bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relating Quantitative Soil Structure Metrics to Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity
Authors: Eck Dennis V. , Qin Mingming , Hirmas Daniel R. , Giménez Daniel , Brunsell Nathaniel A.
Published: January 2016

Core Ideas

Soil structure quantified in the field using a 3D laser scanning technique (MLT).

MLT data and coefficient of linear extensibility combined into a structure metric.

Soil water contents recorded at four depths in a field lysimeter and used in HYDRUS‐1D.

Saturated conductivity (Ks) estimated with a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach.

New metric better correlated to Ks in horizons with strong soil structure.

Soil structure affects saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) by creating highly conductive macropores that preferentially transmit soil water. In this study, we explored the relationship between Ks and macropores in an Oxyaquic Vertic Argiudoll in northeastern Kansas. Macropores were quantified from an excavation wall using multistripe laser triangulation (MLT) scanning. Soil water contents were measured at four depths within a soil lysimeter installed within 2 m of the MLT‐scanned soil profile and adjacent to an Ameriflux tower monitoring precipitation, air temperature, and solar radiation. Selected hydraulic properties of soil horizons within the lysimeter were optimized to water content data using a Markov chain Monte Carlo technique in combination with the mobile–immobile water (MIM) model in HYDRUS‐1D. Estimates of Ks varied between 4198 cm d−1 in the A horizon and 0.6 cm d−1 in a 2Btss2 horizon with strongly expressed wedge structure. Approximately 87% of the variation in Ks was explained by the geometric mean of the widths of pores quantified with the MLT technique and modified by the coefficient of linear extensibility (COLE). The use of the COLE allows the widths of the macropores obtained under dry conditions to be approximated at saturation. Two models that predict Ks from either texture or water retention data resulted in Ks estimates that were similar to each other but significantly lower than Ks values predicted with MIM in horizons where structural pores dominate water flow. This technique shows a great deal of promise in better understanding and predicting the relationship of soil structure to water flow.
Evaluation of a Direct‐Coupled Time‐Domain Reflectometry for Determination of Soil Water Content and Bulk Electrical Conductivity
Authors: Schwartz Robert C. , Evett Steven R. , Anderson Scott K. , Anderson David J.
Published: January 2016

Core Ideas

TDR‐315 sensors could be calibrated using conventional TDR methodologies.

Soil water content calibrations using conventional TDR and TDR‐315 were comparable.

Measured travel time using TDR‐315 was insensitive to soil electrical conductivity.

Signal degradation in coaxial cables and interconnects is a long‐standing problem in the practical deployment of time‐domain reflectometry (TDR) for soil water monitoring. Acclima, Inc. has recently commercialized a TDR sensor (TDR‐315) with all electronics required for waveform acquisition embedded in the probe head. We calibrated ten TDR‐315 sensors and conventional TDR for apparent permittivity (Ka) and bulk electrical conductivity (σa) measurements. Also, soil water content calibrations were completed for a Pullman (fine, mixed, superactive, thermic torrertic Paleustolls) clay loam soil. Lastly, the sensitivity of Ka to σa was examined using a saturated solute displacement experiment with both probe technologies installed in a column packed with Pullman clay loam. A range of σa (0.65–2.8 dS m−1) was established by equilibrating the column with 0.25 dS m−1 CaCl2 and introducing a step pulse of 7.3 dS m−1 CaCl2. Permittivity calibrations of the TDR‐315 could be accomplished with conventional TDR methods and with similar sampling errors. Conventional calibrations of σa using long time amplitudes yielded a linear response for σa ≤ 3 dS m−1, above which the response was nonlinear. The fitted water content calibrations of the Pullman clay loam for the TDR‐315 were nearly indistinguishable from conventional TDR calibrations with similar root mean square errors (0.017–0.020 m3 m−3). Response of the two measurement technologies in a lossy soil during changing solution conductivities demonstrated that, in contrast to conventional TDR, travel time measured using acquired TDR‐315 waveforms was insensitive to σa up to 2.8 dS m−1.
COD removal from petrochemical wastewater by UV/hydrogen peroxide, UV/persulfate and UV/percarbonate: biodegradability improvement and cost evaluation
Authors: Babaei Ali Akbar , Ghanbari Farshid
Published: January 2016

The petrochemical industry has been highly considered by environmentalists since it can affect the environment through the production of high strength wastewater. This study investigates chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal from petrochemical wastewater by ultra violet (UV)/oxidant systems with varying dosages of oxidants, initial pH values and reaction time. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), persulfate (PS) and percarbonate (PC) were used as oxidants. The results showed that pH = 3.0 was suitable for H2O2 and PC, while PS had the best performance at pH = 7.0. The presence of ferrous ions improved the removal efficiency, especially in the case of UV/PC. However, COD removal efficiencies of UV/PS and UV/H2O2 were more effective than that of the UV/PC system. The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)/COD ratio achieved >0.4 by UV/PS/Fe2+, UV/H2O2 and UV/H2O2/Fe2+ systems. Complete decolorization occurred for all the UV/oxidant systems after only 30 min reaction time. Besides the effective performances of PS and H2O2 in COD removal, PC was considered as an inexpensive oxidant. The order of total costs based on kg COD removed was: UV/PS/Fe2+ > UV/PS > UV/H2O2/Fe2+ > UV/H2O2 > UV/PC/Fe2+ > UV/PC. In conclusion, UV/H2O2 displayed an effective, applicable and clean process for petrochemical wastewater treatment.
Upward and downward statistical continuities
Authors: Çakallı Hüseyin
Published: January 2016

