bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Schizophrenia and smoking: impact on negative symptoms
Authors: Saliba Miriam ,   Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences, Beirut, Lebanon, Assaad Shafika , Haddad Chadia , Hallit Souheil , Hachem Dory , Haddad Georges ,   Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon,   Lebanese University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut, Lebanon,   Saint Joseph University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut, Lebanon,   Holy Spirit University, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Kaslik, Lebanon
Published: November 2017

Introduction: it has been hypothesized that individuals with schizophrenia use nicotine to reduce negative symptoms and improve cognitive function. There is an inconsistency in the literature suggesting that nicotine could help decrease negative symptoms in schizophrenic patients.

Objective: to investigate the effects of nicotine on the expression of the negative symptoms in smokers and non-smokers with schizophrenia. Methods: a cross sectional study, conducted between April and August 2016, 100 inpatients with schizophrenia (54 smokers and 46 non-smokers) diagnosed according to DSM-V, at Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross Lebanon, were compared to changes in clinical parameters using CDSS, PANSS, and nicotine dependence using FTND. The Student’s t-test was used to compare between 2 groups, while the ANOVA test was used to compare between 3 or more groups. For categorical variables, the chi-2 test was used.

Results: the mean age was 47.16 years (SD = 7.14) for smokers compared to 47.02 years (SD = 7.92) for non-smokers. 64.8% of smokers were males versus 45.7% of non-smokers. Smoking (high nicotine dependence) significantly decreases the PANSS negative symptoms score between the 2 groups (p < .001), whereas it did not show a significant difference for the positive and the cognitive symptoms total score (p > .05 for both variables).

Discussion and conclusion: this study is the first to investigate the relationship between the expression of negative symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia and smoking in Lebanon. Cigarette smoking rates remain remarkably high in patients with schizophrenia. Smoking is a complex process which involves psychopathological, biochemical and neuropharmacological aspects among schizophrenic patients. Further studies are needed to acknowledge these findings and the reasons behind it.
PRINCIPALES FACTORES ORGANIZATIVOS QUE INFLUYEN EN LA SATISFACCIÓN ESTUDIANTIL DE LAS UNIVERSIDADES
Authors: Palacio Fierro Andrés , Arévalo Chávez Patricio , Guadalupe Lanas Jorge
Published: November 2017

La educación no es un servicio como el que brinda un hotel de 5 estrellas, porque un estudiante no siempre logra obtener lo que él o ella quiere (usualmente buenas calificaciones), debido a que no basta solamente con ir a clases o pagar una matrícula, adicionalmente estas personas deberán dar tiempo, dedicación y esfuerzo, aspectos por el que se diferencia del resto de bienes y servicios que se ofertan.  Por esta razón, entre otras, hay opiniones opuestas sobre cómo los alumnos deben ser tratados en una universidad, sin embargo, ellos siguen siendo usuarios de un servicio, por tanto, deben ser satisfechos sus requerimientos. En consecuencia, el estudiante podrá ser tratado como “cliente, consumidor o coproductor, la verdad no importa como sea llamado, siempre y cuando alguien se preocupe por ellos” (Redding, 2005).  Consecuentemente, el objetivo general de este estudio es el de realizar un análisis de los principales factores que influyan en la satisfacción de los estudiantes, con el propósito de contribuir al conocimiento que las universidades deberían tener sobre ellos.  Para lo cual el alcance de la investigación se centra sólo en los factores más controlables por una universidad, a través de una revisión documental en la que se analizó una gran cantidad de aportes realizados sobre la satisfacción estudiantil por investigadores a nivel global, con el fin de alcanzar un estudio incluyente con carácter internacional.
CAMPO SOCIAL Y ÉTICO DURANTE EL PERIODO DE CRECIMIENTO DE LAS EMPRESAS CON ESPÍRITU EMPRENDEDOR QUE “NACIERON GLOBALES”
Authors: Romero Larco Guido , Benalcázar Ordóñez Javier
Published: November 2017

Las empresas que “nacieron globalizadas” son la llave del crecimiento económico en diferentes países. Los autores investigaron el concepto social y asuntos éticos que tienen estas empresas emprendedoras durante los periodos de crecimiento de sus negocios. La falta de responsabilidad social ha empezado a marcar pérdidas económicas para las empresas, mientras que la permanente vigilancia de la sociedad premia con mayores ingresos a las empresas comprometidas con una adecuada responsabilidad social. Este documento entrega una  revisión crítica y evaluación de cómo las compañías con base en su responsabilidad social y principios éticos han contribuido no solo con el desarrollo de la organización, sino también con el de la sociedad.
Numerical Prediction of Storage Stability of Polymer-Modified Bitumen: A Coupled Model of Gravity-Driven Flow and Diffusion
Authors: Zhu Jiqing , Balieu Romain , Lu Xiaohu , Kringos Niki
Published: November 2017

