bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perbandingan Penyangatan Senyawa Pengontras Nano Partikel Emas Dendrimer Poly (Amidoamine) Konsentrasi dan Delay Time Berbeda pada Hepar Tikus dengan Pemeriksaan Computed Tomography
Authors: Listyowati Indrarini , Soetikno Rista D , Santiana Leni
Published: March 2019

Background: Computed tomography (CT) is one of the diagnostic imaging tool that is most commonly available in hospitals today. But unlike Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and nuclear medicine imaging modalities, CT has not been considered as a molecular imaging modality because it does not have a specifc-targeted contrast agents. Diagnostic quality of CT scans can be improved by using specifc-targeted contrast agents. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can be used as X-ray contrast agents that can overcome some of the limitations of the iodine-based contrast agents. Higher atomic numbers than iodine and its ability to be able to bind to the dendrimer support that AuNPS could be developed as a specifc-targeted contrast agents.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the enhancement relationship of AuNPs-Poly(amido)amine in the rat liver with di?erent concentration and delay time on CT scans.Materials and Methods: This research is an experimental study with a statistical analysis to determine enhancement di?erences on rat liver given AuNPs-PAMAM with di?erent concentration and delay time. The samples were divided into 4 groups, each consisting of 6 rats. The independent variables in this study were the delay time and the concentration of AuNPs-PAMAM, the dependent variables was the enhancement on rat liver.Results: The results obtained showed that the average value enhancement of AuNPs-PAMAM is highest in 10 minutes delay time at a concentration of 1 mg/dL. Statistical analysis showed that there were signifcant di?erences between AuNPs-PAMAM contrast enhancement in the rat liver with di?erent concentration and delay time on CT scan with p-value less than alpha (0.000 <0.05).Conclusions: Concentration and delay time contribute to the average value enhancement of AuNPs-PAMAM contrast agent on CT scan. This new type of contrast agent can be further developed as a more specifc-targeted contrast agent for CT scan examination.
Sclerosing Hemangioma of the Lung and Concurrent Sarcoidosis of the Hilar Lymph Nodes
Authors: Takekawa Soichi , Abe Takehiko , Miura Yoshikei , Shinjo Hidenori , Kawakura Kenji , Hashizume Takashi , Saginoya Toshiyuki , Imai Shigeki , Munechika Hirotsugu , Shio Yutaka , Fujiu Hirokazu , Sakuma Hideo , Koizumi Jinnichi , Kubota Hiroharu
Published: March 2019

Objective: To present chest radiographs, CT and pathological fndings of pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma with concurrent sarcoidosis. To review the literatures regarding lung cancer and associated sarcoidosis and/or sclerosing hemangioma.Materials and Methods: A 50 year-old female patient was screened for health at human dock at Preventive Medicine Research Center of our institution, and a rounded nodule, measuring about 15 mm in diameter, was found in the left lower lung feld medially. Non-enhanced CT showed a round nodule at the left cardiac border. The patient was sent to a clinic of our institution.Results: The patient was further studied by contrast enhanced CT (CECT), which showed marked increase of CT value to 91.8 HU from 50.1 HU on non-enhanced CT. It was difcult to di?erentiate a benign lesion from malignant lesion. CECT also showed enlarged hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes. Cytology at the time of bronchoscopy revealed Class 3 at the left B5b bronchus. Partial resection of the lingual was carried out by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Biopsy of the left hilar nodes (#10, #11) at the same time revealed sarcoidosis.Conclusion: A rare case of pulmonary screlosing hemangioma and concurrent sarcoidosis was reported with imaging results and pathological proof.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
Authors: Lingga Evi Christina , Faisal Arif
Published: March 2019

The gastrointestnal stromal tumor (GIST) is a gastrointestnal tract tumor, previously known as the group of smooth muscle tumors. By using medical technology improvement, GIST is shown as nonepitelial tumor that can arise along gastrointestnal tract. A patent with gastric disorder had been hospitalized multple tmes is reported. Defnitve diagnosis was delayed due to inappropriate applicaton of imaging diagnostic modalites, and the best treatment for the patent could not be done earlier.
Ketepatan Diagnostik MRI 3 Dimensi dalam Menentukan Kompresi Neurovaskuler Pasien Hemifacial Spasm Dibandingkan Hasil Operasi Microvascular Decompression
Authors: Sensusiati Anggraini Dwi
Published: March 2019

Background: The number of hemifacial spasm patients tends to increase every year. Healing techniques and treatments such as microsurgery have also been developed. However, it is necessary to evaluate properly and accurately so that appropriate medical treatment can be chosen.Objective: This research aimed to evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of MRI 3D T2 DRIVE HR of hemifacical spasm patient which is caused by neurovascular compression compared to the result of MVD surgery as gold standard.Material and Methods: Using cross-sectional approach of secondary data and the analysis of hemifacial spasm diagnostic base don MRI 3D T2 DRIVE compared to the result of MVD surgery as gold standard at Radiology Departement of Husada Utama Surabaya Hospital.Result: The result of the research indicated the vascular that mostly causes compression toward cranial nerve VII based on MRI 3D T2 DRIVE HR is AICA (72%) and the fewest cause is SCA (3%). The result of MVD surgery points out the most common cause is AICA (75%) and the fewest cause is SCA (2%).Conclusion: The result of MRI 3D T2 DRIVE HR examination and the result of MVD surgery to decide neurovacular compression of hemifacical spasm patients indicated compability
Duplikasi Buli-Buli
Authors: Soeprijanto Bambang
Published: March 2019

