bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KAMPÜS İÇİ ULAŞIMDA ALTERNATİF SEÇİMLER: KARABÜK ÜNİVERSİTESİ ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: Tekin Rukiye , Kılıç Metin
Published: February 2015

Üniversitelerin kuruldukları bölgelerde; ekonomik yapıya, sosyal ve fiziksel altyapıya, kent ve yaşam kalitesine, eğitim seviyesinin artmasına katkıları göz önüne alınarak, üniversite kampüslerinin fiziki yapılarıyla kent imajını en iyi şekilde yansıtan alanlar olması sağlanmalıdır. Bunu sağlamak içinse üniversitelerin etkin bir şekilde yönetimi, kullanımı, geliştirilmesi ve kampüslerde yer alan birimler arası koordinasyon her anlamda sağlanmalıdır. Bu koordinasyonun en önemli parametrelerinden biri de kampüs içi ulaşım olmaktadır. Bu araştırmadaki amaç kent alt birimi olan üniversite kampüslerindeki ulaşımının incelenmesidir. Diğer amaçlar ise,  kullanıcıların demografik özelliklerine göre var olan kampüs ulaşımı algılarını ve kullanılan ulaşım seçeneklerini tercih etme nedenlerini saptamaya çalışmaktır. Uygulama kısmında var olan kampus içi ulaşım algılarını ölçmek amacıyla anket çalışması uygulanmıştır. Anket yöntemi ile veri toplanılan bu bölümde geçerliliği olan 1112 tane anket formu SPSS yazılım programında analiz edilmiştir. İfadelerin güvenilirlik analizleri,  frekans dağılımı ve faktörler elde edilmiş, ANOVA ve T-TESTİ analizleri ile farklılıklar tespit edilmiştir.
ŞEHİR YAŞAM KALİTESİNİN ÖLÇÜLMESİ: KASTAMONU ŞEHİR MERKEZİNDE BİR UYGULAMA
Authors: Çam Nurcan
Published: February 2015

Bu çalışmada, şehir yaşam kalitesi ölçülmeye çalışılarak, şehirlerin pazarlanmasında ön plana çıkabilecek şehir yaşam faktörlerini tespit etmek amaçlanmıştır. Bu bağlamda, nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden derin görüşme tekniği ve nicel araştırma yöntemlerinden anket uygulaması yapılmıştır. Derin görüşmede şehir yaşam kalitesinde önemli bir paya sahip resmi kurumlarla görüşmeler yapılmış, şehir yaşam kalitesini etkileyen faktörler kapsamında yapılan veya yapılacak olan çalışmalar hakkında bilgiler alınmıştır. Bu amaca ulaşabilmek için Kastamonu’da yaşayan 300 kişiye yüz yüze anket uygulanmıştır. Kastamonu’nun şehir yaşam kalitesine ilişkin hali hazırda güçlü olan ve korunması gereken özellikleriyle, güçlendirilmesi gereken özellikleri belirlemek üzere Kastamonu şehrinde yaşayanlara bu özellikleri değerlendirmeleri istenmiştir. Araştırma sonuçları, Kastamonu’nun şehir yaşam kalitesi bakımından önemli faktörlere sahip olduğunu ve bu faktörlerin Kastamonu şehrinin pazarlanmasında kullanılmasında bir avantaj oluşturabileceğini ortaya koymuştur.
SERMAYE PİYASASI KURULU’NUN İDARİ PARA CEZASI UYGULAMALARININ İLGİLİ MEVZUAT AÇISINDAN İNCELENMESİ
Authors: Güçlü Fatih , Kılıç Metin
Published: February 2015

The Capital Market Board (CMB), carry outs audit and surveillance activities in capital markets in order to provide safety and stability of capital markets, protect the rights of investors and fulfill public disclosure. In consequence of audit activity, the CMB, within the scope of power which has been given by the statute law can apply some sanctions, such as administrative fine. The subject of the study is administrative fine applications imposed by the CMB on companies whose shares are processed in the Borsa Istanbul (BIST), between 2006 and 2013. The aim of this study is to determine due to the infringement of which provisions of the statue law which cause administrative fines as a result of te CMB’s audit activity within the scope of power which has been given by the statute law. According to this research's result, CMB mostly executed administrative fines in consequence of statue law related to material disclosure.
Epidemiology of Pediatric Herpes Zoster After Varicella Infection: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Wen Su-Ying , Liu Wen-Liang
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND:

There are limited population-based data regarding pediatric herpes zoster (HZ).

METHODS:

Children aged <12 years with varicella infections between 2000 and 2006 were identified from a national population-based database and followed-up for a diagnosis of HZ until December 2008. Since a routine varicella vaccination program was started in 2004, vaccinated children without medically attended varicella were identified between 2004 and 2006, and followed-up for a diagnosis of HZ until December 2008.

