bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rail Defect Detection Using Fiber Optic Sensors and Wavelet Algorithms
Authors: Taheri Saied , Moslehi Behzad , Sotoudeh Vahid , Hopkins Brad M. 
Published: June 2018

Early detection of rail defects can avoid derailments and costly damage to the train and railway infrastructure. Small breaks, cracks or corrugations on the rail can quickly propagate after only a few train cars have passed over it, creating a potential derailment. The current technology makes use of a dedicated instrumented car or a separate railway monitoring vehicle to detect large breaks. These cars are usually equipped with accelerometers mounted on the axle or side frame. The simple detection algorithms use acceleration thresholds which are set at high values to eliminate false positives. As a result, rail surface defects that produce low amplitude acceleration signatures may not be detected, and special track components that produce high amplitude acceleration signatures may be flagged as defects.
This paper presents the results of a feasibility study conducted to develop new and more advanced sensory systems as well as signal processing algorithms capable of detecting various rail surface irregularities. A dynamic wheel-rail interaction model was used to simulate train dynamics as a result of rail defects and to assess the potential of this new technology on rail defect detection. In a future paper, we will present experimental data in support of the proposed model and simulations.
Modeling the Thermo-Structural Response of Railcar Floor Assemblies During Standard Fire Resistance Tests
Authors: Rippe Christian , Kapahi Anil , Lattimer Brian 
Published: June 2018

Performing fire endurance tests of railcar floor assemblies in accordance with NFPA 130 is expensive given the minimum size requirements of 3.7 m (12 ft) in length and the full vehicle width. Often it is not financially viable to conduct such tests on several iterations of designs for the purpose of design optimization. Simulations of the fire endurance tests can be performed in place of experiments to provide predictions of floor assembly response of multiple designs at much lower cost. However, capturing the thermo-structural response of the floor assembly requires the ability to model the relevant physical phenomena including softening and weakening of the steel frame, degradation of the fire insulation, and failure of the composite floor. A methodology for performing such simulations was developed under this research addressing each of these phenomena. Temperature dependent thermal and mechanical properties of all modeled materials captures material softening and weakening. Degradation of the insulation was handled through a novel temperature dependent shrinkage approach. Failure models for the sandwich composite floor panels were obtained from literature to predict shear fracture of the core based on a maximum principal shear stress approach and delamination of the core/facesheet based on a maximum strain energy approach.
The developed methodology was applied to the simulation of a fire endurance test of an exemplar railcar floor assembly using the commercial finite element solver Abaqus. The assembly was known to hold a passing rating for a 30-minute fire endurance test according to NFPA 130. The floor assembly consisted of a stainless-steel frame, fiberglass insulation, and a ply-metal composite floor. Sequentially coupled thermal and structural models were developed to predict the thermostructural response of the floor assembly for a 30-minute exposure to the ASTM E119 prescriptive fire curve. User-subroutines were utilized to implement the sandwich composite failure models developed for predicted core shear fracture and core/facesheet delamination. The predicted temperature rise on the unexposed surface of the floor assembly after a 30-minute exposure ranged from 50°C to 90°C. The floor assembly was also predicted to maintain structural integrity with the applied crush load, having a center-point vertical deflection of 161 mm after the 30-minute exposure. This resulted in a predicted pass rating for a 30-minute exposure which agrees with the floor assembly’s actual fire rating.
Traceability of Marine LNG Bunkering Measurements
Authors: Kegel Thomas , Johansen William 
Published: June 2018

