bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanical properties of papercrete
Authors: Zaki Harith , Gorgis Iqbal , Salih Shakir
Published: May 2018

This paper studies the uses, of waste paper as an additional material in concrete mixes. Papercrete is a term as the name seems, to imply a mixture of paper and concrete. It is a new, composite material using waste paper, as a partial addition of Portland cement, and is a sustainable, building material due to, reduced amount of waste paper being put to use. It gains, latent strength due to presence of hydrogen bonds in microstructure of paper. Papercrete has been, reported to be a low cost alternative, building construction, material and has, good sound absorption, and thermal insulation; to be a lightweight and fire-resistant material. The percent of waste paper used (after treating) namely (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) by weight of cement to explore the mechanical properties of the mixes (compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, density), as compared with references mixes, it was found that fresh properties affected significantly by increasing the waste paper content. The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength and density got decreased with increase in the percentage of paper.
Relationship between amorphous silica in source materials and compressive strength of geopolymer concrete
Authors: Al-Shathr Basil , Shamsa Mohamed , al-Attar Tareq
Published: May 2018

Geopolymer is a new sustainable binding material. It was developed to reduce CO2 footprint of existing Portland cement concrete. One ton of Geopolymeric cement generates 0.18 ton of CO2 from combustion carbon-fuel. This figure is 6 times less than the emission of Portland cement manufacture. The relationship between the compressive strength of Geopolymer concrete and the percentage of amorphous silica in the source material has been studied in the present work. Six mixes with different source materials were investigated to verify this relationship. The used Pozzolanic materials were three types of Fly ash, two types of Metakaolin and one type of ground granulated blast furnace slag. Geopolymer concrete samples were cured by heating for 72 hours. The testing ages for compressive strength were 7, 14, 28, and 60 days. The results showed that a noticeable relationship between compressive strength and amorphous silica was observed. The microstructure of the six mixes was studied in detail through the SEM and XRD analysis.
An empirical analysis of the relationship between cost of control activities and project management success
Authors: Al-Tmeemy Samiaah , Al Bassam Bassam
Published: May 2018

To achieve the objectives of continuous improvement programs, construction managers must link the achievement of quality with cost. This paper aims to associate project management success (PMS) with cost of control (COC) activities in an empirical manner. Thus, the purpose is to determine the extent to which COC activities impact PMS. Quantitative method was adopted to collect data from Malaysian building companies using postal and email surveys. Hypothesis is tested using correlation and simple linear regression analysis. The findings of this study indicate that COC activities are positively associated with the PMS. The empirical evidences obtained from this research, provides financial justification for all quality improvement efforts. This can assist building contractors to enhance the success of project management by reducing the level of business failures due to poor quality, cost overruns, and delays.
The performance of hydraulic jump over rough bed stilling basin consisting of cubic-shape elements
Authors: Maatooq Jaafar , Taleb Enass
Published: May 2018

Three groups of cubic roughness elements non-protruding to the flow were fixed with a specific configuration at the downstream of a stream lined lib sluice gate. The aim was to test the performance of the hydraulic jump under using such elements as appurtenances of stilling basin. The experimental works has been conducting to test; four different intensities, I=8%, 10%, 12% and 16%; three width to height ratios, We/he=0.75, 1.5 and 2; and three length to height ratios, Le/he=0.75, 2 and 4, of cubic elements made from waterproof stiff rubber. The test was performed under the incoming Froude number; F1 ranged between 2.7 to 9. After analysing the experimental data one from the second group configuration gives a higher reduction of sequent depth ratio, y2/y1 as compared with the depth ratio of the un-forced hydraulic jump which calculated by Belanger equation, this decreases arrived 20%. Also greater relative energy has been dissipated, and the gain in dissipation (%GED) ranged between 10.8-22.3%.
Possibility of reusing Al-Machraya River for feeding Hawizeh marsh
Authors: Al-Khafaji Mahmoud , Al Thamiry Hayder , Al-Saedi Ala
Published: May 2018

Al Machraya River was considered as one of the water feeders of Hawizeh Marsh. In 1986, the outlet of this river into the marsh was blocked and the river was used as a main channel for the East Tigris Irrigation Project near Kalat Salih. This causes significant decrease in the available water supply sources, deterioration in the water quality distribution patterns and increasing the stagnation areas within the marsh. This research aims to study the possibility of reusing this river for feeding Hawizeh Marsh. A frequency analysis study was carried out to study the maximum and minimum probable water level (MMPWL) of Tigris River at the upstream of Kalat Salih Barrage. Six statistical models; Normal distribution, Log-Normal type II, Log-Normal type III, Pearson type III, Log- Pearson type III and Gumbel type I distribution were used to estimate the MMPWL. The results show that Pearson type III and Gumbel type I distribution models are the best to fit the maximum and minimum daily water level (WL), respectively, at the upstream of the Barrage. The estimated MMPWL were compared to the required WL in Hawizeh Marsh. The difference between Tigris River and Hawizeh Marsh water levels were found to be not operative to cause a significant flow toward the marsh. Therefore, Al Machraya River cannot be used to feed Hawizeh Marsh.
Estimate of throughput of bridge transitions and pipe passages built on minor rivers of piedmont areas of Krasnodar Territory-Russia
Authors: Bryukhan Fedor , Vinogradov Aleksey
Published: May 2018