RESULTS:

Of 27 517 children with medically attended varicella, 428 developed HZ. The incidence of HZ was 262.1 per 100 000 person-years. Of 25 132 vaccinated children without medically attended varicella, 106 developed HZ. The incidence of HZ was 93.3 per 100 000 person-years. The mean duration from varicella to HZ was 4.12 years. Children diagnosed with varicella at aged <2 years had a higher incidence (P < .001) and shorter duration (P = .04) than those diagnosed aged ≧2 years. Children diagnosed with varicella aged ≥2 but <8 years had a significantly increased incidence of HZ after than before the vaccination program (relative risk = 1.85 at 3 years of follow-up, P = .03). Children with varicella infections had a significantly greater risk of HZ than vaccinated children without a history of varicella (relative risk = 2.31 at 4 years of follow-up, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study demonstrates the population-based epidemiologic characteristics of pediatric HZ among those who contracted varicella. In the early postvaricella vaccination period, an increased HZ incidence was observed among children with varicella infection aged ≥2 years.
Allergy in Children in Hand Versus Machine Dishwashing
Authors: Hesselmar Bill , Hicke-Roberts Anna , Wennergren Göran
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

The hygiene hypothesis stipulates that microbial exposure during early life induces immunologic tolerance via immune stimulation, and hence reduces the risk of allergy development. Several common lifestyle factors and household practices, such as dishwashing methods, may increase microbial exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate if such lifestyle factors are associated with allergy prevalence.

METHODS:

Questionnaire-based study of 1029 children aged 7 to 8 years from Kiruna, in the north of Sweden, and Mölndal, in the Gothenburg area on the southwest coast of Sweden. Questions on asthma, eczema, and rhinoconjunctivitis were taken from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire.

RESULTS:

Hand dishwashing was associated with a reduced risk of allergic disease development (multivariate analysis, odds ratio 0.57; 95% confidence interval: 0.37–0.85). The risk was further reduced in a dose-response pattern if the children were also served fermented food and if the family bought food directly from farms.

CONCLUSIONS:

In families who use hand dishwashing, allergic diseases in children are less common than in children from families who use machine dishwashing. We speculate that a less-efficient dishwashing method may induce tolerance via increased microbial exposure.
Pediatric Aspects of Inpatient Health Information Technology Systems
Authors: Lehmann Christoph U. ,   COUNCIL ON CLINICAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, Weinberg Stuart T. , Alexander Gregg M. , Beyer Eric L. , Del Beccaro Mark Andrew , Francis Anne B. , Handler Eric G. , Johnson Timothy D. , Kirkendall Eric Steven , Lighter Donald E. , Morgan Stephen James , Raskas Mordechai David , Tham Eric , Webber Emily Chui
Published: February 2015

In the past 3 years, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act accelerated the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) with providers and hospitals, who can claim incentive monies related to meaningful use. Despite the increase in adoption of commercial EHRs in pediatric settings, there has been little support for EHR tools and functionalities that promote pediatric quality improvement and patient safety, and children remain at higher risk than adults for medical errors in inpatient environments. Health information technology (HIT) tailored to the needs of pediatric health care providers can improve care by reducing the likelihood of errors through information assurance and minimizing the harm that results from errors. This technical report outlines pediatric-specific concepts, child health needs and their data elements, and required functionalities in inpatient clinical information systems that may be missing in adult-oriented HIT systems with negative consequences for pediatric inpatient care. It is imperative that inpatient (and outpatient) HIT systems be adapted to improve their ability to properly support safe health care delivery for children.
New geographical records of Myrcia s.l. (Myrteae, Myrtaceae) from South America, with a focus on Brazilian taxa
Authors: Amorim Bruno S. , Maciel Jefferson R. , Alves Marccus
Published: February 2015

New geographical records for 29 species of Myrcia s.l. (Myrtaceae) from the Neotropics are presented here. They occur in the Amazon, Atlantic Forests and “Cerrado” vegetation of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and Peru. The first occurrences of species are also cited for Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, and Peru. Short diagnostic descriptions, taxonomic and ecological comments, and geographic distribution maps are also presented.
Kościół wobec starości. Perspektywa teologiczno-pastoralna
Authors: Dziedzic Jan
Published: February 2015

Niebezpieczeństwo podziału między pokoleniami sprawia, że należy dziś zabiegać o nowy sposób myślenia o starości. Korygowanie negatywnych postaw wobec ludzi w podeszłym wieku jest zadaniem kulturowym i wychowawczym, które spoczywa na wszystkich pokoleniach. Odpowiedzialność za seniorów opiera się na wskazaniu im sensu starości. Ważne jest również, aby potrafili oni docenić ukryte w niej walory i odrzucić pokusę izolowania się od ludzi oraz przezwyciężyli rezygnację i poczucie nieprzydatności i beznadziei.Prezentowany artykuł był próbą spojrzenia na współczesny problem starzenia się społeczeństwa, które domaga się nowych wyzwań wobec narastającej liczby ludzi w podeszłym wieku. Nie można ulec pokusie wykluczenia tej grupy społecznej, lecz należy odnaleźć sposób na ich konkretne zaangażowanie w życiu wspólnotowym. Istotnym zadaniem jest także zorganizowanie dla nich pomocy, aby w ten sposób respektować godność osoby ludzkiej, przysługująca każdemu człowiekowi. Nie bez znaczenia jest również dostrzeżenie wymiaru transcendentnego, gdyż dla wierzącego seniora spojrzenie na śmierć związane jest z zapewnieniem Jezusa o życiu wiecznym.
„Nie odtrącaj mnie w starości”. O potrzebie profilowanego przepowiadania dla seniorów
Authors: Kalbarczyk Adam
Published: February 2015

