bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Step towards Control of Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis: Hospital Based Study from Nashik India
Authors: Gosavi SV , Patil M , Almale B , Dugad S
Published: October 2016

Introduction: The Global TB report (2012), estimates 73,000 MDR TB patients living in India, among them only 1,660 cases were notified and 68.4% cases were put on treatment. Hence, this study was conducted with objective to assess the treatment outcome of multi drug resistant Tuberculosis patients enrolled in DOTS plus (Cat-VI) site.Methodology: It is a retrospective case series of MDR-TB cases conducted at Dr. Vasantrao Pawar Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Nashik (Maharashtra). Information was collected on age, gender, HIV status, previous treatment of TB, weight of patient, refused to take treatment for Cat IV. Outcome was recorded in terms of cure rate, rate of failure, defaulter, treatment completed, switch to Cat V and death.Results: Among the study subject, majority of study subjects were male (65%) and highest proportion (49%) of MDR-TB was in 25-44 years of age. Out of 353 patient 241 (68.4%) were still on Cat IV in which 35% patient’s on intensive phase and 65% put on continuation phase while 12.8%, 13.5%, 4%, 1.1%, 3.6% & 0.5% patient were found to be defaulted, died, refused to take treatment, treatment completed, transfer out & switch to Cat V, respectively.Conclusion: In the present study, the majority of study subjects (99.4%) were previously treated for TB, we identified number of operational challenges in the treatment of MDR-TB like rate of defaulter, refuse to take treatment & deaths among MDR-TB patient was high. There is need to study correlates of these factors in details also need of operational research to improve MDR-TB treatment in India is considered as priority.SAARC J TUBER LUNG DIS HIV/AIDS, 2015 XII (2), page: 34-38
Producing Interdisciplinary Competent Professionals: Integrating One Health Core Competencies into the Veterinary Curriculum at the University of Rwanda
Authors: Amuguni Hellen J. , Mazan Melissa , Kibuuka Robert
Published: October 2016

Infectious diseases of grave concern to human health are emerging from wildlife and livestock populations in multiple regions of the world. Responding effectively to these emerging pandemics requires engagement of multidisciplinary groups of professionals. Using a One Health approach, One Health Central and Eastern Africa (OHCEA), a network of seven schools of public health and seven veterinary schools, with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has engaged in curriculum review with the aim of building the skills of multidisciplinary groups of professionals to improve their capacity to respond to emerging infectious diseases. Through stakeholder analysis and curriculum development workshops, the University of Rwanda's School of Veterinary Medicine, in association with Tufts University, revised its curriculum to incorporate One Health competencies to be better prepared to respond to any infectious disease outbreak in Africa. The revised curriculum aimed to build cross-sectoral skills and knowledge; transform students' ways of thinking about infectious disease outbreak response; link human, veterinary, and wildlife health training opportunities; and strengthen community frontline responder training. Eight different disciplines engaged in the curriculum review process: Veterinary Medicine, Livestock Production, Wildlife and Aquatic Resources, Environmental Health and Epidemiology, Communication Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Public Health. One Health competencies such as communication, collaboration, leadership, and advocacy were added to the new curriculum, helping ensure that each professional be appropriately equipped with skills to recognize and respond effectively to any emerging infections.
Intervention Mapping to Develop a Print Resource for Dog-Walking Promotion in Canada
Authors: Campbell Julia , Dwyer John J. M. , Coe Jason B.
Published: October 2016

Promoting dog walking among dog owners is consistent with One Health, which focuses on the mutual health benefits of the human–animal relationship for people and animals. In this study, we used intervention mapping (a framework to develop programs and resources for health promotion) to develop a clearer understanding of the determinants of dog walking to develop curricular and educational resources for promoting regular dog walking among dog owners. Twenty-six adult dog owners in Ontario participated in a semi-structured interview about dog walking in 2014. Thematic analysis entailing open, axial, and selective coding was conducted. Among the reasons why the participating dog owners walk their dog were the obligation to the dog, the motivation from the dog, self-efficacy, the dog's health, the owner's health, socialization, a well-behaved dog, and having a routine. The main barriers to dog walking were weather, lack of time, the dog's behavior while walking, and feeling unsafe. We compared interview results to findings in previous studies of dog walking to create a list of determinants of dog walking that we used to create a matrix of change objectives. Based on these results, we developed a print resource to promote regular dog walking among dog owners. The findings can be used by veterinary educators to inform course content that specifically educates veterinary students on the promotion of dog walking among dog owners and the benefits to both humans and animals. The study also offers veterinarians a further understanding upon which to initiate a conversation and develop educational resources for promoting regular dog walking among dog-owning clients.
Selective Hydrolysis of 1-cyanocyclopropane-1-carboxylates: Concise Preparation of 1-carbamoylcyclopropane-1-carboxylates
Authors: Liu Jiaming , Zhang Feixiang , Wang Ting , Qing Xushun , Wang Cunde
Published: October 2016

