bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An accurate analysis method for transient characteristics of DC line faults in voltage source converter‐based DC systems
Authors: Xiao Zhengguang , Zheng Xiaodong , He Yangyang , Tai Nengling , Fan Chunju , Huang Ning , Jiang Shan
Published: December 2020

Voltage source converter‐based DC systems face severe overcurrent problem under DC line faults, which causes significant influence on security, reliability and stability of the power system. As the theoretical basis for relay coordination and protection, the transient fault analysis of voltage source converter‐based DC systems needs an in‐depth study. Based on the conventional fault analysis, an accurate transient fault analysis method for the DC pole‐to‐ground fault and pole‐to‐pole fault through freewheeling diode switch state signals is proposed. In the capacitor discharge stage, fault current calculation error is reduced by taking into consideration the current fed from the grid side. In addition, through detailed analysis of the conduction condition and state of the freewheeling diode, clear calculation equations of transient fault currents are obtained. With the prior knowledge of fault response characteristics, definitions of freewheeling diode switch state signals assist in unifying calculation processes of different fault stages and simplifying transient fault calculation. Finally, a typical simulation model of the voltage source converter‐based DC system was built in PSCAD/EMTDC software. The simulation results verified the conciseness and correctness of the proposed fault analysis method compared with the conventional fault analysis.
Multi‐year planning of LV networks with EVs accounting for customers, emissions and techno‐economics aspects: A practical and scalable approach
Authors: Quirós‐Tortós Jairo , Ochoa Luis F.
Published: December 2020

The uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to trigger investments to adapt existing distribution networks, particularly in the low voltage (LV). To make adequate, holistic planning decisions over multiple years, the assessment of alternatives—such as reinforcements or the adoption of EV management strategies—must not only capture when the investments are needed but also the effects on customers and carbon emissions, all while accounting for uncertainties. This paper proposes a stochastic, practical, and scalable progressive multi‐year planning methodology that considers technical, customer, economic and environmental aspects to make holistic planning decisions for existing LV networks to accommodate EVs. The proposed rule‐based methodology contrasts the net present value and benefits of four planning alternatives: network reinforcements, EV charging point management, and their combinations. Uncertainties are catered for by adopting a Monte Carlo approach. Using two real UK LV networks and realistic time‐series data, results demonstrate the importance of a holistic decision‐making approach. From an economic perspective, EV management is better for voltage issues, and reinforcements for thermal problems. However, when customer effects are considered, the management can lead to unacceptable charging delays. Combinations, on the other hand, provide trade‐offs between cost and the effects on customers or carbon emissions.
Parallel global convolutional network for semantic image segmentation
Authors: Bai Xing , Zhou Jun
Published: December 2020

In this paper, a novel convolutional neural network for fast semantic segmentation is presented. Deep convolutional neural networks have achieved great progress in the task of vision scene understanding. While the increase of the accuracy mainly depends on the increase of depth and width. This slows down large networks and consumes power. A fast and efficient convolutional neural network, PGCNet, aiming at segmenting high‐resolution images with a high speed is introduced. Compared with the competitive methods, the generated model has high performance with fewer parameters and floating point operations. First, a lightweight general architecture pre‐trained on ImageNet is relied on as the main encoder. Then, a novel lateral connection module to better transmit features from encoder to decoder. Third, a powerful method termed as PGCN block to extract features of each block in the encoder is proposed and an edge decoder is applied as a supervision for pixels on the edge of stuff and things during training. Experiments show that this method has great advantages. Based on the proposed PGCNet, 75.8% mean IoU is achieved on the cityscapes test set and 35.4 Hz on a standard Cityscapes image on GTX1080Ti.
Research and Application of Hybrid Adaptive Forecasting Method Based on SOA
Authors: Liu Ding
Published: December 2020

The current network security situation is becoming more and more severe. In order to improve the accuracy of network security situation prediction, a network security situation prediction method based on crowd search algorithm optimized BP neural network is proposed. This algorithm uses the four characteristics of egoism, altruism, pre-action and uncertain reasoning unique to the crowd search algorithm to determine the search strategy, finds the best fitness individual, obtains the optimal weights and thresholds, and then performs random initialization of the BP neural network The threshold and weight are assigned, and the predicted value is obtained after neural network training. Finally, it is compared with the predicted value obtained by the other two optimization algorithms. Experiments show that the algorithm used in network security situation prediction has higher accuracy, smaller errors, and better stability.
Study on Effect Evaluation Method of Weak Gel Flooding Control in Ordinary Heavy Oil Reservoirs
Authors: Shan Fachao , Zhao Lun , Xu Anzhu , Bo Bing , Ma Gang , Li Xuanran , Chen Song
Published: December 2020

