bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thulium-Doped Silica Fibers with Enhanced Fluorescence Lifetime and Their Application in Ultrafast Fiber Lasers
Authors: Cajzl Jakub , Peterka Pavel , Kowalczyk Maciej , Tarka Jan , Sobon Grzegorz , Sotor Jaroslaw , Aubrecht Jan , Honzátko Pavel , Kašík Ivan
Published: September 2018

In this work we report on the thulium-doped silica-based optical fibers with increased fluorescence lifetime of the 3F4 level thanks to the modification of the local environment of thulium ions by high content of alumina. The determination of the cross-relaxation energy-transfer coefficients from the measurements of the fluorescence lifetimes of the 3F4 and 3H4 energy levels of Tm3+ ions in the experimentally prepared optical fiber is provided as well. Preforms of optical fibers were prepared either by conventional solution-doping of Tm3+ and Al3+ ions or by dispersion-doping of Tm3+ ions with alumina nanoparticles. Optical fibers were characterized by means of Tm, Al, and Ge concentrations, refractive index profiles, optical spectral absorption and luminescence, and by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Highly aluminium-codoped thulium silicate optical fibers exhibited fluorescence lifetimes of over ~500 μs with maximum value of 756 μs, which means a fluorescence lifetime enhancement when compared to the thulium-doped fibers reported elsewhere. We show an application of the thulium-doped fiber in a compact all-fiber ring laser that is passively mode-locked by using graphene-based saturable absorber. The output pulsewidth and repetition rate were 905 fs and 32.67 MHz, respectively.
AGBs, Post-AGBs and the Shaping of Planetary Nebulae
Authors: Lagadec Eric
Published: September 2018

During the last decades, observations, mostly with the Hubble Space Telescope, have revealed that round Planetary Nebulae were the exception rather than rule. A huge variety of features are observed, such as jets, discs, tori, showing that the ejection of material is not due to isotropic radiation pressure on a spherical shell and that more physics is involved. This shaping process certainly occur early in the evolution of these low and intermediate mass stars and must leave imprints in the evolutionary stages prior the PN phase. Thanks to news instruments on the most advanced telescopes (e.g., the VLTI, SPHERE/VLT and ALMA), high angular resolution observations are revolutionising our view of the ejection of gas and dust during the AGB and post-AGB phases. In this review I will present the newest results concerning the mass loss from AGB stars, post-AGB stars and related objects.
GRACETOOLS—GRACE Gravity Field Recovery Tools
Authors: Darbeheshti Neda , Wöske Florian , Weigelt Matthias , Mccullough Christopher , Wu Hu
Published: September 2018

This paper introduces GRACETOOLS, the first open source gravity field recovery tool using GRACE type satellite observations. Our aim is to initiate an open source GRACE data analysis platform, where the existing algorithms and codes for working with GRACE data are shared and improved. We describe the first release of GRACETOOLS that includes solving variational equations for gravity field recovery using GRACE range rate observations. All mathematical models are presented in a matrix format, with emphasis on state transition matrix, followed by details of the batch least squares algorithm. At the end, we demonstrate how GRACETOOLS works with simulated GRACE type observations. The first release of GRACETOOLS consist of all MATLAB M-files and is publicly available at Supplementary Materials.
The Newborn Hearing Screening Programme in Germany
Authors: Matulat Peter , Parfitt Ross
Published: September 2018

This article presents an overview of legal, methodological, organisational, financial, structural and technical aspects of the initial audiological measurement of newborns (screening), follow-up (diagnosis) and tracking the results (tracking) within the German newborn hearing screening programme.
In Vitro Study of Multi-Therapeutic Properties of Thymus bovei Benth. Essential Oil and Its Main Component for Promoting Their Use in Clinical Practice
Authors: Hassan Sherif , Berchová-Bímová Kateřina , Šudomová Miroslava , Malaník Milan , Šmejkal Karel , Rengasamy Kannan
Published: September 2018

Thymus bovei Benth. (TB) is an important plant in the traditional medicine of the Mediterranean region. This study investigates the health-promoting properties of TB essential oil (TB-EO) for its possible use in clinical practice with regards to its cytotoxic, anti-herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), and antihypertensive (through inhibition of human angiotensin-converting enzyme; ACE) properties. The phytochemical profile of EO (99.9%) was analyzed by Gas Chromatography with Flame-Ionization Detection (GC-FID) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). In this study, all biological methods were performed at the level of in vitro studies. The results showed that TB-EO exerted remarked cytotoxic properties against human cervical carcinoma cells, colon cancer cells, and lung adenocarcinoma cells with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 7.22, 9.30, and 8.62 µg/mL, respectively, in comparison with that of standard anticancer drug cisplatin with IC50 values of 4.24, 5.21, and 5.43 µg/mL, respectively. Fascinatingly, TB-EO showed very weak cytotoxicity on the healthy human fetal lung fibroblast cells with an IC50 value of 118.34 µg/mL compared with that of cisplatin (IC50 = 10.08 µg/mL). TB-EO, its main component geraniol, TB-EO combined with acyclovir (ACV) along with standard ACV, have displayed pronounced inhibitory properties against the replication of HSV-2 with the half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) values of 2.13, 1.92, 0.81 and 1.94 µg/mL, respectively, with corresponding selectivity indices (SI) 98.59, 109.38, 259.26 and 108.25, respectively. TB-EO and geraniol at a concentration of 15 µg/mL showed prominent inhibitory activities against ACE with % of inhibition 95.4% and 92.2%, respectively, compared with that of standard inhibitor captopril (99.8%; 15 µg/mL). Molecular docking studies were performed to unveil the mechanism of action of geraniol as well as structural parameters necessary for anti-HSV-2 activity (through the inhibition of HSV-2 protease) and ACE inhibition. This is the first report on the chemical composition of Egyptian TB-EO along with the above-mentioned biological activities. Our results may be considered as novel findings in the course of a search for new and active anticancer, anti-HSV-2 and antihypertensive agents, and expand the medicinal value of this plant and its phytochemicals in clinical practice.
The Effect of Gamification through a Virtual Reality on Preoperative Anxiety in Pediatric Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia: A Prospective, Randomized, and Controlled Trial
Authors: Ryu Jung-Hee , Park Jin-Woo , Nahm Francis Sahngun , Jeon Young-Tae , Oh Ah-Young , Lee Hak Jong , Kim Jin-Hee , Han Sung-Hee
Published: September 2018

