bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wastewater Reuse: An Economic Perspective to Identify Suitable Areas for Poplar Vegetation Filter Systems for Energy Production
Authors: Viccaro Mauro , Cozzi Mario , Caniani Donatella , Masi Salvatore , Mancini Ignazio , Caivano Marianna , Romano Severino
Published: November 2017

The increasing interest towards climate change, water and energy saving, and soil protection has led the research community to consider non-conventional water as a sustainable source for irrigation of energy crops. Vegetation filter systems are considered a reliable technique for sustainable biomass cultivation, enabling the use of reclaimed wastewater as water and nutrients sources during irrigation periods. In this study, a geographic information system (GIS)-based spatial model was developed to identify areas potentially suitable for creating vegetation filter systems with poplars to size the plants of energy production. An economic assessment allowed us to identify the cost-effectiveness areas for biomass production that can be fertigated by reclaimed wastewater. Considering the Basilicata region as the test region, a surface area of 258,512 ha was investigated, identifying 73,331 ha of SRF soils sited downstream of 45 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, considering only areas that have positive net present value and are economically attractive, results indicate 1606 ha of SRF falling within the areas of influence of 39 WWTPs. The results show that the sector of dedicated crops, adjacent and linked with WWTPs, expresses a total capacity of 50.56 MW for thermal, 8.25 MW for electricity, and 31 MW for cogeneration (25.07 MWt and 5.94 MWe) plants.
An Integral Model to Provide Reactive and Proactive Services in an Academic CSIRT Based on Business Intelligence
Authors: Fuertes Walter , Reyes Francisco , Valladares Paúl , Tapia Freddy , Toulkeridis Theofilos , Pérez Ernesto
Published: November 2017

Cyber-attacks have increased in severity and complexity. That requires, that the CERT/CSIRT research and develops new security tools. Therefore, our study focuses on the design of an integral model based on Business Intelligence (BI), which provides reactive and proactive services in a CSIRT, in order to alert and reduce any suspicious or malicious activity on information systems and data networks. To achieve this purpose, a solution has been assembled, that generates information stores, being compiled from a continuous network transmission of several internal and external sources of an organization. However, it contemplates a data warehouse, which is focused like a correlator of logs, being formed by the information of feeds with diverse formats. Furthermore, it analyzed attack detection and port scanning, obtained from sensors such as Snort and Passive Vulnerability Scanner, which are stored in a database, where the logs have been generated by the systems. With such inputs, we designed and implemented BI systems using the phases of the Ralph Kimball methodology, ETL and OLAP processes. In addition, a software application has been implemented using the SCRUM methodology, which allowed to link the obtained logs to the BI system for visualization in dynamic dashboards, with the purpose of generating early alerts and constructing complex queries using the user interface through objects structures. The results demonstrate, that this solution has generated early warnings based on the level of criticality and level of sensitivity of malware and vulnerabilities as well as monitoring efficiency, increasing the level of security of member institutions.
Using a Particle Counter to Inform the Creation of Similar Exposure Groups and Sampling Protocols in a Structural Steel Fabrication Facility
Authors: Mino James , Quémerais Bernadette
Published: November 2017

The objective of this project was to create similar exposure groups (SEGs) for occupational monitoring in a structural steel fabrication facility. Qualitative SEG formation involved worksite observation, interviews, and audits of materials and procedures. These were supplemented with preliminary task-based shop survey data collected using a condensation particle counter. A total of six SEGs were formed, with recommendations for occupational exposure sampling for five groups, as well as ambient sampling recommendations to address areas on the operational floor found to have higher particle concentrations. The combination of direct reading device data and qualitative SEG formation techniques is a valuable approach, as it contains both the monetary and temporal costs of worksite exposure monitoring. This approach also provides an empowering in-house analysis of potentially problematic areas, and results in the streamlining of occupational exposure assessment.
A Supercluster of Neutralizing Epitopes at the Interface of Ricin’s Enzymatic (RTA) and Binding (RTB) Subunits
Authors: Poon Amanda , Vance David , Rong Yinghui , Ehrbar Dylan , Mantis Nicholas
Published: November 2017

As part of an effort to engineer ricin antitoxins and immunotherapies, we previously produced and characterized a collection of phage-displayed, heavy chain-only antibodies (VHHs) from alpacas that had been immunized with ricin antigens. In our initial screens, we identified nine VHHs directed against ricin toxin’s binding subunit (RTB), but only one, JIZ-B7, had toxin-neutralizing activity. Linking JIZ-B7 to different VHHs against ricin’s enzymatic subunit (RTA) resulted in several bispecific antibodies with potent toxin-neutralizing activity in vitro and in vivo. JIZ-B7 may therefore be an integral component of a future VHH-based neutralizing agent (VNA) for ricin toxin. In this study, we now localize, using competitive ELISA, JIZ-B7’s epitope to a region of RTB’s domain 2 sandwiched between the high-affinity galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine (Gal/GalNAc)-binding site and the boundary of a neutralizing hotspot on RTA known as cluster II. Analysis of additional RTB (n = 8)- and holotoxin (n = 4)-specific VHHs from a recent series of screens identified a “supercluster” of neutralizing epitopes at the RTA-RTB interface. Among the VHHs tested, toxin-neutralizing activity was most closely associated with epitope proximity to RTA, and not interference with RTB’s ability to engage Gal/GalNAc receptors. We conclude that JIZ-B7 is representative of a larger group of potent toxin-neutralizing antibodies, possibly including many described in the literature dating back several decades, that recognize tertiary and possibly quaternary epitopes located at the RTA-RTB interface and that target a region of vulnerability on ricin toxin.
Weak Lensing Data and Condensed Neutrino Objects
Authors: Morley Peter , Buettner Douglas
Published: November 2017