Generally the dynamic methods are used to calculate the oil increase after flooding control in the oilfield, but the evaluation results of different methods are quite different, and the evaluation results are uncertain. Therefore, for flooding control well groups in heavy oil reservoirs, the water flooding characteristic curve method, decline method and net oil increase method are used to calculate the oil increase, and the influence of the method parameter values on the results are analyzed, and the parameter value limits and calculation errors of each method are determined. Based on this, the adaptability of each method is proposed. The results show that the effect evaluation of the whole region flooding control is suitable to use the water flooding characteristic curve method or the decline method, the effect evaluation of the single well group flooding control is more suitable to use the decline method, the net oil increase method is not recommended. The application range and parameter value limit of the effect evaluation method of flooding control are put forward, which can guide the actual production effect evaluation in the oilfield.
Meshing principle analysis of 3-DOF involute spherical gear
Authors: Wang Baichao , Zhang Xue , Zhang Litong , Lu Xianting
Published: December 2020

In this paper, a mathematical model of meshing motion of three degree of freedom involute spherical gear pair is constructed. The mathematical model can realize continuous meshing transmission between gear pairs without transmission principle error. Based on the meshing principle and motion analysis of the gear, the tooth profile of the spherical gear is designed by combining the two tooth surfaces of the involute ring gear and the hemispherical bevel gear. According to the conjugate motion relationship of spherical gear pair, a mathematical model of arc tooth surface of hemispherical bevel gear is established, and the mathematical description of the tooth profile of spherical gear is completed by combining the equation of ring tooth surface. It provides the basis and Reference for the meshing design of ball gear.
Research on the establishment and method of comprehensive benefit evaluation system for smart energy systems
Authors: Xu Nan , Zhao Zihao , Zhou Bo , Shi Ningning , Wang Yongli , Dong Huanran
Published: December 2020

The smart energy system is the new direction of the current energy development. It plays a vital role in the low-carbon development of my country’s energy industry and in promoting the transformation and upgrading of the energy sector. For the construction and long-term development of smart energy systems, this paper constructs a comprehensive benefit evaluation index system for smart energy systems that can cover all aspects based on the economic, environmental protection, and reliability of energy regulation and other target benefits, and proposes a system based on AHP -Improved evaluation method of entropy weight method, aiming at the hierarchical structure of smart energy evaluation system, adopts analytic hierarchy process and improved entropy weight method to combine subjective weight and objective weight, and scientifically, reasonably and objectively the construction level of smart energy system evaluation of.
GQD/Bi2O3 Composite for high-efficient photocatalysts
Authors: Tang Chengli , Zhang Limei
Published: December 2020

Bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) is one of the potential visible-light photocatalytic materials, however, due to low electron mobility and short minority carrier diffusion length, the photocatalytic activity of Bi2O3 is restricted. The GQD/Bi2O3 composites were synthesized stably depositing single-crystalline graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with absorption edge at ~10nm, prepared by using a top-down method. The GQDBi2O3 heterojunctions were successfully established, the photo-generated electrons transfer from the Bi2O3 to the GQDs at the interface of the GQD-Bi2O3 heterojunctions, result in efficient electron-hole pairs separation and higher photocatalytic efficiency. The optimum visible performance is achieved at GQD content of 1.0 wt %, the RhB dye was nearly completely decoloured after 90 min of visible-light irradiation, and then decrease at higher doping levels due to the thicker GQD layer will cover the active sites of Bi2O3, thus leading to the greatly reduced catalytic activity.
Synthesis and Performance Evaluation of a Betaine Surfactant
Authors: Zhang Rongjun , Zhou Zhengpeng , Wei Xuegang , Wei Wei , Wang Xiaoke , Zhao Jinlin
Published: December 2020

Using sodium bisulfite and epichlorohydrin as raw materials, the ring-opening reaction is carried out under the action of acatalyst to produce sodium 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropane sulfonate, followed by dodecyl tertiary amine, isopropanol, sodium hydroxide and 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropane sulfonate sodium as raw materials, under certain conditions to synthesize dodecyl hydroxy sulfobetaine surfactant. The surface tension, interfacial tension, salt resistance and emulsification properties of the synthesized surfactants were tested and evaluated. The experimental results show that the surfactant has a low critical micelle concentration and surface tension; the interfacial tension decreases with the increase of surfactant concentration. When the concentration is greater than or equal to 0.3%, the interfacial tension reaches 10-2 level; the dodecyl hydroxy sulfobetaine surfactant solution shows good salt resistance; when the concentration of dodecyl hydroxy sulfobetaine surfactant solution is 0.5%, the water separation rate in 120 minutes is the lowest and the emulsification ability is the strongest.
Analysis of Importance of Engineering Survey in Construction Engineering Quality Management
Authors: Liu Liguo , Zhang Caixia
Published: December 2020

Engineering survey is an important technology applied in the quality management of construction engineering. By conducting engineering survey, it can provide necessary data support and measurement methods for the early exploration, mid-term construction, and later acceptance quality management of construction engineering. In the process of construction quality management, how to apply the engineering measurement technology reasonably becomes an urgent problem to be solved. This article will give an overview of engineering survey, and describe the important role of it, and give some opinions and suggestions.
Effect of wall orientation of the sand concrete lightened by wood shavings on the time lag and the decrement factor
Authors: Belhadj Belkacem , Goullieux Adeline , Bederina Madani , Quéneudec Michèle
Published: December 2020

