• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.773-788
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• 2003

Ostrich farming is a developing industry in most countries in the world, with farm profitability being largely dependent on the quality of the products, especially skins and meat. To produce quality products, it is essential to ensure that nutrient supply matches the nutrient requirements of ostriches during their growth. To achieve this, information on feed utilisation efficiency and nutrient requirements of ostriches at different maturity stages is required. In South Africa, a number of experiments were carried out to assess the nutritive value of feed and to define the nutrient requirement of ostriches. These data were derived from limited number of birds and the direct application of the results to ostrich farming in Australia and other countries is questionable due to the difference in environment and feed resources. Initially ostrich farmers used data from poultry as a guideline for feed formulation, but in recent years more data has become available for ostriches. Ostriches have a better feed utilisation efficiency and a larger capacity of using high fibre feeds such as pastures than poultry. This review revealed that there are a number of areas there further nutritional research and development is required to ensure the ostriches are provided suitable diets to maximise farm profitability. These include the assessment of the nutritive value of feed ingredients for ostrich chicks and adult birds, the determination of nutrient requirements of ostriches under different farming systems, the development of ostrich diet for producing specific product, and grazing management strategies of ostriches in a crop-pasture rotation system.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2001

The classical two-degree-of-freedom (2-d-o-f) "sectional model" is currently used to study the dynamics of suspension bridges. Taking into account the first pair of vertical and torsional modes of the bridge, it describes well global oscillations caused by wind actions on the deck and yields very useful information on the overall behaviour and the aerodynamic and aeroelastic response, but does not consider relative oscillation between main cables and deck. The possibility of taking into account these relative oscillations, that can become significant for very long span bridges, is the main purpose of the 4-d-o-f model, proposed by the Authors in previous papers and fully developed here. Longitudinal deformability of the hangers (assumed linear elastic in tension and unable to react in compression) and external loading on the cables are taken into account: thus not only global oscillations, but also relative oscillations between cables and deck can be described. When the hangers go slack, large nonlinear oscillations are possible; if the hangers remain taut, the oscillations are small and essentially linear. This paper describes the model proposed for small and large oscillations, and investigates in detail the limit condition for linear response under harmonic actions on the cables (e.g., like those that could be generated by vortex shedding). These results are sufficient to state that, with geometric and mechanical parameters in a range corresponding to realistic cases of large span suspension bridges, large relative oscillations between main cables and deck cannot be excluded, and therefore should not be neglected in the design. Forthcoming papers will investigate more general cases of loading and dynamic response of the model.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.1069-1089
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• 2015

This paper presents average numerical results of 2128 nonlinear dynamic finite element (FE) analyses of lightweight acceleration-sensitive non-structural components (NSCs) attached to the floors of one-bay three-storey reinforced concrete (RC) primary structures (P-structures) with different eccentricity ratios. The investigated parameters include the NSC to P-structure vibration period ratio, peak ground acceleration, P-structure eccentricity ratio, and NSC damping ratio. Appropriate constitutive relationships were used to model the behaviour of the RC P-structures. The NSCs were modelled as vertical cantilevers fixed at their bases with masses on the free ends and varying lengths so as to match the vibration periods of the P-structures. Full dynamic interaction was considered between the NSCs and P-structures. A set of seven natural bi-directional ground motions were used to evaluate the seismic response of the NSCs. The numerical results show that the acceleration response of the NSCs depends on the investigated parameters. The accelerations of the NSCs attached to the flexible sides of the P-structures increased with the increase in peak ground acceleration and P-structure eccentricity ratio but decreased with the increase in NSC damping ratio. Comparison between the FE results and Eurocode 8 (EC8) predictions suggests that, under tuned conditions, EC8 provisions underestimate the seismic response of the NSCs mounted on the flexible sides of the plan-irregular RC P-structures.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2503-2509
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• 2012

Considerable research has been conducted concerning galectin-9 and carcinomas, but little information is available about any relation with the hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study, we employed a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting galectin-9 to down-regulate the expression in HepG2 cells. As a result, after galectin-9 expression was reduced, cell aggregation was suppressed, while other behaviour such as the proliferation, adhesion and invasion to ECM, cell-endothelial adhesion and transendothelial invasion of the cells were markedly enhanced. When tumors of 200 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were tested for galectin-9 expression by immunohistochemistry, binding levels demonstrated intimate correlations with the histopathologic grade, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion and intrahepatic metastasis (P<0.05). Moreover, survival analysis indicated that patients with galectin-9 expression had much longer survival time than those with negative lesions, and the Log-rank test indicated that this difference was statistical significant (P<0.0001). The Cox proportional hazards model suggested that negative galectin-9 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma represented a significant risk factor for patient survival. We propose that galectin-9 might be a new prognostic factor with antimetastatic potential in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.49-65
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• 2014

This paper investigates how strategy formulation and implementation processes used by the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in building its digital collections compare with the Andrew's strategic formulation and implementation theoretical framework. Theory-testing case study methodology was used. The data collection instruments were the key informant interview technique and document reviews. During the formulation phase, two aspects (resources and aspirations of senior management) were emergent. During the implementation phase, five aspects (achieving results, processes and behaviour, standards, motivation, personal) were emergent. All other elements of building the UCC digital collections were planned during both the formulation and implementation phases. Although the emphasis on students and learning is laudable and apt, there seems to be lack of focus on research support beyond digital collection building, despite the fact that research excellence is one of the UCC's key priorities. Opportunities exist for improving feedback mechanisms between the users, digital library staff and the university management; and inclusion of social media tools in the digital library project. Since only the experience of a single institution of higher learning is considered, it cannot be definitively stated that strategy formulation and implementation will be similar in every institutional context. However, the results provide a basis for academic digital libraries to draw lessons from this case. In African public universities, there is little earlier research on strategy formulation and implementation in digital library management. Strategy formulation and implementation is a critical issue for higher education academic libraries especially in developing countries like Ghana, due to limited financial resources and the rapid change in the information environment during the last several decades.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.16-27
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• 2002

