionnaire.

Results: More than four-fifth of the respondents intended to undergo sterilization. Almost two-third of them wanted to limit their family size by taking this option. More than one-third of women not-intending to undergo sterilization feared weakness after sterilization. Age of the respondents, duration of marriage, and number of living children were significantly associated with intention to undergo sterilization. 15-24 years age group were six times more likely to have the intention for sterilization (OR 6.79, CI 2.28-20.19) compared to age 35 years and above group. Mothers with less than 3 living children are about three times more likely to have the intention to undergo sterilization (OR 2.87, CI 1.3-6.33) compared to women with more than 2 living children. Women married for 6 to 10 years were three times more likely to have the intention (OR 3.0, CI 1.09-8.27). However, gender of the living children was not associated with intention to undergo sterilization.

Conclusion: There were significant numbers of women intending to undergo sterilization. Age of the mother, number of living children and the duration of marriage were found to be significantly influencing the intention to undergo sterilization. However, as intention refers to future plan, the respondents’ intention may change over time. The national family planning program also needs to identify the key factors in accepting the sterilization and target these women to increase utilization.
Factors Related to Intention to Undergo Female Sterilization Among Married Women in Rural Kathmandu, Nepal
Authors: Dhungana Adhish , Nanthamongkolchai Sutham , Pitikultang Supachai
Published: March 2016

Background: Sterilization is most widely used fertility regulation method in Nepal. However, prevalence of uptake of female sterilization in central hilly region is less than the national average. The objective of the study was to explore the number and factors related to intention of married women to undergo female sterilization in rural Kathmandu which lies within central hilly region. Materials and Methods: This is a community based cross-sectional survey research conducted in rural area of Kathmandu valley. Two hundred and forty currently married women with at least one child of any age were interviewed using a structured pre-tested questionnaire.Results: More than four-fifth of the respondents intended to undergo sterilization. Almost two-third of them wanted to limit their family size by taking this option. More than one-third of women not-intending to undergo sterilization feared weakness after sterilization. Age of the respondents, duration of marriage, and number of living children were significantly associated with intention to undergo sterilization. 15-24 years age group were six times more likely to have the intention for sterilization (OR 6.79, CI 2.28-20.19) compared to age 35 years and above group. Mothers with less than 3 living children are about three times more likely to have the intention to undergo sterilization (OR 2.87, CI 1.3-6.33) compared to women with more than 2 living children. Women married for 6 to 10 years were three times more likely to have the intention (OR 3.0, CI 1.09-8.27). However, gender of the living children was not associated with intention to undergo sterilization.Conclusion: There were significant numbers of women intending to undergo sterilization. Age of the mother, number of living children and the duration of marriage were found to be significantly influencing the intention to undergo sterilization. However, as intention refers to future plan, the respondents’ intention may change over time. The national family planning program also needs to identify the key factors in accepting the sterilization and target these women to increase utilization.
Impaired Cardiac Vagal Tone in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Jahan Choudhury Rifat , Begum Shelina , Ferousi Sultana , Uddin Md Moyeen
Published: March 2016

Background: Altered cardiovascular autonomic nerve function with impaired autonomicl balance is found in Major Depressive Disorder(MDD).Objective: To assess some time domain measures of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in MDD patients to observe their autonomic nerve function status.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, during 2011on 60 patients of both sexes with Major Depressive disorder (MDD) aged 20-50 years. They were further subdivided into 30 drug naïve and 30 patients treated with anti depressive drug. Age, sex and BMI matched 30 apparently healthy subjects were control. The HRV parameters were recorded by 4 active channels, Polyrite-D. For statistical analysis ANOVA, independent sample t-test, were performed.Result: Mean R-R interval, SDNN,RMSSD ,PNN50%, NN50% were found significanty lower but heart rate was significantly higher in all MDD patients of both group compared to control.No significant differences were found in these parameters between treated and recently diagnosed patient.Conclusion: Cardiac autonomic nerve function was impaired in MDD patient which was characterized by reduced vagal tone. Antidepressive medication may not have any effect on impaired autonomic function in MDD.Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2015, December; 10(2): 41-45
Serum Lactate, AST, ALT in Male Autistic Children in Bangladesh
Authors: Karim Mahmuda , Begum Shelina , Shahzadi Shorifa
Published: March 2016