Condensed Neutrino Objects (CNO) are a candidate for the Dark Matter which everyone has been looking for. In this article, from Albert Einstein’s original 1911 and 1917 papers, we begin the journey from weak lensing data to neutrino signatures. New research results include an Einasto density profile that fits to a range of candidate degenerate neutrino masses, goodness-of-fit test results for our functional CNO mass/radius relationship which fits to available weak lensing data, and new results based on revised constraints for the CNO that our Local Group of galaxies is embedded in.
Optimal Allocation Method of Irrigation Water from River and Lake by Considering the Field Water Cycle Process
Authors: Li Xuemin , Huo Zailin , Xu Bing
Published: November 2017

At present, the shortage of water resources has become a serious constraint to the further development of social economy. The optimal allocation of multi-water resources is valuable for agricultural water management in arid and semi-arid regions. However, traditional deterministic programming does not solve the complex water resources allocation in irrigation systems. Furthermore, previous allocation methods of irrigation water seldom considered the water cycle process, especially for multi-sources of irrigation. In this study, we develop an inexact fuzzy stochastic simulation-optimization programming (IFSSOP) model for the irrigation water optimal allocation of two water sources. The model combines the crop water model and the field water cycle model with an uncertainty optimization model, which considers the contribution of groundwater to crop water consumption. As a case study, the developed model is used in an arid area with two irrigation water sources: a river and a lake. Accordingly, the total optimal allocation irrigation water amounts of river and lake water under different violation probabilities in various hydrological years were obtained. By comparing the IFSSOP model with the IFSSOP model without considering the contribution of shallow groundwater (IFSSOP-NG model), it can be shown that the system benefits of the developed model are higher. With the lake water source from flood water, the region can save 30–34% of the river water, maintaining the original crop water deficit irrigation ratio. Consequently, application of the IFSSOP model in irrigation scheduling will provide effective water allocation patterns to save more water in an arid region with shallow groundwater.
An Assessment of Ice Effects on Indices for Hydrological Alteration in Flow Regimes
Authors: Alfredsen Knut
Published: November 2017

Preserving hydrological variability is important when developing environmental flow regimes, and a number of tools have been developed to support this process. A commonly applied method is the index of hydrological alteration (IHA), which describes a set of indices that can be used to assess changes in flow regimes. In cold climate regions, river ice can have large effects on flow regimes through frazil and anchor ice formation, ice cover formation, and ice break-up, and the impact of this is usually not included in the commonly used indexes. However, to understand the effect of ice formation and the break-up on the flow regime, the ice effects on the hydrology should be considered when assessing winter alteration indexes. This paper looks at the effects of river ice on winter flow conditions using data from Norwegian rivers, and discusses these effects in relation to hydrological variability. This paper also shows how indexes can be used to classify ice-induced variability, how this should be used to avoid ice-induced effects in the current analysis, and how this can be combined with the current indices to improve the winter flow regime classification. The findings from this paper show that frazil- and anchor-induced raises of the water level have a large impact on the perceived flow in winter, producing higher flow and deeper water than what the open water conditions discharge could do. Corresponding to this, winter lows connected to ice-induced high flows at other locations are also common. Finally, issues related to the assessment of the temporal and spatial effects of ice formation are discussed.
Adsorption of iron tetraphenylporphyrin on (111) surfaces of coinage metals: a density functional theory study
Authors: Tang Hao , Tarrat Nathalie , Langlais Véronique , Wang Yongfeng
Published: November 2017

The adsorption of the iron tetraphenylporphyrin (FeTPP) molecule in its deckchair conformation was investigated on Au(111), Ag(111) and Cu(111) surfaces by performing spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT) calculations taking into account both van der Waals (vdW) interaction and on-site Coulomb repulsion. The deckchair conformation of the molecule favours intermolecular π–π-type interactions in a less densely packed monolayer than the saddle conformation. The activation barrier between the two stable magnetic states (high spin, S = 2 and intermediate spin, S = 1) of the molecule in vacuum disappears upon adsorption on the metal surfaces. The high-spin state of physisorbed FeTPP is stable on all adsorption sites. This result reveals that an external permanent element such as a STM tip or an additional molecule is needed to use FeTPP or similar molecules as model system for molecular spin switches.
Syntheses, structures, and stabilities of aliphatic and aromatic fluorous iodine(I) and iodine(III) compounds: the role of iodine Lewis basicity
Authors: Mukherjee Tathagata , Biswas Soumik , Ehnbom Andreas , Ghosh Subrata K , El-Zoghbi Ibrahim , Bhuvanesh Nattamai , Bazzi Hassan S , Gladysz John A
Published: November 2017

