bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient Resource Recovery Options from Municipal Solid Waste: Case Study of Patna, India
Authors: Gandhe Herambprasad , Kumar Awkash
Published: April 2016

Solid waste management is one of the biggest issues in India as well as in the world. The generation of solid waste should be estimated for proper management of municipal solid waste (MSW) of the cities.The segregation, collection, transportation and disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) are currently done in very unscientific and causal way in India and in many other developing countries. This creates problem for environment in terms of water, air and odour pollution. In this study, municipal solid waste has been estimated for Patna city and management has been carried out from the point of view of the recovery resources. The components of MSW have been estimated and based on that, moisture, density and energy content have been quantified. Afterwards, chemical compositions have been calculated and chemical formula has been made for MSW. This composition can help to estimate requirement of oxygen to degrade MSW and recovery of methane and carbon dioxide from MSW. Generally, landfill for solid waste management is planned for fifteen years or more than that. It is carried out in several parts or layers which take many years. In this paper, the calculation of energy content, requirement of oxygen to degrade MSW and recovery of methane, carbon dioxide from MSW have been carried out for a year which can be done for whole landfill period.
Evaluation of Water Quality of Kaveri River in Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu by Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Sukumaran Monikandon , Devarayan Kesavan
Published: April 2016

Principal component analysis is a unique technique for reducing the dimensionality of the data. In this study, ten water quality parameters of the river Kaveri observed at five different stations of Tiruchirappalli for six years were collected and subjected to principal component analysis. A computational program was prepared in order to process and understand the data as a cluster. At first necessary data for compiling the program were listed and then fed to the program. Then the outputs were analyzed and possible linear and non-linear relationships between the water quality parameters and the timeline. It is understood that biological oxygen demand and fecal coli had a linear relationship. Further, the results suggested for group of factors that influence the water quality in a particular year.
Soil Carbon:An Overview on Soil Carbon Function and its Fractionation
Authors: Priyanka Kumari , Anshumali Anshumali
Published: April 2016

The atmospheric carbon reservoir is significantly affected by change in lithogenic carbon reservoir. Carbon reservoir of soil is strongly influenced by the interaction between different biogeochemical cycles and environmental processes. At the local scale land use and soil management have also a significant impact on the soil carbon pool. Soil carbon is the major determinant of soil quality and agronomic viability because of its influence on other soil features. Different fractionation procedure is often described in terms of the soil organic matter (SOM) pool sizes, chemical properties, and turnover rates. Soil carbon separation includes physical and chemical methods and their combinations in a sequence. Separation of soil carbon according to soil aggregate size, density and magnetic properties is termed as physical separation whiles their solubility, oxidizability, hydrolysability is used in chemical fractionation. Carbon fractionation is a useful tool for observing the changes in different labile, recalcitrant and total pool of soil carbon. Thus, helpful in making decision to locals for adopting proper management practices suitable for a particular soil type in response to economic productivity and soil quality.
Copper Slag Blended Cement: An Environmental Sustainable Approach for Cement Industry in India
Authors: Singh Jagmeet , Singh Jaspal , Kaur Manpreet
Published: April 2016

Indian cement industry is facing environmental issue of emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas. Blended cements including supplementary cementitious materials are substitute of Portland cement to reduce CO2 emission. The present paper investigates theappropriateness of copper slag (CS) as supplementary cementitious material. Strength properties and hydration of mixes were determined at different replacement levels of CS with cement. Compressive, flexural and tensile strength of each mix was found out at different curing periods. The hydration of cement was investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD). The strength test results showed that substitution of up to 20% of CS can significantly replace Portland cement.XRD test results were corresponding to strength test results. The present study encourages the utilization of CS as supplementary cementitious material to make economical and environmentally sustainable blended cement
Biodegradation of Chlorpyrifos by Pseudomonas Resinovarans Strain AST2.2 Isolated from Enriched Cultures.
Authors: Sharma Anish , Pandit Jyotsana , Sharma Ruchika , Shirkot Poonam
Published: April 2016

A bacterial strain AST2.2 with chlorpyrifos degrading ability was isolated by enrichment technique from apple orchard soil with previous history of chlorpyrifos use. Based on the morphological, biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequence analysis, AST2.2 strain was identified as Pseudomonas resinovarans. The strain AST2.2 utilized chlorpyrifos as the sole source of carbon and energy. This strain exhibited growth upto 400mg/l concentration of chlorpyrifos and exhibited high extracellular organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) activity. Gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) studies revealed that Pseudomonas resinovarans AST2.2 degraded 43.90 % of chlorpyrifos (400 mg/l) within 96 hrs. Intermediates of chlorpyrifos degradation were identified using GC-MS. This strain have potential to degrade chlorpyrifos and thus can be used for bioremediation and ecological restoration of sites contaminated with chlorpyrifos
Experimental Investigation and Techno Economic Analysis of Open Core Gasifier by Using Shredded Cotton Stalk as Feedstock
Authors: Dobariya U. D , Sarsavadiya P. N
Published: April 2016