Ludzie starsi w Kościele mają prawo do przepowiadania specjalnego, profilowanego, tzn. ukierunkowanego na nich, obejmującego ich swoim oddziaływaniem. Słowo Boże powinno być głoszone wszystkim ludziom w każdym czasie, w każdej sytuacji, na każdym etapie ich życia. Jeśli zatem widzimy potrzebę profilowanego przepowiadania do dzieci, do młodzieży czy do dorosłych, to nie możemy nie zauważać jej w odniesieniu do seniorów. Konieczność taką tłumaczą też względy duszpasterskie. Według nauczania Kościoła duszpasterze powinni pomóc osobom starym realizować swoje powołanie w Kościele i świecie, tak aby pojmowali swoją starość jako naturalny etap życia, jako czas wartościowy, który należy i można przeżywać w postawie zaufania Bogu, a także – jeśli to możliwe – zaangażowania dla wspólnoty. Specjalne kaznodziejstwo dla seniorów stanowi jeden z istotnych przejawów tej troski. Można je realizować, posługując się albo tradycyjnymi i sprawdzonymi formami przepowiadania, takimi jak homilie, kazania, nauki rekolekcyjne czy katechezy, albo ostrożnie wprowadzając nowe – np. homilie dialogowane czy świadectwa. Ważne jest przy tym, aby kaznodzieje zadbali o odpowiedni język przekazu ewangelicznego, adekwatny do sytuacji, mentalności, doświadczeń i problemów seniorów. Podstawowym motywem przepowiadania dla ludzi starych, tych, których życie doczesne dobiega kresu, powinno być życie, życie silniejsze niż śmierć.
The Relationship between Caseworker Assessments of Clients’ Social Networks and Child Welfare Placement Outcomes
Authors: Brisebois Kimberly , Trzcinski Eileen , Marsack Christina
Published: February 2015

In this study, caseworkers provided information regarding a mother's number and quality of social supports and whether an infant was removed from her care. Analyses indicated that infants were less likely to be removed from the mother's care when caseworkers viewed maternal social supports as positive. This association was strongest when the caseworker identified only positive supports, with no contacts defined as nonpositive. Mothers who were assessed to have no intimate relationship or low level of commitment were nearly twice as likely to have their children in foster care compared to mothers assessed to be in a mid-to-high level of committed relationship. Results suggest that caseworkers’ distinctions between positive and nonpositive social networks influence removal decisions.
Parents and Court-Ordered Services: A Descriptive Study of Service Use in Child Welfare Reunification
Authors: D'andrade Amy C.
Published: February 2015

Child welfare-involved parents use court-ordered services to resolve their problems and reunify with children removed from their care. Often this requires the use of multiple service types, service providers, and service locations. Very little research takes this diversity into account: Most studies of service use examine only a single service area. As a result, the field lacks information to guide the development of interventions to increase reunification service use. This descriptive study examines service use across the array of services ordered for a sample of 223 parents attempting to reunify with their children. Most parents had a mixed pattern of service use, with different patterns emerging by parent age, ethnicity, gender, and custodial status. These findings suggest that targeted interventions or service adjustments may be needed.
Human Service Administrators’ Knowledge about Immigration Policy: Associations with Attitudes, Political Ideology, and Organizational Practices
Authors: Smith Brenda D. , Womack Bethany G.
Published: February 2015

To be effective, providers of human services must be knowledgeable about immigration policy. This study aims to (a) assess the accuracy of human service administrators’ knowledge about state immigration policy and (b) identify individual and organizational characteristics associated with immigration policy knowledge. The study focuses on Alabama, which implemented a highly restrictive state immigration law in 2011. A survey of a probability sample of human service administrators found that many administrators thought that state immigration policy was even more restrictive—of both immigrants and those who help them—than it actually was. Consistent with theory, administrators with more favorable attitudes toward immigrants and stronger perceptions of community support for immigrant services were more knowledgeable about the law's specific restrictions.
Vulnerability assessment of the European natural gas supply
Authors: Olanrewaju Oluwabamise T. , Chaudry Modassar , Qadrdan Meysam , Wu Jianzhong , Jenkins Nick
Published: February 2015

As indigenous natural gas reserves within the European Union (EU) decline, higher gas imports are expected in order to meet future EU gas demand. Natural gas will be transported across considerable distances from regions of gas reserves to European consumers. This raises security of gas supply concerns especially for EU countries that depend heavily on a single supply source or major transit route. A linear programming model of the European gas supplies was developed and used to investigate the impact of loss of the Ukraine transit capacity on gas supply from Russia to Europe. Two demand scenarios – that is a reference case and a high demand case in the winter of 2014/2015 were investigated. The results have shown that gas flows on interconnectors and from storage and liquefied natural gas import terminals compensated for the supply shortfall. Furthermore, to mitigate the effect of the supply shortage, the impact of increasing the capacities of selected pipelines within the EU was compared against increasing the maximum storage withdrawal rates in southeast Europe. Higher storage withdrawal rates achieved lower demand curtailment than the additional interconnector capacity in both scenarios.
Wetting of compacted clays under laterally restrained conditions: initial state, overburden pressure and mineralogy
Authors: SIVAKUMAR V. , ZAINI J. , GALLIPOLI D. , SOLAN B.
Published: February 2015