A coupled diffusion–flow model by phase-field method is proposed in this paper with the goal of predicting the storage stability of polymer-modified bitumen (PMB). In this study, the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations were coupled with a previously developed phase-field model for PMB phase separation. The coupled model was implemented in a finite element software package with experimentally calibrated parameters and reported data in the literature. Effects of the parameters (bitumen density and dynamic viscosity) that affected the gravity-driven flow and phase separation in PMB were evaluated at 180°C with the simulation results. The results indicate that the coupled diffusion–flow model can predict the storage stability (and instability) of PMBs. A good correlation between the simulation results and the previously reported experimental results (storage stability tube test) was observed. The different gravity-driven phase separation behaviors of PMBs might have resulted from the different composition of the equilibrium phases in the PMBs as well as the different densities and dynamic viscosities of the individual components (polymer and bitumen). A bigger polymer–bitumen density difference, a lower bitumen dynamic viscosity, or both caused a faster flow and separation in the PMB at storage temperature. The investigated variation of bitumen dynamic viscosity had a more significant influence than the investigated variation of bitumen density in this study, but this finding might depend on the specific values of the model parameters. With this study as a foundation, further experimental and numerical studies will be conducted to increase understanding of storage-stable PMB binders and to develop a more efficient test method for determining PMB storage stability.
Evaluating Asphalt Binders Prepared with Different Processes to Meet the Same Performance Grade: Use of Atomic Force Microscope
Authors: Holcombe Evan W. , Nazzal Munir D. , Mogawer Walaa , Austerman Alexander J. , Kaya Savas
Published: November 2017

This paper summarizes the results of a laboratory testing program conducted to evaluate the microstructure, adhesion, and other mechanical properties of asphalt binders meeting the same performance grade (PG) but produced by using different processes and modifiers. To that end, atomic force microscope (AFM) tapping mode imaging and force spectroscopy experiments were conducted on different straight-run and modified asphalt binders meeting the same PG. In addition, bitumen bond strength and semicircular beam (SCB) tests were conducted on the different binders evaluated and on the mixes prepared by using those binders, respectively, for comparison. The AFM images indicated that the microstructure of the modified binders was different from those of the straight-run binders. The AFM force spectroscopy test results showed that binders with the same PG could have significantly different adhesion properties. The results of the SCB tests indicated that the fatigue performance was affected by the adhesion properties of the binders evaluated. The AFM bonding energy had a very good correlation with the flexibility index parameter obtained from SCB test results. The results of this paper suggest that the adhesion properties of asphalt binders should be included in their evaluation process and specifications.
Evaluating Tack Properties of Trackless Tack Coats Through Dynamic Shear Rheometer
Authors: Seo Ah Young , Sakhaeifar Maryam S. , Wilson Bryan T.
Published: November 2017

Tracking of traditional tack coat materials is a common concern during hot-mix asphalt overlay construction. This problem can be avoided by using trackless tacks, which are recently developed tack products that resist sticking to tires. Thus loss of tack materials from the paving surface is preventable. Various trackless tack products have been introduced to the market; however, there is still a lack of evaluation on their tracking resistance. The objective of this study was to measure the rheological and tack properties of trackless tack materials through the dynamic shear rheometer. Six trackless tacks and a traditional tack were evaluated. To identify rheological characteristics, the dynamic shear rheometer frequency sweep test was performed on the tack residues. Also, the modified dynamic shear rheometer tackiness test was conducted on both tack emulsions and residue at different temperatures. The emulsion samples were tested throughout the curing period. The tack samples were categorized into soft and stiff binder groups with respect to complex shear modulus obtained from the frequency sweep test. The tack energy was estimated to quantify the stickiness in the tackiness test. A significant difference in tack energy was observed between soft and stiff group binders. The stiffness of the investigated tack materials with respect to the complex shear modulus is well correlated with the tack material properties.
Influence of Carbon Nanotubes on Morphology of Asphalts Modified with Styrene–Butadiene–Styrene
Authors: Wang Peng , Dong Ze-jiao , Liu Zhi-yang
Published: November 2017

The main challenge of asphalt modified with styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) during storage and application is the phase separation of SBS-rich phases and asphaltene-rich phases. These phases have a close relationship with the morphology of SBS-modified asphalt [SBS–polymer-modified binders (PMBs)]. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were selected in this paper to provide different morphology of SBS-PMBs with CNTs. The morphology was composed of SBS-rich phases, asphaltene-rich phases, and their interphase, captured from fluorescence microscopy (FM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The components and morphologies of the interface on a molecular scale were obtained by molecular dynamic simulation. The results from FM images showed an increase in the relative content of SBS-rich phases as the amount of CNTs increased, highlighting CNTs’ positive role in the compatibility of SBS and asphalt. Mixing CNTs with a mechanical stirrer provided a larger size of SBS-rich phases than that of SBS-PMBs in AFM images using an ultrasound performed on an interpenetration network of AFM and FM images, whereas mixing with an extruding machine resulted in an orange-skin morphology in FM images. The results from SEM demonstrated that CNTs changed the interface of SBS-PMBs by pullout behaviors. The results from the molecular dynamic simulation showed that SBS intertwined or surrounded CNTs to improve their interaction. Saturate, aromatic, and resin were absorbed into the tube of CNTs. Therefore, CNTs had a positive action on the interaction between SBS and asphalt because they acted as a bridge to link the different phases, finally reinforcing the interface of SBS-PMBs.
Identifying and Visualizing Congestion Bottlenecks with Automated Vehicle Location Systems
Authors: Bucknell Christopher , Schmidt Alejandro , Cruz Diego , Muñoz Juan Carlos
Published: November 2017