Background: Mitochondrial dysfunction has been found associated with abnormal brain bioenergetics resulting in autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)Objective: To assess serum lactate, AST, ALT in order to observe the mitochondrial dysfunction in male children with autistic spectrum disorder.Method: This case-control study was conducted in the Department of Physiology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Shahbag, Dhaka from January, 2013 to December, 2013. Total 100 male children with age range 3-8 years were randomly selected, among which 50 were normal children and 50 were diagnosed autistic children. Autistic children were enrolled from the Parents Forum for autistic children in Dhaka and the control subjects were selected from normal school. Serum lactate, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) were estimated in all children by standard laboratory method. Independent samplet test was used for statistical analysis.Results: All these biochemical parameter were found significantly higher (p<0.001) in ASD children. In addition, elevated levels of serum lactate, AST and ALT were found in 94%, 46%, and 30% of autistic children respectively.Conclusion: From the result of this study it can be concluded that mitochondrial dysfunction may occur in children with autistic spectrum disorder.Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2015, December; 10(2): 56-60
Detection of a High-Density Brachiolaria-Stage Larval Population of Crown-of-Thorns Sea Star (Acanthaster planci) in Sekisei Lagoon (Okinawa, Japan)
Authors: Suzuki Go , Yasuda Nina , Ikehara Kohta , Fukuoka Kouki , Kameda Takahiko , Kai Sayaka , Nagai Satoshi , Watanabe Atushi , Nakamura Takashi , Kitazawa Shunsuke , Bernardo Lawrence , Natori Tatsuya , Kojima Momoka , Nadaoka Kazuo
Published: March 2016

Outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns sea star (Acanthaster planci) are likely to be strongly associated with drastic changes in larval survival influenced by food availability. However, no quantitative or qualitative data are available on the distribution of A. planci larvae in the field nor on the environmental factors that influence their survivorship. Here we use a DNA barcoding approach to describe the distribution of A. planci larvae in Sekisei Lagoon, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan after conducting three days of high-intensity sampling. High densities (53.3 individuals/m3) of A. planci larvae were found outside of Yonara Channel, which is the largest reef channel in this lagoon. Surprisingly, most (94%) of the aggregated larvae were advanced-stage brachiolaria. Considering that it takes several days to develop to this stage, this result demonstrates that A. planci larvae were floating for some time and maintaining a high-density population. However, this dense larval cloud disappeared immediately after a typhoon. No spatial correlation was found between larval density and either nutrient or chlorophyll a concentrations, suggesting that A. planci larvae do not necessarily aggregate in nutrient-rich water. These data suggest that some high-density populations of late developmental stage A. planci larvae were produced under a low phytoplankton concentration and could potentially trigger an adult outbreak. Consequently, our data suggest that adult outbreaks may not necessarily be triggered by food availability alone.
Notes on Contributions to the Science of Rare Earth Element Enrichment in Coal and Coal Combustion Byproducts
Authors: Hower James , Granite Evan , Mayfield David , Lewis Ari , Finkelman Robert
Published: March 2016

Coal and coal combustion byproducts can have significant concentrations of lanthanides (rare earth elements). Rare earths are vital in the production of modern electronics and optics, among other uses. Enrichment in coals may have been a function of a number of processes, with contributions from volcanic ash falls being among the most significant mechanisms. In this paper, we discuss some of the important coal-based deposits in China and the US and critique classification systems used to evaluate the relative value of the rare earth concentrations and the distribution of the elements within the coals and coal combustion byproducts.
An Energy-Efficient High-Throughput Mesh-Based Photonic On-Chip Interconnect for Many-Core Systems
Authors: Ben Ahmed Achraf , Ben Abdallah Abderazek
Published: March 2016

Future high-performance embedded and general purpose processors and systems-on-chip are expected to combine hundreds of cores integrated together to satisfy the power and performance requirements of large complex applications. As the number of cores continues to increase, the employment of low-power and high-throughput on-chip interconnect fabrics becomes imperative. In this work, we present a novel mesh-based photonic on-chip interconnect, named PHENIC-II, for future high-performance many-core systems. The novel architecture is based on an energy-efficient non-blocking photonic switch and a contention-aware routing algorithm. Simulation results show that the proposed system provides better bandwidth and energy efficiency when compared to conventional hybrid photonic NoC systems.
Operational Surface Water Detection and Monitoring Using Radarsat 2
Authors: Bolanos Sandra , Stiff Doug , Brisco Brian , Pietroniro Alain
Published: March 2016

