bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural Diversity and Biological Activities of Fungal Cyclic Peptides, Excluding Cyclodipeptides
Authors: Wang Xiaohan , Lin Minyi , Xu Dan , Lai Daowan , Zhou Ligang
Published: November 2017

Cyclic peptides are cyclic compounds formed mainly by the amide bonds between either proteinogenic or non-proteinogenic amino acids. This review highlights the occurrence, structures and biological activities of fungal cyclic peptides (excluding cyclodipeptides, and peptides containing ester bonds in the core ring) reported until August 2017. About 293 cyclic peptides belonging to the groups of cyclic tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, hepta-, octa-, nona-, deca-, undeca-, dodeca-, tetradeca-, and octadecapeptides as well as cyclic peptides containing ether bonds in the core ring have been isolated from fungi. They were mainly isolated from the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Acremonium and Amanita. Some of them were screened to have antimicrobial, antiviral, cytotoxic, phytotoxic, insecticidal, nematicidal, immunosuppressive and enzyme-inhibitory activities to show their potential applications. Some fungal cyclic peptides such as the echinocandins, pneumocandins and cyclosporin A have been developed as pharmaceuticals.
Toxicity Assessment of Carbon Nanomaterials in Zebrafish during Development
Authors: D’Amora Marta , Camisasca Adalberto , Lettieri Stefania , Giordani Silvia
Published: November 2017

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) are increasingly employed in nanomedicine as carriers for intracellular transport of drugs, imaging probes, and therapeutics agents, thanks to their unique optical and physicochemical properties. However, a better understanding about the effects of CNMs on a vertebrate model at the whole animal level is required. In this study, we compare the toxicity of oxidized carbon nano-onions (oxi-CNOs), oxidized carbon nano-horns (oxi-CNHs) and graphene oxide (GO) in zebrafish (Danio rerio). We evaluate the possible effects of these nanomaterials on zebrafish development by assessing different end-points and exposure periods.
Peanuts, Aflatoxins and Undernutrition in Children in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Mupunga Innocent , Mngqawa Pamella , Katerere David
Published: November 2017

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) is an important and affordable source of protein in most of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and a popular commodity and raw material for peanut butter, paste and cooking oil. It is a popular ingredient for foods used at the point of weaning infants from mother’s milk. It is at this critical point that childhood undernutrition occurs and the condition manifests as stunting, wasting and growth restriction and accounts for nearly half of all deaths in children under five years of age in SSA. Undernutrition is multi-factorial but weaning foods contaminated with microbiological agents (bacteria and fungi) and natural toxins have been shown to play a big part. While peanuts may provide good nutrition, they are also highly prone to contamination with mycotoxigenic fungi. The high nutritive value of peanuts makes them a perfect substrate for fungal growth and potential aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxins are highly carcinogenic and mutagenic mycotoxins. This article reviews the nutritional value and aflatoxin contamination of peanuts, the role they play in the development of childhood malnutrition (including the different theories of aetiology) and immunological problems in children. We also discuss the control strategies that have been explored and advocacy work currently taking shape in Africa to create more awareness of aflatoxins and thus combat their occurrence with the goal of reducing exposure and enhancing trade and food safety.
Preformulation Studies of Furosemide-Loaded Electrospun Nanofibrous Systems for Buccal Administration
Authors: Kovács Andrea , Démuth Balázs , Meskó Andrea , Zelkó Romána
Published: November 2017

Furosemide loaded electrospun fibers were prepared for buccal administration, with the aim of improving the oral bioavailability of the poorly soluble and permeable crystalline drug, which can be achieved by the increased solubility and by the circumvention of the intensive first pass metabolism. The water soluble hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) was chosen as a mucoadhesive polymer. In order to improve the electrospinnability of HPC, poly (vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) was used. During the experiments, the total polymer concentration was kept constant at 15% (w/w), and only the ratio of the two polymers (HPC-PVP = 5:5, 6:4, 7:3, 8:2, 9:1) was changed. A combination of rheological measurements with scanning electron microscopic morphological images of electrospun samples was applied for the determination of the optimum composition of the gels for fiber formation. The crystalline–amorphous transition of furosemide was tracked by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A correlation was found between the rheological properties of the polymer solutions and their electrospinnability, and the consequent morphology of the resultant samples. With decreasing HPC ratio of the system, a transition from the spray-dried droplets to the randomly oriented fibrous structures was observed. The results enable the determination of the polymer ratio for the formation of applicable quality of electrospun fibers.
Tensor-Based Sparse Representation Classification for Urban Airborne LiDAR Points
Authors: Li Nan , Pfeifer Norbert , Liu Chun
Published: November 2017

