bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finite-Time Stabilization of Homogeneous Non-Lipschitz Systems
Authors: Khelil Nawel , Otis Martin J.-D.
Published: August 2016

This paper focuses on the problem of finite-time stabilization of homogeneous, non-Lipschitz systems with dilations. A key contribution of this paper is the design of a virtual recursive Hölder, non-Lipschitz state feedback which renders the non-Lipschitz systems in the special case dominated by a lower-triangular nonlinear system, finite-time stable. The proof is based on a recursive design algorithm developed recently, to construct the virtual Hölder continuous, finite-time stabilizer as well as a C1 positive definite and proper Lyapunov function that guarantees finite-time stability of the non-Lipschitz non-linear systems.
Dark Side of Molecular Techniques: How to Fix It ?
Authors: Bhardwaj Vikash
Published: August 2016

Many fundamental molecular techniques (PCR, Microarray, Southern and northern hybridization, siRNA, CRISPR/Cas9 etc.) developed so far shows errors. I wish to highlight these molecular techniques are developed on basis of Watson-Crick DNA model, ignoring the concept of parallel stranded DNA. Through this opinion article, I wish to highlight specificity and accuracy of these molecular techniques can be enhanced by considering both parallel and anti parallel hybridization of DNA. Hopefully my views will also solve issue of irreproducibility in life science research.
Influence of Attitudes in Learning Foreign Languages among Students of Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI)
Authors: Haji Mohd Nor Mariyati , Yusuf Robe'ah , Md. Salleh Norhana
Published: August 2016

The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes of students in learning foreign languages, namely Spanish, German and Japanese at Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI). This study measured the attitudes through the aspects of interest, motivation and perception of students on the basis of Socio-Educational Model presented by Gardner (1985). The methodologies used in the study were quantitative and qualitative. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data of the study. A total of 90 respondents involved in this study comprising of 30 Spanish, 30 German and 30 Japanese language students. The overall results showed positive attitudes, interest and perceptions among respondents towards learning process of all the three languages. The study found out that interest of students to attend foreign languages courses was influenced by the internal factors like preferences, interests and enjoyment in learning foreign languages. In addition, integrative and instrumental factors also influenced the attitudes of the students. The study showed that there were no comparison of views on learning foreign languages among female and male students, and races but there were significant differences based on gender and race in the aspect of attitudes, interest and students' perceptions towards the language learned. Female students were more positive with high interest and good perceptions towards learning foreign languages. In the aspect of race, Chinese students were more positive and integrative-oriented in learning Japanese language. This was due to many similarities between Japanese language and their mother tongue. Indian students were more positive in learning European languages such as Spanish and German due to the second language factor as the languages have similarities with English language. Malay students were positive towards all the three languages as they were influenced by the instrumental factor. They wanted to learn foreign languages for their future benefits. The findings also clearly proved that interest, motivation, perception, instrumental and integrative factors played important roles in the learning process and influence the students' attitude to learn Spanish, German and Japanese. In conclusion, UPSI students have positive attitudes towards foreign language that is being learned and they are showing interest, motivation and positive perceptions.
RACE AND SOCIAL CLASS IN MOROCCAN ELT TEXTBOOKS
Authors: Ait Bouzid Hassan
Published: August 2016

This paper investigates the representation of race and social class in three second year Baccalaureate ELT textbooks currently used in Moroccan public high school. The study hopes to draw the attention of teachers, textbook designers and educational policy makers to the viability of textbook evaluation in improving the quality of Moroccan ELT textbooks. It aims to identify the extent to which Gateway to English 2, Insights into English 2 and Tickets to English 2 provide an authentic representation of race and social class through examining the frequency of appearance of, the visibility of, the space allotted to and the firstness of characters belonging to different races and social classes in texts, dialogues, images and exercises. The study is informed by the theoretical framework of the Standards-Based Approach and adopts content analysis as a mixed research methods that allows for quantitative and qualitative analysis of the data. The findings reveal an undisputable discrepancy marked by the dominance of the Caucasian race and the marginalization of the lower class. Finally, this paper suggests practical ways in which future textbooks could avoid or at least reduce the effect of these discrepancies.
Sensitivity Analysis and 3D-displacement Inversion of Rock Parameters for High Steep Slope in Open-pit Mining
Authors: Zhou C.B. , He R. , Jiang N. , Lu S.W.
Published: August 2016