The development of new lightweight concrete based on the valorization of local materials and waste in construction is an environmental and sustainable approach. In this context, the studied composite is a sand concrete (dune and alluvial) lightened by wood shavings to improve its thermophysical properties. The objective is to investigate the orientation effect of an outside wall made with this material in an arid environment on the thermophysical properties of the wall, namely the time lag (Φ) and the decrement factor (f). The experimental study has been dedicated, first of all, to determine the optimal composition of sand concrete lightened by wood shavings, which the content is 60 kg/m3. This composition is a compromise between studied compactness and workability. Then, to study the thermal properties of the sand concrete without wood shavings (SC-W-WS) and sand concrete lightened by wood shavings (SC-WS). Finally, a numerical simulation using the EnergyPlus software was made to study the wall orientation effect designed in the Laghouat city (south of Algeria). The results obtained show that the substitution of sand by wood shavings has improved thermal properties of the wood sand concrete namely: the thermal conductivity, the specific heat and the thermal diffusivity. The simulation results are very interesting, because all orientations are right for the sand concrete lightened by wood shavings (SC-WS). Nevertheless, the north and the west orientations are wrong in the case of the sand concrete (SC-W-WS). However, the east orientation has the longest time lag, which is consistent with the literature. The advantage of these results is in favour of concrete having improved thermophysical properties.
Optical Absorption Coefficient on-center donor impurity in a spherical core/shell quantum dots
Authors: M'zerd Safae , El Haouari M. , Feddi E. , Mora-Ramos M. E. , Jorio A. , Zorkani I.
Published: December 2020

The polaronic effect on the linear, third-order nonlinear and total optical absorption coefficients have been calculated in the case of GaAs/AlAs core/shell quantum dot, with the impurity is positioned at the central radial position of the GaAs shell. The calculations are realized in the framework of the effective mass approximation and the numerical results are obtained by using a variational method and an infinite confining potential. The results show that the polaronic effect has a great influence on optical properties of core/ shell quantum dot, he causes a red-shift of the nonlinear optical coefficients associated to light absorption. Also, the polaronic effect is enhanced with the decreasing of quantum dot radius.
Treatment Complexity in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG): Perspectives on Patient Selection in Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) Using Stents
Authors: Helbig Christian , Wollny Anja , Altiner Attila , Diener Annette , Kohlen Juliane , Ritzke Manuela , Frech Stefanie , Guthoff Rudolf F.
Published: December 2020

Background Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is still one of the most common causes of impaired vision worldwide, despite the further development of therapy options, and can lead to blindness. Micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) using stents aims at reducing intraocular pressure (IOP), as it is the main risk factor. With regard to adherence and adverse drug reactions it also aims at reducing the drug burden on patients. The study investigates under everyday conditions the criteria according to which ophthalmologists in Germany select patients for MIGS using stents. In addition, it will be investigated which patients (could) benefit most from the therapy.

Material and Methods In this qualitative study, 11 narrative interviews were conducted between May 2017 and July 2018 with ophthalmologists working in the hospital or in a private practice. They were interviewed on their experiences in the treatment of POAG with microstents. The interviews were analysed by an interdisciplinary team using the qualitative content analysis.

Results The stages of therapy escalation form the frame of reference for patient selection in MIGS using stents. Only if the IOP cannot be sufficiently reduced by drop therapy or when this causes drug-related side effects that are intolerable for the patients, stents are apparently used as the next higher escalation stage. The intensive post-operative medication and the frequent check-up appointments are perceived as barriers by the interviewees, especially for people with or without disabilities, who are dependent on external help and/or those living in rural areas. The active cooperation of the patients in the demanding aftercare seems to be indispensable for the ophthalmologists. In addition, necessary revisions are sometimes stressful for patients (physical/psychological) and doctors (work organisation/therapy). Against the background of the organisational and economic challenges in the outpatient spectrum of tasks, especially physicians in private practice
seem to weigh up carefully for which patients microstent therapy would be reasonable.

Conclusion In view of the therapeutic requirements, the current microstent therapy seems to be used in a selected, adherent patient group. Further qualitative and quantitative studies (in other health care regions and structures) are necessary to verify and extend the available results.
Partizipative Entscheidungsfindung (PEF) – Patient und Arzt als Team
Authors: Bieber Christiane , Gschwendtner Kathrin , Müller Nicole , Eich Wolfgang
Published: December 2020

Viele Akteure des Gesundheitssystems verstehen das Konzept der Partizipativen Entscheidungsfindung (PEF) als besonders günstige Form der Arzt-Patient-Interaktion. Der Artikel grenzt die PEF ab gegen weitere Modelle der Arzt-Patient-Interaktion, bespricht Anwendungsbereiche und Strategien sowie Hilfsmaterialien zur Umsetzung im individuellen Arzt-Patient-Kontakt. Effekte der PEF für Patienten und für Behandler werden aufgezeigt.
Hypertensive Disorders: Prevalence, Perinatal Outcomes and Cesarean Section Rates in Pregnant Women Hospitalized for Delivery
Authors: Ramos Filho Francisco Lírio , Antunes Carlos Maurício de Figueiredo
Published: December 2020

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of hypertensive disorders, perinatal outcomes (preterm infants, low birthweight infants and Apgar score < 7 at the 5th minute and fetal deaths) and the cesarean rates in pregnant women hospitalized for delivery at the Maternidade Hilda Brandão da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, from March 1, 2008 to February 28, 2018.