Duplication of the bladder is a very rare congenital anomaly that is usually associated with other congenital anomalies. We present 2 cases of babies with duplication of the bladder combined with other congenital anomalies. Abdominal sonography, genitography, lopography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed incomplete duplication of the bladder at coronal and sagittal plane and combined with other congenital anomalies. Cystourethroscopy confrm the diagnosis.
Implementasi Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) dan Radiology Information System (RIS) di RSUP Dr. Sardjito Yogyakarta
Authors: Setyawan Nurhuda Hendra , Supriatna Yana
Published: March 2019

Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is an inter-and intra-institution computing system that manages the acquisition, transmission, storage, distribution, display, and interpretation of medical images. Advances in radiology informatics to date, including the integration of PACS and Radiology Information System (RIS) to department work?ow, has done much to improve the efciency of the department. PACS component includes image acquisition modality, network system, archiving system, image viewer system, radiology information system, and remote access. Acceptance testing is an important thing to be done before a user entirely accepts PACS and RIS system in a daily radiology practice.The purpose of this article is to deliver an important specifcation and the desired options and features of modern PACS, related to acquisition, archives and display system; connectivity of Radiology Information System (RIS); and distribution of images inside and outside the hospital. Some major practical issues that must be considered in the implementation of PACS and RIS will also be discussed. In addition, it will also discuss the process of implementation of PACS and RIS at Dr. Sardjito Hospital
Diseksi Aorta Ascendens Tipe Stanford A dengan Hemiparese Kiri
Authors: Chandra Haryo , Ekowati Anita , Artsinis Evi
Published: March 2019

Aortic dissection typically presents with chest pain and sometimes can lead into various complication, such as neurological manifestation. The symptoms occur because of cerebrovascular occlusion or general hypotension. The purpose of this case report is to report Stanford type A ascending aortic dissection with left-sided hemiparesis case.We report a case of 72 years-old female admitted to emergency department with left-sided weakness. Patient complained about a chest pain and headache since 3 days before entering into hospital. When resting at home, she felt sudden weakness in her left-sided limb. Chest x-ray showed widening mediastinum with calcifcation suspected as mediastinum mass. Head CT showedcalcifcation in the bilateral of basal ganglia and infarction of right external capsule. Chest CT showed Stanford type A ascending aortic dissection with intraluminal thrombus in inferoposterior of ascending aorta. The fnal diagnosis was Stanford type A ascending aortic dissection accompanied with intracranial hemorrhage and cerebral infarction as neurological manifestations
Gambaran Radiologi pada Craniosynostosis
Authors: Rahim Muhammad Iqbal , Gunarti Hesti , Setyawan Nurhuda Hendra
Published: March 2019

Craniosynostosis is a condition in which there is premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures, causing neurological disorders, distinctive deformities of the face and skull, also accompanied by increased intracranial pressure, visual impairment, deafness and cognitive deficits.  Craniosynostosis may appear in primary or secondary secondary to other disorders. As many as 85% of primary craniosynostosis emerged as a single condition while the remaining 15% as part of the multisystem syndrome.

Radiological examination is important for accurate diagnosis, surgical planning, therapeutic evaluation and identification of comorbid anomalies and complications related to craniosynostosis. Computed Tomography (CT) with 3-D reconstruction is a technique used to diagnose craniosynostosis because it can provide a better picture of bone. Nevertheless, the presence of radiation exposure from CT scan, especially in infants causes the authors to look for alternatives to other radiological examination techniques including the use of ultrasonography, plain cranial rontgen and MRI
Giant Intramuscular Lipoma Otot Biceps Brachii
Authors: Napitupulu Eristan N. , Supriyadi Bambang , Supriatna Yana
Published: March 2019

Intramuscular lipoma is a relatively uncommon condition and accounts for just 1,8% of all primary tumors of adipose tissue and less than 1% of all lipoma. This tumor arises within skeletal muscle fibers at various locations. However, giant intramuscular lipomas of biceps brachii muscle are rare tumors.

A 48-years old man presented with a mass on his right upper-arm. The mass existed for one year and has since increased in size. On physical examination, the mass was pain upon palpation and completely mobile. Plain radiography, the soft tissue mass unremarkable. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a hypodense mass situated within right biceps brachii muscle with -72 until -83 Hounsfield. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the mass was found inside of biceps brachii muscle. In T1- and T2- weighted images, the lesion area demonstrated high signal intensity, and SPAIR showed signal suppression similar to normal fat. The patient underwent radical excision of the lesion, which was found to be greater than 12 cm in size. Final pathology revealed intramuscular lipoma.

