bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laura Carballido Coria. ¿India o Pakistán?: espacios divididos
Authors: Vázquez Vela María Fernanda
Published: August 2016

“No quiero vivir ni en India ni en Pakistán; quiero vivir en este árbol” (Manto, 93), fue lo que expresó uno de los internos del asilo de locos que describe elescritor indio Saadat Hasan Manto en uno de sus más famosos cuentos: “TobaTek Singh”. “Cuando finalmente se tranquilizó, bajó y abrazó llorando a sus amigos hindúes y sikhs. Sufría pensando que estaban a punto de abandonarlo para ir a India” (93). Este cuento muestra cómo los internos de un manicomio parecen más sensibles y reflexivos que las autoridades que se encargaron de delinear las fronteras entre los dos nuevos Estados que se formaron en 1947. Cargado de un singular humor, Manto evidencia la serie de reacciones que tienen los internos ante la noticia del intercambio de pacientes entre India y Pakistán, los musulmanes se quedarían en el asilo, los hindúes y los sikhs serían enviados a India. Sin embargo, la confusión y ansiedad los dominaron frente a la falta de claridad sobre su identidad y pertenencia o sobre el significado de India y Pakistán, o sobre lo ilógico que resultaba desarraigarlos de lo que ya era su espacio —el manicomio—.
Amitav Ghosh. Sea of Poppies; River of Smoke
Authors: Carballido Coria Laura
Published: August 2016

Cuando se empieza a leer cualquiera de las dos novelas de la trilogía de Amitav Ghosh sobre el tráfico del opio en la primera mitad del siglo XIX, se tiene la sensación de saber ya cuál es el final de la historia: los tratados desiguales impuestos a China durante el siglo XIX y principios del XX; la población de origen indio en lugares como Mauricio, así como las asombrosas variantes ortográficas que presentan sus nombres; el control británico sobre Hong Kong hasta hace relativamente poco tiempo; el hecho de que actualmente buena parte de la elite educada en India hable inglés; el que flores de China, México, India o Gran Bretaña puedan encontrarse en lugares tan distantes a su país de origen. En este sentido, la impresión es que uno está ante un par de textos fundacionales, un par de textos que explican el porqué de las cosas en los océanos Índico y Pacífico.
Evaluation of anti-obesity activity of Thespesia populnea (L.) and flavonoid isolated quercetin on high fat diet –induced obese rats
Authors: Retnasamy Gandhimathi , Adikay Sreedevi
Published: August 2016

The anti-obesity activity of ethanol extract of the stem bark of Thespesia populnea L., (EETP) was evaluated in High Fat Diet (HFD) induced obese rats and flavonoid isolated of Quercetin was characterized. Acute oral toxicity studies revealed that EETP is safe up to 2000mg/kg and doses were selected. Six groups of rats were used and administered orally with vehicle 0.2ml of 1% tween 80 (normal control), fed on HFD+0.2ml of 1% tween 80 (negative control), fed on HFD+EETP (100, 200 & 400 mg/kg) and fed on HFD+ Orlistat 50 mg/kg (positive control), for 40 days respectively. The body rectal temperature, food intake, Lee index and body weight of the animals were recorded and the whole brain was dissected out for estimation of serotonin on day 41. The blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture and used for the estimation of lipid profile. The atherogenic and coronary risk indices were calculated from lipid profile. Obese rats pretreated with EETP or Orlistat exhibited significant increase in body rectal temperature and decrease in food intake, Lee index and body weight of the animals. Moreover, the tested extracts showed beneficial effects on brain serotonin, lipid profile, atherogenic and coronary risk indices in rats. In conclusion, EETP exerts potential anti-obesity activity that could be partly attributed to its flavonoid Quercetin and other bioactive phytoconstituents.
Promoting Effect of Inorganic Alkali on Carbon Dioxide Adsorption in Amine-Modified MCM-41
Authors: Teng Yang , Li Lijiao , Xu Gang , Zhang Kai , Li Kaixi
Published: August 2016

Three kinds of inorganic alkali are introduced into tetraethylenepentamine (TPEA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) modified MCM-41 as the CO2 adsorbents. FT-IR and TGA are used to characterize the surface groups and the thermal stability of adsorbents. Chemical titration method is used to measure the alkali amounts of adsorbents. Thermo-gravimetric analysis with 10%CO2/N2 as the simulated flue gas is used to test the CO2 adsorption performance of adsorbents. The results show that all three kinds of inorganic alkali containing adsorbents exhibit promoted CO2 adsorption capability than traditional TPEA and PEI modified samples. Ca(OH)2 and PEI modified samples exhibit the highest adsorption capacity and stable regeneration property. The introduction of inorganic alkali changes the chemical adsorption mechanism between CO2 and increases the effective alkali amounts due to its hydroxyl groups. The CO2 adsorption capacities have a linear dependence relation with the alkali amounts of adsorbents, indicating that alkali amount is a critical factor for novel adsorbents exploring.
Women Empowerment through Self-help Groups (SHGs): Cases from Telangana State
Authors: Chatterjee Shankar
Published: August 2016

