bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomonitoring of total mercury in urine: method validation and sample stability
Authors: De Craemer Sam , Baeyens Willy , Leermakers Martine
Published: July 2018

Biomonitoring of mercury (Hg) in urine can provide valuable information on environmental exposure to inorganic and elemental Hg. However, this requires a method with a sufficiently low detection limit, and in addition, sample stability during storage needs to be addressed. We adapted a method described in the literature to obtain lower detection limits by decreasing dilution and optimizing the amount of reagents used, while also investigating matrix effects, within- and between measurement variability, and accuracy. We tested Hg stability in urine under different storage conditions and using different stabilizers suggested in the literature. A five-fold dilution of the urine sample with addition of optimized amounts of BrCl gave the best results regarding detection limits, which could be further improved by using a gold amalgamation preconcentration step (Autrap). Application of the method in a biomonitoring study allowed detection of Hg in 95% of the samples without Au trap, and resulted in mercury levels that were comparable to similar populations and influenced by expected variables (age, dental amalgam). Regardless of the sample storage conditions of urine samples in polypropylene bottles, Hg decreased during the first days of storage, then slowly regained or exceeded the originally measured concentration. From these experiments, it appears that storage of the samples frozen at -20°C for several weeks prior to analysis, without the addition of additives is the preferred method.
Why do we click? Investigating reasons for user selection on a news aggregator website
Authors: Kessler Sabrina Heike , Engelmann Ines
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study is to analyze the reasons behind users’ selection of news results on the news aggregator website, Google News, and the role that news factors play in this selection. We assume that user’s cognitive elaboration of users influences their news selection. In this study, a multi-method approach is used to obtain a complete picture of the users’ news selection reasoning: an open survey, a closed survey, and a content analysis of screen recording data. The results were determined from online news selection of 90 news results from 47 users on Google News. Different news values could be identified as relevant for selection: time-referenced news factors and news factors of social significance were shown to be more important than the news factors of deviance. News cues (presence of a picture, position of a news result, source) were identified as selection reasons regardless of the level of cognitive elaboration during the online browsing process.
The impact of sharing brand messages: How message, sender and receiver characteristics influence brand attitudes and information diffusion on Social Networking Sites
Authors: Araujo Theo
Published: July 2018

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) not only enable users to read or create content about brands, but also to easily pass along this content using information diffusion mechanisms such as retweeting or sharing. While these capabilities can be optimal for viral marketing, little is known, however, about how reading brand messages passed along by SNS contacts influences online brand communication outcomes. Results of a survey with active SNS users indicate that (1) message evaluation, (2) the relationship with the sender, and (3) the receiver’s opinion leadership and opinion-seeking levels influence not only the receiver’s intention to pass along the message further, but also his or her attitude towards the brand. The implications of these findings are discussed, including how these capabilities brought on by SNSs change the brand-consumer relationship online.
Media frames and public perceptions of global poverty in the UK: Is there a link?
Authors: Vossen Mirjam , Schulpen Lau
Published: July 2018

This study investigates the relationship between media frames and public perceptions of global poverty. Building on a frame analysis, the paper reconstructs prevailing poverty narratives in British news articles and non-governmental organizations’ (NGO’s) advertisements between 2011 and 2013. Following this, these narratives are compared with the narratives that emerge from public opinion studies. The findings suggest that there is a strong connection between media frames and public knowledge and perceptions of global poverty. Both the media and the public define poverty in developing countries’ terms of destitute victims, lack of development and bad governance. Both suggest that the causes of poverty are internal to developing countries and imply that there has been little progress in reducing global poverty.
The design of manual domain usability evaluation techniques
Authors: Bačíková Michaela , Galko Lukáš
Published: July 2018

In this paper we design novel techniques for manual domain usability evaluation. Domain usability is the aspect of a particular user interface that relates to its terminology, hierarchy of terms, feature descriptions and icons, used language and consistency. However, domain usability is often neglected not only by software developers, but also by many researchers. The design of formal means to evaluate existing user interfaces would aid the development of better, domain-usable user interfaces. We designed six qualitative evaluation techniques and one formal evaluation technique based on System Usability Scale (SUS). To show the viability of the designed techniques, we demonstrate each of them in the domain of gospel music. Two of the techniques were used to experimentally verify the impact of specific domain usability aspects on usability and user experience. In this paper we also focus on the equality of the domain usability aspects with the goal of designing domain usability metrics. The preliminary design of the metrics is also presented in this paper and areas of future research are suggested.
Clustering-based forecasting method for individual consumers electricity load using time series representations
Authors: Laurinec Peter , Lucká Mária
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a new method for forecasting a load of individual electricity consumers using smart grid data and clustering. The data from all consumers are used for clustering to create more suitable training sets to forecasting methods. Before clustering, time series are efficiently preprocessed by normalisation and the computation of various model-based time series representation methods. Final centroid-based forecasts are scaled by saved normalisation parameters to create the forecast for every consumer. Our method is compared with the approach that creates forecasts for every consumer separately. Evaluation and experiments were conducted on three smart meter datasets from residences of Ireland and Australia, and factories of Slovakia. The achieved results proved that our clustering-based method improves forecasting accuracy mainly for residential consumers.We can also proclaim that it can be found such time series representation and clustering setting that will our forecasting method perform more accurately than fully disaggregated approach. Our method is also more scalable since it is necessary to train the model only on clusters and not for every consumer separately
Lignin fractionation as an efficient route for enhancing Polylactide thermal stability and flame retardancy
Authors: Costes Lucie , Aguedo Mario , Brison Loic , Brohez Sylvain , Richel Aurore , Laoutid Fouad
Published: July 2018

