bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementación del Algoritmo Trace Alignment Empleando Técnicas de Programación Paralela
Authors: Fulgueira-Camilo Marlis , Insúa-Suárez Ernesto , Díaz-Pando Humberto
Published: August 2016

En este artículo se refiere un algoritmo del campo de la minería de procesos, Trace Alignment, cuyo objetivo es detectar anomalías en una secuencia de patrones e identificar patrones comunes. El análisis de las trazas generadas por los procesos de negocios puede tardar un tiempo considerable, teniendo en cuenta que una gran parte de los procesos, hoy en día, se encuentran informatizados. El algoritmo en cuestión es paralelizado empleando el paradigma de memoria compartida, específicamente OpenMP, CUDA y OpenCL. El diseño paralelo propuesto cuenta de dos etapas: una primera donde se paraleliza la construcción de la matriz de similitud y una segunda donde se alinean pares o conjuntos de trazas a la misma vez. Los resultados obtenidos indican que, con el diseño propuesto, los mejores tiempos se obtienen empleando OpenMP para todos los juego de datos propuestos.
Generador de Valores de Casos de Prueba Funcionales
Authors: Macías-Rojas Arloys , Delgado-Dapena Martha Dunia , Fajardo-Calderín Jenny , Larrosa-Uribazo Danay
Published: August 2016

Diversos autores coinciden en la importancia de las pruebas como elemento de control de calidad del software y en la imposibilidad de realización de pruebas exhaustivas. Este criterio está sustentado en que la cantidad de escenarios y valores de prueba necesarios para lograr cobertura total es grande, lo que convierte el diseño de casos de prueba y en particular la generación de sus valores en un problema combinatorio.Este trabajo presenta una propuesta para la generación automática de valores de casos de prueba funcionales, mediante el uso de algoritmos metaheurísticos, maximizando la cobertura de los escenarios. Además, se detallan los algoritmos implementados para la generación de valores iniciales y para la generación de combinaciones. Adicionalmente se describen un conjunto de buenas prácticas para utilizar el componente y la comparación de los resultados obtenidos con otras soluciones existentes.
La evaluación de la competencia digital en la docencia universitaria: el caso de los grados de empresariales y económicas
Authors: Fernández Sánchez María Rosa , Sánchez-Oro Sánchez Marcelo , Robina Ramírez Rafael
Published: August 2016

En el contexto de la Educación Superior y de los estudios del ámbito económico y empresarial, la competencia digital se refiere a la utilización de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación como herramientas para la expresión, la comunicación, para el acceso a fuentes de información, como medio de archivo de datos y documentos, para tareas de presentación, difusión y gestión de la información, para el aprendizaje, la investigación y el trabajo cooperativo. En este artículo se ponen de relieve las dificultades detectadas entre los docentes universitarios del ámbito de la economía y de la empresa para capacitar en esta competencia, denominada en el marco de las titulaciones: “Uso de las TIC en el ámbito profesional”. Se ha estudiado la percepción y el compromiso con esta competencia de 84 docentes de la Universidad de Extremadura (España). Mediante un análisis descriptivo, con el aporte de indicadores sintéticos, se han obtenido indicios sobre el nivel de implicación del profesorado en aspectos como la tipología de recursos pedagógicos que se han empleado en la enseñanza de esta competencia, las estrategias para mejorar los contenidos y su aplicabilidad a la realidad actual y su relación con otras competencias similares. Los datos obtenidos y analizados permiten ofrecer un diagnóstico sobre la enseñanza de la competencia indicada en una muestra de profesores universitarios y fundamentar una propuesta de matriz de evaluación de la competencia “Uso de las TIC”, en las titulaciones relacionadas con los estudios empresariales, por niveles de dominio e indicadores de consecución de esta competencia. © Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Sociales.
Acciones colectivas como práctica de memoria, realizadas por una organización de víctimas en Medellín (Colombia)
Authors: Castrillón Jolyn Elena , Villa Gómez Juan David , Marín Cortés Andrés Felipe
Published: August 2016

La reconstrucción de los relatos de las víctimas del conflicto armado en Colombia es una herramienta para el fortalecimiento del tejido social; esta premisa orientó la investigación que tuvo como objetivo comprender los significados y sentidos de las acciones de memoria colectiva, realizadas por personas pertenecientes a una organización de víctimas de Medellín. El estudio se realizó desde un enfoque de investigación interpretativo con diseño cualitativo, fundamentado en el método fenomenológico-hermenéutico. Las técnicas de generación de información empleadas fueron la construcción de historias de vida, talleres participativos y entrevistas semi-estructuradas. Los hallazgosrefieren que el apoyo del grupo familiar es fundamental, pues establece significantes biográficos que facilitan el proceso de construcción de memoria. Además, el apoyo grupal favorece el afrontamiento del dolor, la soledad, la tristeza y la desolación. El recuerdo es importante para la elaboración del duelo, más aún si se reconstruye junto con otros. El dolor se reconoce como parte de la experiencia vivida, pero no se acepta la inacción, puesto que la búsqueda de la verdad y la reparación son los horizontes de las acciones colectivas. © Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Sociales.
La educación intra e intercultural como enfoque pedagógico "propio"
Authors: López Hernández Alcibíades Miguel , Cuello Daza Edith María
Published: August 2016