Monitoring speeds and identifying problem areas are essential for any public transport system because of the direct impact on its operating costs and on users’ travel time. This study generated a tool that identified, quantified, and displayed operational bottlenecks of bus operation in a city. The model was applied to the public transport system in Santiago, Chile, which faced a steady decline in operating speed. It was possible to identify locations with the most serious problems; this factor allowed transit authorities to focus their efforts on the areas that needed it the most. In addition, it was found that problems were concentrated in certain sectors of the city, including the central business district and intersections where the radial axis roads encountered the city’s central ring road. Once a problem is identified, it is essential to conduct site visits and combine the findings of this research with other sources of information to find the cause of the problem and propose solutions.
Risks Involved in Transit Provision of Bus Contracts
Authors: Tamblay Sebastián , Gschwender Antonio , Dragicevic Marina , Muñoz Juan Carlos
Published: November 2017

To design and evaluate contractual arrangements for transit service delivery, it is crucial to understand the risks assumed by the actors involved. This understanding in turn clarifies the incentive structures of the contracts and their expected effects as well as explains the performance and development of public transport systems. This study examined urban bus contracts and presented a framework that grouped the risks inherent in any transit system, extended the usual dimensions of the analysis, and allowed for the examination of more complex contracts. This methodology was applied to current contracts of Transantiago, in Chile, which had been in effect since mid-2012, and showed that various contractual mechanisms transferred risks to the transit authorities. These mechanisms were shown to reduce operators’ revenue risk from 70% to around 25%, to weaken incentives, and to move the system further away from the 2012 reform objectives. This situation contributed to the persistence of a serious problem of buses skipping stops and fare evasion. In addition, a large proportion of users were captive to a single operator; this setup generated incentive issues in service planning. The analysis advised against the inclusion of demand risk reduction clauses because they might guarantee part of the operators’ income. Instead, stronger incentives could be generated by reducing the importance of the passengers transported in the payment formula while increasing that of service indicators. Complementarily, new solutions to the system’s remaining problems are suggested for further research, such as direct penalties for skipping stops or payments directly linked to fare evasion rates.
Partnerships with Technology-Enabled Mobility Companies
Authors: Westervelt Marla , Schank Joshua , Huang Emma
Published: November 2017

The rise and the proliferation of the on-demand economy are creating a new mobility marketplace. This research explored how these new options could be synergistic with public transit models and detailed the experiences of two transit operators that entered into service delivery partnerships with a transportation network company and a micro-transit operator. Based on a series of interviews and the experiences of these two public agencies, this research provides a set of key takeaways and recommendations for transit operators exploring the potential of partnering with new mobility services such as transportation network companies (e.g., Uber or Lyft) and microtransit (e.g., Bridj or Via).
Randomized controlled study comparing 2 surgical techniques for decompressive craniectomy: with watertight duraplasty and without watertight duraplasty
Authors: Vieira Eduardo , Guimarães Thiago C. , Faquini Igor V. , Silva Jose L. , Saboia Tammy , Andrade Rodrigo V. C. L. , Gemir Thaís L. , Neri Valesca C. , Almeida Nivaldo S. , Azevedo-Filho Hildo R. C.
Published: November 2017

OBJECTIVE

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a widely used procedure in neurosurgery; however, few studies focus on the best surgical technique for the procedure. The authors’ objective was to conduct a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing 2 techniques for performing DC: with watertight duraplasty and without watertight duraplasty (rapid-closure DC).

METHODS

The study population comprised patients ranging in age from 18 to 60 years who were admitted to the Neurotrauma Service of the Hospital da Restauração with a clinical indication for unilateral decompressive craniectomy. Patients were randomized by numbered envelopes into 2 groups: with watertight duraplasty (control group) and without watertight duraplasty (test group). After unilateral DC was completed, watertight duraplasty was performed in the control group, while in the test group, no watertight duraplasty was performed and the exposed parenchyma was covered with Surgicel and the remaining dura mater. Patients were then monitored daily from the date of surgery until hospital discharge or death. The primary end point was the incidence of surgical complications (CSF leak, wound infection, brain abscess, or subgaleal fluid collections). The following were analyzed as secondary end points: clinical outcome (analyzed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS]), surgical time, and hospital costs.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients were enrolled, 29 in each group. Three patients were excluded, leaving 27 in the test group and 28 in the control group. There were no significant differences between groups regarding age, Glasgow Coma Scale score at the time of surgery, GOS score, and number of postoperative follow-up days. There were 9 surgical complications (5 in the control group and 4 in the test group), with no significant differences between the groups. The mean surgical time in the control group was 132 minutes, while in the test group the average surgical time was 101 minutes, a difference of 31 minutes (p = 0.001). The mean reduction in total cost was $420.00 USD (a 23.4% reduction) per procedure in the test group.

CONCLUSIONS

Rapid-closure DC without watertight duraplasty is a safe procedure. It is not associated with a higher incidence of surgical complications (CSF leak, wound infection, brain abscess, or subgaleal fluid collections), and it decreased surgical time by 31 minutes on average. There was also a hospital cost reduction of $420.00 USD (23.4% reduction) per procedure.