This article is based on field study carried out in June 2016 in Nizamabad District of Telangana where it was observed that rural women belonging to all categories of caste with primary education or even illiterate under the banner of self-help groups (SHGs) had been earning not only income but feeling empowered. Almost all were below poverty line (BPL) once upon a time and few during the course of study were also were BPL.  Regrading, empowerment, it was reported that almost all women were attending gram sabha meeting and sharing their views.  Even it was reported that all freely talk to bank managers, block officials and others. In this article few cases are presented based on field study. 
More or Less Europe? The European Leaders’ Discourses on the Refugees Crisis
Authors: Radu Loredana
Published: August 2016

The refugees’ crisis has set the public agenda on European topics throughout 2015. Considered by many as (another) existential test for the European project, this new type of crisis has triggered frustrations and extreme disappointment, leading to a further aggravation of the already existing intra-EU cleavages, such as those between the West and the East, the “net debtors” (now labeled as the net supporters of the refugees) and the “net creditors” (now intensely recognized as adversaries of migration). Noteworthy, Angela Merkel declared that the refugees’ crisis is “testing Europe’s mettle” (2015), whereas Jean-Claude Juncker posed that a “blame-game” is shattering the EU, with Member States accusing “each other of not doing enough or of doing the wrong thing” (2015). This paper argues that the European leaders have tacitly fueled – through their emotional and solidarity-centered discourse – the intra-EU cleavages between the Member-States, as well as public attachment to far-right xenophobic ideologies. By means of a combined narratives’ and frames’ analysis, this paper focuses on the discursive means employed by the European leaders in order to tackle the sensitive topic of the migration crisis. Firstly, some background information about the causes and developments of the migration crisis is presented. Secondly, frames and narratives are approached as two different yet complementary instances of discourse analysis. Lastly, two key discourses given by Angela Merkel and Jean- Claude Juncker are investigated with the purpose of identifying how frames and narratives combine to tell the story of European integration under the pressure of the refugees’ flows.
HARDNESS PHENOMENON IN BEACH PEA (Lethyrus maritimus L.)
Authors: Chavan U.D. , Amarowicz R. , Shahidi F.
Published: August 2016

Beach pea is mostly grown on seashores and it contains higher amount of protein than other legumes. However, the pea has several undesirable  attributes, such as long cooking time and hard to germinate (imbibitions) that limited its use as food. The present investigation aimed to study the physico-chemical properties, cooking characteristics and hull crude fibre structure of beach pea as compare to other similar legumes. Standard methods of processing pulses were used for present study. Beach pea seeds contained very low grain weight, density, hydration capacity,  hydration index, swelling capacity and swelling index than the green pea and field pea. Beach pea had higher amount of crude protein, ash, crude fibre and polyphenols, but lower in starch content than the green pea and field pea. Without any treatment to beach pea seeds the water uptake capacity was very low. Mechanical treatment to beach pea seeds increased
the water uptake percentage. The recovery of hull was 3 to 6 times higher in beach pea than that of green pea and field pea. The crude protein  content in beach pea hull was 2-5% higher than others. The beach pea hull, dhal and whole seeds were good source of macro- and micro- minerals than that of the other two peas. The electron microscopic  structure of beach pea hull crude fibre showed a very close and compact structure than green pea and field pea hull crude fibre structure. Lowering the hardness of beach pea seeds with mechanical or chemical treatments will give more scope for their utilization in the human nutrition.
EVALUATION OF FOUR INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PACKAGES FOR CONTROLLING MAIN PESTS OF COTTON IN RAINFED FIELDS
Authors: Nurindah Nurindah , Sunarto Dwi Adi
Published: August 2016

Cotton production nationally is low due to various constraints, including pests. Two main pests commonly found in cotton plantation in rain fed fields are cotton leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula) and cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera). The study aimed to evaluate four packages of integrated pest management (IPM) techniques to control cotton leafhopper and cotton bollworm in rain fed fields. The experiment was conducted in farmers’ fields at Asembagus, East Java, between January and July 2012. Four packages of IPM evaluated were cotton varieties, i.e. Kanesia 10 or Kanesia 13, and seed treatment with synthetic insecticide (imidacloprid) before sowing or spraying molasses (10 ml L-1 water) as food for natural enemies. The cotton plants were intercropped with groundnut and sprayed with neem seed extract (NSE) at the action threshold level for pest control. These packages were compared among themselves and also with the methods usually used by farmers, i.e. planting cotton variety Kanesia 8 intercropped with groundnut and pest control using synthetic chemical insecticides. Twenty five plants were sampled randomly per plot and measured for their growth, leafhopper and  bollworm populations, as well as cotton seed yield per plot. Observations were made weekly, starting at 30 days after planting (DAP) until 120 DAP. The results showed that the use of Kanesia 10 or Kanesia 13 intercropped with groundnut and spraying molasses to conserve natural enemies was the best  pest management practice and superior to farmers’ practices. Conserving natural enemies is not only profitable (saving production cost of IDR1,150,000 to IDR1,500,000 ha-1 season-1), but also safe for the environment (no need to spray chemical insecticides).
PREDICTION OF DROUGHT IMPACT ON RICE PADDIES IN WEST JAVA USING ANALOGUE DOWNSCALING METHOD
Authors: Surmaini Elza , Hadi Tri Wahyu , Subagyono Kasdi , Puspito Nanang Tyasbudi
Published: August 2016