A real valued function f defined on a subset E of R, the set of real numbers,
is statistically upward (resp. downward) continuous if it preserves
statistically upward (resp. downward) half quasi-Cauchy sequences; A subset
E of R, is statistically upward (resp. downward) compact if any sequence of
points in E has a statistically upward (resp. downward) half quasi-Cauchy
subsequence, where a sequence (xn) of points in R is called statistically
upward half quasi-Cauchy if lim n?? 1/n |{k ? n : xk- xk+1 ? ?}| = 0, and
statistically downward half quasi-Cauchy if lim n??1/n |{k ? n : xk+1 - xk
? ?}| = 0 for every ? > 0. We investigate statistically upward and downward
continuity, statistically upward and downward half compactness and prove
interesting theorems. It turns out that any statistically upward continuous
function on a below bounded subset of R is uniformly continuous, and any
statistically downward continuous function on an above bounded subset of R
is uniformly continuous.
Alternative proofs of some classical Tauberian theorems for the weighted mean method of integrals
Authors: Totur Ümit , Okura Muhammet
Published: January 2016

Let 0 ? p(x) be a nondecreasing real valued differentiable function on [0,?)
such that p(0) = 0 and p(x)? ? as x ? ?. Given a real valued function f (x)
which is continuous on [0,?) and s(x) = x?0 f(t)dt. We define the
weighted mean of s(x) as ?p(x) = 1/p(x) x?0 p'(t)s(t)dt, where p'(t) is
derivative of p(t). It is known that if the limit limx?? s(x)=s exists,
then limx?? ?p(x) = s also exists. However, the converse is not always
true. Adding some suitable conditions to existence of lim x?? ?p(x) which
are called Tauberian conditions may imply convergence of the integral ??0 f
(t)dt. In this work, we give some classical type Tauberian theorems to
retrieve convergence of s(x) out of weighted mean integrability of s(x) with
some Tauberian conditions.
Exactness, invertibility and the Love Knot
Authors: Harte Robin
Published: January 2016

The "Love Knot" is a little brooch made out of three interlocking circular
arcs; an image is incorporated in the familiar Venn diagram of three
circular discs in the plane. The Love Knot offers a thread upon which to hang
a little minuet between invertibility of the factors of a product, and
concepts of ?exactness?.
Some remarks on mathematical general relativity theory
Authors: Hall Graham
Published: January 2016

This paper gives a brief survey of the development of general relativity
theory starting from Newtonian theory and Euclidean geometry and proceeding
through to special relativity and finally to general relativity and
relativistic cosmology.
Short-circuit robustness assessment in power electronic modules for megawatt applications
Authors: Iannuzzo Francesco
Published: January 2016

In this paper, threats and opportunities in testing of megawatt power
electronic modules under short circuit are presented and discussed, together
with the introduction of some basic principles of non-destructive testing, a
key technique to allow post-failure analysis. The non-destructive testing
equipment at CORPE, center of reliable power electronics, Aalborg
University, Denmark, is presented and its features are discussed in detail,
together with some relevant results. Limitations of experimental analysis
have also been addressed, together with the introduction of a mixed
thermal-electrical simulation tool originally developed to study abnormal
conditions and helping to predict very fast and dangerous thermal transient
especially in case of worn out devices. The paper is concluded with an
overview on present challenges in next-generation semiconductors for such
high power ranges - basically silicon carbide - and new concepts for
nondestructive testing of ultrafast power modules adopting such a
technology.
Performance of Sorghum Recombinant Inbred Lines (RIL) developed for rain-fed areas of Sudan
Authors: Hassan El , Gamar Yasir , Elzein Ibrahim , Ali Asma , Ahmed Tareg
Published: January 2016

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) is the most widely produced and consumed
cereal crop in Sudan. However, productivity is low since the crop is
produced in favorable and unfavorable environments where the crop suffers
from drought stresses at different growth stages. In the present study, six
sorghum inbred lines developed by local breeding program and two commercial
checks were evaluated for grain yield potential, yield stability, some
important agronomic characters and grain quality properties. Series variety
trials were conducted at Elobeid and Suki, Damazin areas of Sudan, during
three consecutive rainy seasons. The selected locations represent low,
medium and high rainfall areas of Sudan. The trial was laid out in a
randomized complete block design. The results revealed that mean squares of
genotypes, seasons, locations, location x season, location x genotypes,
season x genotypes and season x location x genotype interactions were highly
significant (P=0.01) for grain yield. The sorghum genotypes Edo 34-23-4, Edo
26-18 and Edo 16-dwarf produced substantially higher grain yields than
commercial checks and the trial mean. Their percentage yield increase ranged
from 5% to 75% over commercial checks. The stability analysis revealed that
the above mentioned Edo-genotypes had high yield potentials and were stable
across a wide range of agricultural conditions. Moreover, the same Edo-lines
showed early maturing compared to selected commercial checks and also the
Edo-lines possessed good food grains and were market preferred and
acceptable for making quality kisra (fermented sorghum pancake-like
flatbread). The Edo developed lines also possess the acceptable grain
quality in addition to moderate physical grain characteristics such as
protein content, fat acidity and moisture content.
Influence of nonliner convection and thermophoresis on heat and mass transfer from a rotating cone to fluid flow in porous medium
Authors: Bandaru Mallikarjuna , Rashidi Mohammad , Raju Hariprasad
Published: January 2016

