Abstract: A field study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy
of lavender for phytoremediation of contaminated soils. The
experiment was performed on an agricultural fields contaminated by
the Non-Ferrous-Metal Works near Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The
concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cd in lavender (roots, stems, leaves and
inflorescences) and in the essential oils of lavender were determined.
Lavender is a plant which is tolerant to heavy metals and can be
grown on contaminated soils, and which can be referred to the
hyperaccumulators of lead and the accumulators of cadmium and
zinc, and can be successfully used in the phytoremediation of heavy
metal contaminated soils. Favorable is also the fact that heavy metals
do not influence the development of the lavender, as well as on the
quality and quantity of the essential oil. The possibility of further
industrial processing will make lavender economically interesting
crops for farmers of phytoextraction technology.
Abstract: The potential neuroprotective effect of Phyllantus
nuriri against Fe2+ and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced oxidative
stress in mitochondria of rats brain was evaluated. Cellular viability
was assessed by MTT reduction, reactive oxygen species (ROS)
generation was measured using the probe 2,7-dichlorofluoresce
indiacetate (DCFH-DA). Glutathione content was measured using
dithionitrobenzoic acid (DTNB). Fe2+ (10μM) and SNP (5μM)
significantly decreased mitochondrial activity, assessed by MTT
reduction assay, in a dose-dependent manner, this occurred in parallel
with increased glutathione oxidation, ROS production and lipid
peroxidation end-products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances,
TBARS). The co-incubation with methanolic extract of Phyllantus
nuriri (10-200 μg/ml) reduced the disruption of mitochondrial
activity, gluthathione oxidation, ROS production as well as the
increase in TBARS levels caused by both Fe2+ and SNP in a dose
dependent manner. HPLC analysis of the extract revealed the
presence of gallic acid (20.540.01), caffeic acid (7.930.02), rutin
(25.310.05), quercetin (31.280.03) and kaemferol (14.360.01).
This result suggests that these phytochemicals account for the
protective actions of P. niruri against Fe2+ and SNP -induced
oxidative stress. Our results show that P. nuriri consist important
bioactive molecules in the search for an improved therapy against the
deleterious effects of Fe2+, an intrinsic producer of reactive oxygen
species (ROS), that leads to neuronal oxidative stress and
neurodegeneration.
Abstract: Icons, or pictorial and graphical objects, are
commonly used in human-computer interaction (HCI) fields as the
mediator in order to communicate information to users. Yet there has
been little studies focusing on a majority of the world’s population –
semi-literate communities – in terms of the fundamental knowhow
for designing icons for such population. In this study, two sets of
icons belonging in different icon taxonomy – abstract and concrete –
are designed for a mobile application for semi-literate agricultural
communities. In this paper, we propose a triadic relationship of an
icon, namely meaning, task and mental image, which inherits the
triadic relationship of a sign. User testing with the application and a
post-pilot questionnaire are conducted as the experimental approach
in two rural villages in India. Icons belonging to concrete taxonomy
perform better than abstract icons on the premise that the design of
the icon fulfills the underlying rules of the proposed triadic
relationship.
Abstract: This paper investigates the benefits of deliberately
unbalancing both operation time means (MTs) and unreliability
(failure and repair rates) for non-automated production lines. The
lines were simulated with various line lengths, buffer capacities,
degrees of imbalance and patterns of MT and unreliability imbalance.
Data on two performance measures, namely throughput (TR) and
average buffer level (ABL) were gathered, analyzed and compared to
a balanced line counterpart. A number of conclusions were made
with respect to the ranking of configurations, as well as to the
relationships among the independent design parameters and the
dependent variables. It was found that the best configurations are a
balanced line arrangement and a monotone decreasing MT order,
coupled with either a decreasing or a bowl unreliability configuration,
with the first generally resulting in a reduced TR and the second
leading to a lower ABL than those of a balanced line.
Abstract: The present study was carried out to investigate the
effect of alloying elements and thermo-mechanical treatment (TMT)
i.e. hot rolling and forging with different reduction ratios on the
hardness (HV) and impact toughness (J) of heat-treated low alloy
steels. An understanding of the combined effect of TMT and alloying
elements and by measuring hardness, impact toughness, resulting
from different heat treatment following TMT of the low alloy steels,
it is possible to determine which conditions yielded optimum
mechanical properties and high strength to weight ratio.
Experimental Correlations between hot work reduction ratio,
hardness and impact toughness for thermo-mechanically heat treated
low alloy steels are analyzed quantitatively, and both regression and
mathematical hardness and impact toughness models are developed.