Stability and accident-free operation of engineering road structures including bridge transitions and pipe passages built on mountain rivers mostly depends on a stream regime and lack of obstructions for water flow. Such structures pose a prominent potential hazard being built in piedmont areas of Caucasus Mountains characterized by flash floods and blockage of structures by floating debris, mudflow deposits and wastes of construction. This notwithstanding, the threats caused by these phenomena are poorly studied. The purpose of this study is in estimation of throughput of bridge transitions and pipe passages built on minor rivers of piedmont areas and analysis of hazards caused by floods and obstructions to water flow. The results of calculation of capacities of existing road structures are provided herein. A qualitative assessment of potential emergencies in case of severe flood is also given. A major hazard of possible blockage of waterways that can cause emergency even in regular flood conditions is noted.
The spatial distribution of remote sensing stations to monitor water quality (Tigris River) within the administrative limits of the capital Baghdad, by using Geomatics technologies
Authors: Mohammed Suhaib , Ziboon Abdul-Razzak
Published: May 2018

The spatial distribution of remote sensing stations in the rivers is important technique in the detection of pollution in the river water and acceptance of Comparison Environmental determinants, as a result of toxic waste and waste from other service activities. Therefore, the study of the importance of those stations of the spatial distribution using spatial data and availability, which represent how to hold water in complete tests within the ranges of these stations in order to get to the planning ways to address and reduce pollution within the concept of sustainable development. This will address the project to outline the importance of using technology direct remote sensing in the presentation of spatial data of the stations as well as the use of geographic information systems software for the preparation of spatial databases in the presentation of contaminants databases and relying on the global system signature.
Utilization of thermal bands of Landsat 8 data and geographic information system for analysis of urban heat island in Baghdad governorate 2016
Authors: Khalaf Alaa
Published: May 2018

This study aimed to determine Urban Heat Island in Baghdad Governorate capital of Iraq by thermal bands of Landsat 8 images and Geographic Information System. Two cloud free Landsat 8 scenes covering the study area were selected for analysis. These scenes were located at path 168/37 and path 169/37. Images were acquired during daytime at 10:33 AM and it were dated August 19, 2016 and August 26, 2016, respectively. All images mentioned above were registered in Universal Transverse Mercator projection zone 38. Temperatures have been extracted from thermal bands 10 and 11 for each scene and then these results have been merged by mosaic process to produce one scene for band 10 and band 11. Finally, urban heat island has been extracted for study area by taking the average temperatures of band 10 and band 11. The final results shown that Baghdad Governorate contains four heat islands: water body, built-up area, green area, and bare land area. The Heat Island of bare land was highest, followed by green area, built-up area and water body. The highest summer daytime Heat Island was found on bare land (57°C), followed by green area (45 °C),built-up area (43 °C), and water body (37 °C).
Using geospatial analysis to determine livability in Najaf city by GWR
Authors: Ebraheem Mustafa
Published: May 2018

Iraqi cities suffer from degradation in many livable elements, sometimes related to an economic situation, social, and environmental, therefore in this research we have applied some indicators relating to livable city by using GIS technique, to determine the trend of Iraqi city in livability term.Also we are cannot depend on any foreign standards, because we did not have enough archive to our cities to explaining it is trends, so in other side the relationships between activities in the city did not have enough exploring depending on complexity model to clarify the connections among these activities and how it depends on livability of cities.We try applying GWR, on socio-economic factors, to study which effective factors on city livability. In this research we select Najaf city as a case study, for its importance as international religious tourism city, and for its stability through last decades, which has helped growth in economic activities, and made it attractive to immigrations.From discussing in literature review we determine some indicators, and finally we found the difficult point that determining Iraqi city trends in terms of livability was incomplete, because it is have a physical structure in many parts of it.
Evaluating and monitoring of changes in the environmental elements by using remote sensing techniques in Iraq
Authors: Al-Tameemi Hussein
Published: May 2018

The primary aim of project highlight was to E&M a universally-applicable suite of elements and techniques that allow remote sensing techniques to the E&M-environmental changes and human interventions and the impact of disaster management systems for the period (2010-2015). The framework allows evaluators to monitor changes in a manner that is rapid, independent and reliable. Such a pattern is required to promote contribution and transparency towards a more systematic understanding of the process of E&M. The factors are based on the use of Very High-Resolution Optical Satellite Imagery and have been developed to fit existing change approaches, such as the In-Disaster Needs Assessment-IDNA, and the Affected Cluster Framework. The elements encompass a range of environmental, climate, economic, health, physical and social factors, which can be analysed to provide a holistic representation of the E&M changes process. The paper begins by addressing the need for a E&M framework and by reviewing current guidelines and systems. Which are continuously developed in this case study. Recommendations are made on: 1- How to use disaster management systems; 2- Which elements should be monitored; and 3- How they can be evaluated, drawing on the experience of environmental scientific researcher, and feedback by the evaluators’ academics.
Comparison of ultimate strength results from ACI and Eurocode 4 for steel tubular columns filled with SCC
Authors: Al-Goody Asraa , Güneyisi Esra Mete , İpek Süleyman
Published: May 2018