The title molecules are sought in connection with various synthetic applications. The aliphatic fluorous alcohols RfnCH2OH (Rfn = CF3(CF2)n–1; n = 11, 13, 15) are converted to the triflates RfnCH2OTf (Tf2O, pyridine; 22–61%) and then to RfnCH2I (NaI, acetone; 58–69%). Subsequent reactions with NaOCl/HCl give iodine(III) dichlorides RfnCH2ICl2 (n = 11, 13; 33–81%), which slowly evolve Cl2. The ethereal fluorous alcohols CF3CF2CF2O(CF(CF3)CF2O)xCF(CF3)CH2OH (x = 2–5) are similarly converted to triflates and then to iodides, but efforts to generate the corresponding dichlorides fail. Substrates lacking a methylene group, RfnI, are also inert, but additions of TMSCl to bis(trifluoroacetates) RfnI(OCOCF3)2 appear to generate RfnICl2, which rapidly evolve Cl2. The aromatic fluorous iodides 1,3-Rf6C6H4I, 1,4-Rf6C6H4I, and 1,3-Rf10C6H4I are prepared from the corresponding diiodides, copper, and RfnI (110–130 °C, 50–60%), and afford quite stable RfnC6H4ICl2 species upon reaction with NaOCl/HCl (80–89%). Iodinations of 1,3-(Rf6)2C6H4 and 1,3-(Rf8CH2CH2)2C6H4 (NIS or I2/H5IO6) give 1,3,5-(Rf6)2C6H3I and 1,2,4-(Rf8CH2CH2)2C6H3I (77–93%). The former, the crystal structure of which is determined, reacts with Cl2 to give a 75:25 ArICl2/ArI mixture, but partial Cl2 evolution occurs upon work-up. The latter gives the easily isolated dichloride 1,2,4-(Rf8CH2CH2)2C6H3ICl2 (89%). The relative thermodynamic ease of dichlorination of these and other iodine(I) compounds is probed by DFT calculations.
Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention in Women with Osteoporosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Patel Rupa R , Presti Rachel , Harrison Laura C , Powderly William G , Chan Philip A
Published: November 2017

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), using tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), can effectively prevent HIV acquisition. However, TDF can cause changes in bone mineral density (BMD). There is little information on the use of PrEP among patients with bone disease. We present a case report of a female with pre-existing osteoporosis who was prescribed PrEP. Over the course of 9 months of consistent PrEP use, verified by dried blood spot testing, we report a lack of BMD changes on serial dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry scans in this patient. This case can inform PrEP care for patients with pre-existing bone disease.
The male terminalia of seven American species of Drosophila (Diptera, Drosophilidae)
Authors: Vilela Carlos Ribeiro
Published: November 2017

The male terminalia of seven species ofDrosophilaendemic to the New World are described or redescribed and illustrated: one in thehydeisubgroup (D.guayllabambae) and four in themullerisubgroup (D.arizonae,D.navojoa,D.nigrodumosa, andD.sonorae) of therepletagroup; one in thestictagroup (D.sticta) and one so far unassigned to group (D.comosa). TheD.guayllabambaeterminalia redescription is based on a wild-caught fly. The redescriptions of the terminalia of the four species in themullerisubgroup are based on strain specimens, while those ofD.stictaandD.comosaterminalia are based on their holotypes.D.guayllabambaeseems to be a strictly mountainous species of the Ecuadorian and Peruvian Andes.D.nigrodumosais apparently endemic to Venezuela, occurring in the Andes as well as at lower altitudes. The remaining five occurs only at lower altitudes of the American continent. The detailed line drawings depicted in this paper aim to help interested taxonomists to tell those species apart. Their precise identification is of great importance to the knowledge of the American biodiversity increasingly threatened by human activities.
Dr. Gerhard Bächli, Redaktor der Mitteilungen der Schweizerischen Entomologischen Gesellschaft von 1993–2001 und 2005–2016
Authors: Burckhardt Daniel
Published: November 2017

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Variability patterns of epibenthic microalgae in eastern Tunisian coasts
Authors: Moncer Malika , Hamza Asma , Feki-Sahnoun Wafa , Mabrouk Lotfi , Bel Hassen Malika
Published: November 2017

Epiphytic microalgae were monitored on various substrates of seagrass and macroalgae and in the water column for one year (from March 2013 to March 2014) in Oued Lafrann along the eastern coast of Chebba (Tunisia) with a focus on the distribution patterns of the epibenthic toxic dinoflagellates Ostreopsis cf. ovata, Prorocentrum lima and Coolia monotis. Microalgae assemblages were dominated by diatoms and dinoflagellates both in the water column and on vegetation. High concentrations of epiphytic toxic and potentially toxic dinoflagellates were preferentially hosted by Posidonia leaves, mainly in the apical and middle regions of the leaves, and P. lima was the dominant species. A significant positive correlation was found between P. lima concentrations on Posidonia and in the water column, suggesting that macrophytes should be sampled in the framework of harmful algal species monitoring. Ostreopsis cf. ovata, exhibited low concentrations and was mainly present on the inner surface of the Posidonia leaf, whereas P. lima was mainly present on the outer surface of the leaf, suggesting a likely space competition.
Massive decline of Cystoseira abies-marina forests in Gran Canaria Island (Canary Islands, eastern Atlantic)
Authors: Valdazo José , Viera-Rodríguez M. Ascensión , Espino Fernando , Haroun Ricardo , Tuya Fernando
Published: November 2017

