bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OCCUPANTS’ EVALUATION OF GREEN FEATURES IN GREEN COMMERCIAL OFFICE BUILDINGS: ESTABLISHING THE VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE SURVEY INSTRUMENT
Authors: Jasimin Tuti Haryati , Mohd Ali Hishamuddin , Achu Kamalahasan
Published: December 2015

Property owners and end-users (tenants and owner-users) have an important role in the development of sustainable real estate assets. This is due to the fact that they experience the benefits of sustainability in their buildings, which would promote the development of more sustainable buildings in the industry. The aim of this paper is to discuss the procedure of developing and validating an instrument to examine the occupants’ evaluation of green features in green commercial office building based on three basic steps; (1) item development and judgement, (2) designing and conducting a pilot study, and (3) finalizing the survey.  The 56-item instrument which comprises of 10 points Likert scales was developed prior to performing the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). The results of this study highlight the instrument to better understand the green factors and their attributes for commercial office building under the environment, social and economic sustainability features.
EFFECTS OF VENTILATION SETUPS ON AIR FLOW VELOCITY AND TEMPERATURE FIELDS IN BUS PASSENGER COMPARTMENT
Authors: Ahmad Shafie Noor Emilia , Mohamed Kamar Haslinda , Kamsah Nazri
Published: December 2015

A bus compartment requires a good ventilation system to provide sufficient fresh air and a uniform air flow to passengers. This article presents a numerical study using CFD method to investigate the effects of using different ventilation setups on the air flow velocity and temperature distributions inside a passenger bus. Fluent software was used to develop a simplified three-dimensional model of a quarter section of a bus passenger compartment. Turbulent flow simulation was carried out based on a standard k-epsilon model to predict the distributions of air temperature and velocity inside the passenger compartment. The effects of two ventilation setups, namely mixing and displacement ventilations on the air temperature and air flow velocity distribution were also examined. Results of CFD simulations show that the displacement ventilation setup results in more uniform distribution of air flow velocity and air temperature inside the bus passenger compartment.
RESPONSE OF LEMNA MINOR AND SALNINIA NATANS AS PHYROREMEDIATION AGENTS TOWARDS FE, CU AND ZN TOXICITIES VIA IN VIVO MODEL SYSTEM
Authors: Othman Rashidi , Ramya Razanah , Baharuddin Zainul Mukrim , Hashim Khairusy Syakirin Has-Yun , Yaman Maheran
Published: December 2015

A lack of aquatic plants in aquatic ecosystem may suggest a reduced population of wildlife whereas the absence of aquatic plants may indicate problems in water quality. However an overabundance of aquatic plants may due to excessive nutrients, organic or heavy metals interference. Aquatic plants are well known as a good accumulator for heavy metals in phyto-technologies approach as a green friendly since the last decades. Therefore this study aimed to assess heavy metals remediation rate of Lemna minor and Salvinia natans at three different concentrations ranging from low, medium and high (1 mglˉ¹, 2 mglˉ¹ and 5 mglˉ¹) of three types of heavy metal (Cu, Fe and Zn) at four different period of time (week 1 until week 4) through in vivo model system. The results established that there were significant differences between the sequestration rate of both species.S. natans ability and  resistance over 3 types of heavy metal toxicity were much more higher and stable compared to L. minor and the capability of both species were varied and depending on the plant tolerance or resistance mechanism itself. Thus, high relationship between metal removal in water and aquatic plant species indicates that those plants can effectively use for the removal of heavy metals from polluted or contaminated aquatic ecosystem of different concentrations.
THE ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION IN RIVER BANK SOIL UNDER THE EFFECT OF ELECTROKINETIC-ASSISTED PHYTOREMEDIATION USING XRF AND EDX ANALYSIS
Authors: Embong Zaidi , Jamari Suhailly , Mohamed Johar Saffuwan , Ahmad Tajudin Saiful Azhar
Published: December 2015

River pollution may lead to the cause of death and diseases. The cause of its pollution could due to the mobility of the hazardous or toxic element from the human activities point sources through the groundwater system, and may resulting to aheavy metal migration  into the river stream system. Therefore, an agro-based remediation methods known as Electrokinetic (EK)-assisted phytoremediation was implemented in this research. This technique is versatile and economical in decontaminating heavy metal at the river bank soil area. Hence, this research was focused on investigating the difference in trace elemental concentration in riverbank soil sample between pre- and post-phytoremediation under the electrokinetic influence. The riverbank soil sample was divided into two conditions which are: 1) control (as-received) and 2) EK-assisted phytoremediation by using a tropical plant species known as Dieffenbachia spp. In this study, two stainless steel electrodes were slot in at 5.0 cm depth on both side of this particular plant. A direct current (DC) voltage of 60 V was applied on both cathode and anode electrodes to form a uniform electric field with a magnitude of 6V/cm-1 around the plant root area. This electric field was applied consistently for 4 hours per day. Within a month, the reduction of trace element composition in the riverbank soil sample for pre and post experiment were determined using a non-destructive analytical technique, X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. The analysis show a significant correlation of elemental concentration between pre and post experiment for the soil sample where the soil concentration tend to reduce due to the EK assisted phytoremediation effect.
ASSESSING EYE FIXATION BEHAVIOUR THROUGH DESIGN EVALUATION OF LAWI AYAM ARTEFACT
Authors: Md Ishak Siti Mastura , Sivaji Ashok , Tzuaan Soo Shi , Hussein Hazreena , Bujang Rahmah
Published: December 2015

