bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A large outbreak of Salmonella enterica serovar Thompson infections associated with chocolate cake in Busan, Korea
Authors: Eun Youngduck , Jeong Hyesun , Kim Seungjin , Park Wonseo , Ahn Byoungseon , Kim Dongkeun , Kim Eunhee , Park Eunhee , Park Sunhee , Hwang Inyeong , Son Hyunjin
Published: January 2019

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to reveal the epidemiologic characteristics of the outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Thompson in Busan Metropolitan City and to identify points for improvement to prevent of food-borne disease outbreak.METHODS: This was a case-control study. The control group comprised asymptomatic students in the same classes of the cases. The presence or absence of symptoms, ingestion of each food provided by school meal service, and commonly ingested foods in addition to those foods in meal service were investigated. Moreover, specimens collected from rectal swab, preserved foods, and environmental surface were tested.RESULTS: Of the 6,092 subjects, 1,111 (1,083 students, 22 school personnel, and 6 foodservice employees) were included in the case group; this corresponded to an 18.4% attack rate. Symptoms included diarrhea (n=1,051, 94.6%), abdominal pain (n=931, 83.8%), febrile sensation (n=502, 45.2%), and vomiting (n=275, 24.8%). The epidemic curves of each 10 schools were unimodal. Investigation of food intake showed a significantly high odds ratio for chocolate cake in 5 out of the 10 schools. Laboratory test detected Salmonella enterica serovar Thompson both in rectal swab specimens of 9 schools and in collected preserved chocolate cakes of 9 schools. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis test result showed that Salmonella enterica seorvar Thompson isolated from human and foods were the same.CONCLUSIONS: The source of infection for the Salmonella enterica serovar Thompson outbreak in the 10 schools of Busan Metropolitan City is chocolate cake. Traceback investigation for origin of contaminated food in food-borne disease outbreak and safety control during food production should be more enhanced.
Coupled Dynamic Simulation of Two Stage Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) Connecting Rod Using Virtual Dynamics
Authors: Mane Prashant , Pendovski Denis , Sonnen Sebastian , Uhlmann Alexander , Henaux Daniel , Blum Ralf , Sharma Vijay
Published: January 2019

The fuel consumption of combustion engines requires continuous reduction to meet future CO2 fleet targets. The progression of emission legislations shifted the focus on PN and NOX emissions in real world driving scenarios (RDE). Recently, the monitoring of CO emissions puts high load fuel enrichment for component protection into focus and a ban on enrichment is widely expected. Hence, gasoline engine technologies, which enable Lambda 1 operation in the entire engine map are specifically promoted. Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) attacks all these topics already at the combustion process. In addition to the well-known CO2 capability, VCR also enables enlargement of the lambda 1 operation in gasoline engines as well as reduced NOX emissions in diesel engines. The basic principle of developed VCR solution is to change the effective length of the connecting rod (and thereby the compression ratio) in two stages by several millimeters. Basically, the VCR connecting rod consists of a mechanical and hydraulic system which is fed with oil by the connecting rod bearing. All functional elements to realize the variability such as an eccentric, lever, support rods, check valves and shift valve are integrated into the connecting rod. The system works without “external” energy supply but uses mass- and gas forces - acting on the piston pin - to vary its length. In order to analyze and optimize the system dynamics, a highly sophisticated simulation approach based on coupled simulations of the mechanical and the hydraulic subsystem of the VCR connecting rod. The co-simulation is carried out in time domain using the commercial software Virtual Dynamics for the elastic multi body simulations and GT-Suite for 1D fluid simulations. In this article the coupled 3D-multi body simulation/1D-hydraulic co-simulation as used to optimize the VCR connecting rod performance are presented.
Cost Effective BS-VI Solution - A Combined Low Temperature Combustion and Conventional Diesel Combustion Concepts
Authors: Juttu Simhachalam , Gothekar Sanjeev , Marathe Neelkanth V , Harishchandra Walke Nagesh , Dev Subhanker
Published: January 2019

Air pollution in India and also global warming are two major concern in the country. To address this situation, India is moving from BS-IV to BS-VI for on-road applications with 90% reduction in NOx and 50% in PM with limit on particulate number. Also moving to Trem-IV and Trem-V for off-road applications subsequently. It needs higher efficiency after-treatment systems like SCR and DPF to achieve such lower emission levels. Addition of these complex after-treatment system, severely increase the cost of diesel power plant with heavy penalty on fuel economy. Hence, it is challenge to auto industry to reduce the complexity and cost, so that it requires an alternate solution to reduce NOx and PM emissions at source to reduce cost and system complexity. Low Temperature Combustion (LTC) is a potential concept to reduce the NOx and PM emissions simultaneously. LTC concept was experimentally demonstrated on engines of passenger car and light commercial segments, but not much work carried out for heavy duty engines.

The current research work focused on development of LTC concept to reduce both NOx and PM emissions to a required low levels with fuel efficiency improvement so that aftertreatment system cost and complexity will be reduced to a great extent for BS-VI norms. Extensive simulation work carried out in this research for selecting the combustion system including fuel injection system (nozzle configuration, injection pressures and multiple injection), air handling system (air-fuel ratio, EGR%, and swirl) and piston bowl (combustion bowl geometry, compression ratio) suitable to run the engine on both LTC and conventional modes. Engine was built with all modified features and experiments were performed as per BS-VI cycles (WHSC and WHTC).