Due to the complexity of multiple rocks and multiple parameters circumstance, various parameters are often reduced to only one parameter empirically to generalize geological conditions, ignoring the really influential parameters. A developed method was presented as a complement to 3D displacement inversion to obtain the relative important parameters under complex conditions with limited computational work. Furthermore, this method was applied to a high steep slope in open-pit mining to investigate field applicability of the developed system. Back analysis was conducted in the reality of the east open-pit working area of Daye Iron Mine and propositional steps were presented for parameters solving in complex circumstance. Firstly, multi-factor and single-factor sensitivity analysis were carried out to classify rock mass and mechanical parameters respectively according to the extent of their effects on deformations. Secondly, based on the results, main influence factors were selected as inversion parameters and taken into a 3D calculating model to get the displacement field and stress field, all of which would be the artificial network training samples together with inversion parameters. Thirdly, taking the real deformations as input for the trained back propagation (BP) neural network, the real material mechanical parameters could be obtained. Finally, the results of trained neural network have been confirmed by field monitoring data and provide a reference to obtain the matter parameters in complicated environment for other similar projects.
Transformed Pedagogical Environment: Humanoids for social skilling of mentally challenged children
Authors: Hashim Rugayah , Sh. Ahmad Sabarinah , Aziz Amily Fikri , Hanapiah Fazah Akhtar
Published: August 2016

The purpose of the paper is to describe the transformed pedagogical environment in Malaysia with regards to mentally challenged children. Through interviews with teachers and parents of children schooled at the special, integrative classes in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, the results indicated non-readiness for the teachers and the parents to embrace the assistive technology, the humanoids. Besides the high cost of purchasing the humanoid for each child to be placed at home, social skilling these special children requires human touch. Cultural, and religious aspects abound that negates the progress of pedagogy using humanoids.
Mosque Development in Malaysia: Is it the product of evolution and social behaviour?
Authors: Mohd Taib Mohd Zafrullah , Ismail Zulhabri , Ahmad Shamsidar , Rasdi Tajuddin
Published: August 2016

Building of a mosque is a great achievement of the Muslim community. This research aims to introduce the idea of changing uses and meaning of the mosque in contemporary Muslim societies by evaluating the development and social behavior towards spaces in Malaysia mosques. The method is to examine textual reference Al Quran and hadith as a reference and to adopt quantitative and qualitative approach towards typological development of Mosque and social behavior of users in the case studies. Perceptions toward a sanctity of space are preferential to the prayer hall. It is through an honest response to such considerations rather than through a literal expression of past that the mosque of the future will retain their differences and remain close to the spirit of Islam.
Sustainable Masjid Architecture and Public Buildings
Authors: Tohid Zainon , Abd. Rahim Asiah
Published: August 2016

A hydroelectric project proposed by Tenaga Nasional Berhad in Telom, Pahang, Malaysia will inundate six Orang Asli villagers whose residents have relocated to a new resettlement. However, TNB still needs their agreements and provide fair and agreeable compensation. This paper analyzes the process associated with the exercise. It is a descriptive analysis of activities conducted in preparing the plans as well as principles and values considered in calculating the proposed compensation and resettlement. It is hoped that the more sensitive and inclusive approach can be emulated in future projects affecting Orang Asli and others affected by developments.
Conveying Sacred Knowledge through Contemporary Architectural Design: The Garma Cultural Knowledge Centre
Authors: Grant Elizabeth
Published: August 2016

The Indigenous peoples of north east Arnhem Land in Australia (Yolngu) overlay their culture with the customs and social behaviour of other societies to achieve positive outcomes and autonomy. Passing down cultural knowledge is intrinsic to the cultural identity of Yolngu. The paper discusses the recently completed Garma Cultural Knowledge Centre and examines the cultural knowledge conveyed through the medium of contemporary architecture design. The paper finds that the Garma Cultural Knowledge Centre combined aspects of non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal cultures to form a coherent whole with multi-facetted meanings.
Environmental Protection and Value Creation
Authors: Darus Faizah , Yusof Wan Mashitah , Janggu Tamoi
Published: August 2016

The managers of corporations can play a significant role to protect the natural environment. This study aims to examine the environmental disclosure of 200 Shariah compliant companies for 2013 and the subsequent effect of such disclosure for the organizations. The results of content analyses of the annual reports revealed that managers from the Plantation industry disclosed more environmental information. The regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between environmental information provided and the subsequent value created for the organizations. The findings of the study can help managers to position better their environmental strategy to enhance the overall value of their organizations.
Interior Design Styles and Socio-demographic Characteristics in Egypt: From the concept of Zeitgeist
Authors: Mahmoud Ali El-Zeiny Rasha
Published: August 2016

Interior design plays an important role in reflecting the social and cultural environments of countries and showing the characteristics of the age. The previous literature has suggested that people’s preferences for interior design styles are influenced by social distinctions, based on education level and age. In this study, we have argued more precisely socio – demographic factors (gender, age, income, major and city) that affect the Egyptians’ preferences for interior design styles, and have discussed to what extent do the people preferences reflect Zeitgeist in Egypt. The findings supported the idea that socio-demographic factors can explain people’s design preferences.
Identity of Historic City and Women Travelling Behavior
Authors: Nik Mohammad Nik Mastura , Sham Rohana , Abdul Latif Azlin
Published: August 2016