The common statistical methods for supervised classification usually require a large amount of training data to achieve reasonable results, which is time consuming and inefficient. In many methods, only the features of each point are used, regardless of their spatial distribution within a certain neighborhood. This paper proposes a tensor-based sparse representation classification (TSRC) method for airborne LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) points. To keep features arranged in their spatial arrangement, each LiDAR point is represented as a 4th-order tensor. Then, TSRC is performed for point classification based on the 4th-order tensors. Firstly, a structured and discriminative dictionary set is learned by using only a few training samples. Subsequently, for classifying a new point, the sparse tensor is calculated based on the tensor OMP (Orthogonal Matching Pursuit) algorithm. The test tensor data is approximated by sub-dictionary set and its corresponding subset of sparse tensor for each class. The point label is determined by the minimal reconstruction residuals. Experiments are carried out on eight real LiDAR point clouds whose result shows that objects can be distinguished by TSRC successfully. The overall accuracy of all the datasets is beyond 80% by TSRC. TSRC also shows a good improvement on LiDAR points classification when compared with other common classifiers.
LSPR Coupling and Distribution of Interparticle Distances between Nanoparticles in Hydrogel on Optical Fiber End Face
Authors: Muri Harald , Hjelme Dag
Published: November 2017

We report on a new localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-based optical fiber (OF) architecture with a potential in sensor applications. The LSPR-OF system is fabricated by immobilizing gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in a hydrogel droplet polymerized on the fiber end face. This design has several advantages over earlier designs. It dramatically increase the number nanoparticles (NP) available for sensing, it offers precise control over the NP density, and the NPs are positioned in a true 3D aqueous environment. The OF-hydrogel design is also compatible with low-cost manufacturing. The LSPR-OF platform can measure volumetric changes in a stimuli-responsive hydrogel or measure binding to receptors on the NP surface. It can also be used as a two-parameter sensor by utilizing both effects. We present results from proof-of-concept experiments exploring the properties of LSPR and interparticle distances of the GNP-hydrogel OF design by characterizing the distribution of distances between NPs in the hydrogel, the refractive index of the hydrogel and the LSPR attributes of peak position, amplitude and linewidth for hydrogel deswelling controlled with pH solutions.
Economic Feasibility of Wireless Sensor Network-Based Service Provision in a Duopoly Setting with a Monopolist Operator
Authors: Sanchis-Cano Angel , Romero Julián , Sacoto-Cabrera Erwin J. , Guijarro Luis
Published: November 2017

We analyze the feasibility of providing Wireless Sensor Network-data-based services in an Internet of Things scenario from an economical point of view. The scenario has two competing service providers with their own private sensor networks, a network operator and final users. The scenario is analyzed as two games using game theory. In the first game, sensors decide to subscribe or not to the network operator to upload the collected sensing-data, based on a utility function related to the mean service time and the price charged by the operator. In the second game, users decide to subscribe or not to the sensor-data-based service of the service providers based on a Logit discrete choice model related to the quality of the data collected and the subscription price. The sinks and users subscription stages are analyzed using population games and discrete choice models, while network operator and service providers pricing stages are analyzed using optimization and Nash equilibrium concepts respectively. The model is shown feasible from an economic point of view for all the actors if there are enough interested final users and opens the possibility of developing more efficient models with different types of services.
Autonomous Shepherding Behaviors of Multiple Target Steering Robots
Authors: Lee Wonki , Kim DaeEun
Published: November 2017

This paper presents a distributed coordination methodology for multi-robot systems, based on nearest-neighbor interactions. Among many interesting tasks that may be performed using swarm robots, we propose a biologically-inspired control law for a shepherding task, whereby a group of external agents drives another group of agents to a desired location. First, we generated sheep-like robots that act like a flock. We assume that each agent is capable of measuring the relative location and velocity to each of its neighbors within a limited sensing area. Then, we designed a control strategy for shepherd-like robots that have information regarding where to go and a steering ability to control the flock, according to the robots’ position relative to the flock. We define several independent behavior rules; each agent calculates to what extent it will move by summarizing each rule. The flocking sheep agents detect the steering agents and try to avoid them; this tendency leads to movement of the flock. Each steering agent only needs to focus on guiding the nearest flocking agent to the desired location. Without centralized coordination, multiple steering agents produce an arc formation to control the flock effectively. In addition, we propose a new rule for collecting behavior, whereby a scattered flock or multiple flocks are consolidated. From simulation results with multiple robots, we show that each robot performs actions for the shepherding behavior, and only a few steering agents are needed to control the whole flock. The results are displayed in maps that trace the paths of the flock and steering robots. Performance is evaluated via time cost and path accuracy to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.
Screen-Printed Graphite Electrodes as Low-Cost Devices for Oxygen Gas Detection in Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids
Authors: Lee Junqiao , Hussain Ghulam , Banks Craig , Silvester Debbie
Published: November 2017

