bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research of Steel‐Concrete Composite Bridge under Blasting Loads
Authors: Li Yuan , He Shuanhai
Published: September 2018

This paper presents a study to simulate the performance of steel‐plate composite bridge under various blasting loads. The multi‐Euler domain method based on the fully coupled Lagrange and Euler models is adopted for the structural analysis of explosion process with the commercial software Autodyn. Due to the difference of material characteristics and space distribution between the concrete and steel part, the most adverse position is estimated to be above and below detonation. A remarkable difference between these two explosive denotations for steel‐concrete composite bridge is noted, and the failure mode above denotation is the damage of local concrete deck, with the compression mode near the denotation point showing a standard trigonometric curve. The failure mode below denotation includes damage of steel girders and concrete failure near junction.
Repulsive Environment Attenuation during Adult Mouse Optic Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Goulart Camila Oliveira , Mendonça Henrique Rocha , Oliveira Julia Teixeira , Savoldi Laura Maria , dos Santos Heringer Luiza , dos Santos Rodrigues Alexandre , Paes-de-Carvalho Roberto , Martinez Ana Maria Blanco
Published: September 2018

The regenerative capacity of CNS tracts has ever been a great hurdle to regenerative medicine. Although recent studies have described strategies to stimulate retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to regenerate axons through the optic nerve, it still remains to be elucidated how these therapies modulate the inhibitory environment of CNS. Thus, the present work investigated the environmental content of the repulsive axon guidance cues, such as Sema3D and its receptors, myelin debris, and astrogliosis, within the regenerating optic nerve of mice submitted to intraocular inflammation + cAMP combined to conditional deletion of PTEN in RGC after optic nerve crush. We show here that treatment was able to promote axonal regeneration through the optic nerve and reach visual targets at twelve weeks after injury. The Regenerating group presented reduced MBP levels, increased microglia/macrophage number, and reduced astrocyte reactivity and CSPG content following optic nerve injury. In addition, Sema3D content and its receptors are reduced in the Regenerating group. Together, our results provide, for the first time, evidence that several regenerative repulsive signals are reduced in regenerating optic nerve fibers following a combined therapy. Therefore, the treatment used made the CNS microenvironment more permissive to regeneration.
MultiParametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Nomogram for Predicting Prostate Cancer and Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer in Men Undergoing Repeat Prostate Biopsy
Authors: Huang Cong , Song Gang , Wang He , Ji Guangjie , Li Jie , Chen Yuke , Fan Yu , Fang Dong , Xiong Gengyan , Xin Zhongcheng , Zhou Liqun
Published: September 2018

Objective. To develop and internally validate nomograms based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) to predict prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in patients with a previous negative prostate biopsy. Materials and Methods. The clinicopathological parameters of 231 patients who underwent a repeat systematic prostate biopsy and mpMRI were reviewed. Based on Prostate Imaging and Reporting Data System, the mpMRI results were assigned into three groups: Groups “negative,” “suspicious,” and “positive.” Two clinical nomograms for predicting the probabilities of PCa and csPCa were constructed. The performances of nomograms were assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs), calibrations, and decision curve analysis. Results. The median PSA was 15.03 ng/ml and abnormal DRE was presented in 14.3% of patients in the entire cohort. PCa was detected in 75 patients (32.5%), and 59 (25.5%) were diagnosed with csPCa. In multivariate analysis, age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume (PV), digital rectal examination (DRE), and mpMRI finding were significantly independent predictors for PCa and csPCa (all p < 0.01). Of those patients diagnosed with PCa or csPCa, 20/75 (26.7%) and 18/59 (30.5%) had abnormal DRE finding, respectively. Two mpMRI-based nomograms with super predictive accuracy were constructed (AUCs = 0.878 and 0.927, p < 0.001), and both exhibited excellent calibration. Decision curve analysis also demonstrated a high net benefit across a wide range of probability thresholds. Conclusion. mpMRI combined with age, PSA, PV, and DRE can help predict the probability of PCa and csPCa in patients who underwent a repeat systematic prostate biopsy after a previous negative biopsy. The two nomograms may aid the decision-making process in men with prior benign histology before the performance of repeat prostate biopsy.
Selective Preconcentration of Gold from Ore Samples
Authors: Refiker Hurmus , Merdivan Melek , Aygun Ruveyde Sezer
Published: September 2018