Industrial use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has a surprisingly long history. The first practical refrigeration system was built in 1873; the first commercial liquefaction plant was built in 1917. Over time two applications have been developed that are relevant to the current paper. The first involves storage of LNG to handle peak demand in pipeline systems, the process is identified as “peak shaving”. A second application is the transport of hydrocarbon fuel where gas pipelines are unavailable.
Paper published with permission.
Bigger Is Not Always Better: Tumor Size and Prognosis in Advanced Melanoma
Authors: Warner Allison Betof , Postow Michael A. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
Tumor burden is a key consideration for the treatment of solid malignancies. Large baseline tumor size (an assessment of volume of disease in target lesions prior to treatment), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and site of disease are prognostic of poor overall survival (OS) for patients with advanced melanoma treated with pembrolizumab. Clin Cancer Res; 24(20); 4915–7. ©2018 AACR.
See related article by Joseph et al., p. 4960
ДО 100-РІЧЧЯ ВІД ДНЯ СМЕРТІ ІВАНА ПУЛЮЯ
Authors: Didukh V. D. , Rudyak Y. A. , Bagrii-Zayats O. A. , Naumova L. V. , Horkunenko A. B. 
Published: June 2018

31 січня 2018 р. виповнилося 100 років від дня смерті відомого вченого і патріота України – Івана Пулюя. Це ж він збудував перші в Австро-Угорській імперії електростанції, які працювали на постійному та змінному струмах, досліджував катодні промені, які пізніше отримали назву рентгенівських, був винахідником приладів, які на міжнародних виставках відзначені високими нагородами. Це ж він разом із Пантелеймоном Кулішем, Іваном Нечуєм-Левицьким переклав вперше українською мовою Біблію. Ім’ям Івана Пулюя названо вулиці у містах України, зокрема у Києві, Дніпропетровську, Львові, Тернополі, Івано-Франківську та Дрогобичі. Тернопільський національний технічний університет носить ім’я Івана Пулюя, де щорічно проводяться наукові читання на честь великого земляка. Фундаментальні праці з фізики та електротехніки, науково-популярні, публіцистичні праці, спогади Івана Пулюя, світового рівня вченого, людини твердих моральних переконань, Великого українця, є актуальні і сьогодні.
Limited Macrophage Positional Dynamics in Progressing or Regressing Murine Atherosclerotic Plaques—Brief Report
Authors: Williams Jesse W. , Martel Catherine , Potteaux Stephane , Esaulova Ekaterina , Ingersoll Molly A. , Elvington Andrew , Saunders Brian T. , Huang Li-Hao , Habenicht Andreas J. , Zinselmeyer Bernd H. , Randolph Gwendalyn J. 
Published: June 2018

Objective—
Macrophages play important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, but their dynamics within plaques remain obscure. We aimed to quantify macrophage positional dynamics within progressing and regressing atherosclerotic plaques.

Approach and Results—
In a stable intravital preparation, large asymmetrical foamy macrophages in the intima of carotid artery plaques were sessile, but smaller rounded cells nearer plaque margins, possibly newly recruited monocytes, mobilized laterally along plaque borders. Thus, to test macrophage dynamics in plaques over a longer period of time in progressing and regressing disease, we quantified displacement of nondegradable phagocytic particles within macrophages for up to 6 weeks. In progressing plaques, macrophage-associated particles appeared to mobilize to deeper layers in plaque, whereas in regressing plaques, the label was persistently located near the lumen. By measuring the distance of the particles from the floor of the plaque, we discovered that particles remained at the same distance from the floor regardless of plaque progression or regression. The apparent deeper penetration of labeled cells in progressing conditions could be attributed to monocyte recruitment that generated new superficial layers of macrophages over the labeled phagocytes.

Conclusions—
Although there may be individual exceptions, as a population, newly differentiated macrophages fail to penetrate significantly deeper than the limited depth they reside on initial entry, regardless of plaque progression, or regression. These limited dynamics may prevent macrophages from escaping areas with unfavorable conditions (such as hypoxia) and pose a challenge for newly recruited macrophages to clear debris through efferocytosis deep within plaque.
Tollip Negatively Regulates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell–Mediated Neointima Formation by Suppressing Akt‐Dependent Signaling
Authors: Zhi Hong , Gong Fu‐Han , Cheng Wen‐Lin , Zhu Kongbo , Chen Long , Yao Yuyu , Ye Xingzhou , Zhu Xue‐Yong , Li Hongliang 
Published: June 2018

Background
Tollip, a well‐established endogenous modulator of Toll‐like receptor signaling, is involved in cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Tollip in neointima formation and its associated mechanisms.