A lipoma of greater than 5 cm is classified as a giant lipoma. Giant lipoma in the upper extremities and involving biceps brachii muscle are rare. The plain radiographs may either be unremarkable or may demonstrate a radiolucent soft tissue mass of fat opacity. On CT and MRI, the lipoma appears as an non-invasive mass with homogenous fat signal intensity. The main differential diagnosis of intramuscular lipomas is well-differentiated liposarcomas. The proper management is open excision. The pathological report is vital to confirm the diagnosis.

We reported a rare case of giant intramuscular lipoma of biceps brachii who was successfully opened excision at our institute. CT scan and MRI can identify and localize these tumours, and facilitate the operative planning
Imaging of Central Nervous System Tuberculosis
Authors: Sensusiati Anggraini Dwi
Published: March 2019

Tuberculosis, or TB, is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB can occur in pulmonary or extra pulmonary. Extra pulmonary TB occurs in locations other than the lung, such as larynx, lymph node, pleura, brain, kidneys and bones. CT Scan can detect intracranial tuberculoma, and MRI is the best method to detect the abnormality in spinal tuberculosis.
IMPACT OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ON INDIVIDUAL AND PROJECT TEAM PERFORMANCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS UNDER THE MODERATING ROLE OF TASK INTERDEPENDENCE
Authors: Aziz Alveena , Ahmed Fawad , Aziz Muhammad Fahad , Fayyaz Maria , Abid Nabeel
Published: March 2019

This study explored the impact of emotional intelligence on performance at individual and team levels in Information technology projects. The moderating effect of task interdependence has also been examined amid the relationship of emotional intelligence and individual and project team performances. Data were assembled, by means of questionnaires, from IT firms located in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Convenient sampling technique was applied for data gathering. Two types of questionnaire were disseminated; one for the project managers and other for the project team members. Out of 260 dispatched questionnaires, workable data were of 200 samples. Conclusion of this research could be put forward as emotional intelligence significantly affects the individual and project team performances and task interdependence positively moderates the relationship of emotional intelligence and performance at team level. This study has numerous theoretical and managerial implications.
Amores insanos y sexo abusivo en la infancia
Authors: Villegas Manuel
Published: March 2019

En este artículo se consideran de una forma conjunta las formas de amor insano y sexualidad abusiva en la infancia. Se señalan sus efectos perniciosos sobre el desarrollo de los sistemas de regulación moral del niño en la formación de su capacidad volitiva y sus repercusiones en la vida adulta en la autoestima, en la concepción y el manejo de las relaciones interpersonales, particularmente en el mundo de la pareja, y en la tendencia a reproducir en ellas las situaciones de sumisión y maltrato. La psicoterapia se orienta a fortalecer la conciencia de la propia dignidad y a favorecer el desarrollo de la autonomía.
Strawberry Intake Ameliorates Oxidative Stress and Decreases GABA Levels Induced by High-Fat Diet in Frontal Cortex of Rats
Authors: Sandoval-Salazar Cuauhtémoc , Oviedo-Solís Cecilia I. , Lozoya-Gloria Edmundo , Aguilar-Zavala Herlinda , Solís-Ortiz Martha S. , Pérez-Vázquez Victoriano , Balcón-Pacheco Cristina D. , Ramírez-Emiliano Joel
Published: March 2019

It has been proposed that there is a correlation between high-fat diet (HFD), oxidative stress and decreased γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, but this has not been thoroughly demonstrated. In the present study, we determined the effects of strawberry extract intake on the oxidative stress and GABA levels in the frontal cortex (FC) of obese rats. We observed that an HFD increased lipid and protein oxidation, and decreased GABA levels. Moreover, UV-irradiated strawberry extract (UViSE) decreased lipid peroxidation but not protein oxidation, whereas non-irradiated strawberry extract (NSE) reduced protein oxidation but not lipid peroxidation. Interestingly, NSE increased GABA concentration, whereas UViSE was not as effective. In conclusion, our results suggest that an HFD increases oxidative damage in the FC, whereas strawberry extract intake may ameliorate the disturbances associated with HFD-induced oxidative damage.
Detection of Waste Containers Using Computer Vision
Authors: Valente Miguel , Silva Hélio , Caldeira João , Soares Vasco , Gaspar Pedro
Published: March 2019

This work is a part of an ongoing study to substitute the identification of waste containers via radio-frequency identification. The purpose of this paper is to propose a method of identification based on computer vision that performs detection using images, video, or real-time video capture to identify different types of waste containers. Compared to the current method of identification, this approach is more agile and does not require as many resources. Two approaches are employed, one using feature detectors/descriptors and other using convolutional neural networks. The former used a vector of locally aggregated descriptors (VLAD); however, it failed to accomplish what was desired. The latter used you only look once (YOLO), a convolutional neural network, and reached an accuracy in the range of 90%, meaning that it correctly identified and classified 90% of the pictures used on the test set.
Inhibition of Mitochondrial Complex Function—The Hepatotoxicity Mechanism of Emodin Based on Quantitative Proteomic Analyses
Authors: Lin Longfei , Liu Yuling , Fu Sai , Qu Changhai , Li Hui , Ni Jian
Published: March 2019