In this paper, we study the effects of thermophoresis and non-linear convection on mixed convective flow of viscous incompressible rotating fluid due to rapidly rotating cone in a porous medium, whose surface temperature and concentration are higher than the temperature and concentration of its surrounding fluid. The governing equations for the conservation of mass, momentum, energy, and concentration are transformed, using similarity transformations and the solutions are obtained by employing shooting method that uses Runge-Kutta method and Newton-Raphson method. A comparison of the present results with previously published work for special cases shows a good agreement. The effects of temperature and concentration, ratio of angular velocities, relative temperature difference parameter, thermophoretic coefficients on velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles as well as tangential and circumferential skin friction coefficients, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number results are discussed in detail. The results indicate that the temperature is more influential compared to concentration. Also, the wall thermophoretic deposition velocity changes according to different values of pertinent parameter. Applications of the study arise in aerosol technology, space technology, astrophysics, and geophysics, which related to temperature-concentration-dependent density.
Numerical simulation of shock absorbers heat load for semi-active vehicle suspension system
Authors: Demic Miroslav , Diligenski Djordje
Published: January 2016

Dynamic simulation, based on modelling, has a significant role during to the
process of vehicle development. It is especially important in the first
design stages, when relevant parameters are to be defined. Shock absorber, as
an executive part of a semi-active suspension system, is exposed to thermal
loads which can lead to its damage and degradation of characteristics.
Therefore, this paper attempts to analyze a conversion of mechanical work
into heat energy by use of a method of dynamic simulation. The issue of heat
dissipation from the shock absorber has not been taken into consideration.
The role of hybrid nanofluids in improving the thermal characteristics of screen mesh cylindrical heat pipes
Authors: Ramachandran Raghavan , Ganesan Kalliappan , Asirvatham Lazarus
Published: January 2016

Experiments were conducted to study the thermal performance of meshed wick
heat pipe by varying the working fluid and heat input. In this work four
screen mesh wicked heat pipes were fabricated and tested. All the heat pipes
were tested for heat input from 50W to 250W each with an increment of 50W in
each step. The heat input range selected in this study is commonly
encountered in most of the electronic application devices. The thermal
resistance of all the heat pipes charged with different working fluids such
as DI water, Al2O3/DI water nanofluid of volume concentration 0.1 % and
hybrid nanofluid volume concentration 0.1%( with two different combinations
of (Al2O3 50%- CuO 50%)/DI water and (Al2O3 25%- CuO 75%)/DI water)was
determined. The maximum percentage reduction was found to be 58.87% for the
hybrid nanofluid of (Al2O3 25%- CuO 75%)/DI water compared to base fluid. An
important observation from the study is that, use of hybrid nanofluid can
raise the operating range of the heat pipe beyond 250W which makes hybrid
nanofluid as a potential substitute for the conventional working fluid.
Performance enhancement studies in a thermosyphon flat plate solar water heater with CuO nanofluid
Authors: Dasaien Anin , Elumalai Natarajan
Published: January 2016

Experiments were conducted on a thermosyphon type flat plate collector, inclined at 45?, for water heating application. Water and water based nanofluids were used as absorber fluid to gain heat from solar rays incident on the flat plate col-lector. Nanofluids were prepared by adding CuO nanoparticles of 40-50 nm size to the base fluid at 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5 wt% (?). The hot absorber fluid was made to circulate in the shell side of a heat exchanger, placed at the top of the flat plate collector, where utility water was circulated inside a helically coiled Cu tube. Temperatures at strategic locations in the flat plate collector, working fluid, utility water inlet and outlet were measured. The nanofluid increases the collector efficiency with increasing ?. A highest efficiency enhancement of 5.7% was observed for the nanofluid with ? = 0.2 having a mass flow rate of 0.0033 kg/s. The 3-D, steady-state, conjugate heat transfer CFD analyses were carried out using the ANSYS FLUENT 15.0 software. Theoretically estimated buoyancy induced fluid flow rates were close with the CFD predictions and thus validates the computational methodology.
The use of mechanically activated micronized coal in thermal power engineering
Authors: Burdukov Anatoliy , Butakov Evgeniy , Popov Vitaliy , Chernetskiy Mikhail , Chernetskaya Nelya
Published: January 2016

Coal is one of the main energy resources and development of new promising
technologies on its basis is certainly topical. This article discusses the
use of new technology of gas and fuel oil replacement by mechanically
activated micronized coal in power engineering: ignition and stabilization of
pulverized coal flame combustion, as well as gasification of micronized coal
in the flow. The new technology coal combustion with two stages of grinding
is suggested. Optimization of the scheme of two-stage combustion is
calculated. The first experimental data on the combustion process are
obtained. The first demonstration tests on gas and heavy oil replacement by
micronized coal during boiler ignition were carried out in the real power
boiler with the capacity of 320 tons of steam per hour.
Novel fragmentation model for pulverized coal particles gasification in low temperature air thermal plasma
Authors: Jovanovic Rastko , Cvetinovic Dejan , Stefanovic Predrag , Skobalj Predrag , Markovic Zoran
Published: January 2016