A simple and selective method has been developed for preconcentration of gold in ore samples. The method is based on use of N, N-diethyl-N’-benzoylthiourea (DEBT) as selective chelating agent and Amberlite XAD-16 as solid sorbent. Sorption behavior of gold with DEBT impregnated resin under optimized conditions has been studied in batch process. The gold ion capacity of the impregnated resin is calculated as 33.48 mg g−1 resin (0.17 mmol g−1 resin). The selective preconcentration of metal was examined using gold chelates prepared in column process under optimized conditions: pH, flow rate, volume of sample solution, nature of eluent, flow rate, and volume of eluent. Under optimum conditions, gold ions at the concentration of 0.015 μg mL−1 with a preconcentration factor of 6.7 have been determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The accuracy of the proposed method was validated by the analysis of a Cu-ore (semi-certified) supplied by CMC (Cyprus Mining Company, North Cyprus) and a certified reference material, Gold Ore (MA-1b Canmet-MMSL). Satisfactory results were obtained with a RSD of 7.6%. The highly selective proposed method does not require any interference elimination process.
Stroke Outcome and Determinants among Patients with and without Diabetes in a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana
Authors: Akpalu Josephine , Yawson Alfred E. , Osei-Poku Foster , Atiase Yacoba , Yorke Ernest , Adjei Patrick , Nkromah Kodwo , Akpalu Albert
Published: September 2018

Background. Diabetes mellitus, a well-established independent risk factor for stroke, has varied association with stroke outcome from previous studies. This study investigated stroke outcome and determinants among patients with and without diabetes in a tertiary hospital in Ghana. Methods. A prospective study conducted among stroke patients with and without diabetes admitted in a Ghanaian tertiary hospital. Baseline clinical and biochemical data were documented. Functional stroke outcome was evaluated at 1, 3, and 6 months after stroke using the modified Rankin Scale. Results. Number of participants enrolled were 326 and 105 (32.20%) had diabetes. Higher proportions of diabetes patients had poor functional stroke outcome at 1, 3, and 6 months (79%, 75.23%, 73.33%) compared with those without diabetes (70.13%, 65.16, 61.99) (p>0.05). Stroke patients with diabetes had lower survival compared with those without diabetes (p=0.0745). Mortality at 6 months was more likely among ischaemic stroke patients with diabetes compared with those without diabetes (Odds Ratio 2.037; CI: 1.058-3.923). Determinants of poor functional stroke outcome for diabetes patients were older age (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)-1.07; CI-1.03-1.12), female gender (AOR-3.74; CI-1.26-12.65), and pneumonia (AOR-11.32; CI-1.93-220.05) whereas the determinants for those without diabetes were unemployment (AOR-4.19; CI-1.24-19.50), speech abnormalities (AOR-1.99; CI1.08-3.73), and pneumonia (AOR-4.05; CI-1.83-9.77). High fasting plasma glucose (HR-1.15; CI-1.07-1.23), elevated temperature (HR-1.41; CI-1.11-1.79), and pneumonia (HR-2.25; CI-1.44-3.50) were determinants of low survival among all stroke patients. Conclusion. Trends towards poorer functional outcome and reduced survival were found among Ghanaian stroke patients with diabetes compared with those without diabetes. Older age, female gender, pneumonia, elevated temperature, and fasting plasma glucose were determinants of adverse outcome in stroke patients with diabetes.
Analysis and Structure Optimization of Radial Halbach Permanent Magnet Couplings for Deep Sea Robots
Authors: Cheng Bo , Pan Guang
Published: September 2018

Permanent magnet couplings (PMCs) can convert the dynamic seal of transmission shaft into a static seal, which will significantly improve the transmission efficiency and reliability. Therefore, the radial Halbach PMC in this paper is suitable as the transmission mechanism of deep sea robots. A two-segment Halbach array is adopted in the radial PMC, and the segment arc coefficient can be adjustable. This paper presents the general analytical solutions of the distinctive Halbach PMCs based on scalar magnetic potential and Maxwell stress tensor. The analytical solutions of magnetic field are in good agreement with 2-D finite element analysis (FEA) results. In addition, an initial prototype of the radial Halbach PMC has been fabricated, and the analytical solutions of magnetic torque are compared with 3-D FEA and experiment results. This paper also establishes an optimization procedure for PMCs based on the combination of 3-D FEA, Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN), and Genetic Algorithm (GA). 3-D FEA is performed to calculate the pull-out torque of the samples from Latin hypercube sampling, then BPNN is used to describe the relationship between the optimization variables and pull-out torque. Finally, GA is applied to solve the optimization problem, and the optimized scheme is proved to be more reasonable with the FEA method.
Prevalence of Human Bocavirus in Africa and Other Developing Countries between 2005 and 2016: A Potential Emerging Viral Pathogen for Diarrhea
Authors: Rikhotso Mpumelelo Casper , Kabue Jean Pierre , Ledwaba Solanka Ellen , Traoré Afsatou Ndama , Potgieter Natasha
Published: September 2018

