bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A framework for estimating anchor ice extent at potential formation sites in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica
Authors: Mager Sarah M. , Leonard Gregory H. , Pauling Andrew G. , Smith Inga J.
Published: April 2015

A distinctive feature of polar regions is the formation of ice clusters attached to the seabed, known as ‘anchor ice’. Anchor ice plays an important role in mobilizing bed sediments, and serves ecological roles providing habitats, or as an agent of disturbance creating potentially fatal environments to benthic fauna. The sublittoral zone associated with the landward margin represents the most likely environment for anchor ice formation, where conditions conducive to the advection of supercooled water from sub-ice-shelf cavities are favourable. We develop a framework to estimate the areal extent of anchor ice formation assuming a northerly flow of 75m deep supercooled water plumes from the Ross and McMurdo Ice Shelf cavities, Antarctica. In McMurdo Sound our results indicate that regions beneath the McMurdo Ice Shelf, extending along Brown Peninsula and White and Black Islands, are likely conducive to anchor ice formation. Anchor ice may also form along the Hut Point Peninsula and around Ross Island, and in pockets along the southern Victoria Land coast. The limitations of our approach include an imposed northerly flow of Ice Shelf Water, poorly constrained sub-ice-shelf bathymetry, and temporal variability in supercooled water depth production, particularly in the eastern Sound.
Antarctic sea-ice thickness and volume estimates from ice charts between 1995 and 1998
Authors: Bernstein E. Rachel , Geiger Cathleen A. , Deliberty Tracy L. , Lemcke-Stampone Mary D.
Published: April 2015

This work evaluates two distinct calculations of central tendency for sea-ice thickness and quantifies the impact such calculations have on ice volume for the Southern Ocean. The first calculation, area-weighted average thickness, is computed from polygonal ice features and then upscaled to regions. The second calculation, integrated thickness, is a measure of the central value of thickness categories tracked across different scales and subsequently summed to chosen regions. Both methods yield the same result from one scale to the next, but subsequent scales develop diverging solutions when distributions are strongly non-Gaussian. Data for this evaluation are sea-ice stage-of-development records from US National Ice Center ice charts from 1995 to 1998, as proxy records of ice thickness. Results show regionally integrated thickness exceeds area-weighted average thickness by as much as 60% in summer with as few as five bins in thickness distribution. Year-round, the difference between the two calculations yields volume differences consistently >10%. The largest discrepancies arise due to bimodal distributions which are common in ice charts based on current subjective-analysis protocols. We recommend that integrated distribution be used for regional-scale sea-ice thickness and volume estimates from ice charts and encourage similar testing of other large-scale thickness data archives.
Roles of Glutathione s-transferease in maize (Zea mays L.) under cold stress
Authors: Rahman Md Mahfuzur , Mian MA Khaleque , Ahmed Asgar , Rohman Md Motiar
Published: April 2015

Glutathione S-transferease (GST) activities involved in antioxidant defense and methylglyoxal detoxification were investigated in the seedlings of a Bangladeshi maize variety, BARI hybrid maize-7, to understand the protecting mechanism under cold stress condition. The activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST) increased, while the activities of catalase (CAT) decreased with the duration of stress. The western blot analysis of the dominant GST revealed that it significantly accumulated during the stress period. The continual increase in H2O2 contents along with reduced redox state and activities suggested their roles in maintaining the glutathione homeostasis. The accumulation of GST with the content of H2O2 suggested its detoxification roles for organic hydroperoxides during chilling stress. Considering all, glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes showed protective role in maize from oxidative damages under Chilling condition.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(1): 9-15, April 2015
Screening of carrot lines for quality roots and higher yield for commercial cultivation
Authors: Rahman Md Mahfuzur , Hasan Md Abid
Published: April 2015

The experiment was conducted at Research and Development (R&D) farm of Ispahani Agro LTD., Rangpur in order to screen suitable carrot lines for commercial cultivation in Bangladesh. Two hybrid lines (02001 and 02002) and four open pollinated lines (01001, 01002, 01003 and 01004) were used in this screening program. The experiment was carried out following randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that root length and diameter of line 01004 were 14.66 and 3.580 cm, respectively. The standard weight of 5 roots was 519.3 g. Moreover, the line 01004 showed maximum quality roots and yield as compared to any other lines. This line is therefore can be recommended for commercial cultivation in Bangladesh.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(1): 75-77, April 2015
Prevalence of theileriosis and babesiosis in cattle in Sirajganj district of Bangladesh
Authors: Mahmud Md Abdullah Al , Belal SM Shariful Hoque , Hossain Md Alamgir
Published: April 2015