Emodin is the main component of traditional Chinese medicines including rhubarb, Polygonum multiflorum, and Polygonum cuspidatum. It has confirmed hepatotoxicity and may be the main causative agent of liver damage associated with the above-mentioned traditional Chinese medicines. However, current research does not explain the mechanism of emodin in hepatotoxicity. In this study, L02 cells were used as a model to study the mechanism of emodin-induced hepatocyte apoptosis using quantitative proteomics, and the results were verified by Western blot. A total of 662 differentially expressed proteins were discovered and analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis. The results show that the oxidative phosphorylation pathway is highly represented. Abnormalities in this pathway result in impaired mitochondrial function and represent mitochondrial damage. This result is consistent with mitochondria membrane potential measurements. Analysis of differentially expressed proteins revealed that emodin mainly affects oxidative phosphorylation pathways by inhibiting the function of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes; the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activity assay result also confirmed that emodin could inhibit the activity of all mitochondrial complexes. This results in an increase in caspase-3, a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP,) an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), and disorders in ATP synthesis, etc., eventually leading to mitochondrial damage and hepatocyte apoptosis in vitro.
Sintering of Cermets: A Case Study of Sintering Ni–Co Ferrite with Ag-, Cu- and Ni-Dispersed Alloy Particles
Authors: de Brito Vera Lúcia Othéro , Hieda Mônica Sumie , Silva Eduardo de Oliveira , Ferreira Jessica Aparecida Nascimento , Machado João Paulo Barros
Published: March 2019

Literature has shown that the development of ferrite cermets makes possible the enhancement of the mechanical properties of these ceramics for applications in electronics, magnetomechanical sensors, and inert anodes. In this work, a Ni–Co ferrite powder was mixed with metallic powders, compacted, and sintered. The metallic powders used were Ag–Ni and Cu–Ni, prepared by mechanical alloying, and commercial Ag and Ag–Cu powders. The microstructures, crystal structures, and chemical compositions of the sintered samples were analyzed. The Cu–Ni cermet did not present traces of second phases in its XRD pattern, and the experimental results indicate a high reactivity between the ferrite and the Cu–Ni alloy. In the Ag–Cu and Ag–Ni cermets, the composition of the metallic particles was nearly 100% Ag after sintering. It was observed that, for the production of ferrite particulate cermets, the composition, particle size, and melting point of the metallic phase must be carefully adjusted in order to obtain a material with proper chemical composition and microstructure (uniform distribution of the metallic phase and no cracks in the metal–ceramic interfaces).
Synthesis of Carbon Showing Weak Antiferromagnetic Behavior at a Low Temperature
Authors: Otaki Masashi , Hirokawa Shota , Goto Hiromasa
Published: March 2019

In this short communication, we report a new carbon material prepared from meta-linked polyaniline that exhibits weak antiferromagnetic interactions at low temperature. The synthesis of poly(meta-aniline), abbreviated as m-PANI, was conducted using the Ullmann reaction with the aid of Cu+ as a catalyst in the presence of K2CO3. After the generation of radical cations by vapor-phase doping with iodine, carbonization was performed to prepare carbon polyaniline (C-PANI), which comprises condensed benzene rings. Analysis with a superconducting quantum interference device revealed that the resultant carbon exhibits antiferromagnetism at low temperatures. The discovery of this weak antiferromagnetic carbon may contribute to the development of carbon magnets.
Identifying the Occurrence Time of the Deadly Mexico M8.2 Earthquake on 7 September 2017
Authors: Sarlis Nicholas V. , Skordas Efthimios S. , Varotsos Panayiotis A. , Ramírez-Rojas Alejandro , Flores-Márquez Elsa Leticia
Published: March 2019

It has been shown that some dynamic features hidden in the time series of complex systems can be unveiled if we analyze them in a time domain termed natural time. In this analysis, we can identify when a system approaches a critical point (dynamic phase transition). Here, based on natural time analysis, which enables the introduction of an order parameter for seismicity, we discuss a procedure through which we could achieve the identification of the occurrence time of the M8.2 earthquake that occurred on 7 September 2017 in Mexico in Chiapas region, which is the largest magnitude event recorded in Mexico in more than a century. In particular, we first investigated the order parameter fluctuations of seismicity in the entire Mexico and found that, during an almost 30-year period, i.e., from 1 January 1988 until the M8.2 earthquake occurrence, they were minimized around 27 July 2017. From this date, we started computing the variance of seismicity in Chiapas region and found that it approached the critical value 0.070 on 6 September 2017, almost one day before this M8.2 earthquake occurrence.
On the Convergence Rate of the SCAD-Penalized Empirical Likelihood Estimator
Authors: Ando Tomohiro , Sueishi Naoya
Published: March 2019

This paper investigates the asymptotic properties of a penalized empirical likelihood estimator for moment restriction models when the number of parameters ( p n ) and/or the number of moment restrictions increases with the sample size. Our main result is that the SCAD-penalized empirical likelihood estimator is n / p n -consistent under a reasonable condition on the regularization parameter. Our consistency rate is better than the existing ones. This paper also provides sufficient conditions under which n / p n -consistency and an oracle property are satisfied simultaneously. As far as we know, this paper is the first to specify sufficient conditions for both n / p n -consistency and the oracle property of the penalized empirical likelihood estimator.
The Public Choice of Public Stadium Financing: Evidence from San Diego Referenda
Authors: Johnson Candon , Hall Joshua
Published: March 2019