An efficient and straightforward method has been developed for the preparation of 1-carbamoylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate derivatives via selective hydrolysis of 1-cyanocyclopropane-1-carboxylates by using hydroxylamine and sodium acetate system strategy. The structure of 1-carbamoylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate 2a was further confirmed by X-ray single crystal analysis.
A Practical and Diastereoselective Synthesis of Dihydrofurocoumarin from Pyridinium Ylides in Aqueous Medium
Authors: An Litao , Sun Xiaojun , Zhang Lulu , Zhou Jianfeng , Zhu Fengxia , Shen Zhengjia
Published: October 2016

A series of 2,3-dihydrofurocoumarins were prepared via a three-component reaction of aldehyde, pyridinium salt and 4-hydroxycoumarin in aqueous ethanol. This method avoids using excessive pyridine and trimethylamine, and has operational simplicity and avoids tedious column chromatography purification. Both aryl aldehydes and aliphatic aldehydes are applicable to this protocol.
Construction of human anti-tetanus single-chain variable fragment applying SYMPLEX technology
Authors: Esmati Laya , Mehrabadi Jalil Fallah , Bazaz Masoumeh , Nejad Hamideh Rouhani
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND:

Human monoclonal antibodies are important molecules in clinical research. Current Limitations of mAb technologies namely instability of immortalized B-cell line and probability of forming unusual VH-VL pairs in phage-display method led to mAbs technology based on single plasma cell called ``SYMPLEX''.

OBJECTIVE:

In this method, cognate VH and VL fragments generated from individual antibody genes exactly the same as natural ones.

METHODS:

PBMCs of whole blood of an immunized candidate was used as a resource of rearranged Ab genes. Then flow-cytometric screening was performed to isolate VH and VL from PBMCs. Various VH and VLκ were amplified by six pairs of primers. Overlap Extension PCR was accomplished to link VH and Vκ regions. ScFv inserted into T-vector and its sequence was determined and eventually analyzed by using blast analysis tools.

RESULTS:

Electrophoresis results indicated that VH and VL fragments were separately amplified by PCR with a length of about 400bp and linked through OE-PCR. Hence, ScFv, which was approximately 800bp in size, was constructed then sequencing and BLASTn results of the ScFv fragment consequently proved the accuracy.

CONCLUSION:

Results showed 88% similarity to available sequences in mentioned databank. ScFv was ultimately inserted into expression vector for producing recombinant human anti-tetanus mAb.
The influence of two static stretching protocols with different intensities on concentric knee extension strength
Authors: Rodrigues Patrick , Hernandez Sara Gabellone , de Macedo Salgueirosa Fabiano , Novack Luiz Fernando , Wassmansdorf Renata , Wharton Lee , Osiecki Raul
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND:

Pre-exercise stretching is a commonly used practice by many competitive and recreational athletes. However, the effects of stretching on muscle performance are still incongruous. Furthermore, there is conflicting evidence regarding the intensity of stretching and the effect it has on muscular strength.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effects of two different intensity levels of passive static stretching protocols on concentric knee extension strength.

METHODS:

Twenty-two male recreational athletes involved in regular resistance training programs were evaluated using a randomized design. Subjects performed an isokinetic test of the knee extensors following either maximal intensity static stretching, submaximal intensity static stretching, or no stretching.

RESULTS:

The only significant difference in the peak moment, amounting to 10.5%, was noted between maximal intensity stretching and no stretching.

CONCLUSION:

Maximal intensity stretching of the quadriceps may adversely affect the acute concentric moment production capacity of these muscles.
Reproducibility of an ankle joint rotation correction method for assessment of Achilles tendon elongation
Authors: Rector Michael , Intziegianni Konstantina , Müller Steffen , Mayer Frank , Cassel Michael
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND:

The Achilles tendon (AT) requires optimal material and mechanical properties to function properly. Calculation of these properties depends on accurate measurement of input parameters (i.e. tendon elongation). However, the measurement of AT elongation with ultrasound during maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) is overestimated by ankle joint rotation (AJR). Methods to correct the influence of this rotation on AT elongation exist, yet their reproducibility in clinical settings is unknown.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the test-retest reproducibility of AT elongation during MVIC after AJR correction.

METHODS:

Ten participants attended test and retest measurements where they performed plantar-flexion MVIC on a dynamometer. Simultaneously, ultrasound recorded AT elongation as the displacement of the medial gastrocnemius-myotendinous junction, while an electrogoniometer measured AJR. The ankle was then passively rotated to the AJR achieved during MVIC and AT elongation again determined. Elongation was corrected by subtracting this passive AT elongation from the total AT elongation during MVIC. Reproducibility was evaluated using ICC (2.1), test-retest variability (TRV, %), Bland-Altman analyses (Bias ± LoA [1.96*SD]) and standard error of the measurement (SEM).

RESULTS:

Corrected AT elongation reproducibility exhibited an ICC = 0.79, SEM = 0.2 cm and TRV = 20 ± 19%. Bias ± LoA were determined to be 0.0 ± 0.8 cm.