Nuestro propósito es la búsqueda de respuestas en la atención a la diversidad cultural que día a día constatamos en nuestras aulas de clases; ante la necesidad y exigencia de robustecer las acciones y actividades complementarias del orden científico que nos conduzcan a tal fin, pensamos en unas condiciones básicas conceptuales y teóricas intra e interculturales, como alternativa en la búsqueda de respuestas adecuadas; en este orden, pretendemos ubicar la educación intra e intercultural como eje transversal, para desarrollar desde allí, un currículo cuyo tronco y ramificaciones sean de todos y para todos. Buscamos crear un modelo de educación intra e intercultural, desde unos fundamentos pedagógicos críticos y propios. Esta propuesta aspira romper las distintas formas de colonización en la educación actual, cuyo currículo se orienta de manera instrumental a construir y proyectar una educación intercultural sin profundidad histórica; esta visión expresa una intolerancia cultural que busca homogeneizar a los seres humanos.  © Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Sociales.
Traditional water distribution for irrigation in the Middle East: practices and environmental impacts
Authors: Tumeizi Abdulhaleem , Abu Hammad Ahmad
Published: August 2016

Traditional water distribution and irrigation systems have been used in the Middle East in agriculture for thousands of years. The main objectives of the study are to investigate positive and negative environmental and social impacts of such traditional methods in three countries of the Mediterranean (Sudan, Yemen, and Palestine). To achieve these objectives, field visits, observations, interviews, and questionnaires were used. The results showed the presence of five main traditional water distribution systems in the three areas. Differences in the existing systems were attributed to farmers' education level, experience, and degree of water scarcity in the area (50% of the educated farmers, more experienced farmers and water scarcity areas are adopting modern irrigation techniques, especially in Palestine). Preserving existing natural habitat and strengthening of social ties and relations between farmers were among the positive environmental impacts of such old methods. Water losses through high evaporation (about 40% water loss), seepage and water pollution were among the negative impacts. Proper planning and control, especially by public institutions, and programs for environmental awareness are some necessary actions to minimize the negative impacts in such traditional water societies. Such suggested measures are specifically important to be adopted whenever modern methods of water distribution (pipelines) and irrigation (drip irrigation) are intended to be applied.
New results on the stochastic Gilpin-Ayala model with delays
Authors: Wang Kai , Zhu Yanling , Zhu Hailong
Published: August 2016

In this paper, a stochastic Gilpin-Ayala model with delays is investigated.
Some new sufficient conditions for the existence of positive and global
solution of the model are obtained. Moreover, asymptotic behavior of the
model is discussed. It is significant that these results improve the
previous work (Lian and Hu, Stochastic delay Gilpin-Ayala competition
models, Stochastic Dynamics 6 (2006) 561-576).
On the Arens product and approximate identity in locally convex algebras
Authors: Zivari-Kazempour A.
Published: August 2016

Let A' and A'' be the dual and bidual spaces of a locally convex algebra A
with dual and weak* topology, respectively. In this paper, we show that A has
a bounded right (left) approximate identity if and only if A'' has a right
(left) unit with respect to the first (second) Arens product.
Representation of the fourier transform of distributions in K' p,k' k < 0.
Authors: Abdullah Saleh
Published: August 2016

In this note we give a structure theorem of the distributions in the space K'
p,k' k < 0, which is a subspace of the space of distributions which grow no
faster than e|x|p, p > 1, and use this structure theorem to give a
representation of the Fourier transform of the distributions in these
spaces.
L-subquantales and L-filters of quantales based on quasi-coincidence of fuzzy points with parameters
Authors: Zhou Min , Li Shenggang
Published: August 2016

The paper investigates fuzziness of quantales by means of quasi-coincidence
of fuzzy points with two parameters based on L-sets and developes two more
generalized fuzzy structures, called (?g,?g Vqh)-L-subquantale and (?g,?g Vqh)-L-filter.
Some intrinsic connections between (?g,?g Vqh)-L-subquantales and crisp
subquantales are established, and relationships between (?g,?g Vqh)-L-filters
of quantales and their extensions (especially the essential connections
between (?g,?g Vqh)-L-subquantales and (?g,?g Vqh)-Lfilters of quantales)
are studied by employing the new characterizations of (?g,?g Vqh)-L-filters of quantales.
Also, sufficient conditions for the extension of an (?g,?g Vqh)-L-filter to
be an (?g,?g Vqh)-L-filter of a quantale are also o ered. In particular, it
is proved that the category GLFquant (resp., GFFQant) of (?g,?g Vqh)
Lsubquantales (resp., L-filters) is of a topological construct on Quant and
posses equalizers and pullbacks.
Faber polynomial coefficient estimates for a subclass of analytic bi-univalent functions
Authors: Bulut Serap
Published: August 2016

In this work, considering a general subclass of analytic bi-univalent
functions, we determine estimates for the general Taylor-Maclaurin coecients
of the functions in this class. For this purpose, we use the Faber polynomial
expansions. In certain cases, our estimates improve some of those existing
coefficient bounds.
Bicyclic graphs with maximum degree resistance distance
Authors: Du Junfeng , Tu Jianhua
Published: August 2016