Background.Human Bocavirus (HBoV) is an emerging virus discovered in 2005 from individuals suffering gastroenteritis and respiratory tract infections. Numerous studies related to the epidemiology and pathogenesis of HBoV have been conducted worldwide. This review reports on HBoV studies in individuals with acute gastroenteritis, with and without respiratory tract infections in Africa between 2005 and 2016.Material and Method.The search engines of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase database for published articles of HBoV were used to obtain data between 2005 and 2016. The search words included were as follows: studies performed in Africa or/other developing countries or/worldwide; studies for the detection of HBoV in patients with/without diarrhea and respiratory tract infection; studies using standardized laboratory techniques for detection.Results.The search yielded a total of 756 publications with 70 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Studies included children and individuals of all age groups. HBoV prevalence in Africa was 13% in individuals suffering gastroenteritis with/without respiratory tract infection.Conclusion.Reports suggest that HBoV infections are increasingly being recognized worldwide. Therefore, surveillance of individuals suffering from infections in Africa is required to monitor the prevalence of HBoV and help understand the role of HBoV in individuals suffering from gastroenteritis with/without respiratory tract infection.
Axial Behaviour of Slender RC Circular Columns Strengthened with Circular CFST Jackets
Authors: Lu Yiyan , Zhu Tao , Li Shan , Li Weijie , Li Na
Published: September 2018

This paper investigates the axial behavior of slender reinforced concrete (RC) columns strengthened with concrete filled steel tube (CFST) jacketing technique. It is realized by pouring self‐compacting concrete (SCC) into the gap between inner original slender RC columns and outer steel tubes. Nine specimens were prepared and tested to failure under axial compression: a control specimen without strengthening and eight specimens with heights ranging between 1240 and 2140 mm strengthened with CFST jacketing. Experimental variables included four different length‐to‐diameter (L/D) ratios, three different diameter‐to‐thickness (D/t) ratios, and three different SCC strengths. The experimental results showed that the outer steel tube provided confinement to the SCC and original slender RC columns and thus effectively improved the behavior of slender RC columns. The failure mode of slender RC columns was changed from brittle failure (concrete peel‐off) into ductile failure (global bending) after strengthening. And, the load‐bearing capacity, material utilization, and ductility of slender RC columns were significantly enhanced. The strengthening effect of CFST jacketing decreased with the increase of L/D ratio and D/t ratio but showed little variation with higher SCC strength. An existing expression of load‐bearing capacity for traditional CFST columns was extended to propose a formula for the load‐bearing capacity of CFST jacketed columns, and the predictions showed good agreement with the experimental results.
Compression Behavior of Basalt Fiber‐Reinforced Polymer Tube‐Confined Coconut Fiber‐Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Lv Yang , Wu Xueqian , Zhu Yuhao , Liang Xiao , Cheng Quanxi , Gao Mengran
Published: September 2018

Basalt fiber is cheap and has excellent mechanical performance. In addition, in combination with the environmentally friendly coconut fiber, it can contribute to sustainable construction materials. In this study, a composite material consists of basalt fiber‐reinforced polymer (BFRP) tube‐encased coconut fiber‐reinforced concrete (CFRC) is developed. The 28‐day compression strength of the plain concrete is about 15 MPa, which represents the low strength and poor‐quality concrete widely existing in a large number of old buildings. The concrete was poured and cured into the steel moulds, BFRP tubes with the inner diameter of 100 mm and a height of 200 mm, and BFRP tubes with the inner diameter of 160 mm and a height of 320 mm, respectively. In total, 36 cylindrical specimens were constructed and tested. The axial compression tests were carried out to examine the strength and ductility enhancement due to the confinement of the BFRP tubes and coconut fibers. Also, the existing models were used to predict the ultimate axial compression strength and strain. The results show that the size of the specimen significantly influences the predicted compression strength.
Steel Plate Cold‐Rolled Section Steel Embedded High‐Strength Concrete Low‐Rise Shear Wall Seismic Performance
Authors: Gan Min , Yu Yu , Li Liren , Lu Xisheng
Published: September 2018

Four test pieces with different steel plate center‐to‐center distances and reinforcement ratios are subjected to low‐cycle repeat quasistatic loading to optimize properties as failure mode, hysteretic curve, skeleton curve, energy dissipation parameters, strength parameters, and seismic performance of high‐strength concrete low‐rise shear walls. The embedded steel plates are shown to effectively restrict wall crack propagation, enhance the overall steel ratio, and improve the failure mode of the wall while reducing the degree of brittle failure. Under the same conditions, increasing the spacing between the steel plates in the steel plate concrete shear wall can effectively preserve the horizontal bearing capacity of the shear wall under an ultimate load. The embedded steel plates perform better than concealed bracing in delaying stiffness degeneration in the low‐rise shear walls, thus safeguarding their long‐term bearing capacity. The results presented here may provide a workable basis for shear wall design optimization.
Review on Substrate and Molybdenum Back Contact in CIGS Thin Film Solar Cell
Authors: Ong Kam Hoe , Agileswari Ramasamy , Maniscalco Biancamaria , Arnou Panagiota , Kumar Chakrabarty Chandan , Bowers Jake W. , Marsadek Marayati Bte
Published: September 2018