The Concrete Filled Steel Tubular (CFST) columns have several benefits in comparison to the ordinary steel or reinforced concrete ones. Therefore, they have become more commonly acknowledged in the structural applications. In this study, two design codes such as American Concrete Institute (ACI) and Eurocode 4 (EC4) were used for predicting the ultimate axial strength of CFST columns filled with self-compacting concrete (SCC). To evaluate the results, circular steel tube with different diameter to thickness (D/t) ratio of 30, 60, and 90 and steel yielding strength of 185, 275, and 450 MPa were considered as prediction parameters. The wall thickness and length to diameter (L/D) ratio of the steel tubes were kept constant. As an infill material for the steel tubes, 16 different SCC mixtures reported in the literature were studied and their compressive strength results were used to get the code predicted ultimate axial strength of the composite columns. The analysis of the results based on ACI and EC4 were performed and discussed comparatively.
Tensile strength of 3D textiles reinforced cementitious composites plates
Authors: Gorgis Ikbal , Abbas Waleed , Moneen Nadia
Published: May 2018

Tensile plate specimens with dimension of 450×100×40mm were cast with 3D glass fabric having three different thicknesses 6, 10 and 15mm to measure their tensile strength. Plates with one and two layers of chicken wires, as well as micro steel fiber of 0.75% volume fraction were tested under tensile for comparison with references plates. Cement mortar with 61.2MPa cube compressive strength at 28 days was designed for casing the plates. The results indicated that after cracking of the mortar the textile reinforcement adds a strain hardening trajectory, that cause failure to occurs at slightly higher load and a higher strain. The improvement in tensile strength at 28 days ranged between 5 to 30%, and for 90 days between 5 to 60% for the three types of fibres used. Based on the results a significant increase was indicated with micro steel fiber.
Shear strength enhancement of lightweight aggregate reinforced concrete deep beams by using CFRP strips
Authors: Mohammad Ahlam , Sarsam Kaiss , Al-Bayati Nabeel
Published: May 2018

In this research, results of an experimental investigation on the shear strengthening of lightweight aggregate reinforced concrete deep beams are presented. A total of eight lightweight aggregate deep beams were cast and tested in the experimental work to study the effect of externally bonded CFRP strips in improving their structural behavior, one of them was unstrengthened to serve as a control beam while the remaining seven beams were strengthened in different orientation, spacing and number of layers of CFRP. The locally available natural porcelanite rocks are used to seek the possibility of producing structural lightweight aggregate concrete. The beams were designed to satisfy the requirements of ACI 318M- 14 building code. Results show that the CFRP strips have increased the load carrying capacity for the strengthened deep beams up to 50 % when comparedto the unstrenghtened control one. The diagonal compression strut crack of unstrenghtened control beam is changed to several diagonal cracks in the mid-depth within the shear span of the strengthened beams and exhibited more ductile failure modes. The results also indicate that bonded CFRP system in the shear span was seen to delay the formation of diagonal shear cracks and provided positive restraint to the subsequent growth of cracks. Increasing the amount of CFRP (by increasing the number of layers from one to two layers) results in increase in the ultimate load by about 15%. However, the increase in the spacing between the strips (from 100 to 150mm) led to a decrease in the ultimate load by about 13%.
Behaviour of normal reinforced concrete columns exposed to different soils
Authors: Rasheed Laith , Salih Shakir , Hanash Zahraa
Published: May 2018

Concrete resistance to sulfate attack is one of the most important characteristics for maintaining the durability of concrete. In this study, the effect of the attack of sulfate salts on normal reinforced concrete column was investigated by burying these columns in two types of soils (sandy and clayey) in two pits at a depth of 3 m in one of the agricultural areas in the holy city of Karbala, one containing sandy soil (SO3 = 10.609%) and the other containing clayey soil with (SO3 = 2.61%). The tests were used (pure axial compression test of reinforced concrete columns, compressive strength test, and splitting tensile strength test, absorption, voids ratio and finally density). It`s found that the strength of RC columns decreasing by (12.51%) for age (240 days), for columns buried in clayey soil, where the strength increased by (11.71%) for the same period, for columns buried in sandy soils, with respect to the reference column.
Behaviour of hybrid concrete columns under axial compression loads
Authors: Resheq Ali
Published: May 2018

Hybrid Concrete Column (HCC) is composite column consists of two types of concrete, Normal Concrete (NC) and Self Compacted Concrete (SCC). The main objective of this work is to study the effect of outer to inner diameter ratio of hybrid concrete on the ultimate strength of column under the axial loading. Ten scaled columns (150 mm diameter and 600 mm length) were fabricated and cast with different ratio of NC to SCC and tested under axial loading. The test results were presented in term of loading and the axial and lateral strains at mid span of column length. It was found that the ultimate strength of column increased from 281 kN to 605 kN (215%). Also it was found that the strength of column increased when the SCC is in inner thickness rather than in outer thickness of the column and the strength increased with increasing the inner thickness of SCC.
Evaluation of soil-structure interaction for structures subjected to earthquake loading with different types of foundation
Authors: Elwi Mohammed , Muhammed Bassman , Alhussiny Nada
Published: May 2018