Graph invariants, based on the distances between the vertices of a graph, are
widely used in theoretical chemistry. Recently, Gutman, Feng and Yu
(Transactions on Combinatorics, 01 (2012) 27- 40) introduced the degree
resistance distance of a graph G, which is defined as DR(G) = ?{u,v}?V(G)[dG(u)+dG(v)]RG(u,v),
where dG(u) is the degree of vertex u of the graph G, and RG(u, v)
denotes the resistance distance between the vertices u and v of the graph G.
Further, they characterized n-vertex unicyclic graphs having minimum
and second minimum degree resistance distance. In this paper, we characterize
n-vertex bicyclic graphs having maximum degree resistance distance.
‘Spector - the sustainability inspector’: Participatory teaching, learning and evaluation game for architects, architecture students and pupils
Authors: Brkovic Marta , Chiles Prue
Published: August 2016

Architects, whether they are researchers, practitioners or teachers need
better and improved tools to enable them communicate more effectively, change
power relationships, co-construct knowledge and engage in real life problems.
It is this that stimulated us to develop our own tool in the form of a game
to contribute to the debate. Architects should be able to use their creative
potential to design innovative tools for evaluating architectural design, and
its sustainable aspects. By using such tools they may also be able to put
themselves in a teaching role and create a learning experience for
participants. Our experience from testing the game internationally in two
primary and one secondary school with pupils made us believe that games need
serious attention and consideration as a useful alternative to traditional
teaching and research tools.
Floristic composition and weed biomass in organic alfalfa crop
Authors: Ilic Olivera , Nikolic Ljiljana
Published: August 2016

The paper presents the results of floristic composition and weed biomass in
organic alfalfa crop in different years of alfalfa growing. The experiment
was conducted in experimental plots in Futog, during the vegetation period of
2015. The presence of 60 weed species was noted, 49 of all weeds were noticed
in the third, 48 in the fourth and 34 in the fifth year of organic alfalfa
growing. Quantitative and qualitative structure of weed community depended on
the age of alfalfa crop. By the analysis of cover values and the degree of
the presence of weed species, it can be seen that species: Rumex obtusifolius
L., Taraxacum officinale Web., Cynodon dactylon Pers. and Artemisia vulgaris
L. had the greatest significance on weed infestation of alfalfa. The largest
number of weed species belonged to the families Poaceae and Asteraceae. The
biological spectrum of weeds species was defined by the terophyta dominance,
whose number was reduced due to the age of the crop, while the share of
hemicryptophytes and geophytes was more or less constant. Although we found a
considerable level of infestation of alfalfa, alfalfa biomass reached
acceptable values that were significantly higher than the weed biomass, which
was statistically highly significant.
A first report of a new chemotype of Thymus migricus (Klokov & Desj-Shost) from East Azarbaijan province of Iran
Authors: Dizajeyekan Yousef , Haghighi Ahmad , Rangavaran Rasoul
Published: August 2016

In order to determine Thymus migricus volatile compounds, sampling from two
regions of East Azerbaijan province located in Northwestern Iran was
performed. After drying the samples at room temperature, the essential oils
were taken by the hydrodistillation method for 2.5 hours. The essential oils
were dehydrated over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Compositions of the oils were
identified by GC and GC-MS analyses. The eleven and nine identified
compounds from Mishoo and Espiran regions represent 94.62% and 86.08% total
oil compositions, respectively. In Mishoo, the percentages of main compounds
included linalool (65.57%), citronellol (15.63%) and geraniol (2.79%) and in
Espiran, there were linalool (46.36%), geraniol (26.74%), and geranyl
acetate (6.17%). The present chemotype of this species is reported for the
first time in East Azarbaijan, Iran.
Controlling premature fruit drop of cultivar Idared by using α-naphthaleneacetic acid
Authors: Milic Biserka , Keserovic Zoran , Magazin Nenad , Doric Marko , Tarlanovic Jelena
Published: August 2016

Fruit drop before reaching technological maturity is one of the core problems
in the apple industry. The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of the
chemicals VBC 30033 based on aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and Dirager based
on ?-naphtalenacetic acid on the prevention of fruit drop of apple cultivar
Idared, as affected by the time of application, the number of applications
and the concentration. The research was conducted from 2009 to 2011 at the
experimental field of the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad. The special
focus was placed on the double and triple applications of NAA which were
considered the most effective in preventing fruit drop. The triple
application of NAA 5 ppm and NAA 10 ppm showed equal effectiveness, therefore
the treatment NAA 5 ppm is recommended due to the reduced use of the
chemical.
Influence of dietary energy intake on prepubertal development of Brahman bulls3
Authors: Nolan C. J. , Neuendorff D. A. , Godfrey R. W. , Harms P. G. , Welsh T. H. , McArthur N. H. , Randel R. D.
Published: August 2016