Copper Indium Gallium Selenide- (CIGS-) based solar cells have become one of the most promising candidates among the thin film technologies for solar power generation. The current record efficiency of CIGS has reached 22.6% which is comparable to the crystalline silicon- (c-Si-) based solar cells. However, material properties and efficiency on small area devices are crucial aspects to be considered before manufacturing into large scale. The process for each layer of the CIGS solar cells, including the type of substrate used and deposition condition for the molybdenum back contact, will give a direct impact to the efficiency of the fabricated device. In this paper, brief introduction on the production, efficiency, etc. of a-Si, CdTe, and CIGS thin film solar cells and c-Si solar cells are first reviewed, followed by the recent progress of substrates. Different deposition techniques’ influence on the properties of molybdenum back contact for CIGS are discussed. Then, the formation and thickness influence factors of the interfacial MoSe2 layer are reviewed; its role in forming ohmic contact, possible detrimental effects, and characterization of the barrier layers are specified. Scale-up challenges/issues of CIGS module production are also presented to give an insight into commercializing CIGS solar cells.
Reliability and Random Lifetime Models of Planetary Gear Systems
Authors: Gao Peng , Xie Liyang , Hu Wei
Published: September 2018

Conventional reliability models of planetary gear systems are mainly static. In this paper, dynamic reliability models and random lifetime models of planetary gear systems are developed with dynamic working mechanism considered. The load parameters, the geometric parameters, and the material parameters are taken as the inputs of the reliability models and the random lifetime models. Moreover, failure dependence and dynamic random load redistributions are taken into account in the models. Monte Carlo simulations are carried out to validate the proposed models. The results show that the randomness of the load distribution is obvious in the system working process. Failure dependence has significant influences on system reliability. Moreover, the dispersion of external load has great impacts on the reliability, lifetime distribution, and redundancy of planetary gear systems.
Three-Way Concept Analysis for Incomplete Formal Contexts
Authors: Zhi Huilai , Chao Hao
Published: September 2018

Recently, incomplete formal contexts have received more and more attention from the communities of formal concept analysis. Different from a complete context where the binary relations between all the objects and attribute are known, an incomplete formal context has at least a pair of object and attribute with a completely unknown binary relation. Partially known formal concepts use interval sets to indicate the incompleteness. Three-way formal concept analysis is capable of characterizing a target set by combining positive and negative attributes. However, how to describe target set, by pointing out what attributes it has with certainty and what attributes it has with possibility and what attributes it does not has with certainty and what attributes it does not has with possibility, is still an open problem. This paper combines the ideas of three-way formal concept analysis and partially known formal concepts and presents a framework of approximate three-way concept analysis. At first, approximate object-induced and attribute-induced three-way concept lattices are introduced, respectively. And then, the relationship between approximate three-way concept lattice and classical three-way concept lattice are investigated. Finally, examples are presented to demonstrate and verify the obtained results.
Using Psychological Principles of Memory Storage and Preference to Improve Music Recommendation Systems
Authors: Chmiel Anthony , Schubert Emery
Published: September 2018

This paper proposes a novel approach to automated music recommendation systems. Current systems use a number of methods, although these are generally based on similarity of content, contextual information or user ratings. These approaches therefore do not take into account relevant, well-established models from the field of music psychology. Given recent evidence of this field’s excellent capacity to predict music preference, we propose a function based on both the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve of memory retention and Berlyne’s inverted-U model to inform recommendation systems through “collative variables” such as exposure/familiarity. According to the model, an intermediate level of these variables should generate relatively high preference and therefore presents significant untapped data for music recommendation systems.
Community, Alterity, and Space in the Qumran Covenant Curses
Authors: Krause Andrew R.
Published: September 2018

1QS 2 recounts a ritual in which the community convenes and shares in the annual recitation of blessings and curses for the purpose of reaffirming its communal, ritual boundaries as it is beset on all sides by darkness and transgressive ways. This group needs purifying through the ejection of the morally impure, those whose actions are judged to be ‘out of place.’ Conversely, in 4QBerakhot, the entirety of divinely ordered creation is cited in the blessing of God by the performative community in the heavenly throne room. This latter tradition understands those capable of this heavenly benediction as being sufficiently pure to stand in God’s presence, while Belial and those of his lot are already consigned to their fate in the pit. Thus, given the entirely different ideals and resultant construction of figural space in these two traditions, we are forced to question the equation of their performative contexts.
One Work or Three? A Proposal for Reading 1QS-1QSa-1QSb as a Composite Work
Authors: Brooks Johnson Michael
Published: September 2018

Although it has long been acknowledged that 1QS, 1QSa, and 1QSb are part of the same manuscript, most scholars follow J.T. Milik’s interpretation of the columns of 1QSa and 1QSb as appendices to 1QS. This article examines the circumstances out of which this “appendix hypothesis” emerged, highlights its weaknesses, and takes up Philip Alexander and Géza Vermes’s call to consider the sections of the scroll together by proposing that 1QS-1QSa-1QSb is a composite work that its editor has unified through superscriptions. This study also examines the formatting between 1QS, 1QSa, and 1QSb and the evidence of a recension concerned with introducing the activity of the sons of Zadok and reframing the material for the Maskil throughout the scroll to propose that the heterogeneous and sometimes inconsistent contents are presented by its redactor as a single work rather than three distinct works in a single scroll.
Another Look at the Cave 1 Hodayot: Was CH I Materially Part of the Scroll 1QHodayota?
Authors: Harkins Angela Kim
Published: September 2018