However though the structures are supported on soil, most of the designers do not consider the soil structure interaction and its subsequent effect on structure during an earthquake. Different soil properties can affect seismic waves as they pass through a soil layer. When a structure is subjected to an earthquake excitation, it interacts the foundation and soil, and thus changes the motion of the ground. It means that the movement of the whole ground structure system is influenced by type of soil as well as by the type of structure. Tall buildings are supposed to be of engineered construction in sense that they might have been analyzed and designed to meet the provision of relevant codes of practice and building bye-laws. IS 1893: 2002 “Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures” gives response spectrum for different types of soil such as hard, medium and soft. An attempt has been made in this paper to study the effect of Soil-structure interaction on multi storeyed buildings with various foundation systems. Also to study the response of buildings subjected to seismic forces with Rigid and Flexible foundations. Multi storeyed buildings with fixed and flexible support subjected to seismic forces were analyzed under different soil conditions like hard, medium and soft. The buildings were analyzed by Response spectrum method using software SAP2000. The response of building frames such as Lateral deflection, Story drift, Base shear, Axial force and Column moment values for all building frames were presented in this paper.
Synthesis of antibacterial additive for metal working fluids application
Authors: Hamed Ezzat , Saker Nagy , ElShazly Shawky , Fahmy Tarek , Aboulazm Yasser
Published: May 2018

Metalworking fluids, the class of lubricants most susceptible to microbial attack, metalworking fluid must also be safe for human use and exposure, The failure of the fluid to perform any of its functions has the potential to result in operational problems, process shutdowns, decreased tool life, and product-quality issues, all of which will result in increased costs. Perhaps one of the most common and controllable complications is microbial degradation specially standing from the fact that metalworking fluids contain the nutrients that can permit unchecked microbial growth. In this work we prepared Antimicrobial metal working fluid additive which fulfills the criteria of successful local production in Egypt, as the commercial availability of starting components, effectiveness of the prepared additive, easiness of addition and homogenization with other MWF additives, good environmental profile and biodegradability. The effectiveness of the prepared additive was evaluated by standard method ASTM E645-97 test. It was revealed that; the formic acid which condensate with the polyethylene glycol 400 and ethylene glycol had excellent antibacterial action, it could also greatly reduce growth of bacteria.
Suitability of the Iraqi natural clay for the preparation of Al-Fe pillared-clays
Authors: Al-Ani Faris , Al-Kindi Ghayda
Published: May 2018

Some organic pollutant in aqueous wastewater inhabitant biological treatment, catalyst wet air oxidation is a method to treat this waste. Al-Fe pillared Iraqi clays with different Fe content were prepared. Aluminum was mixed with iron in different molar ratio Fe/Al (1:9- 2:8- 3:7- 4-6- 5:5) for each regions. These clays collected from different location in Iraq (Anbar, Erbil, Mosel, Baghdad, and Basra), the results of some properties studied for natural and pillared clay, from X-Ray- Fluorescence (XRF) show that iron cation replaces some Ca in the clay, and from X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) show the Calcite types of Iraqi clays. constructs clusters of active ingredient which dramatically clear on the catalytic surface for all catalyst types show through photos of catalysts by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), the best molar ratio of Fe/Al in which give strong interaction between Fe and Al in the pillared were (0.5-0.4-0.3-0.3 and 0.2) for (Mosul-Basra -Anbar-Baghdad and Erbil) respectively. This ratio gives high surface area, and pore size in mesopore. It is concluded that clay and silty clay (Mosul clay) consider the best catalyst due to higher activity and stability through experiment of CWAO in batch reactor, with operation condition 150°C, 2.5 Mpa, Ccat equal to 7 mg/l.
Phytoremediation of soil polluted with Iraqi crude oil using grass plant
Authors: Al-Obaidy Abdul Hameed , Al-Anbari Riyad , Hassan Sarah
Published: May 2018

Remediation technology is a promising technique that decreases pollutants like hydrocarbons from the environment. An experimental work was done at green house of University of Technology in order to study the effect of crude oil on the plant growth and to measure the decrement which happened on shoot height, germination rate and the reduction of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), which resulted by this phytoremediation technique. The samples of soil were measured for TPH reduction and removal by Horiba model OCMA - 350. Five doses were used in this experiment (0 control, 10x103, 30 x103, 50 x103, 75 x103) (mg crude oil / kg soil) or (ppm). The greater efficiency was obtained in the treatment 50 x103 ppm seeded with cotton, in which cotton removed 50.66% of the primary TPHs from soil. Results showed that the employed vegetate species were promising and effective in reducing and removing TPHs from freshly polluted soil.
Investigation of thermal behaviour for various exterior walls materials and their impact on rationalization of energy consumption of Kirkuk city, Iraq
Authors: Alharbawee Naseer
Published: May 2018