New system for start-up and flame support based on coal gasification by low
temperature air thermal plasma is planned to supplement current heavy oil
system in Serbian thermal power plants in order to decrease air pollutions
emission and operational costs. Locally introduced plasma thermal energy
heats up and ignites entrained coal particles, thus starting chain process
which releases heat energy from gasified coal particles inside burner
channel. Important stages during particle combustion, such as particle
devolatilisation and char combustion, are described with satisfying accuracy
in existing commercial CFD codes that are extensively used as powerful tool
for pulverized coal combustion and gasification modeling. However, during
plasma coal gasification, high plasma temperature induces strong thermal
stresses inside interacting coal particles. These stresses lead to ?thermal
shock? and extensive particle fragmentation during which coal particles with
initial size of 50-100 ??m disintegrate into fragments of at most 5-10 ??m.
This intensifies volatile release by a factor 3-4 and substantially
accelerates the oxidation of combustible matter. Particle fragmentation, due
to its small size and thus limited influence on combustion process is
commonly neglected in modelling. The main focus of this work is to suggest
novel approach to pulverized coal gasification under high temperature
conditions and to implement it into commercial comprehensive code ANSYS
FLUENT 14.0. Proposed model was validated against experimental data obtained
in newly built pilot scale D.C plasma burner test facility. Newly developed
model showed very good agreement with experimental results with relative
error less than 10%, while the standard built-in gasification model had error
up to 25%.
Arcwise connected attractors of infinite iterated function systems
Authors: Dumitru Dan
Published: January 2016

The aim of this paper is to give a sufficient condition for the attractor of an infinite iterated function system to be arcwise connected.
Spectral Properties of Nonhomogenous Differential Equations with Spectral Parameter in the Boundary Condition
Authors: Karaman Özkan
Published: January 2016

In this paper, using the boundary properties of the analytic functions we investigate the structure of the discrete spectrum of the boundary value problem

(0.1)

iy
1
'

+

q
1

(
x
)

y
2

−
λ

y
1

=

ϕ
1

(
x
)

 
 

−

iy
2
'

+

q
2

(
x
)

y
1

−
λ

y
2

=

ϕ
2

(
x
)

,

x
∈

R
+

$$\matrix{\hfill {iy_1^\prime + q_1 \left(x \right)y_2 - \lambda y_1 = \varphi _1 \left(x \right)\;\;} & \hfill {} \cr \hfill {- iy_2^\prime + q_2 \left(x \right)y_1 - \lambda y_2 = \varphi _2 \left(x \right),} & \hfill {x \in R_ + } \cr }$$

and the condition

(0.2)

(

a
1

λ
+

b
1

)

y
2

(

0
,
λ

)

−

(

a
2

λ
+

b
2

)

y
1

(

0
,
λ

)

=
0

$$\left({a_1 \lambda + b_1 } \right)y_2 \left({0,\lambda } \right) - \left({a_2 \lambda + b_2 } \right)y_1 \left({0,\lambda } \right) = 0$$

where q
1,
q
2, φ
1, φ
2 are complex valued functions, ak
≠ 0, bk
≠ 0, k = 1, 2 are complex constants and λ is a spectral parameter. In this article, we investigate the spectral singularities and eigenvalues of (0.1), (0.2) using the boundary uniqueness theorems of analytic functions. In particular, we prove that the boundary value problem (0.1), (0.2) has a finite number of spectral singularities and eigenvalues with finite multiplicities under the conditions,

sup
⁡

x
∈

R
+

[

|

ϕ
k

(
x
)

|

exp
⁡

(

ε

x
δ

)

]

<
∞
,
 
 
 
k
=
1.2

sup
⁡

x
∈

R
+

[

|

q
k

(
x
)

|

exp
⁡

(

ε

x
δ

)

]

<
∞
,
 
 
 
k
=
1.2

$$\matrix{{\mathop {\sup }\limits_{x \in R_ + } \left[ {\left| {\varphi _k \left(x \right)} \right|\exp \left({\varepsilon x^\delta } \right)} \right] < \infty ,\;\;\;k = 1.2} \hfill \cr {\mathop {\sup }\limits_{x \in R_ + } \left[ {\left| {q_k \left(x \right)} \right|\exp \left({\varepsilon x^\delta } \right)} \right] < \infty ,\;\;\;k = 1.2} \hfill \cr }$$

for some ε > 0,

1
2

<
δ
<
1

${1 \over 2} < \delta < 1$
Effects Of Direct And Indirect Solar Radiation Pressure In Orbital Parameters Of GPS Satelittes
Authors: Lupu Sergiu , Zaharescu Eugen
Published: January 2016

In this paper we determined the variation of the Keplerian orbital elements of a GPS satellite due to the direct and indirect action of solar radiation pressure. For this study, we created a soft program to determine the Keplerian elements. This soft uses the initial conditions of position and speed of a GPS satellite and solves the Laplace integration problem using Runge - Kutta algorithm of 4
th
order.
Development of a Risk Stratification Model for Delayed Inpatient Recovery of Physical Activities in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Replacement
Authors: Elings Jordi , van der Sluis Geert , Goldbohm R. Alexandra , Galindo Garre Francisca , de Gast Arthur , Hoogeboom Thomas J. , van Meeteren Nico L.U.
Published: January 2016

Study Design

Prospective cohort design using data derived from usual care.