There is a need for Malay cultural product knowledge preservation with the convergence of human science to establish the product knowledge development in innovative culture environment in Malaysia.  The study uses eye tracking test to understand the user’s cognition and eye behaviour towards the syntactic elements of the cultural artefact (Lawi Ayam – LA) using pre-existent experience. This study was conducted to evaluate the artefact effectiveness and usage efficiency through design preference. Findings from eye tracking were used to analyse the element in LA artefact that attracts the user attention using the time of first fixation and location of fixations. We concluded that the engrossed area of 3 syntactical components; 1) hilt, 2) blade, 3) sheath, revealed the factors of ergonomic rapport, anatomical, physical measurement and multi-material usage to obtain results on design preference and artefact effectiveness. We also found that pre-existent experience was recalled and manipulated effectively when defining the criteria of the syntactical component in dynamic accumulative cognition. Our findings could guide the on-going cognitive information processing on the cultural artefact to support the design-user knowledge preservation. This study recommends the future cultural and heritage product designer to use the user experience of the particular artefact in the designing process.
LACTIC ACID PRODUCTION FROM CASSAVA MILL EFFLUENT (CME) USING RHIZOPUS ORYZAE IMMOBILISED IN PVA-ALGINATE SULPHATE BEADS
Authors: Ahmad Kamal Qistina , Mohd Zain Nor Azimah
Published: December 2015

Cassava mill effluent (CME) is an effluent originated from tapioca tuber. It is produced by peeling off the skin, cutting and starch extraction. CME contains high concentration of starch, hence when it is disposed directly into the river, it will contribute to water pollution due to its high content of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), and total solids (TS). In this study, CME was used as a fermentation medium to produce lactic acid. To improve the yield, spores of Rhizopus oryzae were immobilised in PVA-alginate-sulphate beads and fermentation was carried out for 6 days. 2-level factorial design was used in the screening of lactic acid production for different parameters; temperature (30°C - 40°C), agitation speed (120-200 rpm), pH (4-7) and beads percentage (5-10% (w/v)). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant influence of the tested factors and their interactions on the production of lactic acid (p<0.0001), except for pH with (p=0.0670). The regression model for lactic acid production fitted the data adequately and explained the variation of more than 99% in the response. The result showed that the maximum production of lactic acid (8.54 g/L) could be achieved at the initial fermentation medium of pH 7.0, temperature of 40°C, percentage of beads of 10% (w/v) and agitation speed of 200 rpm. This study intends to exploit the potential use of CME for the production of lactic acid with the hope of contributing to Malaysia’s bioeconomy.
ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AS AN OBJECTIVE MEASUREMENT FOR EVALUATING PHYSICAL FATIGUE: AN OVERVIEW
Authors: Khamis Nor Kamaliana , Basrah Nadzirah , Md Deros Baba , Nuawi Mohd Zaki
Published: December 2015

Nowadays, the detection of human fatigue is a major concern in society, industry, road safety and transportation research, due to its effect on human performance while performing tasks. The two main objectives of this review are to extract and understand better the electromyography (EMG) procedure and to identify any pertinent issues related to EMG assessment. Eleven relevant studies were presented in this review paper, chosen from several electronic databases. This review paper describes the study design of EMG, its analysis and findings. This review has provided an insight of EMG assessment for future study, particularly on the arrangement of the study design including the muscle part and setting procedure.
STARCH-BASED EDIBLE FILM AND COATING FROM LOCAL PACHYRHIZUS EROSUS
Authors: Khalid Syarajatul Erma , Wan Busu Wan Nazri
Published: December 2015

Edible films and coatings usage are constantly increasing in the food industry. It can be consumed, coated on food or placed as barrier between the food and the surrounding environment. It can also help extend food shelf-life and quality of the food. Pachyrhizus known by the locals as sengkuang was use in search of their novelty to be used as starch-based edible films and coatings products. Through this project research, significant findings were found in the starch-based edible films and coatings made. A compatible amount of plasticisers were used to help the product in flexibility. Apart from a nice clarity appearance, the physical testing results showed low values of 34.53% for solubility, 19% for swelling, 0.014 mm for thickness and 0.112 g cm/day m² for water vapor permeation. These indicated that the product has a high water resistance. The mechanical test also gave impressive results with 0.313 for coefficient of friction (COF) and 7.9 MPa for tensile strength value. Since their application is still underutilised, this research is carried out in search of cost efficient resources for the production of edible-films and coatings as well as to utilise this food crop in Malaysia.
IMPLEMENTATION LEARNING AND FORGETTING CURVE TO PREDICT NEEDS AND DECREASE OF LABORS PERFORMANCE AFTER BREAK
Authors: Feriyanto Nur , Saleh Chairul , Badri Huda Muhamad , Md Deros Baba , Pratama Yudi
Published: December 2015