Investigation on gasification of shredded cotton stalk was carried out by developing an open core throat less downdraft gasifier reactor (capacity: 70 MJh-1).Performance of the gasifier was carried out at six different gas flow rate (12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 m3/h)levels.The gasifier performed best at 18 m3h-1gas flow rate with equivalence ratio,gasification efficiency, specific gasification rate,specific gas production rate and fuel consumption rate of 0.35, 71.05 %, 192.51 kgh-1m-2,481.28m3h-1m-2and 7.2 kgh-1respectively. The economic analysis was carried out by considering shredded cotton stalk as feed stalk and compared with briquette. The benefit cost ratio of the gasifier systemwas increased from 1.45 to 2.18 (50.34%) and payback period decreased from 5y9m to 3y 5m (40.39 %) considering shredded cotton stalk as feed stock and compared with briquette for (gas flow rate: 18 m3h-1, daily operation: 20 h per day) 270 days of operation per year.
Diversity of Selaginella across altitudinal gradient of the tropical region
Authors: SETYAWAN AHMAD DWI , SUPRIATNA JATNA , DARNAEDI DEDY , ROKHMATULOH ROKHMATULOH , SUTARNO SUTARNO , SUGIYARTO SUGIYARTO
Published: April 2016

Setyawan AD, Supriatna J, Darnaedi D, Rokhmatuloh, Sutarno, Sugiyarto. 2016. Diversity of Selaginella across altitudinalÂ gradient of the tropical region. Biodiversitas 17: 384-400. Selaginella prefers moist environment for its growth and requires water forÂ fertilization; therefore it is often found flourish in plateau and hilly mountains with high rainfall. The aim of this research was to knowÂ species diversity of Selaginella along altitudinal gradient in the southern part of Java, Indonesia. The research was conducted betweenÂ July 2007 and January 2014across the altitudinal region of Java, Indonesia, which includes the districts of Wonosobo, Purworejo,Â Kebumen, Banjarnegara and its border areas, with altitudes between 0 and 2500 m. asl. The research found 12 selaginellas species, 10Â species collected from field research, namely: S. aristata, S. ciliaris, S. intermedia, S. involvens, S. opaca, S. ornata, S. plana, S.Â repanda, S. remotifolia, and S. uncinata; and two species only known from herbarium collection of Herbarium Bogoriense (BO), namely S. singalanensis and S. willdenowii. This research was the first publication of the Selaginella flora along altitudinal gradient from the coastal area to the high mountains of Central Java, Indonesia.
Optimization and Standardization of Circulating MicroRNA Detection for Clinical Application: The miR-Test Case
Authors: Marzi Matteo Jacopo , Montani Francesca , Carletti Rose Mary , Dezi Fabio , Dama Elisa , Bonizzi Giuseppina , Sandri Maria Teresa , Rampinelli Cristiano , Bellomi Massimo , Maisonneuve Patrick , Spaggiari Lorenzo , Veronesi Giulia , Bianchi Fabrizio , Di Fiore Pier Paolo , Nicassio Francesco
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND

The identification of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in the blood has been recently exploited for the development of minimally invasive tests for the early detection of cancer. Nevertheless, the clinical transferability of such tests is uncertain due to still-insufficient standardization and optimization of methods to detect circulating miRNAs in the clinical setting.

METHODS

We performed a series of tests to optimize the quantification of serum miRNAs that compose the miR-Test, a signature for lung cancer early detection, and systematically analyzed variables that could affect the performance of the test. We took advantage of a large-scale (>1000 samples) validation study of the miR-Test that we recently published, to evaluate, in clinical samples, the effects of analytical and preanalytical variables on the quantification of circulating miRNAs and the clinical output of the signature (risk score).

RESULTS

We developed a streamlined and standardized pipeline for the processing of clinical serum samples that allows the isolation and analysis of circulating miRNAs by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR, with a throughput compatible with screening trials. The major source of analytical variation came from RNA isolation from serum, which could be corrected by use of external (spike-in) or endogenous miRNAs as a reference for normalization. We also introduced standard operating procedures and QC steps to check for unspecific fluctuations that arise from the lack of standardized criteria in the collection or handling of the samples (preanalytical factors).

CONCLUSIONS

We propose our methodology as a reference for the development of clinical-grade blood tests on the basis of miRNA detection.
Lagrangian fibrations on symplectic fourfolds
Authors: Ou Wenhao
Published: April 2016

We prove that there are at most two possibilities for the base of a Lagrangian fibration from a complex projective irreducible symplectic fourfold.
Biodegradation of crosslinked polyurethane acrylates/guar gum composites under natural soil burial conditions
Authors: Oprea Stefan , Oprea Veronica
Published: April 2016

This study investigated the effect of the guar gum content on the degradation behavior of the polyester and polyether polyurethane acrylate composites under outdoor soil-burial exposure. Polyurethane acrylates-guar gum composites were characterized before and after soil degradation by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), mechanical measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the addition of guar gum produces significant improvement in the degradation rate of these composites. The guar gum filler’s susceptibility to humidity and to soil microorganisms resulted in significant chemical and morphological changes in the entire structure of the composite. Guar gum incorporation into the matrix of the crosslinked polyurethane acrylates leads to a significant decrease in the mechanical properties of the composite films after soil burial exposure.
Is There Too Much Government in Developed Countries? A Time-Series Analysis of 24 OECD-Economies
Authors: Coll Sebastian
Published: April 2016