The use of gamification in healthcare has been gaining popularity. This prospective, randomized, clinical trial was designed to evaluate whether gamification of the preoperative process—via virtual reality (VR) gaming that provides a vivid, immersive and realistic experience—could reduce preoperative anxiety in children. Seventy children scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were randomly divided into either the control or gamification group. Children in the control group received conventional education regarding the preoperative process, whereas those in the gamification group played a 5 min VR game experiencing the preoperative experience. Preoperative anxiety, induction compliance checklist (ICC), and procedural behavior rating scale (PBRS) were measured. Sixty-nine children were included in the final analysis (control group = 35, gamification = 34). Preoperative anxiety (28.3 [23.3–36.7] vs. 46.7 [31.7–51.7]; p < 0.001) and intraoperative compliance measured using ICC (p = 0.038) were lower in the gamification group than in the control group. However, PBRS (p = 0.092) and parent/guardian satisfaction (p = 0.268) were comparable between the two groups. VR experience of the preoperative process could reduce preoperative anxiety and improve compliance during anesthetic induction in children undergoing elective surgery and general anesthesia.
Fabrication of Fiber Reinforced Plastics by Ultrasonic Welding
Authors: Gomer Andreas , Zou Wei , Grigat Niels , Sackmann Johannes , Schomburg Werner Karl
Published: September 2018

Ultrasonic fabrication of fiber reinforced plastics made from thermoplastic polymer films and carbon or glass fibers enables cycle times of a few seconds and requires investment costs of only some 10,000 €. Besides this, the raw materials can be stored at room temperature. A fiber content of 33 vol % and a tensile strength of approximately 1.2 GPa have been achieved by ultrasonic welding of nine layers of foils from polyamide, each 100 µm in thickness, and eight layers of carbon fibers, each 100 µm in thickness, in between. Besides unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite (CFRP) samples, multi-directional CFRP plates, 116 mm, 64 mm and 1.2 mm in length, width and thickness respectively, were fabricated by processing three layers of carbon fiber canvas, each 300 µm in thickness, and eight layers of polyamide foils, each 100 µm in thickness. Furthermore, both the discontinuous and the continuous ultrasonic fabrication processes are described and the results are presented in this paper. Large-scale production still needs to be demonstrated.
Multiscale Modeling Applied to the Hydrodynamic Lubrication of Rough Surfaces for Computation Time Reduction
Authors: Brunetière Noël , Francisco Arthur
Published: September 2018

This paper presents a multiscale finite element method applied to the simulation of a lubricating film flowing between rough surfaces. The objective of this approach is to study flows between large rough surfaces needing very fine meshes while maintaining a reasonable computation time. For this purpose, the domain is split into a number of subdomains (bottom-scale meshes) connected by a coarse mesh (top-scale). The pressure distribution at the top-scale is used as boundary conditions for the bottom-scale problems. This pressure is adjusted to ensure global mass flow balance between the contiguous subdomains. This multiscale method allows for a significant reduction of the number of operations as well as a satisfactory accuracy of the results if the top-scale mesh is properly fitted to the roughness lateral scale. Furthermore the present method is well-suited to parallel computation, leading to much more significant computation time reduction.
Numerical Investigation of Preload Process of Bolted Joint with Superelastic Shape Memory Alloy
Authors: Jiang Xiangjun , Wang Yongkun , Pan Fengqun , Jing Ze , Huang Jin , Li Baotong
Published: September 2018

A phenomenological constitutive model is developed to describe the uniaxial transformation ratcheting behaviors of the superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) by employing a cosine–type phase transformation equation with the initial martensite evolution coefficient that can capture the feature of the predictive residual martensite accumulation evolution and the nonlinear hysteresis loop on a finite element (FE) analysis framework. The effect of the applied loading level on transformation ratcheting is considered in the proposed model. The evolutions of transformation ratcheting and transformation stresses are constructed as the function of the accumulated residual martensite volume fraction. The FE implementation of the proposed model is carried out for the numerical analysis of transformation ratcheting of the SMA bar element. The integration algorithm and the expression of consistent tangent modulus are deduced in a new form for the forward and reverse transformation. The numerical results are compared with those of existing models; experimental results show the validity of the proposed model and its FE implementation in transformation ratcheting. Finally, a FE modeling is established for a repeated preload analysis of SMA bolted joint.
Phase Transformation Behavior of a β-Solidifying γ-TiAl-Based Alloy from Different Phase Regions with Various Cooling Methods
Authors: Li Xiaobing , Xu Hao , Xing Weiwei , Chen Bo , Ma Yingche , Liu Kui
Published: September 2018