The present study aims to make a comparison of the thermal behaviour for various exterior Packaging materials (Local or Imported) or a new proposed (a phase change material), which are used in covering the facades of buildings in Kirkuk city/Iraq. And thus know how much those materials effect on energy conservation (rationalization in energy consumption). In this study the focus was on making comparison of heat dissipation and power consumption (Save energy) when using the conventional and proposed materials and which of them has the greatest ability to withstand various environmental conditions. The study was carried out (from the beginning of January 2017 until the end of February, 2017) which this period represents the cold months in the year. (Where temperatures ranged from−2 to 15 °C) which within those months all facilities, buildings need to be heated. The thermal conductivity of various classical covering materials samples was measured and compared with the values of the other certified project sources. It was found through analysis of the results that the use of proposed material which is a phase change material (Paraffin Wax) exceeds in terms of energy reduction than other classical covering materials. It was also shows that the use of classical and proposed covering materials reduces heat loss through the exterior walls (reducing demanded heating load in the comfort zone), thus minimizing the consumption of (save) expended energy within the comfort.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for anal high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia: a case report
Authors: Neureiter Daniel , Holzinger Josef , Kiesslich Tobias , Klieser Eckhard , Berr Frieder , Wagner Andrej
Published: May 2018

Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) is a precursor of anal carcinoma. Conventional therapy is based on topical and local ablative approaches. However, the recurrence rates are very high, leading to repetitive treatment sessions and need for long-term surveillance. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an established treatment for malignant early neoplasias of the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the esophagus, stomach, and colorectum. Japanese centers have reported few cases of ESD for early anal carcinoma. We report a case of high-grade AIN diagnosed with magnifying narrow-band imaging and chromoendoscopy that was resected R0 with ESD en bloc.
Ombuoside from Gynostemma pentaphyllum Protects PC12 Cells from L-DOPA-Induced Neurotoxicity
Authors: Davaasambuu Uchralsaikhan , Park Hyun , Park Keun , Lee Chong , Hwang Bang , Lee Myung
Published: May 2018

This study investigated the effects of ombuoside on L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA)-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. Ombuoside did not affect cell viability at concentrations of up to 50 µM for 24 h, and ombuoside (1, 5, and 10 µM) significantly inhibited L-DOPA-induced (100 and 200 µM) decreases in cell viability. L-DOPA (100 and 200 µM) induced sustained phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) for 6 h, which were significantly decreased by cotreatments with ombuoside (1, 5, and 10 µM). L-DOPA (100 and 200 µM) alone significantly increased c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK1/2) phosphorylation for 6 h and cleaved-caspase-3 expression for 24 h, both of which were partially, but significantly, blocked by ombuoside (1, 5, and 10 µM). In addition, ombuoside (1, 5, and 10 µM) significantly restored the L-DOPA-induced (100 and 200 µM) decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity for 24 h. Taken together, these findings indicate that ombuoside protects against L-DOPA-induced neurotoxicity by inhibiting L-DOPA-induced increases in sustained ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 phosphorylation and caspase-3 expression and L-DOPA-induced decrease in SOD activity in PC12 cells. Thus, ombuoside might represent a novel neuroprotective agent that warrants further study.
Arthroscopic Eminoplasty of Temporomandibular Joint: Surgical Technique
Authors: Cariati Paolo , Garcia Medina Blas , Galvez Pablo , Cabello Serrano Almudena , Garcia Martin Miguel , Valencia Moya Guillermo
Published: May 2018

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most used joint of the body. Moreover, it is common knowledge that TMJ may show degenerative changes 10 years earlier than other joints. Recently, the use of arthroscopic surgery is revolutionizing the classic management of TMJ pathologies. In fact, the minimal invasiveness of this procedure allows faster results and fewer complications than other procedures. In this article, we present our arthroscopic technique. In this line, we would like to emphasize that we used this approach in different temporomandibular disorders such as anchored disk syndrome, habitual dislocation of TMJ, and internal derangement. Furthermore, we wish to underline that our efforts have been rewarded with great results.
Engineered microfluidic bioreactor for examining the three-dimensional breast tumor microenvironment
Authors: Rogers Matthew , Sobolik Tammy , Schaffer David K. , Samson Philip C. , Johnson Andrew C. , Owens Philip , Codreanu Simona G. , Sherrod Stacy D. , McLean John A. , Wikswo John P. , Richmond Ann
Published: May 2018

The interaction of cancer cells with the stromal cells and matrix in the tumor microenvironment plays a key role in progression to metastasis. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these interactions would aid in developing new therapeutic approaches to inhibit this progression. Here, we describe the fabrication of a simple microfluidic bioreactor capable of recapitulating the three-dimensional breast tumor microenvironment. Cancer cell spheroids, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells co-cultured in this device create a robust microenvironment suitable for studying in real time the migration of cancer cells along matrix structures laid down by fibroblasts within the 3D tumor microenvironment. This system allows for ready evaluation of response to targeted therapy.
Energy transfer to the low-frequency region of the turbulence spectrum of gravity waves on superfluid He II surfaces owing to four-wave processes
Authors: Remizov I. A. , Levchenko A. A. , Mezhov-Deglin L. P.
Published: May 2018