A company needs to implement production planning to minimize time and cost. Forecasting and scheduling are two methods which should be conducted in production planning. By implementing the learning and forgetting curve methods, the labor needs as well as the decrease of labors performance after break can be predicted. Firstly, various learning curve models are presented, then each model was analyzed one by one so that the model with the smallest error rate could be determined. A case study conducted in the learning curve model is presented with data derived from the production floor. The four main purposes of this study were to calculate the percentage of each station learning curve, learning and forgetting curves in the company, minimum initial cost, and predict the number of employees needed for the lowest in the number of the work station company. The results in the percentage achieved for the learning curve is 91.47%, the gluing station 78.46%, variation sewing station 98.10%, thumb sewing station 88.17%, omo connect sewing station 89.65%, machine sewing station 87.33%, omo folding sewing station 85.42, rubber tide sewing station 92.51%, sewing station tide studs 72.37%, omo tape sewing station 61.74%, and vilcro sewing station 75.89%, respectively. By analyzing the percentage of each station learning curve, a comparison between the highest and lowest percentage learning curve on the company was made.  Thus, it is known that omo tape sewing station needs another operator as the additional labor. The percentage of the forgetting curve is 91.59%. Through a search conducted on the cumulative hours of the productive company, the initial cost of production can be minimized to 15.600 Indonesian rupiah.
A STRATEGY FOR PLANT CONSERVATION IN JOHOR PLANT CHEMICAL LIBRARY
Authors: Mohamed Maryati , Abu Bakar Mohd Fadzelly , Cuevas Linatoc Alona , Sabran Siti Fatimah , Tokiman Lili , Wan Abd Majid Wan Amir-Jeffery
Published: December 2015

Malaysian tropical forests harbor about 6% of the world’s plant species. Most of this huge array of plant species has not been widely studied. The uses of each plant species bogs down to the properties of chemicals embedded in it. Therefore, a library of chemicals found in these plants must be developed. A Plant Chemical Library (PCL) has several benefits and were discussed in this paper. It will be a database for natural heritage and a source for future effort in herbal remedies or drug development in Malaysia. It also has potential to be useful for the global community through pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutraceutical industries. These benefits would also incur monetary arrangement. However, issues and challenges are expected which include the development of dedicated laboratory facilities, training of human resources, and a special storage system for the chemical extracts. Selection of plants can be done based on plant groupings, disease of interests, and collaboration with the particular ethnic and selection of plants according to its traditional use. This effort would at the same time cater for the need to document traditional knowledge (TK) in an effort to conserve them. Hence, issues of PIC and ABS prior to bioprospecting have to be made clear. Stakeholders are suggested to come out with a legislation that will govern how best to go about doing bioprospecting in Johor to facilitate scientific endeavors and biodiversity conservation.
The Losing Battle Against Plug-and-Chug
Authors: Kortemeyer Gerd
Published: December 2015

I think most physics teachers would agree that two important components of a proper solution to a numerical physics problem are to first figure out a final symbolic solution and to only plug in numbers in the end. However, in spite of our best efforts, this is not what the majority of students is actually doing. Instead, they tend to plug numbers into formulas without considering the physical meaning of the equations, then frequently take the result and plug it into the next formula—a strategy known as “plug-and-chug.” In this chain of calculations, frequently physical insights are lost. If teaching problem solving is proving ineffective, maybe it is possible to steer students onto the right path by posing the problems in different ways?
Bringing (Century-Old) Technology into the Classroom, Part II: Teaching Vibrations and Waves, Electricity and Magnetism, and Optics with Antiques
Authors: Jewett John W.
Published: December 2015

This is the second in a series of two articles on using antique devices to teach introductory physics. As mentioned in the first article, students can more clearly see the physics required for the operation of antique devices than for modern-day technological devices. This article will discuss antiques used to teach vibrations and waves, electricity and magnetism, and optics. In addition, a description of possible sources for obtaining antiques will help those interested in pursuing these ideas.
Energy Blocks — A Physical Model for Teaching Energy Concepts
Authors: Hertting Scott
Published: December 2015

Most physics educators would agree that energy is a very useful, albeit abstract topic. It is therefore important to use various methods to help the student internalize the concept of energy itself and its related ideas. These methods include using representations such as energy bar graphs, energy pie charts, or energy tracking diagrams. Activities and analogies like Energy Theater and Richard Feynman's blocks, as well as the popular money (or wealth) analogy, can also be very effective. The goal of this paper is to describe a physical model of Feynman's blocks that can be employed by instructors to help students learn the following energy-related concepts: The factors affecting each individual mechanical energy storage mode (this refers to what has been traditionally called a form of energy, and while the Modeling Method of instruction is not the focus of this paper, much of the energy related language used is specific to the Modeling Method). For example, how mass or height affects gravitational energy;Energy conservation; andThe graphical relationships between the energy storage mode and a factor affecting it. For example, the graphical relationship between elastic energy and the change in length of a spring.
An Inexpensive and Versatile Version of Kundt's Tube for Measuring the Speed of Sound in Air
Authors: Papacosta Pangratios , Linscheid Nathan
Published: December 2015