Brown macroalgae within the genus Cystoseira are some of the most relevant “ecosystem-engineers” found throughout the Mediterranean and the adjacent Atlantic coasts. Cystoseira-dominated assemblages are sensitive to anthropogenic pressures, and historical declines have been reported from some regions. In particular, Cystoseira abies-marina, thriving on shallow rocky shores, is a key species for the ecosystems of the Canary Islands. In this work, we analyse changes in the distribution and extension of C. abies-marina in the last decades on the island of Gran Canaria. This alga dominated the shallow rocky shores of the entire island in the 1980s; a continuous belt extended along 120.5 km of the coastline and occupied 928 ha. In the first decade of the 21st century, fragmented populations were found along 52.2 km of the coastline and occupied 12.6 ha. Today, this species is found along 37.8 km of the coastline and occupies only 7.4 ha, mainly as scattered patches. This regression has been drastic around the whole island, even in areas with low anthropogenic pressure; the magnitude of the decline over time and the intensity of local human impacts have not shown a significant correlation. This study highlights a real need to implement conservation and restoration policies for C. abies-marina in this region.
Ethno-psychiatrie
Authors: Ellenberger Henri
Published: November 2017

L’« Ethnopsychiatrie » d’Henri Ellenberger est la première synthèse de langue française sur cette discipline hybride située entre psychiatrie et ethnologie, qui s’est développée après-guerre à la fin des empires coloniaux et qui a connu un succès foudroyant ces dernières décennies. Ce corpus présente un grand intérêt du point de vue de l’histoire des sciences humaines et sociales. D’une part, il constitue un cas d’étude de circulation des savoirs entre la France et l’Amérique du Nord, puisqu’il a été rédigé à Montréal par un médecin et chercheur formé à Paris. D’autre part, il permet d’interroger le moment de transition entre la médecine coloniale et les pratiques contemporaines de l’ethnopsychiatrie en métropole avec des migrants. Cette nouvelle édition en trois parties s’ouvre par une présentation générale qui resitue les sources dans le contexte des savoirs de l’époque, en mettant l’accent sur les acteurs et les réseaux savants, entre médecine, psychologie et sciences sociales, dans une perspective historique. Le texte original est quant à lui reproduit à l’identique et annoté. Enfin un choix d’archives inédites est proposé, dont un enseignement délivré au Canada et un échange épistolaire avec Georges Devereux.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Institutional Behavior Differences in Extractive Industry
Authors: Marfo Emmanuel Opoku , Amoako Kwame Oduro , Antwi Henry Asante , Ghansah Benjamin , Mohammed Baba Gausu
Published: November 2017

The developed countries’ institutional research undertaken on corporate social responsibilities (CSR) have shown a positive relationship between accessibility of financial related assets and CSR. Contentions that we classified as the Institutional Difference Hypothesis (IDH) drawn from the institutional writing, on the other hand, propose that institutional contrasts amid of developing and the developed economies are prone to result in diverse CSR propositions. Incorporating the rationale of IDH with understanding of knowledge from slack resource theory, we contend that there exists a negative relationship between fiscal resources accessibility and CSR investments for mining companies in Ghana, a sub-Saharan African developing economy. We utilize a well-protected data from the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC), Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) and Ghana Chamber of mines (GCM) and find that Return on Ordinary Share, Return on Sales, and Net Profit were reliably connected with lower CSR disbursements. We highlight the ramifications of our discoveries for academics’ examination and corporate practitioners.
Design of Vehicle Compression Springs for Optimum Performance in their Service Condition
Authors: Ikpe Aniekan E. , Owunna Ikechukwu
Published: November 2017

Helical compression spring plays a vital role in vehicle application as it improves ride index, sustains the vehicle against extreme degrees of vibration and stress induced on the suspension system as a result of uneven road. Depending on the extent of load acting on the suspension system, material selection, design considerations and manufacturing processes, longevity and performance of the spring may be sustained, otherwise the spring may fail prematurely under severe loading condition. In this study, compression spring was designed using high carbon steel, stainless steel and chrome vanadium steel and the designed spring models were simulated for maximum Von-mises stress, maximum resultant displacement and resultant strain. Curb weight of the vehicle was considered in the analysis which involves the weight of the car with all fluids and components but without the driver, passengers, and cargo. At the end of the simulation, the three materials remained within the limit of their elasticity without any significant sign of failure under the applied load of 3888N. However, the difference between Von-mises stress obtained for Chrome vanadium and its yield strength was the highest (653MPa) followed by stainless steel (235MPa) before high carbon steel (109MPa). This implies that at increasing loading conditions, high carbon steel will be the first material to fail during operation, whereas, stainless steel and chrome vanadium may exhibit sustained level of longevity before failure as a result of the high chromium content and other alloying elements that gives them a better quality but at relatively high cost compared to high carbon steel which can satisfactorily undergo its service condition at relatively low cost.
Application of Parametric Isotherm Models to Quaternary Adsorption System of Phenol, Butanol, Butan-2-ol and 2-Methyl Butan-2-ol
Authors: Yusuff Adeyinka Sikiru , Popoola Lekan Taofeek , Olateju Idowu Iyabo
Published: November 2017