Results are presented from an experimental study of the mechanism for energy transfer in a system of gravity waves on a superfluid He II surface within a rectangular cell with intense monochromatic pumping. It is found that, under conditions of discrete wave turbulence, energy is transferred from the pumping region to high frequencies but also to the low-frequency region by means of 4-wave processes; the latter mechanism has a threshold character.
IR reflection and absorption spectra of CsDy(MoO4)2 under the cooperative Jahn–Teller effect
Authors: Kutko V. I. , Nesterenko N. M. , Zubenko N. S. , Poperezhai S. N. , Kutko K. V. , Eremenko A. V.
Published: May 2018

IR and far-IR reflection and absorption spectra of a layered CsDy(MoO4)2 crystal are measured in the temperature range 6–300 K. We discuss changes in the phonon spectra at the low-temperature phase transition and the characteristic vibrations, which induce a collective instability of the cooperative Jahn–Teller effect type in CsDy(MoO4)2 and other layered alkali-rare-earth molybdates. In the discussion of far-IR spectra of CsDy(MoO4)2, we use the data on RbDy(MoO4)2 obtained in the frequency range 16–40 cm−1.
Electronic structure and optical properties of GdNi2Mnx compounds
Authors: Knyazev Yu. V. , Lukoyanov A. V. , Kuz'min Yu. I. , Gaviko V. S.
Published: May 2018

The electronic structure and optical properties of GdNi2Mnx compounds (x = 0, 0.4, 0.6) were investigated. Spin-polarized electronic structure calculations were performed in the approximation of local electron spin density corrected for strong electron correlations using the LSDA+U method. The changes in the magnetic moments and exchange interactions in GdNi2Mnx (x = 0, 0.4, 0.6) governing the increase in the Curie temperature with manganese concentration were determined. The optical constants of the compounds were measured by the ellipsometric method in the wide spectral range of 0.22–15 μm. The peculiarities of the evolution of the frequency dependences of optical conductivity with a change in the manganese content were revealed. Based on the calculated densities of electron states, the behavior of these dispersion curves in the region of interband absorption of light was discussed. The concentration dependences of several electronic characteristics were determined.
The microstructural changes of Ge2Sb2Te5 thin film during crystallization process
Authors: Xu Jingbo , Qi Chao , Chen Limin , Zheng Long , Xie Qiyun
Published: May 2018

Phase change memory is known as the most promising candidate for the next generation nonvolatile memory technology. In this paper, the microstructural changes of Ge2Sb2Te5 film, which is the most common choice of phase change memory material, has been carefully studied by the combination of several characterization techniques. The combination of resistance measurements, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray reflectivity allows us to simultaneously extract the characteristics of microstructural changes during crystallization process. The existence of surface/interface Ge2Sb2Te5 layer has been proposed here based on X-ray reflectivity measurements. Although the total film thickness decreases, as a result of the phase transition from amorphous to metastable crystalline cubic and then to the stable hexagonal phase, the surface/interface thickness increases after crystallization. Moreover, the increase of average grain size, density and surface roughness has been confirmed during thermal annealing process.
Effect of a buccal meloxicam formulation on the behavioural response to ring castration of calves
Authors: Sutherland Mhairi A. , Bright Arianne L. , Schütz Karin E.
Published: May 2018

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a buccal meloxicam formulation on the behavioural response to ring castration of calves. Sixty, 3-month-old, Angus calves (40 males, 20 females) were allocated to one of three treatments (n = 20 calves/treatment): (1) rubber ring castration (RING), (2) buccal formulation of meloxicam plus rubber ring castration (RING + BUCC) and (3) handled only (CON). After treatment, calves were observed in five pens (n = 4 calves/treatment/pen) and behaviour individually recorded for 1 min every 20 min, until 3 h post-treatment (9 min/calf). Castrated calves (RING and RING + BUCC) spent less time standing (P < 0.001) and more time lying (P = 0.001) than CON calves. RING and RING + BUCC calves were also observed standing in a stretched positon (P = 0.001) and walking abnormally (P = 0.001) more than CON calves. Further, RING and RING + BUCC calves performed more kicks (P = 0.008) and less pawing (P = 0.04) than CON calves. RING + BUCC calves tended to ruminate (P = 0.085) more than RING calves. Ring castration caused behavioural changes in calves indicative of pain, however, administering a buccal formulation of meloxicam to calves immediately before ring castration did not appear to reduce the acute pain response to this procedure. To thoroughly evaluate the efficacy of a buccal formulation of meloxicam on the pain response to ring castration of calves it may be necessary to observe the animals for longer and to investigate the timing of drug administration further.
Preliminary estimation of fat depth in the lamb short loin using a hyperspectral camera
Authors: Rahman S. , Quin P. , Walsh T. , Vidal-Calleja T. , McPhee M. J. , Toohey E. , Alempijevic A.
Published: May 2018