Abstract: The coaxial transformer-coupled push-pull circuitry
has been used widely in HF and VHF amplifiers for many decades
without significant changes in the topology of the transformers. Basic
changes over the years concerned the construction and turns ratio of
the transformers as has been imposed upon the newer technologies
active devices demands. The balun transmission line transformers
applied in push-pull amplifiers enable input/output impedance
transformation, but are mainly used to convert the balanced output
into unbalanced and the input unbalanced into balanced. A simple
and affordable alternative solution over the traditional coaxial
transformer is the coreless planar balun. A key advantage over the
traditional approach lies in the high specifications repeatability;
simplifying the amplifier construction requirements as the planar
balun constitutes an integrated part of the PCB copper layout. This
paper presents the performance analysis of a planar LDMOS
MRFE6VP5600 Push-Pull amplifier that enables robust operation in
Band III, DVB-T, DVB-T2 standards but functions equally well in
Band II, for DRM+ new generation transmitters.
Abstract: During the post-Civil War era, the city of Nashville,
Tennessee, had the highest mortality rate in the United States. The
elevated death and disease rates among former slaves were
attributable to lack of quality healthcare. To address the paucity of
healthcare services, Meharry Medical College, an institution with the
mission of educating minority professionals and serving the
underserved population, was established in 1876.
Purpose: The social ecological framework and partial least squares
(PLS) path modeling were used to quantify the impact of
socioeconomic status and adverse health outcome on primary care
professionals serving the disadvantaged community. Thus, the study
results could demonstrate the accomplishment of the College’s
mission of training primary care professionals to serve in underserved
areas.
Methods: Various statistical methods were used to analyze alumni
data from 1975 – 2013. K-means cluster analysis was utilized to
identify individual medical and dental graduates in the cluster groups
of the practice communities (Disadvantaged or Non-disadvantaged
Communities). Discriminant analysis was implemented to verify the
classification accuracy of cluster analysis. The independent t-test was
performed to detect the significant mean differences of respective
clustering and criterion variables. Chi-square test was used to test if
the proportions of primary care and non-primary care specialists are
consistent with those of medical and dental graduates practicing in
the designated community clusters. Finally, the PLS path model was
constructed to explore the construct validity of analytic model by
providing the magnitude effects of socioeconomic status and adverse
health outcome on primary care professionals serving the
disadvantaged community.
Results: Approximately 83% (3,192/3,864) of Meharry Medical
College’s medical and dental graduates from 1975 to 2013 were
practicing in disadvantaged communities. Independent t-test confirmed the content validity of the cluster analysis model. Also, the
PLS path modeling demonstrated that alumni served as primary care
professionals in communities with significantly lower socioeconomic
status and higher adverse health outcome (p < .001). The PLS path
modeling exhibited the meaningful interrelation between primary
care professionals practicing communities and surrounding
environments (socioeconomic statues and adverse health outcome),
which yielded model reliability, validity, and applicability.
Conclusion: This study applied social ecological theory and
analytic modeling approaches to assess the attainment of Meharry
Medical College’s mission of training primary care professionals to
serve in underserved areas, particularly in communities with low
socioeconomic status and high rates of adverse health outcomes. In
summary, the majority of medical and dental graduates from Meharry
Medical College provided primary care services to disadvantaged
communities with low socioeconomic status and high adverse health
outcome, which demonstrated that Meharry Medical College has
fulfilled its mission. The high reliability, validity, and applicability of
this model imply that it could be replicated for comparable
universities and colleges elsewhere.
Abstract: Introduction: There are multiple social, individual and
cultural factors that influence an individual’s decision to adopt family
planning methods especially among non-users in patriarchal societies
like Pakistan. Non-users, if targeted efficiently, can contribute
significantly to country’s CPR. A research study showed that nonusers
if convinced to adopt lactational amenorrhea method can shift
to long term methods in future. Research shows that if non users are
targeted efficiently a 59% reduction in unintended pregnancies in
Saharan Africa and South-Central and South-East Asia is anticipated.
Methods: We did secondary data analysis on Pakistan
Demographic Heath Survey (2012-13) dataset. Use of contraception
(never-use/ever-use) was the outcome variable. At univariate level
Chi-square/Fisher Exact test was used to assess relationship of
baseline covariates with contraception use. Then variables to be
incorporated in the model were checked for multicollinearity,
confounding and interaction. Then binary logistic regression (with an
urban-rural stratification) was done to find relationship between
contraception use and baseline demographic and social variables.