A study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of theileriosis and babesiosis in cattle in Sirajganj district of Bangladesh during the period of December 2013 to November 2014. During one year study period a total of 395 cattle were examined, 23 and 8 were found to be infected with Theileria spp. and Babesia spp., respectively. On Geimsa stained blood smear examination, it was observed that the overall prevalence of theileriosis and babesiosis in cattle were recorded as 5.82% and 2.27% respectively. The effect of age, sex, breed and season was observed in cattle during this study. The highest prevalence of theileriosis (7.25%) and babesiosis (3.10%) was reported in the older cattle (>3 years of age) and the higher prevalence was observed in female (6.66% and 2.59%, respectively) than male (4.0% and 1.60% respectively). All crossbred cattle was showed higher prevalence than local cattle. The prevalence of theileriosis was noticed as the highest in the rainy season (6.25%) in relation to summer (5.83%) and winter (5.05%) season. But the prevalence of babesiosis was ranked the highest in summer season (2.50%) followed in rainy (2.27%) and winter (2.02%) season that was insignificant. From the study it was evident that cattle were infected with the organisms and caused a heavy economic loss which will assist to take necessary preventive measurements.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(1): 79-86, April 2015
Identification of types of buffaloes available in Kanihari buffalo pocket of Mymensingh district
Authors: Sohel Md Mahmodul Hasan , Amin Md Ruhul
Published: April 2015

The buffaloes are reared by many races under diverse agro-climatic conditions of Bangladesh. The buffaloes of Bangladesh are mostly indigenous in origin. Both the swamp and river type buffaloes are found in Bangladesh and they can be found throughout the country. However, their concentration is higher in coastal part, Meghna-Ganga and Jamuna-Brahamaputra flood plain, subsequently forming buffalo pockets. This study was conducted to identify the types of buffaloes and the sources of breeding buffaloes in one of those buffalo pockets called Kanihari buffalo pocket situated in Mymenshing district. Direct interviewing method was used to collect the data from the owner of the buffaloes. According to the body shape, coat color and horn pattern, buffaloes of this region were categorized into different categories. Abundant natural green grasses in the river bank of old Brahammaputra gave this area as a shape of a buffalo pocket. This pocket does not have any distinct breed and the buffalo population is mostly mixed and exotic. Introduction of swamp germplasm occurred when buffalo cows are temporarily migrated to Bathan area of Sylhet. Morphometric characteristics (coat color, horn pattern and body appearance) of Type-1, Type-2 and Type-3 buffaloes are similar to Murrah group (Murrah and Nili- Ravi), Surti group and indigenous river type buffaloes, respectively. This is the first study which identifies and morphologically characterizes the buffalo population in Kanihari buffalo pocket; however, in depth genotypic study is required in order to identify the origin or breeds available in this area.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(1): 109-115, April 2015
Comparative efficacy of alcoholic extracts of black Peppers (Piper nigrum) and Chutra leaves (Urtica dioica) with Esb3 against coccidiosis in chickens
Authors: Rahman Bayzer , Begum Tahmina , Sarker Yousuf Ali , Hassan Md Quamrul , Saha Sukumar , Sikder Mahmudul Hasan , Awal Md Abdul
Published: April 2015

The present study is undertaken to compare the efficacy of alcoholic extracts of Black Peppers (Piper nigrum ) and Chutra leaves (Urtica dioica ) with a patent drug Esb3 against coccidiosis in chicken. 16 Fayoumi breed chickens were collected from a local farm and divided into four groups; A, B, C and D, each consisting of four chickens, Group A (control), Group B (alcoholic extracts of Black Peppers @ 9ml/kg bd wt.), Group C (alcoholic extracts of Chutra leaves @ 9ml/kg bd wt.) and Group D ( Esb3 @ 1 ml/ liter drinking water). All the treated chickens were kept under close observation for 18 days and data was collected at 3 days interval. In group B, two chickens died within 4-7 days of treatment and in group C one chicken died on 5th day of medication. All the chickens of control group died within 5-7 days of medication. Oocyst was counted for per gram of feces in all groups. Biochemical parameters like SGPT and haematological parameters like Total erythrocyte count (TEC), Haemoglobin count (Hb), Packed cell volume (PCV), Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined. There were significant decrease in oocyst count in group B and C in compared to control and very few oocysts were present in faeces of 6 days onward of medication. All the chickens were survived in group D and oocyst started to disappear in the faeces from 3rd day onward of medication. Our study suggests Both Black Peppers and Chutra are effective against coccidiosis in chicken and Chutra is more effective than Black peppers.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(1): 117-124, April 2015
Seasonal assessment of existing mud crab (Scylla sp.) fattening practice in Bangladesh
Authors: Ferdoushi Zannatul
Published: April 2015

The present study was conducted in the southwest part of Bangladesh from 2008 to 2009 in order to assess of mud crab fattening practice and its production performance between two different seasons. Generally two crab fattening seasons are observed in Bangladesh, one is the dry or peak season (October to May) and another one is lean season or wet season (June to September). Significant variation in stocking density was observed between two seasons during the study period. Comparatively higher stocking density and higher production was found in dry season in comparison to wet season. The reasons behind higher production and production rate were; the availability of the crabs and high market price for the crabs during dry season. On the other hand, rain fall, occurrence of diseases and natural disaster might be the cause of lower production of crab during wet season. Crab farming and fishery could play a sustainable alternative employment opportunity for the development of coastal people. So government should take some necessary steps for the development of this fishery.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(1): 135-141, April 2015
Abundance and composition of zooplankton at Sitakunda coast of Chittagong, Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Md Shahzad Kuli , Uddin Sheikh Aftab , Haque Mohammed Ashraful
Published: April 2015