Twelve Brahman bulls (paired by sire, weight and age) were assigned randomly and limit fed to gain either .10 to .25 (moderate gain; MG) or .75 to 1.0 (high gain: HG) kg·hd−1·d−1 to examine the effect of dietary energy on onset of puberty. Hip height (HH), scrotal circumference (SC) and serum samples (20 min for 6 h) were obtained at four times (AGE): 0, 56 and 112 d on feed and after appearance of first motile spermatozoa (FS) in the ejaculate of HG bull of the pair. At FS both bulls of a pair were slaughtered, reproductive tissues were collected and in vitro GnRH release from the median eminence (ME) was measured. Increases in BW, HH and SC were greater (P < .05) in HG bulls. Basal ME GnRH secretion was greater (P < .05) in HG bulls. Serum LH concentrations were unchanged by energy level (P > .10) but increased (P < .01) with increasing AGE. AGE and energy level increased (P < .01) basal, mean and total serum testosterone (T) and these two factors acted synergistically (P < .01). Height and amplitude of T pulses were increased by energy level (P < .003) and AGE (P < .002). Testicular T (P < .08) and development (P < .05) were increased in HG bulls. Growth hormone peak height and amplitude concentrations following feeding increased with AGE (P < .06) but were not altered (P > .10) by energy level. Serum triglycerides (P < .03) and BUN (P < .003) increased with increasing AGE (P > .01). These data indicate that dietary energy level influences onset of puberty most directly at the testicular level.
Influence of grain and monensin supplementation on ruminal fermentation, intake, digesta kinetics and incidence and severity of frothy bloat in steers grazing winter wheat pastures
Authors: Branine M. E. , Galyean M. L.
Published: August 2016

Three 10-d collection periods (April 4 to 14, early April, EApr; April 23 to May 3, late April, LApr; May 10 to 20, 1984, mid-May, MMay) were conducted to evaluate effects of no supplement (C), .5 kg·head−1·d−1 (as-fed basis) supplemental grain (steam-flaked milo, G) or G plus 170 mg monensin·headhead−1·d−1 (M) on forage intake and digestion by 12 ruminally cannulated beef steers (four/treatment; avg initially BW = 393 kg) grazing irrigated winter wheat pasture. Ruminal pH was greater (P < .01) for M than for C or G during EApr but was not altered by treatments in LApr or MMay. Compared with C, ruminal NH3 was decreased (P < .10) by G and M (5 h after supplementation) in EApr, decreased (P < .05) by G (2h) and increased (P < .05) by M (8 h) in LApr and decreased (P < .10) by G (−1h) in MMay. Treatments had little influence on total VFA concentrations or on molar proportions of acetate and propionate. Butyrate molar proportion was decreased (P < .10) by M during EApr and LApr, but not during MMay. Monensin increased (P < .05) fluid passage rate compared with C and G in EApr but not in other periods. Particulate passage measurements did not differ (P > .10) among treatments within periods. Forage DM intake was not influenced (P > .10) by supplementation during any period. Extent of in situ forage DM disappearance was greater (P < .10) for M than for C or G during EApr (12 and 30 h of incubation) but was not different (P > .10) in LApr or MMay. Incidence of frothy bloat was decreased (P < .05) by M during EApr; this reduction may have been related to effects of M on ruminal pH, forage digestion and fluid passage.
Meiotic maturation of bovine oocytes in vitro: improvement of meiotic competence by dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate.
Authors: Sato E. , Matsuo M. , Miyamoto H.
Published: August 2016

The present study was undertaken to determine the precise stage of growth at which the ability to resume meiosis is acquired in bovine oocytes. Oocytes of various sizes were isolated from ovaries by mechanical dissection using an 18-gauge needle followed by a razor blade. This method yielded an average of 26.2 ± 7.4 growing and fully grown oocytes from an ovary. Cumulus-enclosed oocytes were cultured in vitro in tissue culture medium 199 containing 10% fetal calf serum. Oocytes ≤ 90 µm in diameter did not resume meiosis. However, germinal vesicle breakdown was observed in oocytes whose diameters exceeded 91 µm. Polar body formation was observed in oocytes with diameters exceeding 101 µm. About 80% of the oocytes with diameters ≥ 121 µm were able to extrude the polar body. The percentage of large oocytes (101 to 120 µm) with first polar body increased when incubated in medium containing dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate; however, oocytes 90 to 101 µm did not extrude the first polar body even when cultured in a medium containing dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate. These observations indicate that the capability to resume meiosis is acquired gradually during development of oocytes and that dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate can improve the meiotic competence of bovine oocytes in culture.
Is early diagnose for Vitamin A deficiency better than the current supplementation programme of Nepal?
Authors: Simkhada Padam , Sathian Brijesh , Adhikari Sudhir , Van Teijlingen Edwin R , Roy Bedanta
Published: August 2016

Journal of Biomedical Sciences 2015, 2(4):28-30
Phytochemical screening and antibacterial activities of crude extract of Nymphaea lotus (water lily) against fish pathogens
Authors: Adelakun Kehinde Moruff , Mustapha Moshood Keke , Muazu Mohammed Muazu , Omotayo Olabode Lawrence , Olaoye Olanrewaju
Published: August 2016