CONCLUSIONS:

Using this ultrasound and electrogoniometer-based method, corrected AT elongation can be assessed reproducibly.
The effects of a tart cherry beverage on reducing exercise-induced muscle soreness
Authors: Beals Kim , Allison Katelyn F. , Darnell Matthew , Lovalekar Mita , Baker Rachel , Nieman David C. , Vodovotz Yoram , Lephart Scott M.
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND:

Tart cherry juice contains a high level of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients. Limited research has investigated its potential to ameliorate symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) caused by inflammation from eccentric exercise.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of investigation was to assess the effect of a tart cherry beverage (TCB) on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

METHODS:

Participants underwent assessment of the quadriceps for pain, muscle tenderness, thigh girth, flexibility, strength, and markers of muscle inflammation and damage at baseline, immediately following, and 24 h, 48 h, 96 h, and one week post-eccentric fatigue protocol while consuming TCB(N = 15) or placebo (N = 14). Two-way mixed ANOVA assessed the effects of time, group, and interaction for all variables except pain, which was assessed using Wilcoxon rank sum tests (p < 0.05).

RESULTS:

No significant main effect of group and no significant interaction was demonstrated between group and time, but a significant main effect of time was revealed for thigh girth, tenderness, flexibility, and strength (p < 0.001-0.003). For pain, change over time from baseline to post-fatigue was higher in the TCB group (p= 0.008). No statistically significant main effect of time, group, or interaction effect between time and group was demonstrated for cytokine data.

CONCLUSION:

Results from this study provide important insights to methodological issues that will guide future studies using TCB including, dose of anthocyanins, muscle groups to study, fatigue protocols to use and length of supplementation.
Comparative investigation of concentrated winding and vernier double-stator permanent-magnet motors
Authors: Zhu Jian , Zhao Wenxiang , Ji Jinghua , Ling Zhijian
Published: October 2016

Vernier double-stator permanent-magnet (DS-PM) motor incorporates the merits of high torque capability and high power factor. In order to evaluate this new topology, this paper compares two DS-PM motors, namely a conventional 42-slot concentrated winding one and a recently proposed 24-slot vernier one. For a fair comparison, both DS-PM motors are designed based on the same size. The slot-vector star graph is applied to analyze their different winding constructions. By analyzing harmonic spectrums of the flux density in the air-gap, their different operation principles are comparatively investigated. Their electromagnetic performances are predicted by using finite-element method. The results show that the vernier one can provide higher torque capability and flux-weakening capability, but suffers from higher loss even though it has lower pole and slot number than the conventional one. Hence, vernier DS-PM motors are more suitable for the applications such as high torque density, good cooling condition and wide speed range.
Closed-loop control for deflection of cantilever beam based on hybrid photovoltaic/piezoelectric actuation mechanism
Authors: Wang Xinjie , Lu Fei , Qiao Kun
Published: October 2016

This paper proposes a novel non-contact closed-loop control model for the deflection of cantilever beam based on hybrid photovoltaic/piezoelectric actuation mechanism. The polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric actuator was driven under the photovoltage of lead lanthanum zirconate(PLZT) ceramic which was irradiated by ultraviolet light. The closed-loop control equations for the deflection of cantilever beam were derived based on the coupled multi-physics model of PLZT ceramic and the constitutive model of cantilever beam. According to the identified parameters obtained from the static experiments during illumination phase and light-off phase, the mathematical simulation for closed-loop control of the deflection of cantilever beam was conducted. Furthermore, the corresponding experiments based on the hybrid photovoltaic/piezoelectric actuation mechanism were carried out to verify the proposed control model. The simulation and experimental results show that the deflection of cantilever beam laminated with a PVDF actuator can successfully achieve the target value by applying the UV light to the PLZT ceramic using a simple on-off control method.
Current sensor fault diagnosis and adaptive fault-tolerant control of PMSM drive system based on differential algebraic method
Authors: Li Hongmei , Yao Hongyang , Hou Shuhan , Wang Ping
Published: October 2016

As the key sensor of Electric Vehicle Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PMSM) drive system, the current sensor usually occurs gain and offset fault, and the fault will directly affect the performance and stability of PMSM drive system. Therefore, the inverter nonlinearity dead-time compensation method is first investigated allowing for parasitic capacitor effect, and the proposed method are compared with the traditional dead-time compensation method, moreover, the technical advantages are all validated via experimental results, the fault diagnosis accuracy problem of current sensor caused by the inverter nonlinearity induced offset voltage between inverter reference and output voltage are cleverly solved. Then, the differential algebraic based fault diagnosis method and adaptive fault-tolerant control strategy are presented. An integrated solution of PMSM drive system is innovatively proposed integrated the proposed dead-time compensation method with proposed differential algebraic based fault diagnosis method and adaptive fault-tolerant control strategy together. At last, system simulation and dSPACE based experimental test are implemented to validate the feasibility and effectiveness of proposed integrated solution of PMSM drive system and the conclusions are shown.
Iterative model for shape prediction in levitation melting process
Authors: Shoihet A. , Frechter Y. , Berdichevsky V. , Shvartsas M. , Rabinovici R.
Published: October 2016

Levitation melting is one of the unique techniques in containerless melting experiments and solidification of materials for processing under high magnetic fields. In recent years this technique has spread to other research areas of metallurgy and it is currently used in applications like alloy preparation, metal purification and grain refinement.