Traditional on-site methods for mapping and monitoring surface water extent are prohibitively expensive at a national scale within Canada. Despite successful cost-sharing programs between the provinces and the federal government, an extensive number of water features within the country remain unmonitored. Particularly difficult to monitor are the potholes in the Canadian Prairie region, most of which are ephemeral in nature and represent a discontinuous flow that influences water pathways, runoff response, flooding and local weather. Radarsat-2 and the Radarsat Constellation Mission (RCM) offer unique capabilities to map the extent of water bodies at a national scale, including unmonitored sites, and leverage the current infrastructure of the Meteorological Service of Canada to monitor water information in remote regions. An analysis of the technical requirements of the Radarsat-2 beam mode, polarization and resolution is presented. A threshold-based procedure to map locations of non-vegetated water bodies after the ice break-up is used and complemented with a texture-based indicator to capture the most homogeneous water areas and automatically delineate their extents. Some strategies to cope with the radiometric artifacts of noise inherent to Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images are also discussed. Our results show that Radarsat-2 Fine mode can capture 88% of the total water area in a fully automated way. This will greatly improve current operational procedures for surface water monitoring information and impact a number of applications including weather forecasting, hydrological modeling, and drought/flood predictions.
Sense and Non-Sense of Local–Global Food Chain Comparison, Empirical Evidence from Dutch and Italian Pork Case Studies
Authors: Oostindie Henk , Van Broekhuizen Rudolf , De Roest Kees , Belletti Giovanni , Arfini Filippo , Menozzi Davide , Hees Eric
Published: March 2016

Priority setting between local versus global food chains continues to be subject of debate among food, rural and agricultural scholars with an interest in how to support more sustainable food provision and consumption patterns. Recently the FP7 European GLAMUR project targeted to assess and compare the performances of local versus global food chains in a systematic way covering multiple performance dimensions. Especially drawing on empirical research on the performances of three Italian and three Dutch pork chains, it will be argued that meaningful performance comparison needs to acknowledge the complex, multi-facetted and time and place specific interaction patterns between (more) global and (more) local pork chains. Therefore, as regards these pork chains, local–global performance comparison is thought to have hardly significance in isolation from complementary “horizontal” (place-based) and “circular” (waste or by-product valorization oriented) assessments. As will be concluded, this methodological complexity of food chain performance comparison doesn’t allow for simple statements regarding the pros and cons of (more) global versus (more) local pork chains. Hence, it is recommended to avoid such less fruitful local–global dichotomy and to concentrate on more policy relevant questions as: how to facilitate fundamentally different resource-use-efficiency strategies and how to optimize the place-specific interaction between more “local” versus more “global” food systems?
Which Type of Social Capital Matters for Building Trust in Government? Looking for a New Type of Social Capital in the Governance Era
Authors: Myeong Seunghwan , Seo Hyungjun
Published: March 2016

When the level of trust in government is low, government cannot effectively provide services, since the policy goals and the process of implementations are not fully understood by the people. This study hypothesizes that the level of trust in government may increase if the level of social capital increases. It also hypothesizes that the impact of social capital on the level of trust in government may differ depending on the type of social capital. The study examined the relationship between the level of trust in government and types of social capital, including bonding social capital and bridging social capital. The result of multiple regression analysis showed that bonding social capital shows a negative relationship with the level of trust in government, while a bridging social capital has a positive relationship with the level of trust in government. In addition, the study examined the variances of the perceptions of each group based on the degree of social cohesion on the level of trust in government by employing ANOVA. It showed that there are no significant differences in bonding social groups, while bridging social capital groups showed variances in their perception of the level of trust in government.
Lactococcus lactis spp lactis infection in infants with chronic diarrhea: two cases report and literature review in children
Authors: Karaaslan Ayse , Soysal Ahmet , Kepenekli Kadayifci EDA , Yakut Nurhayat , Ocal Demir Sevliya , Akkoc Gulsen , Atici Serkan , Sarmis Abdurrahman , Ulger Toprak Nurver , Bakir Mustafa
Published: March 2016