This paper represents on women behavior safety enigma, also an on-going progress study of the cultural landscape in the context of the historic city where knowledge unfolds. The study has tracked women’s experience of place, which responses on the visual elements that become an incredibly diverse culture surrounding and norms. Eventually, the historic city seems meet their expectations in cultural aspects a safe building has resulted for living and work environment. Therefore, having known their understanding influence on structure-building façade concluded and rediscovered the perception that adds value contributes in the urban setting.
People and Urban Space in Medan: An environment behaviour approach
Authors: Zahrah Wahyuni , Lie Shella
Published: August 2016

The paper means to explore how people use and perceive the shop house corridor as the most built environment found in Medan, Indonesia. The research observed the adaptation and or adjustment pattern of people in their built environment. The study did an interview with users of the space to get people perception of the built environment quality. The result indicates that people used space mostly for market activities, in particular for the mobile street vendor. The users make some adaptation to fit their needs. They “divided” urban space and mark their territory based on the “unwritten agreement” and tolerance.
Food Safety and Hygiene Practice among Hotel in Malaysia: Qualitative Approach
Authors: Jeinie Mohammad Halim , Md. Sharif Mohd Shazali , Saad Mazni , Md Nor Norazmir
Published: August 2016

This study examines the effectiveness of food safety and hygiene practice (FSHP) among restaurants in a selected Malaysian hotel and impact of FSHP toward culinary intern. It is essential to examine effectiveness FSHP among the hotel restaurants and its impact on culinary intern towards producing competent food handler. Using qualitative method, five (5) of culinary intern were interviewed. The data were then transcribing and analyzed using Atlas.ti software. Finding of a current study confirming the effectiveness FSHP in a hotel restaurant in Malaysia depends on the type of hotel, star rating, and location.© 2016. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies, Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.Keywords: Food safety; food hygiene practices; culinary; culinary intern
Family Environment, Sibling Relationship and Rivalry towards Quality of Life
Authors: Hashim Rugayah , Ahmad Hashim
Published: August 2016

Kinship, family composition and household dynamics among siblings are developed positively or negatively in early life right through adulthood. Hence, the purpose of this paper is highlight the importance of family environment in influencing sibling relationship, with emphasis on sibling rivalry. Determining the factors that contribute towards sibling competition is important in counselling and assisting individuals with family issues. From a quantitative research approach, the findings showed that sibling relationships are problematic and has led to jealousies and prejudices especially if parents take sides. Family ties depend on happy sibling interactions which indirectly affects socio-economic developments as social ills are resolved. In ameliorating these private and sensitive issues among family members, the holistic society will benefit psychologically and happiness as well as a better quality of life will be attained.© 2016. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies, Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.Keywords: Sibling rivalry; family; quality of life; socio-economic impact
Reflecting Leadership Effectiveness via Food-hygiene Practices
Authors: Saad Mazni , Foong Abdullah Mohamad Faiz , Jeinie Mohammad Halim , Husain Rosita
Published: August 2016

Good leadership may implicate and reflect positive actions and effective hygiene practices. This study aims to encourage and disseminate the importance of the use of technological tools in detecting risks in Food-hygiene Practices in six government-controlled training centers. The survey and scientific swab method elicited data on leadership effectiveness (LE) prevalent in these organizations, focusing mainly on their impact on human health and the environment. The regression analysis shows that LE significantly affects perception and actual Food-hygiene Practices. The large effect sizes of significance difference for both practices were also detected. Accordingly, recommendations and limitations are highlighted in this study.© 2016. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies, Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, MalaysiaKeywords: Food safety; food-hygiene practice; leadership effectiveness; Malaysia
Influence of alumina oxide nanoparticles on the performance and emissions in a methyl ester of neem oil fuelled direct injection diesel engine
Authors: Balaji Gnanasikamani , Cheralathan Marimuthu
Published: August 2016

The experimental investigation of the influence of Al2O3 nanoadditive on performance and emissions in a methyl ester of neem oil fueled direct injection Diesel engine is reported in this paper. The Al2O3 nanoparticles are mixed in various proportions (100 to 300 ppm) with methyl ester of neem oil. The performance and emissions are tested in a single cylinder computerized, 4-stroke, stationary, water-cooled Diesel engine of 3.5 kW rated power. Results show that the nanoadditive is effective in increasing the performance and controlling the NO emissions of methyl ester of neem oil fueled Diesel engines.
Numerical analysis of a hypersonic turbulent and laminar flow using a commercial CFD solver
Authors: Pajcin Miroslav , Simonovic Aleksandar , Ivanov Toni , Komarov Dragan , Stupar Slobodan
Published: August 2016