Due to its variable botanical origin, functionality, reactivity, and heterogeneity, using lignin in industrial application is not an easy task. In the present study, we investigate the effect of lignin fractionation as a simple way for reducing the variability in its properties. Kraft lignin was separated by ultrafiltration membranes in two fractions with a specific molecular weight and the properties of each fraction were characterized through FTIR, XPS, TGA and cone calorimeter test. Lignin fractions display different thermal and combustion behaviors. Thus, the two fractions have been evaluated as flame retardant additives for polylactide (PLA). PLA composites, containing well dispersed lignin (20 wt%), were produced by melt blending in an internal mixer. The thermo-degradant effect of each fraction on PLA during melt processing was investigated by rheological analysis and size exclusion chromatography while the composites thermal stability and fire properties were evaluated using TGA and cone calorimeter test. Results showed that using appropriate lignin fraction enables for obtaining PLA composites presenting enhanced properties
Transcriptional regulation of human defense peptides: a new direction in infection control
Authors: Mandal Santi M. , Manna Sounik , Mondal Sneha , Ghosh Ananta K. , Chakraborty Ranadhir
Published: July 2018

While antibiotics remain as a major therapy against life threatening pathogenic infections, they often lead to side effects like rashes, gastrointestinal and central nervous system reactions to serious allergies or organ damage. These adverse effects alongside the emergence of multi-antibiotic resistant bacteria and the decline in the development of new antibiotics, have posed a serious impediment for effective antibiotic therapy. A paradigm shift in attitudes has led us to think about the possibility of controlling infections with the indigenous antimicrobial peptides synthesized by human beings. It has been observed that few transcription factors can stimulate more than three dozen defense peptides in the human system. Hence, during the infection stage, if we can induce these common factors, most of the infections could be healed from inside without the administration of any antibiotics. The efficiency of such peptides is being proven in clinical tests leading to the development of drugs.
The frequency and type of placental histologic lesions in term pregnancies with normal outcome
Authors: Romero Roberto , Kim Yeon Mee , Pacora Percy , Kim Chong Jai , Benshalom-Tirosh Neta , Jaiman Sunil , Bhatti Gaurav , Kim Jung-Sun , Qureshi Faisal , Jacques Suzanne M. , Jung Eun Jung , Yeo Lami , Panaitescu Bogdan , Maymon Eli , Hassan Sonia S. , Hsu Chaur-Dong , Erez Offer
Published: July 2018

Objective

To determine the frequency and type of histopathologic lesions in placentas delivered by women with a normal pregnancy outcome.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included placental samples from 944 women with a singleton gestation who delivered at term without obstetrical complications. Placental lesions were classified into the following four categories as defined by the Society for Pediatric Pathology and by our unit: (1) acute placental inflammation, (2) chronic placental inflammation, (3) maternal vascular malperfusion and (4) fetal vascular malperfusion.

Results

(1) Seventy-eight percent of the placentas had lesions consistent with inflammatory or vascular lesions; (2) acute inflammatory lesions were the most prevalent, observed in 42.3% of the placentas, but only 1.0% of the lesions were severe; (3) acute inflammatory lesions were more common in the placentas of women with labor than in those without labor; (4) chronic inflammatory lesions of the placenta were present in 29.9%; and (5) maternal and fetal vascular lesions of malperfusion were detected in 35.7% and 19.7%, respectively. Two or more lesions with maternal or fetal vascular features consistent with malperfusion (high-burden lesions) were present in 7.4% and 0.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

Most placentas had lesions consistent with inflammatory or vascular lesions, but severe and/or high-burden lesions were infrequent. Mild placental lesions may be interpreted either as acute changes associated with parturition or as representative of a subclinical pathological process (intra-amniotic infection or sterile intra-amniotic inflammation) that did not affect the clinical course of pregnancy.
Optical interferometry and photoacoustics as in-situ techniques to characterize the porous silicon formation: a review
Authors: Ramirez-Gutierrez Cristian F. , Castaño-Yepes Jorge D. , Rodriguez-Garcia Mario E.
Published: July 2018

Porous Silicon (PSi) is a groundbreaking material because its physicochemical properties can be customized through its porosity. This means that monitoring and control of the growing parameters allows the fabrication of PSi-based systems with controlled properties. Interferometry and photoacoustics are non -invasive, non - contact, real-time (in-situ) techniques used to characterize the phenomena that takes place during the formation of PSi. This work presents the mathematical and experimental aspects related to the implementation of the techniques mentioned above, which are meant to characterize the PSi growth in fluoride-based electrolyte media. These methods can determine macroscopic parameters of PSi such as thickness, porosity profile trough effective medium approximation (EMA), refractive index, etching rate, and RMS roughness under 100 nm. The monitoring ability of these techniques is strongly dependent on the wavelength of radiation used. However, it is possible to monitor thickness from λ0/4 to ∼ 1/ α0, where α0 is the optical absorption coefficient at λ0. Also, these techniques can be implemented as feedback control on the etching processes for fabrication of PSi.
Modern supercritical fluid technologies for the processing of plant biocomposites: theory and practice
Authors: Bogolitsyn Konstantin
Published: July 2018