Screen-printed graphite electrodes (SPGEs) have been used for the first time as platforms to detect oxygen gas in room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). Up until now, carbon-based SPEs have shown inferior behaviour compared to platinum and gold SPEs for gas sensing with RTIL solvents. The electrochemical reduction of oxygen (O2) in a range of RTILs has therefore been explored on home-made SPGEs, and is compared to the behaviour on commercially-available carbon SPEs (C-SPEs). Six common RTILs are initially employed for O2 detection using cyclic voltammetry (CV), and two RTILs ([C2mim][NTf2] and [C4mim][PF6]) chosen for further detailed analytical studies. Long-term chronoamperometry (LTCA) was also performed to test the ability of the sensor surface for real-time gas monitoring. Both CV and LTCA gave linear calibration graphs—for CV in the 10–100% vol. range, and for LTCA in the 0.1–20% vol. range—on the SPGE. The responses on the SPGE were far superior to the commercial C-SPEs; more instability in the electrochemical responses were observed on the C-SPEs, together with some breaking-up or dissolution of the electrode surface materials. This study highlights that not all screen-printed ink formulations are compatible with RTIL solvents for longer-term electrochemical experiments, and that the choice of RTIL is also important. Overall, the low-cost SPGEs appear to be promising platforms for the detection of O2, particularly in [C4mim][PF6].
IMU-Based Gait Recognition Using Convolutional Neural Networks and Multi-Sensor Fusion
Authors: Dehzangi Omid , Taherisadr Mojtaba , ChangalVala Raghvendar
Published: November 2017

The wide spread usage of wearable sensors such as in smart watches has provided continuous access to valuable user generated data such as human motion that could be used to identify an individual based on his/her motion patterns such as, gait. Several methods have been suggested to extract various heuristic and high-level features from gait motion data to identify discriminative gait signatures and distinguish the target individual from others. However, the manual and hand crafted feature extraction is error prone and subjective. Furthermore, the motion data collected from inertial sensors have complex structure and the detachment between manual feature extraction module and the predictive learning models might limit the generalization capabilities. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for human gait identification using time-frequency (TF) expansion of human gait cycles in order to capture joint 2 dimensional (2D) spectral and temporal patterns of gait cycles. Then, we design a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) learning to extract discriminative features from the 2D expanded gait cycles and jointly optimize the identification model and the spectro-temporal features in a discriminative fashion. We collect raw motion data from five inertial sensors placed at the chest, lower-back, right hand wrist, right knee, and right ankle of each human subject synchronously in order to investigate the impact of sensor location on the gait identification performance. We then present two methods for early (input level) and late (decision score level) multi-sensor fusion to improve the gait identification generalization performance. We specifically propose the minimum error score fusion (MESF) method that discriminatively learns the linear fusion weights of individual DCNN scores at the decision level by minimizing the error rate on the training data in an iterative manner. 10 subjects participated in this study and hence, the problem is a 10-class identification task. Based on our experimental results, 91% subject identification accuracy was achieved using the best individual IMU and 2DTF-DCNN. We then investigated our proposed early and late sensor fusion approaches, which improved the gait identification accuracy of the system to 93.36% and 97.06%, respectively.
Increased Production and Water Remediation by Land-Based Farm-Scale Sequentially Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture Systems—An Example from Southern Taiwan
Authors: Yeh Shinn-Lih , Dahms Hans-Uwe , Chiu Ying-Jer , Chang Su-Jung , Wang Yi-Kuang
Published: November 2017

Wastewater effluent from aquaculture ponds can affect aquatic ecosystems. To mitigate this problem, we designed 2 sets (southern and northern) of land-based and farm-scale sequential integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems in order to reduce water pollution and to diversify and optimize aquaculture products in coastal southern Taiwan. In each system, the 1st pond cultivated milkfish as the main aquaculture product, the 2nd pond cultivated Portuguese oysters as the product to reduce suspended particles, and the 3rd pond cultivated the seaweed Gracilaria sp. as feed and to absorb nutrients. Photosynthetic bacteria (PSB) were added to the southern system in order to reduce nutrients. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare performance parameters of the compartments and the overall IMTA systems preliminarily. Our results showed that the southern system with the addition of PSB had lower PO4−3-P, slightly higher turbidity, and higher brown algal biomass than the northern system. In the southern system, PO4−3-P and cyanobacteria levels were lowest at the end of the seaweed pond. In the northern system, NO2−-N and phytoplankton levels were lowest at the end of the seaweed pond. Turbidity was reduced in the oyster pond and further reduced in the Gracilaria pond in both systems. The high seaweed yield in the northern system indicated substantial nutrient absorption. Advantages and limitations in terms of water purification and aquaculture production of these IMTA systems are evaluated in the present paper.
Digital Omotenashi: Toward a Smart Tourism Design Systems
Authors: Lim Chaeyoung , Mostafa Noha , Park Jaehyun
Published: November 2017