Experiments that measure the speed of sound in air are common in high schools and colleges. In the Kundt's tube experiment, a horizontal air column is adjusted until a resonance mode is achieved for a specific frequency of sound. When this happens, the cork dust in the tube is disturbed at the displacement antinode regions. The location of the displacement antinodes enables the measurement of the wavelength of the sound that is being used. This paper describes a design that uses a speaker instead of the traditional aluminum rod as the sound source. This allows the use of multiple sound frequencies that yield a much more accurate speed of sound in air.
Iterated intracochlear reflection shapes the envelopes of basilar-membrane click responses
Authors: Shera Christopher A.
Published: December 2015

Multiple internal reflection of cochlear traveling waves has been argued to provide a plausible explanation for the waxing and waning and other temporal structures often exhibited by the envelopes of basilar-membrane (BM) and auditory-nerve responses to acoustic clicks. However, a recent theoretical analysis of a BM click response measured in chinchilla concludes that the waveform cannot have arisen via any equal, repetitive process, such as iterated intracochlear reflection [Wit and Bell (2015), J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 138, 94–96]. Reanalysis of the waveform contradicts this conclusion. The measured BM click response is used to derive the frequency-domain transfer function characterizing every iteration of the loop. The selfsame transfer function that yields waxing and waning of the BM click response also captures the spectral features of ear-canal stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions measured in the same animal, consistent with the predictions of multiple internal reflection. Small shifts in transfer-function phase simulate results at different measurement locations and reproduce the heterogeneity of BM click response envelopes observed experimentally.
Hacking the Bell test using classical light in energy-time entanglement–based quantum key distribution
Authors: Jogenfors Jonathan , Elhassan Ashraf Mohamed , Ahrens Johan , Bourennane Mohamed , Larsson Jan-Åke
Published: December 2015

A postselection step in quantum cryptography based on energy-time entanglement makes the system insecure.
Neural representations and the cortical body matrix: implications for sports medicine and future directions
Authors: Wallwork Sarah B , Bellan Valeria , Catley Mark J , Moseley G Lorimer
Published: December 2015

Neural representations, or neurotags, refer to the idea that networks of brain cells, distributed across multiple brain areas, work in synergy to produce outputs. The brain can be considered then, a complex array of neurotags, each influencing and being influenced by each other. The output of some neurotags act on other systems, for example, movement, or on consciousness, for example, pain. This concept of neurotags has sparked a new body of research into pain and rehabilitation. We draw on this research and the concept of a cortical body matrix—a network of representations that subserves the regulation and protection of the body and the space around it—to suggest important implications for rehabilitation of sports injury and for sports performance. Protective behaviours associated with pain have been reinterpreted in light of these conceptual models. With a particular focus on rehabilitation of the injured athlete, this review presents the theoretical underpinnings of the cortical body matrix and its application within the sporting context. Therapeutic approaches based on these ideas are discussed and the efficacy of the most tested approaches is addressed. By integrating current thought in pain and cognitive neuroscience related to sports rehabilitation, recommendations for clinical practice and future research are suggested.
Metabolic syndrome and health-related behaviours associated with pre-oral cancerous lesions among adults aged 20–80 years in Yunlin County, Taiwan: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chang Chang-Cheng , Lin Ming-Shyan , Chen Yu-Tsung , Tu Liang-Tse , Jane Su-Whi , Chen Mei-Yen
Published: December 2015

Objectives

To explore the associations of health-related behaviours, metabolic syndrome and risk factors in adults with pre-oral cancerous (POC) lesions in rural, disadvantaged communities with a high prevalence of oral cancer.

Design

A cross-sectional observational study.

Setting

Community-based health survey in the western coastal area of Yunlin County, Taiwan.

Participants

5161 adult residents participated in this study.

Outcome measures

Assessed parameters included oral leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure and waist circumference. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, χ2tests and multivariate binary logistic regression.

Results

A high percentage of participants were found to have metabolic syndrome (40%) and POC lesions (7.3%). Participants with POC lesions tended to be male (p<0.001), betel nut chewers (p<0.001) and cigarette smokers (p<0.001); have a low level of education (p<0.001); seldom undergo dental check-ups (p<0.01); irregularly participate in physical activity (p<0.01) and have metabolic syndrome (p<0.01).

Conclusions

Although male sex and disadvantaged socioeconomic status are non-modifiable factors associated with POC and metabolic syndrome in adults, several factors, notably health behaviours, are modifiable. Clinicians can reduce the incidence and consequences of POC by developing programmes for early detection, encouraging regular dental check-ups, and initiating individualised, health-promoting behaviour modification programmes for reducing risky behaviours associated with oral cancer.
Past and recent abuse is associated with early cessation of breast feeding: results from a large prospective cohort in Norway
Authors: Sørbø Marie Flem , Lukasse Mirjam , Brantsæter Anne-Lise , Grimstad Hilde
Published: December 2015

Objective

Breast feeding provides a wide range of health benefits for both infants and mothers. Few studies have examined the impact of past and recent abuse of women on breastfeeding behaviour. The aims of our study were to examine whether exposure to past and recent emotional, sexual or physical abuse was associated with early breastfeeding cessation, and to assess whether a potential association differed for known and unknown perpetrators.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Norway, years 1999–2006.