The phase transformation behavior of Ti-42Al-5Mn (at.%) alloy from different phase regions with various cooling rates was investigated based on electron probe micro analyzer-backscattered electrons (EPMA-BSE). It is shown that β→α2′ takes place when this alloy is cooled at a high rate, such as water quenching (WQ), oil cooling (OC), from β single phase. With the decreasing cooling rate to air cooling (AC), β→α2′ is restrained and β→γ is promoted by forming γ platelets. The room-temperature microstructure is βo + α2 when alloy cooled (WQ and OC) from (β + α) dual-phase. However, under AC, β→γ occurs and γ platelets form. It should be noted that α2→γ happens when this alloy cooled from 1180 °C (>Teut) by OC and AC, forming an incomplete lamellae (α2/γ) structure in the α2 phase. However, when the alloy cooled from 1100 °C (<Teut), α2/γ→βo,sec occurs and complete lamellae generates in α2 phase.
In Vitro Activity of Newer and Conventional Antimicrobial Agents, Including Fosfomycin and Colistin, against Selected Gram-Negative Bacilli in Kuwait
Authors: Alfouzan Wadha , Dhar Rita , Nicolau David P.
Published: September 2018

Limited data are available on susceptibilities of these organisms to some of the recently made accessible antimicrobial agents. The in vitro activities of newer antibiotics, such as, ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) and ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA) along with some “older” antibiotics, for example fosfomycin (FOS) and colistin (CL) were determined against selected strains (resistant to ≥ 3 antimicrobial agents) of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute microbroth dilution. 133 isolates: 46 E. coli, 39 K. pneumoniae, and 48 P. aeruginosa were tested. Results showed that E. coli isolates with MIC50/90, 0.5/1 μ g / mL for CL; 4/32 μ g / mL for FOS; 0.25/32 μ g / mL for C/T; 0.25/8 μ g / mL for CZA, exhibited susceptibility rates of 95.7%, 97.8%, 76.1%, and 89.1%, respectively. On the other hand, K. pneumoniae strains with MIC50/90, 0.5/1 μ g / mL for CL; 256/512 μ g / mL for FOS; 2/128 μ g / mL for C/T; 0.5/128 μ g / mL for CZA showed susceptibility rates of 92.3%, 7.7%, 51.3%, and 64.1%, respectively. P. aeruginosa isolates with MIC50/90, 1/1 μ g / mL for CL; 128/128 μ g / mL for C/T; 32/64 μ g / mL for CZA presented susceptibility rates of 97.9%, 33.3%, and 39.6%, respectively. Higher MICs were demonstrated against most of the antibiotics. However, CL retained efficacy at low MICs against most of the isolates tested.
A National Survey of Community Pharmacists on Smoking Cessation Services in Thailand
Authors: Chinwong Surarong , Chinwong Dujrudee
Published: September 2018

Providing smoking cessation services is one role of community pharmacists in Thailand. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate activities and barriers related to smoking cessation services provided in community pharmacies in Thailand, as well as to compare these activities and barriers between those pharmacists providing and those not providing smoking cessation services. A postal questionnaire was conducted to collect information from community pharmacists across Thailand. In all, 413 valid responses were received from 5235 questionnaires, giving a 7.9% response rate. Of the 413 respondents, 152 (37%) pharmacists provided smoking cessation services in their pharmacy. The activities of smoking cessation services varied. Time for counseling each smoker varied, a mean of 15.1 ± 10.9 min (range 1–60) per person for the first time, and 8.9 ± 6.7 min (range 1–30) for each follow-up visit. Community pharmacists, providing smoking cessation services, were more likely to have pharmacist assistants, be a member of the Thai Pharmacy Network for Tobacco Control, and have more than 1 pharmacist on duty. The most dispensed pharmaceutical product for smoking cessation was nicotine gum. Their most perceived barriers were being unable to follow-up and inadequate staff. In conclusion, only a minority of community pharmacists in Thailand are engaged in smoking cessation activities, even though some perceived barriers existed.
Fast Regulation of Hormone Metabolism Contributes to Salt Tolerance in Rice (Oryza sativa spp. Japonica, L.) by Inducing Specific Morpho-Physiological Responses
Authors: Formentin Elide , Barizza Elisabetta , Stevanato Piergiorgio , Falda Marco , Massa Federica , Tarkowskà Danuše , Novák Ondřej , Lo Schiavo Fiorella
Published: September 2018

Clear evidence has highlighted a role for hormones in the plant stress response, including salt stress. Interplay and cross-talk among different hormonal pathways are of vital importance in abiotic stress tolerance. A genome-wide transcriptional analysis was performed on leaves and roots of three-day salt treated and untreated plants of two Italian rice varieties, Baldo and Vialone Nano, which differ in salt sensitivity. Genes correlated with hormonal pathways were identified and analyzed. The contents of abscisic acid, indoleacetic acid, cytokinins, and gibberellins were measured in roots, stems, and leaves of seedlings exposed for one and three days to salt stress. From the transcriptomic analysis, a huge number of genes emerged as being involved in hormone regulation in response to salt stress. The expression profile of genes involved in biosynthesis, signaling, response, catabolism, and conjugation of phytohormones was analyzed and integrated with the measurements of hormones in roots, stems, and leaves of seedlings. Significant changes in the hormone levels, along with differences in morphological responses, emerged between the two varieties. These results support the faster regulation of hormones metabolism in the tolerant variety that allows a prompt growth reprogramming and the setting up of an acclimation program, leading to specific morpho-physiological responses and growth recovery.
Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells with the Canady Cold Plasma Conversion System: Preliminary Results
Authors: Cheng Xiaoqian , Rowe Warren , Ly Lawan , Shashurin Alexey , Zhuang Taisen , Wigh Shruti , Basadonna Giacomo , Trink Barry , Keidar Michael , Canady Jerome
Published: September 2018