This essay builds on the monumental material reconstruction of the Cave 1 hodayot scroll (1QHa) first proposed by Hartmut Stegemann and brought to completion by Eileen Schuller in the critical edition available in DJD 40, which is, and will remain, an invaluable scholarly resource. At the same time, the proliferation of scholarly editions of the Cave 1 hodayot projects to modern readers an illusory material unity that the Cave 1 hodayot did not enjoy in antiquity. This study highlights some curious aspects of the unprovenanced Cave 1 hodayot, especially as they pertain to our understanding of the literary collection known popularly as the first group of Community Hymns (= CH I), and offers a possible scenario to account for the material state of the hodayot at the time of its abandonment.
“The Persistent ‘Old Peking Union Medical College’ in the Mao Era”
Authors: Cheng Hu , Yuhong Jiang
Published: September 2018

After 1950, the “Old pumc [Peking Union Medical College]” represented for many “the greatest bulwark for the American cultural aggression,” a label deeply rooted in China’s ideology of “anti-Americanism” during the Cold War. The Chinese Communist Party (ccp) advocated the carrying forward of the Yan’an spirit of populism and was determined to make the “People’s New pumc” better than the “Old pumc” before 1949, when the ccp took control of Mainland China. However, to upgrade medical care standards and promote advanced scientific research, pragmatic ccp leaders had to rely on intellectuals who received training at the “Old pumc” and retained most of its old traditions. Therefore, the persistence of the “Old pumc” mirrored the struggle between East and West, China and the United States, politics and academics, elites and masses, and urban and rural during the critical period of the Mao Zedong era. More important, this paper will demonstrate how regardless of extraordinary personal and political pressure, a small cohort of the Chinese scholars held fast to the dignity of a truth-seeking spirit, resisting the ideology of “anti-Americanism” that prevailed in the People’s Republic of China during this era.
An Intraseasonal Genesis Potential Index for Tropical Cyclones during Northern Hemisphere Summer
Authors: Moon Ja-Yeon , Wang Bin , Lee Sun-Seon , Ha Kyung-Ja
Published: September 2018

An intraseasonal genesis potential index (ISGPI) for Northern Hemisphere (NH) summer is proposed to quantify the anomalous tropical cyclone genesis (TCG) frequency induced by boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO). The most important factor controlling NH summer TCG is found as 500-hPa vertical motion (ω500) caused by the prominent northward shift of large-scale circulation anomalies during BSISO evolution. The ω500 with two secondary factors (850-hPa relative vorticity weighted by the Coriolis parameter and vertical shear of zonal winds) played an effective role globally and for each individual basin in the northern oceans. The relative contributions of these factors to TCG have minor differences by basins except for the western North Atlantic (NAT), where low-level vorticity becomes the most significant contributor. In the eastern NAT, the BSISO has little control of TCG because weak convective BSISO and dominant 10–30-day circulation signal did not match the overall BSISO life cycle. The ISGPI is shown to reproduce realistic intraseasonal variability of TCG, but the performance is phase-dependent. The ISGPI shows the highest fidelity when BSISO convective anomalies have the largest amplitude in the western North Pacific and the lowest when they are located over the north Indian Ocean and eastern North Pacific. Along the NH major TCG zone, the TCG probability changes from a dry to a wet phase by a large factor ranging from 3 to 12 depending on the basins. The new ISGPI for NH summer can simulate more realistic impact of BSISO on TC genesis compared to canonical GPI derived by climatology.
Improving individuals’ propensity to act in a medical emergency: A quasi-randomised trial to test the impact of a learning intervention
Authors: Muise Joanna , Oliver Emily , Newell Penny , Forsyth Mark
Published: September 2018

Objective:

To build the evidence base for first aid education by testing the hypothesis that learners will be more confident and willing to act in an emergency if their first aid education has attempted to break down perceived barriers to helping.

Design:

Additional activities were appended to and delivered alongside a control curriculum consisting of the Canadian Red Cross’ Emergency First Aid training for adult learners. Both control and test learners completed questionnaires before, immediately after and at 6 months following their training.

Setting:

Four Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Nova Scotia.

Participants:

A total of 199 adult participants elected to take part in the first aid training and were randomised into test and control groups.

Methods:

Following first aid training lasting 6.5–8 hours, we assessed learners’ self-rated confidence/self-efficacy, willingness to act and changes in pre-identified fears and attitudes.

Results:

Learners from both control and test courses showed a positive change in self-efficacy and willingness to act although there was no statistically significant difference between control and test groups. The test course had a statistically significantly higher percentage of learners who were more aware of the bystander effect post learning. There was significant heterogeneity in learner outcomes which varied by Canadian province.