Lactococcus lactis is a gram-positive, facultative anaerobic coccus that is occasionally isolated from human mucocutaneous surfaces such as the intestines. It is used in the dairy industry for milk acidification and is mostly nonpathogenic in immunocompetent humans, however a number of cases of infection with L. lactis have been reported in recent years. In this article, we describe two cases of infection due to L. lactis in patients with chronic diarrhea. The first case is a five-month-old boy who was operated on for volvulus on his first day of life and had ileostomy with subsequent diagnosis of chronic diarrhea and bacteremia due to L. Lactis. The second case is a six-month-old girl with the diagnosis of chronic diarrhea that developed after a catheter-related bloodstream infection. Both of the infections due to L. Lactis spp lactis were successfully treated with intravenous vancomycin therapy. Although Lactococcus species is mostly known as nonpathogenic, it should be kept in mind as a potential pathogen, especially in patients with gastrointestinal disorders.
Outbreak of diarrhea among preweaning alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in the southern Peruvian highland
Authors: Rojas Miguel , Manchego Alberto , Rocha Camila B , Fornells Luz Alba , Silva Raquel C , Mendes Gabriella S , Dias Helver G , Sandoval Nieves , Pezo Danilo , Santos Norma
Published: March 2016

Introduction: Infections, particularly diarrheal infections, are a major cause of neonatal death in South American camelids. The aim of this study was to identify the pathogens that could have caused the recent diarrhea outbreak among the alpacas in Silli, Cusco, located in the southern Peruvian highland. Methodology: Spleen, kidney, and intestine tissue along with fecal and intestinal lavage samples were obtained from 50 one- to five-week-old alpacas and analyzed for the presence of parasites, bacteria, and viruses. Results: Laboratory testing of the 50 crias included in this study revealed that 80% were infected with Eimeria spp., 40% with coronavirus, 34% with E. coli, 32% with rotavirus, 22% with Clostridium spp., and 20% with Cryptosporidium spp. Of these 50 alpaca crias, 20 presented with a single infection (19 positive for Eimeria spp. and 1 positive for rotavirus). Co-infections with up to four pathogens occurred in 60% of the samples. The significance of such infections is not clear, but it is noteworthy that the animals suffering from necrotic and/or hemorrhagic enteritis presented with quadruple infections. It is likely that co-infections increase the severity of the disease. Conclusions: These data show that multiple pathogens circulate among young alpaca crias and could be associated with diarrheal disease in these animals. The findings from this study warrant the provision of subsidies for future assessment of the potential economic impact of these infections on the productivity of the Peruvian alpaca industry.
Random Walk Based Key Nodes Discovery in Opportunistic Networks
Authors: Qin Qin , He Yong-qiang
Published: March 2016

In opportunistic networks, temporary nodes choose neighbor nodes to forward messages while communicating. However, traditional forward mechanisms don’t take the importance of nodes into consideration while forwarding. In this paper, we assume that each node has a status indicating its importance, and temporary nodes choose the most important neighbors to forward messages. While discovering important neighbors, we propose a binary tree random walk based algorithm. We analyze the iteration number and communication cost of the proposed algorithm, and they are much less than related works. The simulation experiments validate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Ounjougou (Pays dogon, Mali) : une séquence à haute résolution pour le Paléolithique moyen d’Afrique sahélienne
Authors: Soriano Sylvain , Rasse Michel , Tribolo Chantal , Huysecom Éric
Published: March 2016

L’Afrique de l’Ouest est actuellement totalement absente des débats portant sur le Middle Stone Age. Si des sites de cette période y sont décrits de longue date, leur contexte stratigraphique est souvent incertain ou inexistant. Tant en Afrique australe qu’en Europe occidentale, les progrès dans la connaissance de ces périodes reposent largement sur la construction d’un cadre chronologique général, de préférence corrélé aux variations paléoclimatiques globales et soutenu par des datations absolues. L’étude du complexe de sites de plein air d’Ounjougou (Pays dogon, Mali) ouvre ainsi une nouvelle perspective sur le MSA d’Afrique de l’Ouest. Près d’une trentaine de niveaux archéologiques de cette période ont en effet été identifiés au sein d’épais dépôts pléistocènes, principalement d’origine éolienne. Le recours systématique aux datations OSL a permis de caler cette puissante séquence sédimentaire et de dater indirectement les nombreuses occupations paléolithiques. Les plus anciennes occupations du MSA sont datées de la fin du Pléistocène moyen, autour de 150.000 ans. Elles deviennent plus nombreuses entre 80.000 ans et 25.000 ans, avec une concentration particulière au cours du stade isotopique 3. Comme habituellement en contexte de plein air, la densité des vestiges au sein de ces niveaux archéologiques est très variable et seule l’industrie lithique est conservée. Au-delà de la fréquence des occupations, l’originalité de cette séquence archéologique repose sur la diversité des industries lithiques, lesquelles se succèdent sans logique apparente. Débitages Levallois, discoïde, unipolaire, laminaire ou encore bipolaire sur enclume alternent ainsi tout au long de la séquence et on observe à plusieurs reprises des industries caractérisées par des pièces bifaciales foliacées. Si, pour leur majorité, les industries lithiques s’intègrent aisément dans le paysage du MSA ouest-africain, c’est surtout la diversité des traditions techniques et leur alternance rapide qui soulèvent des interrogations. Un tel rythme de changement trouve-t-il des équivalents régionaux ? A-t-il une signification particulière en termes de dynamique de peuplement pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest subsaharienne ?
A Study of the Impact of Social Networking Communities on the Consumption of Beauty Luxury Products
Authors: Macdonald Lynsey E. , Medina Irene García , Romo Zahaira F. González
Published: March 2016