Computational fluid dynamics computations for two hypersonic flow cases using the commercial ANSYS FLUENT 16.2 CFD software were done. In this paper, an internal and external hypersonic flow cases were considered and analysis of the hypersonic flow using different turbulence viscosity models available in ANSYS FLUENT 16.2 as well as the laminar viscosity model were done. The obtained results were after compared and commented upon.
Application of the double skin façade in rehabilitation of the industrial buildings in Serbia
Authors: Slavkovic Branko
Published: August 2016

This study aims to check the various possibilities of application of the double layer of the fa?ade in the rehabilitation of industrial facilities in Serbia, with the aim of improving the energy performance of buildings and energy savings for heating and cooling. Industrial facility of Raska textile factory in city of Novi Pazar, Serbia, was taken as a model for this study. This facility needs to be adapted into the building for administrative purposes. Using the existing structural system of the building, the existing shell and infrastructure of the building, the scheme of future business functional areas of the building have been proposed, which defines the thermal zones in the building. The paper examined various modalities of double layer on the east and west fa?ades of the building, adding a curtain wall with single glass as the outer membrane. The results of the energy characteristics of the proposed rehabilitation of the building were obtained using a computer simulation program EnergyPlus and software DesignBuilder, based on climatic parameters of Serbia and the parameters of necessary thermal comfort defined by the Regulations on energy efficiency in buildings and in accordance with standard EN 15251. The criteria on the basis of which the valorization of improving the energy efficiency of the building would be performed are the thermal comfort, the required amount of energy for heating and cooling the facility and reduction of CO2 emission.
Model Development, Field Section Characterization, and Model Comparison for Excess Vehicle Fuel Use Attributed to Pavement Structural Response
Authors: Coleri Erdem , Harvey John T. , Zaabar Imen , Louhghalam Arghavan , Chatti Karim
Published: August 2016

In this study, consumption of energy attributed to pavement structural response through viscoelastic deformation of asphalt pavement materials under vehicle loading was predicted for 17 field sections in California by using three different models. Calculated dissipated energy values were converted to excess fuel consumption (EFC) to facilitate comparisons under different traffic loads (car, SUV, and truck) and speeds and different temperature conditions. The goal of the study was to compare the different modeling approaches and provide first-level estimates of EFC in preparation for simulations of annual EFC for different traffic and climate scenarios, as well as different types of pavement structures on the California state highway network. Comparison of the predicted EFC for test sections showed that all three models produced different results, which can be attributed to the differences in the three modeling approaches. However, predictions from the three models were generally of the same order of magnitude or an order of magnitude different, indicating that overall these models can be calibrated with data from field measurements, which is the next step in the research program.
Rational Procedure for Determination of Rut Depth Intervention Level in Network-Level Pavement Management
Authors: Fwa T. F. , Chu Longjia , Tan K. H.
Published: August 2016

Rutting is a common distress form found in asphalt pavements and is known to be a potential road safety hazard that can lead to skidding or hydroplaning accidents in wet weather. Ruts are formed along pavement wheelpaths under repeated traffic loading. They present a safety risk to vehicles because they collect water during wet weather, which can lead to reduced skid resistance along the rutted wheelpaths because of the presence of water. It is necessary to repair medium or severe pavement ruts to ensure wet-weather driving safety. However, there is not a commonly accepted quantitative basis for determining the maintenance threshold for repairing pavement ruts. Most highway agencies today rely on experience and engineering judgment in setting the rut depth threshold for activating rut repair. This paper presents a study to develop a rational analytical procedure for a quantitative determination of rut depth intervention level based on the concept of skid resistance intervention level. The procedure makes use of a finite element simulation model to compute skid resistance. For easy practical application, either a database or neural network model can be adopted to expedite the analysis. The proposed procedure offers a method of determining rut depth intervention level on a basis consistent with the concept of skid resistance intervention level for pavement friction management. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the application of the proposed procedure and highlight its potential for implementation in a network-level pavement management system.
Road Section Length Variability on Pavement Management Decision Making for Ontario, Canada, Highway Systems
Authors: Jannat Gulfam E. , Henning Theuns F. P. , Zhang Cheng , Tighe Susan L. , Ningyuan Li
Published: August 2016

In a pavement management system, the performance evaluation indexes and their prediction methods are important aspects for assessing the overall pavement condition. Therefore, an accurate location reference system is necessary for managing pavement evaluations and maintenance. In this regard, the length of the pavement section selected for evaluation may also have significant impact on the assessment, irrespective of the type of performance indexes. This study investigated the variability in pavement performance evaluation and maintenance decisions attributed to change in pavement section lengths. It considered rut depth, pavement condition index, and international roughness index as performance indexes. Data from 27 road segments of Ontario, Canada, with a total length of 172.5 km were selected for empirical investigation. The distributions of these indexes were compared by grouping various segment lengths ranging from 50, 500, 1,000, and 10,000 m. The variations of performance assessment attributable to changing section length were investigated on the basis of their impacts on maintenance decisions. A Monte Carlo simulation was carried out by varying section lengths to estimate probabilities of the necessity of maintenance works. Results of this empirical investigation revealed that most of the longer sections were evaluated with low rut depth and the shorter sections were evaluated with higher rut depth. Monte Carlo simulation also revealed that 50-m sections have a higher probability of maintenance requirement than 500-m sections. Although the results are related to the Ontario highway system, these methods can also be applied elsewhere with similar conditions.
Use of Three-Dimensional Pavement Surface Data to Analyze Crack Deterioration: Pilot Study on Georgia State Route 26
Authors: Jiang Chenglong , Tsai Yichang (James) , Wang Zhaohua
Published: August 2016