Methods and Results

In this study, transient increases in Tollip expression were observed in platelet‐derived growth factor‐
BB
–treated vascular smooth muscle cells and following vascular injury in mice. We then applied loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function approaches to elucidate the effects of Tollip on neointima formation. While exaggerated neointima formation was observed in Tollip‐deficient murine neointima formation models, Tollip overexpression alleviated vascular injury–induced neointima formation by preventing vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, dedifferentiation, and migration. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that Tollip overexpression may exert a protective role in the vasculature by suppressing Akt‐dependent signaling, which was further confirmed in rescue experiments using the Akt‐specific inhibitor (
AKTI
).

Conclusions
Our findings indicate that Tollip protects against neointima formation by negatively regulating vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, dedifferentiation, and migration in an Akt‐dependent manner. Upregulation of Tollip may be a promising strategy for treating vascular remodeling–related diseases.
Relaxin Family Member Insulin‐Like Peptide 6 Ameliorates Cardiac Fibrosis and Prevents Cardiac Remodeling in Murine Heart Failure Models
Authors: Maruyama Sonomi , Wu Chia‐Ling , Yoshida Sumiko , Zhang Dongying , Li Pei‐Hsuan , Wu Fangzhou , Parker Duffen Jennifer , Yao Rouan , Jardin Blake , Adham Ibrahim M. , Law Ronald , Berger Joel , Di Marchi Richard , Walsh Kenneth 
Published: June 2018

Background
The insulin/insulin‐like growth factor/relaxin family represents a group of structurally related but functionally diverse proteins. The family member relaxin‐2 has been evaluated in clinical trials for its efficacy in the treatment of acute heart failure. In this study, we assessed the role of insulin‐like peptide 6 (INSL6), another member of this protein family, in murine heart failure models using genetic loss‐of‐function and protein delivery methods.

Methods and Results

Insl6‐deficient and wild‐type (C57
BL
/6N) mice were administered angiotensin
II
or isoproterenol via continuous infusion with an osmotic pump or via intraperitoneal injection once a day, respectively, for 2 weeks. In both models, Insl6‐knockout mice exhibited greater cardiac systolic dysfunction and left ventricular dilatation. Cardiac dysfunction in the Insl6‐knockout mice was associated with more extensive cardiac fibrosis and greater expression of fibrosis‐associated genes. The continuous infusion of chemically synthesized
INSL
6 significantly attenuated left ventricular systolic dysfunction and cardiac fibrosis induced by isoproterenol infusion. Gene expression profiling suggests liver X receptor/retinoid X receptor signaling is activated in the isoproterenol‐challenged hearts treated with
INSL
6 protein.

Conclusions

Endogenous Insl6 protein inhibits cardiac systolic dysfunction and cardiac fibrosis in angiotensin
II
– and isoproterenol‐induced cardiac stress models. The administration of recombinant
INSL
6 protein could have utility for the treatment of heart failure and cardiac fibrosis.
Management Information System as a Catalyst to Organisational Performance in the 21st Century: A Study of Selected Banks in Nigeria
Authors: A Obasan Kehinde , A Soyebo Yusuf 
Published: June 2018

Business managers view the implementation of Information Technology (IT) as a tactic to combat competition by improving productivity, profitability and the level of information, irrespective of forms of ownership. Information enables the conceptualization and creation of new products and services by guiding decision makers in reaching a valid conclusion and making an informed decision regarding every area of their responsibility. Using a structured questionnaire administered to sixty selected staffs of the three selected Banks in Nigeria and analyzing the obtained data with the descriptive and regression method of statistical analysis, this study examines the role of management information system (MIS) as a catalyst to organisational performance in the 21st century. The result obtained indicated that MIS is very important in an organisation because no organisation can survive, expand and attain meaningful development without information. Hence, the importance of MIS cannot be over emphasized especially in the Banking sector in the 21st Century. Thus it is recommended that such information system needs to be strategically managed so as to bring about sound and profitable organisation and thereby increase organisational chance of surviving amidst daunting challenges.
The Concept of Islamic Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium Method in the Financial Theme
Authors: Rasoulinezhad Ehsan 
Published: June 2018

Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) method is one of the newest subsections of general equilibrium theory in economy which can be used in many economical fields. This article fundamentally presents the concept of this method in combination with Islamic principles in the financial theme. Moreover a conceptual model is designed through the Interpretive Structural Model (ISM). The results of this paper show the structure of DSGE method in the financial theme with Islamic concepts which can be so useful for researchers and decision makers. The crucial implication of this research would be using Islamic DSGE for Islamic nations with specific related variables.
OHAZURUME: The Philosophy and Practice of Decision Making and Consensus Building among the Ndigbo of Nigeria
Authors: Muo Ik , Oghojafor B. E.A 
Published: June 2018

This paper studies the OHAZURUME philosophy and practice of decision making and consensus building among the Ndigbos (the Igbos) of Nigeria. OHAZURUME, which literarily means ‘it is the communal will; is a, philosophy and practice that ensures that decisions are easily accepted because of its collective properties. Because the issue is decided collectively by the ‘oha’ [the people], no individual can upturn it. OHAZURUME draws from the overall ‘ohaka’[the community is supreme] philosophy and is predicated on the conditions that the matter is tabled openly for discussion, that EVERYBODY is allowed to contribute and that the preponderance of public opinion is upheld as the communal judgment. This paper adopts the participant observation and interview methods and identifies a simple, Nine-stage process of OHAZURUME and establishes that as in other decentralized systems, individual rights and views are respected; individuals accept and respect the communal interest; dissent is accommodated; there is direct participation in decision making and every eligible male has equal right. The paper also undertakes a comparative analysis and discovers that OHAZURUME shares the basic features of other consensus building models like Japanese, Quaker, and CODM, which include group ownership of decisions, participation, and respect for dissention. The paper avers that the key attraction of OHAZURUME is its simplicity. The implication of this study, especially for an international audience is that it develops and articulates a new management concept and practice, enlarges the consensus literature, identifies management philosophies and practices from other climes and expands the dimensions to comparative management.
Effect of Accounting Information System on Organisational Effectiveness: A Case Study of Selected Construction Companies in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Onaolapo A A , Odetayo T A 
Published: June 2018

Automated Accounting Information System (AAIS) provides a tool for finance department to enhance organizational effectiveness especially in this era of global technology advancement. The study examined the effect of accounting information system on organizational effectiveness with special reference to selected construction firms in the Ibadan metropolis. Specifically, the study examined the effects of accounting information on quality of financial reports and decision –making. Purposive sampling technique was adopted in selecting a total of ten personnel from each of the selected companies as sample for the study. A hypothesis was formulated and both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were employed to analyze the data. The results show that accounting information system has effect on organizational effectiveness. Recommendations were subsequently made to both the managers of such organization and government on how the use of AAIS known as ‘Contract Plus– Financial and Project Accounting’ package software can enhance performance in Finance Departments.
Concession as a Strategic Tool for Ports Efficiency: An Assessment of the Nigerian Ports
Authors: Oghojafor B E. A , Kuye O L , Alaneme G C 
Published: June 2018

This paper examined the problems bedeviling the operations of the Nigerian ports before the concession programme of 2006 and how well the concession has improved the performance of the Ports system. Data were collected through secondary methods such as annual reports, as well as interview and media reports. The content analysis method was adopted in analyzing the data. The findings of the study showed that the concession may for all its worth have been able to earn more income for the government but the Authority has failed to keep its part of the contract agreement especially as it concerns the provision of the enabling environment for port operations; infrastructures were still lacking, dwell time has not substantially reduced and corruption still soared high. The paper submits that the regulators of the maritime system need to do more to ensure that it is not paying lip service to its vision of being the leading port in Africa.
Impact of Small and Medium Enterprises on Economic Growth and Development
Authors: Taiwo Muritala A , Ayodeji Awolaja M , Yusuf Bako A 
Published: June 2018