Correction: Table 1 and Table 2 were omitted in from the PDF of this article. On 29th April 2015 the two tables were included in the PDF and the page numbers were changed from 151-158 to 151-160.Eight groups of zooplankton were found at Sitakunda coast, Chittagong, northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal during January to June 2007. The identified groups were Appendicularia (2.46%), Chaetognatha (2.45%), Cladocera (2.31%), Copepoda (26.05%), Ctenophora (5.86%), Crustacean zooplankton (21.64%), Ichthyoplankton (17.77%) and Meroplankton (21.45%). Abundance of zooplankton varied from 413 to 7730 individuals/m3.Mangrove vegetate area (station- VI) has the highest abundant possibly due to the organic and inorganic matters dissolved in the water while ship breaking area (station- IV) has the lowest abundant. Zooplankton population was significantly (p>0.05) higher in the mangrove vegetate area than the fishermen community area and ship breaking area. The mangrove vegetate area has the highest composition (57.06%) of zooplankton than the fishers community area and ship breaking area (29.77% and 13.16%, respectively). Calanus sp. (12.29%) belonging to Copepods and fish eggs (9.25%) belonging to Ichthyoplankton were the most abundant and Oikopleura albicans (0.66%) from Appendicularia, Metapenaeus brevicornis (0.71%) and Metapenaeus monoceros (0.90%) belonging to Crustacean larvae were the lowest abundant species found at three major investigated area.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(1): 151-160, April 2015
Comparative shelf life study of whole fish and fillets of cultured striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) during ice storage condition
Authors: Islami Salma Noor E , Faisal Md , Akter Mousumi , Reza Md Shaheed , Kamal Md
Published: April 2015

Correction: On 29th April 2015 the last line of the abstract was changed from   the shelf life of Thai-Pangas in ice stored condition is 18 days for filleted and 21 days for the whole fish. TO the shelf life of Thai-Pangas in ice stored condition is 21 days and 18 days for the whole fish and fillets, respectively.  The page numbers of this article were also changed from 175-181 to 177-183..  A comparative study on the shelf life of whole fish and fillet of cultured striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus ) under ice storage condition was carried out by determining organoleptic and biochemical aspects in the month of September and October. It was found that shelf life of whole fish was 21 days where as fillet had slightly lower of 18 days shelf life. Value of pH changed from 7.07 to 6.97 after 24 days for whole fish and 6.88 for fillet after 21 days at the termination of experiment, pH remained to 6.5 for fillet after 18 days of ice storage. TVB-N value increased from an initial value of 1.68 mg/100g to 28.83 mg/100g in 21 days in whole fish and finally to rejection value of 35.89 mg/100g at the end of 24 days storage period. As for fillets TVB-N value was at acceptable level of 24.79 mg/100g until 18 days of storage at same condition. Myofibriller protein solubility gradually decreased with storage period for both whole fish and fillets. The results of this study indicated that in regard to organoleptic and biochemical aspects the shelf life of Thai-Pangas in ice stored condition is 18 days for filleted and 21 days for the whole fish.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(1): 177-183, April 2015
‘Mirror up to nation’: Synge and Shakespeare
Authors: Roche Anthony
Published: April 2015

Christopher Murray, Philip Edwards, and Rebecca Steinburger have examined the ways in which the Irish Dramatic Revival drew on the example and plays of Shakespeare. Their emphasis falls on Yeats and O'Casey, both of whom have written extensively on Shakespeare in their prose essays and autobiographies. The allusions to Shakespeare by Synge are much briefer and more cryptic. And yet there is a deep and complex relationship between Shakespeare and Synge, as this essay will indicate. The one writer who has paired the two is James Joyce, in the Library chapter of Ulysses, set in the same year that Ireland's National Theatre was founded. The essay also looks at the neglected fact that Synge, while an undergraduate at Trinity College, Dublin, took lectures on Shakespeare from Professor Edward Dowden and made copious extracts from Dowden's Shakespeare: His Mind and Art. The essay goes on to examine Synge's key remarks on Shakespeare in relation to Irish writers and to compare the return of the dead father in The Playboy of the Western World and Hamlet.
Samuel Beckett and Irish Scenography
Authors: McMullan Anna , McTighe Trish
Published: April 2015

This essay offers some glimpses of the parallel histories of Beckett and Irish scenography, and explores how they have impacted on each other. In particular, we investigate the intersections between Beckett and theatre in Dublin in the 1920s and 1930s, considering whether the staging innovations of the Dublin theatres of Beckett's formative years helped to shape his scenographic imagination. We then focus on Louis le Brocquy's designs for the Gate Theatre production of Waiting for Godot in 1988, which went on to constitute the core of their Beckett Festival, launched in 1991, with various revivals and national and international tours since then.
Coupling Noble Metals and Carbon Supports in the Development of Combustion Catalysts for the Abatement of BTX Compounds in Air Streams
Authors: Morales-Torres Sergio , Carrasco-Marín Francisco , Pérez-Cadenas Agustín , Maldonado-Hódar Francisco
Published: April 2015