The economic consequences of public sector oversizing have been analyzed in hundreds of scientific contributions. The empirical branch of this literature tries to measure these effects through the use of three main tools: cross-sectional analysis of countries’ samples, time-series analysis of individual economies, and panel-data analysis. Most authors conclude that the current size of the public sector is too big in their analyzed economies, thus leading to reduced output. For different reasons, however, the results of both cross-sectional and time-series analyses are open to criticism. This article aims to check the validity of the converging conclusions obtained by time-series analyses. To this end, a simultaneous-equation model is designed, which evades the critiques addressed to prior contributions. Application of this model to 24 OECD countries during the 1975-to-2007 period suggests that at least most of these have indeed let their public sector grow beyond the level that is optimum for their economic performance.
Religion and Democracy
Authors: Diima Bogdan , Preda Ciipriian , Diima Mariia
Published: April 2016

Based on the World Values Surveys 2005 data, measures of different aspects of religion are constructed and tested against various measures of democracy on a cross-national level for a set of 41 countries. The analyses reveal that there are some significant inter-linkages between the involved variables; however, the religious variables act in a nonuniform manner on the explanatory ones. We conclude that both conceptual and empirical arguments support the idea of democracy viewed as a religious dependent variable.
Maternal and perinatal outcomes in pregnancies with multiple sclerosis: a case-control study
Authors: Yalcin Serenat Eris , Yalcin Yakup , Yavuz And , Akkurt Mehmet Ozgur , Sezik Mekin
Published: April 2016

Objective:

To assess whether maternal multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes by determining the clinical course of disease during pregnancy and postpartum throughout a 10-year-period in a single tertiary center.

Methods:

We conducted a case-control study that included pregnancies with a definitive diagnosis of MS (n=43), matched with 100 healthy pregnant women with similar characteristics. Maternal and perinatal data were retrieved from hospital files. Groups were compared with the Mann-Whitney and χ
2 tests. Logistic regression models were constructed to determine independent effects.

Results:

Maternal demographic and baseline laboratory data were similar across the groups. Rates of preterm delivery, fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, stillbirth, cesarean delivery, congenital malformation, and 5-min Apgar score were comparable (P>0.05 for all). General anesthesia during cesarean delivery (96% vs. 39%, P=0.002), urinary tract infection (UTI) (12% vs. 3%, P=0.04), low 1-min Apgar score (21% vs. 9%, P=0.04), and nonbreastfeeding (33% vs. 2%, P=0.001) were more frequent in women with MS. The low 1-min Apgar score and breastfeeding rates were independent of general anesthesia and UTI in regression models.

Conclusion:

MS during pregnancy was not associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes except UTI, low 1-min Apgar scores, and decreased breastfeeding rates.
Dense sampling provides a reevaluation of the southern geographic distribution of the cavies Galea and Microcavia (Rodentia)
Authors: Udrizar Sauthier Daniel E. , Formoso Anahí E. , Teta Pablo , de Tommaso Daniela C. , Bernardis Adela M. , Tammone Mauro N. , Pardiñas Ulyses F.J.
Published: April 2016

The southern distribution of the small cavies
Electronic and optical properties of Mn–S co-doped anatase TiO2 from first-principles calculations
Authors: Wu Guohao , Zheng S.K. , Yan Xiaobing
Published: April 2016

The electronic and optical properties of Mn–S co-doped anatase TiO2 were calculated using the plane-wave-based ultrasoft pseudopotential density functional method within its generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The calculated results show that the band gap of Mn–S co-doped TiO2 is larger than that of the pure TiO2, and two impurity bands appear in the forbidden band, one of which above the valence band plays a vital role for the improvement of the visible light catalytic activity. The Mn–S co-doped anatase TiO2 could be a potential candidate for a photo catalyst because of its enhanced absorption ability of visible light.
Complex permittivity, permeability and microwave absorbing properties of Co–Ti substituted strontium hexaferrite
Authors: Bindra Narang Sukhleen , Kaur Pawandeep , Bahel Shalini
Published: April 2016

M-type strontium ferrite with compositions SrFe(12-2x)CoxTixO19(x = 0.0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0), were prepared by two route ceramic method. The effects of Co–Ti substitution on their microstructure, electromagnetic properties, and microwave absorptive behavior were analyzed. The complex permittivity (∊′-j∊″) and complex permeability (μ′-jμ″) have been measured from 8.2 to 12.4 GHz using a network analyzer. Scanning electron microscope was used to analyze the grain size distribution and porosity of the ferrite. X-ray diffraction confirmed the M-type structure of the doped strontium ferrite. Vibrating sample magnetometer was used to study hysteresis loop of the ferrite. This study suggests that the control of grain size, decrease in coercivity and enhanced values of dielectric constant and loss are effective means to improve microwave absorption. The dielectric constant and loss were enhanced in comparison to the permeability constant and loss over the entire frequency range.
Effects of thermal treatment and fluoride ion doping on surface and catalytic properties of NiO–ZrO2catalysts
Authors: Abdel Fattah Reham M. , Kiwan Hala A. , Ahmed Awad I. , Mostafa Mohamed R.
Published: April 2016