Methods A case-control study was performed, and the groups selected for comparison were those of pregnant women with and without hypertensive disorders. Out of the 36,724 women, 4,464 were diagnosed with hypertensive disorders and 32,260 did not present hypertensive disorders

Results The prevalence of hypertensive disorders was 12.16%; the perinatal outcomes and cesarean rates between the 2 groups with and without hypertensive disorders were: preterm infants (21.70% versus 9.66%, odds ratio [OR] 2.59, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.40–2.80, p < 0.001); low birthweight infants (24.48% versus 10.56%; OR 2.75; 95% CI, 2.55–2.96; p < 0.001); Apgar score < 7 at the 5th minute (1.40% versus 1.10%; OR 1.27; 95% CI, 0.97–1.67; p = 0.84); dead fetuses diagnosed prior to delivery (1.90% versus 0.91%; OR 2.12; 95% CI, 1.67–2.70; p < 0.001); cesarean rates (60.22% versus 31.21%; OR 3.34; 95% CI, 3.14–3.55; p < 0.001).

Conclusion Hypertensive disorders are associated with higher rates of cesarean deliveries and higher risk of preterm infants, low birthweight infants and a higher risk of fetal deaths.
New Benefits of Hydroxychloroquine in Pregnant Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Centre
Authors: Abd Rahman Rahana , Min Tun Kyaw , Kamisan Atan Ixora , Mohamed Said Mohd Shahrir , Mustafar Ruslinda , Zainuddin Ani Amelia
Published: December 2020

Objective To determine pregnancy outcomes in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who were treated with hydroxychloroquine in a tertiary center.

Methods A retrospective study involving pregnant women with SLE who had antenatal follow-up and delivery in between 1 January 2007 and 1 January 2017. All participants were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into two groups based on hydroxychloroquine treatment during pregnancy.

Results There were 82 pregnancies included with 47 (57.3%) in the hydroxychloroquine group and 35 (42.7%) in the non-hydroxychloroquine group. Amongst hydroxychloroquine users, there were significantly more pregnancies with musculoskeletal involvement (p = 0.03), heavier mean neonatal birthweight (p = 0.02), and prolonged duration of pregnancy (p = 0.001). In non-hydroxychloroquine patients, there were significantly more recurrent miscarriages (p = 0.003), incidence of hypertension (p = 0.01) and gestational diabetes mellitus (p = 0.01) and concurrent medical illness (p = 0.005). Hydroxychloroquine use during pregnancy was protective against hypertension (p = 0.001), and the gestational age at delivery had significant effect on the neonatal birthweight (p = 0.001). However, duration of the disease had a significant negative effect on the neonatal birthweight (p = 0.016).

Conclusion Hydroxychloroquine enhanced better neonatal outcomes and reduced adverse pregnancy outcomes and antenatal complications such as hypertension and diabetes.
Simulation-based Training for Pelvic and Breast Physical Examination: Effect on the Anxiety and Self-confidence of Medical Students
Authors: Orsi Talles Dias , Valadares Ana Lucia Ribeiro , Orsi Paula Miranda Esteves , Orsi Isabella Miranda Esteves , Moura Alexandre Sampaio
Published: December 2020

Objective To evaluate factors associated with anxiety and the effect of simulation-based training (SBT) on student anxiety, self-confidence and learning satisfaction in relation to pelvic and breast examination.

Methods A longitudinal study was conducted with 4th year medical students at the Universidade José do Rosário Vellano. A 12-item, self-report questionnaire on student anxiety at performing gynecological examinations was applied before and after SBT, with answers being given on a Likert-type scale. After training, the self-confidence levels and satisfaction of the students related to the learning process were also evaluated.

Results Eighty students with a mean age of 24.1 ± 4.2 years were included in the study. Of these, 62.5% were women. Pre-SBT evaluation showed that students were more anxious at performing a pelvic examination than a breast examination (2.4 ± 1.0 versus 1.7 ± 0.8, respectively; p < 0.001). The primary reason for anxiety regarding both pelvic and breast examination was fear of hurting the patient. SBT significantly reduced student anxiety (2.0 ± 0.8 versus 1.5 ± 0.5, respectively; p < 0.001). The satisfaction and self-confidence of the students were found to be high (6.8 ± 0.3 and 6.0 ± 0.9, respectively), with no difference between genders.

Conclusion The use of SBT in teaching students to perform pelvic and breast examinations resulted in reduced anxiety and increased self-confidence in a group of medical students of both genders, with high levels of satisfaction in relation to the training.
Retroanalytical Study of Epidemiological Factors of Rhinosporidiosis
Authors: Mathew Sairah , Arora Ripu Daman , Prabha Neel , Kamble Payal , Satpute Satish Suresh , Nagarkar Nitin M.
Published: December 2020

Introduction Rhinosporidiosis is a granulomatous disease of humans and animals that is caused by Rhinosporidium Seeberi. This disease is endemic in certain states of India, like Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Orissa, and eastern Madhya Pradesh. We conducted a retrospective, record-based study in the department of ENT & Head and Neck Surgery of a tertiary case institute in Chhattisgarh.