The catalytic combustion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is one of the most important techniques to remove these pollutants from the air stream, but it should be carried out at the lowest possible temperature, saving energy and avoiding the simultaneous formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Under these experimental conditions, the chemisorption of water generated from VOCs combustion may inhibit hydrophilic catalysts. Nowadays, a wide variety of carbon materials is available to be used in catalysis. The behavior of these hydrophobic materials in the development of highly active and selective combustion catalysts is analyzed in this manuscript. The support characteristics (porosity, hydrophobicity, structure, surface chemistry, etc.) and the active phase nature (noble metals: Pt, Pd) and dispersion were analyzed by several techniques and the results correlated with the dual adsorptive and/or catalytic performance of the corresponding catalysts. The coupling of highly active phases and carbon materials (activated carbons, honeycomb coated monoliths, carbon aerogels, etc.) with tuneable physicochemical properties leads to the complete abatement of benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX) from dilute air streams, being selectively oxidized to CO2 at low temperatures.
Designing Structure-Dependent MPC-Based AGC Schemes Considering Network Topology
Authors: Jang Young-Sik , Park JoonHyung , Yoon Yong
Published: April 2015

This paper presents the important features of structure-dependent model predictive control (MPC)-based approaches for automatic generation control (AGC) considering network topology. Since power systems have various generators under different topologies, it is necessary to reflect the characteristics of generators in power networks and the control system structures in order to improve the dynamic performance of AGC. Specifically, considering control system structures is very important because not only can the topological problems be reduced, but also a computing system for AGC in a bulk-power system can be realized. Based on these considerations, we propose new schemes in the proposed controller for minimizing inadvertent line flows and computational burden, which strengthen the advantages of MPC-based approach for AGC. Analysis and simulation results in the IEEE 39-bus model system show different dynamic behaviors among structure-dependent control schemes and possible improvements in computational burden via the proposed control scheme while system operators in each balancing area consider physical load reference ramp constraints among generators.
Sustainability Assessment of the Agricultural and Energy Systems of Senegal
Authors: Gaudreau Kyrke , Gibson Robert
Published: April 2015

To improve decision-making, sustainability-based approaches to assessment of options and undertakings demand that we move beyond narrowly defined considerations to address the full suite of requirements for progress towards sustainability. This paper reports on a sustainability assessment exercise that originally focused on burning agricultural residues, primarily peanut shells, for cooking applications in Senegal. The scope of assessment had to be expanded to address the agricultural and energy systems of Senegal, when closer examination revealed a complex set of energy and agricultural system interactions that could undermine the anticipated positive effects of initiatives centred primarily on peanut residue cookstoves. The case highlights the need to be open to expanding the scope of assessment to address underlying and/or unexpected issues that cannot be addressed appropriately at the project scale. In particular, the case illustrates how the assessment of an energy system may serve as an entry point into a deeper exploration of the context in which the energy system is embedded. The analysis also illustrates a situation in which different paths that may be followed, each with its own degree of uncertainty, path dependence, feasibility, fairness, cultural sensitivity, trade-off acceptability and possibilities for public judgement of overall desirability.
Maternal Health Phone Line: Saving Women in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Watson Amanda , Sabumei Gaius , Mola Glen , Iedema Rick
Published: April 2015

This paper presents the findings of a research project which has involved the establishment of a maternal health phone line in Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Mobile phones and landline phones are key information and communication technologies (ICTs). This research study uses the “ICTs for healthcare development” model to ascertain benefits and barriers to the successful implementation of the Childbirth Emergency Phone. PNG has a very high maternal mortality rate. The “three stages of delay” typology was developed by Thaddeus and Maine to determine factors that might delay provision of appropriate medical treatment and hence increase risk of maternal death. The “three stages of delay” typology has been utilised in various developing countries and also in the present study. Research undertaken has involved semi-structured interviews with health workers, both in rural settings and in the labour ward in Alotau. Additional data has been gathered through focus groups with health workers, analysis of notes made during phone calls, interviews with women and community leaders, observations and field visits. One hundred percent of interviewees (n = 42) said the project helped to solve communication barriers between rural health workers and Alotau Provincial Hospital. Specific examples in which the phone line has helped to create positive health outcomes will be outlined in the paper, drawn from research interviews. The Childbirth Emergency Phone project has shown itself to play a critical role in enabling healthcare workers to address life-threatening childbirth complications. The project shows potential for rollout across PNG; potentially reducing maternal morbidity and maternal mortality rates by overcoming communication challenges.
Decision-Making, Legal Capacity and Neuroscience: Implications for Mental Health Laws
Authors: McSherry Bernadette
Published: April 2015

Neuroscientific endeavours to uncover the causes of severe mental impairments may be viewed as supporting arguments for capacity-based mental health laws that enable compulsory detention and treatment. This article explores the tensions between clinical, human rights and legal concepts of “capacity”. It is argued that capacity-based mental health laws, rather than providing a progressive approach to law reform, may simply reinforce presumptions that those with mental impairments completely lack decision-making capacity and thereby should not be afforded legal capacity. A better approach may be to shift the current focus on notions of capacity to socio-economic obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Corrosion Behavior of Cast Iron in Freely Aerated Stagnant Arabian Gulf Seawater
Authors: Sherif El-Sayed , Abdo Hany , Almajid Abdulhakim
Published: April 2015