The biochemical processes of synthesis and self-organization of the components of the lignin-carbohydrate matrix lead to the formation of a complex multi-component system considered as a nanobiocomposite, which is a thermodynamically limited ordered system of biopolymers in quasi-equilibrium. The concept of the thermodynamic state of the lignin–carbohydrate matrix and the possibility of regulating the areas of thermodynamic compatibility of components due to chemical and/or physical impact allow to consider the supercritical fluid technologies (SCFTs) as a tool for directing changes in the biocomposite’s structure and properties at the molecular level and also as a way of creating essentially new technologies for the complex processing of plant raw materials.
How does the robot feel? Perception of valence and arousal in emotional body language
Authors: Marmpena Mina , Lim Angelica , Dahl Torbjørn S.
Published: July 2018

Human-robot interaction in social robotics applications could be greatly enhanced by robotic behaviors that incorporate emotional body language. Using as our starting point a set of pre-designed, emotion conveying animations that have been created by professional animators for the Pepper robot, we seek to explore how humans perceive their affect content, and to increase their usability by annotating them with reliable labels of valence and arousal, in a continuous interval space. We conducted an experiment with 20 participants who were presented with the animations and rated them in the two-dimensional affect space. An inter-rater reliability analysis was applied to support the aggregation of the ratings for deriving the final labels. The set of emotional body language animations with the labels of valence and arousal is available and can potentially be useful to other researchers as a ground truth for behavioral experiments on robotic expression of emotion, or for the automatic selection of robotic emotional behaviors with respect to valence and arousal. To further utilize the data we collected, we analyzed it with an exploratory approach and we present some interesting trends with regard to the human perception of Pepper’s emotional body language, that might be worth further investigation.
The Use of the DMT for the Evaluation of Changes in Stress State in Overconsolidated Clay in Geotechnical Applications
Authors: Peiffer Herman , Malengier Benny , Haegeman Wim , Shen Hao
Published: July 2018

This article concerns the experimental evaluation of changes in the stress state in overconsolidated clay for two geotechnical applications: pile installation and slope stability. The first topic focuses on the experimental evaluation of change in the stress state that is due to pile installation, especially on the measurements before and after pile installation. The procedure was carried out for the evaluation of the effect of the installation of auger cast in place piles in overconsolidated clay. The results show the problem of predicting the shaft capacity in a new light. They contradict simplified prediction models for evaluating the influenced zone and the magnitude of the soil stress changes. For the second topic, it is described how the dilatometer test (DMT) can be used to evaluate the stability of slopes, to determine the risk of instability, and how the cause of the failure can be directly related to the DMT measurement. The description involves discussing the results of tests before the period of instability, during the period of instability, and after stabilization, using the Kd value (Kd = horizontal stress index) as a representative value to assess the risk of instability.
Formas de resistencia en la construcción de proyectos hidroeléctricos
Authors: Muñoz Gaviria Gustavo Adolfo
Published: July 2018

El presente trabajo explora las posibilidades de resistencia y de surgimiento de la crítica de las poblaciones impactadas por proyectos hidroeléctricos, y por las formas de violencia contenidas en las prácticas de lo que viene siendo denominado como “gestión social” en esos contextos. Se aborda esta forma de gestión como un dispositivo de gobierno, en el sentido de Foucault (1980), Deleuze (1991) y Dean (2010), compuesto por líneas de visibilidad, enunciación, poder y subjetividad, para conducir la interacción entre empresa, Estado y comunidades impactadas. Se entienden las formas de resistencia y de crítica como elementos de las líneas de subjetividad del dispositivo. Se realiza el estudio de caso de la central hidroeléctrica Porce III, construida en la década de 2000, en Colombia, para el cual se realiza un análisis de las percepciones y manifestaciones de la población afectada, con énfasis en las manifestaciones críticas al proceso de desplazamiento y reasentamiento, así como en sus respectivas fuentes de justificación. Los datos provienen de análisis documentales, del trabajo etnográfico y de la experiencia profesional previa del investigador en el reasentamiento estudiado. Se evidencia una variedad de estrategias discursivas y no discursivas, tendientes a subvertir el orden promovido por la racionalidad de gestión del dispositivo.
Sentidos y prácticas del poder: aproximación a las vivencias de jóvenes universitarios
Authors: Arias Cardona Ana María , Soto Vélez José Andrés
Published: July 2018