The tourism industry is currently facing many challenges; one of the main challenges is the lack of having smart tourism systems that make use of the recent advances in information and communication technology. Another challenge is designing such smart tourism systems while embracing diversified tourists’ sustainable values of experience (functional values, social values, emotional values, and epistemic values). In light of these challenges, the overall objective of this work is to design a smart tourism experience-centered system that considers social and technical perspectives. The Socio-Technical Systems theory was adopted as a theoretical foundation, and the Design Science Research methodology was used to develop a smart tourism system and a practical design artifact. A case study from the Japanese tourism context was studied by exploring tourists’ sustainable values of experiences and local staffs’ behaviors. The main problem was the dysfunctional communication between local service staffs and foreign tourists during the service process. After identifying the problem and the objectives, a relevant smart tourism system was synthesized and tested as a design artifact. The results of the utility test of the proposed artifact showed its effectiveness and efficiency in facilitating the service process and in creating multi-dimensional values of experience.
The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals—Explaining the Legal Implementation Gap
Authors: Persson Linn , Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen Sylvia , Lai Adelene , Persson Åsa , Fick Stephen
Published: November 2017

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is a system for classifying and labelling chemicals according to their intrinsic hazardous properties. The GHS is one of the cornerstones of sound chemicals management, an issue consistently on the international sustainable development agenda since 1992. In 2002, it was agreed under the United Nations that all countries should be encouraged to implement the GHS by 2008. However, to date, it is unclear where, how, and to what extent the GHS has been implemented and what factors best explain any differences in implementation coverage. The aim of this paper is to provide a global overview of current GHS implementation status in national legislation using primary and secondary data, and explain differences between countries based on theory on motivational and capacity-related factors for implementation of international standards. We conclude that there seems to be broad support from countries for enhanced international collaboration in the field of sound chemicals management. However, several drivers and barriers for national GHS implementation co-exist, and there is a clear positive correlation between the financial and regulatory capacities of a country and its GHS implementation status. At the same time, our data suggest that it is possible to increase the global implementation coverage by using a combination of motivational and capacity related strategies.
Comparison and Evaluation of Large-Scale and On-Site Recycling Systems for Food Waste via Life Cycle Cost Analysis
Authors: Lee Kyoung , Oh Jeong-ik , Chu Kyoung , Kwon Suk , Yoo Sung
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost-benefit of on-site food waste recycling system using Life-Cycle Cost analysis, and to compare with large-scale treatment system. For accurate evaluation, the cost-benefit analysis was conducted with respect to local governments and residents, and qualitative environmental improvement effects were quantified. As for the local governments, analysis results showed that, when large-scale treatment system was replaced with on-site recycling system, there was significant cost reduction from the initial stage depending on reduction of investment, maintenance, and food wastewater treatment costs. As for the residents, it was found that the cost incurred from using the on-site recycling system was larger than the cost of using large-scale treatment system due to the cost of producing and installing the on-site treatment facilities at the initial stage. However, analysis showed that with continuous benefits such as greenhouse gas emission reduction, compost utilization, and food wastewater reduction, cost reduction would be obtained after 6 years of operating the on-site recycling system. Therefore, it was recommended for local governments and residents to consider introducing an on-site food waste recycling system if they are to replace an old treatment system or need to establish a new one.
Effects of Adding Clostridium sp. WJ06 on Intestinal Morphology and Microbial Diversity of Growing Pigs Fed with Natural Deoxynivalenol Contaminated Wheat
Authors: Li FuChang , Wang JinQuan , Huang LiBo , Chen HongJu , Wang ChunYang
Published: November 2017

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is commonly detected in cereals, and is a threat to human and animal health. The effects of microbiological detoxification are now being widely studied. A total of 24 pigs (over four months) were randomly divided into three treatments. Treatment A was fed with a basal diet as the control group. Treatment B was fed with naturally DON-contaminated wheat as a negative control group. Treatment C was fed with a contaminated diet that also had Clostridium sp. WJ06, which was used as a detoxicant. Growth performance, relative organ weight, intestinal morphology, and the intestinal flora of bacteria and fungi were examined. The results showed that after consuming a DON-contaminated diet, the growth performance of the pigs decreased significantly (p < 0.05), the relative organ weight of the liver and kidney increased significantly (p < 0.05), and the integrity of the intestinal barrier was also impaired, though the toxic effects of the contaminated diets on growing pigs were relieved after adding Clostridium sp. WJ06. The data from MiSeq sequencing of the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) gene suggested that the abundance of intestinal flora was significantly different across the three treatments. In conclusion, the application of Clostridium sp. WJ06 can reduce the toxic effects of DON and adjust the intestinal microecosystem of growing pigs.
Rodent Papillomaviruses
Authors: Uberoi Aayushi , Lambert Paul
Published: November 2017

Preclinical infection model systems are extremely valuable tools to aid in our understanding of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) biology, disease progression, prevention, and treatments. In this context, rodent papillomaviruses and their respective infection models are useful tools but remain underutilized resources in the field of papillomavirus biology. Two rodent papillomaviruses, MnPV1, which infects the Mastomys species of multimammate rats, and MmuPV1, which infects laboratory mice, are currently the most studied rodent PVs. Both of these viruses cause malignancy in the skin and can provide attractive infection models to study the lesser understood cutaneous papillomaviruses that have been frequently associated with HPV-related skin cancers. Of these, MmuPV1 is the first reported rodent papillomavirus that can naturally infect the laboratory strain of mice. MmuPV1 is an attractive model virus to study papillomavirus pathogenesis because of the ubiquitous availability of lab mice and the fact that this mouse species is genetically modifiable. In this review, we have summarized the knowledge we have gained about PV biology from the study of rodent papillomaviruses and point out the remaining gaps that can provide new research opportunities.
Propagation of Solitary Waves over Double Submerged Barriers
Authors: Wu Yun-Ta , Hsiao Shih-Chun
Published: November 2017