In this work, the results obtained from studying the corrosion of cast iron in freely aerated stagnant Arabian Gulf seawater (AGS) at room temperature were reported. The study was carried out using weight-loss (WL), cyclic potentiodynamic polarization (CPP), open-circuit potential (OCP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements and complemented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) investigations. WL experiments between two and 10 days’ immersion in the test electrolyte indicated that the weight-loss the cast iron increases with increasing the time of immersion. CPP measurements after 1 h and 24 h exposure period showed that the increase of time decreases the corrosion via decreasing the anodic and cathodic currents, as well as decreasing the corrosion current and corrosion rate and increasing the polarization resistance of the cast iron. EIS data confirmed the ones obtained by WL and CPP that the increase of immersion time decreases the corrosion of cast iron by increasing its polarization resistance.
Effect of Milling Time and the Consolidation Process on the Properties of Al Matrix Composites Reinforced with Fe-Based Glassy Particles
Authors: Balcı Özge , Prashanth Konda , Scudino Sergio , Ağaoğulları Duygu , Duman İsmail , Öveçoğlu M. , Uhlenwinkel Volker , Eckert Jürgen
Published: April 2015

Al matrix composites reinforced with 40 vol% Fe50.1Co35.1Nb7.7B4.3Si2.8 glassy particles have been produced by powder metallurgy, and their microstructure and mechanical properties have been investigated in detail. Different processing routes (hot pressing and hot extrusion) are used in order to consolidate the composite powders. The homogeneous distribution of the glassy reinforcement in the Al matrix and the decrease of the particle size are obtained through ball milling. This has a positive effect on the hardness and strength of the composites. Mechanical tests show that the hardness of the hot pressed samples increases from 51–155 HV, and the strength rises from 220–630 MPa by extending the milling time from 1–50 h. The use of hot extrusion after hot pressing reduces both the strength and hardness of the composites: however, it enhances the plastic deformation significantly.
5-Methoxyquinoline Derivatives as a New Class of EZH2 Inhibitors
Authors: Xiang Pu , Jie Hui , Zhou Yang , Yang Bo , Wang Hui-Juan , Hu Jing , Hu Jian , Yang Sheng-Yong , Zhao Ying-Lan
Published: April 2015

A series of quinoline derivatives was synthesized and biologically evaluated as Enhancer of Zeste Homologue 2 (EZH2) inhibitors. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies led to the discovery of 5-methoxy-2-(4-methyl-1,4-diazepan-1-yl)-N-(1-methylpiperidin-4-yl)quinolin-4-amine (5k), which displayed an IC50 value of 1.2 μM against EZH2, decreased global H3K27me3 level in cells and also showed good anti-viability activities against two tumor cell lines. Due to the low molecular weight and the fact that no quinoline derivative has been reported as an EZH2 inhibitor, this compound could serve as a lead compound for further optimization.
Product Development Studies on Sonocrystallized Curcumin for the Treatment of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Khan Mohammad , Akhtar Nida , Sharma Vijay , Pathak Kamla
Published: April 2015

Curcumin suffers from the limitation of poor solubility and low dissolution that can lead to limited applications. The investigation was aimed to substantiate the potentiality of melt sonocrystallized gastroretentive tablets of curcumin. Melt sonocrystallized curcumin (MSC CMN) was developed and its therapeutic potential was validated by in vitro cytotoxicity studies against Human oral cancer cell line KB. MSC curcumin was then formulated as floating tablet and evaluated. MSC form of CMN exhibited 2.36-fold and 2.40-fold solubility enhancement in distilled water and phosphate buffer, pH 4.5, respectively, better flow properties and intrinsic dissolution rate (0.242 ± 1.42 and 0.195 ± 1.26 mg/cm2/min) in comparison to its original form. The GI50 value of MSC CMN was found to be less than 10, specifying inhibition of growth more effectively at its least concentration by 50%. The gastroretentive-floating tablet (Formulation F4) displayed controlled drug release (96.22% ± 1.43%) for over 12 h. The present study revealed melt sonocrystallization can be used to produce particles with superior biopharmaceutical properties without the use of organic solvents or the addition of other excipients, and amenable to formulation in to a pharmaceutical dosage form.
Dispersive Response of a Disordered Superconducting Quantum Metamaterial
Authors: Shapiro Dmitriy , Macha Pascal , Rubtsov Alexey , Ustinov Alexey
Published: April 2015

We consider a disordered quantum metamaterial formed by an array of superconducting flux qubits coupled to microwave photons in a cavity. We map the system on the Tavis-Cummings model accounting for the disorder in frequencies of the qubits. The complex transmittance is calculated with the parameters taken from state-of-the-art experiments. We demonstrate that photon phase shift measurements allow to distinguish individual resonances in the metamaterial with up to 100 qubits, in spite of the decoherence spectral width being remarkably larger than the effective coupling constant. Our simulations are in agreement with the results of the recently reported experiment.
Definitions and Mapping of East African Wetlands: A Review
Authors: Amler Esther , Schmidt Michael , Menz Gunter
Published: April 2015