Clinical trial registration no.: NCT02594137 (clinicaltrials.gov)
Gap-Dependent Localized High Energy Multiple Dipolar Modes in Passive Silver-Coated Silica Nanoparticle Antennas
Authors: Rahman Atta , Geng Junping , Rehman Sami , Hayat Khizar , Liang Xianling , Jin Ronghong
Published: November 2017

The gap-induced plasmonic response of metallic nanoparticles drastically changes the near and far-field properties of nanoparticle antenna. Similar to a pair of metallic nanostructures, the two nanoparticles, with a dielectric core and silver shell in close proximity, exhibit multiple high energy plasmonic resonances at the short wavelength end of their optical spectrum. In this article, we have overwhelmingly investigated the disparity in the electric field of a core–shell dimer antenna when the gap between nanoparticles within the dimer becomes sub-nanometer in length. We used an electromagnetic planewave to excite the core–shell nanoparticles within the dimer. Frequency domain Finite Element Method (FEM) was employed for the numerical optical analysis of a dimer comprised of two silver-coated silica (SCS) nanoparticles in close proximity, using Computer Simulation Technology (CST) Microwave Studio. A modified Drude model has been used to predict the optical properties of the system with incorporating the size effects. The SCS dimer was numerically analyzed in the visible frequency band, and anomalies in near-field plasmonic coupling were investigated in detail. The inter-surface gap g between nanoparticles within the dimer varied in a range from 0.1 to 402 nm.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Iron-Doped ZnO Nanowires for Water Purification
Authors: Habba Yamina , Capochichi-Gnambodoe Martine , Leprince-Wang Yamin
Published: November 2017

In order to improve the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO nanowires, iron-doped ZnO nanowires (ZnO:Fe NWs) were successfully synthesized. The morphology, optical properties and photocatalytic performance of ZnO:Fe NWs were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Visible spectrophotometry and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), respectively. The SEM observations showed that the morphology of the ZnO NWs was not modified by iron doping, but the band gap was reduced from 3.29 eV for ZnO NWs to 3.25 eV for ZnO:Fe NWs. This band gap reduction allows the semiconductor to harvest more photons to excite more electrons in the valence band; subsequently, resulting in an improvement of the degradability of the understudied organic dyes: methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and acid red 14 (AR14). The photocatalytic study showed that the photo-degradation rate of the MB, MO, and AR14 was improved 9%, 20%, and 5% respectively by 1% iron doping in the ZnO NWs.
Design and Tests of a High-Performance Long-Wave Infrared Refractive Thermal Imager: Freeform Lens in Coaxial System
Authors: Chen Jinjin , Su Junhong , Jin Ning , Li Zexiao , Zhang Xiaodong , Zhang Hao , Zhou Ligang
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we used a freeform lens in a long-wave, un-cooled, refractive infrared (IR) thermal imager and present the design strategy and test results. This optical system is composed of only one freeform lens and several spheres. It can correct the distortion issue inherent to wide field-of-view systems more effectively, and achieve a better thermal imaging performance simultaneously compared to traditional aspheric optical lenses. Such a design model can alleviate the calculation load and cater for the demand of the ultra-precision turning on single crystal germanium. It satisfies the design idea of freeform surfaces with machining feasibility. The refractive freeform IR imager can be realized from the theoretical design to the engineering applications. The research contents of this paper are helpful for the further application of the freeform lens to a more complex cooled infrared refractive thermal imager.
Rosetta Mission: Electron Scattering Cross Sections—Data Needs and Coverage in BEAMDB Database
Authors: Marinković Bratislav , Bredehöft Jan , Vujčić Veljko , Jevremović Darko , Mason Nigel
Published: November 2017

The emission of [O I] lines in the coma of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko during the Rosetta mission have been explained by electron impact dissociation of water rather than the process of photodissociation. This is the direct evidence for the role of electron induced processing has been seen on such a body. Analysis of other emission features is handicapped by a lack of detailed knowledge of electron impact cross sections which highlights the need for a broad range of electron scattering data from the molecular systems detected on the comet. In this paper, we present an overview of the needs for electron scattering data relevant for the understanding of observations in coma, the tenuous atmosphere and on the surface of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko during the Rosetta mission. The relevant observations for elucidating the role of electrons come from optical spectra, particle analysis using the ion and electron sensors and mass spectrometry measurements. To model these processes electron impact data should be collated and reviewed in an electron scattering database and an example is given in the BEAMD, which is a part of a larger consortium of Virtual Atomic and Molecular Data Centre—VAMDC.
Characteristics of NixFe1−xOy Electrocatalyst on Hematite as Photoanode for Solar Hydrogen Production
Authors: Yen Chih-Ping , Li Yan-Jin , Wang Jyhpyng , Chen Szu-yuan , Tseng Chung-Jen
Published: November 2017