Este artículo da cuenta de uno de los elementos analizados en la tesis doctoral sobre relaciones sociales1 en la Universidad; específicamente de la categoría “poder”. La investigación se hizo bajo un diseño cualitativo, con un método hermenéutico, por medio de 14 talleres con técnicas interactivas y entrevistas a profundidad. Participaron 119 jóvenes (hombres y mujeres), matriculados en distintos pregrados de Ciencias Sociales y Educación, de universidades públicas y privadas (cuatro campus y seis sedes), ubicadas en el departamento de Antioquia (Colombia). El análisis de los resultados arrojó cuatro grandes subcategorías, cada una configurada según los relatos de los participantes; en este caso, se presenta el análisis de dos de ellas: “El poder asociado a la autoridad instituida: mantener el statu quo” y “El poder propio y la consciencia al respecto: tener más, ser más”.
Propuesta para la integración de la Norma CWA 15793:2008 a las normas NTC-ISO 9001:2008, NTC-ISO 17025:2005 y NTC OHSAS 18001:2007 en el Laboratorio Nacional de Diagnóstico Veterinario del Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA)
Authors: Porras Santiago Alba Bernarda
Published: July 2018

Los laboratorios de diagnóstico veterinario son los encargados de la detección de enfermedades en animales tanto domésticos como silvestres en las diferentes partes del mundo, por medio de la realización de distintas pruebas de laboratorio encaminadas tanto a la vigilancia como a la detección de las enfermedades (salud y producción animal), lo que ha permitido el comercio internacional de estos productos. Atendiendo a ello, los laboratorios de diagnóstico veterinario deben garantizar la fiabilidad de sus resultados, para lo cual han adoptado modelos de gestión en busca de resultados aceptados en el contexto internacional, y de esta manera favorecer el intercambio comercial de animales y sus productos. Para ello, se realizó una investigación de tipo mixta, cuyo objetivo fue elaborar una propuesta de integración de la norma CWA 15793:2008, la NTC-ISO 9001:2008, la NTC-ISO 17025:2005 y la NTC OHSAS 18001:2007. Para ello, en primer lugar se elaboró una matriz de correlación de requisitos de las normas de interés, en segundo lugar, con la intención de conocer cómo se estaba trabajando en el laboratorio objeto de investigación la gestión del riesgo biológico, se elaboró una lista de chequeo basada en los requerimientos de la norma, y finalmente con el objetivo de tener un mayor conocimiento del problema, se recurrió a la conformación de un grupo focal conformado por expertos en temas de manejo de riesgo biológico, manejo de sistemas de gestión, planeación y laboratorio, con los que se analizó la información obtenida mediante la lista de chequeo. Se logró plantear una propuesta de integración de las normas internacionales mencionadas con la norma para gestión del bioriesgo teniendo en cuenta los lineamientos dados por la Organización Mundial de Salud Animal (OIE) y adoptados en la Asamblea Mundial en mayo de 2015; además, complementa las medidas ya adoptadas en el laboratorio analizado y proporciona herramientas muy valiosas para el trabajo adecuado dentro de las instalaciones, teniendo en cuenta el ambiente y la comunidad circundante.
Significados del cuerpo en personas con Diabetes Mellitus en la ciudad de Cali
Authors: Charry Higueras Maritza
Published: July 2018

La presente investigación surgió como parte de las experiencias de intervención familiar en salud. Se realizó con cuatro personas diagnosticadas con diabetes mellitus con el fin de conocer los significados del cuerpo a partir de la enfermedad y de las relaciones con personas relevantes, incluyendo el médico. Su metodología fue cualitativa y se desarrolló a través de entrevistas a profundidad. Entre los principales resultados se destaca el cuerpo significado como algo constitutivo, temporal y físico que permite el acceso al mundo; cómo un dispositivo de acción simbólica, de comunicación y de lenguaje humano se construye en la relación con el otro, con quien se consolida nuestra identidad e imagen corporal regulada estéticamente. Se concluye que cuando el cuerpo enferma, la experimentación corporal y la resultante noción del cuerpo cambian no slo por las sensaciones corporales y subjetivas del ser humano, sino por las construcciones sociales que se hacen del cuerpo y de la enfermedad.
Pengaruh Kepribadian Big Five Dan Coping Stress Terhadap Kecerdasan Emosi Pada Mahasiswa Kedokteran Di Jakarta
Authors: Margolang Ridha Hanifah , Kolopaking Risatianti
Published: July 2018

This study was conducted to know the significance influence of the big five personality (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness, neuroticism) and coping stress (confrontive coping, distancing, self-control, social support accepting responsibility, escape avoidance, planful problem solving, positive reappraisal) towards emotional intelligence. Participants in this study are medical students of State and Private Universities in Jakarta who are undergoing pra-clinic / Co- Assistant period from the 8th to 11th semester and taken by snowball sampling technique. The CFA technique (Confirmatory Factor Analysis) was used to test the validity of the measuring instrument and multiple regression analysis was used to test the research hypothesis. The results showed that the big five personality variable and coping stress had a significant influence towards emotional intelligence. A large proportion of the variance of emotional intelligence that is explained by all independent variables of 63.5%, while the remaining 36.5% are influenced by other variables outside this research. There are six variables that have significant effect on emotional intelligence which is agreeableness, openness, self control, social support, planful problem solving, positive reappraisal. Meanwhile, the variables of extraversion, consciencetiousness, neurotiscm, confrontive coping, distancing, accepting responsibility, escape avoidance, has no significant effect on emotional intelligence. Researcher suggest that all medical faculty creates emotional intelligence as an additional course so they can understand and practice how to control their emotions properly.  DOI: 10.15408/tazkiya.v22i2.8410
The dentin chemical degradation and saliva roles on Noncarious Cervical Lesions – literature review
Authors: Souza Paola Gomes , Machado Alexandre Coelho , Pereira Analice Giovani , Teixeira Renata Roland , Espíndola Foued Salmen , Soares Paulo Vinícius
Published: July 2018