Background

It is important that patients are able to function independently as soon as possible after total hip replacement. However, the speed of regaining activities differs significantly.

Objectives

To develop a risk stratification model (RSM) to predict delayed inpatient recovery of physical activities in people who underwent total hip replacement surgery.

Methods

This study was performed in 2 routine orthopaedic settings: Diakonessenhuis Hospital (setting A) and Nij Smellinghe Hospital (setting B). Preoperative screening was performed for all consecutive patients. In-hospital recovery of activities was assessed with the Modified Iowa Level of Assistance Scale. Delayed inpatient recovery of activities was defined as greater than 5 days. The RSM, developed using logistic regression analysis and bootstrapping, was based on data from setting A (n = 154). External validation was performed on the data set from setting B (n = 271).

Results

Twenty-one percent of the patients in setting A had a delayed recovery of activities during their hospital stay. Multivariable logistic regression modeling yielded a preliminary RSM that included the following factors: male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 0.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2, 2.6), 70 or more years of age (OR = 1.2; 95% CI: 0.4, 3.4), body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or greater (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 0.7, 7.4), an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3 (OR = 1.2; 95% CI: 0.3, 4.4), a Charnley score of B or C (OR = 6.1; 95% CI: 2.2, 17.4), and a timed up-and-go score of 12.5 seconds or greater (OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.1, 9.0). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.74, 0.90) and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test score was 3.57 (P>.05). External validation yielded an area under the ROC curve of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.61, 0.81).

Conclusion

We demonstrated that the risk for delayed recovery of activities during the hospital stay can be predicted by using preoperative data.

Level of Evidence

Prognosis, level 1b. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(3):135–143. Epub 26 Jan 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6124
The Immediate Effects of Different Types of Ankle Support Introduced 6 Weeks After Surgical Internal Fixation for Ankle Fracture on Gait and Pain: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Authors: Keene David J. , Willett Keith , Lamb Sarah E.
Published: January 2016

Study Design

Randomized 3-treatment, 3-period crossover trial.

Background

There is variation in clinical practice regarding the type of ankle support used to aid recovery after ankle fracture internal fixation surgery.

Objective

To determine the immediate effects of different ankle supports commonly issued to patients 6 weeks after surgery.

Methods

Participants were 18 adults, 6 weeks after internal fixation for transsyndesmotic/infrasyndesmotic fracture, in a major trauma center in the UK. Interventions were a stirrup brace and walker boot compared with Tubigrip. Outcomes were (1) step-length and single-limb support time asymmetry (percentage comparing injured and uninjured limbs), (2) step width, (3) gait velocity, and (4) pain during walking (visual analog scale, 0–100).

Results

Participants (mean ± SD age, 47 ± 14 years) included 8 women and 10 men, 6 weeks after surgical internal fixation for ankle fracture. Single-limb support time asymmetry reduced by 3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0%, 6%; P = .02) in the stirrup brace and by 5% (95% CI: 2%, 7%; P = .001) in the walker boot compared with Tubigrip. Step width was 1.2 cm (95% CI: 0.6, 1.7; P<.001) wider in the walker boot than in Tubigrip. Self-reported pain was lower in the walker boot (5/100) and in the stirrup brace (13/100) compared to the Tubigrip (18/100, P = .03). No significant differences were found in the effects of the supports on step-length asymmetry between the walker boot or stirrup brace and Tubigrip.

Conclusion

At 6 weeks after surgical internal fixation for ankle fracture, pain and single-limb support time asymmetry over a short distance and for a short-term walk were immediately reduced with the use of a walker boot use and, to a lesser extent, a stirrup-brace compared to Tubigrip. Step width also widened in a walker boot, which may confer some additional gait stability. These results apply to immediate effects, so studies with longer-term follow-up are now indicated. The trial was registered at http://www.isrctn.com/ (ISRCTN84536917).

Level of Evidence

Therapy, level 2b. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(3):157–167. Epub 26 Jan 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6212
The Effectiveness of Mechanical Traction Among Subgroups of Patients With Low Back Pain and Leg Pain: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Thackeray Anne , Fritz Julie M. , Childs John D. , Brennan Gerard P.
Published: January 2016

Study Design

Randomized clinical trial.

Background

The recommended initial management strategy for patients with low back pain and signs of nerve root compression is conservative treatment, but there is little evidence to guide the most appropriate management strategy. Preliminary research suggests that a treatment protocol of mechanical traction and extension-oriented exercises may be effective, particularly in a specific subgroup of patients.

Objective

To examine the effectiveness of mechanical traction in patients with lumbar nerve root compression and within a predefined subgroup.

Methods

One hundred twenty patients with low back pain with nerve root compression were recruited from physical therapy clinics. Using predefined subgrouping criteria, patients were stratified at baseline and randomized to receive an extension-oriented treatment approach with or without the addition of mechanical traction. During a 6-week period, patients received up to 12 treatment visits. Primary outcomes of pain and disability were collected at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year by assessors blinded to group allocation. Outcomes were examined using linear mixed-model analyses examining change over time by treatment and the interaction between treatment and subgrouping status.

