bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Punching Shear Behavior of Two-Way Concrete Slabs Reinforced with Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars
Authors: Ju Minkwan , Park Kyoungsoo , Park Cheolwoo
Published: August 2018

This study investigated the punching shear behavior of full-scale, two-way concrete slabs reinforced with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars, which are known as noncorrosive reinforcement. The relatively low modulus of elasticity of GFRP bars affects the large deflection of flexural members, however, applying these to two-way concrete slabs can compensate the weakness of the flexural stiffness due to an arching action with supporting girders. The test results demonstrated that the two-way concrete slabs with GFRP bars satisfied the allowable deflection and crack width under the service load specified by the design specification even in the state of the minimum reinforcement ratio. Previous predicting equations and design equations largely overestimated the measured punching shear strength when the slab was supported by reinforced concrete (RC) girders. The strength difference can be explained by the fact that the flexural behavior of the supporting RC beam girders reduces the punching shear strength because of the additional deflection of RC beam girders. Therefore, for more realistic estimations of the punching shear strength of two-way concrete slabs with GFRP bars, the boundary conditions of the concrete slabs should be carefully considered. This is because the stiffness degradation of supporting RC beam girders may influence the punching shear strength.
Spiritual Struggles among Atheists: Links to Psychological Distress and Well-Being
Authors: Sedlar Aaron E. , Stauner Nick , Pargament Kenneth I. , Exline Julie J. , Grubbs Joshua B. , Bradley David F.
Published: August 2018

Religious and spiritual struggles (R/S struggles)—tension or conflicts regarding religious or spiritual matters—have been robustly linked to greater psychological distress and lower well-being. Most research in this area has relied on samples consisting predominantly of participants who believe in god(s). Limited research has examined R/S struggles among atheists, generally conflating them with agnostics and other nontheists. This study investigated the prevalence of R/S struggles among atheists and compared atheists to theists in two samples (3978 undergraduates, 1048 Internet workers). Results of a multilevel model showed that atheists experience less demonic, doubt, divine, moral, and overall R/S struggles than theists, but similar levels of interpersonal and ultimate meaning struggles. Correlation and regression analyses among atheists demonstrated links between moral, ultimate meaning, and overall R/S struggles and greater distress (depression and anxiety symptoms) as well as lower well-being (life satisfaction and meaning in life). Even after controlling neuroticism, ultimate meaning struggles continued to predict lower well-being and higher distress across samples; moral struggles also predicted distress independently. This study demonstrates the relevance of R/S struggles to atheists and reinforces the applicability of previous results to atheist samples, but also highlights substantial differences between atheists and theists in certain R/S struggles.
Calendar Spread Exchange Options Pricing with Gaussian Random Fields
Authors: Hainaut Donatien
Published: August 2018

Most of the models leading to an analytical expression for option prices are based on the assumption that underlying asset returns evolve according to a Brownian motion with drift. For some asset classes like commodities, a Brownian model does not fit empirical covariance and autocorrelation structures. This failure to replicate the covariance introduces a bias in the valuation of calendar spread exchange options. As the payoff of these options depends on two asset values at different times, particular care must be taken for the modeling of covariance and autocorrelation. This article proposes a simple alternative model for asset prices with sub-exponential, exponential and hyper-exponential autocovariance structures. In the proposed approach, price processes are seen as conditional Gaussian fields indexed by the time. In general, this process is not a semi-martingale, and therefore, we cannot rely on stochastic differential calculus to evaluate options. However, option prices are still calculable by the technique of the change of numeraire. A numerical illustration confirms the important influence of the covariance structure in the valuation of calendar spread exchange options for Brent against WTI crude oil and for gold against silver.
Evaluating Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Images for Estimating Forest Canopy Fuels in a Ponderosa Pine Stand
Authors: Shin Patrick , Sankey Temuulen , Moore Margaret M. , Thode Andrea E.
Published: August 2018

Forests in the Southwestern United States are becoming increasingly susceptible to large wildfires. As a result, forest managers are conducting forest fuel reduction treatments for which spatial fuels and structure information are necessary. However, this information currently has coarse spatial resolution and variable accuracy. This study tested the feasibility of using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery to estimate forest canopy fuels and structure in a southwestern ponderosa pine stand. UAV-based multispectral images and Structure-from-Motion point clouds were used to estimate canopy cover, canopy height, tree density, canopy base height, and canopy bulk density. Estimates were validated with field data from 57 plots and aerial photography from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agriculture Imaging Program. Results indicate that UAV imagery can be used to accurately estimate forest canopy cover (correlation coefficient (R2) = 0.82, root mean square error (RMSE) = 8.9%). Tree density estimates correctly detected 74% of field-mapped trees with a 16% commission error rate. Individual tree height estimates were strongly correlated with field measurements (R2 = 0.71, RMSE = 1.83 m), whereas canopy base height estimates had a weaker correlation (R2 = 0.34, RMSE = 2.52 m). Estimates of canopy bulk density were not correlated to field measurements. UAV-derived inputs resulted in drastically different estimates of potential crown fire behavior when compared with coarse resolution LANDFIRE data. Methods from this study provide additional data to supplement, or potentially substitute, traditional estimates of canopy fuel.
Experiments on Temperature Changes of Microbolometer under Blackbody Radiation and Predictions Using Thermal Modeling by COMSOL Multiphysics Simulator
Authors: Deng Yu-Zhen , Tang Shiang-Feng , Zeng Hong-Yuan , Wu Zheng-Yuan , Tung Der-Kuo
Published: August 2018