Local politicians and team owners frequently argue that the public financing of stadiums is important for local economic development. The sports economics literature, however, has largely found that new professional sport facilities do not generate any new net economic activity. We provide context to this literature by exploring the public choice in the public financing of stadiums. In 2016, San Diego had two ballot measures related to the San Diego Chargers. Measure C would allow officials to raise hotel taxes to pay for a new downtown stadium for the Chargers. Measure D would also raise hotel taxes, but explicitly prevented any money being spent on the Chargers. Both measures failed to receive 50% of the votes cast. We find that zip codes with a higher voter turnout were more likely to vote against both measures, highlighting the importance of the timing of referenda in limiting the ability of clearly defined groups, such as Chargers fans, to have a large influence on the voting outcome. Meanwhile, areas with more Trump voters were more likely to support higher taxes for the purpose of building the Chargers a new stadium.
Dynamics of Internal Envelope Solitons in a Rotating Fluid of a Variable Depth
Authors: Stepanyants Yury A.
Published: March 2019

We consider the dynamics of internal envelope solitons in a two-layer rotating fluid with a linearly varying bottom. It is shown that the most probable frequency of a carrier wave which constitutes the solitary wave is the frequency where the growth rate of modulation instability is maximal. An envelope solitary wave of this frequency can be described by the conventional nonlinear Schrödinger equation. A soliton solution to this equation is presented for the time-like version of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. When such an envelope soliton enters a coastal zone where the bottom gradually linearly increases, then it experiences an adiabatical transformation. This leads to an increase in soliton amplitude, velocity, and period of a carrier wave, whereas its duration decreases. It is shown that the soliton becomes taller and narrower. At some distance it looks like a breather, a narrow non-stationary solitary wave. The dependences of the soliton parameters on the distance when it moves towards the shoaling are found from the conservation laws and analysed graphically. Estimates for the real ocean are presented.
Bench-Scale Experiments on Effects of Pipe Flow and Entrapped Air in Soil Layer on Hillslope Landslides
Authors: Tanaka Yasutaka , Uchida Taro , Nagai Hitoshi , Todate Hikaru
Published: March 2019

Soil pipes are commonly found in landslide scarps, and it has been suggested that build-up of pore water pressure due to clogged soil pipes influences landslide initiation. Several researchers have also suggested that entrapped air in the soil layer increases the pore water pressure. We carried out bench-scale model experiments to investigate the influence of soil pipes and entrapped air on the build-up of pore water pressure. We installed a water supply system consisting of an artificial rainfall simulator, and used a water supply tank to supply water to the model slope and artificial pipe. We used two types of artificial pipe: A straight pipe, and a confluence of three pipes. Furthermore, we placed a layer of silica sand on top of the model slope to investigate the effect of entrapped air in the soil layer on the build-up of pore water pressure. Silica sand is finer than the sand that we used for the bulk of the model slope. Our results indicate that, although artificial pipes decrease the pore water pressure when the amount of water supplied was smaller than the pipe drainage capacity, the pore water pressure increased when the water supply was too large for the artificial pipe to drain. In particular, the confluence of pipes increased the pore water pressure because the water supply exceeded the drainage capacity. The results also indicate that entrapped air increases the pore water pressure in the area with relatively low drainage capacity, too. Based on these results, we found that although soil pipes can drain a certain amount of water from a soil layer, they can also increase the pore water pressure, and destabilize slopes. Furthermore, entrapped air enhances the trend that the pore water pressure can increase in the area with relatively low drainage capacity, as pore water pressure increases when too much water is supplied, and the artificial pipe cannot drain all of it.
Improving Documentation of Nutritional Care in A Nursing Home: An Evaluation of A Participatory Action Research Project
Authors: Hestevik Christine Hillestad , Heyerdahl Ella , Lysne Garaas Bjørg , Sellevold Gerd Sylvi , Molin Marianne
Published: March 2019

Background: Nursing home patients at nutritional risk are often not identified, nor given entitled nutritional treatment. One approach proven suitable to facilitate change in clinical practise is participatory action research (PAR). This is a process which involves research participants in reflection, planning, action, observation, assessing and re-planning, targeted to bring about change. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether a PAR project resulted in improved documentation of nutritional care in a nursing home ward. Method and sample: A quantitative evaluation. Documentation of the nutritional information was collected from medical records of residents in a nursing home ward at baseline and five months into the project period. Results: Increased documentation of individual nutritional treatment measures was found from baseline to the follow-up. The number of residents with a nutritional care plan (NCP) also increased significantly. On the other hand, the study identified a significant decrease in the proportion of residents with documented weight and nutritional status. Conclusion: The evaluation found several improvements in the documentation of nutritional care practice in the nursing home ward as a result of the PAR project, indicating that a PAR approach is suitable to bring about change in practice.
Real-Time Measurement of Flash-Flood in a Wadi Area by LSPIV and STIV
Authors: Al-mamari Mahmood , Kantoush Sameh , Kobayashi Sohei , Sumi Tetsuya , Saber Mohamed
Published: March 2019