Indonesia consistently experiences dry climatic conditions and droughts during El Niño, with significant consequences for rice production. To mitigate the impacts of such droughts, robust, simple and timely rainfall forecast is critically important for predicting drought prior to planting time over rice growing areas in Indonesia. The main objective of this study was to predict drought in rice growing areas using ensemble seasonal prediction. The skill of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) seasonal prediction model Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2) for predicting rice drought in West Java was investigated in a series of hindcast experiments in 1989-2010. The Constructed Analogue (CA) method was employed to produce downscaled local rainfall prediction with stream function (y) and velocity potential (c) at 850 hPa as predictors and observed rainfall as predictant. We used forty two rain gauges in northern part of West Java in Indramayu, Cirebon, Sumedang and Majalengka Districts. To be able to quantify the uncertainties, a multi-window scheme for predictors was applied to obtain ensemble rainfall prediction. Drought events in dry season planting were predicted by rainfall thresholds. The skill of downscaled rainfall prediction was assessed using Relative Operating Characteristics (ROC) method. Results of the study showed that the skills of the probabilistic seasonal prediction for early detection of rice area drought were found to range from 62% to 82% with an improved lead time of 2-4 months. The lead time of 2-4 months provided sufficient time for practical policy makers, extension workers and farmers to cope with drought by preparing suitable farming practices and equipments.
Fisheries Recources Status of Rasbora (Rasbora sp) in Rawa Pening, Semarang, Central Java: Bioeconomic Analysis
Authors: Ayunita NN. Dewi Nopisari, Dian
Published: August 2016

Rasbora (Rasbora sp) is natural resources which have potency to catch in Rawa Pening Swamp. Total production of rasbora was 11,930 kg in 2014. The research objectives to analyzed rasbora bioeconomic status with Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), Maximum Economic Yield (MEY), and Open Access (OA) indicators in Rawa Pening. Bioeconomic analysis for Rasbora used Gordon-Schaefer Model. Primary data obtained with census and the total respondents were 31 gillnet fishers. Primary data were gillnet efforts, price and cost of rasbora fishing. Secondary data used Rasbora (Rasbora sp) production for 10 years from 2003-2012. The result of Gordon-Schaefer model for Maximum Sustainable Yield produced of rasbora (CMSY) of 44,100 kg/year with fishing efforts (EMSY) 21,000 efforts/year. The Maximum Economic Yield status (CMEY) 35,916.08 kg/year with effort maximum (EMEY) of rasbora 11,953 efforts/year. Meanwhile, limitation of the rasbora production in Open Access Equilibrium (COAE) was 43,000 kg/year and effort maximum (EOAE) 23,766 efforts/year. Rasbora resources in Rawa Pening status is in underfishing condition.
Developments in Kosovo’s economy analysed on a macroeconomic point of view
Authors: Badivuku - Pantina Dr.Sc. Myrvete , Ahmeti Dr.Sc. Skender , Reçi MSc. Arbër
Published: August 2016

Despite that in the last years, Kosovo has experienced economic growth, it still remains the least developed country in Europe. Kosovo’s economy is still fragile. During 2009 Kosovo’s economy peaked at 4.0% while during 2010, economic growth achieved 4.6%, while the GDP was estimated to be 4.2 Billion Euros. During 2009, Kosovo’s economy was characterised by deflation (-2.4%), during 2010 it saw a raise in inflation, while consumer price index was rated at 3.5%. There is still a high rate of unemployment in the labour market, about 45%, and it remains a challenge for the country’s economy. During 2009, money deposited from Kosovars living abroad experienced a decline of 5.6%, where during 2010 these deposits marked a slight improvement. Trading imbalances since the post-war period have continued in 2010, which has created a high level of dependence of commercial deficit (deficit constitutes about 45% of the GDP). The purpose of this study is to give a clear view of the macroeconomic situation of Kosovo through a comprehensive analysis and critical approach towards developments so far, in order to improve the economic state in the future.
Improving the quality and impact of employees
Authors: Loku Dr.Sc. Afrim , Mehmeti MSc. Lindita
Published: August 2016