In this study, we study a heat transfer model, with the surface of the microbolometer device receiving radiation from blackbody constructed using a COMSOL Multiphysics simulator. We have proposed three kinds of L-type 2-leg and 4-leg with the pixel pitch of 35 μm based on vanadium oxide absorbent membrane sandwiched with top passivated and bottom Si3N4 supporting films, respectively. Under the blackbody radiation, the surface temperature changes and distributions of these samples are simulated and analyzed in detail. The trend of change of the temperature dependent resistance of the four kinds of bolometer devices using the proposed heat transfer model is consistent with the actual results of the change of resistance of 4 samples irradiated with 325 K blackbody located in the front distance of 5 cm. In this paper, ΔT indicates the averaged differences of the top temperature on the suspended membrane and the lowest temperature on the post of legs of the microbolometers. It is shown that ΔT ≈ 17 mK is larger in nominal 2-leg microbolometer device than that of 4-leg one and of 2-leg with 2 μm × 2 μm central square hole and two 7.5 μm × 2 μm slits in suspended films. Additionally, only ΔT ≈ 5 mK with 4-leg microbolometer device under the same radiated energy of 325 K blackbody results from the larger total thermal conductance.
Hot-Moments of Soil CO2 Efflux in a Water-Limited Grassland
Authors: Vargas Rodrigo , Sánchez-Cañete P. Enrique , Serrano-Ortiz Penélope , Curiel Yuste Jorge , Domingo Francisco , López-Ballesteros Ana , Oyonarte Cecilio
Published: August 2018

The metabolic activity of water-limited ecosystems is strongly linked to the timing and magnitude of precipitation pulses that can trigger disproportionately high (i.e., hot-moments) ecosystem CO2 fluxes. We analyzed over 2-years of continuous measurements of soil CO2 efflux (Fs) under vegetation (Fsveg) and at bare soil (Fsbare) in a water-limited grassland. The continuous wavelet transform was used to: (a) describe the temporal variability of Fs; (b) test the performance of empirical models ranging in complexity; and (c) identify hot-moments of Fs. We used partial wavelet coherence (PWC) analysis to test the temporal correlation between Fs with temperature and soil moisture. The PWC analysis provided evidence that soil moisture overshadows the influence of soil temperature for Fs in this water limited ecosystem. Precipitation pulses triggered hot-moments that increased Fsveg (up to 9000%) and Fsbare (up to 17,000%) with respect to pre-pulse rates. Highly parameterized empirical models (using support vector machine (SVM) or an 8-day moving window) are good approaches for representing the daily temporal variability of Fs, but SVM is a promising approach to represent high temporal variability of Fs (i.e., hourly estimates). Our results have implications for the representation of hot-moments of ecosystem CO2 fluxes in these globally distributed ecosystems.
Are Green Walls Better Options than Green Roofs for Mitigating PM10 Pollution? CFD Simulations in Urban Street Canyons
Authors: Qin Hongqiao , Hong Bo , Jiang Runsheng
Published: August 2018

To examine the effect of green roofs (GRs) and green walls (GWs) on coarse particle (PM10) dispersion in urban street canyons, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was conducted with a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) model and a revised generalized drift flux model. Simulations were performed with different aspect ratios (H/W = 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0), greenery coverage areas (S = 300, 600, and 900 m2), and leaf area densities (LADs = 1.0, 3.5, 6.0 m2/m3). Results indicate that: (1) GRs and GWs all had the reduction ability of PM10 at the pedestrian level; (2) Averaged concentrations of PM10 in GWs and GRs varied little as LAD changed in H/W = 0.5 and 1.0. When H/W = 2.0, the aerodynamic effects of GRs increased since airflow was enhanced within street canyons, resulting in the increasing concentrations in GRs compared with non-greening scenarios; (3) Given equal greenery coverage area and aspect ratio, GWs are more effective in reducing street-canyon PM10, and the averaged concentrations declined with increasing LADs and greenery coverage areas, especially the H/W; (4) At the pedestrian level, the reduction ratio of GRs is greater than that of GWs with the maximum value of 17.1% for H/W = 0.5. However, where H/W = 1.0 and 2.0, the concentrations within GWs are lower than GRs, with maximum reduction ratios of 29.3% and 43.8%, respectively.
A System Dynamics Model of the Adoption of Improved Agricultural Inputs in Uganda, with Insights for Systems Approaches to Development
Authors: Reinker Madison , Gralla Erica
Published: August 2018