Usually, levitation melting is achieved by using coaxial two-section coils. The bottom and the upper sections carry currents in opposite directions. Different apparatus coil configurations and electrical parameters, like current frequency and amplitude, have a direct effect on the free surface shape of the molten charge. It is crucial to know the final molten metal shape, as a prediction tool of levitation melting success, during design procedure. By means of developed iterative model, the equilibrium shape of levitated molten metal is found. This model takes into considerations a balance of hydrostatic, surface tension and magnetic pressures at the metal interface.

The predicted shapes of the metal droplet as well as its position inside the inductor are correlate with that of the experimental data.
Induction heating of carbon fiber composites: Investigation of electrical and thermal properties
Authors: Lundström Fredrik , Frogner Kenneth , Wiberg Oscar , Cedell Tord , Andersson Mats
Published: October 2016

Carbon fiber reinforced plastics, CFRP, are attractive materials not only because of their strength and stiffness but also because of their electrical conductivity and high thermal conductivity and diffusivity. One application where induction heating of CFRP is particularly interesting is tools for fast thermal cycling, beneficial in many industrial processes, for example in composite manufacturing. The electrical properties make it possible to heat with induction and the high thermal conductivity allows fast heat equalization. In order to control inducting heating of CFRP it is desirable to know the electrical and thermal properties of the composite. This work presents developed experimental methods that are used in an investigation of how the thermal and electrical properties of CFRP structures are affected by the fiber properties and composite structure. The experiments and simulations show that fiber type and fiber volume fraction are of great importance for the electrical and thermal properties. The relation between fiber volume fraction and equivalent resistivity is nonlinear and the experiments indicate that a fiber volume fraction exceeding 60% is necessary to achieve a fairly isotropic resistivity and uniform induction heating pattern.
Gas bubbles and liquid metal flow influenced by uniform external magnetic field
Authors: Pavlovs Sergejs , Jakovics Andris , Baake Egbert , Sushkovs Vadims
Published: October 2016

The paper presents transient distributions of physical fields, computed with LES ( Large Eddy Simulation), for turbulent bubbles flow through electrically conductive liquid in rectangle bubble reactor ( RBR) or cylindrical bubble reactor ( CBR), which are placed in external uniform horizontal or vertical magnetic field. Experimentally verified (without magnetic field) Euler-Euler approach, realized with ANSYS Fluent Magnetohydrodynamic ( MHD) module, is used for multiphase flow, when continuous phase is electrically conductive liquid (water-like liquid or Wood-metal) and dispersed phase is gas (air or nitrogen) bubbles.
Free-surface dynamics in the Ribbon Growth on Substrate (RGS) process
Authors: Beckstein Pascal , Galindo Vladimir , Gerbeth Gunter
Published: October 2016

With the Ribbon Growth on Substrate (RGS) technology, a new crystallization technique is available that allows controlled high crystallization rate production of silicon wafers and advanced metal-silicide alloys. Compared to other casting methods, such as e.g. directional solidification, the RGS process allows better crystallization control, high volume manufacturing and high material yield due to its continuous, substrate-driven design. Insights from modelling the characteristic melt flow in the casting frame are very desirable. To address this demand, we are developing a new numerical tool based on OpenFOAM [1] which can be utilized to simulate the free-surface dynamics of the melt flow under the influence of alternating electromagnetic fields. The underlying multi-physical model involves three-dimensional hydrodynamic and magnetodynamic effects and their interaction.
Large scale electromagnetic levitation melting of metals
Authors: Spitans Sergejs , Baake Egbert , Jakovics Andris , Franz Henrik
Published: October 2016

In this paper, a drip- and leakage-free approach for electromagnetic (EM) levitation melting of metallic samples in horizontal and orthogonal two-frequency fields is studied further. Numerical simulation is used to design an experimental furnace for a stable levitation melting of aluminum samples with increased weight. The scale-up of the method is validated by experiments with aluminum (Al) samples up to 0.5 kg.
Equivalence among strands in PCB litz-wire inductors applied to domestic induction heating
Authors: Lope I. , Carretero C. , Acero J. , Serrano J. , Burdío J.M.
Published: October 2016

Cost-effective solutions for domestic induction heating appliances have become a priority in recent years. With this purpose, the implementation of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) inductors has entailed important research efforts. A proper litz structure is essential to achieve high-efficiency PCB inductors. This structure requires routing the traces by using vias in a double layer PCB to obtain the appropriate transposition pattern. In this paper, the optimal number of vias has been analyzed to minimize the power losses in the coil. This analysis has been carried out based on numerical calculations whose results have been experimentally verified.
Effect of M-EMS on in-mould transient flow during continuous casting
Authors: Marioni L. , Alves J. , Bay F. , Hachem E.
Published: October 2016