Protection of nearshore area by means of artificial structure is an important issue for coastal engineering community. In this study, we aim to investigate wave hydrodynamics and hydrodynamic performance due to solitary waves interacting with double submerged barriers. Double barriers, put bottom-mounted vertically on the flat seafloor and also paralleled to each other, are considered as a wave absorber. New experiments are carried out to provide measured data for model validation. Numerical simulations are performed using a depth- and phase-resolving model, based on the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes equations with a non-linear k-ɛ turbulence closure model. Model–data comparisons show good agreements in terms of free surface fluctuations in time histories and error analyses are performed. Numerical results are then used to study the variations of the free surface motions of breaking waves and the flow fields. In particular, the model results reveal that the optimal horizontal distance, judged as minimum wave transmission, between two submerged barriers is approximately 2.5 times the still water depth for present wave conditions and obstacle geometries. Furthermore, numerical model is extended to evaluate the functional efficiency of a dual-slotted-barrier system with different obstacle configurations under various conditions of solitary waves by means of energy reflection, transmission and dissipation coefficients.
ON ZEROS OF SOME COMBINATIONS OF DIRICHLET L-FUNCTIONS AND HURWITZ ZETA-FUNCTIONS
Authors: Garbaliauskienė Virginija , Karaliūnaitė Julija , Laurinčikas Antanas
Published: November 2017

In the paper, we obtain that certain linear and more general combinations of Dirichlet L-functions and Hurwitz zeta-functions have infinitely many zeros in the critical strip. For the proof, universality of those combinations is applied.
A WEIGHTED DISCRETE UNIVERSALITY THEOREM FOR PERIODIC ZETA-FUNCTIONS. II
Authors: Macaitienė Renata , Stoncelis Mindaugas , Šiaučiūnas Darius
Published: November 2017

In the paper, a weighted theorem on the approximation of a wide class of analytic functions by shifts ζ(s + ikαh; a), k ∈ N, 0 < α < 1, and h > 0, of the periodic zeta-function ζ(s; a) with multiplicative periodic sequence a, is obtained.
ALMA Observations of a Quiescent Molecular Cloud in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Authors: Wong Tony , Hughes Annie , Tokuda Kazuki , Indebetouw Rémy , Bernard Jean-Philippe , Onishi Toshikazu , Wojciechowski Evan , Bandurski Jeffrey B. , Kawamura Akiko , Roman-Duval Julia , Cao Yixian , Chen C.-H. Rosie , Chu You-hua , Cui Chaoyue , Fukui Yasuo , Montier Ludovic , Muller Erik , Ott Juergen , Paradis Deborah , Pineda Jorge L. , Rosolowsky Erik , Sewiło Marta
Published: November 2017

We present high-resolution (subparsec) observations of a giant molecular cloud in the nearest star-forming galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud. ALMA Band 6 observations trace the bulk of the molecular gas in 12CO(2–1) and the high column density regions in 13CO(2–1). Our target is a quiescent cloud (PGCC G282.98−32.40, which we refer to as the “Planck cold cloud” or PCC) in the southern outskirts of the galaxy where star formation activity is very low and largely confined to one location. We decompose the cloud into structures using a dendrogram and apply an identical analysis to matched-resolution cubes of the 30 Doradus molecular cloud (located near intense star formation) for comparison. Structures in the PCC exhibit roughly 10 times lower surface density and five times lower velocity dispersion than comparably sized structures in 30 Dor, underscoring the non-universality of molecular cloud properties. In both clouds, structures with relatively higher surface density lie closer to simple virial equilibrium, whereas lower surface-density structures tend to exhibit supervirial line widths. In the PCC, relatively high line widths are found in the vicinity of an infrared source whose properties are consistent with a luminous young stellar object. More generally, we find that the smallest resolved structures (“leaves”) of the dendrogram span close to the full range of line widths observed across all scales. As a result, while the bulk of the kinetic energy is found on the largest scales, the small-scale energetics tend to be dominated by only a few structures, leading to substantial scatter in observed size–line-width relationships.
Fast and Luminous Transients from the Explosions of Long-lived Massive White Dwarf Merger Remnants
Authors: Brooks Jared , Schwab Josiah , Bildsten Lars , Quataert Eliot , Paxton Bill , Blinnikov Sergei , Sorokina Elena
Published: November 2017

We study the evolution and final outcome of long-lived (

years) remnants from the merger of an He white dwarf (WD) with a more massive C/O or O/Ne WD. Using Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (

), we show that these remnants have a red giant configuration supported by steady helium burning, adding mass to the WD core until it reaches

. At that point, the base of the surface convection zone extends into the burning layer, mixing the helium-burning products (primarily carbon and magnesium) throughout the convective envelope. Further evolution depletes the convective envelope of helium and dramatically slows the mass increase of the underlying WD core. The WD core mass growth re-initiates after helium depletion, as then an uncoupled carbon-burning shell is ignited and proceeds to burn the fuel from the remaining metal-rich extended envelope. For large enough initial total merger masses, O/Ne WD cores would experience electron-capture triggered collapse to neutron stars (NSs) after growing to near Chandrasekhar mass (

). Massive C/O WD cores could suffer the same fate after a carbon-burning flame converts them to ONe. The NS formation would release

erg into the remaining extended low mass envelope. Using the STELLA radiative transfer code, we predict the resulting optical light curves from these exploded envelopes. Reaching absolute magnitudes of

, these transients are bright for about one week and have many features of the class of luminous, rapidly evolving transients studied by Drout and collaborators.
La réforme contemporaine des médersas en Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Binaté Issouf
Published: November 2017

En ce début de millénaire, le système d'enseignement islamique en Côte d'Ivoire semble être entré dans une nouvelle ère. Après avoir obtenu la reconnaissance de vingt-deux medersas par le ministère de l'Éducation nationale en 2011, ce système éducatif a passé en 2013 la barre des cent établissements répondant aux critères d'intégration au programme officiel. Le processus d'intégration à l'éducation nationale mis en  uvre depuis les années 1990 vise à réformer cet ordre d'enseignement confessionnel informel. Il a soulevé des interrogations concernant les curricula de la formation et ouvert la voie à des négociations entre les acteurs. Cet article analyse l'offre éducative étatique et la dynamique qu'elle a suscitée, aussi bien au sein de ces établissements qu'auprès de ses promoteurs, à travers une approche diachronique du parcours des écoles islamiques.
Le travail de l ’empowerment au sein des organisations
Authors: Lapeyre Nathalie
Published: November 2017

Cette contribution a pour objectif d’illustrer les différents visages de l’ empowerment perceptibles au sein des organisations. Dans un contexte de mise en œuvre d’une politique d’égalité professionnelle au sein d’une entreprise aéronautique en France, l’article vise à présenter quelques effets d’une expérience de formation spécifique en direction des femmes cadres et ingénieures, avec un dispositif spécifiquement centré sur le développement de leurs carrières. Les résultats montrent que si le nombre de femmes bénéficiaires reste réduit, il n’en reste pas moins que les acquis de ces formations peuvent être aussi réinterprétés et transformés dans un second temps, afin d’aboutir à la construction d’une dimension plus collective et plus partagée de l’ empowerment. Ainsi, le processus d’ empowerment se décline entre méconnaissance ( empowerment contrarié), allégeance à l’organisation ( empowerment sous contrôle) et nouvelles formes d’émancipation des femmes cadres et ingénieures ( empowerment transformatif).
Lessons Learned From a Theory of Planned Behavior-Derived Study on Educational Interventions Inspired by the Affective Domain
Authors: Russell-Babin Kathleen A.
Published: November 2017

Background:

A paucity of literature exists on use of the affective domain to improve adherence to pressure injury prevention. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of emphasizing the cognitive domain versus education based on combination of the affective and cognitive domains focusing on medical–surgical nurses' behavioral intent to use evidence-based practices to prevent pressure injury.

Method:

A cluster randomized, controlled design was used to compare differences between groups. Medical–surgical nurses in units with low performance in pressure ulcer prevention were studied. A total of 77 nurses participated. This study employed the theory of planned behavior.

Results:

Attitudes toward pressure ulcer predicted behavioral intent. Nurses who experienced the affective domain education showed improvements over the control group for attitude and perceived behavioral control.

Conclusion:

Affective domain interventions have the potential to favorably impact nurses in valuing pressure ulcer prevention, despite any barriers.

J Contin Educ Nurs.
2017;48(12):543–551.
A Health Care-Academic Partnership: Developing Pediatric Nursing Education
Authors: Romaniuk Daria , Chu Stephanie , D'Annunzio Daniela , Garvey Grace
Published: November 2017

An acute care pediatric hospital and a university school of nursing joined forces to develop a comprehensive, interactive, online course in pediatric health assessment. The course was intended to increase nurses' knowledge and confidence in caring for children and families. The need for pediatric health assessment education varies depending on learners' prior experience. This article describes the course development and shares insights into the successful health care-academic partnership, which combined clinical, scholarly, and technological expertise.