Compacted clay fills are generally placed at the optimum value of water content and, immediately after placement, they are unsaturated. Wetting might subsequently occur due, for example, to rainfall infiltration, which can cause volumetric deformation of the fill (either swell or collapse) with associated loss of shear strength and structural integrity. If swelling takes place under partially restrained deformation, due for example to the presence of a buried rigid structure or a retaining wall, additional stresses will develop in the soil and these can be detrimental to the stability of walling elements and other building assets. Factors such as dry density, overburden pressure, compaction water content and type of clay are known to influence the development of stresses. This paper investigates these factors by means of an advanced stress path testing programme performed on four different clays with different mineralogy, index properties and geological histories. Specimens of kaolin clay, London Clay, Belfast Clay and Ampthill Clay were prepared at different initial states and subjected to ‘controlled' wetting, whereby the suction was reduced gradually to zero under laterally restrained conditions (i.e. K0 conditions). The results showed that the magnitude of the increase in horizontal stresses (and therefore the increase of K0) is influenced by the overburden pressure, compaction water content, dry density at the time of compaction and mineralogy.
Physical modelling of soil uncertainty
Authors: Garzón Lina Ximena , Caicedo Bernardo , Sánchez-Silva Mauricio , Phoon Kok Kwang
Published: February 2015

This paper presents a new technique to prepare reduced-scale soil models with controlled spatial variability. Soil spatial variability is obtained analytically by using a discrete random field generation method. Heterogeneous models are then constructed by using nine homogeneous soils, which are created by mixing different percentages of kaolin and bentonite at water content of 1·5 times the liquid limit. Afterwards, the heterogeneous models are subjected to a consolidation process that is developed in two stages: oedometric path and geotechnical centrifuge. Finally, the mechanical soil properties of the heterogeneous models are estimated by measuring the unit weight and the water content of the random field elements. Results show that the mechanical properties depend not only on intrinsic behaviour, but also on space locations. The method proposed in this paper offers new possibilities for the study of the effect of soil variability on the behaviour of geotechnical structures.
Desarrollo de las cooperativas agropecuarias del noreste de Misiones, Argentina
Authors: Godoy Antonia Elisabeti , Martínez Mirta Claudia , Carvallo-Krieger María Alejandra , Pokolenko Ana Alicia , Tarnoski Sergio Oscar , Dip Juan
Published: February 2015

Este artículo derivó del proyecto de investigación “La incidencia de los modelos de gestión en el desarrollo de las cooperativas agropecuarias del noreste de Misiones”, desarrollado en la Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Argentina, entre el 2010 y el 2012. Se sustentó en información de fuentes documentales y empíricas, provenientes de encuestas o entrevistas aplicadas al 80% de la población objeto de estudio, a socios fundadores de las primeras cooperativas agropecuarias, a informantes clave. El objetivo fue identificar los factores críticos que dificultaban su crecimiento, y, a partir de ellos, determinar las áreas clave para la reactivación y el desarrollo sostenible de dichas cooperativas. Se corroboró que el 90% de las cooperativas encuestadas se encuentran en una zona de invisibilización, alto grado de inactividad económica motivada por la génesis de su creación y ausencia de un proyecto común.
Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Holt Amon E. , Ferguson Brett L. , Gibson Tanya M. , Satheesh Keerthana M. , Cobb Charles M.
Published: February 2015

Introduction: Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) may manifest as one of four distinctive disorders: 1) Cowden syndrome; 2) Bannayan‐Riley‐Ruvalcaba syndrome; 3) Proteus syndrome; or 4) Proteus‐like syndrome. Clinical features of PHTS commonly include multiple benign hamartomas of the skin and mucous membranes as well as macrocephaly. Despite the benign nature of the characteristic lesions, patients diagnosed with PHTS are at increased risk of certain cancers, most notably carcinomas of the breast, thyroid, and endometrium.

Case Presentation: A 28‐year‐old African‐American female presented with generalized gingival overgrowth that involved the palate, gingival margins, and retromolar areas. The dorsal tongue also exhibited a generalized tissue hyperplasia. Based on clinical presentation, biopsies were performed for histology and genetic testing. Although histology revealed non‐specific fibroepithelial hyperplasia, genetic testing revealed a novel heterozygous mutation of the PTEN gene (c.158_164dupTAGTAAG), believed to result in premature termination of the protein. The patient did not exhibit macrocephaly or extraoral skin lesions and did not have any obvious cognitive deficit.

Conclusions: This presentation of a Cowden syndrome‐like scenario demonstrates that intraoral lesions may be the first symptom leading to a diagnosis of PHTS. Furthermore, the case shows that communication with and referral from the general dentist to specialists (e.g., oral pathologist, oral surgeon, or periodontist) can facilitate the establishment of a definitive diagnosis and allow for preventive screening and genetic counseling to aid in the treatment of secondary diseases, most notably associated cancers.
Modeling Techniques for Foam Flow in Porous Media
Authors: Ma Kun , Ren Guangwei , Mateen Khalid , Morel Danielle , Cordelier Philippe
Published: February 2015

Foam, a dispersion of gas in liquid, has been investigated as a tool for gas-mobility and conformance control in porous media for a variety of applications since the late 1950s. These applications include enhanced oil recovery, matrix-acidization treatments, gas-leakage prevention, as well as contaminated-aquifer remediation. To understand the complex physics of foam in porous media and to implement foam processes in a more-controllable way, various foam-modeling techniques were developed in the past 3 decades.