Wetlands provide invaluable ecosystem services and contribute significantly to food security around the world. To maintain these functions, wetlands need to be protected from rapid transformation and overuse. Spatially-explicit information is required for sustainable wetland management. Development of wetland maps based on remote sensing requires a clear-cut definition of wetlands. This review was undertaken to improve the understanding of these habitats from a remote sensing perspective and to determine available wetland map layers for the East African countries of Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. This study includes three components: (1) a review of the availability and types of wetland definitions from the scientific literature record (including 245 separate references); (2) a systematic analysis of land use/land cover classifications and the conceptual approaches and spatial coverages of wetland classes for each system; and (3) a depiction of wetland layers and a discussion of their suitability for use in regional inventories. Our literature review shows that a standard definition of wetlands is not in use, and a specific definition of wetlands is not given in more than 40% of the reviewed remote sensing publications. Spatial information on East African wetlands is currently insufficient for use in regional wetland management.
Combination of Conventional and Advanced DInSAR to Monitor Very Fast Mining Subsidence with TerraSAR-X Data: Bytom City (Poland)
Authors: Przyłucka Maria , Herrera Gerardo , Graniczny Marek , Colombo Davide , Béjar-Pizarro Marta
Published: April 2015

In this work, the analysis of TerraSAR-X satellite images combining both conventional and advanced Differential Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (DInSAR) approaches has proven to be effective to detect and monitor fast evolving mining subsidence on urban areas in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Poland). This region accounts for almost three million inhabitants where mining subsidence has produced severe damage to urban structures and infrastructures in recent years. Conventional DInSAR approach was used to generate 28 differential interferograms between 5 July 2011 and 21 June 2012 identifying 31 subsidence troughs that account up to 245 mm of displacement in 54 days (equivalent to 1660 mm/year). SqueeSARTM processing yielded a very dense measurement point distribution, failing to detect faster displacements than 330 mm/year, which occur within the subsidence troughs detected with conventional DInSAR. Despite this limitation, this approach was useful to delimit stable areas where mining activities are not conducted and areas affected by residual subsidence surrounding the detected subsidence troughs. These residual subsidence mining areas are located approximately 1 km away from the 31 detected subsidence troughs and account for a subsidence rate greater than 17 mm/year on average. The validation of this methodology has been performed over Bytom City were underground mining activity produced severe damages in August 2011. Conventional DInSAR permitted to successfully map subsidence troughs between July and August 2011 that coincide spatially and temporally with the evolution of underground mining excavations, as well as with the demolition of 28 buildings of Karb district. Additionally, SqueeSARTM displacement estimates were useful to delimit an area of 8.3 km2 of Bytom city that is affected by a residual mining subsidence greater than 5 mm/year and could potentially suffer damages in the midterm. The comparison between geodetic data and SqueeSARTM for the common monitoring period yields and average absolute difference of 7 mm/year, which represents 14% of the average displacement rate measured by the geodetic benchmarks. These results demonstrate that the combined exploitation of high-resolution satellite SAR data through both conventional and advanced DInSAR techniques could be crucial to monitor fast evolving mining subsidence, which may severely impact highly populated mining areas such as the Upper Silesia Coal Basin (USCB).
Smartphone Applications with Sensors Used in a Tertiary Hospital—Current Status and Future Challenges
Authors: Park Yu , Lee Yura , Lee Guna , Lee Jae , Shin Soo-Yong
Published: April 2015

Smartphones have been widely used recently to monitor heart rate and activity, since they have the necessary processing power, non-invasive and cost-effective sensors, and wireless communication capabilities. Consequently, healthcare applications (apps) using smartphone-based sensors have been highlighted for non-invasive physiological monitoring. In addition, several healthcare apps have received FDA clearance. However, in spite of their potential, healthcare apps with smartphone-based sensors are mostly used outside of hospitals and have not been widely adopted for patient care in hospitals until recently. In this paper, we describe the experience of using smartphone apps with sensors in a large medical center in Korea. Among >20 apps developed in our medical center, four were extensively analyzed (“My Cancer Diary”, “Point-of-Care HIV Check”, “Blood Culture” and “mAMIS”), since they use smartphone-based sensors such as the camera and barcode reader to enter data into the electronic health record system. By analyzing the usage patterns of these apps for data entry with sensors, the current limitations of smartphone-based sensors in a clinical setting, hurdles against adoption in the medical center, benefits of smartphone-based sensors and potential future research directions could be evaluated.
Separation of Radio-Frequency Sources and Localization of Partial Discharges in Noisy Environments
Authors: Robles Guillermo , Fresno José , Martínez-Tarifa Juan
Published: April 2015

The detection of partial discharges (PD) can help in early-warning detection systems to protect critical assets in power systems. The radio-frequency emission of these events can be measured with antennas even when the equipment is in service which reduces dramatically the maintenance costs and favours the implementation of condition-based monitoring systems. The drawback of these type of measurements is the difficulty of having a reference signal to study the events in a classical phase-resolved partial discharge pattern (PRPD). Therefore, in open-air substations and overhead lines where interferences from radio and TV broadcasting and mobile communications are important sources of noise and other pulsed interferences from rectifiers or inverters can be present, it is difficult to identify whether there is partial discharges activity or not. This paper proposes a robust method to separate the events captured with the antennas, identify which of them are partial discharges and localize the piece of equipment that is having problems. The separation is done with power ratio (PR) maps based on the spectral characteristics of the signal and the identification of the type of event is done localizing the source with an array of four antennas. Several classical methods to calculate the time differences of arrival (TDOA) of the emission to the antennas have been tested, and the localization is done using particle swarm optimization (PSO) to minimize a distance function.
Labor Union Effects on Innovation and Commercialization Productivity: An Integrated Propensity Score Matching and Two-Stage Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Chun Dongphil , Chung Yanghon , Woo Chungwon , Seo Hangyeol , Ko Hyesoo
Published: April 2015