Conclusion:

First aid education can increase the propensity of learners to act. Although the additional activities provided in this study did not make a statistically significant difference to confidence and willingness to act, they may increase awareness of helping behaviours. Heterogeneity between Canadian provinces may link to differing provincial laws which protect lay people who try to help in an emergency.
“Making Space”: How Novice Teachers Create Opportunities for Equitable Sense-Making in Elementary Science
Authors: Haverly Christa , Calabrese Barton Angela , Schwarz Christina V. , Braaten Melissa
Published: September 2018

Scholarly calls to reform science education for all students emphasize scientific sense-making. Despite the importance of sense-making, few strategies exist to help novice teachers learn to notice and respond equitably to students’ scientific sense-making in elementary science. In this article, we report on a qualitative case study in which we investigated sense-making moments that occurred when novice teachers facilitated classroom discussions. Findings suggest that when novice teachers made space in class discussions for sense-making—for example, by trying different responses to clarify student ideas or waiting before responding to figure out next steps—this expanded opportunities for shared epistemic authority; however, novices did not often recognize these moments as productive for sense-making. Findings also suggest that novice teachers may benefit from support to help them develop their abilities to notice, interpret, and respond equitably to students’ scientific sense-making in class discussions.
“Mirror of Patients”
Authors: Scrafford Jonathan D.
Published: September 2018

Physicians’ work challenges them to learn and grow from their experiences with patients. Male obstetrician-gynecologists are uniquely blessed and challenged by their experiences in women’s health care. The following is a reflection by one male obstetrician-gynecologist who considers the role of Saint Joseph in the holy family in contemplating his own role in providing women’s health care.

Summary: One hundred twenty-five men who underwent therapy trying to change sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual were asked about negative and positive experiences. About two-thirds recorded changes of varying extent. There was also much decrease in suicidality, depression, and substance abuse, and increases in social functioning and self-esteem. Almost all harmful effects were none to slight and comparable to therapies for other unwelcome conditions.
The Effectiveness of Group Hope Therapy in Labor Pain and Mental Health of Pregnant Women
Authors: Samavi S. Abdolvahab , Najarpourian Samaneh , Javdan Moosa
Published: September 2018

In the present study, the effect of group hope therapy on labor pain and mental health of pregnant women was investigated, in consideration of the Iranian health policy’s emphasis on encouraging women to have a healthy delivery. The research plan was a semiexperimental pretest–posttest design with a control group. A total of 36 pregnant women were assigned to the treatment and control group using a random procedure. General Health Questionnaire and a Visual Analog Scale were used to collect data about dependent variables. For the analysis of hypotheses, independent samples t test and covariance analysis were used. The findings showed that hope therapy had a significant effect on labor pain (t = 5.17; P < 0.001) and mental health (F = 28.21; P < 0.001). In general, the findings of the present study confirm the application of group hope therapy in relieving labor pain and increasing the mental health of pregnant women. This therapeutic approach can simultaneously reduce the labor pain, generate positive emotions in women, and turn the experience of delivery into a pleasant one.
Effect of Parental Negligence on Mobile Phone Dependency Among Vulnerable Social Groups: Mediating Effect of Peer Attachment
Authors: Lim Sun Ah , You Sukkyung
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between perceived parental negligence and reliance on mobile phone usage among youth in vulnerable social groups, and whether peer attachment mediates this association. Specifically, we aimed to provide in-depth information on the relationship between perceived parental negligence and mobile phone dependency by examining the mediating effects of three subfactors of peer attachment: communication, trust, and isolation. For this purpose, we analyzed the longitudinal data of 485 elementary school students in grades 4 to 6 who were attending a community children’s center. The results were as follows: (1) parental negligence had a statistically significant positive effect on all subfactors of peer attachment; (2) while communication and trust were not significantly related to mobile phone dependency, isolation was related to mobile phone dependency; and (3) while perceived parental negligence did not have a direct effect on mobile phone dependency, it did have an indirect effect via isolation (a dimension of peer attachment).
New Results About Difference Scores, Ratios, and Hierarchical Linear Model Parameters as Tools for Comparing Groups
Authors: Stolzenberg Ross M.
Published: September 2018

At least since Pearson’s infamous warning in 1897, ratio and difference measures have provoked dispute and misunderstanding, even as they continue to appear in social science research publications. Using differential calculus and hierarchical model decomposition, this article (a) presents a new, streamlined exposition that directs attention to the “effects” of variables rather than correlations between them, (b) explicates a previously unnoticed measurement problem that affects certain ratio measures, (c) shows that hierarchical model decomposition satisfies many or all of the measurement purposes for which ratio and difference measures are used, (d) presents a brief proof that some widely used difference and log-of-ratio measures are mathematically equivalent to hierarchical model measures that do not suffer the problems noted by Pearson, and (e) illustrates these arguments with an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey data on mean earnings, by state, of white, black, American Indian, and Asian men in 2016.
Gauging the Import and Essentiality of Single Conditions in Standard Configurational Solutions
Authors: Damonte Alessia
Published: September 2018