"Estimates for the management of public institutions are a ma-tter which calls for very serious approach. For these are done mo-re research and studies, most assessments are focused on the ma-nagement but also the causes that have driven the need for chan-ge, but little attention was paid to sources which influence the changes. From the research we've done it appears that a signifi-cant contribution in this issue is the evaluation for commitment and support by the management, the effects of these phenomena and the opening of recommendations and strategies that mana-gers in public institutions can use to ensure continuation of the work in their organizations/institutions, of which in turn, organi-zational competence enables. Abstention fluctuation in Kosovo and also presents a major problem for public institutions and that additional factor of weigh financial standing. They lead new prob-lems especially given that public institution in Kosovo have not yet developed adequate mechanisms to deal with these pheno-mena.Therefore, this study examines the management assessment in relation to changes in institutions and their impact on the pheno-menon of fluctuation and Abstention , their effects on health and educational institutions.
Central bank independence and its effect on money market stability
Authors: Alishani MSc. Anera
Published: August 2016

Since 1990s many countries have moved toward greater central bank independence (CBI) by either amending their Central Bank’s laws or writing them de novo. Also countries of Western Balkans and many other transition countries have moved toward greater CBI. There are many potential benefits associated with greater CBI, and one of them is stable growth of money and liquidity. For a given level of money market development the hypothesis is that a more independent CB is likely to promote more stable growth of money supply (Dželetović et al., 2008). As a result the main research task of this work is to estimate the effects of CBI on money market growth for five Western Balkans countries and five other European transition countries. Because the empirical studies were very limited for the relationship between CBI and money market growth, there were no clear conclusions. In addition, there were different measuring methodologies that attempt to quantify the extent of legal and actual CBI. Related to the main research task, this dissertation has examined the effects of CBI on money market stability (proxied by bank deposit growth) for a sample of 10 countries for a period from 1999-2009 by using fixed effect model. Through this methodology different regressions have been estimated, but the results were not robust and there are no clear finding on the relationship between CBI and money market growth.
The right to life
Authors: Sinjari Dr.Sc. Stavri , Balla Mr.Sc. Rezana
Published: August 2016

The right to life constitutes one of the main human rights and freedoms, foreseen by article 21 of the Albanian Constitution and article 2 of European Human Rights Convention. No democratic or totalitarian society can function without guarantees and protection of the human right to lifeWe intend to address these issues on our article: What is life. What we legally understand with life. When the life starts and finish. How this right has evolved. Which is the state interest on protecting the life. Should we consider that the life is the same for all. Should the state interfere at any cost to protect the life. Is there any criminal charge for responsible persons to the violation of this right. Is this issue treated by European Human Rights Court. What are the Albanian legal provisions on protection of this right.This research is performed mainly according to a comparative and analytical methodology. Comperative analysis will be present almost throughout the paper. Treatment of issues of this research will be achieved through a system comparable with international standards in particular and the most advanced legislation in this area. At the same time, this research is conducted by analytical and statistical data processing. We believe that our research will make a modest contribution, not only to the legal literature, but also to criminal policy makers, law makers, lawyers and attorneys.
Legal-Civil aspect of types of Immaterial Damage
Authors: Qehaja Dr.Sc. Rrustem
Published: August 2016

Causing of damage is accompanied with causing of responsibility for its compensation. Human being in the daily life is often threatened by various risks which along with the causing of bodily injuries in some cases may bring also causes of death.From the legal doctrine, in Kosovo and in the region, related to nomination of material and immaterial damage, in addition there may also be found other nominations including the property damage and non-property damage or as differently called moral damage[1], but the basic distinction in this division stands at its compensation.Subject of analysis of this work shall be focused with particular emphasis in Kosovo with some superficial comparisons to the neighbour countries.The only formula of indemnification for the immaterial damage according to insurance coverage remains the satisfaction[2] expressed in monetary value which according to LMTPI[3] and the Directive of the Council of European Parliament underwent positive amendments in viewpoint of increase of amounts of insurance.[4]In context of this work, only some types of immaterial damage shall be reviewed, including:-          Damage in form of physical distress,-          Damage in form of fear and-          Damage in form of spiritual distress because of reduction of life activities.
Imperative part of the Law on Kosovo Inheritance (Comparative view)
Authors: Ibrahimi MSc. Shpresa
Published: August 2016

Making a testament seems to be one of the available freedoms, and most significant of the law subjects. Testament, as final declaration of the testator’s will, is considered to be one of the most significant freedoms of the same, since by declaring his will, determines the fate of his/her property heritage, earned with lots of efforts throughout life.Freedom of compiling the testament, in the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo is guaranteed by the Law on Inheritance in Kosovo but also by the international Conventions. However, every subjective right has its limits.  Such limitation comes as a result of the care toward subjective rights of other persons, sometimes the best of the society, but the purpose of limiting such freedom in terms of inheritance, comes as result of common marital life, as a result of the care toward children and parents. Quota of the obligatory part is part of heritage that shall not be deprived, since it is guaranteed with imperative norms.This inheritance quota is presented as object for analyses and study in relation to testamentary freedom, always in a comparative view in the region and broader.
Experimental Process Identification for Industrial Water De-carbonization in Power Plants
Authors: Bina MSc. Lutfi , Stankovski Dr.Sc. Mile , Stojanovski Dr.Sc. Goran , Davikovikj MSc. Dejan , Bina Gent
Published: August 2016