This review elucidates the dental structure chemical degradation and saliva roles in the origin and progression of NCCLs. Dentin chemical degradation is a predominant factor that contributes to the origin and progression of noncarious cervical lesions, which includes the biocorrosive factors: chemical, biochemical, electrochemical and piezoelectric dentin effects. The biocorrosive process involves endogenous and exogenous agents. As regard to saliva roles, the flow rate, buffering capacity, pH and its protein composition are valid parameters to identify biocorrosive factors. Thus, the association of acids agents, altered salivary parameters and specifics proteases are important conditions to promote dental wear. It can be concluded that endogenous and exogenous acids agents, salivary parameters and specific oral biomarkers are important to support the diagnostic and management of dental wear and noncarious cervical lesions.
Teaching Games for Understanding and Cooperative Learning: Can Their Hybridization Increase Motivational Climate among Physical Education Students?/Učenje igara s razumijevanjem i suradničko učenje: može li njihova hibridizacija povećati motivacijsku klim
Authors: Chiva-Bartoll Óscar , Salvador-García Celina , Ruiz-Montero Pedro Jesús
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe present study examines the evolution of Motivational Climate among Physical Education students through the hybridization of Cooperative Learning and the Teaching Games for Understanding model in a handball didactic unit. A sample of 96 students, whose average age was fifteen, were divided into an experimental group of 31 students and a control group of 65 students. The Motivational Climate evolution promoted by the hybrid model (experimental group) was compared with the results obtained through a traditional learning approach (control group). The results show differences in the Task-involvement scale, (Effort/ Improvement and Important Role subscales), and in the Ego-involvement scale (Unequal Recognition subscale). In conclusion, in accordance with results obtained by similar research on other sports, significant differences were found between the two scales with regard to the perceived motivational climate.Key words: cooperative learning; motivational climate; physical education; secondary school; teaching methodology.---SažetakRad istražuje razvoj motivacijske klime među učenicima na satima Tjelesne i zdravstvene kulture putem hibridizacije suradničkog učenja i modela učenja igara s razumijevanjem u kontekstu nastavne jedinice posvećene rukometu. Uzorak od 96 učenika prosječne dobi od 15 godina podijeljen je u eksperimentalnu (31 učenik) i kontrolnu skupinu (65 učenika). Razvoj motivacijske klime potaknut hibridnim modelom (eksperimentalna skupina) uspoređen je s rezultatima dobivenim s pomoću tradicionalnog pristupa učenju (kontrolna skupina). Rezultati upućuju na razlike između skale za mjerenje usmjerenosti na zadatak (podskale trud/napredak i važnost uloge) i skale za mjerenje usmjerenosti na ego (podskala nejednakog priznavanja). Otkrivene su značajne razlike među dvjema skalama na polju doživljene motivacijske klime, što je u skladu s rezultatima koje su slična istraživanja dobila analizirajući druge sportove.Ključne riječi: suradničko učenje; motivacijska klima; tjelesni odgoj; srednja škola; metodika poučavanja.
Evaluation of the electromagnetic field intensity in operating rooms and estimation of occupational exposures of personnel
Authors: Ghazikhanlou-Sani Karim , Rahimi Azizollah , Poorkaveh Maryam , Eynali Samira , Koosha Fereshteh , Shoja Mohsen
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Operating rooms in hospitals are facilitated with different types of electronic systems, which produce electromagnetic waves. High intensities of magnetic waves may have harmful effects on biological environments. This study aims to evaluate the electromagnetic field intensity at different parts of operating rooms at the first stage and estimate the occupational exposure to operating room personnel at the next phase.

Materials and methods

At this cross-sectional study, the magnetic field intensity was evaluated using teslameter at several parts of operating rooms, during operating procedures, while electrical instruments were working. Background electromagnetic field intensity was measured when all the electrical systems were idle. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. The results were compared with ICNIRP standards.

Results

The maximum intensity of magnetic field was measured around high-voltage systems at the distance of 50 cm in the personnel’s standing area at DCR and PCNL operating procedures were 5.9 and 5.6, respectively. The number of on-mode electrical systems was inconsistent with the intensity of electromagnetic fields at the standing area of operating room personnel’s. The intensity of magnetic fields around high-voltage systems, which was about 46.75 mG at the distance of 10 cm, was the highest among measured electromagnetic fields.

Conclusions

The highest magnetic field intensity measured in this study was related to high-voltage systems and is lower than advised intensity by ICNIRP for occupational exposure. Based on this study, it can be concluded that there are no considerable risks of electromagnetic exposure for operating room personnels.
A study of right ventricular function in pre- and post-valvular surgeries
Authors: Jadhav Tejaswi , Kareem Hashir , Nayak Krishnananda , Pai Umesh , Devasia Tom , Padmakumar Ramachandran
Published: July 2018

Aims

The aim of this study is to compare tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) in pre- and postoperative valvular heart surgery patients using M-mode imaging, to determine changes in tissue Doppler parameters among patients undergoing valvular heart surgery, and to analyze tissue deformation parameters of right ventricle (RV) and RV strain in pre- and postoperative patients.