Participants

53 934 mothers participated in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. We included mothers with singleton pregnancy who had responded to three questionnaires (weeks 18 and 30 in pregnancy, and 6 months postpartum) and had answered minimum one of the abuse questions in week 30.

Main outcome measure

ORs were estimated by binary logistic regression with cessation of any (all) breast feeding before 4 months as the outcome, and abuse including subcategories of abuse, as the exposure.

Results

Nearly all women initiated breast feeding, but 12.1% ceased any breast feeding before 4 months and 38.9% ceased full breast feeding before 4 months, but continued partial breast feeding. Overall, 19% of the women reported any adult abuse and 18% reported any child abuse. The highest risk of any breast feeding cessation before 4 months was seen in women exposed to three types of adult abuse (emotional, sexual or physical), with adjusted OR being 1.47 (95% CI 1.23 to 1.76) compared with no abuse. Recent abuse and exposure from known perpetrator resulted in nearly 40% and 30% increased risk, respectively. The OR of any breast feeding cessation for women exposed to any child abuse was 1.41 (95% CI 1.32 to 1.50) compared with no abuse in childhood.

Conclusions

Past and recent abuse of women is strongly associated with early cessation of breast feeding. Abused mothers comprise a key group to target for extra support and breastfeeding assistance.
Occupation and risk of sudden death in a United States community: a case–control analysis
Authors: Zhang Lin , Narayanan Kumar , Suryadevara Vallabh , Teodorescu Carmen , Reinier Kyndaron , Uy-Evanado Audrey , Chugh Harpriya , Zheng Zhi-Jie , Gunson Karen , Jui Jonathan , Chugh Sumeet S
Published: December 2015

Objective

Work environment is said to influence cardiovascular risk. We assessed whether nature of occupation affects risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the general population.

Methods

In the ongoing, prospective Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study (catchment population 1 million), working-age SCD cases (18–65 years) were compared with controls who died from any cause. Usual occupation obtained from death certificates was classified using the US Census Bureau standard occupational classification descriptions and categorised as white collar, blue collar or homemaker. Odds ratio (OR) for SCD by occupation category was obtained and clinical profile of SCD cases was compared by occupation type.

Results

Among SCD cases (n=646; 74% male) compared to controls (n=622; 73.6% male), the proportion of white collar workers was higher among male SCD cases (52.7% vs 43.7%; p=0.01); the difference in females was smaller (59.5% vs 55%; p=0.62). Adjusting for race and smoking status, male white collar workers had a higher risk of SCD compared to blue collar workers (OR=1.67, (1.26 to 2.23), p<0.001). A similar, non-significant trend was observed among females (OR 1.49 (0.81 to 2.75); p=0.20). White collar SCD cases werelesslikely to be current smokers (34.7% vs 45.3%, p=0.008), drug misusers (13.1% vs 18.5%) or have diabetes (21.4% vs 28.2%, both p=0.07) compared to blue collar workers. Other cardiac risk factors were similar.

Conclusions

A white collar occupation was associated with increased risk of SCD, when compared to blue collar occupations. Since differences in conventional risk factors did not explain this elevated risk, work-related behavioural and psychosocial stressors warrant a closer evaluation.
Impact of a combined community and primary care prevention strategy on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: a cohort analysis based on 1 million person-years of follow-up in Västerbotten County, Sweden, during 1990–2006
Authors: Blomstedt Yulia , Norberg Margareta , Stenlund Hans , Nyström Lennarth , Lönnberg Göran , Boman Kurt , Wall Stig , Weinehall Lars
Published: December 2015

Objective

To evaluate the impact of the Västerbotten Intervention Programme (VIP) by comparing all eligible individuals (target group impact) according to the intention-to-treat principle and VIP participants with the general Swedish population.

Design

Dynamic cohort study.

Setting/participants

All individuals aged 40, 50 or 60 years, residing in Västerbotten County, Sweden, between 1990 and 2006 (N=101 918) were followed from their first opportunity to participate in the VIP until age 75, study end point or prior death.

Intervention

The VIP is a systematic, long-term, county-wide cardiovascular disease (CVD) intervention that is performed within the primary healthcare setting and combines individual and population approaches. The core component is a health dialogue based on a physical examination and a comprehensive questionnaire at the ages of 40, 50 and 60 years.

Primary outcomes

All-cause and CVD mortality.

Results

For the target group, there were 5646 deaths observed over 1 054 607 person-years. Compared to Sweden at large, the standardised all-cause mortality ratio was 90.6% (95% CI 88.2% to 93.0%): for women 87.9% (95% CI 84.1% to 91.7%) and for men 92.2% (95% CI 89.2% to 95.3%). For CVD, the ratio was 95.0% (95% CI 90.7% to 99.4%): for women 90.4% (95% CI 82.6% to 98.7%) and for men 96.8% (95% CI 91.7 to 102.0). For participants,subject to further impact as well as selection, when compared to Sweden at large, the standardised all-cause mortality ratio was 66.3% (95% CI 63.7% to 69.0%), whereas the CVD ratio was 68.9% (95% CI 64.2% to 73.9%). For the target group as well as for the participants, standardised mortality ratios for all-cause mortality were reduced within all educational strata.