Results: The multivariate analyses of the study showed that
younger women (≤ 29 years)were more prone to be never users as
compared to those who were >30 years and this trend was seen in
urban areas (AOR 1.92, CI 1.453-2.536) as well as rural areas (AOR
1.809, CI 1.421-2.303). While looking at regional variation, women
from urban Sindh (AOR 1.548, CI 1.142-2.099) and urban
Balochistan (AOR 2.403, CI 1.504-3.839) had more never users as
compared to other urban regions. Women in the rich wealth quintile
were more never users and this was seen both in urban and rural
localities (urban (AOR 1.106 CI .753-1.624); rural areas (AOR 1.162,
CI .887-1.524)) even though these were not statistically significant.
Women idealizing more children (>4) are more never users as
compared to those idealizing less children in both urban (AOR 1.854,
CI 1.275-2.697) and rural areas (AOR 2.101, CI 1.514-2.916).
Women who never lost a pregnancy were more inclined to be nonusers
in rural areas (AOR 1.394, CI 1.127-1.723) .Women familiar
with only traditional or no method had more never users in rural areas
(AOR 1.717, CI 1.127-1.723) but in urban areas it wasn’t significant.
Women unaware of Lady Health Worker’s presence in their area
were more never users especially in rural areas (AOR 1.276, CI
1.014-1.607). Women who did not visit any care provider were more
never users (urban (AOR 11.738, CI 9.112-15.121) rural areas (AOR
7.832, CI 6.243-9.826)).
Discussion/Conclusion: This study concluded that government,
policy makers and private sector family planning programs should
focus on the untapped pool of never users (younger women from underserved provinces, in higher wealth quintiles, who desire more
children.). We need to make sure to cover catchment areas where
there are less LHWs and less providers as ignorance to modern
methods and never been visited by an LHW are important
determinants of never use. This all is in sync with previous literate
from similar developing countries.
Abstract: Big Data and analytics have gained a huge momentum
in recent years. Big Data feeds into the field of Learning Analytics
(LA) that may allow academic institutions to better understand the
learners’ needs and proactively address them. Hence, it is important
to have an understanding of Big Data and its applications. The
purpose of this descriptive paper is to provide an overview of Big
Data, the technologies used in Big Data, and some of the applications
of Big Data in education. Additionally, it discusses some of the
concerns related to Big Data and current research trends. While Big
Data can provide big benefits, it is important that institutions
understand their own needs, infrastructure, resources, and limitation
before jumping on the Big Data bandwagon.
Abstract: Theory of Mind (ToM) refers to the ability to infer
another’s mental state. With appropriate ToM, one can behave well in
social interactions. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that
patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) may damage ToM by
affecting on regions of the underlying neural network of ToM.
However, the question of whether there is cerebral laterality for ToM
functions remains open. This study aimed to examine whether there is
cerebral lateralization for ToM abilities in TLE patients. Sixty-seven
adult TLE patients and 30 matched healthy controls (HC) were
recruited. Patients were classified into right (RTLE), left (LTLE), and
bilateral (BTLE) TLE groups on the basis of a consensus panel review
of their seizure semiology, EEG findings, and brain imaging results.
All participants completed an intellectual test and four tasks measuring
basic and advanced ToM. The results showed that, on all ToM tasks,
(1) each patient group performed worse than HC; (2) there were no
significant differences between LTLE and RTLE groups; and (3) the
BTLE group performed the worst. It appears that the neural network
responsible for ToM is distributed evenly between the cerebral
hemispheres.
Abstract: This work sets out to debate the tensions involved in
the processes of contamination and self-purification in the urban
space, particularly in the streams that run through the Buenos Aires
metropolitan area. For much of their course, those streams are piped;
their waters do not come into contact with the outdoors until they
have reached deeply impoverished urban areas with high levels of
environmental contamination. These are peripheral zones that, until
thirty years ago, were marshlands and fields. They are now densely
populated areas largely lacking in urban infrastructure.
The Cárcova neighborhood, where this project is underway, is in
the José León Suárez section of General San Martín county, Buenos
Aires province. A stretch of José León Suarez canal crosses the
neighborhood. Starting upstream, this canal carries pollutants due to
the sewage and industrial waste released into it. Further downstream,
in the neighborhood, domestic drainage is poured into the stream. In
this paper, we formulate a hypothesis diametrical to the one that
holds that these neighborhoods are the primary source of
contamination, suggesting instead that in the stretch of the canal that
runs through the neighborhood the stream’s waters are actually
cleaned and the sediments accumulate pollutants. Indeed, the
stretches of water that runs through these neighborhoods act as water
processing plants for the metropolis.