Equilibrium adsorption of quaternary component mixture (phenol, butanol, butan-2-ol and 2-methyl butan-2-ol) onto activated carbon derived from oil-palm empty fruit bunch was studied. Henry isotherm 2-parameter model was used as an improvement to Langmuir and Freundlich 2-parameter isotherm model. The 3-parameter isotherm models applied to the quaternary adsorption system included Redlich Peterson, Sips and Toth. Trial and error method of excel solver was used to evaluate the parameters in the models. Data fitness was based on correlation coefficient (R2) and average percentage error (APE). For the two-parametric isotherm models, Langmuir predicted the adsorption equilibrium well with APE and R2 values of 0.20883 and 0.9868; 0.007669509 and 0.9338; and 3.64355718 and 0.9410 for butanol, butan-2-ol and 2-methyl butan-2-ol respectively. The maximum mono-layer capacity (qm) obtained from Langmuir model for butanol, butan-2-ol and 2-methyl butan-2-ol adsorption were 3558.962mg/g, 2.064233mg/g and 22.6423mg/g respectively. Sip and Toth fitted excellently well among the three- parametric isotherm models. The Sip isotherm model gives APE and R2 values of 0.010536 and 0.9346; and 5.14458 and 0.9250 for phenol and 2-methyl butan-2-ol respectively. The Toth isotherm model gives APE and R2 values of 4.83521 and 0.9866; and 0.02595 and 0.9411 for butanol and butan-2-ol respectively. The isotherm models prove applicable for the quaternary adsorption system.
Assessment of Leachate Effects on Groundwater and Soil from Nduba Land Fill in Kigali, Rwanda
Authors: Patrick Tumwizere Remy , Hategekimana Felix , Aphrodice Niyibizi , Kumaran G. Senthil
Published: November 2017

Landfills are one of the groundwater pollution sources in Rwanda. Physical and chemical analyses of water samples were carried out to assure the magnitude of Nduba Landfill on ground water quality. Laboratory tests were conducted to get the results which helped us to study the assessment of leachate effect and to propose mitigation measures of Nduba landfill. The results showed that most of water were contaminated, where concentration of most physical and chemical parameters were above acceptable standard levels required by local and international standards for potable. The analytical results of leachates samples (Cu: 38.5 mg/L, Mn: 13.075mg/l, Zn:15mg/l, TP:4525mg/l, pH:8.52µS/cm, COD:7100mg/l, BOD:182.1mg/l, TN:5mg/l and Fe: 43.025 mg/L) showed that heavy metals are leached out from the MSW. The analytical results of groundwater from the wells located in the vicinity of Nduba landfill site (Cu: 2 mg/L, Zn:3.5-5.5mg/l, SO42-: 250-275mg/l, NO3-: 55-67.5mg/l,NH4+:1.5-2.25mg/l, COD: 39-53.4mg/l, Fe: 1.75-4.25 mg/L, Turbidity: 4.03-4.32NTU, pH:5.31-5.73µS/cm, Temperature: 21°C and BOD:20.7-21.6mg/l) compared to the World Health Organization standard (Cu:0.1mg/L,Fe:0.3mg/L,Zn:5mg/l,SO42-:200mg/l,NO3-:50mg/l,NH4+:1.5mg/l,Turbidity:<5.0 NTU and pH:6.5-9.2µS/cm) revealed that groundwater from the wells located in the vicinity of Nduba landfill site requires further physical chemical treatment to ensure their suitability for human consumption as the levels of some water quality parameters exceeded the EPA guidelines for drinking water. Designing a sanitary landfill was recommended to avoid effects of leachate on environment.
Dynamic Behavior Study of a VSC-HVDC System with SPWM Command Subjected to an Important Variation of Load
Authors: Houngan Kokou Thophile , Richard Gilles Agbokpanzo , Codja Kizito , Aguemon Dourodjayé Pierre , Espanet Christophe
Published: November 2017

To interconnect sources of production, it is necessary to watch that the technical parameters as tension, frequency and phase shift of the sources of production are equal. In Benin, it is difficult for the company in charge of the production and of the transport of the electricity to interconnect the production coming from Nigeria and that coming from Ghana because all the parameters are not equal. It is thus necessary to find a way to interconnect the sources of productions to satisfy not only the request in electrical energy but also to insure the continuity of the service and the stability of the electricity network [1,2]. In this work, we studied the dynamic behavior of the Voltage Source Converter based High Voltage Direct Current (VSC-HVDC) system subjected to an important variation of load and commanded by the Sine-triangle Pulse Width Modulation ( SPWM) to improve the quality of the electrical energy. We developed thus first of all the electric model of all the constituents of the system. These models allowed designing easily the control systems of the static converters VSC (the rectifier and the inverter). The simulation of the inverter showed that the rate of distortion of harmonious varied considerably according to the load for important variations of load. The solution brought by this work is the elaboration of a control system to vectorial PWM who improves the rate of distortion of harmonious.
Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Administration Alters Immune Markers for HIV Preference and Increases Susceptibility of Peripheral CD4+ T Cells to HIV Infection
Authors: Tasker Carley , Davidow Amy , Roche Natalie E , Chang Theresa L
Published: November 2017