Triple-negative breast cancer is a phenotype of breast cancer where the expression level of estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptors are low or absent. It is more frequently diagnosed in younger and premenopausal women, among which African and Hispanic have a higher rate. Cold atmospheric plasma has revealed its promising ant-cancer capacity over the past two decades. In this study, we report the first cold plasma jet delivered by the Canady Cold Plasma Conversion Unit and characterization of its electric and thermal parameters. The unit effectively reduced the viability of triple-negative breast cancer up to 80% without thermal damage, providing a starting point for future clinical trials.
Biomimetic Growth of Hydroxyapatite on Electrospun CA/PVP Core–Shell Nanofiber Membranes
Authors: Hou Jiazi , Wang Yihuan , Xue Hailong , Dou Yanli
Published: September 2018

In this study, cellulose acetate (CA)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) core–shell nanofibers were successfully fabricated by electrospinning their homogeneous blending solution. Uniform and cylindrical nanofibers were obtained when the PVP content increased from 0 to 2 wt %. Because of the concentration gradient associated with the solvent volatilization, the composite fibers flattened when the PVP increased to 5 wt %. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed the existence of a hydrogen bond between the CA and PVP molecules, which enhanced the thermodynamic properties of the CA/PVP nanofibers, as shown by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results. To analyze the interior structure of the CA/PVP fibers, the water-soluble PVP was selectively removed by immersing the fiber membranes in deionized water. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the PVP component, which has a low surface tension, was driven to the exterior of the fiber to form a discontinuous phase, whereas the high-content CA component inclined to form the internal continuous phase, thereby generating a core–shell structure. After the water-treatment, the CA/PVP composite fibers provided more favorable conditions for mineral crystal deposition and growth. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and FTIR proved that the crystal was hydroxyapatite (HAP) and that the calcium to phosphorus ratio was 1.47, which was close to the theoretical value of 1.67 in HAP. Such nanofiber membranes could be potentially applicable in bone tissue engineering.
Quaternary Highlights (July–September 2018)
Authors: Rull Valentí
Published: September 2018

Editorial summaries of selected papers relevant to Quaternary science published in high-impact multidisciplinary journals between 1 July and 10 September 2018. [...]
Human-Robot Interfaces for Interactive Receptionist Systems and Wayfinding Applications
Authors: Bazzano Federica , Lamberti Fabrizio
Published: September 2018

Service robots are playing an increasingly relevant role in society. Humanoid robots, especially those equipped with social skills, could be used to address a number of people’s daily needs. Knowing how these robots are perceived and potentially accepted by ordinary users when used in common tasks and what the benefits brought are in terms, e.g., of tasks’ effectiveness, is becoming of primary importance. This paper specifically focuses on receptionist scenarios, which can be regarded as a good benchmark for social robotics applications given their implications on human-robot interaction. Precisely, the goal of this paper is to investigate how robots used as direction-giving systems can be perceived by human users and can impact on their wayfinding performance. A comparative analysis is performed, considering both solutions from the literature and new implementations which use different types of interfaces to ask for and give directions (voice, in-the-air arm pointing gestures, route tracing) and various embodiments (physical robot, virtual agent, interactive audio-map). Experimental results showed a marked preference for a physical robot-based system showing directions on a map over solutions using gestures, as well as a positive effect of embodiment and social behaviors. Moreover, in the comparison, physical robots were generally preferred to virtual agents.
A Room Temperature VOCs Gas Sensor Based on a Layer by Layer Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes/Poly-ethylene Glycol Composite
Authors: Liu Zitao , Yang Tuoyu , Dong Ying , Wang Xiaohao
Published: September 2018

Sensitive detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is significant for environmental monitoring and medical applications. In this work, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) that have good adsorption for VOCs, were sprayed layer by layer on an interdigitated electrode (IDE) to build a sensitive VOCs gas sensor. The relative resistance change (△R/R) when the sensor was exposed to VOCs was measured. The sensor showed high sensitivity to acetone, ethanol, isopropanol and isoprene with fast response (110 ± 5 s) and recovery (152 ± 5 s) at room temperature, and the lower detection limit (LDL) of the sensor reached 9 ppm. With the micro-fabricated IDE structure, the sensor can be easily built into an electric nose for VOC recognition and measurement.
Developing a Method for the Collection and Analysis of Burnt Remains for the Detection and Identification of Ignitable Liquid Residues Using Body Bags, Dynamic Headspace Sampling, and TD-GC×GC-TOFMS
Authors: Nizio Katie D. , Forbes Shari L.
Published: September 2018