Designing international development projects is challenging because the complexity of the systems on which they act makes it difficult to identify the best leverage points for intervention. This paper seeks to identify the best combinations of interventions to increase the availability of and demand for quality seeds in Uganda and similar markets. A system dynamics model simulates the current dynamics in Ugandan seed markets based on data gathered by ongoing development projects. The findings show that one intervention is critical to enabling growth—investing in a system for verifying the quality of seeds—and that a combination of quality verification with education-oriented interventions is more powerful than quality verification alone. The results have implications for systems approaches to development: they suggest that a combination of interventions in different parts of the value chain enables larger changes than any single intervention alone.
Effects of Heme Modulation on Ovophis and Trimeresurus Venom Activity in Human Plasma
Authors: Nielsen Vance G. , Frank Nathaniel , Matika Ryan W.
Published: August 2018

Geographic isolation and other factors result in evolution-driven diversity of the enzymatic composition of venom of pit vipers in the same genus. The present investigation sought to characterize venoms obtained from such genetically diverse Ovophis and Trimeresurus pit vipers utilizing thrombelastographic coagulation kinetic analyses. The coagulation kinetics of human plasma were assessed after exposure to venom obtained from two Ovophis and three Trimeresurus species. The potency of each venom was defined (µg/mL required to equivalently change coagulation); additionally, venoms were exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) or a metheme-inducing agent to modulate any enzyme-associated heme. All venoms had fibrinogenolytic activity, with four being CO-inhibitable. While Ovophis venoms had similar potency, one demonstrated the presence of a thrombin-like activity, whereas the other demonstrated a thrombin-generating activity. There was a 10-fold difference in potency and 10-fold different vulnerability to CO inhibition between the Trimeresurus species. Metheme formation enhanced fibrinogenolytic-like activity in both Ovophis species venoms, whereas the three Trimeresurus species venoms had fibrinogenolytic-like activity enhanced, inhibited, or not changed. This novel “venom kinetomic” approach has potential to identify clinically relevant enzymatic activity and assess efficacy of antivenoms between genetically and geographically diverse species.
Bouganin, an Attractive Weapon for Immunotoxins
Authors: Bortolotti Massimo , Bolognesi Andrea , Polito Letizia
Published: August 2018

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd.) is a plant widely used in folk medicine and many extracts from different tissues of this plant have been employed against several pathologies. The observation that leaf extracts of Bougainvillea possess antiviral properties led to the purification and characterization of a protein, named bouganin, which exhibits typical characteristics of type 1 ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs). Beyond that, bouganin has some peculiarities, such as a higher activity on DNA with respect to ribosomal RNA, low systemic toxicity, and immunological properties quite different than other RIPs. The sequencing of bouganin and the knowledge of its three-dimensional structure allowed to obtain a not immunogenic mutant of bouganin. These features make bouganin a very attractive tool as a component of immunotoxins (ITs), chimeric proteins obtained by linking a toxin to a carrier molecule. Bouganin-containing ITs showed very promising results in the experimental treatment of both hematological and solid tumors, and one bouganin-containing IT has entered Phase I clinical trial. In this review, we summarize the milestones of the research on bouganin such as bouganin chemico-physical characteristics, the structural properties and de-immunization studies. In addition, the in vitro and in vivo results obtained with bouganin-containing ITs are summarized.
Maintaining Comfortable Summertime Indoor Temperatures by Means of Passive Design Measures to Mitigate the Urban Heat Island Effect—A Sensitivity Analysis for Residential Buildings in the City of Vienna
Authors: Österreicher Doris , Sattler Stefan
Published: August 2018

The waste heat generated from the use of air conditioning systems in cities significantly contributes to the urban heat island effect (UHI) during the summer months. Thus, one of the key measures to mitigate this effect is to limit the use of active cooling systems. In the city of Vienna, air conditioning units are common in nonresidential buildings, but have so far been much less installed in residential buildings. This is mainly due to the fact that the Viennese summertime climate is still considered to be relatively comfortable and planning guidelines related to energy efficiency are already strict, resulting in high-quality buildings in regard to thermal performance. However, during the last decade, an increase in summertime temperatures and so called “tropical nights” has been recorded in Vienna and subsequently the postconstruction installation of air conditioning systems in residential buildings has significantly increased. In a study undertaken for the City of Vienna, a series of passive design measures have been simulated with current and future climate scenarios in order to determine the most effective combination of architecturally driven actions to avoid the use of air conditioning systems in residential buildings whilst maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures.
A New Catalog of Radial Velocity Standard Stars from the APOGEE Data
Authors: Huang Y. , Liu X.-W. , Chen B.-Q. , Zhang H.-W. , Yuan H.-B. , Xiang M.-S. , Wang C. , Tian Z.-J.
Published: August 2018

We present a new catalog of 18080 radial velocity (RV) standard stars selected from the APOGEE data. These RV standard stars are observed at least three times and have a median stability (3σ
RV) around 240 m s−1 over a time baseline longer than 200 days. They are largely distributed in the northern sky and could be extended to the southern sky by the future APOGEE-2 survey. Most of the stars are red giants (J − K
s ≥ 0.5) owing to the APOGEE target selection criteria. Only about 10 per cent of them are main-sequence stars. The H-band magnitude range of the stars is 7–12.5 mag with the faint limit much fainter than the magnitudes of previous RV standard stars. As an application, we show the new set of standard stars to determine the RV zero points of the RAVE, the LAMOST, and the Gaia-RVS Galactic spectroscopic surveys.
Regularly Spaced Infrared Peaks in the Dusty Spirals of Messier 100
Authors: Elmegreen Bruce G. , Elmegreen Debra Meloy , Efremov Yuri N.
Published: August 2018

Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) images of M100 show numerous long filaments with regularly spaced clumps, suggesting the associated cloud complexes formed by large-scale gravitational instabilities in shocked and accumulated gas. Optical images give no hint of this underlying regularity. The typical spacing between near-infrared clumps is ∼410 pc, which is ∼3 times the clump diameter, consistent with the fastest growing mode in a filament of critical line density. The IRAC magnitudes and colors of several hundred clumps are measured in the most obvious 27 filaments and elsewhere. The clump colors suggest that the dust is associated with diffuse gas, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission, and local heating from star formation. Neighboring clumps on the same filament have similar magnitudes. The existence of many clumps all along the filament lengths suggests that the ages of the filaments are uniform. The observations support a model where interstellar gas is systematically accumulated over lengths exceeding several kpc, forming spiral-like filaments that spontaneously collapse into giant clouds and stellar complexes. Optical wavelengths show primarily the irregular dust debris, H ii regions, and lingering star formation downstream from these primal formation sites.
The Three-parameter Correlations About the Optical Plateaus of Gamma-Ray Bursts
Authors: Si Shu-Kun , Qi Yan-Qing , Xue Feng-Xia , Liu Ya-Jie , Wu Xiao , Yi Shuang-Xi , Tang Qing-Wen , Zou Yuan-Chuan , Wang Fei-Fei , Wang Xiang-Gao
Published: August 2018

Well-sampled optical light curves of 50 gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) with plateau features are compiled from the literature. By empirical fitting, we obtained the parameters of the optical plateaus, such as the decay slopes (α
1 and α
2), the break times (T
b), and the corresponding optical fluxes (F
b) at the break times. The break time of optical plateaus ranges from tens of seconds to 106 s, with a typical value of about 104 s. We have calculated the break luminosity, and it mainly ranges from 1044 erg s−1 to 1047 erg s−1, which is generally two or three orders of magnitude less than the corresponding break luminosity of the X-ray afterglow plateaus. We reanalyzed the optical plateaus and also found that a significantly tighter correlation exists when we added the isotropic equivalent energy of GRBs E

γ,iso into the L
b,z–T
b,z relation. The best-fit correlation is obtained to be

L

b
,
z

∝

T

b
,
z

−
0.9

E

γ
,
iso

0.4

. We next explored the possible correlations among L
b,z, T
b,z and E
p,i, and found there is also a tight correlation between them, which takes the form of

L

b
,
z

∝

T

b
,
z

−
0.9

E

p
,
i

0.5

. We argue that these two tight L
b,z–T
b,z–E

γ,iso and L
b,z–T
b,z–E
p,i correlations are more physical, and it may be directly related to the radiation physics of GRBs. The tight correlations can possibly be used as standard candles.
K2 Study of the Magnetic Precataclysmic Variable V1082 Sagittarius
Authors: Tovmassian Gagik , Szkody Paula , Yarza Ricardo , Kennedy Mark
Published: August 2018

We present a long-term light curve of the precataclysmic variable (CV) V1082 Sgr obtained by the K2 mission over the course of 81 days. We analyze the entire complex light curve as well as explore several sections in detail with a sliding periodogram. The long data set allows the first detection of the orbital period in the light curve, as well as the confirmation of cyclical variability on a longer timescale of about a month. A portion of the light curve in deep minimum reveals a clean, near-sinusoidal variability attributed to the rotation of the spotted surface of the donor star. We model that portion of the light curve assuming that the donor star grossly under-fills its Roche lobe, has cool spots similar to a chromospherically active, slightly evolved early K-star, and might be irradiated by the X-ray beam from the magnetically accreting white dwarf. The fast variability of the object in the active phases resembles the light curves of magnetic CVs (polars).
Increasing the Research Value of Digitized Fossil Museum Specimens via Integrated Stable Isotope Data
Authors: Moran Sean , MacFadden Bruce , Barboza Michelle
Published: August 2018

Over the past several decades, thousands of stable isotope analyses (δ13C, δ18O) published in the peer-reviewed literature have advanced understanding of ecology and evolution of fossil mammals in Deep Time. These analyses typically have come from sampling vouchered museum specimens. However, the individual stable isotope data are typically disconnected from the vouchered specimens, and there likewise is no central repository for this information.

This paper describes the status, potential, and value of the integration of stable isotope data in museum fossil collections. A pilot study in the Vertebrate Paleontology collection at the Florida Museum of Natural History has repatriated within Specify more than 1,000 legacy stable isotope data (mined from the literature) with the vouchered specimens by using ancillary non Darwin Core (DwC) data fields. As this database grows, we hope to both:

validate previous studies that were done using smaller data sets; and

ask new questions of the data that can only be addressed with larger, aggregated data sets.

validate previous studies that were done using smaller data sets; and

ask new questions of the data that can only be addressed with larger, aggregated data sets.