Water Treatment Plant (or WTP) is the most important part of the Power Plant, because it produces vital-water it needs for steam production. Power Plants are the biggest air, ground and groundwater pollutants. Bad water quality directly impacts machine duration. Polluted water from Water Treatment Plant has a negative effect on people, flora and fauna, thus better waste management programs should be put in place to eliminate this problem. In this paper we are going to present the de-carbonization process of raw water as a part of water treatment plant, within coal fired power plants. De-carbonizing water is a time consuming process. We are going to present an advanced method for process identification with big time delay. The results are compared and one of the most appropriate methods is selected as identification method for this process. Further research and possibilities in this area are going to be presented by the end of the paper.Progress in identifying the process by which we work in this paper may serve as a new way to identify highly nonlinear processes. The used algorithm for identification of the process that is outlined in this paper can be applied, and it will be the basis for the creation of the software for the application of microcomputer techniques. Here we are applying the relevant software which can be applied in the form of programming packages for identification. This has to do with passive identification methods.
Systems Theory and Systems Approach to Leadership
Authors: Ramosaj Dr.Sc. Berim , Berisha MSc. Gentrit
Published: August 2016

Systems theory is product of the efforts of many researchers to create an intermediate field of coexistence of all sciences. If not for anything else, because of the magnitude that the use of systemic thinking and systemic approach has taken, it has become undisputed among the theories. Systems theory not only provides a glossary of terms with which researchers from different fields can be understood, but provides a framework for the presentation and interpretation of phenomena and realities. This paper addresses a systematic approach to leadership, as an attempt to dredge leadership and systems theory literature to find the meeting point. Systems approach is not an approach to leadership in terms of a manner of leader’s work, but it’s the leader's determination to factorize in his leadership the external environment and relationships with and among elements. Leader without followers is unable to exercise his leadership and to ensure their conviction he should provide a system, a structure, a purpose, despite the alternative chaos. Systems approach clarifies the thought on the complexity and dynamism of the environment and provides a framework for building ideas. If the general system theory is the skeleton of science (Boulding: 1956), this article aims to replenish it with leadership muscles by prominent authors who have written on systems theory and leadership, as well as through original ideas.In this work analytical methods were used (by analyzing approaches individually) as well as synthetic methods (by assaying individual approaches in context of entirety). The work is a critical review of literature as well as a deductive analysis mingled with models proposed by authors through inductive analysis. Meta-analysis has been used to dissect the interaction and interdependence between leadership approaches.
Students’ Perception of the ESP Courses at the University of Prishtina
Authors: Germizaj Dr.Sc. Shykrane , Hoxha Dr.Sc. Shpresa
Published: August 2016

It is widely accepted that three main factors that have contributed to the growth of English for specific purposes (ESP) are the increased demand for English to suit particular needs of learners on the one hand, and on the other the developments in linguistics and educational psychology, factors that brought about the need for increased specialization in language learning (Hutchinson & Waters, 1987).Considering the diversity of study fields offered at the University of Prishtina, the paper in general investigates the English courses offered in different academic units, including the status, the content, as well as the outcomes of these courses. In particular, in their research the authors focus on ESP courses offered in two University of Prishtina academic units: Faculty of Philology and Faculty of Economy.The paper presents the analysis of the course content, its delivery, as well as outcomes, highlighting similarities and differences, as well as various interrelated factors that influence the students’ success rate.As the consequence of the authors’ learning – centered approach, the paper also presents students’ perception of the courses as a crucial factor in course evaluation aiming at empowering students as stakeholders in the learning process.
Geo-Regional Security and Transformation After the Balkan's Wars and Kosova Independence
Authors: Boriqi Dr.Sc. Gjon
Published: August 2016

During the '90-ies the wars in the former territories of what was called Yugoslavia marked the end of a century plenty of wars and local armed conflicts. More than 140 million people died because of wars in the XX century. The war of Kosova was the last one in that century. The beginning of the XXI century stressed the necessity for a new way of thinking nationally, regionally and globally. The Balkans were often considered as a gun powder territory. All the Balkans states, someone more and someone less, have problems with each other. History was and remained very passionate within the Balkan countries. The case of Kosova is possibly the most sensitive in all this framework. After the proclamation of independence on February 17 2008, the concerns were high within the region and a new question was questioned: would the map of the Balkan peninsula change again to form another "Kosovo"? This article would give some details about the geopolitical situation in the Balkans focusing on Kosova and would try to establish e new way of making politics and diplomacy though deterrence and not offence. We will try to overpass history but without neglecting it, but by learning from its mistakes in order to bring a better Peace-Building aspect for the Balkan region.
Evaluation of Cost-Effectiveness of Cochlear Implant Use in Albania and Benefits from its Applications to Children with Profound Loss Hearing
Authors: Rama MSc. Mirvete , Kaleci Dr.Sc. Anjeza , Vito Dr.Sc. Sonila , Shuleta-Qehaja MSc. Selvete
Published: August 2016