Materials and methods

This was an observational, cross-sectional, single-center study that included 24 patients who underwent echocardiographic assessment prior to surgery, after surgery, and at 1-month follow-up. Assessment of left and right ventricles by M-mode echocardiography, evaluation of RV by 2D Doppler echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, and strain imaging were performed.

Results

The TAPSE was significantly reduced immediately after surgery (14.8 ± 0.37 vs. 10.9 ± 0.26 mm), which was then improved on follow-up assessment (17.8 ± 34 mm) (p = 0.001). Tricuspid valve diastolic velocity was increased after surgery and then gradually declined at 1-month follow-up (p = 0.003). Presurgery RV free wall strain was found to be reduced, which was then improved during post-procedure analysis as well as on follow-up (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

After cardiac valvular surgery, RV myocardial deformation showed a gradual improvement after 1 month, although there was an immediate decline in RV function postsurgery. The pattern of RV contraction, as showed by RV strain, varied postsurgery, which was remarkably increased in postoperative patients at the time of follow-up. Tissue deformation imaging being an emerging technique helps in the assessment of minute, subtle changes that occur in the RV myocardial function in cardiac patients undergoing valve surgery.
An Approach for Detecting Fault Lines in a Small Current Grounding System using Fuzzy Reasoning Spiking Neural P Systems
Authors: Rong Haina , Ge Mianjun , Zhang Gexiang , Zhu Ming
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a novel approach for detecting fault lines in a small current grounding system using fuzzy reasoning spiking neural P systems. In this approach, six features of current/voltage signals in a small current grounding system are analyzed by considering transient and steady components, respectively; a fault measure is used to quantify the possibility that a line is faulty; information gain degree is discussed to weight the importance of each of the six features; rough set theory is applied to reduce the features; and finally a fuzzy reasoning spiking neural P system is used to construct fault line detection models. Six cases in a small current grounding system prove the effectiveness of the introduced approach.
Animal welfare in experimental orthopedic surgery of dogs: an analysis of the Brazilian view
Authors: Sugauara Rosângela Rumi , Sugauara Elisângela Yumi , Kazue Otutumi Luciana , Germano Ricardo de Melo , Sugauara Elaine Yae Yamashita , Quessada Ana Maria
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACT: The aim of this paper was to conduct a bibliometry search about Brazilian scientific publications that describe experimental orthopedic surgeries in dogs. It was analyzed 14 publications, and there was wide variation in the number of experimental animals, showing that there is no consensus on the appropriate number for science experiment with dogs. Most articles had been reviewed by an ethics committee (13/14, 92.85%) and only two articles (2/14; 14.28%) did not report the use of analgesic protocol. Among analgesics, morphine was the most widely used, noted in seven studies (7/14; 42.85%). In six of the articles (6/14; 42.85%), the final destination of animals was not informed, but in four experiments (4/14; 28.57%) the dogs were euthanized. In four studies (4/14; 28.57%) the animals were sent for adoption. In conclusion, the ethics in animal research in Brazil has advanced, but is necessary proper planning in sample size.
Lógicas políticas da educação de adultos em Portugal
Authors: Lima Licínio C. , Guimarães Paula
Published: July 2018

RESUMO Este artigo aborda as políticas públicas de educação de adultos em Portugal desde 1974, a partir de três lógicas: a lógica democrática-emancipatória; a de modernização e de controlo estatal; e a lógica da gestão de recursos humanos. Essas lógicas são tratadas em articulação com os desenvolvimentos e as principais características das políticas públicas de educação de adultos nos últimos 40 anos, destacando-se a influência da União Europeia no que se refere à ênfase atribuída à tendência vocacionalista e de gestão de recursos humanos.
Measuring aggregate and binder interaction by way of mixture tests before and after field ageing
Authors: Hansen Bradley S. , Howard Isaac L.
Published: July 2018

Mixture properties were measured before and after field ageing to evaluate how aggregates, binder and environmental effects interact. To isolate these effects, very simple mixes (usually comprising one aggregate source and one binder) were designed and tested. The results showed that clear differences existed before and after field ageing where the same binder was utilised with different aggregates. Aggregate effects were magnified by field ageing. The results agree with a literature review that has documented aggregates' influence in response to environmental effects such as ageing for many years. When combined with the literature reviewed, the data collected should help ongoing discussions within the asphalt industry related to mixture testing and how to capture environmental effects/ageing. To truly capture in-service conditions, mixture conditioning that can simulate the simultaneous effects of the environment, aggregates and binder is likely to be the most effective approach based on the data reported in this paper. This is especially true today where mixtures are often very complex and contain many virgin and post-consumer ingredients.
3D finite-element modelling of soil arch shape in a piled embankment
Authors: Yang Tao , Lu Zhenrong , Ni Jing , Wang Ganggang
Published: July 2018