Background This study was designed to determine the role of aqueous extract of water lily (Nymphaea lotus) for potential antibacterial activity against some gram-negative fish pathogenic bacteria.Material and methods Aqueous extracts of the dried whole plant Nymphaea lotus was tested by the agar disc diffusion method against four bacteria strains, namely, Escherichia coli, Vibrio anguillarum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Aeromonas hydrophila and Salmonella typhi. Inhibitory growth values were determined in colony forming unit per gram (cfu/g) for each pathogen while examination of phytochemical constituents of the crude extricate of the plant was also carried out qualitatively.Results Phytochemical screening of the crude aqueous extract revealed the high presence of saponins, alkaloids and carbohydrate, moderate presence of cardiac glycosides, tannins, phenolics, anthroquinones, terpenoid, quinones, catechins and trace of flavonoids.Conclusion The antibacterial analysis of crude aqueous extracts showed moderate varying degrees of resistance against the microbes especially Escherichia coli and Vibrio anguillarum where complete growth inhibition was observed. Hence, this plant aqueous extract can help in the treatment of fish bacterial infections.Journal of Biomedical Sciences. 2015;2(4):38-42.
Cruelty
Authors: Stade Ronald
Published: August 2016

She had to carry a bag of heads. Blood was dripping from the bag. The armed men made her laugh about this. When they arrived, the bag was emptied and she saw the heads of her children. This happened in Sierra Leone toward the end of the twentieth century. An account of the event was given by the woman who had been forced to carry the bag. Hers is a story of cruelty and suffering, reminiscent of similar stories told and sometimes recorded over the millennia. It is a story about the twin constellation of cruelty and suffering, perpetration and victimhood. Cruelty is the intentional inflicting of suffering. It is suffering plus agency. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, it can also be to delight in or be indifferent to the pain or misery of others and to act in a merciless, hard-hearted fashion. There is, of course, also suffering without cruelty and perpetration: there can be no cruelty without suffering, but there can be suffering without cruelty. Human beings can and do suffer without anyone in particular being responsible for the suffering (although magical and conspiratorial thinking, with their belief in excessive agency, will attempt to identify a perpetrator, someone to hold accountable). Contemporary politics of life, with its focus on the maximization of vitality, is likely to define suffering as an absence of intervention, as an act of omission.
Electromagneto-thermoelastic diffusive plane waves in a half-space with variable material properties under fractional order thermoelastic diffusion
Authors: Xiong Chunbao , Guo Ying
Published: August 2016

Present paper aims to investigate a generalized electromagneto-thermoelastic diffusion problem for a half-space with variable properties in the context of the fractional order theory of thermoelastic diffusion. The variable properties are taken as linear functions of the temperature. The half-space is initially placed in an external magnetic field with constant intensity, and subjected to a time-dependent thermal load and a chemical load, respectively. The governing equations of the problem in the fractional order generalized electromagneto-thermoelastic diffusion are formulated. The bounding surface in contact with a permeating substance is prescribed to be traction-free. To solve the problem, normal mode analysis is adopted and the distributions of the non-dimensional temperature, displacement, stress, induced magnetic field, induced electric field, chemical potential and concentration are obtained and represented graphically. The effects of fractional order parameters are evaluated by comparing the results obtained in the presence and absence of fractional order parameters.
Magnetic memory signal changes of 45# steel in the process of fatigue
Authors: Su Hao , Chen Ming
Published: August 2016

Through the analysis of the J-A model, the metal magnetic memory signal of Δ B (the distance between Br and -Br) can reflect the fatigue degree, and can be verified by bending fatigue test of 45# steel. The test results show that Δ B has three stages in the fatigue process, which correspond to the entire crack propagation process. By measuring the Δ B values, the fatigue state of the specimen can be evaluated.
On robotic rehabilitation of human dual arms' coordinative function
Authors: Cao Sheng , Kazuki Nishida , Quan Changqin , Luo Zhiwei
Published: August 2016

Upper limbs cooperative movement functions are very important for us in our everyday life. Due to many kinds of brain diseases, people usually reduced or even lost their half side of body's motion activities, which made it difficult to realize cooperative movements between right and left limbs and in turn greatly reduced their quality of live. In this research, we developed a novel robot system which integrates with virtual reality technologies to perform rehabilitation of upper limbs' cooperative movement functions, such as to realize simultaneous upper limbs' motions or to cooperatively catch and setting a common object in a 3 D work space. Three types of rehabilitation movements are designed so that the subject can train their each arm along as well as cooperative movements in a game style. The motion trajectories as well as the contact forces with objects are automatically recorded which can be used to evaluate the performance of rehabilitation, effectively.
Measurement of finger joint angle using a flexible polymer sensor
Authors: Okuyama Takeshi , Kobayashi Kohei , Otsuki Manabu , Tanaka Mami
Published: August 2016

This paper aims to develop a measurement system for the finger joint angle by using a flexible polymer sensor. In rehabilitation, it is important to evaluate human motions quantitatively for effective treatment. In this study, we focus on hand's grasping motion, which is important motion for eating and drinking. About the flexible polymer sensor, in the previous studies, it has been elucidated that the outputs from the flexible polymer sensor are proportional to the average curvature of measuring surface. Therefore, using the sensor, finger bending motion can be measured by attaching the sensor on finger surface. Firstly, the relationship between the average curvature of finger surface and finger joint angle is theoretically investigated. Then, in order to obtain the relationship between sensor outputs and finger joint angles, sensor outputs and finger joint angles during grasping acrylic cylinders are measured. From the results, it was found that the developed system is useful to measure the finger joint angles.
Molecular detection of cattle and buffalo species meat origin using mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene
Authors: Munira Sirazum , Jahura Fatema Tuz , Hossain Md Munir , Bhuiyan Mohammad Shamsul Alam
Published: August 2016