ZrO2and a series of NiO/ZrO2hydrogels (5 to 25 wt.% NiO) were co-precipitated with the aid of NaOH–Na2C2O4solution. Two fluorinated hydrogels were also prepared by wet impregnation method. The samples were calcined in the temperature range of 550 to 850 °C. The surface properties of the samples were determined using DTA, XRD and nitrogen adsorption at −196 °C. The conversion of isopropanol was tested using microcatalytic pulse technique. DTA measurements showed that the addition of nickel oxide to zirconia influences the phase transition of ZrO2. XRD revealed that the tetragonal phase was formed at T ⩽ 650 °C, while a biphasic mixture was obtained at T ⩾ 750 °C. No spinel structure was detected by both DTA and XRD techniques and only traces of cubic NiO were detected for the samples containing ⩾ 15 wt.% nickel oxide and calcined at T ⩾ 750 °C. Significant changes in texture, surface acidity and catalytic activity were found as a result of the effects of thermal treatment and chemical composition. Incorporation of fluoride ions greatly increased the surface acidity and consequently enhanced the dehydration activity. It has been found that dehydration activity is related to the amount of surface acidity while the dehydrogenation of this alcohol is sensitive to NiO content.
Experimental and theoretical approaches on thermal and structural properties of Zn doped BSCCO glass ceramics
Authors: Koralay H. , Hicyilmaz O. , Cavdar S. , Ozturk O. , Tasci A.T.
Published: April 2016

Thermal properties of Cu–Zn partially substituted Bi1.8Sr2Ca2Cu3.2-xZnxO10+δ(x = 0, 0.1 and 0.5) glass-ceramic systems have been investigated with the help of a differential thermal analyzer (DTA) by using Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK) approximation. Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of the samples has been tested. The calculated values of activation energy of crystallization (E) and Avrami parameter (n) ranged between 306.1 and 338.3 kJ.mol-1and 1.29 and 3.59, respectively. Crystallization kinetics was compared following the partial substitution, before and after Zn doping of the sample. In addition, by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), structural properties of Zn doped BSCCO glass-ceramic samples were determined. Surface morphology of the samples was studied by SEM measurements. Lattice parameters and volume of the samples were calculated from the XRD measurements.
Colloidal nanocrystals for quality lighting and displays: milestones and recent developments
Authors: Erdem Talha , Demir Hilmi Volkan
Published: April 2016

Recent advances in colloidal synthesis of nanocrystals have enabled high-quality high-efficiency light-emitting diodes, displays with significantly broader color gamut, and optically-pumped lasers spanning the whole visible regime. Here we review these colloidal platforms covering the milestone studies together with recent developments. In the review, we focus on the devices made of colloidal quantum dots (nanocrystals), colloidal quantum rods (nanorods), and colloidal quantum wells (nanoplatelets) as well as those of solution processed perovskites and phosphor nanocrystals. The review starts with an introduction to colloidal nanocrystal photonics emphasizing the importance of colloidal materials for light-emitting devices. Subsequently,we continue with the summary of important reports on light-emitting diodes, in which colloids are used as the color converters and then as the emissive layers in electroluminescent devices. Also,we review the developments in color enrichment and electroluminescent displays. Next, we present a summary of important reports on the lasing of colloidal semiconductors. Finally, we summarize and conclude the review presenting a future outlook.
Quantum Cascade Laser Frequency Combs
Authors: Faist Jérôme , Villares Gustavo , Scalari Giacomo , Rösch Markus , Bonzon Christopher , Hugi Andreas , Beck Mattias
Published: April 2016

It was recently demonstrated that broadband quantum cascade lasers can operate as frequency combs. As such, they operate under direct electrical pumping at both mid-infrared and THz frequencies, making them very attractive for dual-comb spectroscopy. Performance levels are continuously improving, with average powers over 100mW and frequency coverage of 100 cm-1 in the mid-infrared region. In the THz range, 10mW of average power and 600 GHz of frequency coverage are reported. As a result of the very short upper state lifetime of the gain medium, the mode proliferation in these sources arises from four-wave mixing rather than saturable absorption. As a result, their optical output is characterized by the tendency of small intensity modulation of the output power, and the relative phases of the modes to be similar to the ones of a frequency modulated laser. Recent results include the proof of comb operation down to a metrological level, the observation of a Schawlow-Townes broadened linewidth, as well as the first dual-comb spectroscopy measurements. The capability of the structure to integrate monothically nonlinear optical elements as well as to operate as a detector shows great promise for future chip integration of dual-comb systems.
Advancing colloidal quantum dot photovoltaic technology
Authors: Cheng Yan , Arinze Ebuka S. , Palmquist Nathan , Thon Susanna M.
Published: April 2016

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are attractive materials for solar cells due to their low cost, ease of fabrication and spectral tunability. Progress in CQD photovoltaic technology over the past decade has resulted in power conversion efficiencies approaching 10%. In this review, we give an overview of this progress, and discuss limiting mechanisms and paths for future improvement in CQD solar cell technology.We briefly summarize nanoparticle synthesis and film processing methods and evaluate the optoelectronic properties of CQD films, including the crucial role that surface ligands play in materials performance. We give an overview of device architecture engineering in CQD solar cells. The compromise between carrier extraction and photon absorption in CQD photovoltaics is analyzed along with different strategies for overcoming this trade-off. We then focus on recent advances in absorption enhancement through innovative device design and the use of nanophotonics. Several light-trapping schemes, which have resulted in large increases in cell photocurrent, are described in detail. In particular, integrating plasmonic elements into CQD devices has emerged as a promising approach to enhance photon absorption through both near-field coupling and far-field scattering effects. We also discuss strategies for overcoming the single junction efficiency limits in CQD solar cells, including tandem architectures, multiple exciton generation and hybrid materials schemes. Finally, we offer a perspective on future directions for the field and the most promising paths for achieving higher device efficiencies.
Crystal structure of 1α,7β-dihydroxy-11β-acetoxy-ent-7β,20-epoxykaur-16-en-15-one, C22H30O6
Authors: Liu Ya-Hua , Zhang Jing-Jie , Ye Jiang-Hai , Zhao Chen-Liang , Pan Lu-Tai
Published: April 2016