Soil arching is a common phenomenon in a piled embankment. A precise soil arch shape is a key prerequisite for developing an analytical model to calculate the soil arching effect. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) elastic–plastic finite-element model which simulates the formation process of soil arching in a piled embankment was established. The 3D shape of the soil arch in a piled embankment without reinforcements was investigated by the finite-element method. Then, a parametric study on the height of the soil arch was conducted. The results show that the soil arch in a piled embankment is a semi-ellipsoidal shape when ‘maximum arching’ is reached. The height of the soil arch is strongly affected by the clear spacing of the pile cap and the height of the embankment. The height of the soil arch increases gradually with increasing clear spacing of the pile cap. It increases with increasing the height of embankment to a certain value, and then remains constant beyond this critical embankment height. The value of the internal friction angle of the embankment fill has little effect on the height of the soil arch.
Full-scale tests on composite concrete T-beams subjected to cyclic and monotonic loading
Authors: Xue Weichen , Hu Xiang , Yang Yunjun
Published: July 2018

The composite T-beams investigated in this study consisted of precast concrete beams, precast concrete slabs and cast-in-place (CIP) slabs. Improvement measures were adopted in two types of the composite T-beams: additional tie bars located in semi-circular grooves were added for strengthening the connection of the precast concrete slabs and an inverted T-shape precast concrete beam was used for strengthening the flexural stiffness of precast beams. Nine full-scale tests were conducted under low reversed cyclic loading and positive and negative monotonic loading. The results showed that the composite T-beams failed in a flexural pattern that was similar to that of the control CIP T-beams. All the T-beams exhibited good energy dissipation capacity and small slip was measured in the composite T-beams. The flexural strength of the composite T-beams was about 7·5% lower than that of the CIP T-beams. The curvature ductility of the composite T-beams was more than 4·0 and about 13% lower than that of the CIP T-beams. Due to cumulative damage, the flexural strength and curvature ductility of all the T-beams under cyclic loading was about 30% and 40% lower than that under monotonic loading, respectively. The improvement measures used in this work were effective at ensuring good performance of composite T-beams.
Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı Okul Öncesi Eğitim Programında Cinsel Gelişim ve Cinsel Eğitim
Authors: DENİZ Ümit , YILDIZ Rukiyye
Published: July 2018

Cinsellik, doğumdan ölüme kadar devam etmekte ve kişiliğin önemli
parçasını oluşturmaktadır. Okul öncesi dönemdeki çocuklar, kendilerinin ve
başkalarının bedenleriyle ilgili her konuda meraklıdırlar. Çocukların bilişsel
olarak gelişmeleri, kendisini tanımaya yönelik soru sormalarını sağlamaktadır.
Bu nedenle bu dönemin iyi değerlendirilmesi ve cinsel eğitimin sağlıklı
bir şekilde gerçekleştirilmesi gerekmektedir. Bu görüşten hareketle MEB (2013)
Okul Öncesi Eğitim Programında yer alan açıklama, gelişim özellikleri ve
kazandırılması hedeflenen kazanım ve göstergeler içerisinde cinsel gelişimin incelenmesi
amacıyla yapılan bu çalışma betimsel türdedir. Çalışmada veri toplamak amacıyla
doküman analizi yapılmıştır. Okul Öncesi Eğitim Programı kapsamında, okul
öncesi eğitiminin temel ilkeleri, gelişim özellikleri, kazanım ve göstergeler, okul
öncesi eğitiminin planlanması, uygulanması, değerlendirilmesi bölümleri
incelenmiştir. Okul Öncesi Eğitim Programının,
öğretmenin eğitim ortamında çocukların gelişim özelliklerine uygun olarak
eğitim içeriği ve ortamlarında düzenlemeler yapabileceğine ve uygun koşullarda
fırsat eğitimine yer verebileceğine, ayrıca cinsel gelişim eksiklerinin tespit
edilip eklenebilecek gösterge ve uygun etkinliklerin programa dâhil edilmesine
fırsat tanıdığı bulgusuna ulaşılmıştır. Bu durumda, öğretmenin eğitiminin
çocukların potansiyellerine uygun geliştirilmesinde önemli olduğu sonucuna
ulaşılmıştır.
Abandono do tratamento da tuberculose: uma revisão integrativa
Authors: Ferreira Melisane Regina Lima , Bonfim Rafaele Oliveira , Siqueira Tatiane Cabral , Orfão Nathalia Halax
Published: July 2018

Introdução: O abandono do tratamento da tuberculose (TB) auxilia no ciclo de propagação e contágio da doença, aumento dos custos, resistência medicamentosa e da morbimortalidade. Desta forma, este estudo buscou descrever os fatores de risco para o paciente de TB abandonar o tratamento, segundo a literatura nacional e internacional. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, realizada nas bases de dados da Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) e Literatura Internacional em Ciências da Saúde (MEDLINE), a partir dos artigos científicos completos, publicados no período entre 2007 a 2017, em open acess, nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol, bem como aqueles que abordassem nos resultados os fatores de risco para o abandono ao tratamento da TB. Resultados: Foram encontrados 145 artigos científicos, dos quais 125 foram excluídos por não atenderem os critérios previamente estabelecidos, totalizando 20 artigos científicos para serem lidos e analisados na íntegra. Verificou-se que os aspectos sociodemográficos (uso de drogas, idade, sexo masculino, baixa escolaridade e renda, área rural, acessibilidade e estigma da doença), clínicos (coinfecção TB/HIV, abandono prévio, forma clínica extrapulmonar, comorbidades) e do tratamento (fase inicial da terapia, efeitos adversos, melhora sintomática) contribuem para o abandono do tratamento. Conclusão: Esta revisão aponta a necessidade de identificar precocemente os pacientes de TB vulneráveis ao desfecho, para então, utilizar as estratégias disponíveis, a exemplo do tratamento diretamente observado, visando garantir a adesão e, consequentemente, a cura.
The Responsibilities and Obligations of STS in a Moment of Post-Truth Demagoguery
Authors: Hoffman Steve G.
Published: July 2018