Results

The mean ± SD age of participants was 41.1 ± 11.3 years, median duration of symptoms was 62 days, and 57% were male. No significant differences in disability or pain outcomes were noted between treatment groups at any time point, nor was any interaction found between subgroup status and treatment.

Conclusion

Patients with lumbar nerve root compression presenting for physical therapy can expect significant changes in disability and pain over a 6-week treatment period. There is no evidence that mechanical lumbar traction in combination with an extension-oriented treatment is superior to extension-oriented exercises alone in the management of these patients or within a predefined subgroup of patients. The study protocol was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00942227).

Level of Evidence

Therapy, level 2b. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(3):144–154. Epub 26 Jan 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6238
The protection of the sea as a cooperation area case in the Baltic Sea region
Authors: Melchiorre Tiziana
Published: January 2016

This article investigates how the geopolitical interests of states in the Baltic Sea region have determined the emergence and the development of environmental cooperation around the Baltic Sea since the late 1970s. It is shown that the Nordic and the Baltic countries have played a key role in this process and that other actorsm such as the European Union and the United States, also influence environmental cooperation because their geopolitical interests contribute to shape the cooperative links in the region. The United Nations with its legislation and its policies reinforces cooperation in the field. It is also argued that the case of environment around the Baltic Sea is one of the rare successful attempts to establish closer links among states in a particular issue area during the Cold War in Europe.

Spanish
Este artículo investiga cómo los intereses geopolíticos de los estados de la región del Mar Báltico han determinado la aparición y el desarrollo de la cooperación medioambiental en torno al Mar Báltico desde finales de la década de los setenta. El artículo muestra que tanto los países nórdicos como los países bálticos han jugado un papel clave en este proceso, así como otros actores, entre ellos la Unión Europea y los Estados Unidos, los cuales han influido también en esta cooperación ambiental debido a que sus intereses geopolíticos contribuyeron a dar forma a los vínculos de cooperación en la región. Las Naciones Unidas, a través de su legislación y sus políticas, refuerzan la cooperación en este campo. También se argumenta que el caso de la cooperación medioambiental en el Mar Báltico es uno de los pocos intentos exitosos para establecer relaciones más estrechas entre los estados en un área particular durante la Guerra Fría en Europa.

French
L'article analyse la naissance et le développement de la coopération dans le domaine de l'environnement sous l'influence des intérêts géopolitiques des États dans la région de la Mer Baltique à partir des années 1970. Les pays nordiques et le pays baltes ont joué un rôle fondamental dans ce processus ainsi que l'UE et les États-Unis dont les intérêts géopolitiques contribuent à former la coopération régionale. Les Nations Unies renforcent la coopération dans ce domaine grâce à leur législation et à leurs politiques. Ce cas de coopération dans le domaine de l'environnement constitue une des rares tentatives réussies pour établir des liens étroits entre les États durant la période de la Guerre Froide en Europe.
Hepatoprotective effect of Monotheca buxifolia fruit against antitubercular drugs-induced hepatotoxicity in rats
Authors: Ullah Irfan , Khan Jamshaid Ali , Adhikari Achyut , Shahid Muhammad
Published: January 2016

The present study investigates the hepatoprotective potential of Monotheca buxifolia fruit hydro-ethanolic extract, against isoniazid- and rifampicin- induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Phytochemical investigations lead to the isolation of oleanolic acid and isoquercetin. Pretreatment with M. buxifolia extract at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg for 21 days, restored the isoniazid- and rifampicin-induced elevation of serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (p<0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (p<0.001 and p<0.05), alkaline phosphatase (p<0.001), billirubin (p<0.001) and total proteins (p<0.001) as well as afforded significant protection against histopathological changes in the liver. From these results, it is conceivable that M. buxifolia exhibited selective protective effect against isoniazid- and rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity, mediated through the presence of oleanolic acid and isoquercetin.

 
Time for Business: Business Ethics, Sustainability, and Giorgio Agamben’s ‘Messianic Time’
Authors: Kidwell Jeremy
Published: January 2016

Contemporary business continues to intensify its radical relation to time. The New York Stock Exchange recently announced that in pursuing (as traders call it) the ‘race to zero’ they will begin using laser technology originally developed for military communications to send information about trades nearly at the speed of light. This is just one example of short-term temporal rhythms embedded in the practices of contemporary firms which watch their stock price on an hourly basis, report their earnings quarterly, and dissolve future consequences and costs through discounting procedures. There is reason to believe that these radical conceptions of time and its passing impair the ability of businesses to function in a morally coherent manner. In the spirit of other recent critiques of modern temporality such as David Couzen Hoys The Time of Our Lives, in this paper, I present a critique of the temporality of modern business. In response, I assess the recent attempt to provide an alternative account of temporality using theological concepts by Giorgio Agamben. I argue that Agamben’s more integrative account of messianic time provides a richer ambitemporal account which might provide a viable temporality for a new sustainable economic future.
The Rise of Religion and the Future of Capitalism
Authors: Heslam Peter S.
Published: January 2016