C22H30O6, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 5.979(4) Å, b = 16.735(12) Å, c = 20.323(15) Å, V = 2034(3) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt
(F) = 0.0498, wR
ref
(F
2
) = 0.1209, T = 293(2) K.
Crystal structure of 7β,14β,15β-trihydroxy-1α-acetoxy-7α,20-epoxy-ent-kaurane, C22H32O6
Authors: Lv Jun , Ye Jiang-Hai , Yang Li-Yong , Zhao Chen-Liang , Zhang Jing-Jie , Pan Lu-Tai
Published: April 2016

C22H30O6, monoclinic, P21 (no. 14), a = 9.111(3) Å, b = 9.535(3) Å, c = 11.331(4) Å, β = 92.703(4)°, V = 983.3(5) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt
(F) = 0.0418, wR
ref
(F
2) = 0.1152, T = 293 K.
Multiscale Aspects of Generation of High-Gamma Activity during Seizures in Human Neocortex
Authors: Eissa Tahra L. , Tryba Andrew K. , Marcuccilli Charles J. , Ben-Mabrouk Faiza , Smith Elliot H. , Lew Sean M. , Goodman Robert R. , McKhann Guy M. , Frim David M. , Pesce Lorenzo L. , Kohrman Michael H. , Emerson Ronald G. , Schevon Catherine A. , van Drongelen Wim
Published: April 2016

High-gamma (HG; 80-150 Hz) activity in macroscopic clinical records is considered a marker for critical brain regions involved in seizure initiation; it is correlated with pathological multiunit firing during neocortical seizures in the seizure core, an area identified by correlated multiunit spiking and low frequency seizure activity. However, the effects of the spatiotemporal dynamics of seizure on HG power generation are not well understood. Here, we studied HG generation and propagation, using a three-step, multiscale signal analysis and modeling approach. First, we analyzed concurrent neuronal and microscopic network HG activity in neocortical slices from seven intractable epilepsy patients. We found HG activity in these networks, especially when neurons displayed paroxysmal depolarization shifts and network activity was highly synchronized. Second, we examined HG activity acquired with microelectrode arrays recorded during human seizures (n= 8). We confirmed the presence of synchronized HG power across microelectrode records and the macroscale, both specifically associated with the core region of the seizure. Third, we used volume conduction-based modeling to relate HG activity and network synchrony at different network scales. We showed that local HG oscillations require high levels of synchrony to cross scales, and that this requirement is met at the microscopic scale, but not within macroscopic networks. Instead, we present evidence that HG power at the macroscale may result from harmonics of ongoing seizure activity. Ictal HG power marks the seizure core, but the generating mechanism can differ across spatial scales.
Imperial Landscapes
Authors: Montes Noé
Published: April 2016

The Imperial Valley is a vast agricultural area situated at the southeast corner of the state of California, bordering Arizona and Mexico. The culture of the Imperial Valley is informed by its long and troubled history. It is a mix of American Southwest and Mexican cultures. While the landscape there is one of great beauty the underlying fact is that it is a place of great economic inequality. A careful and considered reading of images in this photo essay makes that apparent.
On different approaches to syntactic analysis into bi-lexical dependencies: An empirical comparison of direct, PCFG-based, and HPSG-based parsers
Authors: Ivanova Angelina , Oepen Stephan , Dridan Rebecca , Flickinger Dan , Øvrelid Lilja , Lapponi Emanuele
Published: April 2016

We compare three different approaches to parsing into syntactic, bi- lexical dependencies for English: a ‘direct’ data-driven dependency parser, a statistical phrase structure parser, and a hybrid, ‘deep’ grammar-driven parser. The analyses from the latter two are post- converted to bi-lexical dependencies. Through this ‘reduction’ of all three approaches to syntactic dependency parsers, we determine empirically what performance can be obtained for a common set of de- pendency types for English, across a broad variety of domains. In doing so, we observe what trade-offs apply along three dimensions, accuracy, efficiency, and resilience to domain variation. Our results suggest that the hand-built grammar in one of our parsers helps in both accuracy and cross-domain parsing performance, but these accuracy gains do not necessarily translate to improvements in the downstream task of negation resolution.
Microencapsulación de aceite esencial de tomillo (Thymus vulgaris) en matrices poliméricas de almidón de ñame (Dioscorea rotundata) modificado
Authors: Matiz Melo Germán Eduardo , Fuentes López Katerin , León Méndez Glicerio
Published: April 2016