The advances in internet technology over the past decade have irrevocably altered the ways in which people communicate – this, in turn, has had an undeniable impact on consumer behaviour. The following chapter set out to explore the phenomenon of blogging and social media communities, and the impact these communities have had on reference group culture, social identity and the buying behaviour of a target group of consumers – women, aged 18-30, who participate in the online beauty community. This research has examined the impact participation in this community has had on the amount of money these consumers spend on beauty and skincare products, and the extent to which it has influenced their attitude towards luxury products. The study confirmed findings from existing literature, in that a connection between purchasing habits and the desire to be considered a member of the community was established. The data collected revealed that participation in the beauty community has an impact not only on the amount of money consumers spend on beauty and skincare items, but that this frequent online communication makes them increasingly more willing to purchase a wider variety of products, both at a high end/luxury and High Street/drugstore level. The study also revealed that regular participation in the community increases consumer knowledge of products, and can eventually lead to their expertise surpassing that of sales staff. The study concludes by outlining recommendations for marketers working with beauty brands, highlighting key considerations to make when approaching the marketing of products via the online community, based on the findings on this study.
Understanding Strategies of Teacher-Student Interaction
Authors: Kille Tarryn L.
Published: March 2016

In this chapter, we discuss the application of teaching strategies as a vehicle for investigating teacher immediacy in the online environment. Through the presentation of a descriptive case study, the chapter explores the theoretical perspective of strategies that intend to reduce psychological distance in the online environment. Specifically, the issue of effective interaction is investigated, including: (1) the application of formative feedback practices; (2) the application of student self-assessment to encourage deeper learning; and (3) the integration of rubric use in assessment activities. The chapter concludes, recommending that practical application of teaching strategies such as: (1) using rubrics; and (2) encouraging student self-assessment, has the effect of enhancing teacher interaction and improving both the student experience and the student learning outcomes in an online environment. The chapter aims to contribute to the literature associated with online university education by validating best practices which assists in developing more effective online courses.
Clients’ willingness to pay for immunization services in the urban and rural primary health centers of Enugu state, Nigeria
Authors: Ossai Edmund Ndudi , Fatiregun Akinola Ayoola
Published: March 2016

Our study aims at determining the pattern of willingness of clients to pay for childhood immunization services in urban and rural primary health centers of Enugu state, Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional design, 800 clients who presented with their children/wards to receive childhood immunization services were selected at the primary health center in rural and urban local government areas of the state. The mean age was 28.9±4.5 and 26.7±5.1 years in the urban and rural areas respectively. About 54.5% of clients in the urban and 55.3% in the rural area were willing to pay for immunization services. The clients willingness to pay was influenced by: non satisfaction with immunization services, (OR=0.3, 95%CI: 0.2- 0.5), younger age, (OR=1.4, 95%CI: 1.0-2.0) marital status (OR=2.8, 95%CI: 1.2-6.5), proximity to health centers (OR=0.6, 95%CI: 0.4- 0.8), and delivering in a private health facility (OR=0.4, 95%CI: 0.1-0.9). The study suggests that the economic value that clients give to immunization services was similar in the rural and urban areas, and this could be increased by improving the level of clients’ satisfaction for the services among others.
Evaluating farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change: A case study of Kaou local government area, Tahoua State, Niger Republic
Authors: Tabbo A. Moussa , Amadou Zakou , Danbaky Agada B.
Published: March 2016