Experiments carried out over entire engine operating zone with smooth transition between LTC modes in part loads and conventional combustion mode in high load zone. Cycle engine out emissions reduced up to 2.1 g/kWh NOx and ~0.03 g/kWh PM with ~5% overall cycle BSFC improvement in steady state WHSC cycle. Encouraging results have been achieved on transient WHTC cycle also. The lowest BSFC noticed during experiments was close to 191 g/kWh at optimized engine out NOx levels. Utmost important is reduced engine out emissions and improved fuel economy which reduces after-treatment system cost & complexity, operating, maintenance cost and improved field performance with increased regeneration intervals. This result in lower urea and fuel consumption. In summary, LTC is a cost effective solution for BS-VI.
Progress of Direct Injection and Jet Ignition in Throttle-Controlled Engines
Authors: Boretti Alberto
Published: January 2019

Direct injection and jet ignition is becoming popular in electrically assisted, turbocharged, F1 engines because of the pressure to reduce fuel consumption. Operation from homogeneous stoichiometric up to lean of stoichiometry stratified about λ = 1.5, occurs with fast combustion of reduced cyclic variability thanks to the enhanced ignition by multiple jets of hot, partially reacting products travelling through the combustion chamber. The fuel consumption has thus been drastically reduced in an engine that is, however, still mostly throttle controlled. The aim of the present paper is to show the advantages of direct injection and jet ignition based on model simulations of the operation of a high-performance throttle-controlled engine featuring rotary valves.
An Approach towards Design of Plastic Fuel Rail for Automotive Application
Authors: Sureshkumar Jayanthamani , Sivanantham Ramalingam , Natchimuthu Karthikeyan , Muthalagu Anbazhagan
Published: January 2019

As India has decided to move to BS VI emission regulation by 2020, all original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and Tier 1 suppliers are working towards achieving the goal. Overall reduction in CO2 reduction can be achieved through power to weight reduction of various power train components. In a conventional Multi Point Fuel Injection (MPFI) engine, a fuel rail or delivery pipe is mounted on the intake manifold or cylinder head, which delivers fuel to inlet port at a fuel pressure of 350 kPa to 400 kPa through fuel injectors.

In today’s automotive industry most of the fuel rail components are made through PDC process of aluminium because of its ease of availability and machinability. Therefore, several studies have focused on alternate materials like sheet metal and plastic by reducing the weight of the fuel rail. Sheet metal fuel rails can also be made with significant weight reduction. However, their manufacturing processes are complex. However, with plastic fuel rail, it can naturally dampen the fuel pressure fluctuations. Hence, a separate pressure pulsation dampener is not required as in the case of aluminium material fuel rail.

In this work, a detailed study is done with plastic fuel rail concept. For proper sealing to withstand high fuel pressures, different joint types and energy directors are studied and evaluated to arrive at optimum design. The final sealing thus arrived can withstand a burst pressure of 2000 kPa. Finally, this study has resulted in reduction of weight by 2/3rd and cost by 50% meeting the performance and durability test requirements.
Design and Performance Specifications for a Generic Buck Representing a Small Family Car Used in the Assessment of Pedestrian Dummy Whole Body Impact Response
Authors:   Human Biomechanics and Simulations Standards Committee
Published: January 2019

This Information Report addresses the design and performance specifications for a generic buck to be used in full-scale vehicle to pedestrian tests conducted to evaluate pedestrian dummy performance. Specifically, the buck is designed to mimic the impact response of the front end of a sedan within the small family car class during a collision with a pedestrian. The goal is to develop a generic buck with simplified geometry and a limited number of components made of clearly defined and readily available engineering materials to facilitate fabrication and reproducibility. To ensure performance of the buck, it is specified that the buck mimics the maximum crush distance, absorbed energy, and maximum force corresponding to a sedan within the small family car class during a pedestrian impact. The design and performance specifications provided in this document focus on: (1) the design specifications describing the materials and geometry of the generic buck and (2) the specific certification tests that are required to ensure that any fabricated buck meets the necessary design specifications.
Performance and Emission Study on Diesel Engine using Waste Cooking Oil with Methanol as Additive
Authors: RaajKumar R.A. , Sriram S. , DivakarShetty A.S. , Koundinya Sandeep
Published: January 2019

As the years are passing by, the number of vehicles used for transportation is increasing. Due to this the environment is degrading and also the fossil fuels are depleting. This paper presents the performance and emission study on diesel engine using waste cooking oil with methanol as additive in various proportions. The properties such as the flash point, fire point, kinematic viscosity and the calorific values of the blends with and without additive are determined. Then all the biodiesel blends are used as fuel separately in the diesel engine. The engine performance as well as emission characteristics have been determined and compared at different blends. The blends with additive showed better properties and reduction in emission characteristics compared to diesel. The emission of CO is decreasing with increasing waste cooking oil and methanol quantity in the blends. Fuel consumption was more for the higher percentage blends with respect to increasing brake power. The emission of un-burnt hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen are reduced significantly with addition of methanol to fuel mixture due to higher oxygen and heat of vaporization.
Comparison of Natural Convection Heat Transfer from a Vertical Cylinder Fitted with Annular Step Fins and Annular Triangular Fins
Authors: Verma Shubham , Thakur Harishchandra
Published: January 2019