Conclusions

The study suggests that the VIP model of CVD prevention is able to impact on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality when evaluated according to the intention-to-treat principle.
Epidemiological features of alcohol use in rural India: a population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Rathod Sujit D , Nadkarni Abhijit , Bhana Arvin , Shidhaye Rahul
Published: December 2015

Objectives

We sought to estimate the proportion of adults in Sehore District, India, who consumed alcohol, and the proportion who had behaviours consistent with alcohol use disorders (AUDs), using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Among men who drank, we identified individual-level, household-level and community-level factors associated with AUDIT scores. Men with AUDs (AUDIT score ≥8) reported on whether and where they had sought treatment, and about alcohol-related internal stigma.

Design

Population-based cross-sectional study.

Setting

Rural villages and urban wards in Sehore District, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Participants

n=3220 adult (≥18 years of age) residents of Sehore District.

Primary outcome measure

Score on the AUDIT.

Results

Nearly one in four men (23.8%) had consumed alcohol in the past 12 months, while few (0.6%) women were consumers. Among drinkers, 33.2% (95% CI 28.6% to 38.1%) had AUDIT scores consistent with hazardous drinking, 3.3% (95% CI 2.1% to 5.1%) with harmful drinking and 5.5% (95% CI 3.8% to 8.0%) with dependent drinking. We observed that AUDIT scores varied widely by village (intraclass correlation=0.052). Among men who had recently consumed alcohol, AUDIT scores were positively associated with depression, having at least one child, high-quality housing, urban residence, tobacco use and disability. AUDIT scores were negatively associated with land ownership, out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure and participation in the national employment programme. While 49.2% of men with AUDs felt embarrassed by their problems with alcohol, only 2.8% had sought treatment in the past 12 months.

Conclusions

A need exists for effectively identifying and treating adults with AUDs. Health promotion services, informed by commonly-expressed stigmatised beliefs held among those affected by AUDs and which are targeted at the most affected communities, may be an effective step in closing the treatment gap.
Stroke in systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis of population-based cohort studies
Authors: Holmqvist Marie , Simard Julia F , Asplund Kjell , Arkema Elizabeth V
Published: December 2015

Previous studies of stroke in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have had limited statistical power, combined stroke subtypes into composite outcomes, and lacked a reference population estimate. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies to summarise the stroke subtype-specific risk in patients with SLE compared to the general population. A systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed for cohort studies examining the risk of stroke in SLE and including a general population comparator. Random effects models were used to pool the risk ratio (RR) for stroke. Subgroup analyses were carried out to investigate potential sources of heterogeneity. 10 studies were included which reported RRs for overall stroke (n=5), ischaemic stroke (n=6), intracerebral haemorrhage (n=3) and subarachnoid haemorrhage (n=3). The pooled RR for overall stroke was 2.53 (95% CI 1.96 to 3.26), ischaemic stroke 2.10 (95% CI 1.68 to 2.62), intracerebral haemorrhage 2.72 (95% CI 2.15 to 3.44) and subarachnoid haemorrhage 3.85 (95% CI 3.20 to 4.64). Significant heterogeneity among studies for ischaemic stroke was detected (p=0.002). Relative risk of stroke was highest among individuals younger than 50 years of age. Individuals with SLE have a twofold higher risk of ischaemic stroke, a threefold higher risk of intracerebral haemorrhage, and an almost fourfold higher risk of subarachnoid haemorrhage compared to the general population. Future studies should focus on whether comorbidity and disease flares are related to stroke, when individuals are at the highest risk, and how the targeting of specific groups of patients with SLE may reduce this risk.
Isolation and characterization of lactobacilli from human faeces and indigenous fermented foods for their potential application as probiotics
Authors: Mandal Hemanti , Jariwala Ruchi , Bagchi Tamishraha
Published: December 2015

This study was conducted to select Lactobacillus strains from various sources on the basis of their probiotic attributes, such as acid and bile tolerance, binding to intestinal cells, and antimicrobial activity. Twelve isolates were obtained from human and food sources and were evaluated against standard probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG). Isolates were also studied for their antibiotic susceptibility. Isolate Lactobacillus fermentum GPI-6 showed the best survival profile at 0.3% and 1% bile salt, as compared with LGG. Isolates Lactobacillus plantarum GRI-2 and Lactobacillus salivarius GPI-4 showed no reduction in survival rate at pH 2.5. As expected, isolates showed strain-specific differences when comparing various attributes. Isolates GPI-4, GPI-7, and FA-5 showed better adhesion to HT-29, while isolate GPI-4 adhered better to Caco-2 cells than did LGG. However, when studying their ability to compete with Escherichia coli O26:H11, isolates GPI-6 and GPI-7 significantly inhibited E. coli adhesion to both HT-29 and Caco-2 cells compared with LGG. In conclusion, isolates GPI-4, GPI-7, and FA-5 showed excellent binding ability and antagonistic activity and better tolerance to acidic pH (pH 2.5) and to different bile salt concentrations in comparison with LGG, and hence, they could be considered as potential probiotic candidates.
Łojasiewicz-type inequalities with explicit exponents for the largest eigenvalue function of real symmetric polynomial matrices
Authors: Dinh Si Tiep , Pham Tien Son
Published: December 2015