The objectives of the present study were to describe the approach used for classifying surface tissue, and for estimating fat depth in lamb short loins and validating the approach. Fat versus non-fat pixels were classified and then used to estimate the fat depth for each pixel in the hyperspectral image. Estimated reflectance, instead of image intensity or radiance, was used as the input feature for classification. The relationship between reflectance and the fat/non-fat classification label was learnt using support vector machines. Gaussian processes were used to learn regression for fat depth as a function of reflectance. Data to train and test the machine learning algorithms was collected by scanning 16 short loins. The near-infrared hyperspectral camera captured lines of data of the side of the short loin (i.e. with the subcutaneous fat facing the camera). Advanced single-lens reflex camera took photos of the same cuts from above, such that a ground truth of fat depth could be semi-automatically extracted and associated with the hyperspectral data. A subset of the data was used to train the machine learning model, and to test it. The results of classifying pixels as either fat or non-fat achieved a 96% accuracy. Fat depths of up to 12 mm were estimated, with an R2 of 0.59, a mean absolute bias of 1.72 mm and root mean square error of 2.34 mm. The techniques developed and validated in the present study will be used to estimate fat coverage to predict total fat, and, subsequently, lean meat yield in the carcass.
Development of a system to rank perennial ryegrass cultivars according to their economic value to dairy farm businesses in south-eastern Australia
Authors: Leddin C. M. , Jacobs J. L. , Smith K. F. , Giri K. , Malcolm B. , Ho C. K. M.
Published: May 2018

Dairy production systems in south-eastern Australia are based primarily on grazed pasture. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is the major grass species used in this region and farmers are faced with the challenge of choosing from more than 60 commercially available cultivars. This paper describes the development of a system termed as a forage value index that ranks the overall performance of perennial ryegrass cultivars relative to cultivar Victorian according to the summation of the estimated difference in the value of seasonal dry-matter (DM) yield of the cultivars. Average predicted seasonal DM yields were calculated by analysing the results of eight available perennial ryegrass plot trials across south-eastern Australia, using a multi-environment, multi-harvest linear mixed model. The differences in the model-predicted DM yield of each cultivar was compared with cultivar Victorian in each of five seasonal periods (autumn, winter, early spring, late spring, summer) to generate a series of performance values (1 per period) for each cultivar. Each performance value was then multiplied by an economic value (AU$/kg extra pasture grown) relating to each of four regions (Gippsland, northern Victoria, south-western Victoria, Tasmania) and seasonal period and aggregated to generate an overall forage value index rating for each cultivar. Economic values ranged from AU$0.11 to AU$0.39 per extra kilogram of DM grown, depending on the season and region, which translated into estimated benefits on dairy farms of up to AU$183 per ha per year for farmers that use high-yielding cultivars in place of cultivar Victorian perennial ryegrass.
Key determinants of pig welfare: implications of animal management and housing design on livestock welfare
Authors: Hemsworth P. H.
Published: May 2018

The present review using the pig as a model has highlighted the importance of the design of the housing system on the welfare of farm animals. It has emphasised the need for research on animal welfare in new and modified housing systems, as well as current but contentious systems, to be attentive to the design contributions of these systems to animal welfare. The review has highlighted areas for future research to safeguard sow and piglet welfare, including the following: effective environmental enrichment for gestating sows in intensive, indoor and non-bedded systems; opportunities to increase foraging and feeding times in feed-restricted gestating sows; design features that allow both access to important resources, such as feed, water and a comfortable lying area, and escape opportunities to reduce aggression and minimise risks to the welfare of group-housed sows; and less confined farrowing and lactation systems. The review also shows that animal welfare problems may be less a function of the type of housing system than of how well it operates. The skills, knowledge and motivation of stockpeople to effectively care for and manage their animals are integral to the standard of welfare experienced by their animals. Attitudes influence not only the manner in which stockpeople handle animals, but also their motivation to care for their animals. Thus, training targeting technical skills and knowledge as well as the attitudes and behaviours of stockpeople should be a primary component of the human resource management practices at a farm. While public concerns and policy debates often focus on intensive housing systems, research indicates that the design and management of both indoor and outdoor housing systems is probably more important for animal welfare than is generally recognised.
Isotopic and geochemical methods for studying water–rock interaction and recharge mode: application to the Cenomanian–Turonian and Plio-Quaternary aquifers of Essaouira Basin, Morocco
Authors: Bahir Mohammed , Ouhamdouch Salah , Carreira Paulà M.
Published: May 2018