The study was conducted to adopt PCR based technique for identification of species origin from meat samples of cattle and buffalo using mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene fragment. A total of 42 ear tissue and meat samples were collected from different slaughterhouses and farms of Mymensingh, Bogra and Rangpur districts and stored in 96% ethanol at room temperature. Genomic DNA was extracted from all samples using GeNet Bio genomic DNA isolation kit. The average DNA yield of considered samples was found 204.57 ng/?l where the purity ranged from 1.821.99. Two (2) pair species-specific primers were used to amplify Cyt b gene fragments of 472 bp and 124 bp for cattle and buffalo, respectively. The PCR results revealed different species specific amplified fragments which could discriminate between cattle (472 bp) and buffalo (124 bp) species precisely from pure and mixed samples of those species. This study suggests an accurate molecular technique for identification of cattle and buffalo species meat origin and differentiates species present in adulterated meat samples. In conclusion, this DNA based technique could be utilized for prevention of malpractice in slaughterhouse and chain shops and thereby to protect consumers right.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2016, 2(2): 177-182
Present status, problem and prospect of duck farming in rural areas of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Md Asadul , Howlider Md Abdur Rahman , Alam Md Ashadul , Heyamet Md Abu , Debnath Manika
Published: August 2016

The study was conducted to know the present status, existing production system of duck and assess the potentiality of duck rearing in rural areas of Mymensingh district in Bangladesh. Data were collected randomly from 50 duck rearing farmers using a pre-tested interview schedule during March to May 2010 from several villages under sadar upazilla of Mymensingh. The results reveal that most of the farmers (60%) were middle aged. About 32% farmers were illiterate. Most of the farmers (52%) reared deshi duck and duck population per household was 11.1. About 80% wife of farmers household were responsible for duck rearing. All farmers reared duck in semi scavenging system. About 36% farmers used wood and tin for construction of duck house and 94% farmers used bedding materials for their duck house. All farmers used rice in the diet for duck and 62% farmers accumulated rice and rice polish to make diet for their ducks. About 40% farmers provided on an average of 121.91g supplemental diet to each duck/day and cost of the diet was Tk. 0.85/duck/day. Most of the farmers (72%) provided diet to their ducks twice a day. The age and weight of duck at maturity were 183.6 days and 1.69 kg, respectively. Egg production/duck/year and weight of each egg were 117.5 nos and 63.8g, respectively. All farmers incubated duck egg under broody hen and they got 85.83% hatchability on set eggs. Most of the farmers (52%) mentioned that most prevalent disease of duck was cholera and their duck mortality was 15.2%. About 52% farmers controlled their duck disease with medication and only 14% farmers used vaccine to prevent duck disease. About 22% and 13.5% people did not consume duck meat and egg, respectively because of odour, asthama and allergy. Most of the farmers (50%) incubating duck eggs for ducklings. About 66% farmers purchased duckling by Tk. 24-25 and 58% farmers sell adult duck by Tk. 175-190. Most of the farmers (81.25%) stated that the duck farming is decreasing day by day. About farmers (51%) stated that reason of decreasing duck farming was lack of scavenging area. It was concluded that duck rearing knowledge of the farmers such as breeding, feeding, housing, prevention and control of diseases are not satisfactory of this areas. Introducing of improved duck breeds/varieties, training to duck farmers, ensuring vaccination to ducks, financial and technical support to the farmers could increase the duck rearing with increased household income and employment to youth, rural women and the small-holder marginal farmers.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2016, 2(2): 202-212
Molecular characterisation of oomycetes from fish farm located in Mymensingh sadar during summer
Authors: Rahman KM Mahfujur , Sarowar Mohammad Nasif
Published: August 2016

Oomycetes, also known as water molds, can cause serious infection to plants and animals especially at lower temperature although they dwell in freshwater and moist ecosystem throughout the year. The aim of this research was to investigate the diversity of oomycetes inhabiting in small water bodies during summer. Three types of samples i.e. water, fish mucus and apparently infected muscle samples of fish were collected from a large fish farm consisting of over 100 medium to large ponds in Mymensingh during summer (March to June) in 2015. A total number of 385 samples (284 of water, 79 of mucus and 22 of apparently infected muscle samples) were collected in 15 ml sterile falcon tubes with baits in each. Eleven of the isolates were isolated in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) plates and were identified using molecular methods that included DNA extraction, PCR amplification and subsequent sequencing of the ITS region of the genomic DNA of the samples. BLAST analysis to GenBank revealed that two of the isolates were 99% similar to Pythium sp. (HQ643814), three of the isolates were 98-99% similar to Pythium sp. (KT247392), and each of the remaining four isolates was similar up to 99% to Pythium sp. (KF836354), 99% to Pythium sp. (EU544193), 99% to Pythium rhizo-oryzae (HQ643757) and 100% to Pythium catenulatum (KP862946). Two of the eleven isolates were not assessed due to sequencing error. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that six of the isolates are of clade B1 and three of the isolates are of clade B2 in the Pythium phylogeny. The results partially suggest that plant pathogenic oomycetes are more common in summer than animal or fish pathogenic isolates in the sampled farm however; intensive sampling with a broad range of freshwater ecosystems during summer can give a clearer view on oomycete diversity in Bangladesh.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2016, 2(2): 236-246
Effect of fortification of skim milk with coconut milk on the proximate composition and manufacture of dahi, a traditional sweet curd
Authors: Rakib Md Rezaul Hai , Yesmin Morsheda , Hemayet Md Abu , Kabir Md Ahsanul , Islam Md Nurul
Published: August 2016