Los aceites esenciales son conocidos por sus numerosas actividades biológicas y organolépticas, pero su empleo suele verse limitado por su alta volatilidad y tendencia a degradarse. La microencapsulación es una estrategia válida para superar estos inconvenientes. En este trabajo se empleó almidón de ñame (D. rotundata), el cual fue sometido a procesos de hidrólisis y lipofilización, empleando anhídrido dodecenilsuccínico (DDSA); esto incrementó significativamente las capacidades captadora de aceite y emulsificante (tensoactiva) del almidón nativo, el cual se empleó para microencapsular aceite esencial de tomillo, que en estudios previos demostró potente actividad antibacteriana sobre las cepas involucradas en el desarrollo del acné. La microencapsulación se llevó a cabo por microparticulación lipídica sólida, seguida de emulsificación. Esta alcanzó una eficiencia superior al 98%, y el producto obtenido, desafiado en diversas pruebas, demostró capacidad de retener más del 90% del aceite esencial en condiciones de evaporación, evitando su oxidación y el cambio en su perfil de composición. Finalmente, las microcápsulas de aceites esenciales de tomillo, al ponerse en contacto con las bacterias del acné, mantuvieron su actividad bactericida. Los resultados de este trabajo aportan al desarrollo de formulaciones farmacéuticas, cosméticas y alimentarias estables y funcionales de aceites esenciales, al protegerlos de la evaporación y degradación.
Estudio matemático de estabilidad del estado estacionario del desempeño del electrodo de la pasta de carbono, químicamente modificado por un líquido iónico, en la cuantificación del galato de propilo
Authors: Tkach Volodymyr V. , Ferreira Valdir Souza , Ojani Reza , Galeano Espínola Michel O. , Yagodynets’ Petró I. , De Rizzo da Matta Márcia H.
Published: April 2016

El comportamiento y el desempeño electroquímico del electrodo de pasta de carbono químicamente modificado por un líquido iónico (EPCQM), en la detección del galato de propilo, se investigaron matemáticamente desde el punto de vista de la estabilidad del estado estacionario. El modelo matemático correspondiente se analizó por medio de la teoría de estabilidad lineal y análisis de bifurcaciones. Los resultados de modelaje son comparados con los experimentales (para este sistema y
semejantes), bien como con los teóricos para otros casos.
Conocimientos, actitudes, prácticas y educación sobre tuberculosis en estudiantes de una facultad de salud
Authors: Wilches Luna Esther Cecilia , Hernández Nasly Lorena , Hernández Orobio Olga Marina , Pérez Vélez Carlos Mario
Published: April 2016

Determinar los conocimientos, actitudes, prácticas y educación relacionados con Tuberculosis, así como la reactividad a la prueba cutánea de tuberculina de estudiantes de último año de una facultad de salud.

Método Se realizó un estudio transversal utilizando un cuestionario diseñado y validado por los investigadores para indagar los conocimientos, actitudes, prácticas y educación relacionados con tuberculosis en 193 estudiantes de último año de los programas de medicina, enfermería, odontología, fisioterapia, fonoaudiología, terapia ocupacional, laboratorio clínico y atención pre-hospitalaria. Se realizó la prueba cutánea de tuberculina en 153 de los encuestados.

Resultados Aunque la mayoría de los encuestados calificaron como suficiente la educación recibida sobre tuberculosis, los resultados sobre conocimientos no apoyan esta percepción: 35,2 % de los estudiantes no identificaron apropiadamente los factores de riesgo para tuberculosis  nosocomial, solo 33,7 % conocían la incidencia de tuberculosis en el país y un 1,6 % de los encuestados identificó apropiadamente el tratamiento de primera línea para tuberculosis. En cuanto a las prácticas, un 50 % de los encuestados admitió que realizaría la atención de un paciente con tuberculosis sin máscara de alta eficiencia. De acuerdo a la prueba cutánea de tuberculina, 35 % de los estudiantes tenía tuberculosis latente.

Conclusiones Los resultados indican que existen oportunidades para mejorar la educación que reciben los estudiantes de esta facultad con respecto a la tuberculosis, además es necesario mejorar las medidas de protección en los contextos en que se llevan a cabo las prácticas de los estudiantes para reducir el riesgo de conversión.
Seroprevalencia de anticuerpos a virus del sarampión, rubeola, parotiditis, hepatitis B y los tres serotipos de poliovirus, en niños de Quindío, Colombia
Authors: Gonzalez de Sch María Mercedes , Giraldo Garcia Alejandra María , Padilla Sanabria Leonardo , Sarmiento Perez Luis , Rey-Benito Gloria Janneth , Castaño Jhon Carlos
Published: April 2016

Determinar la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos a virus de sarampión, rubeola, parotiditis, hepatitis B y los tres serotipos de poliovirus en población infantil del Departamento del Quindío, Colombia.

Métodos Se colectaron muestras de sangre de 170 niños en edades comprendidas entre los cinco y nueve años de  nueve departamentos del Quindío. Se determinó la presencia de anticuerpos tipo IgG para sarampión, rubeola y parotiditis  mediante un ELISA indirecto comercial. La inmunidad contra la poliomielitis se determinó por la presencia de anticuerpos neutralizantes a poliovirus según los métodos recomendados por OMS.

Resultados De los 170 niños estudiados, 169 (99,41 %), 170 (100 %), and 167 (98,2 %) fueron seropositivos a  poliovirus 1, poliovirus 2, y poliovirus 3, respectivamente. El título promedio geométrico de anticuerpos fue 178 para poliovirus tipo 1, 120 para el tipo 2 y 56 para el tipo 3. De los 170 niños, el 96,47 % estuvo protegido contra parotiditis y rubeola y el 86,47 % contra sarampión. Se demostró respuesta serológica positiva contra el virus de la  hepatitis B solamente en el 62,35 % de las muestras.