Objective To study the epidemiology of rhinosporidiosis, especially host risk factors.

Methods We conducted a retrospective, record-based study in the department of ENT & Head and Neck Surgery of a tertiary case institute in Chhattisgarh, India. A total of 55 histologically proven rhinosporidiosis patients who were surgically treated in the department over a period of 2 years from November 2014 to November 2016 were included.

Results This study involved 55 histologically proven rhinosporidiosis cases. There were 87% males and 12% females. Most of the cases belonged to lower socioeconomic status (92.73%). All the cases had history of pond bathing. Of 55 cases, 27 cases (49.09%) had O+ blood group followed by A+ in 10 (18.18%), B+ in 9 (16.36) and AB+ in 9 (16.36%).

Conclusion The results of the study showed that the disease was associated with the male gender, young and middle age, low socioeconomic status, rural background, pond bathing and O+ blood group.
Assessment of the Effectiveness of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Subjective Tinnitus
Authors: Aydın Mesut , Erkan Mustafa , Gündoğdu Ramazan , Vural Alperen , Kökoğlu Kerem , Şahin Mehmet İlhan
Published: December 2020

Introduction Increases in spontaneous activity in the neurons of the auditory cortex are presumed as the pathophysiology of tinnitus.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the treatment of tinnitus.

Methods A total of 62 patients between the ages of 22 and 74 with chronic subjective tinnitus were enrolled in the study. The inclusion criteria were normal findings on an otolaryngologic examination and normal ranges of complete blood count, routine biochemical parameter levels, thyroid function, air-bone gap on pure-tone audiometry, and middle-ear pressure and stapedial reflex on tympanometry. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: 40 patients were placed in the treatment for TMS (tTMS) group, and the rest (22 patients) were placed in the sham TMS group. The frequency and severity of the tinnitus, as well as the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) score of each patient were measured before and one month after the treatment, and the values were statistically evaluated.

Results We observed a statistically significant improvement in the tTMS group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05 respectively) regarding the THI and tinnitus severity scores. The sham TMS group showed no significant improvement in terms of the THI (p > 0.05). However, the tinnitus severity showed a significant increase in this group (p < 0.05). The comparison of differences in the changes in the THI and the tinnitus severity scores showed a significant statistical improvement in the tTMS group compared with the sham TMS group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05 respectively).

Conclusion Transcranial magnetic stimulation was found to be effective in the treatment of tinnitus, and may be adopted as a treatment for tinnitus after further comprehensive studies.
Active Versus Expectant Management for Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes at 34–36 Weeks of Gestation and the Associated Adverse Perinatal Outcomes
Authors: Ferraz Malú Flôres , Lima Thaísa De Souza , Cintra Sarah Moura , Araujo Júnior Edward , Petrini Caetano Galvão , Caetano Mario Sergio Silva Gomes , Paschoini Marina Carvalho , Peixoto Alberto Borges
Published: December 2020

Objective To compare the type of management (active versus expectant) for preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) between 34 and 36 + 6 weeks of gestation and the associated adverse perinatal outcomes in 2 tertiary hospitals in the southeast of Brazil.

Methods In the present retrospective cohort study, data were obtained by reviewing the medical records of patients admitted to two tertiary centers with different protocols for PPROM management. The participants were divided into two groups based on PPROM management: group I (active) and group II (expectant). For statistical analysis, the Student t-test, the chi-squared test, and binary logistic regression were used.

Results Of the 118 participants included, 78 underwent active (group I) and 40 expectant management (group II). Compared with group II, group I had significantly lower mean amniotic fluid index (5.5 versus 11.3 cm, p = 0.002), polymerase chain reaction at admission (1.5 versus 5.2 mg/dl, p = 0.002), time of prophylactic antibiotics (5.4 versus 18.4 hours, p < 0.001), latency time (20.9 versus 33.6 hours, p = 0.001), and gestational age at delivery (36.5 versus 37.2 weeks, p = 0.025). There were no significant associations between the groups and the presence of adverse perinatal outcomes. Gestational age at diagnosis was the only significant predictor of adverse composite outcome (x2 [1] = 3.1, p = 0.0001, R2 Nagelkerke = 0.138).

Conclusion There was no association between active versus expectant management in pregnant women with PPROM between 34 and 36 + 6 weeks of gestation and adverse perinatal outcomes.
Conscientious Objection to Legal Abortion in Minas Gerais State
Authors: Mendes Roger William Moraes , Francisco Antonio Marcos Coldibelli , Tostes Carla Benedita da Silva , Reis Júlia dos , Von Atzingen Augusto Castelli
Published: December 2020

Objective The aim of this study was to verify the existence of conscientious objection to comprehensive health care for the victim of sexual violence, as well as to understand the service structure of institutions authorized in the health care system for victims of sexual violence in the state of Minas Gerais.

Methods This is a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical field study aiming to collect data from institutions authorized to assist victims of sexual violence in the state. The instrument was handed in to the coordinators of these services.

Results It was found that 11% have no physician in service and that 31% had no training for this type of care. It was revealed that 85% of these institutions have already encountered patients wishing to have a legal abortion, but 83% of them have not had their request granted. There was a 60% presence of conscientious objection by the entire medical team, the main reason being religious (57%).