Additionally, we envision that as the community gains a better understanding of the importance of these kinds of ancillary data to add value to vouchered museum specimens, then workflows, data fields, and protocols can be standardized.
Principles of pharmacological correction of pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Korokina Liliya V. , Zhernakova Nina I. , Korokin Mikhail V. , Pokopejko Olga N.
Published: August 2018

Definition and classification: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a group of life-threatening progressive diseases of various genesis, characterized by a progressive increase in arterial pressure (AP) in the pulmonary artery (PA), the remodeling of pulmonary vessels, which leads to an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary arterial pressure and more often leads to right ventricular heart failure and premature death. Pulmonary hypertension is clinically divided into five groups: patients in the first group have idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), whereas in patients of other groups secondary PH associated with cardiopulmonary or other systemic diseases is observed. The development of secondary LH is caused by congenital heart defects, collagenoses, presence of thrombus in the pulmonary artery, prolonged high pressure in the left atrium, hypoxemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPDs). In case of secondary PH, thrombosis and other changes in the pulmonary veins occur.

Ways of pharmacological correction of pulmonary hypertension: Over the last decade pharmacotherapy of PH has been developing rapidly, and the introduction of modern methods of treatment, especially for primary PAH, has led to positive results. However, despite the progress in treatment, the functional limitations and survival of patients remain unsatisfactory. Currently, there are two levels of treatment for pulmonary hypertension: primary and specific pathogenetic therapies. Primary therapy is aimed at the main cause of PH. It also includes supportive therapy. Pathogenetic therapy includes prostanoids, endothelin receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. Tactics of therapy can be established on the basis of either clinical classification, or functional class. Prostanoids are a promising group of drugs for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), since they possess not only vasodilating, but also antiplatelet and antiproliferative actions. Therefore, it seems logical to use prostacyclin and its analogs to treat patients with various forms of PAH.
Serum metabolomics of Alaskan sled dogs during endurance racing
Authors: Gamble L.-J. , Frye C.W. , Hansen C.M. , Locasale J.W. , Liu X. , Davis M.S. , Wakshlag J.J.
Published: August 2018

Long distance racing sled dogs are fed diets high in fat since lipid metabolism has long been thought to be the major substrate utilised during endurance racing. However, recent studies suggests that sled dogs are equally, if not more, dependent on carbohydrate metabolism. Considering the metabolic disparity regarding the energetics of endurance exercise, our study aimed to explore the serum metabolomic profiles of sled dogs running a 1,609 km (1000 mile) race. We hypothesised that there would be amino acid depletion due to gluconeogenesis and alteration in the citric acid cycle (CAC) based on the limited carbohydrate diet they consume. Serum was obtained from 6 Alaskan sled dogs approximately 24 h prior to the race (Whitehorse), at the midrace checkpoint (Dawson City), and again at the finish (Fairbanks). Serum was analysed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for over 200 metabolites involved in amino acid, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism with MetaboAnalyst Software 3.0. Major metabolic changes observed were decreased free fatty acids and enhanced acyl-carnitine derivatives during the race compared to baseline. Serum depletion of nearly all amino acids except for branched chain amino acids and phenylalanine was observed suggesting extensive protein catabolism. Many of the CAC intermediates were variable with increases in abnormal end glycation products. These results highlight that sled dogs display general amino acid depletion for pyruvate, acetyl CoA and CAC pathway intermediates with increased carnitine bound lipid metabolites, suggesting rate limiting beta-oxidation during endurance exercise, particularly at mid race. Further metabolomic studies to assess the influence of exercise and nutritional regimens are warranted to better understand substrate utilisation in working dogs.
Benzodiazepine Use and Abuse
Authors: Hashmi Ali M. , Han Jin Y. , French-Rosas Lindsay , Jabbar Qammar , Khan Burhan Ahmed , Shah Asim A.
Published: August 2018

Benzodiazepines have been around for nearly 60 years and are still widely used. Shortly after their introduction, their potential for abuse and dependence began to be recognized. Although their adverse effects are now widely known, their use and abuse continues to be a significant problem. They are useful drugs that are effective for a wide variety of psychiatric and nonpsychiatric conditions, but they do have a number of side effects even when used appropriately. More importantly, tolerance and dependence can develop rapidly, and management requires a number of different strategies depending on the extent of the abuse. Clinicians need to be wary of the potential long-term ramifications of prescribing these medications to their patients.

[
Psychiatr Ann.
2018;48(8):360–365.]
Stimulant Use Disorders
Authors: Avellaneda-Ojeda Andres , Murtaza Syed , Shah Asim A. , Moukaddam Nidal
Published: August 2018

Stimulant use disorder (SUD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Stimulants are natural and synthetic compounds that include cocaine, methamphetamines, and prescription stimulants. It is very important for providers before prescribing the stimulants to recognize and understand their high potential for addiction, as well as the consequences of withdrawals and chronic use. Amphetamines and cocaine are both stimulants with similar behavioral properties but with differences in their individual mechanism of action and pharmacokinetic properties. There are multiple clinical effects of stimulants but cardiac complications are the most common cause of death. There are multiple modalities for the treatment of SUD, including psychosocial, pharmacologic, and vaccines. Although these treatments are moderately effective, the treatment plan needs to be carefully customized.