A level-set method is used for analyzing the behaviors of gas bubbles in two fluids incompressible viscous flow domain. The governing equations are solved by using a finite volume method. The numerical results are verified by comparing with the experimental and other computational results. Computations for the deformations and motions of one or multi-bubbles in the flow domain with the initial undisturbed free interface are conducted. It can be seen that numerical results for different surface tension and density ratio arise very different behaviors of bubbles. When bubbles rise near the free interface, the free interface gives some great influence on the behaviors of bubbles. The present results computed by a level-set method give useful information about the properties of bubble motions and deformations.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2015

This study aims at investigating of the behavioral characteristics of foundation ground subjected to a strip load in anisotropy. Using marine clays sampled at Shihwa area, a series of laboratory tests including triaxial compressive test, plane strain compressive and expansion tests that allows horizontal deformation only and zero strain (${\varepsilon}_2$) in the direction of intermediate stress (${\sigma}_2$) are conducted. In addition, a numerical analysis using parameters obtained from the tests is carried out. In the numerical analysis, Cam-clay model that simulates the behavior of natural deposited clay properly is adopted. The analysis results show that the vertical displacements of the plane strain compressive tests are relatively larger than those of triaxial compressive tests by 18-25%. Likewise, the horizontal displacements is 13-19% larger.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2075-2081
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer incidence and mortality rates are increasing in North-Eastern Brazil and the patients with the disease often presented at advanced stages. The present study was focused on identifying variables that affect women's frequency of breast self- examination (BSE) performance. Materials and Methods: Data on BSE, socio-economic parameters and risk factors for breast cancer were obtained from 417 women from a community in North-Eastern Brazil by a self-informant method. To identify independent variables that affect frequency of BSE, nominal logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Of 417 women, 330 (79.3%) reported performing BSE. Compared to high-income women, BSE performance by low-income women every month was 7.69 (OD=0.130; CI 95%: 0.044- 0.0386; p=0.000) times lower. Women who did not live in a stable union performed BSE each month 2.73 (OD=0.366; CI 95%: 0.171-0.782; p=0.010) less often than those living in a stable union. BSE performance every month and every six months or every year by women with poor knowledge about risk factors for breast cancer was 3.195 (OD=0.313; CI 95%: 0.141- 0.695; p=0.004) times and 2.028 (OD=0.493; CI 95%: 0.248- 0.979; p=0.043) times lower, compared to women with good knowledge. Participants who had a close relative with cancer performed BSE every month and every six months or every year 2.132 (OD=0.469; CI 95%: 0.220-0.997; p=0.049) times and 2.337 (OD=0.428; CI 95%: 0.219-0.836; p=0.013) times less often, compared to those women without close relatives with cancer. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that income, marital status, knowledge about risk factors and having a close relative with breast cancer, affect the frequency of BSE performance. Information about risk factors in public health campaigns could additionally strengthen avoidance behaviour and also motivate BSE performance.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3269-3274
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• 2013

Background: The aim was to determine the lifestyle behaviors and the practices for early diagnosis of cancer of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used for this study. The sample consisted of 222 patients with a diagnosis of cancer (non-random sample method). Ethical permission was obtained of the Non-interventional Research Ethics Committee of our Institution. Values of p<0.05 were accepted as statistically significant. Results: It was observed that 54.4% of the patients had never performed breast self-examination, 60.8% had never had a mammography, and 71.2% had never had a Pap smear. Sixty-six point two percent of patients had never had screening for colon cancer within the past ten years. GIS cancers were higher in smokers and ex-smokers (p=0.005), in drinkers and in ex-drinkers (p=0.000). The breast cancer rate was higher in obese people (p=0.019). Conclusions: The results of this study provide information on the healthy lifestyle behavior of cancer patients before their diagnosis, and their use of early diagnosis practices. The important aspect of this study is to extend cancer patients' period of life after the diagnosis and treatment process, to make them conscious of risky lifestyle and nutritional behavior so that they can maintain a high quality of life, and to start initiatives in this direction that would ensure changes in behavior.

• Journal of Auto-vehicle Safety Association
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.15-18
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• 2015

The availability of in-depth accident data is a prerequisite for each efficient traffic safety management system. Identification and definition of the relevant problem together with knowledge of the data and parameters describing this problem is essential for its successful solution. Comprehensive, up-to-date, accident data is needed for recognition of the scope of road safety problems and for raising public awareness. Reliable and relevant data enable the identification of the contributory factors of the individual accidents, and an unveiling of the background of the risk behaviour of the road users. It offers the best way to explore the prevention of accidents, and ways to implement measures to reduce accident severity. In this study, reviewing the existing iGlad and GIDAS system, KIDAS data format can be finalized through feasibility evaluation. The progressive approach is proposed to successful settlement of Korea in-depth accident study. As the initial stage of in-depth investigation DB construction, the KIDAS is not repetition of the current police based TAAS. It is essential part of improving vehicle safety and reduction of traffic fatality in Korea. 72 Contributing factors like road and traffic characteristics, vehicle parameters, and information about the people involved in the accident have to be investigated and registered as well in the KIDAS.