The use of hematite as the photoanode for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production by solar energy has been actively studied due to its abundance, stability, and adequate optical properties. Deposition of an electrocatalyst overlayer on the hematite may increase kinetics and lower the onset potential for water splitting. NixFe1−xOy is one of the most effective electrocatalysts reported for this purpose. However, the condition and results of the previous reports vary significantly, and a comprehensive model for NixFe1−xOy/hematite is lacking. Here, we report a simple and novel chemical bath deposition method for depositing low-onset-potential NixFe1−xOy electrocatalyst on hematite. With a Ni percentage of 80% and an immersion time of 2 min, the as-prepared NixFe1−xOy overlayer raised the photovoltage from 0.2 V to 0.7 V, leading to a cathodic shift of the onset potential by 400 mV, while maintaining the same level of current density. The dependence of the electrochemical and photoelectrochemical characteristics of the photoanode on the condition of the electrocatalyst was studied systematically and explained based on energy level diagrams and kinetics.
Wear Transition of CrN Coated M50 Steel under High Temperature and Heavy Load
Authors: Zhang Chi , Gu Le , Tang Guangze , Mao Yuze
Published: November 2017

The combination of high temperature indentation and wear test provides a useful way to investigate wear of CrN coating and wear transition mechanisms. In this paper, the high temperature hardness of CrN coatings and load bearing capacity, Lb, of CrN coated M50 disks were determined from spherical indentation at temperatures up to 500 °C. Wear tests with different normal loads were carried out at the same temperatures as the indentation tests. The results show that wear mechanism of CrN coating changes with external load, P, and temperature, T. Under a tested condition of P < Lb and T < 315 °C, abrasive is the dominant wear mechanism for CrN coating. Under a tested condition of P < Lb and T ≥ 315 °C, wear of CrN coating transitions into mild oxidation wear due to the lubricating effect of chromium oxide film. Under a tested condition of P > Lb and T < 315 °C, wear of CrN coating was controlled by coating fracture. Under a tested condition of P > Lb and T ≥ 315 °C, wear of CrN coating transitions into the severe wear mode, due to the tensile fracture of oxidation films, thereby leading to adhesion between CrN coating and tribo-counterpart. The presented method can be helpful in predicting permissible load and working temperature in tribological applications of CrN coating.
THz Rectennas and Their Design Rules
Authors: Shanawani Mazen , Masotti Diego , Costanzo Alessandra
Published: November 2017

The increasing demand for more efficient energy harvesting solutions has urged research for better harvesting solutions than the presently-available ones. While p-n junction solar cells have become commercially widespread, they are expensive and suffer from poor efficiency figures hardly reaching 20%. Other radiation-electricity converters such as rectennas have a theoretical limit in excess of 80%. However, no efficient rectenna solution for the terahertz frequency band has been commercialized or presented in the academic literature. In fact, there are many obstructions to an efficient solution. The aim of this paper is to address the key points towards an efficient and commercially-available solution by briefly reviewing the relevant literature and so identifying five factors that should be addressed in order to reach an efficient solution.
Climate Change Mitigation Potential in Boreal Forests: Impacts of Management, Harvest Intensity and Use of Forest Biomass to Substitute Fossil Resources
Authors: Baul Tarit , Alam Ashraful , Ikonen Antti , Strandman Harri , Asikainen Antti , Peltola Heli , Kilpeläinen Antti
Published: November 2017

The impacts of alternative forest management scenarios and harvest intensities on climate change mitigation potential of forest biomass production, utilization and economic profitability of biomass production were studied in three boreal sub-regions in Finland over a 40-year period. Ecosystem modelling and life cycle assessment tools were used to calculate the mitigation potential in substituting fossil materials and energy, expressed as the net CO2 exchange. Currently recommended management targeting to timber production acted as a baseline management. Alternative management included maintaining 20% higher or lower stocking in forests and final felling made at lower breast height diameter than used in the baseline. In alternative management scenarios, logging residues and logging residues with coarse roots and stumps were harvested in final felling in addition to timber. The net CO2 exchange in the southern and eastern sub-regions was higher compared to the western one due to higher net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) over the study period. Maintaining higher stocking with earlier final felling and intensified biomass harvest appeared to be the best option to increase both climate benefits and economic returns. Trade-offs between the highest net CO2 exchange and economic profitability of biomass production existed. The use of alternative displacement factors largely affected the mitigation potential of forest biomass.
Persons and Sovereigns in Ethical Thought
Authors: McWhorter Ladelle
Published: November 2017

Contemporary concepts of moral personhood prevent us from grappling effectively with contemporary social, political, and moral problems. One way to counter the power of such concepts is to trace their lineage and shifting political investments. This article presents a genealogy of personhood, focusing on the crisis of both personhood and sovereignty in seventeenth-century England. It demonstrates the optionality of personhood for moral thinking and exposes personhood’s functions in political dividing practices.
Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinases in Phytohormone Signaling Pathways
Authors: Xu Wuwu , Huang Wenchao
Published: November 2017

Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CPKs/CDPKs) are Ca2+-sensors that decode Ca2+ signals into specific physiological responses. Research has reported that CDPKs constitute a large multigene family in various plant species, and play diverse roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. Although numerous CDPKs have been exhaustively studied, and many of them have been found to be involved in plant hormone biosynthesis and response mechanisms, a comprehensive overview of the manner in which CDPKs participate in phytohormone signaling pathways, regulating nearly all aspects of plant growth, has not yet been undertaken. In this article, we reviewed the structure of CDPKs and the mechanism of their subcellular localization. Some CDPKs were elucidated to influence the intracellular localization of their substrates. Since little work has been done on the interaction between CDPKs and cytokinin signaling pathways, or on newly defined phytohormones such as brassinosteroids, strigolactones and salicylic acid, this paper mainly focused on discussing the integral associations between CDPKs and five plant hormones: auxins, gibberellins, ethylene, jasmonates, and abscisic acid. A perspective on future work is provided at the end.
NC-TODIM-Based MAGDM under a Neutrosophic Cubic Set Environment
Authors: Pramanik Surapati , Dalapati Shyamal , Alam Shariful , Roy Tapan Kumar
Published: November 2017

A neutrosophic cubic set is the hybridization of the concept of a neutrosophic set and an interval neutrosophic set. A neutrosophic cubic set has the capacity to express the hybrid information of both the interval neutrosophic set and the single valued neutrosophic set simultaneously. As newly defined, little research on the operations and applications of neutrosophic cubic sets has been reported in the current literature. In the present paper, we propose the score and accuracy functions for neutrosophic cubic sets and prove their basic properties. We also develop a strategy for ranking of neutrosophic cubic numbers based on the score and accuracy functions. We firstly develop a TODIM (Tomada de decisao interativa e multicritévio) in the neutrosophic cubic set (NC) environment, which we call the NC-TODIM. We establish a new NC-TODIM strategy for solving multi attribute group decision making (MAGDM) in neutrosophic cubic set environment. We illustrate the proposed NC-TODIM strategy for solving a multi attribute group decision making problem to show the applicability and effectiveness of the developed strategy. We also conduct sensitivity analysis to show the impact of ranking order of the alternatives for different values of the attenuation factor of losses for multi-attribute group decision making strategies.
Investigating the Statistical Distribution of Learning Coverage in MOOCs
Authors: Li Xiu , Men Chang , Du Zhihui , Liu Jason , Li Manli , Zhang Xiaolei
Published: November 2017

Learners participating in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) have a wide range of backgrounds and motivations. Many MOOC learners enroll in the courses to take a brief look; only a few go through the entire content, and even fewer are able to eventually obtain a certificate. We discovered this phenomenon after having examined 92 courses on both xuetangX and edX platforms. More specifically, we found that the learning coverage in many courses—one of the metrics used to estimate the learners’ active engagement with the online courses—observes a Zipf distribution. We apply the maximum likelihood estimation method to fit the Zipf’s law and test our hypothesis using a chi-square test. In the xuetangX dataset, the learning coverage in 53 of 76 courses fits Zipf’s law, but in all of 16 courses on the edX platform, the learning coverage rejects the Zipf’s law. The result from our study is expected to bring insight to the unique learning behavior on MOOC.
A New Anomaly Detection System for School Electricity Consumption Data
Authors: Cui Wenqiang , Wang Hao
Published: November 2017

Anomaly detection has been widely used in a variety of research and application domains, such as network intrusion detection, insurance/credit card fraud detection, health-care informatics, industrial damage detection, image processing and novel topic detection in text mining. In this paper, we focus on remote facilities management that identifies anomalous events in buildings by detecting anomalies in building electricity consumption data. We investigated five models within electricity consumption data from different schools to detect anomalies in the data. Furthermore, we proposed a hybrid model that combines polynomial regression and Gaussian distribution, which detects anomalies in the data with 0 false negative and an average precision higher than 91%. Based on the proposed model, we developed a data detection and visualization system for a facilities management company to detect and visualize anomalies in school electricity consumption data. The system is tested and evaluated by facilities managers. According to the evaluation, our system has improved the efficiency of facilities managers to identify anomalies in the data.
Reconstruction of Craniomaxillofacial Bone Defects Using Tissue-Engineering Strategies with Injectable and Non-Injectable Scaffolds
Authors: Gaihre Bipin , Uswatta Suren , Jayasuriya Ambalangodage
Published: November 2017

Engineering craniofacial bone tissues is challenging due to their complex structures. Current standard autografts and allografts have many drawbacks for craniofacial bone tissue reconstruction; including donor site morbidity and the ability to reinstate the aesthetic characteristics of the host tissue. To overcome these problems; tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies have been developed as a potential way to reconstruct damaged bone tissue. Different types of new biomaterials; including natural polymers; synthetic polymers and bioceramics; have emerged to treat these damaged craniofacial bone tissues in the form of injectable and non-injectable scaffolds; which are examined in this review. Injectable scaffolds can be considered a better approach to craniofacial tissue engineering as they can be inserted with minimally invasive surgery; thus protecting the aesthetic characteristics. In this review; we also focus on recent research innovations with different types of stem-cell sources harvested from oral tissue and growth factors used to develop craniofacial bone tissue-engineering strategies.
Big Sensed Data Meets Deep Learning for Smarter Health Care in Smart Cities
Authors: Obinikpo Alex , Kantarci Burak
Published: November 2017