This paper seeks to investigate Small and Medium Enterprises as a veritable tool in Economic Growth and Development. A survey method was used to gather data from 200 SME/Entrepreneurial officers and Managers from five selected local government in Nigeria namely; Ijebu North, Yewa South, Sagamu, Odeda and Ogun Waterside Local government. Data was collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed with several descriptive statistics to identify the perception of the roles of SMEs in Nigeria. The results of the study therefore reveals that the most common constraints hindering small and medium scale business growth in Nigeria are lack of financial support, poor management, corruption, lack of training and experience, poor infrastructure, insufficient profits, and low demand for product and services. Hence, it therefore recommends that Government should as matter of urgency assist prospective entrepreneurs to have access to finance and necessary information relating to business opportunities, modern technology, raw materials, market, plant and machinery which would enable them to reduce their operating cost and be more efficient to meet the market competitions.
Iran Solutions against the Economic Sanctions: Analytic Hierarchy Process Approach
Authors: Jabalameli Farkhonde , Rasoulinezhad Ehsan 
Published: June 2018

Sanctions are penalties or limited program against some societies, countries or nations. Sanction usually consists of a ban on the sale and shipment of products to a country and on the purchase of its exports. Some countries have done it in various types against Iran since 1979. Recently due to nuclear program of Iran, the number of sanctions have raised dramatically. However, Iran can definitely manage and overcome them with appropriate policies and decisions. In this paper we evaluate some chosen solutions of Iran in front of economic sanctions (ES) using a multi attributes decision model named analytic hierarchy process method in three clusters as the local ,regional and global scopes. The results showed the efficiency of this decision making model in these sanctions. The results also indicate the best strategies to reduce and acting proactively against economic sanctions.
Investigating the Role of Selected Marketing-Mix Variables in Formatting Corporate Image in Egyptian Market
Authors: Ebeid Ahmed Yehia 
Published: June 2018

The current study aims at investigating the relationship between selected marketing-mix variables (i.e., price, advertising, monetary promotion, distribution intensity) and corporate image, in the consumer markets, unlike research that concerned business market, or/and different group of marketing-mix variables, in terms of addressing their expected relationships with corporate image. The questionnaire response rate is approximately 83%. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate the proposed relationships, and the model`s fit as well. Significance of all relationships were verified, and the proposed model fits the data. Implications, limitations, and further research are provided.
Influence of Microfinance Bank Products Accessibility on Small Scale Enterprises Performance
Authors: Odetayo T.A , Onaolapo A.R 
Published: June 2018

This study examined the influence of the Microfinance bank products accessibility on Small scale enterprises (SSEs) in Osun State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. The population for the study comprised all microfinance banks and small scale enterprises in Osun State. Thirty (30) MFBs were purposively sampled and For Hundred and Fifty (450) SSEs were randomly sampled. Two sets of questionnaires designed to collect data were tested for reliability using Cronbach’s alpha: QMFB (r = 0.89) and QSSEs(r = 0.70). Data were analysed using tables, frequencies as well as simple percentages while multiple regressions were used to test hypotheses one and two at 0.05 level of significance. Degree of accessibility to MFB products was measured using savings account (92%), current account (54.2%) and business loan (52.3%). A regression analysis designed to examine the influence of MFB products accessibility on SSEs’ performance revealed that MFB products accessibility perception jointly predicted changes in SSEs total capital given F(8,318) = 17.936; number of employees F(8,318) = 4.136; sales F (8,318) =15.316; and profit F(8,318) = 15,699; all values being significant at 0.05 level. In conclusion, activities of MFBs impacted on the SSEs in the study area given the predicted values of financial product accessibility on sales and profit but with a limited effect on total capital and number of employees engaged.