The experiment was conducted to measure the feasibility of partial replacement of skim milk with different levels of coconut milk in the manufacture of dahi. Skimmed milk was replaced by 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of coconut milk to produce Dahi designated as A, B, C, D and E. All the samples were analyzed for organoleptic, chemical and microbiological qualities. Replacement of skim milk up to 10% with coconut milk increased total organoleptic score but score decreased when level of coconut milk was 15% and 20%. Dahi manufactured by incorporating 5% coconut milk gave superior results for body and consistency and also for colour and texture. In all levels of replacement increased fat, carbohydrates, ash and total solids were obtained, while protein and pH content were significantly decreased in Dahi samples. Total bacterial count was higher in the dahi manufactured by replacement of coconut milk than control. It could be concluded that 5 and 10% replacement of skim milk with coconut milk for the manufacturing of Dahi was acceptable and reduced the production cost and they were better in compare to others, according to organoleptic, chemical and microbiological analysis. The work showed the potential of coconut as an alternative source of skim milk in dahi manufacturing with improved nutritional value and consumer acceptability.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2016, 2(2): 247-252
Indicators of Evidence for Bioequivalence
Authors: Morgenthaler Stephan , Staudte Robert
Published: August 2016

Some equivalence tests are based on two one-sided tests, where in many applications the test statistics are approximately normal. We define and find evidence for equivalence in Z-tests and then one- and two-sample binomial tests as well as for t-tests. Multivariate equivalence tests are typically based on statistics with non-central chi-squared or non-central F distributions in which the non-centrality parameter λ is a measure of heterogeneity of several groups. Classical tests of the null λ ≥ λ 0 versus the equivalence alternative λ < λ 0 are available, but simple formulae for power functions are not. In these tests, the equivalence limit λ 0 is typically chosen by context. We provide extensions of classical variance stabilizing transformations for the non-central chi-squared and F distributions that are easy to implement and which lead to indicators of evidence for equivalence. Approximate power functions are also obtained via simple expressions for the expected evidence in these equivalence tests.
Investigation of Various Active Layers for Their Performance on Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Huang Pao-Hsun , Wang Yeong-Her , Ke Jhong-Ciao , Huang Chien-Jung
Published: August 2016

The theoretical mechanism of open-circuit voltages (VOC) in OSCs based on various small molecule organic materials is studied. The structure under investigation is simple planar heterojunction (PHJ) by thermal vacuum evaporation deposition. The various wide band gaps of small molecule organic materials are used to enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE). The donor materials used in the device include: Alpha-sexithiophene (α-6T), Copper(II) phthalocyanine (CuPc), boron subnaphthalocyanine chloride (SubNc) and boron Subphthalocyanine chloride (SubPc). It is combined with fullerene or SubPc acceptor material to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the charge transport behavior. It is found that the VOC of the device is largely limited by charge transport. This was associated with the space charge effects and hole accumulation. These results are attributed to the improvement of surface roughness and work function after molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) is inserted as an anode buffer layer.
Predicting Protein-Protein Interactions Using BiGGER: Case Studies
Authors: Almeida Rui , Dell’Acqua Simone , Krippahl Ludwig , Moura José , Pauleta Sofia
Published: August 2016

The importance of understanding interactomes makes preeminent the study of protein interactions and protein complexes. Traditionally, protein interactions have been elucidated by experimental methods or, with lower impact, by simulation with protein docking algorithms. This article describes features and applications of the BiGGER docking algorithm, which stands at the interface of these two approaches. BiGGER is a user-friendly docking algorithm that was specifically designed to incorporate experimental data at different stages of the simulation, to either guide the search for correct structures or help evaluate the results, in order to combine the reliability of hard data with the convenience of simulations. Herein, the applications of BiGGER are described by illustrative applications divided in three Case Studies: (Case Study A) in which no specific contact data is available; (Case Study B) when different experimental data (e.g., site-directed mutagenesis, properties of the complex, NMR chemical shift perturbation mapping, electron tunneling) on one of the partners is available; and (Case Study C) when experimental data are available for both interacting surfaces, which are used during the search and/or evaluation stage of the docking. This algorithm has been extensively used, evidencing its usefulness in a wide range of different biological research fields.
Chemo-Enzymatic Synthesis of Oligoglycerol Derivatives
Authors: Singh Abhishek , Nguyen Remi , Galy Nicolas , Haag Rainer , Sharma Sunil , Len Christophe
Published: August 2016

A cleaner and greener method has been developed and used to synthesize 14 different functionalized oligomer derivatives of glycerol in moderate 29%–39% yields over three steps. After successive regioselective enzymatic acylation of the primary hydroxyl groups, etherification or esterification of the secondary hydroxyl groups and chemoselective enzymatic saponification, the target compounds can efficiently be used as versatile building blocks in organic and supramolecular chemistry.
THE ENERGY-DEPENDENT POSITION OF THE IBEX RIBBON DUE TO THE SOLAR WIND STRUCTURE
Authors: Swaczyna Paweł , Bzowski Maciej , Sokół Justyna M.
Published: August 2016