Natural convection heat transfer from a vertical cylinder with annular step and triangular fins has been studied numerically at various Rayleigh numbers within the laminar range. The computations were carried at constant fin spacing to tube diameter ratio of 1. In the current study, numerical simulations of Navier-Stokes equation supported with the energy equation are conducted for a vertical cylinder with annular step fins as well as triangular annular fins using the algebraic multi-grid solver of Fluent 15. With an increase in Rayleigh number, weâ€™ve discovered a trend that the surface Nusselt number goes on increasing with comparison from a simple rectangular fin. Apart from this, the material needed for the step and triangular fins has been reduced with enhancements in the heat transfers.
Effect of Length Ratio on Heat Exchange Rate by a Triangular Heat Generating Conductive Body Inside an Enclosure
Authors: Ahmad Mohammad , Thakur Harish Chandra
Published: January 2019

This paper presents a numerical analysis of the conjugate heat exchange inside a square enclosure full of a copper-water nanofluid. The enclosure also contains a heat-generating solid triangular block (a source of heat) at the center. While the horizontal walls of the enclosure are viewed as adiabatic, its perpendicular walls are operated at a consistently low temperature. The second order upwind scheme is used for the convective term and SIMPLE algorithm, to lead the numerical analysis and solve the discrete equations using the commercial software FLUENT 15.0. The consequences of the numerical investigations are then used to clear up the effect of length-ratio and transfer of heat. As per observations, the expansion in the length-ratio influences the rate of heat transfer.
Research methodology for novelty technology
Authors: Lai PC
Published: January 2019

This paper contributes to the existing literature by reviewing the research methodology and the literature review with the focus on potential applications for the novelty technology of the single platform E-payment. These included, but were not restricted to the subjects, population, sample size requirement, data collection method and measurement of variables, pilot study and statistical techniques for data analysis. The reviews will shed some light and potential applications for future researchers, students and others to conceptualize, operationalize and analyze the underlying research methodology to assist in the development of their research methodology.
Kawasaki disease: a comprehensive review
Authors: Ramphul Kamleshun , Mejias Stephanie Gonzalez
Published: January 2019

Kawasaki disease is an acute systemic vasculitis that was first reported in 1961. Over the last 5 decades multiple papers have been published to further understand this disease. The diagnosis of Kawasaki disease is made based on the clinical findings. Atypical Kawasaki disease includes patients who do not meet all the criteria for diagnosis. The main complication of Kawasaki disease is coronary aneurysm, and the treatment is intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin. A second dose of immunoglobulin is given if the patient does not improve, and several other treatment options have been proposed over the last few years as second and third line options.
The effects of three regimens of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) supplementation on vitamin D deficiency in non-obese and obese females
Authors: Imga Narin Nasiroglu , Berker Dilek , Can Bulent , Guler Serdar
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Vitamin D deficiency is a common health problem worldwide and tends to be a risk factor for all-cause mortality. We evaluated the effect of continuous low-dose oral daily and loading dose of oral weekly and loading monthly intramuscular (IM) vitamin D3 regimens on circulating levels of total 25(OH)D and in vitamin D deficient females, and between non-obese and obese subgroups.

Material and methods

A total of 231 vitamin D deficient females were included to the study. According to treatment regimen, patients were divided into three groups: daily continuous oral, loading dose of weekly oral and monthly intramuscular. All patients in treatment groups were divided into non-obese (105) and obese (126) groups. Serum 25(OH)D and parathormone (PTH) levels were evaluated at baseline and at the third and sixth month.

Results

In obese patients oral weekly loading regimen and in non-obese patients oral daily continuous regimens were found to be more potent. Baseline PTH levels decreased when compared with the third and sixth months (p < 0.001), but between the third and sixth months it was not changed (p = 0.783).

Conclusions

Oral daily regimen in non-obese patients and loading weekly oral regimen in obese patients were more effective in achieving the target levels of 25(OH)D concentration above 30 ng/ml and provided a stable plasma vitamin D concentration over a long period of time.
The role of diagnostic cardiac catheterization for children with congenital heart diseases: local experience
Authors: Wagdy Reham
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Despite the development of non-invasive tools of investigations for congenital heart diseases (CHDs), still the role of diagnostic cardiac catheterization (DCC) cannot be undermined. The study aimed to analyze the clinical profile of indicated CHDs cases at our center for DCC to evaluate the contribution of DCC in patients’ management plans.

Material and methods

The study checked files of cases performed DCC between 2011 and 2012 at the pediatric catheterization unit of Alexandria University Children’s Hospital by the same operator. Demographic, laboratory and hemodynamic data were collected and analyzed.