Study of the Cenomanian–Turonian and Plio–Quaternary aquifers of Essaouira basin (Western Morocco), based on the interpretation of geochemical (major elements) and isotopic (18O, 2H, 13C and 14C) data, has aided the understanding of the hydrodynamics of these aquifers, which is greatly affected by tectonics. Hydrochemical characteristics based on the bivariate diagrams of major ions (Cl–, SO42–, NO3–, HCO3–, Na+, Mg2+, K+ and Ca2+) and electrical conductivity and mineral saturation indices indicate that the origins of groundwater mineralisation are the result of: (1) evaporite dissolution; (2) cation exchange reactions; (3) and evaporation processes. Radiogenic isotopes (3H and 14C) have highlighted the presence of significant recent recharge in the eastern part of the basin, with groundwater moving according to the general flow path (south-east to north-west). Stable isotope data from the Essaouira basin plot along the Global Meteoric Water Line and below the Local Meteoric Water Line. This suggests that groundwater has been recharged under several different climate regimes.
Ion-triggered selectivity in bacterial sodium channels
Authors: Furini Simone , Domene Carmen
Published: May 2018

Significance

Voltage-gated Na
+
channels are essential components of the cell membrane in any realm of life. To perform their biological functions, Na
+
channels need to conduct Na
+
at high rates, while blocking K
+
. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the selectivity filter of bacterial Na
+
channels is a highly flexible structure. This feature favors fast Na
+
conduction. However, it is still unknown how such highly flexible structure is able to select Na
+
over K
+
. In this contribution, we show that in the presence of K
+
, the selectivity filter switches to a nonconductive state. The effect of K
+
on the dynamics of Na
+
channels explains how these proteins can be contemporarily highly permeable to some ion species and highly selective for similar ones.
Have English translations of Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelung, an icon of German culture, been affected by the changing relationship between Germany and Britain in the twentieth century?
Authors: Wilson-deRoze Karen
Published: May 2018

To some, the message of The Ring of the Nibelung is that love and sacrifice can redeem the world; for others, like G.B. Shaw1, it is a capitalist drama. For many, the Ring is quintessentially German, for others, its mythic themes are universal. Its Germanness is examined in this article in terms of nationalism expressed as a dialectic between German and non-German, specifically Jews. I address the debate of whether or not Wagner’s anti-Semitism is evident in the libretto and music of the Ring and discuss whether translators, working before and after the two World Wars, have censored or adjusted Wagner’s language for present-day tastes. I conclude that any interpretation of the Ring as anti-Semitic does not appear to have influenced the translation choices of post-war translators.
Reproduction and reception of the concepts of Confucianism, Buddhism and polygamy
Authors: Choi Jinsil
Published: May 2018

This article investigates how the pre-modern Korean cultural concepts “Confucianism”, “Buddhism” and “polygamy” as represented in Kuunmong, a Korean novel supposedly published in 1689, were reproduced by two English translators with different religious backgrounds and writing in different periods, Reverend James Scarth Gale (1922) and Bishop Richard Rutt (1974); it is also my aim to examine how the concepts were introduced, explained, and received in the target culture. While Gale’s translation reveals a favorable attitude toward Buddhism and polygamy prevailing in the text, Rutt tended to reinterpret and reconstruct those practices in a more critical way. I suggest that this difference may be related to the different social milieu at the times of translating, readers’ expectations, translators’ individual opinions, as well as factors relating to the publishers, reflective of the different agential network in translation.
Adorno refracted
Authors: Baumgarten Stefan
Published: May 2018

Theodor Wiesengrund Adorno’s oeuvre has been widely translated into English, and despite an uneven reception history in the Anglophone world, he can be regarded as a “fashionable”, perhaps even a “celebrity” philosopher in English translation. Whilst it remains an open question to what extent a high intellectual pedigree can be distilled into cultural capital when refracted through the lens of translation, it appears reasonable to assume that key works of German critical theory in English are refracted through a positivist order of discourse, which is at odds with the ideological, or more precisely utopian, convictions of mainstream critical theorists. This article discusses the translational recontextualisation of Adorno’s concept of the “non-identical” and some of its associated conceptual frames.
Three open questions in Diachronic Construction Grammar
Authors: Hilpert Martin
Published: May 2018

A growing number of studies on language change adopt Construction Grammar as a theoretical framework so that there is now a developing field of Diachronic Construction Grammar. As is typical of any emerging linguistic theory, many aspects of Diachronic Construction Grammar are still not clarified explicitly, or they are understood in different ways by different researchers. There is thus a need for some meta-theoretical reflection. This paper identifies three questions in Diachronic Construction Grammar that are currently unresolved. These three questions pertain to the status of constructions as mental representations of language, the emergence of new constructions, and the way in which nodes and connections are viewed as parts of the constructional network. By airing these questions, this paper hopes to stimulate further discussion.
Pseudocoordination in Norwegian
Authors: Kinn Torodd
Published: May 2018

Pseudocoordination in the Scandinavian languages is often claimed to involve grammaticalization. Such coordination is exemplified by Norwegian sitte og lese ‘be reading’ (literally: ‘sit and read’), gå og se ‘go and see’, and løpe rundt og leke ‘run around and play’, where the first verb in some cases expresses partly or even mainly grammatical meaning. Using a large contemporary corpus, the article explores constructional variants involving atelic motion, like løpe rundt ‘run around’. Indicators of grammaticalization such as paradigmatization, bleaching, and decategorialization of the first verb are in focus, as well as the concomitants of grammaticalization in the larger construction. Some first verbs do show signs of grammaticalization, but this is not a general characteristic of the construction.