Background: It is estimated that each year in Albania, about 70 children are born with profound hearing loss. If detected and diagnosed early (before age 4-5) and treated with cochlear implant, these children are likely to recover from the loss of hearing in a certain extent and to gradually develop speech, thus integrate in life and society.The purpose of this study is to compare these two alternatives by combining the costs and respective benefits or outcomes through a pharmacy economic evaluation. This assessment provides theoretical data on the problem of profound hearing loss mainly in children, long-term consequences of this condition in their life mainly in lingual development , cognitive (cognitive), emotional, and social benefits and highlights the impact of cochlear implant in the lives of these individuals.Methodology: As for those individuals, whose quality of life is compromised by their defect, we used a cost-utility analysis. The assessment is done from the perspective of the payer and the society. After assessment of costs and calculation of QALYs for each alternative we concluded.Conclusions: Cochlear implant improves hearing perception and helps the development of speech at young children with profound hearing loss under the age of 4-5.The younger the child is the greater are the benefits. Cochlear implant is more cost-effective from both perspectives considered by our study (Payer and Society) compared with no implant.
Quantitative Evaluation of Critical Conditions Required for Effective Hole Cleaning in Coiled-Tubing Drilling of Horizontal Wells
Authors: Bizhani M.. , Rodriguez Corredor F. E. , Kuru E..
Published: August 2016

The problem of solids cleanout in horizontal wellbores was studied experimentally. The special case of drilling-fluid circulation with no inner-pipe rotation was considered. This case is similar to coiled tubing (CT) drilling in which frequent hole cleanout must be performed. Sand-sized cuttings (ranging from 260 to 1240 µm) were used. Critical velocity and wall shear stress required for starting bed erosion were measured. Water and viscous-polymer base fluids with three different polymer concentrations were used.

Results have shown that water always starts cuttings movement at lower flow rates than polymer solutions. Fluids with higher polymer concentration (and higher viscosity) required higher flow rates to start eroding the bed. Critical wall shear stress was also determined from pressure-loss measurements. Analyzing the data revealed that water starts cuttings removal at lower pressure loss than more-viscous fluids. Higher-viscosity fluids always showed higher pressure loss at the start of bed erosion.

For the range of cuttings size studied, results show that an intermediate cuttings size was slightly easier to remove. However, the impact of cuttings size was far less than that of fluid rheology. Overall cuttings size was found to have a small impact on hole cleaning.

Dimensionless analysis of parameters relevant to the process of cuttings movement was performed. It was shown that dimensionless wall shear stress (in the forms of Shields’ stress and also ratio of shear velocity to settling velocity) at the onset of bed erosion correlated well with particle Reynolds number. On the basis of this finding, two correlations were developed to predict critical wall shear stress. A procedure was developed to calculate critical flow rate as well. Friction-factor data for the flow through the annulus with a stationary cuttings bed are also reported.
Hybrid model using logit and nonparametric methods for predicting micro-entity failure
Authors: Blanco-Oliver A. , Irimia-Dieguez A. , Oliver-Alfonso M.D. , Vázquez-Cueto M.J.
Published: August 2016

Following the calls from literature on bankruptcy, a parsimonious hybrid bankruptcy model is developed in this paper by combining parametric and non-parametric approaches.To this end, the variables with the highest predictive power to detect bankruptcy are selected using logistic regression (LR). Subsequently, alternative non-parametric methods (Multilayer Perceptron, Rough Set, and Classification-Regression Trees) are applied, in turn, to firms classified as either “bankrupt” or “not bankrupt”. Our findings show that hybrid models, particularly those combining LR and Multilayer Perceptron, offer better accuracy performance and interpretability and converge faster than each method implemented in isolation. Moreover, the authors demonstrate that the introduction of non-financial and macroeconomic variables complement financial ratios for bankruptcy prediction
Detecting structural damage in Timoshenko beams based on optimization via simulation (OVS)
Authors: Farokhzad Reza , Mohebi Benyamin , Ghodrati Amiri Gholamreza , Ashtiany Mohsen Ghafory
Published: August 2016

Considering easy determination of natural frequency in structures leads researchers to focus on detecting the damage through the dynamic parameters using combination of various artificial intelligence algorithms. The main contribution of this research is to detect damage in structures (including its depth and location) for the deep beams with Timoshenko behavior using optimization via simulation (OVS). This method is established based on the first three natural frequencies of the deep or semi-deep beams. The finite element method (FEM) is conducted to obtain essential inputs parameters for OVS. The exact location and depth of the structural damage are determined, using combination of multi-objective optimization algorithms, multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA), and modified multi-objective genetic algorithm (MMOGA). This research also remarkably concerns about detecting the location of the defect in the beams with several cracks. In order to verify the results obtained from numerical analysis, several experimental specimens are presented. The dynamics parameters of the beams are experimentally identified using modal hammer. The responses obtained from the numerical method, proposed in this research, are also compared with the results obtained from previous studies. Practically, a beam with real dimensions is examined for different boundary conditions. In addition, the results obtained from MOGA and MMOGA are compared with the other researchers’ achievements. Finally, it was observed that the proposed method, (OVS), can be satisfyingly determined the exact location and depth of damage with the high accuracy.
Bivariate design flood quantile selection using copulas
Authors: Li Tianyuan , Guo Shenglian , Liu Zhangjun , Xiong Lihua , Yin Jiabo
Published: August 2016