Results

Files of 61 children were included in the study. They were grouped into: group I (GI) (n = 25) with pulmonary hypertension (PH), and group II (GII) (n = 36) cases with obstructive pulmonary artery diseases. For the PH group, ventricular septal defect (VSD) was the most common (55%), and patients’ outcome plans were based on angiography – operable subgroup GI-A: (84%) (n = 21) and non-operable (16%) GI-B: (4% inoperable, 12% recommended for sildenafil). GI-B cases were significantly older, with higher PVRI and PVRI/SVRI (3.62, 0.68, p = 0.002) compared to GI-A (0.89, 0.23, p = 0.002, respectively). For group II, tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) was predominant (60%) among the disease spectrum, and the McGoon ratio ranged from 0.7 to 3.2 (median: 1.8). Outcome for GII: 63% operable, 25% shunt, 12% stent. Only pulmonary atresia cases showed a significant difference in the unmatched plans between echocardiography and catheterization reports (χ2 = 7.438, p = 0.023).

Conclusions

Diagnostic cardiac catheterization had a positive contribution for determination of the management plans for more than 84% of cases. The utility of pediatric cardiac catheterization in diagnosis should be adjusted according to the local needs of every cardiac center.
Effects of a nutraceutical combination of fermented
red rice, liposomal berberine, and curcumin on lipid and inflammatory parameters in patients with
mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia: an 8-week, open-label, single-arm pilot study
Authors: Biagi Marco , Minoretti Piercarlo , Bertona Marco , Emanuele Enzo
Published: January 2019

Introduction

The present open-label, single-arm pilot study sought to evaluate the effects of a nutraceutical combination containing fermented red rice, liposomal berberine, and curcumin on lipid and inflammatory parameters in patients with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia.

Material and methods

Forty patients with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia received the nutraceutical combination containing fermented red rice, liposomal berberine, and curcumin, once a day for 8 weeks. The study outcomes included changes from baseline in lipid (total cholesterol (TC), low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG)) and inflammatory parameters (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-)).

Results

Compared with baseline, the nutraceutical combination produced a statistically significant reduction of TC (–20.4%, p < 0.05), LDL-C (–27.6%, p < 0.05), oxLDL (–23.2%, p < 0.05), and TG (–17.9%, p < 0.05). We also observed a reduction from baseline for hs-CRP (–15.4%, p < 0.05) and TNF- (–14.3%, p < 0.05). The treatment was well tolerated and none of the patients discontinued treatment due to adverse effects. No cases of myalgia or musculoskeletal system disorders were observed.

Conclusions

The nutraceutical combination of fermented red rice, liposomal berberine, and curcumin improves lipid profile and reduces markers of inflammation in low-risk dyslipidemic patients, with potential implications for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Association of ficolin-2 (FCN2) functional polymorphisms and protein levels with rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease: relationship with cardiac function
Authors: Elshamaa Manal F. , Hamza Hala , El Rahman Naglaa Abd , Emam Soha , Elghoroury Eman A. , Farid Tarek M. , Zaher Asmaa Zakareya , Ibrahim Mona H. , Kamel Solaf , El-Aziz Doaa Abd
Published: January 2019

Introduction

A role for ficolin (FCN) 2 gene polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of recurrent severe streptococcal infections and rheumatic carditis has been suggested. The aim of the study was to evaluate a possible relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms located at positions -602 and -4 of the FCN2 gene and FCN2 serum levels and risk of development of rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

Material and methods

Seventy-seven Caucasian Egyptian patients with RF were recruited with a control group of 43 healthy subjects. DNA was extracted for analysis of the FCN2 gene at positions -602 and -4 and serum protein level was measured by ELISA.

Results

FCN2 AA genotype at the -4 position was more frequently observed in RF and RHD patients, as compared to healthy subjects (p = 0.005 and p = 0.013, respectively); furthermore, the A allele was identified as a possible risk factor for the development of RF (p = 0.023, OR = 1.852, 95% CI: 1.085–3.159). The haplotype –602/–4 G/A, which was associated with low median levels of L-ficolin, was observed more frequently in the RF group when compared to the healthy subjects (74/162, 48.1% vs. 29/420, 33.7%, OR = 1.834, 95% CI: 1·034–3.252, p = 0·038). Low serum ficolin 2 level was associated with ESV and EDV increases. FCN 2 level was significantly lower with AA genotypes than GG+AG genotypes of the -4 position (56.68 ±17.90 vs. 66.05 ±18.79, p = 0.008).

Conclusions

Polymorphisms linked to low levels of L-ficolin may render an individual at risk of recurrent and/or severe streptococcal infection. The -4 AA genotype and -602/-4 G/A haplotype are possible risk factors for the development of carditis.
The role of substance P in cancer promotion
and progression
Authors: S. Alsayad Fatima A.
Published: January 2019

Cancer is a chronic global problem, and is the leading cause of mortality in Australia. Metastasis is a key characteristic of malignant tumors, enabling the cancer cells to move from their primary site to a secondary location. This process of translocation of cancer cells and transmigration through the blood vessels is similar to what is seen with immune cells during the inflammatory process. Substance P (SP) is known to be a significant mediator in the development and progression of inflammation, and it has been suggested that it may play a similar role in relation to metastatic tumor development via tachykinin NK1 and NK2 receptors. Therefore, the development of antagonist molecules for the NK1 receptor presents an important opportunity for exploiting these molecules as novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer.
Performing developmental tasks in emerging adults with childhood parentification – insights from literature
Authors: Borchet Judyta , Lewandowska-Walter Aleksandra , Rostowska Teresa
Published: January 2019

Parentification is the process of role reversal between the child and the parent, whereby the child provides support and acts as the caregiver for the parent, instead of being supported and taken care of. The phenomenon of parentification may afflict families at diverse stages of development, including those before as well as after the phase of empty nest.