Conclusion The assistance system is not prepared for comprehensive care for victims of sexual violence, especially in terms of legal abortions, with conscientious objection being the main obstacle. A functional referral and counter-referral system is needed to alleviate such a serious and evident problem. It is hoped that the research results will promote dialogues in the state that favor appropriate actions on legal abortion, and respect the medical professional, in case of conscientious objection.
‘When the Numbers Stop Adding’: Imagining Futures in Perilous Presents Among Youth in Nairobi Ghettos
Authors: van Stapele Naomi
Published: December 2020

Studying the aspirations of young men, in Mathare, Nairobi, highlights their social becoming in contexts in which they incessantly risk social and physical death. Taking aspiration as a relational concept brings into view the temporal and spatial interactions between different aspirations and how these connect to emerging and future pathways of these young men. The ensuing relationalities at play are analysed through their context-bound negotiations of dominant gender norms to elucidate how these inform their social navigation towards male respectability, now and in the future. Adding the dimension of positionality here is useful to bring out how individual negotiations of gender norms in space and over time allows a nuanced view on situated entanglements of aspirations, pathways and dominant discourses and how these convolute and intensify in particular decision-making processes. The analyses are based on longitudinal ethnographic research with youth gangs in Nairobi for four months annually on average since 2005.
Physicochemical- and biocompatibility of oxygen and nitrogen plasma treatment using a PLA scaffold
Authors: Davoodi Ali , Zadeh Homayoun H. , Joupari Morteza Daliri , Sahebalzamani Mohammad Ali , Khani Mohammad Reza , Shahabi Sima
Published: December 2020

Plasma surface treatment has a wide range of applications in biomedicine. In the present study, flat polylactic acid (PLA) films were treated with oxygen and nitrogen, low-pressure, non-thermal plasma. The water contact angle of the PLA films dramatically decreased from 67° in the untreated surface to 34° and 38° in surfaces treated with nitrogen and oxygen plasma, respectively. Conversely, after the plasma treatment, the surface free energy of the films increased considerably from 45.73 mN/m to 66.51 mN/m. The hydrophilicity potential variations following the plasma treatment were measured by the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy examination of polar functional groups. Furthermore, surface changes after plasma treatment were examined using atomic force microscopy. The MTT assay showed no changes in cell viability cytotoxicity following the PLA films’ plasma treatment. Moreover, as evidenced by SEM analysis, plasma treatment was found to promote cell growth and adhesion to polymer surfaces. The results were suggestive of modifications due to the PLA’s plasma treatment that may enhance the biological properties of PLA as a scaffold.
Linear stability analysis of three-dimensional natural convection at low Prandtl number in an annular enclosure in the presence of a toroidal magnetic field
Authors: Masuda Takuya , Tagawa Toshio
Published: December 2020

The natural convection of a liquid metal in an annular enclosure with a square cross section in the presence of a toroidal static magnetic field was investigated by linear stability analysis. Three-dimensional steady disturbances were obtained in an annular enclosure where the walls parallel to the gravitational field were heated and cooled. The Prandtl number Pr was set to 0.025 and the radius ratio of the enclosure κ was set to 0.5, while the Rayleigh number Ra, the Hartmann number Ha, and the angular wavenumber m were considered as parameters. The dimensionless governing equations were discretized by the finite difference method. Since the newly developed dual staggered grid was employed, the interpolation in the outer product terms was not required. The linear growth rate for a standing wave mode was amplified by increasing Ra and attenuated by increasing Ha. For any integer m, the neutral Rayleigh number Ran at Ha = 0 and the neutral Hartmann number Han for Ran ≤ Ra ≤ 200 000 were identified. Based on these, the neutral lines for a given m were obtained as Han ∼ (Ra − Ran)1/3. Furthermore, the critical values Rac, Hac, and mc were obtained, where mc was not necessarily limited to an integer. The distribution of mc was approximated by the power of Ra. The disturbances had symmetry in the azimuthal direction and constituted a pair of vortices rotating in opposite directions. These vortices were elongated along the main stream.
Cryogenic spatial–temporal imaging of surface photocarrier dynamics in MAPbI3 films at the single grain level
Authors: Liu Zhaoyu , Park Joong-Mok , Luo Liang , Cheng Di , Huang Chuankun , Kim Richard H. J. , Vaswani Chirag , Song Zhaoning , Yan Yanfa , Yao Yongxin , Ho Kai-Ming , Wang Jigang
Published: December 2020

We use cryogenic spatial–temporal photoluminescence (PL) imaging measurements down to 10 K and with short-wavelength, 405 nm laser excitation to study surface charge generation, trapping, and recombination at single bright and dark grains as well as their boundaries in model methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) polycrystalline thin films. These salient conditions are shown to be critical for identifying both the detrimental and cooperative roles of grain microstructures where the dark grains serve as the PL quenching center, while the grain boundaries are largely benign and may promote electron–hole separation.
Fluorescence enhancement of water-soluble silver nanoclusters via Au doping
Authors: Chen Jing , Qiao Yanqing , Li Yonghui , Liu Tianyu , Zhang Xiao-Dong
Published: December 2020