Conclusiones El programa de inmunización en el Quindío permitió la seroprotección contra los tres serotipos de la polio, rubeola y parotiditis. Sin embargo, la población infantil no está completamente protegida contra la infección con sarampión y virus  de la hepatitis B.
Evaluación de condiciones ambientales: aire, agua y suelos en áreas de actividad minera en Boyacá, Colombia.
Authors: Agudelo Calderón Carlos Alberto , García-Ubaqie Juan Carlos , Robledo Martínez Rocío , García-Ubaque Cesar Augusto , Quiroz-Arcentales Leonardo
Published: April 2016

Determinar concentraciones de PM10, mercurio y plomo en aire intramural de viviendas, en fuentes de agua y suelo de municipios aledaños a actividad minera.

Método Se evaluaron 6 puntos en áreas de influencia y 2 en áreas control. Para las mediciones de aire intramural, se utilizaron los métodos NIOSH 600 (PM10), NIOSH 6009 (mercurio) y NIOSH 7300 (plomo). Para análisis de aguas se utilizó la Guía de monitoreo de vertimientos del IDEAM y, para análisis de suelos se utilizó la técnica de vapor frío (mercurio) y absorción atómica (plomo).

Resultados En casi todas las viviendas seleccionadas, las concentraciones promedio de PM10 y mercurio en aire intramural superaron las normas aplicables de seguridad del aire, mientras que las concentraciones de plomo estuvieron por debajo. En todos los cuerpos de agua se encontraron concentraciones elevadas de plomo y en algunos puntos en las zonas mineras se encontraron niveles altos de hierro, mercurio y aluminio. En el monitoreo de suelos, las concentraciones de mercurio están por debajo del nivel de detección y, para plomo se observaron diferencias entre los puntos monitoreados.

Conclusiones Se encontró concentración de varios contaminantes por encima de los valores aceptables. En las zonas evaluadas hay numerosas y diversas fuentes de contaminación de tal manera que no es posible individualizar las relaciones entre actividad minera y contaminación. Sin embargo, este tipo de estudios de corte aportan información puntual, útil para los agentes del sistema de salud ambiental e investigadores. Se sugiere instalar redes de monitoreo ambiental que permitan un seguimiento continuo.
Specialized traumatological and orthopedic care for children through public-private partnership programs in the Novosibirsk region
Authors: Mylnikova Tamara A
Published: April 2016

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of an organizational model of specialized traumatological and orthopedic care for children using public–private partnership mechanisms in the Novosibirsk region.Material and Methods: Data from patients visiting the Federal State Novosibirsk Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics between 2011 and 2015 were acquired from “Medassist,” the local medical information system. Data were subsequently analyzed to identify the relative extent of medical care provided.Results: This study included results from an organizational model of specialized traumatological and orthopedic care for children developed via public–private partnership mechanisms that have been implemented in the Novosibirsk region since 2011. A number of institutions were involved in this model of medical care for children with traumatological and orthopedic pathology, including the Federal State Novosibirsk Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Clinic “NIITO” (a non-governmental medical organization), and various other primary health care organizations, including children’s polyclinics and hospital outpatient departments. This model allowed us to create a closed (full) cycle of provision for specialized traumatological and orthopedic care, from primary treatment to the completion of rehabilitation with dynamic supervision throughout. This was accomplished by combining various clinical stages, including the specialized clinic, hospital, rehabilitation organization, and outpatient clinic. The main areas of this model include timely and reliable detection; determination of treatment indicators; appropriate definition of treatment terms; and the provision of specialized medical care, including high technology input, rehabilitation, and dynamic monitoring.Conclusions: Implementation of an organizational model of specialized traumatological and orthopedic care for children in the Novosibirsk region using mechanisms associated with public–private partnerships has proved to be very positive. Application of the model allowed improvements in the availability of specialized traumatological and orthopedic care for children to ensure succession in the stages of medical care and to increase the number of cases entering rehabilitation. Therefore, this model demonstrates the viability of providing medical care to the population through the mechanisms of public–private partnership.
Guided growth for correction of axial deformities of the knee in children: a literature review
Authors: Morenko Ekaterina S , Kenis Vladimir M
Published: April 2016

Literature review was performed for axial deformities of the knee in children and possible correction by guided growth, which aims to restore the mechanical axis of the lower limbs by targeting the growth plate. In 2004, P. Stevens proposed temporarily blocking the bone growth plate with metal plate and two screws. The method includes the extraperiosteal placement of the metal plate at a certain segment of the growth plate (i.e., at the top of or in plane with the deformity). Its advantages are minimal invasiveness, higher accuracy and reliability, and ease and efficiency of use. In addition, there is a negligible risk of possible complications. The method of guided growth is a preferable alternative to osteotomy for the correction of the axial deformity of the knee joint in children and should be more widely used in the everyday practice of pediatric orthopedic surgeons.
Use of general life quality questionnaires for assessing the effectiveness of treatment of children with fractures of long bones of the lower extremities: a literature review
Authors: Patlatov Aleksander A
Published: April 2016

WHO experts recommend including quality of life measures when evaluating the results of surgical treatment in the postoperative period. Quality of life measures help to determine not only the quality of treatment but also the completeness of medical and social rehabilitation. We reviewed the research of international authors, who had used general questionnaires to study quality of life of children with long bones fractures of the lower extremities. We suggest using general questionnaires-PedsQLTM 4.0 (for children aged 2-18 years) and QUALIN (for children aged between 3 months and 3 years) as tools to evaluate treatment results in this population. Presentation of the results of studies using international efficiency indicators, in particular the assessment of quality of life, provides the basis for reliable summary of the international clinical experience.
Land degradation trend assessment over Iberia during 1982-2012
Authors: Gouveia C.M. , Páscoa P. , Russo A. , Trigo R.M.
Published: April 2016