Flood event consists of peak discharge and flood volume that are mutually correlated and can be described by a copula function. For a given bivariate joint distribution, a choice of design return period will lead to infinite combinations of peak discharge and flood volume. A boundary identification method is developed to define the feasible ranges of flood peak and volume suitable for combination, and two combination methods, i.e., equivalent frequency combination (EFC) method and conditional expectation combination method for estimating unique bivariate flood quantiles are also proposed. Monte Carlo simulation method is used to evaluate the performance of these combination methods. The Geheyan reservoir in China was selected as case study. It is shown that the joint design values estimated by the two proposed combination methods are both within the feasible range, which means that the methods could be selected for designing unique flood quantiles. The proposed bivariate combination methods are also compared with univariate method, and the reservoir water level estimated by EFC method is higher than the other methods, which means the EFC method is safer for reservoir design. The developed approach provides an applicable way for the identification of feasible range and flood quantile estimation.
Wavelet regression and wavelet neural network models for forecasting monthly streamflow
Authors: Partal Turgay
Published: August 2016

This paper investigates the performance of wavelet-based regression models for monthly streamflow forecasting. The wavelet-based regression model combines wavelet transformation and multiple linear regression (LR). The wavelet-based regression forecasts are also compared to the wavelet-based neural network, which combines the wavelet transformation and feed forward neural network. The wavelet transformation has significantly positive effects on the modeling performance. In this study, the different approaches of the wavelet-based models were applied to forecast the monthly flow. The results show that the wavelet-based feed forward neural network and the wavelet-based linear regression (WLR) produce very good results for 1-month-ahead streamflow forecasting. Both techniques demonstrated an almost similar performance. Also, the result of the WLR5 model is better than the results of the other WLR models in terms of performance criteria.
Public participation, experts and expert knowledge in water management in the Netherlands
Authors: van Ast Jacko A. , Gerrits Lasse
Published: August 2016

In our complex society, specific expertise is inevitable for decision-making in technical projects such as water management projects. For that reason, experts are also called the sixth power. Some of them work in administrative organizations and others are hired by stakeholders that participate in decision-making. For a large part they are employed in the private sector as consultants or are employees of interest groups. As such, they represent the most technocratic dimension of such projects. It often appears that their opinions about technical and financial issues play a dominant role in the outcome of water-related projects. The objective of this paper is to explore the influence of experts, in relation to the stakeholders (including governments and lay people), in participatory decision-making processes regarding water management. An important question here is whether experts and their knowledge advance or determine decision-making. We present two concrete experiments: one where experts were given a leading role, and one where experts were given a position in the backseat. The experiments demonstrate that stronger expert participation negates public participation and the other way around.
Application of response surface methodology for modeling and optimization of Bacillus subtilis spores inactivation by the UV/persulfate process
Authors: Sabeti Zahra , Alimohammadi Mahmood , Yousefzadeh Samira , Aslani Hassan , Ghani Maryam , Nabizadeh Ramin
Published: August 2016

Stronger disinfection techniques are required to inactivate Bacillus subtilis spores as surrogate microorganisms for Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. In this study, the effects of UV and persulfate separately and also in combination were investigated on B. subtilis spore inactivation. Central composite design and response surface methodology were used to optimize target microorganism reduction. Contact time, initial pH, and persulfate dosage were considered as input experimental variables. Based on the design of the experiments, first and second order response surface models have been developed to correspond to the output response of B. subtilis spore reduction. It can be concluded that microbial reduction by UV alone was more effective than persulfate, while the combined UV/persulfate process demonstrated the highest log reduction (4.1) under the following optimal conditions: 60 min contact time, pH = 7.8, and persulfate dosage of 30 mM. On the other hand, the optimal condition for UV treatment was a contact time of 60 min at a pH of 5.0, which led to a 3.19 log spore inactivation. Consequently, the UV/persulfate system can be introduced as an alternative disinfectant for the inactivation of B. subtilis spores.
Systematic Functional Characterization of Candidate Causal Genes for Type 2 Diabetes Risk Variants
Authors: Thomsen Soren K. , Ceroni Alessandro , van de Bunt Martijn , Burrows Carla , Barrett Amy , Scharfmann Raphael , Ebner Daniel , McCarthy Mark I. , Gloyn Anna L.
Published: August 2016