Standard Qualitative Comparative Analysis is especially suited to explain diversity but is often diagnosed with weak findings. Its protocol either can dismiss necessary conditions as irrelevant and make solutions that are untrue to observations, or add irrelevant conditions as causal and make incorrect solutions. Additionally, the algorithm may not recognize the functional dependencies among the conditions. These claims call for different gauges to assess the single conditions that are retrieved by Standard minimizations. This article develops “import” and “essentiality” to establish whether a condition has explanatory merit alone and within the wider model. When applied in exemplary studies, these gauges indicate that Standard solutions are more sound than often conceded.
Prisoners’ Personal Networks in the Months Preceding Prison: A Descriptive Portrayal
Authors: Bellair Paul E. , Light Ryan , Sutton James
Published: September 2018

This study examined personal networks of adult male prisoners ( N = 250) during a high-risk period prior to their incarceration. We present a descriptive portrait of network size, density, and relational type, and we then document the nature of ties within that network, focusing specifically on alters’ criminal involvement, criminal opportunity, and reinforcement of criminal behavior. We found that prisoners’ networks were large and dense, and that they were composed primarily of family and romantic partners. Most prisoners are not embedded in a personal network saturated with criminal influence before coming to prison. Yet, a small proportion are exposed to exceptionally negative influence, which, it is argued, may increase the risk of negative outcomes upon release if not addressed by evidence-based programs.
Climatic Influences on the Ageing of Car Tyres
Authors: Zipperle M. , Malassa R. , Rief B.
Published: September 2018

Road safety is a top priority for all road users. The tyres are the only part of a car that comes into contact with the road surface, making them one of its most vital components. Abrasion is not the only indicator of tyre wear; in many cases tyres age more rapidly than they are worn down by driving. Tyre manufacturers now specify the maximum number of years for which a tyre can be used before it is replaced.

This study investigated various influencing factors on the ageing process. Tyres were aged by means of alternating climate tests, UV radiation and ozone tests. Humidity and temperature variations have the greatest influence on the ageing process.
Continuum study on the mechanics of ion-based carbon nanocones as gigahertz oscillators
Authors: Sadeghi F , Ansari R
Published: September 2018

There is a growing interest in the development of nanomechanical oscillators operating in the gigahertz range and beyond. This paper introduces a novel nano-oscillator based on a chloride ion inside an open carbon nanocone decorated by functional groups at both small and wide ends. Assuming that the carbon atoms and the electric charges of functional groups are evenly distributed over the surface and the two ends of nanocone, respectively, a continuum-based model is presented through which potential energy and interaction force are evaluated analytically. The van der Waals interactions between ion and nanocone are modeled by the 6–12 Lennard–Jones potential, while the electrostatic interactions between ion and two functional groups are modeled by the Coulomb potential. With respect to the proposed formulations, potential energy and interaction force distribution are presented by varying sign and magnitude of functional groups charge and geometrical parameters (size of small and wide ends of nanocone and its vertex angle). Using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta numerical integration scheme, the equation of motion is also solved to arrive at the time histories of separation distance and velocity of ion. An extensive study is performed to investigate the effects of sign and magnitude of functional groups charge, geometrical parameters, and initial conditions (initial separation distance and initial velocity) on the oscillatory behavior of ion-electrically charged open carbon nanocone oscillator. Numerical results demonstrate that the oscillation frequency of chloride ion inside an uncharged nanocone is respectively lower and higher than those generated inside a nanocone whose small end is decorated by positively and negatively charged functional groups. It is further shown that oscillation frequency is highly affected by the sign of electric charges distributed at the small end of nanocone.
The Use of Ammonium Salts of Oligosulphonic Acids as Flame Retardants for Polymer Compositions
Authors: Karaivanova M. S.
Published: September 2018

The results obtained from a study of both the preparation and application of some oligomeric nitrogen-sulphonic and bromine-nitrogen-containing sulphonic acids as flame retardants in polymer compositions are reported.

Flame-retardant poly(chloroprene) compositions with possible applications in cable insulation and conveyor belts, containing an ammonium salt of N-sulphonic acid, antimony trioxide and a chloroparaffin have been obtained. The organic ammonium salt was found to partially replace antimony trioxide, to the extent of 50 to 70 %, in the compositions for conveyor belts. This salt also had a pronounced plasticizing effect, improving the adhesion to the metal cord of the polymer compositions used for making conveyor belts. In addition, heat and smoke release were reduced and the thermal characteristics were improved.

Flame-retardant ethylene-propylene copolymer compositions intended for cable insulation were also studied by introducing ammonium salts of bromo – sulphonic and bromo-nitrosulphonic acids and two ammonium salts of N-sulphonic acids. The salts were found to improve the smoke, heat release properties and thermal characteristics, and to exhibit a plasticizing effect. Dynamic thermal analysis showed that the decomposition of the ammonium salts used with antimony trioxide took place in the gaseous phase.