The rise of religion and the rise of capitalism are currently occurring in roughly the same geographical regions (Latin America, Asia, and Africa). Although both religion and capitalism are often ignored, or are regarded negatively, within development circles, this article reflects on their potential for human wellbeing when they convergence. Its focus is on the socio-economic significance of what the author calls the Evangelical Pentecostal Charismatic Movement (EPCM), which accounts for most of the growth of Christianity, the world’s largest religion. He argues that the movement’s stimulation of selfempowerment (especially of women), church-based social outreach, and the encouragement of trust are of particular significance. They provide ample grounds, he contends, for revisiting the question Max Weber is famous for having posed about the link between religious belief and economic behaviour. They also help overcome victimhood mentalities and promote good stewardship, accountability and integrity. The EPCM thereby acts as a progressive force that, in serving the common good, stands to make a positive contribution to the future of capitalism.
Polymer-Coated Urea Delays Growth and Accumulation of Key Nutrients in Aerobic Rice but Does Not Affect Grain Mineral Concentrations
Authors: Rose Terry
Published: January 2016

Enhanced efficiency nitrogen (N) fertilizers (EEFs) may improve crop recovery of fertilizer-N, but there is evidence that some EEFs cause a lag in crop growth compared to growth with standard urea. Biomass and mineral nutrient accumulation was investigated in rice fertilized with urea, urea-3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) and polymer-coated urea (PCU) to determine whether any delays in biomass production alter the accumulation patterns, and subsequent grain concentrations, of key mineral nutrients. Plant growth and mineral accumulation and partitioning to grains did not differ significantly between plants fertilized with urea or urea-DMPP. In contrast, biomass accumulation and the accumulation of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc and manganese were delayed during the early growth phase of plants fertilized with PCU. However, plants in the PCU treatment ultimately compensated for this by increasing growth and nutrient uptake during the latter vegetative stages so that no differences in biomass or nutrient accumulation generally existed among N fertilizer treatments at anthesis. Delayed biomass accumulation in rice fertilized with PCU does not appear to reduce the total accumulation of mineral nutrients, nor to have any impact on grain mineral nutrition when biomass and grain yields are equal to those of rice grown with urea or urea-DMPP.
Association between Floods and Acute Cardiovascular Diseases: A Population-Based Cohort Study Using a Geographic Information System Approach
Authors: Vanasse Alain , Cohen Alan , Courteau Josiane , Bergeron Patrick , Dault Roxanne , Gosselin Pierre , Blais Claudia , Bélanger Diane , Rochette Louis , Chebana Fateh
Published: January 2016

Background: Floods represent a serious threat to human health beyond the immediate risk of drowning. There is few data on the potential link between floods and direct consequences on health such as on cardiovascular health. This study aimed to explore the impact of one of the worst floods in the history of Quebec, Canada on acute cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Methods: A cohort study with a time series design with multiple control groups was built with the adult population identified in the Quebec Integrated Chronic Disease Surveillance System. A geographic information system approach was used to define the study areas. Logistic regressions were performed to compare the occurrence of CVD between groups. Results: The results showed a 25%–27% increase in the odds in the flooded population in spring 2011 when compared with the population in the same area in springs 2010 and 2012. Besides, an increase up to 69% was observed in individuals with a medical history of CVD. Conclusion: Despite interesting results, the association was not statistically significant. A possible explanation to this result can be that the population affected by the flood was probably too small to provide the statistical power to answer the question, and leaves open a substantial possibility for a real and large effect.
Direct Laser Interference Patterning: Tailoring of Contact Area for Frictional and Antibacterial Properties
Authors: Rosenkranz Andreas , Hans Michael , Gachot Carsten , Thome Adrian , Bonk Simon , Mücklich Frank
Published: January 2016

Surface functionalization by topographic micro- and nano-structures in order to achieve unique properties, like super-hydrophobicity or ultrahigh light absorption, is a common strategy in nature. In this paper, direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) is presented as a promising tool allowing for the generation of such surface patterns on technical surfaces in order to mimic these biological surfaces and effects. Friction optimization and antibacterial effects by DLIP are exemplarily described. Topographic surface patterns on the micro- and nano-scale demonstrated a significant reduction in the coefficient of friction and bacterial adhesion. It was shown that in both cases, the control of the contact area between surfaces or between surface and bacteria is of utmost importance.
Magnetic Bead—Magic Bullet
Authors: Ruffert Christine
Published: January 2016

Microfluidics is assumed to be one of the leading and most promising areas of research since the early 1990s. In microfluidic systems, small spherical magnetic particles with superparamagnetic properties, called magnetic beads, play an important role in the design of innovative methods and tools, especially in bioanalysis and medical sciences. The intention of this review paper is to address main aspects from the state-of-the-art in the area of magnetic bead research, while demonstrating the broad variety of applications and the huge potential to solve fundamental biological and medical problems in the fields of diagnostics and therapy. Basic issues and demands related to the fabrication of magnetic particles and physical properties of nanosize magnets are discussed in Section 2. Of main interest are the control and adjustment of the nanoparticles’ properties and the availability of adequate approaches for particle detection via their magnetic field. Section 3 presents an overview of magnetic bead applications in nanomedicine. In Section 4, practical aspects of sample manipulation and separation employing magnetic beads are described. Finally, the benefits related to the use of magnetic bead-based microfluidic systems are summarized, illustrating ongoing questions and open tasks to be solved on the way to an approaching microfluidic age.
Anorexia of Aging: Risk Factors, Consequences, and Potential Treatments
Authors: Landi Francesco , Calvani Riccardo , Tosato Matteo , Martone Anna , Ortolani Elena , Savera Giulia , Sisto Alex , Marzetti Emanuele
Published: January 2016