Cracking is one of the predominant types of pavement surface distresses. The study of crack deterioration is important for establishing accurate pavement deterioration models and determining the timing of an adequate treatment method. It is also crucial to support the validation of the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide. Although many efforts have been made in the laboratory or controlled environments to simulate the crack deterioration behavior, it is still difficult to fully model actual pavement crack deterioration behavior because of the complicated roadway conditions in the real-world environment. With the advance of sensing technology, it has become possible to collect detailed crack data in the field. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of monitoring detailed crack deterioration behaviors in the field with the use of three-dimensional sensing technology, crack detection, and multiscale crack property extraction. This effort directly supports the study of multiscale crack deterioration behaviors. In this research, a pilot study was conducted on Georgia State Route 26, and the crack deterioration behaviors were monitored over 2 years. Analysis was conducted at the 1-mi segment level, the 100-ft section level, and the detailed crack level. The study shows promising results for observing and quantifying crack deterioration behaviors. The issues for analyzing long-term monitoring data are also discussed in this paper. Ultimately, the proposed method should be able to be used to support the development of a long-term performance forecasting model.
Seed-Based Approach for Automated Crack Detection from Pavement Images
Authors: Zhou Yuxiao , Wang Feng , Meghanathan Natarajan , Huang Yaxiong
Published: August 2016

An accurate and reliable pavement crack detection system plays an important role in evaluating pavement condition and providing needed information for decision making for pavement maintenance and rehabilitation. Among existing crack detection methods, the seed-based image segmentation method has proved to be fast and efficient for automated crack detection. However, its performance is not stable under varying conditions. This paper proposes an extended and optimized seed-based crack detection method after an extensive review of current practices. The proposed method included two main steps. In the first step, pavement images were preprocessed. Lane marking was masked to be a noncrack area and the nonuniform background of the images was corrected. In the second step, crack seeds were detected through grid cell analysis and then connected through a Euclidean minimum spanning tree construction. In addition, undesirable small objects, such as minimal branches and noises, were removed by a path length–based removal method. The proposed algorithm was evaluated by using 105 pavement images collected with the Texas Department of Transportation VCrack system. The experiment results showed that the proposed method could accurately and efficiently detect cracks in the images.
Does the school inclusion really work?
Authors: Cottini Lucio , Morganti Annalisa
Published: August 2016

This article aims to take stock of the research aimed to evaluate the inclusive processes, referring to investigations carried out both in Italy and in international contexts on issues that may have important repercussions on the current organization of the Italian school. Through four key questions (How are we working? Which results have been obtained? What gives the best results? Are more inclusive schools also more efficient?) the authors develop a reflection useful to provide application support for both those who work every day in the school and those who are called to make decisions on organizational policies, as fundamental to promote inclusive and oriented to the maximum educational success of all students schools.Keywordsevidence-based education; special education; inclusion; special educational needs; efficacy research
Deciding to act: Teachers' willingness to implement inclusive practices
Authors: Pace Erika , Aiello Paola
Published: August 2016