[
Psychiatr Ann.
2018;48(8):372–378.]
Overlapping Lower Extremity Total Joint Arthroplasty Does Not Increase the Risk of 90-Day Complications
Authors: George Jaiben , Newman Jared M. , Faour Mhamad , Messner William , Klika Alison K. , Barsoum Wael K. , Higuera Carlos A.
Published: August 2018

Although total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty commonly overlap, there are concerns about the safety and quality of this scenario. The objectives of this study were to (1) compare the operative time and the incidence of 90-day complications between overlapping and nonoverlapping total joint arthroplasties; and (2) evaluate the effect of the duration of overlap on operative time and the incidence of 90-day complications. A total of 9192 patients who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty at a large academic hospital from 2005 to 2014 were identified. A surgery was defined as overlapping if it had an incision to closure overlap time of at least 1 minute with any other surgery performed by the same surgeon. A total of 2669 (29%) patient procedures were classified as overlapping. Operative times and 90-day complications were compared between overlapping and nonoverlapping surgeries. Mixed effects regression models were used to assess the independent effects of overlapping surgeries. After adjusting for baseline characteristics, operative times were longer for the overlapping surgery group (
P
<.001). Overlapping surgeries had fewer thromboembolic events (
P
=.003) and periprosthetic joint infections (
P
=.039). Wound dehiscence (
P
=.662), superficial infection (
P
=.161), and wound hematoma (
P
=.511) were similar between the 2 groups. Operative times increased with increasing duration of overlap (
P
<.001); however, there was no association between duration of overlap and 90-day complications (
P
>.05 for all). Although overlapping surgeries had increased operative times, they did not appear to increase the risk of perioperative complications. This information may be helpful for scheduling overlapping procedures and counseling patients. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(5):e695–e700.]
Music and Brain Development
Authors: Fernandez Sabrina
Published: August 2018

When I was young, I remember my parents used to play the Beatles song “Here Comes the Sun” in the morning on the old record player. My mother helped hire the first band director at my middle school, and my father played opera in the car on my way to elementary school. I dabbled with different instruments, and played trumpet (cornet actually), flute, piccolo, oboe, English horn, and Ukulele. I also sang in several choirs and still sing today. What did all this musical influence do to my developing brain? This article reviews some of the existing evidence about music and brain development, to make a case for exposing children to music at an early age and supporting school music programs.

[
Pediatr Ann.
2018;47(8):e306–e308.]
Peptide Antigen Concentration Modulates Digital NFAT1 Activation in Primary Mouse Naive CD8+ T Cells as Measured by Flow Cytometry of Isolated Cell Nuclei
Authors: Gallagher Michael P , Conley James M , Berg Leslie J
Published: August 2018

Circulating naive T cells exist in a quiescent state. After TCR contact with the cognate peptide presented by APCs in secondary lymphoid structures, T cells undergo a period of rapid transcriptional changes that set the stage for fate-determining effector or memory programming. We describe a novel method to analyze TCR signaling pathway activation in nuclei isolated from primary mouse naive T cells after stimulation with natural peptide Ags. We prelabeled cells with cell tracking dye to easily distinguish CD8+ T cell nuclei from APC nuclei by conventional flow cytometry. Using this approach, we observed clear digital activation of NFAT1 transcription factor in OT-I T cells stimulated with OVA peptide presented by bulk splenocytes. OVA concentration had discrete control over the fraction of the cells that translocated NFAT1, indicating that a distinct threshold amount of TCR signaling is required to switch on NFAT1 in naive T cells. This behavior was cell contact dependent and qualitatively more exact than the NFAT1 response in ionomycin-stimulated naive T cells. These data contribute to our understanding of the digital behavior of TCR signaling components documented in other studies and indicate how T cells might discriminate log-fold changes in Ag availability during an actual infection. Overall, these results highlight the potential of this coculture nuclei isolation protocol to address stimulation-dependent translocation of proteins in primary lymphocytes.
Applying the Ugandan Sexual Health and Pastoral Education whole institution approach at the Ugandan UK Health Alliance Summit 2018
Authors: Clark Emily G. , Uwimbabazi Sarah
Published: August 2018

The Ugandan UK Health alliance (UUKHA) promotes collaboration between UK- and Uganda-based organisations working in health in order to further global learning and the sharing of best practice. On 22–23 March 2018, the UUKHA held the third East African Health Improvement and Investment Summit in Kampala, Uganda. This is the report of a dynamic workshop which was aimed at encouraging thought and discussion on an innovative approach to tackling common health problems such as family planning, alcohol and malnutrition.
The Dynamics of Fashion
Authors: Stone Elaine , Farnan Sheryl A.
Published: August 2018