In cases of suspected arson, a body may be intentionally burnt to cause loss of life, dispose of remains, or conceal identification. A primary focus of a fire investigation, particularly involving human remains, is to establish the cause of the fire; this often includes the forensic analysis of fire debris for the detection of ignitable liquid residues (ILRs). Commercial containers for the collection of fire debris evidence include metal cans, glass jars, and polymer/nylon bags of limited size. This presents a complication in cases where the fire debris consists of an intact, or partially intact, human cadaver. This study proposed the use of a body bag as an alternative sampling container. A method was developed and tested for the collection and analysis of ILRs from burnt porcine remains contained within a body bag using dynamic headspace sampling (using an Easy-VOC™ hand-held manually operated grab-sampler and stainless steel sorbent tubes containing Tenax TA) followed by thermal desorption comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TD-GC×GC-TOFMS). The results demonstrated that a body bag containing remains burnt with gasoline tested positive for the presence of gasoline, while blank body bag controls and a body bag containing remains burnt without gasoline tested negative. The proposed method permits the collection of headspace samples from burnt remains before the remains are removed from the crime scene, limiting the potential for contamination and the loss of volatiles during transit and storage.
Patterns of Interracial and Interethnic Marriages among Foreign-Born Asians in the United States
Authors: Yang Philip , Bohm-Jordan Maggie
Published: September 2018

This study examines the patterns of interracial marriage and interethnic marriage among foreign-born Asians in the United States, using pooled data from the 2008–2012 American Community Surveys. Results show that the most dominant pattern of marriage among foreign-born Asians was still intra-ethnic marriage and that interracial marriage, especially with whites, rather than interethnic marriage among Asians, remained the dominant pattern of intermarriages. Out of all foreign-born Asian marriages, inter-Asian marriages stayed at only about 3%. Among all foreign-born Asian groups, Japanese were most likely to marry interracially and interethnically, while Asian Indians had the lowest rates of interracial marriage and interethnic marriage. Foreign-born Asian women were more likely to interracially marry, especially with whites, than foreign-born Asian men, but they were not much different from foreign-born Asian men in terms of their interethnic marriage rate. The findings have significant implications for intermarriage research, assimilation, and Asian American panethnicity.
Introduction of a New Mobile Player App Store in Selected Countries of Southeast Asia
Authors: Štarchoň Peter , Vetráková Milota , Metke Jozef , Lorincová Silvia , Hitka Miloš , Weberová Dagmar
Published: September 2018

Trends in modern society have a significant impact on the way organizations operate. The use of mobile phones makes it possible to create completely new high-availability communication and business channels. Mobile phones are used in mobile marketing, which has come to the fore via SMS marketing. In this article, the focus is on the use of mobile phones in e-business. The introduction of a new mobile player app store was analyzed through research conducted in 2017. The aim of the research was to find out whether it is possible—in terms of the sustainability of the consumption of a marketing product—to introduce a single campaign with the same content but in different language mutations in selected markets, or whether it is necessary to use a completely different campaign and means of communication for each market. Overall, 287 respondents from the Philippines, Thailand, and India were examined. The dependency between the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents (country, gender, and age) and site engagement was tested, and user experience was tested, too. The results of the research revealed that there was no dependency between belonging to the selected countries and site engagement. Furthermore, there was also no dependency between gender and site engagement. On the other hand, there was a statistically significant dependency between belonging to the country and the design of the website.
Limits of it-Soft Sets and Their Applications for Rough Sets
Authors: Xie Xiaoliang , He Jiali
Published: September 2018

Soft set theory is a mathematical tool for handling uncertainty. This paper investigates the limits of the interval type of soft sets ( i t -soft sets). The notion of i t -soft sets is first introduced. Then, the limits of i t -soft sets are proposed and their properties obtained. Next, point-wise continuity of i t -soft sets and continuous i t -soft sets is discussed. Finally, an application for rough sets is given.
Hospitalizations and Deaths Associated with Diarrhea and Respiratory Diseases among Children Aged 0–5 Years in a Referral Hospital of Mauritania
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed Lemine Cheikh Brahim , Weddih Abdellahi , Benhafid Mohammed , Bollahi Mohamed Abdellahi , Sidatt Mariem , Makhalla Khattry , Mokdad Ali H. , Heukelbach Jorg , Filali-Maltouf Abdelkarim
Published: September 2018

Diarrhea and respiratory diseases are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among <5-year-olds worldwide, but systematic data are not available from Mauritania. We conducted a hospital-based retrospective study. Data on admissions to Mauritania’s National Referral Hospital (the main pediatric referral center in the country), due to diarrhea and respiratory diseases, during 2011–2014, were analyzed. A total of 3695 children <5 years were hospitalized during this period; 665 (18.0%) due to respiratory diseases, and 829 (22.4%) due to diarrhea. Case fatality rates in the respiratory diseases and diarrhea groups were 18.0% (120/665) and 14.1% (117/829), respectively. The highest frequency of deaths due to diarrhea occurred in the age group 2–5 years (16/76; 21.0%), and due to respiratory diseases in the age group 6–12 months (32/141; 22.6%). We conclude that case fatality rates caused by respiratory diseases and diarrhea are extremely high in children hospitalized at the National Referral Hospital. These data call for intensified efforts to reduce deaths among hospitalized Mauritanian children, and also for integrated control measures to prevent and reduce the burden of both diseases. Additional studies are needed to show the effectiveness of the introduction of vaccination programs for pneumococcal diseases and rotavirus infection in the child population, which were launched in November 2013 and December 2014, respectively.
Assessing the Analytical Solution of One-Dimensional Gravity Wave Model Equations Using Dam-Break Experimental Measurements
Authors: Liu Wenjun , Wang Bo , Chen Yunliang , Wu Chao , Liu Xin
Published: September 2018