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera) has been associated with an increased risk of HIV acquisition. In a longitudinal study, we investigated the impact of Depo-Provera use by healthy women on expression of immune markers for HIV preference and on HIV infection ex vivo at baseline (visit 1), 1 mo (visit 2), and 3 mo (visit 3) after Depo-Provera treatment. We found a significant increase in the frequency and expression of integrin α4β7 on CD4+ T cells at visit 2. Interestingly, Hispanic but not black women exhibited a significant increase in integrin α4β7 cell numbers and expression levels at visit 2, whereas black but not Hispanic women exhibited a significant change in CCR5 and CD38 expression levels between visit 2 and visit 3. The frequency of terminal effector memory CD4+ T cells was decreased significantly in black women from visit 1 to visit 3. Virus production following ex vivo HIV infection of PBMCs was increased at visit 3 compared with visit 1. In black women, the frequency of HIV p24+CD4+ T cells was higher at visit 3 than at visit 1. Expression of integrin α4β7 on HIV p24+CD4+ T cells following ex vivo infection at visit 2 was significantly less than at visit 1. These results demonstrate that Depo-Provera alters the immune profile of peripheral CD4+ T cells and increases susceptibility to HIV infection ex vivo. The observation that these effects differed between women of different ethnicities has implications for developing effective and targeted strategies for HIV prevention.
Improving eye health using a child-to-child approach in Bariadi, Tanzania
Authors: Chan Ving F. , Minto Hasan , Mashayo Eden , Naidoo Kovin S.
Published: November 2017

Purpose: Vision Champions (VC) are children trained to perform simple eye health screening and share eye health messages among their community. Our objectives were to assess the ability of VC in identifying and referring children and the community with refractive error and obvious ocular disease and to assess the change in knowledge and practice of eye healthseeking behaviour of the community 3 months after the introduction of the Vision Champion Programme.Methods: We purposively sampled 600 households and interviewed 1051 participants in two phases with a close-ended questionnaire. The numbers of children screened, referred by the VC and those who attended the Vision Centre were recorded. The percentage of people who answered the questions correctly were compared between Phase 1 (P1) and Phase 2 (P2).Results: The VC shared their eye health messages with 6311 people, screened 7575 people’s vision and referred 2433 people for further care. The community were more aware that using eye ointment not prescribed by doctors (P1 = 58.96% vs. P2 = 72.75%) can lead to blindness. Participants were more aware that they should not administer eye drops in stock (P1 = 44.18% vs. P2 = 61.37%) or received from a friend or relative (P1 = 53.23% vs. P2 = 72.35%) if their eyes are red and painful.Conclusion: Children have the potential to effectively share eye health messages and conduct simple vision screening for their families and peers. Efforts are needed to sensitise the community to improve the referral or follow-up rate.
Investigation of the acaricidal activity of the acetone and ethanol extracts of 12 South African plants against the adult ticks of Rhipicephalus turanicus
Authors: Fouche Gerda , Sakong Bellonah M. , Adenubi Olubukola T. , Dzoyem Jean Paul , Naidoo Vinny , Leboho Tlabo , Wellington Kevin W. , Eloff Jacobus N.
Published: November 2017

The acaricidal activity of acetone and ethanol extracts of 12 plant species was evaluated using the contact method on Rhipicephalus turanicus (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks at an initial concentration of 20% (200 mg/mL). Eight of the 12 plants had mortality greater than 50% and the acetone extracts had better acaricidal activity than the ethanol extracts. The acetone extract of Calpurnia aurea (leaves and flowers) had the highest corrected mortality (CM) of 92.2% followed by Schkuhria pinnata (whole plant) with a CM of 88.9%, Ficus sycomorus (bark and stems) 86.7% and Senna italica subsp. arachoides (roots, leaves and fruits) 83.3%. Selected extracts were tested at five different concentrations using the adult immersion test. From dose–response assays, EC50 values of 61.82 mg/mL, 115.21 mg/mL and 161.02 mg/mL were obtained for the acetone extracts of S. pinnata (whole plant), S. italica subsp. arachoides (roots, leaves and fruits) and C. aurea (leaves and flowers) respectively. The ethanol extract of Monsonia angustifolia (whole plant) had the highest CM of 97.8% followed by S. pinnata (whole plant) with a CM of 86.7%, C. aurea (leaves and flowers) 81.1% and Cleome gynandra (leaves) 77.8%. There is potential for the development of environmentally benign botanicals as natural acaricides against R. turanicus.
O mercado brasileiro da energia eólica, impactos sociais e ambientais
Authors: Pinto Lucía Iracema Chipponelli , Martins Fernando Ramos , Pereira Enio Bueno
Published: November 2017

Atualmente a energia eólica está mostrando destaque no cenário energético brasileiro por ser uma fonte energética renovável que apresenta elevada disponibilidade no território e cujo aproveitamento baixos níveis de emissão de gases de efeito estufa. Em razão desses aspectos, a energia eólica é uma promissora alternativa para ajudar a reverter o quadro atual de crise energética decorrente da escassez do recurso hídrico e o crescimento da emissão de gases de efeito estufa decorrente do crescimento da participação de combustíveis fósseis na matriz elétrica brasileira. Na perspectiva econômica, a geração eólica está apresentando custos competitivos com as fontes convencionais de energia. Entretanto, como qualquer outra atividade econômica, pode causar impactos sociais e ambientais que devem ser analisados e mitigados. Essas dimensões controversas da energia eólica tornam a questão da localização de parques eólicos um problema bastante complexo, dado a incompatibilidade entre esses impactos de caráter localizado e o grande benefício público associado à segurança energética do país. Este artigo apresenta uma revisão dos estudos e publicações sobre o aproveitamento eólico no Brasil com o intuito de promover uma discussão sobre aspectos relacionados aos impactos socioambientais. Em razão da curta história do aproveitamento eólico no Brasil, estudos para avaliação mais aprofundada dos impactos socioambientais devem ser realizados com apoio de recursos do próprio setor energético a fim de promover um crescimento sustentável da participação desta fonte energética na matriz elétrica nacional.
La “trypanotolérance” des races bovines issues de la domestication de l’aurochs africain. Hypothèse sur la “trypanorésistance” de l’aurochs africains
Authors: Petter Francis
Published: November 2017