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) have attracted much attention due to their unique properties. Silver (Ag) NCs are potential candidates for fluorescence bioimaging, but poor fluorescence of Ag NCs hinders their potential application. Atomic doping provides a feasible route toward improving the brightness of the clusters, but is limited to water-insoluble systems. Herein, we successfully enhance the fluorescence property of water-soluble Ag NCs by doping Au using a reduction method with dihydrolipoic acid as the ligand. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy proved that Au was successfully doped into Ag NCs by forming bimetallic NCs. The optical properties were analyzed using ultraviolet–visible absorption, photoluminescence, and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The results indicated that the Ag NCs with 10% Au doping content (AgAu NCs) had an 11-time increase in quantum yield compared to pure Ag NCs. Meanwhile, the sample shows good photostability for 30 min.
Monolithic integration of GaAs p–i–n photodetectors grown on 300 mm silicon wafers
Authors: Mehdi H. , Martin M. , David S. , Hartmann J. M. , Moeyaert J. , Touraton M. L. , Jany C. , Virot L. , Da Fonseca J. , Coignus J. , Blachier D. , Baron T.
Published: December 2020

Vertical GaAs p–i–n photodetectors epitaxially grown on GaAs(001), Ge/Si(001), and Si(001) substrates are reported. The performances of such photodetectors were investigated as a function of threading dislocation density in the stacks. A low dark current at room temperature, below 100 pA up to −9 V for all photodetectors, was evidenced. The absorption coefficients of GaAs were extracted from the spectral response of those p–i–n structures between 400 nm and 1100 nm. A responsivity of 0.17 A/W at 850 nm was obtained for a GaAs p–i–n structure grown directly on Si as compared to the value of 0.23 A/W obtained for the GaAs substrate. Such responsivity shows that III–V integration on Si is an efficient way of fabricating high performance optical sensors with low cost large scale productivity.
Staffing policy in aged care must look beyond the numbers
Authors: Wise Sarah
Published: December 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted an aged care system struggling to meet the needs of vulnerable Australians. Staffing levels and skill mix in aged care have declined, whereas the health and social needs of an older and more clinically complex population have risen. Increasing staff and improving personal care workers’ skills and education are essential steps to quality aged care in Australia, but it will not be possible without funding models that foster secure employment, development opportunities and long-term career pathways.
Separating direct and indirect effects of rising temperatures on biogenic volatile emissions in the Arctic
Authors: Rinnan Riikka , Iversen Lars L. , Tang Jing , Vedel-Petersen Ida , Schollert Michelle , Schurgers Guy
Published: December 2020

Significance

Plants release to the atmosphere reactive gases, so-called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The release of VOCs from vegetation is temperature-dependent and controlled by vegetation composition because different plant species release a distinct blend of VOCs. We used modelling approaches on ecosystem VOC release data collected across the Arctic, which is experiencing both rapid warming and vegetation changes. We show that warming strongly stimulates release of plant-derived VOCs and that vegetation changes also increase VOC release, albeit less than temperature directly, and with large geographic differences in the Pan-Arctic area. The increasing VOC flux from the Arctic tundra to the atmosphere may have implications via climate feedbacks, for example, through particle and cloud formation in these regions with low anthropogenic influence.
Awareness-driven behavior changes can shift the shape of epidemics away from peaks and toward plateaus, shoulders, and oscillations
Authors: Weitz Joshua S. , Park Sang Woo , Eksin Ceyhun , Dushoff Jonathan
Published: December 2020

Significance

In contrast to predictions of conventional epidemic models, COVID-19 outbreak time series have highly asymmetric shapes, with cases and fatalities declining much more slowly than they rose. Here, we investigate how awareness-driven behavior modulates epidemic shape. We find that short-term awareness of fatalities leads to emergent plateaus, persistent shoulder-like dynamics, and lag-driven oscillations in an SEIR-like model. However, a joint analysis of fatalities and mobility data suggests that populations relaxed mobility restrictions prior to fatality peaks, in contrast to model predictions. We show that incorporating fatigue and long-term behavior change can explain this phenomenon, shed light on when post-peak dynamics are likely to lead to a resurgence of cases or to sustained declines, and inform public health campaigns to control COVID-19.
Towards standardization of morphosyntactic terminology for general linguistics
Authors: Haspelmath Martin
Published: December 2020

This paper proposes that just like phonologists, linguists working on morphosyntax should have a core set of standard terms that are understood in exactly the same way across the discipline. Most of these terms are traditional terms that are given a standard retro-definition, because linguists already behave as if these terms had the same meaning for everyone. The definitions are definitions of general concepts (i.e. comparative concepts, applicable to all languages in exactly the same way), but they are expected to be highly similar to language-particular categories with the same labels. If linguists were close to finding out the true natural-kind categories of Human Language that all grammars consist of, there would be no need for definitions, but since this seems to be a remote goal, research on general linguistics must rely on uniformly defined general terms.
Theories of language, language comparison, and grammatical description
Authors: Lieb Hans-Heinrich
Published: December 2020