Parentification may then pertain a threat to the development of a young person by impeding or preventing him or her from fulfilling developmental tasks. Furthermore, it can be a distracting factor in his/her future role as a partner, parent, or employee. The purpose of this review is to examine the current literature concerning the effects of retrospective parentification on young adults’ difficulties in performing developmental tasks and roles.
Fluctuations of mentalization in the context of relational stimuli and representational contents
Authors: Górska Dominika
Published: January 2019

Background

Mentalization as the ability to interpret human behavior in terms of mental states is not a stable characteristic but is subject to fluctuation depending on the context. Nonlinear system theories explain the fluctuation of mentalization by stressing the context of the relationship in which there emerges a new quality of mentalization and/or activation of elements of the internal system of representations.

Participants and procedure

The aim of the study was to test whether the fluctuation of mentalization depends on the type of relational stimulus (imagining the responsiveness/unresponsiveness of a significant other) or on the interaction of the stimulus with the content aspects of representation (a predominance of relatedness/sociotropy or a predominance of self-definition/autonomy). The investigators collected the utterances of 49 students about a situation involving a significant other, which was preceded by a request to imagine that this person was responsive (Condition 1) or unresponsive (Condition 2). The level of mentalization was assessed by means of the Metacognition Assessment Scale. The investigators divided the group into two subgroups with different configu­rations of representational contents (a predominance of relatedness/sociotropy or self-definition/autonomy) bas­ed on the scores in the Personal Style Inventory.

Results

Mentalization fluctuations dependent on the interaction of the stimulus and representational contents were observed in the group with a predominance of sociotropic contents for interpersonal mentalization but not for self-reflective mentalizing.

Conclusions

Mentalization must not be decontextualized; however, it is not the stimulus alone but the interaction of the stimulus with representational content that determines the fluctuations of mentalization. Individuals with a predominance of relatedness experience a decline in the capacity for interpersonal mentalization after imagining a significant other’s unresponsiveness, which can be interpreted as resulting from a weakening of the function of differentiating.
Affordable Housing Crisis or Shortage?: Reconciling Legal Scholarship with Free Market Solutions Over the Use of Eminent Domain for Economic Development
Authors: Cosgrove Anthony W.
Published: January 2019

Throughout the United States, low-income families are having an increasingly difficult time finding an affordable place to live.[1] Due to high rents, static incomes, and a shortage of housing, local communities, particularly in urban areas, are struggling to fight off this wave of decline and displacement.[2] Currently in the U.S., an estimated 12 million families are now spending more than half of their income on rent.[3] According to Federal Guidelines, “[f]amilies who pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing are considered cost burdened and may have difficulty affording necessities such as food, clothing, transportation, and medical care.”[4]A large reason for this overspending by low-income families is that the supply of affordable housing is shrinking.[5] Landlords and tenants both are adding to the affordable housing problem as “all sides are being squeezed.”[6] Today, most new construction on rental housing is for the high-end market, “not for low and middle-income families.”[7] So while the problem is clear, the cause of the problem is anything but.This note seeks a better understanding of the current housing problems plaguing local communities around the United States. Whether it is attributable to a crisis of societal construction or a shortage in the supply of affordable housing, this note attempts to reconcile current legal scholarship on local government initiatives, and economic free market solutions to lower barriers.
Trello
Authors: Johnson Heather A.
Published: January 2019

Trello, a cloud-based tool that uses the Kanban method of project management. With Trello, users can visually organize projects into boards, divide projects into groups, and subdivide groups into tasks.
Student Self-Assessment in Higher Education: The International Experience and the Greek Example
Authors: Papanthymou Anastasia , Darra Maria
Published: January 2019

This study is a review of 34 empirical studies internationally and in Greece from 2008-2018 and aims at investigating:a. the implementation of student self-assessment in Higher education and the outcomes on students, b. the ability ofstudents to self-assess accurately and the factors that affect this ability. According to the main findings, self-assessmentis implemented through various ways that include inter alia electronic and non-electronic self-assessment tools.Internationally, most studies have examined and proved the contribution of student self-assessment to improvement ofperformance and learning. Moreover, self-assessment develops self-regulating learning, increases self-confidence,motivates students to ask guidance from their professors and help from their peers, increases self-efficacy, students’awareness of self-assessment ability and self-control, makes students change attitudes towards course, preparesemployability skills of students, reduces anxiety for assessment, increases students’ responsibility about theirlearning, makes them have a critical view on their work and develops critical thinking skills. In Greece, it was foundonly one study that examined the implementation of student self-assessment in Higher education and its impact onstudents and findings indicate that self-assessment through a quiz improves performance, self-regulation, motivatesstudents to try more and helps them identify gaps in their learning. Student self-assessment ability and factors thataffect this ability have been examined only internationally, so in Greece there is a research gap concerning theseparameters. Tertiary students can self-assess accurately and this ability depends on specific factors such asconfidence, prior achievement, learning style, scaffolding from professors, training, dialogical interaction anddynamic assessment.
Ideal Japanese Class for Taiwanese High School Students: A Gender Comparison
Authors: Sasi Abolfazl Shirban , Haga Toshinari
Published: January 2019