This paper reviews modeling approaches obtained from different publications for describing foam flow through porous media. Specifically, we tabulate models on the basis of their respective characteristics, including implicit-texture as well as mechanistic population-balance foam models. In various population-balance models, how foam texture is obtained and how gas mobility is altered as a function of foam texture, among other variables, are presented and compared. It is generally understood that both the gas relative permeability and viscosity vary in the reduction of gas mobility through foam generation in porous media. However, because the two parameters appear together in the Darcy equation, different approaches were taken to alter the mobility in the various models: only reduction of gas relative permeability, increasing of effective gas viscosity, or a combination of both. The applicability and limitations of each approach are discussed. How various foam-generation mechanisms play a role in the foam-generation function in mechanistic models is also discussed in this review, which is indispensable to reconcile the findings from different publications. In addition, other foam-modeling methods, such as the approaches that use fractional-flow theory and those that use percolation theory, are also reviewed in this work. Several challenges for foam modeling, including model selection and enhancement, fitting parameters to data, modeling oil effect on foam behavior, and scaling up of foam models, are also discussed at the end of this paper.
Comparison of simple, small, full-scale sewage treatment systems in Brazil: UASB–maturation ponds–coarse filter; UASB–horizontal subsurface-flow wetland; vertical-flow wetland (first stage of French system)
Authors: von Sperling M.
Published: February 2015

This paper presents a comparison between three simple sewage treatment lines involving natural processes: (a) upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor–three maturation ponds in series–coarse rock filter; (b) UASB reactor–horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetland; and (c) vertical-flow constructed wetlands treating raw sewage (first stage of the French system). The evaluation was based on several years of practical experience with three small full-scale plants receiving the same influent wastewater (population equivalents of 220, 60 and 100 inhabitants) in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The comparison included interpretation of concentrations and removal efficiencies based on monitoring data (organic matter, solids, nitrogen, phosphorus, coliforms and helminth eggs), together with an evaluation of practical aspects, such as land and volume requirements, sludge production and handling, plant management, clogging and others. Based on an integrated evaluation of all aspects involved, it is worth emphasizing that each system has its own specificities, and no generalization can be made on the best option. The overall conclusion is that the three lines are suitable for sewage treatment in small communities in warm-climate regions.
Intensified-Fenton process for the treatment of phenol aqueous solutions
Authors: Pariente M. Isabel , Molina Raúl , Melero Juan Antonio , Botas Juan Ángel , Martínez Fernando
Published: February 2015

An intensified-Fenton process for the treatment of phenol aqueous solutions has been studied as a continuous catalytic wet hydrogen peroxide oxidation system. This process consists of coupling the catalytic activity of a heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst with the homogeneous contribution of its dissolved iron species. Agglomerated mesoporous SBA-15 silica-supported iron oxide (Fe2O3/SBA-15) material was used as heterogeneous catalyst. The influence of the reaction temperature and the initial hydrogen peroxide dosages was studied in order to minimize the operation cost of the process. The catalytic performance of the process was assessed in terms of total organic carbon (TOC) and hydrogen peroxide conversions. Likewise, the stability of the solid Fenton-like catalyst was also evaluated in terms of the dissolved iron species. The increase of the reaction temperature enhanced the TOC conversion and reduced the iron leaching from the heterogeneous catalyst. These results were related to the degradation of oxalic acid as responsible for iron extraction by formation of soluble stable iron complexes into the aqueous medium. Finally, the use of a moderate hydrogen peroxide concentration (2.6 g/L) and milder temperatures (80–120 °C) has led to remarkable results of TOC and phenol reductions as well as oxidant efficiency through the intensified-Fenton process.
Degradability of hexachlorocyclohexanes in water using ferrate (VI)
Authors: Homolková M. , Hrabák P. , Kolář M. , Černík M.
Published: February 2015

Regarding environmental pollution, the greatest public and scientific concern is aimed at the pollutants listed under the Stockholm Convention. These pollutants are not only persistent but also highly toxic with a high bioaccumulation potential. One of these pollutants, γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), has been widely used in agriculture, which has resulted in wide dispersion in the environment. Remediation of this persistent and hazardous pollutant is difficult and remains unresolved. Of the many different approaches tested, to date, none has used ferrates. This is unexpected as ferrates are generally believed to be an ideal chemical reagent for water treatment due to their strong oxidation potential and the absence of harmful by-products. In this paper, the degradation/transformation of HCHs by ferrates under laboratory conditions was studied. HCH was degraded during this reaction, producing trichlorobenzenes and pentachlorocyclohexenes as by-products. A detailed investigation of pH conditions during Fe(VI) application identified pH as the main factor affecting degradation. We conclude that ferrate itself is unreactive with HCH and that high pH values, produced by K2O impurity and the reaction of ferrate with water, are responsible for HCH transformation. Finally, a comparison of Fe(VI) with Fe(0) is provided in order to suggest their environmental applicability for HCH degradation.
A simple empirical model for the clarification-thickening process in wastewater treatment plants
Authors: Zhang Y. K. , Wang H. C. , Qi L. , Liu G. H. , He Z. J. , Fan H. T.
Published: February 2015

In wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), activated sludge is thickened in secondary settling tanks and recycled into the biological reactor to maintain enough biomass for wastewater treatment. Accurately estimating the activated sludge concentration in the lower portion of the secondary clarifiers is of great importance for evaluating and controlling the sludge recycled ratio, ensuring smooth and efficient operation of the WWTP. By dividing the overall activated sludge-thickening curve into a hindered zone and a compression zone, an empirical model describing activated sludge thickening in the compression zone was obtained by empirical regression. This empirical model was developed through experiments conducted using sludge from five WWTPs, and validated by the measured data from a sixth WWTP, which fit the model well (R2 = 0.98, p < 0.001). The model requires application of only one parameter, the sludge volume index (SVI), which is readily incorporated into routine analysis. By combining this model with the conservation of mass equation, an empirical model for compression settling was also developed. Finally, the effects of denitrification and addition of a polymer were also analysed because of their effect on sludge thickening, which can be useful for WWTP operation, e.g., improving wastewater treatment or the proper use of the polymer.
Effect of sampling duration on the performance evaluation of a stormwater wetland
Authors: Niu Siping , Park Kisoo , Kim Youngchul
Published: February 2015

In this study, the effect of sampling duration on the performance estimate for a stormwater wetland over both rainy and dry days was evaluated for the appropriate design of sampling duration. As the cumulative percentage volume (Vp), the ratio of cumulative stormwater volume concerning time to the total stormwater volume, varied between 60 and 100%, generally, the inflow total suspended solids, turbidity and total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) event mean concentrations (EMCs) did not vary significantly, whereas the total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) EMCs were relatively stable. Compared to the inflow, the corresponding outflow EMCs changed much less as Vp changed. And these variations both from inflow and outflow EMCs did not result in significant changes in the removal efficiencies. The investigation during the dry days between two consecutive storm events showed that outflow pollutants did not change to a considerable extent after 1 day of the previous rainfall event. This study identifies the possibility of shortening the rainy sampling duration, because the performance of stormwater wetlands is usually estimated based on removal efficiencies rather than pollutant concentrations. Also, the sampling during dry days should be performed at least 1 day after a rainfall event.
Microwave-assisted oxidative digestion of lignin with hydrogen peroxide for TOC and color removal
Authors: Ouyang Xinping , Huang Xiangzhen , Ruan Tao , Qiu Xueqing
Published: February 2015

Dilute lignin solution was successfully digested into colorless and clarified liquor under microwave-assisted oxidative digestion with hydrogen peroxide. High dosage of hydrogen peroxide is needed to effectively digest lignin, but excessive hydrogen peroxide may lead to recondensation of formed fragments in digested lignin. Microwave irradiation greatly facilitates the oxidative digestion of lignin. Compared with conventional heating technique, microwave-assisted digestion achieves the same or higher digestion rate within a shorter time and/or at lower temperature. After digestion, total organic carbon content of lignin solution decreases by 93.9%, and a small amount of aliphatic alkane, alcohol, acid and ester are formed via the cleavage of aromatic rings as well as the deprivation of side chains in original lignin. This work provides an alternative way to efficiently treat spent pulping liquor.
Photodegradation of sulfonamide antimicrobial compounds (sulfadiazine, sulfamethizole, sulfamethoxazole and sulfathiazole) in various UV/oxidant systems
Authors: Wu J. T. , Wu C. H. , Liu C. Y. , Huang W. J.
Published: February 2015

This study used Na2S2O8, NaBrO8 and H2O2 to degrade sulfadiazine (SDZ), sulfamethizole (SFZ), sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and sulfathiazole (STZ) under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The initial concentration of sulfonamide and oxidant in all experiments was 20 mg/L and 5 mM, respectively. The degradation rate for sulfonamides satisfies pseudo-first-order kinetics in all UV/oxidant systems. The highest degradation rate for SDZ, SFZ, SMX and STZ was in the UV/Na2S2O8, UV/NaBrO3, UV/Na2S2O8 and UV/H2O2 system, respectively. In the UV/Na2S2O8 system, the photodegradation rate of SDZ, SFZ, SMX and STZ was 0.0245 min−1, 0.0096 min−1, 0.0283 min−1 and 0.0141 min−1, respectively; moreover, for the total organic carbon removal rate for SDZ, SFZ, SMX and STZ it was 0.0057 min−1, 0.0081 min−1, 0.0130 min−1 and 0.0106 min−1, respectively. Experimental results indicate that the ability of oxidants to degrade sulfonamide varied with pollutant type. Moreover, UV/Na2S2O8 had the highest mineralization rate for all tested sulfonamides.
Computational Knee Ligament Modeling Using Experimentally
Determined Zero-Load Lengths
Authors: Bloemker Katherine H , Guess Trent M , Maletsky Lorin , Dodd Kevin
Published: February 2015