The one-dimensional gravity wave model (GWM) is the result of ignoring the convection term in the Saint-Venant Equations (SVEs), and has the characteristics of fast numerical calculation and low stability requirements. To study its performances and limitations in 1D dam-break flood, this paper verifies the model using a dam-break experiment. The experiment was carried out in a large-scale flume with depth ratios (initial downstream water depth divided by upstream water depth) divided into 0 and 0.1~0.4. The data were collected by image processing technology, and the hydraulic parameters, such as water depth, flow discharge, and wave velocity, were selected for comparison. The experimental results show that the 1D GWM performs an area with constant hydraulic parameters, which is quite different from the experimental results in the dry downstream case. For a depth ratio of 0.1, the second weak discontinuity point, which is connected to the steady zone in the 1D GWM, moves upstream, which is contrary to the experimental situation. For depth ratios of 0.2~0.4, the moving velocity of the second weak discontinuity point is faster than the experimental value, while the velocity of the shock wave is slower. However, as the water depth ratio increases, the hydraulic parameters calculated by 1D GWM in the steady zone gradually approach the experimental value.
Un nouveau processus d’évaluation pour améliorer la qualité des feedbacks dans les tests en ligne
Authors: Silvestre Franck , Vidal Philippe , Broisin Julien
Published: September 2018

Nos travaux précédents ont introduit la plateforme Tsaap-Notes dédiée à la génération de questionnaires à choix multiples en recyclant (1) les questions interactives posées pendant le cours par l’enseignant, et (2) les explications saisies par les étudiants pour constituer les feedbacks présentés aux étudiants durant les tests. Dans cet article, nous présentons un nouveau processus baptisé «processus en N phases » et son implantation dans Tsaap-Notes qui visent d’une part à augmenter l’engagement des étudiants dans l’activité de rédaction des explications et, d’autre part à améliorer la qualité des feedbacks restitués au sein des tests générés. Notre approche a été validée par une première expérimentation.
Motivation, comportement dans le jeu et expérience de jeu : une relation aux multiples facettes
Authors: Sutter Widmer Denise , Szilas Nicolas
Published: September 2018

Nous avons développé un jeu vidéo pour l’apprentissage de l’algèbre élémentaire, à partir duquel nous étudions comment la motivation à apprendre et à s’engager dans l’activité est liée à la qualité de l’expérience et à l’aisance dans le jeu. Nous avons mis en évidence différents profils d’élèves à partir d’une méthode de classification. Nous montrons que certains joueurs-apprenants sont orientés plutôt jeu, d’autres plutôt contenu, et certains d’entre eux ne sont intéressés de prime abord ni par l’un ni par l’autre. Ces profils correspondent au départ du jeu à des attentes et motivations diverses qui vont en partie déterminer le niveau d’engagement des joueurs-apprenants dans l’activité du jeu et dans l’apprentissage. Il apparaît que si les attentes d’un des profils ne sont pas satisfaites, le niveau d’engagement et les performances dans le jeu vont s’en ressentir négativement.
L’utilisation du manuel numérique en contexte postsecondaire : avantages et inconvénients
Authors: Roussel Chantal , Lemieux Marie-Michèle , Landry Normand , Samson Ghislain
Published: September 2018

Ce texte présente des résultats tirés d’une synthèse des connaissances réalisée en 2015, concernant l’utilisation du manuel numérique en contexte postsecondaire. Les études répertoriées se concentrent sur des applications en milieu universitaire, bien que quelques-unes d’entre elles réfèrent à une formation équivalente à celle du secteur collégial technique québécois. Les articles retenus lors de cette recension proviennent de revues scientifiques essentiellement anglo-saxonnes. Le travail d’analyse a permis de mettre en exergue des avantages et des inconvénients perçus ou vécus en relation avec l’usage du manuel numérique par des enseignants et des étudiants. Les principaux résultats indiquent que l’utilisation du manuel numérique se révèle particulièrement positive quant aux formes d’interactivité qu’il permet. En revanche, différents obstacles se dressent lorsque vient le moment d’accéder à l’outil et de l’utiliser.
KMT-2016-BLG-2052L: Microlensing Binary Composed of M Dwarfs Revealed from a Very Long Timescale Event
Authors: Han Cheongho , Jung Youn Kil , Shvartzvald Yossi , Albrow Michael D. , Chung Sun-Ju , Gould Andrew , Hwang Kyu-Ha , Kim Doeon , Lee Chung-Uk , Kim Woong-Tae , Kim Hyoun-Woo , Ryu Yoon-Hyun , Shin In-Gu , Yee Jennifer C. , Kim Chun-Hwey , Cha Sang-Mok , Kim Seung-Lee , Kim Dong-Jin , Lee Dong-Joo , Lee Yongseok , Park Byeong-Gon , Pogge Richard W. ,   (The KMTNet Collaboration), Beichman Charles , Bryden Geoff , Novati Sebastiano Calchi , Gaudi B. Scott , Henderson Calen B. , Matthew T. P. , Jacklin Savannah R. ,   (The UKIRT Microlensing Team)
Published: September 2018