Land degradation is recognized as an important environmental and social problem in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly within a climate change context. In the last three decades the entire Mediterranean basin has been affected by more frequent droughts, covering large sectors and often lasting more than one year. The Iberian Peninsula has been equally affected by intense drought events since the 1980s. According to the latest IPCC report the Mediterranean region will suffer further hydrological stress in the coming decades, as a consequence of diminishing of precipitation and increasing of average and extreme temperatures. This climatic outlook coupled with the land abandonment and/or intensification of some areas requires a continuous monitoring and early detection of degradation. The present work intends to contribute to such objectives.Land degradation could be stated as a longstanding deterioration in ecosystems productivity. Here we assess the ability of NDVI to be used as an indicator of land degradation over Iberia, from 1982 to 2012. The negative trends of the residuals obtained after removing the precipitation influence on NDVI were assumed to indicate land degradation. A widespread land improvement was observed over Iberia with few hot spots of land degradation located mainly in central and southern sectors and in east Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. The comparison of spatial patterns of residual trends with dryness for the aridity regions over Iberia highlighted the relatively small fraction of land degradation that experiences an increased dryness, although almost totality belonging to semi-arid region. On the other hand, land improvement is only associated with a tendency of wetness in the northeastern humid sector. Moreover, less than 20% of the area presenting land degradation corresponds to regions associated with land cover changes, being the new land cover types associated with transitional woodland-shrub, permanent and annual crops and permanently irrigated land areas.
Validade da medida indireta relativa à frequência de escovação com dentifrício
Authors: Scabar Luiz Felipe , Do Amaral Regiane Cristina , Narvai Paulo Capel , Frazão Paulo
Published: April 2016

O efeito do dentifrício fluoretado na prevenção da cárie dentária aumenta conforme a frequência do seu uso. Essa frequência tem sido estimada em populações por meio de medidas indiretas. Entretanto a validade desse modo de mensuração não é conhecida. O objetivo foi determinar a validade de medidas indiretas da quantidade de dentifrício utilizada, do tamanho da cabeça da escova e da frequência de escovação com dentifrício. Excetuando-se o tamanho da cabeça da escova, os valores relativos à quantidade de creme dental utilizada e à frequência de escovação foram superestimados pela medida indireta. Recomenda-se que as estimativas produzidas por medida indireta semelhante à testada neste estudo sejam consideradas com cautela.
Effect of diosgenin, a steroidal sapogenin, on the rat skeletal system.
Authors: Folwarczna Joanna , Zych Maria , Nowińska Barbara , Pytlik Maria , Bialik Magdalena , Jagusiak Anna , Lipecka-Karcz Maria , Matysiak Michał
Published: April 2016

Diosgenin is a steroidal sapogenin present in fenugreek and Dioscorea spp. as glycosides (saponins). Diosgenin has already been reported to inhibit osteoclastogenesis and to stimulate osteogenic activity of osteoblastic cells in vitro, and to exert some antiosteoporotic effects in rats in vivo. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of diosgenin administration on the skeletal system of rats with normal estrogen level and with estrogen deficiency induced by bilateral ovariectomy. The experiments were carried out on 3-month-old non-ovariectomized and ovariectomized Wistar rats, divided into control rats and rats receiving diosgenin (50 mg/kg p.o. daily) for 4 weeks. Serum bone turnover markers, bone mass and mineralization, histomorphometric parameters and mechanical properties were studied. Diosgenin improved some investigated parameters in both non-ovariectomized and ovariectomized rats, in which estrogen deficiency induced osteoporotic changes. Diosgenin increased compact bone formation and probably inhibited cancellous bone resorption, which led to improvement of mechanical properties of compact and cancellous bone. In conclusion, this in vivo study demonstrated that diosgenin may be one of sparse compounds increasing bone formation.
Effect of vegetables gums on proximate, functional, optical and sensory attributes of catfish nuggets during chilled storage
Authors: Sarkar P. C. , Sahu Upali , Binsi P. K. , Nayak Natasha
Published: April 2016

The present work was aimed to investigate the possibility of incorporating vegetable gums as binders in nuggets prepared from freshwater catfish, Pangasius pangasius. Guar gum and gum Acacia, which are well-known texturising agents were added in varying quantities during the preparation of the nuggets. Proximate analysis indicated that moisture content decreased from 78.9 to 74.0%, with increasing concentration of gum (0 – 2%), and so did fat content, from 6.1 to 5.4%. Protein content went up from 15.5% in control to 19.3% in treated sample. Control sample underwent maximum cooking loss (»3.5%), whereas both treatments T4 (2% guar gum, w/w) and T7 (2% gum Acacia, w/w), exhibited minimum loss (» 2.7%). CIE L*a*b* values indicated significant lightening of the product during prolonged storage at 0 0C). Textural and sensory evaluation data also indicated that vegetable gums could be incorporated successfully in fish nuggets to improve their texture and sensory attributes. In all the treated and stored samples (0 0C, 60 days), the presence of bacteria, yeast and mould were well within permissible limits (£ 3.0 x 102 cfu/g and £ 2.8 x 101 cfu/g, respectively).