This study presents a subject-specific method of determining the zero-load lengths of the cruciate and collateral ligaments in computational knee modeling. Three cadaver knees were tested in a dynamic knee simulator. The cadaver knees also underwent manual envelope of motion testing to find their passive range of motion in order to determine the zero-load lengths for each ligament bundle. Computational multibody knee models were created for each knee and model kinematics were compared to experimental kinematics for a simulated walk cycle. One-dimensional non-linear spring damper elements were used to represent cruciate and collateral ligament bundles in the knee models. This study found that knee kinematics were highly sensitive to altering of the zero-load length. The results also suggest optimal methods for defining each of the ligament bundle zero-load lengths, regardless of the subject. These results verify the importance of the zero-load length when modeling the knee joint and verify that manual envelope of motion measurements can be used to determine the passive range of motion of the knee joint. It is also believed that the method described here for determining zero-load length can be used for in vitro or in vivo subject-specific computational models.
The Endothelium and Its Role in Regulating Vascular Tone
Authors: Sandoo Aamer , Veldhuijzen van Zanten Jet J.C.S , Metsios George S , Carroll Douglas , Kitas George D
Published: February 2015

The endothelium forms an important part of the vasculature and is involved in promoting an atheroprotective environmentviathe complementary actions of endothelial cell-derived vasoactive factors. Disruption of vascular homeostasis can lead to the development of endothelial dysfunction which in turn contributes to the early and late stages of atherosclerosis. In recent years an increasing number of non-invasive vascular tests have been developed to assess vascular structure and function in different clinical populations. The present review aims to provide an insight into the anatomy of the vasculature as well as the underlying endothelial cell physiology. In addition, an in-depth overview of the current methods used to assess vascular function and structure is provided as well as their link to certain clinical populations.
Assessment of the Design Provisions for Steel Concentric X Bracing Frames with Reference to Italian and European Codes
Authors: Faggiano Beatrice , Fiorino Luigi , Formisano Antonio , Macillo Vincenzo , Castaldo Carmine , M. Mazzolani Federico
Published: February 2015

In the field of construction in seismic areas, the current Italian technical code for constructions NTC2008 is
substantially based on the design criteria of Eurocode 8 (EC8), although with some differences. Focusing on steel structures
with X Concentric Braces (CB), which is one of the most common seismic resistant structural typology in steel
buildings, the paper illustrates a critical review of design methodologies specified in NTC2008, with the intent of providing
simplified and more efficient design criteria and procedures able to ensure adequate safety levels under seismic actions,
according to the modern design approach. The study is divided in two parts. The first part consists in the design according
to the standard rules of typical steel X braced structures by linear analysis, both static and dynamic. The aim is
identifying any possible weakness in the current design criteria, with particular reference to both the applicability of the
proposed procedures and the actual possibility to size the bracing cross-sections and the connected structural members,
like beams and columns. The second part consists in the assessment of the seismic response of structures examined. To
this purpose, non-linear static analyses are performed in order to evaluate the most relevant behavioural issues, like the
behaviour factor, the failure modes and the effectiveness of the capacity design criteria. Based on the results obtained, a
proposal for the enhancement of design criteria is presented.
Experimental Tests on Steel Buckling Inhibited Shear Panels
Authors: De Matteis Gianfranco , D’Agostino Federica , Brando Giuseppe
Published: February 2015

Passive protection systems based on the use of metal shear panels represent an effective way for achieving a
significant improvement of the seismic response of buildings. Nevertheless, the dissipative capacity of these devices could
be limited by buckling phenomena. In order to reduce the influence of instability, "Buckling Inhibited Shear Panels" have
been recently introduced as an innovative and convenient solution. It is based on the use of steel plated elements able to
restrain out-of-plane displacements of the basic shear plate but without any type of interactions in terms of membrane
strains. In this paper the outcomes of an extensive experimental campaign on the proposed system are shown. The tested
coupons are made of steel and are characterized by two different thicknesses. Moreover, two technologies for the inhibition
of buckling phenomena are examined. The former is able to contain the out-of-plane displacements for the only plate
portions that are most involved in the development of the first critical modes. The latter, with a more complex assemblage
of the parts, is obtained by inhibiting the out-of-plane deformations of the whole system. The results obtained, compared
to the ones given by only steel plates without buckling restraining devices, allow to highlight the increase in terms of energy
dissipation capacity that is possible to achieve through the proposed technologies, also evidencing some critical issues
that can arise when little accuracy in the assembly of the system is spent.
Assessment of Progressive Collapse Capacity of Earthquake-Resistant
Steel Moment Frames Using Pushdown Analysis
Authors: Ferraioli Massimiliano , Maria Avossa Alberto , Mandara Alberto
Published: February 2015

The study investigates the progressive collapse resisting capacity of earthquake-resistant steel moment-resisting
frames subjected to column failure. The aim is to investigate whether these structures are able to resist progressive collapse
after column removal, that may represent a situation where an extreme event may cause a critical column to suddenly
lose its load bearing capacity. Since the response to this abnormal loading condition is most likely to be dynamic
and nonlinear, both nonlinear static and nonlinear dynamic analyses are carried out. The vertical pushover analysis (also
called pushdown) is applied with two different procedures. The first one is the traditional procedure generally accepted in
current guidelines that increases the load incrementally to a specified level after column has been removed. The second
procedure tries to reproduce the timing of progressive collapse and, for this reason, gravity loads are applied to the undamaged
structure before column removal. The load-displacement relationships obtained from pushdown analyses are
compared with the results of incremental nonlinear dynamic analyses. The effect of various design variables, such as
number of stories, number of bays, level of seismic design load, is investigated. The results are eventually used to evaluate
the dynamic amplification factor to be applied in pushdown analysis for a more accurate estimation of the collapse
resistance.
Mapping Methods Metadata for Research Data
Authors: Chao Tiffany
Published: February 2015