The study discusses local farmers’ strategies of coping with and building resilience against the negative impact of climate change. Information for the discussion was from data collected using a set of structured questionnaires from interviews scheduled with 128 farmers. The questionnaire was based on previous literature and direct reconnaissance interview with farmers, which culminated in 13 strategies used for the study being reported. For each question, respondents were asked to choose their best and worst strategies. Thus, the difference between the best and worst strategies consistent with random utility theory has been used for the modelling. Results show that semi-transhumance, various handicrafts making, rural migration, small-scale vegetable production and small-scale river exploitation were the most important strategies identified, whilst water transport and vending, shifting cultivation, gypsum mining, gathering and trading of wild fruits and edible plants as well as cattle and sheep fattening were the least appreciated strategies identified amongst the farmers facing climate change. These findings are therefore imperative for planning farmers’ capacity-building and resilience against climate change projects to ensure sustainability in the study area.Keywords: Farmers’ adaptation strategies; Climate change resilience; Kaou
Почти периодические решения дискретных уравнений
Authors: Slyusarchuk Vasilii Efimovich
Published: March 2016

Рассмотрены нелинейные почти периодические дискретные уравнения в метрическом пространстве, имеющие решения с предкомпактными множествами значений. С помощью вспомогательного функционала $\delta$, определенного на множестве таких решений, получены такие условия почти периодичности этих решений, которые, в отличие от классических работ Фавара и Америо, не используют $H$-классы исследуемых уравнений. Аналогичные исследования проведены для линейных почти периодических и нелинейных устойчивых по Пуассону дискретных уравнений.
Библиография: 28 наименований.
Задача с обратным временем для сингулярно возмущенного интегро-дифференциального уравнения с диагональным вырождением ядра высокого порядка
Authors: Bobodzhanov Abdukhafiz Abdurasulovich , Safonov Valerii Fedorovich
Published: March 2016

В работе рассматривается алгоритм регуляризованных по Ломову (см. [1], [2]) асимптотических решений. Показывается, что такие задачи приводятся к интегро-дифференциальным уравнениям с обратным
временем. Однако в отличие от известных работ (см., например, [3]), посвященных этой теме, в настоящей статье исследуется принципиально новый случай, характеризующийся отсутствием в дифференциальной части
линейного оператора, выделяющего в асимптотике решения составляющие, описываемые погранфункциями, и содержащий в интегральном операторе ядро с диагональным вырождением высокого порядка. Кроме того, спектр оператора регуляризации $A(t)$ (см. ниже) может содержать чисто мнимые собственные
значения, что делает проблематичным применение методики построения асимптотических решений, предлагаемой в монографии [3]. На основе анализа главного члена асимптотики выделяется класс неоднородностей и начальных данных, при которых точное решение исходной задачи стремится
к предельному (при $\varepsilon\to+0$) на всем рассматриваемом промежутке времени, включая и зону пограничного слоя (т. е. решается так называемая задача инициализации). Статья носит теоретический характер и призвана способствовать бо́льшему пониманию проблем в теории сингулярных
возмущений. Возможны приложения в различных прикладных областях, где используются модели, описываемые интегро-дифференциальными уравнениями (например, в теории упругости, в теории электрических цепей и так далее).
Библиография: 7 наименований.
Числа независимости случайных подграфов дистанционных графов
Authors: Pyaderkin Mikhail Mikhailovich
Published: March 2016

В данной работе рассматривается так называемый дистанционный
граф $G(n,r,s)$, вершины которого можно отождествить
с $r$-элементными подмножествами множества $\{1,2,…,n\}$,
а ребро между двумя вершинами проводится в том случае, если размер
пересечения соответствующих подмножеств равен $s$.
В случае $s=0$ такие графы называются кнезеровскими.
Данные графы тесно связаны с задачей Эрдеша-Ко-Радо, а также
играют важную роль в комбинаторной геометрии и теории кодирования.
Мы изучим некоторые свойства случайных подграфов графа $G(n,r,s)$
в модели Эрдеша-Реньи, в которой каждое ребро включается в подграф
с некоторой фиксированной вероятностью $p$ и независимо от остальных
ребер. В работе найдена асимптотика числа независимости случайного
подграфа $G(n,r,s)$ в случае постоянных $r$ и $s$: в случае $r \le 2s+1$
размер такого в $\Theta(\log_2n)$ раз больше, чем размер такового
в самом графе $G(n,r,s)$, а в случае $r > 2s+1$ наблюдается асимптотическая
устойчивость: число независимости случайного подграфа асимптотически совпадает
с числом независимости исходного графа $G(n,r,s)$.
Библиография: 28 названий.