L’aurochs, Bas primigenius, était présent dans le Nord de l’Afrique au début de l’holocène, il y a quelques milliers d’années. Comme d’autres herbivores sauvages, ils devinrent résistants aux trypanosomes transmis par la mouche tsé-tsé. Domestiqués dans la vallée du Nil entre autres lieux, il y a plus de 5 000 ans, ils ont transmis cette “trypanorésistance” aux bovins issus de cette domestication, en particulier les races Baoulé et N’Dama, ce qui représente un avantage incalculable pour l’avenir de l’élevage dans les zones infestées par la mouche tsé-tsé.
L’ataxie spinale équine. Traitement chirurgical par la technique de l’arthrodèse cervicale
Authors: Desbrosse Francis
Published: November 2017

The Wobbler syndrome is an affection that results of a succession of events leading to medulla leukomalacia. The sequence is as following : an osteo-articular development disease induces some cervical vertebral malformations leading to a vertebral canal stenosis. The ataxia is clinically easy to detect, some tests exist for that. It is quantifiable on a scale from 0 to 4. The precise vertebral lesion(s) localisation is difficult but necessary if the surgical cure is intended. We have then at our disposal more specific neurologic tests, the X-ray examination without preparation, and the X-ray examination with preparation (myelography). The surgeries intended in the beginning were a decompression (laminectomy) and the stabilisation (cervical arthrodesis). Nowadays only the cervical arthrodesis is used. It was worked out in 1979 by WAGNER who adapted the technique of CLOWARD that uses the basket graft on humans. The technique is described here precisely. A retrospective study on twenty cases operated in our clinic between 1987 and 1998 shows six horses with race performances, six horses improved from 1 to 2 degrees but without race performances, three horses unchanged, two horses worsened, and three horses whose tracks were lost. These results are commented and induce choice criteria to select surgery candidates.
Autogreffes et hétéro-greffes osseuses : application au traitement des fractures compliquées
Authors: Pérot François , Chappard Dominique
Published: November 2017

Depuis les premières tentatives d’hétérogreffes effectuées par Ollier, de nombreux chirurgiens orthopédistes humains et vétérinaires ont proposé différentes techniques de greffes osseuses. A ce jour, à côté des succès rencontrés par la technique d’homogreffe osseuse, l’utilisation de greffon osseux hétérologues spécifiés de bovins mérite un grand intérêt particulièrement lors de perte osseuse importante. Sur le plan clinique, les résultats expérimentaux et les études cellulaires ou morphométriques, montrent l’intérêt des hétérogreffes évoquées dans ce travail. L’application d’un tel matériau utilisé comme support ouvre la voie à un nouveau concept de prothèse de la hanche.
Ehrlichiose féline à propos de deux cas
Authors: Beaufils Jean-Pierre , Martin-Granel Jean , Jumelle Philippe
Published: November 2017

Deux chats ont été présentés pour abattement, anorexie et amaigrissement : nous avons trouvé chez l’un d’eux de nombreuses hémobartonelles, et des inclusions cytoplasmiques lymphocytaires ressemblant à ce qui a été décrit chez certains chiens infectés par Ehrlichia canis. Les deux chats présentaient une augmentation marquée des globulines bêta et/ou gamma avec un rapport albumine/globuline inférieur à 0,5, et une sérologie Ehrlichia canis fortement positive (1/640). Les deux chats ont reçu huit semaines au moins de doxycycline, ainsi qu’un traitement de soutien (transfusion et/ou perfusions...). Les contrôles réalisés respectivement à J41 et J67 ont montré la disparition des signes cliniques, une diminution des anomalies de l’électrophorèse, et une baisse notable du titre sérologique (respectivement 1/80 et 1/40). Ces deux cas viennent conforter les précédentes observations laissant supposer qu’un organisme proche d’Ehrlichia canis peut provoquer des perturbations cliniques et biologiques chez le chat.
Syndrome entéritique mortel du dindonneau
Authors: Vaillancourt Jean-Pierre , Barnes John , Guy James , Carver Donna , Wages Dennis
Published: November 2017

“Poult enteritis mortality syndrome”.