This article presents an ongoing study being conducted at the University of Salerno (Italy) to examine the variables, often intertwined, that influence teachers' willingness to shift from fossilised methods of instruction to inclusive teaching strategies. Despite the strong tradition of inclusive education, the long history in pedagogical studies and the investment in teacher training, research has shown that in Italy an integrative model still persists.Meanwhile, a plethora of research stemming from psychological, sociological and neuroscientific studies, has been conducted on an international level on what affects people's intentions to change behaviour. Among the theoretical constructs and models that have been developed, the Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1986) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) (Ajzen, 1988) have been used as conceptual frameworks to guide research on the variables affecting teachers' intentions to act and implement new approaches in order to ensure quality education for all.The paper provides an overview of the literature available on the studies conducted to identify the theories framing research in this field, the methods and tools most commonly utilized, and the variables affecting the adoption of inclusive practices. The article concludes by outlining the implications for research and teacher education curricula reform.Keywordsliterature review; social cognitive theory; teacher agency; theory of planned behaviour; scale development
Respiratory Muscle Training and Exercise Endurance at Altitude
Authors: Helfer Samuel , Quackenbush Joseph , Fletcher Michael , Pendergast David R.
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND: Climbing and trekking at altitude are common recreational and military activities. Physiological effects of altitude are hypoxia and hyperventilation. The hyperventilatory response to altitude may cause respiratory muscle fatigue and reduce sustained submaximal exercise.
Voluntary isocapnic hyperpnea respiratory muscle training (VIHT) improves exercise endurance at sea level and at depth. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that VIHT would improve exercise time at altitude [3600 m (11,811 ft)] compared to control and placebo groups.METHODS:
Subjects pedaled an ergometer until exhaustion at simulated altitude in a hypobaric chamber while noninvasive arterial saturation (Sao2), ventilation (VE), and oxygen consumption (Vo2) were measured.RESULTS: As expected, Sao2
decreased to 88 ± 4% saturation at rest and to 81 ± 2% during exercise, and was not affected by VIHT. VIHT resulted in a 40% increase in maximal training VE compared to pre-VIHT. Exercise endurance significantly increased 44% after VIHT (P = <0.001). Vo2
(30 ± 3 ml · kg−1 · min−1) and heart rate (177 ± 10 bpm) did not change during exercise and were not affected by VIHT (P = 0.531). Pre-VIHT VE increased 21–27% during the initial 12 min of exercise, after
which it decreased 17% at 17.7 ± 6.0 min. VE at altitude post-VIHT increased more (49%) for longer (21 min) and decreased less (11% at 25.4 ± 6.7 min).DISCUSSION: VIHT improved exercise time at altitude and sustained VE. This suggests that VIHT
reduced respiratory muscle fatigue and would be useful to trekkers and military personnel working at altitude.Helfer S, Quackenbush J, Fletcher M, Pendergast DR. Respiratory muscle training and exercise endurance at altitutde. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(8):704–711.
Personality Traits of Surf Voluntourists
Authors: Thomsen Jennifer M. , Taylor Lorraine L. , Hughes Matthew D.
Published: August 2016

Surfing is a growing international industry with an increasingly diverse participant population and infrastructure that can result in positive and negative social, ecological, and economic impacts on the surfing communities. Surfers who are seeking authentic experiences may require
travel to remote, rural, and economically impoverished areas. Many of these destinations have significant developmental needs that can be addressed via volunteering by surf tourists. As sustainability becomes an increasingly critical and pressing issue, more surf voluntourism organizations
are emerging. Yet, there have been no studies exploring the personality traits of surf voluntourists, which could be leveraged to influence the success of the programs. This research study used the HEXACO-PI-R scale to identify personality traits of surf voluntourists that can help community
and nonprofit organizations develop more effective programs for surf tourists to maximize benefits, minimize conflicts, and contribute to the sustainability of the surfing destination.
BEAMING OF PARTICLES AND SYNCHROTRON RADIATION IN RELATIVISTIC MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
Authors: Kagan Daniel , Nakar Ehud , Piran Tsvi
Published: August 2016

Relativistic reconnection has been invoked as a mechanism for particle acceleration in numerous astrophysical systems. According to idealized analytical models, reconnection produces a bulk relativistic outflow emerging from the reconnection sites (X-points). The resulting radiation is therefore highly beamed. Using two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we investigate particle and radiation beaming, finding a very different picture. Instead of having a relativistic average bulk motion with an isotropic electron velocity distribution in its rest frame, we find that the bulk motion of the particles in X-points is similar to their Lorentz factor γ, and the particles are beamed within

. On the way from the X-point to the magnetic islands, particles turn in the magnetic field, forming a fan confined to the current sheet. Once they reach the islands they isotropize after completing a full Larmor gyration and their radiation is no longer strongly beamed. The radiation pattern at a given frequency depends on where the corresponding emitting electrons radiate their energy. Lower-energy particles that cool slowly spend most of their time in the islands and their radiation is not highly beamed. Only particles that quickly cool at the edge of the X-points generate a highly beamed fan-like radiation pattern. The radiation emerging from these fast cooling particles is above the burn-off limit (∼100 MeV in the overall rest frame of the reconnecting plasma). This has significant implications for models of gamma-ray bursts and active galactic nuclei that invoke beaming in that frame at much lower energies.
HOW SOFT GAMMA REPEATERS MIGHT MAKE FAST RADIO BURSTS
Authors: Katz J. I.
Published: August 2016