Most genetic association signals for type 2 diabetes risk are located in noncoding regions of the genome, hindering translation into molecular mechanisms. Physiological studies have shown a majority of disease-associated variants to exert their effects through pancreatic islet dysfunction. Systematically characterizing the role of regional transcripts in β-cell function could identify the underlying disease-causing genes, but large-scale studies in human cellular models have previously been impractical. We developed a robust and scalable strategy based on arrayed gene silencing in the human β-cell line EndoC-βH1. In a screen of 300 positional candidates selected from 75 type 2 diabetes regions, each gene was assayed for effects on multiple disease–relevant phenotypes, including insulin secretion and cellular proliferation. We identified a total of 45 genes involved in β-cell function, pointing to possible causal mechanisms at 37 disease-associated loci. The results showed a strong enrichment for genes implicated in monogenic diabetes. Selected effects were validated in a follow-up study, including several genes (ARL15, ZMIZ1, and THADA) with previously unknown or poorly described roles in β-cell biology. We have demonstrated the feasibility of systematic functional screening in a human β-cell model and successfully prioritized plausible disease-causing genes at more than half of the regions investigated.
F1F0 ATP Synthase–Cyclophilin D Interaction Contributes to Diabetes-Induced Synaptic Dysfunction and Cognitive Decline
Authors: Yan Shijun , Du Fang , Wu Long , Zhang Zhihua , Zhong Changjia , Yu Qing , Wang Yongfu , Lue Lih-Fen , Walker Douglas G. , Douglas Justin T. , Yan Shirley ShiDu
Published: August 2016

Mitochondrial abnormalities are well known to cause cognitive decline. However, the underlying molecular basis of mitochondria-associated neuronal and synaptic dysfunction in the diabetic brain remains unclear. Here, using a mitochondrial single-channel patch clamp and cyclophilin D (CypD)-deficient mice (Ppif −/−) with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, we observed an increase in the probability of Ca2+-induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening in brain mitochondria of diabetic mice, which was further confirmed by mitochondrial swelling and cytochrome c release induced by Ca2+ overload. Diabetes-induced elevation of CypD triggers enhancement of F1F0 ATP synthase–CypD interaction, which in turn leads to mPTP opening. Indeed, in patients with diabetes, brain cypD protein levels were increased. Notably, blockade of the F1F0 ATP synthase–CypD interaction by CypD ablation protected against diabetes-induced mPTP opening, ATP synthesis deficits, oxidative stress, and mitochondria dysfunction. Furthermore, the absence of CypD alleviated deficits in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory in diabetic mice. Thus, blockade of ATP synthase interaction with CypD provides a promising new target for therapeutic intervention in diabetic encephalopathy.
Oxytocin Improves β-Cell Responsivity and Glucose Tolerance in Healthy Men
Authors: Klement Johanna , Ott Volker , Rapp Kristina , Brede Swantje , Piccinini Francesca , Cobelli Claudio , Lehnert Hendrik , Hallschmid Manfred
Published: August 2016

In addition to its pivotal role in psychosocial behavior, the hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin contributes to metabolic control by suppressing eating behavior. Its involvement in glucose homeostasis is less clear, although pilot experiments suggest that oxytocin improves glucose homeostasis. We assessed the effect of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) administered to 29 healthy, fasted male subjects on glucose homeostasis measured by means of an oral glucose tolerance test. Parameters of glucose metabolism were analyzed according to the oral minimal model. Oxytocin attenuated the peak excursion of plasma glucose and augmented the early increases in insulin and C-peptide concentrations in response to the glucose challenge, while slightly blunting insulin and C-peptide peaks. Oral minimal model analyses revealed that oxytocin compared with placebo induced a pronounced increase in β-cell responsivity (PHItotal) that was largely due to an enhanced dynamic response (PHId), and a more than twofold improvement in glucose tolerance (disposition index). Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, glucagon, and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations were not or were only marginally affected. These results indicate that oxytocin plays a significant role in the acute regulation of glucose metabolism in healthy humans and render the oxytocin system a potential target of antidiabetic treatment.
Changing Immigrant Characteristics and Pre-Landing Canadian Earnings: Their Effect on Entry Earnings over the 1990s and 2000s
Authors: Hou Feng , Picot Garnett
Published: August 2016

During the 1990s and 2000s, the characteristics of new immigrants to Canada changed significantly across several dimensions, including education, admission class, source region, and pre-landing Canadian work experience, owing at least partly to changes in immigration selection policies. This article examines whether these changes affected earnings trends among immigrants. Among all new immigrants and economic principal applicants, aside from cyclical fluctuations, entry earnings changed little over the 1990s and 2000s. This stability was the result of competing influences, some that tended to increase earnings and some that tended to reduce them. The key changes in immigrant characteristics that put upward pressure on entry earnings were the rising educational attainment in the 1990s and a large increase in the share of immigrants with high pre-landing Canadian earnings during the 2000s. The latter characteristic also accounted for the earnings advantage of provincial nominees over skilled worker immigrants. The policy implications of the results are discussed.