Fashion today is fast-paced, technologically savvy, and global-and this fourth edition of The Dynamics of Fashion has been updated to be on the cutting edge. Featuring the latest facts and figures, and the most current theories in fashion development, production, and merchandising, this book provides a broad foundation for students hoping to become a part of the industry. Apparel, accessories, cosmetics, home fashions, green design, and more are explored in detail. Hundreds of examples make the business aspect fun. Fresh, forward, challenging, and comprehensive, Elaine Stone's classic text is for those in fashion who want to be both in the now and in the know.
The Art of Fashion Draping
Authors: Amaden-Crawford Connie
Published: August 2018

Written for fashion design, apparel, and patternmaking students and professionals, this step-by-step guide to draping fabric on a dress form teaches skills and techniques needed to develop creative patterns. The Art of Fashion Draping, 5th Edition, is organized from basic to advanced projects and includes a wide variety of styles--from the basic bodice to bias-cut gowns. More than 1400 two-color illustrations reflect current designs and visually spell out every step of the draping process.
The novel 22 bp insertion mutation in a promoter region of the PITX2 gene is associated with litter size and growth traits in goats
Authors: Yan Hailong , Jiang Enhui , Zhu Haijing , Hu Linyong , Liu Jinwang , Qu Lei
Published: August 2018

Abstract. The paired-like homeodomain 2 (PITX2) gene plays a critical role in
regulating development, reproduction, and growth traits in ruminants. Hence,
the objective of this study was to explore the polymorphisms of this gene and
to evaluate their associations with quantitative traits. Herein, a novel
insertion in the promoter region of the PITX2 gene was reported in
Shaanbei white cashmere (SBWC) goats (n=1012). The genotype distributions
between mothers of single-kid and multi-kid groups within SBWC goats were
significantly different (P<0.01), implying that this indel mutation might
affect the litter size. Furthermore, association analysis found that this
indel mutation was significantly associated with litter size (P=0.001).
Individuals with genotype DD had a significantly smaller litter size than
those with other genotypes (P<0.01). Besides, this indel was significantly
associated with the body length (P=0.042) and the chest width (P=0.031). Especially, the individuals with genotype DD had a significantly
lower body length than those with genotype II (P<0.05), which was
consistent with the trend in litter size. These findings suggested that the
new 22 bp indel mutation within the PITX2 gene is significantly
associated with litter size and growth traits; this can be utilized as a
functional molecular marker in goat breeding.
Understanding the catalytic role of oxalic acid in the SO3 hydration to form H2SO4
in the atmosphere
Authors: Lv Guochun , Sun Xiaomin , Zhang Chenxi , Li Mei
Published: August 2018

Abstract. The hydration of SO3 plays an important role in atmospheric sulfuric acid formation. Some atmospheric species can involve in and facilitate the reaction. In this work, using quantum chemical calculations, we show that oxalic acid, the most common dicarboxylic acid in the atmosphere, can effectively catalyze the hydration of SO3. The energy barrier of SO3 hydration reaction catalyzed by oxalic acid (cTt, tTt, tCt and cCt conformers) is about or below 1 kcal mol−1, which is lower than the energy barrier of 5.73 kcal mol−1 for water-catalyzed SO3 hydration. By comparing the rate of SO3 hydration reaction catalyzed by oxalic acid and water, it can be found that the oxalic acid-catalyzed SO3 hydration can compete with water-catalyzed SO3 hydration in the upper troposphere. This leads us to conclude that the involvement of oxalic acid in SO3 hydration to form H2SO4 is significant at some conditions in the atmosphere.
Atmospheric new particle formation in China
Authors: Chu Biwu , Kerminen Veli-Matti , Bianchi Federico , Yan Chao , Petäjä Tuukka , Kulmala Markku
Published: August 2018

Abstract. New particle formation (NPF) studies in China were summarized comprehensively in this paper. NPF frequency, formation rate and particle growth rate were closely compared among the observations carried out at different types of sites in different regions of China in different seasons, with the aim of exploring the nucleation and particle growth mechanisms. The interactions between air pollution and NPF are discussed, emphasizing on the properties of NPF under heavy pollution conditions. The current understanding of NPF cannot not be fully explain the frequent occurrence of NPF at high aerosol loadings in China, and possible reasons for this phenomenon are proposed. The effects of NPF and some aspects of NPF research requiring further investigations are also summarized in this paper.
Deployment of Renewable Energies in Germany: Spatial Principles and their Practical Implications Based on a GIS-Tool
Authors: Bosch Stephan , Rathmann Joachim
Published: August 2018

Abstract. GIS-based approaches for the optimal expansion of renewable energies are
characterized by a strong dominance of engineering-oriented perspectives. It
is acknowledged that combining techno-economic site analysis with social
aspects can be beneficial for acceptance. However, this strategy's success is
limited if essential theoretical perceptions obtained from social and
economic sciences are neglected, degrading social parameters to simplified
elements of GIS-based approaches. The study discusses the fundamental
criticism of a techno-economic oriented and target-deterministic energy
planning by GIS. Proceeding from this, more complex approaches to the
integration of social perspectives into GIS-planning tools are exemplified.
In situ observed relationships between skin temperatures and 2 m air
temperatures in the Arctic
Authors: Nielsen-Englyst Pia , Høyer Jacob L. , Madsen Kristine S. , Dybkjær Gorm , Tonboe Rasmus , Alerskans Emy
Published: August 2018