Electromagnetic stirring (EMS) is widely used to increase the efficiency in continuous casting process of steel. In particular, in-mould applications (M-EMS) allow decreasing the free surface fluctuation, controlling the velocity field and decreasing the turbulence of the flow. Since laboratory-scale tests are not fully representative of the process and industrial measurements are both expensive and difficult to carry out, numerical simulation is a strong tool to study and optimize these electromagnetic applications in steel industry. These simulations cannot fully model the process of its multiphysical nature and the simulation of all the phenomena involved would lead to huge computational costs, which is one of the main limits in the current situation. For this reason, this work aims at starting searching a coupling algorithm which could guarantee both computational efficiency and accuracy of the final results.
A benchmark problem of induction heating analysis
Authors: Di Barba P. , Mognaschi M.E. , Lowther D.A. , Dughiero F. , Forzan M. , Lupi S. , Sieni E.
Published: October 2016

In the paper, a benchmark in the area of induction heating is presented in order to test methods and codes of field analysis in a comparative way. In particular, the transient thermal analysis of a magnetic steel cylindrical billet is considered: the coupled-field problem is characterized by a twofold non linearity, i.e. the dependence of magnetic permeability on both field strength and temperature.
Excitation-Contraction Coupling Alterations in Myopathies
Authors: Marty Isabelle , Fauré Julien
Published: October 2016

During the complex series of events leading to muscle contraction, the initial electric signal coming from motor neurons is transformed into an increase in calcium concentration that triggers sliding of myofibrils. This process, referred to as excitation–contraction coupling, is reliant upon the calcium-release complex, which is restricted spatially to a sub-compartment of muscle cells (“the triad”) and regulated precisely. Any dysfunction in the calcium-release complex leads to muscle impairment and myopathy. Various causes can lead to alterations in excitation–contraction coupling and to muscle diseases. The latter are reviewed and classified into four categories: (i) mutation in a protein of the calcium-release complex; (ii) alteration in triad structure; (iii) modification of regulation of channels; (iv) modification in calcium stores within the muscle. Current knowledge of the pathophysiologic mechanisms in each category is described and discussed.
Effect of the Butyrate Prodrug Pivaloyloxymethyl Butyrate (AN9) on a Mouse Model for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Authors: Edwards Jonathan D. , Butchbach Matthew E. R.
Published: October 2016

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an early-onset motor neuron disease that leads to loss of muscle function. Butyrate (BA)-based compounds markedly improve the survival and motor phenotype of SMA mice. In this study, we examine the protective effects of the BA prodrug pivaloyloxymethyl butyrate (AN9) on the survival of SMN Δ7 SMA mice. Oral administration of AN9 beginning at PND04 almost doubled the average lifespan of SMN Δ7 SMA mice. AN9 treatment also increased the growth rate of SMN Δ7 SMA mice when compared to vehicle-treated SMN Δ7 SMA mice. In conclusion, BA prodrugs like AN9 have ameliorative effects on SMN Δ7 SMA mice.
Epigenetic Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease: From Diagnostics to Therapeutics
Authors: Jakubowski Jennifer L. , Labrie Viviane
Published: October 2016

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative illness that is often diagnosed after significant pathology and neuronal cell loss has occurred. Biomarkers of PD are greatly needed for early diagnosis, as well as for the prediction of disease progression and treatment outcome. In this regard, the epigenome, which is partially dynamic, holds considerable promise for the development of molecular biomarkers for PD. Epigenetic marks are modified by both DNA sequence and environmental factors associated with PD, and such marks could serve as a unifying predictor of at-risk individuals. Epigenetic abnormalities have been detected in PD and other age-dependent neurodegenerative diseases, some of which were reported to occur early on and were reversible by PD medications. Emerging reports indicate that certain epigenetic differences observed in the PD brain are detectable in more easily accessible tissues. In this review, we examine epigenetic-based strategies for the development of PD biomarkers. Despite the complexities and challenges faced, the epigenome offers a new source of biomarkers with potential etiological relevance to PD, and may expand opportunities for personalized therapies.
Queer Seductions of the Maternal in Dorothy Macardle's Earth-bound
Authors: Palko Abigail L.
Published: October 2016

During her lifetime, Dorothy Macardle was a prominent public intellectual in both her native Ireland and post-war Europe. Her passionate engagement in Irish nationalism found expression in her writing; in her only collection of short stories, Earth-bound: Nine Stories of Ireland, published early in her writing career, she protests Irish women's socially restricted status and offers literary models of female solidarity to her audience (her fellow prisoners in Kilmainham Gaol, where she was imprisoned during the Civil War). Complex and ambiguous messages regarding maternal attitudes and female sexuality are encoded within the collection, particularly in the two Maeve stories (as I have labelled them because of their shared narrator), ‘The Return of Niav’ and ‘The Portrait of Roisin Dhu’, in which she offers coded expressions of the realities of women's lives in early twentieth-century Ireland that the larger public would have preferred remain unspoken, particularly with regard to expressions of maternal inclinations and female sexuality. Earth-bound, driven by her reactions to the many ways that the Irish struggle for national autonomy was purchased by the sacrifice of female autonomy, becomes a vehicle through which she explores socially taboo issues, most notably mothering practices and both heterosexual and homosexual expressions of female sexuality.
‘My Memory Gropes in Search of Details’: Memory, Narrative, and ‘Founding Traumas’ in John Banville's The Sea
Authors: Costello-Sullivan Kathleen
Published: October 2016