Understanding the methods and processes implemented by data producers to generate research data is essential for fostering data reuse. Yet, producing the metadata that describes these methods remains a time-intensive activity that data producers do not readily undertake. In particular, researchers in the long tail of science often lack the financial support or tools for metadata generation, thereby limiting future access and reuse of data produced. The present study investigates research journal publications as a potential source for identifying descriptive metadata about methods for research data. Initial results indicate that journal articles provide rich descriptive content that can be sufficiently mapped to existing metadata standards with methods-related elements, resulting in a mapping of the data production process for a study. This research has implications for enhancing the generation of robust metadata to support the curation of research data for new inquiry and innovation.
Preventable Major Cardiovascular Events Associated With Uncontrolled Glucose, Blood Pressure, and Lipids and Active Smoking in Adults With Diabetes With and Without Cardiovascular Disease: A Contemporary Analysis
Authors: Vazquez-Benitez Gabriela , Desai Jay R. , Xu Stanley , Goodrich Glenn K. , Schroeder Emily B. , Nichols Gregory A. , Segal Jodi , Butler Melissa G. , Karter Andrew J. , Steiner John F. , Newton Katherine M. , Morales Leo S. , Pathak Ram D. , Thomas Abraham , Reynolds Kristi , Kirchner H. Lester , Waitzfelder Beth , Elston Lafata Jennifer , Adibhatla Renuka , Xu Zhiyuan , O’Connor Patrick J.
Published: February 2015

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of major cardiovascular (CV) hospitalization events and all-cause deaths among adults with diabetes with or without CV disease (CVD) associated with inadequately controlled glycated hemoglobin (A1C), high LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), high blood pressure (BP), and current smoking.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Study subjects included 859,617 adults with diabetes enrolled for more than 6 months during 2005–2011 in a network of 11 U.S. integrated health care organizations. Inadequate risk factor control was classified as LDL-C ≥100 mg/dL, A1C ≥7% (53 mmol/mol), BP ≥140/90 mm Hg, or smoking. Major CV events were based on primary hospital discharge diagnoses for myocardial infarction (MI) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS), stroke, or heart failure (HF). Five-year incidence rates, rate ratios, and average attributable fractions were estimated using multivariable Poisson regression models.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) age at baseline was 59 (14) years; 48% of subjects were female, 45% were white, and 31% had CVD. Mean follow-up was 59 months. Event rates per 100 person-years for adults with diabetes and CVD versus those without CVD were 6.0 vs. 1.7 for MI/ACS, 5.3 vs. 1.5 for stroke, 8.4 vs. 1.2 for HF, 18.1 vs. 40 for all CV events, and 23.5 vs. 5.0 for all-cause mortality. The percentages of CV events and deaths associated with inadequate risk factor control were 11% and 3%, respectively, for those with CVD and 34% and 7%, respectively, for those without CVD.

CONCLUSIONS

Additional attention to traditional CV risk factors could yield further substantive reductions in CV events and mortality in adults with diabetes.
A randomized controlled trial of factors influencing fire occurrence during laser surgery of cadaveric rodents under simulated mask anesthesia
Authors: Selleri Paolo , Girolamo Nicola Di
Published: February 2015

Objective—To determine whether face mask fit during anesthesia affects the occurrence of fire episodes during laser surgery in nonintubated cadaveric rodents under volatile anesthesia.

Design—Adaptive single-center randomized controlled trial with an interim analysis.

Sample—100 dead rats intended for animal consumption.

Procedures—Rat carcasses were randomly allocated to undergo simulated anesthetic procedures with 2 face masks: open mask versus tight-fitting mask. Under volatile anesthesia, 4 cutaneous surgeries were performed (skin biopsies at 3 different sites and resection of a pinna) by means of a diode laser on each carcass. A single interim analysis of 50 rats was planned a priori to drop an arm of the study in the case of a highly significant difference in the incidence of fire events. Surgeries would have continued with the other face mask until completion of the study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results—Overall, 25 surgeries were performed with open face masks and 75 with tight-fitting masks. During 400 surgical procedures on 100 rat carcasses, 11 (11%; 95% confidence interval, 5.62% to 18.83%) fire events occurred. Ten fire events occurred with the open masks, and 1 fire event occurred with the tight-fitting masks (relative risk, 30.0; 95% confidence interval, 4.0 to 222.8). All of the fire events occurred on different carcasses when cheek skin biopsy was performed. Procedure time, body weight, and surgeon did not significantly concur in the prediction of fire events.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Modification of open masks by the addition of a latex diaphragm significantly reduced the occurrence of fire ignition during laser surgery. Results suggested that open masks should not be used for laser surgery of nonintubated rodents during volatile anesthesia. Additionally, results indicated that surgical lasers should be avoided for facial surgery of nonintubated anesthetized rodents, even if tight-fitting masks are used. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2015;246:639–644)
Fanon and the Uses of Literature
Authors: Hiddleston Jane
Published: February 2015

This article examines the eclectic use of literature in Fanon's work, not so much in order to upbraid him for his inconsistencies as to understand the dynamic and unsettling force he gives to it and to what end. The article identifies how the very uncertainty of the status of literature testifies to the singular challenge it is able to offer both to racist and colonialist discourse, and to Fanon himself in his creation of a revolutionary polemic.