We present the analysis of a binary microlensing event, KMT-2016-BLG-2052, for which the lensing-induced brightening of the source star lasted for two seasons. We determine the lens mass from the combined measurements of the microlens parallax, π
E, and angular Einstein radius, θ
E. The measured mass indicates that the lens is a binary composed of M dwarfs with masses of M
1 ∼ 0.34 M
⊙ and M
2 ∼ 0.17 M
⊙. The measured relative lens-source proper motion of μ ∼ 3.9 mas yr−1 is smaller than ∼5 mas yr−1 of typical Galactic lensing events, while the estimated angular Einstein radius of θ
E ∼ 1.2 mas is substantially greater than the typical value of ∼0.5 mas. Therefore, it turns out that the long timescale of the event is caused by the combination of the slow μ and large θ
E rather than the heavy mass of the lens. From the simulation of Galactic lensing events with very long timescales (t
E ≳ 100 days), we find that the probabilities that long timescale events are produced by lenses with masses ≥1.0 M
⊙ and ≥3.0 M
⊙ are ∼19% and 2.6%, respectively, indicating that events produced by heavy lenses comprise a minor fraction of long timescale events. The results indicate that it is essential to determine lens masses by measuring both π
E and θ
E in order to firmly identify heavy stellar remnants, such as neutron stars and black holes.
The ESO Multi-instrument Kinematic Survey (MIKiS) of Galactic Globular Clusters: Solid-body Rotation and Anomalous Velocity Dispersion Profile in NGC 5986∗
Authors: Lanzoni B. , Ferraro F. R. , Mucciarelli A. , Pallanca C. , Tiongco M. A. , Varri A. , Vesperini E. , Bellazzini M. , Dalessandro E. , Origlia L. , Valenti E. , Sollima A. , Lapenna E. , Beccari G.
Published: September 2018

As part of the ESO-VLT Multi-Instrument Kinematic Survey of Galactic globular clusters (GCs), we present a detailed investigation of the internal kinematics of NGC 5986. The analysis is based on about 300 individual radial velocities of stars located at various distances from the cluster center, up to 300″ (about four half-mass radii). Our analysis reveals the presence of a solid-body rotation extending from the cluster center to the outermost regions probed by the data, and a velocity dispersion profile initially declining with the distance from the cluster’s center, but flattening and staying constant at ∼5 km s−1 for distances larger than about one half-mass radius. This is the first GC for which evidence of the joint presence of solid-body rotation and flattening in the outer velocity dispersion profile has been found. The combination of these two kinematical features provides a unique opportunity to shed light on fundamental aspects of GC dynamics and to probe the extent to which internal relaxation, star escape, angular momentum transport and loss, and the interaction with the Galaxy tidal field can affect a cluster’s dynamical evolution and determine its current kinematical properties. We present the results of a series of N-body simulations illustrating the possible dynamical paths leading to kinematic features like those observed in this cluster and the fundamental dynamical processes that underpin them.
Dependence of Coronal Mass Ejection Properties on Their Solar Source Active Region Characteristics and Associated Flare Reconnection Flux
Authors: Pal Sanchita , Nandy Dibyendu , Srivastava Nandita , Gopalswamy Nat , Panda Suman
Published: September 2018

The near-Sun kinematics of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) determine the severity and arrival time of associated geomagnetic storms. We investigate the relationship between the deprojected speed and kinetic energy of CMEs and magnetic measures of their solar sources, reconnection flux of associated eruptive events, and intrinsic flux-rope characteristics. Our data covers the period 2010–2014 in solar cycle 24. Using vector magnetograms of source active regions, we estimate the size and nonpotentiality. We compute the total magnetic reconnection flux at the source regions of CMEs using the post-eruption arcade method. By forward modeling the CMEs, we find their deprojected geometric parameters and constrain their kinematics and magnetic properties. Based on an analysis of this database, we report that the correlation between CME speed and their source active region size and global nonpotentiality is weak, but not negligible. We find the near-Sun velocity and kinetic energy of CMEs to be well correlated with the associated magnetic reconnection flux. We establish a statistically significant empirical relationship between the CME speed and reconnection flux that may be utilized for prediction purposes. Furthermore, we find CME kinematics to be related with the axial magnetic field intensity and relative magnetic helicity of their intrinsic flux ropes. The amount of coronal magnetic helicity shed by CMEs is found to be well correlated with their near-Sun speeds. The kinetic energy of CMEs is well correlated with their intrinsic magnetic energy density. Our results constrain processes related to the origin and propagation of CMEs and may lead to better empirical forecasting of their arrival and geoeffectiveness.
The Impact of Vector Resonant Relaxation on the Evolution of Binaries near a Massive Black Hole: Implications for Gravitational-wave Sources
Authors: Hamers Adrian S. , Bar-Or Ben , Petrovich Cristobal , Antonini Fabio
Published: September 2018

Binaries within the sphere of influence of a massive black hole (MBH) in galactic nuclei are susceptible to the Lidov–Kozai (LK) mechanism, which can drive orbits to high eccentricities and trigger strong interactions within the binary such as the emission of gravitational waves (GWs) and mergers of compact objects. These events are potential sources for GW detectors such as Advanced LIGO and VIRGO. The LK mechanism is only effective if the binary is highly inclined with respect to its orbit around the MBH (within a few degrees of 90°), implying low rates. However, close to an MBH, torques from the stellar cluster give rise to the process of vector resonant relaxation (VRR). VRR can bring a low-inclination binary into an “active” LK regime in which high eccentricities and strong interactions are triggered in the binary. Here, we study the coupled LK–VRR dynamics, with implications for LIGO and VIRGO GW sources. We carry out Monte Carlo simulations and find that the merger fraction enhancement due to LK–VRR dynamics is up to a factor of ∼10 for the lower end of assumed MBH masses (