Many of John Banville's novels engage issues of loss, memory, and identity, but The Sea provides the most comprehensive portrait of traumatic loss in his canon. Protagonist Max Morden presents a textbook example of one who has experienced significant trauma. His fragmented, unreliable memories; his dissociated affect and emotional alienation; his self-destructive behaviours; and his obsessive recourse to the past all reflect typical manifestations of emotional and/or psychological distress and the workings of traumatic memory. By tracing Morden's experience of trauma and its narrative remediation, The Sea also replicates the frustrating and often painful process of identity reconstruction pursued by the traumatized. In this way, the narrative is not only a reflection on identity, trauma, and loss, but also a model of the possibility of healing from a traumatic past.
Modernism, Exclusivity, and the Sophisticated Public of Harper's Bazaar (UK)
Authors: Wood Alice
Published: October 2016

This article explores the reciprocal relationship between modernism and Harper's Bazaar (UK) during 1929–35. In its early years this commercial fashion magazine exploited modernism's perceived exclusivity and highbrow status to flatteringly construct its aspirational readers as culturally sophisticated people. Whether printing modernist texts and artworks or parodying their experimental style, early Harper's Bazaar (UK) promoted the reception of modernist writers and artists as high cultural celebrities, whose presence in the magazine enhanced its cultural value. While insisting on the exclusivity of modernist art and literature, Harper's Bazaar (UK) simultaneously facilitated the mainstreaming of modernism by commodifying modernist texts and artworks and teaching its readers how to approach them. During the early 1930s, this article argues, Harper's Bazaar (UK) helped to establish early narratives of modernism's origins and development while marketing modernism as a desirable, high-end cultural product to its fashion-conscious audience.
High-temperature conventional superconductivity
Authors: Eremets M I , Drozdov A P
Published: October 2016

Conventional superconductors are described well by the Bardeen – Cooper – Schrieffer (BCS) theory (1957) and its related theories, all of which importantly put no explicit limit on transition temperature T
c. While this allows, in principle, room-temperature superconductivity, no such phenomenon has been observed. Since the discovery of superconductivity in 1911, the measured critical temperature of BCS superconductors has not until recently exceeded 39 K. In 2014, hydrogen sulfide under high pressure was experimentally found to exhibit superconductivity at T
c = 200 K, a record high value which greatly exceeds that of the previous class of high-temperature superconductors, the cuprates. The superconductivity mechanism in cuprates has not yet been explained. Over a period of 25 years, the critical temperature of cuprates has not been increased above 164 K. The paper reviews research on record-high T
c superconductivity in hydrogen sulphide and other hydrides. Prospects for increasing T
c to room temperature are also discussed.
A Micro-Processor-Based Feedback Stabilization Scheme for High-Q, Non-Linear Silicon Resonators
Authors: Cantarella Giuseppe , Strain Michael
Published: October 2016

Stabilization of silicon micro-resonators is a key requirement for their inclusion in larger photonic integrated circuits. In particular, thermal refractive index shift in non-linear applications can detune devices from their optimal working point. A cavity stabilization scheme using a micro-processor-based feedback control loop is presented based on a local thermal heater element on-chip. Using this method, a silicon π -phase shifted grating with a cavity Q-factor of 40k is demonstrated to operate over an ambient temperature detuning range of 40 ∘ C and injection wavelength range of 1.5 nm, nearly 3 orders of magnitude greater than the resonant cavity linewidth.
Synthesis of Covalently Cross-Linked Colloidosomes from Peroxidized Pickering Emulsions
Authors: Popadyuk Nadiya , Popadyuk Andriy , Tarnavchyk Ihor , Budishevska Olha , Kohut Ananiy , Voronov Andriy , Voronov Stanislav
Published: October 2016

A new approach to the formation of cross-linked colloidosomes was developed on the basis of Pickering emulsions that were stabilized exclusively by peroxidized colloidal particles. Free radical polymerization and a soft template technique were used to convert droplets of a Pickering emulsion into colloidosomes. The peroxidized latex particles were synthesized in the emulsion polymerization process using amphiphilic polyperoxide copolymers poly(2-tert-butylperoxy-2-methyl-5-hexen-3-ine-co-maleic acid) (PM-1-MAc) or poly[N-(tert-butylperoxymethyl)acrylamide]-co-maleic acid (PM-2-MAc), which were applied as both initiators and surfactants (inisurfs). The polymerization in the presence of the inisurfs results in latexes with a controllable amount of peroxide and carboxyl groups at the particle surface. Peroxidized polystyrene latex particles with a covalently grafted layer of inisurf PM-1-MAc or PM-2-MAc were used as Pickering stabilizers to form Pickering emulsions. A mixture of styrene and/or butyl acrylate with divinylbenzene and hexadecane was applied as a template for the synthesis of colloidosomes. Peroxidized latex particles located at the interface are involved in the radical reactions of colloidosomes formation. As a result, covalently cross-linked colloidosomes were obtained. It was demonstrated that the structure of the synthesized (using peroxidized latex particles) colloidosomes depends on the amount of functional groups and pH during the synthesis. Therefore, the size and morphology of colloidosomes can be controlled by latex particle surface properties.
Evaluation of External Memory Access Performance on a High-End FPGA Hybrid Computer
Authors: Kalaitzis Konstantinos , Sotiriadis Evripidis , Papaefstathiou Ioannis , Dollas Apostolos
Published: October 2016