There are several phenomenological similarities between soft gamma repeaters (SGRs) and fast radio bursts (FRBs), including duty factors, timescales, and repetition. The sudden release of magnetic energy in a neutron star magnetosphere, as in popular models of SGRs, can meet the energy requirements of FRBs, but requires both the presence of magnetospheric plasma, in order for dissipation to occur in a transparent region, and a mechanism for releasing much of that energy quickly. FRB sources and SGRs are distinguished by long-lived (up to thousands of years) current-carrying coronal arches remaining from the formation of the young neutron star, and their decay ends the phase of SGR/AXP/FRB activity even though “magnetar” fields may persist. Runaway increases in resistance when the current density exceeds a threshold, releases magnetostatic energy in a sudden burst, and produces high brightness GHz emission of FRB by a coherent process. SGRs are produced when released energy thermalizes as an equlibrium pair plasma. The failures of some alternative FRB models and the non-detection of SGR 1806-20 at radio frequencies are discussed in the appendices.
STRONG EVIDENCE FOR THE DENSITY-WAVE THEORY OF SPIRAL STRUCTURE IN DISK GALAXIES
Authors: Pour-Imani Hamed , Kennefick Daniel , Kennefick Julia , Davis Benjamin L. , Shields Douglas W. , Abdeen Mohamed Shameer
Published: August 2016

The density-wave theory of galactic spiral-arm structure makes a striking prediction that the pitch angle of spiral arms should vary with the wavelength of the galaxy’s image. The reason is that stars are born in the density wave but move out of it as they age. They move ahead of the density wave inside the co-rotation radius, and fall behind outside of it, resulting in a tighter pitch angle at wavelengths that image stars (optical and near-infrared) than those that are associated with star formation (far-infrared and ultraviolet). In this study we combined large sample size with wide range of wavelengths, from the ultraviolet to the infrared to investigate this issue. For each galaxy we used an optical wavelength image (B-band: 445 nm) and images from the Spitzer Space Telescope at two infrared wavelengths (infrared: 3.6 and 8.0 μm) and we measured the pitch angle with the 2DFFT and Spirality codes. We find that the B-band and 3.6 μm images have smaller pitch angles than the infrared 8.0 μm image in all cases, in agreement with the prediction of density-wave theory. We also used images in the ultraviolet from Galaxy Evolution Explorer, whose pitch angles agreed with the measurements made at 8 μm.
Platelet aggregation promoted by biofilms of oral bacteria and the effect of mouth rinses in vitro
Authors: Tu Yan , Chen Yadong , Zheng Chongyang , Chen Hui
Published: August 2016

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to observe platelet aggregation promoted by biofilms of Streptococcus sanguinis and Porphyromonas gingivalis and to evaluate the effect of two different mouth rinses on this process. Methodology: In the first experiment, the same amount of S. sanguinis, P. gingivalis, and the S. sanguinis + P. gingivalis mixed solution was added to an equivalent amount of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Aggregation was measured using a recording platelet aggregometer. In the second experiment, S. sanguinis, P. gingivalis, S sanguinis + P. gingivalis mixed solutions were pretreated with either Listerine antiseptic mouth rinse or Xipayi mouth rinse for 3 minutes, 6 minutes, and 10 minutes, respectively. The same amount of solution was added to the PRP, and the inhibition of aggregation was measured. Results: In the first experiment, S. sanguinis and P. gingivalis were able to induce platelet aggregation. The aggregation rate of S. sanguinis + P. gingivalis was significantly lower than that of either S. sanguinis or P. gingivalis. In the second experiment, when S. sanguinis, P. gingivalis, and the S. sanguinis + P. gingivalis mixed solutions were pretreated with Listerine antiseptic mouth rinse for 3 minutes and Xipayi mouth rinse for 10 minutes, there was no significant platelet aggregation. Conclusions: Platelets could adhere to S. sanguinis or P. gingivalis, but when S. sanguinis was mixed with P. gingivalis, the aggregation rate was reduced significantly. Treatment with Listerine antiseptic mouth rinse or Xipayi mouth rinse inhibited the ability of the bacteria to induce platelet aggregation.
Long-term trends (1989-2013) in the seabird community breeding in the lagoon of Venice (Italy)
Authors: Scarton Francesco , Valle Roberto
Published: August 2016

The community of seabirds breeding in the lagoon of Venice, one of the largest around the Mediterranean, was monitored over the 1989-2013 period. Six species have been recorded (Larus michahellis, Chroicocephalus ridibundus, Larus melanocephalus, Sternula albifrons, Sterna hirundo, Sterna sandvicensis). Over the study period, 346 colonies were surveyed; they were located on saltmarsh islets, dredge islands and other artificial sites, in descending order of importance. Beaches were used only at the beginning of the survey. About 4,900 pairs bred in the 2009-2013 years. The community has been always dominated by L. michahellis; in the 2009-2013, this species and S. sandvicensis comprised about 70% of the total. The longterm trends show moderate increase in the size of the whole community. Contrasting trends were observed in different species, with L. michahellis, S. albifrons and S. sandvicensis stable or increasing, whereas C. ridibundus and S. hirundo were declining. The number of pairs nesting on artificial sites increased over the last 15 years, while those on saltmarsh islets decreased correspondingly. This was possibly a response to the increase of mean sea level and storminess observed in the last twenty-five years. S. albifrons and S. sandvicensis populations reached national importance; the population of the latter species is noteworthy at a Mediterranean level.
Biology of the Raven Corvus corax in Sicily (Italy)
Authors: Salvo Giovanni
Published: August 2016