) and decreases sharply with increasing M
•. We find that, even in our most optimistic scenario, the baseline BH–BH merger rate is small, and the enhancement by LK–VRR coupling is not large enough to increase the rate to well above the LIGO/VIRGO lower limit,

. For the Galactic Center, the LK–VRR-enhanced rate is ∼100 times lower than the LIGO/VIRGO limit, and for

, the rate barely reaches

.
Dedifferentiation of Retinal Pigment Epithelium in a Patient With Chronic Retinal Detachment
Authors: Simsek Mert , Ozates Serdar , Gulpamuk Bayram , Buyukeren Berrin , Teke Mehmet Yasin
Published: September 2018

A 34-year-old woman presented with vision loss in her right eye, which had persisted for approximately 12 months. Funduscopy showed horseshoe retinal tear at the 8-o'clock position and retinal detachment in inferior, nasal, and temporal quadrants, with a pigmented demarcation line in the right eye. Diffuse punctate accumulations were noted on the detached retinal surface and in the vitreous. Fundus autofluorescence imaging detected diffuse punctate accumulations, which produced hyperautofluorescence spots. Cytological examination of a vitreous sample detected
CD68
-positive and cytokeratin- and
CD45
-negative macrophages. These findings indicate that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition occurred in the retinal pigment epithelium of our patient.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:716–720.]
Reconsidering the Postoperative Day 0 Visit for Retina Surgery
Authors: Ringeisen Alexander L. , Parke David Wilkin
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

This study compares outcomes of patients who were examined on postoperative (PO) day 0 and PO day 1 following retina surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

A nonrandomized, comparative, retrospective series of one vitreoretinal surgeon was conducted on 166 patients with a PO day 0 visit (approximately 5 hours following surgery) and 428 patients with a PO day 1 visit.

RESULTS:

Among patients examined at PO day 0, 4.6% had hypotony (intraocular pressure [IOP] ≤ 5 mm Hg) and 1.8% needed intervention for elevated IOP (IOP ≥ 30 mm Hg) compared with 1.6% and 4.0% of patients, respectively, examined on PO day 1.

CONCLUSION:

Following retina surgery, there is a similar percentage of patients with abnormal IOP when patients are examined on PO day 0 when compared with PO day 1. However, the rate of hypotony was statistically higher on PO day 0, and there was a trend toward more elevated IOP on PO day 1.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:e52–e56.]
Stereological Method in Optical Coherence Tomography for In Vivo Evaluation of Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization
Authors: Trujillo-Sanchez Gloria Paulina , Martinez-Camarillo Juan Carlos , Spee Christine K. , Hinton David R. , Humayun Mark S. , Weitz Andrew C.
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate a stereological method in optical coherence tomography (OCT) as an in vivo volume measurement of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (L-CNV) lesion size.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Laser photocoagulation was applied in rats to rupture Bruch's membrane and induce L-CNV. In vivo OCT images of neovascular lesions were acquired with a spectral-domain OCT system at days 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14 after laser surgery. A stereological image-processing method was used to calculate lesion volumes from the OCT images. Rats were euthanized at day 14, and confocal microscopy was used to obtain accurate volume measurements of the lesions ex vivo. Lesion sizes calculated from OCT and confocal were compared.

RESULTS:

In vivo assessment by OCT allowed three distinct stages of L-CNV to be visualized: the initial early reaction, neovascular proliferation, and regression. At day 14, correlations between OCT and confocal lesion volumes showed a positive association (Pearson's r = 0.50,
P
< .01). Except for the largest lesions, volumes measured by OCT were statistically similar to those measured by the confocal gold standard (
P
= .90).

CONCLUSION:

The stereological approach used to measure neovascular lesion volume from OCT images offers an accurate means to track L-CNV lesion size in vivo.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2018;49:e65–e74.]
MULTI-CHANNEL ECG-BASED STEGANOGRAPHY
Authors: Boostani R. , Sabeti M.
Published: September 2018

There is a growing tendency for the concealment of secure information into electrocardiogram (ECG) signals in a way that the embedded ECGs still remain diagnosable. The average length of ECG recording for a primary diagnosis takes no longer than 1[Formula: see text]min yielding to limit its concealment capacity. To overcome this drawback, we enhanced both concealment capacity and embedding quality by: (I) using 12-lead ECGs to span more embedding space, (II) shuffling input message bits via nonlinear feedback shift register (NLFSR) method, (III) inserting the selected bits of each channel into the high-frequency wavelet coefficients of non-QRS parts. Inserting the message bits into high frequency coefficients of less important ECG parts leads to preserve the quality watermarked ECGs. To assess the proposed method, a text containing different letters (changes with size of both non-QRS segments and high-frequency sub-band) was hidden through 12-lead ECG signals of 56 randomly selected subjects of PTB database, where each signal length is 10[Formula: see text]s. The performance was compared to state-of-the-art ECG-based steganography schemes in terms of the following criteria: percentage residual difference (PRD), peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index measure (SSIM) and bit error rate (BER). Our results showed that the proposed scheme has benefits of fast computing along with secure embedding, providing high capacity of data hiding.