Flash floods in wadi systems discharge large volumes of water to either the sea or the desert areas after high-intensity rainfall events. Recently, wadi flash floods have frequently occurred in arid regions and caused damage to roads, houses, and properties. Therefore, monitoring and quantifying these events by accurately measuring wadi discharge has become important for the installation of mitigation structures and early warning systems. In this study, image-based methods were used to measure surface flow velocities during a wadi flash flood in 2018 to test the usefulness of large-scale particle image velocimetry (LSPIV) and space–time image velocimetry (STIV) techniques for the estimation of wadi discharge. The results, which indicated the positive performance of the image-based methods, strengthened our hypothesis that the application of LSPIV and STIV techniques is appropriate for the analysis of wadi flash flood velocities. STIV is suitable for unidirectional flow velocity and LSPIV is reliable and stable for two-dimensional measurement along the wadi channel, the direction of flow pattern which varies with time.
Understanding Cash Sharing: A Sustainability Model
Authors: San-Jose Leire , Beraza Ana , Retolaza Jose Luis
Published: March 2019

Traditionally, corporate treasury management has been strategically based on the idea of advancing collections and delaying payments, which has been regulated through the intermediation of financial entities using, for example, credit accounts. New technologies applied to the financial field facilitate direct interaction between companies and reduce the transaction costs, because they allow adjustment of the flows of needs, but high confidence is required. The current ease of access to credit does not promote the incorporation of new financial relationship systems, but the operation of these systems should be studied, since a future credit restriction, like that known in Europe at the end of the 2000s, could change the situation. The aim of this paper was to identify the factors involved in this relationship among companies and establish the main conditions for cash sharing between companies to achieve a successful financial function. The investigation is based on a Delphi analysis used to analyze the successful experiences of shared cash (Mondragon Corporation, Trocobuy, and Arboribus), the needed variables, and their context. Then, our model was created from that exploratory knowledge. Our model is called mutual cash holding and its relevance and reliability were contrasted using structural equations based on a questionnaire administered to financial managers of large- and medium-sized Spanish companies. The result generates knowledge that articulates a new collaborative tool that expands the possibilities for treasury management among companies.
Machinability, Modelling and Statistical Analysis of In-Situ Al–Si–TiB2 Composites
Authors: Karloopia Jimmy , Mozammil Shaik , Jha Pradeep Kumar
Published: March 2019

Aluminum and its alloys have numerous applications in manufacturing, aerospace, and automotive industries. At elevated temperatures, they start to fail in fulfilling their roles and functions. Aluminum-based metal matrix composites (MMCs) are good alternatives for metal and alloys due to their excellent properties. However, the conventional machining of several composites shows complications for a number of reasons, such as high tool wear, poor surface roughness, high machining cost, cutting forces, etc. Numerous studies have already been conducted on the machinability of various MMCs, but the machinability of Al–Si–TiB2 composite is still not well studied. It is of utmost importance that several process parameters of conventional machining are precisely controlled as well as optimized. In this study an effort was made to optimize input parameters such as cutting speed, depth of cut, and feed to obtain well-finished final components with the minimum cutting force and tool wear. These progressions are involved with multiple response characteristics, therefore the exploration of an appropriate multi-objective optimization technique was indeed essential. The performance characteristics of cutting forces and surface roughness were considered for optimization of the machining parameters. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed for the optimization and statistical analysis.
Mesoscale Morphological Changes of Nearshore Sand Banks since the Early 19th Century, and Their Influence on Coastal Dynamics, Northern France
Authors: Latapy Alexa , Héquette Arnaud , Pouvreau Nicolas , Weber Nicolas , Robin-Chanteloup Jean-Baptiste
Published: March 2019

Tidal sand banks are common along the coast of northern France facing the North Sea, where they form linear shore-parallel or slightly oblique sand bodies from shallow coastal areas to depths of tens of meters. Hydrographic surveys have been carried out since the 1830s for mapping the seabed of the coastal zone. An analysis of the bathymetry evolution shows significant morphological changes have occurred across the shoreface since the early 19th century, largely due to cross-shore and longshore sand bank migration. Our results show that nearshore sand banks mainly migrated onshore and gained sediment, especially during the 20th century; acting as temporary sediment sinks, which can in turn serve as sand sources for providing sediment to the coast. Alongshore, the migration and elongation of sand banks can be related to tidal asymmetry that is mostly directed to the east-north-east in the region. Shore-perpendicular movement can likely be explained by the action of shore-normal storm-waves in the nearshore zone after their refraction over shallow offshore sand banks. A seaward displacement of sand banks was also observed. This may be related to the combined action of waves and tidal currents which can induce erosion on one side of the bank, decreasing its width, and eventually leading to its seaward migration. Our observations point out that some nearshore sand banks respond to the action of currents and waves, and interact between each other via feedback morphodynamic processes induced by sand bank morphological changes. The substantial morphologic changes that affected the nearshore zone of northern France during the last centuries probably had large impacts on coastal hydrodynamics and associated shoreline evolution.
Vertical Structure of the Water Column at the Virgin Islands Shelf Break and Trough
Authors: Seijo-Ellis Giovanni , Lindo-Atichati David , Salmun Haydee
Published: March 2019