Observations of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) allow for remote studies of the condition of plasma in the heliosphere and the neighboring local interstellar medium. The first results from the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) revealed an arc-like enhancement of the ENA intensity in the sky, known as the ribbon. The ribbon was not expected from the heliospheric models prior to the launch of IBEX. One proposed explanation for the ribbon is the mechanism of secondary ENA emission. The ribbon reveals energy-dependent structure in the relative intensity along its circumference and in its position. That is, the geometric center of the ribbon varies systematically by about 10° in the energy range 0.7–4.3 keV. Here, we show by analytical modeling that this effect is a consequence of the helio-latitudinal structure of the solar wind reflected in the secondary ENAs. Along with a recently measured distance to the ribbon’s source just beyond the heliopause, our findings support the connection of the ribbon with the local interstellar magnetic field by the mechanism of secondary ENA emission. However, the magnitude of the center shift in the highest IBEX energy channel is much larger in the observations than expected from the modeling. This may be due to another, not currently recognized, process of ENA generation.
A PLANET IN AN 840 DAY ORBIT AROUND A KEPLER MAIN-SEQUENCE A STAR FOUND FROM PHASE MODULATION OF ITS PULSATIONS
Authors: Murphy Simon J. , Bedding Timothy R. , Shibahashi Hiromoto
Published: August 2016

We have detected a 12 M

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planet orbiting in or near the habitable zone of a main-sequence A star via the pulsational phase shifts induced by orbital motion. The planet has an orbital period of 840 ± 20 days and an eccentricity of 0.15. All known planets orbiting main-sequence A stars have been found via the transit method or by direct imaging. The absence of astrometric or radial velocity detections of planets around these hosts makes ours the first discovery using the orbital motion. It is also the first A star known to host a planet within 1σ of the habitable zone. We find evidence for planets in a large fraction of the parameter space where we are able to detect them. This supports the idea that A stars harbor high-mass planets in wide orbits.
DEUTERIUM FRACTIONATION DURING AMINO ACID FORMATION BY PHOTOLYSIS OF INTERSTELLAR ICE ANALOGS CONTAINING DEUTERATED METHANOL
Authors: Oba Yasuhiro , Takano Yoshinori , Watanabe Naoki , Kouchi Akira
Published: August 2016

Deuterium (D) atoms in interstellar deuterated methanol might be distributed into complex organic molecules through molecular evolution by photochemical reactions in interstellar grains. In this study, we use a state-of-the-art high-resolution mass spectrometer coupled with a high-performance liquid chromatography system to quantitatively analyze amino acids and their deuterated isotopologues formed by the photolysis of interstellar ice analogs containing singly deuterated methanol CH2DOH at 10 K. Five amino acids (glycine, α-alanine, β-alanine, sarcosine, and serine) and their deuterated isotopologues whose D atoms are bound to carbon atoms are detected in organic residues formed by photolysis followed by warming up to room temperature. The abundances of singly deuterated amino acids are in the range of 0.3–1.1 relative to each nondeuterated counterpart, and the relative abundances of doubly and triply deuterated species decrease with an increasing number of D atoms in a molecule. The abundances of amino acids increase by a factor of more than five upon the hydrolysis of the organic residues, leading to decreases in the relative abundances of deuterated species for α-alanine and β-alanine. On the other hand, the relative abundances of the deuterated isotopologues of the other three amino acids did not decrease upon hydrolysis, indicating different formation mechanisms of these two groups upon hydrolysis. The present study facilitates both qualitative and quantitative evaluations of D fractionation during molecular evolution in the interstellar medium.
Investigating Elastic Anisotropy of the Porcine Cornea as a Function of Intraocular Pressure With Optical Coherence Elastography
Authors: Singh Manmohan , Li Jiasong , Han Zhaolong , Wu Chen , Aglyamov Salavat R. , Twa Michael D. , Larin Kirill V.
Published: August 2016

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the elastic anisotropy of porcine corneas at different intraocular pressures (IOPs) using a noncontact optical coherence elastography (OCE) technique.

METHODS:

A focused air-pulse induced low amplitude (≤ 10
µ
m) elastic waves in fresh porcine corneas (n = 7) in situ in the whole eye globe configuration. A home-built phase-stabilized swept source optical coherence elastography (PhS-SSOCE) system imaged the elastic wave propagation at different stepped radial directions. A closed-loop feedback system was used to artificially control the IOP and the OCE measurements were repeated as the IOP was incrementally increased from 15 to 30 mm Hg in 5-mm Hg increments.

RESULTS:

The OCE measurements demonstrated that the stiffness of the cornea increased as a function of IOP and elastic anisotropy of the cornea became more pronounced at higher IOPs. The standard deviation of the modified planar anisotropy coefficient increased from 0.72 ± 0.42 at an IOP of 15 mm Hg to 1.58 ± 0.40 at 30 mm Hg.

CONCLUSIONS:

The presented noncontact OCE method was capable of detecting and assessing the corneal elastic anisotropy as a function of IOP. Due to the noninvasive nature and small amplitude of the elastic wave, this method may be able to provide further information about corneal health and integrity in vivo.

[
J Refract Surg.
2016;32(8):562–567.]