Learning Japanese has become very common amongst Taiwanese high school and university students, ranking thesecond most sought for language. A concise study of the likeable activities in a typical language class for theTaiwanese students seems to be quite useful. Therefore, the present study has concentrated on the senior high schoolstudents’ opinion about the ideal Japanese class. Subjects in this research were 478 students (181 boys, and 297 girls)in nine private schools in three counties. The instrument was a 10-item multiple-choice Chinese questionnaire basedon Littlewood (2010). The findings illustrated that females and males had similar opinions concerning thecommunicative language activities in an ideal Japanese class. They revealed much more differences related tonon-communicative activities, though. Moreover, both boys and girls displayed the highest interest in a relaxed classatmosphere, and the lowest interest in the usage of smartphones in the activities in the class.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Canada and Reproductive Justice Organizations’ Responses
Authors: Li Haiqi
Published: January 2019

The spread of crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) has become an alarming issue in the fields of public health and reproductive justice (RJ) as they impede women’s fully-informed decisions and threaten women’s reproductive autonomy. However, most existing scholarship has only focused on CPCs within the United States; hardly any literature has been devoted to anti-CPC activism. This study contributes to addressing these gaps by adopting a mixed method. The paper first reviews the status quo of U.S. and Canadian CPCs through the existing literature to contextualize my investigation. Then it explores the establishment of individual Canadian CPCs to evaluate whether they are gaining more influence. It also analyzes the presence and absence of information on Canadian anti-CPC activism in the social media of RJ organizations. Finally, it examines the interviews I conducted with Canadian RJ activists to identify the ongoing anti-CPC activism and why some groups do not regard it central to their agenda. Results of this research reveal that CPCs have been continuously expanding in Canada during the past 35 years. Despite realizing their threat, most Canadian RJ groups do not focus their activism on CPCs and instead, concern themselves more with such issues as abortion access owing to their political engagement restriction, as well as their viewpoint that variation among Canadian CPCs and the Canadian liberal political context lessen CPCs’ overall threat. The limited ongoing activism includes lobbying for halting funding for CPCs, revoking their charitable statuses, banning their advertisements, and removing their biased sex education from public schools.
Improvement of Cymbopogon flexuosus Biomass and Essential Oil Production With Organic Manures
Authors: Lopes Vauvenargues , Bertolucci Suzan Kelly Vilela , Carvalho Alexandre Alves de , Roza Heitor Luiz Heiderich , Figueiredo Felipe Campos , Pinto José Eduardo Brasil Pereira
Published: January 2019

Cymbopogon flexuosus is a medicinal species with relevant commercial value and widely used in flavors, fragrances, toiletries, cosmetics, soaps, detergents, and pharmaceutical products. The objective of this study was evaluate the effects of different doses and sources of two manures and one compost on plant growth, leaf nutrient accumulation, content, yield, and chemical composition of the essential oil. The sources were cattle manure, quail manure, and organic compost applied in four doses and control treatment. The species increased the growth and productions of secondary metabolites by use the manures and organic compost. The highest weight gain was obtained with fertilization between 300 and 450 g pot-1 of quail manure, but the yield of essential oil in the doses from 150 to 300 g pot-1. Overall, lemon grass plants fertilized with quail manure accumulated greater concentrations of nutrients in leaf tissue than cattle manure and compost. The neral content in the essential oil was increased with the use of quail manure compared to compost and cattle manure. The results from this study demonstrated that dose and source can alter dry weight, leaf nutrients accumulation, and essential oil content and yield.
Influence of Bt Maize on Diversity and Composition of Non-target Arthropod Species
Authors: Sousa Maria Freire de , Fernandes Marcos Gino , Guimarães Anderson José da Silva
Published: January 2019

Non-target arthropods may be affected by toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) expressed in transgenic maize. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible impacts of Bt maize on the diversity and the composition of non-target arthropod species by analyzing one field cultivated with conventional maize (no expressing transgenic protein) and three fields cultivated with transgenic maize (expressing Bt proteins). In each field was sampled 50 entirely plants for the number of arthropod specimens and registred the degree of injury caused by the chewing insects. A total of 2.525 specimens of arthropods, comprising 29 species from 25 families, were recorded on 3.000 sampled plants. The most diverse family belonged to the order Hemiptera. Based on Shannon and Simpson indexes, the Bt-transgenic cultivar EXP3320YG had lower level of non-target arthropod diversity than other cultivars. From this study, it is clear that the diversity of non-target arthropods on maize crop is negatively affected by Cry1Ab protein, while the Cry1A105+Cry2Ab2+Cry1F proteins, and Cry1A105+Cry2Ab2+Cry3Bb1 proteins do not have any effect on arthropod species diversity and composition.
Performance Assessment of a Variable-Rate Fertilizer Applicator
Authors: Sui Ruixiu
Published: January 2019