Older people frequently fail to ingest adequate amount of food to meet their essential energy and nutrient requirements. Anorexia of aging, defined by decrease in appetite and/or food intake in old age, is a major contributing factor to under-nutrition and adverse health outcomes in the geriatric population. This disorder is indeed highly prevalent and is recognized as an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality in different clinical settings. Even though anorexia is not an unavoidable consequence of aging, advancing age often promotes its development through various mechanisms. Age-related changes in life-style, disease conditions, as well as social and environmental factors have the potential to directly affect dietary behaviors and nutritional status. In spite of their importance, problems related to food intake and, more generally, nutritional status are seldom attended to in clinical practice. While this may be the result of an “ageist” approach, it should be acknowledged that simple interventions, such as oral nutritional supplementation or modified diets, could meaningfully improve the health status and quality of life of older persons.
Importance of B Lymphocytes and the IgG-Binding Protein Sbi in Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infection
Authors: Zhao Fan , Chong Anita , Montgomery Christopher
Published: January 2016

Recurrent Staphylococcus aureus infections are common, suggesting that immunity elicited by these infections is not protective. We previously reported that S. aureus skin infection (SSTI) elicited antibody-mediated immunity against secondary SSTI in BALB/c mice. In this study, we investigated the role of humoral immunity and the IgG-binding proteins Sbi and SpA in S. aureus SSTI. We found that B lymphocyte-deficient μMT mice were highly susceptible to infection, compared with congenic BALB/c mice. Importantly, transfer of immune serum protected μMT mice, demonstrating an appropriate response to protective antibody. We found that deletion of sbi, but not spa, impaired virulence, as assessed by skin lesion severity, and that Sbi-mediated virulence required B lymphocytes/antibody. Furthermore, neither Sbi nor SpA impaired the elicited antibody response or protection against secondary SSTI. Taken together, these findings highlight a B lymphocyte/antibody-dependent role of Sbi in the pathogenesis of S. aureus SSTI, and demonstrate that neither Sbi nor SpA interfered with elicited antibody-mediated immunity.
Monitoring and Assessing the 2012 Drought in the Great Plains: Analyzing Satellite-Retrieved Solar-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence, Drought Indices, and Gross Primary Production
Authors: Wang Siheng , Huang Changping , Zhang Lifu , Lin Yi , Cen Yi , Wu Taixia
Published: January 2016

We examined the relationship between satellite measurements of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) and several meteorological drought indices, including the multi-time-scale standard precipitation index (SPI) and the Palmer drought severity index (PDSI), to evaluate the potential of using SIF to monitor and assess drought. We found significant positive relationships between SIF and drought indices during the growing season (from June to September). SIF was found to be more sensitive to short-term SPIs (one or two months) and less sensitive to long-term SPI (three months) than were the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) or the normalized difference water index (NDWI). Significant correlations were found between SIF and PDSI during the growing season for the Great Plains. We found good consistency between SIF and flux-estimated gross primary production (GPP) for the years studied, and synchronous declines of SIF and GPP in an extreme drought year (2012). We used SIF to monitor and assess the drought that occurred in the Great Plains during the summer of 2012, and found that although a meteorological drought was experienced throughout the Great Plains from June to September, the western area experienced more agricultural drought than the eastern area. Meanwhile, SIF declined more significantly than NDVI during the peak growing season. Yet for senescence, during which time the reduction of NDVI still went on, the reduction of SIF was eased. Our work provides an alternative to traditional reflectance-based vegetation or drought indices for monitoring and assessing agricultural drought.
Characterization of Black Sand Mining Activities and Their Environmental Impacts in the Philippines Using Remote Sensing
Authors: Chaussard Estelle , Kerosky Sara
Published: January 2016

Magnetite is a type of iron ore and a valuable commodity that occurs naturally in black sand beaches in the Philippines. However, black sand mining often takes place illegally and increases the likelihood and magnitude of geohazards, such as land subsidence, which augments the exposure of local communities to sea level rise and to typhoon-related threats. Detection of black sand mining activities traditionally relies on word of mouth, while measurement of their environmental effects requires on-the-ground geological surveys, which are precise, but costly and limited in scope. Here we show that systematic analysis of remote sensing data provides an objective, reliable, safe, and cost-effective way to monitor black sand mining activities and their impacts. First, we show that optical satellite data can be used to identify legal and illegal mining sites and characterize the direct effect of mining on the landscape. Second, we demonstrate that Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) can be used to evaluate the environmental impacts of black sand mining despite the small spatial extent of the activities. We detected a total of twenty black sand mining sites on Luzon Island and InSAR ALOS data reveal that out of the thirteen sites with coherence, nine experienced land subsidence at rates ranging from 1.5 to 5.7 cm/year during 2007–2011. The mean ground velocity map also highlights that the spatial extent of the subsiding areas is 10 to 100 times larger than the mining sites, likely associated with groundwater use or sediment redistribution. As a result of this subsidence, several coastal areas will be lowered to sea level elevation in a few decades and exposed to permanent flooding. This work demonstrates that remote sensing data are critical in monitoring the development of such activities and their environmental and societal impacts.