Poult enteritis mortality syndrome (PEMS) is an infectious, transmissible disease of incertain, but probable viral etiology, characterized by diarrhea, dehydratation, wheight-loss, anorexia, immunosuppression, growth depression (>40%) and high mortality (approaching 100% in young turkeys). The disease is a multifactorial one. Howewer the effect of infectious agents on the flock is determined by environmental, nutritional, and management factors. Current control strategies primarily involve management (in particular, enhanced biosecurity) and nutrition rather than conventional methods (vaccination and medication) used for infectious diseases.
Effect of Thermal Aging on the Intergranular Stress Corrosion Cracking Susceptibility of Type 310S Stainless Steel
Authors: Jiao Y. , Mahmood J. , Zheng W. , Singh P.M. , Kish J.R.
Published: November 2017

The effect of thermal aging on the intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) susceptibility of Type 310S stainless steel was investigated. Samples were solution-annealed (baseline), sensitized (short-term aging), and thermally-treated (long-term aging) to form Cr-rich M23C6 carbides and sigma (σ) phase precipitate particles, respectively, on the grain boundaries. The thermal-aging heat treatments represent two limiting exposure conditions expected in-service for a fuel cladding in the Canadian Generation IV (supercritical water-cooled reactor) design concept and were considered to better understand the risk factors associated with an in-service IGSCC damage mode. The sensitized treatment exhibited the highest relative degree of sensitization (measured by double loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation testing in 2 M H2SO4 + 0.01 M KSCN) and IGSCC susceptibility (measured by slow strain rate testing [SSRT] in a hot alkaline solution). The relative susceptibility reflects the controlling role played by Cr-depleted zones, which were only observed in the sensitized (short-term aging) material. The relatively large σ phase grain boundary particles in the thermally-treated (long-term aging) material preferentially cracked during SSRT, suggesting an apparent IGSCC susceptibility at the sample surface. However, the absence of Cr-depleted zones in this material prevented IGSCC from occurring, despite preferential cracking in the σ phase grain boundary particles. The dominant fracture mode in the hot alkaline solution was transgranular mixed-mode cracking. The implications of the results are discussed within the context of risk factors associated with an in-service IGSCC susceptibility in supercritical water.
Production traits, blood metabolic profile and fatty acids of meat and tallow in response to the partial replacement of soybean meal with peas in organic lambs' feed
Authors: Antunović Zvonko , Klir Željka , Šperanda Marcela , Ćavar Suzana , Mioč Boro , Novoselec Josip
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The aim of this research was to investigate the production traits, blood metabolic profile and fatty acids of meat and tallow in response to the partial replacement of soybean meal with peas in lambs' feed. The research was conducted on 30 Merinolandschaf lambs of 90 days' age over 30 days. Lambs were fed with feed mixture (1000 g day−1 lamb−1). In the control group protein supplement was soybean meal (SC), while in the experimental groups soybean meal was partially replaced with 13 % peas (P13) and 26 % peas (P26). In the haematological parameters of lambs' blood, concentrations of minerals (Ca, P, Mg and Fe) and biochemical parameters (urea, glucose, total protein, albumin, globulins, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglyceride, β-hydroxybutyrate and non-esterified fatty acids) as well as enzyme activity (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT and CK) were determined. After slaughter, carcass development was measured. Samples of m. semimembranosus and tallow were taken in which concentrations of fatty acids were analysed. Values of meat pH and colour were taken 45 min 24 h post mortem, and water-holding capacity was calculated. By analysing the production properties of lamb, we found that slaughtering characteristics of lamb carcasses, haematological and most of the biochemical indicators did not differ. Urea concentrations were reduced in the blood of lambs in P13 and P26. Concentration of C18:2 n-6 increased in tallow of lambs of group SC compared to group P26 of lambs. The above-mentioned results indicate the possibility of partial replacement of soybean meal with peas in lambs' diets in organic farming without changes in production.
The role of meteorological conditions and pollution control strategies in reducing air pollution in Beijing during APEC 2014 and Victory Parade 2015
Authors: Liang Pengfei , Zhu Tong , Fang Yanhua , Li Yingruo , Han Yiqun , Wu Yusheng , Hu Min , Wang Junxia
Published: November 2017

Abstract. To control severe air pollution in China, comprehensive pollution control strategies have been implemented throughout the country in recent years. To evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies, the influence of meteorological conditions on levels of air pollution needs to be determined. Using the intensive air pollution control strategies implemented during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in 2014 (APEC 2014) and the 2015 China Victory Day Parade (Victory Parade 2015) as examples, we estimated the role of meteorological conditions and pollution control strategies in reducing air pollution levels in Beijing. Atmospheric particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter  ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) samples were collected and gaseous pollutants (SO2, NO, NOx, and O3) were measured online at a site in Peking University (PKU). To determine the influence of meteorological conditions on the levels of air pollution, we first compared the air pollutant concentrations during days with stable meteorological conditions. However, there were few days with stable meteorological conditions during the Victory Parade. As such, we were unable to estimate the level of emission reduction efforts during this period. Finally, a generalized linear regression model (GLM) based only on meteorological parameters was built to predict air pollutant concentrations, which could explain more than 70 % of the variation in air pollutant concentration levels, after incorporating the nonlinear relationships between certain meteorological parameters and the concentrations of air pollutants. Evaluation of the GLM performance revealed that the GLM, even based only on meteorological parameters, could be satisfactory to estimate the contribution of meteorological conditions in reducing air pollution and, hence, the contribution of control strategies in reducing air pollution. Using the GLM, we found that the meteorological conditions and pollution control strategies contributed 30 and 28 % to the reduction of the PM2.5 concentration during APEC and 38 and 25 % during the Victory Parade, respectively, based on the assumption that the concentrations of air pollutants are only determined by meteorological conditions and emission intensities. We also estimated the contribution of meteorological conditions and control strategies in reducing the concentrations of gaseous pollutants and PM2.5 components with the GLMs, revealing the effective control of anthropogenic emissions.