This project has studied the different organic-load polluting
contributions to the water in a certain stretch of the canal, the
reduction of that load over the course of the canal, and the
incorporation of pollutants into the sediments. We have found that
the surface water has considerable ability to self-purify, mostly due to
processes of sedimentation and adsorption. The polluting load is
accumulated in the sediments where that load stabilizes slowly by
means of anaerobic processes. In this study, we also investigated the
risks of sediment management and the use of the processes studied
here in controlled conditions as tools of environmental restoration.
Abstract: This study attempts to identify the factors influencing
on women empowerment of rural area in Sri Lanka through micro
finance services. Data were collected from one hundred (100) rural
women involving self-employment activities through a questionnaire
using direct personal interviews. Judgment and Convenience Random
sampling technique was used to select the sample size from three
Divisional Secretariat divisions of Kandawalai, Poonakari and
Karachchi in Kilinochchi District. The factor analysis was performed
on fourteen (14) variables for screening and reducing the variables to
identify the influencing factors on empowerment. Multiple regression
analysis was used to identify the relationship between the three
empowerment factors and the impact of micro finance on overall
empowerment of rural women. The result of this study summarized
the variables into three factors namely decision making, freedom to
mobility and family support and which are positively associated with
empowerment. In addition to this the value of adjusted R2 is 0.248
indicates that all the variables extracted can be explained 24.8% of
the variation in the women empowerment through microfinance.
Independent variables of these three factors have positive correlation
with women empowerment as well as significant values at 5 percent
level.
Abstract: The Scheduling and mapping of tasks on a set of
processors is considered as a critical problem in parallel and
distributed computing system. This paper deals with the problem of
dynamic scheduling on a special type of multiprocessor architecture
known as Linear Crossed Cube (LCQ) network. This proposed
multiprocessor is a hybrid network which combines the features of
both linear types of architectures as well as cube based architectures.
Two standard dynamic scheduling schemes namely Minimum
Distance Scheduling (MDS) and Two Round Scheduling (TRS)
schemes are implemented on the LCQ network. Parallel tasks are
mapped and the imbalance of load is evaluated on different set of
processors in LCQ network. The simulations results are evaluated
and effort is made by means of through analysis of the results to
obtain the best solution for the given network in term of load
imbalance left and execution time. The other performance matrices
like speedup and efficiency are also evaluated with the given
dynamic algorithms.
Abstract: The model tests were conducted in the laboratory
without and with Plastic recycled polymer in fly ash steep slopes
overlaying soft foundation soils like fly ash and powai soil in order to
check the stability of steep slope. In this experiment, fly ash is used
as a filling material and Plastic Recycled Polymers of diameter =
3mm and length = 4mm were made from waste plastic product (lower
grade plastic product). The properties of fly ash and Plastic recycled
polymers are determined. From the experiments, load and settlement
have measured. From these data, load –settlement curves have
reported. It has been observed from test results that load carrying
capacity of mixture fly ash with Plastic Recycled Polymers slope is
more than that of fly ash slope. The deformation of Plastic Recycled
Polymers slope is slightly more than that of fly ash slope. A Finite
Element Method (F.E.M.) was also evaluated using PLAXIS 3D
version. The failure pattern, deformations and factor of safety are
reported based on analytical programme. The results from
experimental data and analytical programme are compared and
reported.
Abstract: This study presented to reduce earthquake damage and
emergency rehabilitation of critical structures such as schools, hightech
factories, and hospitals due to strong ground motions associated
with climate changes. Regarding recent trend, a strong earthquake
causes serious damage to critical structures and then the critical
structure might be influenced by sequence aftershocks (or tsunami)
due to fault plane adjustments. Therefore, in order to improve seismic
performance of critical structures, retrofitted or strengthening study
of the structures under aftershocks sequence after emergency
rehabilitation of the structures subjected to strong earthquakes is
widely carried out. Consequently, this study used composite material
for emergency rehabilitation of the structure rather than concrete and
steel materials because of high strength and stiffness, lightweight,
rapid manufacturing, and dynamic performance. Also, this study was
to develop or improve the seismic performance or seismic retrofit of
critical structures subjected to strong ground motions and earthquake
aftershocks, by utilizing GFRP-Corrugated Infill Panels (GCIP).