The polymer compositions containing ammonium salts of N-sulphonic acids as flame-retardant additives were characterized by improved processability and are environmentally safe.
Additives with Dual Function - Acrylate Ester Copolymers as Modifiers for Engineering Polymers and as Carrier Resin for Masterbatches
Authors: Hausmann K. , Chou R.
Published: September 2018

Additives are generally perceived to improve product properties. Depending on the end use this polymeric additives can be used as impact modifiers, coupling agents or compatibilisers. In this paper a family of ethylene copolymers is described which are characterised through a very heterogeneous molecular architecture and thus an enhanced compatibility with other polymers and fillers. This allows them to fulfil two functions: they can be used as compatibiliser or impact modifier, but due to their high filler acceptance they are also useful as a carrier resin for masterbatches
Dielectric Properties of Composites of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in a Resin Matrix
Authors: Allaoui Aïssa , Bai Jin Bo , Rieux Nadine
Published: September 2018

The dielectric properties of a MWNT/epoxy composite have been studied by impedance spectroscopy. The results were very attractive and showed that the addition of a small amount of MWNTs allows increasing the permittivity of the resin by many orders of magnitude. The insulator-to-conductor transition, which occurred when a few wt% of MWNTs was added to the matrix, is related to a percolation phenomenon with non-universal critical exponent. Two types of MWNTs treatment have been compared and the results demonstrate that MWNTs should be used in as-prepared state. The treatment alters their morphology, the aspect ratio can be reduced by a factor of 10, leading to a modification of the shape of the insulator-to-conductor transition curve and a decrease of the global improvement.
Polyamide Reinforced EPDM Compatibilized with Maleic Anhydride Grafted Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Rubber
Authors: Liu Xin , Huang Hua , Zhang Yong , Zhang Yinxi
Published: September 2018

Vulcanizates of blends of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) and polyamide (PA) copolymer were prepared by reactive compatibilization. A reactive route was employed to compatibilize these blends by the addition of maleic anhydride EPDM (MAH-g-EPDM). In this paper, the influence of compatibilizers, crosslinking agents, and blend composition on the mechanical properties of the blends were investigated. The morphologies of the blends were determined by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the addition of MAH-g-EPDM reduced the particle size of the dispersed phase remarkably. The stability of the blend was measured by thermal ageing at high temperature in the presence of compatibilizer. Both dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of MAH-g-EPDM addition on the Tgs of the blend components. The addition of PA copolymer caused significant improvement in the tensile properties of these blends.
Theoretical Analysis of the Surface Texture of Textile-Reinforced Thermoplastics
Authors: Mitschang P. , Blinzler M. , Wöginger A.
Published: September 2018

Endless fiber reinforced thermoplastic sheets (organic sheets) offer a range of mechanical properties (stiffness, strength, energy absorption) that make them interesting for many high-duty applications. However they often fail to come into operation due to cost and surface problems.

Cost problems can occur in consequence of either expensive raw materials or of the investment outlay required for the impregnation and consolidation steps when only small quantities are produced. The surface problem on the other hand is caused mainly by the print-through of the reinforcing fibers and it affects especially those applications in the field of automotive exterior panels.

The following article describes the work needed to analyze the material and the process parameters that influence the surface appearance. A finite element model has been created, that represents a semi-finished sheet with four layers of a 2/2 twill textile reinforcement. Based on that geometry various matrix characteristics as well as the vertical orientation of the reinforcing layers have been analyzed. Finally the influence of pressure and cooling rate during the consolidation process was investigated. The simulations helped to identify primary influence parameters and clarified the possibilities and also certain limitations concerning the surface quality of this material class.
Nonlinear Viscoelasticity of Fibre-filled Polypropylene Melts
Authors: Katsuhiko Araki , Takeshi Kitano , Takahiro Tanegashima , Anezka Lengalova , Petr Saha
Published: September 2018

Linears and non-linears viscoelastic properties play an important role in polymer processing. On addition of fillers (whether fibrous or particulate) the material's behaviour becomes very complicated. This paper presents the steady–state and dynamic viscoelastic properties of short carbon-fibre filled polypropylene (CF/PP) melts measured by a cone-plate type rheogoniometer. Storage and loss moduli were analyzed quantitatively by the Lissajous figures procedure (L method) as well as by Fourier series expansion (F method) to determine their respective higher order terms as the indicators of nonlinear viscoelasticity. The dependence of these components on fibre content and oscillatory angle, q was investigated. The results were compared with similar analytical data for CF filled liquid crystalline polymer (CF/LCP) melts. In the presently researched systems the CF content affects the viscosity, and at 15 and 20% an apparent yield stress appears. The complex viscosity is different for pure PP and its filled systems when measured as a function of θ. While for the unfilled polymer the viscoelasticity can be considered linear, for CF/PP some non-linearity must be taken into account, especially at higher value of θ. In general, the filled systems show complex viscoelastic behaviour with some irregularities, e.g. some of the higher order terms of the storage modulus are negative, which was not seen in the previous study of fibre filled LCP systems.