This essay is a study of Haspelmath’s conception of ‘comparative concepts’ vs. ‘descriptive categories’ from a new angle: a study concentrating on questions of logical form and formal explicitness rather than on linguistic adequacy; it is suggested that the inconclusiveness of previous discussion of the conception is mainly due to formal flaws hidden in Haspelmath’s account by its informality. Three major flaws of the conception are identified: (i) a failure to explicitly relativize comparative-concept terms to languages: to construe the terms as relational, as denoting relations between linguistic items, or constructions, and languages; (ii) misconstruing empirical statements on descriptive categories as definitions of the category terms; and (iii) a failure to recognize the importance of theories of language in dealing with ‘comparative concepts’ vs. ‘descriptive categories’. There are serious consequences of these flaws, which are pointed out in detail. The conception as such is not rejected: ten revisions are proposed for an improved version. An attempt is made throughout to actually settle matters, which requires going into details rather deeply. The essay proceeds in three steps, using background notions from logic and the philosophy of science: after the introductory Part A (§§ 1 and 2), Haspelmath’s definition of “serial verb construction” is carefully analysed in Part B (§§ 3 to 10) as the most elaborate example of how he wishes to deal with comparative concepts; in Part C (§§ 11 to 19), the conception of ‘comparative concepts’ vs. ‘descriptive categories’ is modified by introducing the revisions, first with respect to comparative concepts (§§ 11 to 13), then with respect to descriptive categories (§§ 14 to 16), resulting in a different view of their interrelations (§§ 17 and 18) and in a more adequate conception of the relations between general linguistics, comparative linguistics, and descriptive linguistics (§ 19).
Comparative concepts are not a different kind of thing
Authors: Reiner Tabea
Published: December 2020

This contribution challenges the by now established notion of comparative concepts; in particular, it can be read as a (delayed) response to Haspelmath (2010). Like Haspelmath’s original paper, the present one is theoretical in essence, with examples used primarily for illustration. My main point is that Haspelmath’s comparative concepts are, despite his claims to the contrary, simply crosslinguistic categories. This point has been made before; however, I offer two new ingredients to the argument: first, an explicit definition of the crucial term instantiation, allowing, among other things, a reaction to Haspelmath’s (2018b) newest defence of comparative concepts, and second, an alternative approach involving multiple monotonic inheritance. The contribution as a whole, though being theoretical, strives to argue as framework-neutrally as possible; in particular I remain agnostic about the existence and nature of Universal Grammar in any sense.
Parts of speech, comparative concepts and Indo-European linguistics
Authors: Alfieri Luca
Published: December 2020

The paper adopts and further elaborates on the distinction between comparative concepts (CC) and descriptive categories (DC) by proposing a partly new definition of the parts of speech (PoS), and uses that definition to provide a new analysis of PoS in Latin and RV Sanskrit. More, specifically, the paper shows that in Latin three major classes of morphemes are found (nouns, adjectives and verbs), whereas in the RV only two major classes are found (verbal roots and nouns) and the typical “adjective” is a derived stem built on a verbal root meaning a quality (i.e. roughly a nominalization). The data described are then used to contribute to the CC debate in the field of PoS, by showing its relation with historical Indo-European linguistics, by critically analysing traditional labels such as noun, adjective, verb, root, stem and lexeme, and by questioning the alleged incommensurability between CCs and DCs.
Microscopic study of shape evolution and ground-state properties of Iodine isotopes
Authors: Kumar Vikesh , Kumar Pankaj , Thakur Virender , Thakur Smriti , Dhiman Shashi K
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we investigated the shape evolution and ground-state properties of 108−144I isotopes using Hartree–Fock-Bogoliubov Model while employing the axially deformed single-particle harmonic oscillator basis for the expansion of quasiparticle wave functions. We have used SKP and UNEDF2 models to perform the theoretical calculations. We have presented the shape evolution and final values of the quadrupole deformation parameter β
2 of iodine isotopes. We have used the final values of the β
2 for studying the ground-state properties of the iodine isotopic chain. The investigated ground-state properties are the nuclear electric quadrupole moment, single-particle energy levels, the binding energy per nucleon, pairing energy, one-neutron separation energy, two-neutron separation energy, nuclear charge radius, neutron rms radius, proton rms radius, and neutron skin thickness. After using the SKP parameterization on 109I, we have observed the shape coexistence of prolate and oblate shape. Similarly, after using the UNEDF2 parameterization on 110I, 112I, 114I, 115I, 116I, 117I, 118I, and 119I, we discover the shape coexistence of prolate and oblate shape.
Analysis of the Adaptive Representation of Artificial Intelligence Uncertainty
Authors: Wang Jinfeng
Published: December 2020

This article analyzes the uncertainty of artificial intelligence. The uncertainty of artificial intelligence includes algorithm and data uncertainty, knowledge uncertainty, consequence uncertainty and context uncertainty. The author combined artificial intelligence to analyze the adaptive representation of uncertainty. This article studies how to clarify governance principles, how to do a good job in artificial intelligence assessment, how to strengthen technological governance, measures to introduce social governance and improve global governance. The author’s purpose is to reduce the uncertainty of artificial intelligence and enhance the application effect of artificial intelligence in the industry.