The motivation of this research was to evaluate the main memory performance of a hybrid super computer such as the Convey HC-x, and ascertain how the controller performs in several access scenarios, vis-à-vis hand-coded memory prefetches. Such memory patterns are very useful in stencil computations. The theoretical bandwidth of the memory of the Convey is compared with the results of our measurements. The accurate study of the memory subsystem is particularly useful for users when they are developing their application-specific personality. Experiments were performed to measure the bandwidth between the coprocessor and the memory subsystem. The experiments aimed mainly at measuring the reading access speed of the memory from Application Engines (FPGAs). Different ways of accessing data were used in order to find the most efficient way to access memory. This way was proposed for future work in the Convey HC-x. When performing a series of accesses to memory, non-uniform latencies occur. The Memory Controller of the Convey HC-x in the coprocessor attempts to cover this latency. We measure memory efficiency as a ratio of the number of memory accesses and the number of execution cycles. The result of this measurement converges to one in most cases. In addition, we performed experiments with hand-coded memory accesses. The analysis of the experimental results shows how the memory subsystem and Memory Controllers work. From this work we conclude that the memory controllers do an excellent job, largely because (transparently to the user) they seem to cache large amounts of data, and hence hand-coding is not needed in most situations.
Development and Evaluation of the Virtual Prototype of the First Saudi Arabian-Designed Car
Authors: Abidi Mustufa , Al-Ahmari Abdulrahman , El-Tamimi Abdulaziz , Darwish Saied , Ahmad Ali
Published: October 2016

Prototyping and evaluation are imperative phases of the present product design and development process. Although digital modeling and analysis methods are widely employed at various product development stages, still, building a physical prototype makes the present typical process expensive and time consuming. Therefore, it is necessary to implement new technologies, such as virtual prototyping, which can enable industry to have a rapid and more controlled decision making process. Virtual prototyping has come a long way in recent years, where current environments enable stereoscopic visuals, surround sound and ample interaction with the generated models. It is also important to evaluate how representative the developed virtual prototype is when compared to the real-world counterpart and the sense of presence reported by users of the virtual prototype. This paper describes the systematic procedure to develop a virtual prototype of Gazal-1 (i.e., the first car prototype designed by Saudi engineers) in a semi-immersive virtual environment. The steps to develop a virtual prototype from CAD (computer-aided design) models are explained in detail. Various issues involved in the different phases for the development of the virtual prototype are also discussed comprehensively. The paper further describes the results of the subjective assessment of a developed virtual prototype of a Saudi Arabian-designed automobile. User’s feedback is recorded using a presence questionnaire. Based on the user-based study, it is revealed that the virtual prototype is representative of the real Saudi Arabian car and offers a flexible environment to analyze design features when compared against its physical prototype. The capabilities of the virtual environment are validated with the application of the car prototype. Finally, vital requirements and directions for future research are also presented.
Patterns of Sponge Biodiversity in the Pilbara, Northwestern Australia
Authors: Fromont Jane , Abdul Wahab Muhammad , Gomez Oliver , Ekins Merrick , Grol Monique , Hooper John
Published: October 2016

This study assessed the biodiversity of sponges within the Integrated Marine and Coastal Regionalisation for Australia (IMCRA) bioregions of the Pilbara using datasets amalgamated from the Western Australian Museum and the Atlas of Living Australia. The Pilbara accounts for a total of 1164 Linnean and morphospecies. A high level of “apparent endemism” was recorded with 78% of species found in only one of six bioregions, with less than 10% confirmed as widely distributed. The Ningaloo, Pilbara Nearshore and Pilbara Offshore bioregions are biodiversity hotspots (>250 species) and are recognised as having the highest conservation value, followed by North West Shelf containing 232 species. Species compositions differed between bioregions, with those that are less spatially separated sharing more species. Notably, the North West Province bioregion (110 species) exhibited the most distinct species composition, highlighting it as a unique habitat within the Pilbara. While sponge biodiversity is apparently high, incomplete sampling effort for the region was identified, with only two sampling events recorded for the Central West Transition bioregion. Furthermore, only 15% of records in the dataset are presently described (Linnean) species, highlighting the continuing need for taxonomic expertise for the conservation and management of marine biodiversity resources.
Ecology of the River Darter in Canadian Waters: Distribution, Relative Abundance, Life-History Traits, Diet, and Habitat Characteristics
Authors: Pratt Thomas , Gardner William , Watkinson Douglas , Bouvier Lynn
Published: October 2016