With the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) concept and its integration with the smart city sensing, smart connected health systems have appeared as integral components of the smart city services. Hard sensing-based data acquisition through wearables or invasive probes, coupled with soft sensing-based acquisition such as crowd-sensing results in hidden patterns in the aggregated sensor data. Recent research aims to address this challenge through many hidden perceptron layers in the conventional artificial neural networks, namely by deep learning. In this article, we review deep learning techniques that can be applied to sensed data to improve prediction and decision making in smart health services. Furthermore, we present a comparison and taxonomy of these methodologies based on types of sensors and sensed data. We further provide thorough discussions on the open issues and research challenges in each category.
Heterobimetallic 3d-4f (Zn/La) {6,6′-Dimethoxy-2,2′-[naphthalene-2,3-diylbis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenolato}-pyridylzinc(II)-tris(nitrato-O,O′)lanthanum(III) Monohydrate
Authors: Linden Calliope , Chaudhary Nikita , Zeller Matthias , Trivedi Evan
Published: November 2017

Herein, we report the synthesis and structural characterization of a complex with extended aromaticity based on a naphthalene-bridged Schiff base complex with two metal binding pockets. In a first step, the Zn(II) complex (ZnL), {6,6′-dimethoxy-2,2′-[naphthalene-2,3-diylbis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenolato}a-pyridylzinc(II) was isolated followed by refluxing with lanthanum(III) nitrate to produce the heterobimetallic complex {ZnL[La(NO3)3·H2O]}. Crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction were grown by vapor diffusion of THF into a pyridine solution of the complex. The monoclinic unit cell (P21/n) is commensurately modulated along the c-axis direction and contains four crystallographically independent molecules with pseudo-translational symmetry being broken by slightly differing orientations of included pyridine and THF solvate molecules. The zinc atom adopts a distorted square pyramidal geometry and sits slightly above the ligand plane, whereas the lanthanum atom adopts an all-face capped trigonal prismatic geometry and sits below the ligand plane. Structural characterization of this diamagnetic complex lays the groundwork for applying these synthetic techniques to the near-infrared emitting lanthanides for practical application.
Effect of Alumina Incorporation on the Surface Mineralization and Degradation of a Bioactive Glass (CaO-MgO-SiO2-Na2O-P2O5-CaF2)-Glycerol Paste
Authors: Tulyaganov Dilshat , Abdukayumov Khasan , Ruzimuradov Olim , Hojamberdiev Mirabbos , Ionescu Emanuel , Riedel Ralf
Published: November 2017

This study investigates the dissolution behavior as well as the surface biomineralization in simulated body fluid (SBF) of a paste composed of glycerol (gly) and a bioactive glass in the system CaO-MgO-SiO2-Na2O-P2O5-CaF2 (BG). The synthesis of the bioactive glass in an alumina crucible has been shown to significantly affect its bioactivity due to the incorporation of aluminum (ca. 1.3–1.4 wt %) into the glass network. Thus, the kinetics of the hydroxyapatite (HA) mineralization on the glass prepared in the alumina crucible was found to be slower than that reported for the same glass composition prepared in a Pt crucible. It is considered that the synthesis conditions lead to the incorporation of small amount of aluminum into the BG network and thus delay the HA mineralization. Interestingly, the BG-gly paste was shown to have significantly higher bioactivity than that of the as-prepared BG. Structural analysis of the paste indicate that glycerol chemically interacts with the glass surface and strongly alter the glass network architecture, thus generating a more depolymerized network, as well as an increased amount of silanol groups at the surface of the glass. In particular, BG-gly paste features early intermediate calcite precipitation during immersion in SBF, followed by hydroxyapatite formation after ca. seven days of SBF exposure; whereas the HA mineralization seems to be suppressed in BG, probably a consequence of the incorporation of aluminum into the glass network. The results obtained within the present study reveal the positive effect of using pastes based on bioactive glasses and organic carriers (here alcohols) which may be of interest not only due to their advantageous visco-elastic properties, but also due to the possibility of enhancing the glass bioactivity upon surface interactions with the organic carrier.
On the Piezoelectric Detection of Guided Ultrasonic Waves
Authors: Ono Kanji
Published: November 2017

In order to quantify the wave motion of guided ultrasonic waves, the characteristics of piezoelectric detectors, or ultrasonic transducers and acoustic emission sensors, have been evaluated systematically. Such guided waves are widely used in structural health monitoring and nondestructive evaluation, but methods of calibrating piezoelectric detectors have been inadequate. This study relied on laser interferometry for the base displacement measurement of bar waves, from which eight different guided wave test set-ups are developed with known wave motion using piezoelectric transmitters. Both plates and bars of 12.7 and 6.4 mm thickness were used as wave propagation media. The upper frequency limit was 2 MHz. Output of guided wave detectors were obtained on the test set-ups and their receiving sensitivities were characterized and averaged. While each sensitivity spectrum was noisy for a detector, the averaged spectrum showed a good convergence to a unique receiving sensitivity. Twelve detectors were evaluated and their sensitivity spectra determined in absolute units. Generally, these showed rapidly dropping sensitivity with increasing frequency due to waveform cancellation on their sensing areas. This effect contributed to vastly different sensitivities to guided wave and to normally incident wave for each one of the 12 detectors tested. Various other effects are discussed and recommendations on methods of implementing the approach developed are provided.
Tuning the Photoluminescence of Graphene Quantum Dots by Photochemical Doping with Nitrogen
Authors: Xu Xiaofen , Gao Fuhua , Bai Xiaohua , Liu Fuchi , Kong Wenjie , Li Ming
Published: November 2017

Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) were synthesized by irradiating graphene quantum dots (GQDs) in an NH3 atmosphere. The photoluminescence (PL) properties of the GQDs and the NGQDs samples were investigated. Compared with GQDs, a clear PL blue-shift of NGQDs could be achieved by regulating the irradiating time. The NGQDs obtained by irradiation of GQDs for 70 min had a high N content of 15.34 at % and a PL blue-shift of about 47 nm. This may be due to the fact that photochemical doping of GQDs with nitrogen can significantly enhance the contents of pyridine-like nitrogen, and also effectively decrease the contents of oxygen functional groups of NGQDs, thus leading to the observed obvious PL blue-shift.
PGE Production in Southern Africa, Part I: Production and Market Trends
Authors: Thormann Lisa , Buchspies Benedikt , Mbohwa Charles , Kaltschmitt Martin
Published: November 2017

Platinum group elements (PGEs) are an important resource for many applications, such as automotive catalytic converters for vehicles, jewelry, electrical devices and as catalysts in the chemical and petroleum industries. At present, the greatest share of global PGE supply is extracted from the South African Bushveld Complex and from the Zimbabwean Great Dyke. In this context, this article provides a comprehensive summary of detailed mining data between 2010 and 2015 and discusses these in regard to the global PGE market. On the supply side, the data reveal that the production volumes as well as the ore grades fluctuated in recent years, while the mining and processing of economically less favorable Upper Group 2 (UG2) ore increased. The average head grade from 2010 to 2015 was 3.58 g 6E/t. In the long term, the ore grades decreased. On the market side, PGE prices and increasing (primary) production costs can be observed. On the market side, the demand for vehicles is expected to grow globally resulting in an increase in PGE demand. At the same time, secondary production is expected to increase and will eventually compete with primary production. These findings indicate challenging conditions for the Southern African PGE industry.
Baccharis reticularia DC. and Limonene Nanoemulsions: Promising Larvicidal Agents for Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Control
Authors: Botas Gisele , Cruz Rodrigo , De Almeida Fernanda , Duarte Jonatas , Araújo Raquel , Souto Raimundo , Ferreira Ricardo , Carvalho José , Santos Marcelo , Rocha Leandro , Pereira Vera , Fernandes Caio
Published: November 2017

Baccharis reticularia DC. is a plant species from the Asteraceae family that is endemic to Brazil. Despite the great importance of Baccharis genus, no study has been carried out regarding either the phytochemical composition of B. reticularia or the evaluation of its larvicidal potential. Considering the intrinsic immiscibility of essential oils, this study shows larvicidal nanoemulsions containing the B. reticularia phytochemically characterized essential oil and its main constituent against Aedes aegypti. The major compound found was d-limonene (25.7%). The essential oil inhibited the acetylcholinesterase, one of the main targets of insecticides. The required hydrophile-lipophile balance of both nanoemulsions was 15.0. The mean droplet sizes were around 90.0 nm, and no major alterations were observed after 24 h of preparation for both formulations. After 48 h of treatment, the estimated LC50 values were 118.94 μg mL−1 and 81.19 μg mL−1 for B. reticularia essential oil and d-limonene nanoemulsions, respectively. Morphological alterations evidenced by scanning electron micrography were observed on the larvae treated with the d-limonene nanoemulsion. This paper demonstrated a simple and ecofriendly method for obtaining B. reticularia essential oil and d-limonene aqueous nanoemulsions by a non-heating and solvent-free method, as promising alternatives for Aedes aegypti control.
Polyphenolics from Albizia harveyi Exhibit Antioxidant Activities and Counteract Oxidative Damage and Ultra-Structural Changes of Cryopreserved Bull Semen
Authors: Sobeh Mansour , Hassan Soha , El Raey Mohamed , Khalil Wael , Hassan Mahmoud , Wink Michael
Published: November 2017

Albizia harveyi is a tropical deciduous tree, found across South and Eastern Africa and widely used in traditional medicine. The leaf extract ameliorated the damaging effects of the frozen-thawing process in cryopreserved bull semen. In a dose-dependent pattern, sperm motility, viability, and membrane integrity were improved compared to the untreated control. Furthermore, the extract increased the percentage of viable sperm cells and reduced the percentages of early apoptotic and apoptotic sperm cells as well as the damage in sperm ultra-structure. These activities are in agreement with the robust antioxidant properties in vitro and in the seminal fluid as observed in the total antioxidant capacity and the lipid peroxidation parameter malondialdehyde. LC-MS yielded 35 compounds. The extract was dominated by quercetin-O-galloyl-hexoside and quercetin-O-pentoside, along with other flavonoid glycosides. The polyphenols are probably responsible for the observed activities. In conclusion, the current findings show that A. harveyi leaves are rich in bioactive polyphenols with functional properties, validating its traditional use.