Research and development (R&D) is a critical factor in sustaining a firm’s competitive advantage. Accurate measurement of R&D productivity and investigation of its influencing factors are of value for R&D productivity improvements. This study is divided into two sections. The first section outlines the innovation and commercialization stages of firm-level R&D activities. This section analyzes the productivity of each stage using a propensity score matching (PSM) and two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) integrated model to solve the selection bias problem. Second, this study conducts a comparative analysis among subgroups categorized as labor unionized or non-labor unionized on productivity at each stage. We used Korea Innovation Survey (KIS) data for analysis using a sample of 400 Korean manufacturers. The key findings of this study include: (1) firm innovation and commercialization productivity are balanced and show relatively low innovation productivity; and (2) labor unions have a positive effect on commercialization productivity. Moreover, labor unions are an influential factor in determining manufacturing firms’ commercialization productivity.
Editorial for the Special Issue 100 Years of Chronogeometrodynamics: The Status of the Einstein’s Theory of Gravitation in Its Centennial Year
Authors: Iorio Lorenzo
Published: April 2015

The present Editorial introduces the Special Issue dedicated by the journal Universe to the General Theory of Relativity, the beautiful theory of gravitation of Einstein, a century after its birth. It reviews some of its key features in a historical perspective, and, in welcoming distinguished researchers from all over the world to contribute it, some of the main topics at the forefront of the current research are outlined.
Detecting Flood Variations in Shanghai over 1949–2009 with Mann-Kendall Tests and a Newspaper-Based Database
Authors: Du Shiqiang , Gu Honghuan , Wen Jiahong , Chen Ke , Van Rompaey Anton
Published: April 2015

A valuable aid to assessing and managing flood risk lies in a reliable database of historical floods. In this study, a newspaper-based flood database for Shanghai (NFDS) for the period 1949–2009 was developed through a systematic scanning of newspapers. After calibration and validation of the database, Mann-Kendall tests and correlation analysis were applied to detect possible changes in flood frequencies. The analysis was carried out for three different flood types: overbank flood, agricultural waterlogging, and urban waterlogging. The compiled NFDS registered 146 floods and 92% of them occurred in the flood-prone season from June to September. The statistical analyses showed that both the annual flood and the floods in June–August increased significantly. Urban waterlogging showed a very strong increasing trend, probably because of insufficient capacity of urban drainage system and impacts of rapid urbanization. By contrast, the decrease in overbank flooding and the slight increase in agricultural waterlogging were likely because of the construction of river levees and seawalls and the upgrade of agricultural drainage systems, respectively. This study demonstrated the usefulness of local newspapers in building a historical flood database and in assessing flood characterization.
Spatial Quantification of Non-Point Source Pollution in a Meso-Scale Catchment for an Assessment of Buffer Zones Efficiency
Authors: Piniewski Mikołaj , Marcinkowski Paweł , Kardel Ignacy , Giełczewski Marek , Izydorczyk Katarzyna , Frątczak Wojciech
Published: April 2015

The objective of this paper was to spatially quantify diffuse pollution sources and estimate the potential efficiency of applying riparian buffer zones as a conservation practice for mitigating chemical pollutant losses. This study was conducted using a semi-distributed Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model that underwent extensive calibration and validation in the Sulejów Reservoir catchment (SRC), which occupies 4900 km2 in central Poland. The model was calibrated and validated against daily discharges (10 gauges), NO3-N and TP loads (7 gauges). Overall, the model generally performed well during the calibration period but not during the validation period for simulating discharge and loading of NO3-N and TP. Diffuse agricultural sources appeared to be the main contributors to the elevated NO3-N and TP loads in the streams. The existing, default representation of buffer zones in SWAT uses a VFS sub-model that only affects the contaminants present in surface runoff. The results of an extensive monitoring program carried out in 2011–2013 in the SRC suggest that buffer zones are highly efficient for reducing NO3-N and TP concentrations in shallow groundwater. On average, reductions of 56% and 76% were observed, respectively. An improved simulation of buffer zones in SWAT was achieved through empirical upscaling of the measurement results. The mean values of the sub-basin level reductions are 0.16 kg NO3/ha (5.9%) and 0.03 kg TP/ha (19.4%). The buffer zones simulated using this approach contributed 24% for NO3-N and 54% for TP to the total achieved mean reduction at the sub-basin level. This result suggests that additional measures are needed to achieve acceptable water quality status in all water bodies of the SRC, despite the fact that the buffer zones have a high potential for reducing contaminant emissions.
L’architecture religieuse en Allemagne entre 1220 et 1350
Authors: Schurr Marc Carel
Published: April 2015