Let [Formula: see text] be a real symmetric polynomial matrix of order [Formula: see text] and let [Formula: see text] be the largest eigenvalue function of the matrix [Formula: see text] We denote by [Formula: see text] the Clarke subdifferential of [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text] In this paper, we first give the following nonsmooth version of Łojasiewicz gradient inequality for the function [Formula: see text] with an explicit exponent: For any [Formula: see text] there exist [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] such that we have for all [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a function introduced by D’Acunto and Kurdyka: [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text] Then we establish some local and global versions of Łojasiewicz inequalities which bound the distance function to the set [Formula: see text] by some exponents of the function [Formula: see text].
The optimal community detection of software based on complex networks
Authors: Huang Guoyan , Zhang Peng , Zhang Bing , Yin Tengteng , Ren Jiadong
Published: December 2015

The community structure is important for software in terms of understanding the design patterns, controlling the development and the maintenance process. In order to detect the optimal community structure in the software network, a method Optimal Partition Software Network (OPSN) is proposed based on the dependency relationship among the software functions. First, by analyzing the information of multiple execution traces of one software, we construct Software Execution Dependency Network (SEDN). Second, based on the relationship among the function nodes in the network, we define Fault Accumulation (FA) to measure the importance of the function node and sort the nodes with measure results. Third, we select the top K(K=1,2,…) nodes as the core of the primal communities (only exist one core node). By comparing the dependency relationships between each node and the K communities, we put the node into the existing community which has the most close relationship. Finally, we calculate the modularity with different initial K to obtain the optimal division. With experiments, the method OPSN is verified to be efficient to detect the optimal community in various softwares.
Study of optical nonlinearity of CdSe and CdSe@ZnO core–shell quantum dots in nanosecond regime
Authors: Deepika  , Dhar Rakesh , Mohan Devendra
Published: December 2015

Thioglycolic acid capped cadmium selenide (CdSe) and CdSe@ZnO core–shell quantum dots have been synthesized in aqueous phase. The sample was characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometer, TEM and Z-scan technique. The nonlinear optical parameters viz. nonlinear absorption coefficient [Formula: see text], nonlinear refractive index [Formula: see text] and third-order nonlinear susceptibilities [Formula: see text] of quantum dots have been estimated using second harmonic of Nd:YAG laser. The study predicts that CdSe@ZnO quantum dots exhibits strong nonlinearity as compared to core CdSe quantum dots. The nonlinearity in quantum dots is attributed to the presence of resonant excitation and free optical processes. The presence of RSA in these nanoparticles makes them a potential material for the development of optical limiter.
One-step synthesis of type-I silicon clathrate Ba8Si46 under high pressure and high temperature
Authors: Sun Bing , Jia Xiaopeng , Huo Dexuan , Guo Xin , Sun Hairui , Zhang Yuewen , Liu Binwu , Ma Hongan
Published: December 2015

In this paper, the silicon clathrate [Formula: see text] was successfully synthesized using low-cost antioxidative azide [Formula: see text] and Si as precursors by means of high pressure and high temperature (HPHT). The clathrate phase was one-step synthesized by high pressure chemical method within a short time. The reaction temperature and pressure were optimized to achieve good-quality crystalline products with a composition of [Formula: see text] and its transition temperature [Formula: see text] is about 8.3 K. The new preparation route presented in this paper provides an alternative to the multistep HPHT synthesis applied so far. One-step synthesis of type-I silicon clathrate [Formula: see text] by high pressure chemical method can shorten the synthesis period of time greatly.
Squeezed vacuum state in lossy channel as a squeezed thermal state
Authors: Yuan Hong-Chun , Xu Xue-Xiang
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we alternatively study the evolution of squeezed vacuum state (SVS) in lossy channel by virtue of the phase space method. By using the formula of Wigner function (WF) in coherent representation and [Formula: see text] representation of quantum density operator, the WF formula in lossy channel is derived. After obtaining the analytical expressions of the WFs of the lossy SVS and the squeezed thermal state (STS), we further prove the fact that the lossy SVS is equivalent to a kind of STS. Our result is useful in dealing with the light field transmission problems in the presence of losses.
Density spectra for knots
Authors: Champanerkar Abhijit , Kofman Ilya , Purcell Jessica S.
Published: December 2015

We recently discovered a relationship between the volume density spectrum and the determinant density spectrum for infinite sequences of hyperbolic knots. Here, we extend this study to new quantum density spectra associated to quantum invariants, such as Jones polynomials, Kashaev invariants and knot homology. We also propose related conjectures motivated by geometrically and diagrammatically maximal sequences of knots.
On Sawollek polynomials of checkerboard colorable virtual links
Authors: Imabeppu Takanori
Published: December 2015