Abstract. To facilitate the combined use of traditional 2 m air temperature (T2m) observations from weather stations in the Arctic and skin temperature (Tskin) observations from satellites the relationship between high latitude snow and ice Tskin and T2m is quantified. Multiyear data records of simultaneous Tskin and T2m from 20 different in situ sites have been analysed, covering the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS), sea ice in the Arctic Ocean, and coastal snow covered land in North Alaska. The diurnal and seasonal temperature variabilities and the impacts from clouds and wind on the T2m-Tskin differences are quantified. Considering all stations, T2m is on average 1.37 °C warmer than Tskin, with the largest differences at the GrIS stations (mean of diff. of 1.64 °C). Tskin and T2m are often highly correlated, and the two temperatures are almost identical (
Proposal of security preserving machine learning of IoT
Authors: Miyajima Hirofumi , Shiratori Norio , Miyajima Hiromi
Published: August 2018

The use of cloud computing system, which is the basic technology supporting ICT, is expanding. However, as the number of terminals connected to it increases, the limit of the capability is also becoming apparent. The limit of its capacity leads to the delay of significant processing time. As an architecture to improve this, the edge computing system has been proposed. This is known as a new paradigm corresponding the conventional cloud system. In the conventional cloud system, a terminal sends all data to the cloud and the cloud returns the result to the terminal or a thing directly connected to it. On the other hand, in the edge system, a plural of servers called edges are connected directly or to close distance between the cloud and the terminal (or thing). Then, let us consider the case of machine learning that requires big data. The purpose of learning is to find out the relationship (information) lurking in from the collected data. In order to realize this, a system with several parameters is assumed and estimated by repeatedly updating the parameters with learning data. Further, there is the problem of the security for learning data. In other words, users of cloud computing cannot escape the concern about the risk of information leakage. How can we build a cloud computing system to avoid such risks? Secure multiparty computation is known as one method of realizing safe computation. It is called SMC (Secure Multiparty Computation). Many studies on learning methods considering on SMC have also been proposed. Then, what kind of learning method is suitable for edge computing considering on SMC? In this paper, learning method suitable for edge computing considering on SMC is proposed. It is shown using an edge system composed of a client and m servers. Learning data are shared m pieces of subsets for m servers, learning is performed simultaneously in each server and system parameters are updated in the client using their results. The idea of learning method is shown using BP algorithm for neural network. The effectiveness is shown by numerical simulations.
Incorporating Controversial Issues in Critical Thinking Lesson: A Case Study of EFL Classroom
Authors: Sudha Mannujan Mohini
Published: August 2018

This case study investigated the issue of incorporating controversial topics in EFL classroom of pre-university students and their attitude toward such controversial topics namely, E-stalking in terms of their own cultural background. The objective of the study was to bring a new dimension in language teaching and learning in Bangladeshi educational system by introducing controversial issues in critical thinking lesson plan. Bangladeshi educational system is solely dependent on the grammar-translation method where including the controversial issue in a language classroom is a completely new experiment for both the teacher and learners. BRAC Institute of Language (BIL) of BRAC University is trying to come out from this traditional teacher oriented methods by implementing new modern approaches and techniques for language learning. This case study was a part of teaching critical thinking, aiming to improve their English language learning. The rationale that the study adopts for introducing controversial topics in EFL curricula is based on the assumption that it helps learners in developing their linguistic and cognitive skills, social awareness, emotional well-being and critical thinking that are compatible with the new approaches and methods of teaching EFL. The present study analyzed data that was collected from the students of pre-university (pre-intermediate level) program and found that majority of the students welcomed the topic E-stalking and showed their positive attitude throughout the lesson. This paper also revealed the importance and possible challenges of incorporating controversial topics in EFL classroom. This study ended with some recommendations made by the researcher’s own observation while conducting the lesson.
The Logarithmic Burr-Hatke Exponential Distribution for Modeling Reliability and Medical Data
Authors: Abouelmagd T. H. M.
Published: August 2018

In this work, we introduced a new one-parameter exponential distribution. Some of its structural properties are derived% \textbf{.} The maximum likelihood method is used to estimate the model parameters by means of numerical Monte Carlo simulation study. The justification for the practicality of the new lifetime model is based on the wider use of the exponential model. The new model can be viewed as a mixtureof the exponentiated exponential distribution. It can also be considered as a suitable model for fitting right skewed data.\textbf{\ }We prove empirically the importance and flexibility of the new model in modelingcancer patients data, the new model provides adequate fits as compared to other related models with small values for $W^{\ast }$\ \ and $A^{\ast }$. The new model is much better than the Modified beta-Weibull, Weibull, exponentiated transmuted generalized Rayleig, the transmuted modified-Weibull, and transmuted additive Weibull models in modeling cancer patients data. We are also motivated to introduce this new model because it has only one parameter and we can generate some new families based on it such as the the odd Burr-Hatke exponential-G family of distributions, the logarithmic\textbf{\ }Burr-Hatke exponential-G family of distributions and the generalized\textbf{\ }Burr-Hatke exponential-G family of distributions, among others.