L’architecture gothique des pays de langue allemande est le produit d’un processus d’échanges culturels, accompagné de multiples innovations tant au niveau technique qu’au niveau social. C’est précisément dans le domaine des techniques de construction que le récent essor qu’a connu l’archéologie du bâti en Allemagne a généré un large éventail de nouvelles conclusions. Mais la dimension sociale des innovations artistiques a été, elle aussi l’objet d’une attention accrue de la part de la recherche allemande, qui pose la question des fonctions des monuments et des intentions des commanditaires. Sur le plan de l’histoire stylistique, les chantiers lorrains et alsaciens ont joué un rôle de relais dans la transmission vers l’est des nouvelles formes venues de l’ouest. Ce fut, dans un premier temps, la cathédrale de Reims dont le répertoire de formes a fait l’objet d’un transfert vers les pays de langue allemande, par l’intermédiaire du chantier de la cathédrale deToul. Plus tard, les normes du style rayonnant ont cheminé vers l’est, en passant par les cathédrales de Metz, de Cologne et de Strasbourg. L’intensité des échanges artistiques illustre de manière frappante le fait que les frontières nationales actuelles n’avaient pas une grande importance au Moyen Âge. C’est pourquoi l’époque du gothique s’inscrit tout particulièrement au patrimoine culturel européen et à ce titre elle mériterait de la part de la recherche une attention plus soutenue que ce qu’elle a connu jusqu’à présent.
Photocatalytic nucleophilic addition of alcohols to styrenes in Markovnikov and anti-Markovnikov orientation
Authors: Weiser Martin , Hermann Sergej , Penner Alexander , Wagenknecht Hans-Achim
Published: April 2015

The nucleophilic addition of methanol and other alcohols to 1,1-diphenylethylene (1) and styrene (6) into the Markovnikov- and anti-Markovnikov-type products was selectively achieved with 1-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyrene (Py) and 1,7-dicyanoperylene-3,4:9,10-tetracarboxylic acid bisimide (PDI) as photoredox catalysts. The regioselectivity was controlled by the photocatalyst. For the reductive mode towards the Markovnikov-type regioselectivity, Py was applied as photocatalyst and triethylamine as electron shuttle. This approach was also used for intramolecular additions. For the oxidative mode towards the anti-Markovnikov-type regioselectivety, PDI was applied together with Ph–SH as additive. Photocatalytic additions of a variety of alcohols gave the corresponding products in good to excellent yields. The proposed photocatalytic electron transfer mechanism was supported by detection of the PDI radical anion as key intermediate and by comparison of two intramolecular reactions with different electron density. Representative mesoflow reactor experiments allowed to significantly shorten the irradiation times and to use sunlight as “green” light source.
Solid-state 1H and 31P NMR and FTIR spectroscopy study of static and dynamic structures in sol-gel derived calcium hydroxyapatites
Authors: Dagys Laurynas , Klimavičius Vytautas , Kausteklis Jonas , Chodosovskaja Ala , Aleksa Valdemaras , Kareiva Aivaras , Balevičius Vytautas
Published: April 2015

Calcium hydroxyapatite containing amorphous phosphate phase (ACP-CaHA) and nano-structured hydroxyapatite (CaHA) have been prepared by two sol-gel synthesis routes. The structural organization of hydroxyl groups in both materials has been determined by means of 1H MAS NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. It has been shown that the amount of structural –OH groups in nano-structured CaHA is significantly higher than that from adsorbed water and vice versa in ACP-CaHA. A precise signal shape analysis has been carried out for both studied samples. The 31P NMR signals have been found being Voigt-shaped in the wide-line as well as in MAS spectra. The 1H and 31P spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation time measurements have revealed that the fast spin motion takes place in ACP-CaHA. The corresponding correlation time τ ~ 7 · 10–7 s at ~300 K has been determined. The effect of MAS rate on the 31P signal shape also confirms that this motion runs in the time scale of microseconds or even nanoseconds. The magnitude of the anisotropic broadening 1220 ± 20 Hz determined for nano-structured CaHA is very close to the maximum of the dipolar 1H–31P coupling distribution profile estimated using CP MAS kinetics. The dynamics of 1H–31P spin interactions in nano-structured CaHA (τ ~ 3.3 · 10–5 s) is much slower than in ACP-CaHA.
Influence of vacancies on indium atom distribution in InGaAs and InGaN compounds
Authors: Bezyazychnaya Tatyana V. , Kabanau Dzmitry M. , Kabanov Vladimir V. , Lebiadok Yahor V. , Ryabtsev Andrew G. , Ryabtsev Gennadii I. , Zelenkovskii Vladimir M. , Mehta S. K.
Published: April 2015

It has been theoretically ascertained that for defect-free InGaAs and InGaN compounds the uniform distribution of indium atoms is more energetically preferable than the clustering distribution. The presence of gallium and arsenic vacancy in InGaAs and nitrogen vacancy in InGaN facilitates indium atom clustering distribution. It has been shown that the increase in the indium content in InGaAs and InGaN compounds leads to the decrease of the formation energy of gallium, arsenic and nitrogen vacancies.