The River Darter (Percina shumardi) is a native, rarely sampled fish that has been detected in relatively small numbers since the 1930s. It has a wide North American distribution, but little is known about the species biology and distribution across the Canadian portion of its range. We revisited many historic sampling locations and sampled additional areas to (i) confirm and update the distribution of River Darters in Canadian waters; (ii) assess relative abundance; (iii) update life history characteristics; (iv) collect diet information; and (v) identify characteristics of River Darter habitat. Since 1990, a total of 1032 River Darters were recorded from 29 waterbodies across three ecoregions. River Darters were observed in relatively high abundances in both the Saskatchewan-Nelson River and Southern Hudson Bay-James Bay ecoregions. While still extant in the Great Lakes-Upper St. Lawrence ecoregion, River Darters persist at low abundance. Life history analyses indicate similar maximum age (age 4) and growth (10 mm/year) to conspecific populations in the United States, while sex ratios are generally skewed towards female dominance. River Darter populations had high flexibility in habitat use and diet, using a range of flows and depths and a variety of seasonally available prey types.
The Impact of Possible Migration Scenarios after ‘Brexit’ on the State Pension System
Authors: Armstrong Angus , Van de Ven Justin
Published: October 2016

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impacts of changes in migration flows—in particular, those resulting from possible migration policy changes after a UK exit (‘Brexit’) from the European Union (EU)—on the finances of the UK state pension system. We find that the aggregate effects of considered shocks to immigration associated with Brexit on the funding of UK state pensions are dwarfed by associated uncertainties, and by coincident cost increases due to population aging and (domestic) pension’s policy.
Perovskite Solar Cells: Progress and Advancements
Authors: Elumalai Naveen , Mahmud Md , Wang Dian , Uddin Ashraf
Published: October 2016

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a new class of optoelectronic semiconductors that revolutionized the photovoltaic research in the recent years. The perovskite solar cells present numerous advantages include unique electronic structure, bandgap tunability, superior charge transport properties, facile processing, and low cost. Perovskite solar cells have demonstrated unprecedented progress in efficiency and its architecture evolved over the period of the last 5–6 years, achieving a high power conversion efficiency of about 22% in 2016, serving as a promising candidate with the potential to replace the existing commercial PV technologies. This review discusses the progress of perovskite solar cells focusing on aspects such as superior electronic properties and unique features of halide perovskite materials compared to that of conventional light absorbing semiconductors. The review also presents a brief overview of device architectures, fabrication methods, and interface engineering of perovskite solar cells. The last part of the review elaborates on the major challenges such as hysteresis and stability issues in perovskite solar cells that serve as a bottleneck for successful commercialization of this promising PV technology.
Modeling Anthropogenic Fire Occurrence in the Boreal Forest of China Using Logistic Regression and Random Forests
Authors: Guo Futao , Zhang Lianjun , Jin Sen , Tigabu Mulualem , Su Zhangwen , Wang Wenhui
Published: October 2016

Frequent and intense anthropogenic fires present meaningful challenges to forest management in the boreal forest of China. Understanding the underlying drivers of human-caused fire occurrence is crucial for making effective and scientifically-based forest fire management plans. In this study, we applied logistic regression (LR) and Random Forests (RF) to identify important biophysical and anthropogenic factors that help to explain the likelihood of anthropogenic fires in the Chinese boreal forest. Results showed that the anthropogenic fires were more likely to occur at areas close to railways and were significantly influenced by forest types. In addition, distance to settlement and distance to road were identified as important predictors for anthropogenic fire occurrence. The model comparison indicated that RF had greater ability than LR to predict forest fires caused by human activity in the Chinese boreal forest. High fire risk zones in the study area were identified based on RF, where we recommend increasing allocation of fire management resources.
Through the Looking Glass: Faraday Conversion in Turbulent Blazar Jets
Authors: MacDonald Nicholas
Published: October 2016

Faint levels of circular polarization (Stokes V) have been detected in several relativistic jets. While typically less than a few percent, circular polarization can give us critical insight into the underlying nature of the jet plasma. Circular polarization can be produced through a process known as linear birefringence, in which initially linearly polarized emission produced in one region of the jet is altered by Faraday rotation as it propagates through other regions of the jet with distinct magnetic field orientations. Recently, Marscher has developed the Turbulent Extreme Multi-Zone (TEMZ) model for blazar emission, in which turbulent plasma crossing a standing shock in the jet is represented by a collection of thousands of individual plasma cells, each with distinct magnetic field orientation. In order to test whether the TEMZ model can reproduce circularly polarized radiation at levels comparable to those observed in blazars, I have developed a numerical algorithm to solve the full Stokes equations of polarized radiative transfer. I have embedded this algorithm into the ray-tracing code RADMC3D (http://ascl.net/1202.015). RADMC3D was originally developed to model continuum radiative transfer in dusty media. This code, however, has been written in a modularized fashion that allows the user to specify the physics that is incorporated into the radiative transfer. I have replaced RADMC3D’s thermal emission and absorption coefficients with non-thermal coefficients pertaining to polarized synchrotron emission. This code is applied to ray-tracing through the 3-D TEMZ computational grid. Here I present a suite of synthetic polarized emission maps that highlight the effect that thousands of distinct cells of plasma within a jet can have on the observed linear and circular polarization.