Scientific expertise and the free press have come under sustained partisan attack with the political ascendance of right-wing nationalism. This has put some science and technology studies (STS) scholars in the difficult position of defending the legitimacy of science while maintaining a characteristic agnosticism toward “the facts.” In this essay, inspired by a reading of Noortje Marres’s (2018) critique of fact-checking services, I seek to relieve some of the background anxiety I sense that perhaps STS research paved a path for the rise of right wing authoritarianism and “post-truth” politics. We are not dealing with a process of fact making in this environment, at least not of the scientific variety. Instead, we are dealing with political demagoguery. As scholars, we should therefore equip ourselves with the appropriate analytic and technological tools, and as many as possible, for engaging this political moment.
SC Freezing CCPM cores OCT SOP v1
Authors: Rotem Asaf , Rotem Asaf
Published: July 2018

SC Freezing CCPM cores OCT SOP
Swamp Cooler Cleaning Protocol v1
Authors: McGiveron Jon
Published: July 2018

Swamp Cooler Cleaning Protocol- pictures needed The swamp coolers in Mother/Prop need to be cleaned regularly so avoid any mineral buildup, which will burn out the fan and pump motors and potentially clog the line sets. Some disassembly will be needed: Tools for disassembly: Phillips head screwdriver Cleaning supplies needed: CLR(calcium,lime,rust) cleaner Rags Scrub brush Wet vacuum Make sure the machine is turned off and unplugged from the wall socket before disassembly. Shut hose line off at the wall source. Begin by unscrewing and removing the shrouds off the cooler pad housing. Carefully remove the cooler pads starting with the middle and finishing up with the sides. Store these in the sink to drain out. Use a hose and syphon the water out of the reservoir in the unit. Check the condition of the mineral filter conditioning pad, replace if needed. Once the water is drained, spray the inside and componants with CLR. Use a scrub brush to get any stubborn residues off the inside of the unit. Make sure the linesets are not clogged; if they are pull them out and flush with water. Rinse the unit out and vacuum out any remaining water/cleaning solution Turn hose back on and refill the tank. Reinstall the cooler pads Screw cooler pad shrouds back in and turn machine on making sure the pump and fan are working properly. Note any repairs needing to be done to CD or AGM
Pedestrian flow characteristics and level of service on dissimilar facilities: A critical review
Authors: Banerjee Arunabha , Maurya Akhilesh Kumar , Lämmel Gregor
Published: July 2018

Flow characteristics and Level of Service (LOS) are two terms which are highly correlated, where the flow characteristics of a particular pedestrian or a group of pedestrians over a facility greatly influence the level of service of that facility. This paper does an exhaustive review of the flow characteristics and level of service and how different factors are observed to influence the movement over different types of pedestrian facilities. Previous attempts have been made by different researchers to explore pedestrian flow characteristics and level of service, but such attempts were done separately and not in a combined manner. As mentioned above it is extremely important to study both flow characteristics and level of service together as it allows for a better understanding of the facility. The review highly focusses on the studies which were conducted facility wise using either qualitatively or quantitatively techniques in Western as well as Asian countries. It was observed that researchers mostly used single regime approach to capture uni- and bi-directional movement to develop fundamental relationships. Age, gender, width, attire, gradient and group size were some of the major factors that were observed to affect average walking speeds. To develop LOS, videography technique was more preferred in the western countries while questionnaire survey was more used in the Asian countries. For the qualitative survey, safety, comfort, accessibility and traffic control were common parameters chosen, while space, flow and delay were mostly used to define quantitative measures. Critical assessments are made, and research gaps are identified as well. The study shows that it is of utmost importance that both flow characteristics and level of service are studied together as it allows a better understanding of the current existing scenario as well as it captures the actual pedestrian movements over that particular pedestrian facility. Moreover, recommendations are also made which might be of utmost relevance to future researchers who might want to use the substance of this paper in order to arrive at different decisions on how to conduct data collection and analyse such data accordingly under different conditions and over different facilities.
JURECA: Modular supercomputer at Jülich Supercomputing Centre
Authors: Krause Dorian , Thörnig Philipp
Published: July 2018

JURECA is a petaflop-scale modular supercomputer operated by Jülich Supercomputing Centre at Forschungszentrum Jülich. The system combines a flexible Cluster module, based on T-Platforms V-Class blades with a balanced selection of best of its kind components, with a scalability focused Booster module, delivered by Intel and Dell EMC based on the Xeon Phi many-core processor. With its novel architecture, it supports a wide variety of high-performance computing and data analytics workloads.