The Raven is a resident and widespread species in Sicily. Very eclectic and ubiquitary, nests from sea level to 1600 m of altitude. Reproductive parameter, concerning 41 nests checked, are the following: productivity 1.63, breeding success 1.71, fledging rate 2.39.
History of ornithology in Malta
Authors: Baccetti Nicola
Published: August 2016

History of ornithology in Malta
Joe Sultana, John J. Borg

BirdLife, Malta, 2015
392 pages
ISBN 978-99957-818-6-6
€ 49,99
Breast cancer: An overview of published Indian data
Authors: Rangarajan Bharath , Shet Tanuja , Wadasadawala Tabassum , Nair Nita S. , Sairam R. Madhu , Hingmire Sachin S. , Bajpai Jyoti
Published: August 2016

The Incidence of breast cancer has been steadily increasing in the last two decades, more so in urban areas of the sub-continent. Cancer ceters across the country have large numbers of patients being treated with multiple publications in this field. Inspite of paucity of prospective data and randomised clinical trials from India, there are large number of retrospective publications on various aspects of the disease including pathology, radiology, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, palliative care and alternatitive treatment modalities. These published data provide an insight into the trends of breast cancer in the country and this comprehensive data review of Indian data will provide a basis for designing trials relevant to our population and planning health care.
Lung cancer in the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Noronha Vanita , Pinninti Rakesh , Patil Vijay M. , Joshi Amit , Prabhash Kumar
Published: August 2016

Smoking tobacco, both cigarettes and beedis, is the principal risk factor for causation of lung cancer in Indian men; however, among Indian women, the association with smoking is not strong, suggesting that there could be other risk factors besides smoking. Despite numerous advances in recent years in terms of diagnostic methods, molecular changes, and therapeutic interventions, the outcomes of the lung cancer patients remain poor; hence, a better understanding of the risk factors may impact the preventive measures to be implemented at the community level. There is a lack of comprehensive data on lung cancer in India. In this review, we attempt to collate the available data on lung cancer from India.
Indian data on bone and soft tissue sarcomas: A summary of published study results
Authors: Ramaswamy Anant , Rekhi Bharat , Bakhshi Sameer , Hingmire Sachin , Agarwal Manish
Published: August 2016

Bone sarcomas are rare tumors, approximating 0.2% of all cancers, with osteosarcoma (OGS), chondrosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma being the most common cancers in this subset. The formation of disease management groups/clinics focused on sarcomas has resulted in better understanding and management of these uncommon tumors. Multiple large-scale retrospective data from Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences have reported outcomes comparable to Western data in the field of OGS and Ewing sarcoma, with interesting prognostic factors identified for further evaluation. Soft tissue sarcomas are a rare heterogeneous group of tumors, more than 50 different tumor entities. The common subtypes identified in India include Ewing sarcoma and synovial sarcoma. Valuable work regarding brachytherapy has been done by radiation oncologists from the TMH, especially in pediatric patients.
Local zeta factors and geometries under $\operatorname{Spec}\mathbf Z$
Authors: Manin Yuri Ivanovich
Published: August 2016

The first part of this note shows that the odd-period polynomial of each Hecke cusp eigenform for the full modular group produces via the Rodriguez-Villegas transform ([1]) a polynomial satisfying the functional equation of zeta type and having non-trivial zeros only in the middle line of its critical strip. The second part discusses the Chebyshev lambda-structure of the polynomial ring as Borger's descent data to $\mathbf{F}_1$ and suggests its role in a possible relation of the $\Gamma_{\mathbf{R}}$-factor to ‘real geometry over $\mathbf{F}_1$’ (cf. [2]).
Циклические накрытия, которые не являются стабильно рациональными
Authors: Colliot-Thelene Jean-Louis , Pirutka Alena
Published: August 2016

На основе методов, разработанных Колларом, Вуазан, авторами, Тотаро, доказывается, что циклическое накрытие $\mathbb P_{\mathbb C}^n$, $n\geqslant 3$, простой степени $p$, разветвлeнное над очень общей гиперповерхностью $f(x_0,…, x_n)=0$ степени $mp$, не является стабильно рациональным при условии $m(p-1) <n+1\leqslant mp$. Для размерности 3 получаем двойные накрытия $\mathbb P^3_{\mathbb C}$, разветвлeнные над очень общей поверхностью степени 4 (Вуазан), а также двойные накрытия $\mathbb P^3_{\mathbb C}$, разветвлeнные над очень общей поверхностью степени 6 (Бовиль). Получены двойные накрытия $\mathbb P^4_{\mathbb C}$, разветвлeнные над очень общей гиперповерхностью степени 6. Метод статьи позволяет получить примеры над числовыми полями.
Библиография: 9 наименований.