The objective of this study was to test the performance of a Field-IQ sprayer control system which was interfaced with a John Deere liquid fertilizer applicator. The sprayer control system includes Case IH FM-1000 display integrated with DGPS, Field-IQ spray control with full harness, flowmeter and auto-range valve, and the pump. Tap water was used to simulate the UAN 32% nitrogen fertilizer solution in the test. A total of 120 samples from 8 rows of the applicator in 5 application rates (34, 67, 101, 135, and 168 kg/ha) were collected, and the data were analyzed for application uniformity and application rate accuracy of the system. Results showed the greatest variation from the application rate baseline among the rows was 10.1% and occurred at a swath-end row with the lowest application rate of 34 kg/ha. The rows in the middle section of the swath had the lower variation than the rows at the two swath-ends. The application uniformity increased as the application rate increased. The absolute error of application rate ranged from 1.3% to 6.5% with an average of 3.76%. There was no significant difference between the selected application rate and actual application rate (p > 0.8686).
Quality No-tillage System: The Importance of the Use of Cover Species in Reducing Compaction and Soil and Water Losses Due to Erosion
Authors: Villa Bruna de , Secco Deonir , Tokura Luciene Kazue , Marins Aracéli Ciotti de , Chang Pablo , Roehrs Simone Andreia , Ferreira Bruno Borges , Silveira Lucas da , Schmidt Matheus , Borgmann Claudia , Ganascini Diandra , Gongora Vitória Regina Morello , Nascimento Laís Fernanda Juchem do
Published: January 2019

Water and soil losses due to surface runoff depend on rainfall intensity and periods, vegetation cover, slope, and ramp length, in addition to conservation practices. The implementation of a quality planting system for the effective control of erosion while avoiding the disintegration of the soil structure by the direct impact of dropping is of paramount importance. Nevertheless, the current no-tillage system has led to the emergence of compacted layers in the soil, which reduce water infiltration, favoring surface runoff. Thus, it is necessary to optimize the use of soil cover species, aiming at reducing compaction and, subsequently, losses of water and soil that flow superficially. The purpose of this study is to highlight the importance of using a quality management system to reduce soil and water losses due to erosion caused by compaction. Furthermore, it is hoped that the study may contribute to the guidance of the best use and management of the soil for farmers.
Row Arrangements of Maize and Soybean Intercrop on Silage Quality and Grain Yield
Authors: Batista Vanderson Vieira , Adami Paulo Fernando , Moraes Pedro Valério Dutra de , Oligini Karine Fuschter , Giacomel Cleverson Luiz , Link Lucas
Published: January 2019

The success of maize + soybean intercrop depends on the plant arrangement. An experiment was carried out to evaluate different row arrangements on intercrop forage yield, silage quality and maize grain yield in relation to maize as a sole crop. The experiment was set up with a randomized complete block design with eight row arrangements between maize and Soybean. Maize biomass yield among crop arrangements were similar, although, lower than the maize sole crop. On the other hand, these treatments showed higher soybean biomass yield, which in turn increased silage crude protein and crude protein yield per unit area. Maize thousand grain weight, grain yield per plant and per area was affected by the intercrop arrangements. The use of two corn rows + two soybean rows (2M+2S-30 cm) and four corn rows + four soybean rows (4M+4S-30 cm) showed higher crude protein yield per area associated with similar maize grain yield in relation to the sole maize crop. In conclusion, alternating four maize rows with four soybean rows was the optimum row ratio in maize + soybean intercrop, though this needs to be further confirmed by more trials.
CFD Analysis of Different Aeration Ducts on Temperature and Airflow in Stored Maize
Authors: Araujo Marcos E. V. , Barbosa Eloiny G. , Martins Marcio A. , Corrêa Paulo C. , Barbosa Elisa G. , Araújo Rodrigo S. L. , Gomes Felipe A.
Published: January 2019

The conditions of temperature and airflow distribution in the mass of stored grains are highly influenced by the configuration of the aeration ducts. However, silos are large structures, and the physical experiments on them become expensive and slow. Thus, this study aimed model and evaluate the temperature and airflow distribution in a maize mass, stored in a metal silo with different geometries of aeration ducts, using CFD (computational fluid dynamic). CFD was used to model and evaluate aeration ducts of square, ring, double bar and single bar shape. The proposed model was validated from experimental data. The airflow distribution and temperature in the grain mass were analyzed at different points. The ducts of a square and a ring shape showed better distributions of airflow in the grain mass, with averages of 0.00236 m s-1 and 0.00275 m s-1, respectively. The square shape aeration duct, presented better temperature values in the middle layer of the grain mass during aeration, with average 25.09 °C. CFD can be used in decision making for the best design of a silo, saving financial resources and time, as long as the parameters used in the simulation are reliable and represent the reality.
Attempts to Identify Cassava Brown Streak Virus in Western Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Zeyimo Bakelana , Eric Magembe , Boykin Laura , Macharia Mercy , Nzola Mahungu , Hangy Tata , Diankenda Lutete , Godefroid Monde , Harvey Jagger , Ndunguru Joseph , Kayuki Charles , Pita Justin , Munseki Lema , Kanana Tshilenge
Published: January 2019

Root necrosis similar to those of the cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) were observed on cassava in western provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR.Congo) in the early 2000’s. However molecular laboratory diagnosis were not able to detect any causative agent responsible for the attacks, hence, the disease related to these symptoms was named CBSD-like disease.