J Contin Educ Nurs.
2017;48(12):557–562.
Nurses' Role in Managing “The Fit” of Older Adults in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Authors: Jones Jacqueline , Lawrence Emily , Ladebue Amy , Leonard Chelsea , Ayele Roman , Burke Robert E.
Published: November 2017

Post-acute care for older adults often involves transfer to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) following hospital discharge. This transition is often poorly coordinated and leaves older adults at risk for poor health outcomes, but new payment models offer opportunities to align improved care practices with payments. There is a dearth of evidence regarding the role of nursing and its potential to improve hospital to SNF care transitions. Ninety-nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with clinicians, patients, and caregivers from three hospitals and three SNFs. Results indicate a sharp contrast in the roles of hospital nurses—who are often silent partners in post-acute care decision making—and SNF nurses, who take a primary role as managing “the fit” for patients transitioning to a SNF. Nurses are uniquely positioned to make needed changes to culture to adapt to new payment models and improve patient outcomes. [
Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 43
(12), 11–20.]
Fabricated or Induced Illness Presenting as Recurrent Corneal Lesions, Cataracts, and Uveitis
Authors: Valeina Sandra , Krumina Zita , Sepetiene Svetlana , Andzane Gunta , Sture Elize Anna , Taylor David
Published: November 2017

Two siblings with ophthalmic findings, psychomotor retardation, somnolence, and seizures underwent diagnostic studies, genetic investigations, ultrasonography, biomicroscopy, and posterior and anterior optical coherence tomography. Both siblings experienced eye problems at different times from the age of 6 months to 12 years. The family pedigree and neurological problems (ie, hypotony, seizures, sleepiness, and speech and psychomotor delay) suggested a metabolic or mitochondrial pathology. After exclusion of multiple potential diseases, a fabricated or induced illness was suspected. Fabricated or induced illness can be a cause for unusual clinical findings and should be considered in the differential diagnosis when ocular and other abnormalities cannot be explained after a comprehensive evaluation. The diagnosis of fabricated or induced illness should not be based on exclusion alone but rather on positive findings.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.
2016;53:e6–e11.]
Microscopía de reflectancia multiespectral: Aplicación al reconocimiento automatizado de menas metálicas
Authors: Catalina Juan Carlos , Castroviejo Ricardo
Published: November 2017

El artículo presenta el sistema CAMEVA, un sistema de microscopía de reflectancia multiespectral especialmente concebido para facilitar la identificación y caracterización de las fases minerales presentes en preparaciones pulidas de menas metálicas, así como para automatizar la realización de distintos tipos de análisis cuantitativos sobre ellas. El sistema CAMEVA permite obtener resultados similares a los de un sistema MEB (microscopía electrónica de barrido), superando algunas de sus limitaciones, como sus rígidas y costosas exigencias de infraestructura y especialización o la dificultad de distinguir especies polimorfas, pero a un coste notablemente inferior. Los ensayos realizados muestran que el sistema permite la identificación automatizada y fiable de las menas de interés industrial, a partir de la información multiespectral en el rango VNIR (visible e infrarrojo cercano, entre 400 y 1000 nm) recogida en una base de datos específica; esta base de datos, que incluye los 70 minerales de mayor interés, es fácilmente ampliable.
Number of Node Estimation in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Manaseer Saher , Alhabash Ibrahem
Published: November 2017

Mobile Ad hoc networks do not have any form of centralized control as per their definition. Therefore, many challenges face the development of efficient protocols for such networks. One of the main challenges is the difficulty of extracting the total number of nodes in the network, this paper aims to find an estimate for this number using the average hop count for messages exchanged in the network. Experiments of this paper are conducted on Ad Hoc networks under DSR and AODV routing protocols. Results show a relation between network size and average hop count that can be used to predict the number of nodes in the network.
On Structure-From-Motion Application Challenges
Authors: Ioannakis George , Koutsoudis Anestis , Arnaoutoglou Fotis , Kiourt Chairi , Chamzas Christodoulos
Published: November 2017

Numerous software solutions that implement the Structure-from-Motion/Multi-View Stereo (SfM/MVS) 3D reconstruction approach have been made available during the last decade. These allow the production of high quality in terms of geometry and colour information 3D models with the use of unordered image collections that depict a static scene or object from arbitrary viewpoints. Nowadays SfM/MVS-based 3D reconstruction approaches constitute a popular solution in a variety of applications within the cultural heritage domain. As with all 3D reconstruction approaches it has its limitations and application challenges. In this work, the authors attempt to compose a set of guidelines that are based on the important outcomes of important published works that propose solutions that overcome the various challenges introduced by non-friendly surface types.
Energy Efficiency and Economic Aspects of Mining Wastes Utilization within the Closed Cycle of Underground Gas Generator
Authors: Pivnyak Gennadiy , Dychkovskyi Roman , Falshtynskyi Volodymyr , Cabana Edgar Cáceres
Published: November 2017