The steep US Virgin Islands Shelf Break (VISB) and the Virgin Islands Trough (VIT) at the Northeastern Caribbean Sea comprise a dynamic region of the Atlantic Ocean. In situ oceanographic data collected in the region during April 2017 were used to examine the spatial variability in temperature, density, salinity, and relative Chlorophyll-a. Analysis of data from the upper 300 m of the water column, that include deep and shallow water stations in the shelf break region, shows strong stratification of the water column. Stations shallower than 800 m along the shelf break are more variable in temperature, density, and salinity than those that are deeper than 800 m along the trough. For shallow stations, the mixed layer depth deepens along-shelf from West to East while at the deep stations the opposite occurs. Salinity maxima exhibit more variability in depth and range of values in the shallow stations compared to deep stations. Six different types of water masses that contribute to the strong stratification in the region were identified in our study: Caribbean Surface Water, Subtropical Underwater, Sargasso Sea Water, Tropical Atlantic Central Water, Antarctic Intermediate Water, and North Atlantic Deep Water. The upper level Caribbean Surface Water, Subtropical Underwater, and Sargasso Sea Water are present in shallow stations, indicating potential meridional intrusions from the VIT to the VISB which may not be resolved by current ocean circulation models and are not captured in satellite data. The analysis presented here indicates that competing physical processes may be controlling the vertical structure of the water column in the region and merit further examination.
Herding in Smart-Beta Investment Products
Authors: Krkoska Eduard , Schenk-Hoppé Klaus Reiner
Published: March 2019

We highlight herding of investors as one major risk factor that is typically ignored in statistical approaches to portfolio modelling and risk management. Our survey focuses on smart-beta investing where such methods and investor herding seem particularly relevant but its negative effects have not yet come to the fore. We point out promising and novel approaches of modelling herding risk which merit empirical analysis. This financial economists’ perspective supplements the vast statistical exploration of implementing factor strategies.
Unique Existence Result of Approximate Solution to Initial Value Problem for Fractional Differential Equation of Variable Order Involving the Derivative Arguments on the Half-Axis
Authors: Zhang Shuqin , Hu Lei
Published: March 2019

The semigroup properties of the Riemann–Liouville fractional integral have played a key role in dealing with the existence of solutions to differential equations of fractional order. Based on some results of some experts’, we know that the Riemann–Liouville variable order fractional integral does not have semigroup property, thus the transform between the variable order fractional integral and derivative is not clear. These judgments bring us extreme difficulties in considering the existence of solutions of variable order fractional differential equations. In this work, we will introduce the concept of approximate solution to an initial value problem for differential equations of variable order involving the derivative argument on half-axis. Then, by our discussion and analysis, we investigate the unique existence of approximate solution to this initial value problem for differential equation of variable order involving the derivative argument on half-axis. Finally, we give examples to illustrate our results.
Comparative Evaluation and Ranking of the European Countries Based on the Interdependence between Human Development and Internal Security Indicators
Authors: Krylovas Aleksandras , Dadelienė Rūta , Kosareva Natalja , Dadelo Stanislav
Published: March 2019

New solutions and techniques for developing country policies are used under real conditions. The present study aims to propose a new approach for evaluating and ranking the European countries by using the interrelation between two groups of criteria, associated with the Human Development Index (HDI) and the World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI). HDI and its components rank countries by value and detail the values of the components of longevity, education and income per capita. WISPI focuses on the effective rendering of security services and the outcome of rendered services. The priority of criteria is determined in the descending order of their correlation values with other group criteria. The criteria weights are set simultaneously for both groups by applying the weight balancing method WEBIRA. The methodology based on minimising sum of squared differences of the weighted sums within groups is used. Finally, the generalised criteria measuring the level of the country are calculated using the SAW method. Cluster analysis of the countries was carried out and compared with MCDM results. The study revealed that WEBIRA ranking of countries is basically consistent with the results of cluster analysis. The proposed methodology can be applied to develop the management policy of the countries, as well as to their evaluation and ranking by using various indices, criteria and procedures. The results of this research can also be used to reveal national policy choices, to point out government policy priorities.
Homogeneous Groups of Actors in an AHP-Local Decision Making Context: A Bayesian Analysis
Authors: Altuzarra Alfredo , Gargallo Pilar , Moreno-Jiménez José María , Salvador Manuel
Published: March 2019