In order to assess the distribution and the incidence of the CBSD-like disease, surveys were carried out in four western provinces, comprising, Kwango and Kwilu, Sud Ubangi, Kinshasa and Kongo Central. CBSD-like disease was observed in all surveyed provinces on the basis of root symptoms because foliar symptoms were different to those of the documented cases of CBSD in other parts of east Africa. CBSD-like disease incidence was high in Kongo Central and Sud Ubangi, exceeding an average of 50 %, but low in Kwango and Kwilu (32.8%) and in Kinshasa (19.1%).

During the surveys, cassava leaf samples were collected for lab identification of the causal agent. PCR diagnosis was done on these samples using primers specific for the two known CBSVs. All samples tested negative with no amplification of DNA fragments of the correct size.  Thus, further analysis on the causative organism is needed using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) approaches. NGS approaches will help also to identify the causative organism in other Central Africa countries (Angola, Congo-Brazzaville and Gabon) where such cassava root necrosis have been reported or are suspected.
Saline Water, Pit Coating and Calcium Fertilization on Chlorophyll, Fluorescence, Gas Exchange and Production in Passion Fruit
Authors: Bezerra Marlene A. F. , Cavalcante Lourival F. , Bezerra Francisco T. C. , Silva Aldeir R. , Oliveira Flaviano F. , Medeiros Sherly A. S.
Published: January 2019

In plants sensitive to salinity, such as passion fruit, irrigation with saline water can cause physiological disturbances and reduce fruit production, necessitating the use of cultural practices that mitigate saline stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of water salinity, pit coating with high-strength polyethylene film, and calcium fertilization on the physiological and productive aspects of passion fruit ‘BRS Gigante Amarelo’. The treatments were arranged in split plot in the scheme 2WS × (2LP × 5DC), corresponding to water salinity (0.3 and 4.0 dS m-1) as the main plot, side coating of pits (without and with) doses of calcium (0; 30; 60; 90 and 120 kg ha-1). During the flowering phase, we evaluated leaf chlorophyll indices, fluorescence kinetics, and gas exchange. The increase in calcium doses up to 60 kg ha-1 increased leaf chlorophyll and quantum efficiency. The stomata did not restrict gas exchange, but salinity resulted in reduced net photosynthesis and plant production. The lateral coating of the pits intensified the reduction in salinity-promoted production, while calcium mitigated the effects of the salts. Entisol cultivated with passion fruit should not be irrigated with saline water of 4.0 dS m-1; lateral pit coating is not advised. In an Entisol with an initial calcium level of 1.92 cmolc dm-3, the recommended application dose is 60 kg ha-1 for passion fruit cultivation.
Nitrogen Application in Arugula Culture
Authors: Benett Katiane Santiago Silva , Xavier Ricardo Caldas , Benett Cleiton Gredson Sabin , Salomão Leandro Caixeta , Seleguini Alexsander , Cantuario Fernando Soares de , Martins Anne Silva
Published: January 2019

Vegetable development and productivity are influenced by several factors, including the nutrient amounts available. Providing adequate nitrogen favours vegetative growth and promotes increased productivity, in addition to providing greater succulence and improving leaf quality. This work evaluated the effect of nitrogen doses and sources on arugula culture development and productivity. The experiment was conducted on the experimental farm at the State University of Goiás, Ipameri campus, in the municipality of Ipameri, Goiás state (GO). The experiment used a 2 × 5 factorial randomized complete block design, with two sources (normal urea and coated urea), five nitrogen doses (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg ha-1 of N) and four replicates. Plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, fresh shoot matter, dry shoot matter and productivity were evaluated. The results obtained here suggest that nitrogen sources do not influence arugula culture development, but nitrogen doses influence the arugula culture’s productive characteristics.
Continuous random variables with Hadamard fractional integral
Authors: Melha Khellaf Ould , Chinchane Vaijanath Laxmanrao
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we establish some new inequalities of expectation and variance of continuous random variables by using the Hadamard fractional integral operator.
New f-divergnce and Jensen-Ostrowsk's type inequalities
Authors: Saraswat Ram Naresh , Tak Ajay
Published: January 2019

In this paper we derive new information inequalities of Jensen-Ostrowski type, by considering two Jensen-Ostrowski type inequalities, new $f$-divergence and\\ Chi-divergences. The special cases of these information inequalities are established as applications of new $f$-divergence and its particular instances.