Energy efficiency of coal gasification with possible utilization of mining wastes within ecologically closed gas generator cycle has been considered. Technical and technological performance of such gas generator and mechanism of material and heat balance on the basis of the available analytical methods and practices as well as the developed author software have been proposed. Heat carrier formed in the process of coal gasification has been used for the utilization. Temperature of the utilization process within the industrially expedient limits being supported with the help of either activation or attenuation of the gasification process. After specific treatment, organogenic waste and domestic wastes are utilized by means of thermal decomposition within a gas generator. Economic evaluation of the proposed means confirms the expediency of their implementation in mines with industrial and balanced coal reserves as well as within the areas where this energetic source has already been already mined out. Results of this investigation were partially presented on international scientific and practical conference “Forum of Miners - 2017”. They contain the researches, which were conducted within the project GP – 489, financed by Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
Energy-Saving Technologies of the Coal Seams Development
Authors: Shashenko Olexander , Khoziaikina Nataliia , Cherednyk Vladyslava , Pashkevych Maryna
Published: November 2017

In the production cost structure of a coal, which is extracted underground, more than 30 percent is the electricity cost. This is the consumption of electricity by the main fans of mine ventilation, mining and mechanisms that are used in the construction of underground excavations.The geomechanical problem of estimating the permissible width of the safety structure (pillar) in a longwall during the mining of a horizontal laying coal seam is given and solved and taking into account the economic expediency of reused a haulage drift. The mining-geological and mining-technical conditions of coal reserves mining in the Western Donbass at the mine "Samarskaya" are considered, which is accepted as a characteristic object of research.The task was solved in a complex way on the basis of a generalization of in situ and numerical experiments on digital models using the RS2 software complex of the Canadian company Rocscience.Dependencies of a residual sectional area of the re-used excavation on the width and the constructive flexibility of the protective structure are obtained.A technological clearance between the safety structure and the roof rock negatively effects on excavation stability reducing the residual sectional area and should be minimized.
Dynamics of No-Load Losses in Power Transformers
Authors: Krasovskyi Pavlo
Published: November 2017

Developed and released recommendations to clarify the calculation of idle power losses in power transformers of distribution networks. It takes into account the dynamics of magnetic properties changes in transformer cores, depending on the operation term and conditions, and major overhaul of the transformers with the magnetic core unburdening. It will improve the accuracy of normative losses calculation in power transformers and determine the most accurate structure of losses in electric networks.
Underground Сoal Gasification Efficiency in Areas of High Faulting Frequency
Authors: Lozynskyi Vasyl
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this paper is substantiating of efficiency during application of borehole underground coal gasification technology based on target coal seam geology. Comprehensive methodology that included analytical calculation is implemented in the work. To determine the efficiency of coal seam gasification in faulting areas, an economic calculation method was developed. The obtained conditions of coal seam allow to provide rational order of mine workings. Conclusions regarding the implementation of the offered method are made on the basis of undertaken investigations. The obtained results with sufficient accuracy in practical application will allow consume coal reserves in the faulting zones using environmentally friendly conversion technology to obtain power and chemical generator gas, chemicals and heat.
Study of Methods and Development of Technological Scheme for Heat Removal from Rock Waste Dump
Authors: Saik Pavlo
Published: November 2017

The aim of this paper is to study the methods and develop technological scheme for thermal energy removal from coal mine rock waste dumps. The prospects of renewable energy sources development in Ukraine are analyzed. A number of available ways for using the sources of waste heat of mining enterprises, namely: outlet ventilation flow, mine water and other rock waste dumps, are investigated. The technological scheme of heat recovery from rock waste dump using heat pumps, which are component segments of the heat pump geosystem on the basis of borehole underground coal gasification, is developed.
On the Problem of Filter Respirator Selection
Authors: Cheberiachko Ivan , Cheberiachko Yuriy , Yavorskyi Andrii
Published: November 2017

Requirements concerning the selection of filtering respirators according to ЕN 529:2006 European standard have been analyzed; the requirements have been compared with the national recommendations given in the corresponding ДНАОП 0.00-1.04-07 normative act on labour protection. It has been determined that the protective efficiency of the respiratory protective devices is characterized by three various parameters characterizing the coefficient of protection – two of them are determined at the working place. However, adequate selection of a filtering respirator is tested in terms of nominal coefficient of protection being determined in a laboratory. Such an approach may result in certain errors due to the set of various factors being available under working conditions. It is proposed to use the value of the expected coefficient of protection determined in the USA being equal to 10 MAC while selecting a filtering respirator. Recommendations are given as for the improvement of respiratory protection of a worker under operational conditions.
Power Quality and Resonances in Power Supply Systems with Non-Sinusoidal Loads
Authors: Papaika Yurii , Lysenko Oleksandra , Kosobudzki Grzegorz
Published: November 2017

The stress is made on the necessity to take into account the impact of higher while analysing the quality of voltage in power supply systems of coal mine. The process of resonances in power supply systems is explained in terms of physics, the sources generating this kind of interference are described. Mathematical dependences that allow to identify resonances in power supply systems are provided. The focus is placed on the feasibility of using spectral analysis in computations. To investigate the understudied aspects of voltage quality and electromagnetic compatibility and provide mathematical description for the analysis of resonances in electrical networks with powerful non-sinusoidal loads.