The two procedures traditionally followed for group decision making with the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) are the Aggregation of Individual Judgments (AIJ) and the Aggregation of Individual Priorities (AIP). In both cases, the geometric mean is used to synthesise judgments and individual priorities into a collective position. Unfortunately, positional measures (means) are only representative if dispersion is reduced. It is therefore necessary to develop decision tools that allow: (i) the identification of groups of actors that present homogeneous and differentiated behaviours; and, (ii) the aggregation of the priorities of the near groups to reach collective positions with the greatest possible consensus. Following a Bayesian approach to AHP in a local context (a single criterion), this work proposes a methodology to solve these problems when the number of actors is not high. The method is based on Bayesian comparison and selection of model tools which identify the number and composition of the groups as well as their priorities. This information can be very useful to identify agreement paths among the decision makers that can culminate in a more representative decision-making process. The proposal is illustrated by a real-life case study.
Comparison of Computerized Cardiotocography Parameters between Male and Female Fetuses
Authors: Magro-Malosso Elena R. , Sisti Giovanni , Seravalli Viola , Kanninen Tomi T. , Aldinucci Martina , Di Tommaso Mariarosaria
Published: March 2019

Fetal sex has been identified as an important factor influencing pregnancy outcomes, but its impact on fetal heart rate (FHR) variability in uncomplicated pregnancies is still unclear. The objective of the study was to assess short-term variability (STV) and other computerized cardiotocography (cCTG) parameters in relation to fetal sex during fetal antepartum surveillance. We retrospective compared cCTG parameters of male and female fetuses in uncomplicated singleton pregnancies at term. In addition to univariate analysis, a multivariate analysis was performed taking into account maternal characteristics. A total of 689 cCTG recordings were analyzed: 335 from male fetuses and 354 from female fetuses. Analysis of cCTG results by fetal sex showed no significant difference in percentage of signal loss, number of contractions, movements, accelerations and decelerations, long-term variability (LTV), and STV at both uni-and multivariate analysis. There was a statistically significant difference for baseline FHR at the univariate analysis, which was not confirmed by a multivariate analysis. Our results suggest that fetal sex did not affect cCTG parameters in uncomplicated term singleton pregnancies, and therefore it does not need to be taken into account when interpreting cCTG in physiological conditions.
Avrami Kinetic-Based Constitutive Relationship for Armco-Type Pure Iron in Hot Deformation
Authors: Zhang Yan , Fan Qichao , Zhang Xiaofeng , Zhou Zhaohui , Xia Zhihui , Qian Zhiqiang
Published: March 2019

The work presents a full mathematical description of the stress-strain compression curves in a wide range of strain rates and deformation temperatures for Armco-type pure iron. The constructed models are based on a dislocation structure evolution equation (in the case of dynamic recovery (DRV)) and Avrami kinetic-based model (in the case of dynamic recrystallization (DRX)). The fractional softening model is modified as: X = ( σ 2 − σ r 2 ) / ( σ d s 2 − σ r 2 ) considering the strain hardening of un-recrystallized regions. The Avrami kinetic equation is modified and used to describe the DRX process considering the strain rate and temperature. The relations between the Avrami constant k ∗ , time exponent n ∗ , strain rate ε ˙ , temperature T and Z parameter are discussed. The yield stress σ y , saturation stress σ r s , steady stress σ d s and critical strain ε c are expressed as the functions of the Z parameter. A constitutive model is constructed based on the strain-hardening model, fractional softening model and modified Avrami kinetic equation. The DRV and DRX characters of Armco-type pure iron are clearly presented in these flow stress curves determined by the model.
Chromatographic Analysis and Anti-Oxidative Property of Naoxinqing Tablet, a Proprietary Preparation of Diospyros Kaki Leaves
Authors: Kazzem Magdy , Sun Yu-Ting , Low Mitchell , Seto Sai Wang , Chang Dennis , Lee Samiuela , Suresh Harsha , Khoo Cheang S. , Bensoussan Alan , Kiat Hosen
Published: March 2019

The Naoxinqing (NXQ) tablet is a standardised proprietary herbal product containing an extract of persimmon leaves (Diospyros kaki) for the management of cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. Although previous reports suggested that the efficacy of NXQ is at least partly mediated by its anti-oxidative property, the anti-oxidative effect of the major components of NXQ has not been studied systematically. For quality control purposes, only analytical methods limited to 3 marker analytes have been reported, the extent to which the other components affect efficacy has not been explored. In this study, we developed an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC MS/MS) method for the identification of seven analytes (kaempferol-3-O-glucoside (astragalin), quercetin-3-O-galactoside (hypericin), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (isoquercitin), kaempferol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (protocatechuic acid), and furan-2-carboxylic acid (pyromucic acid) and quercetin) in the NXQ. This is the first method reported and validated for the quantification of the seven major secondary metabolites in NXQ. The results for the quantified analytes were then compared in 15 different batches of NXQ. The variation observed in the seven components highlights the need to quantify key bioactive components to ensure product consistency. Radical scavenging activity and abundance was used to rank the analytes. The anti-oxidative effects of NXQ were examined using cultured human vascular endothelial cells (EA.hy926). Corrected 2,2-di(4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity results revealed that quercetin and kaempferol have the strongest anti-oxidant capacity in the extract. Both quercetin and kaempferol significantly inhibited the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced EA.hy926 cell injury and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In conclusion, we established and validated an UPLC-MS/MC method for the analysis of major bioactive components in the NXQ and demonstrated that its anti-oxidative property may play a critical role in cerebrovascular protection.