Abstract: Organizational tendencies towards computer-based
information processing have been observed noticeably in the
third-world countries. Many enterprises are taking major initiatives
towards computerized working environment because of massive
benefits of computer-based information processing. However,
designing and developing information resource management software
for small and mid-size enterprises under budget costs and strict
deadline is always challenging for software engineers. Therefore, we
introduced an approach to design mid-size enterprise software by
using the Waterfall model, which is one of the SDLC (Software
Development Life Cycles), in a cost effective way. To fulfill research
objectives, in this study, we developed mid-sized enterprise software
named “BSK Management System” that assists enterprise software
clients with information resource management and perform complex
organizational tasks. Waterfall model phases have been applied to
ensure that all functions, user requirements, strategic goals, and
objectives are met. In addition, Rich Picture, Structured English, and
Data Dictionary have been implemented and investigated properly in
engineering manner. Furthermore, an assessment survey with 20
participants has been conducted to investigate the usability and
performance of the proposed software. The survey results indicated
that our system featured simple interfaces, easy operation and
maintenance, quick processing, and reliable and accurate transactions.
Abstract: The following article presents Technology Centre of
Ostrava (TCO) in the Czech Republic describing the structure and
main research areas realized by the project ENET - Energy Units for
Utilization of non Traditional Energy Sources. More details are
presented from the research program dealing with transformation,
accumulation and distribution of electric energy. Technology Centre
has its own energy mix consisting of alternative sources of fuel
sources that use of process gases from the storage part and also the
energy from distribution network. The article will be focus on the
properties and application possibilities SiC semiconductor devices for
power semiconductor converter for photovoltaic systems.
Abstract: Moringa oleifera is a nutritious vegetable tree with
varieties of potential uses, as almost every part of the Moringa
oleifera tree can be used for food. This study was conducted in Oyo
State, Nigeria, to find out the level of acceptability of Moringa
oleifera diversified products among rural and urban dwellers.
Purposive sampling was used to select two local governments’ areas.
Stratified sampling technique was also used to select one community
each from rural and urban areas while snowball sampling technique
was used to select ten respondents each from the two communities,
making a total number of forty respondents. Data were analyzed
using frequencies, percentages, Chi-square, Pearson Product Moment
Correlation and regression analysis. Result from the study revealed
that majority of the respondents (80%) fell within the age range of
20-49 years and 55% of them were male, 55% were married, 70% of
them were Christians, 80% of them had tertiary education. The result
also showed that 85% were aware of the Moringa plant and (65%) of
them have consumed Moringa oleifera and the perception statements
on the benefits of Moringa oleifera indicated that (52.5%) of the
respondents rated Moringa oleifera to be favorable, most of them had
high acceptability for Moringa egusi soup, Moringa tea, Moringa pap
and yam pottage with Moringa. The result of the hypotheses testing
showed that there is a significant relationship between sex of the
respondents and acceptability of the diversified Moringa oleifera
products (x2=6.465, p = 0.011). There is also a significant
relationship between family size of the respondents level of
acceptability of the Moringa oleifera products (r = 0.327, p = 0.040).
Based on the level of acceptability of Moringa oleifera diversified
products; the plant is of great economic importance to the populace.
Therefore, there should be more public awareness through the media
to enlighten people on the beneficial effects of Moringa oleifera.
Abstract: The largest share of policy and money within the
European Union goes to agriculture. The Union’s Common
Agricultural Policy has undergone several transformations in the last
five decades, with the main change taking place in the 1990s. This
change influenced agriculture in the Czech Republic, inasmuch as the
fledgling republic was preparing to join the European Union and
adopt its policies. In the 1990s, Czech agriculture passed from
a centrally planned economy to a market economy and subsequently
adopted the terms of the Common Agricultural Policy. The Czech
Republic is also characterized by a significant diversification of
landscape sphere. Agricultural entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic
are still not accustomed to the possibility of grants from the European
Union. They focus rather on national or regional subsidies. Only half
of all agricultural entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic use European
subsidies. This article focuses on the introduction of the Common
Agricultural Policy to the Czech Republic and its subsequent
influence on Czech agriculture. It is demonstrated through the
implementation rate of the CAP in the EU Member States and
a closer focus on Czech integration.
Abstract: Recently, there is a lot of interest in the field of under
water optical wireless communication for short range because of
its high bandwidth. But in most of the previous works line of
sight propagation or single scattering of photons only considered.
In practical case this is not applicable because of beam blockage in
underwater and multiple scattering also occurred during the photons
propagation through water. In this paper we consider a non-line
of sight underwater wireless optical communication system with
multiple scattering and examine the performance of the system using
monte carlo simulation. The distribution scattering angle of photons
are modeled by Henyey-Greenstein method. The average bit error
rate is calculated using on-off keying modulation for different water
types.