We give two new criteria of detecting checkerboard colorability of virtual links in terms of the Sawollek polynomials and compare the criteria with known criteria. By using these criteria we determine checkerboard colorability of virtual knots up to four classical crossings, with six exceptions.
Aubry set for asymptotically sub-additive potentials
Authors: Garibaldi Eduardo , Gomes João Tiago Assunção
Published: December 2015

Given a topological dynamical systems [Formula: see text], consider a sequence of continuous potentials [Formula: see text] that is asymptotically approached by sub-additive families. In a generalized version of ergodic optimization theory, one is interested in describing the set [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]-invariant probabilities that attain the following maximum value [Formula: see text] For this purpose, we extend the notion of Aubry set, denoted by [Formula: see text]. Our central result provides sufficient conditions for the Aubry set to be a maximizing set, i.e. [Formula: see text] belongs to [Formula: see text] if, and only if, its support lies on [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, we apply this result to the study of the joint spectral radius in order to show the existence of periodic matrix configurations approaching this value.
Defining the space in a general spacetime
Authors: Arminjon Mayeul
Published: December 2015

A global vector field [Formula: see text] on a “spacetime” differentiable manifold [Formula: see text], of dimension [Formula: see text], defines a congruence of world lines: the maximal integral curves of [Formula: see text], or orbits. The associated global space [Formula: see text] is the set of these orbits. A “[Formula: see text]-adapted” chart on [Formula: see text] is one for which the [Formula: see text] vector [Formula: see text] of the “spatial” coordinates remains constant on any orbit [Formula: see text]. We consider non-vanishing vector fields [Formula: see text] that have non-periodic orbits, each of which is a closed set. We prove transversality theorems relevant to such vector fields. Due to these results, it can be considered plausible that, for such a vector field, there exists in the neighborhood of any point [Formula: see text] a chart [Formula: see text] that is [Formula: see text]-adapted and “nice”, i.e. such that the mapping [Formula: see text] is injective — unless [Formula: see text] has some “pathological” character. This leads us to define a notion of “normal” vector field. For any such vector field, the mappings [Formula: see text] build an atlas of charts, thus providing [Formula: see text] with a canonical structure of differentiable manifold (when the topology defined on [Formula: see text] is Hausdorff, for which we give a sufficient condition met in important physical situations). Previously, a local space manifold [Formula: see text] had been associated with any “reference frame” [Formula: see text], defined as an equivalence class of charts. We show that, if [Formula: see text] is made of nice [Formula: see text]-adapted charts, [Formula: see text] is naturally identified with an open subset of the global space manifold [Formula: see text].
HNN decompositions of the Lodha–Moore groups, and topological applications
Authors: Zaremsky Matthew C. B.
Published: December 2015

The Lodha–Moore groups provide the first known examples of type [Formula: see text] groups that are non-amenable and contain no non-abelian free subgroups. These groups are related to Thompson’s group [Formula: see text] in certain ways, for instance they contain it as a subgroup in a natural way. We exhibit decompositions of four Lodha–Moore groups, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], into ascending HNN extensions of isomorphic copies of each other, both in ways reminiscent to such decompositions for [Formula: see text] and also in quite different ways. This allows us to prove two new topological results about the Lodha–Moore groups. First, we prove that they all have trivial homotopy groups at infinity; in particular they are the first examples of groups satisfying all four parts of Geoghegan’s 1979 conjecture about [Formula: see text]. Second, we compute the Bieri–Neumann–Strebel invariant [Formula: see text] for the Lodha–Moore groups, and get some partial results for the Bieri–Neumann–Strebel–Renz invariants [Formula: see text], including a full computation of [Formula: see text].
Core-shell Mn3O4/birnessite-MnO2 hierachical structure with enhanced adsorption towards methylene blue
Authors: Huang Feifan , Zhou Bowen , Xiao Han , Xiao Wei
Published: December 2015

The core-shell Mn3O4/birnessite-MnO2 (Mn3O4/MnO2) was successfully established by assembly of birnessite-type MnO2 over Mn3O4 backbones. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as UV–vis absorption spectra (UV–vis) to assess its adsorption of methylene blue (MB) from neutral aqueous solutions. Compared to the individual Mn3O4, the prepared Mn3O4/MnO2 shows enhanced adsorption capability towards MB. Such enhancement is due to the higher surface area and the unique nanosheet shells. The adsorption of MB on the surface of Mn3O4/MnO2 was studied in terms of pseudo-first-order and the pseudo-second-order kinetic models, and the latter was found better. The present study indicates that hierarchically structured core-shell manganese oxides are promising adsorbents for wastewater treatment.
A model of organizational performance based on the big-five factor theory and ABMS method
Authors: Hao Mo , Guanghong Gong , Ni Li , Haipeng Kong
Published: December 2015

How to predict and change organizational performance has been a focus problem drawing economists and managers’ attention for a long time. The Big-five Factor theory is very popular among psychologists and ABMS (Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation) method is widely used in Systems Science. By integrating Big-five Factor and ABMS, we proposed a model to predict organizational performance. Fuzzy rules were built up to describe one-on-one cooperation in the five dimensions of personalities and an unsymmetrical network model was established to depict cooperation relationships between team members. What is more, a series of cases was studied and the result was proved to be rational.